I know you might think that’s an odd title for this post, but I believe you’ll change your mind when you read what I received today – how buying made in America can truly change this country. I’m a regular on Ken’s mailing list, and while he also included market analysis and advice, he generally adds input of his own. This time it’s about the simple process of how spending just a fraction of $1 (18 cents to be exact) a day on American-made products would do incredible things for our unemployment rate.

So as you read, consider what 18 cents multiplied numerous times over (like your entire purchase is Made in America) could do to put millions back to work. Read on! (more…)

The value of attending a class on foreclosure mediation cannot be over stressed. With housing prices continuing their downward spiral in many areas, particularly in the West, as the homeowner you need as much information as you can possibly gather.

Here in the Las Vegas area, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada in conjunction with UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, regularly hold classes to help homeowners facing lender foreclosures. Their class is a few hours long and worth every minute. You will walk away armed with the information you need should you choose to go the route of Mediation with your lender.

We have firsthand experience with this – due to a long span of unemployment for my husband. Our dilemma is similar to many who, through no fault of their own, purchased homes they could afford before the economy took its nose dive affecting so many. However, having exited Round 1, we came out winners. Being prepared – having every single piece of paperwork ready and with you – is your key to a successful mediation.

For us, the lender side was unprepared. This is a sharp stick in the eye for them, and a winner of a conclusion for us. It’s not over, but we have high hopes that when all is said and done, we will have something we can live with – an affordable payment to make each month.

Whether you decide to keep your underwater home or not, choosing Mediation is your best choice for both individuals and families. There are numerous other factors to consider that go beyond the stay or go decision. Six states are labeled recourse states. Be sure to know what sort of laws govern your state, and take these factors into consideration.

Your life strategy lesson for the day… do not sit back and let things happen to you. Be proactive. Be prepared. Be knowledgeable. Take the bull by the horns. After all, those you “go up against” are mere humans working in a highly flawed system. These are two points in your favor if you are prepared!

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

It goes without saying that competition for jobs is getting tougher by the day. Those who choose to can easily earn degrees from home. With a wealth of innovative uses of technology in education, Rossier and the MAT@USC program gives you the flexibility and, best of all convenience, of furthering your education all through studying online.

USC has a 100 year history providing education for teachers. They are an “internationally renowned research institution”. When scouting training online, it is always best to know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the school you choose is legitimate. USC’s School of Education sits in the 22nd position nationwide (United States), and is 9th as a private university (statistics courtesy of US News and World Report).

Our son currently takes his classes completely online. For our family, and the state in which we live (Nevada), tightening belts has become the norm. Many families across the country face similar situations. Therefore, combining “highly interactive online learning with field-based experiences in your local area” is one smart move.

If money is a worry, don’t. MAT@USC graduates receive a tuition reimbursement that has been called “groundbreaking”. It is designed specifically for graduates of MAT@USC.

Few opportunities come along where the right balance of convenience, excellence in education, and financial reimbursements blend as well as they do taking courses online through the USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program.

Enrolling in their program, each person has the identical, complete benefits, and status as if you were on campus. These benefits include commencement ceremonies, along with your very own – and free – lifetime Alumni Association membership.

Explore your options! Discover how to advance in this highly competitive world we now live in. Your chance to “become part of the elite USC Trojan Family” is just a click away.

It’s easy to find out more. Just click program information to find out how easy a qualified degree can be to obtain from a prestigious institution.

This post will be deliberately short. Not only am I spending more and more time doing followup stories about the unemployment situation over at WorldNewsVine, and keeping track of what Congress is (or isn’t) up to, but today we received some shocking news.

My son was all set to head to his friend’s house (right next store) when he said, “I’m back!” even though he’d never left. His friend had IM’ed him that he apparently was “going out” and would contact my son soon.

Well, we did hear back – he was in the hospital!

Turns out he not only is anemic, but also his kidneys are shutting down. A blood transfusion later, and kidney biopsy still not back (they shipped it out of Nevada over to UCLA and it could take a week to get the results back!), but he was clearly bleeding internally.

The root cause of his condition may – but no one is sure – be based around the fact that he was “dieting”. And not in a good way.

I’ve spoken about “dieting” before – how important it is to get proper nutrition, to know your body mass index, to understand the concept that “dieting” never works, but eating healthy and exercising are the only way.

Lots of people want to believe in the c-r-a-p claims out there, but please stop! First educate yourself on not the old-fashioned food triangle we were all taught years ago, but the true way to balance good eating habits to achieve good health.

I’ve known “the kid next door” (who is 20 btw) for about a decade now. And I could not be more worried if he was my own son. I’m trying very hard to be positive. Yesterday he looked a heck of a lot better (after they found and stopped the bleed), but he’s most likely going to end up on the kidney transplant/need a donor list.

Prayers all around please. You don’t know him, and I won’t use his name, but he’s a great “kid” and we all really love him!

So if I’ve been distracted, and if it’s not Congress driving me insane, you’ll know why I’ve been “missing in action.”

Thanks for reading and say a prayer please!