PersonalFinanceMoneyMatters: Earning Money, Making Money, Money Market, Old and New Money

Is Your Car Among the Massive Toyota Recall List?

2010-01-28T03:45:00.000-08:00

New York Times Journalist, Thomas L. Friedman, Said China is not Going to Bail Us Out of This Economic Mess

2008-12-21T23:50:00.000-08:00

Just like many of you, I have been reading Thomas L. Friedman's advice for a long time. In this OP-Ed, he wrote that Chinese are seen as savers and producers while we, westerners and specifically Americans, are seen as users, spenders and borrowers. In other words, we depend on cheap Chinese goods and credit to build our economy, homes and everything else. We used to depend on Japanese money and products to build a lot in this country. He has a surprise for us. He wants us to know that the Chinese may look inwards and forget about us in these hard times.

"China is not going to rescue us or the world economy. We’re going to have to get out of this crisis the old-fashioned way: by digging inside ourselves and getting back to basics — improving U.S. productivity, saving more, studying harder and inventing more stuff to export. The days of phony prosperity — I borrow cheap money from China to build a house and then borrow on that house to buy cheap paintings from China to decorate my walls and everybody is a winner — are over," T. L. Friedman wrote in the New York Times.

It is high time that we start saving our money instead of being only good consumers.

The Pursuit of Happiness and The Reach of Unhappiness Boom, Anxiety and Insecurity

2008-10-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

"Happiness is not a given. It is a goal. And saving more may help you reach it."

With the downturn of the economy and the near-destruction of the financial market and Wall street, many Americans are wondering what is happening to our country. It goes without saying that economic insecurity has also increased. The boom of the late 1990s created unrealistic expectations. Various polls show that more than half of us are worried about losing our nest egg, our retirements, our jobs. After all, having a job in this country allows one to have not only income, but also insurance.

More money does not automatically improve our mood. After all, money-- no matter how much you have--- is only part of the puzzle. According to Oxford University, happiness is more complicated than wealth alone. Americans are less happy on average than people in less prosperous nations such as Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. It is not the rich that most of us strive to keep up with; it is our families and friends. Bear in mind that trying to keep up with the Joneses is a trap. In our pursuit of happiness guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, we tend to compete with neighbors, siblings, co-workers, and old classmates. People's ability to act on behalf of what matters to them is fundamental to happiness.

The key to financial happiness is to start saving. Do not be concerned about what and how much others are saving. By saving as much as you can in your particular circumstances, you will get ahead. You will live a happy life even in the midst of hard economic times.

Greater wealth does not generate more national happiness.

Surviving Wall Street's Financial Crisis: How to Survive in a Tough Economy

2008-10-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

The financial crisis on Wall Street is quickly spiraling down to small businesses, making it extremely difficult for them to secure from large banks the credit they need to start and maintain their operations.

Some businesses that currently have good relationships with banks are getting more scrutiny and higher interest rates -- such as 15% or more. Riskier borrowers are being denied credit altogether.

Aside from falling back on friends or family -- or charging up yet another credit card -- here's a look at five alternatives for getting extra cash to run a business in this economy.
Peer-to-Peer Lending Sites

Several Web sites now facilitate loans between individuals who don't know each other. Typically, the prospective borrowers create profiles that include how much they need to borrow, what the money will be used for and some credit history. Other individuals can browse the loan requests and make offers that include payment terms and interest rates. Prospective lenders also get a risk assessment of the borrower generated by the Web site based on the borrower's credit history.

Some "peer-to-peer" lending sites include LendingClub.com, Prosper.com, RaiseCapital.com and Zopa.com.

On Prosper.com, for instance, 25% of borrowers are individuals running or looking to start businesses, says Chief Executive Chris Larsen. The site facilitates loans between individuals from $1,000 to $25,000, and interest rates on those loans right now range from 6% for those with the strongest credit ratings to about 30%.

Prosper, which has 800,000 registered users, is seeing more entrepreneurs with good credit scores signing up. "We're certainly seeing a steady increase of the quality of borrower coming to our site," Mr. Larsen says. About 55% of the loans being funded are for borrowers with credit scores above 720, he adds, while only about 5% are for those categorized as "subprime" borrowers.
Community Banks, Credit Unions

While big banks are being battered by all the financial turmoil on Wall Street, many local banks and credit unions are far more stable. In fact, community banks continue to expand, although some have suffered losses on securities issued by troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, says Camden Fine, chief executive of the Independent Community Bankers of America, an industry association in Washington.

Still, he says, even the community banks are more hesitant to lend to companies that lack rock-solid balance sheets.
Factoring, Asset-Based Loans

Though certainly not a cheap route to capital, some banks and non-bank financing companies offer financing that is backed by a business's assets or accounts receivable.

So-called factoring, where a lender might, say, outright give a borrower 80 cents on the dollar for the company's accounts receivable, can be a good option for businesses like manufacturers that are owed a lot of money by customers and that have no better lending option right now, says Raphael Amit, an entrepreneurship professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Interest rates on such financing can sometimes run 15% or higher, so it's best to only resort to this approach when there's no lower-cost option.

So-called asset-based loans -- loans in which assets such as inventory, equipment or real estate are used as collateral -- can be good options for companies with lots of assets. But again, rates tend to run much higher than on traditional bank loans. The loan amounts are often capped at a percentage of the assessed value of the assets, such as 65%.

Also, even loans backed by assets can be difficult to get for companies with less-than-stellar credit ratings. Mark Sunshine, president of First Capital, a West Palm Beach, Fla., finance company, says he's seeing more demand for loans based on accounts receivable or assets, but isn't necessarily doing much more business. "There's a reason local banks won't lend them money," he says of riskier small companies. He says he's sticking to companies with lots of assets to use as collateral.
Negotiating With Customers or Suppliers

Another smart strategy for helping cash flow -- perhaps even if you do have access to loans -- is striking better payment terms with customers and suppliers, Prof. Amit says. Especially when business relationships are strong and long-lasting, many companies are willing to help each other out in tough economies.
Business that usually gives customers 30 to 60 days to pay the bills, for instance, might require customers to pay upon receipt of goods. A supplier, on the other hand, might be willing to extend lengthier payment terms to a business customer if it feels the customer is trustworthy and vital to its own business. Some suppliers also will lend money to their longstanding, most valued customers.
Changing Behaviors

Hard times call for small businesses to be nimble and entrepreneurial. Many businesses are using the tough economy to scrutinize their business practices and find creative ways to create better cash flow.

Some turn to leasing instead of buying equipment they need. Others are identifying areas of the business that will tend to be more lucrative in today's economy and shifting their resources in those directions.

Financial Crisis Caused Murder-suicide in Paradise

2008-10-06T21:27:00.001-07:00

Financial Difficulties Lead Father to Kill Wife, Mother-in-law and Three Children in California Gated Community

Former PricewaterhouseCoopers and Sony Pictures employee went a killing rampage after being unemployed for several months. The unemployed accounting industry worker became despondent and withdrawn. Living in an upscale, large home in a California gated community, the father could not take it any longer. Watching the credit crunch or contraction and the tight economic market and the changing of Wall Street business model, he realized that his chances of getting a job were almost nil. He could not count on his master's of business administration in finance to get him a job. Ill-advised, he decided to take matters in his own hand. He unleashed all his demons on his unsuspecting family.

Police investigating the case in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Porter Ranch found a handgun which was purchased on Sept. 16, 2008. They recovered where the father's body was located. The man used it to kill his 39-year old wife, 70-year-old mother-in-law, and his sons aged 19, 12, and 7. It is worth nothing that the family did not own the home.

The father created hell for his wife and his children as he went from room to room to commit these killings. In his suicide letters, he attests to some financial difficulties, takes responsibility for the taking of his family members and himself as a result of these financial hardships. The financial dealings and situation of his household overwhelmed him.

Tags:

Sorrento Pointe, gated community, Santa Susana Mountains, Porter Ranch, pricewaterhousecoopers, Sony Pictures, large home, financial problems, handgun, San Fernando Valley, suicide letters

Personal Investing: Wall Street's Business Model Incites Greed, Cowboy Investing, Lack of Risks, Push for more Profits and More Borrowing (Leverage)

2008-09-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

Wall Street's Casino Attitude, Questions and Answers: Wall Street's Business Model Incites Greed, Cowboy Investing, Lack of Risks, Push for more Profits and More Borrowing (Leverage)

Wall Street is not what it used to be. Some of the buildings are still there. However, everybody from company directors to ground crew, traders, brokers and customers is running scared. Wall Street as we knew it is having huge problems. Consisting of giant investment houses, brokerage firms, hedge funds and "private equity" firms, Wall Street business model has come under huge assaults from greedy traders and management directors who thought that risks were to be handled differently in their quest for more and more profits.

Bear Stearns is no more. Venerable Merrill Lynch had to find a purchaser in Bank of America. The Feds could not rescue investment bank Lehman Brothers which had to file for bankruptcy. Insurance giant AIG received an $85 billion bailout from the Federal Reserve. That's after the government took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the largest mortgage lenders in an effort to shore up the economy and the housing market. Investors have just found out that their funds could be lost if it was not for this late-hour lifeline. Foreign investors also had to be reassured. Anything that happens to our economy ends up having great repercussion in other countries' stock markets.

In the past few years, Wall Street has gone away from its business model. They have long lost their role as advisers and intermediaries. In the past, these investment banks used to work for their clients. They traded stocks and bonds for major institutional investors such as insurance companies, pension funds, and mutual funds. They raised capital for companies by underwriting, selling new pension funds, mutual funds. They provided advice to corporate clients on mergers, acquisitions and spinoffs. That's how they made their money by charging fees.

Wall Street's financial institutions changed their focus. They were in business for themselves. They were investing for themselves by using partners' or shareholders' money to place bets on stocks, bonds and other securities which they called "principal transactions.

If anybody wants to do something about Wall Street's compensation system, he/she will have to lay the groundwork to avoid future chaos. It is not a secret that Wall Street's compensation system is heavily skewed toward annual bonuses which reflect the profits traders and management directors earned in the year. Even when these traders and directors were making base salaries of $200,000 to $300,000, bonuses were their gravy. They used to receive bonuses five to 10 times their base salaries.

Unlike commercial banks, investment banks rely too much on borrowed money which they call "leverage." There were too many windfalls caused by too much borrowing. For a long time, traders and money managers were focusing too much on their own short-term profits. That is why the crash was just around the corner. Wall Street was being severely damaged by these acts. Short-term goals were met, but investors, shareholders and the rest of the country were going to get hurt. Everyone involved had huge incentives to increase borrowing.

How to Send Money or Remittances to Family Members Abroad

2008-08-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Sending money abroad is easy, but is there enough money to send these days?

U.S. economic slowdown, lack of construction jobs and tight border control prevent many immigrants from sending money to their family members in Latin America. From Miami to California, immigrant workers have been unable to make enough money to afford to send some back home. Yet, those left behind depend on the monthly remittances which are their lifeline according to IDB, International Development Bank. The bank conducted a study that showed that the money sent by Mexicans, Haitians, Jamaicans and other immigrants contributes a lot to the home country's GDP.

Standing in front of A Western Union on Miami Beach, I can witness the few immigrants who are dropping by to send money to their family members. Obviously, this small number of people amounts to a large group as it happens all over the country. So far, Western Union, the largest and oldest money-transfer company, indicates that it conducted 168 million consumer-to-consumer money transfers and an additional 405 million consumers-to-business transactions. The average is over a million transfers a day according to a Western Union rep.

Western Union offers three ways to send money: Online, at a location such as this one, and by phone. On the website, one can find out which services are available where. By using a Visa or Mastercard or debit card, one can send money in minutes. Recipients are able to go to any of the 345,000 Western Union locations world wide to claim their money.

Immigrants also use MoneyGram International. MoneyGram offers two services to send money abroad: emoney transfer same day service and emoney economy service.

Some computer users can also use Paypal, an eBay company to send money to family members overseas.

There are other services that can be used too.

Hydroponics Resources and History Over the Ages: Start Growing Your Hydroponics Tomatoes and Vegetables

2008-08-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

The term hydroponics was coined in the USA in the early 1930's to describe the growing of plants with their roots suspended in water containing mineral nutrients. Derived from the Greek words for 'water' - hydro and 'to work' - ponos, hydroponics literally means 'working with water'. The definition has gradually become broadened to describe all forms of gardening without soil.

Hydroponic gardens in history date back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Aztec Indians had a system of growing crops on rafts in shallow lakes, you can still see some of these floating gardens near Mexico City. Developments did not start taking place in Europe until 1699 when Woodward found that he could grow plants in a solution of water to which soil had been added. Liebig, a German scientist, started using nutrient solutions to study the nutritional requirements of plants in the 1850's and was followed by Sachs in 1860 and Knop in 1861 who made studies of nutrient elements in water solutions. They were able to grow plants in nutrient solutions made up from mineral salts eliminating the need for soil.

Research on the nutritional requirements of plants continued through into the 1870's. By 1925 practical applications of hydroponics were being made in the greenhouse industry. The next decade was to see extensive development as researchers became aware of the potential of growing hydroponically. In 1930 Gericke produced the first commercial hydroponic unit in the USA. Later during World War II the American forces in the Pacific grew vegetable crops hydroponically. Developments continued and the commercial use of hydroponics spread throughout the world but it was the development of a system known as N.F.T. by Dr Alan Cooper in the 1970's, along with improved nutritional formulations that made the hydroponic growing of a wide range of plants commercially viable. Since then automatic control systems have become available as well as digital testing equipment which has opened up the field of hydroponics to the home gardener.

Hydroponics has come a long way since the Aztecs. It has become an essential method of growing crops in areas of the World where water is precious and land useless for field growing. Water care and land care is now legislative in many countries in the World, so with sensible, well managed hydroponic crops we can keep producing high quality produce which is environmentally friendly and sustainable for the future.

The History of Hydroponics Embraces Many Cultures, Groups of People, Individuals and Commercial Farmers

2008-08-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hydroponics basically means working water ("hydro" means "water" and "ponos" means "labor"). Many different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history. As noted in Hydroponic Food Production (Fifth Edition, Woodbridge Press, 1997, page 23) by Howard M. Resh: "The hanging gardens of Babylon, the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the Chinese are examples of 'Hydroponic' culture. Egyptian hieroglyphic records dating back several hundred years B.C. describe the growing of plants in water." Hydroponics is hardly a new method of growing plants. However, giant strides have been made over the years in this innovative area of agriculture.

Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists experimented with different methods of hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that drove research was for growing fresh produce in nonarable areas of the world. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all). This application of hydroponics was tested during World War II. Troops stationed on nonarable islands in the Pacific were supplied with fresh produce grown in locally established hydroponic systems. Later in the century, hydroponics was integrated into the space program. As NASA considered the practicalities of locating a society on another plant or the Earth's moon, hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. This research is ongoing.

But by the 1970s, it wasn't just scientists and analysts who were involved in hydroponics. Traditional farmers and eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the virtues of hydroponic growing. A few of the positive aspects of hydroponics include:

* The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture
* Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil
* Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner

Commercial growers are flocking to hydroponics like never before. The ideals surrounding these growing techniques touch on subjects that most people care about, such as helping end world hunger and making the world cleaner. In addition to the extensive research that is going on, everyday people from all over the world have been building (or purchasing) their own systems to grow great-tasting, fresh food for their family and friends. Educators are realizing the amazing applications that hydroponics can have in the classroom. And ambitious individuals are striving to make their dreams come true by making their living in their backyard greenhouse, selling their produce to local markets and restaurants.

And now that so many people from so many different walks of life are involved in hydroponics and its associated disciplines (such as aeroponics and aquaponics), progress is coming faster than ever before.

HomeGrown Hydroponics: The Future is in Hydroponics

2008-08-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

What about this company?

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. was established in 1985 to meet the growing demand of the conscientious consumer and the large number of hydroponics enthusiasts.

Now, with numerous locations throughout North America, Homegrown has evolved into a dynamic company.

Homegrown is the foremost hydroponics group and the company's goal is not only to sell Hydroponics products but to stay on the leading edge of technology in the hydroponics industry. Education is a main issue for this company. Through education and awareness, by providing information about hydroponics, they hope to promote hydroponics plant and vegetable production worldwide... As you know, hydroponics is the only way to grow!

Apple Bells and Whistles; Apple AppCessories: Enjoying Apple Apps

2008-07-31T22:50:00.000-07:00

Apple Iphone 3G App Store AppCessories: What to (not to ) Like About The Second Generation iPhone and all the Available Programs That Catch Users' Attention

What do you want on your original iPhone that you can not get out there now? For sure the iPhone 3G has increased speed, GPS location-finding feature and many other bells and whistles. Thus far, It is all about the Apple-approved third-party programs that can run on the iPhone and iPod Touch. There are hundreds of them, with more coming down the pipeline in the near future. All of these programs, applications or apps make developers as well as users happy customers. The good thing is that over 90% cost less than $10 or are free. So if you have an original iPhone, iPod touch and the new iPhone 3G, you will be soon faced with the selection of multiple programs to download to spiffy your must-have phone. And despite all the lack of supply and time-consuming contracts that users have to sign before they can walk out of the store, there can not be enough of them at the San Francisco store or any local Apple store which I visited since the release of the program. Yes, the lines continue to be long. The new iPhone 3G may present some hiccups to users, nonetheless they enjoy its features.

Downloading apps for your iPhone 3G is an easy and quick process. The programs are entertaining and useful at the same time. Developers made sure to integrate simple user interfaces and great graphics to go along with the reputation of slick Apple goods. There is no doubt that the iPhone economy will be built by these freelance developers. The iPhone has come to be a true computing platform like a pocket-sized Windows or Macintosh PC. It may be a novel way for Apple to try to revamp its Mac computer lines that have been languished over the years. The only thing is that everyone is praying that the health scare or rumors about Steve Jobs do not stop the growth of this great Silicon Valley company. By the way, the rumors were just rumors. Steve is fine, but needs to eat better foods after his surgery. Steve, do not forget about your nutrition!

Apple AppCessories: Is Everything going well with the iPhone 3G Thus Far?
(AppCessories: third-party developments, applications, apps, programs and software for Apple iPhone 3G)

Despite the few complaints of early adopters of the new iPhone in regards to the bug found in the its operating system, many new consumers just want to put their hands on one. The lines for those who had a valid complaint were smaller than the lines of those who want to buy. App Store employees are baffled by the presence of this nasty bug which causes apps to crash and can even force the iPhone or Touch to reboot. That usually happens when a large number of apps is used in quick succession.

According to various reviewers, there are thousands of third-party apps for Nokia phones, BlackBerrys, and phone running the Palm and Windows Mobile operating systems. "Thousands of third-party programs already exist for Nokia (NOK) phones, BlackBerrys, and phones running the Palm (PALM) and Windows Mobile operating systems. But, compared with the graphically rich, snappy iPhone apps — many of which fetch data from the Internet at high speed — the typical program on these older platforms looks positively primitive."

Vietnamese Want Education, Growing Economy, Employment Opportunities and Consumer Goods such as Apple iPhone 3g

2008-07-31T22:46:00.000-07:00

Vietnam: Land of Magic, Beauty, Riches, Hard Work and Beautiful People

Vietnamese Want Education, Growing Economy, Employment Opportunities and Consumer Goods such as Apple iPhone 3g

A recent trip to Vietnam has helped me realize the economic rise and fall of this important Asian country.

Who has not heard a recent story about Hanoi, Vietnam's stock market and growing economy? Most of you have read about the recent efforts by many countries including ours to renew contact with the Asian country with the highest diaspora in the States, specifically California. For that matter, we have Little Saigon in the Golden State. Just a few years ago, many Vietnamese were leaving Australia and the U.S. to go back home to invest in the soaring stock market, real estate market. The economic growth was a sure thing. Exports were booming. These expatriates returned to build and brought with them lots of cash. Foreign investment was also flooding in. With all of these economic activities, the country was admitted to the World Trade Organization.

It was with fanfare that millions of Vietnamese celebrated the adoption of capitalist ideas by the communist country. The country is waking up to the marvels and pitfalls of the capitalist system. These days, workers are protesting for higher wages. Inflation has been eating up their incomes. Shares have plunged. People are losing their precious, hard-earned money. The hope of those who expected to strike it rich is being dashed. The good thing is that many of the factors that attracted more than $22 billion in foreign investment to Vietnam are still in place: emerging middle class, adoption of western economic reforms, half of Vietnam's 84 million citizens are under age 30, importance of education and literacy programs, demand for consumer goods and relatively cheap labor. The strength of the economy rests on the shoulder of the young population.

The growth that Vietnam knows has been fueled by young entrepreneurs creating and investing in the new economy. At the same time, the Old economy was present with the booming telecommunications, manufacturing and construction industries. Many U.S. companies wanted to have a presence in Hanoi. Starbucks wanted to grow and get its coffee from Vietnam. Exports of clothing, shoes, rice and coffee brought in the much needed cash for many retailers and farmers. Little did most Vietnamese that this growth would be stunted by the soaring food and oil prices all over the world. Inflation is a major problem right now according to a Vietnamese Restaurant owner who was seeking to open a sister restaurant over there. The government is in control and is paying attention to the recent problems.

In the meantime, if you want to vacation in Vietnam, you will have lots of fun. The people are nice. They want you to visit again. Tourism is very important to the overall economy too. If you decide to venture out, away from rated restaurants, make sure to take care of your water. In the countryside, you may catch worms if the water was not boiled. Two college students who vacationed in Vietnam tell of their trouble with worms when they got back to the U.S. One of them made the mistake of eating unwashed local fruits. He could not turn down the large variety of tropical fruits he was being offered on his walks in the village.

Avoid Spending More Than You Have on School Rentry Shopping, Find The Hot Tips

2008-07-31T22:34:00.000-07:00

College students spend more than others on back-to-school electronics, of course, given the requirements of most universities these days. But spending patterns tend to shift year to year, Rist said, because computers and cell phones are not upgraded or replaced on an annual basis. Consumers will pump up sales when a new product comes on the market, like last year's iPhone, which contributed to college students spending an average of $258 on electronics.
Here are six tips for finding good deals on electronics:

*
Shop sales. This is a hot promotional season for electronics sellers and more steamy this year given the tight budgets of many consumers.
*
Comparison shop. Get online and compare which stores are offering what bells and whistles on certain models. Do the same with cell phones and service providers.
*
Use the Internet. Craigslist and eBay are among the sites to search for used, reconditioned and even new electronics. Many electronics retailers offer special deals only online. And there's no shortage of shopping sites that can point you directly to the brand and price range you want.
*
Don't overbuy. Know what you need and stick to it. Other programs and accessories can be added later.
*
Haggle. Don't be afraid to ask sales associates for a deal. Many are authorized to give discounts on the floor.
*
Time the purchase. Many retailers are more willing to give special deals at the end of the month, when sales may be coming up short, than they are at the top of the month when there's still hope of making sales targets.

Avoid Homelessness and Save Your Home and Yourself from Bankruptcy: Top-rated List of Foreclosure Attorneys

2008-07-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

There is a spike in foreclosure cases. Bankruptcy and foreclosure lawyers are being inundated with new cases. Web sites offering information on foreclosure are also seeing a spike of traffic.

Here is what is being reported by many of these sites:

"When the government can't help, a good lawyer sometimes can. The attorneys seeing the largest spikes in business are those who help homeowners handle foreclosures or assist banks and property owners in collecting unpaid mortgages. Eric Appleton, a foreclosure attorney in Tampa who is among the most highly rated in his field on Avvo.com, had more foreclosure cases in a single day recently than he had seen in a whole month last year. "People are most definitely going online to find lawyers to defend themselves against foreclosures," says Appleton, who often represents condominium associations. "It's not uncommon for us to get 10 to 15 mortgage foreclosure [cases] in a single day."

Attorney: David Leen
Law Firm: David Leen & Associates, Seattle, Wa.
Education: University of Oregon School of Law, 1971
Expertise: Represents individuals in foreclosure, predatory lending, fraud, and real estate cases

Attorney: Eric Appleton
Law Firm: Bush Ross, Tampa
Education: University of Florida J.D., 1998
Expertise: Represents Florida property owners and community associations in disputes with lenders and home owners

Attorney: Robert S. Bernstein
Law Firm: Bernstein Law Firm, Pittsburgh
Education: Duquesne University J.D., 1981
Expertise: Bankruptcy law, creditors' rights law

Attorney: David Leibowitz
Law Firm: LakeLaw Bankruptcy Center, Chicago
Education: Loyola University School of Law, 1974
Expertise: Consumer bankruptcy, mortgage defense

Attorney: Steven H. Mezer
Law Firm: Bush Ross, Tampa
Education: Stetson University College of Law, 1977
Expertise: Real estate litigation, foreclosures, collection of assessments, and deed-restriction enforcement

Attorney: Joseph Moldovan
Law Firm: Morrison Cohen, New York City
Education: Brooklyn Law School, 1982
Expertise: Bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights

Attorney: Paul Riffel
Law Firm: Paul Riffel, Tampa
Education: Stetson University College of Law, 1982
Expertise: Bankruptcy court, family law, real estate

Attorney: Stephen W. Sather
Law Firm: Barron, Newburger, Sinsley & Wier, Houston and Austin
Education: University of Texas School of Law, 1986
Expertise: Bankruptcy law

Attorney: Jonathan Stein
Law Firm: Jonathan G. Stein, Elk Grove, Calif.
Education: McGeorge School of Law, 2002
Expertise: Consumer debt

Attorney: Mervin Waage
Law Firm: Waage & Waage, Denton, Tex.
Education: Southern Methodist University
Expertise: Bankruptcy, debt

How To Stay Debt-free, Save Money and Buy All You Can Afford All The Times

2008-07-29T00:34:00.000-07:00

When economic times turn tough, governments urge their citizens to spend. Economists think of citizens as "consumers" and rely on them to put their "disposable income" to work. By doing this they will support the economy, which translates into higher stock prices.

However, in times like early 2008, when consumers were reeling from the perfect storm of inflation, a global credit crunch, a global housing market in decline and concerns about stagflation, there is often a conflict with the governmental cry for consumers to spend. It's a bewildering scenario. What's the best course of action for a concerned consumer to take? The following strategies provide a road map for surviving economic downturns.

1. Do Not Buy What You Can Not Afford

We all want that designer sweater, leather handbag, or cute sports car, but most of us just can't afford to make the purchases. There's a simple solution to this dilemma. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. This is often the easiest point to understand, but it is one of the hardest to implement when all those goodies are staring you in the face and all your credit companies are telling you it's OK.

2. If You Can't Pay Cash, You Probably Can't Afford It

In our credit crazy world, amassing debt no longer carries a social stigma. Everybody has a car payment, a house payment and credit card payments. Well, remember what your mother said about everybody jumping off of a bridge? Just because "everybody" is doing it, doesn't make it a good idea. Buying something you can't afford now, especially when the economy is unsettled, can double the pain of paying later. For example, if you purchase a $450,000 home today and the market goes into a slump and devalues your home by $200,000, you will be paying the bank twice what the home has come to be worth. Just because it was easy to get the credit to buy that home, doesn't mean it was the right time for you to buy in.

3. Paying Interest on Anything Makes Somebody Else Rich

When you pay interest on a purchase, you are overpaying for that item for the luxury of getting to use it now. The simple act of paying interest means that the price you are paying to make the purchase is greater than the sale price of the item. You are giving away even more of your hard-earned money in order to own that item than the manufacturer thought the item was worth. For example, if you buy a car for $25,000 with a loan at 7% interest for five years, in the end, you will pay almost $30,000 for the car. Once you factor in depreciation, you're left with a very cheap car that cost you thousands more than it should have.

4. If You Are in Debt, stop Spending Money

Sometimes, such as when purchasing a home, the cost of the item is so great that you simply cannot afford to pay cash. This should be the exception rather than the rule. When it cannot be avoided, you need to close your purse and stop spending. Getting yourself further in debt doesn't help your financial situation. Making a realistic budget in this case is the key to success. Once you know how much you're actually spending on those daily trips to the grocery store and coffee shop, you'll be able to find room to cut costs realistically.

5. Don't Count on Somebody Else to Save You

In times of economic uncertainty, people often think the government will be able to help them, but unfortunately this is often the time when the government has the least amount of money and freedom to help its own citizens. In most cases, the government won't save you, so you'll have to save yourself. When the economy is in a downturn, you can't just look at what you are spending, you also need to look at where the money is coming from. Your employer is facing the same difficulties you are: trying to make bill payments, balancing the flow of capital, all while sales are slowing. Just like you, your employer will be looking to reduce its costs, which could be in the form of layoffs. You could be in big trouble if you haven't planned for this possibility. The plan here is to start saving now for that eventual rainy day, and prepare an emergency fund for yourself. If it is too late to start saving and you already need the money, many financial institutions will let you defer a payment or two if you prove you have a smart financial plan to eventually pull through.

When People Don't Spend

But wait! If we're all hanging on to our money rather than feeding the economy, what will happen? Will stock prices plummet? Will economic growth grind to a halt? Will we all be poor? No. For a real world example of this, let's take a look at Japan, where saving more than consuming has been commonplace in its people's history.

While being a net lender is a concept that the West abandoned some time after World War II, it continued to be practiced in Japan. During the mid-1970s, Reuters reports that Japanese consumers saved some 20% of their disposable incomes. During Japan's economic slump in the 1990s, the Nikkei 225 fell from a peak of 39,000 in 1989 to 16,000 in 1992. Gross domestic product growth averaged less than 1% per year, but personal savings remained in the double digits. Although the unemployment rate rose from less than 2.5% in 1990 to just under 5% in 2000, with an average of 3% percent according to the U.S. Department of Labor, it still remained lower than the rate in most industrialized nations. The net result? Japan remained a healthy, vibrant, wealthy country with a poorly performing stock market. If you've got savings and a smart financial plan, a weak market won't break you.

Live Now Like You Face Tough Times

These five strategies work equally well when times are good, so there is no need to wait until you are in trouble to start making smart decisions.Your lifestyle will be characterized by things you can actually afford, such as a house that won't get repossessed, a car that might not impress the neighbors but will still get you to work and back, and long, restful nights free from financial worries. It might not be the fairytale lifestyle of the rich and famous that corporate marketers having been trying sell you, but at least you won't have to worry about how to keep up on the payments for a lifestyle you can't afford.

It's Your Money, It's Your Mortgage: Understanding the New Bill, Renegotiating Mortgages

2008-07-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

RENEGOTIATING MORTGAGES

Part of the bill is devoted to the creation of a program that may allow some people to cancel their old mortgage loans and replace them with new fixed-rate loans lasting at least 30 years. The amount of the new loans would be no more than 90 percent of what their property is actually worth now.

So who is eligible? You need to have originated your troubled loan or loans on or before Jan. 1, 2008. The loans in question must be on your primary residence. Vacation homes and investment properties are ineligible. You will also need to verify your income, which many borrowers did not have to do in recent years.

Also, as of March 1, 2008, your monthly housing payment (including the principal on all your various mortgage payments, interest, taxes and insurance) has to have been at least 31 percent of your monthly household income. So if you were earning $5,000 a month and had housing payments of $3,000, you are eligible. But if you had payments of just $1,400, you would not be, presumably because that loan is affordable given the size of your income.

Lenders, however, are not required to give you a better deal under the new law, even if you do meet the qualifications. They may not be willing to negotiate unless they think you are truly on the cusp of foreclosure.

If you manage to get a new loan, you cannot take out a home equity loan for at least five years after you get the new mortgage. You will also have to pay a 1.5 percent fee each year on the remaining balance. Finally, you have to hand over no less than 50 percent of any appreciation on the home to the government once you sell. Sell the house in less than five years, and you will have to turn over as much as all of the gain.

This program ends on Sept. 30, 2011. While it does not officially take effect until Oct. 1, lenders may be willing to start their negotiations with borrowers now.

http://ingodwetrustfinancial.blogspot.com

InGodWeTrustFinancial: PersonalFinanceMoneyMatters Presents InGodWeTrustFinancial Basics

2008-07-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

In God We Trust Financial Basics: Earning Money to Keep, Paying Down Debts, Saving for the Future, Diversifying and Investing

How do we, Americans, get into this financial mess?

All this mess over Fannie and Freddie and the housing crisis mask the real problem in this country - that's the fact that wages have not gone up for average Americans in a long, long time. The economy has been fueled by consumers spending their supposed home equity, while incomes have stagnated for all but those on the highest rungs of corporate America or pop culture. The average Americans do not know what it is like to have lots of discretionary income in a long time. They only work and earn enough money to make ends meet or to pay the bills. For sure, most would envy the large contracts offered and signed by a few athletes, rap moguls, musicians, and hip hop artists. That is why shows such as American Idol and America's Got Talent will continue to be popular. Lottery enters the mix too. They are a sure way to reach success in this country. All young kids dream about making it big in sports, music or some sort of entertainment industry. When they can not make it, they go to places such as Las Vegas, Florida and San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles to try to make it in alternative adult industries. By then, they may become disillusioned and deceived. Where is the power of hard work, saving and living within one's limits?

What has the recent real estate exuberance taught us as a nation?

During the real estate boom, people used their homes as piggy banks, tapping into their equity to pay off their car loans and their credit card debt and their student loan debt. With home prices dropping in most places (Riverside, California, Florida and Las Vegas, the home equity has dried up. Credit was easy to get and many people went for it. For sure, debts piled up. Now we are a nation of people in debt. We, Americans, are saddled by debts. We are at the mercy of foreign investors who continue to trust in our systems by lending and investing more money to our institutions. Yes, it is a global economy right now. It becomes more important for our leaders to reassure those foreigners who are seeing Americans snaking in long lines and making a run on their banks. God forbid these foreign investors, also fearing a crash, start to pull their money too! While this is going on at the financial institution level, everything is getting more expensive: food, gas, school supplies, textbooks, basic products, even movies are soaring in price. Unfortunately wages are not keeping up. So if people are struggling just to pay for the basics, what are they going to have left over to pay off their massive debt?

This bleak situation we have just described partly explains the foreclosure epidemic that has ravaged local neighborhoods. The brown grass that was once green and immaculate becomes common fixture in most neighborhoods. Show me a neighborhood, a community even the best and richest one, that has not had to deal with unsold houses whose for sale signs have been up for months and years.

Indeed, it is time to return to the basics. We need to manage our finances, save and diversify our funds. The good old days are long gone. The home equity cash register is long gone. In most cases, easy money led to waste and overspending. Credit card offers led to the indebtedness of the American individual. In most cases, they led to excess and overweight. It was a false sense of tranquility and wealth. The foundation was shaky, to begin with.

Now is the time to rethink our ways and start saving and spending what we have, but not what we do not have.

http://ingodwetrustfinancial.blogspot.com/

How to Manage Your Money and Avoid Money Worries: IndyMac Bancorp Is An Example

2008-07-16T16:09:00.001-07:00

How to Manage Your Money and Avoid Money Worries: IndyMac Bancorp Is An Example

The boom is clearly over for this bank. This large lender's remaining assets were seized by federal regulators last Friday. Since then, customers have been hurried to withdraw their money. That causes some type of anxiety that is spreading through the financial markets. Big banks are under lots of pressure to issue a statement about the soundness of their finances. The situation is also bleak for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The two giant companies are at the center of the nation's mortgage market.

So it is just a question of confidence. Customers of IndyMac have been snaking around the corner waiting for a chance to take their money away. There are clear worries about the financial industry. From the President down to the Senators, everybody is trying to reassure the public that the financial system is sound. There are a lot of rumors about customers taking their money out of many banks. Many observers are saying that this is the next phase of the Bear Stearns fiasco. The small banks or financial institutions will not be lucky to receive help as the giant ones. Regulators and investors are bracing for a small number of banks to fail over the next few months.

A Few Questions and Answers about The Current Financial Chaos

Why did the government seize IndyMac's assets? Following the June 26 release of a letter by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y, urging regulators to take steps to prevent IndyMac's collapse, many customers began a run on the the lender. In the letter, Schumer said that IndyMac's failure was due to long-standing practices by the bank, not recent events. The bank was heavily involved in originating riskier mortgages than traditional community and regional banks. Despite the bank's efforts to reassure customers that it was not near default, it was seized by feds.

What's the best way to Manage and Save Your money now?

2008-07-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

What's the best way to Manage and Save Your money now?
The economy seems to be collapsing, the banks don't seem to be safe anymore and the market is falling.
Dollar cost averaging is the smartest long term strategy for these types of markets. Invest regularly and if you can do it every day. The markets are extremely volatile that it is important to invest as often as you can. DRIP programs are another good idea. Remember to diversify and do not operate from fear. Think about what you want to do in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years from now.

Diversification is the key to any good plan. Manage your money in accordance with your long-term needs, goals, and objectives. Where you put your money ought to be a reflection of your plan. Banks and credit unions serve a purpose. Do not make them the center of your plan.

Each individual situation is different, so I would highly recommend going to www.fdic.gov and using the Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator, or EDIE, to figure out exactly how much of your money will be protected. Or you can always talk to your bank manager.

If a bank fails how long would it take for you to get your money through the FDIC?

How to Deal with Banks Failing: FDIC Knowledge and Resources

" According to the FDIC, there's no cookie cutter way these failures unfold. But if you've got $100,000 or less, there really should not be much of a disruption to your ability to get access to that money, if at all. Generally, the FDIC will either get some other institution to operate that bank or the agency will do so itself. So you should be able to use the ATM or write checks. Look at IndyMac. The bank failed on Friday. People could still get their money out through the weekend. The only thing that wasn't working was online banking, and I believe that was fixed by Monday.

Now, if you've got some uninsured money in a failed bank, that's a much different story. You could end up waiting a very long time to recover anything above that $100,000 limit and you might not be able to recover it all. The FDIC will have to liquidate the bank's assets. If there's cash left over after they deal with expenses and leave some money in reserves (which they are required to do), they will start paying out dividends to creditors and depositors. As I said, that could take years. "

But remember, do not panic if you don't have anything beyond that $100,000. And if you've got more than $100,000 and really want to be safe, spread it out over a couple of banks.

Savings Account and CD:

It's not $100,000 in any one account. The FDIC insures $100,000 PER depositor PER insured savings association. So you can have $50,000 in a savings account and $50,000 in a CD in one bank, and you will be fine. No matter what happens to that bank, your money will be safe.

What is a DRIP Program?
A Drip program is an acronym for a dividend reinvestment program. This type of investment strategy can be any dollar cost averaging program or systematic investment program

Who is Next? Protect your Money; FDIC's Updated List of Troubled Banks Soon to Come

2008-07-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

Knowledge is Power: Who is Next? Protect your Money; FDIC's Updated List of Troubled Banks Soon to Come

Many investors are on edge after federal regulators seized the California lender, IndyMac Bank, one of the nation’s largest savings and loans, last week. With $32 billion in assets, IndyMac, a spinoff of the Countrywide Financial Corporation, was the biggest American lender to fail in more than two decades.

Yet, FDIC has a list of about 90 trouble banks. Many consumers are wondering wether their bank is the next one to fail. Bear Stearns came on. IndyMac followed. Which bank is going to go down? Investors and regular depositors are watching all the signs. FDIC is not going to publish the names of these financial institutions in order to avoid a run on them. This is not sitting well with most hard-working people who will be kept away from their hard-earned money. In 1994, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation listed 575 banks that it considered to be troubled. As of this spring, the agency was worried about just 90 banks. That number may go up in August, when the government releases an updated list.

Guess what? IndyMac, one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders, was not on the government’s troubled bank list this spring — an indication that other troubled banks may be below the radar.

The future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is vital to the banks, savings and loans and credit unions, which own $1.3 trillion of securities issued or guaranteed by the two mortgage companies. If the mortgage giants ever defaulted on those obligations, banks might be forced to raise billions of dollars in additional capital.

Small banks may not be as lucky as the large institutions. The collapsed real estate market and souring mortgage loans have placed them on a danger list.

Celebrity Foreclosures on the Horizon, Less Remittances to Latin America and Other Countries, Soaring Gas Prices, higher Food Costs and Less Jobs

2008-07-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Signs of the Economic Times: Celebrity Foreclosures on the Horizon, Less Remittances to Latin America and Other Countries, Soaring Gas Prices, higher Food Costs and Less Jobs

There is no doubt that hard times are around the corner. More and more people are losing their homes. Counseling agencies such as HOPE NOW have seen and heard al the stories they can hear. In addition to personal problems which can create catastrophe by themselves, homeowners and ordinary citizens have to deal with gas prices, rising food costs, regular bills, and less working hours. Employers are reacting to the bad times by cutting down on their production. The less people work and have income to spend, the less need there is to produce more products. Manufacturers and employers are watching very closely.

Struggling U.S. residents are sending less money to their families in foreign countries. The flow of remittances has come down almost to a grind. Farm and construction workers have long lost their jobs. Since many of these immigrants work in low-paid jobs, they are the first ones to suffer. At the end of the month, they have less money leftover to send to parents and family members. The rising prices for food and gas are causing many of them to stay at home. Wiring money, cash or sending remittances to foreign countries will suffer greatly if the economy does not pick up. At the same time, many workers will have to share living space with friends and family members.

New signs of the times continue to pop up in odd areas. Who would say that some of our best, adored celebrities would suffer the shame of losing their own properties to foreclosures? Well it appears that they are just like us at this level. The real-estate meltdown is hitting them too. Are they also getting pinched by the rising costs of gas, food, grocery and more? Their luxurious estates are getting lost to foreclosure. Foreclosures have no socio-economic barrier. They are an equal opportunity disaster. Let's take the case of Ed MCMhon, late Johnny Carson's sidekick on the "Tonight Show" who is scheduled to lose his estate. His mediterranean estate in Beverly Hills has six-bedroom, five-bathroom, gated in an exclusive community has been on the market for $6.5 million. Juiced Author, Jose Canseco, former baseball star, stopped making payments on his $2.5 million home in the upscale area of Encino, a section of L.A.'s San Fernando Valley.

Former NBA player Vin Baker saw his Durham home going into foreclosure. Other stars are having difficulty getting rid of their houses. Avril Lavigne was in that category. Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance's house dropped more than $2 million. What is nex?

Stop Worrying About Your Money: How to Keep and Manage Your Finances

2008-07-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Do You Want To Establish Credit? The Five Cs of Credit Evaluation

2008-07-08T00:28:00.000-07:00

The Five Cs of Credit Evaluation

Equipment financing lenders, as well as banks, use the Five Cs to evaluate loan applications: Character, Credit, Cash Flow, Capacity and Collateral. However, while banks look at small-to-medium size companies from a Fortune 500 perspective, equipment financing companies see applicants from a small business perspective, which highlights a sixth C: Common Sense.

Here is what a lending institution means when referring to the Five Cs:

Character - Every lender wants to understand what type of borrower an applicant will be in order to make smart, safe credit-granting decisions. The longer a company has been in operation, the more its payment history and outstanding credit reveal management's attitude toward debt and making timely payments. Public records and references can come into play; still, the most reliable yardstick is the character of a smaller company's owners. How they manage their personal financial obligations is usually a reliable indicator of the likelihood of their making timely payments. The more closely held a company, the more attention given the personal credit history of those in charge and their prior business history. No matter how solid a business plan appears and how reliable a company's owners have been in the past, the realistic lender also wants the assurance of personal guarantees from the company's owners. This may take the form of a signature or a pledge of cash or other collateral.

Credit - Business credit reports offer a quick glance at a company's willingness to pay trade accounts on time, as well as any derogatory public records, such as suits, liens, or judgments that negatively affect a company's credit rating. Such reports also show any UCC filings. Potential equipment lenders are interested in the depth of a business's borrowing history. The longer a company has been in business, the easier it is for a lender to determine credit stature; a good ten- or twenty-year credit history obviously carries enormous weight. This places a startup company less than two years old at a disadvantage. So, when traditional data sources, such as Dun & Bradstreet and Paynet cannot supply adequate information, the personal credit histories of a company's owners become highly important.

Cash Flow - Lenders want to see that any company applying for a loan earns enough money to meet payroll, cover fixed operating expenses, and comfortably make timely payments on a new equipment loan or lease. While there are a number of ways to define cash flow, lenders most often calculate the cash flow available to repay new debt as net profit plus such non-cash expenses as amortization and depreciation.

Capacity - Capacity is similar to a football team's depth chart. The capacity to weather bad times is equally important to a company seeking funds. Capacity acknowledges that sometimes unforeseen things happen: a key employee becomes unable to work; a major customer is lost; an economic turn-down drastically reduces demand for product or services. Any number of other unlikely – yet possible – disruptions can negatively affect a company's cash flow. And these disruptions can be temporary or permanent. So, capacity measures a company's ability to pay off an equipment loan or lease with cash reserves or its ability to quickly convert real estate, stock, or other assets into enough funds to cover debt.

Collateral - How much collateral, above and beyond the equipment being financed, a company needs to secure a loan or lease depends largely on the nature of the lender and status of the business. A traditional bank often requires a blanket lien on all assets of the business while an equipment finance company normally uses only the equipment for collateral. A few lenders also offer sale-leasebacks and refinancing of existing equipment debt. This allows a company to free up cash flow or lower their monthly payment through equipment loans or leases.

Common Sense - Every decision to purchase and every decision to grant financing must be based on common sense. A lender needs to understand how additional equipment will increase the company's stability and growth. Notwithstanding the risk every lender takes and the gamble every company makes when purchasing new equipment, for both lender and borrower, the foundation of a decision to finance equipment begins and ends with

How To Protect Your Credit When the Economy Goes South

2008-07-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

Pay your bills on time. A single skipped payment can knock 100 points off your FICO scores, the ones most used by lenders. Consider automatic payments and e-mail alerts to make sure bills don't slip through the cracks.

Pay down your debts. What's most important is keeping your credit card balances low relative to your credit limits. Try to use no more than 30% of your credit limits; 10% or less is even better.

Beware of opening or closing accounts. Either can hurt your scores.

Dispute any serious credit report errors. Dispute any accounts that aren't yours or negative information that should have been deleted. (Most negatives, such as late payments or charge-offs, should be dropped after seven years. Bankruptcies can stay on for up to 10 years; unpaid tax liens may be reported indefinitely.)

Bankruptcy Monster: How Lenders Create a Monster in Real Estate

2008-07-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

This article can be found on msn.com

"Consumer bankruptcy filings are on track to exceed 1 million this year, laying waste to the idea that bankruptcy reform changed anything fundamental about how Americans go broke.

Furthermore, lenders, not consumers, are the ones that seem to be abusing the system these days. According to U.S. Senate testimony, bankruptcy trustees are seeing "systemic problems" with mortgage servicers that...."

Here is a good article about the rate at which people are filing bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is destroying the American Dream. Find it at msn.com

Too Many Credit Cards Debts? Is Bankruptcy The Immediate Solution? List of Bankruptcy Lawyers

2008-07-06T00:05:00.000-07:00

California Bankruptcy

Law Office of Patrick Kavanagh
1331 L. St.
Bakersfield, California 93301
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Office of Patrick McMahon
703 Market Street
Suite # 1109
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Office of Sarah Lampi Little
1276 A Street
Hayward, California 94541
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Offices of David A. Arietta
700 Ygnacio Valley Road
Suite 200
Walnut Creek, California 94596
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Offices of David B. Commons
5901 Encina Road
Suite B-3
Goleta, California 93117
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Offices of Gregory Smith
2949 Fulton Ave.
Sacramento, California 95821
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Offices of Gregory Smith
109 Darling Way
Roseville, California 95678
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Offices of Koko B. Offiong
321 S. Beverly Drive
Suite R
Beverly Hills, California 90212
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Offices of Michael C. Fallon
100 E. Street
Ste. 219
Santa Rosa, California 95404
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Offices of Scott J. Sagaria PC
333 W. San Carlos St.
Suite 1625
San Jose, California 95110
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Get Listed in Chapter 7 Lawyers Directory Today!
California Bankruptcy

Doan Law Offices
24490 Sunnymead Blvd.
Suite 101
Moreno Valley, California 92553
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Doan Law Offices
1411 S. Rimpau
Suite 108
Corona, California 92879
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Doan Law Offices
25401 Cabot Road
Suite 119
Laguna Hills, California 92653
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Doan Law Offices
930 W. 17th Street
Suite C
Santa Ana, California 92708
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Doan Law Offices
198 N. Arrowhead Ave.
Suite #6
San Bernardino, California 92408
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Doan Law Offices
43460 Ridge Park Drive
Suite# 200 F
Temecula, California 92590
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Doan Law Offices
43460 Ridge Park drive
Suite 200 F
Temecula, California 92590
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Doan Law Offices
198 N. Arrowhead Ave.
Suite #6
San Bernardino, California 92408
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Office of Gary Leibowitz
4012 Katella Ave
Suite 104
Los Alamitos, California 90720
Phone: (877) 226-6844

Law Office of John C. Kyle
P O Box 7007
Stockton, California 95207
Phone: (877) 226-6844
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Carl H. Starrett II
1941-C Friendship Drive
El Cajon, California 92020-1144
Phone: (619) 448-2129

Carmel Hehr/Law Offices of Carmel Hehr
Carmel Hehr was the Staff Attorney of the Chapter 13 Trustee for Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley; was the law clerk to the Honorable Arthur M. Greenwald, U.S. Federal Judge in the Central District Bankruptcy Court; and trained with the Office of the United States Trustee in Los Angeles. To set an appointment for a FREE CONSULTATION call (818) 956-8028 for the Law Offices of Carmel Hehr.
16633 Ventura Blvd. Suite 900
Encino, California 91436
Phone: (818) 981-8277

Cathleen Moran
We offer practical and cost effective legal service to individuals and small business facing bankruptcy issues. We represent debtors and creditors in bankruptcy filings and in litigation in the bankruptcy court. We have a special interest in tax and family law questions in bankrupcy cases.
444 Castro St. Suite 508
Mountain View, California 94041
Phone: 650-694 4700

David J. Baran
423 South Rexford Drive #101
Beverly Hills, California 90212
Phone: 310-553-0263

Elizabeth Torres, Attorney at Law
Law Offices of Elizabeth Torres is a highly motivated law firm who primarily focuses on Consumer Bankruptcy. Elizabeth Torres has had the opportunity to host her own "Live" radio show directly focused at individuals in financial turmoil and homeowners who are in the process of losing their home to a foreclosure action. Centrally located within two (2) miles of the Bankruptcy 341(a) Meeting room. We offer free consultation on firsts visits. Se habla espanol.
2520 W. 6th Street, Suite 213
Los Angeles, California 90057
Phone: 213/ 384-8858

Henrik Mosesi, Esq.
I have a medium sized practice in Glendale, California focusing on consumer bankruptcies. I have four years of experience in chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcies. I represent clients in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside counties. All my clients have received their bankruptcy discharge and on their way to a fresh new start. The average cost for filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy is $1000. The average cost for a chapter 13 bankruptcy is anywhere from $1200 to $1800. FIST 1/2 HOUR OF CONSULTATION IS ALWAYS FREE. CALL OR COME IN FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION.
100 North Brand Blvd., Suite 512
Glendale, California 91201
Phone: (818) 476-0110

Henry M. Toles, A Law Corporation
Practice is limited to bankruptcy, reorganization and debtors-creditors rights. All cases are individually handled by an experienced attorney (MBA, former CFO of numerous corporations). Free consultation. In my practice, the client comes first. They are provided with a realistic summary of the pros and cons of their specific situation, so they can make an informed decision if bankruptcy is right for them. Please feel free to call my office or visit my website. The firm handles all levels of cases, from the most straight forward to the most complex of matters. Prices are fair and reasonable. The firm is not a mill that simply processes cases. Attorney handles all phases of the case from the initial consultation, through court appearances.
11755 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90025
Phone: (310) 479-1400

James Olson
I'm here to serve anyone who is need of bankruptcy help
8609 Blossom Hill Dr. Suite 503
Culver City, California 90589
Phone: 301 584-9826

Jonathan Kelman
The Law Offices of Jonathan I. Kelman is here to ensure that you get your life back, your peace of mind and your freedom. We employ an aggressive defense, often convincing the prosecution to reduce or dismiss the charges against you.
11400 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 600
Los Angeles, California 90064
Phone: 310-286-1218

Kathleen March
Respected LA bankruptcy attorney, Former Los Angeles California bankruptcy judge can be your personal bankruptcy lawyer. If debts are overwhelming, Kathy March Attorney at Law can help you file personal bankruptcy. Serving clients in Los Angeles, LA County, Southern California. Free initial consult.
10524 W Pico Blvd #212
Los Angeles, California 90064
Phone: 3105599224

Finding Employment and Keeping One's Job in a Weak Economy and How To Avoid Unemployment

2008-07-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

Bankruptcy Filings, Foreclosures, Unemployment Soar

The numbers are in and they’re not looking good for the state of the American economy. First-quarter statistics on bankruptcy filings, foreclosure starts and unemployment figures suggest that the United States is continuing its slide toward a serious recession.

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, 90,000 bankruptcy cases were filed in March. That figure apparently marks the highest number of bankruptcy filings since 2005, when new bankruptcy laws made filing bankruptcy more difficult than before. The stat also indicates a 30% jump from bankruptcy filings in March of 2007.

The Times, which gathers its data from Jupiter ESources, notes that bankruptcy filings aren’t the only things that have increased since a year ago. Foreclosures and unemployment, too, are creeping upward. And the states where the housing boom was biggest (including California, Nevada and Florida) are reportedly feeling the worst of the economic distress.

California’s bankruptcy rate has increased a walloping 42% since last year, sources indicate, and the state’s unemployment rate is 5.7%, the highest in the nation.

Nevada is evidently facing a 5.5% unemployment rate, still greater than the 5.1% national average. But even the national unemployment rate suggests troubling economic times: sources indicate that unemployment in the United States is higher than it’s been since September of 2005.

A recent Bloomberg report noted that foreclosures have increased 57% since 2007, and mentioned that the former boom states are (perhaps unsurprisingly) hardest hit. Nationally, one in every 538 homes is currently in foreclosure, according to sources.
Financial experts estimate that $460 billion worth of homes will go into foreclosure in 2008, which will mean even more homes on the already saturated market and a likely continuation of falling prices.

As if these figures weren’t dreary enough on their own, some economists are apparently predicting that this recession could last twice as long as a normal recession, plunging the country into economic turmoil for at least 20 months.

Reports also suggest that many homeowners have grown frustrated with falling home values and resetting mortgage payments, and many are finding themselves “underwater,” with “upside-down” loans, meaning that they owe more on their mortgage loan than their homes are currently worth.

This is leading to an increase in so-called “walkaways,” who opt to mail their keys back to their lenders and simply give up on their mortgages. While no reliable figures exist for the phenomenon, anecdotal reports suggest that it’s becoming more widespread.

Save Money by Buying a Car from The Year Before: 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser

2008-07-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

2007 Toyota Land Cruiser

If you want the best reputation, ruggedness and luxury in your truck, find the nearest Toyota dealership where you can get the 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV.

This SUV has the most impressive reputation in the industry. It was revised last year. The Land Cruiser received a new front grille, headlamps and rear styling. The standard 18-inch aluminum wheels gained a new high-gloss finish with a newly available sporty rear spoiler. It also came equipped wit a new and powerful engine and the most advanced suspension control options. Its power is generated by a smooth, sophisticated 4.7V V-8 prome mover and communicated to the groun via a five-speed automatic transmission. With all this addition, the Land Cruiser gained 40 horsepower. The drive system is a full-time two-speed, all-wheel drive setup with an on-demand (low-speed) center differential lock button.

What can you find inside the cabin?

The driver and occupants enjoy the best outward visibility offered in most any SUV. Accommodations are room for every occupant inside the Land Cruiser. Hand grips at each wide door opening facilitate entry and exit. The SUV comes retrofitted with a comfortable center armrest doubles as a two-stage storage bin and contains the six-disc CD changer.

How about the third Row? The third row seating carries three of my kids without any discomfort. The seating is a 50/50 split arrangement that reclines and is removable. Rear power quarter windows, plenty of cup holders, and assist grips enhance the safety and comfort level of the truck.

The rear cargo door opening is a combination hatch/tailgate for maximum access to the cargo area. The flexibility of the folding second and removable third row seats enables the Land Cruiser to make the most of the available interior space. This SUV is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a backup camera and Bluetooth communication capability. Available in conjuction with the optional navigation system, the backup camera provides the driver with a view of what is behind the vehicle.

Car enthusiasts and observers agree that the 2007 Land Cruiser is a 4-door, 8-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in one trim only, the 4X4.
The Land Cruiser is equipped with a standard 4.7-liter, V8, 265-horsepower engine that achieves 13-mpg in the city and 17-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2007 Land Cruiser is a carryover from 2006.

See more at www.podshoppingblog.com/autoblog

http://podshoppingblog.com/autoblog

http://promdressesrock.com/allpro/vickdogfighter.html (Michael Vick's Dogfighting Case)

Making and Keeping Money: What You Can Do To Stop from Losing Money

2008-07-05T23:15:00.000-07:00

What You Can Do to Avoid Foreclosures: Foreclosures Prevention Tools and Other Ways to Get out of Financial Funk
Questions on Foreclosures Answered Here:

What You Can Do to Avoid Foreclosures: Foreclosures Prevention Tools and Other Ways to Get out of Financial Funk

President Bush recently announced that the Federal Housing Administration will begin a program to allow homeowners who have good credit but can not afford their mortgages to refinance to FHA-insured mortgages. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to avoid foreclosure on your property. Any homeowners should start taking matters in their own hands. Way before foreclosure is lurking around, they need to start consulting with their lawyers or credit counselors. The easiest thing they can do is to contact their mortgage lender. Who else knows better than the mortgage borrowers themselves? They need to call the loan servicer before they start falling behind. It will be pretty hard to catch up once payments are late.

Here are a few ways to avoid foreclosure: Refinancing may be considered if you have enough equity in the home. Even if you do not have equity, try it any way. The process may be more difficult though. You can persuade the lender to modify the terms of the loan. You can sell the house of file for bankruptcy protection as in filing Chapter 13. There is no easy way out. No easy option for sure. Homeowners who are facing foreclosure should never ignore letter from lenders. They must try to update their phone records in case the lenders want to contact them. Borrowers or homeowners should remember that the banks or lenders or investors do not want to own your own. They do not want to declare foreclosure on your property because of all the costs and time involved. All you have to do is to make a good gesture. They need to know that you are not going to run away and that they can keep your words.
Continue to read this article at http://mcmillinhomes.blogspot.com

Tips on How To Make Money: Manufacture Toys in the USA; Consumers Will Buy Them

2008-07-05T23:12:00.001-07:00

Made in U.S.A Toys You Can Trust: List of Safe U.S. Toy Manufacturers:

Made in U.S.A Toys You Can Trust: List of Safe U.S. Toy Manufacturers:

Toys Parents and Grandparents can Trust not to Harm their kids.

2007 Toy Shopping Season Brings Good Tidings to U.S. Manufacturers

The $ multibillion toy industry leaders are scratching their after the hot Chinese made neon toys were found to contain high levels of lead paint, tiny magnets that could be swallowed and potentially cause serious problems. The retailers are also in trouble as they try to build their toy inventory. We are talking about retailers such as FAO Schwartz Inc. and Toys "R" Us Inc. They tend to downplay the recalls by saying that the holiday toy shopping will continue to be strong.

It is clear that the small U.S. toys manufacturers will have to hire more full-time employees to produce enough toys to make a dent in the huge, surging demand for toys, safe toys for European and American children.

Here is a list of U.S. companies that manufacture all kinds of safe toys: Find these kinds of toys here

a. Arrowcopter Example: copters and other gizmos

b. Lauri Toys Inc. Example: Soft puzzles and other educational toys

c. Maple Landmark Inc

d. Fat Brain Toys Inc. Example: Dado building blocks

e. Vermont Wooden Toys

f. Toys from Times Past based in Rhodes, Michigan.

http://videpinions.blogspot.com

http://shoppingepinions.blogspot.com

http://microcreditcapital.com/iwillteachyoutoberich/index.html

How To Make Money In a Down Market: Market Volatility, Stock Market Seesaw or YoYo

2008-07-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

Market Volatility: How to Cope with the Stock Market Seesaw
Coping with Stock Market Volatility

Many investors are concerned with volatility in the stock market as this new year starts. They fear that their nest egg is going to be wiped out by the credit crunch, a troubled housing industry with suprime mortgage defaults and the potential for further difficulties for hedge funds, banks and financial service companies. There is no doubt that hedge fund trading adds to the market volatility.

Volatility and risk are two different things. It is worth making the difference between them. Volatility is characterized mostly by a security, commodity or market that rise and fall sharply within a short-term period. Now how about risk? It is the possibility of an investment losing value.

So if you are a mutual fund investor who is concerned about volatility in the stock market, here are a few things you can do to reduce the volatility of your portfolio.

1. Make sure there is a good line of communication between you and your financial adviser. Go ahead and meet with your financial adviser to re-examine your investment goals, risk tolerance and financial circumstances. Now that you are at the start of this new year, this is a good time to do it. Talk about any changes that may occur in your investments. If you have changed jobs or decided to take an early retirement, here is a good time to start talking about these topics. Ask yourself many other questions. Did you get married? Did you have a child or become a grandparent? Has there been a divorce? Is your son or daughter needing money for college? Does your investment mix still make sense or put you at ease or in sync with your goals?

If you are in a volatile market, you may want to re-examine your strategy, even though you might not want to make major moves. Have you considered buying more shares of your mutual funds when prices are down? Everything depends on your personal situation. Remember that you are in it for the long term. If nothing has changed, then it may be a good idea to change your financial plan. Many investors often feel a sense of panic when things are not going the way they expected them to. So they hurry to pull out. That is a major mistake. Patience is a virtue that needs to be practiced at this point. History shows that the market has recovered.

2. The other thing you should do is to diversify your nest eggs. The idea is to spread your risks by investing in a carefully selected mix of mutual funds that invest in stocks, bonds and money market instruments. It is good to have a mix of domestic, international and global funds. Keep in mind that in the past few years, international equity mutual funds have generally done fairly well or even better than U.S.-focused mutual funds. Discuss other risks such as currency fluctuations and different accounting standards.

3. Invest in volatile markets. The idea is that volatile markets do not have to be seen as something to be feared and stay away from. Investing at regular intervals helps you pick some good companies. You can buy more shares when the price is down. Buying good companies at lower prices through your mutual funds is the name of the game. Very few people will want to continue making investments when stock prices are declining and stock market news is negative.

4. During market volatility, make sure to invest for income. Count on the dividend when the stock price is going up or going down. Stocks that have a history of paying regular dividends have tended to fare well. The stock prices of the companies may be affected, but that does not mean these companies are faring poorly. Think about bonds and money market instruments which tend to produce a steady flow of interest payments. They can help cushion your portfolio during stock volatility. Now that you know how to manage your funds, take advantage of any combination of instruments that may help you make money.
http://microcreditcapital.com/financialmatters/marketwatch.html
http://microcreditcapital.com/financialmatters/marketwatch.html
http://microcreditcapital.com/financialmatters

Women are Delaying Pregnancy: They Can Work and Save Before Settling Down

2008-07-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

More and more Young Women Want to Have More Control over Their Reproductive System; They Are Freezing Their Eggs
More and more Young Women Want to Have More Control over Their Reproductive System; They Are Freezing Their Eggs

Egg Freezing or "oocyte cryo-preservation" entails taking drugs to stimulate ovulation, then having eggs extracted surgically, frozen and stored for in vitro fertilization. The only thing is that human eggs are difficult to freeze without damaging them. The number of children who have been born to frozen eggs is still low. Considering the risks of non-live births, many professors of obstetrics and gynecology at various universities are saying that women risk making important life decisions based on "false assumptions" that their fertility is secure.

Ultimate Outsourcing: Wombs for Rent in India; The Rise of the Surrogate Mothers

Considering surrogacy will be the ultimate alternative for many women who are too busy with their professional life. They can not afford to take time off to get pregnant. So they see egg freezing as their best option to have a kid later in life. Delaying any pregnancy with this procedure is very advantageous to them. It does not matter how much it costs them. So far, if a woman is having fertility issues, she can go to India where she can have surrogates applying to carry her fertilized eggs. That does not mean that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine is going to recommend this practice to healthy women. Thus far, Managers and advertisers of fertility clinics are making announcements on the Web and to specialized women's group and network in order to recruit more participants.
http://shopnowshop.com/fertilitygold
http://shopnowshop.tripod.com/shoppingblog
http://microcreditcapital.com

Homeowners Used Home as ATM: Equity Loans Now Hasten Foreclosures From the Bay Area, the Central Valley of California etc

2008-07-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

Homeowners Used Home as ATM: Equity Loans Now Hasten Foreclosures From the Bay Area, the Central Valley of California etc
Homeowners Used Home as ATM: Equity Loans Now Hasten Foreclosures From the Bay Area, the Central Valley of California to the Florida Coast.

How is it that some homeowners end up owing more than their home is worth? Well for the past few years starting in 2001 and ending in 2006, homes came to represent a new currency. If you had a home, you had cash. All it took was for the homeowners to get the home appraised and refinanced. The money they took out was ready to be spent on pricey, but sometimes unnecessary things such as one or two extra vehicles, toys and various other gadgets for the household. Those who had other sources of income ended up taking trips to the far corners of the earth. The surprising thing that happened is that banks and mortgage companies were ready to give credit. A home may be refinanced up to three times with no red flags being sent out. Now that credit is assessed closely, many of these people are left with no money. By then, the house values have greatly decreased. Homeowners are stuck. They can not refinance their homes because they end up owing more than the house is worth. Many homeowners just decide to walk away from the shell of the home. The equity is gone. The house only remains standing. And the wild grass continues to grow before it gets grown.

There is no doubt that rising home values from 2001 to 2006 caused many homeowners to launch themselves into this kind of exuberant lifestyles. The trips to Reno, casinos, Las Vegas and other fun destinations were numerous. All of this was being funded by money that was not truly there to be spent. With the tumbling of home values and sales, many families are waking up homeless and realize that the primary function of a house is to be a home, but not an ATM or mini-bank. From higher to lower income individuals, homeowners are being hurt. Those who got caught up in the subprime market end up suffering more. The question is what is more important: Is it the house or the expensive, unused toy? While the house is getting lost to foreclosure, the toys are being carted away into storage space, apartment or condo rentals. In the next few months, it is not unreasonable to see that the rental industry will be picking up quickly. As interest rates get adjusted more, more people will have to move out their homes. When it becomes impossible to use home equity to pay for monthly expenses, then some homeowners are really starting to see the core ideas of personal finance. The ideas of saving for hard times never come to them either.

Additional Links: Jimmy Kimmel and Fresno Firefighter / Sprinkler video Links

www.microcreditcapital.com

http://microcreditcapital.com/index3.html

Some of California's Hydroponic Gardens: A new Way of Growing and making money

2007-08-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

A+ PLANT TECHNOLOGIES
1604 BABCOCK STREET
COSTA MESA,CA 92627

AG NATURAL
403 IDAHO MARYLAND ROAD #C
GRASS VALLEY,CA 95945
Phone: (530) 274-0990
Fax: (530) 274-0980

ALAMEDA COUNTY HYDROPONICS
20910 Redwood Road, Ste. C
Castro Valley,CA 94546
chrisbolton@sbcglobal.net

AMERICAN HYDROPONICS/WATER PLANET
286 SOUTH G STREET
ARCATA,CA 95521
Phone: (707) 822-5777
Fax: (707) 822-4718
www.amhydro.com

ANYTHING GROWS
10607 WEST RIVER STREET #3
TRUCKEE,CA 96161
Phone: (530) 582-0479
www.anythinggrowshydro.com

BAKERSFIELD HYDROPONICS
4300 ASHE ROAD, SUITE 114
BAKERSFIELD,CA 93313
Phone: (661) 827-8344
Fax: (661) 827-8344
www.familyhydroponics.com

BARE ROOTS INDOOR GARDENS & POND
981 LAKE BLVD
REDDING,CA 96003
bareroots@sbcglobal.net

BERKELEY INDOOR GARDEN
844 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
BERKELEY,CA 94710
Phone: (510) 549-2918
Fax: (510) 540-8409
www.berkeleyindoorgarden.com

BETTER GROW HYDRO
1271 E. COLORADO BLVD.
PASADENA,CA 91106
Phone: (626) 449-6677
Fax: (626) 449-6688
www.bghydro.com

BEYLIK HYDROPONICS
890 OAK AVENUE
FILLMORE,CA 93015
Phone: (805) 524-0999
www.beylikhydroponics.com

BEYLIK HYDROPONICS
2550 VINEYARD AVENUE #200
OXNARD,CA 93030
Phone: (805) 988-6537
Fax: (805) 988-6538
www.beylikhydroponics.com

CENTRAL COAST HYDROGARDEN
1951 SANTA BARBARA STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA 93401
Phone: (805) 544-4769
www.familyhydroponics.com

CITRUS HEIGHTS HYDRO-GARDEN
8043 GREENBACK LANE
CITRUS HEIGHTS,CA 95610
Phone: (916) 728-4769
Fax: (916) 728-4701
www.familyhydroponics.com

COCA'S CENTRAL VALLEY HYDROPONICS
116 WEST ORANGEBURG AVENUE
MODESTO,CA 95350
Phone: (209) 567-0590
Fax: (209) 567-1044

CONCORD INDOOR GARDEN CENTER
2355 CONCORD BLVD.
CONCORD,CA 94521
Phone: (925) 671-2520
Fax: (925) 671-2530

CONSTANTLY GROWING
6200 ENTERPRISE DRIVE
DIAMOND SPRINGS,CA 95619
Phone: (530) 642-9710
Fax: (530) 642-8304
www.constantlygrowing.com

CONSTANTLY GROWING
4343 HAZEL AVENUE
FAIR OAKS,CA 95628
Phone: (916) 962-0043
www.constantlygrowing.com

CUTTING EDGE SOLUTIONS
1572 A HAMPTON WAY
SANTA ROSA,CA 95407
Phone: (707) 528-0522
Fax: (707) 528-0422
www.cuttingedgesolutions.org

DAVE'S HYDRO ORGANIC GARDEN SUPPLY
1940 FEATHER RIVER BLVD #D
OROVILLE,CA 95965
Phone: (530) 533-4061
Fax: (530) 533-4061

DISCOUNT HYDROPONICS
4745 HIERS AVENUE
RIVERSIDE,CA 92505
Phone: (877) 476-9487
Fax: (909) 344-3087
www.discounthydroponics.com

E-Z GREEN HYDROPONICS
7017 RESEDA BLVD.
RESEDA,CA 91335
Phone: (818) 776-9076
Fax: (818) 776-0326
www.ezgreenhydro.com

EEL RIVER HYDROPONICS
164 DINSMORE DRIVE
FORTUNA,CA 95540
Phone: (707) 726-0395
Fax: (707) 726-0398
www.eelriverhydroponics.com

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCEPTS
1827 5TH STREE #B
BERKELEY,CA 94710
Phone: (510) 704-0117
Fax: (510) 704-0117

EVERGREEN HYDROPONICS
923 N. CENTRAL AVENUE #B
UPLAND,CA 91786
Phone: (909) 946-7100
Fax: (909) 946-7100
www.evergreenhydroponics.com

EVERYTHING GREEN
1211 W. TEXAS STREET
FAIRFIELD,CA 94533
Phone: (707) 432-0774
Fax: (707) 432-0774

FOOTHILL HYDROPONICS
10705 BURBANK BLVD.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD,CA 91601
Phone: (818) 760-0688
Fax: (818) 760-4025
www.foothillhydroponics.com

FOUR SEASONS
1737 BROADWAY
OAKLAND,CA 94612
Phone: (510) 832-2545
Fax: (510) 832-2541

FREMONT HYDROPONIC GARDEN SUPPLY
44255 FREMONT BLVD #B
FREMONT,CA 94538
Phone: (408) 956-9744
Fax: (408) 956-9744

GARDEN WAREHOUSE
6355 SCARLETT COURT #2
DUBLIN,CA 94568
Phone: (925) 803-9312
Fax: (925) 803-9524

GOLDEN HARVEST
8626 LOWER SACRAMENTO ROAD #48
STOCKTON,CA 95210
Phone: (209) 951-3550
Fax: (209) 951-3657

GRASS VALLEY HYDROGARDEN
12520 LOMA RICA #3-4
GRASS VALLEY,CA 95945
Phone: (530) 477-2996
Fax: (530) 477-0801
www.familyhydroponics.com

GREEN ACRES
10 MAIN AVENUE, UNIT 12
SACRAMENTO,CA 95838
Phone: (916) 925-8817
Fax: (916) 925-2230

GREEN COAST HYDROPONICS
3560 STATE STREET
SANTA BARBARA,CA 93105
Phone: (805) 898-9922
Fax: (805) 898-0047
www.gchydro.com

GREEN THUMB
1647 W. SEPULVEDA BLVD #5
TORRANCE,CA 90501
Phone: (888) 326-4769
Fax: (310) 326-1816

GREENTREES HYDROPONICS, INC.
2581 PIONEER AVENUE #D
VISTA,CA 92081
Phone: (760) 598-7551
Fax: (760) 598-6486
www.greentrees.com

GROWER'S CHOICE
1100 CARVER ROAD
MODESTO,CA 95350
Phone: (209) 522-2727
Fax: (209) 548-9160

GROWER'S CHOICE
123 10TH STREET
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94103
Phone: (415) 864-4605
Fax: (415) 864-4612

GROWER'S CHOICE
16754 EAST 14TH STREET
SAN LEANDRO,CA 94578
Phone: (510) 278-6200
Fax: (510) 278-6101

GROWING ALTERNATIVES
2555 ZANELLA WAY
CHICO,CA 95928
Phone: (530) 342-7762
Fax: (530) 566-9601

HAHN'S LIGHTING SERVICE
260 E. VIRGINIA STREET #1
SAN JOSE,CA 95112
Phone: (408) 295-1755
Fax: (408) 295-8419
www.hahnslighting.com

HUMBOLDT HYDROPONICS
601 I STREET
ARCATA,CA 95521
Phone: (707) 822-3377
www.humboldthydroponics.com

HUMBOLDT HYDROPONICS
1302 UNION STREET
EUREKA,CA 95501
Phone: (707) 443-4304
Fax: (707) 443-4343
www.humboldthydroponics.com

HUMBOLDT HYDROPONICS
1077 MARKET STREET
REDDING,CA 96001
Phone: (530) 241-7454
www.humboldthydroponics.com

HYDRO DEPOT
5665 REDWOOD DRIVE
ROHNERT PARK,CA 94928
Phone: (707) 584-2384
Fax: (707) 584-2386
www.hydrodepot.com

HYDRO WIZARD
2915 DE LA VINA STREET
SANTA BARBARA,CA 93105
Phone: (805) 682-8383
Fax: (805) 682-8383

HYDRO-TEXS, DBA DUTCH HYDROTEXS
3300 TELEGRAPH AVENUE
OAKLAND,CA 94609
Phone: (510) 253-7909
Fax: (510) 654-1178
www.dutchhydrotexs.com

HYDROASIS
2643 S. FAIRFAX AVENUE
CULVER CITY,CA 90232
Phone: (310) 559-4769
Fax: (310) 559-4747
www.hydroasis.com

INDOOR TECHNOLOGIES
2250 COMMERCE AVENUE, SUITE C
CONCORD,CA 94520
Phone: (888) 499-4375
Fax: (925) 372-7684
www.indoor-tech.com

M.G.S. HYDROPONIC SUPPLY
22540 FOOTHILL BLVD. #E
HAYWARD,CA 94541
Phone: (510) 582-0900
Fax: (510) 856-0146

MENDOCINO HYDROPONICS
1240 NORTH MAIN STREET
FORT BRAGG,CA 95437
Phone: (707) 962-9252
Fax: (707) 962-9252

MONTEREY BAY HORTICULTURE SUPPLY
22413 REINDOLLAR AVENUE
MARINA,CA 93933
Phone: (831) 384-9376
Fax: (831) 384-4769
www.familyhydroponics.com

MYSTIC GARDENS
8484 FLORIN ROAD #110
SACRAMENTO,CA 95828
Phone: (888) 332-4769
Fax: (916) 381-2468

NATURE PERFECT
169 PAUL DRIVE
SAN RAFAEL,CA 94903
Phone: (415) 499-8788
Fax: (415) 499-0788
www.natureperfect.com

NATURES DANCE GARDEN SUPPLY
6542 FRONT STREET
FORESTVILLE,CA 95436
Phone: (707) 824-4840
Fax: (707) 824-4840

NORTH COAST HORTICULTURE SUPPLY
122 W. 4TH STREET, SUITE B
EUREKA,CA 95501
Phone: (707) 444-9999
Fax: (707) 444-9999
www.familyhydroponics.com

NORTH COAST HYDRO-GARDENS
3450 N. STATE STREET
UKIAH,CA 95482
Phone: (707) 462-7214
Fax: (707) 462-7219

ORANGE COUNTY HYDROPONICS
12687 BEACH BLVD
STANTON,CA 90680
Phone: (714) 893-9493
Fax: (714) 893-9492
www.familyhydroponics.com

PACIFIC GARDEN SUPPLY
128H CARLOS STREET
SAN RAFAEL,CA 94903
Phone: (415) 444-5550
Fax: (415) 499-3305
www.pacificgardensupply.com

PLANT IT EARTH
2279 MARKET STREET
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94114
Phone: (415) 626-5082
Fax: (415) 970-2299
www.plantitearth.com

PLANT IT EARTH
33 DORMAN
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94124
Phone: (415) 970-2465
www.plantitearth.com

PLANT IT EARTH
1595 EAST FRANCISCO BLVD
SAN RAFAEL,CA 94901
Phone: (415) 459-6095
www.plantitearth.com

PROFESSIONAL GARDENING SYSTEMS
765 PETALUMA AVENUE
SEBASTOPOL,CA 95472
Phone: (707) 829-7252
Fax: (707) 829-7257
www.greenlighthydro.com

SANTA CRUZ HYDROPONICS
815 ALMA AVE, UNIT K
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060
Phone: (831) 466-9000
Fax: (831) 466-9000
www.familyhydroponics.com

SOUTH COUNTY HYDROPONICS
22511 ASPAN STREET, UNIT E
LAKE FOREST,CA 92630
Phone: (949) 837-8252
Fax: (949) 837-7728
www.southcountyhydro.com

SUN-IN HYDROPONICS
1257-A CLEVELAND AVENUE
SANTA ROSA,CA 95401
Phone: (707) 578-5747
Fax: (707) 578-5714
www.sun-inhydroponics.com

SURVIVAL HYDROPONICS
74991 JONI DRIVE #9
PALM DESERT,CA 92260
Phone: (760) 836-3409
Fax: (760) 568-5388
www.survivalhydroponics.com

SYLVANDALE GARDENS
77 AVENUE OF THE GIANTS
PHILLIPSVILLE,CA 95559
Phone: (707) 923-3606
Fax: (707) 923-4192

THE GARDEN SPOUT
630 S. MAIN STREET
WILLITS,CA 95490
Phone: (707) 456-0196
Fax: (707) 456-0192

THE HOUSE OF HYDRO
224 WELLER STREET #B
PETALUMA,CA 94952
Phone: (707) 762-4769

THE SECRET GARDEN
160 LEXINGTON LANE
COSTA MESA,CA 92626
Phone: (714) 957-4045
Fax: (714) 560-6574

TOWER GARDEN SUPPLY
3 E. OLIVE
FRESNO,CA 93728
Phone: (559) 495-1140
Fax: (559) 495-1140
www.towergardensupply.com

URBAN GARDEN SUPPLY
22516 VENTURA BLVD
WOODLAND HILLS,CA 91364
Phone: (818) 876-0222
Fax: (818) 876-0123

URBAN GARDEN UNLIMITED
704 FILBERT STREET
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94133
Phone: (415) 421-4769
Fax: (415) 421-3109

WEST COAST GROWERS
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Phone: (888) 924-4769
Fax: (530) 272-7904
www.westcoastgrowers.com

This is Not a Good, Legal Way to Make Money: Pit Bull & Cock Fighting

2007-06-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Get involved in cock fighting and dog fighting and you may end up being shot at, dead and incarcerated. Such was the circumstances of Thomas Weigner who was found shot to death after his prized pitbull had won or devoured another dog for $100,000. As reported by Associated Press reported Paul Newberry, this story sheds light on the underground world of dog fighting for huge sums of money and the people who are involved in it.

Being a dog lover, I could not not finish the story without taking my eyes off the page. It was horrible to consider what happened to these creatures. Fortunately, The Humane Society, a group of animal-loving people, was trying to investigate.

Despite the fact there are laws prohibiting cock and dog fighting in many states, many individuals continue to breed and raise these animals for these purposes. Some consider dog fighting as a sport. When investigating the shooting death of Weigner, investigators heard the name of Michael Vick, star quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, from Pittsburg, Atlandta, Dayton, Ohio to Ecuador. They seized on the lead and raided a Vick-owned home in Surry County, Va, as part of a drug investigation involving a cousin of his. The investigators were not ready to find what they uncovered. "Sixty-six dogs, mostly pit bulls, were seized, along with evidence of an organized fighting operation: treadmills rigged up for training, "break sticks" used to pry apart the powerful jaws of fighting animals; blood-soaked carpeting, veterinary medicines for treating wounds and "rape stands" used to restrain female pit bulls during the breeding process."

It is worth nothing that Vick denided any wrongdoing. The drama did not stop there. Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis tried to defend Vick's right to be involved in dog fighting by saying, "it's his property. Portis ended up apologizing after fans started protesting his comments.

In all the states, dogfighting has been known to be a recreational activity for gang members. For example, the Fresno Bulldogs are being watched by the Fresno Police department to stop them from engaging in these illegal activities. Chief Jerry Dyer is not playing games with them either. John Goodwin of the Humane Society of the United States state that up to 40,000 people are involved in dogfighting contests for prize money.

Dogs that are involved in fighting are scarred for life. Those who are involved in it use elaborate means to conceal their activity. After Weigner was killed, authorities found his dog kennel where 26 dogs were being cared for. They continued to comb his property and found more than 300 pit bulls. They also found birthing places to take care of the prized litters.

People or neighbors should know the signs of animal cruelty according to North Caronlina at College of Veterinary Medicine: Punctures and lacerations from teeh, unusually on the face, neck and forelimbs. If you lose your dog, it may be used as a "bait dog" for the training pit bull to devour in order to learn to kill.

Donald Trump Wants Fresno's Running Horse Golf Course for $25 Million

2007-06-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Running Horse Golf Course fell on hard times. It went into bankruptcy. It has to renegotiate the 6-year contract with PGA which has announced that a golf course in Florida will host the upcoming tournament. The tournament will be played in Port St. Lucie in Florida according to the Palm Beach Post. Donald Trump is ready to shop in the Fresno Area. Anybody willing to sell to him?

If Trump takes over the project, he will do so free and clear of all liens. That is what he wants. So a lot of creditors will lose beaucoup money. Obviously, Trump will want conditions to take over this project. Many creditors see the potential of the deal. Some agree to lose some money and hope that the billionaire will bring business to the community. Unless somebody else offers money, Trump may have some good cards.

What will happen to Running Horse if Trump does not offer more than $25 million? Many people see only mud and tall grass. The West Side of Fresno will continue to need redevelopment projects.

iPhone Buzz Is Huge: Fans and Admirers Want To Be First to Own Breakthrough Tech

2007-06-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Internet frenzy has already started around this breakthrough tech gadget, the iPhone. So far, many people are trying to be the first to own it in their circle of friends. Apple's iPhone is the biggest thing that will come. Why? It is a true breakthrough product -- the combination telephone-web browser-digital music player to be launched on June 29 in the United States.

So far, many groups and individuals are even begging to be able to get one. Web sites and blogs are just about the iPhone. They have become the iPhone central. There is no better advertising than grassroots one. That is what Apple's Jobs counts on once his new baby is brought to the market in the months ahead. The iPhone will deliver on its promises. " The iPhone promises to bring together all of the newest portable technologies in one pocket-sized personal unit: mobile phone, camera, web browser, music and video player."

AT&T is the sole Telecoms carrier authorized for the iPhone. It said that the phone system will be on sale on June 29, 2007. In addition to blogs, you will find websites such as buymeaniphone.com, everythingiphone.com, and many others with the word iPhone.

When is a Good Time To Refinance?

2007-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

The first thing you have to do is to evaluate the cost against the benefit of refinancing. You need to understand that while refinancing fees tend to be steep. If that is the case, refinancing may not be the best option at the time. No kidding that depending on the time, there are hefty fees that are often attached to refinancing.

Refinancing would not make sones unless you can get a better dea. Refinancing should not look a another loan. Keep in mind that many mortgage experts such as Jack M. Guttentag, Professor of Finance Emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and founder of GHR Systems, Inc., a mortgage technology company, will tell you that the safest choices are conventional fixed-rate mortgages or hybrid adjustable mortgages with long periods of stable monthly payments. He will also remind you that the great benefits of homeownership is building equity and wealth. That means that the more you pay down, the more your equity will increase. In other words, if you refinance every two or three years, you never get to build that equity. It is as if you were renting if did so. The purpose of homeownership is defeated in that sense.

Proper Use of Credit Cards Avoid Headaches Later

2007-02-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

DaysAgo, a new digital day counter that attaches to food containers and other items that need smart tracking. If you want to find out more about this product, go to www.howmanydaysago.com. DaysAgo was developed, invented by Kathleen Whitehurst and Debbie Stephens Stauffer from California. DaysAgo has distributors in Canada, Sweden, and United Kingdom. The sales started going up when the California women, Whitehurst and Stauffer appeared on the Oprah Winfrey's show. They have been swamped with orders since then.

Proper Use of Credit Cards Can Avoid Trouble Later

Have you been drowning in credit card debt? Have you made all kinds of efforts to pay your credit card debts? Or have you been cutting down any credit card offers you receive in the mail?

It all depends on how many credit cards you want to carry around. Even though credit card companies have scaled back their reward, credit cards are convenient. They can save you time and money. Well, we are not too sure about saving money. In the old days when check-writing was the law of the land, we had time to ponder a purchase. It would take time to write a check and mail it out. Now all it takes is one quick swipe, and you have your products. If you have had some card deals lately, you can search these sites to find out how well you have been doing. Check www.cardweb.com, www.cardratings.com, www.lowcards.com.

Any way, what can you do to avoid going into debt if you have to use a credit card.

Make sure you record the amount charged in our checking account checkbook each time you charge a purchase. Otherwise, you will not be sure how much money you have in your bank account on the due date. Some people check their online account or call the bank to find out. In these cases, some checks or charges may have not been finalized.

As much as possible, use one or two cards. Make sure you do not cancel your first card. You will need credit history. Do not cancel unused cards right away. If you keep doing that, your credit history may suffer. Just keep in your mind that credit cards have promotions just to lure you in. They have all kinds of great programs in the beginning. Once they have you on their thumbs, or get you hooked, they take the benefits away. That is why card rewards are so low these days. Reward programs existed to get you to get into the habit of using credit cards for small purchases. For example, charging your fast food purchases at Burger King and Warner Co. jewelry etc. was the idea of the companies. In reality, there was nothing in it for you, consumers. Now, remember that each time you use your card at a business, the credit card company gets a kickback from the business. It could be as much as 3% of the purchase price. So by using their cards, you are helping the credit card company make some money.

Those are some of the prices to pay to be part of this cashless society. Which one is better? Cash or plastic? $ Millions are spent on convincing us, consumers, to throw away our cash and start being cool and adopting the convenience of plastic. Who stands to benefit from this change of financial attitude? The big card companies stand to win. They have led and financed campaigns to make our old ways look uncool and make us adopt plastic or credit cards instead of cash. Lo and behold, we tend to spend more when we swipe instead of writing out the check. The companies know they will be able to make more money this way.

Student Loan Companies, Colleges and Universities Receive NY Attorney General's Inquiry Letter

2007-02-09T01:26:00.000-08:00

New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo is sending letters to colleges and universities from Boston to California. He wants to know about the nature of the relationships between colleges and universities and loan companies. The question to ask is whether these two entities are conspiring to push tuition costs to the point where education becones unaffordable to many young men and women. It is worth nothing that private student loans have become a very lucrative and fast-growing business over the years. All the while, tuition costs at many colleges and universities have soared. Who stands to benefit from the hidden relationships between Universities and Colleges and those loan companies? Until now, many families and students go to these centers of higher learning only to get taken advantage of.

NY Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo wants to know more details about the preferred-lender lists. Most colleges and universities compile these lists to offer to students. But nothing is said about the nature of the relationships between the school and the loan companies. What is in it for the schools? The Federal Education Department is thinking about regulating this side of the business. It is requesting more transparency. The students must know whether these institutions stand to make money in the deals. Private student loans may have their days counted. Mr. Cuomo has also demanded information from both loan companies and schools. "My office is seeking to ensure that students are being steered toward lenders offering the most competitive rates, not t hose who offer the best perks to schools of financial aid administrators," said Mr. Cuomo.

High Tech News: Cisco Systems Hot Routers & Switches. Wal-Mart Movie Downloads, Amazon Unbox on Tivo

2007-02-09T01:22:00.000-08:00

TechNews in Brief: Identity Metasystem, Public Key Certificates

Wal-Mart starts to compete with NetFlix, iTunes, Blockbuster and others. The Dayton giant wants to get into the download business of movies. Wal-Mart will selling movies ranging in prices of $1.99 to $18.99. Once again, Wal-Mart will try to get the customers by offering low prices.

Cisco Systems Profit Surge.

The San Jose-based company that makes routers and switches that direct data over computer networks reported that it made some profits. Cisco is also making money from sales coming from Scientific-Atlanta Inc., the world's second-largest cable television box seller. Cisco bought the company last year for $6.9 billion. Its upgrade for video allows the company to be the supplier of all the necessary equipment.

The Superbowl: What's in it for The Regular Joe?

2007-02-06T00:38:00.000-08:00

What's in it for Little Guys Like Us: Nascent Efforts to Include User-generated Content May Solidify True Fans' Base

The most anticipated football event came and went. It was Indy vs. Windy in the sloppiest game played in swirling rainfall in Florida. The Indianapolis Colts played a smart game despite the opening return by a Chicago player. Peyton Manning and the rest of Indianapolis stayed calm under frustrations and tried to capitalize on all the turnovers caused by a slick football. Coach Tony Dungy and his staff knew that their guys had the heart to win this last game. At the same time, Peyton Manning felt or breathed signs of relief when his team took the lead from Chicago. What to remember about the day is that it was the first time in the history of the league that two African-American coaches took their team to the pinnacle of the football games. Chicago's Coach Lovie Smith is a good friend of Coach Tony Dungy whose son was lost to suicide last year. Both coaches are Christian. Without any doubt, they were proud to represent the league and their organization during what has been celebrated in this country as Black History Month.

There were other issues brewing in the league. While bars could have large screen where patrons can watch the games, churches could not have such a luxury. In fact, NFL lawyers sent many reminder and cease and desist letters to particular churches that wanted to show the game on large screens during their fellowship on Sunday morning. Others heard of the letters and decided to bother such a powerful organization that has been removing fans' video clips from the likes of Youtube, LiveDigital, Revver, and others due to copyright regulations. While we are at it, The NHL, NBA and other leagues are doing the same thing. Just like network shows that do not want their fans to post clips on these video sites, the richest league on the earth is banning such postings.

How to Live Frugally: Do Not Spend What You Do Not Have: Personal Finance Links:

2007-02-06T00:33:00.000-08:00

www.getrichslowly.com summarizes the advice nuggets found in various financial self-help books. For sure, this site tells you how to build over time. Time is your friend. Short-term investments will not cut it. For example, Getrichslowly.com owner invites you to borrow books from the library instead of buying them new.

We also read www.moneyhacks.org which offers commonsense advice and links to other sites that can save you money and time.

www.bargaineering.com/articles gives you the chance to have your own blueprint for financial prosperity. On this site, you can find advice on cell phone companies, car leases, bargain, credit cards, and deals on any consumer products.

www.FiveCentNickel.com tells you everything you want to know about credit cards. It also encourages you to live within your economic boundaries. Living frugally is what you need to remember. A local farmer saved every thing he had. He only spent money if he had to. About the time of his death, he made a substantial donation to his alma mater which named a building after him. There are many such stories all over the country.

Complete the reading of this article at GeRichOverTime: Financial Matters and GetRichTechniques and Tips

Avoid Being Scammed: You Are Entitled to a Free Credit Report per Year

2007-02-01T00:23:00.000-08:00

Get acquainted with the three major credit agencies:

Equifax. http://equifax.com or call 800-525-6285. Order your credit report today. You can also report fraud.

Experian (formerly TRW)
http://www.experian.com or call 800-301-7195

Trans Union
http://www.transunion.com or call 800-680-7289

You can order a credit report from all three of these big boys. You can order a report online, on the phone or by mailing an application.

Well, you'd better take care of your finances if you are making money. How about that?

Welcome to Personal Finance Money Matters! The Blog That Teaches You How To Make Money

2007-01-31T23:22:00.000-08:00

Personal Finance Money Matters is all about helping you make money. Whether you make money in the construction, whether you made money during the Internet boom, whether you are making money in the software industry, whether you are making money in the oil industry, this blog aims at chronicling the various ways people can make money. Personal Finance Money Matters will chronicle not only big money makers, the movers and shakers in our economy, it will also post on the small money makers who represent many small businesses.

So if you want to be featured on this blog, go ahead and drop us a line at nothingbutshopping at yahoo.com