Karen’s Opinion

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

Many first time home buyers rushed to see if they were eligible to apply for loans to purchase homes when the law allowing a large tax credit was applied to home purchases after April 8, 2008, and before Jan. 1, 2009. The time allotted for these home purchases has been increased and the new deadline is June 30. Specifically, first time home buyers must sign a binding contract by April 30, 2010 that closes by June 30. If you are a first time buyer, or have not owned a home in 3 years you can get up to an $8000 tax credit. The income limits have also been increased up to $125,000 for singles and $250,000 for couples.

I have been so excited for new home buyers! I must have missed the notice that stated that repeat home buyers can receive a tax credit of up to $6,500 too. Qualified home buyers who purchase a principal residence after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010) are eligible for this credit. It seems to me that this would really get the ball rolling to help people move up to homes that is more suited to their needs.

There are stipulations to being eligible for these credits. For more information, check out the overview of 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits at the Coldwell Banker Real Estate Learn Center Website. www.coldwellbanker.com.
These tax credits benefit us all here in the US. All home buyers benefit from other current market conditions such as lower home prices, an abundance of homes to choose from and interest rates that are near historic lows. Buying homes increases spending for other types of merchandise. Appliances, floor covering, paint and other important items are sold to new home buyers. It sounds like a good plan!

Charleston Gazette
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A group of music figures has begun a campaign against mountaintop coal removal.
The campaign, Music Saves Mountains, is sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Gibson Foundation. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a senior attorney with the council, addressed those attending a meeting Monday night.
Those at the gathering included Emmylou Harris, Randy Travis, Big Kenny Alphin, Dierks Bentley, Delbert McClinton, Kid Rock and J.D. Souther.
Harris said protection is needed for the Appalachian mountains, where country music was born and is celebrated in song.

I do not think these entertainers know the whole story. If they did, they would not be against coal mining but of mining of mountain tops. Their actions do not hurt them. They have enough money. It hurts the coal miners who have families to support. Please research mountain top coal mining, Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and contact the companies who can make a difference.

Ref: The Huffington Post

Did you know that all infant formula must meet FDA requirements? Well, they do. That is good news because it means parents can rest assured that any formula they buy will be good for their child. There is no need to buy the expensive brands. You will not be buying any better formula by spending more money so save your hard earned money. Buying lower priced store brand formula is just as good and will help your budget to allow you to buy other needed items such as fresh vegetable for the rest of your family.

Having said that, I have to interject my opinion on breast feeding vs formula feeding your baby. I don’t think it matters. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes breast feeding as the best infant nutrition. I feel that there are instances when breast feeding may not be the best. Some lactating moms are taking medications that should not be passed on to their newborn. There are other instances where breast feeding is just not feasible. It is a mom’s choice to breast feed or not. It is their choice to choose which formula they want to feed their baby.

WIC is changing their program with regard to infant formula. They are trying to push more mothers into breast feeding their children. I don’t think they should make the program require moms to choose. It is not the governments place to force decisions on families.

And there you have it; my opinion.

After 30+ years with a certain insurance company, we are contemplating making a change. We have 5 autos insured with this company yet they don’t feel we are worth giving a discount for our loyalty. Perhaps it is time to look elsewhere.

I just saw, on my friend Rebecca’s blog, that free auto insurance quotes are available at Premium Auto Insurance.net. That means it is easy to compare rates. Hallelujah! I was dreading the chore of calling individual insurance providers. It seems as if, once they get your name, they hound you to get you to buy. That reminds me of a car salesman. We always look at new cars on the lot, but, only on Sunday! muwahaha!

At PremiumAutoInsurance.net, it is simple to compare insurers in my neck of the woods. I simply enter my zip code to bring up available insurers in my area.

From there, I am able to compare types of coverage offered by multiple competing companies. I can make an informed decision and one that will save me money. So, not only do I save time but I save money too and it is all done online with the click of my mouse!

Because I like that cute Justin Case, the spokesman for Safe Auto, I compared rates at that company. I am pleased with the results when compared to the rates we have now. I also checked out other well known companies like Geiko and was amazed at the savings.

It looks like the time for a change has arrived. Check out Premium Auto Insurance.net and get the lowest rates on your auto insurance. We all need to save money!

It is the month of August, a resort town sits next to the shores of
a lake. It is raining, and the little town looks totally deserted. It is
tough times, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.
Suddenly, a rich tourist comes to town.
He enters the only hotel, lays a 100 dollar bill on the reception
counter, and goes to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one.
The hotel proprietor takes the 100 dollar bill and runs to pay his
debt to the butcher.
The Butcher takes the 100 dollar bill, and runs to pay his debt to
the pig raiser.
The pig raiser takes the 100 dollar bill, and runs to pay his debt
to the supplier of his feed and fuel.
The supplier of feed and fuel takes the 100 dollar bill and runs
to pay his debt to the town’s prostitute that in these hard times, gave her
“services” on credit.
The hooker runs to the hotel, and pays off her debt with the 100
dollar bill to the hotel proprietor to pay for the rooms that she rented
when she brought her clients there.
The hotel proprietor then lays the 100 dollar bill back on the
counter so that the rich tourist will not suspect anything.
At that moment, the rich tourist comes down after inspecting the
rooms, and takes his 100 dollar bill, after saying that he did not like any
of the rooms, and leaves town.
No one earned anything. However, the whole town is now without
debt, and looks to the future with a lot of optimism .
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the United States
Government is doing business today.