Archive for April, 2009

Attention, Hugh Hefner, Someone’s Misbehaving

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

A former employee of Playboy Enterprises is filing a lawsuit because he had been made marginal, supposedly because he was homosexual. Aside from disparaging remarks, Joseph DeAcetis stated that he was eventually removed from his post because of being gay.

The director of the branch of Playboy that he worked for called people like him ‘girls’. While such remarks could be tolerated to a certain degree, being unemployed simply because you’re different is plain wrong.

A person’s artistic capacity and diligence at work has no bearing on a person’s sexual orientation. In a heterogeneous world such as ours, there’s no reason to exclude people because of nonsensical differences. If these practices were tolerated, then what would become of the world?

Overhauling the Banking System Seen as Solution to European Credit Crunch

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Beyond the sad borders of the United States lies another giant. The giant is Europe, and when there’s a territory as large as Europe, a credit crunch is never a positive thing. This is why the European Union itself is planning to correct several large blunders in its banking systems.

Why do they even bother? Well, investors would not come back if the system is faulty. No one would have the courage to drop their money where it could disappear instantly. That’s why within the month, the EU plans to bring back the confidence to stabilize the credit crunch. Everyone is hoping that indeed, the reforms would help. Otherwise, the credit crunch and the associate recession would only deepen.

Paying Attention to the Small Guys at Wall Street

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

It should be noted that before a crisis, the large businesses are stable. But in the world of the economic meltdown, the large businesses are in a lot of trouble, but the small ones are fighting back. With lower production costs and lower prices, small companies are fighting back diligently in the stock market.

This behavior can be seen in the way the small to medium enterprises are rising almost more than ten percent in short rallies. Though the increase in their market values is temporary, you could really earn a bunch by focusing on these small businesses and predicting when they’re going up or down.

No Fines for MasterCard Yet

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

When the bulwark of Europe, the European Union speaks, people stop dead in their tracks and listen with apprehension. Large businesses know enough to not antagonize the largest trans-national formation in continental Europe.

This is where the power of the trans-national formation comes into play. Belligerent players in the world market, such as MasterCard can be threatened with the full force of the EU if it didn’t smarten up. This is already a while back, but it shows just how powerful the EU can be when led to the right direction.

Transaction fees that were considered nonsensical were ordered to be dropped. MasterCard obliged, quietly. What a success! Now if only Obama could do the same for the US. What do you think?

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Credit

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

While people are no strangers to tight-nosed loan officers, just what is it that makes these individuals so hesitant to give you your much-need loan? For one, loan officers often look at your history as borrower. If you weren’t able to pay for a year and six months, then that’s considered a very bad sign.

So make sure that you’re in top form when you engage your friendly loan officer for a ‘friendly’ dialog. Make sure you know everything about your own credit history. Also, make sure that what your loan officer is holding is current. Bring your own report (this can be ordered for free, or for a very, very small fee).

Credit Card Regulation in the Works

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Things are getting harder and harder in the US. This is the reason why the Obama administration and the Senate are both pitching in to choke the credit card monsters. That’s right. Just recently, some folks from the US Senate were pushing for far-reaching changes in the way credit card companies deal with its intended consumers.

The changes were aimed at removing certain dangers upon using credit cards. Unstable interest rates and other such problems would be erased once these changes have finally taken effect. When this happens, people would be safer from credit sharks that increase their interest rates without warning. Imagine having forty-five days on your side when the companies want to increase the rate once again.

Being Responsible for Your Credit Score

Friday, April 17th, 2009

People’s credit scores are often only brought up when there’s trouble brewing. Is this a good practice? Definitely not. Your credit score tells you whether you can take out a loan for just about anything. Your credit score also tells you whether you would be able to survive another near-bankruptcy.

While people take note of so many things, why is it that they normally don’t take note of their credit scores? According to experts like Suze Orman, this has become a harmful, self-deluding practice that has to cease. So next time you’re online, why don’t you type “FICO score” on any search engine and find out whether you’re still in the green or not?

How Little Changes can Bring Big Benefits

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Oil has been the most important and most ‘scandalous’ commodity since the invention of the wheel. It’s black gold, and it’s literally responsible for running the world’s industries. And yet, we’re running out of oil. If M. King Hubbert was correct, then within less than a hundred years we would be all running on fumes.

While it’s impractical to limit ourselves to alternative energy sources with technologies still in their infancy, there are some ways that we can help the Earth and save a few bucks in the process. For example, why not try walking or jogging to your destinations rather than take a cab? Every buck counts; and you’re helping bring down the consumption of oil.

Pitching In for a Greener Earth

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

One way people are resisting the more insidious effects of the recession is by going back to the “basics” of living. Organic produces, clean living, less use of gasoline; all these contribute to the drive to resuscitate a dying planet. In the final analysis, everyone’s small actions contribute to the larger, long-term solution.

One of the benchmarks of subjectivity in the field of the Green Drive for a healthier planet is the recently concluded Earth Hour. One hour of switching off your light for a healthier planet. Everyone with a cellular phone or an active Internet connection learned about the Earth Hour. If we could only harness these technologies to reverse centuries of abuse of the Earth, we would really be accomplishing something. What do you think? Are you Earth-friendly?

How Chinese Banks are Fighting Back

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

The financial sector has suffered massive blows on all fronts; and it’s not only the United States that’s been suffering since last year. Mainland China, with its billions-strong population has been facing similar problems with its industries.

The banks and lending institutions have been also suffering to a certain extent. But the problem didn’t have to rule their world. Many Chinese banks are looking to homegrown solutions for global problems. For instance, cheaper software development can be found not in developing countries, but right there at home.

Saving money and excelling in the financial sector; what more can they ask for? People like Charles Zhang from Longtop are stating that everything is still in place, and everything’s working like a charm.