Our greatest asset these days is our home. No matter the market, the economy or any current event our home is our castle. Within our castle is all our favorite things, pictures, children’s toys photographs etc. Obviously many of us need to have insurance on our home for the mortgage but also so we can rebuild. Now, that being said we need to shop for this insurance. I have only shopped one time and included the premium in the monthly mortgage payment and have forgotten all about it. Would it not be prudent to shop from time to time to find out if we are getting the best rate.
We should be shopping about every six months for homeowner insurance rates. Variables change such as the cost to rebuild, your inventory the investment you have into the home. So where do you go? To find specific information like for Michigan Home Insurance you can surf on over to rateelert.com that provides a resource for consumers to receive up to 7 free quotes from companies in your area at no cost. So just one form and you will receive multiple quotes that will help you easily compare rates and companies to find the best deal.

I had never considered a vacation to Central America before, until a friend of mine went there to take part in a family wedding. He said it was a blast and that I need to look into Costa Rica resorts to have a great time, with a professional staff and great amenities. That is when I found florblanca.com and its very well made web site. They have ideas already to go for Sports, Mind and Body, Romance and Earth and Sea. Basically, they know our needs and tailor programs for us. If you go to their Special Events page, you will see how they can put together a wedding or any other special engagement for you. Just look at the happy couples they already took care of. When you are ready to go to Costa Rica, check out florblanca.com first. Your luxury vacation waits!

Great job WSJ! Guess what, as retailers are losing money some are trying new ideas or strategies to drive sales. Is that not what a Free Market Economy does. We the buyer really make the rules with our shopping habits, needs and wants. Well now stores like Target are going to make changes to improve or really just change their business plan to meet the current needs. Today’s article said that Target will increase food and health care products. Wow, those are two items that we never do without. Further, companies are moving to a more Localization model because not all markets are alike across the country. Go figure. I applaud Home Depot, Lowes, Macys and target for not giving up and listening to the customer. That builds the brand, customer loyalty and a loyalty to the free market economy. You don’t see these guys complaining. Instead, you see action! Macy was able to outperform Nordstrom! This is what business is all about. One day Nordstrom may fight back and always it is the customer who not only drives the change but is also the one who receives the rewards. These companies have invested heavily into their nationwide businesses, they are just not going to rollover during the correction, instead they see opportunity.

As one of the multiple people out there without prescription eyeglass insurance, I have decided to find a site where I can get cheap yet great quality eyeglasses. I found that using Optical4less.com is better than using the traditional eyeglass stores that we are used to. Their website is great when shopping for glasses. They offer complete prescription eyeglasses services where you can shop for tinted sunglasses, bifocals, progressive reading glasses as well as Photochromic sunglasses. Everything you would find in a traditional store, but not at the traditional prices. One feature that was fun for me was the virtual try on system, where I always look silly at the store doing and here I can do it myself and get the most important approval of all and that is from my wife. Moreover, I found some very fashionable glasses for only $15 at their Overstock page, look for the MA073! Plus the offer Rimless, hinge less, alloy and plastic frames. So here you get service, price and selection. I would be crazy to go back to the traditional store! Finally, the best part of Optical4less.com is their testimonial page. It is full of satisfied customers who have taken the time to write in along with posting pictures of themselves wearing their new glasses with very positive feedback. I recommend this site when shopping for new glasses!

Now that we have a new economy upon us, I see nothing but opportunity but to take advantage of the new interest rates, say in refinancing a home or just saving more. In fact Americans are saving more now than ever. Its still a little low, but it is improvement. The web is full sites that can help us find the best interest rates and the one I recommend is monitorbankrates.com. What I needed first were good Financial Calculators that would help in the areas of Mortgage payments, CD Ladder ideas, Certificate of Deposit which is very popular these days for strong conservative banking. You find the Mortgage Calculator very easy to use in finding your payment with pmi and taxes. What was most interesting to me was one I had never used before and that was the Debt Consolidation Calculator. This was very intricate in helping you decide if consolidated all your car debt, credit card debt was a good idea by factoring your principal and the interest rate you are paying. Many of us do not have any equity or if we do, should we make this move. I would strongly recommend making these calculations before doing so! This a very nice, easy to use website which also dedicated to publishing good financial articles especially around credit cards, mortgage rates and What’s in the Stimulus Bill for you. This is a professional site that you will enjoy as well as find informational!

We have all heard of the self fulling prophecy, that is, that whatever you believe will happen as you repeat it over and over again in your brain, comes out into your actions and guess what it….it happens. Right now we need to get rid of “Its the economy” within our vernacular. If we continue to blame the current economy on everything but ourselves, plus decide to do nothing, take no more risks and stay steady because “the economy” then we will meet doom itself. No one seems to want to take the first step in making things better for themselves, we’ll just wait and see what happens. This is not the American spirit. Lets just wait and see what the government does. Well, that is just nonsense. When was the last time you made a personal decision waiting for the government to make a new policy. Of course you never did. We are going through a global correction and moving into a new era that I coined, “The Era of Contentment” I have all that I need, I do not need to go to Disneyland, I do not need a new car, I have a good one now and these clothes I have are just fine. I have all the gizmo’s I could possibly need. What I see now is an opportunity to create, start a business, go back to school and meet the needs of the new corrected society. Just blaming the now tired cliche, “Its the Economy” will just not do.

Have you ever thought about talking on a black berry? That’s right, BlackBerry phones. I have heard a lot about them. They are nothing like the black berrys that grow on the vines. They are small, but not that small. Not exactly sure how they got the name, but I think the ones we eat might take a back seat to the cell phone technology world.

BlackBerrys aren’t just for talking on. They have many features and you can even find Country Ringtones of your favorite singer like Keney Chesney to download and customize your new phone. You can send emails with them, take pictures with them, listen to music, and even have a GPS on them! Believe it or not, they even have maps to help you find your way. It’s truly amazing how just how the phone technology has changed today. I’m sure Mr. Bell didn’t invision this, when he was in the middle of developing the telephone technology.

No dobut, BlackBerrys are leading the way too! If you haven’t got a cell phone yet, or maybe looking to buy your first one. Check out the line of BlackBerrys, and see if they fit your needs. Who knows, these little phones may start mowing the grass for you! I don’t own one yet, but would like to soon. Just so I can see what these smartphones can do.

If there is anything I have learned over the years in business is just how much marketing and the use of Custom Promotional Products has been valuable in keeping my name alive, especially in this market. There are many places to reach out and find such items, but I have found that using printablepromtions.com to the best way to do it. They have a single focus, and that is to keep our brand alive to the customer base. They have everything from apparel, cups, golf sets, key tags to tools and flashlights. They have a great staff that works for them that has been screened for professionalism, great shipping and return policies. Their site is very well put together and easy to use.  I would take advantage of the Eco friendly items which is a topic of much importance these days plus they list their discount items and ones they recently added. Do not get lost or left out, your name awareness could be the key in the new economy so check out printablepromotions.com

Here is one story where we are not going south after all! The Mariners have brought back Ken Griffey Jr for a one year contract. This is just what the NW needed after a dismal year at the college and professional level. Fans have lined up to buy the new/ old jerseys even in this tight economy. People still have disposable income, they are just very careful where they are going to spend it. The powers that be in Seattle really have a great idea to fill more seats at the stadium. Ken can play DH and have about 3 chances a day to hit and hit one out of the park. Its hard to believe he ever left. I still do not understand, but perhaps his family was more important which is something we all can learn from. Plus, he has a great attitude to the game always giving his 100%. The fans will love it and what is more, the  rest of the team could possibly feed off this new found energy and perhaps be more competitive this time around. Anyway, its just a great time to be a Seattle fan again. Thanks to Ken as well for making the huge change in his family routine to move back here. I guess he can not go into the hall of fame with a Seattle Mariner jersey!

One of the chief issues that we must face is the protection of our servers. We just cannot go out and buy cheap cables for any of our equipment. I know that when I need to buy fiber optics cable that I go straight to www.tca-inc.net. That kind of cable is so cool because instead of using copper, they use light! The specialize in custom orders with great turnaround and have great deals on all kinds of cables we need. Right now they have a special on 6 foot C13 and C14 cables that you should look into. I really like their clean website, which is very easy to use and navigate. They are a member of the BBB which is a plus!

Why it is Ill never know but the Grants always continue to look out for reponse, return and self. How it came to be, no one knows. I had only purchased one burger and a fry when I could feel someone hovering over me and I gave a quick look behind. Blue blazer, open white polo, brown slacks that I have yet to ever find for myself and a set of burgundy loafers with tassels. I small scent of cologne. I rolled my eyes, shook my head. That all important grip and fold of the Wall Street Journal…..ugh um sir are you finished. I beg your pardon sir.. I say are you finished can you step to the side? Fine….Coffee to go please. Mc’ds for coffee, my has time changed. I just stood waited and continued my wait. He strutted out, got into the old BMW and drove. I shrugged it off as nothing. I had nothing of value for the Jones but he was out of place for sure. Alas, a Jones and I in the same place ordering off the same menu. What could be next in the new world.

Even with the new economy surrounding us these days, nothing could be more important than our health. We are looking for ways to cut costs and one would be to stay out of the doctor’s office. Losing weight is a great way to keep you out because of the cascade of issues that develop with poor weight. Of course, there are so many plans to choose from it can be very hard to decide where to start. That is when I found weight-loss-diet-help.com. This a very professional site dedicated to reviewing the plans that are out there and even some coupon codes to help you get started. One review I liked was the Medifast Diet Review. From here you will learn their 5&1 plan with good portion control and how it differs from the others like the South Beach Diet. From these links you will also find coupon codes for diet profiles, diet plans and cookbooks. What separates this site from the others is their articles. Right now Alli is making a major push with TV advertisements promoting their FDA approved weight loss system. Read the article on Alli, written by a real user, to find out how it works and its side effects. What an amazing resource. Further, they offer a BMI calculator to help as well. Again, before you get started on any plan speak with your doctor to find out what is right for you and your personal health background. What is right for one is not for another. Now get started!

One of the new opportunities that I believe more out of work people should try is that of photography. Those who have the talent, which I do not, will always be in demand for their are certain areas of life that we simply cannot do without, namely; photographs. Sure we all have a digital camera and we all have a computer in which to download our items onto but how many thousands of pictures turn out so poorly these days and we never use them. I have a good friend who is in architecture and out of work. He already has the equipment but lacks the skills to go out and find the business. He needs a partner to help him get started in say baseball photos of kids. We all have them and will always buy them. From there, you could gain a good reputation in town and then get out to the on location family photograph that people pays hundreds for. You may be able to start a small studio in your basement or just be a location guy and get the almighty marriage contracts. Oh yes, people still get married in a rough economy and you know that the bride has dreamed of this moment for years! Good luck to all of you.

With everything going on these days, I believe that my family has earned a trip to Mexico. I have never been but I seem to have a ton of friends who have. I have heard about all kinds of places to visit and where and where not to go so I had a hard time finding just the right spot. Then I heard about a great place where I can find a very nice, Puerto Penasco beach rental with a ton of help. Sea Side Reservations at SeaSideMexico.com has made my life so much easier. They have 15 different, yet each amazingly unique properties to choose from at Puerto Penasco! Their site has done all the work to make your vacation fun. I really like the fact that they are a member of the VRMA! They have a calendar of events and activities for the family to do. My wife loved the fact that see could analyze each of the properties where we can stay. Her favorite is the Penasco Condominiums. Their site has a YouTube video to look over the rooms so you know exactly what kind of room you will stay in. There are so many types of rooms to stay in, to match your family needs. I love that! They have an satellite map to show locations and its surroundings and have several road maps on how to get there from California, Arizona etc. The next time you are in need of a Mexican Vacation, choose Sea Side Reservations.

Matching green fabric lazy boys rock away upon the gold shag carpet, keeping tune with the nightly news. Central America is a hot topic, the Shah is flying around looking for  country to land in and the hope of country for an end to cold war grips us all. I was delegated to the floor. I loved the floor. I was even given a huge brown throw pillow to make the shag upon subfloor much more comfortable and entertaining. I was awash with news and could only imagine how another world lived through such grief but was oh so safe here in the states. What was the point of it all? Major powers at will, pushing each other around waiting for the other to blink. The Smiths seemed OK, the Jones were always solid and yet I never knew a homeless family, or one without a job. i guess that was the twist family asking for yet another bowl of food. The Twist family never came around our neighborhood. I saw them on the news on the streets and or in the dirt in some third world country but never suburbia. The Twist wore clothes that never fit nor matched, probably found at the goodwill store or wherever, but it never drew close to my life. I was one of the lucky ones. I was a Smith but as with any good Smith, you still look out the single pain aluminum window and wish the Jones were within reach but the Grant family blocked the way.