Payday Loans – A Double Edged Sword?

Controversial Financial Products.

Every few years a new financial product hits the marketplace and causes a stir between all parties. Credit cards are an accepted addition to modern life now, and it’s not unusual to see a wallet with two or three of them bursting out of the card holder but when they were first introduced and for some time after there was still controversy surrounding its release. The arguments for the use of credit cards were essentially that they allowed people to make purchases and repay the money in the future. The arguments against credit cards were that the interest rates were too high and they would encourage people to get into debt.

The Close Scrutiny Of Credit Cards.

It is not long since payday loans were first introduced and they came under almost identical scrutiny to credit cards. There is no avoiding the fact that the rates are comparatively high, even when compared to those of the credit card, but so do the people who use them as well. Strictly speaking, the charges associated with these two forms of credit are different but fundamentally they can be easily compared to one another.

How Much Does A Payday Loan Cost?

While credit cards attract an annual interest rate of approximately 12%, you are looking at rates a lot higher with payday loans. These rates vary from $10 to $20 for every $100 you borrow usually over a period of two weeks. You are also offered the opportunity to roll the loan over for another period. Of course, you will be charged the same rate as for your initial loan and by rolling a payday loan over too often you will very soon be paying huge rates. Consider that you borrow $1000 and roll the repayment over 5 times. This is not unusual and it means that even at the lowest rate of $10 for every $100 you will have paid a staggering $500 and you will still owe the initial $1000. That’s the equivalent of a 200% APR.

The Questions Raised Over The Legitimacy Of Payday Loans.

Already there is a lot of question over the legitimacy of these loans and regular questions are raised against the ethical question of loan companies offering loans with this kind of charge. Many people who have used them want them stopped because the companies that offer payday loans quite obviously gear their campaign towards the continuing need to roll over the repayment. The companies in question are unlikely to make money from customers who use them legitimately and instead of offering the opportunity to extend the loan as a last resort some companies not only offer the opportunity as a matter of course, but they actually set the extension as default. This means that unless you contact them to inform them you wish to make full payment your loan will extend for another term.

A Solution That Causes More Problems Than It Solves?

Because there are no credit checks required before your are accepted for a loan it is very easy for those who are already in financial difficulty to dig themselves deeper and deeper into a solution that causes more problems than it solves. However, the counter argument is still a fairly strong one. No other financial service is the same as the payday loan, it truly is unique and if you have a short term need for money then the speed and ease in which a payday loan can be arranged is unsurpassed.

The Possible Advantages Of The Payday Loan.

By looking around you are able to borrow as much as $1500 until the date of your next payday and most companies offer the application service entirely online. The application process is one that will take no longer than ten minutes to complete and your application will usually be accepted within an hour. The money itself will be transferred automatically into the bank account you outline in your application and this is the same bank account that your repayment will be taken from on the date of your next payday. If you do have a short term need for financial assistance then the payday loan could be the answer to your problems, but you have been warned; it will cost you a lot of money to keep rolling the loan over.

Christmas Shopping On a Budget

One of the most dreaded events for many people during the holiday season is Christmas shopping. Did you enjoy Christmas as a child, and now hate it as an adult due to what shopping entails around the holidays? Long lines at the check out counter, crowds, high priced items burning a hole in your pocket book is enough to make some people scream until they can’t take it anymore. Well, you can just put your pretty little head to rest, because within this article I have listed various ways to keep within a budget during Christmas shopping this holiday.


First thing is first, what are you going to stuff the stockings hanging over the fireplace with? The best bet on a budget is to buy an assortment of your loved ones’ favorite candy. Along with the candy you can stuff little odds and ends in their stockings this year. Some people tend to make their way to some sort of a dollar market for these particular items. You can find a great selection of items all priced at a dollar. Keep in mind that some dollar markets, pending on which kind, will not sell everything for a dollar or less.


Next we can move on to the bigger gift ideas. Due to our technology these days we may view a movie on a DVD instead of a VHS. DVDs tend to be higher quality. People of all ages will love this sort of gift. Depending on what store you shop in DVDs can be fairly expensive. A good idea is to search around online for websites that sell DVDs at cheap prices. A good online store for DVDs is ‘Deep Discount DVD’. Their DVDs are brand new, plus standard shipping and handling is free. You may also try auction websites. A lot of times people will sell DVDs brand new, factory sealed for a much less price than if you were to purchase it in a store. You can search for almost anything on an auction website. The items being sold on these particular sites will be either used or new. Whether or not a certain item is used or new should be located within the description about the item being sold.


Outlet malls! Yes, you heard me correctly. Outlet malls are another great way to shop. Usually you can come across some of your top name brand stores here, and the prices on items are much less. If the prices aren’t much less then usually the store will hold more sales in it. Think I’m kidding? If you do then stop by an outlet mall before the holiday season is up and see for yourself with your own eyes. Usually around the holiday season is when you can find some great deals at various outlet malls.


What about the shopper who hates malls? That one is almost too easy to answer. As long as you have a computer and internet access then you’re good to go, but if you don’t then you’ll just have to deal with the horrid shopping crowds of the holiday season. Your best bet would be to start searching for whatever items you are looking for on Google, or some other search engine found on the internet. From there you should run across a few nice online stores. A good idea is to place ‘discount’ in with your key words. For example: ‘discount DVD’ or ‘discount action DVD’ or ‘discount charm bracelets’. There are many different ways to word what you are looking for so just use your best judgment.


Those are just a few ways of trying to keep Christmas shopping inexpensive. Keep your eye out while you’re shopping. You never know what clearance racks you may come into contact with that may make great gifts this year!

Prevent Your Student Loans from Becoming Default

Many people don’t have the funds to attend college. Fortunately, the government provides student loans to many individuals who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend colleges and universities. This comes in especially handy since education costs continue to rise.

Although, student loans are blessing for many individuals and their families, they can also be a curse. At the time that most individuals are entering college they are young and new at managing their finances. Many individuals aren’t familiar with debts, credit, and budgeting.

Yet, this is debt is usually very substantial compared to any debts they have had up to this point. In addition, these debts are taken much more seriously because they are backed by the government. This creates a situation where young individuals can have their credits tarnished for a very long time. They may also experience garnishments, tax liens, and other collection efforts. Unlike other debts, these government debts may not be dismissed even with a bankruptcy.

However, student loans do not have to ruin your future. There are many options for an individual whose student loans are facing default. Deferment, consolidation, and extended repayment plans are available. Many times, these options will prevent a borrower from defaulting on their student loans and help them weather the storm.

A deferment is when a borrower is allowed to stop paying on their student loan for a specific period of time. This may be a deferment of one payment of may be a deferment of a year or more. The balance of the loan remains and interest may accrue during this time, but it won’t tarnish your credit or start collection procedures.

If you can pay some of your loan payments but are having trouble with the amount of the payments, you may want to extend the payment of your loan. This will reduce the monthly amount of the loan. However, it is going to extend the amount of time you will be paying off the loan and may increase the total amount because of interest costs.

Deferments are available for a number of circumstances. You can get a deferment if you are unemployed, experiencing hardship or attending school full-time. To obtain a deferment you must apply for a deferment through the company that has your loan. There may be certain requirements and documentation that you must complete and turn in to receive the deferment, but they will help you with these steps.

If you have more than one loan and are finding it difficult to keep track of it all, than a consolidation loan may be right for you. A consolidation loan is a when a company purchases your loans from each of the institutions you owe. You than that one company one payment a month based on the amount of the loans and the interest that company charges.

When consolidating your loans, you want to shop around. There are a great deal of loan companies that prey on individuals who are facing debt. The amount of interest and the amount of time you are going to have to pay on the loan may vary widely from one company to the next. Pay close attention to the terms of the loan and get quotes from a few different companies before you decide on one.

If you are facing default on your student loans, the best thing to do is contact your loan company. The earlier you figure things out the less it will cost you in the long run. These types of loans don’t go away and only get worse with time. Don’t be afraid to talk with them your loan, they benefit from finding the right loan terms for you because something is better than nothing.

Stopping the Cycle: Conquering Credit Card Debt

Removing debt from your life is a hot topic these days, and it seems that everyone has a take on how to do it. Well, I am no different that any other entrepreneur or writer—because I too have some sound suggestions on avoiding and consolidating debt. These adages should be taken as they are intended—light hearted, without judgment, but stemming from experience. My experience with debt has been tumultuous at best, and the lessons that I have learned are common to many others. These lessons should be passed on, discussed, laughed at, scorned, and even applied to your own debt management process.

For starters, never sign up for a credit card just to get the free CD, tee-shirt, book, gift certificate, etc. The old saying that “nothing is free” rings true in these cases. These deals are always what they seem—to good to be true. That is because frequently credit cards marketed to groups that will sign up for them for the freebies (i.e. college students) hold high interest rates, poor customer service, and horrendously high late fees. These companies make their money of young and wary consumers, and they merely pave the way for continued credit card debt downfalls.

Secondly, never fall into the cycle of obtaining another credit card to merge balances. Yes, sometimes this debt technique might be beneficial, but usually you will continue to spend and rack up more debt on the new card. For instance, let’s say that you get a new card, interest free for a year, with an eight thousand dollar limit. From here, you merge three high interest credit cards onto the card for a total balance of seven thousand. Now you’ve promptly shredded and destroyed the old cards, and you are diligent at not adding new debt the eight thousand dollar limit card. But, what you didn’t account for is that once you start to decrease your bill the credit card company after several months of continuous and timely payments “graciously” increases your limit to ten thousand. So now, you have five thousand dollars in credit card debt with five thousand to “spend.” The weather is cold, there is three feet of snow on the ground, and you have twenty vacation days that you need to use or they will be lost. So you and two friends decide to whimsically take off to Tahiti for two weeks because you found a hot deal for less than a thousand dollars. In your winter stricken head you are saying, “Oh I’ve done so good so far. I’ll just make double payments when I get back.” In literally, the blink of an instant you have gone from diligent consumer to typical statistic. This scenario is only one of many that will prevent you from paying off that debt. Having a credit card with a “leftover” balance is like waving a steak in front of a hungry dog—the animal, no matter how well trained, will dive in and devour the temptation. More importantly, even low end interests rates continually add to your overall credit card bill. Generally, credit card debt takes ten to twenty years to pay off by using the minimum monthly payment schedule.

Hence, the only sure fire way to reduce your credit card debit is to remove the cards from your wallet and spending power. Using a debt consolidation service is an excellent way to do this. These services, plentiful and helpful, generally secure reduced or no interest fees on your cards, and they charge a minimal fee for their services. Additionally, your overall payments are almost always reduced, they work with you to develop a long term payoff plan (particularly one that will fit your budgetary needs), and your credit rating will improve with service to the program. The debt services that I have talked with all interview their clients, call two to three times a year for service updates and to check in with the customer, and monthly statements continually give you a sense of satisfaction because they reflect your continually reduced balances. The money that you pay to the service goes to your primary balances, and little if any if it is applied to interest accrual because interest rates are severely cut with the program. Lastly, debt payment programs prevent you from using the cards while in their care, prohibit you from applying for new credit until your current debt is paid off, and they make automated payments painless and simple. Once a month, like clockwork, a withdrawal will be made from your account into theirs. Then they will disburse the money to the appropriate companies, and you are worry free. For even more encouragement about the benefits of debt management programs, you should consider that for a standard credit card debt of five thousand dollars a debt service can secure your payoff in three and half to five years from your start date. That, right there, is a huge advantage over the ten to twenty years of payments through the credit card companies themselves.

Finally, removing credit cards from your life may make you cringe and loath the thought of not being able to shop on the weekly basis, but you can still shop and enjoy vacations and the finer points of life without a credit card. Most banks offer free debit cards with checking accounts, and these apparatuses work like standard credit cards. Also, be diligent and save a percentage of your weekly wages for your own pleasure. These “earmarked” wages should not be for your savings account, which is also a good idea (even if you only put in twenty dollars a month).

These “earmarked” wages are those that you can use to go splurge on pieces of a new wardrobe, go see the hottest summer concert, or use for vacation funds. Initially, you may have to take a month or two off from weekly (or daily) shopping excursions, but after you have your watering hole fund established you will be set. From then on, you will be able to spend freely and without guilt because you will know that this money is yours and does not have to paid back at the end of the month.

Dressing Kids in Style on a Budget

Money gets tight sometimes when you have several children. Diapers, formula, vitamins, doctor visits, and shoes for growing feet all add up fast! However you can still make your kids look like a million bucks—without spending it.

Probably the most well-known tip would be to shop a season ahead. Why pay $25 for a long sleeved Nike sweatshirt when you can buy it on a post-season clearance rack for $12 or less? Don’t buy a coat in the fall for $60…shop ahead and get it in the spring for $30 or even less. One year I found an $80 Nike coat for only $19.99, and another year I purchased a $40 winter coat for $8 at Sears. The best part is, as your children grow, you will already have some things in the back of their closet that fit them, rather than having to make a mad dash to the mall.

Another tip would be to buy brand-name items. You might feel like you are saving money by buying clothing at Walmart, but once the clothing shrinks a size in the dryer and wears thin with use, it often cannot be handed down to other siblings. Also the shrinkage does not allow for much growing room. However brands such as OshKosh, Nike, Carters, Levi, Children’s Place, etc. usually do not shrink and they maintain their fresh looks wash after wash. It is more economical to buy a $12 shirt that lasts through three little boys than to buy a $5 shirt that has to be trashed after one boy! You can even get the name brand items cheaply by checking outlet stores and even Goodwill or Salvation Army. I recently found a Ralph Lauren denim jacket, still with that starchy new feel to it, at a Salvation Army store for only $6.

Another place to find great deals on kids clothes is Sam’s Club. I have found kids Levi’s on clearance for $6 each and they regularly carry Carters blanket sleepers for infants and toddlers for only about $6.50. They do not carry a lot of clothes at one time, but what they do carry is always name brand (sometimes high end brands as well) and it’s always at an outstanding price.

With a little foresight and a bit of extra time, you can be assured that your kids are dressed in quality apparel…without a large quantity of cash!

Practical Ways to Reduce Your Gas Bill This Winter

We're used to cranking up the thermostat once fall weather arrives. But this practice is becoming increasingly less affordable with the constant increase in gas prices. Making your natural gas bill more affordable is easy. At first the changes you make might seem like a sacrifice, but gradually these small sacrifices will add up in the amount of significant savings each month.

As the weather becomes colder, instead of turning on your heat at the first chilly breeze, allow your body to adjust to the dropping temperatures. Get out a warm comforter for your bed or layer blankets--you'll probably find that in the early months of fall and winter you won't even have to adjust the thermostat at night because the layered blankets will trap the body heat you will radiate.

Wearing warm clothing inside is also a good tip. Your house doesn't have to be a sauna to be inhabitable. Throw on a comfortable sweater or sweatshirt and get a nice pair of slippers or some soft socks. Throws or blankets on your couch will make relaxing in front of the television cozy.

Keep a teapot and a stock of your favorite teas. Drinking warm beverages can easily cause you to break out into a sweat when you're feeling shivery. ( Besides being available in different flavors, caffeine contents, and qualities, tea is undeniably good for you; it is packed with antioxidants, is heart healthy, and even contains fluoride.)

It may not be pretty, but covering your windows with plastic can greatly reduce the heat loss that occurs because of poorly sealing or older windows. Kits that come with everything you need are available. They are simple to put up and easy to take down at the approach of spring. Heavy drapes will greatly decrease heat transfer through inefficient windows. You can also place rolled towels at the crack at the bottom of the door, eliminating drafts.

In the kitchen, after doing holiday baking, don't waste the heat produced by the oven after you have shut it off! Open the oven door slightly (making sure that no pets or children are in the area--this can be dangerous) and let that heat escape into your house.

As the weather gets cooler, space heaters can be an economical way to warm the space you're in rather than forcing you to warm the whole house. For example, why run the heat at full blast when you spent most of the time in your study? Space heaters can be found that do not pose the same safety hazards associated with older space heater models. They are compact, highly portable, and built so that even a towel draped over them is not a risk for fire.

If you have a wood burning fireplace, this may be a viable source for heat. Depending upon your natural gas usage, it may be cheaper than heating your house solely with gas. Fireplaces require maintenance and a constant supply of wood, but the relative inconvenience may be cost-effective.

As you can see, keeping your gas bills from getting out of control takes only a little effort on your part. If you can't afford new windows, new insulation, or a new heater (or you would still like to keep your bills to a minimum, even with these higher-cost cold-weather solutions), lowering your gas usage and adopting an energy conscientious life style can be financially rewarding!

Drive your man insane! Inventory your kitchen!

A humorous look at one family’s adjustment to a money saving technique
How does a family of five live on $100.00 a week for groceries? With a kitchen inventory, of course! You may be surprised at how well you and your entire family adjusts.
This article includes a downloadable excel document to help a person begin to inventory their kitchen.

With gas prices rising, so does the price of everything else, including food and supplies for the home. Toss in the fact that many of us return to the store multiple times a week for a single item, and that those small, quick trips always turn into large hauls; it is just too costly to shop anymore. We had to find a solution.

My husband is awesome. He brings home the bacon and sometimes fries it, too. Although we both agree that we are happy with me as the main cook, he dabbles a bit in the kitchen. And quite successfully, I might add. However, since I began to try to actively save money a few things have changed in the kitchen, and they are driving him nutz. This is fun!

The first thing any sane person does to save money is to start a budget. To start a budget we have to honestly lay out all of our income and all of our debts. Take it from me, this will be very painful! This usually takes three or four tries because the honesty factor depresses most of us. Once we have that budget down, we also go through a moment of disbelief as to how much we spend on different items, or on different needs. For us, this epiphany came when we looked at what we were spending on groceries.

Now, I define groceries as anything you would buy on a typical grocery store run. This includes food items as well as things such as garbage bags, toiletries and laundry items.

At the time we finalized our budget, we were spending an average of $1,000.00 a month on groceries! Yea, a GRAND! That adds up to $12,000.00 a year. Or to put it bluntly, a NEW CAR! Hello? This was unacceptable. Some people do not even make that much money in a single year, much less spend that much to eat. Something had to change.

So, I came up with an arbitrary number of $100 a week. Why $100? It was a starting point, a stab in the dark, because money-wise that is where I am, in the dark. The plan is to see if we can live reasonably on $100 a week on groceries with out social services paying us a visit to check on our children. So far, we have done quite well!

To further reinforce this ideal budget of $100 a week, I popped open the excel program and laid out an extensive inventory of all the items in our kitchen, the pantry, fridge, bathrooms and laundry area. I saved the original as the main, and printed out one copy. I took this copy (Three Sheets!) and went to work.

It took me two days to completely inventory everything we had. Who knew we would have 9 cans of kidney beans stashed away? I also found 12 cans (yes twelve cans) of something without a label. There was no telling what it was or how long it had been there. I didn’t have the guts to open it. The mystery cans were thrown away.

Here is how we used to do it. We would sit at the table with a pen and paper and try to remember what we need, inevitably forgetting the one thing we were headed to the store in the first place. Giving up on the list, or forgetting it in the car was our usual mode of operation. This is why, when we get to the checkout stand, we end up with more in our cart than we budgeted for. “Did we need any of these?” “Who knows! They were on sale, so I got them!” Now I understand how the 9 cans of kidney beans got there.

Once I knew what we did and did not have, I could more efficiently shop for the "Holes in the Inventory". This left no room for "Guessing" what we needed when making a list.

Now, if you have a home inventory (Think Restaurant) then you will only need to grab the inventory off the wall or clipboard and "Fill in the Holes"! This is working for us so well, that last week I only spent $41.59 in total groceries for the week! And there was no going back to the store for one or two things, if we ran out. We simply toughed it out and re adjusted our inventory list.


Now, my husband was informed about this list. "When you use something, mark it off on the inventory list!", I told him. Did he listen? Well, sort of. He thought it was a great idea, but he found it cumbersome to work with. When he cooks, he never “Fixes” anything for dinner, he “Mixes” something for dinner. This means, he puts a pot on the stove and simply begins to throw odd things into it until it smells good. No one for thinking about what he is doing, he made an incredibly delicious dinner for all of us but could not remember how much of what he may have used. So, I asked him to try to recount what he put in his design.

After he finished with his rant about how “You cannot inventory art.”, I mentioned that I could shave $600.00 off our monthly grocery bill. It was quiet for so long, I thought time had frozen. He immediately turned around, grabbed some paper and began recounting what he used to mix his meal.

As I walked off, he reminded me smugly, “This doesn’t mean I agree, you know!” “Yes it does!”, I said under my breath giggling as I walked away.

I placed the list on the wall with a pen tied to the wall to leave no room for excuses. While mixing another one of his famous "Specials" made of noodles, tomato sauce and anything loose in the kitchen, I was hovering over him asking, "Did you mark that off? What about those? Did you get those?”, and so on. He became so frustrated, he walked out of the kitchen, turned back towards the kitchen, glaring at me and told me to, "CHECK THE INVENTORY!” So I did....

It was beautiful! He had marked off how many noodles (Ounces) he used, including how many cups of milk, or slices of bread. Whooo Hoooo! I walked out of the kitchen asking him, "Would you like me to prepare the table for you, Chef?" Now he is the one who hovers over me, asking, "Did you mark those off?" And at $41.59 for the week’s grocery bill, how can we argue? This is fun!

Choosing the Right Credit Card

A credit card can be helpful or damaging, depending on how it is used. They allow you to make purchases when you do not actually have the cash on hand. They also allow you to make purchases over the Internet or by phone. However, these purchases must be paid back, which can sometimes cause problems.

A credit card is referred to as a revolving credit account. This means that the credit becomes available again, for your use, once it is paid back. Not paying back these purchases can affect your future credit, making it difficult to purchase a home or car. In order to be used wisely, the decision to get and use a credit card must not be taken lightly.

In choosing a credit card, there are many things to consider. You must first consider your past credit history and decide how you would like to use the card. Then, you must consider the costs, features, and benefits of the card. In order to make the best decision, be sure to gather information on several cards that meet your needs.

First, consider your credit history. If you do not have a history or have not paid previous bills on time, you may need a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, you make a deposit, which is held against your credit limit. The credit limit is based on the amount of that deposit. This will allow you to build a new credit file, or repair a poor one. If you qualify for an unsecured credit card, where no deposit is required, better credit may mean a lower interest rate.

Second, you will want to consider how you intend to use the card. Decide whether you will pay off your balance in full each month, carry a balance from month to month, or use it primarily for cash advances. If you intend to pay your bill in full each month, consider a card with no annual fee and a longer grace period. If you would like to carry a balance each month, you will want a low annual percentage rate, or APR. Should you decide to use your card mainly for cash advances, you should look for low fees on cash advances. The fees for cash advances are usually higher than those for purchases.

Now, look at the fees involved in having a credit card. You should consider annual fees, annual percentage rates, and transaction fees. In considering the annual percentage rate, or APR, you should look at the type of rate it is. Some cards have a delayed APR, which means you may start off paying no interest for a certain amount of time, such as six months, then, a rate becomes effective at this point. Similarly, some cards have a low introductory rate. This means you begin with one rate for a set amount of time, then a new, higher rate becomes effective. Other cards may have a fixed, variable, or tiered annual percentage rate. A fixed rate means that your APR will remain the same for the most part. Your credit card company will notify you when this rate changes, allowing you to continue with the new rate, or pay off your balance at the old rate, within a time limit, and close the account. A variable rate APR will change from time to time. The details on how this rate is calculated and how often it changes can be found in the credit card agreement. If the credit card has a tiered rate, the APR is based on the balance remaining on the card. For example, there may be one rate for balances under $500, and another for balances between $500 and $1000.

There may also be a minimum finance charge. This is the minimum amount that will be charged to you each month that you are required to pay a finance charge. In other words, if the minimum finance charge is $1.00, and your interest is calculated to be only $.35, you will be charged $1.00.

Other fees involved in having a credit card, include set-up fees, annual fees, late-payment fees, over-limit fees, cash advance fees, balance-transfer fees, and returned-item fees. A set-up fee is a fee that will be charged to you for opening the account and receiving the credit card. Annual fees are charged to you either monthly or annually for simply keeping the credit card account open. Late-payment fees are charged to you when the credit card company does not receive your payment by the due date. Over-limit fees are usually charged when you go over the approved credit limit and do not make a payment to bring your balance below the limit.

Cash advance fees are fees that are charged to you when you use your card at an ATM to get cash or write a "check," which some companies may provide you with. Also, remember that the APR on cash advances is usually higher than that for purchases. Another fee possibly charged to you is a balance-transfer fee. This is a fee that may be charged should you use one credit card to pay off another. Again, these types of transactions may also involve a different APR. Also, should you send a payment to be credited towards your balance, and that payment is returned due to insufficient funds, i.e. your check bounces, you will be charged a returned-item fee.

There are also things you should consider regarding your payment. When you receive your statement, it will list your purchases for the month, cash advances and balance transfers, due date, minimum payment due, and current balance. You must realize the difference between the minimum payment due and your current balance.

Your current balance is the total amount you owe on your credit card, and the minimum payment due is the lowest payment you can make by the due date in order to keep your account current according to the terms of your agreement. When you send in your payment, the credit card company may credit it towards your purchases first, and then to cash advances. You should read your agreement to determine how your credit card payments will be credited.

Also consider grace periods when making your payments. Usually, if you pay off the entire balance, each month, you will be given a grace period on new purchases. This is the amount of time you have to pay off this purchase before you are charged any interest on it. Most of the time, if you do not pay off the balance, you will not receive a grace period on new purchases.

There are also many features and benefits to having a credit card. Some cards may offer rebates on the purchases you make. These can come in the form of points redeemable for prizes, cash back, or frequent flier miles. You may also receive discounts on certain products and services purchased with your card. Some credit cards offer additional warranties on the products you purchase with the card or car rental insurance when renting a car with the card.

Another feature of credit cards is a limit on liability for fraudulent charges. Should your card be lost or stolen, you should notify your credit card company immediately. You should then determine how to dispute charges, which appear on your statement, that you did not make. By federal law, you are only responsible for the first $50, but your credit card company may offer a lower limit. This is why it is important to review your statement monthly. There is usually a time limit in which you are allowed to dispute fraudulent charges.

Choosing the right credit card can be a very difficult decision to make, but by educating yourself to the terms of a credit card will help you make a wise choice. Remember to review your agreement, review your statement monthly, and make your payments on time. By following these few guidelines, having a credit card can be rewarding and useful in your everyday life.

Everyday Tips to Help Control Household Food Costs

No one can have missed the fact that the cost of food is rising worldwide. Everywhere, people's weekly and monthly bills are increasing as everyday foodstuffs rise in cost. Understanding what you can do to control your food related outgoings, even if you can't lower the cost of basic foods, is vital to controlling household food bills.
By taking a good look at the way we buy, store and use our food at home, it's possible to make more with what we have, produce less waste and reduce the amount we have to buy every week. The tips here will help you with some basic changes you can make to your everyday use of food and might help you think a little differently about how food is used at home.

Planning meals.
Planning meals is still one of the most effective methods of controlling and reducing the amount of food you buy. Before you go grocery shopping, plan what meals you think you will cook over the next few days and make a list of what you will need. This limits impulse buying and the waste that inevitably results from it. The simple use of a shopping list and ensuring that you don't deviate from it without good reason can have a huge impact on everyday grocery bills but is particularly effective when used as part of the meal planning process.

Be aware of the seasons.
Understanding seasonal foods will help you control what you are willing to pay for some foods. When a particular fruit or vegetable is out of season, it inevitably becomes more expensive to buy as special production techniques have to be used to grow it. By sticking to seasonal fruit and vegetables you avoid paying premium prices for high demand out of season food and you will become more aware of the price fluctuations in some foods.
When seasonal fruits are in abundance, use them to make preserves that will keep for months rather days or weeks, allowing you to enjoy the fruit for longer without buying more.

Avoid big shopping trips.
If you can, try to shop more often but buying smaller amounts. This will lower the amount you buy in any one shopping trip and will reduce the amount of waste food you might have, particularly where fresh or refrigerated food is concerned. If you only buy enough for a few days, there is less chance that fresh food will perish and need to be disposed of.

Don't forget about the leftovers.
Leftover food can be great fun to experiment with. Why not share recipes for using leftovers with friends and family? Check the internet for new recipes using the leftovers and ingredients you have in the cupboard already. There is no shortage of places offering recipes online for you to choose from. There is nothing to stop you allowing for leftovers in your planning either.

Use your freezer.
When you get good deals in the supermarket, why not buy a bit more and freeze it. Although you might pay more initially, you will be lowering your bills in the following weeks. This works particularly well when meals are planned. Some leftovers can also be frozen, especially soups or stews which are usually made in larger quantities than necessary. When planning your meals, remember to take this frozen food into consideration and plan when you will use it during the week to allow you to buy less new food. You can also make larger batches of some of your favourite meals and portion them into containers for freezing. This is not only cost effective but will save you time when you come to reheat them instead of having to cook a whole meal.

Think about what you're throwing away.
Before you throw food away, think whether it can actually still be used. For example, bananas that are turning black are not necessarily beyond use. They could still be used for baking into a banana loaf. Similarly, avocados that are going a bit soft can make great guacamole.

If you never thought about it before, try and be aware of the amount of food you throw away each week. The chances are that you'll be surprised just how many meals worth it amounts to. Think then of this on a national or global scale and you can easily see how much precious food is wasted every day. In cost terms alone, no household can continue to produce so much waste for ever. Thinking more about your food storage and consumption, combined with a few practical yet simple tips can seriously reduce the amount of food and money you waste every day.

4 Tips For Staying On Budget

Many families find themselves living in debt each month and wondering how they can get back in budget. Bills pile up, the cost of living increases, and the income coming in never seems to be enough. Fortunately, there are ways to decrease monthly debt and keep the family finances on track. With these four simple tips, any family can reduce their spending and stay on budget.

Create a Budget and Stick to it.

It is very hard to stay on budget if you do not have one mapped out. Sit down and create a list of all of your family's monthly expenses. Separate them by those you have to pay, such as rent or car payments, and those you can live without. Include any debts you have, even if you are not currently paying on them. As your family spending comes under control, you will have extra money each month that can be used to pay off these debts. The fewer outstanding debts you have, the better your finances will be.

Go through the list of non-necessary monthly bills and see where you can cut it down. There may be many things that you do not want to give up, but in the interest of getting back on budget something will have to give. This can mean cutting down your cable package to a smaller one, or learning to live without cable TV altogether. Look for things you do not use, such as a rarely used gym membership, and things that can be downgraded to low cost options.

Slash the Credit Cards

Many people live on their credit cards, racking up debt each month that is difficult to pay off. Instead of relying on credit to pay for things each month, stick with good, old-fashioned cash. If you have more than one credit card, cancel any cards that you do not owe payments on. The fewer credit cards you have, the less likely you will be go over your monthly budget.

Keep at least one credit card set aside for emergencies. It can be difficult at first for those who are used to having credit at their disposal, but avoiding the credit card traps is the best way to reduce debt and stick with a budget.

Make Conscious Decisions About Purchases

Before you buy anything, stop and ask yourself if you really need it. Too many people get sucked into marketing and feel they have to buy the latest, newest thing. Before you spend any money, ask yourself why you are making the purchase and if you really need it. How often will you use it, can you use something else that you already have, and are there cheaper ways to get the same results are all questions you need to consider.

If you find something that you truly think you need to buy, first look for low cost alternatives. Online sources, such as Freecycle and Craigslist, are great ways to find many items you could buy for free or for a fraction of the new cost. When trying to stick with a tight budget, having ways to spend less money are very important tools to know.

Re-plan the Menu

Grocery costs can be one of a family's biggest budget problems. It seems that the price of food increases each month. Luckily, there are ways to reduce grocery costs as well. Choose to eat less meat each week as a way to both make meals healthier and cost less. Many dishes can be served without meat, such as spaghetti and burritos. Other dishes, such as chili, can taste just as good with beans instead of meat.

Cutting out junk foods is another way to reduce food costs. Soda, potato chips, and boxed foods can burn a hole in a grocery budget without providing any nutritional value in exchange. Many boxed meals can also be made homemade for less per meal than the cost of the packaged foods. A bag of macaroni noodles and a block of cheese can create several mac&cheese dishes for the same cost as one boxed meal.

As costs, and debt, continue to rise it can be difficult to stick with a family budget. However, creating a budget and making an effort to stick with it will help you solve your family money problems each month. By ditching your credit card spending and dropping monthly costs to a minimum, you can increase the money that you have left over each month. Using these simple tricks, any family can stay on budget and repair their money woes.

How To Avoid Holiday Debt While Still Enjoying Christmas

The holiday season often means one thing: shopping. Many people burn holes through their credit in order to buy the newest, coolest, most wanted gifts for their family and loved ones. Unfortunately, just as the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the road to debt can be paved with Christmas gifts.

Debt can be a huge burden that weighs a person down. When the soft lights and joyful music is over, those Christmas memories are filled with credit card bills and outrageous interest rates that can leave anyone feeling like a Scrooge. Avoiding the holiday debt that can drag you down is critical. Not only for your financial health, but for your emotional health too. Drowning in holiday debt can lead to depression and anger, erasing the momentary joy your gifts might have brought.

Luckily, avoiding holiday debt can be very simple to do. And it does not mean giving up the Christmas joy either. You can still show your family how much you care for the holidays without destroying your credit rating in the process. Before you put a single gift in your shopping basket, read these simple tips to keeping the holiday debt at bay.

● Make a budget and stick to it. Sure, the newest phone or video game may be cool and exciting, but if it puts you over your budget you just have to pass. Create a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to and a reasonable amount of money to spend on those gifts. If you have a big family you may want to only spend $25 per person, or parents may want to choose only $20 for adults and $30 for children. Come up with a figure that will not cause you to go broke, and stick with it.

● Look for sales all year long. Almost everyone shops the Black Friday sales that many stores hold after Thanksgiving, yet there are sales going on all year long that can be equally great. There is nothing wrong with buying Christmas presents in April, June, or August if that is when you find the perfect gift on sale.

● Only use cash to buy gifts. Putting presents on credit, even if you have a great interest rate, can easily lead to getting in over your head. Stick with cash for your gift purchases to help keep you on budget and leave your credit rate alone. If you are doing your shopping online use a bank card that draws directly from your checking account rather than a credit card.

● Consider homemade gifts. Giving homemade gifts can be a very meaningful and frugal way to show how much you care during the holiday season. Homemade jams and jellies are simple to make, or try your hand at sewing, knitting, even jewelry making. Do not fret if your gift is less than perfect, often the small imperfections are what gives a piece personality.

● Offer yourself instead. Does your mother really need a new kitchen gadget, or would she rather have you come over for dinner more often? Does your son need a new toy, or would more time together be a better gift? If debt is already a problem, give your family a cost-free gift that they will surely love: you. Remember, the holidays are about family and togetherness. And both of those things do not cost a dime.

Setting a Budget That Won't Break the Bank This Christmas

Budgeting for the Christmas holidays is becoming more and more important for most households as tough financial measures start to bite across the globe. Setting your budget can be a daunting task and many people will struggle with where to start. It can be done easily though and all you need is a sheet of paper, a pen and a good idea of what state your personal finances are in.

To start from scratch, write down all the things that you will be doing, or usually like to do, over the Christmas holiday season. This could be gift shopping, nights out, entertaining at home or even travelling to see friends and family. Recalling what you spent in previous years in each category can be difficult, so start by allocating what feels like a reasonable amount of money to each item based on what you will be doing. For example, when planning Christmas gift shopping, write down the names of all the people you will be buying gifts for and allocate an amount of money to each person that fits with your relationship and what you would normally give. Adding up all of this list will give you a basic budget for gift shopping. Similarly, entertaining at home can be planned by setting out your menu and working out what it will cost you.

Once you've got all of your categories noted down and an amount of money planned against each one, you can add it all up to get the total. Compare this to what funds you know will be available and you'll be able to see where savings might need to be made or amounts swapped over from one category to another. If you're satisfied that you can afford to spend this amount of money then you've effectively set your Christmas budget. You can plan the rest of your household finances for the Christmas holidays around this knowing that you should have a known outgoing.

If however, you feel that you've come up with a figure that's a little out of reach, you'll have to start trimming here and there to get it down. Look at what you set for each person you're buying Christmas gifts for and adjust it where you think you can. Remember that a little shopping around especially online can save you quite a bit at Christmas time. Similarly, if you need or intend to travel at Christmas, it can be an expensive time. Ask yourself if you can travel at times other than peak times to reduce what you'll need to spend? Can you be away for a shorter trip?

Once you've managed to squeeze your holiday expectations into a budget, it's essential that you stick to it. No matter how challenging this may seem, in times of financial hardship, working to a budget needs to be a way of life if you're to save yourself from future financial problems. Don't let Christmas cost you more than money, set a budget early and work with it.

Money Games - Fun and Easy Cash and Change Games to Save Extra Money

Are you looking for fun and simple ways to save extra money? Would you like to accumulate cash for special purchases or favorite activities? Saving extra money for spending, unexpected expenses, and financial freedom can be fun as well as easy. "Found" money cash and change games are the answer.

Here are ten of my favorite money games. Though most of us have saved our change in a container at some time or another, these variations are more fun, and because of that, sometimes more profitable. You probably will come up with some clever variations of your own when you see just how effective these money games can be!

Dollar Bills Draw - Make small slips of paper labeled $1 or $2 or "Double", along with the name of the money goals you are working on. For example, you might have slips that say something like: $2 Grand Canyon trip, $1 Convection oven, $1 Fancy restaurant dinner, $2 Emergency fund, etc. Draw a slip on certain days of the week, and put the amount in your appropriate savings container or budget account. If you draw "Double", draw another slip and put twice the amount showing towards that goal.

Coins Draw - Make slips of paper labeled with your goals as in the Dollar Bills Draw. Instead of dollar amounts, mark them with change amounts such as $.05, $.10, $.25, or $.50. Draw a slip on some or every day of the week.

Coin Change - Save all the coin change you receive from regular spending on certain days of the week only for a particular goal. Spend your change as usual on the other days.

Dimes Only - Save all the dimes you receive for a particular goal, or save all dimes on particular days of the week only. Variations of this are Pennies Only, Nickels Only, Quarters Only, etc.

Coins a Week - Save all of the coins you receive for change for a week at a time, alternating with a week of spending them.

Coins a Month - Save all your coins change for a goal for a month at a time. Alternate with a month of spending of them.

Coins & Currency Rotation - For one week save certain coins of your choice. The next week save all $1 bills you come across.

Dollar Bills - Save all the $1 bills you are given back as change etc., paying with $5 bills or larger. Spend all of your change as usual during this game.

Dollar Bills a Day - Save all your $1 bills for certain days of the week only.

Dollar Bills a Week - Save your $1 bills for money goals for a week at a time, alternating with spending weeks.

Stick with the games while watching your extra cash accumulate and multiply. You'll soon see how fun, easy, and effective saving money by playing can be!

Cycling in France

Cycling is the National sport in France, like baseball in the USA or Soccer in most countries in the world.

This year the race is over twenty-one stages from second to twenty-fourth July and covers three thousand, five hundred, eighty-four kilometres, that's a bit over two thousand miles (a kilometre is about five eighths of a mile). The various stages pass through every possible type of terrain to give the riders the stiffest possible test.

The tour's been raced every year, except during war years, since 1903 - this year it will be the ninety-second. When it first started, it was just what it's name says, a tour of the Country for cyclists but, over the years, it's become more and more commercial so that now, it's the major national event - a bit like the Superbowl or the World Series. The usual considerations now take over - well one usual consideration - money.

Absolutely everything is subject to sponsorship and the list of sponsors reads like a roll call of major French businesses. Obviously, the cycles themselves are supplied by the machine's makers then there are the tires sponsored separately - and tires are as vital a component of a racing cycle as they are of a Formula One racing car. Now there's the riders garb - his pants, his sweater, his gloves, helmet, protective everything-you-can-think-of, shades, and footwear. That\'d5s not to mention - no - no more, you'll get bored!

The statistics are awesome. The tour has a permanent staff of sixty, it uses twelve hundred hotel rooms in any town there's a stopover and over thirteen thousand people are involved in security.

Nowadays, it isn't restricted to France either. Most tours do cross National borders into neighboring countries like Belgium and Switzerland. On one occasion, it even crossed the English Channel (or La Manche - the sleeve, as the French call it) and there were stages in Great Britain and Ireland. This year, there be a stage in Germany.

The French population go tour crazy every year. Fifteen million of them will travel hundreds of kilometres to watch the tour flash past. That can take up to several minutes and then they drive home again. They particularly like the mountain stages in the Alps and Pyrenees - they've probably got sadistic streaks and like to see the riders suffer

Americans have entered the race regularly over the years and some of them have done quite well. Since nineteen-ninety-three, Lance Armstrong has entered every year and won the event now six times in a row, that's the most wins by any rider ever. He has announced that this is going to be his last tour win or lose, but he's still expected to do pretty well.

So why do they do it? This year the prize pool is three million euros (at about 1.30 bucks to a euro) of which the winner will see four hundred thousand. The real incentive though is the residual - the opportunities for sponsorship and media exposure. Ok it's not like winning the Heavyweight World Title but Lance should never need to worry about money again.

Little League basebal

Warmer weather is finally here! Can baseball season be far behind? Every spring and summer nearly 3 million children and adolescents take to the field to play the all American game of baseball. It’s estimated that nearly 25 percent of youths participate in the game as pitchers. Though baseball is a relatively safe sport, the number of pitching injuries continues to increase. Anyone who has endured shoulder surgery or rehabilitative therapy for a pitching injury understands how important it is to prevent the problem from occurring. It’s important for parents and coaches to understand why pitching injuries occur and what steps can be taken to prevent them.

In a survey of Little League baseball coaches nearly 30 percent of them indicated that their pitchers experienced at least one episode of elbow or shoulder pain during the season. The most frequently cited risk factor for pitching injuries was arm fatigue. The motion of throwing a baseball is extremely complex. The shoulder alone requires 12 muscles to work in unison to throw the perfect pitch. When you repetitively throw or pitch a baseball thousands of times a year it’s easy to see why pitching injuries are so common. When a pitcher’s arm begins feeling heavy, painful or tired, it’s an indication that the critical shoulder muscles that stabilize the shoulder have become fatigued and are unable to function properly. Continuing to throw despite these symptoms can lead to irreversible shoulder and elbow damage.

How can arm fatigue or the dreaded “dead arm syndrome” be prevented? A proactive approach to training and pitching can significantly reduce the incidence of pitching injuries in little league baseball. A strict limit to the number of pitches a pitcher can throw is the single most important factor in preventing pitching injuries. Pitch counts are kept for a game, for an entire week, and also for an entire baseball season. Pitch counts are so important that Little League baseball has developed formal guidelines based on a pitcher’s age as to the number of pitches which can be thrown per inning, game, and season. These guidelines should be mandatory and not based on the occurrence of elbow or shoulder pain which they were designed to prevent.

Contrary to prior medical studies, the type of pitch thrown does not have as great an impact on pitching injuries as originally thought; however, certain pitches are more difficult for children and adolescents to throw correctly. Poor technique while throwing complicated curveballs and change-ups place greater stress on the arm. It’s important that improper pitching technique be corrected before bad habits form and pitching injuries occur.

The best method for preventing arm fatigue and pitching injuries is arm rest. The ability of the body to repair itself from repetitive trauma is amazing. Little League baseball has established specific protocols stating how frequently young pitchers can safely pitch. As the popularity of baseball has increased year round participation in baseball travel teams or extra league play is no longer unusual. Young pitchers previously had the opportunity to allow their bodies to recuperate
throughout the winter months. Unfortunately, this time for healing has been eliminated for some. Year round throwing is fine since it helps to keep the arm strong and limber; however, year round pitching is unacceptable because of the excessive strain and torque it places on the arm and the large number of pitching injuries it causes. Participation as a pitcher should be limited to one team only.

Proper pitching techniques must be taught and reinforced by coaches and parents. The correct arm mechanics are crucial in preventing pitching injuries from occurring. A year round conditioning and strengthening program is also helpful for preventing pitching injuries. The physical immaturity of the youth participants must be recognized and emphasis placed on flexibility, mobility and stability as opposed to the development of muscle strength and bulk. Performing the wrong exercises, particularly high intensity, repetitive overhead activities may promote rather than prevent pitching injuries.

Pitching injuries in Little League baseball can be effectively avoided by implementing a medically proven coordinated plan. Pitch counts and arm resting sessions must be strictly enforced. Proper pitching techniques need to be taught early and reinforced. Limiting off season baseball to throwing and not pitching will allow the shoulder to naturally rehabilitate itself. Lastly, a trainer or physician approved physical conditioning program focusing on isometric muscle work is an excellent proactive approach to arm strengthening and prevention of pitching injuries.

NHRA Top Fuel drag racing explained

In NHRA drag racing there are several dozen “classes” that allow competitors to participate at performance and expense levels that meet the resources they want to expend. Most of these classes are considered “sportsman” classes where the participants are hobbyists and earn their living at real jobs. There are currently five classes considered “professional”. The teams racing in these classes are businesses attempting to profit from their knowledge of and interest in drag racing.

Top Fuel is the fastest class of many classes competing on the national level. The vehicles bear no resemblance to any conventional automobile except the number of wheels but are still considered “race cars”. Each Top Fuel car represents a large investment that goes well beyond the car itself. This large investment includes the vehicle, spare parts, a highly trained full-time race track crew and additional staff operating in a large home base shop. In this shop the staff maintains the car and transporter between races and performs development work to maintain the team's competitiveness.

The designation “Top Fuel” originated in the early years of organized drag racing. As racers began experimenting with methods to increase performance, the use of nitromethane and methanol as fuel delivered extreme improvements. Adding a supercharger also made dramatic performance increases. To take advantage of these enhancements, racers had to spend much more money. A separation between teams using exotic fuels and teams using gasoline produced significantly different race car styles. The gasoline-powered cars were not competitive against the exotic fueled cars.

Early sanctioning bodies established rules and class designations to separate the gasoline and exotic fuel camps. The fastest gasoline-powered vehicles were designated AA Gas Dragsters. (AA/GD) soon to be called Top Gas and the fastest exotic fueled vehicles were originally AA Fuel Dragsters (AA/FD) which eventually became Top Fuel (T/F). The Top Gas designation eventually fell aside as spectators showed an obvious preference for the violent action of the exotic fueled breed.

Double letters have always been used to designate supercharged classes.
Today, injected, nitro-fueled dragsters (without superchargers) compete as A Fuel dragsters (A/FD) in the TAD (Top Alcohol dragster) sportsman category against supercharged dragsters running alcohol (methanol) without nitro. (At one time these were called “Blown Alcohol Dragsters” or BAD)

The amount of prize money paid out to competitors at the race tracks will not come close to meeting the expenses of a top fuel team. The teams all rely on revenue from advertising contracts with sponsors and from various marketing endeavors centered around the race car and driver to pay expenses and hopefully deliver a profit to team owners. All the companies whose names appear on the race car have paid to have that name on the car. The placement and size of the sign determines how much the sponsor pays.

Top Fuel operations are the drag racing equivalent of Formula 1 teams - the best each sport has to offer to both sponsors and spectators. In the world there are probably less than one hundred active Top Fuel teams. Top fuel drivers are members of a very exclusive club. Top Fuel crew chiefs possess a unique set of skills in tuning and adjusting the subtle parameters of a brute force mechanical machine. Unlike formula 1, drag racing does not use real-time telemetry to collect data. Each Top fuel car has on-board data collection systems that are downloaded to computers after each pass down the drag strip. Crew chiefs use the collected data, in combination with their experience to make adjustments.

Semi-technical Information

Most drag racing fans have some grasp of the basic technical aspects of Top Fuel cars. After all the cars are designed and built for one very simple task: traversing 1000 feet (once a quarter mile) as quickly as possible from a standing start. The challenges of this task make it much harder to accomplish than it sounds. Each pass down the track is different. Air temperatures, track temperatures, track conditions, humidity, barometric pressures...etc change as the day progresses. The competition is always between two cars and the winner is the car that crosses the finish line first. The effects of changing conditions require subtle adjustments to several components, making the crew chief's skills and experience at least as important as the driver's.
The majority of early rules governing fuel drag racing were centered on safety. The violence of early fuel cars put drivers and spectators in danger. Safety rules continue to be the most important rules but certain standardized components and restrictions have become part of the rule books.

Engine size is now limited to 500 cubic inches displacement. Fuel is limited to 90% nitromethane. There is a minimum weight for the car/driver/fuel and there is a specified rear drive ratio. Tires are specified units built especially for top fuel racing. There are many other rules and specifications in the official rule books and every car is weighed and inspected after winning. There are some rules that make drag racing easier to watch and safer for all concerned. Some rules are intended to keep competition costs consistent so that less well funded teams can remain competitive. The very technical aspects found in Formula 1 racing are not permitted here. Telemetry, electronic traction controls, electronic fuel injection, electronic timers for clutch application and other advanced technology are not allowed. Crew chiefs and drivers have computers to look at data recorded during the runs but the cars are never controlled by computer systems.

Engines are specially constructed aluminum blocks equipped with the strongest components the teams can find or have made. All engines are conventional push-rod v-eight configuration . Overhead cams or other exotic configurations are not used. Cylinder heads are the same basic configuration that has been in use since the 1950s. The actual design and material has changed but each cylinder still has only two valves operated by rocker arms and push rods. Superchargers must meet certain specifications and the air inlet area is limited. NHRA has been trying to keep the speeds below 300MPH by adding restrictions (and shortening the race to 1000 feet from 1320 feet.) There are no cooling systems.

The engines are coupled to the rear end through a multi-disk, pneumatically controlled slip clutch. The trimming of the clutch application is one of the crew chiefs' primary tuning adjustments. Getting this adjustment wrong will cause the car to spin the tires severely or accelerate too slowly. Adjustments are made using pneumatic flow controls to manage when and how quickly the clutch stages are applied. At some point down the track, the clutch becomes fully engaged – sometimes welding itself together due to friction and heat.

Some other adjustments available to crew chiefs are ignition timing mapping, fuel mixture, supercharger overdrive ratio, tire pressure and even the percentage of nitromethane in the fuel (up to 90%). Every successful run depends on the crew chief hitting the combination that matches the conditions at the time of the run. Missing even one of these adjustments will mean loosing a race. Missing more than one adjustment or missing a major setting like clutch timing will likely mean a spectacular loss (tire smoke or explosion and fire.) Every mechanical component on the car is critical and operating at it's mechanical limit. A successful run destroys certain mechanical pieces like pistons that must be replaced every run. Their effective life is measured in seconds. There are some situations where a driver can save a run that would have otherwise be a loss.

The NHRA Top Fuel Dragster exists in a world of edges. The engines barely live 6 seconds at full throttle because they are at the edge between controlled and exploding. The tires are always right on the edge between slipping and gripping. The driver must always try to achieve a near perfect reaction time just at the edge between perfect and foul (a red light). Overall, the cars themselves are always on two edges: Going straight under driver's control or making some out of control move too quick for the driver to correct and keeping the front wheels on the track for steering control or flipping over backwards.

The world's fastest motorsport is the fastest because every person or thing involved is pushed right up against limits. It exists in a brute force world of controlled explosions and overstressed mechanicals. The super-high-tech world of formula 1 racing lives on technology and money. Top fuel drag racing lives in the hearts, minds and skillsets of the people involved.

About InsuranceHoleInOne.com

InsuranceHoleInOne.com, a subsidiary of Courses-Golf.com, was developed by golf enthusiasts to provide up-to-date, informative resources and news for consumers who frequently conduct or organize hole in one prize contests. Members from our parent website, Courses-Golf.com, can utilize this website as an additional resource and guide for their events as hole in one insurance needs arise. Courses-Golf.com  offers more general information about golf courses and tournaments.

Here you'll find objective resources and articles about hole in one golf insurance, prizes and upcoming events
that will enable you to make informed decisions about your contest. It's important to research thoroughly the different types of companies and hole in one insurance available as well as what type of golf tournament will work best for you. Our site enables you to plan your event without the typical sales "pressure" you might encounter when visiting an insurer's website. You'll be able to read objective opinions and advice while planning your hole in one golf event.

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Are You Hosting a Charitable Hole In One Event?

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Knife Defence: Understand What’s Coming

Knife defence is one of the trickiest subjects for any martial artist, with a host of different opinions showing up on what you should do when confronted with a blade. One of the most important points is to understand how knife attacks happen, so that you can train in a way that matches the potential threat you face. There are numerous potential scenarios, but a great many of them boil down into just three approaches to the knife.

In the first, an attacker draws a blade and threatens you with it, either from a distance or with the blade pressed to you. This is actually the least dangerous of the potential situations, since the other person’s intent is not, initially, to harm you, but to get you to do something. If they only want to rob you, seriously consider just handing over what you have. At the same time, recognise that this could be just a precursor to a later attack, or an attempt to move you to another location to hurt you worse. Your knife defence here needs to include recognising the moment at which you have to move from compliance to action, and acting decisively when you do.

A second very common situation involves an approach with a hidden or at least not brandished blade, followed by repeated stabs with the dominant hand. These will be delivered either in a hooking motion to the torso, or overhand to the head and chest. Do not assume that someone will stop at a single strike. Many attackers stab repeatedly, even after their victim falls to the ground. Awareness is crucial here, to spot the blade in the first place or at least to pick up on the other person’s intentions towards you. Jamming the knife arm and interrupting the attack are also crucial if you are to create enough space to get away.

The third situation you are likely to face is in fact a variation of the one above, but one you have to prepare for in your knife defence. Again, the assailant attacks with repeated thrusts or slashes, but here they grab you with the other hand to both guide the attack and prevent you from pulling out of distance. This method offers you both benefits and additional dangers. Benefits, because at least the grab gives you some warning of what might be coming. Dangers, because it is harder to escape the situation.

In each case, you need to ask yourself if these situations fit with the sort of blade training your martial art of choice favours. Are you preparing yourself for what you are actually likely to face in the event of an assault with an edged weapon? Far too often, the answer is no. People are preparing for fair fights in which both people are armed, or for opponents who make a single thrust and freeze. If your current knife defence consists of that sort of training, then you need to seriously reconsider what you are doing.

Brock Lesnar: The New Face of MMA

At one point in time in Brock Lesnar’s life he was thought of as nothing more than a “fake” fighter, who represented everything that a true MMA fan despised. Everyone laughed at the thought of Lesnar making his way to the UFC. Most thought that he would be little more than a “side show” to the true mixed martial artists. That all changed when Lesnar first set foot in the octagon.

Frank Mir narrowly escaped with his life in the first minute of their bout. At this point every true MMA fan cringed. They knew in just this minute that they would have to eat their words. Although Lesnar eventually lost this fight to Mir, he gained millions of fans and earned respect from the MMA elite. The loss became unimportant and the legend of Brock Lesnar began.

The UFC executives immediately jumped on the Lesnar train and headed straight to the top. After easily disposing with Heath Herring, the UFC was ready to hand him the title. Randy Couture was the only thing that stood between Lesnar and the belt. Couture did everything he could and gave more than a valiant effort, but in the end the monster could not be destroyed.

The UFC now had everything it wanted; a marketable champion who would create controversy and stir up the MMA world. It didn’t take long for him fit right into the character that the UFC was selling.

The rematch of the century was set; Frank Mir against Brock Lesnar. Both of these men felt that they were the real champion, but Mir seemed to do more of the talking. He made several demeaning comments towards Lesnar leading up to the fight night. Once the two men got into the ring though, Mir showed he didn’t have what Lesnar did (size and strength).

After mercilessly beating Frank Mir’s head in for two rounds the ref step in and the real show started. Lesnar first taunted Mir as he lay beaten on the mat. Then during his in-ring interview he mocked one of the UFC biggest sponsors Bud Light. Finally he finished off his rant by making some off color comments about his wife.
Lesnar immediately apologized for his actions in the ring (after some persuading by UFC President Dana White), but nothing could change the bad boy image he had already built up for himself.

The UFC knew that Brock Lesnar would bring entertainment to the octagon; they just didn’t know how much damage his days in the WWE had done to him.

Safety Tips for Taking Bicycle Tours with Your Children

Taking a tour by bicycle with your children is both a fun and satisfying adventure for both you and your children. Children from toddler size and up can enjoy cycling as long as certain precautions are taken. There's always the beautiful open scenery, fresh air and great exercise to be enjoyed while cycling.

Following safety rules and being prepared for potential hazards is the key to having a fun, but safe bicycle tour
with your family. Below are some tips to help you prepare in advance for taking your children along on your next bicycle tour.

Taking the Toddlers

If you have one or more toddlers that you'd like to take along for the ride, there are two options for safely carrying your toddler. Trailers are a great way to allow your toddler to safely tag along behind you. Trailers are attached to the back of your bicycle and normally can carry two children. There are many convenient safety features that make trailers appealing to parents, such as the cover flaps which protect the children
from flying objects. Some trailers have removable weather covers as well. Trailers are designed to remain upright even if the bicycle wrecks or flips. The bicycle balance is usually not affected by the trailer, which is an added benefit for new riders.

There are two disadvantages to using a trailer. First, trailers can be quite expensive, especially when it offers all the safety features. Secondly, trailers have a very bumpy ride for the child. The bumpy ride might be fine for a child with no health problems, but hazardous if a child does have certain conditions. If you plan to do frequent bicycle trips with your toddler, a trailer might be the best route.

Another option for toddlers is the child carrier seat, which mounts to either the front or back of the bicycle. The most popular seats attach to the rear because most parents feel that having the child behind them is more secure. The greatest advantage of a carrier seat is the closeness of the child to the parent. There are some dangers of carrier seats, such as the imbalance it causes, and new bikers will probably not want to attempt using a carrier with their child for this reason.

No matter which option you choose, always follow common bike safety rules such as wearing a helmet (both you and your children), keeping good maintenance on the bicycle so it will be in top condition when riding, and making sure the carrier or trailer is properly and tightly attached. Also, beware of placing any loose items in the hands of your child while riding. A blanket could easily fall and get caught in your spokes, causing a wreck. Toys or sipping cups can also be a hazard. It's best not to allow the child to hold anything while riding. If you carry along a drink for your child, stop along the side of the road while the child drinks.

Bicycle Touring with Your Older Children

If you have children who are old enough to ride their own bicycles, there are still some safety guidelines to follow for their protection as well. Choosing the appropriate bike for your child is the number one step in safety. The wrong size or style of bike for your child could spell disaster while riding. Don't base your choice solely on color or bike theme, but also design, dependability and mobility.

Never get a bike that's too large for your child with the mentality that he/she will grow into it. If your child
will be riding the bicycle now, then choose one that fits his/her size right now. This is vital to your child's
health and safety. A bike that's too large will be very difficult to pedal and too heavy to handle.

How to Determine if a Bike is the Right Size

Allow your child to sit on the bike (and ride if possible) before buying. Your child should be able to reach all controls, pedals and brakes comfortably. The ball of the foot should touch the floor while sitting on the bike's seat. If your child has to stretch to reach the ground or the pedals, then the bike is too large. Although most bikes state a "suitable" age, you should always measure according to the size because every child is different.

A nine-year-old girl might be four feet tall and weigh 100 pounds, while another nine-year-old might be three feet tall with a weight of 70 pounds. There are vast differences in the height and weight of children, so choose the bike that fits your child's size.

Make sure your child wears the necessary protective items while riding, such as a helmet and pads. Be sure to keep good maintenance on your child's bike between trips.

Teaching Your Child the Rules of the Road

One way to make your bicycle tours more interesting is to teach your child rules of the road along the way. Learning while riding is much easier than learning beforehand for a child, although there are some very urgent rules that should be discussed before getting on the bicycle. While touring you can blend fun and adventure with instructions for safe riding.

Bicycle touring with your children can be a great way to exercise, see great sights and fellowship with your family.

Alan Shearer

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has said that his beloved club do not want him to be their new manager. In the past, Shearer has said that he did not want to take the role on, but on this occasion he does seem to have ‘thrown his hat in the ring’.

Shearer claims that he received a phone call from the club telling him that they were looking for an experienced manager, therefore effectively ruling him out of the running.

Some of the devoted Toon army will be devastated by this news. They long for the passion and excitement created by Kevin Keegan a few years ago, and they firmly believe that their favourite son was the man to do it.
Shearer himself believes that he could turn the fortunes of the club around, and will be disappointed that he is not being considered.

So is it wise for a player who was a hero with a club to take over that club as manager? A look at the history suggests that it is a risky business. There Are a long line of men who were heroes as players but then became less liked as they failed to achieve success as the manager. Glen Roeder at Newcastle, Brian Little at Aston Villa, Colin Todd at Derby, Alan Ball at Southampton, Ossie Ardilles at Tottenham. All heroes as players and failures as managers, leaving the clubs under a cloud.

I think it would be a great shame if this happened to Shearer who was one of the true greats. Of course, he could take over the club and be an instant success. I consider that to be unlikely as some great and experienced managers have tried and failed. Dalglish, Gullit, Robson, Souness and Allardyce were hardly novices with no track record when they took the St James’ Park hot seat.

If Shearer wants to become a manager then he should learn his trade at smaller clubs, much as Paul Ince is doing at Milton Keynes Dons, and then when he has served his apprentiship he could stride into Newcastle and maybe, just maybe, be a hero as a manager as well. One day, someone will win something for the Geordies, and they will be guaranteed hero status for life. Don’t bet against it being Alan Shearer in a few years time.