WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Why we must keep the virtual experience alivehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/why-we-must-keep-the-virtual-experience-alive/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/why-we-must-keep-the-virtual-experience-alive/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/why-we-must-keep-the-virtual-experience-alive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Looking back at my childhood during the 1990s, I now realize that the Internet and I have a pretty good relationship - we grew up together.

As trite as this may sound, the Internet targeted everyone, but more specifically generation Y. I remember rushing home from school to plug the modem into the phone jack, creating a dead line that blocked all incoming phone calls, all to get connected to the Internet.

I lived for that free flow of information and connectivity to the world outside of my enclosed bedroom. That AOL voice that said 'Welcome' opened the doors to a central nucleus in which I was granted access to everyone from around the world at my fingertips.

The good thing was that it was all free. Even as a child, I understood that these "free" Web sites made money from those pop-up and banner ads that appeared everywhere. I knew that I was being targeted by outside companies, but I understood the value of the Internet, and continued to log on and participate.


Continue reading Why we must keep the virtual experience alive

Why we must keep the virtual experience alive originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>hulu payHuluPayinternetonline subscriptionOnlineSubscriptionpandora payPandoraPayDamanick DantesWed, 18 Nov 2009 15:45:00 ESTWhat a weak dollar means for youhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/14/what-a-weak-dollar-means-for-you-hold-for-td/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/14/what-a-weak-dollar-means-for-you-hold-for-td/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/14/what-a-weak-dollar-means-for-you-hold-for-td/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Have you seen the headlines lately? The news seems to be loaded with talk of new entitlement programs, federal spending projects, angry protesters, Obama talk, global elections, etc. Well, what's new? And most important, what does this mean for you?

Behind the President's comfortable rhetoric and agreeable headlines about the failing economy lurks the powerful vote by global trade participants. That is, the depreciating US dollar has fallen to 14-month lows compared to a basket of foreign currencies. I must sound the alarm because in the end, we will pay. A falling dollar will lead to inflation, and the US consumer will gradually feel the effects.

Continue reading What a weak dollar means for you

What a weak dollar means for you originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>defecitgold pricesGoldPricesinflationoil dollaroil pricesOilDollarOilPricespalin energyPalinEnergyweak dollarWeakDollarDamanick DantesWed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 ESTMcDonalds shifting toward quality food at an affordable pricehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/mcdonalds-shifting-toward-quality-food-at-an-affordable-price/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/mcdonalds-shifting-toward-quality-food-at-an-affordable-price/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/mcdonalds-shifting-toward-quality-food-at-an-affordable-price/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I remember the first time I decided to buy a Chicken Ceasar Salad for lunch from McDonald's. Because I'm not a big salad fan, I was a bit hesitant. I walked into McDonald's and heard the busy sounds of cash registers, fryers, people yelling orders, and the smell of fresh greasy fries. To my surprise, the meal was complete with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, croutons and a succulent piece of chicken breast placed neatly above the forest of greens, partly sliced, and topped with spices. Not only did this salad look good, it was delicious! At this moment, the curiosity of what goes on inside the McDonald's kitchen filled my mind.

Continue reading McDonalds shifting toward quality food at an affordable price

McDonalds shifting toward quality food at an affordable price originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>affordable diningAffordableDiningangus burgerAngusBurgerdan coudreautDanCoudreautfoodmcdonaldssaladDamanick DantesFri, 18 Sep 2009 13:00:00 ESTHow the rich get richer: inside our growing income inequality gaphttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/20/how-the-rich-get-richer-inside-our-growing-income-inequality-ga/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/20/how-the-rich-get-richer-inside-our-growing-income-inequality-ga/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/20/how-the-rich-get-richer-inside-our-growing-income-inequality-ga/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Emmanuel Saez, a professor of Economics at UC Berkeley has raised concern about income inequality in the United States. In his recent article, he stated that the income gap is at an all time high; exceeding levels during the Great Depression. His research provides us with a candid look at a telling issue.

Professor Saez states that 2007 was a good year for both the rich and the bottom 99%, who experienced a rise in income by 2.8%. But since the 2001 recession, the top 1% captured two thirds of overall income growth. Thus, the main question is why the rich thrive in any economy, while income for the rest of us grows at a snail's pace?

Continue reading How the rich get richer: inside our growing income inequality gap

How the rich get richer: inside our growing income inequality gap originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>get richGetRichincome inequalityIncomeInequalityinflationDamanick DantesThu, 20 Aug 2009 18:00:00 ESTU.S. runs low on sugar, get ready for high priceshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/13/u-s-runs-low-on-sugar-get-ready-for-high-prices/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/13/u-s-runs-low-on-sugar-get-ready-for-high-prices/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/13/u-s-runs-low-on-sugar-get-ready-for-high-prices/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The United States is facing a major sugar shortage, according to the Wall Street Journal (subscription may be required).

On Aug. 5, General Mills, Hershey Co, Mars Inc., and Kraft Foods alerted Thomas J. Vilsak, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, of their combined forecast of low sugar supplies. These food companies warned that if the Agriculture Department does not allow them to import more tariff-free sugar, "our nation will virtually run out of sugar" and they will be forced to raise consumer prices and lay off workers.

This comes as a major eye opener, but there's more to this finding.

The WSJ states that the present trade quota places a limit to the number of tariff-free sugar that can be imported per year, with the exception of Mexico. This leaves major suppliers like Brazil out of the free trade mix. The fear looms that Brazil may not even have significant sugar supply for the U.S. because they are busy using large amounts of cane crop for ethanol use.


Another problem is the U.S. government; not a surprise. The U.S. artificially inflates domestic prices of sugar in order to support the incomes of farmers in the Midwest who are friendly with politicians who help them. Anything for a vote, right?

Economists state that sugar is part of the equation. Sugar is an active ingredient in almost all foods, and the impact of a price increase will be big. Food companies pay twice the world level for sugar because of government meddling.

Unless politicians in Washington decide to ease import quotas, the "U.S. will end the next fiscal year with less than 13 days worth of sugar on hand" according to the four food companies who band together to ring the alarm atop Capitol hill.
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=351713&pid=351712&uts=1250261280
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Food Prices Around the World
Food companies warned that if the Agriculture Department does not allow them to import more tariff-free sugar, "our nation will virtually run out of sugar" and they will be forced to raise consumer prices and lay off workers. For more on food prices, browse through this gallery.

U.S. runs low on sugar, get ready for high prices originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>sugar pricessugar shortageSugarPricesSugarShortageDamanick DantesThu, 13 Aug 2009 15:30:00 ESTRadiohead stops selling albumshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/12/radiohead-stops-selling-albums/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/12/radiohead-stops-selling-albums/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/12/radiohead-stops-selling-albums/#commentsFiled under:

As album sales continue to decline, popular artists are clutching for survival with a more sustainable approach -- get rid of them!

Radiohead, a British alternative rock band, announced that they will no longer release full-length albums. The band will instead focus on the growing trend of downloadable singles.

The decision comes shortly after the band's online release of Harry Patch (In Memory of) as a tribute to the British WW II veteran who died in late July, and other shorter EPs, as an experiment into the digital-only world.

The Internet is pushing the music industry to innovate, but it's up to record companies to take the chance. One factor that is halting the rebirth of entertainment is the fear of stolen copy written material. Sure there are several safe havens like iTunes that allow record labels to get edgy, but is that enough?

For fellow Radiohead fans, or all music lovers in general, the death of the album may come as a shock. The point of an album is to form a collection of music under one theme that represents a moment or philosophy.

Is it possible for artists to tell a story in just one song? I don't think it's proper branding. Consumers still purchase entire albums on iTunes mainly because it has been heavily promoted.

Radiohead stops selling albums originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>album salesAlbumSalesdownloadradioheadDamanick DantesWed, 12 Aug 2009 15:30:00 ESTIf government can cut costs, we all canhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/07/government-finds-ways-to-cut-cost/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/07/government-finds-ways-to-cut-cost/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/07/government-finds-ways-to-cut-cost/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As Americans struggle to keep up with payments, the government is busy trying to economize. The country is facing a $1 trillion deficit that is increasing as government spend more to tackle the problems of the recession.

Recently, the Wall Street Journal featured an article that explained the new savings effort within various government agencies. I call it "the organic stimulus" -- properly budgeting money so that you will have enough to continue operations during bad times.

It all started in April, when President Obama ordered his cabinet secretaries to locate $100 million in budget cuts. The Forest Services Department, for example, stopped repainting newly purchased white vehicles green to save money.

Continue reading If government can cut costs, we all can

If government can cut costs, we all can originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>budget deficitBudgetDeficitDamanick DantesFri, 07 Aug 2009 08:00:00 ESTOprah's free book, get it now http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/03/oprahs-free-book-get-it-now/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/03/oprahs-free-book-get-it-now/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/03/oprahs-free-book-get-it-now/#commentsFiled under:

Oprah is at it again with another freebie...if you're a member that is. Starting today, August 3, all Oprah.com members can download Let the Great World Spin, a novel written by Colum McCann.

The book takes readers on a journey to 1970's New York, a period of transition and promise, but more important, a time before 9/11. It is listed on Oprah Magazine's 25 Books of the Summer, and has a retail price of $25.00.

The download is only available for 48 hours and the promotion will end on Wednesday, August 5 at 10:59pm EST.

This is a strategic effort for Oprah.com to gain new members, so it's not too late to join to receive the book. Oprah is seen as a promotion engine for upcoming products and especially new authors. In 2005, Oprah's Book Club had over 600,000 members and growing.

Continue reading Oprah's free book, get it now

Oprah's free book, get it now originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>colum mccannColumMccannfreelet the great world spinLetTheGreatWorldSpinoprahDamanick DantesMon, 03 Aug 2009 15:30:00 ESTElderly shopaholic found dead under pile of clotheshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/29/shopaholic-found-dead-under-pile-of-clothes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/29/shopaholic-found-dead-under-pile-of-clothes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/29/shopaholic-found-dead-under-pile-of-clothes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

How should you spend your retirement money? For years, senior citizens have been overspending and accumulating more debt, according to a recent study by Demos, a non-partisan public policy group. Such overspending can lead to financial death, or as one unusual story shows, lead to complications with the other kind.

The BBC News reports that, in January, Joan Cunnane died at age 77 of natural causes at her home in England. She had bronchial pneumonia and cancer and lived alone in unusual conditions.

Continue reading Elderly shopaholic found dead under pile of clothes

Elderly shopaholic found dead under pile of clothes originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>elderly debtelderly spendingElderlyDebtElderlySpendingjoan cunnaneJoanCunnaneshoppaholicDamanick DantesWed, 29 Jul 2009 18:00:00 ESTMan withdraws $190,000 in $20 billshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/27/man-withdraws-190-000-in-20-bills/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/27/man-withdraws-190-000-in-20-bills/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/27/man-withdraws-190-000-in-20-bills/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last week, Roger Griffiths, a proud customer of Westpac Bank for 25 years, withdrew his $190,000 savings in $20 bills after he was denied a mortgage loan.

Westpac, the second largest bank in New Zealand, rejected Griffiths' application for an $80,000 mortgage because he did not have steady income as an artist. Griffith stated that he is a successful artist, with his paintings displayed in New York's World of Wearable Art. He also seems to be financially set:

  • The property in Mapua, NZ cost $385,000.
  • Griffiths had $200,000 saved in cash and was about to sell his $110,000 campervan.
  • According to Griffiths, the property would have generated $500 per week. (Cash flow from commercial use and a residential home)

All of these financials exceed Wetpac Bank's criteria for a 20% down payment. Griffiths was very upset when he learned of his mortgage denial. He notified the bank of his upcoming withdrawal, and his local branch provided him with a red and black duffle bag to carry out all of his savings in cash.

Continue reading Man withdraws $190,000 in $20 bills

Man withdraws $190,000 in $20 bills originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>roger griffithsRogerGriffithswestpacDamanick DantesMon, 27 Jul 2009 14:30:00 ESTLocal officials arrested in New Jersey corruption scandalhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/23/local-officials-arrested-in-new-jersey-corruption-scandal/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/23/local-officials-arrested-in-new-jersey-corruption-scandal/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/23/local-officials-arrested-in-new-jersey-corruption-scandal/#commentsFiled under:

According to a Wall Street Journal article, earlier this morning, the FBI raided through several New Jersey towns and arrested 30 people, including Hoboken and Secaucus mayors, rabbis, and other elected officials in a corruption case.

This is said to be the biggest corruption sweep in the state's history. For years, New Jersey has experienced hundreds of related arrests involving political scandals and corruption.

The people arrested were allegedly involved in the trafficking of body parts. A participating witness who knew of the illegal scheme stated that one of the people arrested was an organ dealer.

The former Waretown mayor is accused of taking a $10,000 bribe from a witness who posed as a developer. The money was going to be used by the former mayor to approve his proposed multi-use development in Waretown.

The increase of money transfers raised a red flag, and the Feds traced it back to New Jersey. All participants who were arrested are expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday afternoon.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.

Local officials arrested in New Jersey corruption scandal originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>new jersey corruptionNewJerseyCorruptionvan peltVanPeltDamanick DantesThu, 23 Jul 2009 15:00:00 ESTA package deal: FedEx vs. UPS gets uglyhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/21/a-package-deal-fedex-vs-ups-gets-ugly/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/21/a-package-deal-fedex-vs-ups-gets-ugly/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/21/a-package-deal-fedex-vs-ups-gets-ugly/#commentsFiled under: ,

The battle between UPS and FedEx has reached Capitol Hill. It's an ugly fight full of back and forth lobbying and straight out lies.

I noticed an online ad, sponsored by FedEx, blasting UPS for allegedly asking Congress for a "bailout." At first glance, I thought it was "just another bailout," but an hour later on another website, the ad returned. To be so blunt in a campaign directly targeted at competition is very suspicious. That was when I decided to look into this matter.

To my surprise, I discovered that people were being fooled by these FedEx ads. The employees of both companies are at the heart of this battle. Here's the scoop:

Continue reading A package deal: FedEx vs. UPS gets ugly

A package deal: FedEx vs. UPS gets ugly originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>fedex campaignFedexCampaignnational labor relations actNationalLaborRelationsActrailway labor actRailwayLaborActups bailoutUpsBailoutDamanick DantesTue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 ESTHSBC and WalletPop want you to speak outhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/20/hsbc-and-walletpop-want-you-to-speak-out/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/20/hsbc-and-walletpop-want-you-to-speak-out/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/20/hsbc-and-walletpop-want-you-to-speak-out/#commentsFiled under:

On Thursday, July 16, WalletPop attended HSBC Soapbox, a public showcase that gave New Yorkers the opportunity to voice their opinions on a range of topics including immigration, education, environment, marriage, privacy, fast food, jobs, children and technology.

The event took place in Madison Square Park from noon to 8 p.m.

Johanna Breman Tzur, an HSBC representative, says more than 1,100 people stopped by the HSBC Soapbox Event. Participants stood up and talked on actual soapboxes, as they did in the old days, especially in London's Hyde Park, before chatrooms and blogs. And approximately 335 others shared what matters most to them through the on-site ballot box. Here are those results:

When asked which value you most live your life by, the following three were cited most:
  • Love (strong lead with 33 votes)
  • Family & Happiness (tied with 24 votes a piece)

When asked which value do you most look for in others, the following three won out:

  • Honesty (clear leader with 47 votes)
  • Respect (30 votes)
  • Trust (26 votes)


HSBC prides itself as "the world's local bank," and stated that the Soapbox event allowed the bank to hear directly from consumers. We prefer HSBC to be more interested in our values than our tax dollars: HSBC has not received any stimulus money from the U.S. or Britain.

WalletPop now extends the Soapbox to you! Please voice your opinion on the topics addressed at this event in the comment section below.

HSBC and WalletPop want you to speak out originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>educationenvironmentfast foodFastFoodhsbchsbc soapboxHsbcSoapboximmigrationjobsmarriageprivacyDamanick DantesMon, 20 Jul 2009 16:30:00 ESTSo eat already: NYC Summer 2009 Restaurant Week is in full gearhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/17/so-eat-already-nyc-summer-2009-restaurant-week-is-in-full-gear/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/17/so-eat-already-nyc-summer-2009-restaurant-week-is-in-full-gear/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/17/so-eat-already-nyc-summer-2009-restaurant-week-is-in-full-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Here's the scoop for all of my fellow foodies out there. NYC and Co. partners with Coca-Cola, AMEX and JetBlue to launch the summer 2009 NYC Restaurant Week, complete with extended dates and greater value.

The official "Great Taste of Summer" kickoff event was on July 9 at the Shops at Columbus Circle. This event featured gourmet tastings from several participating restaurants and special guests including Eat Out NY host Kelly Choi (love her), and the cast of the hit Broadway remake of Hair.

This year marks the 18th year for NYC Restaurant Week. It will now last for three weeks instead of two, extending from July 12 - 31 (excluding Saturdays). Some restaurants may not participate on Sundays.

Continue reading So eat already: NYC Summer 2009 Restaurant Week is in full gear

So eat already: NYC Summer 2009 Restaurant Week is in full gear originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>featuredfoodnycnyc restaurant weeknyc restaurantsNycRestaurantsNycRestaurantWeektourismDamanick DantesFri, 17 Jul 2009 18:30:00 ESTWhere's your job? Maybe Daniel Seddiqui took it!http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/wheres-your-job-maybe-daniel-seddiqui-took-it/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/wheres-your-job-maybe-daniel-seddiqui-took-it/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/wheres-your-job-maybe-daniel-seddiqui-took-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Having trouble finding a job? Better yet, are you still unsure of the perfect career for yourself? Daniel Seddiqui found himself in both of these positions when he graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Southern California. As he told the New York Daily News this week, he failed 40 interviews and received no feedback from any prospects on his first attempt to find a job. Basically, he was stuck, and he needed to generate some income.

This was when the 27-year-old got the idea to travel across country to visit each state for one week and work while he was there. Seddiqui's resume (and web site) is now packed with a plethora of jobs. His experiences range from being a petroleum engineer in Texas to being a syrup processor in Vermont.

Continue reading Where's your job? Maybe Daniel Seddiqui took it!

Where's your job? Maybe Daniel Seddiqui took it! originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Damanick DantesThu, 16 Jul 2009 19:30:00 ESTNothing stops a bullet like a job: Homeboy Industries and the gangs in L.A.http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/homeboy-industries-tries-to-help-solve-2-billion-gang-problem-i/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/homeboy-industries-tries-to-help-solve-2-billion-gang-problem-i/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/homeboy-industries-tries-to-help-solve-2-billion-gang-problem-i/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The recession leaves many people in a financial gridlock. Individuals feel the pressure to secure their finances, and some may resort to unlawful activities to make ends meet.

With this thought, Southern California is an interesting area to study because it has been in a recession longer than the rest of the nation.

With nearly 40% of immigrants to California settling in Los Angeles, the rise in population combined with a growing number of poor people with little choices causes cultural tension. Gang violence can grow out of that tension.

In 2007, there were an estimated 700 gangs active with a combined population of 40,000 members. Compare that to an estimated 15,000 gang members in 2002, and it becomes clear that the city is in the midst of a gang crisis.

Continue reading Nothing stops a bullet like a job: Homeboy Industries and the gangs in L.A.

Nothing stops a bullet like a job: Homeboy Industries and the gangs in L.A. originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>father boyleFatherBoylehomeboy-industriesla gang crisisLaGangCrisisprision jobsPrisionJobsDamanick DantesThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:00:00 ESTFree online movie madness for the weekendhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/free-online-movie-madness-for-the-weekend/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/free-online-movie-madness-for-the-weekend/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/free-online-movie-madness-for-the-weekend/#commentsFiled under: ,

Happy Friday! Thinking of a relaxing way to spend your weekend? Look no further, because I have compiled a list of movies available for free online.
  • Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey is available on Snag Films. A documentary about former Major League Baseball player Bill "The Spaceman" Lee. Lee was the ultimate gonzo player, a brilliant left handed pitcher who defied every manager or front office executive who tried to control him. The fans loved him and so did sportswriters who delighted in asking the usual baseball questions, only to get philosophical responses involving the relationship between existentialism and the curveball or the effects of karma on a pitcher's rotator cuff.
Enjoy!

Free online movie madness for the weekend originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>moviemoviesDamanick DantesFri, 10 Jul 2009 17:30:00 ESTMore job training needed for unemployedhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/more-job-training-needed-for-unemployed/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/more-job-training-needed-for-unemployed/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/more-job-training-needed-for-unemployed/#commentsFiled under: ,

As the month of May came to an end, Main Street was buzzing with predictions about the next month's unemployment numbers. Finally that day came, and on June 2 I checked out the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Web site and it was no surprise that unemployment had increased to 9.5%.

However, I was shocked when I viewed the historical chart from 1999 to present. The peak that started from 2008 provides little hope of improvement. Therefore, I decided to zero in on the issue of unemployment in America.

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was last reauthorized in 1998 by President Clinton. The act provides and sponsors job training and other programs including summer youth for the unemployed. The WIA still stands, but it expired in 2003. According to Certification Magazine, re-authorization of the WIA will allow the government to modernize the act.

Continue reading More job training needed for unemployed

More job training needed for unemployed originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>labor departmentLaborDepartmentno worker left behindNoWorkerLeftBehindstimulus billStimulusBillunemploymentunemployment rateUnemploymentRateworkforce investment actWorkforceInvestmentActDamanick DantesFri, 10 Jul 2009 16:00:00 ESTSmall town could get 20,000 jobshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/small-town-could-get-20-000-jobs/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/small-town-could-get-20-000-jobs/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/small-town-could-get-20-000-jobs/#commentsFiled under: ,

Imagine trying to make ends meet by commuting across town to the nearest city in search of employment. Transportation expenses add up, and there is little hope of a recovery to help your little town succeed.

Welcome to West Point, Ga., a tiny rural community south of Atlanta. Its population is just 3,500 and the recession has left it with an unemployment rate of 8.6% compared to the state's 9.7%. West Point's downtown area is almost deserted with scars of the economic slump well apparent. Not anymore, according to a CNN report.

Along the roads of West Point, signs display support for a new KIA auto factory that is set to open by the end of this year. KIA Motors, a Korean car manufacturer, will use the West Point factory to make the KIA Sorento. The new plant has already hired 500 workers and it hopes to bring 2,000 more on board in the years to come. This is great news for tiny West Point...or "Kia-Ville", as some residents like to call it.

The announcement draws workers and businesses to West Point from neighboring Alabama to burnt-out Detroit, Michigan. The community is well underway with preparation. Downtown West Point is bustling with infrastructure projects, hotel services, restaurants and more.

To make this KIA factory possible, the town's government has offered some economic incentives. Tax breaks of $400 million and 2,200 acres of former cattle farmland have been granted to KIA Motors in return for a thriving economy.

What's happening in West Point can and should happen across our nation. As states scrounge around trying to balance budgets while residents feel the pinch of the economy, businesses are awaiting opportunities. Offering incentives and clearing the way for economic growth will eventually help businesses and residents recover from this fiscal storm.

Small town could get 20,000 jobs originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>kia factorykia villeKiaFactoryKiaVillewest point georgiaWestPointGeorgiaDamanick DantesFri, 10 Jul 2009 15:00:00 ESTPandora charges listeners for internet radiohttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/08/pandora-charges-listeners-for-internet-radio/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/08/pandora-charges-listeners-for-internet-radio/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/08/pandora-charges-listeners-for-internet-radio/#commentsFiled under:

Yesterday evening, my phone was buzzing after receiving an email from "Tim," the Founder of Pandora! The internet radio company was going back and forth with legal battles since 2007 after the Internet Radio Royalty Ruling.

Luckily, Pandora is safe, but must pay royalty fees to record labels. To do so, the company will impose an optional fee for play service. Below is a snippet of what he had to say:

"We've come up with two solutions and we hope that one of them will work for you:
o. Your first option is to continue listening just as you have been and, if and when you reach the 40 hour limit in a given month, to pay just $0.99 for unlimited listening for the rest of that month. This isn't a subscription. You can pay by credit card and your card will be charged for just that one month. You'll be able to keep listening as much as you'd like for the remainder of the month. We hope this is relatively painless and affordable - the same price as a single song download.

o. Your second option is to upgrade to our premium version called Pandora One. Pandora One costs $36 per year. In addition to unlimited monthly listening and no advertising, Pandora One offers very high quality 192 Kbps streams, an elegant desktop application that eliminates the need for a browser, personalized skins for the Pandora player, and a number of other features: http://www.pandora.com/pandora_one."

To view this email in full click here.

Note that you can completely avoid being charged if you listen to Pandora Radio less than 40 hours per month.

I remember when Last.FM once offered the same internet radio service as Pandora, but due to legal battles, they only offered limited play. The company just recommends music with some songs played full, and others previewed.

I think pay for play is the general nature of the music industry and it should be expected by consumers.

Pandora charges listeners for internet radio originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Pandorapay to playPayToPlayradiostreaming radioStreamingRadiotechnologyDamanick DantesWed, 08 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST