Are you ready to sell your house?

Question:

It looks like there could be a break for house sellers in the market. Are you ready to sell your house?

Answer:

I have to say that I’m not ready to sell my house just yet. While the market in my area IS picking up, it still isn’t where I would like it before I decide to put my house up for sale.

I think that if you give the market some more time then you may be able to see a bit more money than if you sold now. Especially if you wait until the Spring, when the market gets hot again.

Are you being ripped off by an online company?

Question:

In 2006, AOL announced that it would stop charging for @aol.com email addresses. Since then most of the customers have been switched to the free service, however there are still a few less internet savvy users out there that are paying for email service that is supposed to be free; many of them not even noticing.

This is just one example of how people are being ripped off every day from online companies. Are you being ripped off? How about someone you know?

Answer:

While I am not currently being ripped off by AOL’s shady business practice of continually billing someone for something that is free, I think I might know someone who is. And all I have to say is: If this person is paying for this service than he/she is less internet savvy than I could have ever imagined and he/she deserves it.

Other than that, I am not currently being ripped off by any online company to my knowledge. There was a time a few years ago, however, that “someone” I know was being ripped off by a company who cheated him out of a couple hundred dollars…he has not seen that money to this day.

Do you need to have a buying agent when you go to buy a house??

Question:

When you’re looking to purchase a new home do you find it easier to have an agent represent you and help you complete the transaction?

Answer:

There are a lot of new houses just sitting on the market along with many used homes up for sale. Most of these houses are listed with an agent who is known as the listing agent. They represent the seller and will do what’s right for the seller.

Do I think that you need to have a buying agent to represent you if you’re buying a home? No, but should you have one to have someone on your side, yes.

When we bought our house we didn’t have a buying agent, but the sellers listed the home for sale by owner. It was quick and painless.

Does the average cost of a house worry you at all?

Question:

The average price for a home in the United States dropped once again. Does this worry you at all?

Answer:

As a homeowner, yes. I used to not be worried because I could still see the prices in my neighborhood increasing, but not anymore. I think that once the prices in my area level out some, I’ll be less worried. No one wants to lose money in their house. That would go against the point of owning a home, I thought.

I’m sure I’m not as worried as people in other parts of the country though.

How often do you think minimum wage should go up?

Question:

Minimum wage has had quite a bump over the past few years. After staying at a meager $5.15 for years, it is now up to $7.25 an hour. How often do you think minimum wage should go up?

Answer:

I actually think that there should be some kind of law that has minimum wage increase gradually over time rather than having huge increases over just a couple of years. This way the employers that only pay minimum wage won’t hurt so badly when the rate goes up.

Some employers get away with never giving their employees a raise. This is why minimum wage should have a steady, but gradual increase. Those are the same employers who complain about a huge jump in minimum wage and say that they’ll have to fire people or up their prices to keep up.

Do you think that the recession is coming to a close?

Question:

There are plenty of economic indicators pointing to a big “yes” but do YOU think the recession is coming to an end?

Answer:

I believe that it might be. Like the question poses, there are several economic indicators that are pointing to the recession ending, but there is a little doubt left. Of course after such a brief recession, there is some doubt whether or not the recession is coming to a close. However, most people are a bit more optimistic and are really looking forward to the recession ending.

Do you support an employer’s decision to check the credit score of someone applying for a job?

Question:

It is becoming more and more common for an employer to check the credit score of a potential employee. Do you support this practice?

Answer:

Absolutely not. I have several articles I have written on this very subject and I make my feelings toward the practice pretty clear. If the employer gave the candidate a chance to explain blemishes on their credit report, then I would be a bit less abrasive toward the practice, but otherwise, this is just ridiculous. If an employer is looking for a reason not to hire someone, I’d like to see them come up with a better reason than the candidate’s credit score.

What have you done to be more environmentally conscious?

Question:

Being environmentally conscious is something that I have talked about more than a time or two on this blog. What are some of the ways that you’re doing your part to help the earth?

Answer:

Personally, I should be doing more, but the things I have done are putting CFL lights in my house, recycling plastics, not purchasing plastics that can’t be recycled whenever possible, reusing containers from restaurants rather than just throwing them away, driving less, and using less electricity whenever I can.

Another thing I do, because it can be a hassle to recycle every single plastic bag I get from the store is, if I forget my reusable bags, I will not get a plastic bag, especially if it is just a couple of items.

Would you be willing or have you ever shopped online for your prescriptions?

Question:

Buying medicine at the pharmacy (like Walgreens or CVS) is expensive when you don’t have prescription drug coverage. Have you ever considered shopping online for your prescriptions?

Answer:

I believe that as long as the pharmacy was reputable and had a good track record there is nothing wrong with buying your prescriptions online. As a matter of fact, I think that would be a much better way to go if you are extremely busy. Recently, I went to pick up a prescription for my husband and waited in line for 45 minutes because there was one (very old) man working the register and several people waiting in line. This was at a Wal-Mart pharmacy and the line wrapped around the pharmacy and into the beauty section. It was ridiculous.

Paid Writers – We have started looking into various implementations for the paid writers program that will be coming soon. We have not decided fully on the compensation amount or type but it will be one that rewards experienced and repeat writers over one time writers.

The paid writing program will also be a restricted one, in which it will not be available to everyone. Writers will first have to pass a screening process in order to be allowed into the program. The program is being designed to reward quality over quantity.

Should companies be forced to apologize to Nigeria for “offending” the country?

Question:

After Sony released a commercial that made light of Nigerian 419 scams(You know, the one where the price of Nigeria sends you $1 million as long as you Western Union him $5,000 or something like that), Nigerian officials said that Sony should apologize for the commercial. It also happened with the movie District 9. In the movie, there are a group of Nigerian criminals and the country is now not screening that movie anymore either and is calling for an apology. Should companies apologize for showing Nigeria in a poor light?

Answer:

No. I think that if Nigeria wants an apology, then perhaps the country should do something about the amount of illegal activity that goes on in the country. When there were traces run on the scams that were said to be from Nigeria, guess what, they originated from Nigeria.

Also, think of how movie studios portray criminals from any country. The villains in movies are always ruthless and you are made to hate them. I have watched District 9 a handful of times now and I have to say that as bad as the Nigerian criminals in this movie are, the MNU is far worse. I think Nigerian officials missed the point of the movie if all they saw was the Nigerian criminals.

Would you start your own business if you couldn’t find work?

Question:

If you are one of the millions of unemployed people in the United States (or anywhere else in the world) would you try to start your own business in order to make work for yourself?

Answer:

While this website didn’t exactly start out that way, since I finished college and had a hard time finding a job this has become my full time job. I even realized that I was worth more writing for the site than I was working full time at the department store. That basically means it would cost more for us to hire someone to write as much as I do a week than I was making working there.

I really enjoy working on this site and really hope it can go on for awhile.

Is a four day work week ideal to you?

Question:

Some employers are opting for a four day work week to help with the loss of profits from the recession and they are choosing to go this route instead of firing some of their staff.

How do you feel about a four day work week and would you be willing to try it out even if the recession wasn’t hurting business?

Answer:

I think we’re all programmed to want to work as little as possible but be paid the same. When it comes down to it, I would rather have the salary for that extra day than have the day off.

However, I may be in the minority because according to an article from Time Magazine, 17,000 workers in Utah have been trying out the four day work week and have really grown to like it.

Why are people taking out cash advance loans?

Question:

Cash advance loans are notoriously bad loans. They typically have outlandish APRs and often leave the borrower in some kind of financial turmoil. So, why would anyone take out a cash advance loan to begin with?

Answer:

People take out cash advance loans because they need emergency money and their credit isn’t good enough to get traditional loans. This is one of the only reasons that I can imagine why people would want to take out payday, title, or cash advance loans.

Many people can’t afford the outrageous APRs, so I am not too sure why these companies pop up just about anywhere there is a hole in the wall. I suppose it’s because they make so much money off the people who do pay, that the people who don’t or can’t pay are overshadowed by the other customers’ payments.

What do you do about your dead end job?

Question:

We all feel like our jobs hit low points at times, but what do you do when you know that your job isn’t going anywhere and you’re basically stuck doing the same job with no hope of ever being promoted or getting a raise?

Answer:

That question is easy; you start looking for another job, but be responsible and find another job before you quit the first one. Most people have lots of responsibilities and can’t just go around quitting their jobs without something else lined up first. Then again, you could quit your job while you have no prospects and get in the unemployment line in your parents’ house.

Is it time for the Fed to relinquish some of its power?

Question:

The United States Federal Reserve has a lot of power when it comes to the economy. They oversee more than just the money the country has, but other things too like consumer issues. So, is it time for the Fed to give up some of the control?

Answer:

I think the Fed needs some of the power that it has. I don’t think it needs to be able to move the interest rates without a longer bureaucratic process simply because the movement of the economy is settled on the shoulders of the Fed.

Overall, the Federal Reserve does good things for the economy and typically works in the interest of the people. However, the economy is more than just interest rates.

Have you or would you use Hotwire?

Question:

I was looking into booking a hotel somewhere for a trip away form my house and was wondering if anyone has ever used Hotwire and gotten a good result?

Answer:

I would assume that plenty of people use Hotwire everyday, otherwise it wouldn’t be doing as well as it is. You do get to pick the area your hotel is in and the “star rating” of it. However, the star rating can be kind of subjective because there’s no industry standard.

I haven’t personally ever used Hotwire, but I have booked hotels on websites like Orbitz. I suppose I just like knowing what I’m getting myself into.

Do you need to have a buying agent when you go to buy a house??

Question:

When you’re looking to purchase a new home do you find it easier to have an agent represent you and help you complete the transaction?

Answer:

There are a lot of new houses just sitting on the market along with many used homes up for sale. Most of these houses are listed with an agent who is known as the listing agent. They represent the seller and will do what’s right for the seller.

Do I think that you need to have a buying agent to represent you if you’re buying a home? No, but should you have one to have someone on your side, yes.

When we bought our house we didn’t have a buying agent, but the sellers listed the home for sale by owner. It was quick and painless.

Apple’s new iTunes update locks out non-Apple devices, what do you think about that?

Question:

The newest iTunes update has locked my Pre out of the program…how do I feel?

Answer:

Thankfully, I read gadget blogs very frequently so I have not updated to the latest version of iTunes. However, if you want to know how I feel about it, it’s very simple. It’s annoying, but it’s their software so they can do what they want and Palm developers can find a way around it.

However, Apple didn’t lock out PC users from using it. Hmm. PCs dominate the computer market, so it’s ok for iTunes to run on it. The Palm Pre (which I’m sure is at least part of the reason they introduced the update) is a new player in the smartphone game, which the iPhone currently dominates.

So, Apple will only lock out those weaker than them. Hmm

If you had a choice where would you retire?

Question:

While people are losing jobs and portions of their retirement funds have been wiped out, is there anywhere in particular that you would like to retire to, or have you changed your retirement plans?

Answer:

I recently read that Panama is the “new Florida” as far as retirement goes. Thanks to cheap, and good quality, health care and the low cost of living, Panama has become a great place to retire to.

I would consider moving to another country once I retire, but that is a few years away and I have a lot of time to think about it.

Will you boycott GM?

Question:

Some right wing conservative talk show hosts and commentators have been criticizing GM for accepting (and asking) for funds from the government. Now they are calling for a boycott of the company saying that any money you spend at GM is money against the free enterprise system.

Will you boycott along with these commentators?

Answer:

I, personally, will not boycott GM for this reason. I have my own issues with the company and I think right now if the right wing commentators want a free enterprise system then they should spend their money at GM so the company can pay back the government…it’s likely that won’t happen though.

What do you think about the reincarnation of Circuit City?

Question:

Talk about “zombie retail.” Circuit City is coming back in the form of an online store. The name was recently acquired by Systemax and will be re-launching sometime soon. What do you think about this?

Answer:

Well, honestly, bringing back the store means that some jobs will be going back to Circuit City. Systemax is also promising a larger selection with lower prices, so that could be good right now also. However, I do think it’s strange how the store went extinct and before anyone really had time to lament the loss of Circuit City it may be coming back in the form of an online only store.

Does AIG deserve the Consumerist’s “Worst Company in America 2009″ award?

Question:

This week the Consumerist’s quest to find the Worst Company in America 2009 came to an end when AIG was put against Comcast and AIG came out on top. So, after all that AIG has done, does it deserve the Worst Company in America title?

Answer:
Yes. In my honest opinion, AIG definitely deserves this award. After taking taxpayer money and then giving outrageous bonuses to execs, AIG deserves the golden poo trophy.

I must not be the only one who feels this way because they managed to beat out everyone from Verizon to Peanut Corporation of America (from the peanut butter recall).

AIG is the face of what is wrong with the economy. It also represents greed to many. For all these reasons, it deserves to be the Worst Company in America 2009 and that golden poo trophy.

Can Chrysler make a comeback from bankruptcy?

Question:

Yesterday, one of the Big 3 U.S. automakers filed for bankruptcy protection. Chrysler hasn’t really had the best time during the current recession. Was filing for bankruptcy the right decision and can the company make a comeback?

Answer:

I feel as though Chrysler’s options were very limited. Bankruptcy was really the only way to ensure that the company sticks around in the future. Hopefully creditors will work with Chrysler on payments so the company may be able to turn a profit again sometime in the future.

I think that if Chrysler plays the right cards it can come out a stronger company…What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, right?

How can Sprint and the Palm Pre compete with AT&T and the iPhone?

Question:

With Sprint coming out with the Palm Pre in just a month or two, what does it need to be able to do to directly compete with the iPhone?

Answer:

In my opinion the Palm Pre will be Palm’s saving grace. The Centro has enjoyed some very positive publicity for the company, who could really use some good publicity right now. Sprint also needs the phone to do well and is hyping it up to be the greatest phone to ever come to the carrier.

The phone itself needs to be able to do everything the iPhone can do and more. It HAS to be fluid in gestures, meaning no lagging between applications. It has to be reliable and be generally easy to use.

This phone is positioned to be the make or break phone for Palm. Hopefully, everything will go right for Palm and Sprint and this phone will be the huge success they are hoping for.