3/29/07 Newsletter

In BOICE MAIL this week...

"Pic" of the week:

16 year old Chinese diver He Zi performing an "inward 2 1/2 somersault" at the FINA World Campionships in Melbourne, Australia. She took the world title away from Canada's Blythe Hartley at this competition.
http://english.cri.cn/2886/2007/03/23/272@208437.htm

Headline Mortgage News:

Beazer Homes being investigated by the Feds - CNN Money article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/27/news/companies/beazer.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007032719

"Mortgage rates hold steady" CNN Money
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/29/real_estate/mortgage_rates/index.htm?postversion=2007032910

Sale of H&R Block Mortage (to Option One) delayed:
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=OBR&Date=20070330&ID=6691174

Is New Century headed for bankruptcy?
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bankruptcy-looming-new-century-financial/story.aspx?guid=%7B4CB670AA-8B60-4CB7-8F79-E24F57524044%7D

Re-Sales up, new home sales down - Mortgage News Daily
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/3272007_February_Existing_Home_Sales.asp

Another photo from the "Last Picture I Ever Took" contest
http://www.theinternetjournalist.com/?p=47

Thought for the Week:

“Always do right. This will gratify some and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain

How to keep more of your own paycheck

February 17, 2009 will be the last day TV stations can broadcast analog signals and must go entirely digital. For many people with older TVs, they will no longer be able to pick up signals over the air without a digital-to-analog converter. The government has been fussing around with the idea of converter rebates and coupons for people who want to keep using their old TVs. Now they have a plan -- to give each household a max of 2 coupons for $40 each (with a 3-month expiration date) starting next year. No one's saying yet how much each converter will cost. Here are the details: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/DTVconsumers.pdf

Banks are reducing the rewards you normally get for using their credit cards. So, it may be time to find a better card. Fidelity Investments used to offer a card that paid 2% of all your charge volume into a college savings plan. Well, that program is no longer available to people other than those who already have the card. Now, the company has reduced the benefit to 1.5%. And there is now a cap on how much you can earn each year for your child's education. Unfortunately, many other banks are following this trend. That doesn't mean you should close the accounts you have. Keeping them open helps your credit score. Just don't use that card anymore.

Saving for retirement has become so confusing these days that it's very possible for people to get scammed by con artists. The biggest targets are senior citizens and people who are close to retirement. Insurance companies and brokerage houses are duping older people out of their hard-earned money in trashy variable annuities. There are stories published about this all the time. The latest one is going on in Massachusetts, where "certified senior advisers" were putting older folks into garbage annuities. One 82-year-old got taken in an annuity sale and her money was locked up for two years. She had no money on which to live as a result. Annuities have massive commissions and horrible tax treatments. You are the only cop on the beat in this game because there are no laws preventing what these people do. Don't go to any free breakfasts, lunches or dinners where salespeople try to help you with your money, and don't let your loved ones go. 1.5% back into a Fidelity investment account. There is no limit on earning power. Capital One has a card that earns you 1% each month, plus an additional. .25% at the end of the year. Of course, that could change too. Always keep your options open.

And now, for this week's fun freebies!

Internet Security Suite 2007 from CA (Computer Associates) Home Protection Pack (3 user) – free after 2 $25 rebates:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203166147&adid=17653&dcaid=17653

Domino's will give you some free MP3's at
http://www.dominos.com/home/dtPlayer.jsp

If you love to throw parties then check out this offer for a free Presidential Debate House Party Kit! (It includes coasters, cocktail napkins, stickers, and more)
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/take-action/house-party/

M.I.T. is offering now. You don't get college credit, but you get some great instruction.
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Writing-and-Humanistic-Studies/index.htm

Sea World and Busch Gardens are inviting active military and their families to enjoy their theme parks for free for one day.
http://commerce.4adventure.com/store/os_application.asp

And finally, Appraise That!


The "Hubcap House" in Peoria, Illinois is actually a business. For some reason, someone began decorating the exterior with the product about 50 years ago. Within the past two years, the hubcap exterior disappeared. Mayby they went out of business?
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sights/sightstory.php?tip_AttrId=%3D14152


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