Officially My Favorite TV Show!!!

This show is absolutely amazing and educational--more so in the area of finance.
Something I'd recommend anyone in my age group to watch!

Controversy For Kelly...New Single "Already Gone" Resembles Beyonce's "Halo"

Parker explains that, "[Kelly] told Canada's CBC that she battled to keep the ballad from being included on All I Ever Wanted [Her latest album] after she realized it bore an uncanny resemblance to Beyonce's "Halo"--a song that, perhaps not coincidentally, was also written by Ryan Tedder." ...And so the poor, evocative singer feels ripped off.

The music industry is a dog-eat world...

Read more on the article. Both Kelly and Beyonce's music videos of the similar sounding songs are featured.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/249158/kelly-clarksons-new-single-controversy-all-she-never-wanted/

WOP

Barack's Birth Certificate...

To enlargen, click the image.
I hope this will be enough to end those rediculous claims about Obama's citizenship.
More Info:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/06/obama-birth.html

WOP

Some Insight on Protecting Your Credit Score...

I’ve been very concerned with credit and how the credit system operates for a while now. I feel like I don’t know as much as I should, and I’m sure that I’m not alone in feeling this way.

I went to the library a few weeks back and I picked up this self-help book, Your Credit Score, by Liz Pulliam Weston. Now I must admit that I respect books that dumb down the language for prospective inexperienced folks. I’ve clung to this book more than Pilla’s book (The IRS: Problem Solver) because it considers the possibility that a youngster might pick it up and read it. In a nutshell, I feel accommodated and I enthusiastically recommend the read to anyone. =D

Now I live by the proverb, “Information is not for free,” but I feel terrible not sharing what I’ve learn with my peers—I’d even be defying the entire purpose of creating this blog.

So, listen up!

1) The reason why so many stress building good credit is solely because (in my opinion) of interest rates. So basically, your score will determine the direction of your financial life.

Let me explain with an analogy:

Come summer, those who have saved responsibly will have the opportunity to enjoy a vacation. Whereas, the bonafide spender will have to recuperate wasted money—he/she will not likely reward themselves with a vacation—unless they’re reckless spenders that is!
In the same way, with a good credit score, you will save more over a lifetime and will have a good quality of life. You will be rewarded with low interest rates (on...practically all auto loans, student loans, credit cards, insurances, mortgages…etc.) for as long as you maintain your good credit. For those reckless spenders out there, you will either be (1) declined or (2) given a higher interest rate because simply…the creditor/lender is AFRAID OF YOU! You can’t blame them because honestly, nobody wants the risk of losing money!
In the grand scheme of things, responsible spenders will pay a significant amount less than reckless spenders over a period of a lifetime. (So, what makes people different? …They’re credit score!)
FYI:
**FICO Credit Score Range (Most prevalent, important)
300-850
(Vantage Score Scale)
901-990= A credit
801-900= B credit
701-800= C credit

You never want to fall below 701…usually 720 is the cut off for most lenders. With anything below, you’re considered “Sub-prime,” and that’s like someone calling you a liability or rotten apple.

2) DO apply for a college credit card and once you do, do not cancel the account because that will decrease your score. In your search, be sure the perks are a
• Low interest rate and APR
• No yearly financing/maintenance fee
• Low late fee cost (go for one ≤ 35)
• Free online banking
• Grace Period
• “First 6-12 months” deals!
• Point system redeemable for cash and cool stuff

3) Try to AVOID NEARING YOUR CREDIT LIMIT (so if you have 300, please, keep your balance to a minimum of at least 200). This actually hurts your score. At any random period, your creditor must report your CURRENT BALANCE to the credit bureau. The emphasis is on …RANDOM! Therefore, even if you planned to pay your bill off by the end of the month, the standing balance still will be reported—not to penalty you, but as a part of the creditors job protocol. If your balance is way up there on the edge of the cliff each month, that can be very damaging.

4) ALWAYS PAY BILLS IN ADVANCE, ON TIME IS LATE! (My rational =D …It’s a great way to limit the likelihood of a large balance being reported to the credit bureau) Although you’re avoiding the late payment, a behavior is still being reflected.
5) As consumers, we are allotted 1 free credit report each year. Visit this website: www.annualcreditreport.com or call the Annual Credit Report Request Service (877-322-8228). You should consistently check your credit report for the accuracy of information.

Lastly, shop wisely guys and make the effort to learn what you’re getting yourself into. Remember, the difference between you and I, and our quality of life is… our credit score.

WOP

Where Is That 90 CALORIE Chocolate Chip Cookie!?!

Guys,

Every night I go to bed hoping and praying that tomorrow will bring good news: the creation of the 90 Calorie Chocolate Chip...and White Chocolate Chip Macadamian Nut (=D) cookie. Mind you, when I say cookie, I am not talking about those wack 100 Calorie cookie packs full of ...crumbs.

While science is advancing rapidly, I hate that cookie research is doing just the opposite. I am desperately craving a nice round, thick, lick-your-lips sizable portion of cookie, and I want it like --Now!

So I am hoping for that random moment in which a scientist will discover this blog and take my thoughts to make him/her a millionaire. Heck, perhaps I'd be the scientist that I'm hoping for, that is...if all this neglectfulness persists!

For the Scientist: You will change the lives of many hungry and food-obsessive people ...quite like myself. You will succeed in feeding our addiction, and while our jean sizes decrease, so too will your wallet size.

WOP

Rest In Peace Our Friend.

Enjoy...Saturday!

The most anticipated day of the week is here.

And it's HOT!

Get out there and enjoy people =P

Love,

WOP

Milk In My Coffee...Condom In My Soup

More Blurb:

A Santa Ana, California man sued a local restaurant claiming that he found a condom in his soup.

Zdenek Hodousek was only looking forward to his French onion soup when he unexpectedly bit into a condom, thinking that it was melted cheese!

[[[This is one of those funny, but serious moments!]]]

Hodousek appears to be more frantic over the possibility that he may contract a disease. Therefore, he plans to push this case as far as he can take it.

Now I consider this a flipping windfall…a jackpot!

Plain and Simple:
“Mr. Hodousek, how would you like your annuity…in lump sum or installments?!?!”

http://www.fresnobee.com/state/story/1553731.html

Watch Out Now! Hot Dogs Cancerous!

We all love our All-American hot dogs, and exactly who can dispute its popularity?

And now the moment we've all been waiting for, when we finally say to ourselves, "I knew it! It was too good to be true!"

THE HAZARD LIGHTS: HOT DOGS INCREASE CANCER RISKS!!!

"They contain DNA mutating compounds that might boost one's risk for cancer." -Choi

As handheld foods are becoming increasingly popular among the American people in my generation, I feel compelled to share this article by a Fox News reporter, Charles Q. Choi.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,208307,00.html

Sleep Time!

Good Night Members of The World!
More Blurb Tomorrow :p

OBAMA'S CITIZENSHIP CHALLENGED!

Whether this is or is not the case, my question is WHY was a background check not performed BEFORE Obama was stamped, “qualified,” to run for president? This suggests to me that your average not-by-birth-citizen can run for president and it confirms every assumption about the government infrastructure being careless and reckless.




The beginning part of this clip I think is nothing but BS. It broadcasts the producers ignorance--at least about the African culture. When I say this, I am referring to his/her comments about Barack making frequent visits back to Africa and him and the Kenyan inhabitants calling it his "home"--it is an ordinary custom of African decedents to call their father's and forefather's place of birth their "homelandor motherland"...whichever best suits you. Plus, like any other African decedent, Barack has many relatives abroad. Therefore, I can understand why in any situation he'd make frequent visits to Kenya.

It is when the court documents were shown that my eyebrows raised.

WOP

Ice Cream for a Fucked Society

Good Afternoon Guys,

I’m still recovering from the thrills of yesterday…and I’m not referring to any IRS matter! Yesterday when I came home from work, I hung out with an old buddy of mine. Our adventure became a mall trip and a trip to Panda Express and Rita’s Italian Ice Perfect combination right? —I had a coupon for a free ice regular. They didn’t have my favorite, passion fruit, at this branch, but I chose a Virgin Strawberry Margarita instead and it was DELICIOUS—I just don’t know what to do with myself!

Am I the only one that feels as though Rita’s is all of a sudden expanding? Lately, I’ve noticed a lot more shops, they’ve livened up their ads as if they’ve recently hired a new marketing director, and simply…they’ve become a lot more visible now! Cheers to a growing company—the more I can say is that I am and will continue to be a loyal patron so long as they keep producing these bangin sweet flavors!

Not to mention, my day ended with an impulsive trip to Six Flags America—we had just an hour before the park closed, but we got so much done its unbelievable. The lines were incredibly short near closing time and the whole night, I was just taken for a trip down memory lane. I saw a lot of my old co-workers and got the opportunity to illegally stay for an employee exclusive party where I …in a way (lol)…bungee jumped for the second and third time.

To cap a perfect night, I ate ice cream on a large waffle cone. The sweet was one of the richest and moistest I’ve ever tasted! Then I had a hot dog with a perfect serving of ketchup—I love my life!

Side Note:
I have a jaundiced eye for this bogus idea of not being required by law to file Income Tax Returns. Pilla’s book made reference to the situation, but his argument seemed to oppose the notion. HOWEVER, he never mentioned exactly WHY you should file either.

I guess this is to tell us that we should see this situation outside of lawful terms, like an authoritarian parent to child relationship—“Just do as I say, no questions asked!” That’s the world we live in people and I’m sorry to say this, but truthfully…our society is fucked.

WOP

THE IRS IS...FRAUDULENT...ILLEGAL

Today, I am left breath taken.
After sifting through pieces of information on the IRS and Income Tax Laws, I came across these three eye opening videos (bottom).
I felt paralyzed only for a moment, but I’m more outraged when recalling how much fear I had to stomach while (and still) growing up and into this thing called “responsibility and accountability.” Yes, assuming that I would soon be forced to face the IRS at the spring of each year created this overwhelming feeling of panic.

Like gradual energy, this fear is beginning to transfer into anger. I am angry with the U.S. government and the American people—the government for her deception, and the American people for their ignorance and silence.

It’s hard—and I take it personally—realizing that for all these years the IRS and U.S. government have been robbing my parents blind only to pay interest fees mandated by the Federal Reserve—making the owners of the bank richer! Hell!—and we all still believe that Bill Gates is the richest??? Nine times out of ten, I guarantee that the owner (s) of the “private” bank is/are the richest fat thieves in America!

Viewers, I am awake. Are you?? This matter deserves a lot more attention than what it is already receiving. The IRS has persisted with tactics of fear and intimidation and I am going to be one person…less.
Nearly all my life, I’ve been a rebel. I’m going to do my own research, and if I find that this is true…I am going to protest. And while all the energy in this Earth will be helpful, I challenge you to aside your fears and challenge the IRS with whatever breaking evidence or lack thereof that you find.

WOP

Brown's Much Anticipated Apology...Finally?

In the Media: Mr. Chris Brown!



I'm now more interested in the direction that his career will take. The reviving breath: college is ALWAYS an option! :-)

STACEY AND THE IRS

Buenos Dias! I'm back from my long needed vacation from the Internet!

This past weekend, I was able to get a lot of family time in and took the opportunity to explore the wilder side of me this past Friday (partaay!).

I'm still enjoying Pilla's book, The IRS: Problem Solver, and I encourage my peers to partake in the reading experience...our turn to face the IRS is but a step away from tomorrow...

The book, however, is not as good as my last reading, H&R Block's Personal Finance Advisor (C. 2003). My issue is the verbose language--it's clear that the book was not intended for people my age, but for people that have had more experience with the IRS and Filing taxes. Overall, it's extremely helpful and offers a lot of templates and advice on how to "step-up" to the IRS, not necessarily evade or deceive them.

While reading, I came across a very interesting scenario that I want to share:

I'll re-name her Stacey.

Stacey lives paycheck to paycheck. Stacey received a deficiency notice from the IRS, claiming that she failed to file her tax return for that year.

She did quite alright, and she kept every evidence to prove that she did. Using certified postal mail, she mailed her affidavit and supporting documents to the IRS ...BUT...the documents were lost or misplaced somewhere in space.

Penalties and Charges soon began to kick in. The IRS levied Stacey's IRA (retirement account), yanking a grand total of $20,000. The reviving breath of this story is that Stacey kept spare copies of all documents and she was able to resend them to the IRS, prompting them to withdraw the penalties/charges.

The bad news is that the $20,000 was returned to HER, and not her IRA. As a result, the $20,000 was treated as a taxable distribution since she did not meet age requirements.

The winner in this case: THE IRS.

A scenario like this was eye-opening for me. Stacey's story was based on a true person's account...so...IT HAPPENS TO REAL PEOPLE! It also keeps me wondering whether the IRS does these types of things on purpose...because... in the end, they still get fed, they still win!

In any event, I'm glad to know that such a situation exists. The best advice that I can pull from this scenario is to always use certified mail, keep copies of all documents, and be timely when communicating with the IRS.

As always people, be on your guard!

Making a Fortune in The Recession

Morning!

The term “recession” doesn’t mean much to me while I’m in this kind of psychosocial moratorium period, but that is not to say that it has no impact at all.

For expert traders and investors, I’m sure that the barriers created by this recession do not exist. Among them, you can expect growing smiles. It’s back to school time folks! If you browse the isles of many superstores you’d find that all the sweet sales have once again resumed.

Now, if you’re daring enough, this is the perfect time to start investing-- and people, please diversify!

Take it from a female consumer and college student such as myself, I will definitely be keeping close watch on the:

Make-up industry
Shoe industry
Gas/oil industry
Cookie industry (Wink, Nabisco…Wink, Famous Amos!!)
Deli Meat
School Supplies
Bedding Supplies


Take it or leave it, while one person’s finance is bound to grind to a finish in a time like this, there will still be those peculiar few that make fortunes out of this recession.

Have a good day folks!

Divorcing Hussein, Departing from Due Respect

May I ask one thing—at when do our middle names become separate from our identity?

Is it when they become politically incorrect?

Viewers, I am outraged and extremely bothered by the thoughtlessness shown by school board members who appear very indifferent towards the omission of the “H” initial in their newly approved elementary school name titles after President Barack Obama.

Regardless of whether I am alone in this opinion, I believe that this is (1) dishonoring of our president and (2) very disrespectful to the parent that additionally named Barack “Hussein.”

The controversy stems from two school boards, if not more, that have been on this exciting high, which has now manifesting into proposals of naming their elementary schools in honor, and after our president.

The Prince Georges County, Maryland school board, for instance, has unanimously voted to name their newest upcoming elementary school after our historic president. A Long Island, New York school board follows, although they’ve chosen to rename a preexisting school after the president. The two are not the first to be name after a president. Of few, there is the George W. Bush Elementary School in California and the Richard M. Nixon Elementary School in Iowa.
Although I don’t oppose the naming aspect, the problem arises when these presidents are credited with their full identity—their whole, given birth names.

I imagine naming a school after a president to be a commemorative action; after all the naming is not done in vein.
At the same time, I am aware of the controversies that surround Obama’s middle name, but Barack is human--one’s name is the head of one’s identity and we are penalizing our president for his. What I want to say most is, “to hell with Saddam, the alleged Islamic implications, and politics!”

Some wonder, is Barack complaining?...and if he is not, why should we?
I’m sure he himself has overlooked this situation and declared it a minor issue. However, the significance of this matter remains that it precisely represents the disgusting attitude that the nation has toward Obama’s identity.

Plain and Simple: He ought to care.

He achieved all his accomplishments, chiefly and distinctly, as Barack H. Obama, nothing short. I hate that he is as though two separate entities: Barack H. Obama overseas, and plainly, Barack Obama in his country of citizenship.

Take it from someone who grew up amidst the sound of mockery because of probably one of the strangest sounding African middle names and surname that I have. I was raised and practically forced by age and maturity to accept that (beautiful) part of me as apart of my identity. Receiving plaques or whatever type of monumental gift that carelessly overlook engraving my entire, distinguished name irritates the hell out of me—because there's always someone else that is out there that shares the same name and initial as me...just not my accomplishments.

To put things into perspective, tomorrow you may become great, and in the grand scheme of things, a mother in the next generation might name her child after you. But, that middle initial is what will distinguish you two apart.

For more info:

http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2008/11/22/news/doc49280b17cc934006686127.txt

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/24/AR2009062401692.html

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1704391

THE IRS...STRATEGY, NOT CONSPIRACY!

Like I mentioned in my earlier post, although I'm only 19, my worst fear is receiving that letter spelling that horrifying word, A-U-D-I-T. For the meantime, I've moved on to my second reading, Daniel J. Pilla's book, "The IRS: Problem Solver." So far, several pre-existing fears and myths I have are slowly diminishing...

Food For Thought:
An interesting clip I came across on Youtube:

I'm Left Wondering Why She No longer Sings At Her Best...

Mariah Carey is doing a great job at planting confusion in my brain.
I watch her on YouTube and many of her latest performances are very mediocre. ..Did you know that she apologized for her performance at MJ's memorial service? She came up with a great alibi too, but.... what's her excuse for the poor performance at Barack Obama's inaugural ball??
All of this leaves me wondering whether she has had any voice complications lately and if she is receiving any type of treatment for it (e.g. speech therapy).

Sometime ago, before her performance at the late MJ's memorial service, I was discussing the lack of classics in today's world with my older brother. Not sure if you've noticed, but "We Belong Together" seemed like the last classic that left MC's lips. I'm heartbroken, really. I loved the work that Mariah used to produce. Her mediocre performances nowadays leaves me wondering whether she even has the ability to produce any more outstanding classics. Her more recent songs each sound like they provide a safety for such a beautiful voice that Mariah doesn't want to ...lose?..damage?

Simply:
As a huge Carey fan, I wish her the luxury of good health. If being modest about her voice is what she feels she needs to do in order to protect it, so shall it be.

See for your self, make your comparison:



PAST PERFORMANCE OF "I'll BE THERE"



RECENT PERFORMANCE OF I'll BE THERE


INAUGURAL BALL PERFORMANCE

5-Cent Shopping Bags Not Tax Proof!

While enjoying my Metro ride to work on Thursday, I stumbled across an interesting article that detailed how the D.C. Council unanimously voted for the proposed “Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Act “ that will require Shoppers to pay a surcharge of $.05 cents for every plastic or paper bag that they'd need.

THE MAKE OF MY DAY, I LAUGHED! And I continue to laugh at all the whining and media attention that this matter has received.

Fore mostly, everyone should be aware that the D.C. Council’s initiative is nothing new. Take grocery store, ALDI, for instance. They charge $.10 for every shopping bag that you'd want. Good news, nobody has died yet.


Plain and Simple: The amount of complaints should not be getting this ridiculous, especially when there are several alternatives such as bringing your own reusable shopping bag with you to shop. Or, if you’re like me, make use of the thousand plastic bags that you never throw away and store in that one specific kitchen drawer!


The century is turning and so is this entire "GO GREEN" movement.

The Washington Post’s Tim Craig and Bill Turque report that, “ The proposal, which must be voted on again later this month before it becomes law, is designed to limit pollution of the Anacostia River and its tributaries. The tax would apply to grocery stores, pharmacies and other food-service providers. Under the plastic bag legislation, businesses would keep a penny for each bag sold, and the other four cents would go into a fund to clean up the Anacostia. If businesses offer a discount to consumers who bring reusable bags, they would get to keep two cents for each bag sold.”–This I believe qualifies the D.C. Council’s plan to be in fact reasonable.



Besides, I find it embarrassing that the Nation’s Capital is among the most unkempt places in the United States.

Lets each chip in to beautify our planet.


Take it from the mouth of the famed Miley Cyrus and "WAKE UP AMERICA!"


WOP

For more information on the article, click the TITLE:
http://www.enn.com/business/article/39623

The Groundbreaking Blurb-- From the Depths of My Financial Worries

Financial Freak!



My vision is distorted with clouds of ignorance.

These glasses I have, they fail to correct...

Instead, I am blinded by the overwhelming fog created by painful pants.

Breath in. Breath out STEPHANIE!



I feel like an asthmatic,

fighting to escape the fatal carelessness of countless smokers.

One who cannot distinguish the smell from a weed to a cigarette, a friend from an enemy

because I'd rather run than approach...



Except that at this moment,

I feel like this weakness won't forever be apart of me.

Upon that 19Th candle, I realized that I soon to wreck myself,

Destroy my life before it ever began.


Saying "heaven forbid" would only be an act of passiveness.

Those two healing words have healed so many!

But along with my childhood went my sense of phonetics...to bring my mouth to utter a two-word-Tylenol that will force me further into the path of financial destruction. I think not!



So I jargon this vignette to hopefully confront this fear that has been planted in the depths of my heart...

This fear of growing up, of growing out of the police man's benefit of the doubt, of struggling to make ends meet, of now having to answer to OUR problems and THE IRS (The Internal Revenue Service if it flew over your head.lol.)

I am now...accountable.



And like a scared wussy, the first place I ran was the library. I wonder why to, but ..The Library folks...and into the personal finance section I went..stumbling on literature with tear filled eyes. Desperately searching for a way to treat my ignorance.



And I read and I read, to the soundtrack of "Doors Closing" and "Next stop...L'Efant Plaza"..wonderful courtesy of Metro.

You know that distinct thought that you can always hear while reading? Well I heard one..constantly asking myself, "Why has it taken me so long to leisurely read about finance?...and Why isn't anyone else around me reading what I am reading? It is important after all right?" The reason is...finance has always been a scary part of my life.
Before I started reading about it, I never understood the language so I completely avoided it.

I remember the second time I ever cried in college...it was in front of my business management professor, during her office hour....when I had to explain why 'Economic Security' was one of my top most values that I indicated on a questionnaire. It was a heartfelt moment for me I do recall...hearing myself explain why it has such a huge effect on me.



My financial worries for my future are my greatest burdens...This fear is at the core of the web that extends to the many fashions of my behavior. Basically, to understand that fear is to understand why I do what I do...nag about what I nag about...



I begin to understand that I do certain things out of fear, no longer panic--strategic acts for safety, not senseless reactions for catastrophe.



And some wonder why I bother myself about "grown-up" things such as this?

Well it's sad to admit, but I'm 1 step away from the Orphan's Court, and I refuse to ever reduce myself to rely on a man to handle the financial issues while I lay by the side, lookin' sexy and fly ;-) and "make" my home. I've witnessed what such ignorance can be for a woman and I am going to be...one...less.



I have an old soul (considered a blessing by me because it comes with wisdom :-)..and I can't help but worry about these issues...although I believe that they're quite age appropriate for a 19 yr old such as myself.



Plain and Simple:

Economic INsecurity is a big worry of mine. Being ignorant about finance and how the government and IRS work accordingly makes me feel even worse.



An hour later to make now, I feel quite accomplished because of the little baby steps I've taken to remove this ignorance of mine. But it aint over!



That "financial freedom" jargon that I keep hearing...I'm going to get it.



-WOP





[Thanks] Justin Onuoha for your DRIVE that has made me so eager to FOLLOW.