Fred Harteis News Articles - 10 Things that Scream, "Don't Hire Me!"

Fred Harteis News Articles - You just don't get it. You've applied to numerous jobs, been to countless interviews and made several new contacts in your network -- yet here you are -- still sitting on the unemployment list. What gives?Well ... have you ever stopped to consider that what gives might in fact be ... you?It's a hard concept that most job seekers have trouble wrapping their heads around, but applicants frequently -- inadvertently -- raise red flags to hiring managers that immediately scream, "Don't hire me!" But, it might not be entirely your fault.

"Most companies don't give direct feedback about areas people are weak in while they are employed. They are enabling poor performance and lack of accountability," says Tom Gimbel, president and CEO of The LaSalle Network, an executive recruiting firm in Chicago.

"The same mentality exists when people interview. They feel they did 'great' on the interview and never look at themselves for if they feel that the interviewer was looking for something different."Not sure if you're unknowingly blowing your chances at scoring your dream job?

Here are 10 red flags to be wary of during your next job hunt:

Red flag No. 1: You don't have any contact information on your resume

When you're crafting your resume, you should focus on highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments that are in line with the position for which you are applying. But what good is an impressive resume if hiring managers have no way to get in touch with its owner? If they can't find you, they can't hire you. Always provide a home address, phone number or e-mail address so employers can get in touch with you easily.

Red flag No. 2: You have long gaps between jobs on your resume

Even if your long departure from the work force is valid, extended lapses of unemployment might say to an employer, "Why weren't you wanted by anyone?" Gimbel says. Anytime you have more than a three-month gap of idleness on your resume, legitimate or otherwise, be prepared to explain yourself.

Red flag No. 3: You aren't prepared for the interview

There are many ways to be unprepared for an interview: You haven't researched the company, you don't have any questions prepared, you didn't bring a copy of your resume, etc. Plain and simple, do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

Red flag No. 4: You didn't provide any references

By omitting references in your application, employers could infer that you don't know anyone who has any positive things to say about you -- when in fact, you just forgot to provide them with people who can vouch for you. No references also shows employers that you aren't prepared for people to call them, Gimbel says. Always make sure the hiring manager has at least one person to contact who can speak on your behalf.

Red flag No. 5: You only have negative things to say about previous employment

We know how tempting it is to want to tell anyone who will listen how much of a (insert expletive word here) your old boss was -- but a hiring manager for a coveted job is not that person.There are hundreds of ways to turn negative things about an old job into positives. Thought your last job was a dead end? Spin it by saying, "I felt I had gone as far as I could go in that position. I'm looking for something with more opportunity for advancement." Couldn't get along with your co-workers? "I really need to work in an environment where I feel like I'm part of a team and my last position didn't allow for that kind of atmosphere."

Red flag No. 6: You've held seven different jobs -- in the past six months

Job hopping is a new trend in the working world. Workers are no longer staying in a job for 10-20 years; they stay for a couple and move on to the next one. While such a tactic can further your career, switching jobs too often will raise a prospective employer's antenna. Too many jobs in too little time tells employers that either you can't hold a job or you have no loyalty, Gimbel says. Pick and choose the jobs you include on your resume or prepare to explain yourself.

Red flag No. 7: You give inconsistent answers in your interview

One tactic hiring managers use during the hiring process is to ask you the same question in several different ways. This is mostly to ensure that you're genuine with your answers and not just telling an employer what he or she wants to hear. Keep your responses sincere throughout the entire process and you should be good to go.

Red flag No. 8: You lack flexibility

Most people know what they want in a job as far as benefits, compensation, time-off, etc. If you're unable to be flexible with some of your (unrealistic?) expectations, however, you're going to have a difficult time finding a job. Have a bottom line in terms of what you want before you start the hiring process and be willing to bend a bit if necessary.

Red flag No. 9: Your application was, in a word -- lazy

Only doing the bare minimum of what's asked of you won't get very far -- in life or in your job search. Applying to jobs with the same resume and the same cover letter (or none at all) is pure laziness. And as Gimbel points out, if you won't spend extra time on yourself and your application materials, you sure as heck won't do it for a client.

Red flag No. 10: You lack objective or ambition

If you have no long-term goals, then you really have no short-term goals either, Gimbel says. "Long-term goals may change, however you need to have some concept of where you want to go." Know where you want to go and how you plan to get there. Otherwise you seem unfocused and unmotivated, which are two big no-no's for an applicant.

Source; Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.      Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Eight High-Stress Jobs

Fred Harteis News Articles - If you want to find a job that is free of stress, you're out of luck. Only characters in movies and on TV have jobs that don't cause occasional hair-pulling or high blood pressure. These are the same people who have huge apartments overlooking skylines and plenty of time to hang out with friends. Their jobs have unbelievably flexible hours.

In real life, however, every job you take, no matter how big or small, finds you stressed out once in a while. Whether you're dealing with an endless line of customers, a demanding executive or an uncertain economy, anxiety will find you. It's just part of life.  According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, occupational stress originates from a variety of issues, including:

Long hours with few or no breaks

Employees unable to participate in the decision-making process.

Job insecurity and large amounts of impending change

Physical danger

Some jobs have more stress than others. That's not to say they're bad jobs, they just require people who are strong enough to handle the increased stress that comes their way. Here are eight of them:

1. Retail Salespersons

Why: Jobs in sales require you to convince customers to spend money. Customers don't necessarily want to spend money and even if they do, they have a variety of places to shop. Salespeople have to prove their merchandise is the best option. If that weren't stressful enough, retail compensation is often commission-based, which means your paycheck is tied to how much you sell. What they earn: $24,530

2. Doctors and nurses

Why: Doctors and nurses deal with life and death on a regular basis, a pressure found in few occupations. They have to handle patients while accessing an encyclopedia of medical knowledge. Doctors and nurses who work in hospitals or clinics that don't keep regular business hours often work on little sleep and are on call even on days off. In recent years doctors have also been forced to deal with an increase in malpractice lawsuits.

What they earn: Internal medicine physician: $166,420; Registered nurse: $62,480

3. Accountants

Why: Crunching numbers requires attention to detail that can make your eyes cross. Not only are you dealing with a client's finances, but you also have to take into account volumes of rules and regulations that change each year. Plus, you're expected to know about minute loopholes and read tiny print that nobody else does.

What they earn: $44,632

4. Teachers

Why: Elementary and high school teachers put up with a lot. Students aren't always easy to control or motivate. Parents who can't understand why their children aren't doing better often place the blame with teachers. And pressure to prepare students for standardized tests mean they can't always stick to the lesson plans they'd prefer to teach.

What they earn: Elementary teacher: $43,421; High school teacher: $46,531

5. Firefighters

Why: When firefighters are on call, they've got to be ready to respond to emergencies that range from minor car accidents to huge explosions. They might go an entire shift with no emergency or they might get a call that keeps them out for hours. Perhaps most importantly, they're playing with fire literally. That's stressful enough.

What they earn: $44,130

6. Farmers

Why: Agriculture requires constant attention, from waking up early to strenuous physical activity. That alone isn't stressful, but having no control over nature is. Droughts, floods, fires or other natural disasters can ruin months of hard work, and you can't do much about it.

What they earn: $23,508

7. Automotive assembly workers

Why: The automotive industry has always been volatile as manufacturers respond to the whims of consumers who want coupes one moment and SUVs the next. Add the pressure of assembling vehicles so that people who spend thousands of dollars can travel safely, and you've got a stressful job.

What they earn: $42,480

8. Stock brokers

Why: You can feel a bit helpless working at a job that's at the mercy of the stock market and economy. When things are going great, you reap the rewards, but when the financial climate isn't so great or the future is uncertain, you have no choice but to ride it out. Plus, competition is high for these jobs.

What they earn: $61,151

Source; AOL.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.     Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Article  - How to Cut Energy Bills

Fred Harteis News Article - With energy costs on the rise, it's never been a better time to make your home more efficient. Here are some tips to cut energy costs without spending a fortune.

1. Install a clock thermostat: Installing a clock thermostat and programming it to reduce the household temperature overnight and while you're away can reduce heating costs by as much as 10 percent.

2. Insulate your water heater: Adding an inexpensive water heater jacket can keep heat from escaping. They're easy to install, and can save hundreds of dollars on energy bills over the life of the heater.

3. Add more insulation: Proper attic insulation -- at least 12 inches of the batt or blown types between attic rafters -- helps to reduce heating needs by up to 30 percent. Also make sure that the attic is well-ventilated, as even slightly damp insulation can lose as much as one third of its ability to insulate.

4. Keep filters clean: Replace your furnace's filter before the heating season begins and thereafter as recommended by the filter manufacturer. A dirty filter will reduce airflow, which makes your system work that much harder to deliver warmth where it's needed. Better yet, invest in a whole-house air cleaner that requires only annual maintenance.

5. Get your ducts in a row: Sealing heating ducts that rob you of precious warm air is a great way to cut costs. But don't use "duct tape" as it dries out, falls off and just doesn't work! Instead, use either foil-backed tape made for this purpose (rated "UL 181") or duct mastic.

6. Reduce drafts:Weather-strip or caulk around windows, doors, outlets and light switches from the inside to prevent warm air from escaping.

7. Strategic shades: Keep draperies and shades on south-facing windows open during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. In summer, keep them closed during the day to reduce solar heat gain.

8. Smart lighting: Home lighting can dim your finances, as it accounts for about ten percent of your electric bill. Move to lower bulb wattages where you can, and select long-lasting compact fluorescent bulbs for further savings.

9. Power down: Add a power strip to completely shut down stereo systems and computers when not in use, as most models continue to draw energy even when idle.

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.      Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Managing credit card changes

Fred Harteis News Articles - Your credit card terms may be getting a makeover, for the worse. Thanks to the ailing economy, a tight credit market and banking woes, credit card issuers are increasing fees or slashing risk. Here's what you need to know.

1. Know the changes

First, interest rates on credit cards are trickling higher, says Curtis Arnold of Cardratings.com. In addition, fees on balance transfers are going up. Credit lines have been cut up to 50% in some cases he says. Reward cards carry more strings; card issuers have been increasingly closing out credit cards if you haven't been using them frequently enough. And variable rate credit cards are putting floors on how low the interest rate can fall to, according to Arnold.

2. Be diligent

Don't trash junk mail from your credit card company. It's vital that you read everything because the company can change terms and conditions of your card at any time and without any reason. And you may get the chance to opt out of a rate or a fee increase. If you find out that your rate has increased, or your credit line was cut, the best thing you can do is complain. Make sure you ask to speak to the manager says Arnold. And make sure you tell that that you'll complain to your friends and co-workers and post complaints on consumer blogs. You may have to threaten to leave the credit card company, a credit card company doesn't want to lose your business. The replacement cost of a customer is about $200 says banking and credit card analyst Dennis Moroney at TowerGroup, a business consulting company. And don't forget that there is a spotlight on the industry right now. "Your leverage is stronger than you think," says Arnold.

3. Getting a card is tougher

Even getting a credit card is getting harder these days. And banks are giving out smaller lines of credit. The new customer is always the riskiest says Moroney. So, if you want to get the best credit card deals, make sure you're doing everything you can to improve your credit score. You want a card that has no annual fees and a low annual interest rate. Look for a credit card that has a grace period for payments and no charges for a balance transfer fee. Make sure you compare credit cards on web sites like CardRatings.com, Bankrate.com and Creditcards.com. And don't discount smaller credit card carriers either.

4. Look for change

The Federal Reserve had proposed a list of changes to the way credit card companies operate. Among some of those changes: the elimination of double cycle billing. The Fed has received 61,000 comments from the public - that's the most ever on a proposal. And the Fed right now is in the process of reviewing these comments. Meanwhile, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has since asked the Fed to step back on these proposals. Moroney says it's unlikely all the changes will pass this year, but there could be one or two changes that pass. We, of course, will continue to bring you the latest.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.     Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Health News  - Obesity Worsens Asthma

Fred Harteis Health News -  New research shows that obese people who have asthma are nearly five times more likely to be hospitalized for the problem and to have lower quality of life and worse control of the disease than those with asthma who are normal weight.

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School evaluated 1,113 adults with asthma, all members of Kaiser, in Oregon, Washington or Colorado.

They asked the patients about their weight, height, smoking habits, other illness, asthma treatment and their quality of life associated with asthma, as well as their asthma control and any hospitalizations related to the condition. They also computed their body-mass index (BMI).

"Even accounting for all of those factors, there was a pretty dramatic difference for obese asthmatics versus non-obese asthmatics," said study authors Dr. Michael Schatz, chief of the department of allergy at Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.

"The most severe was a nearly five times greater risk for being hospitalized for asthma in the prior year," Schatz said. Obesity was defined as having a BMI of 30 or above.

The team reported its findings in the September issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found other differences associated with obesity. Obese patients with asthma were 2.8 times more likely to have day-to-day problems with quality of life associated with their disease. They were 2.7 times more likely to have poor asthma control, too.

In previous research, Schatz said, obesity has been associated with having more intense asthma.

For those who had asthma and were overweight but not obese, with a BMI of 25 to 29, the findings were not as clear, Schatz said. While the results for the overweight but not obese weren't significantly different than for those of normal weight, "we probably could have used more numbers," Schatz said, explaining that the numbers of overweight but not obese persons may have been too small to tease out a difference. "I wouldn't want to conclude that being overweight [with asthma] is the same as normal weight in terms of risks."

To read this complete Fred Harteis Health News visit our news partner at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20080906/hl_hsn/obesityworsensasthma

Source; Yahoo.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Manage debt, protect savings

Fred Harteis News Articles – Here are some great answers for questions regarding: managing credit card debt, making sure your savings are safe and rebuilding credit after a foreclosure.

1. My daughter has serious credit card debt and would like to consolidate. Is the National Foundation for Credit Counseling a good place to talk to?

First, consolidating isn't always the best idea. Taking out new debt to cover old debt is rarely a solution - not only will you have trouble finding a lender, but consolidating doesn't help you deal with your debt - it just moves it around.

But going to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a good idea.

Your daughter will be able to sit down with a counselor who can put her on a debt management plan, so that she will be able to be debt-free within three to five years. For more information, go to Nfcc.org.

2. I have $200,000 in an individual checking account and another $200,000 in a joint money market account with my husband. Both accounts were opened at the same bank. How much of it is FDIC-insured?

Your joint account with your husband is insured up to $200,000. But you need to move out some money from that individual checking account.

You're only insured up to $100,000.

Consider splitting that money into a separate account, or find another bank. And you want to do this ASAP.

3. My foreclosure happened in January 2008. I haven't had a credit card since I finished paying off the last of my college debts in 2000, although I have maintained a bank debit card. What can I do to help my credit score recover from this recent foreclosure?

Since your foreclosure is so recent, it's going to take some time for you to recover. But it is possible.

First, you want to make sure you pay all your bills on time - from your phone bill to your utilities. And you'll need to build up your credit - your debit card won't help you do that.

See if you can become an authorized user on someone's credit card or have someone co-sign a credit card for you.

After that, make sure you don't charge more than 30% of your credit card's limit and keep making those payments on time

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.      Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - High-Paying Work-From-Home Jobs ~ Top 10

Fred Harteis News Articles - Here are some jobs you can do from the comfort of your home and earn a decent salary. See the top 10 list. Most of these require 5-9 years of experience, but many on this list are jobs that don't require a degree.

Working from home may require a little negotiation on your part, but many employers are open to telecommuting. On the other hand, becoming an independent contractor or self-employed are also ways you can earn money in your slippers.

10. Travel Agent - Salary: $32,122

Job Description: Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for travel agency customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required.

9. Medical Claims Processing

Salary: $36,814

Job Description: Medical claims processing involves the encoding and coordination of all information related to patient health care and working with insurance carriers to get claims paid. This type of home based business would be very detail-oriented and would require previous experience.

8. Graphic Designer

Salary: $40,117

Job Description: Graphic designers produce visual solutions to the communication needs of clients, using a mix of creative skills and business metrics. Designers need imaginative flair, awareness of current fashions in the visual arts, working knowledge of the latest computer packages and an understanding of material costs and time limits.

7. Property Manager

Salary: $41,427

Job Description: Residential property managers help investment property owners and homeowners in preserving and increasing the value of their real estate investments. They manage the day-to-day financial operations of the property, including finding and placing qualified tenants, and they ensure the property is in good working order.

6. Freelance Writer, Technical

Salary: $42,520

Job Description: Technical writers explain in simple language scientific and technical ideas that are difficult for the average reader to understand. Some write articles and reports on current trends in fields such as science and engineering.

5. Account Executive, Inside Sales

Salary: $42,624

Job Description: Primary responsibilities include heavy outbound calls to generate sales and new business.

4. Interpreter or Translator

Salary: $43,478

Job Description: Translators and interpreters convert one language into another. They work on special projects that are suited to their talents and areas of knowledge. Translators deal with the written word, often converting literary pieces or technical manuals, business guidelines, etc. Interpreters, on the other hand, make it possible for people who do not speak the same language to talk to one another.

3. Public Relations Professional

Salary: $52,675

Job Description: Engage in promoting or creating a positive image for individuals, groups or organizations by writing or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media. May prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

2. Financial Planner

Salary: $59,548

Job Description: Financial planners help individuals and groups maximize their savings, income and investments. Some teach people, through seminars and workshops, how to manage their finances.

1. Web Software Engineer

Salary: $71,149

Job Description: Software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze user needs, and design computer applications software or systems. Software engineers can be involved in the design and development of many types of software, including software for operating systems and network distribution.

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Health News  - Wendy's expands 99-cent menu

Fred Harteis Health News - Wendy's is the latest fast food chain to expand its 99-cent menu, adding the double-stack cheeseburger, the junior bacon cheeseburger, and the crispy chicken sandwich. It seems that all fast food restaurants are using 99-cent menus to lure in customers, and there's a science behind this simple-sounding ploy.

The key to making a 99-cent menu work is not putting too many items on it. The items offered for 99 cents have to be enticing, and the restaurant has to be prepared to make little to no profit off the special menu. The profit lies in the add-ons that customers will buy. Drinks are particularly profitable for restaurants, and sides like French fries and salads are also fairly profitable.

Put too many items on the 99-cent menu, and customers won't venture away from it and toward the more profitable items. Put too few items on the menu, and you won't draw in enough customers to make the promotion worthwhile.

I think it's safe to say (in my non-scientific, only anecdotal) opinion that fast food restaurants are aiming toward increasing foot traffic in their stores. Eating out is one of the biggest wastes of money ever, so during times of tight budgets, many families are cutting back on trips to restaurants. If fast food joints can increase traffic with deals for bargain hunters, they stand to make a tidy little profit from all the "extras" sold to patrons.

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Is your bank safe?

Fred Harteis News Articles  - More banks are in trouble according to the FDIC. Is your bank next on the list? Here's what to look for.

1. Get the numbers

The FDIC reported that the number of banks on the "problem bank" list grew to 117 during the second quarter. That's the highest level since the middle of 2003.

There were 90 banks on the problem list in the first quarter of this year. The FDIC chairman also said that list is going to grow. In fact, analysts say that there could be up to 150 bank failures on the horizon.

But keep in mind that banks included on the problem list are considered the most likely institutions to fail, although few institutions actually reach that point - just 13% of banks on the FDIC's problem list have failed on average.

And let's put this in perspective - the FDIC insures more than 8,000 thrifts and banks. And this is nothing like what we saw during the late 1980s and early 1990s, when more than 1,000 financial institutions failed amid the savings-and-loan crisis.

2. Get the ranking

Generally small and mid-size banks are more at risk - that's because they may not be able to raise enough money if they are in trouble. If you're looking to park your money somewhere safe, go with larger, more familiar banks.

The FDIC doesn't release the names of banks that are in trouble, but you can check the health of your own bank. Check out bankrate.com. This site will has a safe & sound rating system that can help you get a picture of your bank's health.

If you want more detailed information about your bank's financials, you can go to ambest.com.

3. Know the signs

Bottom line is that financial institutions are having a tough time. So, while it may just be the environment right now, you want to pay attention to massive job layoffs or cutback in services.

If your bank doesn't accept new loan submissions that's a red flag. And if you start to see generous CD yields advertised, that could be a sign that the bank is in trouble. That's because banks are trying to entice people to keep their money at the bank.

As we've been reporting, if you are within the limits of FDIC-insurance coverage with an FDIC-insured bank, you shouldn't panic. The worst move you could make is pulling your money out of a regulated institution and holding the cash yourself.

4. Don't Panic

The FDIC is not required to reimburse you for anything above the covered amount. But there are some cases where you'll be ok. For example, you may qualify for more than $100,000 if there are accounts in different "ownership categories."

For example, your share of any joint account at a bank is insured up to $100,000 separately from accounts you hold in your name alone.

And the bank can also choose to pay for uninsured deposits if it raises enough money after selling off the banks assets.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Qualifying for a student loan

Fred Harteis News Articles  - The student loan market is rejecting more applicants because of too-low credit scores, but the market is still advancing money, even as colleges prepare to resume classes. Some tips from CNN's Gerri Willis on how to nab a loan.

1. Get the stats

It's estimated that 100,000-250,000 of would-be borrowers could be turned down for private student loans this year. And that has to do with a few things.

First, lenders have tightened their standards. Previously if you had a credit score of 620-650, you would be eligible for a loan. But today, you'll likely need a credit score between 680 and 700 according to Mark Kantrowitz of Finaid.org.

And many more parents are also being turned down for PLUS loans. That's because if parents had a foreclosure on their record within the past five years, they won't qualify for this kind of loan.

2. Improve your credit

Let's face it, kids going into college from high school have a very thin credit history. First, check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.

After that, the student can either opt to become an authorized user on their parent's credit card or they can have a parent co-sign a credit card with them. This way, the student has the benefit of an older, more established credit history.

One note here: you want to make sure the co-signer has a credit score of over 700. Keep in mind that who ever co-signs the credit card is equally responsible for the debt. By using a co-signer you increase your chances of getting a loan with better terms.

3. Know where to go

Make sure you go to Uncle Sam first. If you qualify for federal aid, you will get it, says Kevin Walker of Simpletuition.com.

Plus, federal student loans have lower interest rates. You may be eligible for up to $31,000 in Stafford loans if you're a dependent undergrad, and $57,500 if you're an independent undergrad. Your credit won't be checked for this.

If your parents have been denied a PLUS loan, you automatically qualify for more money thorough the Stafford Loan Program.

You should also go to your student aid office if you're having trouble securing a loan. They will know who is lending and who isn't. "They have a daily finger on the pulse of who is making the changes," says Walker.

If you think you're going to have trouble making your tuition bill, talk to the bursar's office. Some schools have tuition installment plans. This spreads out your payments from 9-12 months. You may have to pay a one-time fee of $50-$100 says Kantrowitz.

4. Compare deals

You want to make sure you do your homework. So, check out websites like estudentloan.com or simpletuition.com. Try calling the lenders and asking what kind of rate you would get with your current credit score.

Some lenders may give you a ballpark estimate without having to fill out an application. But keep in mind that advertised rates may be reserved for people with great credit. While you're comparing terms make sure you note how long the repayment rate is says Walker.

Remember, the longer the repayment, the lower your monthly bill, but the more you'll pay in interest over the life of the loan.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Finding a Job Using Uncommon Search Tactics

Fred Harteis News Articles - Rules are meant to be broken. Think outside the box. Be an original. These are all cliches meant to inspire and remind you that creativity can often be rewarded in life.

Yet, even the most adventurous of us can't overcome our reservations when it comes to job hunting. Everything you've been told about the application and interview processes emphasizes being professional. Don't try to be funny in your cover letter. Wear a conservative business suit. Show how you'll fit in as one of the team. In other words, do what everyone else is doing.

For some people, that just won't do.

Tony Beshara, author of "Acing the Interview," has seen his share of unusual job search methods over the years, ranging from quirky to bold. And several of them have been successful. "For a marketing job, the candidate bought a pair of baby shoes, wrapped one in a box along with her resume and sent it directly to the hiring authority," Beshara remembers. "The box had a tag that said 'Let me get my foot in the door and you will be pleased.' When she went to the interview, she took the other shoe with her, which was a great way to start the interview."

Another job candidate who was hoping to land a sales position sent his resume to the hiring manager with miniature star tickets that fell out when you opened it up. Across the top he had written "Hire a Star." Quiet and clever tactics don't work for everybody, though. Beshara recalls another job seeker who decided to wear a sandwich board that read, "Brand new, hardworking MBA needs work." He then stood at one of busiest intersections during the morning rush hour. "He had a job by noon."

Other tactics aren't as premeditated or elaborate.

When marketing and management expert Mark Stevens met with a candidate whose credentials showed great promise, he was disappointed when the interview didn't go well. The applicant wasn't engaged in the interview and as soon as he left he threw away his resume.

"The next day, I received a FedEx package from him, with a book of poetry on human loss and a loving letter about how his mother had died that week," Stevens remembers. He knew he hadn't made a good impression and asked for a second chance. Stevens gave it to him and ended up hiring him.

When you're hunting for a job, keep in mind that these unorthodox methods worked for these job seekers. Not only did they have the guts to try them out, but they also encountered hiring managers who were willing to take their efforts seriously. Although wearing a sandwich board on a highway isn't the most reliable way to land a job, that job seeker did set himself apart from the thousands of other new MBAs fresh out of school. In a competitive job market, look for any opportunity, big or little, to give yourself an edge over the other applicants.

Source; Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles – Hot Jobs that Pay Well

Fred Harteis News Articles - The following jobs typically pay about $60/hour.

If we assume employees work on average 40 hours per week, and are paid for 52 weeks of the year, this would be equivalent to an annual income* of 60 x 40 x 52 = $124,800.

With any job title, there is a wide range of pay based upon years of experience, location, and many additional factors.

1. Investment Banker

Job Description: Arranges initial public offerings (IPOs) and issues stocks or bonds for businesses seeking capital.

2. Nurse Anesthetist

Job Description: Administers anesthesia prior to surgery or delivery; monitors levels of anesthesia during the procedure and adjusts accordingly.

3. Pediatrician

Job Description: Diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent children's diseases and injuries.

4. Airline Pilot

Job Description: Pilots and navigates multi-engine aircraft in regularly scheduled transport of passengers and cargo.

5. Chief Financial Officer

Job Description: Manages a company's financial planning and record keeping; reports on financial status to the board of directors and investors.

6. Semi Conductor Engineer

Job Description: Provides technical leadership for the design of microchips, which are the basic building blocks for electronic devices with memory or computing power.

7. Director of Supply Chain Management

Job Description: Ensures an organization has access to the raw materials and resources required to operate effectively.

8. Corporate Attorney

Job Description: Researches and ensures the legality of practices, products, and transactions for a corporation.

Source: Aol.com

About  Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Helicopter Parents on the Job

Fred Harteis News Articles - Some call their parents from the office five times a day. Some receive a bad review and quit their jobs, moving back home on their parents' urging. Others rely on their parents to weigh salary or compensation packages while some have seen a parent stomp into the workplace to rebut a bad review or boss's criticism.

The Millennial generation, or Generation Y, has entered the workplace and their Baby Boomer parents are keeping a closer eye on them than ever before, in many cases taking a very active role in post-college recruitment that continues through a Millennial's young career. Many leading employers are, perhaps unwillingly, embracing the idea of so-called “helicopter parents,” so just how has this swinging change in demographics affected the workplace?

Many Generation Y experts define a Millennial as under 30 or born between 1979 and 1998. As a group, or stereotype, they are tech savvy, keen to succeed quickly and friendly with or reliant on their parents much more so than Generation X that preceded them. Both groups had very different influences and patterns of parental involvement from a young age. Trick is, Generation Y started entering the workplace after college or grad school about three years ago, which is when some surprising tales started emerging from employers about helicopter parents.

Annika Hylmo, a partner with the Interchange Group, which offers consulting services to businesses, says instances of helicopter parenting in the workplace are "definitely more prevalent." She adds: "Parents are in the background. It is impacting workplaces significantly. It adds to workloads, managing both parents and offspring. When you're not only dealing with an employee conflict, or a review that didn't go well, the parents are calling in, 'Why did my little Johnny get a bad review?' That's something that HR has to deal with.

"A lot of younger employees want to take their parents to the workplace to show them around. It becomes almost a given, or they would participate in a family day. Younger people are staying in touch with their parent even at work, often several times a day.

Phillis Weiss, a generational expert and author of The Rainmaking Machine, agrees. "We've heard of a couple instances of parents calling up when they were unhappy with performance reviews. People are talking to their parents five times a day. They ask a lot of questions now in the workplace; it drives their bosses crazy. If they expect an immediate response from a manager, they might not get it.” Heidi Golledge, CEO of Cybercoders, confirms that a candidate will often ask to run their compensation package past their parents before they accept or reject the offer.

Some employers have adjusted their hiring or workplace practices to the new generation. Both Dow Chemical and Merrill Lynch offer a parents day to let young employees show their parents their workplace. Many are increasingly tailoring their recruitment materials to the parents of a recruit.

Anna Livey, a career coach and Generation Y expert, says: "In some ways there's an opportunity. There are plenty of Gen Y'rs who are professional and mature and they are really sticking out now. There's now a meaningful way to distinguish themselves."

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles –  Tips on Jobs, Deeds & Flying

Fred Harteis News Articles - How to find a 'recession-proof' job, how a 'deed in lieu' will affect your credit rating, and how to lock in a good price on air travel.

1. What jobs or industries are more "recession proof" than others?

In reality, no job is "recession-proof," but there are industries that fare better than others, even when the economy is suffering.

Security jobs - from transportation security to computer security specialists are one of those according to Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

One recent report estimates that the government will need to fill 83,000 jobs in the next two years.

Healthcare is another fast-growing area. Physical therapists, home health aides and medical assistants are all in demand. Plus, employers are upping the perks including tuition and relocation reimbursement and increased time off.

And finally education is a good area - 2.8 million new teachers are going to be needed over the next eight years.

2. If you own a property that is not moving like you want it to. My question is about the 'Deed in Lieu' option. Does it show up as a foreclosure on my credit? If not, how will it affect my credit?

A deed in lieu is just as devastating to your credit score as a foreclosure says John Ulzheimer of Credit.com.

It will show up on your score as a deed in lieu of foreclosure. But a deed in lieu - basically when you voluntary give the keys to your lender - is a more noble way of losing your home, and lenders will view that more positively than if you went through with a foreclosure, and had to be forced out of your home.

Some of you were asking how a loan modification affected your credit score. Well, your credit score doesn't reflect the terms of your loan, so as long as you've been current with your payments, a loan mod won't have any affect.

However, the sad fact is that most lenders won't do a loan mod unless you've already missed payments. And it's up to the lender to report late payments or delinquencies.

3. In order to get the best price, when is the best time for to book a flight for Christmas vacation?

 There have been 21 airfare hikes since the beginning of January according to Rick Seaney CEO of Farecompare.com, a consumer airline ticket research Web site. And we're likely to see more hikes by the end of the year.

Airlines are also cutting 10-15% of their domestic flights. Normally, it would be a bit early to shop for holiday travel, but this year, it's a smart move.

If you see a good price, lock it in. And then, keep track of your flight and make sure the airline doesn't cancel it later on.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - The Apple iPhone Is Broken

Fred Harteis News articles - Reports have been increasing that the new Apple 3G iPhone is having trouble connecting to 3G networks and is plagued by dropped calls. Since a number of consumers waiting for the new version so they could use the new super-fast wireless internet, the disappointment with the iPhone is likely to grow.

Now it turns out the one of Apple's big suppliers, Infineon Technologies, has probably shipped Jobs & Co. a faulty chipset. According to MarketWatch, investment bank Nomura says "We believe that these issues are typical of an immature chipset and radio protocol stack where we are almost certain Infineon is the 3G supplier."

The trouble could be a torpedo in Apple's attempts to make the iPhone the de facto high-end smartphone in both the US and large cellular markets abroad. The new product was supposed to give consumers a substantially better product than the first generation of the handset. With iPod sales slowing, the iPhone was going to be Apple's next revenue growth engine.

The smartphone market is a war zone for companies which have a much larger share of the handset world than Apple does. Nokia plays in the field and it has 40% of the global market for handsets. LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and RIM do not just want to defend their pieces of the lucrative end of the industry. They want to expand it.

The iPhone flaw could push back important sales opportunities by a quarter or two. No one knows how long it will take to correct the problem.

What is certain is that Apple has opened the door for companies that desperately don't want it to succeed.

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Top 25 Things Vanishing From America

Fred Harteis News Articles - Going, Going, Gone?

The landscape is constantly changing. As culture shifts and new technologies and products are introduced, this is to be expected. But some things are impacted more than others and the once-ubiquitous can even become extinct.

WalletPop takes a look at such things that are quickly disappearing. From honey bees to checks to bowling alleys to incandescent light bulbs, we count down 25 things you may not be able to find for very much longer.

Yellow Pages

This year will be pivotal for the global Yellow Pages industry. Much like newspapers, print Yellow Pages will continue to bleed dollars to their various digital counterparts, from Internet Yellow Pages (IYPs), to local search engines and combination search/listing services like ReachLocal and Yodle. Factors like an acceleration of the print "fade rate" and the looming recession will contribute to the onslaught. One research firm predicts the falloff in usage of newspapers and print Yellow Pages could even reach 10% this year -- much higher than the 2%-3% fade rate seen in past years.

Classified Ads

The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that could signal the end of civilization as we know it. The argument is that if newspaper classifieds are replaced by free online listings at sites like Craigslist.org and Google Base, then newspapers are not far behind them.

Movie Rental Stores

While Netflix is looking up at the moment, Blockbuster keeps closing store locations by the hundreds. It still has about 6,000 left across the world, but those keep dwindling and the stock is down considerably in 2008, especially since the company gave up a quest of Circuit City. Movie Gallery, which owned the Hollywood Video brand, closed up shop earlier this year. Countless small video chains and mom-and-pop stores have given up the ghost already.

Dial-up Internet Access

Dial-up connections have fallen from 40% in 2001 to 10% in 2008. The combination of an infrastructure to accommodate affordable high speed Internet connections and the disappearing home phone have all but pounded the final nail in the coffin of dial-up Internet access.

Phone Landlines

According to a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics, at the end of 2007, nearly one in six homes was cell-only and, of those homes that had landlines, one in eight only received calls on their cells.

VCRs

For the better part of three decades, the VCR was a best-seller and staple in every American household until being completely decimated by the DVD, and now the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In fact, the only remnants of the VHS age at your local Wal-Mart or Radio Shack are blank VHS tapes these days. Pre-recorded VHS tapes are largely gone and VHS decks are practically nowhere to be found.

Source: AOl.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Health News - Dunkin' Donuts to offer healthier menu items

Fred Harteis Health News- Looking to entice those hungry for a healthier option, Dunkin' Donuts will begin offering a new slate of better-for-you offerings in August.

The menu, which will debut in stores Aug. 6, will feature two new flatbread sandwiches made with egg whites. Customers will be able to choose either a turkey sausage egg-white sandwich or a vegetable one. Both will be under 300 calories with 9 grams of fat or less, the company said.

"We just felt it was important to provide some choice in our menu," said Will Kussell, president and chief brand officer.

The new menu will be called DDSmart and will include all current and new items that either have 25 percent few calories, sugar, fat or sodium than comparable products or contain ingredients that are "nutritionally beneficial," the company said.

Current products that will join the new sandwiches on the menu include a multigrain bagel and a reduced-fat blueberry muffin.

Kussell said Dunkin' will continue to add products to the menu and is currently developing several new offerings, but would not disclose any details.

Kussell said Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands Inc. will spend several million dollars marketing the new menu.

To read this complete Fred Harteis Health News visit our news partner at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_he_me/dunkin__donuts_healthy_menu

Source; Yahoo.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Health News - Los Angeles wants to take bite out of fast food

Fred Harteis Health News - In the impoverished neighborhood of South Los Angeles, fast food is the easiest cuisine to find — and that's a problem for elected officials who see it as an unhealthy source of calories and cholesterol.

The City Council was poised to vote Tuesday on a moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in a swath of the city where a proliferation of such eateries goes hand-in-hand with obesity.

"Our communities have an extreme shortage of quality foods," City Councilman Bernard Parks said.

The aim of the yearlong moratorium, which was approved last week in committee, is to give the city time to try to attract restaurants that serve healthier food.

The California Restaurant Association says the moratorium, which could be extended up to two years, is misguided.

Fast food "is the only industry that wants to be in South LA," said association spokesman Andrew Casana. "Sit-down restaurants don't want to go in. If they did, they'd be there. This moratorium isn't going to help them relocate."

The proposed ban comes at a time when governments of all levels are increasingly viewing menus as a matter of public health. Last Friday, California became the first state in the nation to bar trans fats, which lowers levels of good cholesterol and increases bad cholesterol.

It also comes as the Los Angeles City Council tackles issues beyond safety, schools and streets. The council last week decided to outlaw plastic bags.

Fast-food restaurants have found themselves in the frying pan in a number of cities. Some places, including Carmel-by-the Sea and Calistoga, have barred "formula" restaurants altogether; others have placed a cap on them — Arcata allows a maximum of nine fast-food eateries; others have prohibited the restaurants in certain areas, such as Port Jefferson, N.Y., in its waterfront area.

Most initiatives were designed to preserve a city's historic character. The Los Angeles bid is one of few that cite residents' health.

The mounting pressure has caused chains to insert healthier food choices in their menus. McDonalds offers salads and low-fat dressings; Burger King stocks Kids Meals with milk and apple pieces.

To read this complete Fred Harteis Health News visit our news partner at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080729/ap_on_he_me/fast_food_ban

Source: Yahoo.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Weigh in on proposed credit card laws

Fred Harteis News Articles - Ever find yourself going off on the customer service representative after a particularly steep credit card fee or unexpected rate increase? Well now is your chance to tell those who could ultimately change credit card laws in the United States.

Members of the Federal Reserve Board have proposed rules to protect consumers from unfair credit cards practices like unexpected rate increases and double-cycle billing, among other grievances. And they want to hear from you.

But while consumers are overwhelmingly in favor of the new rules, credit card issuers and banking industry lobbyists say the legislation will only hurt customers and small business owners. But the Fed is weighing arguments from both sides.

The rules are currently open to public comment under the Federal Trade Commission Act and so far over 12,000 people have chimed in.

What could change

The Board's proposal includes some key protections for consumers that use credit cards, such as prohibiting banks from upping the rate on pre-existing credit card balances and applying payments in a way that maximizes interest penalties.

The proposal also requires banks to notify consumers if they are nearing their limit and let them opt out of overdrawing their accounts, before any fees are imposed.

Consumers would also be given a reasonable amount of time to make payments and payments would be applied to higher-rate balances first.

And, finally, an end to the "double-cycle" method, which averages out the balance from two previous bills, so you still get hit with retroactive interest even if you've paid off your balance.

"The proposed rules are intended to establish a new baseline for fairness in how credit card plans operate," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in a statement. "Consumers relying on credit cards should be better able to predict how their decisions and actions will affect their costs."

Consumers cry out

Not surprisingly, there has been overwhelming consumer support for the Fed's proposed changes. Many of the comments include personal stories of credit card woes and almost all share distaste for credit-card issuers.

"We need more protection against these rapacious banks and other lenders!" one comment read. Others cheer Bernanke's actions, calling him "real life hero" and refer to banks as "crooks" and "thieves."

Another comment said "any cries from the banking industry about this proposal are assuredly smoke and mirrors designed only to protect their profit margins and excessive executive compensation."

But representatives from the banking industry argue that is not the case, and that the proposed rules are too restrictive and ultimately bad news for consumers.

Debate heats up

The proposal could restrict the ability of card companies to charge interest rates that reflect the risks of different consumers.

If card companies cannot fully assess risk, then the consumers with good credit histories will end up with higher rates. "Banks won't get to reprice an existing balance so banks will have to cover that risk another way and that means higher rates for everybody," Clayton said.

"The reality is, if people pose a risk, then (the credit-card issuer) should be able to price for it and give everyone else lower rates."

Even some consumer advocates agree, "if you start putting a lot of restrictions on the card companies, their profitability is going to be impacted," warned Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com, a consumer advocacy group. That will force issuers to limit aggressive rate offers and ultimately "hurt those consumers with stellar credit."

In addition, an end to zero- or low- interest balance transfer options could not only effect consumers but small business owners as well.

"Small businesses use balance transfer methods to manage debt load and fund operations," Clayton said. If such restrictions were put on small business operations, "that's not a good thing for the economy."

Meanwhile, other industry experts believe the proposed rules barely scratch the surface.

"While this is a tremendous step in the right direction, there are three additional changes that could be made which would also benefit consumers," suggested Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com.

"First, credit card Terms and Conditions need to be written in a way that most people can understand. Second, consumers need to be clearly informed of any proposed changes to their credit card rates and fees with 45 days notice. Third, issuers should be prohibited from charging interest rates on fees."

You decide

Now the Federal Reserve is asking you to weigh in. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 4. To add your opinion go to federalreserve.gov and click on the "Consumer Information" tab at the top of the page. Then click on "Proposed Rules for Credit Cards and Overdraft Services" and submit a comment under Regulation AA at the bottom of the page.

The Federal Reserve said it hopes to deliver a final ruling by the end of the year.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.     Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - When 110 Percent Is Too Much

Fred Harteis News Articles - You never hear that sentence because nobody gets commended for being average. Throughout our lives we're taught to excel so that we're recognized for going above and beyond. Straight A's get the honor roll. Straight B's, not so much. High scorers get MVP. The rest of the team gets to applaud at the ceremony.

The same is true at work. If you want to get promoted and receive any recognition, you should be willing to make small sacrifices once in a while, whether that means working through lunch to finish a project or bringing work home to catch up. But at what point are you going from above and beyond to overboard?

Once upon a time when landlines outnumbered cell phones and memos existed on paper and not e-mail, working until nightfall was a nuisance that you avoided at all costs. It was a sacrifice that your colleagues and boss noticed as they left and saw only your car in the parking lot.

Now, thanks to technology, you can be steeped in after-hours work from the comfort of your home, car or the bleachers at your child's soccer game. Because you're not meeting with a client or in an office, both you and your boss might start to think you're not actually working, but you're not relaxing either."

I used to use a BlackBerry when it first came out around the year 2000," remembers Victor Cheng, president of Bookmercial Productions, a book publishing company. "I was working, thinking about work nearly 24/7 -- routinely replying to my CEO at midnight because he too was using his 'crack-berry.'"

Now that he's left that job and is the president of his own company, a BlackBerry is on his list of forbidden workplace items. He understands how much you can do with a few keystrokes of a smartphone, but he doesn't think anything substantial comes from them. "

As the chief decision maker of my company, getting out another e-mail rarely makes or breaks a company ... but blowing a big decision because I was continually getting interrupted by a BlackBerry is stupid. Achieving big results is about getting a few important things done right -- not about getting more little things done."

Just recently, television network ABC had a contract dispute with some employees who wanted compensation for checking their BlackBerrys when they weren't in the office. Workers felt they were expected to give too much of their personal time, while the network felt it was to be expected. Although they reached an agreement, the conflict is a sign that when it comes to technology, the boundaries between work and home aren't clear for employees and employers alike.

Missing Out on Life

Technology isn't the only culprit in the battle of work versus home; it's just the newest one. Plenty of workers aren't sacrificing their personal lives because of e-mail; they just can't get away. Some people just have good old-fashioned pressures, such as a demanding boss who sets unrealistic deadlines for projects or a seemingly bottomless amount of work that they can never catch up on. Or maybe they simply can't pull themselves away from work. In fact, a recent CareerBuilder.com survey found that 50 percent of sales workers intend to "check-in" with work while on vacation.

David Bohl was a venture capitalist who made weekly trips overseas, which meant his schedule was anything but a reliable 9 to 5. The line between work and home blurred too much for his liking when he found himself learning more about his children through faxes and phone calls than in person. He knew he was sacrificing too much personal time for work, so he decided to move on. He has since become a lifestyle mentor who helps other people avoid making the same mistakes he did.

Of course, you don't have to wait until life passes you by to know you've put your job ahead of yourself. If you feel like you've crossed the line -- like one more moonlit drive home is too much to bear -- you probably have. After all, you're the only one who can make that call.

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Health News - Study: When kids become teens, they get sluggish

Fred Harteis Health News - One of the largest studies of its kind shows just how sluggish American children become once they hit the teen years: While 90 percent of 9-year-olds get a couple of hours of exercise most days, fewer than 3 percent of 15-year-olds do.

What's more, the study suggests that fewer than a third of teens that age get even the minimum recommended by the government — an hour of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, like cycling, brisk walking, swimming or jogging.

The sharp drop raises concerns about inactivity continuing into adulthood, which could endanger kids' health throughout their lives, the study authors said.

"People don't recognize this as the crisis that it is," said lead author Dr. Philip Nader, a pediatrician and professor emeritus at the University of California at San Diego.

Inactivity is linked with greater risks for many health problems, including heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

The new findings come just a week after an influential pediatricians group recommended that more children have their cholesterol checked and that some as young as 8 should be given cholesterol-lowering drugs. That advice was partly out of concern over future levels of heart disease and other ailments linked to rising rates of childhood obesity.

The latest study, appearing in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association, tracked about 1,000 U.S. children at various ages, from 2000 until 2006.

Special gadgets were used to record their activity. Average levels of moderate-to-vigorous activity fell from three hours a day at age 9 to less than an hour at age 15.

To read this complete Fred Harteis Health News visit our news partner at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080716/ap_on_he_me/med_couch_potato_kids

Source: Yahoo.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - Sales Tax Holiday 2008

Fred Harteis Business News  - For savvy shoppers across the U.S., the sales tax holiday is an annual event worth waiting for -- and this year is no exception. Each summer, more than a dozen states temporarily suspend sales tax on certain products, such as clothing, computers and school supplies. With rising fuel and food costs weighing heavily on consumers' budgets, some states are now taking the sales-tax holiday one step further by extending the holiday and broadening the scope of eligible products.

Alabama

Date: Aug. 1-3

Tax Savings: 4%

Eligible Products:

Books worth $30 or less. School supplies worth $50 or less. Clothing worth $100 or less. A single purchase of a computer, software and/or computer accessories with a combined value of $750 or less.

Connecticut

Date: Aug. 17-23

Tax Savings: 6%

Eligible Products:

Clothing and footwear worth $300 or less.

Georgia

Date: July 31 - Aug. 3

Tax Savings: 4%

Eligible Products:

School supplies worth $20 or less. Clothing and footwear worth $100 or less. A single purchase of a computer, software and/or computer accessories with a combined value of $1,500 or less.

Iowa

Date: Aug. 1-2

Tax Savings: 5%

Eligible Products:

Clothing worth $100 or less.

Louisiana

Date: Aug. 1-2

Tax Savings: 4%

Eligible Products:

All "tangible personal property" — except vehicles, meals and services — worth $2,500 or less.

Missouri

Date: Aug. 1-3

Tax Savings: 4.23%

Eligible Products:

School supplies worth $50 or less. Clothing worth $100 or less. Computers, software and computer accessories worth $3,500 or less.

New Mexico

Date: Aug. 1-3

Tax Savings: 5%

Eligible Products:

School supplies worth $15 or less. Clothing worth $100 or less. A single purchase of a computer, software and/or computer accessories with a combined value of $1,000 or less.

North Carolina

Date: Aug. 1-3

Tax Savings: 4.25%

Eligible Products:

Sports and recreational equipment worth $50 or less. School supplies and clothing worth $100 or less. Software, computer accessories and other computer supplies worth $250 or less. Computers worth $3,500 or less.

To see the complete list visit our news partner at:

http://www.walletpop.com/taxes/smartmoney/sales-tax-holiday-2008

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Top 25 Things Vanishing From America

Fred Harteis News Articles - Going, Going, Gone?

The landscape is constantly changing. As culture shifts and new technologies and products are introduced, this is to be expected. But some things are impacted more than others and the once-ubiquitous can even become extinct.

WalletPop takes a look at such things that are quickly disappearing. From honey bees to checks to bowling alleys to incandescent light bulbs, we count down 25 things you may not be able to find for very much longer.

Yellow Pages

This year will be pivotal for the global Yellow Pages industry. Much like newspapers, print Yellow Pages will continue to bleed dollars to their various digital counterparts, from Internet Yellow Pages (IYPs), to local search engines and combination search/listing services like ReachLocal and Yodle. Factors like an acceleration of the print "fade rate" and the looming recession will contribute to the onslaught. One research firm predicts the falloff in usage of newspapers and print Yellow Pages could even reach 10% this year -- much higher than the 2%-3% fade rate seen in past years.

Classified Ads

The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that could signal the end of civilization as we know it. The argument is that if newspaper classifieds are replaced by free online listings at sites like Craigslist.org and Google Base, then newspapers are not far behind them.

Movie Rental Stores

While Netflix is looking up at the moment, Blockbuster keeps closing store locations by the hundreds. It still has about 6,000 left across the world, but those keep dwindling and the stock is down considerably in 2008, especially since the company gave up a quest of Circuit City. Movie Gallery, which owned the Hollywood Video brand, closed up shop earlier this year. Countless small video chains and mom-and-pop stores have given up the ghost already.

Dial-up Internet Access

Dial-up connections have fallen from 40% in 2001 to 10% in 2008. The combination of an infrastructure to accommodate affordable high speed Internet connections and the disappearing home phone have all but pounded the final nail in the coffin of dial-up Internet access.

Phone Landlines

According to a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics, at the end of 2007, nearly one in six homes was cell-only and, of those homes that had landlines, one in eight only received calls on their cells.

VCRs

For the better part of three decades, the VCR was a best-seller and staple in every American household until being completely decimated by the DVD, and now the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In fact, the only remnants of the VHS age at your local Wal-Mart or Radio Shack are blank VHS tapes these days. Pre-recorded VHS tapes are largely gone and VHS decks are practically nowhere to be found.

Source: AOl.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Cut your costs at the gas pump

Fred Harteis News Articles - Taking a road-trip this summer is going to be more expensive than ever, thanks to rising gas prices. But don't let that stop you from hitting the road.

Here are a few Tips to tell you how to cut those costs when you're behind the wheel.

How much will it hurt?

The Department of Energy estimates you'll be paying at least $.25 cents more per gallon this summer. But that is a very conservative number according to experts. "You'll see gas at $3.00 a gallon in some places like California and Chicago," says Jim Kliesch of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Already we've seen the price of gas soar $0.33 in a month. And we haven't even hit the peak summer season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If you want to get a more detailed estimate of just how much that trip to Grandma's is going to cost you, check out AAA's fuel cost calculator at http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/

Think shade

Park your car in the shade whenever possible. The same sun that is steaming up your steering wheel is also stealing fuel from your gas tank. It's called evaporative emissions and it's common in cars that are older than five years old, according to Kliesch.

Forget the bling

It may look cool, but spoilers can spell disaster if you're looking to conserve fuel. Spoilers may be marketed to give you that extra stability and handling, but according to Karl Brauer of Edmunds.com, they have virtually no aerodynamic benefit. In fact, spoilers can have a very negative impact on fuel conservation.

Keep your cruising to the highways

Cruise control can be oh so tempting. Especially when you have a stretch of nothing but highway. And it can also be good for your wallet. If you're able to maintain a steady speed for some time, using cruise control can improve your gas mileage.

Be smart, the next time around

If you're looking to get the most fuel efficient vehicle, you really have to look at the miles per gallon. Stay away from gas guzzlers. These are vehicles that get less than 20 miles per gallon.

The most efficient vehicles (without going hybrid) can get about 35 miles per gallon. And even getting a few more mpg's out of a car can really impact your finances. Buying a car that gets 10 more miles to the gallon could save you $550 per year, according to AOL's Save the Planet Web site. That means nearly $3,000 of gas savings over 5 years.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles – Are you the Target of Phishing?

Fred Harteis News Articles - One in Four Computer Users Are the Target of Phishing Attempts Each Month

Identity theft risk is high as Americans turn to online holiday shopping, with 81 percent of home computers lacking protections against viruses, spyware and hackers.

Phishing attacks now affect roughly one in four Americans (23 percent) each month, according to the second annual AOL/National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Online Safety Study, and seven in ten (70 percent) consumers who received such scam e-mails thought they might be from legitimate companies, putting them at high risk of losing sensitive personal information to identity thieves or criminals. 

Highlighting the growing risk from phishing attacks, one in five respondents (18 percent) taking part in the study said a friend or family member had already fallen victim to an online scam. And, demonstrating the growing need for consumer education on this threat, the survey revealed that only 42 percent were familiar with the term "phishing," and of those, just 57 percent could accurately define it. Most phishing e-mails appeared to come from legitimate companies -- like banks or credit card companies -- and tried to convince consumers to surrender personal information like credit card numbers or passwords.

"Phishers are getting more adept at tricking consumers into revealing their bank account and personal financial information, and most Americans can't tell the difference between legitimate correspondence and the growing flood of scam e-mails that can lead to fraud and identity theft," said Tatiana Platt, Senior Vice President and Chief Trust Officer for AOL. "Consumers need to be aware of the risk, and they need to use critical protections like anti-virus software, spyware protection, and a firewall to help protect them from online threats."

The study also found that 81 percent of home PCs lack at least one of the three critical protections -- updated antivirus software, spyware protection and a secure firewall -- necessary to help guard against viruses, spyware, hackers and other threats. More than half (56 percent) of the participants either had no antivirus protection or had not updated it within the last week, almost half (44 percent) did not have a properly-configured firewall, and four in ten (38 percent) lacked spyware protection. Yet, despite these findings, the large majority of users (83 percent) falsely believed that they were safe from online threats.

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Oldest, Middle, Youngest: Who's More Successful?

Fred Harteis News - All men may be created equal; but a look at their pay stubs will tell you that their incomes are not. Blame it on social class, education -- even luck, but according to Dalton Conley,  professor of sociology and public policy, inequality begins at home.

In his book "The Pecking Order: Which Siblings Succeed and Why," Conley says that 75 percent of the income inequality between individuals  occurs between siblings in the same families. He points to the diverse fortunes of Bill and Roger Clinton, and Jimmy and Billy Carter as examples.

Research shows that first borns (and onlys) lead the pack in terms of educational attainment, occupational prestige, income and net worth. Conversely middle children in large families tend to fare the worst.

"A child's position in the family impacts his personality, his behavior, his learning and ultimately his earning power," states Michael Grose, author of "Why First Born Rule the World and Last-borns Want to Change It." "Most people have an intuitive knowledge that birth order somehow has an impact on development, but they underestimate how far-reaching and just how significant that impact really is."

Conley concedes that birth order is significant in shaping individual success, but only for children of large families -- four or more siblings -- and in families where finances and parental time are constrained. (In wealthy families, like the Bushes and Kennedys, it has less effect.)

Here's a look at what impact your birth-order may have on you:

First Borns:

More conscientious, ambitious and aggressive than their younger siblings, first borns are over-represented at Harvard and Yale as well as disciplines requiring higher education such as medicine, engineering or law. Every astronaut to go into space has been either the oldest child in his or her family or the eldest boy. And throughout history -- even when large families were the norm -- more than half of all Nobel Prize winners and presidents have been first born. Famous eldest children include: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, J.K. Rowling and Winston Churchill. And macho movie stars are First Born, too, including Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and all the actors who have played James Bond.

Middles:

Middle children are more easy going and peer-oriented. Since they can get lost in the shuffle of their own families, they learn to build bridges to other sources of support and therefore tend to have excellent people skills. Middle children often take on the role of mediator and peacemaker. Famous middle children include: Bill Gates, J.F.K., Madonna and Princess Diana.

Youngest:

The youngest child tends to be the most creative and can be very charming -- even manipulative. Because they often identify with the underdog, they tend to champion egalitarian causes. (Youngest siblings were the earliest backers of the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment.) Successful in journalism, advertising, sales and the arts, famous youngest children include Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey, Drew Carey, Rosie O'Donnell, Eddie Murphy and Billy Crystal.

Only Children:

Only children have similar characteristics to first borns and are frequently burdened with high parental expectations. Research shows they are more confident, articulate and likely to use their imagination than other children. They also expect a lot from others, hate criticism, can be inflexible and are likely to be perfectionists. Well-known only children include Rudy Guiliani, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Alan Greenspan, Tiger Woods, tennis' teen queen Maria Sharapova and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News – First big wave of stimulus is over - $92 billion

Fred Harteis Business News - The Internal Revenue Service mailed out the last of 112 million stimulus checks on Friday to people who filed their tax returns by April 15. A total of $92 billion has been pumped into the nation's sagging economy since last April.

The IRS will continue to send checks to people who got extensions to file their 2007 returns. The IRS said it will get checks to stragglers by the end of the year if they file by Oct. 15.

The IRS estimates that it will send out 12 million more checks, according to a spokeswoman.

Tax filers who miss the Oct. 15 deadline and still qualify for a payment can obtain their stimulus payment by filing a 2008 tax return.

Keeping tabs. In the week ended July 11, the Treasury Department sent out 7.5 million economic stimulus payments totaling $5.7 billion.

The program "has met the objective - it put some money in people's pockets when the economy was really struggling," said Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wachovia. "The program may have provided the economy just enough relief to avoid a technical recession," he said.

Retail sales numbers for the month of June indicate that consumers are stretching their stimulus cash as much as possible. Discount retail chains, such asWal-mart and Costco, posted strong results while slightly more expensive clothing stores, like Gap andLimited, did not perform as well.

Vitner said he expects consumer spending to slip in August, when consumers will have mostly spent their rebate checks.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - Bush pushes Congress on offshore drilling

Fred Harteis Business News - President Bush prodded Congress on Friday to allow oil drilling in offshore waters and in the Alaskan wildlife refuge, citing "tough economic times" for the American people.

Bush met with his senior economic advisers at the Energy Department to discuss soaring prices for gasoline and crude oil. Bush said one answer is to increase supply in this country by tapping "the vast potential" of crude oil reserves on offshore lands and in Alaska as well as in oil shale in the western part of the United States.

With gasoline prices above $4 a gallon, Bush and his Republican allies think American's reluctance to drill in pristine waters and lands is diminishing and that there is an opportunity for oil companies to move into areas that have been off limits.

"And yet the Democratic leaders of Congress have consistently blocked opening up these lands for exploration," the president said. He said that technology has changed dramatically and that oil can be recovered in a way that protects the environment.

"The members of Congress, particularly the Democratic leadership, must address this issue before they go home" in August, Bush said. "They have a responsibility to explain to their constituents why we should not be drilling for more oil here in America to take the pressure off of gasoline prices."

"Crude oil prices are up and one reason crude oil prices are up is because demand is outstripping supply," the president said. "And therefore what can we do about it? That ought to be the question the United States Congress asks."

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - What to do now that interest rates are steady

Fred Harteis News Articles - The Federal Reserve decided to hold steady on short-term interest rates. We're no longer in a falling-rate environment. Here are some top tips on what you need to do now.

1. Get the real story

It's really the end of an era. The Fed has been cutting rates for about a year. Although rates are steady at 2%, but there is something more in play here.

It's not what the Fed does, but it's what the Fed says that can really move interest rates. A few weeks ago the Fed was talking hard about inflation and the dollar. The market took that to mean the Fed would raise rates sooner rather than later, says Greg McBride of Bankrate.com. That pushed fixed-mortgage rates to the highest level in more than eight months.

Experts say we will see more jawboning throughout the summer. That could push mortgage rates up if investors think that means the Fed will raise rates, or it could bring rates down if investors think the fed will aggressively fight inflation.

2. Don't wait to refinance

Now is the time to get into a fixed-rate product. If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage that dodged the bullet on the rate reset in 2008, you may not be so fortunate in 2009 if rates rise. Consider refinancing to lock in a rate.

While the 30-year fixed-mortgage rate did hit monthly highs, historically, rates are still low. It's lower than what an adjustable-rate mortgage could be if interest rates rise rapidly.

If you have a home equity line of credit that has an adjustable rate, ask to lock in a fixed rate on the outstanding balance.

"What's 5% today, could be 7% tomorrow," says McBride.

3. Pay down debt

On credit cards, there are no real protections for a rising interest rate environment. A fixed-rate card offers no insulation because it's only fixed until the credit card company wants to raise it.

If you have a variable rate card, don't switch it out for a fixed card. You'll be disappointed. Your best defense is to pay down your debt as quickly as you can. That way, more of your dollar goes toward your principal rather than your interest.

4. Don't lock-in long term CDs

If you're a CD investor, you don't want to lock in long maturities. Instead, set yourself up in a six-month CD, so you can benefit when rates are at higher levels later this year.

What makes it attractive isn't the yield, but the ability to reinvest six months down the road when returns may be higher and the Fed will be actively working to corral inflation. If you have a money market account, you've only been getting a 2.2% return on your money on average.

While you won't find higher rates anytime soon, at least lower rates are over. To find competitive CD rates and money market accounts, go to bankrate.com.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - Steelers look to restructure ownership

Fred Harteis Business News - Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and his son, team president Art Rooney II, want to buy Dan Rooney's brother's shares in the team.

The Steelers report that some of Dan Rooney's four brothers want to focus their business efforts elsewhere.

The Rooney family owns racetracks in New York and Florida and they've added forms of gaming that are inconsistent with NFL gambling policy.

The team says the NFL is working with the Rooneys on an agreement concerning separation of gambling interests and on restructuring the ownership if part of the team is sold.

Dan Rooney says he'll work to keep the team in the Rooney family and in Pittsburgh. Art Rooney II says the discussions should have no affect on the team or its fans.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles -Managing Your Career in a Fierce Job Market

Fred Harteis News Articles - We're hearing job loss reports almost non-stop these days -- from Congress, presidential candidates, the Federal Reserve chairman and business experts. The economy lost approximately 160,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2008. But how does that translate to you?

"In the next three months, employers anticipate marginal change in their hiring pace. While some industries are experiencing a contraction in employment levels, areas such as information technology, health care, professional and business services and sales continue to add full-time jobs."

In the latest Job Forecast from CareerBuilder.com and USA TODAY, 29 percent of employers plan to grow their number of full-time, permanent employees from April through June while 59 percent anticipate no change and 6 percent expect to decrease headcount. Six percent are unsure.

Certain industries and functions continue to outpace other areas in terms of producing new jobs. Forty-five percent of IT employers expect to add full-time, permanent employees in the second quarter followed by 36 percent in sales, 32 percent in professional and business services and 30 percent in large health care organizations.

So while hiring is slowing, there are still open positions. Here are 10 tips for managing your career in a fierce market.

1. Be the best you can be within your profession.

Since the competition for jobs is so fierce, candidates need to demonstrate how they can add value to an organization. What are your key selling points that distinguish you from the competition? This is important not only for those looking for a job, but also for those who wish to keep their current jobs.

2. Brand yourself.

What do you stand for? How are you marketing yourself? This is the time to be public in your search. Are you creating demand for your services and expertise?

3. Network constantly and consistently.

Try joining a business networking site like LinkedIn. You can never have enough friends or colleagues who will go to bat for you.

4. Develop an ongoing relationship with a qualified recruiter with whom you feel comfortable.

Being included in a database isn't enough. Your goal is to become the candidate of choice for that hidden job opening.

5. There has been an increased use of freelancers.

As such, candidates need to be more entrepreneurial, whether they are self-employed or work for an agency or corporation. Sologig.com is a site that hosts jobs just for freelancers and contractors.

6. If you are out of work, form a "consortium".

Get together with other professionals where you can complement each other's skills and offer services to clients.

7. Embrace change.

You don't want to be left behind. Keep your skills up to date. Consider creating a personal Web site or taking a class.

8. Prepare for an evolving job market.

Look for trends in the areas of increased hiring. Growth industries and areas include health care, education and green living.

9. Your resume is your own personal advertisement.

Make sure it highlights your accomplishments with quantifiable results, not merely details your job description.

10. Candidates whose backgrounds don't match client credentials or job requirements won't get much attention.

Pay attention to the employer's specs or job posting and respond accordingly.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - NBC Universal to buy Weather Channel

Fred Harteis Business News - NBC Universal and two partners said Sunday they have reached a deal to buy The Weather Channel from Landmark Communications Inc., ending a drawn-out process that had attracted interest from several major media companies.

Financial terms weren't disclosed, but a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity said the purchase price was $3.5 billion in cash. NBC was joined in the deal by the private equity firms The Blackstone Group LP and Bain Capital LLC.

In addition to The Weather Channel, which can be seen by 97% of U.S. cable subscribers, the deal also includes several related assets such as weather services for newspapers and radio stations and the widely used Web site Weather.com.

NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric, became the sole bidder for The Weather Channel last month after Time Warner dropped out. CBS and cable industry leader Comcast had also expressed interest earlier.

NBC already operates a digital weather and news service called NBC Weather Plus that was launched in 2004 and would make a logical fit with The Weather Channel. NBC Weather Plus is owned by NBC and its affiliated TV stations and can be seen on digital cable services and digital subchannels operated by NBC stations.

NBC and Landmark said in a statement that The Weather Channel would be operated as a separate entity out of its base in Atlanta. They said they expected the transaction to close by year-end, pending regulatory approvals.

Landmark, a privately held media company based in Norfolk, Va., put The Weather Channel up for sale in January along with its other businesses, which include The Virginian-Pilot and eight other daily newspapers. No announcement has yet been made about the newspaper sales, which are continuing on a separate track.

The Weather Channel was launched in 1982. Its Web site has about 37 million monthly unique visitors, putting it in the top 15 Web sites, according to the company. The Weather Channel has 1,300 employees and estimated annual revenues of $550 million.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - A half-year of job losses

Fred Harteis Business News - Employers trimmed jobs from their payrolls in June for the sixth straight month, as the government's closely watched report Thursday showed continued weakness in the labor market.

The Labor Department reported a net loss of 62,000 jobs in the month. That matched the job loss figure for May, which was revised higher from 49,000. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a loss of 60,000 jobs.

The June number brought to 438,000 the number of jobs lost by the U.S. economy so far this year.

The unemployment rate stayed at 5.5%. Economists had forecast the rate would come in at 5.4% in the latest reading.

In a separate report, the department said initial claims for unemployment insurance rose 16,000 to 404,000 in the latest week. Economist Robert Brusca of FAO Economics said the reading over 400,000 is a "classic recession signal."

And the even more closely watched four-week moving average for initial claims neared that worrisome 400,000 benchmark, reaching 390,500 - the highest level since the four weeks after 2005's Hurricane Katrina.

The four-week average hasn't been at or above the 400,000 mark since 2003.

The job losses in the monthly report were concentrated in manufacturing and construction, two sectors that have been badly battered in the current economic downturn.

Manufacturing lost 33,000 jobs, even as the troubled auto and auto parts makers posted a modest gain. Construction lost 43,000, with about half of that coming from contractors and subcontractors in the home building segment of the market.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - Bye-bye gas subsidies

Fred Harteis Business News - For months we've been hearing how gasoline subsidies or price controls in places like China and India are artificially fueling demand there. Being that oil is a global market, rising demand overseas is one reason prices have risen here in the U.S.

Those subsidies are now being trimmed, as soaring crude prices make it increasingly difficult for governments to foot the bill. In recent weeks China, India, Indonesia, and Iran - countries where the government sets the price of gas - have all raised prices.

But now analysts disagree on what effect this will have, with some saying that gas consumption - and worldwide oil prices - could actually go up. They say that higher gas prices could give refiners an incentive to make more gasoline and eliminate the shortages that have plagued places like China.

"Their lifestyle as changed so much for the better, it's not going to impact them that much if gas prices go up 20%," said Nauman Barakat, an energy trader at Macquarie Futures, the trading arm of Macquarie investment bank. "They are willing to pay more so they don't have to wait in line."

Others agree with Barakat that demand and prices are unlikely to decline.

"Actual consumption is unlikely to be affected seriously," analysts at Wood Mackenzie, and energy consultancy, wrote in a research note. "As long as China's overall economy remains strong, significant growth in vehicle ownership will more than offset the negative effects of this price rise."

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - American may cut 900 flight attendant jobs

Fred Harteis Business News -  American Airlines says it could cut 900 flight attendant jobs as it reduces flights to cope with record-high fuel costs.

The Fort Worth, Tex.-based airline expects to reduce jobs for pilots and mechanics too, but it hasn't released numbers yet.

American, the nation's largest carrier, said Wednesday that job cuts were necessary "to overcome near-term challenges and secure our company's long-term future."

In May, American announced it would cut domestic capacity by 11% to 12% later this year, retire some planes and cut an unspecified number of jobs.

Federal law requires employers to give 60 days' notice of major layoffs, and officials of the flight attendants' union said they received a notice Wednesday of job reductions that could start Aug. 31.

Airlines and union officials said they would try to reduce layoffs through attrition, or by employees voluntarily taking leaves of absence or sharing jobs.

American has about 18,000 active flight attendants, so 900 jobs represents 5% of the ranks.

"We've all been sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for a number," said Frank Bastien, a spokesman for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. "Most of us were pretty pleased it wasn't higher."

Flight attendants had feared more job losses after the company said last week it would reduce management and support-staff jobs by 8%. American has about 82,000 employees.

American said it reached an agreement with the union to offer voluntary measures such as leaves of absence to U.S.-based flight attendants aged 50 and older with at least 15 years of service. The airline said it struck a similar deal with the Transport Workers Union, which represents mechanics and bag handlers.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis:  Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - U.S. frees up airspace for July 4 weekend

Fred Harteis Business News - The U.S. military will open up airspace for commercial air travel during the Independence Day weekend to relieve congestion, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

The Department of Defense will free up airspace off the East Coast, from Maine to Florida, from 6 p.m. ET on July 3 to 6 a.m. ET on July 7, according to the Transportation Department.

"Today's announcement will help ensure that travelers don't have to celebrate Independence Day by being stuck on an airplane," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters.

This is not the first time the military has opened up restricted space that it does not use during the holidays. The military also freed up airspace during Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The airline industry's leading carriers - AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, UAL Corp.'s  United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines and U.S.Airways - are cutting capacity and raising fares to alleviate the pain of rising fuel costs.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - ATMs play bigger role in identity theft

Fred Harteis News Articles - Before Jay Foley inserts his bankcard into an ATM slot, he sticks his finger in first. Then, he wiggles it.

"If any portion of it wiggles with my pinky, I walk away because odds are somebody has slapped a skimmer on the front," says Foley, executive director of the identity Theft Resource Center. "That applies to any kind of payment slot you might run across, such as gas station pumps. Those are favorite places for thieves to work now."

A skimmer is a device that reads and records all the account information stored electronically on the magnetic stripe of an ATM card.

Its mere existence is proof that if you thought familiar, ubiquitous automated teller machines were much too low-tech to attract high-tech cyber-thieves, you need to think again.

Fraudsters have returned to ATMs in force as a favorite fishing hole for that prize catch: your debit card.

With a little light mechanical tampering, thieves can "harvest" your account details and PIN number in seconds, then use them to either produce a "clone" card or to simply shop online until your account runs dry.

"The number of victims we get from debit fraud or ATM fraud is growing every year, and it's growing significantly," Foley says.

Increased danger

ATM crime is increasing now that stepped-up fraud detection software on the credit card side has made signature cards more difficult to attack. Increasingly, thieves are preying on more vulnerable, PIN-based debit cards.

Identity theft resulting from ATM and debit-card crime is increasing, according to a 2005 study by Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company.

Johnson reminds nervous customers that banks issuing debit cards cover most of the losses associated with skimming as a matter of course.

Source: Bankrate.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - The dangers of debt consolidation

Fred Harteis News Articles - Debts and debt consolidation strategies go together in the  economy like peanut butter and jelly. You don't need a financial planner to comprehend the basic logic: Combining multiple payments into a single monthly check lowers interest rates and can positively impact your FICO score.

"It's easier to take on the 1,000-pound gorilla who comes to the front door as opposed to 20, 50-pound gorillas pouring in through separate doors and windows," says Boyce Watkins, author of  "Financial Love-Making 101: Merge Assets With Your Partner in Ways That Feel Good," and a professor who teaches personal finance planning. "Psychologically, consolidation is very comforting."

We borrow between $400 billion and $500 billion a year against home equity alone, according to Bob Walters, chief economist at Quicken Loans.

How much of that goes toward paying off debt versus home improvements and vacations is a guess, but it's safe to say a lot. After all, the Remodeling Future Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University reports we spend nearly $250 billion on improvements and repairs to our actual houses -- leaving a gap of $150 billion to $250 billion unaccounted for each year.

That "loose" money is a double-edged sword. "The problem is that people use debt consolidation like a crutch," says David Latko, a financial adviser and manager and author of "Everybody Wants Your Money."

How you consolidate your loans can make the difference between victoriously kissing your debt good-bye and kissing your financial future bye-bye.

Home equity and refis

The good news:  Home equity loans come in several flavors. First, you can refinance your original mortgage for a larger amount, basically trading in equity on the spot.  Other borrowers choose to take out a second, separate mortgage. On this path, you can apply for a home equity loan where the bank pushes the entire loan amount across the counter at a fixed interest rate. Or you can opt for a line of credit where you only pay interest on the amounts you draw, but the interest rate varies, tied to the prime rate.

Debt consolidation loans/counseling

The good news: Paying one debt at one rate usually trumps eight credit cards at varying rates in the debt game. Watkins recommends his students especially look into this route for their education loans.

He's also a big fan of contacting the individual companies that hold your outstanding debts to arrange participation in the corporations' special payment programs. Such moxie offers the cleanest escape route.

To read this complete Fred Harteis News Article visit our news partner at:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/debt/debtmanageguide/consol-dangers4.asp?caret=5c

Source; Bankrate.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - 5 ways to fly for cheap

Fred Harteis News Articles - Fly cheap while you still can. The money-losing airline industry is raising fares and adding fees as it struggles with record-high fuel prices.

Meanwhile, the weak economy has forced us to cut back on costs. Many are opting for "staycations" by choosing not to travel when they have time off.

But experts say there are still plenty of travel deals for those who want or need to get somewhere. "Everyone's saying the fares are going up, but there are still many, many, many cheap tickets," says George Hobica, creator of the travel Web site airfarewatchdog.com.

1. Fly during the slowest days of the week

Tuesday and Wednesday are the slowest flying days of the week for business travel so demand is low, and so are the fares.

"The Monday and Friday flights are more expensive as many business travelers depart on Monday morning and return Friday afternoon," says Harrington. "The best deals are usually found on mid-week mid-day departures. Just ask yourself what flight would be the most unattractive to a business traveler and pick that one."

2. Fly during the slowest time of the year

Travelers who are serious about seeking cheap fares should travel only during the slowest time of year, says Hobica. That rules out holidays, as well as spring, summer and winter.

What's left? Fall. Hobica recommends traveling anytime between Labor Day and Thanksgiving for the best deals.

3. Fly to popular destinations at unpopular times

If you must travel during the summer, seek out destinations that are popular during the winter, says Hobica. Harrington suggests being completely flexible about the destination, based on the fare. "Check out the airline Web sites, and see what destinations they have on sale, then build your vacation around that destination," she says.

4. Buy during the cheapest times of the day

Airfares change three times a day as airlines periodically lower prices to fill up flights, and the early bird gets the worm, according to Hobica. "Early morning is the time to buy." he says, recommending that flyers check fares every five hours to try and snag a deal.

On the weekend, the best time to check is early Saturday morning and again at 5 p.m., when the industry is most aggressively trying to fill seats, he says.

5. Buy a travel package, even if you don't need it

Travel sites are brimming with vacation packages offering cut-rate hotel stays and car rentals. But if you're the type to skip over these packages without a glance, then maybe you should give them a closer look, says Hobica. The packages are sometimes cheaper than the airfare alone, he says, especially for last-minute sales, where the airline is just trying to fill seats. "They're super bargains," he says. "Even if you don't need the rental car, you could just not pick it up, because the airfare is so cheap."

In the drive to reduce costs, airlines will be bidding bon voyage to many of their discount flights, analysts say. Hobica believes cheap airfares will become increasingly hard to find, so enjoy them while you still can.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - 5 ways to cut car insurance costs

Fred Harteis News Articles - You can't fill your tank these days without feeling as if you've been kicked, simultaneously, in the gut and the bank account.

There's not much you can do about gas prices, but there is one thing you can do to cancel out rising car costs: Get a better deal on your auto insurance.

Competition has kept premiums low; and if you haven't revisited your policy in a while, you may have missed some money savers.

Try one (or more) of these methods to put your auto expenses in neutral.

Prune coverage on old cars

Once your vehicle is worth less than 10 times what you pay each year to insure it, get rid of comprehensive and collision. Find your car's estimated value at kbb.com.

Raise your deductible

The point of car insurance is to protect you from catastrophic costs (your emergency fund should cover stuff like dents and broken windows).

Raise your deductible from $200 to $1,000 and you could save more than 40% on premiums, says the Insurance Information Institute.

Nab discounts

Most insurers offer price cuts for such things as having anti-lock brakes; having been accident-free; having taken a defensive-driving course; and even for using the same insurer for your home policy. For more, see the auto insurance checklist at iii.org/individuals/auto.

These can take up to 25% off your premium. But your insurer won't come to you with them; call the company and ask what discounts it offers.

Dig up competing quotes

This is the most work but could have the greatest payoff. Go to naic.org to find your state insurance commission Web site, where you can download a car insurance buying guide.

This often lists scenarios (Mary is a 34-year-old married woman who drives a Chevy Tahoe) with sample rates from the biggest insurers in the state.

Pick the example closest to you and the five insurers with the lowest rates. Call them for quotes.

If the state guide doesn't list insurers, get the five best quotes at insweb.com, but note that the site doesn't include State Farm.

Next, check with an independent agent (get a name at iiaba.net) to see if any insurers you haven't checked can beat your top five.

Sidestep hassle

Make sure any insurer with a better quote is legit. Vet it via your state's insurance commission site; look especially for the ratio of complaints to number of policies written.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.    Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Vacation car: Rent or drive your own? 

Fred Harteis News Articles - Wondering whether to rent a car or drive your own for that summer road trip? Pull out a calculator. It all comes down to math.

Determining whether it's more economical to rent a vehicle or drive your own boils down to three things:

• Distance to your destination.

• Driving costs of your own vehicle.

• Deals available for a rental vehicle.

Let's start with driving costs. AAA's 2006 vacation planning guide suggests budgeting $17.10 per 100 miles. That includes gas, figured at $2.92 per gallon, tires and maintenance, and assumes the vehicle gets a rather efficient 25.8 miles per gallon.

So say you've got a 1,000-mile, week-long trip planned. Multiply 10 times $17.10 for a baseline cost of $171 to drive your own vehicle. It'll be less expensive for smaller, fuel-efficient cars and more expensive for bigger gas guzzlers.

Now the rental scenario: Avis quoted a rate of $222.59 for a weekly rental ($209.99 base rate plus $12.60 tax) of a standard-size car in suburban Chicago in mid-July. Mileage was unlimited. Averaging the 25.8 miles per gallon AAA figures in, you'll need 38.7 gallons of gas for your 1,000 mile trip. At $2.92 per gallon, your gas tab is $113, bringing the rental cost to $335.59, or almost twice the cost of driving your own car.

For a weekend trip, however, the costs come much closer. Avis quotes a rate of $47.98 for that same car for a Friday to Sunday rental plus $2.88 tax. Gas for a 500-mile trip -- calculated at the miles and cost per gallon used above -- will add another $56.58 and bring the bill to $107.44. Meanwhile, driving your own vehicle on that trip using AAA's estimate will cost $85.50.

After you do the math, consider other factors. Drivers who lease their vehicles should find out whether they're approaching the mileage limit. If the vacation will put you over the top, it might be more economical to rent.

"Each lease is different. You have to know what the per-mile charge is if you go over your miles," says Jim Rink, public relations consultant for AAA Michigan.

Rental cars also save wear and tear on vehicles and can provide some peace of mind if you're not sure your car is reliable. A breakdown can spoil a vacation as certainly as a missed flight. Moreover, you'll then be forced to rent from whatever choices are nearby, rather than doing a competitive search prior to departure.

Source; Bankrate.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Does Your Name Spell Success?

Fred Harteis News Articles - “What’s in a name?” a man named Shakespeare asked long ago. Potential employers may ask this same question of you. After all, your name is the first thing on your resume. Along with your appearance, it’s one of the things most people use to form a first impression.

Much effort goes into understanding the power of names—ask anyone having their first baby. Some believe a name is the single most important influence on development of our personality and helps create our destiny.

Can your name help you succeed? What can you do to increase your chances of success in the name game?

Teacher’s Pet

The focus on names starts in grade school. One study of sixth graders by S. Gray Garwood found that students with names that were popular with teachers scored higher in skills tests, set more ambitious goals and were better adjusted. And, with many classrooms being seated alphabetically, already the “A’s” are at the head of the class in front of the teacher.

Who Gets the Grade?

Researchers Lief Nelson and Joseph Simmons looked at several different studies on names. They found that while all students want As, students whose names begin with letters associated with poorer performance (C and D) achieve lower grade point averages (GPAs) than do students whose names begin with A and B. This was especially if true if the students liked their initials.

The researchers also looked at 15 years of grade point averages for MBA students at a large private University. Students whose names began with C or D earned lower averages than those whose names began with A or B, they found. This led them to believe that there is something subconscious about our attraction to our names and initials. It’s not that students with C and D initials don’t work as hard; it’s just that they may find a grade of C or D not as bad if their name begins with that letter.

But, what about the rest of us whose initials rank even further down the alphabet? This is an area for more research.

Don’t StriKe Out

Researchers Nelson and Simmons also looked at Major League baseball records spanning 93 years to see who strikes out and the effect, if any, their name has on strikeouts. Strikeouts, are recorded using the letter “K.” And, sure enough, it was discovered that batters whose names began K struck out slightly more often than others. It’s not that the batters wouldn’t be unhappy with a strikeout, but they may just find it a little less aversive than players with no K for an initial.

Call It Like You Hear It

Grouping is a natural tendency; it’s the way our brains work. And, we humans do this when it comes to names. While the danger for stereotyping is real, one study showed that employers weigh several factors when judging job candidates, and that the gender match between an applicant’s name and the occupation could have a subconscious impact. In a study by James Bruning young adults were asked to predict the success of a group of people entering new careers, based on information provided about the applicants.

Participants predicted that women with more feminine names – Emma and Irma, for example – would have more success pursuing traditional female careers – such as nurse, hair stylist or interior decorator. Men with more masculine names – Hank and Bruno – were expected to be successful with traditional male careers – such as plumber, truck driver and electrician.

Those whose names least matched the occupation stereotypes might have a harder time landing certain jobs, the study suggests. A woman named Garrett pursuing a job in day care or a man named Bud who wanted to become a hair stylist, for example, might be searching for that dream position for a long time.

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - Oil production lagging - U.S. official

Fred Harteis Business News -  The reason for record-high oil prices, which are putting the squeeze on the United States and others worldwide, is that oil production has not kept pace with increasing demands, U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said Saturday.

"All nations must be better at conservation, and the U.S. is at the top of that list," said Bodman, who met with journalists ahead of a Sunday international meeting of oil producing and consuming nations focusing on high oil prices.

While some have blamed speculators for driving up oil prices, Bodman said he did not believe they are the cause.

Since 2003, he said, global demand for oil has increased because of industry in China, India and the Middle East. But from 2005 to 2007, there was very little increase in supply.

Nations need an additional supply of energy to market, whether that energy is nuclear, coal, fossil fuels, solar or wind power, Bodman said.

But, "we spent 30 years digging ourselves into this hole," he said. "It won't be solved soon."

He said so far, he has not seen a "magic bullet" to solve the problem of high oil prices. But Bodman said what he'd like to see is an increase in the oil inventory, saying more inventory and capacity are needed.

A key adviser to Saudi Arabia's oil minister told CNN in an exclusive interview on Friday that a number of factors, including speculators and currency fluctuations, are to blame for rising oil prices.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - A new House effort vs. oil trading

Fred Harteis Business News - "Speculation," a dirty word across America as Wall Street traders take the blame for record oil and gasoline prices, drew more attention Friday from Congress as three Democratic House members introduced yet another bill attempting to limit activity.

To underline his case, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said speculators now control 71% of oil on the market. That means only 29% control the physical oil being traded, down from 61% eight years ago.

Stupak blamed loosely regulated trading markets with numerous loopholes for the ease that traders have to buy and sell crude.

As a result, Stupak introduced legislation with the support of two other Democratic Congressmen to close loopholes that allow oil to be traded electronically in unregulated oil markets. The bill would also regulate other methods that Stupak claims oil traders use to avoid federal oversight.

"We can eliminate a major avenue that traders use to avoid oversight," said Stupak at a press conference Friday. "It's time for Congress to close the Enron loophole and lower our gas and diesel prices by 50%."

Many in Congress have suggested that closing a provision in the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 that critics call the "Enron loophole," after the energy trading company whose bankruptcy was the centerpiece of the corporate scandals early this decade. The provision allows oil futures to be traded in markets outside of the jurisdiction of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

Stupak, the chair of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, has pledged to investigate regulation of speculation further in a hearing on Monday.

Congress is currently awash in nine different bills - including Friday's proposal - that attempt to limit the role of speculators. Several have bipartisan support, but only one was co-sponsored by a Republican.

Source; Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Which Employees Are Exempt from Overtime Regulations?

Fred Harteis News Articles - Every small business owner knows that when it comes to payroll issues, misunderstandings about how much an employee is supposed to receive in their paycheck can lead to big headaches. To make matters worse, not everyone is aware of the official rules and regulations that cover overtime pay, nor who is exempt from collecting overtime pay.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector, and in federal, state, and local governments. Covered nonexempt workers are entitled to a minimum wage, and overtime pay is required at a rate of not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a single work week.

There always seems to be some confusion about what the FLSA requires. The following is a list of items that are NOT required by the FLSA:

• vacations
• sick leave
• holidays

These benefits are matters of agreement between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative).

The FLSA also does not require breaks or meal periods be given to workers. Some states may have requirements for breaks or meal periods. If you work in a state which does not require breaks or meal periods, these benefits are a matter of agreement between the employer and the employee (or the employee's representative).

While the FLSA requires covered, nonexempt workers to receive overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek, some exceptions to the 40 hours per week standard apply under special circumstances to police officers and firefighters employed by public agencies, as well as to employees of hospitals and nursing homes.

Some states have also enacted overtime laws. Where an employee is subject to both the state and federal overtime laws, the employee is entitled to overtime according to the higher standard (i.e., the standard that will provide the higher rate of pay).

To be exempt from overtime, the employee must be paid on a weekly basis (at least $250 per week regardless of the number of hours worked) and meet the primary-duty test of one or more of the following exemptions:

• Executive. At least 50 percent of the time is spent managing the enterprise or a department of the enterprise in which he or she is employed. Customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more employees.
• Professional. Performance of work requires advanced knowledge acquired by a prolonged course, or primarily performs original and creative work in a recognized field or artistic endeavor or is a teacher. Consistently exercises discretion and judgment.
• Administrative. Primarily performs office or nonmanual work directly related to management policies or general business operations. Customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgment.
• Outside salesperson. An employee who sells goods or services offsite. No more than 20 percent of their time is spent in nonselling hours.

Source: Verizon Business

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles-  Are You Carrying the Right Rewards Cards?

Fred Harteis News Articles - Our key rings, wallets, and purses are so crammed with rewards cards these days that making even the simplest purchase can involve a frantic shuffle at checkout time. But carrying the right rewards program cards and ignoring the rest can save you a little money on your purchases as well as some time at the checkout.

Best Cash-Back Cards

The Card: AmEx Blue Cash

Reward Basics:

5% cash back at supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores; 1.5% elsewhere

Drawbacks:

You have to spend $6,500 annually to get 5% and 1.5% back; if you spend less, it's 1% and 0.5%.

The Card: Chase Freedom Visa

Reward Basics:

3% for every dollar you spend in three categories where you spend the most, 1% of every dollar you spend in other categories

Drawbacks:

Categories based on your spending each month, but 3% rewards are limited to $600 in purchases a month.

The Card: Discover More

Reward Basics:

5% cash back in four spending categories on up to $400 of quarterly purchases, 0.25 to 1% on other purchases

Drawbacks:

The categories change four times a year, so you have to pay attention.

Best Gasoline Cards

The Card: Chase PerfectCard MasterCard

Reward Basics:

6% on gas purchases for the first 90 days, 3% on gas thereafter, 1% on all other purchases

Drawbacks:

Maximum 3% monthly rebate is $15

Best Gasoline Cards

The Card: Discover Open Road

Reward Basics:

5% on gas and auto maintenance, up to 1% on other purchases

Drawbacks:

5% rebate applies to first $100 in purchases per month and you must spend $3,000 on other purchases annually to earn 1%; otherwise, 0.25 to 0.5% back

Best Gasoline Cards

The Card: Shell Platinum Select MasterCard

Reward Basics:

5% back on Shell gas, 1% back elsewhere given as Shell credit

Drawbacks:

$20 annual fee after the first year, waived if you made nine or more Shell purchases in the previous year

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.   Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News - Cocoa futures hit 28-year high

Fred Harteis Business News - Cocoa futures surged to nearly a 30-year high Thursday as investors bet that an overall drop in rainfall will hurt crops in West Africa, the world's biggest supplier of the beans used to make chocolate.

Rainfall has picked up in recent days in major cocoa producers Ghana and Ivory Coast, but "in the grand scheme of things we're still down in overall rainfall," said Hector Galvan, analyst for RJO Futures in Chicago.