February 17, 2010



San Juan Howler Mountain Bike Race 2009
Prelude to 2010
Feb 20 & 21
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua


An international group of Mountain Bikers will converge on San Juan this
coming weekend. Competing for $500 in prize money but more importantly
helping out the community through the Howlers non-profit community
partner Communidad Connect.
Email larry@bodhin.com
for  more information, to volunteer or
for sponsorship information.

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December 3, 2009

FTC Guidelines D-Day! Did you update your online presence?

The day has come when the use of testimonials and endorsements can be of danger to your financial health and reputation.

Yes I understand the need for regulations and guidelines. But I strongly believe there has to be a time when we all have to take on the responsibility of being accountable to ourselves and for our actions. There is no way that any government can create laws to protect us from everything. This is both foolhardy and dangerous.

If the consumer is not given the opportunity and the responsibility to hone and develop their skills to realize when there is a possibility of a scam and when there is not, the problems which they, the FTC, are trying to curtail will only escalate. For example:

As copied from http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm on today’s date Dec 01/09

“Under the revised Guides, advertisements that feature a consumer and convey his or her experience with a product or service as typical when that is not the case will be required to clearly disclose the results that consumers can generally expect. In contrast to the 1980 version of the Guides – which allowed advertisers to describe unusual results in a testimonial as long as they included a disclaimer such as “results not typical“ the revised Guides no longer contain this safe harbor.”

Well I am sorry but have a little respect for the public. They are not as stupid as many think. And if they are, then a huge part of the responsibility for the public being stupid lies with the Governments. It was their laws which fostered and created the situation where the public has not be given the right to learn how to or encouraged to think.

Yes, at many times we mess up and do stupid things. Even when we have been advised not to. But is that not how one learns? Is that not how one develops their thinking abilities?

When one is taught how to ride a bike, drive a car or fly an airplane you are told over and over again to be careful. Be safe. Be aware of what is going on around you.

If you are busy site seeing when you should be paying attention to the machine you operate and you run into a tree whose fault is it?

Naturally it is yours. Not the person who taught you. Or the person whom you last talked with prior to operating the machine.

The same holds true with the statement “result are not typical” which is no longer acceptable notice to the public. Because apparently we do not gie credence to this statement. According to the study groups.

Hhmmm….

WE are not all created equal. We do not all have the same exact references to draw from. So no result is going to be typical. But testimonials, providing they are true, which in theory are, show one persons experience and what is possible. That is all. Most people realize this. Could that be the reason most do not pay attention to “esult are not typical”

It is no different for people who start their own business. They are not all going to succeed or all make the same amounts of money. Have the same amounts of free time.

It boils down to reasonable disclosure and allowing people to be responsible for themselves. Not creating situations where people are encouraged to not think.

Help people hone and develop their skills.

If a reader does not heed the words or does not want to believe the words that is their responsibility alone. They have to be allowed to make their own decisions.

We all go through the same process when we make friends.

Is the FTC going to be putting up guidelines about how we make friends next?

No you do not have to put the public in harms way. I am not advocating that. But I am advocating holding people responsible for their own actions.

Thought being one of them.

For a copy of what the FTC has put out you can see it on sight at http://gtt.whereintheworldareyou.com/FTCEndorsementsGuideDownload

As per the new FTC Guideline CFR16 Part 255 you are now getting the following notice.

**CONSUMER NOTICE: This is an affiliate ad supported website/blog. Which means if you buy something from a link, or and ad on this website/blog, or based on our recommendation, either expressed or implied, we MAY get paid an affiliate commission. That is how we pay the bills.**

Oh yes the “results are not typical”. Not all commissions are the same. Nor are commissions always received if you buy something from a link.

Have a great day! Do not stop thinking or honing your ability to think.

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September 26, 2009

A Guide To Temporary Insurance

Temporary insurance is a perfect option for those who find out themselves without insurance. Temporary insurance is for those who have recently changed jobs but won’t be eligible for insurance from their employer for a length of time. Often, the COBRA backup available by their previous employer is too expensive to maintain. Sometimes temporary insurance is purchased by public who quit work to return to school, knowing they will soon return to the job market. New parents who want to stay home with their infant or public who include been laid off all find temporary insurance a welcome relief.

Temporary insurance is sold through an insurance broker. The cost of it will depend on a variety of of the factors. The region you live in affects rates as does your age, the length of time you require to purchase the insurance. The insurance is additional costly if you are purchasing it for your entire family than if you are looking at purchasing it for yourself only. A number of states need a medicinal exam as well as base your rate on that examine. If you application tobacco goods, your premium will boost.

Your deductible also affects your premium. In general, the higher deductible you prefer the reduce your premium will be. A deductible is the dollar amount you must pay before the insurance pays anything. Mainly temporary insurances assure check up, doctor visits, emergency room visits, and surgery. A co-pay can also apply, meaning you pay a set fee for every doctor visit. A little temporary insurance plans will include prescriptions.

Since having medical insurance backup is so basic, the prospect to purchase temporary insurance is a wonderful offer. It is wise to prepare yourself in advance by purchasing temporary insurance. Mainly companies make the cost easier on your pocket book by allowing you to make monthly payments.

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September 21, 2009

My New Residential Home – How Much Is Too Much?

Your New Home – What Price is Right?

Every piece of real estate is unique. So prior to offering a price for your new residential home you have to do your homework. Finding homes that have sold recently and are comparable to your prospective house is essential

So what is a fair, or better the right price to pay for the residential home you want? Consider the methodology that the appraiser uses when assigning valuation to your home. An appraiser will consider the many market forces that affect the valuation. The appraiser attempts to reconcile various opinions and meanings to arrive at a fair and good number. Since no two pieces of real estate are exactly alike, it is often difficult to assign exact values when doing comparable sales. Adjustments have to be taken into consideration for different characteristics like building materials, amenities and lot size and location.             

If all real estate markets were calm and the supply of homes equaled the demand then bid prices could be more easily valued for correctness. Unfortunately, this never occurs. There is either a buyer’s market where the supply exceeds the demand. Or there is a seller’s market where the demand exceeds the supply. This timing factor is what causes discrepancy and has the effect on the monetary worth of real estate to a prospective buyer and seller.

 

Market Value- represents the most probable price which a property should bring in a competitive and open market and the following conditions exist:

a.     Buyer and seller are motivated

b.     Both parties are well informed and well advised and acting in their best interests

c.     A reasonable time is allowed for exposure in an open market

d.     Payment is in terms of cash or in comparable financial arrangements

e.     The price represents normal consideration for the property sold without being affected by financing or sales concessions by anyone associated by the sale

http://www.gainesville-florida-realty.com/Gainesville-Fl-Home-What-Price-Do-I-Bid

 Why is an understanding of the market value of a home important to a prospective buyer? If you don’t have a clear understanding and knowledge of the homes sales data for the area then you could very well end up being classified as an uninformed buyer. To avoid this situation, find properties that that have sold, expired or are pending sale and are similar to the property you are considering to purchase.  Covering a period of the prior nine months to a year is reasonable. If the house you are considering has been listed for a longer period of time than other similar homes that have sold there might be several reasons. It could be overpriced, there could be issues regarding financing or the interior of the house needs updating. Ask for the seller’s disclosure forms about the house to determine if anything major is mentioned by the seller

When purchasing a new home keep in mind that you are the general contractor. Realtors, lawyers, appraisers, home inspectors are all a part of your team. Their goal is to help you find the best home at a fair and reasonable value. The good news is that you are the boss. Ask the questions and demand the answers. Be respectful but demanding. After all, this is your new home that you have always wanted.  You have already done your research (your plan) so you have a pretty good idea of what needs to be performed. Use the professionals when it is needed. But, let your good judgment be your guide.

 Author: Jill D. Schmitt

www.gainesville-florida-realty.com

 

 

 

 

 

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September 20, 2009

Budget Travel Insurance-Great Cover, Great Travel

There are many who do not pay heed to the travel insurance despite of the fact they have heard about it many times. Now the debatable question is- do you really require travel insurance? If you think that you can save yourself from the following things then you may be right about the decision of staying away from any travel insurance:

-    You won’t be sick while traveling.
-    You won’t get involved in a car accident.
-    None of your belonging would get lost while traveling.
-    You are sure that you will not be robbed off your belongings.
-    None of your flight would ever be postponed due to various circumstances.
-    Your luggage won’t be lost.
-    Nothing will hinder your accommodation.

Are you dead sure that no mishap will occur when you are on your business tour or some other vocational journey? Will you still say that travel insurance is a total waste of money? Well, it’s a lot less waste of money than undergoing the hassle of arranging $65,000 in a foreign country to pay off your hefty hospital bill after accidentally breaking your leg.

In case, you are putting off the idea of availing travel insurance because of the expensive premiums costs associated with it, then most definitely budget travel insurance can be your perfect solution. But how to get this budget travel insurance?

•    Roam Around To Find Better Deals

An insurance buyer might not realize it, but it’s an undeniable fact that travel agents have the tendency to make hefty profits from the so-called budget travel insurance they tempt to sell you. So, before getting trapped, be smart enough to go for insurance hunting before finalizing the deal with any company. The more you search, the better are the prospects of getting good deals. Shop around, and no wonder you will come across with such policy offers which have more advantages than your travel agent would have provided, and that also by paying half of the price.

•    Judge Your Needs

In case, you are headed towards a long time vacation, and unsure of your activities out there, then do take some time to attentively think whether you will get involved in any outdoor activities. Like, if your holiday includes skiing, then it’s cheaper to have skiing cover included in your travel insurance before you leave.

•    Announce Your Pre-existing Medical Condition

Your mind must be plying with questions about why this question should be asked when you are going to have budget travel insurance. Well, insurance companies are very much interested to gain knowledge about potential risks, and thus any insurance buyer is asked to fill out a form regarding his/her health condition. In case you don’t have any health problems then this will significantly lessen the insurance premium cost, whereas if there are health issues then you just need to pay extra.

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