Hotel scams

A popular scam these days, happening especially to spring breakers, is called "walking." This is where a hotel (supposedly) overbooks their rooms and offers to send the vacationers to what should be a comparable resort, even though it often turns out to be a much less desirable place. Despite the fact that the hotel pays for the cost of the small changes such as in transportation, they still end up saving money by giving you cheaper accommodations. This article gives some advice on how to handle the situation when you are being walked.

1-Refuse the room
2-Know what's happening behind the scenes
3-Invoke your status
4-Crack a joke
5-Be nice

Summer vacations are finally approaching, so read more about these 5 tips and how you should use them here.

Made in the USA

Many people seem to hold this belief that the US is almost powerless or useless compared to countries like China, in that we do not manufacture so many things ourselves anymore. What this article asks us to keep in mind is that, first of all this is a false claim, and second of all we need to keep our heads up if we want to get through this because recessions do end eventually. Despite the pessimism, the US is definitely still the world's leading manufacturer, with hundreds of billions of dollars invested in our plants. What it points out is that some of these beliefs may come from a little bit of truth, but in reality the politicians are the ones who use that type of information for their own advantage. They want us to "see" how bad things are so that they can personally be the ones who help save us. Also, another good point is that he baby boomers' generation seems to notice the changes in where items are produced more than the rest of us, because it's all stuff that used to be made here.

Manufacturing elsewhere is conducive to cheaper labor and/or materials, but it's important to realize that this is not the only factor in deciding where to open plants. R&D, engineering capabilities, quality control, property rights protections, management talent, accessibility of markets, and accessibility of raw materials are among the other factors that deserve attention, and these are the areas where the US is usually able to provide the best.

USA

Some banks need more help

The nation's 19 largest banks are currently being tested by the administration to see if they can withstand the worsening conditions in the economy. Hopefully, by early May these results will be published for the public to see. These stress tests will include different types of scenarios such as rising prices or rising unemployment rates and will see how efficiently the banks are able to react.

I think we all know how bad things are right now but I think this will definitely open up some more eyes and prove exactly how rough it could get if the problems continue to grow. The administration, from the sound of this article, seems fairly confident that not only can our country handle whatever our future holds, but our people can handle the truth. This should be a very compelling set of results and I hope everyone looks out for this and keeps themselves updated in the coming weeks.


stress test

Brown, Rihanna were no-shows at Kids' Choice

The annual Kids' Choice awards took place on Saturday, and according to this article the most talked-about couple in recent months was a no-show. They both received similar nominations in the Favorite Singer (male and female categories) and each had a Favorite Song. Brown is currently charged with a felony assault and making criminal threats, scheduled to be arraigned on April 6th.

I think it was smart not to show up, considering the extent of the horrific incident and the fact that this is based on children's nominations. If either of them won an award and needed to give a speech, or if they were interviewed by the press, they would not be able to ignore the situation and pretend everything was okay--that would be wrong, in my opinion. This is the type of moral situation that should be taught to kids on a more personal level by parents or other family (if they so choose), not broadcasted on television for them to make their own inferences. Rather than cause more problems, confusion, or debate--just excuse yourself from appearing. If older teens or adults want more information, they can get it themselves from other sources.


Kids' Choice no-shows

The White House is Going Green

This article points out that it's been done before, but yes, it needs to be done again. In 1993 Clinton saved $1.4 million with his many types of improvements for his first six years. Bush, during both terms, pushed for recycling and solar systems to save electricity as well. Obama expressed from the very beginning that he intended to take even further measures to conserve energy in his mansion. I think he is setting a great example, "showing people that it's not hard," as he puts it. Even the children's new swing set in the back is environmentally friendly.
Apparently, "small steps are underway," such as with the housekeepers. "It isn't about flashy stuff, [Architect Jean Carroon] said. It's about being smart and making it happen." I think it's important that the White House especially serves as our model; hopefully, people will see that every little step they take to follow this example will make a difference.

Going Green :)

Buy a used car? A new one might cost less

Under the simple principles of supply and demand, some new cars are actually cheaper than used ones. "A mix of drastic price cuts, rebates, and financing incentives is narrowing the gap" between new and used car prices, making new ones more appealing and actually a worthwhile splurge. Though leasing became a popular trend, some auto financing companies, according to this article, are not offering that option because it was not profitable enough for them. I don't know enough about the industry right now to make a fair judgment about that decision to rid of leases, but it seems counter-intuitive because I feel as though they should be looking for any way possible to make the sale possible for the consumers in times like these. On the other hand, people can't live without cars, so if they are forced to buy then there may not be much of a choice besides giving in.

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Daughters 'adapting remarkably,' Obama says

According to Mr. President, his girls (and his wife) have adjusted very well to their new home. "'What's interesting is actually how unimpressed they are with it,' the president added, laughing. 'They are unchanged.'" ...so far, at least. They seem to be keeping busy with school and maintaining their same routines, according to other sources as well. It's interesting that though they are still pretty young, they seem to be put in the spotlight often as sweet, stylish, sensible, intelligent girls who deserve admiration for handling their dad's situation so maturely. Not to take anything away from them because I could imagine it is a difficult change, but does anyone know if Fox News loves them as much as some of the other stations do? This entire article in the "Politics" tab was about Obama's single comment on his daughters. It's a human interest story, I suppose, but at least tell us something we didn't know..?

daughters