Karen’s Opinion

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

Hubby and I have been discussing how the economy is affecting our shopping habits. That led me to research Recession, Recovery & Store Brands as they apply to our family.

I’m embarrassed to admit I had never been the type of shopper who clipped coupons or compared prices. I work full time and when I go to the grocery, I want to get in and get out. The economy is forcing me to take a hard look at how I can save money. Our utility bills have increased. It takes more money to fill our gas tanks. You don’t want to get me started on how much our health insurance premiums have risen over the past year. We need to save money and I have a few ideas as to how we can manage that.

We can buy the lowest grade of gasoline for our cars. I read that it doesn’t make a difference in how cars run if you put a low octane fuel in them so why pay for the most expensive gasoline?

We can cut out the extra channels we pay for on our cable bill. We can turn out lights and unplug things when we go to bed. We can clip coupons and start buying store brands at the grocery.

I recently read an article that surprised me. I discovered that:

- 8 of 10 supermarket shoppers see no improvement in the economy, and 40% say things have actually gotten worse in recent months.

- 62% of consumers plan to buy more Store Brand products like Parent’s Choice as they deal with the tough economy.

- Shoppers who identify themselves as frequent buyers of store brands are at an all-time high (57% of shoppers)

- 43% of shoppers are trying Store Brands for the first time in categories where they used to buy only national brands.
- Virtually all (97%) of shoppers who switched to a Store Brand are happy with their new choice.

*49% say their new Store Brand selections compare “very favorably”
^^ Up from 35% in June 2009

I plan to put myself in the percentage that makes better choices and buy store brands whenever possible. It is not a choice but more so a necessity.

What are you doing to save money during these trying times?

There are at least 4 foreclosures listed in our newspaper each day. That means that there are people who are losing their home. The downward spiral of the economy has meant that people have lost their incomes and have been unable to meet their responsibilities. These are not people who frivilously entered into a contract. These are people who work hard but had the rug pulled out from under them. These people need someone they can turn to in their time of crisis.

Foreclosure is not always the course of action one has to take when finding ones self behind in home loan payments. A loan modification attorney is experienced in how to reduce home mortgage payments and prevent foreclosure by the lien holder. The team of professionals at the American Residential Law Group are interested in helping their clients achieve the best coarse of action to fit their individual need. They have provided consumers legal assistance for over 12 years. If you find yourself in this situation, let them guide you.

This post is a sponsored post of which I may have received compensation. All views expressed are my own and are as a result of reviewing the ARL website.

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

I can’t get out of my head the thoughts of my friends who have lost their jobs. I know that, mentally, they are struggling to hold on to the faith that things will work out. One positive aspect of the change in our lives is that some of us are taking the jump that we always said we would take but seemed to never find the time.

Taking time to add to a degree is something we know we should do and now the opportunity is even better with the availability of online resources from USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC. A Master of Arts in Teaching degree will put your resume at the top of the stack when searching for the job of your dreams. Reading over the program information at USC Rossier School of Education’s website accentuates the reasons for earning your degree online.

• Groundbreaking tuition reimbursement program

• Accelerated program you can complete in as little as 12 months

• Opportunity to become a part of the elite USC Trojan Family

• Tuition reimbursement and scholarships

• MAT@USC Student Blog, hear insights about the program from actual students

• Rossier and the MAT@USC were awarded by AACTE for innovative use of technology in education

• Technology video that introduces the interactivity of the program

• First cohort of the MAT@USC graduate in May

The USC Trojan family is one of pride. Their a 100-year history of educating teachers to be agents of change is making a difference in not only lives of teachers but the lives of students as well.

Is it time for you to accentuate your position in your field?

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