The latest news, if you haven’t heard yet, is the newest round of Google algorithm changes. What this means is a death toll for those splogs out there (god willing) and bonus points to those who spend the time to nitpick every word that goes on one’s web site or blog – relying on one’s skill and the mastery of original content.

The Original Writer Should Get the Credit for His or Her Original Work, Right?

There’s nothing much worse than finding someone has stolen your material, verbatim. There’s also nothing fun about finding those auto-posted blogs where the content is so repetitive that no one in their right mind would read it. I mean, come on, how many times could someone say the same thing about say a computer monitor or whatever keyword they hope to gain the upper hand with in the search engines. (more…)

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Evie. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don’t know about you, but it scares the daylights out of me when a friend calls using their cell phone while they are driving. Yes, I pay attention to what they are saying, but in the back of my brain the tiny words “get off the phone and put both hands on the wheel” cycles like a hamster in a running wheel through my brain.

Safe, Fast, Fun Voice Activation for iPhone Users With Evie App

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So now I have some comfort mentally in letting my  iPhone friends know they now have access to the new and free Evie hands-free, voice activated application. With this new app installed, all my friends have to do is say “Call ___” and instantly their phone connects – and more importantly, their hands stay on the wheel and their attention on the road.

Of course the app comes in handy beyond just driving. Think of all that carpal tunnel problems you’ll mitigate. No more thumbs! Just ask your iPhone and ye shall get the answer

You can ask your iPhone Evie app to “find the nearest Mexican restaurant” or voice activate your favorite song list. You can even listen to your favorite Facebook news feeds!

The long and short of it all is that here’s an app that’s going to make your life a whole lot easier, and a whole lot safer!

Stop by and “Say hello to Evie,” this powerful text-to-speech iPhone app!

Tonight as I do a last round, the following caught my eye in my Twitter account.

10 Great Philanthropists Who Are Kids

Now, actually there are 12 children and their stories, each with their own YouTube video for you to watch. But someone decided to say 10 (maybe because two of the stories are two young people teamed up). If you think kids don’t know or care, you’re sadly mistaken.

Making A Difference

o Abby Miller, age 12 (helping a friend with cancer)
o Olivia Bouler, age 11 (raised $200,000 for the National Audubon Society)
o Cameron Cohen, age 11 (see what he did after bone tumor surgery)
o Jordan Somer, Nebraska teen (events for females with physical/mental disabilities)
o Phoebe Russell, age 5 (raised $1,000 for the San Francisco Food Bank)
o Brittany and Robbie Berquist, ages 12 and 13 (paid an $8,000 phone bill for a soldier)
o Mackenzie Bearup, age 16 (donated over 50,000 books to treatment centers)
o Timothy Hwang and Minsoo Han, both 14 (5 cities, 800 volunteers, all students)
o Zach Bonner, age 11 (2,448 mile March Across America, $25,000 raised)
o Harry Mosley, age 9 (inoperable brain tumor, incredible story!)…

Incredible stories giving me more than a glimmer of hope for the future – hope most of us need desperately in today’s world!

Below is just one story, use the link above to hear the rest – you will not be sorry!

These are our world’s next leaders – whether they know it or not! If 12 kids can set out to save a piece of the world, don’t you find that awe-inspiring!?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fannie Mae. All opinions are 100% mine.

The chances of you being one of the millions with the real need for assistance to help keep your home is a good bet. I’m also positive that if this situation fits, you are constantly receiving seemingly official looking offers to help you out of one of the largest economic messes this country has faces in several decades. First, let’s address those “offers to help.”
 

Beware of Mortgage Scams

Stealing millions more from distressed homeowners is the key point for the scam artists out there trying to convince you that they, and only they, can get you out of the sinkhole mess called your mortgage. The trouble is clear by my use of the word “scam artists.” Fannie Mae has two questions you need to ask yourself when contemplating whether an offer is legitimate or not. These questions (paraphrased) are:

1.  To use the counseling service, are you asked to pay a fee?

2.  Is signing over your title, redirecting your mortgage payments, or halting your loan payments advise given, along with a guarantee that the nameless entity can get you a loan modification?

If you can answer yes to even a one of these, beware! HUD-approved counseling is FREE. In fact, to help others from falling prey to these monsters, you can call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) and not only get real help, but also report these predators.

Now on to some good news. It may be hard for most people who are struggling to get someone, somewhere to listen to their situation and get help, but Fannie Mae really does not want your house.

Your Have Mortgage Options and the Right to Seek FREE Assistance

If your desire is to keep your home, then you need to KnowYourOptions.com. Refinancing, working with your lender to determine a repayment plan, forbearance, modification, and even choosing a deed-for-lease are some remedies. Again, you can discover more about each of these options by using that link above.

For instance, few individuals know they can actually remain in their homes by choosing the Deed-for-Lease option. Most people know this by another name “Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure.” What this mortgage option does is, after transferring title to your property to your mortgage company (making arrangements in writing prior of course), you can lease your own home back for up to 12 months. Sometimes the lease terms can even be extended. Your monthly payment would be based on what other rentals are going for in your area. The monthly rental rate has nothing to do with how much your mortgage currently is – so you could save hundreds of dollars each month.

Don’t Sit There Doing Knowing – It’s Your Worse Choice Whether You Want to Keep Your Home or Not

Deciding to hide your head in the sand is not a good strategy, especially when it comes to your home. You need to take action, you need to address the situation head on.

Yes, the entire process can be extremely frustrating. Most likely you know this already first hand or, if not affected, through news media. However, Know Your Options by Fannie Mae means knowledge. It also will give you information on choices, resources that are for real, and advise on how you can take action immediately to save your house and your sanity.

It may be a long road to recovery, but don’t sit there waiting for the road to come to you. Be aggressive, be proactive. Discover your options right now!