My Own Daily Journal

Refinancing mortgage online offers economic flexibility fast and easy

2005-10-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

Interest rates are at their lowest and you have decided to take advantage of it and refinance your mortgage. However, since a lot of people came to the same decision lenders are hounded by borrowers left and right. With you busy schedule you just cannot cope up and you wonder if it’s wise to refinance online. Can refinancing mortgage online really save you time and money?

Most homeowners are unaware that refinancing online has become a fundamental part of the mortgage industry, which offer great benefits to consumers. Nowadays the competition has become steeper, which offer more financial power to homeowners who are interested in refinancing mortgage online.

Refinancing mortgage is made easier today than in the past, since all the information you need can easily be obtain online. Furthermore, refinancing online takes less time because there is little paper work involved if you are shopping for the best deal online. But the biggest advantage that refinancing online offers is that you do not have to run all over town pulling credit reports and talking to multiple lenders. Online mortgage lenders can give you multiple quotes from many lenders.

During pre-internet days, refinancing mortgage was a real hassle for mortgage lenders and borrowers alike. Just gathering information in order to compare rates, fees, points and loan programs was already a complete waste time. There was no centralized information source for mortgage programs, rates and financial advice for consumers. In order for a homeowner to gain the information he needs to come to a sound decision, he would have to talk to a couple of banks first and then go for what seemed to be the lowest rate and fees for their situation.

Unlike today, homeowners can now easily access, real time, financial information and news on the web. Shopping for the best rates and fees for refinancing mortgage between lenders can easily be accomplished within moments with a simple click of the mouse. Borrowers had become empowered from the web with mortgage calculators, loan programs and financial tools, consequently making the Internet the fastest and most convenient way of refinancing mortgage today.

Consolidating debts prevent bankruptcy

2005-10-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

In this economically challenge time, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy. But what most of us do not know is that it can easily be avoided by simply consolidating our debts. Consolidating will allow us to reduce our monthly payments as well as pay off our liability quickly. But before plunging ahead, it is important that you develop a financial plan and research your options first.

The main objective of consolidating is to reduce our monthly payments so that we can pay off our debt and avoid bankruptcy. However, it only works if it is part of a larger financial plan, which is why you have to be religious in reducing your liability as well as saving for financial emergencies.

After consolidating your loans it is advisable to establish a financial cushion of six months worth of cash reserves. This will ensure that you are capable of paying cash during financial emergencies, which may increase your credit load.
The next goal is to make extra payments. Paying off your principal swiftly will reduce the amount you have to pay for in terms of interests.

After determining your goals, the next step is to determine which type of debt consolidation loans you should sign up for. Basically there are two types of debt consolidation loans: mortgage and personal loans. Mortgage loans are ideal because their interest is tax deductible, although you need to be sure that you have enough equity to borrow against and that you can get back the cost of up front fees.

Another option is a personal loan. These are based on your credit score and income. Personal loans usually have lower interest rates than credit cards, but are higher than mortgages rates.

The best option in consolidating is to use a debt consolidation service. These companies typically negotiate lower interest rates with your creditors. Furthermore, there are no fees involved because they are non-profit organizations. These companies also provide credit counseling, offering financial advice and guidance.

Home Equity Loans: What Borrowers Should Know!

2005-10-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

As a human being one of our necessities is a home. However, many people are unaware that agreeing to a loan based on the equity of their home is risk that could cause you your most valuable possession.

A lot of homeowners, particularly the elderly as well as those who have a low income or burdened with a bad credit history, should think first before borrowing money based on their home equity. Why, you ask? Because there are abusive or exploitative lenders who are ready to pounce on those borrowers who are unwittingly putting their home on the line. The Federal Trade Commission warns us to be aware of the inappropriate home equity loan practices in order to avoid losing our home.

One of these practices include equity stripping, this is when a lender tells you that you quality to get a loan, although your income is not enough to meet with the monthly payments. The lender encourages you to "pad" your income on your application form to help get the loan approved. Then ones you do not make the payment the lender will immediately foreclose, stripping you of the equity you have spent half of your life building. Keep in mind that if a lender offers you a loan but you do not have enough income to make the monthly payments, then you are being set up.

Another thing you have to watch out for when availing of home equity loan is the balloon payment. Here's how it usually happens, you have fallen behind your mortgage payments and may face foreclosure. Then comes another lender offering to save you from foreclosure by refinancing your mortgage and lowering your monthly payments. If you look at the loan terms carefully,you will notice that the payments are lower. That's because the lender is offering a loan on which you repay only the interest each month. Sounds great isn't it? But what until the end of the loan term, the entire amount that you borrowed-is due in one lump sum called a balloon payment. If you cannot make the balloon payment or refinance, you will surely lose your home.

Loan flipping is another inappropriate home equity loan practice to watch out for. A lender calls to talk about refinancing, and using the availability of extra cash as bait, claims it's time the equity in your home started "working" for you. You agree to refinance your loan. After you've made a few payments on the loan, the lender calls to offer you a bigger loan for, say, a vacation. If you accept the offer, the lender refinances your original loan and then lends you additional money. In this practice-often called "flipping"-the lender charges you high points and fees each time you refinance, and may increase your interest rate as well. If the loan has a prepayment penalty, you will have to pay that penalty each time you take out a new loan.

Car Donation Service Makes Sense

2005-10-12T22:21:00.000-07:00

Car Donation Service is considered as one of the most important income generating activities of charitable institutions. For the past few years, a lot of car owners have donated their inefficient and ineffective cars. It helps motorists unload their unwanted vehicles and at the same time help charitable institutions. These cars are collected by car donation service centers and are valued depending on the vehicles’ projected productivity. An auction is being held to dispose all the donated cars and the proceeds are consequently turned over to recipient charitable institutions. More often than not, the money goes to the provision of social services and recovery after destructive calamities.

On the economic side, a lot of people are donating their cars to minimize their tax burdens. Car donation service assumes all tax charges imposed on cars. In this way, a lot of car owners save more money. However, a lot of criticisms have been linked to this method. One of those is that they serve as a tax shelter, which protects car owners who do not pay their vehicle taxes. Another issue pertains to the quality of cars being auctioned. Since these cars are branded as unwanted, it is assumed that the quality has already deteriorated. Thus, it is often advised that car donation service is not a good place to search for quality cars.

Amidst these observations car donations service has continued to spread and drawing a lot of donors. It has been regarded as one of the most feasible ways to strengthen the role of charitable institutions in aiding the unfortunate people. In addition, the process is regulated and strictly follows the laws. Hence, this is a legitimate program for a worthy cause. Above all, car owners become well involved in promoting an equitable society where everyone lives in abundance.

Auto insurance online gives more option for drivers

2005-10-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

A lot of car owners are now applying for auto insurance online not only due to the convenience of comparing quotes, but in order to find the best insurance rate as well. Other benefits of applying for an auto insurance online also include finding out new discounts without the hassle of being locked into a long term agreement with an insurance company.

In the old days, when cyberspace is just a vision, getting real quotes from auto insurance companies was extremely difficult. But, nowadays it can all be accomplished with just a simple click of a mouse. Furthermore, you can get instant access to insurance quotes based on the coverage that you have chosen. Online insurance sites also allow you to look at the complete details of each plan, so you can compare the quality of coverage as well as the price.

Another advantage in opting for an auto insurance online is that you can reduce your premiums by simply finding and qualifying for discounts. For example, some insurance companies will reduce your premiums if you install an alarm system in your car or if you take a certified defensive driving course. Additional discounts could also be obtained online through auto insurance sites.

Most drivers apply for insurance over the net mainly for convenience, since they do not have to undergo the trouble of keeping an appointment with an agent. All they have to do is to simply fill out the forms any time of day, stop and then return the following day to tie up some loose ends. Online insurance sites will mail the final paperwork for your signature; the whole process will be completed without causing you to miss a day of work.

Applying for auto insurance online also makes it easy to change insurance companies. Before, drivers stayed with one company even though they do not have the best rates, however with online auto insurance companies you can now regularly check if you are still getting a low rate. If you find a better quote, then you can just switch to the better auto insurance company.

Insurance rates tend to vary between vehicles, which is why it is important that you do some research and find out the cost first before you purchase. By learning more about the insurance rates being offered for different makes and models, you can make an informed decision. You can also find discounts for safety features and vehicle options, as well as add those to your vehicle package to ensure the lowest insurance rate.

Start thinking about your family's protection, get a term life insurance quote today

2005-10-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

The details and information that you need regarding the best term life insurance quote is now just a click away, if you look for the term life insurance on the various search engines found on the web. There is even no need for you to be knowledgeable in the insurance industry in order to obtain the best term life insurance quote from a web-based insurance company.

There are a lot of life insurance companies that can be found online where you can buy from anywhere from one year up to a 30-year life insurance terms. Term life insurance is less expensive than a whole life insurance since your family can only collect a settlement if you die within the term of the life insurance. Now, if you are still alive at the end of the term, then you have to once again start searching for the best term life insurance quote.

There are various ways to find a term life insurance. If you are looking for a life insurance for your family’s financial security, then you can start with a term life insurance quote online and then later change it over to a whole life insurance that provide 30 year life insurance terms or one that lasts your whole life. You may also want to consider a universal life insurance that covers everything.

If you are buying a term life insurance policy, it is necessary to get a term life insurance quote with monthly premiums that suit your budget. Term life insurance policies are generally for 5, 10, or 15 year terms however, it is also possible to purchase a 30 year life insurance plan. But since plans with longer term tend to be more expensive, then you will probably be better off with a whole life insurance policy.

In order to get the best term life insurance, it important to contact several insurance company and compare their quotes. The comparison should include not only the prices, but as well as the length of the term along with the monthly premiums and the amount of the death benefit that each policy offers. Once you have all the information, you can already make a decision on which life insurance protection you should purchase for your family.

Conference Calling Service

2005-10-07T03:15:00.000-07:00

The advancement in information and communication technology has paved the way to another breakthrough. Before, people can talk to the phone with only one person. With the invention of Conference Calling, three or more people can speak in one time without any hassle. This mechanism has been introduced to make communication effective and efficient. A lot of benefits have been attributed to this innovation. Normal household can talk with all their love ones at the same time. This limits the cost of additional calls and makes conversation as real as possible.

Businesses also benefit from the conference calling services. The state-of-art technologies are utilized to bring people closer than before. Businessmen can hook up with their associates, clients, and other important entities to make sure that the information they want disseminate will delivered fast. Business can minimize their overhead costs and maximize their income with this method of communication. A business entity can also make decisions through conferencing unlike before when they have to wait for people. Conference Calling ensures that business transactions are done fast and with accuracy. On top of that, all communications are assured to be confidential. Conference Calling Services are wire tap free to prevent other parties from getting the information divulged in the conversation. Companies are free to setup their own calling schedules and can even do cancellations of calls without the usual worries. The system is dedicated to stop unauthorized access and limits the conversation to the invited parties.

Furthermore, the tools being used in the conference calling are highly flexible and can adapt to any application and equipments used by other parties. Conference Calling Services allows businesses to make their own modifications as to how they want the conference to appear. In addition, there are suggestions provided as to which modification will look good. Indeed, Conference Calling provides unlimited opportunities for households and businesses to communicate in any place and at any time.

Car Donation

2005-10-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

Charitable institutions have been very active in promoting a well rounded society. In fact, the scope that they cover has gone so wide. Not only are they catering the basic need of the unfortunate people. They also provide poor families with homes, and educate them properly. However, like any other organizations, funds are necessary to continue the operations. Without financial capabilities, charitable institutions may never be able to fulfill its roles. The funds are needed to properly function and to provide whatever is needed to be given to poor families.

One of the best ways to solve the financial crisis is engaging in car donation. This has been an on-going project and has been gaining a lot of success. Car donation centers are set up to encourage people with excessive but not used cars to donate their cars. The car donation centers then will sell the donated cars. The proceeds go to the different charitable institutions considered as recipients of the car donation center. Since its existence, car donation has become one of the best alternatives to fill in the coffers of charitable institutions

Car donations can provide a lot of advantages to prospects. Aside from the fact that they are able to help, the burden of paying additional taxes for the car is being removed. In addition, they save fuel and can make their unutilized cars be put into use. Car donations are very active in seeking the help of people with excess cars. Car donation centers have even scattered and are operational a lot of areas. Moreover, there are also other institutions that benefit from car donations. Government institutions are also given some of the proceeds to for equipments and facilities procurement. This is aimed to improve government social service and to further add quality to the lives of the poor people.

University of Phoenix, offers a flexible way of earning a degree

2005-10-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

The University of Phoenix, offers a flexible way of earning a degree. Here, you can obtain a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree either within campus or even at the convenience of your own home by availing the online programs.

The University of Phoenix has become the nation’s largest private education institution that specializes in offering educational programs to working adults. The institution offers a wide range of degree programs that are highly relevant, accessible, and efficient.

The institution offers degree and professional development programs, which are designed to answer the specific needs of your industry as well as the exact education your employees need in order to increase your organization's productivity and profit. The institutions advance program will allow you to acquire the most recent, proven theories and techniques from experienced instructors who worked and specialized in the fields they teach. Furthermore, the advanced teaching format will also allow you to learn in the most efficient way possible - without wasting time or money.

The University of Phoenix has nearly 163 campuses as well as learning centers in 33 states, such as Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and through the Internet. Through the institution’s flexible programs you can now complete your degree no matter where you live, what hours you work, or how often you travel or relocate.

Private student loan consolidation offers repayment for alternative loans

2005-10-04T03:31:00.000-07:00

Education nowadays have become more of a privilege rather than a right. It seems like each education expenses are growing by leaps and bounds. Sure there are federal sudent loans that somehow ease our burdens, but that is not enough. More often than not we have to avail of an alternative or private student loans. What are they? These are loans that fill the gap between our total college expenses and our awarded financial aid.

Private student loans allows us to meet all of our college expenses, such as tuition, daily college expenses like off campus living expenses, school supplies, travel, and so on. As we near graduation our debts starts to pile up as well and as we receive as diploma so does our billing statement. Well you no longer have to dread that one since there are alternatives for repayment -- private student loan consolidation.

Private student loan consolidation is a great option or alternative especially if you have loans that do not qualify for federal student loan consolidation. Private loan consolidation allow us to consolidate other loans such as any non-government education loan, from retirement plans, insurance policies, home equity loans, credit cards or loans used for computer purchases, as well as loans used for travel expenses for school.

Just why should we avail of a private student loan consolidation? Simply put, in order to save money every month. Private loan consolidation will allow us to save money by offering us a competitive interest rate over non-government loans.

But before taking that plunge, keep in mind that private student loan consolidation has a higher interest rate than federal student loan consolidation. Now if you happen to have a federal student loans that are eligible for federal consolidation, then you will benefit more from than. You will be able to save more money as well as receive more benefits.

Start over with student loan refinancing

2005-10-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

Student loan refinancing is a typical practice of fresh graduates who realize that they can get lower interest rates on their student loans after graduation. The main objective of student loan refinancing is to generally lower your monthly loan payments.

One advantage of refinancing a student loan is that you can merge your loans into a single monthly bill with a fixed interest rate. Thus, you get more time to repay you loans as well as make the payments smaller.

For many students, federal loans are also a part of the loan picture. Legally, student loans subsidized by the government can only be refinanced following graduation. At that time it is a great opportunity to refinance and lock into a lower rate of interest.

Before refinancing your student loans there are numerous things you need to take into account. On of the first things you need to consider is the student loans you currently have. If you have both federal student loans and private loans, you need to refinance them separately in order to get a low interest rate. Basically, you can get lower interest rate on federal loans than private loans. If you combine them, you’ll end up paying a higher interest due to the collective principal.

The next thing you need to consider is your credit history. Before you refinance you need to make sure that you are in good standing. Reviewing your recent credit report and alleviate your problems will be of good help.

The third step is to compare the rates being offered from various lenders. Rates on for refinancing federal student loans adjust once each year usually around July 1. Although the current rates are very low, it's simply difficult to judge how much they will change because of the unpredictable economy.

Home Equity Loan: look before taking the plunge

2005-09-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Simply put, home equity loan allows a homeowner to borrow money from a lender by using their home as collateral. This is a common practice among borrowers who wants to borrow a considerable sum of money or by those with bad credit history.

Lenders tend to be more lenient since they regard home equity loan as secured. For instance a borrower will not be able to simply vanish with their house. Another thing a borrower will not be able to hide their home when they default on their loan, thus the lender can easily collect the collateral. Furthermore, most borrowers tend to prioritize their payments since their home is at risk.

Borrowers avail of a home equity loan because of large financial expenses, such as home remodeling and renovation, college education, to buy a second house, or in order to consolidate credits with high-interests.

But before you jump into the bandwagon there are pitfalls that you should watch out for when using a home equity loan. The first thing that you should be aware of is that your home may be lost if you do not meet the payment schedule as required by the loan.

Another common hazard of a home equity loan is that there are tons of scammers about. These scammers are armed with tons of schemes to cheat you out of your most valuable asset -- your home. It is imperative that that you know who you are dealing with. If you find anything suspicious like a high-pressure sales pitch or if the lender is unwilling to put things in writing, then step back and make sure the deal is in deed legal.

Regardless of the risks involve, there are still various reasons as to why home equity loan is still considered as advantageous by most borrowers. First off, they usually have a lower interest rate. Second, a home equity loan is easier to qualify for when you have a poor credit history. Another reason is that payments on a home equity loan are tax deductible. Lastly, most borrowers can get a considerable amount with this type of loan.

Laser Hair Removal Chicago, the latest beauty craze

2005-09-29T04:03:00.000-07:00

Women as well as men are getting weary of shaving, painful waxing, tweezing, and depilatory creams. That explains the popularity of laser hair removal Chicago. I for one, am thankful for the latest innovation in laser technology that can get rid of those unwanted hair fast and easy plus with proven long-term results.

Laser hair removal Chicago is guaranteed to work on just about any part of the body. From your legs, arms, upper lips, neck, chin, face, and even up to your back or shoulders. Males and females alike are beginning to recognized laser hair removal chicago as the most practical, least painful and the most effective method in removing unwanted hair.

One of the major advantages of using lasers is its capability to treat a large area of skin for a small fraction of time in contrast to the traditional methods. Laser technology is designed to work on the hair follicle without affecting the other areas. Furthermore, since lasers uses pulses of light to remove hair, it does not irritate the skin.

According to recent studies, those with fair complexion get maximum results compare to those with darker skin. This is because the laser's light energy is absorbed by the pigment melanin in the skin. But the latest breakthrough in laser technology has made it possible for people with dark complexions to also get significant results. As for the price, the cost of the treatment differs depending on the area treated; the larger the area, the greater the cost.

The laser hair removal Chicago wins the gold over other hair removal methods mainly because the treatment is cost-effective, pain free and most importantly convenient. Due to its proven long term effect, you do not have to undergo the treatment repeatedly.

Conference calling, the way to modern business communication

2005-09-28T04:38:00.000-07:00

In a nutshell, conference calling is a telephone conversation where three or more people from various places participate. Conference calling can be categorized into three major types: group conference calling, lecture-style conference calling and web conference calling.

In group conference calling more than three participants and all of them are actively engage in the communication, both listening and speaking.

Meanwhile the lecture-style conference calling, takes a more dynamic approach with one speaker and a lot listeners. This type of conference calling is the most widely used among the three types. For instance publicly-traded companies use this type in order to disseminate the company’s financial information to investment analysts. Lecture-style conference calling is also use as a method for sales and marketing departments to generate virtual seminars to introduce the company’s products and services.

As for web conference calling, this is when group conference calling or lecture-style conferencing are used together with a real-time group Internet connection. Through web conference calling, the participants are able to view the documents and PowerPoint presentations, share applications, chat, white board, and annotate documents in real-time.

Through these innovations conference calling had become a popular practice of business-related communications. Company representatives may now promote their products and services as well as present their business proposals to remote clients without traveling and investing money on lodging and other expenses. Furthermore, the company’s time is also used more efficiently because scheduling conferences over the phone can be done with a simple touch of a button. All participants may be linked together and the meeting can be conducted faster than it will take to schedule an on-site meeting. Indeed, conference calling proves that it is the way to modern business communications by utilizing the company’s time and resources more effectively.

Credit card debt consolidation offers financial flexibility

2005-09-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

Bills pile up everyday and with the mounting interest rates are not helping either. So what do you do with all that credit card debt? Well credit card debt consolidation would be a great place to start. If you have accumulated too much debt on your credit card then you owe it to yourself to get information on credit card debt consolidation.

After shouldering the brunt of ballooning interests, its time to stop climb out from under the debts you have gathered with a credit card debt consolidation plan that will allow you to trim down and eliminate them once and for all.

A credit card might be a powerful piece of plastic but with just a minor glitch those credit card debt can land on top of you. At which point you’ll need a good credit card debt consolidation advisor to help get up and recover. A lot of credit card companies and other financial institution have special plans that your debt consolidation advisor can help you take advantage of.

In today’s world the economy is very unpredictable and debt consolidation had become a fact of life. People who are willing to help those buried in debts are all around. Having credit card debts and needing a credit card debt consolidation plan is nothing to be ashamed of. What’s important is that you eliminate those credit card debts now.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, what you should know..

2005-09-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I’ve posted about a rare form of cancer – Mesothelioma. In mesothelioma, cancerous cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. A lot of people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs wherein they inhaled a toxic substance, called asbestos.

What is daunting about mesothelioma, is the absence of the symptoms of mesothelioma until 30 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include shortness of breath as well as pain in the chest. Chest pains are mainly due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Meanwhile symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling because of the buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma also include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia and fever. In cases when the cancer had already spread beyond the mesothelium and out to the other parts of the body symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms of mesothelioma are commonly associated with mesothelioma. However, it is also related to less serious conditions which is why most mesothelioma cases are often overlooked. Regardless, it is important that you consult a doctor immediately if there are any signs of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make an appropriate diagnosis.

Mesothelioma cancer, are you at risk?

2005-09-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

A recent study show that about 400,000 New Yorkers breathed in the most toxic pollutant -- asbestos. Asbestos is a form of insulation material that are commonly use in various industries construction, ship building, automotive and other manufacturing industries.

Aside from being harmful to the environment, asbestos is also dangerous to our health since it is consider as the primary cause of Mesothelioma. This is a rare medical condition caused by the malignant cancerous cells lining the body cavities like the chest, abdominal region or the area surrounding the heart. In all of the documented mesothelioma cases about 70 to 80 percent are caused by exposure to asbestos.

The risks are not limited to those directly exposed to asbestos. It is also known that family members of those directly exposed to asbestos can catch this disease through exposure to the worker’s clothing.

What is scary about this is that the symptoms do not appear until decades after exposure to this cancer-causing material. The earliest symptoms of mesothelioma can easily be mistaken for less serious disease and therefore are commonly overlooked. While some patients do not show any signs of sickness in the early stages of the disease. Oftentimes patients discover their condition when it is already too late.

Common symptoms of mesothelioma include dyspnea, pleuritic pain, lasting cough, fatigue, and weight loss. Nevertheless, these can not be easily associated to mesothelioma unless the patient was thoroughly examined and required tests such as CT scans, x-rays scans, or MRI are conducted.

Generally, there are three conventional methods of dealing with cancerous mesothelioma, namely surgery, chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. If you think you might be at risk or know someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, keep in mind that time matters. Seeking medical attention and professional care at the earliest opportunity will increase your chances of overcoming this life-threatening disease.

Get a fresh start with student loan consolidation

2005-09-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

As we embark upon our college career we are filled with excitement at the promise of a bright future. Along with that privilege come the daunting financial responsibilities and the arduous task of paying for what seemed like a never-ending lists of school expenses that most independent students like me faced. As graduation day lurks around the corner, so does our growing lists of debts and loans. Lucky for us there are a lot of financial institution who are willing to lend us a helping hand and give us a fresh start by offering student loan consolidation.

So what is a student loan consolidation, you ask? Well, basically student loan consolidation aims to offer a more convenient way of paying loans by combining different existing school loan into one new account. By doing so we can enjoy the convenience of a lower monthly payment, a single fixed interest rate and one monthly payment to meet. Sound simple enough right? But before you go jumping into the bandwagon, there are several factors that you need to consider.

For starters, you need to determine whether student loan consolidation is the right for you. If the consolidation loan offers you a lower rate than the one you're currently have and are having a hard time making payments, then you're on the right track. However, if you are nearly done paying off most of your student loans, then it may not be worth the trouble.

The next thing you need to do is to figure out what interest rate you will have to pay. The rates that you qualify for usually depends on the rates that you currently have on your existing school loans. Most financial companies calculate the interest rate by taking the weighted interest rate of all the loans that is going to be consolidated and then rounding up to the next nearest one-eighth of one percent, with a cap of 8.25 percent. The U.S. Department of Education's loan consolidation website normally have an online calculator that would do the math for you.

It is also important that you find out first how much you will save before applying for a consolidation. According to one of the leading provider of student loans in the country, school loan consolidation could trim down your monthly payments to a maximum of 54 percent. However these kinds of savings are done partly by expanding your repayment term, which could take 30 years to pay off, though it usually depends on the amount that you are consolidating. Remember that by lengthening your repayment term you will end up paying more in total interest.

Another thing you need to figure out is if there are other benefits available? There are some lenders who will offer to reduce your interest rate by one percent after you have had an on-time payment record for a certain period, normally after 36 or 48 months. There instances where you could also receive a quarter-point cut in your interest rate by using automatic debit for payments. Another advantage is that there are no pre-payment penalties on consolidation loans.

Where could you get a student loan consolidation? It is available at any bank or credit union participating either in the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Regardless of where and when you choose to consolidate the terms and conditions of a student loan consolidation are basically the same.

Simply put, once you consolidate your existing student loans, they are gone and there is no going back. Most importantly, you have to keep in mind that you can only consolidate once so be sure that it is the best financial move that you can make before you take the plunge.

A Teary Love Story

2005-09-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been reading romance novels to ease the boredom lingering in my system. After reading all that were left in my shelf, I went to the garage and see if there are still books hidden in piled boxes. I found an old book and dusted it off before I resumed by reading. As I was approaching the climax, I noticed that a paper is folded in between the pages. I was reluctant to read its contents because I am in the best part of the story and tears were on the verge of falling from my eyes. But I decided to make a quick read of the note anyway. After reading the note, I could not help myself but cry because it was a confession from a former crush. The experience was painful indeed and I opted not to read romance novels anymore.

Neighbor Gone Weird

2005-09-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that Meredith, my good old neighbor has not been taking her routine jogging lately. One morning, I woke up because of the noise and peaked at the window adjacent to Meredith's room where the strange sound comes from. Since she was alone and old, I thought of calling 911 in case that there is something wrong going on. When the cops I called arrived, they also noticed a strange sound coming from the house. They knocked the door and when no one was responding they forced their way in. When the cops opened the room, they saw a woman dressed like a rockstar and playing electric guitar. Embarrassed the cops, explained to Meredith that it was false alarm and scolded me for my pointless assumptions. I don't know if I will apologize, but the thought it really bothers me a lot.

Laugh Out Fright Night

2005-09-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

It was a cold Monday night when I decided to sneak at a nearby movie house hoping that good films are showing. To my surprise, I saw a lot of people queuing in an unlikely booth. The title of the flick sounded freaky which aroused a lot of interest in me. To my surprise, upon entering inside the cinema, I heard people laughing out loud on the top of their voices. Though the movie genre was horror with scary looking characters, the whole night turned out to be a laughing marathon.

Supermoms that work from home

2005-09-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

My friend's mom, Dana, is an accountant. The problem is she can't manage to keep an eight-hour day job and leave the younger kids at home. This made her decide to work from home. My friend's siblings are aged ten, eight, and five that's why her mom wanted to keep a good eye on them. Dana started offering work from home accounting services to people who need help with their finances and tax management. At first, Tony, Dana's husband was a little doubtful of the work from home plan but sunce the kids needed supervision, he let Dana do it. After a couple of clients, Dana's work from home business was working smoothly. She was now able to drive the kids to school, pick them up, cook dinner, and do other stuff while still keeping her work from home business running. Wow, Dana is definitely a supermom! :)

The Perfect Pose

2005-09-20T00:58:00.001-07:00

My cousin goes to the same school as I do and is a a member of the varsity team. One time the team was having a pictorial for the school paper when the photographer asked my cousin to move a little to make room for the guy at the back. He didn't notice that there was a crack in the bench so he fell and landed on his rear! The photographer accidentally clicked on the button and my cousin's picture perfect pose was captured!:)

Have hope with bad credit loan

2005-09-20T00:58:00.000-07:00

My cousin's husband is currently on a bad credit status but he doesn't want my cousin to be troubled by the situation. They are currently on an average status right now but they still need money for his mom who has just been diagnosed with diabetes. This made him decide to apply for a bad credit loan. At first he thought that his application may not be approved but he was wrong. The bad credit loan works jsut like the normal loans but they are specially designed for people who are currently with bad credit. Since it is more specific, applying straight for a bad credit loan has higher chances of being approved as compared to applying for a normal loan even if the person's credit status is on the rocks. My cousin-in-law's bad credit loan required him to prove that he is still able to pay his other bills regularly, he is currently not a huge debt, and is currently employed. With good luck on his side, he got his bad credit loan approved and they are planning to get his mom a car so that she can get back and forth to the hospital and to their place whenever he and my cousin are both busy.

The memories of Greeting cards

2005-09-20T00:45:00.000-07:00

With the advent of emails, text messages, and e-cards, some people have forgotten the sweetness of sending written letters and notes. I don't even check the mail box outside our house but I was surprised when one day a received a greeting card! It was from a friend who lives in Hong Kong. Her name is Patty and she used to be an exchange student for one term. We got really close and she was very nice. She said in her card that when she saw the picture, it reminded her of me and she bought it right away and sent it. It felt good to have someone far away remember you and spend time to write.

Kiss muscle pain away with Carisoprodol

2005-09-20T00:21:00.000-07:00

My new roomie tried for the girl's basketball team and went home with an aching leg. She said she was busy that day aside from the tryouts so she was in terrible leg pains. To make it worse, she hurt her ankle which made walking really difficult. The school nurse suggested that she then take Carisoprodol. Carisoprodol is used to relax the muscles and contains meprobamate. This drug can be quite addictive but does not have fatal effects when taken in moderation. Carisoprodol is often in tablet form and is quite bitter. Carisoprodol is popular in the US as Soma while it is called Carisoma in the UK. It is also suggested that the patient will only take Carisoprodol with food and/or liquids such as milk. Right now, I'm taking care of my roomie and I hope she gets better soon.

Pizza Day

2005-09-20T00:19:00.000-07:00

My friends and I were all craving for pizza so we decided to drop by at a local pizzeria. We ordered different flavors and we had some left. I left the pizza place with a full stomach and a big smile on my face. Not to forget the small drop of ketchup that my friend spilled on my pink shirt! LOL!

The Quick and the Quicker

2005-09-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a funny story...When we were little I always beat my older sister to the kitchen to sample Mom's Friday Baked goodies. My mom would bake anything on a Friday - even if it's just a simple cookie flavor and my sister and I would race to get to it first. My mom would always call me the quick little brown fox and I would tease my sister as a slowpoke. One Friday I didn't know that she got home early and when I was surprised to see her there in the kitchen munching on mom's macaroons! That was the first time she beat me and now they call us the "Quick and the Quicker", LOL!

A home business to inspire you

2005-09-19T04:29:00.002-07:00

I have always admired my mom's best friend, Linda. She has been on a wheel chair ever since I was little but that has never stopped her from having a successful career. A few months after I was born, she had a car accident wherein the doctors told her she can never walk again. This devastated her but she never gave up on life. She decided to get into a hobby whch then turned into a home business. Linda started taking dressmaking lessons and added her creativity to her skill. Not long after, she was running a home business where she designs and creates gowns and clothes for women. At first, this small home business only catered to friends, who where her first clients but her creations were simply beautiful and word spread all over our small community. This was when her home business began to grow. Now people from other places come over to her house and ask for samples, designs, and there was even a time where she was asked to create a gown for a special community pageant. This story of a simple home business has inspired me, It's never to late to work on your dreams even if the obstacles seem to big to handle.

I got a new ringtone

2005-09-19T04:29:00.001-07:00

I really like Mariah Carey's new song We belong together that's why I downloaded a ringtone for my cel. It was really clear and my friends were totally envious! I also got Greenday's Wake Me up when September Ends. I'm really getting hooked on the ringtone fever. :)

Freedom through drug rehab

2005-09-19T04:29:00.000-07:00

One of my cousins have fallen victim on substance abuse. He is a very nice boy but he just can't stop taking these illegal drugs. When he was high on cocaine, he would experience rapid heart beats, anxiety, and he tends to become violent. It has been going on for about half a year when my aunt decided that he has to stop. My cousin was willing to stop but he can't do it alone so they decided to take him to a drug rehab center. As painful as it was, my cousin had to be under the stay-in program at the drug rehab so that he can be fully observed and the proper program and treatment can be given to him. Since money was not an object for my aunt and uncle, they took him to a well known drug rehab where there were trained doctors and staff who will look after him. It took my cousin almost a eight months in the drug rehab before he got well and he did it with the help of his family. Now he is really sober and he has been out of the drug rehab for about three months now. It has definitely given him a new lease on life.

Fall Colors

2005-09-19T04:28:00.001-07:00

I really love the color of fall. Actually I prefer spring but Fall gives me a feeling of hope. The golden colors of the trees before they wither makes me feel alive and lucky that I am still here even if the leaves get blown away. Forgive me if I sound sentimental now but Fall makes me feel that after the season, a new season begins and there's something to look forward to. It's also the beginning of the "ber" months (months ending in Ber like September) and Christmas is fast approaching. I just love the holidays especially Christmas because of the famiyl get togethers, the presents, and the hugs from my cousins and relatives. I'm really more of a family person and fall is a reminder that a new color and chapter of life is about to begin.

Dealing with Bankruptcy

2005-09-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

One of my dad's friends, Joe, live in Louisiana and his business was greatly affected by the hurricane Katrina. In a split second, all his property and other important possessions were destroyed by the disastrous hurricane. He had no other choice but to declare bankruptcy. He was out of business although he still has some resources left but it still wasn't enough to save his business. The bankruptcy was considered as a move to give him a fresh start. Although bankruptcy is a public record, the person's privacy can still be protected. My dad's friend was also hoping that the filing of the bankruptcy will help him eliminate some of his eligible debts. There are different types of bankruptcy such as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 where either the person's debts are wiped out or allowed to be paid in a settled number of years. It is still taking considerable time for the bakruptcy to be approved but I am hoping all the best for my dad's friend.

Asbestosis can kill you -- a college guide

2005-09-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Last summer, I moved in to my apartment near the dorms in college. It was a hectic time filled with unpacking, packing, repacking, dorm mate anxieties, etc. Anyway, when I was moving in I had to fill in a lot of papework regarding my new apartment. I had to sign stuff regarding wear and tear, general condition of the apartment, apartment rules, etc etc. However, one thing struck me and caught my attention--there was a release I had to sign for ASBESTOS. I refused to sign until I've researched it more fully. I've heard of the term "asbestos" before but it intrigued me because of health concerns. So I did a little research on asbestos and the harm they may cause if found in older apartments.

What is Asbestos (from National Institutes of Health Asbestos information page)

“Asbestos” is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers which can be separated into thin threads. These fibers are not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used for fireproofing buildings or making buildings fire-resistant. Some of the most common residential uses for asbestos were:

Asbestos cement sheet and pipe products used for water supply and sewage piping, roofing and siding, casings for electrical wires, fire protection material, electrical switchboards and components, and residential and industrial building materials

Other products, including ceiling and floor tile; gaskets and packings; paints, coatings, and adhesives; caulking and patching tape; artificial ashes and embers for use in gas-fired fireplaces; plastics; vermiculite-containing consumer garden products; and some talc-containing crayons.

Asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems.

Some of the problems asbestos causes are:

Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of several serious diseases:

Asbestosis—a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage;
Lung cancer;
Mesothelioma—a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen; and
Other cancers, such as those of the larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney.

Due to the fact that asbestos fibers can float in the air and cause cancer decades later, I decided to rent another, newer apartment. Here are some tips regarding Asbestos and renting college apartments:

1) TRY to rent apartments that were built in the 80's and later. The EPA banned asbestos in the 70s and most apartments built in the 80s or later are asbestos-free. The bad side is... many of these apartments MAY NOT be rent controlled (depending on the state where you live) but your HEALTH is at stake... so it may be worth the extra $100 to $300.

2) Do not sign the Asbestos release if you have the option. If you don't have an option and you are given a "Take it or leave it deal" -- PLEASE consider point 1 above. It's your health at stake!

3) If you don't have the budget to rent an asbestos-free building, make sure you don't shake up the panelling or areas that have asbestos. These may free up particles and you stand the risk of inhaling these particles.

Thinking of Laser Hair Removal

2005-09-16T04:28:00.000-07:00

My friend has had hair troubles ever since we were in high school. She was thinking of getting some laser treatment to have those unwanted hair removed for good. The trouble is, she doesn't know anyone who's had it and she wants to know if it's totally safe. She has dark complexion and it's really quite expensive. I hear it costs about a thousand dollars for the treatment. Well, I'll probably do more research to help my friend out.

The Teen Video Sleuth

2005-09-16T04:27:00.001-07:00

During my growing up years, the video has been a constant companion. There's always a video for any occasion so there's basically a motion picture of me in every moment. It's not that I didn't like it but I seemed to have taken these compilations for granted. My dad was always the one in charge in taking a video of me, but one time during my sixteenth birthday, my cousin has to pitch in for him since he was a little busy. My cousin was busy focusing on my beautiful girl friends and the cars parked outside my house so I knew that the video wouldn't be really about me this year. Then came the better part of the story, one of the cards parked outside was a nice old car that my cousin got a shot of. He got a shot of everything, the plates, the side of the car, and even some of the interior. It was certainly a blessing because the following day, our neighbor's house got broken into and the witnesses were describing seeing the very same car that my cousin got a shot of running away with the speed of light. We immediately showed the video to the police, they tracked it, and the thief was caught in no time.

Melting Over She's All That

2005-09-16T04:27:00.000-07:00

I really find Freddie Prinze Jr. Super Cute! This weekend, I just watched an old tape of She's All That and it got me all sweet and mushy over Freddie again! I just love that movie! Speaking of Freddie, I am really excited about his new self-titled show "Freddie" where he stars as a bachelor and a chef who lives in a family dominated by women. Next weekend, I'm planning on watching some more Freddie Prinze Jr. flicks! LOL!

The Power of the Free

2005-09-16T04:26:00.000-07:00

Just like the millions of other consumers like me today, the word "free" is always very appealing. There's just about anything on the net that you can find for free - ringtones, software, grocery items, money, games, gift items, and many more. The word free has also become popular by its nickname "freebie" and can be found in tons of different sites. I have to admit that I am still reluctant when it comes to these "free" promos since some may just be a hoax. Howeverm there was one time when these freebies just saved my butt. My mom, who loves to keep coupons (even those found on the web), keeps them all in a box at home. She prints out the ones that she finds online and saves them. One time, my 9-year old cousin was staying over at our house when he accidentally spilled grape juice on my light blue jeans. I knew it was ruined and fortunately, my mom has a free gift card to a clothing store and she immediately got me a new set of pants. Thanks to my thrifty mom and those freebies! :)

Growing Business Opportunities

2005-09-16T04:25:00.001-07:00

They say that one thing leads to another, and this happened to a good friend of mine. Ok here's a little backtrack, I had this friend who ventured into a small home based business and it turned out to be a success. With the blessings that she's been receiving, she decided to help other teens like her so she offered some business opportunities to other friends. These business opportunities can be easily maintained by teens and students like us so it was basically not a big risk to take. First, my friend posted online tips, ideas, and some business opportunities teasers on her website. Next she organized a small group that she can manage to meet once or twice in two weeks to discuss more of these business opportunities with them. This way, she also learned and gathered more ideas and business opportunitites which might be put into action. Little by little, she has been taking in more people to join her in her small crafts business while the others have been starting small business of their own. I think the youth of today really are an active group concerned about their future! Way to go, guys! :)

Cucumber Beauties

2005-09-16T04:25:00.000-07:00

My sister and I spent the whole Saturday together. We baked some chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes then we watched a couple of romantic films afterwards. It was really a great day when my sister decided to do some makeovers. First she did my nails and my hair, then we went out in the garden and slapped some cucumbers on our eyes to soothe those pretty blinkers. It was then that my little cousin came over and screamed. He never saw anyone put cucumber slices on their eyes that's why he screamed in terror when he saw us. He was only and he was totally freaked out. Talk about cucumber beauties, LOL!

The Road Trip to the Middle of Nowhere

2005-09-15T04:08:00.000-07:00

I have been really bored with school for the past few weeks. Everyday, it was the same old routine; go to school and listen to my professor babble about certain subjects. While I was sitting in class and waiting for the bell to ring, I had this great idea of having a road trip with my girlfriends. That really set me in the mood and made me look forward to something this weekend. When I told them about the whole idea, they all agreed. After all, we only live once so why not make the best out of it, right?! I still don't know where we're going, but that's what makes it so much fun. We named our outing as the roadtrip to the middle of nowhere.

The Pull of the Online Casino

2005-09-15T04:07:00.000-07:00

When my dad is swamped from work, he is not able to go out of his office to relax and have some fun. Usually, he just logs on to an online casino and play his favorite games such as poker, roulette, blackjack, and craps. Out of curiosity, I also logged on to an online casino myself. I found out that it was just like a normal casino house where I coul buy chips and gamble. The only difference was that I could play those games at the comforts of my own dorm room.

I started my online casino game by buying some chips using my credit card. Naturally, I found the slots site so I spent most of my chips there. After a few hours, I tried playing other casino games. By just clicking on a few buttons, I was presented with a wide array of the usual online casino games. I chose to play blackjack because I considered myself as an average player there. When I lost my money, I tried other enjoyable games such as roulette, craps, and poker.

I didn't realize it that I was already late for school because I was so engrossed on winning the game. I had a really great time playing at an online casino; and I can't wait to do it again.

Up, Up and Away!

2005-09-15T04:04:00.000-07:00

There was this really cute guy in my class that I’ve wanted to go out with ever since the first time that I saw him, but he seemed oblivious of my presence.:( So, to get his attention I decided to wear my floral skirt and really cute tank top. When I arrived in school, I sat next to him and "accidentally" dropped my pen. He picked it up, gave it to me and we started talking. Then he asked if he could walk me home after school and of course I agreed! Well, I didn't expect the weather to be so windy, when I stepped outside my floral skirt was blown up. LOL! I have never felt so much blood rushing to my face. I guess that really his attention so we went out for a couple of dates.

The Blackjack Game that Brightened up My Night

2005-09-15T03:59:00.000-07:00

One of my friends had a slumber party at their house the other night. The original plan was to have a movie marathon (since we still haven't got around to visiting the cinemas lately). Unfortunately, there was a blackout and so our creative ideas disappeared with the light. Thankfully, my friend brought a deck of cards and suggested we play blackjack. I haven't played that card game before so I decided to pass. However, my friend told me that blackjack was just a simple game and taught me how to play it.

The simplest way to understand blackjack is to think of the number 21. The whole point of the game is for your all your cards to have a sum of 21 to be able to win the game. It is always important not to go beyond that sum or else you lose the game. The ace is one of the most precious cards here because its value can be 11 or 1.

When I understood the whole concept of the game, I bet some money and played blackjack. For the rest of the night, that was what all six of us friends did. When we finished with the game, it was already daylight and the electricity was back on. For some strange reason, I ended up having the most wins. Talk about beginners luck!:)

Let's Get The Party Started!

2005-09-15T03:57:00.000-07:00

College life would not be fun if it weren't for the parties. To celebrate the start of a new semester, some of my friends decided to throw a huge party at one of their houses. We decided to start things off with the game of truth or dare. I thought it was going to be boring, until my turn came. I didn't want to do something crazy on a dare so I chose truth. My silly friends asked me who my crush was in the group and so I told them. I really thought I was going to die of shame, but it turned out that he liked me too. What a memorable way to start the party.:)

CASINO: Great stress reliever?

2005-09-15T03:54:00.000-07:00

Whenever my dad gets really stressed out from work, he always makes a side trip to the casino. I never really understood how a casino could attract so many people and make them spend a lot of money, until my dad asked me to come along with him.

When I first entered the casino, I was amazed with the bright lights and the expensive decorations. The noise inside was also deafening because everywhere I go, all the people seemed to be screaming and hoping that they would win their money back. At the craps table, I saw my dad shouting and jumping because he won his bet. Honestly, I have never seen my dad that stress free. I then decided to play some games and decided to experience first-hand the excitement of casinos.

My first game at the casino was the slot machines. It might sound boring but the tension and excitement inside me kept on building up whenever I almost hit the jackpot. After hundreds of trials, I finally won some money, even though it was only 60 dollars. After that, I tried other games but I kept on coming back to the slot machines. When it was time to go, my dad had to pry my fingers from the lever just so we could get home.LOL!

Spic and Spa

2005-09-14T01:02:00.000-07:00

My mom got a spa treatment as a gift from my aunt. She had yoga, a full body massage and had a relaxing soak in an arometherapy tub. At the end of the day, she was really felt good when she left and even told me that she feels "squeaky clean and refreshed." I smiled and told her, "No mom, you're spic and spa." LOL!

The weight loss challenge

2005-09-14T00:54:00.000-07:00

One of friends is a bit overweight and was constantly searching for a weight loss program that will fit her. She has been struggling with her weight for a long time now and it seems that no matter what she did, the attempt lead her nowhere close to trimming down. She tried various weight loss programs found over the net and on TV. What added to her depression is that she needs to lose weight so that she wouldn't get sick often. Lately, her health had deteriorated and that affected her work and studies.

She was afraid of trying surgery or buying exercise machines because they're very costly. She did a reasearch on various weight loss programs until she decided to go and see a doctor. Her doctor suggested that she take Sibutramine because her body mass index was already 32, quite serious at such a young age. She also coordinated with him and had a diet regimen which she followed earnestly. She aslo backed her weight loss program up with a couple of hours of exercise each day. The weight loss program actually took a lot of time and sweat before it finally took effect on her but I have to say it was really worth it. She's now headed for a 150 lb. weight at a height of 5' 6". I hope that this story will inspire others. :)

Improvised Movie Date

2005-09-14T00:51:00.000-07:00

I still haven't gotten the chance to go to the movie house so my roomie and I choose the next best thing -- movie marathon! We got a couple of romantic flicks (Love Actually, Sleepless in Seattle, The Notebook, City of Angels), grab some popcorn, a box of pizza, sodas and sank in the couch to watch the DVD's. At the middle of the second movie we were already sobbing, so I pulled out my box of tissues and went on with our movie marathon. I really had a great time!

Lortab takes the pain away

2005-09-14T00:42:00.000-07:00

A lot of people become dependent on medications to cure their illnesses. I too am dependent on drugs, but its strictly for medicinal purposes. Anyway, I've taken medications to help me sleep better, or to relieve various aches and pains such as headaces, PMS and muscle pains. I don't have any allergies to most pill ingredients but unfortunately, my roommate does.

She's constantly searching for the "right" medicine. She could only take a specific pill since she's sensitive to other medications. At first she tried using cheap pain relievers to save a couple of bucks, but then she had allergic reactions to it and that caused the medical bills to go sky high. So, recently her doctor suggested that she try the brand, Lortab. Lortab contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen (which is also Tylenol). The hydrocodone directly affects the brain's pain receptors that lessens the pain sensations. In addition to this, the acetaminophen impedes prostaglandin production which also causes pain. Lortab is available in different froms, which is suitable for people who cannot take pills. It comes in liquid form, pills, and tablets.

Luckily, my friend responded positively to Lortab. She takes the pills only when she has severe head aches and she takes Lortab every 6 hours until the pain subsides.

Rough Day

2005-09-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

I had quite a rough day today. First off, I left my paper in my dorm. Since it was due today I had to get back to pick it up and that got me late for class, which caused me to received an earful from my teacher. Later my partner didn't show up for our meeting, so I have to do the activity all by myself. Then to top it all off, my boss was in a really bad mood and took it out on us poor employee!

Well, the only thing that keeps me sane is a movie marathon with my roomie tonight, which I have been looking forward to all week. If not for those tons of exciting films we got lined up, I'll probably need therapy. :)

Credit cards are a life saver!

2005-09-14T00:23:00.000-07:00

As I've said before, credit cards are really life savers! My credit cards have already saved me tons of time, especially when I'm really broke or short on funds. Like one time I was out of town with a couple of my friends and I didn't notice that I've run out of cash. Good thing most hotels and stores that we went to accepts credit cards, that pulled me through.

I actually keep two credit cards, one for shopping and the other is for emergency. What's great about them is that you don't have to carry a lot of money with you whenever you go out, a good way to avoid getting mugged. It's also very convenient because the credit card company just sends me the bill and I pay them every month. So I basically have time to save up without too much of a hassle. Plus, credit cards also have rewards programs and benefits that allows you to earn points every time you use them. Right now I'm, eyeing a 16,000 point-spa package as a reward! :)

Thinking about extreme sports

2005-09-13T03:05:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about trying out some extreme sports. The thrill, the adventure and the excitement makes me want to give it a go, although I'm not that sporty. A friend of mine once tried Kite boarding and Wind surfing and it all seems like a lot of fun. I haven't decided which sport to try out first but I'll definitely start with the easier ones. LOL :)

Shopping at an Online Pharmacy

2005-09-13T02:56:00.000-07:00

Stores and other establishments are beginning to flood the internet. This of course, does not exclude services. One of the popular services found on the web today is the online pharmacy. I found out how useful it was when I had to get some medication for my sister. I was really busy with school and work and I barely had time to run errands for my mom. I tried using an online pharmacy and it was certainly a breeze. At first I was hesitant about it. I mean, why should I purchase medicine from an online pharmacy where I don't get to see the people running them? Another thing I worry about was the expiration of this medication as well as the security of payment.

So to ease my mind, I did a little research and found out that online pharmacy offers a list of different medicines available at reasonable prices. The online pharmacy works by taking down the order, processing it and then delivering it within 12 hours or at least a day from placing the order. I find it very helpful and convenient too. Another great thing about it is that I can also order in advance to make sure that I'll never run out of stock for the drugs that I need.

I miss the movies

2005-09-13T02:34:00.000-07:00

I haven't been out for a while now and one of the things that I miss the most is going to the movies. I feel bad because there are a lot of new film I'd like to see, like Into The Blue starring Jessica Alba and Paul Walker (boy, I've never seen him look this good!). There's also the 40-Year-Old Virgin, which I bet is really funny, and lastly there's Exorcism of Emily Rose. I love scary movies, I just hope that it doesn't scare me off my friends too much or I'm dead meat (I told them it's suspense and not an actual horror film). One of these days I'm rounding up my friends and watch all three. I miss hanging out!

Surviving on home-based business

2005-09-13T02:19:00.000-07:00

One of my high school friends needed money while she took some time off from school, so she began a home based business. At first it was just a small venture that helps out with the school expenses, but after some time her home based business was making more than she expected! Some may think that it was simply a stroke of luck, but I believer her success was brought in by her idea and determination.

She started her small home based business by selling crafts such as badges, greeting cards, gift items from recycled materials and aromatic candles. Since most of the products were her own work she was able to save funds. I remember that she does everything at her home and sometimes some of our other friends and I would come over and help her out. It was a lot of fun, just like those arts and crafts classes we use to have when we were in kindergarten. Eventually, more orders came and her home based business had gotten bigger! She added more products like postcards, invitations for different occasions, custom-made giveaways and many more. Now I think her home based business is heading out of home's door to a bigger business place. I'm really proud of my friend!

Falling For You

2005-09-13T02:08:00.000-07:00

My friend Cindy, went on a date with a guy she met in gym class. She told me that he was really nice and funny. They went to see a movie and had dinner afterwards. Later, my friend wanted to go to the peak in order to see the fantastic view of the city at night, so she asked him to drive her there. Cindy loves that spot where she and her cousins would often hang out. The road was a little bumpy and as they were strolling along her date suddenly slipped and fell on a heap of dried leaves. It every ounce of control she got not to burst out laughing and asked him if he was okay. The guys just smiled and said, "I think I've fallen for you." Now that's what I call a line! Quick thinking!

Hotels: Your home far away from home

2005-09-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hotels have always been a haven for travellers. When my aunt won a vacation trip to Hawaii, she also got a free hotel accomodation. Unfortunately, fell in love with Hawaii and couldn't bear to leave yet. The problem is her free accomodation is only good for two days and three nights, so she had to look for available hotels. Turns out that there were more hotels that are cheaper and more affordable than the posh one where she was currently staying.

I learned from the web that these affordable hotels still offer quality lodging as well as other leisure amenities. There are a lot of hotels which offer lower rates and discounts without sacrificing quality service. So what I did was locate these hotels for my aunt by using free online hotel search services. She was so glad that I found a cheap hotel for her and the kids that she promised me a special gift when she comes home.:)

I love the Simpsons

2005-09-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

I really love watching the Simpsons, that's one funny household! Did you know that it's even in the Guiness Book of World Records? Yes, they sure are. This comedy hit holds the title for being America's longest running Primetime Animated Series as well as the most number of celebrities featured in an animated series. Truly amazing isn't it? I really hope that this show will remain on air for a really, really long time. I just can't get enough of this family's silly antics and some life lessons, too.

Save life with health insurance

2005-09-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

My friend's family had been experiencing some financial troubles lately. It could have been worse if my friend's dad didn't have any health insurance. You see, her mom was really ill and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her family needed money for the treatment as well as medication. Luckily, her dad got them a managed-care health insurance plan specifically, a PPO or Preferred Provider organization plan. This type of health insurance plan provides the patient with a list of the insurance company's preferred hospitals and doctors. They offer medical services at a lower rate since the insurance company shoulders part of the bill with the patient. The downside here is that the patient have to pay for it first and then later reimbursed from the company.

Well, at least they'll get some of their money back medical expenses can be really expensive nowadays. In my friend's case, the health insurance covered all of the hospitalization bills. My friend's mom still has to undergo chemo, fortunately the health insurance will assist them with expenses as well. If it wasn't for the health insurance, my friend would have to dropped out of school.

Do you like mixing sodas?

2005-09-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was little, I love expermenting with sodas. I can distinctly recall our mother making faces whenever she caught me and my sister mixing two flavors of sodas in our glasses. I have to say that my favorite is orange soda mixed with ginger ale. It's actually sweet and a bit tangy. However, you have to make sure that you mix just the right amount or it would be too gross to drink. :)

Let's talk wireless

2005-09-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Today's wireless technology has been helping out a lot of people and is really making life much easier. You can find a lot of wireless things today- wireless phones, computers, radios - a lot of things have indeed become mobile nowadays. You can now carry your tools with you, get some work done while on vacation, deal with different tasks at the same time, or just simply carry them everywhere. This is just some of the benefits of wireless technology.

One of my most favorite wireless inventions is the cellular phone. I just can't live without it. Before, I would have to hunt down the nearest phone booth or use my friend's phone before leaving (even though I'm already on a rush) just so I can call my parents and tell them of my whereabouts. But now since I always have a mobile phone with me, they can reach me anytime and anywhere - even while I'm driving (that can be a bit dangerous though).

My laptop is yet another technological innovation that I'm thankful for. I'm no longer tied up at my desk because with my laptop I can work at the cafe or anywhere else I choose. Technology certainly has its benefits!

Best Bud Blues

2005-09-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

I had a row with one of my best friends this past weekend. I really felt bad because I was just trying to help her out. Maybe I just pitched in at a wrong time. Here's what happened, my bestfriend asked me to meet her at the coffee shop because she needed to talk. I knew she had a little misunderstanding with one of our friends and I thought it was a good chance for them to resolve the issue. Unfortunately my good intention went to waste, both girls were furious at me and were really upset.:(

Anyway, my bestfriend called me up later. We both apologized to one another and was able to patch things up. My bestfriend told me that she knew I was just trying to help and she appreciated that. Ahh...the joy of having a real friend. :)

Dating as a therapy

2005-09-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

I think that dating proved to be therapeutic for my sister. I've posted before that she broke up with her 7-year boyfriend and it's been a month since. She was really depressed for the first few days and has been taking medications to help her get to sleep and to relax. That's why I encouraged her to go on dating other people. At first she was hesitant but I told her that dating doesn't necessarily mean finding a new love. She could just meet new people and simply have fun with them. So far, she tried group dates as well as getting involve in sports like swimming and tennis. She's also been dating this guy for a couple of weeks now. By dating this guy, she gets to enjoy some of the things loves doing before. She spends enough time for herself and also enjoy it with the company of someone who likes her. I'm positive that things will all work out for the best.

Bathroom Blunder

2005-09-09T02:03:00.000-07:00

My roomie had a rough night and had to get up early so she asked me to wake her up. She was still sleepy when she went to the bathroom and I was startled when I heard a loud noise coming from the closed bathroom door. When the door opened, I saw my roomie sheepishly smiling at me with her shirt wet. She fell on the toilet seat and got wet when she tried to hold on to the counter. Now I know she's wide awake! LOL! :)

I'm quite a Pack Rat

2005-09-09T02:02:00.001-07:00

I tend to be a bit sentimental and touchy at times. I realized how much stuff I've kept all these years when I went to visit my sister the other day. We were at my room and she told me that she did some cleaning and found a lot of my stuff that she wanted to throw away. I checked them and in the end, nothing was disposed. The answer? I had an excuse to keep everything, even up to the last candy wrapper that I saved as a token of my first Valentine present. My sister just threw her hands up and smiled. I guess it goes on with being a girl.

Ambien provides a good sleeping ambience

2005-09-09T02:02:00.000-07:00

My sister has had difficulty in sleeping lately although she's doing her best to recover from her breakup. She said she feels restless even though she had just gotten out of bed. I'm worried that if this keeps up, her body's going to suffer. My mom's doctor suggested that she takes Ambien. Ambien is more like a sleeping pill or medication but it's main purpose is to treat people with insomnia. I've heard of Ambien before because one of my high school classmate took them during exam weeks (not to forget the finals!)

Ambien works by helping the user fall into a deep slumber and then feel energized when they woke up the next morning. It's been around for more than a decade now and it's really safe as long as it is taken with the doctor's approval. Warning though, this drug can be quite addictive although with minimal side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. My sister has been taking Ambien for a couple of days now and she says that she has been sleeping like a baby now.

Machines for working out in the dorm room

2005-09-09T02:01:00.000-07:00

My roomie and I have been thinking of getting some exercise equipment for our room. Remember how Elle Woods in Legally Blonde works out in her treadmill while reading? That's exactly what we wanted. We can work out while studying or watching TV or chatting, or whatever! Working out is very important to us. We get to sweat off and burn out fats while doing other stuff and that's why we decided to get some exercise equipment.

When we were checking out some exercise equipment at the mall, I noticed that some were really pricey while the others seemed uncomfortable. When we went out of the shop we still haven't decided which exercise equipment to settle on. Just as we were about to head back to the dorm, we saw a cheap, slightly used treadmill! We loved it and bought it right away. Our next purchase were smaller ones like a couple of weights and a mat. We're still thinking about getting a stationary bike. We just hope that all these exercise equipment would fit in our room. LOL!

A call from the past Part 2

2005-09-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

Here's an update. My ex called me up again unfortuantely, I have a sore throat and wasn't really in the mood. I just wanted to relax and stay at the dorm with my roomie and just bond. Anyway, I think he's leaving in a few days. My roommate was the one who talked to him on the phone since I can barely utter a single word. Maybe that's the sign I needed, I shouldn't really meet him. :)

Send in the flowers, baby!

2005-09-09T01:59:00.000-07:00

I have always thought that being a florist was an exciting and rewarding job. You design and create masterpieces from flowers and people send them to others to bring joy and consolation. That was what I wanted to do. Well not to be a florist exactly, but I wanted to cheer up sad people by bringing flowers to them. I checked out sites on the net and compared prices to the normal flower shops that I go to. Some were just equally priced while the others were quite steep. I send flowers for just about any occasion - weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, get well flowers, and so on. I also send flowers even if there's no reason to celebrate. My elder sister was the most recent one to get a bouquet from me this year. I really felt she needed to feel special, so I sent her flowers. I also send flowers to show how much I care about my love ones or how much I miss them.

I find flowers amazing, they never cease to come and grow. Every spring, a new sign of hope flourish with the coming of the flowers. I like receiving flowers, too (hear that friends? Just keep on sending the flowers!) That's right, keep them coming in.

Painting my nails

2005-09-08T05:28:00.000-07:00

Aside from cheering up my sister, there's just not much to do. I was starting to get a bit bored so my roomie and I painted our nails. At first I painted it red, then I thought it was too dark. I then changed it to light pink but it wasn't flattering. My roomie then colored my nails with glitter polish and it was so cute, especially on the toe nails. :) It's really fun to be girly!

Travel, the best medicine

2005-09-08T05:26:00.000-07:00

I have always love travelling. During school vacations, my family and I made it a point to travel to different places. I'm not on vacation now but I think my elder sister needs to travel badly. I'm not a psychologist but I think that doing a bit of travel and having a new environment can be therapeutic. She needs to get out and see new things. I know she wants to get well too, since she's open to the idea of a travel and had even started planning for one.

Now if you ask me, my idea of a fabulous travel time will be at the beach with my family where it's all warm and cozy. I guess the only problem now is springing up some travel funds. LOL! I knew it will cost a bundle but it will definitely be worth it.

Topsy-Turvy, Upside Down

2005-09-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

My roommate was having a hard time understanding some of my actions during the time that I wasn't able to speak. She needed to go to the dorm's laundry station and was at the door when she asked me if she looked OK in her old clothes. She didn't bother getting all pretty since it was past 7 pm anyway. I tried to write to her but she couldn't wait and when I gestured a NO, she just frowned and shut the door. I was trying to tell her that she had her shirt on backwards and that she looked silly. LOL!

Jazz up your phones with free ringtones

2005-09-08T05:23:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the latest in cellphones, free ringtones have become part of the craze. I don't really care too much about ringtones but when most of my friends got them, I decided to join the fun. I heard that free ringtones are everywhere on the web and since I didn't want to be left out, I searched the web for free ringtones. Turns out that these ringtones are often updated and are from the popular songs today. I have to warn you that there are sites that sell them, so you'd better choose the ones that are for free. One song may have tons of results for the free ringtones. So choose the one with better quality. Now I'm getting hooked on these free ringtones and I get a new one every week, wouldn't want to be left out by the gang!

I lost my voice

2005-09-08T05:22:00.000-07:00

I had a sore throat these past two days and can barely talk. The problem is I had to talk during classes and when I go to work. Luckily, my friends and co-workers would step in whenever I get into long discussion. :) (thank God for friends!) When I'm at the dorm, I would write notes to my roommate and act it out. It was really fun, just like playing charades and guessing games.:)

Diet pills: less pounds, no sweat

2005-09-08T05:12:00.000-07:00

One of my friends decided to lose weight and I can say that she has been running on a fitness frenzy. Like most busy bodies she didn't have the time for a regular workout schedule so she took diet pills. Diet pills are the rage right now and with the many brands of diet pills available in the market its quite hard to choose. Diet pills contains various ingredients that help suppress appetite and aid in reducing body weight. These pills are cheaper than having surgery and less time consuming than exercise.

As for my friend, she also tries to squeeze in a few minutes of exercise and a regular diet while she's taking the pill. She now lose a couple of pounds during the three weeks she has been taking them. Good thing I was one of those chosen few who are born slim, so I don't have to worry about missing my favorite chocolate eclair! I'm as sexy as ever!LOL!:)

Coffee Craving

2005-09-07T04:26:00.000-07:00

I was craving for coffee so I went to the local coffee shop with my friends. Once we got there, I felt the smell of the freshly brewed coffee woke up my senses. After a cup of hot coffee, I went for a cold treat and I ordered mocha fraps. MMM...It taste so good that I didn't worry about getting a toothache after switching from hot to cold. LOL, I felt so hype too. Talk about too much caffeine!

Cash Advance: Advance solution to money problems

2005-09-07T04:25:00.000-07:00

Aside from the invention of the cellphone and the internet, the invention of the credit card is probably one of the things I'm thankful for. I was running low on cash recently and I really needed money. I had to pay for a project in school and I didn't want to ask my parents for the extra cash. This made me think of a cash advance. A cash advance from my mom wouldn't be real because I know she won't ask me to pay it back and I didn't want to bother her.

I then called up my credit card company and filed for a cash advance. I didn't have trouble filing the request for the cash advance because I wasn't asking for a huge amount of money. The cash advance would then be charged to my credit card account together with the interest about a month from the day I made the loan. I won't have trouble paying it back since I'm getting my pay from work in a few weeks.

Thinking of a name

2005-09-07T04:24:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to think of a name for my new pet dog. He's a basset hound and a friend suggested that I call him "Droopy" because of the way he looks. Another friend suggested that I name it after my ex, Greg. LOL:) I'm still thinking of another cute name though. I'll probably post it when I've made my decision. Any suggestions?

The healing wonders of online dating

2005-09-07T04:23:00.000-07:00

You may call me weird or say it's too soon but I made my elder sister try online dating sites. I know she's still trying to get over her depression with her ex boyfriend but I think that an online dating service would help her channel some of her attention elsewhere instead of just sulking and feeling down all the time. I thought that meeting new people and making new friends will cheer her up. Hopefully, she'll get over her ex and start to feel good about herself again. Online dating doesn't necessarily mean that you're looking for a new love, right? Plus, I don't see why she shouldn't try it anyway! :) I've seen a lot of people do well in online dating.

Now here's the story, I have actually convinced my sister to try an online dating service last night and for the first time within the week, I saw her smile! :) She told me she has met a guy and a girl who share the same problems with her. Hearing that she isn't the only one who gets their heart broken made her feel better and also made her appreciate her family's support. Looks like a good sign, I really hope she gets better soon.:)

Pretty in Purple

2005-09-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

I've always liked the color purple. One time I got so carried away that I went to class matching like a dinner set. My nails were painted with purple nail polish, that perfectly matched the purple summer dress I was wearing. My bag as well as my slippers were all purple too. And finally to set off my purple frenzy, I put on a purple hair clip! :) Everyone was staring at me and I just smiled at them thinking how pretty I was in purple.

Heartbreaks and PMS

2005-09-07T04:21:00.000-07:00

I've already written about Alprazolam (Xanax) and this one's part two. I really have no menstrual problems likes headaches and pains, but my latest experience made me suggest the effective pill to others. It turns out that some of these menstrual pains runs in the family and my sister called me up just to complain about hers (talk about timing!) That's when I told her about Alprazolam. Basically Xanax's generic name is Alprazolam, this is cheaper than the branded ones. Alprazolam is a white powder that can be dissolve in ethanol. It's used in treating depression, panic attacks, tension, and of course PMS.

My sister's case is worse than mine. She experienced bouts of depression each time she has her period, which started when she broke up with her 7- year boyfriend (I'll save that for another story). She was totally losing it and I thought it was about time that she take some medications. Of course she sought some medical advice first and her doctor allowed her to take Alprazolam. Her menstrual pains have obviously subsided but as for her depression, she is now on the getting well stage. Hopefully with the doctor's help and with all of us supporting her, she'll be able to get over her ordeal now.

Making money at home

2005-09-06T01:47:00.000-07:00

I juggle my time between working and studying and loves the challenge of earning and learning at the same time. Aside from keeping a day job, I also work at home. All I need is my computer and an internet connection and I'm all set! This is the beauty and ease of work at home programs. I've actually seen a lot of work at home programs over the net and have often wondered which one really works. Then a friend of mine suggested that I try internet surveys. These surveys are conducted by various companies and research groups where they pay their respondents for their answers and time. There are some who even give out rewards. There are various work at home schemes that can be found in the net such as sites that would pay you for reading emails, playing games, or just for surfing sites. It's a fun way of earning money simply for doing activities on the net. It makes it easier to earn a extra bucks without going out or sweating for hours. There's no strings attached and I can work with my own pace which is very recommendable for a student like me.

As for me, I still like to keep my day job and balance it with school and some work at home programs. I do it whenever I need the extra cash and whenever I have the time. I just make sure that the sites that you will be I pick are safe and credible before I give out any personal information.

A call from the past

2005-09-06T01:43:00.000-07:00

My ex-boyfriend called me up last night. He told me he was in town and wants to see me before he leaves. I really felt bad the last time we saw each other and I was quite confused whether I should say yes or no. He said that he wanted to talk and have dinner, I really found it difficult to refuse. He has been nice to me lately and I wanted to see how he is. Well, I'll give it a try and will probably say yes if he calls again. Wish me luck!:)

How to be a Real estate broker

2005-09-06T01:33:00.000-07:00

My aunt works recently joined the world of real estate brokerage and is now faced with the daunting tasks of proving herself among other acclaimed brokers. Though she used to work in this business before, she still have to start from scratch since she left a long time ago. Generally, people trust brokers who have had good clients and years of experience mainly because they deal with the handling of property, investments, and money. Real estate brokers work on flexible hours. Although they seem to have their own time, there are times when they have to work during weekends or some holidays depending on their client. Brokers are also required to have a license to assure the legality and honesty of their business and work.

My aunt also has to take care of the advertisement of her business, the promotion, the hiring of legal assistance in closing deals, and so on. The beauty of this job is that once she establishes herself again, she may have more trusting clients and the pay can be more than enough to support her and my cousins. Since the pay is usually on a commission basis, my aunt has to be ready for times where the commission is low and high. It also goes with the client's financial and paying capabilities, the economic standing, and the property handled and sold.

Late for class

2005-09-06T01:26:00.000-07:00

I mentioned before that I often wished that my crush would be late for class so he can sit next to me again. Unfortunately, I was the one who was late today! LOL! He was already seated at the back and the only vacant seat was in front of the teacher (there goes my cat-like entrance). :( However, my luck changed when we had a group activity where we had to count off for group assignments. My crush and I belonged to the same group because of the seating assignment. Being late certainly have it's benefits! :)

It's not easy being a broker

2005-09-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

My aunt who has just been widowed tried to get back into the brokerage business. She knew she had to work so she decided to become a broker again. She used to be one until she got married and my uncle asked her to just stay home so she can be a full-time mom. She had a lot of stories and told me that it's not easy being a broker. A broker for one, has to be very patient and sure that the clients are as honest as she is. The broker also serves as a mediator with the seller and the buyer and gets paid through a commission at the end of the deal. The accounts that they handle are not theirs personally. A broker can act as mediators for a certain sale and the processing of certains deals and accounts such as stocks, products, real estate, and many more.

Right now, my aunt makes a pretty good living from being a broker. She is currently working on real estate brokerage and is really happy that she's getting back on her feet again. She is able to provide for her kids and still have time for them as well.

Radiant roots

2005-09-06T01:20:00.000-07:00

I was at a beauty salon and was about to get into the "Hot seat" when one of the ladies told me that I have great hair. She then asked me why I wanted it to be changed and colored. I simply told her that I wanted a new look. Then she said that my roots are good and there's no need for it. Ironically, the lady happened to be the owner of the salon. She really wanted her customers to feel great about themselves with or without treatments. I then changed my mind about getting my hair colored. Thanks to my radiant roots, I even got a free manicure from the nice lady.

With a twist of fate

2005-09-05T03:26:00.000-07:00

One of my uncles just passed away due to a hit and run accident. We were devastated, and I was so worried about my aunt. They have four children and my aunt was a full time mom. She was really about to lose it when she found out that my uncle had been preparing for their future and had purchased a life insurance. My uncle's life insurance covered for funds to keep the house under my aunt's name, monthly support for his wife and children, especially my cousins' education, and a little extra which my aunt used for a small business. There are many different coverages and plans for life insurance but it's basically an assurance that the insured pays for and his or her beneficiaries will receive the benefits of such insurance after his or her death.

My aunt never knew about the life insurance until my uncle's death. It turns out that he has been paying for life insurance since the birth of their first child. He never told her about it because he wanted it to be a surprise and something that will make his family secure and safe even when he's gone. I now see that it's never too early to prepare for the future with life insurance. You'll never know when your time is about to come and you have to be ready for it especially if you have a family.

Carrots on the Face?

2005-09-05T03:25:00.000-07:00

We girls love to try different beauty products but some can be too expensive. Now, I found out that the carrot that I love nibbling on can also be used as a facial mask! All I needed was tablespoons of honey, a bowl of mashed carrots (around 3 pieces), mix them together and voila! I have a facial mask. It's really cool and cheap, you should try it.

What to do in times of PMS -- use Xanax

2005-09-05T03:24:00.001-07:00

I just had my period a couple of days ago and my poor roommate was the victim of my PMS. That week before my period was a big problem.I was really easily irritated and I was having a lot of mood swings. I was also hot headed and am quite sleepless. It has never happened to me before and that was what prompted me to take Xanax. Xanax is a pill that is used to treat slight to moderate anxiety, depression, and PMS, especially severe cases like mine. Xanax can also be paired with certain narcotics to ease the symptoms of cancer pains.

Xanax's generic name is Alprazolam and is primarily an anti-anxiety treatment. I have been taking various medications and Xanax is just one of those that work well for me. I only took it for a few days and the PMS subsided. It's a good thing that our period only lasts for a couple of days or I might be depending too much on these drugs. We just girls have to make it better in carrying ourselves, especially during the menstrual days.

During these days...

2005-09-05T03:24:00.000-07:00

I had my period a few days ago and a week before that, aside from bugging my roommate, I had a craving for sweets. I would eat just about anything sweet and edible. I craved for chocolate, honeydew, and ice cream. I was beginning to worry about my diet but it turns out that I easily get tired of eating it, too. It's really funny how we girls are when we have our period. That's why you better beware if your girl has it. She needs a lot of pampering and understanding. :)

Baby, you can have my car

2005-09-05T03:22:00.000-07:00

I just had my car for quite some time and I have never thought of giving it away. On the other hand, I have this classmate who plans to give hers to a charity and I was really amazed! My classmate is quite pro-active and she gets into a lot of save or help other people activities. I have nothing against this and since she comes from a well-to-do family, I know she can always get a new car. So it was true, and she's getting a new one for her birthday so she really doesn't mind giving hers away. When I asked her why she's interested about car donation, she told me that there are a lot of charities out there which can be the recipient of her car like the American Red Cross and the American Diabetes Association, the Cancer Research Institute, or any children's center.

Any vehicle can be up for car donation. The car donation is tax deductible and they will even pay for the towing of your car. Plus, the donor may get to choose the type of charity that he or she wants. The donation may go to food, medical care, housing, and even research and other human development activities. I had no idea that it can a simple car donation can go into a worthy cause until my classmate told me about it. I thought it would just be for some fund-raising event that she always gets into but something that simple can also work for something good and big.

The amount of the car that goes to a car donation is determined by the value of the car at the time it is donated. Of course, the donor still has to be sensible enough to donate a car that is still in good condition or if it can still be put into good use. As for me, I salute my classmate for her kindness but as for my car, I'm for keeping it! No thoughts yet of giving it away, though. LOL :)

Going Green

2005-09-05T03:19:00.000-07:00

I just saw a great gardening episode at HGTV. It was actually about mums but it inspired me to do some gardening of my own. I know I don't have a lawn of my own in my dorm but I want to plant some on my room's flowerbox. Still don't have any idea which plant to get but I'm thinking about something that won't require much of my time but still grows well with just enough water and sunshine. I was thinking about zinnias and marigolds. Well, I'll give it a shot.

White House advisor Karl Rove is a closet homosexual ?

2005-09-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

Karl Rove is the political genius behind GW Bush's reelection in 2004. Knowing that it will be a tight race between Kerry and Bush, he energized Middle America's latent homophobia to Bush's political advantage. How? It is claimed that his operatives worked to place Gay Marriage initiatives in some of the key "battleground" states. Result: many of the same people that showed up to vote against gay marriage also voted for Bush. Brilliant political maneuver. Very crafty.
Apparently... also very hypocritical. Some commentators state that Karl Rove is secretly gay.
Click on the excertp to go to source:

Martin continues his recollections -- "Karl would always hang around at the Rooftop Bar at the Mayflower, which is directly across the street from the White House where all the DOJ pretty boys, as they used to call them, would go after work for a drink.

And that’s always where Karl was...It’s odd that this guy has never married. He’s a bachelor. Usually in Bushonian circles, particularly when you’re close to the religious right, which Karl is and raises money from them, it’s almost obligatory that you be married and have kids.

Bills, bills, bills away with debt consolidation

2005-09-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

I've had a couple of loans under my name when I got into college but I have never imagined that anyone at my age would have tons of credits to pay for. Well, actually my friend is a few years older than me. He has a good credit standing that allows him file for loans. His dad died when he was young so he had to work and support his family. I asked him how he manages with all his bills and he told me that he does it with debt consolidation. At that time, I was taking Management classes and my friend tutored me on debt consolidation. He made it easier for me to understand.

Turns out that Debt consolidation is a way of putting together several debts into one and paying for it at a lower rate for a longer period of time. It may sound long but it is easier to pay. I'd say that sounds much more appealing than having to pay different bills all at the same time. Debt consolidation is also a way to refinance your "monetary" responsibilities. If you're really interested to find out more about it, there are various debt consolidation management courses that can help you learn more about it. Good Luck!:)

Two dates in one day

2005-09-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to my cousin coming over this weekend for a visit. She loves to hang out and I love doing stuff with her but the problem is, a guy asked me out on the same day. When this guy, Greg, asked me out, my cousin called a few hours later and told me she was coming over. I'm now in a fix! I don't want to turn Greg down but I don't want to miss the day with my cousin either. Oh well, let's just hope I can come up with something, (I was hoping for more of a miracle) LOL :)

Help in times of depression...

2005-09-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

Everyday, more news about the devastating effects of the hurricane Katrina rings into my ears...as I read the newspaper or watch TV, and even when I listen to my car stereo. I feel really sad about the situation because there are literally thousands who are hungry and homeless. What hurts me more are news of victims robbing other victims. I'm beginning to think that they are doing it because of depression. On the other hand, depression is not much of an excuse especially since they've stolen from people that are in the same predicament. I just hope that the government can help restore the victim's hopes (no matter how much they may have left right now) and help them get back to their feet in no time.

I've had my own bouts with depression and I know it is quite difficult to deal with. Depression is a state where you feel sad, empty, unsatisfied, incomplete and all the other negative stuff. Although there are a lot of anti-depressant pills in the market I found a natural way of dealing with depression -- Yoga. Yes, yoga! :) The different positions that I do, the relaxing and calming of my mind helps me feel a lot better than taking a pill and sleeping it out. Right now, it helps to think that I am lucky to be in a safe and better state which takes the depression out of my system. You should try it, too! :)

Pitch in for our fellow Americans

2005-09-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm really concerned about the disaster that Katrina left behind. You could say that I have a soft spot for people in need. I've been reading a lot of news over the net lately and I've found some sites that you might be interested in checking out as well. One is the American red cross site and the other is called the Network for Good. You can easily find them with the use of search engines. Helping doesn't necessarily meant "giving money", there are several ways that we can help. It's important that we try to help each other out in this time of crisis. :)

Kiss the pain goodbye with Hydrocodone

2005-09-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

Headaches, are virtually a part of any student's life. With all the exams, term papers, and extra curricular activities (not to mention sleepless nights of cramming for exams) headaches had become a part of my normal hundrum. For the past few months, my roommate has been taking hydrocodone and had suggested that I give it a try. Hydrocodone is a type of narcotic which works by keeping pain messages from reaching the brain, which prevents the rest of the body from feeling the pain. Taking this with acetaminophen, which helps raise the effects of the hydrocodone in the body. Hydrocodone is also called "opiods" and known by other names such as Codeine and Demerol.

It's also important to make sure that you do not have any allergies or asthma when taking hydrocodone. My roommate also warned me that it can be quite addicting so I only take it in required doses and never miss a pill. One more thing, don't take hydrocodone if you drank alcohol, because it will only make you feel dizzy and drowsy.