Over $100 million of historic rare coins and colorful paper money will be displayed to the public at the National Money Show(SM) in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, October 13 15, 2011. The family-friendly, three-day educational event sponsored by the nonprofit American Numismatic Association will feature dozens of museum and private collection exhibits including a famous rare nickel valued today at $2.5 million and huge 350-year old copper plate money that weighs 38 pounds.

Many of the 500 professional dealers attending the show will give free, informal appraisals of the public’s old coins and currency.

“The last time we held an event in Pittsburgh, in 2004, a family came to the show with an early American copper coin that was in their possession for generations. They were astounded to learn it was worth $400,000,” said Tom Hallenbeck, President of the American Numismatic Association, a 30,000-member Congressionally chartered organization dedicated to educating and encouraging people to study and collect money and related items.

“Money is history you can hold in your hands. For many people in the Pittsburgh area, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these extraordinary, valuable national treasures in person,” he said.

The multi-million dollar U.S. nickel on display is one of the five known, legendary 1913 Liberty Head nickels made under mysterious circumstances at the Philadelphia Mint. This particular, fabled coin was missing for over 40 years after its owner was killed in a 1962 car crash. His sister unsuspectingly kept it in a closet in Virginia until it was re-discovered by her children during a headline-making national search for the coin in 2003. It’s now insured for $2.5 million.

Another eye-opening exhibit from the American Numismatic Association Money Museum in Colorado features unusual and cumbersome, centuries-old copper “plate money” made in Sweden in the 1600s and 1700s.

“These incredible ‘coins’ were produced because of an abundance of copper and a lack of silver in Sweden, but they are’massive. One of the plate money coins in the exhibit weighs 38 pounds; certainly not easy to carry in your pocket or purse,” said Douglas Mudd, Money Museum Curator.

There also will be educational seminars, exhibits and children’s activities with free prizes. Heritage Auctions of Dallas, New York and Beverly Hills will conduct a public auction of rare coins in conjunction with the show.

The National Money Show will be in Halls B-C of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh. Public hours are Thursday through Saturday, October 13 -15, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. General admission is $6. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

For additional information, visit online at http://www.NationalMoneyShow.com, or call (719) 499-3591.

Today, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) released the findings of a new Public Policy Polling survey which found overwhelming opposition from voters to the expansion of the IRS’s involvement in preparing individuals’ tax returns, a potential backdoor plan to raise taxes on Americans.

“This poll makes clear that voters believe, as we do, that a ‘Simple Return’ system is a fundamentally flawed scheme that would intrusively insert the government into the most personal affairs of citizens,” said Ed Black, the President and CEO of CCIA. “The American people deserve a system that enables and encourages them to pay only the taxes they legally owe, and not a penny more.”

The “Simple Return” or “Return Free” filing system that is currently being debated in Congress would allow the IRS to prepare taxpayer’s annual returns and unilaterally determine their obligation to the federal government or their refund. Members of Congress have suggested that having the IRS prepare tax returns could raise as much as $345 billion in new revenue – but the poll shows people clearly believe that the money will come out of their pockets in lost tax deductions and credits to which they are legally entitled.

President Obama, who supports having the IRS prepare people’s taxes, stated in his proposal to Congress: “…taxpayers filing Form 1040 spent an average of 21 hours preparing their returns and most taxpayers— about 60 percent—find themselves paying tax preparers to fill out their returns.” This plan, which would impact 40 million of the nation’s 135 million taxpayer households, is the definition of a backdoor tax increase on middle class Americans.

Key findings from the poll include:

• When asked if they would “trust the IRS to prepare their returns, determine their refund and/or how much they owe in taxes,” 71% of voters nationally said they would not trust the IRS. Only 19% said they would trust the IRS.  By a margin of 73% to 21%, voters said they believe it would be a conflict of interest for the IRS to be both the nation’s tax collector and a tax preparer for people.
• This issue resonates with Democratic, Republican and Independent voters nationally and with Republican voters in key early primary states.
  • Nationally, 80% of all voters say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who backed an IRS expansion that involved the agency taking over tax return preparation.
  • In both Iowa and New Hampshire, 93% of Republicans say they would be less inclined to vote for a candidate who supported this plan.
• Feelings towards an IRS takeover of tax preparation extend beyond the voting booth. A  majority of voters in both parties said they oppose any effort by the new “super committee” to use a new program that allowed the IRS to prepare tax returns as a way to raise revenue or cut government spending:
  • 79% of voters said they would be displeased if the congressional super committee supported a new IRS program to prepare tax returns. Only 11% of voters approved.
• Voters expressed several concerns with regard to IRS involvement in tax preparation:
  • 63% said they did not trust the IRS to keep their personal information safe and secure from hackers and identity thieves.
  • 75% believe the IRS would be most concerned with getting the maximum tax revenue possible from individuals.

CCIA is a nonprofit membership organization for a wide range of companies in the computer, Internet, information technology, and telecommunications industries, represented by their senior executives. Created over three decades ago, CCIA promotes open markets, open systems, open networks, and full, fair, and open competition. CCIA serves as an additional, and sometimes the only, eyes, ears, and voice, in Washington for our members. Our goal is to proactively protect and promote their legitimate interests, and to advance the broad common interests of our industries.

Direct Energy, North America’s largest competitive energy and energy-related services company, has reached an agreement to acquire Texas-based electricity provider First Choice Power, a subsidiary of PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM), for US$270 million in cash plus additional working capital.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, First Choice Power supplies retail electricity to both residential and commercial customers across Texas. The acquisition provides Direct Energy, the North American subsidiary of Centrica plc, with a strong position in the largely rural Texas-New Mexico Power territory and a growing small commercial customer base. In addition, First Choice Power was the first retail electricity company in Texas to enter the smart meter prepaid business, reinforcing Direct Energy’s position in selling prepaid electricity. Direct Energy will also benefit from significant synergies after the businesses are fully integrated as a result of significant improvements it has made in its operational platform in recent years.

“First Choice Power is an attractive addition to Direct Energy’s North American downstream business,” said Chris Weston, President and CEO of Direct Energy.  ”We continue to pursue our growth strategy for North America with strong organic customer growth, nearly $1 billion in acquisitions completed in the last 18 months and continued operational improvements across all areas.”

The addition of First Choice Power represents the latest step in Direct Energy’s plans to grow its North American business. Earlier this year, Direct Energy added to its residential and commercial customer base with the acquisition of Gateway Energy Services, one of the largest independent retail energy (electricity and natural gas) providers in the U.S. Northeast. In 2010, Direct Energy increased its natural gas reserves by approximately 60 percent with the acquisition of Suncor Energy’s assets in the Wildcat Hills region of Alberta, Canada. The company also acquired Clockwork Home Services, Inc., making it North America’s largest home energy services company.

“Combining the forces of First Choice Power and Direct Energy will create an even stronger player for the Texas market with a shared focus on putting customers first,” said Pat Vincent-Collawn, President and CEO, PNM Resources. “The companies have a complementary customer base and a tradition of providing innovative products and services for their customers.”

“Direct Energy is already a leader in the Texas retail electricity market and today’s acquisition of First Choice Power further strengthens our state-wide position as we deliver on our plan to grow the company’s North American business,” said Steven Murray, President of Direct Energy Residential.  ”First Choice Power brings a good-sized customer base onto our Texasbusiness platform and will help us continue to innovate and bring better products to Texas consumers.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory review and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2011.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America’s largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 states plus DC and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, please visit www.directenergy.com.

About First Choice Power

First Choice Power of Irving, Texas, is an energy company committed to identifying what is most important to our customers and putting their needs first. Texas business and residential customers can depend on First Choice Power for competitive pricing and excellent customer service. First Choice Power is committed to giving back to the communities it serves through its Food First ™ hunger initiative, Reduce Your Use Grants™, recycling efforts and supporting employees’ community engagement. Learn more at www.FirstChoicePower.com. Keep up to date on the latest energy news and join the conversation by following us on Twitter @firstchoicepwr, Facebook at facebook.com/FirstChoicePower or The Current blog,www.firstchoicepower.com/blog.

Cyber criminals are stealing as much as $1 billion a year from the accounts of small to medium companies (SMEs) in the United States and Europe, according to estimates from Dell SecureWorks, a security arm of the computer maker. With rising incidences of hacking and other such network defence issues, network defence expert EC-Council advises SMEs to educate their employees on good information security practices and habits.

According to a recent Bloomberg report, overseas gangs target small commercial accounts protected by rudimentary security measures at community or regional banks. The accounts typically aren’t covered by fraud insurance, as individual accounts are, and businesses often find themselves held accountable by the banks for their losses.

Owners of SMEs conventionally face the challenge of having to be a jack of all trades, combining a keen knowledge of their core businesses with a basic knowledge of many other specialised fields such as IT security.

When it comes to IT security, small companies face a particularly problematic situation. While they have data which requires protection, most of them have neither the staff nor the capabilities to protect it effectively. Network protection has remained at the same levels for decades while viruses and other malware have grown more advanced in nature, able to bypass even the most updated network defence.

As such, network security courses are important in training SME’s limited staff in the basics of network defence, such as learning to use effective passwords and encrypting sensitive data, says Jay Bavisi, President of EC-Council.

Some examples of courses offered by EC-Council would be the Advanced Network Defence course, a three-day comprehensive course that will educate participants from the psychological standpoint of a hacker, using that as the foundation for defending against such attacks.

The course will also cover techniques that will improve the security posture of any network from the smallest basic infrastructures to the largest enterprise networks.

“It is often said that the best defence is a good offense, and this course provides an offensive mind-set to provide a robust and solid defence”, said Bavisi.

Through network security training like these, employees can learn the latest and best defence methods to stop or at least mitigate the impact of network attacks, including any advanced persistent threats to a database.

Before investing in security technology, small businesses should assess their current network defence capabilities, and choose solutions specific to their individual situations. In the past, IT security for small businesses has been notoriously expensive and difficult to set up. However, it is an undeniable necessity in the digital marketplace of the 21st century.

About EC-Council

The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) is a member-based organisation that certifies individuals in various e-business and information security skills. It is the owner and creator of the world-famous Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI), and as well as many other programs that are offered in over 60 countries through a global training network of more than 450 training partners. For more information on network security training, visit http://www.eccouncil.org/

Home Warranty of America has been named to the exclusive Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies for the fifth year in a row.  HWA was the only residential service contract company to be listed amongst the Top 50 Insurance Companies list.  The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs.

“Our growth of 36% in three sales years is phenomenal considering the current state of the real estate marketplace, and we’re honored to be named again to this prestigious list for the fifth year in a row.  I can’t say it enough that if it weren’t for our helpful employees, the astute guidance of our entire leadership team, and the continued loyalty of our customers, vendors and real estate community, we wouldn’t be here.  We pride ourselves on our service to our customers and work hard to improve it on a daily basis,” said Marc Roth, CEO and President.

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 94 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at www.inc5000.com.

About Home Warranty of America

Home Warranty of America, Inc. of Buffalo Grove, IL, was founded in 1996 to provide home warranty coverage for houses, town homes, and condominiums. The Company has experienced remarkable growth to become a leading supplier of residential service contracts (home warranty) across the United States, and provides its services through real estate agents, insurance professionals, relocation companies, developers, title companies, bankers, and mortgage brokers. The Company also provides its comprehensive home warranties directly to the homeowner and takes the worry out of buying and owning a home. It offers full coverage for every buyer without the home age restrictions that are common on competitor’s products. Service is a convenient 24/7 toll-free call away and repairs are performed by qualified, approved technicians. The Company offers a 30-day, money back guarantee on every home warranty. More information is available at www.hwaHomeWarranty.com.

Vacation rental owners report a better than expected summer travel season, with strong bookings and rental revenue, according to HomeAway, Inc. – the world’s largest online marketplace for vacation rentals. The latest “HomeAway® Vacation Rental Marketplace Report” finds 84 percent of owners say their rental business during the summer was about what they expected or better.

More than two thirds of owners (68 percent) with vacation rental properties in areas where summer is the peak season(1) report occupancy rates of 76 percent or higher this summer.  These owners also report an average weekly rental rate of$1,685 or $241 per night, to book an entire home.  By comparison, Smith Travel Research, Inc. – a hotel industry research firm – reported the average occupancy rate for U.S. hotels from June to August was approximately 68 percent with an average rate of$101.99 per room. In addition, for owners with vacation rentals in destinations where summer is not the peak season, more than half of owners (55 percent) with properties considered in “shoulder season” and 18 percent with off-season rentals report occupancy rates of 50 percent or higher.

Owning a Vacation Home:  A Love Affair from the Beginning

While owners witnessed strong bookings this summer, the love they have for their properties began before ever renting their home.  According to the report, 62 percent of owners report “it was love at first sight” when describing when they fell in love with their vacation home.  Fifteen percent fell in love “when they got to know ‘her’ better,” after staying in the home for some time and 10 percent say the love came “when she got a job” and started producing rental revenue.

Owners also pour a lot of care into their vacation rental properties.  More than half (56 percent) spent more money on improvements – everything from interior and exterior painting to new furniture and appliances – to their vacation home in the past 12 months than they did on improvements to their primary residence.

Winter 2010/2011:  Likely to Be a Jolly Holiday for Some

Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, nearly a quarter of vacation rental owners’ (24 percent) bookings for the last four months of 2011 are higher than the same time last year, up from 16 percent in 2010.  Approximately 44 percent of owners say bookings for the end of this year are about the same as last year.

Forty-one percent of those owners who report higher bookings this year are raising their rental rates; 52 percent are keeping them the same as last year.

As the key year-end holiday travel season draws closer, 37 percent of vacation rental owners “have no idea yet what Santa will bring” in terms of rental business, but 22 percent say “it’s going to be a jolly holiday.” According to the report, when vacation rental owners were asked to share their outlook for the year-end holiday rental season:

• 37% have no idea what Santa will bring
• 22% believe it’s going to be a jolly holiday
• 19% say it looks like the same old thing under the tree
• 13% say with the end of summer, my year is over
• 9% believe there will be a lump of coal in their stocking

Sharing the Love with Travelers:  Owners Open up Their Homes

Most owners originally purchased their vacation home for personal use (35 percent) or as a long-term investment (22 percent). Upon purchase, 66 percent of owners are choosing to rent to travelers to cover some or all of their expenses.

While vacation home owners are turning their homes into vacation rentals to help offset ownership costs, very few owners (9 percent) say they just rent their home out without thinking about the house during the rental season.  Instead, most (67 percent) say they like to be a good neighbor, checking in regularly to see how renters have treated the home, and 24 percent say they check-in occasionally.

According to the HomeAway report, the historic river town of Galena, Ill., had the largest increase in people listing their vacation home for rent on HomeAway.com during the second quarter of 2011, putting the city in the top two markets with the largest increase in new vacation rental listings for the past three quarters. Mesquite, Nev.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Bradenton, Fla.; and St. George, Utah, also ranked among the top 10 markets with the largest increase in new vacation rental listings for the first time. The top 10 new listing markets during the second quarter of 2011 are:

1. Galena, Ill.
2. Mesquite, Nev.
3. Colorado Springs, Colo.
4. Charleston, S.C.
5. San Clemente, Calif.
6. Rockport, Texas
7. Hollywood, Calif.
8. Bradenton, Fla.
9. Amelia Island, Fla.
10. St. George, Utah

Emerging Travel Destinations Present Opportunity for Those Looking to Buy

For those who haven’t taken the plunge and are looking to buy with the intent to rent, they might consider Venice, Fla., which saw a 367 percent increase in inquiries from travelers looking to rent vacation homes on HomeAway.com during the second quarter of 2011.

The top 10 markets where traveler demand is on the rise, based on a year-over-year analysis (Q2 2010 vs. Q2 2011) of inquiries from travelers looking to rent a vacation home, include:

1. Venice, Fla. (up 367%)
2. Fort Morgan, Ala. (up 347%)
3. Indio, Calif. (up 337%)
4. Miramar Beach, Fla. (up 313%)
5. Port Aransas, Texas (up 281%)
6. Carillon Beach, Fla. (up 265%)
7. Charlottesville, Va. (up 260%)
8. Sonoma, Calif. (up 237%)
9. Rockport, Texas (up 226%)
10. Sunnyside, Fla. (up 223%)

About the HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report

Data for the HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report was collected via surveys that polled HomeAway.com, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com customers who own vacation rentals. Based on HomeAway, Inc. internal customer satisfaction research, owner results are based on 490 responses received between Aug. 26 and Sept. 11, 2011.  Market trends were based on a combination of in-depth research of renter and traveler information from the HomeAway, Inc. database.

About HomeAway, Inc.

HomeAway, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, is the worldwide leader in online vacation rentals, with sites representing more than 625,000 paid vacation rental home listings throughout more than 145 countries. HomeAway offers an extensive selection of vacation homes that provide travelers with memorable experiences and benefits, including more room to relax and added privacy, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. The company also makes it easy for vacation rental owners and property managers to advertise their properties and manage bookings online. The HomeAway portfolio includes the leading vacation rental websites HomeAway.com, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com in the United States; HomeAway.co.uk and OwnersDirect.co.uk in the United Kingdom; HomeAway.de in Germany; Abritel.fr and Homelidays.com in France; HomeAway.es in Spain; AlugueTemporada.com.br in Brazil; and HomeAway.com.au in Australia.

In addition, HomeAway operates BedandBreakfast.com, the most comprehensive global site for finding bed-and-breakfast properties, providing travelers with another source for unique lodging alternatives to chain hotels. For more information about HomeAway, please visit www.HomeAway.com.

(1) Vacation rental owners were asked whether they consider summer to be their peak season, a shoulder season or an off season.

A secluded, tranquil estate with a newly-built “Fieldhouse” located on nearly 6.5 landscaped acres known as The Laurel Road Estate, just one hour from New York City, will sell during a live, on-site auction on October 20th, Concierge Auctions has announced. Originally listed for $12.5 million, the property will sell absolute, meaning it will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price. The sale is being conducted in cooperation with listing agent Darlene Letersky of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

“The owner’s decision to sell absolute creates a tremendous opportunity for prospective buyers to own one of Fairfield County’s most premier estates,” Letersky stated. “This is an unbelievable property with unrivaled amenities in one of the Northeast’s most exclusive neighborhoods, and we are excited to work with Concierge to identify its new owner on Auction Day.”

360-364 Laurel Road includes a Williamsburg Colonial-style residence that has been fully renovated to deliver the architecture and presence of a refined country house. The classic 16-room home has unsurpassed detailing and amenities. The grand stone entryway opens to a formal living room with fireplace, elegant dining room, a gourmet kitchen appointed in French antique limestone, and adjacent family room. A paneled library and game room are tastefully done. Seven bedrooms en suite include a first floor master wing with fireplace, his and hers baths and private office. Several rooms spill onto patios and terraces, and oversized windows frame inspiring panoramic views of the countryside.

The grounds include a freeform pool, spa, cabana, waterfall and multiple stone terraces. Additionally, the estate offers a newly built 14-room “Fieldhouse” – a $7 million sports and entertainment retreat. Amenities of the Fieldhouse include a professional cinema for up to 30 viewers and a Full Swing Golf electronic indoor golf course with over 50 courses from around the world. A game room features a wraparound bar for refreshments, a bowling alley, and an indoor basketball court that can transition into a personal indoor auditorium. This one-of-a-kind, 10,000-square-foot masterwork also includes a full kitchen, three bedrooms, baths, an elevator to all floors, and grand living and dining spaces that will enhance any event, gathering or party. A separate cottage guesthouse can accommodate a myriad of flexible living arrangements and is comprised of a kitchen, family room, bedroom and bathroom. The compound is affectionately named “The Gathering Place”.

“The Laurel Road Estate is a sports and entertainment playground for children and adults alike. It is a true, private compound – a rare delight to have such seclusion while a mere hour from Manhattan,” stated Laura Brady, Vice President of Marketing for Concierge Auctions. “Following our recent sale of the Cove House in nearby Darien, we look forward to continued success inFairfield County with this auction.”

New Canaan is located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. It is approximately eight miles northeast of the Stamford town center and one hour from New York City, both easily accessible by car or train.  The town is one of the most affluent communities inthe United States, with a population just over 19,000.  In 2008, CNN Money ranked New Canaan first in the nation with the highest median family income. The charming downtown is a quintessential New England setting.  There are over one hundred shops, many small local boutiques that have been here for years, as well as the quaint movie theater, right in the heart of town.  The pride of New Canaan is its public school system that offers academic courses and athletic programs geared to the individual student’s needs and abilities. The school system has gained national recognition for its high performance, and graduates of New Canaan High School attend top universities throughout the US.

The auction of 360-364 Laurel Road will be conducted “live” on October 20th. Bidders can participate in person or proxy via the telephone or Internet. See Auction Terms and Conditions for full details. The property will be available for preview daily from 1 to 4 pm and by appointment. For more information call 800-436-0972 or visit LaurelRoadAuction.com.

About Concierge Auctions

Concierge Auctions is the preeminent luxury real estate auction firm serving high net worth sellers nationwide. Through an accelerated marketing process Concierge has a track record of obtaining fair market value in as little as a 60-day timeframe. As a preferred auction partner to Sotheby’s International Realty® the company has executed auctions from New York to Hawaii and hosts a database that includes more than 100,000 luxury real estate buyers and cooperating agents from all 50 states and 38 countries. The principals of Concierge Auctions have been involved in the transfer of more than $2 billion in luxury real estate sales over the past 10 years.  For more information, call 888-966-4759 or visit ConciergeAuctions.com.

The Homeowners Consumer Center is one of the premier advocates for homeowner protection, and corporate responsibility in the United States.The Homeowners Consumer Center says, “We do not have time for the November 2012 elections for the U.S. Congress to get innovative about job creation, and or stabilizing a vital part of the US economy-our residential real estate markets. Our proposed Home Buyer Tax Credit initiative would not only dramatically impact our residential real estate markets in a meaningful way, it would also put tens of thousands of U.S. Citizens back to work in the private sector.” The group says,”We cannot afford to allow our U.S. residential real estate markets to decline, or flounder any longer, and we say Congress needs to move forward with this legislation right away.” The group says, “As opposed to one of President Obama’s Shovel Ready Jobs Gambles, a congressionally sponsored robust, U.S. residential real estate federal tax credit initiative would produce an instant positive effect for the floundering U.S. economy, and it would be enormously helpful in stabilizing the U.S. residential real estate markets. If we will not get meaningful economic ideas from the Obama Administration, or the White House, we are urging U.S. House Speaker Boehner, and his congressional colleagues to step up to the plate with something that will work. However, to really work the program must include all types of residential real estate buyers, including investors, and we think the tax credit should be $15,000 per house.” http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com

The Homeowners Consumer Center says, “The average U.S. citizen is tired of Politics as usual in Washington,DC. Our suggested U.S. Residential Real Estate Tax Credit legislative initiative will put real estate agents, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, contractors, and all types of people back to work, as well as doing something dramatic to stabilize the US residential real estate markets.We have just a couple of simple requests with respect to this legislation, we want a up, or down vote, with no earmarks, or additions, and we have one other strong suggestion-only qualified individuals can participate in this program. In other words if you cannot afford to buy a house, or afford to make the monthly payments, this program does not apply to you.” http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com

The Homeowners Consumer Center is warning, “In the June 2005 edition of Money Magazine one of our affiliated groups warned that the U.S. real estate market was about to have a train wreck, because of bank , and homebuilder appraisal fraud. We were 100% correct. We are now warning if the U.S. House of Representatives does not step up to the plate, and enact robust residential real estate home buyers tax credit legislation our real estate markets, and our economy could be going places no one wants to go. We have millions of US home foreclosures that are sitting empty. These need to get sold, to families, or investors now.” The group says, “Its pretty obvious President Obama, and his Administration do not have a clue with respect to creating jobs. Our Residential Real Estate Tax Credit Initiative will not only help stabilize the U.S. residential real estate markets, it will put, tens, and tens, of thousands of U.S. citizens back to work in the private sector, and it will pay for itself. This is a win-win for the U.S. economy, but the Congress, and its leaders need to move on this now, before its too late.” http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com

Online Forex Broker Tadawul FX today announced the launch of its mobile trading platforms including iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Mobile and smartphone applications.  A web-based forex trading platform has also been introduced, accessible via both desktop PC and mobile phone, allowing clients to trade on the go at any time without needing to download any software.  The full range of Tadawul FX mobile applications and Web Trader are immediately available in 10 languages.

Tadawul FX, the European licensed online forex and commodities broker, today launched its new mobile applications. The new applications allow forex trading on the go via the MetaTrader 4 platform (MT4) to its many clients around the world and have been launched for several popular mobile platforms including iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry as well as windows mobile and other smartphones. The broker has also created a web trading platform, allowing users to login and trade without the need to install the MT4 software directly onto their desktop or mobile phone.

The new applications are available in 10 languages and enable trading to be done in a very similar way to the regular MT4 desktop platform.

There are a host of services available via the applications. Traders can monitor live prices on forex and CFDs, as well as create their own’ favourites’ or set up specific ‘watchlists’ for pairs of interest to them or key to their portfolio. They can also open and close instant market orders, place or amend existing orders including BuyStop, SellStop, StopLoss and TakeProfit.

There is also a charting facility, allowing them to both create and view charts in order to keep on top of market trends and sudden movements at all times. The applications also have a news and announcements section, enabling traders to stay on top of important upcoming movements and ensure they are fully aware of potential opportunities.

Stavros Yiannakou, CEO and Partner of Tadawul FX says this is a key development for its clients. ‘Mobile trading is now very common amongst traders, and we understand that our clients need to monitor and manage their positions and trades at all times in this highly unpredictable and sometimes volatile market. We decided it was important to be able to provide a mobile application for all the major mobile platforms, to allow the majority of our clients to be able to trade regardless of their choice of phone but also more importantly to keep them updated on all market news and key information when they are on the move, which is when they may miss key opportunities for profitable trades.”

Thomas Papantoniou, Chief Operations Officer and Partner, also says the functions that the mobile applications offer have been chosen to ensure traders are always on top of their trades and positions, with a complete overview of their performance at any time.

“As well as allowing our clients to manage their positions, equity and monitor their exposure to key market movements at all times, they can also generate reports on their mobile phones, allowing them additional flexibility and insight into their trading performance” says Mr Papantoniou. The applications have been designed to be very user friendly and practical, enabling our traders to quickly take advantage of these excellent resources. We have created user guides for each of our mobile trading applications, which are available immediately on our website and the apps themselves can be downloaded easily and securely to mobile devices.”

Following their recent awards, Tadawul FX remains focused on continuing to improve and upgrade its services, as well as continuing to provide its competitive fixed low spreads and strong Islamic forex offering.

“Our focus is always on enabling better trading for our clients, and we firmly believe that an informed trader is a better trader. The decision to provide these mobile applications with all their inbuilt functionality is yet another step for us in our constant efforts to always strive for better services for our clients, to listen to their feedback and suggestions and to keep innovating in this competitive but exciting market,” says Mr Yiannakou.

About Tadawul FX

Tadawul FX, also known as TDFX, is an online forex broker. TDFX is licensed and regulated by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (license number 103/09) and is also registered with the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) with registration number 516667, as well as the German regulators BAFIN (Reg 123252).

Tadawul FX offers mobile MT4 trading applications for iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile as well as a Web Trader application for both desktop and smartphone. For further information and to access user guides for the mobile apps please see Tadawul FX MT4 mobile trading.

For more information, visit http://www.tadawulfx.com or contact Tadawul FX at support@tadawulfx.com or telephone: +357 25 200 920.

Labor Day Nike Soccer Tournament Brings in Big Dollars

19,000 people attended the largest tournament of the year at Florida sports complex.

The Labor Day soccer tournament at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch brought in approximately 19,000 amateur athletes and fans, generating more than $8 million in economic impact to the region. Five thousand cars delivered players from 305 soccer teams from all over the state of Florida to compete in 296 games over the three-day period. “Every single game started on time,” said Tim Mulqueen, Lakewood Ranch’s director of sports, “and we could not be happier about how the event impacted the surrounding area. Business owners from Dunkin Donuts to Subway sandwich shop to Starbucks and Publix have all commented about how busy they were because of soccer players and their families over the weekend.”

“Every restaurant I went to over the weekend in downtown Sarasota or out on Siesta Key had soccer groups,” said Virginia Haley, President of the Sarasota Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, “it really shows how regional the event was!” Rain forced 51 games to be cancelled on Saturday evening but most were made up on Sunday morning due to the underground drainage system which dries out the fields quickly. Three local Lakewood Ranch Chargers teams brought home championship trophies in the U12, U13 and U15 Boys divisions. Tournament officials say they had to turn away 60 teams due to lack of field space but next year, the tournament is expected to host 500 teams, adding a possible second location for the event.

Starting this Friday, lights poles will delivered for installation on eight fields at the sports campus, extending future play into the nighttime hours. The investment will be approximately $1.1 million. “The lights make us very unique in that we are the ONLY local facility that is privately owned that has playing fields with lights,” Mulqueen said. “We can now be host to at least nine national events – events that will be massive in terms of economic impact and exposure to the area that we could not have secured without lights.” The Premier Sports Campus, which opened in April of this year, has nine additional tournaments scheduled over the next 12 months and features sports ranging from soccer to lacrosse to Ultimate Frisbee.

The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch is a multi-purpose facility that is home to 22 full-sized, mixed-use fields for soccer, lacrosse and other amateur sports, and features Celebration grass and underground irrigation. The complex is used for amateur and professional top-flight and world-class sporting tournaments, events, camps and clinics and is located in Lakewood Ranch – the 8,500-acre, award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. http://www.lakewoodranch.com

Currency Banknotes can convert currencies as quickly and easily as any other conversion app in the market. The kicker though, is the app’s special feature that showcases banknote images together with the conversion rates. Truly a first of its kind, the Currency Banknotes app displays a total of nearly 1000 currency images, including rare and hard-to-find banknotes. Users can even zoom in and out of the images to see the paper bills in full detail.

TechiXoft CEO John Nicasio pointed out the lack of variety between other currency converters in the App Store. “They each have a different user interface, some of them have graphs, some convert more currencies than others, but Currency Banknotes is the only app that has detailed images of banknotes.”

All the paper bill images are stored in the app’s wide database, allowing users to swiftly browse through the Currency Banknotes gallery even without an Internet connection.

Another distinct feature of the app is its “Top 10 Currencies” tab, in which users will be able to instantly calculate the top 10 currencies of the world, all in one page. Instead of individually crunching the numbers for each of the 10 major currencies, the app simply computes everything with one tap of a button.

A Must-Have from the Finance Category

TechiXoft aims to make Currency Banknotes the go-to currency converter in the App Store. “We believe that it’s an app that a lot of iPhone users will benefit from. After all, everyone needs a converter app in their phone,” said Nicasio.

For Touring and Education

Currency Banknotes was also designed with the average traveler in mind. “I’m just your usual and regular tourist, and when it comes to a currency converter app, I don’t need charts or graphs and whatnot, I just need a simple tool that I can use. Currency Banknotes is exactly that.” He furthered that the app is ideal for travelers because it allows them to convert currencies while on the go, and also gives them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with foreign paper bills before or during their trip. The app’s user interface is clean and straight-forward; and the CEO stated that it’s precisely the app’s “no frills” quality that makes it great.

Moreover, Currency Banknotes offers a unique opportunity for people to get a glimpse of foreign cultures. “The app gives users the chance to admire the architecture, people, and traditions of other nations. You can learn a lot about other countries simply by examining their paper bills,” said Nicasio.

Going Beyond Travel and Finance

Nicasio stressed that Currency Banknotes can be used and enjoyed by practically anyone. The CEO mentioned, “It’s not just for travelers or people keeping an eye on foreign currencies. The app has a wide gallery of paper bills that everyone, from students, to banknote collectors, to your average Joe can appreciate.”

Sources and Acknowledgements

Aside from donations from friends, most of the banknote images were obtained from Banknotes.com, a popular banknote website owned and run by Audrius Tomonis. Banknotes.com is one of the most comprehensive websites for banknote collectors, primarily designed to engage individuals to learn more about collecting world paper money. According to Nicasio, “Audrius has really managed to create a good community for banknote collectors. We learned a lot from Banknotes.com, and we appreciate the help that the site has provided us.”

As for the 150+ currencies, Nicasio stated that the data and capabilities of Currency Banknote’s converter were pulled from the Yahoo! Finance API.

Recent data from the Consumer Price Index indicates the financial burden of tuition and fees has increased two-fold in the past decade, surpassing inflation when compared to goods, health care, housing and energy costs. Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Prepaid College Board remind families September is College Savings Month in the State of Florida and now is the best time for families to take advantage of easy and smart ways to save for their children’s college education.

“Getting a good education is one of the most important things a person can do,” said Governor Rick Scott. “It enriches your life and opens up opportunities. It also helps keep our workforce competitive and our economy strong. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead and participate in a college savings plan that makes sense for your child’s education.”

Surveys consistently show parents using 529 college savings plans, tax-sheltered college savings tools, are more successful savers than those without them. Florida Prepaid offers two 529 plan options: the Florida Prepaid College Plans and the Florida College Investment Plan. Open enrollment to lock in this year’s prepaid plan prices starts October 17, 2011.

Recent figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show that since 1999, outstanding student loan debt has grown by more than 511 percent. “Florida Prepaid plan options allow families to plan ahead for their children’s education, helping avoid the huge burden of college debt that many graduates deal with years after earning their degrees,” said Florida Prepaid College Board Chairman Duane Ottenstroer. “There is no better time than now to start preparing and saving for your child’s college education.”

The Florida Prepaid College Board encourages families to research their college savings options this month and wants to dispel a few common savings misconceptions:

Myth: If our family leaves Florida, then the money in a Florida college savings plan can’t be used at colleges in other states.

Fact: The full value of a Florida Prepaid College Plan, what would be paid to a Florida public university or Florida college, can be transferred to most out-of-state or private colleges. A Florida College Investment Plan can be used to cover any qualified higher education costs at accredited colleges, universities and graduate schools throughout the U.S.

Myth: If my child receives a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, it would be a waste of money to have purchased a Florida Prepaid College Plan.

Fact: Starting last fall, Bright Futures no longer covers the full cost of tuition. Most students who have both a Prepaid College Plan and Bright Futures are able to more fully cover the costs of college because the two can be used together. In addition, all students are not academically eligible for Bright Futures, and they must maintain a certain GPA in college to keep the scholarship.

Myth: Having a tax-free 529 college savings plan will significantly affect my child’s eligibility to receive financial aid.

Fact: Section 529 college savings plans are considered assets of the account owner, not the beneficiary, so there is a low impact on a student’s financial aid eligibility.

Myth: I lose control over the assets in my Florida Prepaid College Plans if my child does not attend college.

Fact: If the beneficiary of either the Prepaid College Plan or College Investment Plan decides not to attend college, the plan may be transferred to another member of the beneficiary’s family. Or, families can receive full refunds.

Myth: There’s no need to purchase a 529 college savings plan, since my family could just save monthly for a college education without one.

Fact: 529 plans, like Florida’s Prepaid College Plan and College Investment Plan, are tax-free under the federal Internal Revenue Code, which means the earnings will not be taxed as long as the money is spent on college-related costs.

Additionally, the Florida Prepaid College Plan is financially guaranteed by the State of Florida*, so you don’t have to worry about losing your money and can get a refund at any time, for any reason. The state guarantees plans will cover all promised tuition, housing or fees at the time a student attends college.

More information on Florida Prepaid College Plans is available at http://www.myfloridaprepaid.com or by calling 1-800-552-GRAD (4723).

*The Florida Prepaid College Board does not provide tax or investment advice regarding its Prepaid College Plan or its College Investment Plan. The Florida Prepaid College Plan may not cover certain imposed fees by state universities and state colleges. The Florida College Investment Plan is subject to market conditions.

Please carefully review the Disclosure Statement and Participation Agreement and consult with your advisor(s) about risks before investing in your child’s education.

While measured in its pace, bankcard origination levels continue to grow steadily, according to Equifax’s July National Credit Trends Report. The year-over-year (YOY) total number of new bankcards issued has increased by 27 percent (May 2011 vs. May 2010). During January-May 2011, almost 15 million new bankcards have been issued. This represents a 3-year high, but is still roughly half of the 28.5 million bankcards originated pre-recession during the January-May 2007 timeframe.

Notable within the data is the rebound in the number of bankcard originations to subprime* borrowers, with an almost 60 percent increase in originations for May 2011 vs. May 2010 alone. New subprime bankcard origination levels for January-May 2011 are up 65 percent over 2010 levels. This compares with a 63 percent YOY decrease the industry witnessed for the same period from 2008 to 2009.

In addition, total new bankcard limits have risen as well, with increases of more than 27 percent (January – May 2011), and new subprime bankcard credit limits experienced an increase of 68 percent.

Other key findings include:

• New bankcard origination Equifax Risk Score distributions highlight underwriting easing, with the higher risk originations increasing from 24 percent (May 2010) to 29 percent (May 2011) of all new bankcard originations, and the representative percentage of lower risk originations decreasing from 76 percent (May 2010) to 70 percent (May 2011)
• Subprime bankcard lending is expanding beyond Equifax Risk Scores of 600-659, with growth among borrowers with scores below 600

“The gains made in the issuance of new bankcards for subprime borrowers are evidence of the continued easing that we are witnessing in underwriting,” said Michael Koukounas, Senior Vice President – Special Client Services for Equifax. “The rebound we are seeing in total new bankcard originations certainly provides some level of positive traction in the industry, but it should also be noted that we still have a long way to go to achieve a true return to normalcy for the market.”

*defined as those with Equifax risk scores less than 660

About Equifax, Inc.

Equifax is a global leader in commercial and consumer information solutions, leveraging one of the largest sources of business credit intelligence, portfolio management, income, employment and wealth verification, identity authentication/fraud detection and marketing demographic data worldwide.

Through its unique data and analytical insights, powered by proprietary technology, Equifax delivers customized, high-value decisioning solutions to more than 4.4 billion accounts in 81 million businesses and provides millions of individual consumers with information and services to support management of their personal credit information and protection of their identity that are vital to their financial well-being. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Equifax Inc. spans four continents and 15 countries, is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX. For more information, please visit http://www.equifax.com .

Bad Credit Car Finance: Top 10 Tips

Car Finance Tip 1: Need Versus Want

We’d all like to see a Range Rover on the driveway, but be realistic about the car you can afford to finance. The costs of fuel, insurance and servicing aren’t getting any cheaper, so think about what is affordable now and in the future and not just your dream car! By looking online or in motoring magazines, you can get a rough guide to how much it’s likely to cost you each month and this is a good place to start. moneybarn have a responsible lending policy and we’ll never lend more than you can afford to comfortably pay – make sure you’re sensible about what you can really manage too.

Car Finance Tip 2: Look To The Future

It’s tempting to buy a car with your heart and not your head! Whilst we all get emotionally attached to our cars at some point, try and consider financing a car that will meet your needs for the duration of the finance agreement and not just the next couple of months. Equally important is to remember that if you buy wisely, when your car finance deal ends, you will have a car that has retained more value that you can then use to invest in your next car. Most car magazines feature information on the cars that have the best residual values in the UK which are well worth looking at.

Car Finance Tip 3: Research

Take the time to research your chosen car and the types of bad credit car finance products that are available carefully. Once you’ve got an idea of the car you want, take the time to compare your options. There can be a huge difference in quality and price between dealers across the country and there will always be another car around the corner, so try not to compromise. In other words, don’t buy the first car you see! Use the internet to create a shortlist of cars and also consider researching car reviews and owners’ forums which can be invaluable in helping you find the right car for you. It’s also important to choose the right finance product – the types of agreement available can sometimes be confusing and at moneybarn we spend a great deal of time talking to customers about their options before they buy – talk to us if you want any advice, we’re here to help.

Car Finance Tip 4: Put Together A Monthly Budget

Before you commit to a car finance deal, do your research. Find out the cost of insurance, check the road tax you’ll need to pay and do some investigation into servicing costs and the price of consumable items like tyres and brakes. Most car finance companies require that you keep the car serviced in accordance with the manufacturers schedule, so if you can’t afford to keep the car in good order, it’s unwise to take out a finance agreement.

Car Finance Tip 5: Get Your Finances In Order

Once you know the car you need, how much it’s going to cost and that it’s affordable to run, take the time to get your personal and financial information sorted out. Make sure you’re on the electoral roll, check your credit file to ensure it’s accurate and get your banking, employment and identity documents ready in one place! At moneybarn, when we review your car finance application, our process is more involved than just looking at your credit score – we need to see evidence of your employment, address and identity and also check that the car you want is affordable. It makes the whole process a lot easier and quicker if you have these items to hand!

Car Finance Tip 6: Choose Your Lender Wisely

There aren’t very many actual lenders left in the ‘bad credit car finance’ market as some lenders got caught out by the economic downturn. This makes it even more important that when looking at car finance companies, you make sure you are dealing with a reputable, secure and customer focused organisation. moneybarn have been trading for nearly 20 years (through 2 recessions) and have had a recent multi-million pound investment so we’re here for the long term!

Car Finance Tip 7: Be Accurate and Honest

It’s amazing the amount of applications we get from people who omit information from their paperwork or try and pull the wool over our eyes! When considering bad credit or poor credit car finance applications, it’s even more important that we have an accurate and complete picture of whether you can afford car finance with us. If you put false information or leave out information that you think will harm your chances of being accepted, the chances are we’ll find out and reject your application straight away! We’re sympathetic lenders – we’ll consider applications if you’ve been through an IVA or bankruptcy, but we definitely won’t consider applications that aren’t genuine. It may also harm your chances of getting credit at all in the future if you provide false information, as most lenders share details of fraudulant applications.

Car Finance Tip 8: Negotiate

Once car finance has been approved, use this to your advantage with your local dealer. A prospective customer with funds in place is much more attractive to a salesman than someone without, so work hard to get a good deal. Even if you can’t get a discount on the price of the car, try and get some added value from your new purchase – free servicing, extended warranties or discounted accessories are often available – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Car Finance Tip 9: Inspect, Check and Drive

It goes without saying that before you sign on the dotted line of the car finance agreement you should test drive and thoroughly inspect the car you want to buy, but there is much more you can do to make sure your new car is in good shape. moneybarn recommend you invest in a professional inspection (The AA and the RAC both do these) before buying – these are a basic check that the car isn’t likely to cause you major problems in the near future. By checking out car reviews and forums you should also be able to get an idea of common issues or things to look out for on particular models – make sure you ask questions of your dealer if you see or read anything relevant to your car. And always look at the service history, consider when then next major (and minor) service is due, the time until the next MOT and how much tax is remaining on the car.

Car Finance Tip 10: Read The Paperwork

However you choose to finance your car, it’s vital you read through the paperwork before going ahead with the deal. It’s important to understand the specific terms of your car finance agreement, the implications of non payment, your rights under a finance agreement and where to turn to if you need help. At moneybarn, we’re always happy to guide new customers through the paperwork and answer questions.

About moneybarn

moneybarn creates more opportunities for more consumers to finance the purchase of cars with a responsible, ethical and inclusive approach to car finance. With over 20 years experience of working with customers with unusual and non conforming backgrounds who may have experienced difficulties obtaining credit elsewhere, moneybarn is the UK’s leading specialist car finance provider. More information can be found at http://www.moneybarn.com.

Tax Resolution Services, Co., the Nation’s Leading Tax Negotiation and Mediation Firm®, has additional advice to The IRS’s advisory list of ten tips for taxpayers who owe back taxes or have other tax debt which was published last week in their newsletter. The IRS, looking to collect every cent of taxes owed, shared advice including: get a loan to pay the back-tax debt in full; pay the tax debt off with a credit card, as the interest charged might be less than the accruing IRS penalties and interest; pay through electronic funds transfer; or consider changing your W-4 Employee’s Withholding allowance to pay down the tax debt.

All involve paying back the full amount owed, which might be cold comfort for those consumers who, for any number of reasons, failed to file due to an inability to pay their taxes and are not in any position to adhere to any of the IRS’s suggestions.

Tax resolution professionals, do not disagree with the IRS’ advice, however, say that there is a big caveat. Michael Rozbruch, founder and CEO of Tax Resolution Services, Co., an expert in tax problem resolution says, “If you have unfiled tax returns or owe the IRS back taxes, it’s important to figure out what your best IRS tax relief options are – consider getting professional advice from a tax resolution specialist.”

Hiring a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist or tax attorney specializing in tax indebtedness issues can be a prudent move, particularly in educating the consumer about one’s rights and options. The IRS offers different programs, such as Partial Pay Installment Agreements (PPIAs) which are regular payments over a set time, and Offers in Compromise (OIC), both of which can significantly reduce the total amount owed, for those who qualify.

Wading through this sea of regulations, rules, protocol and paperwork, however, can be daunting for most taxpayers. Tax professionals who can analyze an individual’s back-tax issues and help advocate a resolution with the IRS can significantly reduce a consumer’s tax burden. “There is a solution to every problem,” Rozbruch says. “The right tax resolution professional can find that solution while helping ensure you don’t pay a penny more than you have to.”

Tax Resolution Services, Co.®, the nation’s leading experts in tax negotiation and mediation®, is dedicated to providing affordable solutions to businesses and individuals alike who find themselves in trouble with the IRS. TRS is a member of the Tax Problem Resolution Services Coalition (TPRSC), based out of Washington, D.C. For more information or to receive a free tax relief consultation, visit TaxResolution.com or call 888-851-5894.

After the dramatic volatility in the Dow last week, employers are more concerned than ever about stretching every dollar as they identify employee benefit expenditures for 2012, according to the LFE Institute. A recent Workforce Week publication emphasized the importance of Human Resource professionals making decisions that improve bottom-line profitability if they want CEOs to view them as full-fledged business partners.

The Birmingham News reported that employers are now correlating employee financial stress to their company’s bottom line. To further support this assumption, in the 9th Annual MetLife Study on Employee Benefit Trends, researchers found compelling evidence that employee Financial Wellness is a key factor in reducing employee labor costs, including presenteeism, healthcare, and financial stress-related illnesses. Plus, with productivity reports this week showing a decline for the first two quarters of 2011, employers are committed to getting employee focus back on the job rather than their money problems.

“Employers today realize that Financial Wellness programs are a key ingredient for improving profits and minimizing liabilities,” states Alice Whinnery, a former CPA with PricewaterhouseCoopers and CEO of the LFE Institute. “Companies are looking at global metrics for every dollar spent. While employers increase spending for financial education, they also know that simply delivering financial information won’t change behaviors, improve financial wellness, or generate sustainable results.”

Top 10 Traps to Avoid in Financial Wellness Programs:

Multiple factors must be in place if employers want to achieve maximum results. To ensure the success of your programs, watch for these traps when selecting a Financial Wellness Provider:

1) Hidden agenda. Determine the real objective of the provider. If education isn’t their primary service, identify the products or services they hope to sell or promote to the employees. This will help you determine the focus of their information.

2) Doesn’t solve problems. Financial information doesn’t change behaviors or generate sustainable results. If employees are financially stressed, struggling to make ends meet, overwhelmed with debts, or trying to find more money to save and invest, the typical investment or retirement planning workshop isn’t going to solve those problems. They need specific solutions that solve identifiable problems.

3) Doesn’t engage employees. In the latest edition of Telling Ain’t Training, Harold Stolovitch and Erica Keeps state the old delivery format of lecture with some Q&A is outdated and ineffective. Corporate training has evolved into a science today. To ensure results, workshops should include the latest skill-based training methodologies to engage participants in the process of learning from the minute they walk in the door. This is the only way to change attitudes, behaviors, and build skills.

4) Failure to generate measurable results. Employees should leave the workshop with clear, identifiable strategies to quantify how the skills learned will change their lives. Without the ability to measure predictable results immediately, employees lose interest and revert to previous spending habits.

5) Too complicated. Employees don’t need to learn how to create a balance sheet or an income statement, and the days of tracking every nickel and dime in a detailed budget–regardless of whether it’s automated–are gone. Nor are they impressed with complicated charts and tables. They want easy-to-use solutions to real problems with everything they’ll need to implement the strategies included in the course materials. Each course should specify the deliverable results, along with the problems to be solved.

6) Limited solutions. A diverse workforce, busy schedules, and different learning types mean that employers must find solutions that fit their employee group. On-site workshops, evening and weekend Instructor-led Web training, weekly up-to-the-minute e-learning, and Money Coaching to answer specific employee questions at the time they are making financial decisions are all options to help employees meet today’s economic challenges.

7) Takes too much time. The old adage “time is money” has never been more relevant. Employees don’t have time to attend full-day or multi-week workshops, and if the strategies they learn aren’t fast and simple, they just won’t use them.

Instructors are financial salespeople, not educators. To generate predictable results and build employee skills, employers know that knowledge of the latest training techniques is far more important than the ability to sell financial products and services.

9) No follow up. Employees will always have questions or need help following a workshop. Unlimited access to unbiased educators continues the learning process long after on-site or Web training is over.

10) Possible liability exposure. Depending on the content of the material or the peripheral solutions offered by the Provider, companies may be exposed to potential liability, and the personal assets of Plan Fiduciaries may be at risk. When considering retirement planning education, under the new ERISA guidelines, it should be offered by “someone who does not stand to benefit from the education.” In other words, the education is not delivered by a firm selling investment and/or retirement planning products.

As employers weather current economic challenges, identifiable outcomes in 2012 Benefit Package expenditures must be directly linked to cash outlay. A methodical selection process of an effective Financial Wellness Provider will help eliminate the key traps noted above and increase the chances of meeting corporate objectives.

About the LFE Institute:

LFE Institute provides unbiased Workplace Financial Wellness education through on-site and Web-based workshops, comprehensive online and telephonic Money Coaching, and a weekly e-learning Money Minute! publication, and has Certified Instructors and Money Coaches throughout the U.S.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/8/prweb8720461.htm

Pedata RV Center sees more new owners turning torecreational vehicles to maximize their vacation budgets this summer. It’s called summer vacation for a reason; most individuals and/or families expect to take a vacation during the summer months when the kids are all out of school. But the changes in the economic situation of many families in the last few years has made drastic changes to the vacation budgets of many.

More new owners coming to Pedata RV Center for information on buying and information on available stock and pickup are citing their need to maximize their summer vacation budget as the reason for purchasing recreational vehicles.

For those who need to make the most of their vacation dollar, there are easy tips to help them decrease their travel costs:

1. Plan a trip in the nearby area. Aim to complete a trip on one tank of gas. RV owners often refer to this as a one-tank trip.

2. Many RV owners purchase recreational vehicles with setups that will make hitching a small vehicle to the back of the RV a possibility. This allows them to park their RV, set up camp and then drive their smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle around town. This can drastically decrease total gas expenses for the trip, and makes it more comfortable to drop in on local diners.

3. Plan your route carefully. You want to consider fuel efficiency by choosing the shortest route to your destination without ruining the effect of the RV on the road. Many prefer longer, more scenic routes, but accommodate their budgets by spending at least part of the trip focusing on the quickest route rather than the most beautiful.

4. Find the best gas prices in your area. Every smart phone will have apps available to search out and direct you to the lowest gas prices in the area. Use the available tools to maximize all those vacation dollars.

5. Drive like grandparents. Driving slowly and sedately can decrease the amount of gas being used by recreational vehicles and it adds up quickly during a road trip.

Gerard Pedata of Pedata RV Center said, “It’s summer time. A lot of people are traveling to the basic hot spots: Disneyland, famous camping spots along the beach, Six Flags, Universal Studios, etc. And they’re all great, but we recommend that RVers consider what there is to do in their own area. Most are surprised at the entertainment and leisure options that are within hours of where they have lived for years, or even all their lives.”

Pedata RV Center sells used RVs, travel trailers, fifth wheels, campers, and motor homes. Their full inventory is accessible online, and due to their low overhead costs they are able to offer competitive pricing in their industry. Easy access to industry and recreational vehicle information allows consumers to have access to the specific knowledge they need to ensure their purchase results in long-term satisfaction.

For more information on Pedata RV Center, or current trends in the RV industry, visit Pedata RV Center online athttp://www.pedatarvcenter.com or contact Gerard Pedata:

Contact: Gerard Pedata
Company: Pedata RV Center
http://www.PedataRVCenter.com
Phone: 1-888-545-8314 or 520-807-0900
Email: sales(at)pedatarvcenter(dot)com

In the arcane world of internet technology, where mobile marketing growth is exploding and smartphone apps are popping up like mushrooms, suddenly arrives a very different app that’s fast, flexible, multi-talented, affordable –and, amazingly, lives up to its promises, according to credit union and financial institution leaders who have been bold enough to add the newly developed Member Service Solutions produce— CU Mobile Apps—to their arsenal.

Seeking a competitive edge that’s essential in an increasingly beleaguered field, these pioneers have not been disappointed. Joseph Ditta, Vice President of Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union in Pasadena, Texas, flipped the switch on his new app after a few days of staff orientation with the system–and discovered the next morning that 192 eager Gulf Coast members had signed on overnight.

“‘User friendly’ doesn’t begin to describe the ability of this program to grasp, customize and implement the ideas of a financial institution’s back office operators—who need not be geeks to tweak its strings and achieve immediately rewarding results.” says Rick Hargis, owner/partner of Member Service Solutions, LLC, and its newest solution— CU Mobile Apps.

The product allows subscribers to easily upload images, choose colors, customize items displayed, and add or change content at any time—with the results accessible to their members and customers within 60 seconds.

The product’s unique “App Engine” platform works with both iPhones and Android devices, and its future-forward design allows it to seamlessly accept and integrate newer technologies as they become available, without costly and inconvenient restructuring/redesign delays—and without additional subscription charges, vows MSS partner Tom Gray, a trainer, consultant, and creator of tailored profitability solutions for client companies nationwide.

“Creating or signing a contract for even primitive apps can cost companies tens of thousands of dollars,” he points out. “Most small to medium-sized credit unions or financial institutions don’t have the infrastructures to afford any kind of app. By providing them with a nominally-priced, yet sophisticated and professional high-performance app, we help our subscribers to be more competitive within their markets, creating a professional image that impresses their members and attracts new ones.”

“I really appreciated the opportunity to try out the app, with no future obligation and no contract required,” said Ditta. “I really don’t like contracts! The price was very reasonable, and their presentation was excellent. I was able to see exactly what we’d be getting for our investment, since screen shots of the app at work were displayed as they were being described. No one else made it this easy to understand—this clear and specific.”

Gray’s presentation, a state-of-the-art webinar that studiously avoids “geek-speak”, clearly demonstrates the product’s features and their value, increasing client comfort levels and confidence; and Gray’s follow-up service and mentoring is no less conscientious, observes Wayne Hope, CEO of Enrichment Credit Union, serving the greater Knoxville area.

“Tom Gray’s webinar on the CU Mobile App was great,” says Hope. “Typically, new product representatives answer your questions with ‘Well, we’re working on that—’ or ‘That’s in the development stage—’ or ‘I’ll have to get back with you on that.’ Everything we asked Tom got a genuine, ‘I’m glad you asked that!’ response—and a direct answer. I was totally impressed.”

And, in a field where the tide changes quickly and the difference of one day can provide a priceless advantage, credit unions and financial institutions are finding that the Member Service Solution app can be installed in record-setting time:

“Besides being very knowledgeable about the product, Tom Gray got us up to speed very, very quickly for this new product!” claims Hope. “From the time we demo’ed it, we had a contract within the hour. And there have been no surprises. Turnaround has been quick—within days, this application was being fleshed out, ready to roll.”

“Our goal is to enable our clients to easily own a mobile application, manage their brand, and deliver an exceptional user experience through a low cost subscription pricing model based on the size of the institution,” Hargis agrees. “So we are committed to keeping this product the lowest-priced app available—despite the extensive menu of features not offered by competitive apps.”

Those features include the ability to quickly create and send alert notifications, special offers, or loan or account rate information to members’ smartphones, as well as on-line banking capabilities that allow users to access their web-based account information securely through their mobile app—just as they would on their home computer. The app’s QR technology allows the user smartphones to recognize thumbprint codes—even posted on printed materials—that can link the user to web pages, photos, or video messages selected by the subscriber credit union or financial institution.

Information about business hours, phone numbers and locations for each branch location and ATM is easily accessible through the app—along with a pinpoint map tracking tool that guides users to any branch—or dials its phone number with a tap of the user’s finger.

“We were committed to partnering with another mobile banking provider,” noted Josh McAfee, Leaders Credit Union, Jackson, Tennessee, “but once we saw CU Mobile Apps in action, we were sold. The breadth of modules they provide in addition to their content management system separates them from any other provider in the marketplace.”

Melissa Watkins, VP Marketing at Enrichment, agrees. “I’ve been an I-phone user for years and I download apps all the time. I absolutely love this one! I’ve seen other financial institutions that claim to have a mobile app, but it’s really nothing more than a link to on-line banking services—not really an app.”

Subscriber institutions with Facebook and Twitter accounts can also choose to display their wall posts and tweets on-screen through the app.

More than five billion mobile phones were in use in 2010—and more than 59 ½ million iPhones had been purchased, as well—most of them regarded by their owners as essential accessories always carried on their person or within easy reach, points out Hargis, a veteran with more than 35 years of experience in serving the needs of credit unions and their members.

“Adopting your own institutional app not only puts your credit union in every member’s hands, but allows you to reach them virtually 24 hours a day, with messages they won’t miss,” observes Hargis, a key organizer in developing 11 Credit Union Services Organizations (CUSO’s) across the nation.

“And since all activity is hosted through the subscriber credit union or financial institution’s servers, there’s no member exposure outside their system—and consequently no potential additional risk for security breach—as is possible through other apps,” stresses Hargis. “Losing a phone may be an annoyance, but it won’t be financially disastrous, since no sensitive account information is stored on the phone or the app itself.”

Cynics are bound to trot out the “too-good-to-be-true” maxim—but users of the super-app are discovering otherwise, and are happy to say so.

“I can’t say enough good things about the CU Mobile App,” comments Hope. “What’s
the downside–? There really is no downside!”

CU Mobile Apps is the most recent product offered by Member Service Solutions, LLC, a respected provider of insurance and financial solutions for credit unions and financial institutions. Their headquarters is located in Franklin, Tennessee. Additional information is available at http://www.cumobileapps.com and http://www.memberservicesolutions.com, or by calling (800) 537-9035, Ex. 105.

As the US economy slowly recovers, the wine industry is regaining its momentum to mark the 17th consecutive year of case gains.  This positive direction is directly attributed to the improving economy and the resulting increase in consumer confidence.  Consumers are beginning to spend again and competition in the marketplace is fierce.  According to the Beverage Information Group’s recently released 2011 Wine Handbook, overall wine consumption rose 2.1% to 303.1 million 9-liter cases in 2010.

The dollar’s weaker value has resulted in a good market for exports.  Imports continue to be outpaced by their domestic counterparts.  This trend has been seen over the past several years partially due to currency issues shrinking importers’ margins.  Domestics rose 3.0% to 229.4 million cases, and imported wines lost 0.9% to end the year at 73.6 million cases.  In addition, Australian wines were down by 12.5%, and wine imports from Italy have taken the lead.

According to the 2011 Wine Handbook, consumers are slowly returning to dining out.  Total wine dollars grew to $26.9 billion last year with on-premise accounting for 44.1%.  This is a gain of 2.5% from 2009 and a change from the previous two years when the recession directly effected on-premise sales.

“The future of the wine industry looks bright,” says Eric Schmidt, Manager of Information Services for the Beverage Information Group based in Norwalk, Conn.  ”Overall wine consumption is expected to increase over the next five years to 321.9 million cases.”

The 2011 Wine Handbook is the leading source for U.S. wine sales and consumption trends. It includes wine consumption analysis; the top 50 metro markets; supplier performance; advertising expenditures; consumer drinking preferences; and economic/demographic data.

The cost of the 2011 Wine Handbook is $815; handbook with CD is $985. Shipping and handling is $10 for U.S. residents, $20for all international orders. The handbook and CD can be purchased at www.bevinfostore.com or by calling Cynthia Porter at (630) 762-8709.

About the Beverage Information Group

The Beverage Information Group, a division of M2MEDIA360, serves all segments of the beverage alcohol industry through Cheers, Beverage Dynamics and StateWays magazines, statistical Handbooks, Beverage Research and www.bevinfogroup.com.

Contacts:

Beverage Information Group
Eric Schmidt, Manager of Information Services
eschmidt@m2media360.com

Cynthia Porter, Handbook Sales Executive
630-762-8709
cporter@m2media360.com
www.bevinfostore.com

BNY Mellon, the global leader in investment management and investment services, has expanded its Treasury Services group’s extensive electronic billing and payment processing capabilities to include notifications via SMS text messaging.  BNY Mellon Treasury Services is providing SMS text messaging as part of its ClearTran Electronic Payment Acceptance solution.

“Operating efficiency, convenience and the environmental benefits of paperless billing are combining to make electronic billing increasingly attractive for our clients,” said Susan Skerritt, executive vice president and head of business strategy and market solutions for BNY Mellon Treasury Services.  ”ClearTran has positioned us as a leader in supporting that transformation, first via desktop PC, and now mobile devices.  The ability to provide notifications, and eventually even approvals, via SMS text messaging adds an important new dimension to our bill presentment and payment processing solutions.”

With locations six continents and a network of more than 2,000 correspondent financial institutions, BNY Mellon Treasury Services delivers high-quality performance in global payments, trade services, cash management, capital markets, foreign exchange and derivatives. It helps clients optimize cash flow, manage liquidity and make payments more efficiently around the world in more than 100 currencies.  Processing more than $1.7 trillion in payments transactions on a daily basis, the company is a top-five participant in both the CHIPS and overall funds transfer markets, and is a recognized leader in the delivery of white-label treasury services solutions for banks and other large institutional clients.

BNY Mellon is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets.  BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, offering superior investment management and investment services through a worldwide client-focused team.  It has $26.3 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.3 trillion in assets under management, services $11.8 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.7 trillionper day.  BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK).  Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com and through Twitter @bnymellon.

The Mortgage Inspection Service is a vital mortgage document review and inspection service, designed for any homeowner about to refinance, or any individual about to purchase a home. The group’s Mortgage Document Inspection Service is actually a comprehensive written review of a proposed mortgage that offers a written analysis of the suitability of the type of mortgage product being offered, the interest rate being offered, and the fees being charged by the lender, or bank. The cost for the proposed refinance, or mortgage review, and report is $95, and the mortgage document audit typically saves the average US consumer about to finance or refinance a home hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. The Mortgage Inspection Service provides a homeowner about to finance or refinance a home with a narrative report detailing what mortgage fees are legitimate, and or what mortgage fees are junk or unwarranted charges. Homeowners about to refinance, individuals about to buy a home, or family or friends are encouraged to share this press release with their loved ones. For more information about the Mortgage Inspection Service please call 866-714-6466, or visit their web site at http://MortgageInspectionService.Com.

The Mortgage Inspection Service says, “Over the years we have saved thousands of consumers hundreds,if not thousands of dollars on each report we have done. There is no service even close to the Mortgage Inspection Service in the US.” The group says, “The only reason we do a consumer mortgage document inspection and review before a refinance or home loan finance, is to save consumers money and or to prevent them from being cheated.”

What does the Mortgage Inspection Service mortgage document inspection & review report include?

• The written report and review will focus in on if the home loan borrower or homeowner about to refinance is getting a fair interest rate.
• The mortgage document review report will analyze the interest rate and the mortgage product being offered to the consumer to make certain they are getting the best possible mortgage rate.
• The report will focus in on the fees being charged by the bank or mortgage broker.
• The report will focus in on the title insurance or escrow costs.
• The written mortgage document review uses the Good Faith Estimate the borrower gets before closing as the platform for its review.
• The cost of the report is $95 and the turn around time from start to finish is typically 48 hours or less. For more information a consumer or interested party can call the Mortgage Inspection Service anytime at 866-714-6466 or visit their web site at http://MortgageInspectionService.Com.

Credibility Matters: Americas Watchdog & or its Mortgage Inspection Service have been featured on CNN, CBS, NPR, and in Newsweek Magazine, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Good Housekeeping Magazine, CBS Market Watch, The Daily Telegraph of London, and numerous other national or international publications. For more information about the Mortgage Inspection Service anyone can call the group at 866-714-6466 or visit their web site at http://MortgageInspectionService.Com.

Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). After changing little over the past month, both long- and short-term mortgage rates followed Treasury yields higher this week. The 30-year fixed averaged 4.60 percent, and the 15-year fixed averaged 3.75 percent.

News Facts

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.60 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending July 7, 2011, up from last week when it averaged 4.51 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.57 percent.  
• 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.75 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.69 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.07 percent.  
• 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.30 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.22 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.75 percent.
• 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.01 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.97 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.75 percent.  

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions.

Quotes

Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

• “Mortgage rates followed Treasury yields higher over the holiday week but remain quite affordable by historical standards. For instance, interest rates on all mortgages outstanding in the first quarter of this year averaged just under 6 percent. With today’s rates, these homeowners who have the ability to refinance could shave $169 per month in interest payments on a $200,000, 30-year fixed mortgage.”

Get the latest information from Freddie Mac’s Office of the Chief Economist on Twitter: @FreddieMac

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation’s residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and more than five million renters.

American consumers are facing the double whammy of still feeling the effects of recession even as rising costs fuel inflationary worries. They are not alone in the world, though, according to GfK Roper Consulting’s 2011 Mood of the World® Report, which is based on a global survey of more than 32,000 consumers, ages 15 and older in 25 countries.

Consumers’ top concerns, both globally and in the US, are economic ones, followed by key social and other issues:

1. Inflation and high prices (ranks 3rd in US)

2. Recession and unemployment (1st in US)

3. Having enough money to pay the bills (2nd in US)

4. Crime and lawlessness (6th in US)

5. Environmental pollution (11th in US)

US Consumers Cautiously Optimistic

Even though the cost of living in the US rose more than expected in May 2011 as US inflation picked up speed and unemployment rose to 9.1 percent, US consumers have become somewhat more optimistic about their economic well being.

Spain, in fact, has replaced the US as the country with the highest Consumer Recession Index, GfK Roper’s proprietary measure combining economic pressures and reactions to determine the extent to which consumers are affected by prevailing economic conditions.

Middle East Upheaval Triggers Consumer Concern  

“One of the countries we looked at especially closely this year was Egypt, because we wanted to see how the recent economic and political turmoil truly affected the country’s people,” says Holly Jarrell, Group Managing Director of GfK Roper Consulting. “It turns out that while Egyptians understandably list crime and lawlessness as their top concern, they also register higher-than-average levels of worry about inflation and recession. In contrast, their already lower-than-average level of concern about pollution has dropped even further, from 8th to 12th place, compared with 5th place globally. When people are preoccupied with concerns about financial and political stability, they tend to put social and other issues on the back burner.”

Global Pressures Still Cap Optimism

Global economies appear to be stabilizing and are showing encouraging signs of growth, but optimism among consumers has been slow to materialize. Sixty-eight percent of respondents in the US and 59 percent globally report that their household experienced at least one negative economic event in the past year such as a job loss, difficulty paying bills, or housing distress of some kind; these numbers are essentially unchanged from the previous year.  As a result, many are still feeling very hesitant about buying conditions. Globally, only 17 percent feel it is “a good time to buy” the things they want and need, while 40 percent feel it is “a good time to wait.”

Consumers are adapting to the financial pressures they face in a variety of ways. Half of global consumers have used coupons during the past year –ranking it highest among ten strategies used to save money in 12 of 25 countries. In addition, 84 percent of global consumers have cut back in at least one of 26 areas identified in the survey. One of the most common cost-cutting measures among global consumers is dining out less frequently. Spain has the highest percentage of consumers doing so at 68 percent, compared to 62 percent in the US and 44 percent of consumers globally. Indeed, more than 90 percent of Spaniards made at least one cutback and 96 percent used at least one savings strategy, which along with high levels of economic distress, explains why Spain tops this year’s Consumer Recession Index.

In contrast, consumers in the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, China, and South Africa) report less economic pressure and therefore take fewer actions to save money than those in other counties.

“The net result of these shifts is increasing polarization in the global consumer mindset,” said Jarrell. “In some countries, like Brazil and Korea, there is a notable spender mentality, often fueled by a productive workforce and access to resources, not to mention high expectations on consumers’ part, all of which serve to drive economic growth. In other countries, economies still falter and consumers remain skittish.”

The Mood of the World Report also suggests that optimism is still tempered and closely tied to the lingering effects of the global financial crisis. Consumer sentiment and attitudes are constantly evolving and, until financial stability is perceived by consumers, the financial pressures they face will have a direct correlation to the actions they take.

About Mood of the World

Mood of the World® is part of the GfK Roper Reports® Worldwide consumer trends service. Conducted annually by GfK Roper Consulting since 1997, GfK Roper Reports Worldwide offers subscribers a globally comparable view of consumer attitudes, values, behaviors, and cultural influences. Interviews were conducted among more than 32,000 consumers ages 15 and older in 25 countries from January to April, 2011 using a mixed-mode interviewing methodology. Data from each country were weighted to match key demographic norms (e.g., age, sex).

About GfK Roper Consulting

A division of GfK Custom Research North America, GfK Roper Consulting is comprised of GfK’s syndicated consumer trend services – GfK Roper Reports® US, GfK Roper Reports® Worldwide, GfK Roper Green Gauge® and the GfK Roper Youth Report — which monitor consumer values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors in the US and more than 25 other countries. GfK Roper Consulting’s mission is to help clients turn insights into inspiration and foresight into advantage worldwide.

About GfK Custom Research North America

Headquartered in New York, GfK Custom Research North America is part of the GfK Group. The GfK Group offers the fundamental knowledge that industry, retailers, services companies and the media need to make market decisions. It delivers a comprehensive range of information and consultancy services in three business sectors—Custom Research, Retail and Technology and Media. The no. 4 market research organization worldwide operates in more than 100 countries and employs over 10,000 staff. In 2010, the GfK Group had revenues of EUR 1.29 billion (approximately US$ 1.7 billion). For more information, visit www.gfkamerica.com. Follow us at www.gfkinsights4u.com or on Twitter @gfkamerica.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will increase the national per-mile business driving rate to 55.5 cents-per-mile for the final six months of 2011. The rate increase will be effective July 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.  At which point, the IRS will review vehicle costs and determine the rate for 2012.

This is an increase of 4.5 cents from the currently established rate of 51 cents-per-mile that was in effect for the first six months of the year. The cents-per-mile standard is the amount the U.S. taxpayer can deduct for vehicle expenses on his or her 2011 tax return for business miles driven.

The decision to increase the national per-mile business driving rate reflects the recent fuel price fluctuations. Runzheimer International will work closely with the IRS to establish the rate for the time period beginning January 1, 2012. Runzheimer International has provided this annual service to the IRS since 1980.

The IRS also announced a new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses of 23.5 cents-per-mile, up from 19 cents for the first six months of 2011. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations remains at 14 cents-per-mile.

About Runzheimer International

Founded in 1933, Runzheimer International serves 60 percent of the Fortune 500 and numerous government agencies. The company is recognized for providing innovative solutions relating to Total Employee Mobility®. Runzheimer International is the global leader in workforce mobility programs including business vehicle, business travel, logistics, corporate aircraft, employee relocation and compensation, and virtual office.

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) announced today a definitive agreement under which Capital One will acquire ING Direct from ING Groep in a stock and cash transaction valued at $9.0 billion. Currently the 8th largest bank in the United States, based on deposits, Capital One’s acquisition of ING Direct combines ING Direct’s valuable national direct deposit franchise with Capital One’s advantaged access to assets and local scale branch banking.  The combination strengthens Capital One’s customer franchise and brand and provides significant financial and strategic upside with low execution risk. Upon closing, Capital One will become the 5th largest depository institution and the leading direct bank in the United States.

Under the agreement, Capital One will purchase ING Direct from ING Groep for $6.2 billion in cash and approximately 55.9 million Capital One shares, valued at $2.8 billion, based on a Capital One share price of $50.07, the 10-day average of Capital One closing prices for the period ending June 15, 2011. Capital One expects this transaction will be accretive to tangible book value at closing, accretive to EPS in 2012 and result in mid-single digit accretion in 2013.

Capital One expects to finance the cash portion of the consideration, in part, through a public equity raise of approximately $2 billion and debt offerings of approximately $3.7 billion prior to the close of the transaction.

“The acquisition of ING Direct is a game-changing transaction that delivers attractive deal economics immediately and compelling long-term strategic value,” said Richard D. Fairbank, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital One.  ”The combination of Capital One and ING Direct creates a unique and valuable banking franchise that includes advantaged access to assets, great local scale branch banking in attractive markets, and with ING Direct, the leading direct bank customer franchise with national reach.  Adding ING Direct enhances and sustains key sources of shareholder value over the long-term, including growth, returns and capital generation.”

Capital One will work closely with ING Direct’s leadership team to establish a management structure designed to ensure that the combined company achieves the highest quality integration and has the best leadership in place to build on ING Direct’s great customer franchise.  

In connection with the transaction, Capital One expects to realize $90 million from consolidating systems, platforms and corporate staff functions. In addition to these cost synergies, Capital One expects to achieve funding savings of $200 million annually from optimizing management of the combined deposit portfolio. Beyond these amounts, there are potential additional synergies from cross-selling the ShareBuilder online brokerage products to Capital One customers and select Capital One products to ING Direct customers, and from balance sheet repositioning opportunities.  The company will incur $210 million of merger and integration costs in connection with the acquisition.

“ING Direct is a tremendous franchise,” Fairbank added.  ”Its innovative platform and customer-focus are well aligned with Capital One’s own vision.  We are committed to sustaining and enhancing the great customer relationships that have been central to the success of both banks.”

In connection with ING Groep’s 9.9 percent pro forma ownership stake in Capital One, ING Groep will have the right to name one member to the company’s Board of Directors and has agreed to a customary lock-up on its shares. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals, including banking approvals in both the U.S. and The Netherlands, and is expected to close in late 2011 or early in 2012.  

Morgan Stanley, Barclays Capital and Centerview Partners LLC acted as financial advisers to Capital One and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz, Mayer Brown and Loyens & Loeff acted as legal advisers.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act giving Capital One’s expectations or predictions of future financial or business performance or conditions.  Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the projected impact and benefits of the transaction involving Capital One and ING Direct, including future financial and operating results, the company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which change over time.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and Capital One assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and those identified elsewhere in this press release, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the possibility that regulatory and other approvals and conditions to the transaction are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the possibility that modifications to the terms of the transactions may be required in order to obtain or satisfy such approvals or conditions; changes in the anticipated timing for closing the transaction; difficulties and delays in integrating Capital One’s and ING Direct’s businesses or fully realizing projected cost savings and other projected benefits of the transaction; business disruption during the pendency of or following the transaction; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; reputational risks and the reaction of customers and counterparties to the transaction; and changes in asset quality and credit risk as a result of the transaction.

Annualized, pro forma, projected and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., had $125.4 billion in deposits and     $199.3 billion in total assets outstanding as of March 31, 2011. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “COF” and is included in the S&P 100 index.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union today announced that it now provides HomePath® Mortgages for buyers purchasing a Fannie Mae-owned home.

The HomePath Mortgage offers special financing terms for the purchase of HomePath properties (Fannie Mae-owned homes) across the nation. Only a few lenders in the U.S. are approved by Fannie Mae to provide these HomePath products. Kinecta is the only approved credit union in California and one of only two in the nation.

“Kinecta is constantly looking for ways to offer more affordable financing options to potential homeowners,” said Brian Robinett, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Kinecta. “With the HomePath Mortgage, borrowers receive special financing terms on single-family homes, condominiums and town houses in a variety of neighborhoods. It’s a great option for virtually anyone looking for a home, from first-time homebuyers to experienced investors.”

Borrowers will benefit from very low down payment options and no appraisal or mortgage insurance requirements*. To find HomePath properties, simply go to www.HomePath.com to search the nationwide listings of available homes.

For a free mortgage consultation, interested borrowers can call 800.854.4501, visit www.kinecta.org/HomePath or email homeloans@kinecta.org.

*Ask your loan officer for cost details on loans without mortgage insurance.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, with approximately $3.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2011; 24 member service centers, 49 Nix customer service centers, and 9 Kinecta at Nix locations throughout Southern California; and more than 227,000 members nationwide. Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Kinecta offers its members a full range of financial products through the Credit Union and its subsidiaries, Kinecta Financial & Insurance Services, Apollo Insurance Services Inc., and Kinecta Alternative Financial Solutions, dba Nix Check Cashing. Kinecta Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that is owned by its members, and exists to provide a safe and convenient place for member/owners to conduct their financial business. For more information about Kinecta, visit www.kinecta.org. For more information about Nix Check Cashing, visit www.nixcheckcashing.com.

HomePath is a registered trademark of Fannie Mae.

Survey findings released today by CyberSource Corporation, a Visa company (NYSE: V) show that while airlines are gaining in their war against fraud, much work remains to be done.  Airlines reported a loss of about $1.4 billion USD to online payment fraud in 2010.

Dr. Akif Khan, CyberSource’s Director, Products and Services said: “The good news is that in terms of fraud loss rates, 2010 results showed a 31 percent improvement over 2008.  Clearly, airlines have not only recognized the challenge but have made timely adjustments to it.” According to the survey, changes made by airlines in the last two years include higher use of fraud detection tools in automated screening (7.3 on average, compared to 5.8 in 2008), along with rejecting more bookings due to suspicion of payment fraud.

Selected survey findings

–Experience counts:  airlines with less than three years of online selling experience have higher fraud loss rates, manual review rates, and higher reject rates than their more experienced competitors. For example, airlines with more than ten years of online selling experience manually review 15 percent of their bookings; those with fewer than three years review 53 percent.

–Airlines may be ignoring a powerful anti-fraud tool:  Only three percent of airlines surveyed used public record searches to validate bookings.  But those that used the tool felt it was one of their most effective anti-fraud measures.(Public record searches are not universally available). Device fingerprinting and third-party fraud scoring models were among the top tools merchants cited as considerations for future use.

–Automated review requirements will accelerate:  According to the International Air Transport Association, passenger revenue will increase by 7.3 percent in 2011, but nearly 90 percent of airlines surveyed say their manual review staff levels will remain the same. Automation will have to make up the difference.

“Fraudsters will move to the weakest link in the chain,” said Christopher Staab, Managing Partner of Airline Information. “And that weak link is most likely going to be the airlines unfamiliar with how sophisticated fraud can be perpetrated with online ticketing sales.  That’s why this type of data is so critical for the airline industry worldwide.  There are solutions out there– airlines need to implement them.”

A typical fraud scenario in the airline industry plays out as follows:  

1. Fraudster illegally obtains credit card data;
2. Fraudster obtains name, address, and other appropriate information for a genuine customer interested in buying “discount” tickets;
3. Fraudster buys the ticket in the innocent person’s name, using the stolen credit card number;
4. Fraudster delivers ticket to the customer and receives payment in cash.

CyberSource announces new travel-specific fraud-tuning capabilities

CyberSource is also announcing release of new fraud detection algorithms for its Decision Manager system, created specifically for the travel industry. Data generated from inbound booking requests, including device identity and behavior information, is correlated with transaction data generated by merchants worldwide. The new travel algorithms take the unique purchasing patterns of the travel industry into account, where multiple bookings from frequent travelers or travel agencies are common. The results of these correlations can then be compared to business rules established by the airline to automatically accept, reject or review the booking. Because valid bookings can now be more accurately and automatically separated from fraudulent bookings, airlines and other travel companies can further reduce costly manual review and fraud loss.  

To see the full survey — for journalists: please call or email the contacts listed below.   For all others: please visit www.cybersource.com/airlinefraudreport

Methodology

The Airline Online Fraud Survey was commissioned by CyberSource Corporation in partnership with Airline Information. Data was compiled in an online survey delivered by an independent market research firm. The surveys were fielded between November 17, 2010 and January 31, 2011 and yielded 142 qualified completed interviews. 72 percent of respondents indicated their airline had total revenues over $500 million USD.

About CyberSource

CyberSource, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Visa Inc., is a payment management company. Over 330,000 businesses worldwide use CyberSource and Authorize.Net brand solutions to process online payments, streamline fraud management, and simplify payment security. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California with international offices in Reading, U.K.; Singapore; and Tokyo. CyberSource operates in Europe under agreement with Visa Europe. For more information, please visit www.cybersource.com.

One hundred colleges and universities out of some 2,000 U.S. schools that offer four-year degrees have been ranked as the top values by Consumers Digest. The rankings are based on attributes that validate or define the institutions’ academic prowess factored against annual cost of tuition, fees and room and board. Among 50 public institutions cited, Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo., ranked No. 1. Among 25 private institutions, Yale University took top honors. Among 25 private liberal-arts schools, Grove City College, Grove City, Pa., held the first slot.

The rankings, published in CD’s June 2011 issue, were derived from a formula that blended the academic excellence of first-time freshmen at a school (standardized test scores, high-school rank, grade-point average) with the institution’s educational quality (4- and 6-year graduation rate, student-retention rate, percentage of faculty holding a Ph.D.). That “value index” score was factored with the cost of attending each school to determine which schools offered the most academic value per dollar.

“Expert opinions and solid recommendations are two of our strengths,” says Randy Weber, publisher of Consumers Digest. “And we applied well-developed standards and thorough analysis to this examination of our country’s higher-learning institutions to help parents and students find schools that will meet families’ performance and financial requirements.”

Consumers Digest first whittled down the list of schools based on a minimum level of academic performance by students that institutions accepted. For public schools, CD considered only nonresident tuition figures. Military institutions and extremely specialized colleges were excluded. Financial aid wasn’t factored in because of inconsistencies in the way colleges distribute aid.

The average annual cost of attendance at CD’s top schools was $47,156 at private colleges/universities and $26,344 at public colleges/universities.

“Our analysis is designed to help families make an informed decision that puts their hard-earned money to the best use,” Weber says.

CD’s Top 100 College Values accompanied an article titled “The Hidden Costs of Higher Education.” The article explains how universities are countering greatly reduced funding from government by tacking on hidden mandatory fees for things that were once included as part of tuition. In this way, they can announce that their tuition rises only at the rate of inflation—even while fees at 4-year public universities have jumped more than 30 percent, even after being adjusted for inflation.

Editor Rich Dzierwa points out that his publication decided to exclude schools’ acceptance rates from the data used to rate performance. “Acceptance rate, which also is known as selectivity, can be dramatically manipulated by colleges and universities,” Dzierwa says.

Consumers Digest, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is designed to inform and educate readers so they can buy with confidence. It is committed to providing practical advice, factual evaluations and specific recommendations that lead consumers to exceptional values in today’s complex marketplace.

Equifax (NYSE: EFX) continues to embrace mobile marketing and mobile commerce, announcing the latest version of its Equifax Mobile app for Android users.  Now, Android users can access freemium features like Equifax Places, which enables users to view credit and fraud averages by GPS location or zip code anywhere in the United States.  

Equifax monitoring product subscribers can also protect the power of their credit and identity on-the-go with real-time access to their credit file, including the ability to lock and unlock their Equifax Credit Report™.  

Equifax Mobile App Key Features:

• Equifax Places*
  • Equifax Credit Rankings™ – Credit averages such as total debt, utilization, and late payments
  • Equifax Fraud Index™ – Frequency of fraud by age, gender, income, and credit score
• Equifax Credit Report Control™ – Ability to lock and unlock your Equifax Credit Report+
• Equifax Web Detect™ – Find out if your sensitive personal information is found on suspected Internet trading sites++
• Alerts of key changes to your credit files (e.g. account balance changes, activity on dormant accounts, new account openings)

For more information about Equifax Mobile, visit www.equifax.com/mobile, or to download the free Equifax Mobile app, visit the Android Market at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.equifax.

About Equifax

Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information solutions, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

With a strong heritage of innovation and leadership, Equifax continuously delivers innovative solutions with the highest integrity and reliability. Businesses – large and small – rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and much more. We empower individual consumers to manage their personal credit information, protect their identity, and maximize their financial well-being.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax Inc. operates in the U.S. and 14 other countries throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500(R) Index. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX.

www.equifax.com.  Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Equifax.

* Equifax Places is free to use and does not require and Equifax membership.

+ Locking your credit file with Equifax Credit Report Control will prevent access to your Equifax credit file by certain third parties, such as credit grantors or other companies and agencies. Credit Report Control will not prevent access to your credit file at any other credit reporting agency, and will not prevent access to your Equifax credit file by companies like Equifax Personal Solutions which provide you with access to your credit report or credit score or monitor your credit file; Federal, state and local government agencies; companies reviewing your application for employment; companies that have a current account or relationship with you, and collection agencies acting on behalf of those whom you owe; for fraud detection and prevention purposes; and companies that wish to make pre-approved offers of credit or insurance to you. Requires active subscription to eligible Equifax monitoring product.

++ WebDetect scans thousands of internet sites where consumers’ personal information is suspected of being bought and sold, and is constantly adding new sites to those it searches. However, the internet addresses of these suspected internet trading sites are not published and frequently change, so there is no guarantee that WebDetect is able to locate and search every possible internet site where consumers’ personal information is at risk of being traded. Requires active subscription to eligible Equifax monitoring product.

On Monday at 11:50 pm EDT, the U.S. tax filing deadline passed and estimates show that over 16 percent of Americans will fail to file their 2010 federal tax returns, report their full income or pay their full 2010 tax liability, costing the federal government upwards of $490 billion in revenue for the 2010 tax year.

“During a time of contentious fiscal debate in Washington, D.C. over the mounting deficit and needed funding for our country, it is not only the legal obligation of taxpayers but perhaps their most important patriotic duty to pay the IRS the money they legally owe,” said Patrick Cox, CEO of TaxMasters, the leading tax compliance and repayment services provider in the nation.

Cox adds, “Although tax filing can be a stressful and time consuming process, taxpayers need to remember that their returns support our soldiers fighting overseas, pay for police and fire programs in our communities, and provide us with the clean water and utilities we often take for granted. By choosing not to pay taxes and comply with IRS guidelines, these free riders are costing us all.”

TaxMasters advises those who have missed the April 18th deadline to contact a local CPA or tax representative to help prepare your returns and promptly file with the correct deductions and statements, in order to help avoid any further penalties or interest. If you have not filed in three or more years, or are being contacted directly by an IRS collection agency for significant amounts owed, it’s in your best interest to seek professional help from a tax representation firm.

“If you choose to take on the IRS independently, they will assume you know all of your options and hold you accountable for whatever you agree to. A tax representative can ask the questions and execute on options you might not be aware of,” says Cox. “The best strategy is to get your files in order months before the filing deadline and stay in compliance with the IRS, to help not only your own financial future, but the well being of the country.”

About TaxMasters, Inc.

TaxMasters, Inc. (OTCBB: TAXS) is the first publicly traded tax representation firm in the United States. Started by Patrick R. Cox in 2001, TaxMasters offers a full suite of compliance and repayment services to taxpayers across the country facing seemingly insurmountable tax problems and substantial federal tax debt. Tax services from TaxMasters include IRS consultations, tax return preparation, settlement analysis, and assistance with IRS automated collections, Revenue Officer involvement and collection due process.

Employing over 300 people, TaxMasters leverages the expertise of ex-IRS agents, enrolled agents, attorneys, CPAs, and seasoned consultants ready to counsel and assist the US taxpayer with their specific tax problems today. TaxMasters is not a law firm or a CPA firm.

For more information about TaxMasters, Inc. and its commitment to help taxpayers in the United States solve tax problems, please visit www.txmstr.com.

Follow TaxMasters on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gotaxmasters.

Visit TaxMasters’ blog at http://www.txmstr.com/blog/

Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in this release (often identified by such words as “believes,” “expects,” “beginning,” “intended,” “planned”) regarding future expectations, objectives, and plans for TaxMasters, Inc. are based on opinions and estimates of management at the time the statement was made. Various known and unknown factors may cause actual results to be materially different from the expected outcomes. TaxMasters, Inc. does not, as a matter of policy, update or revise forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially.

When you think great bargains, websites such as eBay and Overstock probably come to mind as well as the online alter egos of the giant discounters Walmart and Target. Then there’s Amazon which, as the mother of all discount sites, sells pretty much anything you could ever want to buy. The May 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, put those sites to the test to find out which one truly offers the best prices and scoured through the fine print to find the ‘gotchas’ consumers should avoid.

“Our goal was to expose the ins and outs of shopping at these discount sites in order to save shoppers time and money,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “We learned consumers should calculate shipping fees before settling on a retailer, read the return policy fine print before making purchases, and know whether returns can be made at walk-in stores.”

Who Sells It For Less?

To understand how the major discount sites stack up, ShopSmart chose a basket of seven common items, from big-ticket to small, and compared prices, standard shipping costs, return policies, and restocking fees, while noting any annoying surprises they encountered along the way. On eBay, ShopSmart chose brand-new items from the highest rated U.S.-based sellers available and picked the lowest priced “Buy It Now” listing (as opposed to auction prices). The results can be found below, starting with the low-price winner:

1. Ebay.com: eBay is no longer just for auctions. These days the site is less populated with random collectibles, instead its online inventory includes individually operated virtual stores. Many items have “Buy It Now” prices with no bidding required. After adding up the pretax totals (including shipping) for all of the items on our price-scan list, eBay came out the low-price winner.

• Gotchas: The lowest “Buy It Now” price isn’t necessarily the best deal after factoring in shipping costs, so it’s important to look at other listings and scan the fine print. Additionally, shipping times might be longer than on competing sites, depending on vendor and payment methods.

2. Amazon.com: Amazon has the best overall selection by far, especially if consumers are looking for books, electronics, baby gear, and specialty items. Ultimately, Amazon came in second for the lowest prices for the items on ShopSmart’s list.

• Gotchas: The Amazon Marketplace (where you can buy new and used items from individual sellers) and Amazon Merchants (where you buy items from various retailers) have their own shipping and return policies, so it’s important to read them carefully. Additionally, ShopSmart found some questionably high prices in previous price scans (for groceries in particular).

3. Walmart: Walmart has an excellent selection and good prices, especially for electronics, entertainment products, and appliances. Their website had some of the best prices available.

• Gotchas: It’s important to note that their return policy doesn’t apply to all of their products.

4. Overstock.com: Overstock offers great deals, often on last season’s merchandise, including home decor, bedding, and baby gear.

• Gotchas: As the name suggests, this site sells overstock, so if you’re obsessed with having the latest styles, you may want to shop elsewhere. A lot of items are not returnable, and for the things you can return, you are required to pay for shipping. Additionally, delivery of oversized purchases comes with lots of potential charges, including fees for “extra labor,” storage, and redelivery if you’re not home when the item arrives.

5. Target: Target is great if you’re looking for solid-wood furniture and stylish clothing at decent prices, in addition to tons of house wares, entertainment, and personal-care products. However, Target had the highest prices on four of the seven items on their varied price-scan shopping list.

• Gotchas: Target offers great prices on many everyday items. However, customers must be aware that it has a strict “no receipt, no return policy” and a 15 percent restocking fee for small electronics.

More Surprising Gotchas

If you want a rock-bottom price, you might have to give up on other things, like getting the exact color you want or putting up with tricky return policies. ShopSmart suggests watching out for these traps at some of the most popular types of discount sites:

1. Outlet Sites: At outlet sites, selection is often limited because you’re shopping the leftover bins. If you don’t snap up items fast, you’ll miss out on the best deals. But if you act too quickly, you might be stuck with something you don’t really want or need. Also, outlet sites may or may not accept returns, so be sure to read all the fine print before you buy.

2. Sample-Sale Sites: The best deals on these sites are snapped up quickly. Also, it might take a long time to get your purchased items since many sites don’t keep stock in-house, but instead have manufacturers ship directly to you. Shipping charges can add up, so look for options that let you shop several sales at once and ship items together. Finally, be aware that some sample-sale sites don’t accept returns.

3. Secondhand & Swap Sites: There are no warranties or returns at these sites, so it’s important to inspect photos closely and ask questions before you commit. Shop around to see what a good price is, especially if you’re bidding on an auction site, where it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and overpay for an item. Some sites have a built-in system to keep things honest, so check terms and conditions to see whether the site has any safeguards for making sure you’re satisfied.

Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.

American women are savvy shoppers, according to a new national poll featured in the May 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports. Over three quarters of women (76%) consider themselves to be bargain hunters, with 10% admitting they like the challenge of finding the best deal. The poll also found that two thirds (65%) of women typically wait for a sale to purchase items.

“I’m such a sucker for a bargain, especially when I have a coupon or there’s a sale for 50% off,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart.  ”According to ShopSmart’s national poll, many of us are helpless against a great deal, and retailers know this. However, there are so many new opportunities these days to shop smarter, and if you play the sale game right, you can save really big.”

THE BARGAINER’S PSYCHE

• Although money is the main motivation, with 40% saying they bargain shop because they are on a limited budget and 25% indicating that they hate to overspend, it is not the only reason women go bargain shopping. In addition, 83% of women say that if money were no object, they would still seek out a deal.
• 37% of women feel guilty paying full price without trying to get a deal.
• Although two-thirds of women typically wait for something to go on sale before purchasing, a sale can be dangerous for some. Over three quarters of women (76%) find themselves buying things they don’t need just because they are on sale, including 8% who do so frequently.
• Nearly two thirds (64%) have regretted at least one sale purchase. Of those who have sale regrets, only 38% typically try to recoup their error by returning the item. Nearly one quarter (24%) typically donate the item and 16% will just put it in a closet or drawer.

SEARCHING FOR SALES

• Women shop a variety of stores in search of their bargains, including mass merchandisers (93%), dollar stores (69%) and discount stores (61%).
• Coupon usage is widespread among women with 91% using coupons to get a better deal, including 51% who print coupons from the Internet, 29% who use competitor coupons and 11% who use coupons directly off their cell phone.
• 84% of women have purchased clothing off season, 49% have purchased an item with an imperfection to get a discount, 21% have waited in line outside a store to get a deal and 20% have purchased clothing not in their size for a deal.

SHARING THE WEALTH

• Most women are proud of themselves when they are able to find a good bargain. The majority of women (90%) like to share news of their great deal with others, including over one-third (35%) who tell anyone who will listen.
• But be careful who you believe, as nearly one-fifth (19%) of women confess to misleading others about how much they paid for a particular item.

Super Couponers’ Top Tips:

1. Check your grocery store’s policy. Some stores will double and even triple coupons on an item (usually up to a certain amount, typically 99 cents, max). But sometimes that’s only on certain days of the week, so find out ahead of time and plan your shopping accordingly.
2. Save your coupons for when items are on sale. Plan ahead using weekly sales flyers to match deals with available coupons. But also take your entire coupon file to the store with you; many stores don’t advertise all deals.
3. Take inventory mid-month. Many coupons expire at the beginning or end of the month, so take time in the middle of each month to see what coupons in your stash need to be used ASAP.
4. Track price cycles. Items usually go on sale at regular intervals. Keep a log of the price of items you buy most often, so that you know how much they usually cost, when they will likely go on sale, and when a sale is really a good deal.
5. Watch closely during checkout. Cashiers sometimes neglect to properly scan all coupons and store-loyalty cards. And if you accidently picked up the wrong product size, you could end up wasting a coupon.
6. Don’t automatically reach for store brands. ShopSmart‘s tests over the years have shown that store brands are often just as good if not better in quality than national brands. But with the right combination of sale price and coupon savings, a national brand might actually be cheaper.
7. “Stack” coupons to maximize your savings. Some stores include additional coupons in their weekly circulars and in the e-mail newsletters sent to loyalty-card holders. You can use a store coupon on top of a manufacturer’s coupon for even more savings.
8. Shop at stores that accept competitors’ coupons. Strange as it may seem, some stores do so; after all, they want your business! Make one of them your go-to spot and take other stores’ exclusive coupons with you when you shop. Sign up for loyalty cards at all of the stores in your area to get insider deals.
9. Use coupons on trial sizes. Unless a coupon stipulates that you can’t, using a coupon to buy trial sizes of items could make them free.
10. Don’t toss those expired coupons! Your store may still accept them—don’t be afraid to ask.

The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,010 interviews were completed among women aged 18+. Interviewing took place over February 10 – 20, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3.1% points at a 95% confidence level.

Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.