Fred Harteis News Articles - Most people understand that low credit scores will translate into higher mortgage and credit card interest rates. But few realize there are plenty of other insidious ways that a low score can add to a person's costs. Bad credit can also negatively affect your job, utilities, cell phone, elective medical procedures and your marriage.
Car Insurance
Consumers with bad credit pay between 20 percent and 50 percent more in auto insurance premiums than their good-credit neighbors, says Clarence Smith, who authored an insurance study for Conning.
Car Loans
People with poor credit usually pay an interest rate between 19 percent and 26 percent on a new car purchase, compared with the six percent to seven percent average, says Lynch.
Job
Today, 70 percent of companies will check credit before they decide to hire a candidate, says Doug Borkowski, a financial counselor. The fear is that credit problems at home create tension and distraction at work, Lynch says.
Housing
Rental property owners may reject tenant applications with poor credit scores, something only 48 percent of consumers know, according to a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) survey.
Utilities
Only 30 percent of those that CFA surveyed know that utilities, too, care about credit scores. Even slow credit indications are enough to slap you with a $500 deposit before the telephone company connects your line or the electric company turns on the juice, Lynch says.
Cell Phones
These providers increasingly rely on credit scores to sort the good risks from the bad credit. Bad credit definitely doesn't get the sweetest deals at Verizon. Instead of contract plans that offer more minutes for your dollar and come with a wider selection of phones, those who do not make the cut must consider pay-as-you-go phones.
Elective Medical Procedures
When Lynch looked into laser eye surgery, the doctor immediately pulled her credit score to see if she qualified for his monthly payment plan. Otherwise, the bill is due in full at the counter. "They're not denying you service, and if it were a mandatory treatment, this would never come up," she says.
Source; Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles – Finding the grill of your dreams
Fred Harteis News Articles- What's the totally tricked-out grill wearing this season? Think stainless steel, a few side burners, a rotisserie, a smoker and a little infrared technology.
From a basic $20 patio model to an outdoor dream kitchen with a price that rivals the down payment on a house, there really is a grill for everyone. The trick to getting the perfect model is deciding what features you want and how you want to cook, then shop specifics.
"The first big trend, I think, is all the stainless steel," says Mark Connelly, senior director of testing for appliances at Consumer Reports. The good news for consumers is that manufacturers have "been doing that without the price getting too crazy."
The abundance of stainless steel is a reflection of what's going on in the high-end kitchen market, he says. "The more stainless steel, the more expensive," he says, but, it's popularity has made the sleek, shiny look more affordable for everyone over the past year.
The other hot grill item? Plenty of side burners with heat "equivalent to what you have in your own kitchen," Connelly says.
Rotisseries are big, too, says Karen Adler, co-author of "The BBQ Queens' Big Book of Barbecue." "Over the past few years this has been the most popular add-on," she says.
And "there seem to be more smokers," says Lynn Blanchard, test kitchen director for Meredith Corp., issuers of the Better Homes and Gardens publications.
If you're going to spend big bucks on a grill, get a test drive first. Some specialty retailers will fire them up on the weekends so that you can try them out first. Some things to watch:
"Don't be enamored with the high BTUs per hour they advertise," says Connelly. Quality "has to do with how well they distribute heat. It's no horsepower race. And unfortunately that's what a lot of manufacturers tout."
How evenly does it heat the grate? Will burgers in different corners cook at the same rate, or will one burn while the other stays pink inside?
Does it flare up? This is important to most people, says Connelly. And it has a lot to do with the construction underneath the grate -- the part few people see. One feature to look for in gas grills is metal pyramids beneath the grate surface. The construction serves to give grease a way to drip down while allowing flames to rise unhindered at the same time, he says.
Can it handle low-temperature grilling? That's important if you want to cook something such as salmon, says Connelly.
Another feature to examine on a gas grill: the number of controls. Does each burner have its own control? "Generally speaking, the more burner controls you have, the more flexibility it gives you as a chef," Connelly says. His recommendation after shopping grills is to look for at least three burner knobs.
Check how easy it will be to clean, too, says Blanchard.
And ask about assembly. "It can be an eight-hour nightmare on a Saturday," says Connelly. "It's probably worth the money" to have the store do it.
How to shop smartly
Before you get in the car, ask yourself (and whoever else might be using the grill) a few questions. The hardest one first: gas or charcoal?
Charcoal tends to be less expensive, gets hot enough and creates that traditional "cook-out" flavor. You don't have to worry about filling or returning propane tanks. (And it's easy to tell if you have enough charcoal for the big day.)
Gas models can be pricier, although these days there are portables and less expensive models in the $100-plus range. State-of-the-art and high-tech models most often feature gas. They start quicker, and the flame and temperature are easier to control. Some gas grills will allow you to burn wood chips to enhance flavor. You do need a supply of propane. In some cases you also can tap into your home's natural gas -- with the help of a pro, of course.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
From a basic $20 patio model to an outdoor dream kitchen with a price that rivals the down payment on a house, there really is a grill for everyone. The trick to getting the perfect model is deciding what features you want and how you want to cook, then shop specifics.
"The first big trend, I think, is all the stainless steel," says Mark Connelly, senior director of testing for appliances at Consumer Reports. The good news for consumers is that manufacturers have "been doing that without the price getting too crazy."
The abundance of stainless steel is a reflection of what's going on in the high-end kitchen market, he says. "The more stainless steel, the more expensive," he says, but, it's popularity has made the sleek, shiny look more affordable for everyone over the past year.
The other hot grill item? Plenty of side burners with heat "equivalent to what you have in your own kitchen," Connelly says.
Rotisseries are big, too, says Karen Adler, co-author of "The BBQ Queens' Big Book of Barbecue." "Over the past few years this has been the most popular add-on," she says.
And "there seem to be more smokers," says Lynn Blanchard, test kitchen director for Meredith Corp., issuers of the Better Homes and Gardens publications.
If you're going to spend big bucks on a grill, get a test drive first. Some specialty retailers will fire them up on the weekends so that you can try them out first. Some things to watch:
"Don't be enamored with the high BTUs per hour they advertise," says Connelly. Quality "has to do with how well they distribute heat. It's no horsepower race. And unfortunately that's what a lot of manufacturers tout."
How evenly does it heat the grate? Will burgers in different corners cook at the same rate, or will one burn while the other stays pink inside?
Does it flare up? This is important to most people, says Connelly. And it has a lot to do with the construction underneath the grate -- the part few people see. One feature to look for in gas grills is metal pyramids beneath the grate surface. The construction serves to give grease a way to drip down while allowing flames to rise unhindered at the same time, he says.
Can it handle low-temperature grilling? That's important if you want to cook something such as salmon, says Connelly.
Another feature to examine on a gas grill: the number of controls. Does each burner have its own control? "Generally speaking, the more burner controls you have, the more flexibility it gives you as a chef," Connelly says. His recommendation after shopping grills is to look for at least three burner knobs.
Check how easy it will be to clean, too, says Blanchard.
And ask about assembly. "It can be an eight-hour nightmare on a Saturday," says Connelly. "It's probably worth the money" to have the store do it.
How to shop smartly
Before you get in the car, ask yourself (and whoever else might be using the grill) a few questions. The hardest one first: gas or charcoal?
Charcoal tends to be less expensive, gets hot enough and creates that traditional "cook-out" flavor. You don't have to worry about filling or returning propane tanks. (And it's easy to tell if you have enough charcoal for the big day.)
Gas models can be pricier, although these days there are portables and less expensive models in the $100-plus range. State-of-the-art and high-tech models most often feature gas. They start quicker, and the flame and temperature are easier to control. Some gas grills will allow you to burn wood chips to enhance flavor. You do need a supply of propane. In some cases you also can tap into your home's natural gas -- with the help of a pro, of course.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - New ways to save on drugs
Fred Harteis News Articles - We've reached a dubious health milestone: More than half of us insured are now taking at least one "maintenance" drug for a chronic condition, according to a recent health industry report.
Meanwhile, the price of brand-name medications rose 2½ times faster than the rate of inflation last year. Here's the news you need to know to avoid the worst of the pain - no clandestine trips to Canada required.
Discounters have become the best inflation hedge
Wal-Mart, which in 2006 began selling 30-day supplies of generics for $4 a pop, just rolled out another plan perfect for people who take meds daily and have a high co-pay: a 90-day supply of any of about 350 generics for just $10 (or your co-pay, whichever is less).
Competitors like Target and Kroger quickly matched the price cuts. Some discounters might offer drugs that others don't, so visit their websites to see if your medicine is on their lists.
More employers are insisting you use mail order
Some employers now require workers who fill the same scrip more than three months in a row (basically anyone on a daily regimen) to order 90-day supplies from an approved mail-order company - or receive a lower reimbursement than the pharmacy rate they're used to. At Time Inc., for example, your pharmacy co-pay rises by 25% after three months. So before you head to Wal-Mart, do the math.
Insurers are raising co-pays on brand-name drugs
Generics have always been cheaper than brand names, but it's gotten even costlier to insist on, say, Prozac rather than fluoxetine. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average co-pay for a 30-day "nonpreferred" brand is now $43, up from $28 in 2001. The average generic co-pay is just $11, so ask your doctor to prescribe the generic equivalent if one exists (it does more than 75% of the time).
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Meanwhile, the price of brand-name medications rose 2½ times faster than the rate of inflation last year. Here's the news you need to know to avoid the worst of the pain - no clandestine trips to Canada required.
Discounters have become the best inflation hedge
Wal-Mart, which in 2006 began selling 30-day supplies of generics for $4 a pop, just rolled out another plan perfect for people who take meds daily and have a high co-pay: a 90-day supply of any of about 350 generics for just $10 (or your co-pay, whichever is less).
Competitors like Target and Kroger quickly matched the price cuts. Some discounters might offer drugs that others don't, so visit their websites to see if your medicine is on their lists.
More employers are insisting you use mail order
Some employers now require workers who fill the same scrip more than three months in a row (basically anyone on a daily regimen) to order 90-day supplies from an approved mail-order company - or receive a lower reimbursement than the pharmacy rate they're used to. At Time Inc., for example, your pharmacy co-pay rises by 25% after three months. So before you head to Wal-Mart, do the math.
Insurers are raising co-pays on brand-name drugs
Generics have always been cheaper than brand names, but it's gotten even costlier to insist on, say, Prozac rather than fluoxetine. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average co-pay for a 30-day "nonpreferred" brand is now $43, up from $28 in 2001. The average generic co-pay is just $11, so ask your doctor to prescribe the generic equivalent if one exists (it does more than 75% of the time).
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - How safe is your ATM?
Fred Harteis News Articles - When hackers infiltrated Citibank ATMs at 7-Eleven stores, they revived the fear of everyone looking to get out a few bucks for a Slurpee - is using this machine safe?
Experts say the answer is that an ATM's safety depends on where it is. If it's at a bank, an ATM is somewhat safer than it is in a public place, such as a ballpark, a train station or a convenience store.
"You should never use ATM machines at convenience stores if you can help it because those are much more susceptible to tampering," added Avivah Litan, a security analyst with the Gartner research firm.
While consumers can't do much when hackers break into back-end computers that approve cash withdrawals in order to steal PIN codes - such as happened during last year's Citi ATM breach - the odds are slim that it will happen to you.
"It is possible to install malicious software on a banking server to capture an encrypted pin as it passes through, but it is extremely rare," according to Margot Mohsberg, a spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association.
There are other methods of getting scammed at the ATM, however, that are both popular and preventable.
Most often, thieves use a method called skimming, which means they insert a device into the card slot on an ATM that steals your data right off your card's magnetic strip.
When it comes to skimming, non-bank ATMs are far more susceptible, putting you at greater risk. There's less of a chance of skimming at your bank's local branch, because the bank is videotaping and maintaining that ATM, than at the ones in a convenience store that are maintained by a third party, said Ellen Cannon, managing editor at bankrate.com.
"There are thefts constantly," said Cannon.
To further decrease your odds of getting victimized, Cannon also suggests changing your PIN number regularly and using different PINs for different accounts.
Also, when shopping, opt for credit over debit. Chances are your credit card has 100% fraud liability, whereas your debit card may not.
"Basically, avoid using your PIN as much as possible," Litan recommends. Despite industry standards that call for protecting PINs with strong encryption, that doesn't always happen, so to stay on the safe side, keep transactions that require you to enter your PIN to a minimum.
And when it comes to online activity, never use your PIN under any circumstances. "There's no online use of PINs," Litan said, and any prompt to do so is just a scam.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do is check your account frequently and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Beyond that, there's really not much else consumers can do, according to Thomas Fox, community outreach director of Cambridge Credit Corp., a nonprofit credit counseling agency based in Agawam, Mass. "It falls to the bank to employ new ways to deter hackers."
But if you are a victim of theft, keep in mind that while it is a hassle, it is not necessarily a hardship.
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Experts say the answer is that an ATM's safety depends on where it is. If it's at a bank, an ATM is somewhat safer than it is in a public place, such as a ballpark, a train station or a convenience store.
"You should never use ATM machines at convenience stores if you can help it because those are much more susceptible to tampering," added Avivah Litan, a security analyst with the Gartner research firm.
While consumers can't do much when hackers break into back-end computers that approve cash withdrawals in order to steal PIN codes - such as happened during last year's Citi ATM breach - the odds are slim that it will happen to you.
"It is possible to install malicious software on a banking server to capture an encrypted pin as it passes through, but it is extremely rare," according to Margot Mohsberg, a spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association.
There are other methods of getting scammed at the ATM, however, that are both popular and preventable.
Most often, thieves use a method called skimming, which means they insert a device into the card slot on an ATM that steals your data right off your card's magnetic strip.
When it comes to skimming, non-bank ATMs are far more susceptible, putting you at greater risk. There's less of a chance of skimming at your bank's local branch, because the bank is videotaping and maintaining that ATM, than at the ones in a convenience store that are maintained by a third party, said Ellen Cannon, managing editor at bankrate.com.
"There are thefts constantly," said Cannon.
To further decrease your odds of getting victimized, Cannon also suggests changing your PIN number regularly and using different PINs for different accounts.
Also, when shopping, opt for credit over debit. Chances are your credit card has 100% fraud liability, whereas your debit card may not.
"Basically, avoid using your PIN as much as possible," Litan recommends. Despite industry standards that call for protecting PINs with strong encryption, that doesn't always happen, so to stay on the safe side, keep transactions that require you to enter your PIN to a minimum.
And when it comes to online activity, never use your PIN under any circumstances. "There's no online use of PINs," Litan said, and any prompt to do so is just a scam.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do is check your account frequently and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Beyond that, there's really not much else consumers can do, according to Thomas Fox, community outreach director of Cambridge Credit Corp., a nonprofit credit counseling agency based in Agawam, Mass. "It falls to the bank to employ new ways to deter hackers."
But if you are a victim of theft, keep in mind that while it is a hassle, it is not necessarily a hardship.
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - In Interviews, Honesty Is the Best Policy
Fred Harteis News Articles - It's graduation season, and this means it's time for job hunting. Joining the pool of applicants will be a lot of people who have been downsized, fired, or who found their previous employment to be less than satisfying. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned veteran of the job search, it's helpful to get advice about the all-important but nerve-wracking experience known as the job interview.
The art of the job interview seems to be mainly about strategy: how to get from point A (unemployment, underemployment, or otherwise unsatisfying employment) to point B (a good job). But there are lots of ways to get from A to B, and some are more ethical than others. You can lie on your résumé, exaggerate your accomplishments, or mislead a prospective employer about what you can do well. Taking the low road may lead to a job offer -- but at what cost?
If you have to become someone other than yourself, what does this say about your integrity? And what will happen to you, professionally as well as personally, if it comes to light that you lied to get the job?
Even if you are committed to being truthful, however, it is still possible to miss the main point of a job interview (and run the risk of being passed over). A job interview isn't about you. Or rather, it's not merely about you. It is about whether or not the company will benefit from hiring you. Ethics is about thinking beyond our own needs and desires, and applying the ethical principle of 'Make Things Better' in the context of a job interview means concentrating on how you will help the company. This can't be at the expense of other ethical principles, such as 'Respect Others,' which requires us to be truthful, and 'Do No Harm,' which asks us not to say or do things that will make things worse for others or ourselves.
Ethics thus lies at the core of any job interview. With this in mind, here are five guidelines that you can use to ace your next interview -- by taking the high road.
1. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE COMPANY.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people respond to my own job offerings with an endless discussion of why the position will help them: "This job is perfect for me, because I need something that will offer me flexibility." An employee should be concerned, first and foremost, with helping the company, not the other way around.
2. BE HONEST.
Few of us are good liars, and this is a good thing. When an interviewer asks you something to which you don't know the answer, it's much better to admit it than to pretend otherwise. Also, misrepresenting yourself on your résumé in any way is a big mistake, not just because it will come back to haunt you (since it may not), but simply because it's wrong.
3. WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T.
The most fundamental ethical principle of all, Do No Harm, applies to how you treat yourself as well as others. Resist the impulse to say something that would make you look foolish, incompetent, or naive. If you're not sure about how something will be taken, leave it unsaid.
4. DON'T BADMOUTH YOUR PREVIOUS EMPLOYER.
Your prospective employer may ask you about previous jobs and why you left, or why you want to leave your current one. If a poor relationship with a boss or colleague was a contributing factor, it's better to say something like: "My supervisor and I didn't see eye to eye on a lot of projects," rather than "He was the biggest jerk I've ever worked for." Criticism at its best centers on what a person has done, not on who a person is.
5. LOOK WITHIN.
This last rule is the most important. Before you even apply for a job, do some soul-searching, and find out what it is you're really looking for. To embrace a company's mission successfully you have to know what your own mission in life is, and why you want to devote considerable time and energy to that organization. Honesty applies not just to how you deal with your prospective employer; it also applies to how you deal with yourself.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
The art of the job interview seems to be mainly about strategy: how to get from point A (unemployment, underemployment, or otherwise unsatisfying employment) to point B (a good job). But there are lots of ways to get from A to B, and some are more ethical than others. You can lie on your résumé, exaggerate your accomplishments, or mislead a prospective employer about what you can do well. Taking the low road may lead to a job offer -- but at what cost?
If you have to become someone other than yourself, what does this say about your integrity? And what will happen to you, professionally as well as personally, if it comes to light that you lied to get the job?
Even if you are committed to being truthful, however, it is still possible to miss the main point of a job interview (and run the risk of being passed over). A job interview isn't about you. Or rather, it's not merely about you. It is about whether or not the company will benefit from hiring you. Ethics is about thinking beyond our own needs and desires, and applying the ethical principle of 'Make Things Better' in the context of a job interview means concentrating on how you will help the company. This can't be at the expense of other ethical principles, such as 'Respect Others,' which requires us to be truthful, and 'Do No Harm,' which asks us not to say or do things that will make things worse for others or ourselves.
Ethics thus lies at the core of any job interview. With this in mind, here are five guidelines that you can use to ace your next interview -- by taking the high road.
1. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE COMPANY.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people respond to my own job offerings with an endless discussion of why the position will help them: "This job is perfect for me, because I need something that will offer me flexibility." An employee should be concerned, first and foremost, with helping the company, not the other way around.
2. BE HONEST.
Few of us are good liars, and this is a good thing. When an interviewer asks you something to which you don't know the answer, it's much better to admit it than to pretend otherwise. Also, misrepresenting yourself on your résumé in any way is a big mistake, not just because it will come back to haunt you (since it may not), but simply because it's wrong.
3. WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T.
The most fundamental ethical principle of all, Do No Harm, applies to how you treat yourself as well as others. Resist the impulse to say something that would make you look foolish, incompetent, or naive. If you're not sure about how something will be taken, leave it unsaid.
4. DON'T BADMOUTH YOUR PREVIOUS EMPLOYER.
Your prospective employer may ask you about previous jobs and why you left, or why you want to leave your current one. If a poor relationship with a boss or colleague was a contributing factor, it's better to say something like: "My supervisor and I didn't see eye to eye on a lot of projects," rather than "He was the biggest jerk I've ever worked for." Criticism at its best centers on what a person has done, not on who a person is.
5. LOOK WITHIN.
This last rule is the most important. Before you even apply for a job, do some soul-searching, and find out what it is you're really looking for. To embrace a company's mission successfully you have to know what your own mission in life is, and why you want to devote considerable time and energy to that organization. Honesty applies not just to how you deal with your prospective employer; it also applies to how you deal with yourself.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles -10 reasons to love a recession
Fred Harteis News Articles - If you are old enough to have worn a mood ring, Earth shoes or bell-bottoms the first time around, you probably recall the "stagflation" days of the 1970s with a bemused mix of humor, national pride and nostalgia.
The forecast was just as dire back then, and for good reason. In 1975, inflation topped 14 percent, unemployment approached 6 percent (but doubled that in some locales), and fuel and food prices were headed skyward.
Most of us would be well into the Reagan years before our wallets grew appreciably heavier.
The funny thing is, I don't remember the sacrifice. We drove used cars and lived within our means, since car leasing and credit cards were not yet widespread.
We rented and shared apartments, since the average home mortgage rate hovered around 10 percent.
We shouldered none of the financial burden of such modern conveniences as cell phones, high-speed Internet or fitness center memberships.
No one wants a recession, of course. It can cause serious economic pain for millions.
10 blessings of a recession
1. Family dinners
2. Shorter gas lines
3. Less junk mail
4. More coupons
5. Free fitness
6. Bargain SUVs
7. Business startup opportunities
8. Growth in gardening
9. Musical inspiration
10. New perspectives
However, economists tell us there are some reasons to actually welcome and perhaps even embrace a recession. After all, a recession is the ebb part of the natural ebb and flow of the economy.
Just as surely as hot markets cool and bulls turn to bears, capitalist economies take a breather every so often to pause and reflect. If they didn't, these corrections would be far crueler.
So, let's smile, lift our half-full cups of regular unleaded and toast these 10 very good things about impending bad times.
Source: Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
The forecast was just as dire back then, and for good reason. In 1975, inflation topped 14 percent, unemployment approached 6 percent (but doubled that in some locales), and fuel and food prices were headed skyward.
Most of us would be well into the Reagan years before our wallets grew appreciably heavier.
The funny thing is, I don't remember the sacrifice. We drove used cars and lived within our means, since car leasing and credit cards were not yet widespread.
We rented and shared apartments, since the average home mortgage rate hovered around 10 percent.
We shouldered none of the financial burden of such modern conveniences as cell phones, high-speed Internet or fitness center memberships.
No one wants a recession, of course. It can cause serious economic pain for millions.
10 blessings of a recession
1. Family dinners
2. Shorter gas lines
3. Less junk mail
4. More coupons
5. Free fitness
6. Bargain SUVs
7. Business startup opportunities
8. Growth in gardening
9. Musical inspiration
10. New perspectives
However, economists tell us there are some reasons to actually welcome and perhaps even embrace a recession. After all, a recession is the ebb part of the natural ebb and flow of the economy.
Just as surely as hot markets cool and bulls turn to bears, capitalist economies take a breather every so often to pause and reflect. If they didn't, these corrections would be far crueler.
So, let's smile, lift our half-full cups of regular unleaded and toast these 10 very good things about impending bad times.
Source: Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - How to Avoid Sneaky Fees
Fred Harteis News Articles - You Can Save $5,363!
Think you've never been charged a sneaky fee by your bank, broker, credit-card issuer or cell-phone provider? Then you haven't looked at your bills very closely. Companies collect billions by nickel-and-diming you. It's time to stop letting them get away with it.
Bank & Credit Card Fees
Pay Credit Card on Time: $39
Avoid Paying by Phone: $15
Stay in Your ATM Network: $156
Avoid an Overdraft: $28
Total Annual Savings: $238
Calculations are based on one late payment per year and one weekly out-of-network ATM withdrawal.
Investment Fees
Make 24 Stock Trades With a Discount Broker: $480
Avoid a Quarterly Inactivity Fee: $40
Avoid a Balance-Transfer Fee: $25
Receive Electronic Statements: $24
Get a Fund With 1% Expense Ratio & No 12B-1 Fee: $250
Total Annual Savings: $819
Calculations are based on two stock trades per month at $10 per trade, and $50K invested in a stock mutual fund
Cell Phone & Land Line Fees
Avoid Overage Charges: $72
Pay $5 a Month for 200 Text Messages: $15
Transfer Your Contract to Avoid Termination Fee: $156
Switch Land Line to Internet Calling Service: $28
Total Annual Savings: $832
Calculations are based on overage charges of $6 per month and text messages at 20 cents each.
Car Rental Fees
Rent Off-Site, Not the Airport: $39
Pay for Your Own Gas: $15
Turn Down Collision-Damage: $156
Use a Discount Site: $28
Total Annual Savings: $1,074
Calculations are based on four week-long rentals per year at $50 a day.
Hotel Surcharges
Have "Resort Fee" Removed From Hotel Bill: $280
Pass Up Valet Parking: $154
Tip the Maid Yourself to Avoid "Maid Gratuity": $56
Resist the Mini Bar to Avoid Restocking Fee: $140
Total Annual Savings: $630
Calculations are based on 14 nights in a hotel per year.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Think you've never been charged a sneaky fee by your bank, broker, credit-card issuer or cell-phone provider? Then you haven't looked at your bills very closely. Companies collect billions by nickel-and-diming you. It's time to stop letting them get away with it.
Bank & Credit Card Fees
Pay Credit Card on Time: $39
Avoid Paying by Phone: $15
Stay in Your ATM Network: $156
Avoid an Overdraft: $28
Total Annual Savings: $238
Calculations are based on one late payment per year and one weekly out-of-network ATM withdrawal.
Investment Fees
Make 24 Stock Trades With a Discount Broker: $480
Avoid a Quarterly Inactivity Fee: $40
Avoid a Balance-Transfer Fee: $25
Receive Electronic Statements: $24
Get a Fund With 1% Expense Ratio & No 12B-1 Fee: $250
Total Annual Savings: $819
Calculations are based on two stock trades per month at $10 per trade, and $50K invested in a stock mutual fund
Cell Phone & Land Line Fees
Avoid Overage Charges: $72
Pay $5 a Month for 200 Text Messages: $15
Transfer Your Contract to Avoid Termination Fee: $156
Switch Land Line to Internet Calling Service: $28
Total Annual Savings: $832
Calculations are based on overage charges of $6 per month and text messages at 20 cents each.
Car Rental Fees
Rent Off-Site, Not the Airport: $39
Pay for Your Own Gas: $15
Turn Down Collision-Damage: $156
Use a Discount Site: $28
Total Annual Savings: $1,074
Calculations are based on four week-long rentals per year at $50 a day.
Hotel Surcharges
Have "Resort Fee" Removed From Hotel Bill: $280
Pass Up Valet Parking: $154
Tip the Maid Yourself to Avoid "Maid Gratuity": $56
Resist the Mini Bar to Avoid Restocking Fee: $140
Total Annual Savings: $630
Calculations are based on 14 nights in a hotel per year.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - Cut your grocery bill in half
Fred Harteis News Articles - Nearly $5 for a box of cereal is outrageous - and it's probably only going to get worse. But there's a crop of new online resources that can help take the sticker shock out of food shopping.
The average U.S. household spent $3,240 on groceries last year, according to the American Express Everyday Spending index, and prices have risen substantially since then.
Of course, clipping coupons can help, but it's time consuming and tedious. The good news is that now there are Web sites that can help make saving much easier.
Strategic shopping
Stephanie Nelson, a mother of two, says cutting your grocery bill in half is easy. She launched couponmom.com seven years ago to show other shoppers what weekly sales and savings are available - saving them time, and of course, money.
The Web site's database tracks what's on sale at your local grocery store and matches it with what coupons are available.
For example, New Jersey shoppers can use a $1 coupon in the RedPlum circular when All brand laundry detergent goes on sale at Pathmark, and save 50% off the retail price.
Nelson says that shoppers who match up weekly specials with coupons from newspaper circulars can easily take 50% off their entire bill, if not more. That's what she calls "strategic shopping." And it's catching on, Nelson has seen a huge uptick in interest in her site, which lists grocery bargains at 41 retailers in 50 states. Since January, traffic has tripled, she said.
"You can't do much about your mortgage payment or car payment," Nelson said. "Grocery shopping is where you have the most opportunity to save money."
Vital Coupon Clipping
If sifting through the newspaper for savings is not your bag, more stores are offering electronic coupons, which can be printed at home, or loaded right on to your store loyalty card.
Kroger customers can go to Shortcuts.com, enter their loyalty card information, click on coupons they want, and have the savings automatically applied to their bill at checkout.
And Shortcuts.com is currently in discussions with other national chains to roll out similar programs soon.
Other sites, such as coupons.com and eversave.com, offer a slew of printable coupons as well as coupon codes that can be used for online shopping.
Buy online
Shopping online is another way to score great deals on groceries. Although the prices aren't always better, comparison shopping is definitely easier. And the savings of time - and gas - can be substantial.
New online grocery and delivery services are emerging across the country, such as FreshDirect, Peapod and SimonDelivers, and sell everything from fresh produce to frozen dinners.
Amazon.com's grocery service, which launched two years ago, sells nonperishable items in bulk (no milk, fresh meat, or produce) at relatively low cost.
A pack of four boxes of Kellogg's – Mini Wheats is $17.60 on Amazon, 10% less per unit than on the bulk shopping site buythecase.net, and 18% lower than the per-unit price on Walgreens.com.
On top of that, Amazon orders over $25 qualify for free shipping, and additional savings are available when shoppers sign up to have deliveries made regularly.
The e-tailer manages to keep per-unit costs down by selling items in larger pack sizes or manufacturer's cases, which cuts the cost of handling and packaging, according to Tom Furphy, vice president of consumables.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
The average U.S. household spent $3,240 on groceries last year, according to the American Express Everyday Spending index, and prices have risen substantially since then.
Of course, clipping coupons can help, but it's time consuming and tedious. The good news is that now there are Web sites that can help make saving much easier.
Strategic shopping
Stephanie Nelson, a mother of two, says cutting your grocery bill in half is easy. She launched couponmom.com seven years ago to show other shoppers what weekly sales and savings are available - saving them time, and of course, money.
The Web site's database tracks what's on sale at your local grocery store and matches it with what coupons are available.
For example, New Jersey shoppers can use a $1 coupon in the RedPlum circular when All brand laundry detergent goes on sale at Pathmark, and save 50% off the retail price.
Nelson says that shoppers who match up weekly specials with coupons from newspaper circulars can easily take 50% off their entire bill, if not more. That's what she calls "strategic shopping." And it's catching on, Nelson has seen a huge uptick in interest in her site, which lists grocery bargains at 41 retailers in 50 states. Since January, traffic has tripled, she said.
"You can't do much about your mortgage payment or car payment," Nelson said. "Grocery shopping is where you have the most opportunity to save money."
Vital Coupon Clipping
If sifting through the newspaper for savings is not your bag, more stores are offering electronic coupons, which can be printed at home, or loaded right on to your store loyalty card.
Kroger customers can go to Shortcuts.com, enter their loyalty card information, click on coupons they want, and have the savings automatically applied to their bill at checkout.
And Shortcuts.com is currently in discussions with other national chains to roll out similar programs soon.
Other sites, such as coupons.com and eversave.com, offer a slew of printable coupons as well as coupon codes that can be used for online shopping.
Buy online
Shopping online is another way to score great deals on groceries. Although the prices aren't always better, comparison shopping is definitely easier. And the savings of time - and gas - can be substantial.
New online grocery and delivery services are emerging across the country, such as FreshDirect, Peapod and SimonDelivers, and sell everything from fresh produce to frozen dinners.
Amazon.com's grocery service, which launched two years ago, sells nonperishable items in bulk (no milk, fresh meat, or produce) at relatively low cost.
A pack of four boxes of Kellogg's – Mini Wheats is $17.60 on Amazon, 10% less per unit than on the bulk shopping site buythecase.net, and 18% lower than the per-unit price on Walgreens.com.
On top of that, Amazon orders over $25 qualify for free shipping, and additional savings are available when shoppers sign up to have deliveries made regularly.
The e-tailer manages to keep per-unit costs down by selling items in larger pack sizes or manufacturer's cases, which cuts the cost of handling and packaging, according to Tom Furphy, vice president of consumables.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - 5 ways to cut car insurance costs
Fred Harteis News Articles - You can't fill your tank these days without feeling as if you've been kicked, simultaneously, in the gut and the bank account.
There's not much you can do about gas prices, but there is one thing you can do to cancel out rising car costs: Get a better deal on your auto insurance.
Competition has kept premiums low; and if you haven't revisited your policy in a while, you may have missed some money savers.
Try one (or more) of these methods to put your auto expenses in neutral.
Prune coverage on old cars
Once your vehicle is worth less than 10 times what you pay each year to insure it, get rid of comprehensive and collision. Find your car's estimated value at kbb.com.
Raise your deductible
The point of car insurance is to protect you from catastrophic costs (your emergency fund should cover stuff like dents and broken windows).
Raise your deductible from $200 to $1,000 and you could save more than 40% on premiums, says the Insurance Information Institute.
Nab discounts
Most insurers offer price cuts for such things as having anti-lock brakes; having been accident-free; having taken a defensive-driving course; and even for using the same insurer for your home policy. For more, see the auto insurance checklist at iii.org/individuals/auto.
These can take up to 25% off your premium. But your insurer won't come to you with them; call the company and ask what discounts it offers.
Dig up competing quotes
This is the most work but could have the greatest payoff. Go to naic.org to find your state insurance commission Web site, where you can download a car insurance buying guide.
This often lists scenarios (Mary is a 34-year-old married woman who drives a Chevy Tahoe) with sample rates from the biggest insurers in the state.
Pick the example closest to you and the five insurers with the lowest rates. Call them for quotes.
If the state guide doesn't list insurers, get the five best quotes at insweb.com, but note that the site doesn't include State Farm.
Next, check with an independent agent (get a name at iiaba.net) to see if any insurers you haven't checked can beat your top five.
Sidestep hassle
Make sure any insurer with a better quote is legit. Vet it via your state's insurance commission site; look especially for the ratio of complaints to number of policies written.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
There's not much you can do about gas prices, but there is one thing you can do to cancel out rising car costs: Get a better deal on your auto insurance.
Competition has kept premiums low; and if you haven't revisited your policy in a while, you may have missed some money savers.
Try one (or more) of these methods to put your auto expenses in neutral.
Prune coverage on old cars
Once your vehicle is worth less than 10 times what you pay each year to insure it, get rid of comprehensive and collision. Find your car's estimated value at kbb.com.
Raise your deductible
The point of car insurance is to protect you from catastrophic costs (your emergency fund should cover stuff like dents and broken windows).
Raise your deductible from $200 to $1,000 and you could save more than 40% on premiums, says the Insurance Information Institute.
Nab discounts
Most insurers offer price cuts for such things as having anti-lock brakes; having been accident-free; having taken a defensive-driving course; and even for using the same insurer for your home policy. For more, see the auto insurance checklist at iii.org/individuals/auto.
These can take up to 25% off your premium. But your insurer won't come to you with them; call the company and ask what discounts it offers.
Dig up competing quotes
This is the most work but could have the greatest payoff. Go to naic.org to find your state insurance commission Web site, where you can download a car insurance buying guide.
This often lists scenarios (Mary is a 34-year-old married woman who drives a Chevy Tahoe) with sample rates from the biggest insurers in the state.
Pick the example closest to you and the five insurers with the lowest rates. Call them for quotes.
If the state guide doesn't list insurers, get the five best quotes at insweb.com, but note that the site doesn't include State Farm.
Next, check with an independent agent (get a name at iiaba.net) to see if any insurers you haven't checked can beat your top five.
Sidestep hassle
Make sure any insurer with a better quote is legit. Vet it via your state's insurance commission site; look especially for the ratio of complaints to number of policies written.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - Vacation car: Rent or drive your own?
Fred Harteis News Articles - Wondering whether to rent a car or drive your own for that summer road trip? Pull out a calculator. It all comes down to math.
Determining whether it's more economical to rent a vehicle or drive your own boils down to three things:
• Distance to your destination.
• Driving costs of your own vehicle.
• Deals available for a rental vehicle.
Let's start with driving costs. AAA's 2006 vacation planning guide suggests budgeting $17.10 per 100 miles. That includes gas, figured at $2.92 per gallon, tires and maintenance, and assumes the vehicle gets a rather efficient 25.8 miles per gallon.
So say you've got a 1,000-mile, week-long trip planned. Multiply 10 times $17.10 for a baseline cost of $171 to drive your own vehicle. It'll be less expensive for smaller, fuel-efficient cars and more expensive for bigger gas guzzlers.
Now the rental scenario: Avis quoted a rate of $222.59 for a weekly rental ($209.99 base rate plus $12.60 tax) of a standard-size car in suburban Chicago in mid-July. Mileage was unlimited. Averaging the 25.8 miles per gallon AAA figures in, you'll need 38.7 gallons of gas for your 1,000 mile trip. At $2.92 per gallon, your gas tab is $113, bringing the rental cost to $335.59, or almost twice the cost of driving your own car.
For a weekend trip, however, the costs come much closer. Avis quotes a rate of $47.98 for that same car for a Friday to Sunday rental plus $2.88 tax. Gas for a 500-mile trip -- calculated at the miles and cost per gallon used above -- will add another $56.58 and bring the bill to $107.44. Meanwhile, driving your own vehicle on that trip using AAA's estimate will cost $85.50.
After you do the math, consider other factors. Drivers who lease their vehicles should find out whether they're approaching the mileage limit. If the vacation will put you over the top, it might be more economical to rent.
"Each lease is different. You have to know what the per-mile charge is if you go over your miles," says Jim Rink, public relations consultant for AAA Michigan.
Rental cars also save wear and tear on vehicles and can provide some peace of mind if you're not sure your car is reliable. A breakdown can spoil a vacation as certainly as a missed flight. Moreover, you'll then be forced to rent from whatever choices are nearby, rather than doing a competitive search prior to departure.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Determining whether it's more economical to rent a vehicle or drive your own boils down to three things:
• Distance to your destination.
• Driving costs of your own vehicle.
• Deals available for a rental vehicle.
Let's start with driving costs. AAA's 2006 vacation planning guide suggests budgeting $17.10 per 100 miles. That includes gas, figured at $2.92 per gallon, tires and maintenance, and assumes the vehicle gets a rather efficient 25.8 miles per gallon.
So say you've got a 1,000-mile, week-long trip planned. Multiply 10 times $17.10 for a baseline cost of $171 to drive your own vehicle. It'll be less expensive for smaller, fuel-efficient cars and more expensive for bigger gas guzzlers.
Now the rental scenario: Avis quoted a rate of $222.59 for a weekly rental ($209.99 base rate plus $12.60 tax) of a standard-size car in suburban Chicago in mid-July. Mileage was unlimited. Averaging the 25.8 miles per gallon AAA figures in, you'll need 38.7 gallons of gas for your 1,000 mile trip. At $2.92 per gallon, your gas tab is $113, bringing the rental cost to $335.59, or almost twice the cost of driving your own car.
For a weekend trip, however, the costs come much closer. Avis quotes a rate of $47.98 for that same car for a Friday to Sunday rental plus $2.88 tax. Gas for a 500-mile trip -- calculated at the miles and cost per gallon used above -- will add another $56.58 and bring the bill to $107.44. Meanwhile, driving your own vehicle on that trip using AAA's estimate will cost $85.50.
After you do the math, consider other factors. Drivers who lease their vehicles should find out whether they're approaching the mileage limit. If the vacation will put you over the top, it might be more economical to rent.
"Each lease is different. You have to know what the per-mile charge is if you go over your miles," says Jim Rink, public relations consultant for AAA Michigan.
Rental cars also save wear and tear on vehicles and can provide some peace of mind if you're not sure your car is reliable. A breakdown can spoil a vacation as certainly as a missed flight. Moreover, you'll then be forced to rent from whatever choices are nearby, rather than doing a competitive search prior to departure.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - A grad's guide to fiscal fitness
Fred Harteis News Articles - Graduating from college is the easy part. Landing that first job, creating a budget, securing the first real-world apartment, paying off those student loans and somehow managing to stash cash in a retirement account? That's going to require more than a degree.
For the generation of grads just entering the job market, the debt outlook is bleak. According to FinAid.org, the average student graduates from a four-year institution with nearly $20,000 in student loan debt (the Project on Student Debt reports that one-quarter of all four-year students turn the tassel with more than $25,000 in loans not including funds borrowed in a parents' name). Tack on an additional $2,100 or more in credit card debt that, according to Nellie Mae, the average student leaves campus with, and the typical college graduate is looking at a mountain of debt before sitting down at the desk at the first job.
With such hefty economic obstacles in their path, it's crucial for recent graduates to manage their debt wisely and take active steps to create a healthy financial future.
Plan ahead
The best way to get a leg up on debt is to start earning capital as soon as possible. Graduates with federal Stafford loans have a mere six months after school ends to become financially stable before that first loan payment is due, and those with federal Perkins loans have a nine-month grace period. Students with private loans, however, may need to begin repayment immediately upon graduation or risk falling into delinquency.
Prioritize your payments
Tamara Draut, author and director of the economic opportunity program at Demos, points out that many recent graduates don't realize that not all debts are created equal. "The problem is that there's so much pressure," she states. "There's a lot of competing priorities, paying the rent, paying the student loan bill, paying the credit card bill. It can be overwhelming and frustrating."
While many students tend to focus on paying off their student loan first, Draut says that it's fiscally advantageous to prioritize your debt, placing credit cards and car loans with high interest rates ahead of student loans with lower or capped rates. Students with significant credit card debt should also consider asking their student-loan lender about deferring or lowering their loan payments until the credit cards are under control.
Consider consolidation
One way to reduce those monthly payments is to consolidate your federal loans, trading in multiple loans for one, longer-term loan with lower payment increments. According to Sallie Mae, consolidation can reduce monthly payments for federal loans up to 53 percent, giving recent grads more capital to put toward rent, car payments and savings.
"If students have a lot of different loans and they're making multiple payments, it makes sense to consolidate those loans and make one monthly payment," states Staci Shiller, marketing program manager for Wells Fargo Education Financial Services. "It's a good way to get organized if you're trying to get yourself established."
Shiller says that rather than focusing on shortening the overall length of the loan, recent grads should instead work with their lender to create a sensible payment plan, one that can consistently be met each month without neglecting other financial obligations.
"Starting out with a lower monthly payment is a good option for somebody who is just entering the workforce," she says. "As they move up in their jobs, grads can throw more money at that loan since (federal) student loans don't have a prepayment penalty."
Pay on time, all the time
Think missing a loan payment is no big deal? Think again. Missing or sending in just one student loan payment late can cost you thousands in fees, penalties and terminated loan benefits as well as affect your credit score.
Grads who miss their payments by more than a few days (270 for federal loans) are considered in default and face even harsher consequences, including wage garnishment, garnishment of federal and state income tax refunds, withheld Social Security benefits and severe credit repercussions.
Pay yourself too
Managing your student loans is only one part of the financial equation. To truly set up for a healthy, long-term fiscal future, grads also need to pay themselves, storing approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of their salary in a long-term savings or retirement account, says Doug Charney, senior vice president of Wachovia Securities. "The number one mistake recent graduates make is they don't participate in their employer's retirement plan," Charney says. "Most 401(k)s have employer matching on their first six percent. Not participating is kind of like saying, 'I don't want a raise.'"
Norman Mindel, executive vice president for Genworth Financial, agrees, stating that 401(k)s not only offer significant tax breaks, they also offer better returns than most savings vehicles available to recent graduates. "If you put a dollar in, you might save 25 cents in taxes. If your employer matches by another 10 cents, you have a 35 percent return on your money," he says. "A 401(k) is free money."
Find Your Financial Teammates
Grads can, but don't necessarily have to, attack the world of money management alone, says Charney. A personal financial adviser can help you create a manageable investment strategy that will keep your debt in check.
"A financial adviser can help you maximize your 401(k), help you set up your IRA, set up investment accounts for emergency spending and understand the vehicles that can help you get ahead," Charney says. He notes that investors between the ages of 20 and 30 can benefit because typically those are the years when investors have the fewest fiscal responsibilities, the most disposable income and the most time on their side when it comes to long-term investments.
The drawback to having a personal financial planner is that they cost money, usually a flat fee of $75 to $200 per hour or 1 percent to 3 percent of the value of your invested assets. For those who prefer to attack the money management beast on their own, personal finance software such as Quicken or MS Money can help recent grads create a monthly budget. Also, using an automatic online bill-pay system can ensure that all major expenses get paid before you have time to blow it on a night on the town.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
For the generation of grads just entering the job market, the debt outlook is bleak. According to FinAid.org, the average student graduates from a four-year institution with nearly $20,000 in student loan debt (the Project on Student Debt reports that one-quarter of all four-year students turn the tassel with more than $25,000 in loans not including funds borrowed in a parents' name). Tack on an additional $2,100 or more in credit card debt that, according to Nellie Mae, the average student leaves campus with, and the typical college graduate is looking at a mountain of debt before sitting down at the desk at the first job.
With such hefty economic obstacles in their path, it's crucial for recent graduates to manage their debt wisely and take active steps to create a healthy financial future.
Plan ahead
The best way to get a leg up on debt is to start earning capital as soon as possible. Graduates with federal Stafford loans have a mere six months after school ends to become financially stable before that first loan payment is due, and those with federal Perkins loans have a nine-month grace period. Students with private loans, however, may need to begin repayment immediately upon graduation or risk falling into delinquency.
Prioritize your payments
Tamara Draut, author and director of the economic opportunity program at Demos, points out that many recent graduates don't realize that not all debts are created equal. "The problem is that there's so much pressure," she states. "There's a lot of competing priorities, paying the rent, paying the student loan bill, paying the credit card bill. It can be overwhelming and frustrating."
While many students tend to focus on paying off their student loan first, Draut says that it's fiscally advantageous to prioritize your debt, placing credit cards and car loans with high interest rates ahead of student loans with lower or capped rates. Students with significant credit card debt should also consider asking their student-loan lender about deferring or lowering their loan payments until the credit cards are under control.
Consider consolidation
One way to reduce those monthly payments is to consolidate your federal loans, trading in multiple loans for one, longer-term loan with lower payment increments. According to Sallie Mae, consolidation can reduce monthly payments for federal loans up to 53 percent, giving recent grads more capital to put toward rent, car payments and savings.
"If students have a lot of different loans and they're making multiple payments, it makes sense to consolidate those loans and make one monthly payment," states Staci Shiller, marketing program manager for Wells Fargo Education Financial Services. "It's a good way to get organized if you're trying to get yourself established."
Shiller says that rather than focusing on shortening the overall length of the loan, recent grads should instead work with their lender to create a sensible payment plan, one that can consistently be met each month without neglecting other financial obligations.
"Starting out with a lower monthly payment is a good option for somebody who is just entering the workforce," she says. "As they move up in their jobs, grads can throw more money at that loan since (federal) student loans don't have a prepayment penalty."
Pay on time, all the time
Think missing a loan payment is no big deal? Think again. Missing or sending in just one student loan payment late can cost you thousands in fees, penalties and terminated loan benefits as well as affect your credit score.
Grads who miss their payments by more than a few days (270 for federal loans) are considered in default and face even harsher consequences, including wage garnishment, garnishment of federal and state income tax refunds, withheld Social Security benefits and severe credit repercussions.
Pay yourself too
Managing your student loans is only one part of the financial equation. To truly set up for a healthy, long-term fiscal future, grads also need to pay themselves, storing approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of their salary in a long-term savings or retirement account, says Doug Charney, senior vice president of Wachovia Securities. "The number one mistake recent graduates make is they don't participate in their employer's retirement plan," Charney says. "Most 401(k)s have employer matching on their first six percent. Not participating is kind of like saying, 'I don't want a raise.'"
Norman Mindel, executive vice president for Genworth Financial, agrees, stating that 401(k)s not only offer significant tax breaks, they also offer better returns than most savings vehicles available to recent graduates. "If you put a dollar in, you might save 25 cents in taxes. If your employer matches by another 10 cents, you have a 35 percent return on your money," he says. "A 401(k) is free money."
Find Your Financial Teammates
Grads can, but don't necessarily have to, attack the world of money management alone, says Charney. A personal financial adviser can help you create a manageable investment strategy that will keep your debt in check.
"A financial adviser can help you maximize your 401(k), help you set up your IRA, set up investment accounts for emergency spending and understand the vehicles that can help you get ahead," Charney says. He notes that investors between the ages of 20 and 30 can benefit because typically those are the years when investors have the fewest fiscal responsibilities, the most disposable income and the most time on their side when it comes to long-term investments.
The drawback to having a personal financial planner is that they cost money, usually a flat fee of $75 to $200 per hour or 1 percent to 3 percent of the value of your invested assets. For those who prefer to attack the money management beast on their own, personal finance software such as Quicken or MS Money can help recent grads create a monthly budget. Also, using an automatic online bill-pay system can ensure that all major expenses get paid before you have time to blow it on a night on the town.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles- Ten Ways Technology Can Help You Lose Weight (and Keep It Off)
Fred Harteis News Articles - In a recent study covered, researchers concluded that people who lose weight are more likely to keep it off if they have personal support rather than finding it on the Internet. While we're not going to disagree with a bunch of doctors, we thought we'd stick up for technology and provide you some Web sites and gadgets that are excellent for shedding some pounds -- permanently. Beach season is here, whether you're ready or not, so check out our list to see if technology can help you.
Send a text message with your cell phone, then get instant calorie, carb, and nutritional information...
Eating at a restaurant generally means you're ordering something without knowing the actual nutritional value. Now, thanks to the people at Diet.com, you can simply send a text to Diet1 (34381) with the restaurant name and the menu item and you'll get back information on the item's calories, fat, carbs, and protein for free (except your carrier's texting fee). You can get info on thousands of food and drink items from over 1700 restaurants, which are mainly chains. If you'd rather save on the texting charges, go to healthydiningfinder.com before you dine out.
Join an online support group...
Reports generally say in-person support groups are more effective than online versions, but if there aren't any in-person support groups in your area, then cyberspace may be your only option. Shapeup.org has a maintenance center in its support area that provides helpful tips, among a variety of resources. But for a more personal touch, try MyDietBuddy.com or WeightLossBuddy.com, which are membership services that pair you with other members for support. Both are free, but the latter has an extra premium plan for $39.95 a year that includes a variety of features such as recipes, meal plans, exercises, and more. There are some free options, as well: Overeaters Anonymous offers online meetings and e-mail support and costs nothing, so you're not left alone if you're away or unavailable. There are plenty of people out there who need help, just like you, so join and reap the benefits.
Let your iPod (and some smart running shoes) coach you...
Whether you're into rap, metal, or classical, good tunes are a big help when you're running. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit connects a sensor in your sneaker wirelessly to an iPod nano. Along your run, your iPod will show your time, distance, pace, and calories burned, and comes with a voice option that tells you when you've reached certain achievements along your route. If you don't have an iPod, the new Nike+ SportBand performs similar functions without a music player. To track your progress, there's an internal USB link that lets you download all the information to your computer to track your progress at nikeplus.com.
Take a picture of your food, then send it to myFoodPhone for instant nutritional and diet feedback...
Whether you're dieting, trying to maintain weight, or just looking for advice on eating better, you can get it all using your camera phone with the myFoodPhone service. Rather than keep a log of all your meals like you do with other diet services, you take pictures of what you eat and send them to the service so others can evaluate the portions and ingredients of your meals. For the standard $9.95 a month plan, you'll get personal counseling from the staff dietician on your nutrition. MycaNutrition is the same service, only it's licensed to an independent dietician and you can arrange for different options ranging from the standard price up to hundreds of dollars. You can also find buddies on the site's community area, which allows you to give and receive advice to others out there. Either way, it keeps you more honest and gets you better insight than a standard diet log.
Subscribe and listen to some inspirational, useful, and humorous podcasts...
Sometimes it's better to listen to weight loss advice, whether it's from a pro or someone who's been through it, and luckily there are a variety of weight-loss-related podcasts, which you can download for free to your iPod or computer. Diet.com offers a number of entries, including "Drink To Your Health: 5 Good Beers" and "Gut Busting Laughter." Then there's Jimmy Moore, who lost over 180 pounds, and his weekly show, "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb," which provides information and inspiration. Or, if you want a little more humor, go for "Dr. Fitness and The Fat Guy" for advice and laughs.
Take Weight-Watchers with you in your pocket....
Making the right dieting choices when you're at a restaurant, party, or supermarket can be difficult. To help this, Weight Watchers offers their "On-the-Go" system, which you download to your PDA to keep track of your meals and get advice. Then, you can sync it to your online account to log your points. There are different subscription options, so check the Weight Watchers Web site for whatever suits you.
Play video games? (Yes, play video games).
'Grand Theft Auto' might not make you a better person in any way, but don't write off video games entirely. You can, in fact, actually exercise with some video games. Have you ever broken a sweat playing 'Dance Dance Revolution'? Well, there you go. Now, if you can get your hands on one, the Nintendo Wii Fit comes with 40 different exercise activities for its pressure sensitive gaming system. Then, there's always the old Wii, which a man named Mickey DeLorenzo used to lose nine pounds by playing the included sports game. Now, he's at it again with Fit. Believe it or not, it actually works.
Get more out of your regular jogs.....
If you want to know exactly where you are and how well you're doing when you're out jogging, then the Garmin Forerunner 405 is for you. This watch is GPS-enabled so you'll never get lost and you can record your paths, speed, and distance to compete against yourself or a virtual partner later. For an extra $50, you get a heart rate monitor, and all the data can be wirelessly synced to your computer via Garmin's ANT+Sport technology. It comes in two colors and, of course, tells you the time.
Accusplit AE170XLG Pedometers
If you'd rather save some coin to monitor your exercise, this pedometer from Accusplit is the way to go. For $30, it tracks your steps, distance, elapsed time, and calories burned as you walk or jog. You can adjust your weight and stride length for greater accuracy, as well as set goals for yourself to keep motivated. Sure, it's not as flashy as the Nike+iPod system, but it sure is less expensive and gets the job done while keeping you healthy.
Get yourself an online coach....
There are plenty of fitness and nutrition sites out there, but few have as many experts as the one from AOL Coaches. You can find articles and podcasts on a variety of topics, get professional analysis of a variety of other diets out there, and have your questions answered by the experts and fellow readers. Where else can you get advice from both John O'Hurley (of 'Seinfeld' and 'Dancing With The Stars' fame) and Richard Simmons?
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Send a text message with your cell phone, then get instant calorie, carb, and nutritional information...
Eating at a restaurant generally means you're ordering something without knowing the actual nutritional value. Now, thanks to the people at Diet.com, you can simply send a text to Diet1 (34381) with the restaurant name and the menu item and you'll get back information on the item's calories, fat, carbs, and protein for free (except your carrier's texting fee). You can get info on thousands of food and drink items from over 1700 restaurants, which are mainly chains. If you'd rather save on the texting charges, go to healthydiningfinder.com before you dine out.
Join an online support group...
Reports generally say in-person support groups are more effective than online versions, but if there aren't any in-person support groups in your area, then cyberspace may be your only option. Shapeup.org has a maintenance center in its support area that provides helpful tips, among a variety of resources. But for a more personal touch, try MyDietBuddy.com or WeightLossBuddy.com, which are membership services that pair you with other members for support. Both are free, but the latter has an extra premium plan for $39.95 a year that includes a variety of features such as recipes, meal plans, exercises, and more. There are some free options, as well: Overeaters Anonymous offers online meetings and e-mail support and costs nothing, so you're not left alone if you're away or unavailable. There are plenty of people out there who need help, just like you, so join and reap the benefits.
Let your iPod (and some smart running shoes) coach you...
Whether you're into rap, metal, or classical, good tunes are a big help when you're running. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit connects a sensor in your sneaker wirelessly to an iPod nano. Along your run, your iPod will show your time, distance, pace, and calories burned, and comes with a voice option that tells you when you've reached certain achievements along your route. If you don't have an iPod, the new Nike+ SportBand performs similar functions without a music player. To track your progress, there's an internal USB link that lets you download all the information to your computer to track your progress at nikeplus.com.
Take a picture of your food, then send it to myFoodPhone for instant nutritional and diet feedback...
Whether you're dieting, trying to maintain weight, or just looking for advice on eating better, you can get it all using your camera phone with the myFoodPhone service. Rather than keep a log of all your meals like you do with other diet services, you take pictures of what you eat and send them to the service so others can evaluate the portions and ingredients of your meals. For the standard $9.95 a month plan, you'll get personal counseling from the staff dietician on your nutrition. MycaNutrition is the same service, only it's licensed to an independent dietician and you can arrange for different options ranging from the standard price up to hundreds of dollars. You can also find buddies on the site's community area, which allows you to give and receive advice to others out there. Either way, it keeps you more honest and gets you better insight than a standard diet log.
Subscribe and listen to some inspirational, useful, and humorous podcasts...
Sometimes it's better to listen to weight loss advice, whether it's from a pro or someone who's been through it, and luckily there are a variety of weight-loss-related podcasts, which you can download for free to your iPod or computer. Diet.com offers a number of entries, including "Drink To Your Health: 5 Good Beers" and "Gut Busting Laughter." Then there's Jimmy Moore, who lost over 180 pounds, and his weekly show, "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb," which provides information and inspiration. Or, if you want a little more humor, go for "Dr. Fitness and The Fat Guy" for advice and laughs.
Take Weight-Watchers with you in your pocket....
Making the right dieting choices when you're at a restaurant, party, or supermarket can be difficult. To help this, Weight Watchers offers their "On-the-Go" system, which you download to your PDA to keep track of your meals and get advice. Then, you can sync it to your online account to log your points. There are different subscription options, so check the Weight Watchers Web site for whatever suits you.
Play video games? (Yes, play video games).
'Grand Theft Auto' might not make you a better person in any way, but don't write off video games entirely. You can, in fact, actually exercise with some video games. Have you ever broken a sweat playing 'Dance Dance Revolution'? Well, there you go. Now, if you can get your hands on one, the Nintendo Wii Fit comes with 40 different exercise activities for its pressure sensitive gaming system. Then, there's always the old Wii, which a man named Mickey DeLorenzo used to lose nine pounds by playing the included sports game. Now, he's at it again with Fit. Believe it or not, it actually works.
Get more out of your regular jogs.....
If you want to know exactly where you are and how well you're doing when you're out jogging, then the Garmin Forerunner 405 is for you. This watch is GPS-enabled so you'll never get lost and you can record your paths, speed, and distance to compete against yourself or a virtual partner later. For an extra $50, you get a heart rate monitor, and all the data can be wirelessly synced to your computer via Garmin's ANT+Sport technology. It comes in two colors and, of course, tells you the time.
Accusplit AE170XLG Pedometers
If you'd rather save some coin to monitor your exercise, this pedometer from Accusplit is the way to go. For $30, it tracks your steps, distance, elapsed time, and calories burned as you walk or jog. You can adjust your weight and stride length for greater accuracy, as well as set goals for yourself to keep motivated. Sure, it's not as flashy as the Nike+iPod system, but it sure is less expensive and gets the job done while keeping you healthy.
Get yourself an online coach....
There are plenty of fitness and nutrition sites out there, but few have as many experts as the one from AOL Coaches. You can find articles and podcasts on a variety of topics, get professional analysis of a variety of other diets out there, and have your questions answered by the experts and fellow readers. Where else can you get advice from both John O'Hurley (of 'Seinfeld' and 'Dancing With The Stars' fame) and Richard Simmons?
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles- Do You Have Career ADD?
Fred Harteis News Articles - Do you have a track record of getting bored and wanting to change jobs or employers after a year?
Do you find yourself getting unhappy and anxious after the first 90-days on a new job?
Do start a new job on a high, only to struggle to get excited to go to work shortly thereafter?
Then you may have Career ADD.
Career ADD affects millions of us and is increasing rapidly. There are two reasons why workers today are feeling dissatisfaction on-the-job and a desire to move on after a short period of time.
Reason #1: They demand 'great' even when they don't know what it is. Instant gratification marketing tells our society to never be satisfied. In America, we are constantly reminded that what we have isn't good enough – and that is particularly true with our careers. We've been encouraged to never settle for anything less than perfection. A 'great' work environment, pay, boss and perks are just a few of the criteria employees expect today. However, a person with Career ADD struggles to ever find and keep their definition of a 'great' job because their definition changes constantly. Workers with Career ADD generally can't define career satisfaction on their own terms, so they become focused on pursuing whatever others tell them a 'great' job is. In short, the grass is always greener at another job for someone with Career ADD.
Reason #2: They are focused on the external rewards a job provides instead of the internal satisfaction it can bring. Individuals with Career ADD are generally addicted to rewards and incentives. They want praise, money, recognition and perks as a way to keep them engaged and motivated. Always in need of a carrot, once the newness of a job wears off, they become bored and in need of something new to excite them. The truth is, none of these elements of a job provide true career satisfaction. Career satisfaction only comes to those who choose a job because of the way it will allow them to experience, learn and grow in life. This requires 1) a clear understanding of a person's professional strengths and preferences, and 2) the patience to identify and purse the right opportunity - two things a person with Career ADD does not take the time to cultivate. Translation: individuals with Career ADD haven't invested enough time and energy into creating a personalized definition of career success focused on work that supports their definition of a satisfying life.
In summary, those with Career ADD believe the intense pursuit of career success will eventually solve all of life's problems and make them happier. Sadly, this is a never-ending, fruitless endeavor. The only way to eliminate Career ADD is to stop expecting so much from a job. Career satisfaction is attainable at any age, it just requires proper management of expectations.
Source; Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Do you find yourself getting unhappy and anxious after the first 90-days on a new job?
Do start a new job on a high, only to struggle to get excited to go to work shortly thereafter?
Then you may have Career ADD.
Career ADD affects millions of us and is increasing rapidly. There are two reasons why workers today are feeling dissatisfaction on-the-job and a desire to move on after a short period of time.
Reason #1: They demand 'great' even when they don't know what it is. Instant gratification marketing tells our society to never be satisfied. In America, we are constantly reminded that what we have isn't good enough – and that is particularly true with our careers. We've been encouraged to never settle for anything less than perfection. A 'great' work environment, pay, boss and perks are just a few of the criteria employees expect today. However, a person with Career ADD struggles to ever find and keep their definition of a 'great' job because their definition changes constantly. Workers with Career ADD generally can't define career satisfaction on their own terms, so they become focused on pursuing whatever others tell them a 'great' job is. In short, the grass is always greener at another job for someone with Career ADD.
Reason #2: They are focused on the external rewards a job provides instead of the internal satisfaction it can bring. Individuals with Career ADD are generally addicted to rewards and incentives. They want praise, money, recognition and perks as a way to keep them engaged and motivated. Always in need of a carrot, once the newness of a job wears off, they become bored and in need of something new to excite them. The truth is, none of these elements of a job provide true career satisfaction. Career satisfaction only comes to those who choose a job because of the way it will allow them to experience, learn and grow in life. This requires 1) a clear understanding of a person's professional strengths and preferences, and 2) the patience to identify and purse the right opportunity - two things a person with Career ADD does not take the time to cultivate. Translation: individuals with Career ADD haven't invested enough time and energy into creating a personalized definition of career success focused on work that supports their definition of a satisfying life.
In summary, those with Career ADD believe the intense pursuit of career success will eventually solve all of life's problems and make them happier. Sadly, this is a never-ending, fruitless endeavor. The only way to eliminate Career ADD is to stop expecting so much from a job. Career satisfaction is attainable at any age, it just requires proper management of expectations.
Source; Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - 12 ways to cut power bills and stay cool this summer
Fred Harteis News Articles - Summer means fun in the sun, kids out of school and big power bills.
The air conditioning that makes summer livable in many parts of the country comes at a steep price. According to EPA statistics, "heating and cooling costs make up 49 percent of the average energy bill," says Maria Vargas, spokeswoman for the EPA's Energy Star program.
But there are a few ways that you can keep your cool without a sky-high power bill.
"The real opportunity for people to save the most is through improved efficiency in the home," says Vargas. "The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills."
Homeowners can save 30 percent of that just by being more efficient with their energy use, she says.
So enjoy the lazy summer days without getting crazy over the bills. Here's how.
1. Use a programmable thermostat. Consumers buy them and even install them. The one thing they often neglect to do? Program and use them, says Vargas.
2. Enjoy more summer fare. Skip cooking and you not only save time, you also don't heat up the house. Grill out, cook twice the amount you normally would and save the extra for the next night's heat-free meal, says Debra Ponzek, co-author of "The Summer House Cookbook."
3. Insulate your attic door. Everyone remembers to insulate the attic, but no one remembers the attic door. "The attic door was pulling heat," says Carole Koble, The solution is easy and fairly inexpensive, she says. You can pick up specially designed, ready-to-hang insulators made of hard or flexible plastic foam for about $125.
4. Low-tech, low-cost savings. Not every solution has to be complicated.
5. Use ceiling fans. They make a room feel cooler by keeping the air moving. While the amount of savings is tough to quantify, use them with a slightly higher temperature on the thermostat to make the house feel just as cool, says Vargas. But don't run them when the room is empty. They make you feel cooler by moving the air, but they don't actually change the temperature.
6. Create an outside oasis. One way to lessen the need for air conditioning? Get outside. First, create a cool, green haven. Use trellises with fast-climbing plants -- along with native trees and plants to give your area a lush feel. If you don't want to wait for trees to grow, consider hiring a pro to install larger trees. The trade-off: money for growing time.
7. Replace old air conditioning units. Because of new technology and standards, "the difference in what you can buy today is dramatic in terms of energy savings," says Vargas. So if a unit is 12 or more years old, consider getting a newer version.
8. Opt for energy-efficient appliances. As you replace old washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and the like, look for the EPA's Energy Star rating on your new goods. A clothes washer with the designation will save up to 50 percent in water and power over a machine that doesn't carry the label, says Vargas. A new dishwasher will use about $30 less power annually than a pre-1994 model, she says. And in many cases, you can also get rebates from state or local governments and utilities and, in some cases, qualify for federal tax credits.
9. Plant a few trees. In addition to improving your property value, trees give you a nice return on your summer (and winter) power bills. Select deciduous trees (which drop leaves in the fall) for the sun-prone sides of the house, often the south and east, says Koble. "The cooling effect is pretty major," she says.
10. Support your local parks. A green space with trees can bring down the temperatures for an entire city area, says Joan Steurer, air quality planner for Mid-America Regional Council, a planning body for the Kansas City metro area. And "what cools the city benefits the individual," she says.
11. Consider solar solutions. You can start simple with a small area or a water heater. The dollars you save and the energy you generate can offset those months when you want to run more air.
12. Go online. You can do your own personal home energy audit at http://hes.lbl.gov.
You can calculate exactly how much a new energy efficient refrigerator would slice from your bill at www.energystar.gov or find out if the federal government will give you a tax credit for replacing home appliances or cars with more energy efficient models at http://www.ase.org/taxcredits.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
The air conditioning that makes summer livable in many parts of the country comes at a steep price. According to EPA statistics, "heating and cooling costs make up 49 percent of the average energy bill," says Maria Vargas, spokeswoman for the EPA's Energy Star program.
But there are a few ways that you can keep your cool without a sky-high power bill.
"The real opportunity for people to save the most is through improved efficiency in the home," says Vargas. "The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills."
Homeowners can save 30 percent of that just by being more efficient with their energy use, she says.
So enjoy the lazy summer days without getting crazy over the bills. Here's how.
1. Use a programmable thermostat. Consumers buy them and even install them. The one thing they often neglect to do? Program and use them, says Vargas.
2. Enjoy more summer fare. Skip cooking and you not only save time, you also don't heat up the house. Grill out, cook twice the amount you normally would and save the extra for the next night's heat-free meal, says Debra Ponzek, co-author of "The Summer House Cookbook."
3. Insulate your attic door. Everyone remembers to insulate the attic, but no one remembers the attic door. "The attic door was pulling heat," says Carole Koble, The solution is easy and fairly inexpensive, she says. You can pick up specially designed, ready-to-hang insulators made of hard or flexible plastic foam for about $125.
4. Low-tech, low-cost savings. Not every solution has to be complicated.
5. Use ceiling fans. They make a room feel cooler by keeping the air moving. While the amount of savings is tough to quantify, use them with a slightly higher temperature on the thermostat to make the house feel just as cool, says Vargas. But don't run them when the room is empty. They make you feel cooler by moving the air, but they don't actually change the temperature.
6. Create an outside oasis. One way to lessen the need for air conditioning? Get outside. First, create a cool, green haven. Use trellises with fast-climbing plants -- along with native trees and plants to give your area a lush feel. If you don't want to wait for trees to grow, consider hiring a pro to install larger trees. The trade-off: money for growing time.
7. Replace old air conditioning units. Because of new technology and standards, "the difference in what you can buy today is dramatic in terms of energy savings," says Vargas. So if a unit is 12 or more years old, consider getting a newer version.
8. Opt for energy-efficient appliances. As you replace old washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and the like, look for the EPA's Energy Star rating on your new goods. A clothes washer with the designation will save up to 50 percent in water and power over a machine that doesn't carry the label, says Vargas. A new dishwasher will use about $30 less power annually than a pre-1994 model, she says. And in many cases, you can also get rebates from state or local governments and utilities and, in some cases, qualify for federal tax credits.
9. Plant a few trees. In addition to improving your property value, trees give you a nice return on your summer (and winter) power bills. Select deciduous trees (which drop leaves in the fall) for the sun-prone sides of the house, often the south and east, says Koble. "The cooling effect is pretty major," she says.
10. Support your local parks. A green space with trees can bring down the temperatures for an entire city area, says Joan Steurer, air quality planner for Mid-America Regional Council, a planning body for the Kansas City metro area. And "what cools the city benefits the individual," she says.
11. Consider solar solutions. You can start simple with a small area or a water heater. The dollars you save and the energy you generate can offset those months when you want to run more air.
12. Go online. You can do your own personal home energy audit at http://hes.lbl.gov.
You can calculate exactly how much a new energy efficient refrigerator would slice from your bill at www.energystar.gov or find out if the federal government will give you a tax credit for replacing home appliances or cars with more energy efficient models at http://www.ase.org/taxcredits.
Source; Bankrate.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - Get the most out of your car
Fred Harteis News Articles - Here's some advice on how maintaining your car can add miles to every gallon of gas you pump.
1. Switch your oil
If you use conventional motor oil, switch to synthetic oil. Your engine runs more efficiently with synthetic oil according to Lauren Fix, the author of "Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car." And that means you'll get more fuel efficiency and better performance.
Of course, synthetic oil costs about $5 more than conventional oil, but you can go longer between oil changes. For example, if you change your oil every 5000 miles, with synthetic oil, you can change it for every 7500 miles.
2. Don't forget the little things
About 17% of the vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or missing altogether. This causes 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year according to the Car Care Council. Make sure you hear two clicks when you tighten your gas cap, and replace your cap if it's cracked or worn.
Pay attention to your car's fuel components. Just one misfiring spark plug costs you two or three miles per gallon. And of course, don't forget about the tire pressure. Remember to check your tire pressure every month on all four tires.
And don't use the tire pressure number that's on the wheel. That particular tire can fit many different cars, says Fix. Instead, get the right tire pressure from the car door. It should be a decal inside the drivers door, inside the glove box, or inside the gas door.
3. Be wary of the upsell
Cars aren't moving off the lots as fast and margins are under pressure, so more and more profits are getting squeezed out of car repairs. You may encounter what's known as upsell. That means you may be persuaded to buy a higher quality or more expensive part. Or, you may be encouraged to have work done on your car that isn't necessary.
One upsell that isn't worth it, according to Fix, is putting nitrogen in your tires. Some mechanics may tell you that it makes your tires last longer and will improve your fuel economy. The truth is that while nitrogen is used in race cars that go 130 miles an hour, for the average person, you'll get a minimal effect. Plus, it'll cost more and it's a way for the station to get you to come back every month. Instead, put regular air in your tires. It's free.
Getting your oil changed is another place where mechanics may try to convince you to replace your tires or a tire alignment. Make sure you choose an auto repair shop that you trust. Don't get caught up in the laundry list of "recommended maintenance." Instead, consult your car's manual and use the Internet to find the best price.
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
1. Switch your oil
If you use conventional motor oil, switch to synthetic oil. Your engine runs more efficiently with synthetic oil according to Lauren Fix, the author of "Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car." And that means you'll get more fuel efficiency and better performance.
Of course, synthetic oil costs about $5 more than conventional oil, but you can go longer between oil changes. For example, if you change your oil every 5000 miles, with synthetic oil, you can change it for every 7500 miles.
2. Don't forget the little things
About 17% of the vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or missing altogether. This causes 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year according to the Car Care Council. Make sure you hear two clicks when you tighten your gas cap, and replace your cap if it's cracked or worn.
Pay attention to your car's fuel components. Just one misfiring spark plug costs you two or three miles per gallon. And of course, don't forget about the tire pressure. Remember to check your tire pressure every month on all four tires.
And don't use the tire pressure number that's on the wheel. That particular tire can fit many different cars, says Fix. Instead, get the right tire pressure from the car door. It should be a decal inside the drivers door, inside the glove box, or inside the gas door.
3. Be wary of the upsell
Cars aren't moving off the lots as fast and margins are under pressure, so more and more profits are getting squeezed out of car repairs. You may encounter what's known as upsell. That means you may be persuaded to buy a higher quality or more expensive part. Or, you may be encouraged to have work done on your car that isn't necessary.
One upsell that isn't worth it, according to Fix, is putting nitrogen in your tires. Some mechanics may tell you that it makes your tires last longer and will improve your fuel economy. The truth is that while nitrogen is used in race cars that go 130 miles an hour, for the average person, you'll get a minimal effect. Plus, it'll cost more and it's a way for the station to get you to come back every month. Instead, put regular air in your tires. It's free.
Getting your oil changed is another place where mechanics may try to convince you to replace your tires or a tire alignment. Make sure you choose an auto repair shop that you trust. Don't get caught up in the laundry list of "recommended maintenance." Instead, consult your car's manual and use the Internet to find the best price.
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles – Don’t Forget These Gadgets
Fred Harteis News Articles - Traveling this summer? Don't forget your gadgets. Here are several must-have electronics to stash in your tote bag before setting off on your adventure.
Computer Needs
If you have access to a public computer at your hotel or a nearby Internet cafe, you'll need to transport your personal and business files on a mini USB flash drive. Or bring your own laptop for personalized computing.
Ultimate Mobile Tool
For extra-mobile computing, upgrade your phone to a BlackBerry Curve 8310 to have mobile access to your personal and corporate e-mail, as well as a slew of other features like GPS, Internet browsing, and calendar.
Tune Out and Enjoy
During the trip, tune out noisy travelmates in the car or on the airplane with noise-canceling ear buds. Use these while listening to & watching your Apple iPod touch, playing your Sony PSP, or working out with your Insignia Sport video/music player.
Point Shoot and Capture
Capture all of your trip's memories with a digital camera or camcorder. And be sure you have ample SD cards or Memory Sticks for your cameras, as well as a power charger for your other devices.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Computer Needs
If you have access to a public computer at your hotel or a nearby Internet cafe, you'll need to transport your personal and business files on a mini USB flash drive. Or bring your own laptop for personalized computing.
Ultimate Mobile Tool
For extra-mobile computing, upgrade your phone to a BlackBerry Curve 8310 to have mobile access to your personal and corporate e-mail, as well as a slew of other features like GPS, Internet browsing, and calendar.
Tune Out and Enjoy
During the trip, tune out noisy travelmates in the car or on the airplane with noise-canceling ear buds. Use these while listening to & watching your Apple iPod touch, playing your Sony PSP, or working out with your Insignia Sport video/music player.
Point Shoot and Capture
Capture all of your trip's memories with a digital camera or camcorder. And be sure you have ample SD cards or Memory Sticks for your cameras, as well as a power charger for your other devices.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - Why you just can't seem to save enough
Fred Harteis News Articles - Your mortgage is prime. Your credit-card balance is reasonable. You've set aside some money for retirement. Feeling like you've done all you should? Didn't think so.
All signs point to an economic slowdown, and there's a real risk that it will be a nasty one. Jobs look shaky, food and gas prices are up, and the credit you thought would be there in an emergency could get a lot more expensive.
Even if you've been better than the average about saving, you probably wish that you had a bigger cash cushion right now. And if you're at all like me, you've been looking around your house lately and wondering, "Why didn't I put the money I spent on that in the bank?"
In short, I got caught up in a kind of consumer mob. It's no secret that our spending habits are driven in part by the crowd we're in. But there's more going on here than envy and status seeking. Most of us don't like doing math, and even fewer enjoy keeping a budget. When deciding whether a big expense is reasonable or not, we often take mental shortcuts. One of the easiest is to look at what people we know are doing.
That's trouble because we're almost certain to draw the wrong conclusions, says Ronald Wilcox. His new book, "Whatever Happened to Thrift?", is a surprisingly witty guide to a gloomy subject: the complete inability of the world's richest nation to save.
A big part of the problem, Wilcox says, is that our shortcut-loving brains trick us. "We tend to remember extraordinary consumption more than mundane consumption," he notes. Wilcox says this is an example of what research psychologist Thomas Gilovich calls a one-sided event.
There's little reason to notice that most of your neighbors drive Accords. It's a good car, but who daydreams about owning one? When a single family on your block buys a Lexus, however, it suddenly feels as though everybody has one.
If high-living pals are a problem for you, find some new ones. That doesn't mean you have to cut off the big spenders. Just widen your social circle. Take up a volunteer activity or a cheap hobby where the accent isn't on consumption. Forget the country club. Join the "Y" or, better yet, an investing group with a long-term focus.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
All signs point to an economic slowdown, and there's a real risk that it will be a nasty one. Jobs look shaky, food and gas prices are up, and the credit you thought would be there in an emergency could get a lot more expensive.
Even if you've been better than the average about saving, you probably wish that you had a bigger cash cushion right now. And if you're at all like me, you've been looking around your house lately and wondering, "Why didn't I put the money I spent on that in the bank?"
In short, I got caught up in a kind of consumer mob. It's no secret that our spending habits are driven in part by the crowd we're in. But there's more going on here than envy and status seeking. Most of us don't like doing math, and even fewer enjoy keeping a budget. When deciding whether a big expense is reasonable or not, we often take mental shortcuts. One of the easiest is to look at what people we know are doing.
That's trouble because we're almost certain to draw the wrong conclusions, says Ronald Wilcox. His new book, "Whatever Happened to Thrift?", is a surprisingly witty guide to a gloomy subject: the complete inability of the world's richest nation to save.
A big part of the problem, Wilcox says, is that our shortcut-loving brains trick us. "We tend to remember extraordinary consumption more than mundane consumption," he notes. Wilcox says this is an example of what research psychologist Thomas Gilovich calls a one-sided event.
There's little reason to notice that most of your neighbors drive Accords. It's a good car, but who daydreams about owning one? When a single family on your block buys a Lexus, however, it suddenly feels as though everybody has one.
If high-living pals are a problem for you, find some new ones. That doesn't mean you have to cut off the big spenders. Just widen your social circle. Take up a volunteer activity or a cheap hobby where the accent isn't on consumption. Forget the country club. Join the "Y" or, better yet, an investing group with a long-term focus.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Fred Harteis Team News - Surviving a flight with your baby or toddler
Fred Harteis Team News - I thought this was a good article, especially this time of year with everyone starting to take their Summer Vacations. It can be exhausting traveling with kids, here are some great tips.
Booking seats
In a perfect world, your child will sleep on the plane. But kids can be unpredictable -- as can flight delays -- which makes the planning process tough.
If your child sleeps well in the car, your best bet is to schedule a flight during nap time, said Elizabeth Pantley, author of Gentle Baby Care.
But if his or her nap time isn't like clockwork, you're better off not trying to schedule a flight during usual sleeping time, because the baby might stay awake for the whole flight and act fussy, she said.
Pantley suggested requesting the bulkhead seats and a bassinet if you have an infant. However, she cautioned that the front of the plane is less convenient with older babies and toddlers because, with the absence of under-seat space and seat pockets, you'll have to store toys and supplies in the overhead compartment, making them less accessible. iReport.com: Share your experiences of flying with kids
What to pack
Parents shouldn't count on anything on the plane keeping their children occupied, Pantley said. It's important to bring plenty of toys, especially unfamiliar ones that the child can explore for the first time on the flight. Rather than buying all new toys, you can take away some of their toys for a time and have them resurface on the flight, she said.
Remember, your young child can also be easily amused by lots of things, even something as simple as a crinkled, empty bag, said Rachel Fishman Feddersen, director of Parenting.com.
Bringing an ample amount of snacks is key, because "the last thing you want is to be trapped on a plane with a toddler that has not eaten," Feddersen said. These foods can also help the babies with ear popping and keep them occupied in flight.
As an added bonus, Feddersen said, by distributing them to neighboring passengers, you can make some friends of people who may not be thrilled about sitting next to the family with a baby in tow.
When to board
If two parents are flying with the child, Feddersen suggests sending one on the plane early to "get your sails set up." Meanwhile, the other adult can wait with the child in the gate and board as late as possible.
This will give your child a chance to be mobile and perhaps tire before having to settle in a seat for an extended period of time, she said.
For parents traveling without the help of another adult, she suggested boarding early to get the child comfortable with the plane and to set up supplies you'll need to entertain the baby. Of course, if your child has experience on planes and doesn't like them, there's no need to prolong the misery by boarding early, she added.
Car seats vs. laps
While car seats aren't required for young children, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends buckling kids into child restraint systems or a car seat.
Those parents who can afford to buy their children separate seats may find their babies or toddlers are more comfortable and likely to sleep in car seats than on their laps, Pantley said. The added height can also let them glance out the window and enjoy the sights, she said.
Of course, bringing a car seat onto the plane means carrying it through the airport.
To deal with that inconvenience, several companies now make car seats that turn into strollers, while some other car seats attach to rolling suitcases.
If you do hold your child on your lap, avoid strapping a single seat belt around both you and the baby, because it's unsafe, Pantley said.
When nature calls
Most parents know to change their babies' diapers at the last possible moment before boarding. But even taking that precaution is no guarantee you won't have a diaper emergency in flight.
Changing tables are scarce on airplanes. So, for diaper changing emergencies, keep a portable changing pad handy so you can change your child's diaper anywhere -- both in and out of the bathroom, Feddersen said.
Wherever you change your baby, remember that flight attendants are handling food and therefore can't also touch dirty diapers, Pantley said. Plus, she said, they probably don't want to. She suggested using a plastic bag from home or the air sickness bag and then throwing it out in the bathroom trash.
Dealing with others
It's no secret that many fliers dread sitting next to a baby. But as long as you signal to those around you that you're doing your best, neighboring passengers are more likely to lend their sympathy.
If your child is misbehaving, get on neighboring passengers' good sides by gently but firmly admonishing the baby, Feddersen said. "Not in a mean way, but in a very audible way so that people know that you're doing your best to keep your kid under control, that you're not just letting your kid run free willy-nilly."
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Booking seats
In a perfect world, your child will sleep on the plane. But kids can be unpredictable -- as can flight delays -- which makes the planning process tough.
If your child sleeps well in the car, your best bet is to schedule a flight during nap time, said Elizabeth Pantley, author of Gentle Baby Care.
But if his or her nap time isn't like clockwork, you're better off not trying to schedule a flight during usual sleeping time, because the baby might stay awake for the whole flight and act fussy, she said.
Pantley suggested requesting the bulkhead seats and a bassinet if you have an infant. However, she cautioned that the front of the plane is less convenient with older babies and toddlers because, with the absence of under-seat space and seat pockets, you'll have to store toys and supplies in the overhead compartment, making them less accessible. iReport.com: Share your experiences of flying with kids
What to pack
Parents shouldn't count on anything on the plane keeping their children occupied, Pantley said. It's important to bring plenty of toys, especially unfamiliar ones that the child can explore for the first time on the flight. Rather than buying all new toys, you can take away some of their toys for a time and have them resurface on the flight, she said.
Remember, your young child can also be easily amused by lots of things, even something as simple as a crinkled, empty bag, said Rachel Fishman Feddersen, director of Parenting.com.
Bringing an ample amount of snacks is key, because "the last thing you want is to be trapped on a plane with a toddler that has not eaten," Feddersen said. These foods can also help the babies with ear popping and keep them occupied in flight.
As an added bonus, Feddersen said, by distributing them to neighboring passengers, you can make some friends of people who may not be thrilled about sitting next to the family with a baby in tow.
When to board
If two parents are flying with the child, Feddersen suggests sending one on the plane early to "get your sails set up." Meanwhile, the other adult can wait with the child in the gate and board as late as possible.
This will give your child a chance to be mobile and perhaps tire before having to settle in a seat for an extended period of time, she said.
For parents traveling without the help of another adult, she suggested boarding early to get the child comfortable with the plane and to set up supplies you'll need to entertain the baby. Of course, if your child has experience on planes and doesn't like them, there's no need to prolong the misery by boarding early, she added.
Car seats vs. laps
While car seats aren't required for young children, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends buckling kids into child restraint systems or a car seat.
Those parents who can afford to buy their children separate seats may find their babies or toddlers are more comfortable and likely to sleep in car seats than on their laps, Pantley said. The added height can also let them glance out the window and enjoy the sights, she said.
Of course, bringing a car seat onto the plane means carrying it through the airport.
To deal with that inconvenience, several companies now make car seats that turn into strollers, while some other car seats attach to rolling suitcases.
If you do hold your child on your lap, avoid strapping a single seat belt around both you and the baby, because it's unsafe, Pantley said.
When nature calls
Most parents know to change their babies' diapers at the last possible moment before boarding. But even taking that precaution is no guarantee you won't have a diaper emergency in flight.
Changing tables are scarce on airplanes. So, for diaper changing emergencies, keep a portable changing pad handy so you can change your child's diaper anywhere -- both in and out of the bathroom, Feddersen said.
Wherever you change your baby, remember that flight attendants are handling food and therefore can't also touch dirty diapers, Pantley said. Plus, she said, they probably don't want to. She suggested using a plastic bag from home or the air sickness bag and then throwing it out in the bathroom trash.
Dealing with others
It's no secret that many fliers dread sitting next to a baby. But as long as you signal to those around you that you're doing your best, neighboring passengers are more likely to lend their sympathy.
If your child is misbehaving, get on neighboring passengers' good sides by gently but firmly admonishing the baby, Feddersen said. "Not in a mean way, but in a very audible way so that people know that you're doing your best to keep your kid under control, that you're not just letting your kid run free willy-nilly."
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - Autism
Fred Harteis News Articls - I recently read an article regarding an autistic boy being banned from church in Minneosta because he was "disruptive" during mass. See below:
The Reverend Daniel Walz sought and was awarded, a temporary restraining order barring a 13 year-old autistic boy (Adam Race) and his parents from attending the mass services offered at the Church of St. Joseph in Bertha.
In court documents, Rev. Daniel Walz claimed that Adam was “…disruptive and dangerous…”. He added that “…Adam spits, urinates and once struck a child during Mass”. Adam’s mother, Carol Race, argued that she, “..can't discipline him out of his autism…”. The family also added that they, “…typically sat in either the church's cry room or in the back pew to avoid disrupting other parishioners”.
This article is very interesting... How would you like your child to be treated in these circumstances and do you feel the court made the right decision?
My daughter recently had an autistic boy join her day care and was very nervous and scared because he sometimes screams and yells duing the day. We explained to her that he sometimes can't express his feelings like she can express hers and that is how he reacts to certain circumstances.
If my daycare provider did not take him in he would have had no were else to go, no other child card provider wanted to take him. I felt really bad for his family. They are treated so differently.
The Reverend Daniel Walz sought and was awarded, a temporary restraining order barring a 13 year-old autistic boy (Adam Race) and his parents from attending the mass services offered at the Church of St. Joseph in Bertha.
In court documents, Rev. Daniel Walz claimed that Adam was “…disruptive and dangerous…”. He added that “…Adam spits, urinates and once struck a child during Mass”. Adam’s mother, Carol Race, argued that she, “..can't discipline him out of his autism…”. The family also added that they, “…typically sat in either the church's cry room or in the back pew to avoid disrupting other parishioners”.
This article is very interesting... How would you like your child to be treated in these circumstances and do you feel the court made the right decision?
My daughter recently had an autistic boy join her day care and was very nervous and scared because he sometimes screams and yells duing the day. We explained to her that he sometimes can't express his feelings like she can express hers and that is how he reacts to certain circumstances.
If my daycare provider did not take him in he would have had no were else to go, no other child card provider wanted to take him. I felt really bad for his family. They are treated so differently.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - How to avoid hidden travel fees
Fred Harteis News Articles - High gas prices are a given this holiday weekend. But here are some top tips on what other travel fees you're likely to get hit with.
1. Airline fees
A number of airlines are charging more if you bring a second bag with you. Now you'll be charged an extra $25 for that bag.
If the bag is over fifty pounds, you can pay up to $80 each way. If it's over seventy pounds, you may have to pay $150 each way according to George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com. If your luggage weighs too much, consider sending it by UPS or FedEx.
You can send a 51 pound bag coast to coast for a lot less he says. Today if you book your flight over the phone or in person you can pay up to $20 for the luxury. And a warning to all those frequent flyers out there - if you cash in your miles less than 3 weeks in advance, you could be on the hook for fees up to $100.
2. Rising hotel fees
If you've ever stayed in a hotel, you know all about those pesky fees. The number of fees are rising and the amount of those fees is also increasing says Bjorn Hanson of PricewaterhouseCoopers, a consulting group.
In 2007 the industry took in $1.75 billion in fees alone. That's up from $1.6 billion from the year before.
Some fees are becoming more common, including baggage holding fees. Typically if you had to check out at noon you'd be able to leave your bags at the hotel. The gratuity was optional. But increasingly, hotels are charging $1 to $5 for any luggage you leave.
In addition you may be seeing automatic surcharges and gratuities added to room rates. Usually this charge is about $12 a day. And keep in mind, just because you pay a surcharge doesn't mean the money goes to the housekeeping staff. As long as it's labeled a surcharge, management can decide how the money is distributed, says Bjorn.
Cancellation fees and resort amenity fees are also on the rise. Resort amenity fees are those costs the hotel passes along to consumers for access to the gym, tennis courts or a pool. Even if you don't use these amenities, you'll be stuck with the cost.
When you are first making reservations, ask about the total number of fees that you'll be charged. Mention specific fees like the resort amenities fee or extra charges for an internet connection. Get the name of the person you're talking to. And then get a written confirmation of your bill. When you check in, make sure you go over the fees you'll be responsible for again.
3. Rent-a-fee
These fees can add hundreds of dollars to your bill. When you first reserve a rental car, you may be asked if you want collision and damage. Keep in mind that usually you're covered by your own credit card and insurance. Make sure you call your provider and find out. That could save you an extra $20-$30 a day says Anne Banas of SmarterTravel.com.
Avoid gas fees by filling the car up before you return it. If you don't, the rental company could fill up the tank with gas that may cost $5 a gallon. And watch those late return fees.
Sometimes if you're more than an hour late, the rental company could charge you for a full day's rental, and that could be $50 to $80 depending on the kind of car you drive.
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
1. Airline fees
A number of airlines are charging more if you bring a second bag with you. Now you'll be charged an extra $25 for that bag.
If the bag is over fifty pounds, you can pay up to $80 each way. If it's over seventy pounds, you may have to pay $150 each way according to George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com. If your luggage weighs too much, consider sending it by UPS or FedEx.
You can send a 51 pound bag coast to coast for a lot less he says. Today if you book your flight over the phone or in person you can pay up to $20 for the luxury. And a warning to all those frequent flyers out there - if you cash in your miles less than 3 weeks in advance, you could be on the hook for fees up to $100.
2. Rising hotel fees
If you've ever stayed in a hotel, you know all about those pesky fees. The number of fees are rising and the amount of those fees is also increasing says Bjorn Hanson of PricewaterhouseCoopers, a consulting group.
In 2007 the industry took in $1.75 billion in fees alone. That's up from $1.6 billion from the year before.
Some fees are becoming more common, including baggage holding fees. Typically if you had to check out at noon you'd be able to leave your bags at the hotel. The gratuity was optional. But increasingly, hotels are charging $1 to $5 for any luggage you leave.
In addition you may be seeing automatic surcharges and gratuities added to room rates. Usually this charge is about $12 a day. And keep in mind, just because you pay a surcharge doesn't mean the money goes to the housekeeping staff. As long as it's labeled a surcharge, management can decide how the money is distributed, says Bjorn.
Cancellation fees and resort amenity fees are also on the rise. Resort amenity fees are those costs the hotel passes along to consumers for access to the gym, tennis courts or a pool. Even if you don't use these amenities, you'll be stuck with the cost.
When you are first making reservations, ask about the total number of fees that you'll be charged. Mention specific fees like the resort amenities fee or extra charges for an internet connection. Get the name of the person you're talking to. And then get a written confirmation of your bill. When you check in, make sure you go over the fees you'll be responsible for again.
3. Rent-a-fee
These fees can add hundreds of dollars to your bill. When you first reserve a rental car, you may be asked if you want collision and damage. Keep in mind that usually you're covered by your own credit card and insurance. Make sure you call your provider and find out. That could save you an extra $20-$30 a day says Anne Banas of SmarterTravel.com.
Avoid gas fees by filling the car up before you return it. If you don't, the rental company could fill up the tank with gas that may cost $5 a gallon. And watch those late return fees.
Sometimes if you're more than an hour late, the rental company could charge you for a full day's rental, and that could be $50 to $80 depending on the kind of car you drive.
Source: Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles – Jobs That Pay Well
Fred Harteis News Articles – Looking for a job that pays $75.00/hr. Check out the job descriptions below.
1. Vice President of Sales
Job Description:
Plans sales force activities to maximize sales volume and profit from all segments of the market.
2. Tax Accounting Firm Partner
Job Description:
Provides tax accounting services to clients of the firm, of which he or she owns a partial share.
3. Orthodontist
Job Description:
Realigns teeth and jaws to achieve healthy function and to improve appearance.
4. Chief Architect, IT
Job Description:
Designs architectural approaches most often for computer software, but also for processes and IT systems, in support of business needs.
5. Vice President of Marketing
Job Description:
Directs marketing and advertising strategies.
6. General Counsel
Job Description:
Represents clients in legal proceedings. Draws up legal documents and provides legal advice to clients. May specialize in a single area or practice broadly in many areas of law.
7. Family Physician
Job Description:
Provides medical care for a wide range of common health problems. Often serves as a Primary Care Physician for both children and adults.
8. Chief Information Officer
Job Description:
Sets policy and business strategy to utilize information technology within a company.
9. Vice President Human Resources
Job Description:
Directs all human resources initiatives in accordance with strategic goals of the organization. Ensures employee hiring, compensation, and training programs are administered effectively.
10. Psychiatrist
Job Description:
Provides medical treatment for persons with mental disorders.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
1. Vice President of Sales
Job Description:
Plans sales force activities to maximize sales volume and profit from all segments of the market.
2. Tax Accounting Firm Partner
Job Description:
Provides tax accounting services to clients of the firm, of which he or she owns a partial share.
3. Orthodontist
Job Description:
Realigns teeth and jaws to achieve healthy function and to improve appearance.
4. Chief Architect, IT
Job Description:
Designs architectural approaches most often for computer software, but also for processes and IT systems, in support of business needs.
5. Vice President of Marketing
Job Description:
Directs marketing and advertising strategies.
6. General Counsel
Job Description:
Represents clients in legal proceedings. Draws up legal documents and provides legal advice to clients. May specialize in a single area or practice broadly in many areas of law.
7. Family Physician
Job Description:
Provides medical care for a wide range of common health problems. Often serves as a Primary Care Physician for both children and adults.
8. Chief Information Officer
Job Description:
Sets policy and business strategy to utilize information technology within a company.
9. Vice President Human Resources
Job Description:
Directs all human resources initiatives in accordance with strategic goals of the organization. Ensures employee hiring, compensation, and training programs are administered effectively.
10. Psychiatrist
Job Description:
Provides medical treatment for persons with mental disorders.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles- What Your Desk Says About You
Fred Harteis News Articles - For many people, a desk is much more than just a place to sit and do work. It is quite common for workers to spend more time at their desks in their office than sleeping in their bed at home, so it is inevitable that a desktop eventually starts to resemble the person who sits there. However, this tell-tale information could be defining who you are to your clients, coworkers, and your bosses, and not necessarily in a good way. Decide whether or not your desktop needs a makeover with these examples of what your desk decoration may be saying about you.
Desk Description: Filled with Photos
What It Says About You: Being family-oriented is a positive personality trait, but a desk covered with dozens of reminders of what awaits the worker after hours might make the worker appear less dedicated to his job and anxious to get home.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Companies that are very flexible when it comes to family obligations and that offer the option to telecommute at least a day or two each week are ideal for you if you’re a family man or woman.
Desk Description: Bare Bones
What It Says About You: People with empty desks often aren’t satisfied until a project is complete and off of their desks. Extremely interested in order, workers with bare bones desktops pride themselves on their clarity and efficiency. Unfortunately, without anything personal on the desk it may seem to others that the worker isn’t committed to staying long enough to make personalizing their desk worthwhile.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Personality-driven professions like being a pharmaceutical rep or counseling would work well for you because being surrounded by a minimalist desk will enhance your pizzazz and allow the focus to stay on you.
Desk Description: Candyland
What It Says About You: A never-ending dish of candy is always an office favorite, and the provider is seen as welcoming, giving, and appreciative of friendship. Usually a team player, the candy giver can also be thought of as the office chatterbox, which may or may not be a good thing.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Your personality is as fantastic as the candy you conveniently leave out for anyone to grab, so communications is the perfect field for someone like you who would like to share their sweet tooth and their sweet personality with the world.
Desk Description: Gadgets Galore
What It Says About You: Lots of gadgets express that the individual is curious, up for a challenge, and quick to pick up new tasks and technology. Anything that adds spice to your everyday life is welcomed with open arms. However, if you’re constantly playing with your gadgets or inviting coworkers to come play, you and your gadgets may be seen as an office distraction.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Technology-oriented or computer-driven jobs will keep your creative side satisfied.
Desk Description: Covered in Post-It Notes
What It Says About You: Trying to stay organized isn’t quite the same as doing it, and an addiction to Post-It Notes represents someone who is a hard worker but could use a couple of classes on time management, organization, and working smart and not hard.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Anything streamlined and with a predictable routine that won’t have you reaching for your pad of Post-Its to jot down any caveats, like being a medical technician or a bank teller.
Source; Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Desk Description: Filled with Photos
What It Says About You: Being family-oriented is a positive personality trait, but a desk covered with dozens of reminders of what awaits the worker after hours might make the worker appear less dedicated to his job and anxious to get home.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Companies that are very flexible when it comes to family obligations and that offer the option to telecommute at least a day or two each week are ideal for you if you’re a family man or woman.
Desk Description: Bare Bones
What It Says About You: People with empty desks often aren’t satisfied until a project is complete and off of their desks. Extremely interested in order, workers with bare bones desktops pride themselves on their clarity and efficiency. Unfortunately, without anything personal on the desk it may seem to others that the worker isn’t committed to staying long enough to make personalizing their desk worthwhile.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Personality-driven professions like being a pharmaceutical rep or counseling would work well for you because being surrounded by a minimalist desk will enhance your pizzazz and allow the focus to stay on you.
Desk Description: Candyland
What It Says About You: A never-ending dish of candy is always an office favorite, and the provider is seen as welcoming, giving, and appreciative of friendship. Usually a team player, the candy giver can also be thought of as the office chatterbox, which may or may not be a good thing.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Your personality is as fantastic as the candy you conveniently leave out for anyone to grab, so communications is the perfect field for someone like you who would like to share their sweet tooth and their sweet personality with the world.
Desk Description: Gadgets Galore
What It Says About You: Lots of gadgets express that the individual is curious, up for a challenge, and quick to pick up new tasks and technology. Anything that adds spice to your everyday life is welcomed with open arms. However, if you’re constantly playing with your gadgets or inviting coworkers to come play, you and your gadgets may be seen as an office distraction.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Technology-oriented or computer-driven jobs will keep your creative side satisfied.
Desk Description: Covered in Post-It Notes
What It Says About You: Trying to stay organized isn’t quite the same as doing it, and an addiction to Post-It Notes represents someone who is a hard worker but could use a couple of classes on time management, organization, and working smart and not hard.
Jobs That Gel With Your Style: Anything streamlined and with a predictable routine that won’t have you reaching for your pad of Post-Its to jot down any caveats, like being a medical technician or a bank teller.
Source; Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles - Nine Cool Jobs that Pay Well
Fred Harteis News Articles - Of course there is more to life than being cool -- at least that's what our parents said when nobody would invite us to parties in high school. But when you're surrounded by beige walls reading insane e-mails all day, you can't help but wonder if there isn't a cooler job out there that will still put food on the table.
Good news: There are cooler jobs and they pay pretty well.
1. Brewmaster
To put it mildly, a lot of people like to drink beer. It's associated with goods times, 21st birthdays and football games. (In fairness, it's also associated with hangovers the next day.) Who wouldn't want to be the creator of a tasty ale that will be imbibed by many the partygoer? Plus, you get to do taste-testing along the way, which is always fun. Salary: $42,430*
2. Toy Creator
Most kids dream of spending every waking minute in a toy store. Most adults, though, aren't too keen on the idea of dealing with screaming children all day. Toy creators, also known as commercial and industrial designers, get the best of both worlds: They use their imaginations and play with toys without the hassle of noisy customers. They get paid to think of ideas for new toys, produce them and play with them to see if they're ready to go into production. Salary: $54,560**
3. Food Scientist
You might not have ever cared who creates all the different flavors of ice cream as long as the scoops keep appearing in your bowl. Well, food scientists spend their days in laboratories developing and perfecting new flavors so that low-fat birthday cake ice cream tastes good and not, well, low-fat. Sure, you might put on a little weight, but it's a small price to pay for making your living off of ice cream.
Salary: $53,810**
4. Doll Fashion Designer
If you've ever played with dolls, you know that their fashion accessories are no small matter. Barbeques, dinner parties, sailing – these dolls have outfits for every occasion. Fashion designers, like the ones who create the clothes you're wearing right now, decide what attire dolls need and come up with the best design to sell to the public. It might sound like child's play, but consider that Barbie's wardrobe makes Mattel one of the world's largest clothing manufacturers.
Salary: $62,610**
5. Sommelier
Fine diners know that the perfect meal isn't just about the entre; it's also about the glass of wine that accompanies each course. From the first taste of the cheese flight to the last bite of gelato, the right wine can elevate any meal to a new level. Of course, if you're like many people, you don't know if a Riesling is the best match for fresh tilapia or if it's a faux pas that will send the chef into tears. Fear not. Sommeliers know everything about wines, from the vineyards they were pressed in to the best entres to pair them with. They take courses and obtain certification to become bona fide experts on the subjects so you never have to look at a wine list with confusion in your eyes.
Salary: $28,000 for novice sommeliers and $80,000-$160,000 for certified Master Sommeliers.**
6. Athletic Trainer
Every sports team has an athletic trainer on hand to get athletes into shape and to prevent injuries. They know what stretches and exercises they need to get ready for a big game and how to treat any injuries that do occur. It's a sweet gig for anyone who wants to be as close as possible to the action on the field without having to actually play the sport. Salary: $36,560**
7. Event Planner
Event planners are responsible for finding convention and meeting sites, orchestrating enrollment and registration, possibly making transportation arrangements for attendees and negotiating prices for venues and hotels. What makes this job cool is that, although you work hard ironing out the many wrinkles that big events entail, you get to visit various sites and network with people of every imaginable industry, which means you're not stuck at a desk all day. Salary: $42,180**
8. Wardrobe Stylist
If your friends and family come to you when they don't know what to wear – or you offer this advice even when they don't ask – you're suited to be a wardrobe stylist. You get to use your fashion sense to dress actors in commercials, TV shows and movies so that the characters' clothes match their fictitious lifestyle. For example, you know how to dress a 20 year-old actress so she looks like a believable high school student or like a successful businesswoman, depending on the role. Salary: Depending on the type of production and the stylist's experience, pay ranges from $1,000 per week to $10,000 per week.
9. Concert Promoter
On average, concerts are two hours of loud, hand-clapping fun, full of good music and swirling lights. However, making those two hours happen isn't easy work. Concert promoters decide which cities artists should visit, choose the venues they play and get sponsors for the tours. Plus, all the logistics that come with the each show, such as security precautions and even the amount of bathrooms available for concertgoers, are their domain. It's tough work but they get to see free shows and travel around the country. Salary: Earnings depend on the type of concert and its success, so the pay can be as low as minimum wage and, for industry veterans, as high as millions per year.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Good news: There are cooler jobs and they pay pretty well.
1. Brewmaster
To put it mildly, a lot of people like to drink beer. It's associated with goods times, 21st birthdays and football games. (In fairness, it's also associated with hangovers the next day.) Who wouldn't want to be the creator of a tasty ale that will be imbibed by many the partygoer? Plus, you get to do taste-testing along the way, which is always fun. Salary: $42,430*
2. Toy Creator
Most kids dream of spending every waking minute in a toy store. Most adults, though, aren't too keen on the idea of dealing with screaming children all day. Toy creators, also known as commercial and industrial designers, get the best of both worlds: They use their imaginations and play with toys without the hassle of noisy customers. They get paid to think of ideas for new toys, produce them and play with them to see if they're ready to go into production. Salary: $54,560**
3. Food Scientist
You might not have ever cared who creates all the different flavors of ice cream as long as the scoops keep appearing in your bowl. Well, food scientists spend their days in laboratories developing and perfecting new flavors so that low-fat birthday cake ice cream tastes good and not, well, low-fat. Sure, you might put on a little weight, but it's a small price to pay for making your living off of ice cream.
Salary: $53,810**
4. Doll Fashion Designer
If you've ever played with dolls, you know that their fashion accessories are no small matter. Barbeques, dinner parties, sailing – these dolls have outfits for every occasion. Fashion designers, like the ones who create the clothes you're wearing right now, decide what attire dolls need and come up with the best design to sell to the public. It might sound like child's play, but consider that Barbie's wardrobe makes Mattel one of the world's largest clothing manufacturers.
Salary: $62,610**
5. Sommelier
Fine diners know that the perfect meal isn't just about the entre; it's also about the glass of wine that accompanies each course. From the first taste of the cheese flight to the last bite of gelato, the right wine can elevate any meal to a new level. Of course, if you're like many people, you don't know if a Riesling is the best match for fresh tilapia or if it's a faux pas that will send the chef into tears. Fear not. Sommeliers know everything about wines, from the vineyards they were pressed in to the best entres to pair them with. They take courses and obtain certification to become bona fide experts on the subjects so you never have to look at a wine list with confusion in your eyes.
Salary: $28,000 for novice sommeliers and $80,000-$160,000 for certified Master Sommeliers.**
6. Athletic Trainer
Every sports team has an athletic trainer on hand to get athletes into shape and to prevent injuries. They know what stretches and exercises they need to get ready for a big game and how to treat any injuries that do occur. It's a sweet gig for anyone who wants to be as close as possible to the action on the field without having to actually play the sport. Salary: $36,560**
7. Event Planner
Event planners are responsible for finding convention and meeting sites, orchestrating enrollment and registration, possibly making transportation arrangements for attendees and negotiating prices for venues and hotels. What makes this job cool is that, although you work hard ironing out the many wrinkles that big events entail, you get to visit various sites and network with people of every imaginable industry, which means you're not stuck at a desk all day. Salary: $42,180**
8. Wardrobe Stylist
If your friends and family come to you when they don't know what to wear – or you offer this advice even when they don't ask – you're suited to be a wardrobe stylist. You get to use your fashion sense to dress actors in commercials, TV shows and movies so that the characters' clothes match their fictitious lifestyle. For example, you know how to dress a 20 year-old actress so she looks like a believable high school student or like a successful businesswoman, depending on the role. Salary: Depending on the type of production and the stylist's experience, pay ranges from $1,000 per week to $10,000 per week.
9. Concert Promoter
On average, concerts are two hours of loud, hand-clapping fun, full of good music and swirling lights. However, making those two hours happen isn't easy work. Concert promoters decide which cities artists should visit, choose the venues they play and get sponsors for the tours. Plus, all the logistics that come with the each show, such as security precautions and even the amount of bathrooms available for concertgoers, are their domain. It's tough work but they get to see free shows and travel around the country. Salary: Earnings depend on the type of concert and its success, so the pay can be as low as minimum wage and, for industry veterans, as high as millions per year.
Source: Aol.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Fred Harteis News Articles-Managing Your Career in a Fierce Job Market
Fred Harteis News Articles - We're hearing job loss reports almost non-stop these days -- from Congress, presidential candidates, the Federal Reserve chairman and business experts. The economy lost approximately 160,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2008. But how does that translate to you?
"In the next three months, employers anticipate marginal change in their hiring pace. While some industries are experiencing a contraction in employment levels, areas such as information technology, health care, professional and business services and sales continue to add full-time jobs."
In the latest Job Forecast from CareerBuilder.com and USA TODAY, 29 percent of employers plan to grow their number of full-time, permanent employees from April through June while 59 percent anticipate no change and 6 percent expect to decrease headcount. Six percent are unsure.
Certain industries and functions continue to outpace other areas in terms of producing new jobs. Forty-five percent of IT employers expect to add full-time, permanent employees in the second quarter followed by 36 percent in sales, 32 percent in professional and business services and 30 percent in large health care organizations.
So while hiring is slowing, there are still open positions. Here are 10 tips for managing your career in a fierce market.
1. Be the best you can be within your profession.
Since the competition for jobs is so fierce, candidates need to demonstrate how they can add value to an organization. What are your key selling points that distinguish you from the competition? This is important not only for those looking for a job, but also for those who wish to keep their current jobs.
2. Brand yourself.
What do you stand for? How are you marketing yourself? This is the time to be public in your search. Are you creating demand for your services and expertise?
3. Network constantly and consistently.
Try joining a business networking site like LinkedIn. You can never have enough friends or colleagues who will go to bat for you.
4. Develop an ongoing relationship with a qualified recruiter with whom you feel comfortable.
Being included in a database isn't enough. Your goal is to become the candidate of choice for that hidden job opening.
5. There has been an increased use of freelancers.
As such, candidates need to be more entrepreneurial, whether they are self-employed or work for an agency or corporation. Sologig.com is a site that hosts jobs just for freelancers and contractors.
6. If you are out of work, form a "consortium".
Get together with other professionals where you can complement each other's skills and offer services to clients.
7. Embrace change.
You don't want to be left behind. Keep your skills up to date. Consider creating a personal Web site or taking a class.
8. Prepare for an evolving job market.
Look for trends in the areas of increased hiring. Growth industries and areas include health care, education and green living.
9. Your resume is your own personal advertisement.
Make sure it highlights your accomplishments with quantifiable results, not merely details your job description.
10. Candidates whose backgrounds don't match client credentials or job requirements won't get much attention.
Pay attention to the employer's specs or job posting and respond accordingly.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
"In the next three months, employers anticipate marginal change in their hiring pace. While some industries are experiencing a contraction in employment levels, areas such as information technology, health care, professional and business services and sales continue to add full-time jobs."
In the latest Job Forecast from CareerBuilder.com and USA TODAY, 29 percent of employers plan to grow their number of full-time, permanent employees from April through June while 59 percent anticipate no change and 6 percent expect to decrease headcount. Six percent are unsure.
Certain industries and functions continue to outpace other areas in terms of producing new jobs. Forty-five percent of IT employers expect to add full-time, permanent employees in the second quarter followed by 36 percent in sales, 32 percent in professional and business services and 30 percent in large health care organizations.
So while hiring is slowing, there are still open positions. Here are 10 tips for managing your career in a fierce market.
1. Be the best you can be within your profession.
Since the competition for jobs is so fierce, candidates need to demonstrate how they can add value to an organization. What are your key selling points that distinguish you from the competition? This is important not only for those looking for a job, but also for those who wish to keep their current jobs.
2. Brand yourself.
What do you stand for? How are you marketing yourself? This is the time to be public in your search. Are you creating demand for your services and expertise?
3. Network constantly and consistently.
Try joining a business networking site like LinkedIn. You can never have enough friends or colleagues who will go to bat for you.
4. Develop an ongoing relationship with a qualified recruiter with whom you feel comfortable.
Being included in a database isn't enough. Your goal is to become the candidate of choice for that hidden job opening.
5. There has been an increased use of freelancers.
As such, candidates need to be more entrepreneurial, whether they are self-employed or work for an agency or corporation. Sologig.com is a site that hosts jobs just for freelancers and contractors.
6. If you are out of work, form a "consortium".
Get together with other professionals where you can complement each other's skills and offer services to clients.
7. Embrace change.
You don't want to be left behind. Keep your skills up to date. Consider creating a personal Web site or taking a class.
8. Prepare for an evolving job market.
Look for trends in the areas of increased hiring. Growth industries and areas include health care, education and green living.
9. Your resume is your own personal advertisement.
Make sure it highlights your accomplishments with quantifiable results, not merely details your job description.
10. Candidates whose backgrounds don't match client credentials or job requirements won't get much attention.
Pay attention to the employer's specs or job posting and respond accordingly.
Source; Cnn.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
Weclome To Fred Harteis Team News
Fred Harteis News - Welcome to my blog! I hope to enlighten people with Business News and Personal Fiance News.
General articles relating to current events in Business. We all need to work as a "Team" in business so, hence the name "Team News".
Thanks for checking out my blog!
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
General articles relating to current events in Business. We all need to work as a "Team" in business so, hence the name "Team News".
Thanks for checking out my blog!
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
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