What you need is balance. (Photo: Hans Splinter/Flickr/CC BY-ND)

Keyword density is the percentage of how many times your keyword appears in the text of your web-page compared to the total word count on the page. It plays a very important role in an article because keywords, how and where they are used, decide the quality of the article and its rank in search engine search results.

An unethical practice of keyword use

A vast number of SEO copywriters believe that including their targeted keyword or keyword-phrase a ridiculous number of times will help them gain a better position on the Web. The truth, however, is that this type of method can seriously work against you. Google, for instance, has a keyword density requirement, and if you want to appear on the first page of its search results for your target keyword(s), abiding by its conditions will make a huge difference in how well you will rank.

Avoid keyword stuffing

Some SEO copywriters may be tempted to use the same keyword or phrase over and over — and over and over again – in an attempt to rank number one for their targeted keywords. This method is known as “keyword stuffing,” where the writer overloads the content, including the Meta tags of the web page, with every possible keyword or phrase related to the site in multiple ways. Clearly the keyword density in this practice is far from balanced. The content you produce will most likely be classified as spam, not just by readers, but by all of the search engine algorithms, as well. When the search engine crawler arrives to examine your site, its algorithm can quickly determine whether a keyword or phrase is being used an unreasonable number of times, hence the term “keyword stuffing.” This could result in a severe drop in rankings or, even worse, a complete removal of your site from the search engine index.

How much is too much?

In my opinion, if you write an article that is 300 to 400 words long, the main keyword or phrase should appear no more than six to eight times. Try not to repeat the same keyword in the same paragraph or in every other sentence. Google in particular allows no more than two percent of a web page’s words to contain keywords. So if the article is 500 words long, you can include the keyword no more than 10 times. The allowed keyword density percentage varies with different search engines. Yahoo and MSN, for example, may allow up to five percent. And just to be safe, here’s one of my favorite online tools that will help you determine the keyword density of your web page:

Remember, stay away from the shady practice of stuffing your web pages filled with keywords. Be real and allow things to flow smoothly. Always try to come across as a real person trying to communicate with real people, not bots.

Ranking high for low-competitive longtail keywords can build success fast. (Photo: Danard Vincente/Flickr/CC-BY)

Knowing how to use keywords effectively can help anyone succeed in Internet marketing. Knowing what keywords to target and when and where to use them can help you increase traffic and web value, especially if you have a blog section on your website.

Longtail keywords vs. short-tail keywords

There are two types of keywords you can target: short-tail keywords and longtail keywords. Short-tail keywords are short and easy to remember, and they are generally harder to rank high for because of heavy traffic and high competition. Longtail keywords, on the other hand, are less contested, simply because they do not generate as much traffic. However, this type of keyword should not be disregarded. Though long and difficult to remember, these keywords could actually help you generate cash now, quickly and easily.

Almost every SEO copywriter is out to take over high-ranking short tail keywords to gain better search results; the competition here is very high. However, longer blends of different keywords, known as longtail keywords, are quickly making the little guys more money in the bank.

Building web value with short-tail keywords

Say you run a company website in the wedding industry and would like to target people looking for wedding ideas. “Wedding ideas” may be the first keyword term that comes to mind because in practical thinking, it sounds like the easiest thing a person would type in to find some ideas for a wedding. However, because of the high volume of competition on this particular keyword term, your chances of quickly getting on the first page are not great, and it does involve work to get there. You can’t just write one or two articles and expect to show up on the first list of search results. You are going to have to build a catalog of articles that promote your targeted keyword or keyword phrase, with strong banklinks, internally and externally. Nevertheless, although results are not immediate, putting work into ranking high for short tail keywords can certainly provide long term benefits.

Benefits of using longtail keywords

Ranking high for short-tail keywords can take up a lot of time and effort, but it is possible. However, if what you want is a quick and easy way to start generating some cash now, then find out which longtail keywords are right for you and your business and get to work. So, instead of having to go through all the hard work of ranking number one for “wedding ideas,” why not target several longtail keywords related to your product/service, like “wedding reception decoration ideas” and “wedding ideas on a budget.” Ranking high for these longtail keywords can not only guarantee you a respectable position on the Web, but it can also be the ultimate source of your success.

Related Articles:

- Affiliate Marketing Basics: The art of keywords

- Affiliate Marketing Basics: Driving traffic

Using keywords to drive traffic in article marketing

In article marketing, knowing how to use keywords can help you target and attract the types of clients you are looking for. Say, for instance, you are a wine distributor in California and are marketing your product on the Internet. The first keyword phrase you may want to target is “wine distributor.” “California” could be another keyword you may want to incorporate, since your work is based out of the state of California. Using and ranking high for these keywords will help you magnetize the type of consumers you’re looking for, ones who are already interested in what you have and targeting your specific area.

Determining the right keywords to use

One of my favorite keyword tools online is the Google Insights for Search. To help you get a better understanding about this tool, here’s a video I’ve put together to show you how it can help you determine the right keywords to use, the best locations to target and how to integrate other related keywords to really capitalize on the market you’re in.

Using Google Trends & Insights – Spot Interest, Generate Traffic

Proper keyword placement

Knowing what keywords to use is only one part of the equation. You must also know how to use the keywords to really gain better search results on search engines like Yahoo, Google and Bing. Including the keywords in different parts of the article and in other areas of your affiliate marketing website will help you obtain respectable rankings on the Web. The following articles will show you how and where to include your targeted keywords and build success in article marketing:

- Affiliate Marketing Basics: The art of keywords

- Basic On Page SEO For WordPress Articles

- Article Marketing for the Commission Writer Program

(Photo: Kristian D/Flickr/CC-BY)

There are many ways to make money online, like writing a conversion article that targets a specific product or service. A conversion article is an inscribed editorial aimed at getting a person to take some form of action. When these articles gain Web traction and begin to convert, meaning they are making you money, you can easily make a couple hundred dollars or more on a weekly basis.

Making money with an online conversion article

Of course, to really make money off of an online conversion article, you certainly want to know your stuff. Find out what people are looking for, the main places to target and how to effectively promote what it is you have to offer. To better illustrate, let’s look into the commission writing program at Personal Money Store.

About Personal Money Store

Personal Money Store is a payday lending site that provides consumers a fast, convenient way to obtain quick financing. Personal Money Store is not a lender, but a matchmaker, instead. It has combined a network of some of the most reputable payday lenders in the industry, many of which provide the following benefits: no credit check, no faxing, fast online approval and cash in just two hours of applying. Within seconds of submitting an online application, applicants are paired with the lender that best fits their individual needs, the fastest and simplest way possible.

The Commission Writing Program – where you come in

The commission writing program at Personal Money Store provides a great way to make money online. You write short, 300- to 500-word articles that target a specific keyword or keyword phrase like “no faxing payday loans” and “installment loans for bad credit.” When someone types in these keywords or phrases in search engines like Yahoo and Google, these articles are used to drive traffic to the site. When people click to read your article on the topic and are acceptable with the offer, you are making good impressions. A single qualified lead you provide can make you anywhere from $1.20 to $82, but the average lead selling price is right around $45. Now just imagine how much more you can make by dominating a large portion of that World Wide Web traffic and demand. The fact that you get 80 percent commission on every single qualified lead you generate only means you have the potential to create a strong financial backbone to support almost any new venture of interest. Another advantage of partaking in this program is that it allows you to build residual income, meaning you will continue to make money from your past articles that keep generating leads.

Anyone can make money online

Anyone can create an extra flow of income, no matter how big or small, by utilizing the conversion article marketing method. You are not limited to certain products and services; you can promote just about anything out there through these types of articles. If you do not have your own platform of products and services to sell, check out the commission writing program at Personal Money Store. Or better yet, find out what affiliate network partner Adworkz Inc. has in store for you.

Related Articles

Personal Money Store: Article Marketing for the Commission Writer Program

Affiliate Marketing Basics: The types of affiliate marketing

Affiliate Marketing Basics: The art of keywords

Affiliate Article Marketing Program at Personal Money Store

The Affiliate Article Marketing Program at Personal Money Store offers some of the best residual income opportunities available online. First, let me explain what Personal Money Store is and how it works.

Personal Money Store is not a lender, but a matchmaker in its place. People across the nation, including neighboring countries like the U.K., use the Internet to apply for short term cash assistance in times of immediate financial needs. Sometimes, though, finding the right lender can take up a lot of time and even more money. And that’s where Personal Money Store comes in. People in need of fast cash can submit one short application online and within moments be paired with the right lender that fits best. Personal Money Store works with a wide network of some of the fastest payday lenders online, so chances of approval are very high. It takes only a few short moments for the applicant to be notified as to whether the application has been approved by one of the lenders.

How to make money in article marketing

Brace yourself, because here’s where the fun money-talk comes in. Personal Money Store has an affiliate article marketing program that provides affiliates the opportunity to make mad money by writing “conversion articles.” Conversion articles are articles that persuade readers to take action on the subject of the article. Let me give you an example of a conversion article: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/09/28/getting-installment-loans-for-bad-credit-never-been-easier/

Notice the subject of the article is “installment loans for bad credit,” one of the most popular keyword phrases in the payday lending industry. Including the keyword or keyword phrase in different areas of the article — while still making sense — determines how well your article will rank in search engines like Google and Yahoo. And we can show you exactly how to rank for any keyword of your choice, as well. Using a conversion article, you can attract the people who are looking for the very product/service you are offering.

Through Personal Money Store’s Affiliate Article Marketing Program, every time an applicant clicks “Apply Now,” you get a cut of the lead selling price. Qualified leads sell anywhere from $3 to $83, but the average selling lead price is right around $45. You get 80 percent commission on every lead generated. So if a lead sells for $80, Personal Money Store takes $16 out of that and you keep the rest — $64 for a single qualified lead. There’s no limit on how much you can earn through the Article Marketing Program. You will be paid into the future for your past articles that keep attracting loan applicants.

More information regarding the Affiliate Article Marketing Program:

• Article Marketing for the Commission Writer Program
  http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/job-employment-opportunities/bum-marketing-payday-loan-cash-advance-industry/

• Writing high-quality conversion articles for Article Marketing
  http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/08/19/conversion-articles-article-marketing/

Starting an affiliate website the easy way

If you are looking to start your own affiliate website, you should definitely check out the special Affiliate Choice Theme offer at Personal Money Store. The Affiliate Choice Theme is designed and dedicated to help maximize conversions using your very own website. From installing cool widgets to customizing your website, the Affiliate Choice Theme comes with the full package — check it out! It is so easy to put together your grandmother could probably pull it off.

Using content management system

Aside from the awesome Affiliate Choice theme offer, it is a good idea to have and use some kind of content management system (CMS). Using sites such as WordPress and Blogger are a perfect example. With CMS, you can get a pre-built website, and all you need to do is maintain the site and create fresh, useful content to drive traffic. Updating your website with new, original content helps build traffic. Sometimes, though, creating fresh content can take up a lot of time, as you would need to research new topics and ideas and take the time to write about them. But here’s where juicy gets juicier.

Free Content Program

Did you know you can get fresh, free content for your website without having to pay someone to do it for you? Well you can, and Personal Money Store provides all the information you need to get started. Check out the Free Content Exchange Program, where you can get complete, entirely unique articles sent straight to your blog via email. There is even an RSS feed option for those who are interested.

Should you use a free website or a self-hosted website?

If you want my opinion, I say do both. Having a free website is good, but there are some drawbacks. For instance, you don’t have full authority on many of these free websites offered online. Also, most free website services have terms that restrict affiliate advertising, which is a huge no-no in the world of online marketing. However, they can certainly come in handy, and I will explain why in a minute.

Having a self-hosted website (own domain name and the hosting) gives you complete authority on how you want things to flow. Personally, I think this should be where all your fresh goodies are stored. And here’s where free websites play into the picture.

One benefit of using free websites is that they are fast and simple to set up. But an even bigger benefit is that you can use the free websites to promote your main site; you can drive massive traffic and commissions to your website by building outside blogs that link to it. This builds Web value, which in turn builds traffic and higher conversion rates.

I highly suggest you take the time to read the articles posted below, as they will help you grip a better understanding of how simple it really is to start your own affiliate website. Until next time — I’m out!

Want more goodies? Get more here:

• Affiliate Marketing How To: Starting an affiliate website
  http://www.adworkz.com/blog/affiliate-marketing-start-website/

• Affiliate Choice free WordPress theme installation instructions
  http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/08/25/affiliate-choice-wordpress-installation/

• Article Marketing for the Commission Writer Program
  http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/job-employment-opportunities/bum-marketing-payday-loan-cash-advance-industry/

• Advanced techniques for increasing article marketing commissions
  http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/08/19/advanced-techniques-increase-commissions/

Writing Conversion Articles for Article Marketing Program

Writing conversion articles has proven to be very effective and high-performing overtime. A “conversion article” is an article aimed to get the reader to take some form of action, like applying for a small loan online. These conversion articles will become the basis of your commissions, so it’s important that you know 1) how to write these articles and 2) how to promote the articles and enhance their authority on the World Wide Web.

The Affiliate Article Marketing Program

If you do not have your own platform of products and services to offer, there are article marketing programs you can benefit from, like Personal Money Store’s Affiliate Article Marketing Program. This program not only provides a wide range of highly-demanded products and services like payday loans and credit repair, but it will also provide you with the tools and information required to really succeed in this field. This is an absolute benefit to those who are just starting out fresh in the article marketing business.

Writers in the Affiliate Article Marketing Program enjoy weekly payouts via PayPal or check, and here’s the best part: commission writers get 80 percent commission (say what?!) on any leads generated — that’s one of the highest payouts in the industry!

(Check out examples of profitable commission writer articles at Personal Money Store: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/job-employment-opportunities/bum-marketing-payday-loan-cash-advance-industry/ )

If you have any questions regarding this program, feel free to leave me a comment on this post. I’ll be more than happy to provide you with any detailed information you may need. Till next time — happy writing, ya’ll!

More information here:

- Writing high-quality conversion articles for the Article Marketing program
- Writing Trends articles to increase commissions for the Article Marketing program
- Advanced Techniques for increasing Article Marketing commissions

Lawrence Taylor (Image from Wikimedia.org)

Lawrence Taylor, arrested for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl, was taken into custody on Thursday, adding another chapter to his book of mischievous deeds. Police say 51-year-old Taylor is suspected of soliciting prostitution and raping the teenage girl who is said to have been brought to him by a pimp at a hotel in Ramapo.

Retired linebacker Lawrence Taylor arrested, charged with rape

Lawrence Taylor, arrested and charged with 3rd degree rape, is a retired Hall of Fame American football player who played a linebacker for the New York Giants in the NFL.

READ : Lawrence Taylor arrested in alleged rape of teenage runaway

To many, Taylor is believed to be one of the greatest players in history. In 1986, he was named the NFL most valuable player and led the Giants to the Super Bowl titles in 1987 and 1991. Lawrence Taylor’s Thursday arrest, however, was not the first time the former linebacker has landed himself in trouble with the law.

Lawrence Taylor’s arrested resurfaces a troubled man

Two years following his final year (2003) in the NFL, Taylor made two visits to rehab, only to be later arrested for attempting to buy cocaine from undercover police officials. His life continued downwards from that point, until claiming he had paid restitution to himself and was ready to rebuild a career in acting six years ago.

Lawrence Taylor later appeared in the Oliver Stone movie, Any Given Sunday, and offered his voice to the notorious game of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. According to BiographyBase.com, he was also a head coach in the 2004 Lingerie Bowl.

Lawrence Taylor faces felony charges

The sixteen-year-old victim was apparently a runaway from the Bronx. According to the Times, police responded after the girl’s uncle received a text message from her, saying she was being driven back to the Bronx and providing the address of the place they were headed. Police arrived and found the girl with Rasheed Davis, 36, the supposed pimp in this case. Davis is being charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Lawrence Taylor, arrested for allegedly raping a minor, faces the maximum sentence of four years in prison on third-degree rape charges.

Boy, I need a more updated photo of Halo. (Image from Flickr.com)

If you’re a Halo fan like me, you’re probably all-out anticipating the new Halo: Reach, which is slated to be released later this year in September. However, if you just can’t wait to get your hands on the new game, you can put your fingers to play with Halo Reach Beta.

How to get Halo Reach Beta

The Halo Reach Beta was officially released Monday, May 3, and thousands of fans are wondering exactly how to get their hands on it. Well, listen up, Halo fans, because here is how to go about it.

First off, you will need to have an Xbox with Xbox live and an original copy of Halo ODST. According to a recent article posted on the Money Blog, it says you can get a “real” copy of the Halo Reach Beta with the Halo ODST package. It did note, however, that although a Halo Reach Beta download may be available, those copies are certainly not legal. Boy do I love indirect suggestions!

READ: How to get and play Halo Reach beta

Secondly, once you have a copy of Halo Reach Beta, you are going to have to find out how to play it. And that’s where the code comes in. Gamers without a code were initially blocked from playing Halo Reach Beta. However, if you happen to have a code from Bungie, Microsoft, or one of the many websites offering them, you can easily slip into the Halo Reach Beta servers.

Halo: Reach – what’s new with Halo?

Well, I really don’t know… yet. All I know is, like many others, I’ve been anticipating Halo: Reach since last year and just found out about Halo Reach Beta a couple days ago. I will be updating this post once I get the chance to actually play it, but till then, I know as much as you do. But if you already got your hands heated with Halo Reach Beta – please! – tell me how it went.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nywriter21/ / CC BY 2.0)

(Image from Flickr.com)

Brazil really is known for their women… their very sexually seductive women. So why was Geisy Arruda, better known as the pink dress student, expelled from her school in Brazil for wearing a mini-skirt? It wasn’t like the girl was naked or anything. I mean, she was literally escorted off the campus – by police officers!

Pink dress student -making it BIG

Don’t worry about the Brazilian university pink dress student; Geisy Arruda has struck gold after the whole pink body-tight dress episode. Although she faces much criticism for arriving to school with an attention-grabbing miniskirt, she is walking away quite happy.

READ: Pink dress student Geisy Arruda: Get expelled, get famous

According to Steven Tarlow of Personal Money Store’s Money Blog, courtesy of Gather, the “pink dress student is doing magazine photo shoots, has undergone plastic surgery, stars in her own reality TV show and is looking to launch a fashion line.”

Was it fair to expel the pink dress student?

Maybe she should have been more conservative – after all, she was not taking classes at the bunny ranch. She was going to a real university to advance her skills in the world of good-mannered corporate activities. But was it necessary to expel her? If anything, she should have received a slap on the wrist and maybe a two-week suspension for her lewd choice of garments. The world we live in is a world filled with sex, sex, sex – on top of other things like politics and talking monkeys. Everywhere you look you’ll find different sex scandals happening, or waiting to happen, sexual deeds executed by saints, political leaders like John Edwards, famous-for-nothing Tila Tequila – I mean the list goes on and on and on. This is not to say, however, that what Miss pink dress student Geisy Arruda did was right, but it certainly was blown out of proportion, in my opinion. Oh well… at least she’s rotting in fame right now.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/raftwetjewell/ / CC BY-ND 2.0)

Mother’s Day 2010 Gift Ideas

May 9 will be Mother’s Day 2010. What will you be doing for dear Mother this Mother’s Day? Are you doing the same thing you did last year and simply get her a Mother’s Day card? Is it worth spending some money now for a change? Are there not other things you can do differently this year to make Mother’s Day 2010 the highlight event of her year? Well, of course there are! The following are some Mother’s Day 2010 gift ideas that will rock her day like no other.

What about trading places

Growing up, it was your mother who did every piece of dirty laundry – mentally, physically and emotionally. She fed you, bathed you, played with you, taught you your ABCs and was there to wipe your grimy butt every single time Nature made its call. That went on for years and years, long before you made your own choices, during a time when instant money was hard to come by. So why not do something different this year, instead of just a tedious Mother’s Day card? Why not trade places and head to her home early in the day and start some breakfast? You can make her favorites dishes – among everyone, only you know what she likes best.

Here are few Mother’s Day 2010 gift ideas:

• Give her a gift card to a massage or a spa
• Get her a gold/silver chain with an “I Love You” pendent (shop for bargains)
• Do all of her daily chores – cooking, laundry, shopping for household supply, etc.
• Wine and dine – take her to a nice, quiet restaurant
• Write her a poem
• Put together a scrapbook
• Have a barbeque with the entire family (everyone contributes)
• Pull out the guitar and sing her a song you wrote just for her

The Best Mother’s Day

If you want to make Mother’s Day 2010 the best Mother’s Day ever, all you really need is to be creative. There are many things you can pull together without the need to borrow money that will make this Mother’s Day the highlight event of the year.

Do you have any Mother’s Day gift ideas in mind? Please – share them below!

Related Post:

- Where to get Flowers for Mothers Day

Oooo, I wonder if he's using breast milk face cream...

Acne is a problem so many of us struggle with. There are a ton of products out there that claim to be the ultimate solution for all your skincare crisis. Is there really something out there that can help with severe acne? What about the new breast milk face cream?

Attention pimply teens: Get your very own breast milk face cream!

First and foremost, I’d just like to point out just how disgusting the idea of having breast milk smeared all over my face is. The thought is nauseating. But then again, if this new breast milk face cream actually works, then isn’t it worth the try? I say yes! A super double-dee-dooper yes!

Prevent acne with breast milk face cream? What’s in it?

Recent studies have shown that an ingredient found in breast milk called lauric acid has acne-fighting power, an ingredient that is also found naturally in coconuts.

READ: Breast milk face cream | Nano-bomb those zits away

According to Steven Tarlow, who writes for the Money Blog at PersonalMoneyStore.com, the breast milk face cream should stay clear free from all the traditional skincare complaints, like red and irritated skin. He says that gold nanoparticles are attached to the lauric acid in order to keep the liposomes in breast milk face cream from fusing and presenting the product ineffective. The so-called “nano-bombs” separate and seek out acne-causing bacteria once the cream comes in contact with the skin. According to Professor Lianfang Zhang of the University of California, this precisely controlled distribution of drugs should provide a positive impact on the treatment of a wide variety of skin infections.

Oh the thought of breast milk all over your face…

Yes, the thought of breast milk all over someone’s face will make you quiver repulsively. It’s as disgusting as the thought of sucking fresh milk right from the tits of a cow, despite the fact we all drink its milk on an everyday basis. But for those of you who are struggling to prevent and break free from acne, what’s really there to lose? Why not try breast milk face cream? You never know, your baby, along with your skin, may just be thankful for it.

Edwin Valero’s wife death

The body of Edwin Valero’s wife, Jennifer Viera, was found in a hotel room in the city of Valencia, Carabobo. At some point Sunday morning, as he was leaving the hotel room, Valero allegedly told security he had killed his wife. Police authorities detained Valero on Sunday on suspicion of the killing. They had plans to charge him for the murder of Jennifer Viera. Viera was found with three stab wounds on her body.

A Household Name: Edwin Valero

Edwin Valero earned a fierce reputation in his boxing career, particularly for earning a 27-0 record, all of which he won by knockouts.

To many of his fans in Venezuela, he was known as El “Inca”, which means a ruler or high-ranking member of the Inca Empire. To other fans, he was known as Terminator, Liquidator, and Dinamita, or dynamite. He was well known and admired for his crafty styles and powerful clouts in the ring, as well as a flawless knockout ratio.

Edwin Valero’s record of domestic abuse

According to ESPN Sports news, Edwin Valero was also arrested last month and charged for harassing wife Jennifer Viera. He was also charged for threatening medical personnel at the hospital where his wife had received medical treatment for brutal injuries to her body, including severe bruises, a damaged lung and broken ribs.

The Attorney General’s Office said in a statement that an attempt to place him in jail was made, but Valero instead was only placed under a restraining order that forbid him from going anywhere near Viera, a ruling he consistently violated, according to the report.

Edwin Valero was found dead on April 19, 2009.

There are different types of ukuleles. (Image from Wikimedia.org)

Hey people! Just got my brand-new ukulele (actually it’s from a local pawn shop, but it’s in great shape. Plus it is new to me). But apparently, there are different types of ukuleles.

There are different types of ukuleles?

You would think I’d already know this by now considering I was raised around ukuleles. I thought they were all the same, only different in sizes. So this particular uke I’m playing is quite different from the one I’m used to, which is slightly smaller. Tuning the damn thing was a pain in the butt because the strings appear foreign to me. Fortunately, I managed to get it decently tuned.

Playing “Sea of Heartbreak” by Johnny Cash

Like mentioned in the video, it’s been a while since I’ve sat down and played a ukulele, so please bear with me. Oh and I know there’s a good chance Johnny Cash will frown upon me if he actually listens to this cut. haha Oh well, here we go…

Take Two: Playing “Release Me” by Lucky Dube

Just to be clear, is it Lucky “Doobei” or “Doob?” I can’t seem to get that straight – and I’ve been listening to them for years!

The Different Types of Ukuleles

So, like I said, there are different types of ukuleles. There are four types: Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone. And here is Aaron from Hawaii Music Supply to give you a better and clear understanding of the types of ukuleles out there.

Wow… I thought I was bad, but after watching this video, now I know I’m really bad. HAHA. Good thing practice makes improvements.

So I think I’m playing the baritone ukulele, because the one I have definitely sounds like a guitar. Or maybe it’s a tenor? Nonetheless, I’m lovin’ it and I can’t wait to learn more. I absolutely love the beautiful sound of ukuleles. Boy do I miss sitting on the sandy beaches of the tropical islands under the coconut trees listening to the fellas jam out to their ukuleles. Oh such sweet memories.

Take advantage of the time you have with your children and start teaching them about money now.

The recent recession has proven that even the most financially responsible adults can fall flat on their faces in one single blow. That’s why money and children is the number one idea when looking for a ray of sunshine in the future. What will become of them in the future? Will they have the proper financial tools to take on life’s unforeseen financial crisis? One thing is for sure, without the proper understanding of money, children will only evolve into future financial failures.

Start teaching your children about money now

Money and children are not viewed as a proper mix to many these days; this area is simply ignored. However, times have shown that it’s the best time to educate children on money. Teaching them about money now will reap great results for them as they advance into their adult lives, as independent individuals. Not only will they learn good savings habits, but they will also understand the relationship between hard work and money (hence, “hard-earned money”) and understand the true meaning of investment. Their understanding of money will ultimately grow into a powerful instrument, the very financial tool needed to take on any financial mishap, no matter how big or small. So start now without delay. Your children’s future greatly depends on it.

Money making ideas for children

Laura M. Sands, who writes for the Money Blog on Personal Money Store, lists some very good money making ideas for children. For instance, stock investing, though complicated on the surface when dealing with money and children, is a great way to start children off in the world of making money. Parents can research certain brands, ones that really capture a child’s interest, and show children how shareholders are actually profiting on sales. This shows a child how important their spending really is and they begin to fully comprehend the consumer-driven world around them. Whichever “investing” tool you choose for your child, the fact remains that stock investing is, indeed, a grand money making idea for children.

Sands mentioned a few other money making ideas geared specifically towards money and children, and you should definitely take some time to review them. You may just be thankful for it.

READ: The growing popularity of Money Making Ideas for Kids

Money and Children

Don’t forget the main, important idea regarding money and children. Remember, they are the adults of tomorrow, the very individuals who will be making the final decisions when our days are over. It’s crucial you take advantage of the time you have now with your children and instill the responsible use of money in them while they are still young. Also, keep in mind that it is never too late to start. But don’t wait for disaster to happen; take control of the reins and direct money and children the right way right now.

Related Posts:

- Relying on Credit Cards May Be Hurting Kids’ Financial Outlooks

- Children and Unsecured Personal Loans, Saving and Money

- Savings Bonds: Are They the Best for Children’s Futures?

- Understanding money and children

Katrina Hodge – not the typical beauty queen

According to Britain’s Telegraph, there will not be a swimwear competition for this year’s Miss England. Although Katrina Hodge looks utterly amazing in a swimsuit, she feels the swimsuit competition is not always fair to those competing for the title. “I think it’s nerve-racking enough for girls to get up on a stage and speak, let alone appear in a swimsuit,” Hodge told the Telegraph. “It’s good the girls are being given a sports challenge in this year’s competition.”

They call her the “Combat Barbie”

At first look at Katrina Hodge, you probably would never have guessed she’s a hard-hitting soldier. No battle wounds, scars or even a scratch visible – just a crowned beautiful woman, soft and peaceful with grace. However, don’t let this pretty face fool you.

Katrina Hodge was only 16-years old when she left school and joined the army. At age 18, she became one of the only ten women chosen in the Royal Anglians to serve in Iraq for seven months. According to the Telegraph post, there she was given a commendation for disarming and detaining a suspected rebel fighter – with her bare hand! Now tell me, does that sound like a typical beauty queen’s doing? Certainly not! Katrina Hodge definitely puts a fine meaning to the name given to her by her comrades: Combat Barbie.

Beautifully convincing

Not only is she beautiful and tough, but she appears to be quite convincing, as well. Katrina Hodge has convinced Angie Beasley, Miss England national organizer, to put some changes into motion. “Every year the girls take part in the various rounds of Miss England – we have a talent, charity, eco and now the sports round, which will replace the swimwear in the competition,” she said. I have a pretty strong feeling we are going to hear more of combat barbies from this day forth.

Related Post:

- Katrina Hodge convinces Miss England to abandon swimwear

Looking back on the days of Corey Haim

Corey Haim was raised Jewish, and was born in Toronto, Ontario. While still a young child, his mother enrolled him in acting lessons in order for him to overcome his shyness. It was not until 1986 when Haim had his big break in acting. He played the role of Lucas Bly in the popular movie “Lucas”; the movie also starred Winona Ryder, Charlie Sheen, and Kerri Green. He also appeared in movies like “License to Drive”, “The Goonies” and “The Lost Boys”, to name a few.

Corey Haim had drug problems

Haim had struggled with drug addiction throughout his acting career. In the early 2000s, he made known to the public that he was struggling with an addiction with prescription medication. “I started on the downers which were a hell of a lot better than the uppers because I was a nervous wreck. But one led to two, two led to four, four led to eight, until at the end it was about 85 a day — the doctors could not believe I was taking that much. And that was just the Valium — I’m not talking about the other pills I went through.” Valium is a drug used to reduce tension and anxiety. Similar to recently deceased movie actress Brittany Murphy, Corey Haim was suffering from “flu-like symptoms,” and both were using over-the-counter and prescription medication.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/breebailey/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

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I just finished watching the “Cop Out” movie trailer and I must say I am definitely looking forward to seeing it. When I first heard that Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan were going to be in the same movie, I thought it was just a fib. I mean, the two are from totally different planets – one from what I like to call the “high life” and the other originates from an “I’m-too-sexy-for-my-gun” world afar. But it’s true; Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis are both starring in this new “Cop Out” comedy flick. And it looks like it’s going to be worth the $9 bucks I’d have to spend to see it in theaters, despite all the negative movie reviews I’ve been reading up on.

“Cop Out” Movie Trailer

To my surprise, there’s actually a very attractive connection between the two. Tracy Morgan is the kind of person that’s naturally funny; he almost doesn’t even need to try. Bruce Willis, on the other hand, is funny in his ever-stern ways. He can keep a straight face on and show no kinds emotions and he’ll still get a laugh out of you. I also love how they threw Seann William Scott in the movie; I think it changes the feel of the movie a bit. I love comedy, and this definitely looks like an 8 out of a 10.

Cop Out Movie Reviews

Critics from Rotten Tomatoes are not so thrilled about the new movie, Cop Out. Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times said, “Many of the gags possibly looked good on paper, but watching Willis and Morgan struggle with them is like watching third graders do Noel Coward, if Noel Coward had been rewritten by Kevin Smith.” Ouch! Top critic Bill Goodykoontz, on the other hand, gave Cop Out somewhat of a decent review: “A movie that makes little sense, is dumb when it’s not being stupid and yet is still at times laugh-out-loud funny.”

It really all comes down to what you view as funny. Some will like it, while others won’t. Nonetheless, I will still see the new “Cop Out” movie in theaters in spite of all the negative reviews from critics.

New credit card laws 2010 went into effect yesterday, February 22, 2010, and banks are not so thrilled. Many credit card issuers like JP Morgan Chase, the nation’s largest credit card issuer, are going to expect a drop in revenue because of the new legislation. According to CNN, JP Morgan is expecting to lose as much as $750 million this year in its credit card business. On the bright side, however, credit card users will benefit.

The new credit card laws 2010 mandate less billing confusing billing practices. For instance, credit card issuers must notify customers of an amount due 21 days prior to a due date. Furthermore, credit card payments can only be scheduled on one set day out of the month. Also, credit card issuers can no longer charge a rate increase during the first year of service, and customers must be notified 45 days before a rate increase.

New Credit Card Laws 2010 focuses on young consumers

New credit card laws also apply to young consumers. Credit card applicants aged between 18 and 21 must be able to prove they can pay credit card bills. If the credit card applicant cannot verify a stable form of income, he/she must have a co-signer before they can be issued a card. Credit card debt has become a major issue in today’s economy, so it’s good to know that the new credit card laws take also into account the financial hardships many young consumers face these days. College students struggling to make ends meet especially in this trying economy should not be given quick access to credit for their own financial protection.

Many college students are either still living at home and work part-time jobs. Credit cards are no doubt very attractive to young consumers, individuals who have yet to understand the benefit, as well as the downside of owning credit cards. It’s crucial that protective measures are in place in order to reduce the amount of credit card debt in the near future. And it looks like we are finding these measures now in the new credit card laws 2010.

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South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is under a lot of heat regarding the comments he made recently during an interview with local South Carolina newspaper The State. He says that poor children are stray animals, referring to those who take public assistance.

“My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed!
“You’re facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don’t think too much further than that. And so what you’ve got to do is you’ve got to curtail that type of behavior. They don’t know any better.”

First off, I would like to point out how arrogant this man is. Shucks, I don’t even know if that’s the right word to use. All I know is he obviously has never experienced the hard life, firsthand. Of course, it can be argued that there may be those who take advantage of the system, but there are many more others, like me, who are in sincere need of financial help.

Taking Public Assistance

You see, I used to be on public assistance a few years ago. I was on foodstamps and welfare, and I bear no shame in it either. I became a mother at age 17, which made the struggle to finish school even harder to accomplish. I had no job and wanted desperately than ever to get my high school diploma, or at least get my GED. So I applied for public assistance. With the help I was able to receive, I was then able to go to school and work my way into the workforce. I am no longer on state benefits, but I will always remember, be forever thankful for the help I received a few years ago during one of the most critical times in my life. I am a hard-working independent woman who pays the taxes these political fools constantly craft and generate.

A Disgusting Mindset

So does that mean a person who receives public assistance while trying hard every single day to advance in this world an animal? Did I somehow evolve from an animal to a human, because now I’m considered “acceptable” for my ability to pay taxes? So I had a baby at a young age – so what!? Of course, I’m able to breed. Does that make every mother that walks the surface of the earth an animal because they can breed? Makes no damn sense. My kid is no stray animal because I used to be on public assistance. On top of that, I work pretty darn hard to take care of my own. Imperfection is amongst us all. We make good decisions as well as bad ones. Some of us have it hard, while others have it easy. Either way, poor children, or any child for that matter, are not stray animals in any shape or form. It’s the ones who suggest such things that are animals, such as the ruthless comments made by South Carolina Lt. Governor Andre Bauer. This type of mindset is the genuine reason why the rich are getting richer, while the poor, poorer.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryusuke/ / CC BY 2.0)

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Okay, I haven’t seen “Avatar“, so I can’t place too much judgment on it. I’ve heard, however, from acquaintances that have seen the movie, that the new science-fiction flick is a must-see. I mean, what can get better than James Cameron and a sweet tough of 3-D? They say it brings a sense of excitement so intense it’s enough to kill… literally.

Avatar’ Death

A man in Taiwan reportedly died from a stroke that was likely caused by over-excitement after watching Avatar. Over-excitement! Can you believe that? I remember when “The Passion of the Christ” first hit the big screens in 2004 and a woman in the theater dropped down to her knees in the walkway, wailing and screaming on top of her lungs. But falling over dead after watching Avatar is a little bit more on the extreme side.

Then again, the Taiwanese man probably shouldn’t have seen the movie in the first place, especially in 3-D. According to the AFP, the man is said to have had a history of high blood pressure. He was taken to the hospital where a scan revealed that his brain was hemorrhaging. An emergency doctor said that “It’s likely that the over-excitement from watching the movie triggered his symptoms.” Poor guy.

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(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45928872@N08/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Conan O'Brien (Image from Wikimedia.org)

NBC is paying a lot of money to get rid of Conan O’Brien. Why? Well, there is only one explanation: NBC has gone out of its mind. Conan has served well with NBC, let alone the world of comedy for that matter. He is the reason why I watch late night television shows. I’ve been watching him even before I understood what a joke is. Moving his show to 12:05 is basically the same thing as saying, “Your show sucks, Conan.” You wonder why he wants nothing further to do with it.

Reports are saying that NBC will pay Conan a whopping $32.5 million to walk away from the “Tonight Show”, and that any money Conan makes outside of NBC during the remaining NBC contract period, NBC will subtract from the payout deal. Harsh! I mean, $32.5 million is a lot of money, but going on for that long without a Conan-fix is a major downside, especially for big-time Conan fans like me. Whatever comes next for Conan O’Brien, we all know he’ll take it on with the same spunk and absurdity we all love. Good luck, Conan! – not like you need it or anything.

Some of my favorite “Conan O’Brien quotes”:

“Scientists announced that they have located the gene for alcoholism. Scientists say they found it at a party, talking way too loudly.”

–

“In a prime-time address, President Bush said he backed limited federal funding for stem cell research. That’s right, the President said, this is a quote, the research could help cure brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and whatever it is I have.”

–

“If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice.”

–

“The Canadian government continues to say they will not help us if we go to war with Iraq. However, the prime minister of Canada said he’d like to help, but he’s pretty sure that last time he checked, Canada had no army.”

We love you, Conan!

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Hello all and thank you for taking the time to read my post. The name is Franrose. As many of you know, I’m big on social networking. I’m on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and manage several blog sites. Also, I am a big-time advocate for Personal Money Store, one of the most reputable lending companies online. Anyway, a few days ago, something had crossed my mind, which is why I am taking this time to write and invite those who are interested to join me in this proposal: to exchange links.

We, as a company, manage several web properties, many of which have reached respectable rankings within Google. We have developed a system that is specifically designed to create backlinks and increase traffic flow. One of our sites, for instance, has over 250,000 unique visitors a month, over 62,000 a week – all in a just a short period of time using the system we’ve structured. So I hope that kind of gives you an idea of what I can be able to do for you. All I ask in return is a little of your time to promote me as well.

So here’s what I have in mind: If you run a company or a type of service online, I would like to help increase your web value and the traffic going to your site. I already have a network and a proven system in place for that. But I believe that by helping others achieve their online goals, far greater results will come. It’s definitely a win-win situation. I will help promote whatever it is you are trying to get out there, no matter the service or product. Oh, my apologies – I take that back. This link exchange offer will not be available to any service or product that is illegal, unethical, immoral, or gambling or alcohol in excess. Other than that, you should have no problem being considered for this link exchange proposal.

Unlike many link exchange services online, you will not have to pay for anything when going through us. I don’t think anyone should pay to exchange links (hence the term “link exchange”). Link exchange should be free, and pose no threats to your pockets. Furthermore, back to the link exchange offer, you are not limited to just one website. If you own other sites that may be in need of such help, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will be more than happy to help. Again, all I ask in return is a small amount of your time to promote me as well.

So that’s the end of my day’s tantrum. I hope to have the opportunity to exchange links with you and, hopefully, build strong relationships along the way. Thank you for taking the time to read this post – truly appreciated.

Franrose Smith

I used to hate the idea of borrowing money, especially from payday lenders and the ‘excessive’ interest rates they pose on consumers. Up to this point, I still do not own a single credit card because I refuse to leave any doors open to financial hardship. However, my thoughts on payday loans have changed over the past years.

Payday Loans to blame for the ‘cycle of debt’

I’ve heard many horror stories about payday lenders, which is one of the main reasons why I held resentment towards the industry. People blame payday loans, as well as other forms of lending, for the cycle of debt that many across the nation are witnessing firsthand. But are payday loans really to blame? Are they solely responsible for the “cycle of debt” that so many are struggling to get out of?

If you were to ask me today, a point-blank ‘NO’ would be my answer. I can say, however, that payday loans can definitely help amplify the unbearable experience of being stuck in the cycle of debt. The fact is irresponsible use of money is the main reason why people are stuck in debt – not the payday loan industry. If anything, they have done the opposite and have helped many people out of debt with the services they offer. There’s a reason they’ve been around for many years. Even now, more than ever, people are looking to payday lenders for help. Making ends meet in this economy is not a walk in the park. Emergency situations arise so often and unexpectedly these days it’s hard to keep afloat at times.

Everyone needs help from time to time. It’s just the way things are. So where do the hard-working individual go in terms of getting quick financial assistance? Do they head to the bank? Sadly, some have gone to that extent, but most likely have been turned away because of their credit, whether bad, poor, or no credit at all. What then can they do?

The payday loan industry – a blessing for all

While some harbor resentment towards payday loans, the payday loan industry has become a grand blessing to so many others. Many of us struggle with bad or poor credit, a problem that often keeps us from getting the help we need – when we need it. Fortunately, places like Personal Money Store understand the credit problem and the daily economic difficulties that we struggle with each day. Unlike banks and credit unions, they have lowered their bars and expectations for this very reason. They know that only a few people have stellar credit, and that figure calculates up to more than half of the population. Not only do they provide fast, reliable assistance, but many companies also work with their customers to find the right payment plan that fits well within their means.

Payday Loans vs. Saving Money

Although paying back the interest was not something I looked forward to, I felt great knowing that I had saved more money in the end because of the help of payday loans. One last thing I’d like to add before wrapping things up: Start a savings account, if you have not yet already. Saving money will help a great deal when those financial emergencies pop up, and will keep you from needing a payday loan.

I have a 3-year-old kid who is fully potty trained. All the credit, however, goes right to my baby.

You see, I’m a full-time worker. I don’t have the required amount of time to consistently potty train my kid, so I must rely on others who can. However, to my disappointment, they too were unable to provide the kind of training I had wished for. Fortunately, my bright 3-year-old decided one day to lose the training pants and start using the toilet on her own. Ever since then, she has been using the toilet no problem. I was even amazed to see her get out of bed – on her own – one night to use the toilet. She stumbled her way out of her bedroom, down the hallway, into the bathroom, and sat her little white tush on the toilet seat. After answering to nature’s call, she stumbled her way back to her bedroom, and dozed right back to sleep. I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty damn amazing!

I’ve been very fortunate in this aspect. However, there are many parents who are struggling to potty train their kids. Many parents have asked me how I potty trained my kid, and what type of method works best.

The Best Potty Training Method

I don’t know which method works best, but I do know that it takes a lot of time and consistency to potty train children. Everything must be on a set schedule whether it’s feeding your child, having playtime, taking baths, or going to the potty. Not only is having a set routine comforting to children, but it is also quite beneficial in the development of economic and organizational skills. Having a set routine can also help with behavioral problems, in case you didn’t know.

As parents, we all know that sitting at the toilet for hours on end can be both tiring and frustrating at times. But when it comes to potty training your child, the required amount of time invested in training your child will pay off nicely in the end. If they see that you dread potty-time, they will do the same. Of course, you can take your baby to the bathroom, but you can’t make them go. As mentioned earlier, it takes a lot of time and consistency. Instead of getting aggravated, why not take the time to bond with your child and make potty training a fun game? Come up with a reward game where your child is given something each time he goes. For instance, you can put a sticker chart next to the toilet. Every time your baby goes, he receives a sticker, and a step closer to getting a prize. Remember not to push your child or expect too much out of him/her. Even if your child shows no signs of immediate progress, remember that your efforts will eventually pay off.

The Three Day Potty Method

“Professional Parenting Mentor and Coach” Lora Jensen also brings out a very good point. She says that “the way you potty train can actually distract your child from the learning process, ignite power-struggles and leave you frustrated. Your child may even be “stuck” in pull-ups or other training pants for weeks or months to come.” I’m sure every parent would agree that this is not something they want for their child. If you feel you need some help to potty train your baby, by all means get it! Check out Lora Jensen’s “3 Day Potty training” method for clear, specific advice on potty training.

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(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abardwell/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Cost of healthcare insurance is rising. Most people these days are unable to afford even the lowest rates of healthcare insurance due to many of our daily challenges. The economy has played a huge part as well, leaving little to no financial stability one can fully depend on. Even with healthcare insurance, some people are not even able to afford the co-pay for the doctor’s visit, let alone the prescriptions they need to get better. So, what can a person do to alleviate some of that financial burden that comes with high healthcare costs? Is there a way? Of course there is!

One of the main things you can do is try to stay healthy. Fewer visits to your doctor can mean fewer hospital bills to worry about, which adds up to a large sum of savings. Kick your unhealthy eating habits to the curb and create a healthy tradition of eating the whole family (and your pockets!) will enjoy.

Healthcare costs vs. Price of Healthy Foods

Purchasing foods of all-organic products can indeed be pricey. With more people struggling through the economy and joining the ever-growing line of unemployment, we can’t always find the money to fund organic meals on a daily basis. Like many businesses across the nation, the organic-food market is also facing economic difficulties. Organic grocery shoppers who generally spend 20 percent more than the average food shopper are now cutting corners and opting for a cheaper way to put food on the table. However, with the rising cost of healthcare in mind, is the money used for healthy foods worth it?

H. Shenoy, a contributing writer at Personal Money Store, makes a very good point on this topic. “Contrary to what many people may think, staying healthy is less expensive than going to the doctor regularly,” said Shenoy. “You do not have to follow an extreme regimen to stay reasonably healthy.”

People are looking for ways to save money on food items, which is a good thing. Anything that can create an extra cash flow will help a great deal, especially when those unexpected financial emergencies take place. But like Shenoy stated, “staying healthy is less expensive” than frequent visits to the doctor. There’s quite a huge difference between the two, which will either save you more money in the end or send you deeper in debt.

Financial Stability

This is not to say, however, that you do not need healthcare because you make every effort to stay healthy. We are not immortal (unless, of course, you’re Edward Cullen). Sometimes, a doctor’s visit is required, not just for regular check-ups, but for those illnesses that often visit unexpectedly. But knowing how to balance out the rising cost of healthcare with your food budget will help not just your health, but your efforts to financial stability as well.

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(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/missbossy/ / CC BY 2.0)

Wait a minute... that's not the real "Avatar" poster is it?

The new movie “Avatar” is getting raving reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, not that it really matters what they say. I’ve learned that critics are not always right. Critics will be critics. Nonetheless, a whopping 84 percent of critics on Rotten Tomatoes showered “Avatar” with great reviews. Top critic Colin Covert said, “The film vibrates with the excitement of discovery and awe. Not just for the sight of six-legged rhinos and butterfly-hued dragons, but for the thousands of hours of work that unite here in a creative epiphany.”

For those of you who love Star Wars, Lord of the Ring and other movies with Sci-Fi (or Syfy) effects, you’re going to love Avatar. Here is a partial summary about “Avatar”, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez and Zoe Saldana as Neytiri to name a few. From Rotten Tomatoes:

“Avatar is the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.”

Not everyone, however, gave “Avatar” a good review. For instance, Moira MacDonald from the Seattle Times said, “Everyone recites their lines, awkwardly laying out exposition, speaking their clunky dialogue. None of this is supposed to matter, because we’re presumably busy marveling at all the money on display.”

Golden Globe Nominations

Beyond the “Avatar” movie reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has scored Golden Globe nominations in the best drama and best director categories, according to Yahoo News. With all the positive reviews and nominations for the 67th Golden Globe awards, “Avatar” could very much take over the box office as soon as the movie hits theaters. We’re just going to have to wait and see.

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“Avatar” Movie Trailer

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(Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Former New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer (Image from Wikimedia.org)

Do you remember that girl name Ashley Dupre? No? Well, do you remember the call-girl that was involved in the 2008 sex scandal that took down Gov. Eliot Spitzer? Well, that’s Ashley Dupre. If you were hanging out in Jupiter around the time this event went down, you can read more about it here.

Ashley Dupre Giving Advice on Love

Hopefully, Ashley Dupre will not have to resort to her old ways to earn some quick cash. I just found out that miss sassy Ashley Dupre has taken her own understanding of relationship and love to a whole ‘nother level. Apparently, she is now offering advice on love, sex and relationships through her new Sunday column, “Ask Ashley“, in the New York Post‘s “Meet Market.”

“Sure, she’s made some mistakes,” admits the post. “But now Ashley Dupre, the former escort who brought down Gov. Eliot Spitzer, is sharing what she’s learned.”

In her first Sunday column, she gave advice on ways to handle rebellious teenagers, dot signs of unhappy married men, no-fail Christmas gifts for woman, and several others. After reading through her column, I found that Ashley Dupre actually knows a lot about relationships. I can’t say she has the best advice out there in terms of relationships, but she definitely has the right idea.

Why is Your Man Cheating? Ask Ashley.

The only problem with this is I can’t seem to forget the fact that she was once what some people would call a “home wrecker.” The fact she was linked to New York Governor Eliot Spitzer through a federal investigation looking into a prostitution ring keeps coming to mind. And seriously, who came up with the idea to have a call-girl provide love counsel, most particularly through the power of the New York Post?

Many props to the person responsible for this brilliant idea! I mean, this couldn’t come at a better time considering all the media attention focused on Tiger Woods sex scandal.

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What is your definition of marriage? (Photo via wtlphotos, Flickr.com)

I’ve been married for 4 years now. My husband and I married at a very young age. He had just turned 21 and I was only 17 at the time… and pregnant. I was the happiest girl the day my husband proposed to me. We had a blurry idea of what marriage is and what exactly we were getting ourselves into. At that particular moment, in that precise moment in time, all we knew and cared for was that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.

What is Marriage?

“What is marriage?” asked my mother. “Surely, you must have idea of what marriage is.” What!? Of course I have an idea, I thought to myself. My parents have been married for 25 years. I’ve seen them work through all their ups and downs. I’ve seen the affection they shared, the secret whispers, and sneaked kisses. I have also seen the fight, the struggle, and disappointments. I’ve seen it all. Or have I?

I was still living at home with my parents at the time. I was a high school dropout with no job or a stable source of income. My husband worked part-time as a bagger-boy at a grocery store downtown. He worked minimum-waged hours and brought in little money. He, too, relied on others for financial support. And here we are, two young individuals in love proclaiming they’re prepared to make the next big step.

Not only was I going to be a bride, I was going to be a mother! A mother! Now that plan for a stable income just had to be in place – and quick. How were we going to support this baby? My parents did it 8 times. Surely, we can do it with one. I had no idea what the future was going to be like. I was not certain how I was going to support a little child or even afford to pay my own bills. I guess I could take on a waitressing job, I thought to myself. However, somehow, someway, I felt confident. I had no idea where to begin, but I was determined to marry the love of my life and give birth to the child that was slowly growing in me. Still, I had yet to find out firsthand what marriage was all about.

“What is marriage to you?” The question played like a broken record in my mind.

Wedding Day

I was unable to go to a salon to get a fancy hairdo so I did it myself. I had my hair in plastic curlers for hours before the wedding. About 2 hours before the wedding, I discovered my little idea of hairstyling was far from presentable. My hair fell flat and the curls I had vigorously worked hours on were nowhere to be seen. Nonetheless, I arrived at my wedding looking the best I can possible be.

I wore my wedding dress (or rather a cream-colored prom dress that I bought from the local mall) and I felt beautiful. I couldn’t believe it. I was getting married. We exchanged our vows that cold night in February, thus, marking the beginning of a new life.

After the ceremony, my husband and I looked at each other with smiles creeping up to the corners of our mouths. We were finally married.

My Definition of Marriage

It hasn’t been easy these past years. We have learned many things since we decided to step into the married life. We had so much to learn and we continue to learn new thing about marriage, as individuals, and our lives in general.

What is marriage? Well, I’ll be perfectly honest. I still don’t quite know what marriage is. I do know, however, that marriage is not just a legal contract made between two individuals in love. Have you ever tried to solve a long equation that requires an extensive amount of time and focus? Well, that’s exactly what marriage is like. This type of equation requires more than just one mind, however. Effort and cooperation is needed from both partners. You have to find what works and what doesn’t. You have to try different things to uncover the right solution. When one thing fails, you start the process all over again. You learn what works and what doesn’t. That’s my definition of marriage.

Personally, we are still trying to solve this equation so many others are also struggling with. Nonetheless, we are getting closer and closer to the answer. I do know, however, that when we do get to point, it’s going to be the best feeling of accomplishment; probably more than everything else we’ve worked hard for and accomplished.

Life itself is a never-ending equation. The equation that matters the most, however, is the ones you share with those who matter the most.

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Thanks for reading! Here are a few of my favorite articles on Marriage from our Money Blog at Personal Money Store. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did:

- Marriage is a Contract, Not Just Love

- Marriage, Money Management, & Installment Loans

- First Gay Couple on “The Newlywed Game” | Warp Speed, Sulu!

According to CPSC, Zhu Zhu Pets are safe! (Photo via Wikimedia.org)

This week, the holiday must-have toy of the season, Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters, have been under scrutiny as concerns surfaced recently on whether or not the fun little critters are safe for the general public. According to consumer group ‘Good Guide’ earlier this week, Mr. Squiggles and the other Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters contain high levels of anatomy which has been linked to lung and heart problems.

Consumer Product Safety Commission on Zhu Zhu Pets

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a statement on Monday, Dec. 7, that the toys are safe and meet all federal standards for toys being sold in the United States, according to Nicole Franklin who writes for Examiner.com.

Furthermore, the makers of Zhu Zhu Pets, Cepia LLC, said that ‘Good Group’ used an “inferior” testing methodology that has “’not been determined to be a reliable test method’ by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in August of 2009,” says Zhu Zhu Pets CEO Russ Hornsby. He also adds that the products are tested internally and reviewed by an independent 3rd party.

Good Guide has released their own statement, apologizing for the claims that were made earlier this week:

“While we accurately reported the chemical levels in the toys that we measured using our testing method, we should not have compared our results to federal standards. We regret this error.”

Good Looking Out, Good Guide

Personally, I don’t bash the consumer group for raising concerns and questions on whether or not Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters are safe. As a matter of fact, I applaud them for taking the initiative to make sure we are not posing any health risks on our loved ones, especially our children. You can never be too sure these days.

In case you are still planning on getting Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters this Christmas, rest assured that all three major retailers – Walmart, Toys R Us, and Target – are standing behind the findings of the CPSC and will continue to sell all Zhu Zhu Pets and accessories.

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters operate like real hamsters. (Photo via annia316, Flickr.com)

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating whether the Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters are unsafe. According to a consumer group called Good Guide, the Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters, which has become the holiday season’s must-have toys, may contain high levels of antimony. The group claims (information posted on their website) that Mister Squiggles, the light brown hamster in the Zhu Zhu Pets toy line, contains unsafe levels of antimony which can cause cancer, lung and heart problems.

The makers of Zhu Zhu Pets, however, are denying the claims and sustaining their grounds. “All our products are subjected to several levels of rigorous safety testing conducted by our own internal teams, as well as the world’s leading independent quality assurance testing organization, and also by independent labs engaged by our retail partners,” Russ Hornsby, CEO of Cepia, said in a written statement. “The results of every test prove that our products are in compliance with all government and industry safety standards.”

Zhu Zhu Pets, Love at first Sight

I was blown away ever since I first heard about the Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters. They’re just absolutely adorable! I know several kids in my family that want one, and I’ve been somewhat budgeting for these little critters for Christmas. I don’t bash ‘Good Guide’ for making a big stink about the Zhu Zhu Pets. As a matter of fact, I’m glad they voiced their concerns. Even if they are wrong about the product being unsafe, it never hurts to be safe.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is running examinations to find out the exact levels of antimony and whether Zhu Zhu pets have unsafe levels of the chemical. So if you are planning on getting Zhu Zhu Pets this Christmas, you might want to wait until the results are released before you spend your money.

Related Articles:

- Are Zhu Zhu Pets Unsafe? Feds Conduct Investigation

- Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters | The Hottest Toy for the Holidays 2009?

Tiger Woods (Photo via keithallison, Flickr.com)

I seriously am getting sick of seeing Tiger Woods all over the internet. But then again, all these new affair allegations are so hard to ignore. He is, in fact, the world’s number one professional golf player.

Holly Sampson is Tiger Woods’ seventh alleged mistress to surface following the initial affair rumor that made its round on the internet during Thanksgiving week. Everyone were shocked, some insulted over the Tiger Woods affairs allegations. How could anyone suggest Tiger as a dumb-scum dirt bag who cheats on his beautiful, loving wife who mothers his two beautiful children? Not Tiger. He is no way capable of doing such a thing. And just when we thought the world has gone nuts over Tiger Woods, he releases a statement apologizing – apologizing! – for the “transgressions”. So it’s true. Our Tiger Woods is a dumb-scum dirt bag who cheats on his beautiful wife.

Who’s the Lucky Number 7?

First it was a girl name Rachel Uchitel, then a bartender name Jaimee Grubbs; I mean the list goes on and on. Now porn star Holly Sampson – the lucky number 7 – has joined the list of Tiger Woods affairs. According to UK Daily Mail, Holly Sampson, through her Denver-based lawyer Andrew Contiguglia, has neither confirmed nor denied the allegation. The 36-year-old porn star has played in movies such as ‘My First Sex Teacher’, ‘Flying Solo 2′, and ‘Emmanuelle in Paradise’.

Why oh why did you do it, Tiger?

I don’t get why Tiger Woods would cheat on his wife – Elin Nordegren – with a nasty-looking porn star who probably has had just about everyone else in her mouth. What does Holly Sampson have that Elin doesn’t? I don’t get why he decided to marry in the first place if he knew right off the back he wasn’t ready for a committed relationship. I’m glad the truth is finally coming out. You can only hide something for so long before someone decides to spill the beans.

This whole time we thought Tiger Woods was a goody-two-shoed married father of two. He was a role model not just for his skills at golf, but as a loving father and husband. However, his game of choice has uncovered his true colors and earned the infamous golf player a new standing.

Click here to see Holly Sampson photos.

Edward "Eddie" Fatu a.k.a. Umaga (Photo from Wikimedia.org)

Eddie Fatu has been hospitalized and is in critical conditions. Former WWE star Umaga, whose real name is Edward Fatu, is receiving medical treatment in a Houston hospital. A close friend described his condition as “life threatening,” according to Wrestlingobserver.com.

According to the report, Fatu fell asleep while watching television last night. Several hours later, his wife found him not breathing and blood flowing from his nose and he was rushed to the hospital. His family was told that he may have suffered a heart attack.

Edward “Eddie” Fatu is a Samoan-American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Umaga. Over the summer on June 8, 2009, Fatu was released from his WWE contract after failing a drug test and declining the company’s request to go to rehab.

Nonetheless, the “Umaga Dead” report is only a rumor. Let’s just hope it stays a rumor.

UPDATE:

Edward “Eddie” Fatu, the former WWE Star Umaga, has passed away, according to The Sun. His family has confirmed that the former WWE intercontinental champion died from a heart attack. He was only 36-years-old.

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"FacebookAgent allows users to view private Facebook profiles." (Photo via Flickr.com)

Facebookagent appeared on trends today and the first thing that came to mind was an employment opportunity with Facebook. Apparently, it’s something totally different. Facebookagent supposedly allows users to view private Facebook profiles after a simple tool download. One has to wonder if this type of “service” is actually legal. According to their website0, FacebookAgent.com, Facebook Agent is completely legit.

“Disclamer Facebook Agent is an automated help manual that guides you through the process of gaining a legal view of the desired profile. This process is completely legal and is achieved through the other party’s aproval and acknowledgement.”

Facebookagent Just Doesn’t Sound Right

You won’t need a cash advance to get the Facebookagent tool. The service is free and easy to download. However, after looking through their website, I have to say there is clearly something fishy about Facebook Agent. First off, I noticed there were broken html codes. Secondly, not that I’m a grammar expert or know everything about language rules, but I also noticed a few too many misspelled words and punctuation placement errors on the site. If the site is, in fact, so reputable, I would think the people behind the work would take the extra time to proofread their displayed content.

Facebook Agent claims to offer “fast start-up”, “fast using”, and a “special bonus” for those who use the tool at work. If you click on where it says “Learn about Facebook Agent”, ” Check out facebook Agent Artist Themes” or “Try the latest BETA version”, you will be redirected to the same page every time, and the Facebookagent tool is automatically downloaded to your computer.

A Letter from Facebook

An open letter from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was recently sent out to all Facebook users. The letter clearly outlines Facebook’s new plans to create a better, simpler model for privacy control. So why would Facebook, a global social networking website, allow something like Facebook Agent to spoil their plans for an improved privacy model for their users? Furthermore, the fact that no reputable blog or website has come forth to edify the merits of the program only adds more to the suspicion. The Facebookagent site seems very hazy and is likely worth avoidable.

Breastfeeding is a vital part of life. (Photo via maessive, Flickr.com)

A couple with their month-old baby visited a Target store in Harper Woods, Michigan on Sunday. The woman started breastfeeding the baby in the electronics aisle, which attracted security’s attention. According to them, the act was “illegal” and the couple was asked to leave the store.

No matter where you go in the world, breastfeeding is a vital part of life. That’s why the couple, Jose and Mary Martinez, was shocked to hear such a claim. “He said, ‘It’s against the law. You have to go,’” said Jose. But Jose, a Detroit police officer, knew very well it is not illegal to breastfeed in public, even in the electronics aisle at Target. It was not long before police arrived and joined Target security in questioning the couple until they walked out humiliated.

“I asked one of them if it was indeed illegal maybe in Harper Woods to breast-feed. He said, ‘No.’ And that was it. We got our stuff together and we left,” Jose Martinez said. “Forcing me out of the store. Two security guards, the manager or team leader, two officers, they just made a spectacle and a scene,” added Mary. “I feel like I can’t go to that specific Target anymore.”

According to the report, FOX 2 contacted Target’s corporate headquarters for more details on the “breastfeeding” incident. They spoke to the corporate manager who stated that they allow nursing mothers to breastfeed in their stores, but went on to say, “This specific situation escalated to a point where we were concerned for the safety of our guests, so law enforcement was called. We regret the incident in our store and will continue to provide a shopping environment that respects the needs of all guests, including nursing mothers.”

I can’t help but wonder how breastfeeding a baby can cause so much concern over the safety of shoppers. On top of that, why would you call the cops on a woman trying to feed her infant child, a typical baby that chooses his/her own time to eat, sleep, and poop? What were they really worried about? Were her boobs so voluptuous that worried female shoppers at Target (who were accompanied by their significant others) just had to make a stink about her breastfeeding in public? Come on now.

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Get a $50 gift card on a Nintendo Wii purchase at Wal-Mart. (Photo via el3enawe, Flickr.com)

If you’re looking to buy a new Nintendo Wii game system, you might want to wait until December 5 to get it. According to their website, the almighty Wal-Mart will be offering a $50 gift card immediately after a Wii purchase on that day. Currently, the Wii is going for $199, which is already a sweet deal considering it cost $250 + tax just last year.

With this Wal-Mart gift card offering, you would only need to pay $149 for a brand new Wii. Don’t rush over to their website, however, because this offering will only be available in stores, not online. Keep in mind that this deal will only last till December 12 while supplies last. Generally, I don’t encourage payday loans for things like this, but if it’s something that will actually save you money in the end, why not?

You don’t have to wait till the 5th of December, however, to start your holiday savings at Wal-Mart (as if we don’t know that already). You can save big bucks on Wii games and other games at Wal-Mart as the retailer is offering 15-20% savings on 25 top video game titles.

Get Past Your Pride and Start Saving!

I’m getting a new Wii system for the hubby (shhhh) so I’m definitely stoked about this deal. Like I’ve said before, saving money is my main goal this holiday season. I’m going to target anything and everything that can help put a little something back in my pockets.

For those of you that would turn your nose up at the idea of shopping at Wal-Mart, please tackle your pride with some logic. You’ll find some of the best deals on games, electronics, groceries, diapers, you name it. If you want to save some money this Christmas, don’t let your pride become an issue.

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"I'll take the girl on the right." (Photo via tucia, Flickr.com)

I seriously think I lost a few too many brain cells after watching this video. A man in Tokyo, Japan who goes by the name Sal9000 married his video game girlfriend name Nene Anegasaki, a character in the Nintendo DS dating simulation game “Love Plus.”

The video showed a real-life wedding that took place between the man and his virtual girlfriend in Japan. Apparently, Sal9000 has had many ‘virtual’ girlfriends before, but has now found the perfect girl to spend the rest of his life with.

I severely feel sorry for this guy. I’m not sure whether or not his decision was made just to attract attention, but the whole wedding ceremony looks pretty, pretty serious. Oh well, I guess if it makes him happy, that’s really all that matters. Nonetheless, I still feel sorry for him.

Man Marries Video Game Girlfriend (Video)

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia.org)

Last week, rumors of Tiger Woods alleged affair surfaced and scattered throughout the internet. Now another woman name Jaimee Grubbs is coming forth, claiming she had a 31-month affair with the legendary professional golf player. I don’t know about you, but this ‘Tiger Woods Affair’ rumor is getting uglier by the second.

Rachel Uchitel – The Other Woman

Last week, Tiger was accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with a woman name Rachel Uchitel, the same woman Bones star David Boreanaz was accused of having an affair with. Both parties denied the allegation.

Just recently, on Friday Nov. 27, 2009, Tiger Woods was involved in a one-car accident when he lost control of his SUV right outside his home in Florida. According to reports, police found Tiger lying on the streets with his wife, Elin Nordegren, hovering over him. Many suggest that the injuries, particularly the scratches on his face, were a result of an angry Eli who discovered her husband’s alleged affair. Tiger Woods was taken to the hospital and was released the next day in good condition.

Jaimee Grubbs – The Other, Other Woman

According to the Hollywood Gossip, “Us Weekly is reportedly planning to release a bombshell cover story about Jaimee Grubbs” and her long-running affair with Tiger Woods. It’s not just her word she has to offer; she has all the spicy proof to show for it as well. Grubbs says she has voicemails and text messages to prove her story.

Jaimee Grubbs said she was 21 at the time she met Tiger in Las Vegas back in 2007. She claims to have had more than a dozen sexual encounters with Tiger. The Magazine, which is due out tomorrow, will showcase this allegation. It will include, “photos, racy texts from Tiger, as well as a voicemail from November 24, in which Tiger suggests his wife might be on to the alleged affair.”

(FMR) Tiger Woods Girlfriend Joanna Jagoda

As if the first and second rumors weren’t enough, now Tiger Woods’ former girlfriend, Joanna Jagoda, is speaking to the public which is only adding more to this controversy. “Elin is exactly what Tiger needs to get stability in his life,” said Joanna to Britain’s Daily Mail. “She is mature for her age, humble, and has both feet on the ground.” Rumor has it that Tiger Woods was still in a relationship with Joanna when he met his future wife Eli. You know what they say – “Once a cheater, always a cheater.”

How did they do it? (Photo via publicresourceorg, Flickr.com)

Tareq Salahi is a wealthy vintner based out of Virginia. He and his wife, Michaele Salahi, are capturing headlines, accused of crashing a White House State Dinner on Nov. 24, where Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was guest of honor. This shocking allegation has earned the duo a new nickname: The White House Party Crashers.

They not only crashed the President’s first State Dinner, but they actually got to shake hands with the President of the United States himself! Surely, there are those who are more than willing to secure installment loans to see the president, but to steal your way in the White House is definitely another story. The couple was even seen posing in photos with Vice President Joe Biden and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel to name a few.

Read the full article… “Tareq and Michaele Salahi – White House Party Crashers?“

Tiger Woods (Photo from Wikimedia.org)

Oh please say it ain’t true! Rumor has it that the world’s number one professional golf player, Tiger Woods, is having an affair. Media Take Out said they just got their “hands on this week’s National Enquirer and it is EXPLOSIVE!!! According to them, Tiger Woods is CHEATING with the below woman, named Rachel Uchitel.”

Tiger is married to model Elin Nordegren. They have been married for five years and have two beautiful children, two-year-old Sam Alexis and 10-month-old Charlie Axel. Tiger Woods cheating on his wife does not sound like something the 33-year-old golf champion would do. Just a quick look at his family portrait is enough to convince anyone that his marriage and family life in general is blissfully flawless. Then again, as many of us have witnessed firsthand, a beautiful family portrait never reveals the hidden scars, heartache and struggles that an average family goes through.

Rachel Uchitel – A Reputation of Dating Married Celebrities

The woman Tiger Woods is accused of having an affair with appears to be the same woman accused of having an affair with another celebrity, ‘Bones’ star David Boreanaz. According to Star Magazine, Boreanaz was having an affair with a woman name Rachel Uchitel, even while his wife was pregnant. Even worse, the tabloid also claimed that Boreanaz was texting Rachel while wife Jaime was giving birth! Double ouch! The women from both sex scandals share the same name, same facial features, and are both brunettes. Just take a look at the photos from Media Take Out and The Hollywood Gossip and you’ll see what I mean. Fellas, you better watch out for this one!

Paula Deen (Photo via Nightmare, Flickr.com)

Just so you’re on the same track, this “Paula Deen Hit With Ham” topic is not about a Thanksgiving recipe or anything like that. Paula Deen, one of America’s favorite cooks, apparently was hit in the face with an eight-pound ham yesterday during a charity event for Hosea Feed the Hungry in Atlanta, Georgia.

In the video below, Paula Deen and members of the Smithfield Foods’ staff are seen standing around, passing out packets of meat as a part of the company’s “Corporate Social Responsibility” program. All of a sudden, a “flying ham” flew out of nowhere and hits her in the face. Fortunately, Deen was not injured and was back with all smiles in no time. She laughed and cracked jokes about a swollen nose with an ice-pack in her hands. “It just got hit with a hog, so what can I expect,” she told WSB-TV. “Ran head on into a hog.”

Glad you’re okay, Paula!

Paula Deen Hit with Ham (Video):

EMBED-Paula Deen Hit With a Ham – Watch more free videos

Taylor Lautner: I'm too sexy for my shirt. (Photo via Twilight-foxdie, Flickr.com)

Negative reviews from critics did not affect the opening weekend sales for “Twilight Saga: New Moon.” As a matter of fact, the new movie has conquered the number 3 spot for the highest, all-time opening weekend sales. “The Dark Knight” and “Spider-Man 3″ are the only movies that made more opening weekend sales at the U.S. box office. Even better, “New Moon” broke the all-time record for most advance tickets sold.

Twilight Reviews

Many critics bashed “Twilight Saga: New Moon” for many reasons. Rotten Tomatoes, for instance, described the film as “toothless,” “the second bite was stale,” and “if the first installment… was a celebration of teen sulkiness, this film positively drowns in it.” Only 30% of Rotten Tomatoes’ critics actually enjoyed the film. Daily Mail, in the UK, says “New Moon” is “Tedious, long-winded and not so much undead as almost entirely devoid of life.” Film critic Roger Ebert said, “…sitting through this experience is like driving a pickup in low gear through a sullen sea of Brylcreem.” Ouch!

Personal ‘Twilight Saga: New Moon’ Review

Who really cares what critics have to say, right? I mean, they are critics after all. They will always find something negative to say, no matter how good it is. Then again, they do bring out a good point.

The hubby and I went to see the movie over the weekend and I must say I felt a bit antsy towards the end of movie. There was a lot of glaring (literally) and so little action. It almost felt like a never-ending story. Of course, the endless scene of exotic guys running the woods with no shirt on was definitely a treat, especially for the ladies. It was definitely a wise move on their part. I’m sure a lot of people went to see this movie just to catch a glimpse of a shirtless Taylor Lautner or the devilishly red lips of Robert Pattinson, best known as Edward Cullen on Twilight. Overall, I thought the movie was alright. ‘Twilight Saga: New Moon’ wasn’t the best vampire/werewolf movie, but it’s definitely another movie I’ll add to my home collection.

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(Photo via Elizafairy, Flickr.com)

The sketch last night on Jimmy Fallon’s show about Sarah Palin‘s new book, “Going Rogue,” was all-out hilarious. Apparently, “Going Rogue” has gone rogue. For months, the anticipated book made headlines and was seen everywhere as far as the media eyes can see. All of a sudden, it disappeared! It snuck off the set of “Late Night”, stole a gun, shot Rachel Maddow, and ran off to see its lover: the New Moon.

Late Night: ‘Going Rogue’ Gone Rogue Video:

(Photo via Pinksherbet, Flickr.com)

If you want longer, thicker lashes, you might want to check out a fairly new product called RapidLash. According to their website, RapidLash.com, Rapid Lash is an innovative high-performance formula that helps thicken and improve the condition of your lashes and brows in just weeks of using the product.

Having long lashes is something most women would die for. Women have gone through extensive measures just to get longer lashes. It’s something about long lashes that makes your facial features even more attractive than they already are. I naturally have long lashes so it’s not really a huge problem for me. But I do know many women who wish they had longer, thicker lashes.

RapidLash Reviews

I first heard about RapidLash over the summer and I was a bit skeptical. However, after reading up on several blogs and reviews from reputable websites, I think it’s the next big thing in terms of growing longer lashes. I’ve heard nothing but positive remarks about the product.

Sarah-Jean, the Fashionable Housewife Editor- in-Chief, said that after using the product for six weeks, she noticed her lashes were notably longer. She even noticed fewer eyelashes falling out. It was so good she bought 3 tubes of RapidLash just to give away to her readers. Another blogger said she no longer has to curl her lashes, which is something we can all do without. Those lash curlers are a pain in the rear end. She did mention a slight irritation around her eyes during the first couple days, but it was gone by the third day and hasn’t had any reactions since then.

Is RapidLash Safe?

Some question whether this lash/eyebrow growing product is safe. A while back, someone from the Alternative Health Journal claimed that while Rapid Lash can help grow longer lashes, the product contains harmful chemicals like prostaglandin and cloprosteno, which he reported can also produce conditions that you don’t want like eye irritation, loss of vision, and eye-color change.

Steve Tarlow, on the other hand, who writes for the Money Blog at Personal Money Store, provides a contradicting explanation:

“What Rapid Lash has done is make some changes to the original eye-irritating formula. What they use is Isopropyl Cloprostenate, and Rapid Lash asserts that it is different enough from its base components to avoid the problems those non cosmetic components are known to promote. Reportedly, Rapid Lash has in the past and is conducting independent trials to satisfy nay sayers like Sevigny of Alternative Health Journal in order to conclusively prove their product is not harmful.”

See for yourself!

No matter what anyone has to say about the product, there’s no doubt that many people are convinced Rapid Lash is the best product to improve the appearance and condition of lashes and brows. And the product doesn’t come cheap either. You can get a tube of Rapid Lash for $49.95 plus shipping and handling. The company is currently offering a 40-Day risk free trial on the product (includes S&H fee of $6.99). So if you want to save money, you might want to take advantage of their free trial offering and see for yourself whether the product actually works. I’m going to try the product myself and I’ll make sure to post my own review on RapidLash.

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Dodge Journey (Image via Wikimedia.org)

Before you fill out a car loan application, you might want to check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s annual list of Top Safety Picks.

For many years, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a non-profit organization funded by auto insurance companies, has worked hard to reduce road accidents and injuries by conducting thorough research on popular passenger vehicles as well as consumer products like child booster seats. Every year the organization performs three tests to determine the Top Safety Picks: Frontal offset impact test, side impact test, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, and a roof strength test.

According to Elizabeth Fairchild who writes for the Money Blog on Personal Money Store, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named six vehicles made by Ford Top Safety Picks this year:

• Chrysler Sebring 4-door with electronic stability control
• Dodge Avenger with electronic stability control
• Dodge Journey
• Jeep Patriot with side torso air bags

Of course, as many of you probably know, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has come under scrutiny several times before, accused of seeking the best interests of Insurance companies rather than the public. They Institute has been criticized for being too hard on certain vehicle types, particularly motorcycles. But let’s be real. Everyone can agree that despite how cool or blazing they can be, motorcycles are definitely not the safest ride out there.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/omgee_gb/ / CC BY 2.0

Chris Brown is back with a new single. From what it looks like, Chris Brown’s new “I Can Transform Ya” video should have been the theme song for Transformers. Don’t get me wrong, the video is hella tight! It’s the same Chris Brown with his brilliant dance moves, but this time with his newfound sense of swagging on the roll.

The video features multi-platinum recording rapper Lil’ Wayne and rapper and producer Swizz Beatz. It has been confirmed that the new video, I Can Transform Ya, will be released Tuesday, October 27.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roomiccube/ / CC BY 2.0

In Richmond, California, a 15-year-old girl was gang raped near Richmond High School after attending her homecoming dance Saturday night, according to ABC 7 News. Police are looking for eyewitnesses and four to seven actual rapists in this case. Police believe there were about a dozen spectators who stood by and did nothing. To top it all off, police say some of the witnesses may have recorded the entire rape on camera!

There have been two arrests made in this case so far. Authorities pulled a 15-year-old Richmond High School student out of class for questioning in connection with the Saturday night gang rape. He was later arrested Monday night and charged with rape. Another Richmond High School student was taken in for questioning, but was later released.

Manuel Ortega, 19, is in a county jail in Martinez on suspicion for rape and robbery. Ortega, who is not a Richmond High School Student, was caught fleeting the scene when police arrived at the brutal gang rape that lasted about two and half hours.

The 15-year-old victim was raped, beaten, and robbed. Her injuries were so bad she had to be transported from the scene to the hospital by helicopter.

The girl said she left the dance to “catch a ride from her dad.” It was about 9:30. She then joined a group of kids drinking in a dark alley right off of school campus. She must have known one of her assailants. According to school officials, there were plenty of chaperones at the Richmond High School homecoming dance. However, no one in the supervising staff inspected the surrounding campus.

The 15-year-old girl who was brutally beaten and raped is still hospitalized as of this writing. Richmond High School is part of the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), according to Wikipedia. It is also considered the second safest school in the WCCUSD by Richmond Police Department statistics.

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Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelkramerbusseldotcom/ / CC BY 2.0

Do you remember Jodie Sweetin? She’s the girl on “Full House” who played Stephanie Tanner. She was definitely one of my favorite characters on the ABC television show. She was always so sweet and cute, almost like a perfect angel sent from up above. However, what I’m hearing today does not sound like the Stephanie Tanner we know.

“Unsweetened” Jodie Sweetin: I was high on cocaine!

According to the New York Daily News, Jodie Sweetin has written a new autobiography called “Unsweetened,” a memoir about her life and past struggles with alcohol and drug abuse. Apparently, the 27 year-old actress is finally coming clean for real this time. She admits to being high on cocaine even while traveling to universities across the country to talk about drugs.

“I thought for sure that one of the professors would take one look at me and kick me out,” she writes. “But none did. They wanted to hear about the trials and tribulations of Jodie Sweetin, or at least the Jodie Sweetin I had created.”

Jodie Sweetin says she started taking drugs to prove she was not as innocent as the goody-two-shoes Stephanie Tanner everyone knew.

Alcohol, Drugs, and DUI – Nothing new with Jodie Sweetin

I, personally, was not aware Jodie had a problem with alcohol and drugs. I’m now just finding out. Apparently, she was getting drunk even before she set foot in high school.

According to other reports, in 1994, Jodie was so drunk at co-star Candace Cameron‘s wedding she passed out in the bathroom. Even worse, her 8 month-old daughter was taken away from her last year when her estranged husband accused her of being an unfit parent, claiming she even drove under the influence of alcohol with the baby in the car! A California judge ruled against Jodie, forbidding her from seeing her daughter without supervision.

Jodie Sweetin should be applauded for her autobiography, Unsweetened. I give her credit for having the courage to come out in public and share her story. Let’s just hope this time it’s for real for real.

Related Article:

- Jodie Sweetin’s Memoir | Will She Make a Comeback?

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twodolla/ / CC BY 2.0

The idea of a 6 year-old getting evicted is completely ridiculous. At that age, you could care less about getting a new car, a fancy home, or personal loans for emergency needs. So why would anyone insinuate such an idea? Well, in this story, that’s exactly what happens.

Kimberly was only six months old when she moved in with her grandparents. The state government discovered her mother was a chronic drug user, thus, little Kimberly was sent to live with her grandparents in their retirement condo in Florida. For the past years, 6 year-old Kimberly has been living there against strict regulation and is now facing eviction.

Struggling to Keep a Home

Jimmy and Judie Stottler live in a retirement community, a place where no one below the age of 55 is permitted to live in. However, that did not stop them from taking in their 6 year-old granddaughter. The Pinellas Park homeowners association is now demanding to remove the girl from the residence because of the estate’s strict rule against children living there. They want her out and have even taken the matter up to a judge to do it.

Jimmy and Judie are willing to relocate for their beautiful grandchild. However, since the initial housing market downfall, their plans to sell their home became hopeless. Apparently, the couple recently lowered the price of their home from $255,000 to $129,000. Even still, with the housing market still in dumps, the Stottler’s might just end up on the streets as well.

Where will she go?

Regardless of the situation, the elderly couple is refusing to throw out their granddaughter. “They will have to drag me out in handcuffs and tear her from my arms,” said Judie. “I’m not putting her out on the streets.”

If the homeowners association’s court claim is successful, young Kimberly would have to be sent somewhere else. She could end up in a foster home. A foster home! This is not to say foster homes do not serve their purpose, but I do know that many children in foster homes get lost in the system and are constantly moved from place to place. Besides that, I’ve never heard of a foster home taking in a 6 year-old who got evicted from a retirement home. This young child needs to be with her grandparents where she will receive proper care and most importantly, love.

Despite the retirement community regulation, I hope they resolve this matter with compassion at heart. The life of a 6 year-old is at stake. Young Kimberly deserves to be with the people who love her.

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Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32912172@N00/ / CC BY 2.0

There’s a price for everything. Just about everything in life comes with a price tag, whether it’s physically or financially. I’m sure Yovanna Guzman would agree.

In Love with the Baddest and Finer Things

Yovanna Guzman was a beauty queen and former model. At age 19, she met the infamous Wilber Varela who was the leader of North Valle Cartel, one of the most powerful drug cartels based out of Columbia. After eight long years, Yovanna Guzman is finally coming out to share her story about her dangerous love affair with one of the most wanted Columbian drug lords. Like many young women who fancied fancy cars and shiny jewels, Guzman was dazzled by all the fine things Varela constantly showered her with.

Everything Drug Money Can Buy

“There were the vacations, the cars and the luxury SUVs and, of course, jewelry. There was always jewelry. But there were small details too like flowers,” she said in a recent CNN interview.

Yovanna Guzman told CNN that she now understands that she was being bought and admits to selling herself. She was wooed with everything drug money can buy. But as time went by she began to ask herself, “Where is the love and my principles?” She had all the material luxuries in the world and still felt nothing but emptiness.

“I feel all of us have a price up to a point. Sometimes you feel luxuries like the designer clothes, shoes and handbags are important. But afterward you realize you’re empty inside,” she said.

A Bloody Price to Pay

It was not long before Yovanna Guzman’s love affair with Wilber Varela turned bitter and perilous.

“He was very jealous, and what’s his is his and belongs to nobody else and nobody can touch it, look at it or mess with it,” she said.

As police authorities fought harder to hunt down one of the most brutal cocaine traffickers, Guzman’s time with Varela grew slim. Despite how long or how often Varela was away, he always seemed to know exactly where Guzman was and what she was doing. He had eyes all over the place. Varela became very jealous towards Guzman. He was so jealous to the point he even ordered one of his lieutenants to shoot her in the leg.

“When I got shot, I was supposedly never going to walk properly again. The bullet could easily have hit me somewhere else and killed me. But I pulled myself together and I said I’m not going to be crippled,” she told CNN.

Yovanna Guzman is working on a new book detailing every horrific event that took place over the past eight years. I hope her story will help other young women on the quest for easy money.

Related Article:

- Yovanna Guzman: Love and Luxuries with Columbian Drug Lords