Don't stop investing in a bad economy

It's easy to get frustrated in bad economic times. People disregard saving and investing because of caution and fear. But there are good things in a depressed economy. For instance, some leading stocks are now affordable. And these stocks are needed by people to survive like Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, Wal-Mart, Pfizer and Duke Energy. Even AT & T and IBM are also believed to survive the present economic situation.

Most economists and financial analysts are hopeful that the end of the recession will be upon us soon. However, this doesn't translate to more job hiring. As a matter of fact, landing a job to most workers will be a slow process.

Investing is rewarding if you know the drill. Pick the right stocks and sit on them.

It's best to organize

As soon as I get another free time I'm going to organize my son's Wii accessories. Right now they're mixed with his other video game accessories. It's hard when they're not organized because he spends a fortune of his time looking for what he wants. If they're organized then he wouldn't waste his time.

I believe it's important to teach children how to organize their stuff. Later on, this will translate to them living their life in order. Being organized saves time and money and there's no other way to do it. My son promised me that he will help me when I arrange his video games so he will know where I exactly put them.

Filipino chopsuey

I finally had the time to cook Filipino chopsuey. I was craving for it for a long time. I found the recipe at filipinofoodrecipes.net. I made sure that the vegetables were cooked just right, they came out still a little crispy which is my preference.



Estimated cooking & preparation time: 45 minutes.

Chopsuey Ingredients:
1/4 kilo pork, sliced into small pieces
1/4 kilo shrimps, shelled, deveined and halved
1/4 kilo chicken liver and gizzard, sliced to small pieces
1/4 kilo cauliflower, broken to bite size
1/4 kilo string beans
1/4 kilo snow peas (sitsaro)
1/4 kilo cabbage, cut into squares
2 stalks of leeks, cut into 2" long pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 2" long pieces
5 cloves garlic, diced
2 onions, diced
1 carrot, sliced thinly
1 piece red bell pepper, cut in strips
1 piece green bell pepper. cut in strips
2 tablespoons of cornstarch, dissolved in 1/4 cup of water
2 cups chicken stock (broth)
3 tablespoons of sesame oil
3 tablespoons of patis (fish sauce)
4 tablespoons of corn oil or vegetable oil
Salt to taste

Chopsuey Cooking Instructions:

In a big pan or wok, sauté garlic, onions then add in the pork. chicken liver and gizzard. Add 1 cup of stock, pinch of salt and simmer for 15 minutes or until pork and chicken giblets are cooked.
Mix in the shrimp then all the vegetables. Add the remaining 1 cup of stock, patis and the dissolved cornstarch. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are done. Add the sesame oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot with rice.

Affordable health insurance for the people of North Carolina

Health insurance is expensive. As what my co-worker said, it doesn't mean your company offers it that you can afford it. Health insurance is all about the health insurance companies, it's not about our health. It's purely business - plain and simple. President Obama is now working to overhaul the health care reform and I'm not so keen about it. It's still a question if this health care reform will make care more efficient. Worst of all, people who have health insurance sponsored by their employers could be taxed to help pay for covering the uninsured.

But there is good news for the people of North Carolina. The NC Health Plans provides NC short term health insurance for all North Carolina residents, all self-employed individuals, all college students, all cobra recipients. Please visit their website for quotes and for everything else you need to know. Our health is very important so make sure you are covered.

Look how he's grown

My son loves 'Harry Potter'. As a matter of fact, he has collected all the Harry Potter movies except for the latest one which he can't wait to be released in DVD. Last night, he was watching the very first Harry Potter and I can't help but be amazed at how the child stars of the movie have grown over the years. Daniel Radcliffe is now a young man and I'm glad he's not outgrown playing the role of Harry Potter. Daniel seems to be a nice person and willing to please his millions of fans. A great guy and actor - the best package for success.

Tyler Perry's generous act

While searching the Internet today for the best weight losss supplements, I came across a news article about Tyler Perry sending 65 children of a day camp run by Creative Steps Inc. to Walt Disney World. As we can recall, these kids were not allowed by the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley to swim in their pools because according to the management, these kids couldn't swim. They denied that race has something to do with their decision.

I'm so happy for these children that somebody is willing to make their summer memorable and fun. And may Tyler Perry continue to receive more blessings for his good deed.

No skinny jeans for President Obama

I'd rather see the President wearing what fashion critics call 'mom jeans' rather than skinny jeans. It's inspiring to know that Pres. Obama chooses to wear what is comfortable for him. Looking at the pictures of the President during the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star Game in St. Louis, I think he looks fine. Heaven forbid he chose to wear a pair of skinny jeans, I can imagine now what people would think about him. Who knows the President might just start a new fashion trend in denims.

President Obama is not even pressured to be 'fashion conscious' even if his wife is considered a fashion icon. With so many issues facing his administration, what kind of jeans to wear is the least thing he should worry about as a President - and he did just that.

Time flies

It's hard to believe that we're already in the third quarter. It feels like yesterday when I was exchanging Christmas gifts with my family and friends. I think time flies especially for people who are always preoccupied with so many things like me. With my family, work, and school to attend to I feel like I need more time and there isn't just enough.

My son is on summer break from school and he's making use of his time away from school. He attends summer camps and plays baseball. Once in a while when the weather is too hot, he goes to the pool. But he hasn't done a lot of swimming since we've been having more rainy days than clear skies. Depending on our budget, we're planning to go away to spend a weekend in a camp and hit the beach. Before I know it, I'll be already planning for Halloween invitations.

Whatever you're doing this summer, I hope you're having fun. Fall is not that far and pretty soon we'll be seeing some snow.

Jordin Sparks' 2nd album gets poor reviews

I'm not sure if I've listened to any of her songs. It's hard to tell with so many new artists around and the worst part is they all sound alike. Anyways, music reviews of Jordin Sparks' second album called 'Battlefield' are all saying that her songs fail to connect to the listeners and her vocals are overdramatic. I'm not trying to defend her, but I guess you can't please everybody. On the other hand, since these reviews are from reputable organizations or people in the music industry you tend to believe what's written.

Well, I hope that Jordin Sparks won't take all of these reviews personally and instead learn from them. As an entertainer, she will always encounter criticisms and I'm sure her fans will always be there to support her no matter what.

Galleria Ferrari

As young as he is, my son loves cars - I mean, cool cars like the Ferrari. I think most young boys do. I don't know what is it about cars that fascinate them. As we are planning to visit Italy in the next few years, we have included in our itinerary a trip to Galleria Ferrari located in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, approximately 50 km (37 miles) West of Bologna. My husband and I have kept this a secret because we wanted to surprise my son.

Personally, I know a friend who owns a Ferrari and he adores his car. Whenever we visit him, he always shows his car to my son and the different Ferrari parts. He is a great influence in my son's love for this fast and sophisticated automobile.

Meaning of 5150

5150 means an involuntary psychiatric hold. According to the code, authorities can hold a person involuntarily if they present a danger to themselves or others. Authorities used this code twice to hold Britney Spears in January 2008. Recently, Mischa Barton was placed under this code. The actress is confined at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for psychiatric evaluation. She missed the NYC premiere of her new movie, Homecoming because of her present condition. The actress was charged in 2008 with DUI and marijuana possession. She was sentenced to 36 months probation, told to attend alcohol education classes and pay a fine.

It's really sad to hear stories like this. I haven't watched any of her shows or movies but I guess she has some acting talent to land another role in the CW drama The Beautiful Life. It's unfortunate that fame and fortune will make some celebrities waste their talents.

Where to order baby announcements

Finally, your baby arrives. You can't wait to tell everyone about your new arrival. Parents want to give their baby a proper introduction by giving out birth announcements. Pear Tree Greetings has a huge selection of birth announcements - playful, elegant, classic, and soft. Your loved ones will surely appreciate letting them know of the exciting new that your little one has arrived.

With Pear Tree Greetings, each baby girl announcement showcases her adorable photo along with touches of pink and each baby boy announcement showcases his adorable photo along with touches of blue. If you live outside the US but would like to order, just sign up with myus.com and you'll be able to place your order. For more information, visit peartreegreetings.com and click on international shipping options.

Industries in danger

According to a finance article, some industries will have a slow recovery even if the economy will turn a corner which analysts predict will be sometime in 2010 or 2011.

• Airline - This industry seem to be the most battered not only with financial worries but also with just about anything - from bad weather to an epidemic scare. More and more people have been staying home or taking vacations in places where they could just drive.
• Hotels and cruise lines - Nobody wants to enjoy some luxuries if job stability is in question.
• Casinos - Las Vegas is hurting where visits are down 10% this year. At this point, no one wants to gamble their hard-earned money and would rather save it.
• Automotive - The car industry took a really big blow with two major bankruptcies. According to experts, car sales have picked up a bit but global sales are still down.
• Media - Why pay for news when you can read it with no fee on the Internet?
• Real estate and construction - The housing market suffered severely from the economic meltdown. Who knows what will happen with rising foreclosures and people continue losing their jobs.
• Metal - The demand for metal in 2008 was high but the demand now has collapsed. Until the car and construction industry will pick up, demand for metal will be on hold.
• Retail - It's not a surprise if fewer people now are frequenting the malls. People are tyring to save more and spend less. As a result, sales are low and some stores were forced to close.

Popular kitchen look

If you're thinking of remodeling your kitchen, you may want to consider using metal tiles to give your kitchen an upscale, modern look for less money. They're also easy to install. The following are tips and warnings on installing them.

• A row of metal tiles is an attractive accent border for glass or ceramic tiles.
• Never cut metal without protecting your eyes, hands, and mouth.
• Always consult the adhesive instructions or an expert to determine if you can install metal tiles on your backer type. Some adhesives do not allow installation directly on wood or drywall.
• Always cut metal tiles with the finished side up.

Metal tiles can be used in the kitchen, bonded to walls for backsplashes, counter tops, tables, desks, ceilings, to border a floor or as accents.

Weird divorce situations

Couples file for divorce because they can't stand each other anymore. However, according to a family and home article I read some divorced couples or those who are in the process of divorcing are still staying in the same house for financial convenience. This may sound awkward but this situation actually works for those couples who are hesitant to move out with the present downturn. One lives in the basement while the other lives upstairs. One sleeps in the living room and the other in the bedroom.

While some people may not understand these weird divorce situations, for the couples concerned they have to do this if only to save money at this point of economic uncertainty. I'm sure that these couples couldn't wait to move on and live on their own.

Advantages of a chrome trim

A chrome trim gives the exterior of your car a sparkly look. They are also very easy to apply and usually takes only 5-10 minutes. Chrome trim parts are popular because they are durable and scratch resistant. They're also affordable and you can even get a door handle cover for not more than $60. If you have an old car, chrome trim is an inexpensive way to change the overall appearance of your car.

For your chrome accessories need, check out carid.com. Their chrome experts are always ready to help you at 1-800-505-3274.

Bayfest 2009 performers

Bayfest 2009 in downtown Mobile, Alabama will be on October 2, 3, & 4. Performers include 3 Doors Down, Akon, Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Gary Allan, James Otto, Steve Miller Band, T-Pain, and Top of the Orange. Tickets are available at $25 for a single day pass and $35 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under are free with ticketed adult.

On September 26, Bayfest will host its 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk. There will be four top awards and the winners will receive a weekend pass to the Bayfest and some door prizes. Proceeds from the 5K Run/Walk will help fund the Bayfest Music Scholarship Fund.

The never ending battle

I have a never ending battle with my weight. It's true what others say that it's easy to gain weight but hard to lose it. My priority is to stay healthy so I'm changing my diet. I avoid junk and make sure that I avoid fatty foods. I intend to live longer so I'm making sure now that I'm doing myself a favor of staying on top of my weight loss goal. I haven't had the time to exercise lately because of school and work but when I can, I try to walk around the block. All of us at home are actually trying to lose weight and we keep track of how much we weigh every week so we can tell if we're making any progress at all.

Help end hunger in Africa

The people of Ghana gave President Obama a warm welcome. They're excited to see the president who is very hopeful about the future of Africa. Obama first visited Africa in 1992 to visit his father's grave. He just graduated from the Harvard law school at the time. This time, Obama skipped Kenya because of the political tension in the area.

Africa will benefit from the $20 billion food security plan approved by Obama. Africa needs special attention. According to reports, one in three Africans are malnourished, and about half of it’s nearly 700 million people live on less than $1 a day; most (80 percent) live on less than $2 a day.

If you want to help end hunger in Africa, visit usaid.gov for more information.

Watch TV shows and movies online for free

I found a website where I can watch my favorite news and commentary shows for free - and it's legal. They also have pay-for services. This website is called spreety.com. The service that they provide is very convenient especially for those people who always miss their favorite TV shows. It's a good thing I held off on buying a DVR.

Spreety is a user-friendly website. Just follow the directions to enjoy the full episode of your favorite TV show. You can also sign up for their newsletter to get updates on latest shows or additions to their service. My latest craze is Spreety TV Online : Watch TV Shows Online Free and I added it to my favorites already.

How to calculate daily interest on a savings account

Yesterday I spent quite some time searching for the best online savings bank with a high interest yield. I was finally able to find the one that suits my financial goals and I opened an account right away. The processing didn't take more than ten minutes. I'm going to get 2.00% APY and the interest is compounded daily. The more frequently interest is compounded, the higher the APY.

So this is how we're going to calculate the daily interest on a savings account with 2.00% APY:

.02/365 (always change percent to decimal and 365 represents the days since interest is compounded daily)

= 0.000054795 (the answer which then you multiply to whatever amount you have in your savings account. For an example, let's say you have $4,000)

0.000054795 . 4,0000 = 0.219178082 (this is your daily interest)

If you want to know how much interest you'll get in a month, you simply multiply 0.219178082 by 31 so the answer is 6.79. So for your $4,000 with compounded daily interest you get $6.79. Now this amount will change because your next month's interest will be based on $4,006.79.

Hope this helps.

Broken dining chairs

Two of my dining chairs are broken. I can't wait to replace but for now I have other priorities. As long as we're not sitting on the floor yet, we can deal with the broken chairs. There's only three of us at home and there are four more Dining Chairs that are fully functional. At this point, we can only accept one guest.

Our dining table set is old and I think the broken dining chairs are hints that we need to get a new one. I'm slowly looking for the best deals and it doesn't really matter even I get them online. Hopefully when we get a new one, we won't have broken dining chairs for a while.

The best online savings banks

If you're tired of the 0.10% that your bank gives you for your hard-earned money, it's about time to look for another savings bank. There are actually a handful of online savings bank that give as high as 2.00% APY. Saving is not enough - saving right is more important. Take a look at these online savings bank and choose the one that suits your needs and financial goals.

1. Ally Bank (formerly GMAC Online Savings) - 2.00% APY

2. Dollar Savings Direct - 2.00% APY

3. WT Direct - 1.76% APY

4. Emigrant Direct - 1.55% APY

5. HSBC Direct - 1.55% APY

6. FNBO Direct - 1.50% APY

7. Venture Bank Direct - 1.43% APY

8. ING Direct - 1.40% APY

9. E-Trade Savings - 0.95% APY

To compare high yield rates for savings account, visit bankrate.com.

Home video games online store

My son loves his PS3 that we got him the portable one also so he can play it anywhere, anytime. But as he got more school responsibilities to do, he spends less time playing home video games. I was right from the start that eventually he will outgrow them. My son is just like the rest of PS3 players out there who owns PS3 gadgets such as the PS3 Bluetooth wireless headset, Dual Shock controllers, and charging dock. Most of his PS3 games were given to him as gifts by his cousins, aunts, and uncles.

PS3 gadgets and games can also be purchased online at thesource.ca. They're your completer source for home video games such as Wii, DS, Dsi, Xbox, and Sony portable systems. You can also shop by phone or visit one of their 750 locations.

Palin: private life or presidential bid?

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has announced Friday that she's resigning from office at the end of the month. Nobody knows for sure if this marks the end of her political career. My guess is that she might be getting ready for the 2012 presidential elections. If she is, I don't think quitting her post with 16 more months to go is a smart move. She said she wants to serve not only the people of Alaska but also the entire country. I'm sure her desire to help the entire country can wait. Public service is a commitment and what Palin did showed lack of it. I believe America deserves a leader who is committed and one who is willing to face the challenges, personal or political, of his or her administration.

Palin could also be tired from all the controversies and ethics complaints hurled against her but as smart as she is, she should know that as a public figure she will always be scrutinized more than praised.

I think Palin just lost her chance of becoming the next president. America is a great country and deserves a leader who takes leadership seriously.

Zoysia grass for a beautiful turf

I visited a friend recently and I noticed the beautiful lawn where she entertained us. What made the lawn stand out was the lush, green grass and she told me that she's using Zoysia grass. I learned from her that Zoysia grass is the most commonly used turf grass in the northern part of the country. She prefers this variety because it requires less maintenance and less water. Knowing how busy she is, I'm sure this saves her a lot of time.

You can order Zoysia grass plus at naturehills.com. For shipping and handling charges and other questions, please visit their website for details.

Decaslim review

Slimming Pills Review has given Decaslim an A+ editor rating and 96% consumer's rating. According to Time Magazine, DecaSlim features the 10 most healthy food concentrates known to man. These ingredients don't only promote weight loss but they also improve the quality of your skin. It helps in acne control and makes your skin firm and soft. There are no known side effects of DecaSlim however it's green tea content may lead to increased energy level. But this is advantageous for people like me who are always on the go and need something to boost our energy level.

You can try DecaSlim now for only $39.99. DecaSlim has a zero risk return policy. If for some reason you think it's not the right pill for you, just return it and you'll get your money back.

Disappointing job numbers such a bad news

If you already have doubts about the US economy, I'm sure the disappointing job numbers released Thursday reinforced your doubts. The unemployment data showed that we are not through the worst yet. U.S. employers slashed 467,000 jobs in June -- 100,000 more than anticipated. This also means that it will be tougher now to find a job as more and more people are seeking employment.

From March until the start of June, my investment portfolio showed a significant gain. I thought that the economy was on the rebound but as poor economic indicators were released almost every week in June, my gains dropped. But as of late, it's slowly going up again. The bad economic news affect investors differently. Some have retreated while others are still on the buying mood.

Obviously, the risks involved now in investing are greater than ever but I always believe in the saying that the higher the risk, the higher the return. We won't see the returns overtime but it will eventually come. The market nowadays is perfect for new investors while people who are looking to retire 10-12 years from now should look for other ways of investing as suggested by financial analysts. New investors are cautioned that cheap stocks are not always good. It's always wise to invest in companies that could hold steady during tough economic times. As always, remember to diversify.

Where to look for bargains online

I just checked out liquidation.com to see what they have for clothing and accessories. Their prices are perfect for people who are looking to start a new business or simply for personal use. A 40-pc. designer handbag lot starts at $1,650. This lot includes brands such as Coach, Dooney and Burke, Calvin Klein and much more. This lot is a combination of handbags and wallets. They have more wholesale auctions for jewelry and watches, computers and networking, consumer electronics, general merchandise, housewares, tools and machinery, vehicles, and store fixtures and equipment. All items are 100% authentic.

This is good news to all bargain hunters out there. Shoppers are getting smarter by the day as news about economic recovery looms. One of the places they check out are liquidation stores such as liquidation.com. There's nothing wrong with scouring for bargains especially if you want to save more. Instead of splurging at the mall, check out liquidation.com for great savings.

The best acne treatment brands

According to acnetreatmentguide.org, the five acne treatments with highest consumer ratings are the following; Acnepril, ProNexin, Orovo Acne, Proactiv, and Skin Medica. They used two methods in coming up with these acne treatments selection such as consumer ratings and experts analysis. These acne treatment brands are also affordable compared to dermatological treatments which are costly not to mention the price of insurance coverage.

People who are trying a new acne treatment should proceed with caution. Always follow directions on how to use acne treatments to avoid complications. Look for signs that the acne treatment is working - the acne starts to dry up, no more new acne appearing, and an improvement of the quality of your skin. As always, if symptoms persist, discontinue use and consult a professional.