Car Lease Analysis

When I was an executive and ran a business, I had an automobile allowance as part of my compensation package. I also had a travel allowance. I leased an automobile of my choice and received a monthly payment from my company that covered the cost of my car. I admit it was a nice perk and I miss it. Since I left that position I'm having to pay for my own car, but I suppose that beside the point.

As much as I liked that perk, the truth is I got the car I wanted and let the company pay for it. I am a very honest person and never took advantage of the perks I got as an executive, but we are all human and when we are making purchases for ourselves it is easy to justify a lot of things. That is why I think it is prudent, from a business standpoint, to have that sort of transaction take place with more oversight than I and many other executives have.

The question then is who has the expertise and/or the time to oversee such minute details of a business. It was my job as the executive to run the business. I had a board of directors, but they had their own businesses and lives and certainly didn't want to be involved in the day to day running of the business. After all, that's what I was there for. So how is a company to safeguard against taking advantage of these sorts of benefits?

An obvious answer is to get completely unbiased input on the decisions made of this sort. ShrewdLease.com is a website that provides just this service. Using the lease calculator on the website helps the user determine favorable rates and is not biased toward any particular vehicle manufacturer. It also does not favor any particular bank or lending institution. This is a great tool for making an informed, unbiased decision in any Car Lease Analysis.

There are many parts to consider in a leasing agreement, such as the interest rate being charged, the dealer’s profit, the amount of down payment and mileage restrictions. Put all of these together and come up with a lease factor instead of focusing on just the monthly payment amount. This site guides you through the analysis step by step and will almost certainly save anyone money on their next lease if used before committing to the dealer’s first offer and terms.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Storms in Atlanta

I've lived most of my life in Atlanta. I've been in tornadoes before and there have certainly been tornado warnings and watches yearly as long as I can remember. I've never known one to hit downtown Atlanta. It all happened so quickly. There were there and then they were gone. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has a lot of pictures of the destruction in the downtown area.

I just keep wondering why President Bush made this happen here!! Why didn't he save us and how did he make the tornadoes rip through the CNN Center and the World Congress Center?

My Hot BMW

It is really great that you can buy BMW Parts online. I've had European made cars and know how difficult and expensive it is to get parts for them. My Hot BMW fixes that problem as well as your BMW! Cool.

They have been in this business for over 20 years and their mission is “to bring you the best quality products at great prices." My Hot BMW is basically a one stop shop for anything you need for your BMW. Its extremely convenient and easy to use their website. Go on over there and check it out. You will probably find exactly what you are looking for!

Celtic Women: Mo Ghile Mear

Its St. Patrick's Day weekend so it seems appropriate to play some Celtic music. This video is of the simply awesome Celtic Women. Does it get any better than this? If you don't hear your Irish ancestors in this music than you are just not listening.

This is the Celtic Woman singing A New Journey Live at Slane Castle, Ireland 2006. The singers are: Hayley Westenra, Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, Lisa Kelly, Mairead Nesbitt

Erin Go Braugh!!!

Help For People With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit or less-than-perfect credit there is help for you. BadCreditOffers.com is a resource for people with bad credit. They can even help get credit cards for bad credit. They keep track of resources and keep their website updated with the latest market resources for people with bad credit.

If you are looking for auto loans, credit cards or home loans, you can find the latest high-profile companies that will work with you to help you make your purchase regardless of your credit ratings. You can compare the bad credit offerings to find the ones that best meet your needs. They are conveniently in one place which makes it much easier to compare the offers.

BadCreditOffers.com also provides you with information and resources to help you begin to rebuild your credit history and financial future.

Everything You Need to Know About the First Three Seasons of Lost in 8 Minutes and 15 Seconds

I know the fourth season of Lost is already well on its way. I've been faithfully watching and as always its full of suspense and twists and turns. Its so frustrating. Just when you think you have it all figured out there is another twist.

Today I found this video which gives you a complete summery on everything you need to know about the first three seasons. Just in case you need to get caught up. Cool.

Okay, it looks pretty silly when its condensed like this. But it DOES make sense when you are watching the show!

Carbon Neutral Search Engine

There's a new Plug-in for Firefox 2.0+ and Internet Explorer 7.0+ that facilitates a Carbon Neutral Search. This new service just launched in October 2007 and is geared towards reducing the carbon impact that is generated through online search queries.

The creators of this program have calculated the emissions produced by each search query, taking into account a wide array of variables including the country from which the query originates. Carbon Neutral Search utilizes the services of Climate Care, a leading offsetting organization in the United Kingdom, to offset the emissions of internet search queries.

The whole point of this new search engine technology is to highlight the need to reduce our carbon footprint on earth's natural resources. While they understand that internet searches are a small part of any one person's carbon footprint, they also understand that when those searches are multiplied by internet users globally the impact on earth becomes significant.

This is something that is simple and free that you can do to help. Check out their website for more information.

Trixie of Deadwood

I really miss Deadwood. It was one of the best shows on television. I have no idea why such good shows are created only to be taken off after a couple of seasons while the silliest shows on TV seem to stay on for. ev. er. Oh well. I guess people like the simpler shows.

One of the best characters was Trixie. She was played by Paula Malcomson. She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 30, 1999. She seems older than that to me for some reason.

I don't want what I can't have.
Trixie

Cool New MySpace Service

If you are into MySpace (and most people are!) there's a really cool new service you can use to personalize your MySpace page. Peerspin is a great free service that makes it very simple to spice up your MySpace with gadgets and themes.

They have over fifty applications and games ready to be put on your page. They also have over fifty home page themes. You can use Peerspin applications to replace the video ads on your home page. You can build a music playlist. The playlist is as easy as clicking an 'add' button when you visit other people's profiles.

Among other things you can send glitter text and create custom cards to send to your friends without having to do a lot of cutting and pasting. You can use the same program to customize your messages in email or comments.

There are so many really awesome applications that you need to go over to their website and check it out for yourself. Fix up your MySpace page like no one else. Find out how at Peerspin!

John McCain Does Barbra Streisand

Hey - at least we know we aren't electing an 'Entertainer and Chief'!

"I've been in politics for over 20 years. And for over 20 years, I've had Barbra Streisand trying to do my job; so I decided to try my hand at HER job."

You have to love a man who can laugh at himself. I don't think anyone will be paying to see John McCain singing any time soon, anymore than anyone will be wanting to hear any more of BaBa Streisand's political views. Hopefully he'll quit singing and she'll quit pontificating on issues she is ill-informed about. BTW, I've heard that Streisand demands to have rose petals in her toilet bowl. Its hard to take someone seriously who requires 'her people' to keep fresh rose petals in her toilet bowl.

Slinglings Baby Slings

Slinglings has the cutest baby slings!! Slinglings is a Seattle home-based business that specializes in baby slings and carriers.

They offer a large variety of fabrics so you can pick something that is right for you. Aside from the stylish fabrics, these baby slings are padded for comfort and are easy to slip on and off. You don't have to worry about Velcro, ties or buckles. You can even get a matching one for dolls. If you have a little one, he or she can carry her doll around while mommy carries the baby.

I really wish they had these when my babies were little!

Parenting Job Description!

PARENT

POSITION: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging Permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

EXPECTATIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets, stuck zippers, And third grade math. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT; PROMOTION:

None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis..

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right..

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know t hey are appreciated for the fabulous job they do ... o r forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

** AND A FOOTNOTE?

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! **

If you are fortunate enough you will become grandparents

There Are Uses for Dogs in the House

Dogs serve many purposes. They protect us, love us unconditionally and do stupid things that make us laugh.

They have a lot of faults. They stink things up, rub up against the wall and leave marks that have to be scrubbed off, drool on the carpet, nudge the back of the newspaper when you are trying to read it and much, much more.

Tonight I found another good reason to put up with all the aggravation they cause though.

If you drop a raw egg on the floor and have to go across the kitchen to get some paper towels, wet them and come back to clean it up. By the time you get back to the refrigerator to clean up the egg, the dogs have already cleaned it up for you. Shell and all.

They'll stand there licking their lips with innocent looks on their faces and believe they have tricked you into believing they didn't lick up the egg. You will semi-scold them but secretly be happy they licked it all up.

They do have their uses.

A Better Way to Find a Date

I know a lot of people who are turning to the internet to find companionships and dates. I think more and more people are doing that because of the difficulty in finding the 'right' person while working and/or going to school full time. There are a lot of dating sites out there, so how do you know which is the best for you?

Primedatingsites.com is a great site for sorting out where to go on the internet to find the right guy (or girl) for you. It is a singles dating site that reviews other dating sites on the web. That way you just have to go to one place to get a good idea of what the other sites have to offer you. They have reviews of sites like eHarmony, Perfect Match and Chemistry.com

If you are looking for a prime date, you might want to start at Primedatingsites.com.

A Marine and His Iraqi Dog

Major Brian Dennis was serving in Iraq when a local dog took up with him. The dog's ears had been cut off when it was a pup so Major Dennis named him Nub. Nub came around for months and obviously liked hanging out with the Marines. One day Major Dennis found a deep puncture wound on Nub. It had been inflicted on Nub with a screwdriver. Dennis and the other Marines nursed Nub back to health. No wonder Nubs loves his Marines and was willing to do whatever he had to do to find them when their unit was relocated .....

Major Brian Dennis, while serving in Iraq, found a dog who had his ears cut off as a pup and named the little guy nubs.

Over a period of months, the animal came around, befriending Dennis and his fellow Marines. During one visit, Dennis found Nubs with a deep puncture wound on his left side. He later learned the injury was inflicted by a screwdriver. He helped nurse the dog back to health.

The time came, however, for Dennis' unit to relocate 70 miles from Nubs' home fort. Keeping nubs was against the rules so he had to leave the dog behind. As always, Nubs sprinted alongside the Hummers as they pulled away for what Dennis assumed was the last time he would see the dog.

Two days later, Nubs wandered inexplicably in below-freezing conditions into Dennis' new camp, shocking the Marine unit. "I won't even address the gauntlet he had to run of dog packs, wolves, and God knows what else to get here," Dennis wrote. "When he arrived he looked like he'd just been through a war zone."

Nubs' miraculous journey forced the Marine's hand, and Dennis and his fellow Marines unanimously decided to keep the animal, building a doghouse at the camp. When two military police officers told Dennis the dog could not stay at the camp, he decided the only way to properly keep the animal was to get it to the United States.

After raising money and setting up a home with a friend back in the states, Nubs will arrive in the US this weekend.

Read the rest of the story here.

BUPA Health Portal and Product Site

Blogging is great in so many ways, but it hasn't done my figure a bit of good. I'm sitting too much so I'm having to take control of the situation and set aside time every day to work out so that I can stay in shape. I'm also studying up on health related issues at the BUPA website.

I like the BUPA site because it has a wealth of information about health related issues. There are literally hundreds of articles covering every imaginable illness or health issue that you might be interested in learning more about.

They also offer a wide range of health care products that can be bought on line. They offer every thing from vitamins to Blood Pressure Monitors to TENS Machines and every thing in between. I'm interested in their exercise aids, such as exercise balls and exercise mats.

Children See, Children Do

This powerful and thought provoking video was produced by an Australian children’s rights organization to bring attention to the role modeling adults provide for children. It really does make you stop and think about your behavior. Its certainly something to think about.

Worrying About Identity Theft

There's been a lot of talk lately about identity theft. Sometimes I worry that I take my security about that too much for granted. I have never had a problem with it personally, so I don't think about it unless something is brought to my attention.

Recently, we have been getting bills for someone who doesn't live here. There are enough of them that I finally understood that someone was using our address to get credit cards and then spending to the limits on the cards. I sat down one afternoon and called all of the companies involved to let them know that they were being scammed and this person didn't live here. The bills stopped for a while. What has been interesting to me is now I'm getting credit offers in the same name as that person. In other words, the computers are spitting out credit offers for this person that had reneged on the bills she had run up a couple of years ago.

That whole situation got me to thinking about how easy someone can use someone else's name, address and identifying information to get credit. It would be a real problem if this person had actually used more than just our address. I went looking on the internet for information about identity theft and found some really good and informative articles at CreditLoan.

CreditLoan has a ton of information on a wide variety of financial issues. They cover issues on getting credit, fixing bad credit, mortgages, debt consolidation, bankruptcy, personal loans and much more.

I found their information on mortgages informative. I like to keep up with whether or not its a good time to refinance my mortgage, whether or not the costs of refinancing are worth the lower interest rate and the like.

That is only one small part of the information that is available at the website. They have articles, information and resources about Bankruptcy, bad credit loans, auto loans, debt consolidation and just about every other type loan you can think of.

CreditLoan offers information on loan calculations and how to get a free credit report.

Its always good to stay informed and this website certainly helps you find the resources you need to stay informed regarding your finances.

A Certain Level of Insanitiy Can be a Good Thing

20 Ways to Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label it 'In'.

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Smuggling Diamonds'.

7. Finish All Your sentences with 'In Accordance With The Prophecy'.

8. Don't use any punctuation.

9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'

12. Sing Along At The Opera.

13. Go To A Poetry Recital. And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme?

14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area and Play tropical Sounds All Day.

15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In the Mood.

16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.

17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity ... pass this along ...