The Best Time of Year to Buy Anything

Gym Memberships: Snag Back-To-School Bargains

We all know about the January deals, but September, when kids go back to school and parents are free to work out, is also a good time to get a discount. Live in a college town? Gyms will often slash fees during the summer, while gyms in resort towns do so during the off-season. Pay for an entire year up front, and many clubs will tack on a few extra months for free.

Car Smarts: Wait for Fall

October and November are ideal months to get a great deal on current model year vehicles, says Michael Waterman, executive editor of Vehix.com. Next year's models are already in stores, and dealers are anxious to move the older—but still new—cars off their lots. Manufacturers will often help with bigger incentives, cash-back programs and low interest rates.

Another way to secure a great deal on a new car is to know when a particular model is being replaced by an updated version. For instance, in 2011, Ford replaced the old Explorer with a completely redesigned crossover, and Honda updated the popular Civic with a new model. "Smart buyers realize these new-model updates often translate to deep discounts on the current models," says Waterman.

You also have a better chance of getting deals toward the end of the month. "Dealers might be a car or two short of a monthly sales quota that will give them a big bonus from the manufacturer," says Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com. "That's why they'll discount the car to you—whatever they lose on the deal, they'll make up in their bonus."

Gadgets: High Tech for Low Prices

Have your eye on a new digital camera or MP3 player? Ask the store manager when a newer model will be released (often October and November). Beforehand, companies tend to slash prices on the older models, or bundle the item with extras, like a free printer. Here's why: Stores close out "old" inventory just before getting the newest gadgets in time for Christmas, according to Kaplan.

Home Renovations at the Beginning of the Year

Michael Kaplan, author of The Best Time to Do Everything, says January is the slowest month for contractors - and when they tend to be the most negotiable on fees.

Fresh Flowers: Avoid the Holiday Rush

Sending a floral bouquet for Valentines Day, Mother's Day or another holiday? Order at least a week beforehand, and have it delivered two or three days early to avoid the holiday markup—typically 10 to 20 percent. During non-holiday weeks, shop on Tuesdays, often the slowest sales day of the week. Also be sure to ask the florist to make a bouquet using whatever flowers are in season. As with produce, you’ll get the best deal on what’s growing now and it will also be the best quality.

Jewelry: April, July and August

Why? Jewelers will negotiate in April (after tax time), and in July and August (because there are no gift-giving holidays in those months)

The Two Key Times of Year to Buy Furniture

The best time to buy furniture is typically January or July, says Jaclyn Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishing Alliance. Since new furniture styles hit the showroom floor twice a year (in February and August), stores will slash prices on older merchandise in order to make room for new arrivals.

Best Time of Week to Get a Haircut or Manicure Is...

Many salons advertise discounts (up to 50%) for early-week appointments; nail salons in some neighborhoods also cut prices on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Groceries and Produce

Taylor Hough shares her best-buy calendar, which she first compiled for Frugal Living for Dummies. Hint: Go with what's in season.

January: turkey, apples, grapefruit, oranges, and pears

February: candy and chocolates (after Valentine's Day)

March: frozen food

April: broccoli, cauliflower and eggs

May: soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, asparagus, and pineapples

June: dairy products and tomatoes

July: berries, corn, cherries, squash, watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, plums, peaches, and nectarines

August: squash, green peppers, lettuce, berries, apples, peaches, apricots, and fresh fish

September: apples, broccoli, cauliflower, and canned goods

October: pumpkins, cranberries, grapes, oranges, sweet potatoes, and yams

November: turkey, sweet potatoes, yams, and post-Halloween candy

December: oranges, apples, and grapefruit

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/money/Best-Time-of-Year-to-Buy-TVs-Computers-Jewelry-Gym-Memberships/6#ixzz1fgwpweYt

How to Find Loved Ones Affected by the Earthquake in Japan

The Consulate-General of Japan in Miami says there are an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 Japanese citizens in Florida, and in 2000 there were 13,977 people of Japanese descent living here.
The American Red Cross says the best way to contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan is to contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.
For inquiries about relatives living in Japan who are not U.S. citizens, encourage the members of your community to keep calling or to try contacting other family members who live in the region. Even though communication networks are overloaded right now, the situation may change and access to mobile networks and the Internet may improve.
If you have the mobile phone number of your family member in the affected areas, you can use the following services to check whether he/she has registered his/her message(s) on this service. Services are available in English and Japanese.

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End in sight for the foreclosure epidemic?

The foreclosure crisis continued across South Florida in 2010, but housing analysts and legal experts disagree on whether sorely needed relief is coming in 2011.
More than 100,000 homes were in some stage of foreclosure in Broward and Palm Beach counties last year, part of a record 2.9 million foreclosures nationwide, according to RealtyTrac, an Irvine, Calif.-based foreclosure listing firm.
“We’re working our way through a huge backlog, and there’s no reason to think 2011 will be much different than 2010 or 2009,” said Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance, an industry newsletter. “I think we’re looking at 2012 before we see any significant improvement.”
But Roy Oppenheim, a Weston defense attorney, insists foreclosures will decline sharply this year.
He said lawyers for lenders already are more careful about filing cases, mindful of sanctions being handed down by judges angry about improper procedures in some cases that led to foreclosure moratoriums this fall.
“Bank counsel is very reluctant to proceed with foreclosures unless the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed,” Oppenheim said. “Banks will not find lawyers to do what was done last year and in years past.”

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Observing Martin Luther King Day - Events in South Florida

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Observing Martin Luther King Day. Events in South Florida

SATURDAY, JAN. 15

8:00 AM
MLK DAY OF SERVICE: The Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department (MDPR) and the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade have teamed up with Miami-Dade County’s D - 3 Commissioner Audrey Edmonson; D - 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime;  AARP, the Service for Peace Miami Chapter, and the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC) Coalition-Board of Directors to enlist local citizens to help rejuvenate public spaces at County parks in the Model City area and participate in a food drive for Feeding South Florida, during their annual MLK Day of Service volunteer workday, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sites for the MLK Day of Service include Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 6101 N.W. 32nd Ct., the AHCAC, 6161 NW 22nd Ave., and Arcola Lakes Park, 1301 NW 83rd St.  The event concludes with a luncheon for registered volunteers at the AHCAC, from noon-1:00 p.m., featuring performances by the Voices of Heritage Ensemble and Rhythm City Heritage Drum Line. For more information, call Angie Gomez at 305-961-2781 or e-mail angieg@miamidade.gov.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

8:00 AM
KING INTERGENERATIONAL HOLIDAY COMMUNITY CLEAN UP: The Urban League of Broward and MLKCC are partnering for a Community Clean-Up of Broward Estates/St. George’s communities, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Broward. Meet at 8:00 AM in the Urban League parking lot, 11 NW 36th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

8:30 AM
HANDS ON MIAMI: Participate in ninth annual MLK Day of Service as Miami Northwestern High School from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  Miami Northwestern Senior High School, located at 1100 NW 71st St in Liberty City, continues to undergo
painting and landscaping. With the help of volunteers the school will become less institutional and more inspirational. Register online to select a task: www.handsonmiami.org.

10:00 AM
KING HOLIDAY BIRTHDAY PARTY: African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, hosts a real birthday party celebrating Dr. King. There will be cultural performances, storytelling, hands-on arts and crafts, birthday cake and refreshments. 10 AM to noon. Call 954-625-2810 for more information.

10:30 AM
2011 MLK PARADE IN HOMESTEAD AND FLORIDA CITY: Everyone is invited to march and ride in this parade including school marching bands. A school need not have an official band to march. Civic organizations and others are welcome. Lineup begins at 10:30 a.m. at the open field located at NW 3rd Ave. and Lucy Street in Florida City. Kickoff is at noon heading to Loren Roberts Park, 627 NW 6th Ave. in Florida City. The parade is sponsored by New Visions For South Dade, Inc. and is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jeffrey Brown at 786-286 - 8783 or email mlkfest@yahoo.com.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

11:30AM
7th ANNUAL UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY: Dr. King created a legacy that serves to preserve the life, rights and liberties of all citizens. The City of Miami Gardens' MLK celebration is an example of the people who share in that legacy. From 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Miami Carol City Park, 3201 NW 185th St. in Miami Gardens. This family event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.miamigardens-fl.gov.

1:00 PM
CHANGE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CHANGE ME YOUTH SUMMIT: The MLKCC Youth Committee invites all youth to a summit that will use music, cultural and dramatic presentations and panel discussions to address important issues affecting black youth. The event takes place at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale from 1:00 to 3:30 PM. An important feature of the program will include the youth collectively coming up with solutions to the issues. Highlights will include special invited guest celebrities, Greek Letter Step Show, and honoring youth who have made an impact within their school, community or organization.

SUNDAY, JAN. 16
   
9:00 AM
LT. GOV. AT CHURCH OF INCARNATION: Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, Florida’s first black to hold that office, will be the guest speaker for the annual service in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 16th at the Church of the Incarnation, 1835 NW 54th Street in Miami. Beyond the keynote speaker, The “I Have a Dream” speech will be recited by members of Alpha Phi Alpha.  Dr. Martin Luther King was a member of the Fraternity. Attendees are invited to remain for a reception following the service.

11 AM
UCC PRESIDENT AT CHURCH OF OPEN DOOR: Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, who was elected General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ in June 2009, will be the guest speaker at the Church of the Open Door, 6001 NW 8th Ave. in Miami.  Black previously served as a Minister for Church Life and Leadership with the then-Office for Church Life and Leadership (currently Parish Life and Leadership), a national agency of the United Church of Christ housed at the UCC's national offices in Cleveland, Ohio.  For more information, 305-759-0373.

MONDAY, JAN. 17

7:30 AM
KING HOLIDAY PARADE AND MENTORS MARCH:
Join the county’s largest King Holiday Parade featuring local high school bands, drum lines, floats and thousands of school children and representatives from social, civic, cultural and religious organizations. This year’s parade will have special focus on mentoring. We are extending a special invitation to organizations that mentor to lead this year’s parade. Line-up begins at 7:30 AM at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School (Sistrunk & MLK Boulevards). Parade starts at 9:00 AM. To register your group, band, or organization call 954-828-8945 or register online at www.kingholidaycelebration.com.

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PARADE: “RE-CLAIMING THE DREAM” KING HOLIDAY TRIBUTE PROGRAM
A King Holiday Tribute Program will be held at Dillard High School, featuring cultural performances and keynote speaker -- education entrepreneur, Tim King, founder of the Urban Prep Academies of Chicago. This all-male, charter school in the heart of South Side of Chicago has gained national attention for its 100 percent graduation rate and high academic achievement, despite the under-privileged backgrounds of their students. For more information on the King Holiday Celebration and MLKCC organization visit us online at www.kingholidaycelebration.com.

8 AM
MLK BREAKFAST: Michael Blake, the associate director of Inter-Governmental Affairs for the Obama Administration will speak at the breakfast. The event takes place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, and costs $40 for adults and $20 for students. For tickets, call 561-832-4682.

10:30 AM
34th ANNUAL MLK PARADE IN LIBERTY CITY: This year’s annual parade celebrating the slain civil rights leader kicks off at 10:30 a.m. in the Winn-Dixie parking lot, 1100 NW 54th St. in Liberty City. For more information, call 305-835-2464.

11 AM
DAY OF SERVICE: Volunteers will spend the 25th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day helping to serve and entertain the formerly homeless residents of the Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers, which will have a variety of volunteer groups and schools on all three campuses in Miami, Hollywood and Pompano Beach to honor Dr. King’s vision of uniting humanity and service to others. The centers are located at Miami Rescue Mission: Miami Rescue Mission: Center for Men at 2020 NW 1st Ave. in Miami; Broward Outreach Center: 2056 Scott St. in Hollywood; and the Broward Outreach Center: 1700 Blount Rd. in Pompano Beach.

TUESDAY, JAN. 18 THROUGH SATURDAY, JAN. 29

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MLK CELEBRATION: UM is hosting a series of day-long events, including a civil rights exhibit, forum, movie night and church service. The Celebration is coordinated by United Black Students and held in the Student Services Bldg., 5604 Merrick Drive in Coral Gables. If you are interested in being a part of the committee and would like to help plan one of the events, or you would like information on becoming a sponsor, please contact MSA at 305.284.2855. For more information and event schedule, visit the Multicultural Student Affairs website: http://www.sarc.miami.edu/msa/mainsite/public/studOrgs/drMartinLutherK.aspx.

THURSDAY, JAN. 20

12:00 PM
MLK SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCHEON: Julius Garvey, son of Marcus Garvey, will be the guest speaker at the event taking place at Newcomb Hall, 180 E. 13th Street, Riviera Beach. The event is free, however, attendees must register in advance by calling 561-840-4880. 

NOW THROUGH SUNDAY, JAN. 30

MLK: WORLDS AHEAD @ THE FROST ART MUSEUM: The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum presents a series of exhibits including MLK Legacy, Wall of Hope, Wall of Fame, MLK March on FIU and FIU-MLK Videos. The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, Florida International University, 10975 SW 17th St. in Miami. Museum hours: Tuesday- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 305-348-2890 or visit http://thefrost.fiu.edu/event.htm.

Remembering Martin Luther King

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Martin Luther King Legacy

On the eve of his murder, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream was turning dark. Worried about poverty and Vietnam, he was growing more radical--and that, his family says, is why he was killed. Was the real King a saint, a subversive--or both?

The sun was about to set. On Thursday, April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. had retreated to room 306 of the Lorraine Motel, worrying about a sanitation strike in Memphis and working on his sermon for Sunday, Its Title: "Why America May Go to Hell." For King, whose focus had shifted from civil rights to antiwar agitation and populist economics, the Dream was turning dark. He had been depressed, sleeping little and suffering from migraines.

In Washington, his plans for a massive Poor People's Campaign were in disarray. In Memphis, King's first march with striking garbage men had degenerated into riot when young black radicals--not, as in the glory days, angry state troopers--broke King's nonviolent ranks. By 5 p.m. he was hungry and looked forward to a soul-food supper. Always fastidious-a prince of the church--King shaved, splashed on cologne and stepped onto the balcony. He paused; a .30-06 rifle shot slammed King back against the wall, his arms stretched out to his sides as if he were being crucified.
The Passion was complete.

As he lay dying, the popular beatification was already underway: Martin Luther King Jr., general and martyr to the greatest moral crusade on the nation's racial battlefield. For most Americans the story seems so straightforward. He was a prophet, our own Gandhi, who led the nation out of the darkness of Jim Crow. His Promised Land was the one he conjured on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, a place where his "four little children... will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Now, 30 years after his assassination, that legend is under fresh assault--from King's own family and many of his aging lieutenants. His widow, Coretta, and his heirs are on the front lines of a quiet but pitched battle over the manner of his death and the meaning of his life. They believe James Earl Ray, King's convicted assassin, is innocent and that history has forgotten the real Martin Luther King.

To his family, King was murdered because he was no longer the King of the March on Washington, simply asking for the whites only signs to come down. He had grown radical: the King of 1968 was trying to build an interracial coalition to end the war in Vietnam and force major economic reforms--starting with guaranteed annual incomes for all. They charge that the government, probably with Lyndon Johnson's knowledge, feared King might topple the "power structure" and had him assassinated. "The economic movement was why he was killed, frankly," Martin Luther King III told NEWSWEEK. "That was frightening to the powers that be." They allege there were political reasons, too. "RFK was considering him as a vice presidential candidate," says Dexter, King's third child. "It's not widely known or discussed, [but] obviously those watching him knew of it. They [Kennedy and King] were both considered powerful and influential in terms of bringing together a multiracial coalition."

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Related articles

• "Watch Martin Luther King Jr. I Have A Dream Speech Video With Your Kids" and related posts (blogs.babble.com)

5 Ways to Use Your Professional Skills to Give Back

Do you feel the call to service but don't know where—or how to find the time—to start giving back? Jonathan Tisch, Loews Corporation executive and author of three books, including Citizen You: Doing Your Part to Change the World, says you can start by putting the skills you've learned in your job to good use. Unlock your volunteering potential with his five tips for "citizen professionals."



1. Apply Your Talents to a Social Cause

Whatever you do for a living, from accounting to cooking to teaching, there's a community organization that can use those skills to help make the world a better place. Why just be a nurse when you can become a citizen nurse? You may think you are too busy with your job to do good. You also may think making a difference is better left to saintly, self-sacrificing heroes like Mother Teresa and Florence Nightingale. But think again.


You have valuable talents that can be harnessed for a cause, even if it's just for a few minutes a day. Careers today are being reinvented in ways that benefit both the individuals who practice them and the society in which they live. There's a new way of thinking about work that satisfies the desire for self-advancement and personal benefit, as well as the latent idealism so many people have learned to suppress or ignore. That's what being an engaged professional is all about.


2. Find Ways to Get Your Workplace Involved in Social Activism

More and more companies are now practicing good citizenship. How can yours provide support to worthy causes through donations of time, talent, goods or services? Start by re-examining your occupation's ethical code or professional standards, or your employer's mission statement or professional standards. Think about a small way you can help lead fellow employees to follow these standards more proactively. Consider how you can help everyone in your profession to start thinking like citizen professionals and applying their professional skills to address social problems that could benefit from those skills.

If your line of work doesn't already have a recognized code of conduct or ethical standards, consider writing one. It should embody your personal ethical values and encapsulate how those values are expressed in the work you do. Share your effort with a couple of like-minded colleagues. It may stimulate some lively discussion about what you can do to incorporate social benefits into your daily work.

3. Become a Mentor


Offer your hard-earned wisdom to benefit young people in need of guidance and encouragement, from school kids in your neighborhood to new graduates just entering the workforce. Everyone is qualified to be a mentor, and the experience is just as rewarding for the mentor as the mentee. You can do this informally with someone you know or through an organized program such as Mentoring USA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Experience Corps and New York City's Middle School Mentors program. Students, children and younger people in your industry could all benefit from your mentoring.

4. Act 2: Devote Yourself to Citizenship

As baby boomers begin retiring, some are looking back on the turbulent yet promising days of their youth, wondering what happened to their dreams of reshaping the world. Instead of winding down in retirement, today's active citizenship movement offers retirees the opportunity to apply their restless energies to the pressing needs of society. For many, the new activism may hold the answer. They can join the thousands of retirees who are shifting from the business world into the non-profit sector. They are using their talents and skills to help young people and the disadvantaged, as well as programs that support culture and the arts.

5. Become a Digital Citizen

If you are searching for ways to connect, there are thousands of worthy organizations that use the Internet to engage supporters, mobilize resources and solicit ideas. You can discover projects in your own community and around the world that excite you. You could participate in a digital forum about a public issue you care about, donate electronically to support a charity you believe in or share information about a topic you're an expert on—all for the benefit of thousands of other citizens like you.

Many not-profit organizations, citizens' networks and community groups already use the Internet to leverage their knowledge, connections and power—but many are not doing so. Take a look at the groups and causes you support, and evaluate how effective their digital presence is. If they don't have one, or if you can see ways in which their digital activities could be made more appealing, engaging and impactful, why not volunteer to research and develop those improvements? You don't need to be an expert in programming or web design. Volunteers or paid professionals with those skills can be recruited later. As long as you have imagination and a passion for the cause you're serving, you can contribute something meaningful to the project.

Jonathan Tisch is the author of Citizen You: Doing Your Part to Change the World, The Power of We and Chocolates on the Pillow Aren't Enough. He is co-chairman of the board and a member of the office of the president of Loews Corporation, and chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels. Tisch has appeared on The Today Show, The Early Show, Larry King Live, Charlie Rose, CNN, CNBC and Fox News Channel. He is also the host of the Emmy-nominated Bloomberg TV and Plum TV show Beyond the Boardroom.

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Do you think that Skype Is Changing Job Interviews?

Get ready for a closeup: your next job interview might be on webcam. Looking to save time and money, companies are turning to video-chat software as a cheap, low-hassle way to vet job candidates. That means a growing number of people looking for work are meeting their prospective new bosses not at the office but in the comfort of their own home.

What's the draw? Largely money. Last year, as executives at online retailer Zappos.com looked to cut expenses, they noticed how much the firm spent on travel. In HR alone, it easily cost $1,000 a pop to fly out job candidates and put them up for the night. The firm had used Skype internally, so about six months ago, recruiters started trying it for interviews.

Their opinion: a video link does a pretty good job of replacing an in-person meeting — and in a way that a phone call can't. "If you see facial expressions and body language, you have a different sense of what a person is saying," says recruiting manager Christa Foley. Now, instead of flying out 20 finalists for a job, the company first screens with Skype and then brings in only the best two or three candidates.

Job seekers are hopping on board too. Last spring, after Stephen Bhadran got laid off, he quickly realized there were more openings for computer programmers in Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles than in South Florida, where he lived. So he cast a wide net — and got a bite from the University of California, Los Angeles. The university wanted to interview him but wouldn't pay the airfare. "I was laid off and running out of funds," says Bhadran. "I couldn't fly on my own dime." He suggested interviewing by Skype. He got his request — and the job.
(See the best social-networking applications.)


Things don't always run smoothly. Bobby Fitzgerald, a restaurateur who has been interviewing job candidates by Skype since March, has had his share of amusements. For instance: the candidate who leaned forward while he spoke, giving Fitzgerald an intimate view of his nose. Another, a college senior, didn't bother cleaning up his dorm room before the interview; the mess was painfully visible in the background.

And then there was the dog that wouldn't stop barking. Fitzgerald cut the interview short and said he'd have to reschedule. Did the disruption influence his decision? "Well," he says, "a big part of management is handling problems as they arise."

Source: How Skype Is Changing Job Interviews

Earth Day Deals & Steals

EARTH DAY DEALS /  FREEBIES

Earth Day is turning 40 this year. To celebrate, many businesses are offering consumers free stuff, chances to win valuable prizes, and some good deals.
Here's a sampling of Earth Day freebies:

Gain free admission into all 392 U.S. national parks now through Sunday, April 25.
Trade in six plastic bottles or soda cans for a free hat made from recycled bottles at the Disney Store on April 22.

Babies R Us will give you a free reusable tote bag if you bring a valid coupon (PDF) into its stores through April 22. Plus, you'll get a 25% discount off all the clothing and shoes you can fit into the bag.

Evos is giving away free organic milkshakes served in biodegradable cups on Earth Day. The healthy fast-food chain has locations in California, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Origins is offering a trade-in program on Earth Day only. Bring one of your current skin-care product bottles -- empty or full, from any brand -- to an Origins counter and receive a free full-size cleanser. Choose from Checks and Balances Frothy face wash or Perfect World antioxidant cleanser with white tea.
Get a chance to win a $20,000 green home makeover by registering on the Purex website by April 30.

Enter a sweepstakes to win 1 of 10 smart fortwo vehicles by making a pledge to help protect the environment on Safeway's website through April 27.

Sign up for the Drive Home Green sweepstakes on Target's website through the end of the month. The grand prize is a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. You could also win bicycles, electric scooters, a national park trip, and other prizes.

Add a green pledge to the Sierra Club's Earth Day map for a chance to win a trip for two to Hawaii.
 
Source: Earth DayDeals

What can you do for Earth Day?

EARTH DAY

Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held worldwide annually. While some people celebrate Earth Day around the time of the vernal equinox, others observe the occasion on April 22 each year. Earth Day aims to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth's environment. It is currently observed in more than 140 countries around the world.

What do people do


The April 22 Earth Day is usually celebrated with outdoor performances, where individuals or groups perform acts of service to earth. Typical ways of observing Earth Day include planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting various programs for recycling and conservation, using recyclable containers for snacks and lunches. Some people are encouraged to sign petitions to governments, calling for stronger or immediate action to stop global warming and to reverse environmental destruction. Television stations frequently air programs dealing with environmental issues.



Public Life

Earth Day is not a public holiday and public life, with regard to transport schedules and opening hours for schools and businesses, is not affected.



Background

The April 22 Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.



Some people prefer to observe Earth Day around the time of the March equinox. In 1978, American anthropologist Margaret Mead added her support for the equinox Earth Day, founded by John McConnell. She stated that the selection of the March Equinox for Earth Day made planetary observance of a shared event possible.



Symbols

Symbols used by people to describe Earth Day include: an image or drawing of planet earth; a tree, a flower or leaves depicting growth; or the recycling symbol. Colors used for Earth Day include natural colors such as green, brown or blue.



The “Earth Flag”, which was designed by John McConnell, has been described as a “flag for all people”. It features a two-sided dye printed image of the Earth from space on a dark blue field, made from recyclable, weather-resistant polyester. Margaret Mead believed that a flag that showed the earth as seen from space was appropriate.

Resource: EARTH DAY

Great Eco-Crafts for kids and adults to beat boredom

By this date, summer may seem like the longest season of the year. Here are some new eco-craft books available at bookstores, online or (hopefully) at your public library that will fill some time and your home with beautiful crafts made from items destined for the dumpster...

Eco Craft by Susan Wasinger (Lark Books)
Make gorgeous vases, wall art and more from dumpster destined supplies.

Green Crafts for Children by Emma Hardy (CICO, ages 2+)
Kids can turn kitchen ingredients and recycling supplies into jewelry, animals and other crafts.

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano (Simon Spotlight)
This MacGyver-esque craftsman will have you creating your own switch plates, headboards and more. 150 different projects to choose from!

Read original article: Great eco-crafts for kids and adults to beat boredom
by Green Business Examiner

Benefits of having a Concierge Service or Personal Assistant work for you? (even during a recession)

How Can A Concierge Or Personal Assistant Save You Money?

Concierge services or a personal assistant (A Sense Concierge) has the ability to create more time within each day for busy professionals and business. Among busy professionals, one of the most precious resource is TIME.

Having the best time management skills is not equivalent to having enough time in the day for completing day-to-day tasks.

Busy professionals are usually flustered with meetings, conference calls, management duties, reports, and several other tasks that take up the majority of their time. Concierge services and personal assistants are skilled and often specialize in relieving them of these duties.

Some responsibilities of a personal assistant include (but not limited to):
Setting Appointments & Making Reservations
Special Reminders: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Religious Holidays, Appointments, etc.
Household Management: House Sitting, Home Organization, Waiting Services
Event Planning: Corporate Meetings, Social Gatherings
Personal Shopping: Purchasing Gifts & Wrapping

Grocery Shopping: For those who find it difficult to leave home or don’t have time
Administrative: Filing, Organizing, Mass Mailing

Pick up and Delivery: Documents, Bank Runs, Dry cleaning, Last minute items and

Special Requests

How much time can a busy professional really save by having a concierge work for them?

The average cost of hiring a personal assistant is $35-65/hour. Consider if this is worth it by analyzing the opportunity cost of a high-paid business executive being burdened with these tedious tasks.

For example, a busy professional that earns $200/hour can be translated to his/her time is being worth $200/hr. The time it takes for the executive to complete these tedious tasks will calculate to being paid $200/hr to him/her self.

Hiring a concierge service to take on these responsibilities would only cost between $35 and $65 per hour. Consider it to be worth it, not only will the executive gain time he is saving money. In addition, a busy professional can now spend more time with family, friends, alone, or how ever they choose.

A concierge service or personal assistant is well worth the investment. Contact A Sense Concierge with any additional questions you may have.

For more information visit http://asenseconcierge.com/
Keep in touch with following our blog: http://blog.asenseconcierge.com/

Miami Goin' Green Earthday Festival 4/24/2010

Miami is Goin' Green! - April 24 @ Bayfront Park


The event of the year is upon us. Make sure you don't miss any of the incredible events, entertainment, displays, and incredible offers at this year's Miami Goin' Green. Entrance to the event is FREE and runs from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Business Answers: To Cut or Not to Cut (tell me what you think)

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Is a 4-Day Work Week the answer for struggling Businesses (Utah shares experience)

Utah's 4-day workweek brings some dividends

SALT LAKE CITY – Closing Utah state offices on Fridays has delivered an unexpected bonus: a big saving on overtime pay.

New calculations show Utah saved $4.1 million in the first year of a government experiment with a four-day workweek.

State employees were eager to leave after the longer workday, and weren't inclined to work an extra hour or two.

"They're getting what they need to get done in 10 hours and going home," said Angie Welling, spokeswoman for Gov. Gary Herbert.

"The state envisioned some energy savings, but that overtime number was not anticipated," she said Wednesday.

Utah was the first state in the country to shut down most of its services on Fridays. Other states took notice. Hawaii tried a limited four-day week last fall, when a similar program was under way in Washington state. Lawmakers in at least two other states — West Virginia and Virginia — have also looked into adopting a four-day workweek.

Former Gov. Jon Huntsman made the switch for Utah in August 2008, largely to cut energy costs.

Utah, however, achieved only a sixth of the $3 million it expected to trim on energy costs.

The state couldn't shut down as many state buildings as it planned on Fridays, officials said, and it didn't save much by closing the smaller buildings.

Also, the state assumed gasoline for state fleet car use and building utility costs would soar, and it would save as much.

Both expenditures actually fell over the past year, however. Utah has some of the lowest utility rates in the country.

The energy saving came out to $502,000 for the year. The state also saved $200,000 on janitorial services. With reduced overtime expenses, the total saving was $4.8 million.

The figures were released Wednesday by Herbert's strategic planner, Mike Hansen.

The new governor — Huntsman left to become the U.S. ambassador to China — is undecided on whether to stick with the program, Welling said.

"He's still reviewing the results. He feels like we have good data on the amount of cost savings, employee satisfaction and the energy reduction. What he things is missing is input from the public," she said.

To that end, Herbert will commission a poll of public sentiment — citizens lost a day of government service with the switch.
State workers are largely happy. Another survey found 85 percent of the workers like working four longer days better than five shorter ones.
Working mothers like Carolyn Dennis — she has two young sons — found a way to adjust.

"It's actually a lot easier than the five-hour day, because I have all day Friday to clean and run errands and still have the whole weekend to spend with my kids," said Dennis, customer service manager for the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
"I actually found it's freed up my time. We never did anything in the evening anyway, but having that extra day has made it easier to be a working mom."

Dennis leaves the Salt Lake City suburb of West Jordan at 5:45 a.m. with her youngest, a 2-year-old, in tow. she drops him at a day care center near work in downtown Salt Lake City. Her husband, a business owner, drops the couple's 7-year-old son, a first-grader, at school.
Dennis works from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., skipping lunch hour and leaving a half-hour earlier than normal. That allows her to cut down a long day for her youngest.

"I started out getting him dressed while he was still asleep, but now he's getting up early for breakfast. Ryan is still on a malleable infant schedule. He's happy and smiling when I drop him off, so it makes my day go better," she said.

Original Article: Watch Video

You may be surprised which Big Companies are veering toward Bankruptcy

From The Business Insider:

Despite a few green shoots in the economy and a rocketing stock market, many large companies are still struggling to avoid bankruptcy.

A new report by Audit Integrity identifies some high-profile names "that have the highest probability of declaring bankruptcy among publicly traded firms."

Which companies appear the worst off? We took the list and removed any company with a market cap under $3 billion. We then ranked the remaining names by a simple measure of the market's perceived bankruptcy risk - Market Cap (MC) divided by Enterprise Value (EV). The less MC vs. EV, the less residual shareholders' value (above what debt holders can claim) the market is pricing-in for the company. Thus a lower MC/EV means the market thinks the company is more likely to go bankrupt.

1. Hertz
When you have tons of debt financing your fleet of cars, falling rental demand really hurts.
While the company raised new capital in May for some breathing room, Fitch and Moody’s actually cut their ratings for the company in July.
Ignoring the downgrade, shares kept rallying and are now at over five times the March $2 low. Best of luck.

Market Cap (MC)/Enterprise Value (EV) = 32%

2. Textron
What a tough time to be selling business jets.
Textron wrote down $2.3 billion its backlog this year after it canceled a new jet design, and demand for its other aircraft-related offerings has plummeted.

Shareholders may be heartened by the company’s ability to push back some debt maturities lately, but deteriorating credit quality at the company’s leasing arm makes the outlook uncertain at best.

MC/EV=39%

3. Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel is bleeding customers, and could lose as many as 4.4 million net post-paid subscribers this year.

This is a huge problem when you have large amounts of maturing debt over the next few years.

A recent Deutsche Telekom acquisition rumor offered some hope, but that appears to have faded. Facing a difficult road ahead on its own, the company better keep its lawyers on speed-dial.

MC/EV=41%

4. Macy's
Does anyone even shop at department stores anymore?
Same store sales will likely keep falling at Macy’s right through 2009. With $2.4 billion of maturing debt over the next five years, the company is trying to cut costs, and has already reduced its dividend.

Hopefully the US consumer will bounce back soon, and actually want to shop at Macy's.
MC/EV=47%

5. Mylan
In a classic case of management empire building, Mylan overpaid big time when it bought Merck’s generic business back in 2007 and is now stuck with $5 billion of long-term debt as a result.

From 2007 – 2008, the company lost over $1.3 billion very much due to goodwill write-downs.
While the company could earn $300 million this year, they’ll have to earn far more than that in the future to make their debt manageable.

MC/EV=51%

6. Goodyear
Demand for Goodyear tires has sunk, and the company is saddled with massive debt and pension obligations.
It doesn’t help that The United Steelworkers union prevents the company from proper cost control by forcing factories to stay open.

Shareholders have to wonder how much value will be left of the company after bondholders and the union members have their way.
MC/EV=53%


7. CBS
Weak advertising and falling license fees have sent CBS's earnings off a cliff in 2009.

If they remain depressed for too long, the company could have trouble refinancing $3.2 billion of debt coming due over the next five years.

It will really come down to whether or not CBS’s earnings collapse is merely cyclical, or the result of structural trend whereby traditional TV is dying.

As a business blog, we can't help but feel partly guilty here.
MC/EV=55%

8. Advanced Micro Devices
When will AMD actually make money again? The question is becoming more important by the day since it carries over $5 billion in long-term debt.

After losing almost $3 billion from 2007 – 2008, analysts expect the company to lose more money in 2009 and 2010.
While the shares rallied from their February $2 low, they still appear stuck in a long-term down trend from $40 highs way back in 2006.

MC/EV=55%

9. Las Vegas Sands
Las Vegas Sands over-expanded and over-levered in the last few years and now has over $10 billion in debt to deal with.
Despite jumping 13 times from their March low, Las Vegas Sands shares still face an uphill battle.
Conditions in Las Vegas are horrible, Asian expansion isn’t enough, and if this lasts too long then LVS will end up in bankruptcy court looking like it bit off more than it can chew.

MC/EV=60%

10. Interpublic Group
As one of the largest advertising and marketing companies in the world, IPG was slammed by the global recession.

As the company’s CEO said during recent second quarter results, the downturn “is proving steeper and more lasting than expected”.

Revenues have fallen double digits and the company’s exposure to General Motors as its largest client hasn’t helped.

MC/EV=80%

More coverage from: The Business Insider

Are there more jobs out there than we think? Looking for a job, here is an idea...

British graduate scores in sandwich-board job hunt

LONDON (Reuters) - In a pinstripe suit, silk tie and polished shoes, David Rowe has all the trappings of a successful London city worker, except for one stark difference -- he is wearing a sandwich board that says "JOB WANTED."
As he walked down Fleet Street, home to legal firms and investment banks, the 24-year-old history graduate showed the human face behind the "lay-offs" and "recession" headlines.
"The first 20 paces are the hardest, you feel very conspicuous, but you just steel yourself to get on with it," he said, starting a slow trudge toward the Law Courts before turning toward St Paul's Cathedral.

In previous economic downturns it was manufacturing and heavy industry that were worst hit. Now in Britain, and much of the West, white collar jobs have been culled in the financial crisis -- marketing directors on six figure salaries, IT specialists with 20 years experience.

That makes it especially hard for young men and women like Rowe trying to start professional careers. For many the corporate ladder has been pulled away.

They are left with the prospect of low paid unskilled work, if they can find it, and large debts.

"I have debts of about 20,000 pounds ($32,400), and that's not excessive compared with how much some students owe when they graduate," Rowe told Reuters as he took a break from his one-man advertising campaign.

"My dad bet me I wouldn't do this (walking with a sandwich board), that I wouldn't have the guts."

GRADUATE NUMBERS

Rowe was facing a tough market even before the downturn. Britain has seen explosive growth in the number of university and college students, but there has not necessarily been a comparable rise in graduate-level jobs.

Twenty years ago about 17 percent of 18-30 year-olds were in tertiary education against a figure of 43 percent in 2008, according to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. The Higher Education Statistics Agency said about 220,000 graduates joined the job market in the 2007-2008 period.

Add that mix to an economy in trouble and it makes uncomfortable reading for people like Rowe.

Latest figures from High Fliers Research Ltd, an independent market research company, found graduate vacancies at one hundred leading employers in 2009 had been cut by 28 percent against 2008 and more than 5,500 vacancies canceled or left unfilled.

Rowe is one jobseeker who is not downhearted. Just hours after he started wearing the sandwich board that offered his services free for a month with the option to then "hire or fire me" he struck lucky.

Gavin Walker of international recruitment firm Parkhouse Bell liked Rowe's initiative and decided to interview him.

"I liked the fact he had thought out of the box. I was impressed by that. I was even more impressed after the interview. He's very employable, so much so I offered him a job to work with me."

Rowe, who has amassed a growing collection of business cards, says he will think carefully about the job offer.

"I told myself I'd do the sandwich board for five days and I will follow through on that."

Read Original Article: British graduate scores in sandwich-board job hunt

Airlines offer lightest fall schedules since 2001

DALLAS – The U.S. airline industry is shrinking to a size not seen since the months after the 2001 terror attacks.
The airlines have been trimming flights for the past two years, matching the falling demand for air travel. Additional capacity cuts are under way at American, the nation's second-largest carrier, and at No. 3 United.
It could get worse.

Most big airlines depend heavily on a relatively small chunk of passengers who pay the highest fares, "and that's generally business travelers," says Robert Mann, an aviation consultant in Port Washington, N.Y. "If business travel doesn't rebound, we're going to see further (capacity) cuts."

Less capacity means consumers will be left with fewer flights to choose from and planes will be crowded. Fewer seats normally means higher fares but that might not happen this time unless the economy begins a true recovery and passenger traffic picks up.

Airlines measure capacity in "seat miles," the number of miles flown multiplied by the number of seats on the planes. Capacity is crucial in the airline industry in the same way that inventories matter to car dealers and retailers. Too much capacity, and airlines have to cut prices, just as a department store stuck with too many suits and dresses will hold a fire sale. Airlines cut capacity by reducing the number of flights or using smaller planes that carry fewer passengers.

The Air Transport Association, the trade group for big U.S. airlines, estimates that carriers will offer fewer than 12.5 billion seat miles in the U.S. in the fourth quarter. That's not much more than the low of 12.1 billion late in 2001, when airlines were reeling from the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and it's down 13 percent from the fourth quarter of 2000.

Read Full Article: Airlines offer lightest fall schedules since 2001

During a Recession is a GREAT time to become an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs


If you're hustling to support a family and pay a mortgage, be under no illusions: starting a business is risky and takes lots of energy. But opening a small business might be the perfect thing if you are at midlife and have your biggest expenses — mortgage, tuition, etc. — behind you. "Our data suggest that workers aren't necessarily looking for high wages or benefits as they move through the end of their working years," reports the AARP Public Policy Institute. "Self-employment may fit the bill for many." Workers value the control it gives them over their day; assuming it's a job you like, it's also less stressful. The idea is to scale back from your primary career and turn a hobby into a small business, like, say, taking pictures, opening an art gallery or restoring old cars. A new AARP study shows that 27% of workers age 50 and over switch careers and often accept a pay cut or give up pension and health-care benefits to do so. But a staggering 91% of these people say it was a good trade because they now enjoy their work, and half report less stress. You don't have to raid your 401(k) or extract your home equity to fund a start-up. You may qualify for attractive terms on a loan through the Small Business Association, especially if you are a veteran. The SBA can help you find a micro-loan or possibly even a grant. For free advice on how to write a business plan and get started, you can turn to the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), a volunteer organization of retired business people.

Source: TIME
See Full Article

Is Walmart planning to take over the world?

Walmart loves to shock and awe. City-size stores, absurdly low prices ($8 jeans!) and everything from milk to Matchbox toys on its shelves. And with the recession forcing legions of stores into bankruptcy, the world's largest retailer now apparently wants to take out the remaining survivors.

Thus, the company is in the beginning stages of a massive store and strategy remodeling effort, which it has dubbed Project Impact. One goal of Project Impact is cleaner, less cluttered stores that will improve the shopping experience. Another is friendlier customer service. A third: home in on categories where the competition can be killed. "They've got Kmart ready to take a standing eight-count next year," says retail consultant Burt Flickinger III, managing director for Strategic Resources Group and a veteran Walmart watcher. "Same with Rite Aid. They've knocked out four of the top five toy retailers, and are now going after the last one standing, Toys "R" Us. Project Impact will be the catalyst to wipe out a second round of national and regional retailers." (See 10 things to buy during the recession.)


Though that's bad news for many smaller businesses that can't compete, Walmart investors have clamored for this push. Despite the company's consistently strong financial performance, Wall Street hasn't cheered Walmart's growth rates. During the 1990s, the company's stock price jumped 1,173%. In this decade, it's down around 24% (Walmart's stock closed at $51.74 per share on Sept. 3). "Walmart is under excruciating pressure from employees and frustrated institutional investors to get the stock up," says Flickinger. (Read "Can Toys "R" Us Sell Toilet Paper?")


Many analysts believe that the store-operations background of new CEO Mike Duke will keep investors quite happy. Though the recession finally caught up to Walmart last quarter, when the company reported a 1.2% drop in U.S. same-store sales, Walmart was a consistent winner during the worst days of the financial crisis, as frugal consumers traded down. While most retailers are shutting down stores, Walmart has opened 52 Supercenters since Feb. 1. Joseph Feldman, retail analyst at Telsey Advisory Group, estimates that each store costs Walmart between $25 and $30 million. In order to continue the momentum that it has picked up during the retail recession, over the next five years the company plans to remodel 70% of its approximately 3,600 U.S. stores.

Read Full Article: Walmart's Project Impact: A Move to Crush Competition

AMEX Helps Small Businesses

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