Tramadol, the generic version of Ultram, is a synthetic analgesic medication. The exact mode of action of tramadol is unknown but it is said to work like morphine. Tramadol binds to opioid receptors in the brain -- receptors that transmit the sensation of pain throughout the body. Here are 10 things you should know about tramadol to ensure its safe use.
1 - Tramadol is prescribed to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.
Tramadol belongs to the class of drugs known as opiate agonists. Primarily, tramadol works by changing the way the body senses pain. Some people mistakenly believe that tramadol is an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), but it is not.
2 - Tramadol is available in immediate release and extended release formulations.
Tramadol may be prescribed as an immediate release tablet (50 mg.) or as an extended release tablet (100, 200, or 300 mg.). The extended release tablets are usually reserved for patients with chronic pain who require continuous, long-term treatment. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dosage schedule for you.
3 - Tramadol extended release tablets must be taken whole, not split, chewed or crushed.
It is important to take tramadol properly and to follow prescribing instructions. If taken improperly or in a way that is not recommended, serious side effects and even death can result.
4 - Tramadol can be habit-forming for some people.
Do not take more tramadol than has been prescribed for you. Taking more tramadol or taking it more often can cause dependency on it. You should also not stop taking tramadol without first consulting your doctor. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stopped it suddenly. You doctor will likely decrease your dose of tramadol gradually.
5 - Drug interactions are possible with tramadol.
Be aware of the following possible drug interactions:
Carbamazepine reduces the effect of tramadol
Quinidine increases the concentration of tramadol by 50% to 60%
Combining tramadol with an MAO (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) inhibitor or SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can lead to seizures or other serious side effects.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
6 - Tramadol, when combined with certain other substances, can increase central nervous system and respiratory depression.
In other words, breathing may be affected or even stop if tramadol is combined with alcohol, narcotic drugs, anesthetics, tranquilizers, or sedatives.
7 - The use of tramadol during pregnancy should be avoided.
Because the safety of tramadol use during pregnancy has not been established, the medication should not be used during pregnancy. The safe use of tramadol in nursing mothers has also not been established.
8 - Tramadol is usually well-tolerated. Any side effects are usually temporary.
Some of the common side effects associated with tramadol include:
nausea
constipation
dizziness
headache
drowsiness
vomiting
Less common side effects include: itching, sweating, diarrhea, rash, dry mouth, and vertigo. There have been patients who developed seizures after taking tramadol.
9 - A Cochrane Review of tramadol to treat osteoarthritis revealed some small benefit.
The Cochrane Review stated that when tramadol is taken for up to 3 months, there may be decreased pain, improvements in function and stiffness and overall well-being. However, tramadol can cause side effects that are significant enough to require that the patient must stop taking the medication. Risks outweigh benefits for many people who have tried tramadol.
10 - If an overdose of tramadol has occurred, call your local poison control center, or call 911 if it appears to be an emergency situation.
Symptoms of an overdose include decreased pupil size, difficulty breathing or staying awake, unconscious, coma, heart attack, or seizure. Call for help, even if you are unsure about what to do.
Sources:
Tramadol. MedlinePlus. 7/1/2007.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a695011.html>
Tramadol for Osteoarthritis. Cochrane Reviews. Cepeda MS, Camargo F, Zea C, Valencia L. 5/23/2006.
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab005522.html
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tramadol
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Tramadol is a man-made (synthetic) analgesic (pain reliever). Its exact mechanism of action is unknown but similar morphine. Like morphine, tramadol binds to receptors in the brain (opioid receptors) that are important for transmitting the sensation of pain from throughout the body to. Tramadol, like other narcotics used for the treatment of pain, may be abused. Tramadol is not a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) and does not have the increased risk of stomach ulceration and internal bleeding that can occur with NSAIDs.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets (immediate release): 50 mg. Tablets (extended release): 100, 200, and 300 mg.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F). Store in a sealed container.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Tramadol is used in the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. Extended release tablets are used for moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults who require continuous treatment for an extended period.
DOSING: The recommended dose of tramadol is 50-100 mg (immediate release tablets) every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. The maximum dose is 400 mg/day. To improve tolerance patients should be started at 25 mg/day, and doses may be increased by 25 mg every 3 days to reach 100 mg/day (25 mg 4 times daily). Thereafter, doses can be increased by 50 mg every 3 days to reach 200 mg day (50 mg 4 times daily). Tramadol may be taken with or without food.
Recommended dose for extended release tablets is 100 mg daily which may be increased by 100 mg every 5 days but not to exceed 300 mg /day. Extended release tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR , Equetro, Carbatrol) reduces the effect of tramadol by increasing its inactivation in the body. Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex) reduces the inactivation of tramadol, thereby increasing the concentration of tramadol by 50%-60%. Combining tramadol with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (for example, Parnate) or selective serotonin inhibitors ((SSRIs, for example, fluoxetine Prozac]) may result in severe side effects such as seizures or a condition called serotonin syndrome.
Tramadol may increase central nervous system and respiratory depression when combined with alcohol, anesthetics, narcotics, tranquilizers or sedative hypnotics.
PREGNANCY: The safety of tramadol during pregnancy has not been established.
NURSING MOTHERS: The safety of tramadol in nursing mothers has not been established.
SIDE EFFECTS: Tramadol is generally well tolerated, and side effects are usually transient. Commonly reported side effects include nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and vomiting. Less commonly reported side effects include itching, sweating, dry mouth, diarrhea, rash, visual disturbances, and vertigo. Some patients who received tramadol have reported seizures. Abrupt withdrawal of tramadol may result in anxiety, sweating, insomnia, rigors, pain, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, and hallucinations.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets (immediate release): 50 mg. Tablets (extended release): 100, 200, and 300 mg.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F). Store in a sealed container.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Tramadol is used in the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. Extended release tablets are used for moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults who require continuous treatment for an extended period.
DOSING: The recommended dose of tramadol is 50-100 mg (immediate release tablets) every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. The maximum dose is 400 mg/day. To improve tolerance patients should be started at 25 mg/day, and doses may be increased by 25 mg every 3 days to reach 100 mg/day (25 mg 4 times daily). Thereafter, doses can be increased by 50 mg every 3 days to reach 200 mg day (50 mg 4 times daily). Tramadol may be taken with or without food.
Recommended dose for extended release tablets is 100 mg daily which may be increased by 100 mg every 5 days but not to exceed 300 mg /day. Extended release tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR , Equetro, Carbatrol) reduces the effect of tramadol by increasing its inactivation in the body. Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex) reduces the inactivation of tramadol, thereby increasing the concentration of tramadol by 50%-60%. Combining tramadol with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (for example, Parnate) or selective serotonin inhibitors ((SSRIs, for example, fluoxetine Prozac]) may result in severe side effects such as seizures or a condition called serotonin syndrome.
Tramadol may increase central nervous system and respiratory depression when combined with alcohol, anesthetics, narcotics, tranquilizers or sedative hypnotics.
PREGNANCY: The safety of tramadol during pregnancy has not been established.
NURSING MOTHERS: The safety of tramadol in nursing mothers has not been established.
SIDE EFFECTS: Tramadol is generally well tolerated, and side effects are usually transient. Commonly reported side effects include nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and vomiting. Less commonly reported side effects include itching, sweating, dry mouth, diarrhea, rash, visual disturbances, and vertigo. Some patients who received tramadol have reported seizures. Abrupt withdrawal of tramadol may result in anxiety, sweating, insomnia, rigors, pain, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, and hallucinations.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
$20B in Mortgage Relief Coming?
The nation’s largest banks are being asked to write down the principal on some troubled mortgages as part of a settlement of last year’s robo-signing scandal, major news outlets are reporting.
A 27-page proposal from a coalition of the nation’s 50 state attorneys general, with the backing of several federal agencies, was reportedly sent Thursday to the nation’s largest mortgage servicers, including Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo, among others. The proposal appears to outline actions the states and federal agencies want the lenders to take in return for dropping charges related to the scandal.
At the heart of the offer is said to be a proposal that the lenders agree to provide $20 billion in mortgage relief for homeowners at risk of foreclosure, either through principal reductions, loan modifications or a combination of measures. The proposal is also said to include a code of conduct mortgage servicers would have to follow in working with borrowers at risk of foreclosure.
The states and federal agencies are said to be seeking enhanced assistance for about 1.5 million homeowners with mortgage problems. There are presently about 4 million mortgages in some stage of delinquency, with another 2 million in the foreclosure process, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Participating agencies are said to include the Treasury Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission and the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Negotiations with lenders over the final terms of an agreement are expected to begin next week, although it is not clear how long that might take. Some sources indicated an agreement might be reached fairly quickly.
The robo-signing scandal arose when it was learned that representatives of some of the nation’s largest banks were cutting legal corners in submitting foreclosure claims in order to cope with a flood of thousands of such filings a month. A subsequent federal investigation concluded that the vast majority of the foreclosures involved were justified, although a small number were not.
Even if all the foreclosures were justified, the lenders could still face penalties if it were determined that laws were broken in submitting foreclosure claims. The state attorney generals are taking a major role in crafting the proposed agreement because foreclosure laws are generally under state jurisdiction.
Details of the story were originally reported by the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Reuters, among others.
source: mortgageloan.com
A 27-page proposal from a coalition of the nation’s 50 state attorneys general, with the backing of several federal agencies, was reportedly sent Thursday to the nation’s largest mortgage servicers, including Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo, among others. The proposal appears to outline actions the states and federal agencies want the lenders to take in return for dropping charges related to the scandal.
At the heart of the offer is said to be a proposal that the lenders agree to provide $20 billion in mortgage relief for homeowners at risk of foreclosure, either through principal reductions, loan modifications or a combination of measures. The proposal is also said to include a code of conduct mortgage servicers would have to follow in working with borrowers at risk of foreclosure.
The states and federal agencies are said to be seeking enhanced assistance for about 1.5 million homeowners with mortgage problems. There are presently about 4 million mortgages in some stage of delinquency, with another 2 million in the foreclosure process, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Participating agencies are said to include the Treasury Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission and the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Negotiations with lenders over the final terms of an agreement are expected to begin next week, although it is not clear how long that might take. Some sources indicated an agreement might be reached fairly quickly.
The robo-signing scandal arose when it was learned that representatives of some of the nation’s largest banks were cutting legal corners in submitting foreclosure claims in order to cope with a flood of thousands of such filings a month. A subsequent federal investigation concluded that the vast majority of the foreclosures involved were justified, although a small number were not.
Even if all the foreclosures were justified, the lenders could still face penalties if it were determined that laws were broken in submitting foreclosure claims. The state attorney generals are taking a major role in crafting the proposed agreement because foreclosure laws are generally under state jurisdiction.
Details of the story were originally reported by the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Reuters, among others.
source: mortgageloan.com
Bad Finances? Look Into An FHA Mortgage
If you are in the market for a mortgage and have concerns about your financial qualifications, an FHA mortgage may be your key to a new home.
“With a relatively low minimum down payment of 3.5% and a more liberal attitude towards debt-to-income ratios,” explains Michael Dunsky, a Vice president at Boston-based Guaranteed Rate Mortgages, “an FHA mortgage is a prime loan for somebody with less money available for a down payment, more debt, and a less than stellar credit score.”
While conventional loans require potential homebuyers to come up with at least a 5% down payment, FHA Mortgages allow them to slide by with a minimum down payment of just 3.5%. Unlike conventional loans, FHA loans do not charge a higher interest rate for a low credit score and have a low, minimum qualifying credit score of 500. Depeding on lender overlays, though, many lenders require a higher (though still low) score between 600 and 640.
“Underwriting guidelines are much more liberal than conventional financing,” says Seattle-based residential mortgage banker Dan Keller. “For example, on a loan that I just got an approval on yesterday, the client had a 57% debt-to-income ratio whereas with conventional financing you are capped at 45%.”
The term FHA Mortgage is a bit of a misnomer as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), doesn’t actually provide the loan. Instead, the loan is financed through a conventional lending institution like a mortgage company, bank, or savings and loan, and then HUD insures the mortgage, allowing the homebuyer to get a lower rate than otherwise would be possible.
The only catch, if you can call it that, of the FHA mortgage is that the homebuyer has to pay mortgage insurance, which adds to the cost. To protect the lender, private mortgage insurance is typically required on any mortgage where the down payment is below 20%.
“The mortgage insurance is split up into two pieces,” says Dunsky. “First, you pay a lump sum upfront, which is 1% of the entire loan. Then, you have the monthly cost, which is presently at a factor of .9%.“ To get a rough estimate of this monthly mortgage insurance cost, take the loan amount, multiply it by .9%, and then divide that number by 12. You can expect that cost to go up in the upcoming year as the FHA has plans to change it to a factor of 1.15% in April.
Comparing an FHA Mortgage to a Conventional Mortgage
If you are trying to decide between a conventional mortgage and an FHA mortgage and you have less than 10% to put down for the deposit, an FHA loan may be your best choice.
“The issue that stands out with an FHA,” explains Jeff Belonger, an area manager for Infinity Home Mortgage Company in New Jersey,” is that with a conventional mortgage, you not only have to go through the loan approval process, but also the mortgage insurance approval process.” In other words, you have to get approved by the mortgage insurance company, which is different from the mortgage lender.
“With an FHA loan, it doesn’t matter,” continues Belonger, “the mortgage insurance is controlled by the FHA. If you need to get mortgage insurance on a conventional loan, it goes into a tailspin because there are maybe five or six mortgage insurance companies out there. And from what I’m seeing, with 5% down it's hard to get mortgage insurance even with a credit score between 680 and 700.”
So, if you are doing a conventional loan with mortgage insurance and you put 10% or less down, it’s hard to get approved for that insurance unless your credit score is 700 or above. “That’s why it’s quick to say,” continues Belonger, “that with a credit score of 699 or below with 10% down, an FHA is usually going to be your better loan.” In Belonger's opinion, after playing with the numbers, an FHA loan is still usually going to be a better value—keeping in mind that it's important to keep sight of long-term financial goals when a loan officer helps you to make these types of decisions.
Like any product that is designed to assist homebuyers with bad finances, the FHA Loan can easily be abused. Just because you can scrape together a 3.5% down payment and have the minimum credit score, it doesn’t mean that you should pursue an FHA loan.
“Each borrower is different,” says Keller. “If I’ve got a homebuyer who has a 640 credit score and $1200 dollars in the bank, meaning no money in the bank and no retirement, and they’re borrowing their 3.5% down payment—that has red flags written all over it.”
“There’s nothing worse,” notes Belonger, ”than when you get a client who calls and says, 'I’d like to buy a house in the next month or two but my credit’s not that good.' In that situation, you really need to go through the steps of fixing your credit. You just don’t jump out there. What, are you going to die if you don’t buy a house tomorrow?”
“I think that this economy has created a new breed of loan officer,” says Keller. “When you get those kinds of clients with a low credit score and not much money in the bank, maybe it's better to give them a little more advice versus thinking about closing a loan so that you can get paid.”
For a financially responsible person who wants to get into a home but doesn’t have a great credit score or the savings for a sizeable down payment, the FHA loan may be their only option for getting into a house. For many people, this the ideal financial product. Still, if you can afford to wait to save up more for a down payment, you probably should.
“I advise all of my clients, first-time homebuyers or not,” says Keller, “that anytime that they can avoid paying private mortgage insurance they should. Ideally, 20% down is the best way to go.”
That said, if you do have the cash on hand to pay 20% down, don't discount an FHA loan. "20% down on an FHA loan, even with mortgage insurance, might still be better than a conventional mortgage with 20% down and no mortgage insurance," explains Belonger. "If you have a credit score of 639 or less, in many cases even the FHA loan would be better for you with mortgage insurance depending on your goals."
source: mortgageloan.com
“With a relatively low minimum down payment of 3.5% and a more liberal attitude towards debt-to-income ratios,” explains Michael Dunsky, a Vice president at Boston-based Guaranteed Rate Mortgages, “an FHA mortgage is a prime loan for somebody with less money available for a down payment, more debt, and a less than stellar credit score.”
While conventional loans require potential homebuyers to come up with at least a 5% down payment, FHA Mortgages allow them to slide by with a minimum down payment of just 3.5%. Unlike conventional loans, FHA loans do not charge a higher interest rate for a low credit score and have a low, minimum qualifying credit score of 500. Depeding on lender overlays, though, many lenders require a higher (though still low) score between 600 and 640.
“Underwriting guidelines are much more liberal than conventional financing,” says Seattle-based residential mortgage banker Dan Keller. “For example, on a loan that I just got an approval on yesterday, the client had a 57% debt-to-income ratio whereas with conventional financing you are capped at 45%.”
The term FHA Mortgage is a bit of a misnomer as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), doesn’t actually provide the loan. Instead, the loan is financed through a conventional lending institution like a mortgage company, bank, or savings and loan, and then HUD insures the mortgage, allowing the homebuyer to get a lower rate than otherwise would be possible.
The only catch, if you can call it that, of the FHA mortgage is that the homebuyer has to pay mortgage insurance, which adds to the cost. To protect the lender, private mortgage insurance is typically required on any mortgage where the down payment is below 20%.
“The mortgage insurance is split up into two pieces,” says Dunsky. “First, you pay a lump sum upfront, which is 1% of the entire loan. Then, you have the monthly cost, which is presently at a factor of .9%.“ To get a rough estimate of this monthly mortgage insurance cost, take the loan amount, multiply it by .9%, and then divide that number by 12. You can expect that cost to go up in the upcoming year as the FHA has plans to change it to a factor of 1.15% in April.
Comparing an FHA Mortgage to a Conventional Mortgage
If you are trying to decide between a conventional mortgage and an FHA mortgage and you have less than 10% to put down for the deposit, an FHA loan may be your best choice.
“The issue that stands out with an FHA,” explains Jeff Belonger, an area manager for Infinity Home Mortgage Company in New Jersey,” is that with a conventional mortgage, you not only have to go through the loan approval process, but also the mortgage insurance approval process.” In other words, you have to get approved by the mortgage insurance company, which is different from the mortgage lender.
“With an FHA loan, it doesn’t matter,” continues Belonger, “the mortgage insurance is controlled by the FHA. If you need to get mortgage insurance on a conventional loan, it goes into a tailspin because there are maybe five or six mortgage insurance companies out there. And from what I’m seeing, with 5% down it's hard to get mortgage insurance even with a credit score between 680 and 700.”
So, if you are doing a conventional loan with mortgage insurance and you put 10% or less down, it’s hard to get approved for that insurance unless your credit score is 700 or above. “That’s why it’s quick to say,” continues Belonger, “that with a credit score of 699 or below with 10% down, an FHA is usually going to be your better loan.” In Belonger's opinion, after playing with the numbers, an FHA loan is still usually going to be a better value—keeping in mind that it's important to keep sight of long-term financial goals when a loan officer helps you to make these types of decisions.
Like any product that is designed to assist homebuyers with bad finances, the FHA Loan can easily be abused. Just because you can scrape together a 3.5% down payment and have the minimum credit score, it doesn’t mean that you should pursue an FHA loan.
“Each borrower is different,” says Keller. “If I’ve got a homebuyer who has a 640 credit score and $1200 dollars in the bank, meaning no money in the bank and no retirement, and they’re borrowing their 3.5% down payment—that has red flags written all over it.”
“There’s nothing worse,” notes Belonger, ”than when you get a client who calls and says, 'I’d like to buy a house in the next month or two but my credit’s not that good.' In that situation, you really need to go through the steps of fixing your credit. You just don’t jump out there. What, are you going to die if you don’t buy a house tomorrow?”
“I think that this economy has created a new breed of loan officer,” says Keller. “When you get those kinds of clients with a low credit score and not much money in the bank, maybe it's better to give them a little more advice versus thinking about closing a loan so that you can get paid.”
For a financially responsible person who wants to get into a home but doesn’t have a great credit score or the savings for a sizeable down payment, the FHA loan may be their only option for getting into a house. For many people, this the ideal financial product. Still, if you can afford to wait to save up more for a down payment, you probably should.
“I advise all of my clients, first-time homebuyers or not,” says Keller, “that anytime that they can avoid paying private mortgage insurance they should. Ideally, 20% down is the best way to go.”
That said, if you do have the cash on hand to pay 20% down, don't discount an FHA loan. "20% down on an FHA loan, even with mortgage insurance, might still be better than a conventional mortgage with 20% down and no mortgage insurance," explains Belonger. "If you have a credit score of 639 or less, in many cases even the FHA loan would be better for you with mortgage insurance depending on your goals."
source: mortgageloan.com
Get $35K For Repairs With The Streamlined FHA 203(k) Mortgage
Tempted by foreclosure or “as is” listings but wonder how you can afford to make them livable? FHA’s streamlined 203(k) mortgage is your answer.
You’ve probably seen listings for impossibly cheap foreclosure or “as is” homes and asked yourself just how bad they could be. Pretty bad, actually! Sometimes the owners of these homes simply could not afford to maintain them. Other times, though, the owners went out of their way to trash them.
“I've been experiencing a lot of clients lately in these situations,” says Seattle-based FHA 203(k) residential mortgage banker Dan Keller. “Mr. and Mrs. First Time Homebuyer have found a really good deal on a foreclosure, but the previous homeowners either (1) abandoned the home and damaged it prior to getting foreclosed on, or (2) They took personal property such as appliances, cabinets and flooring with them prior to getting foreclosed." In both of these cases, the bank that foreclosed (new seller) will not restore the home. Instead, they sell it at a discount, "as is,” and the only way to purchase a home like this is with a substantial down payment or an FHA 203(k) rehab loan."
The catch-22 for some of these foreclosed or “as is” homes is that the bank doesn’t plan to make any repairs, however, the buyer can’t get FHA financing without flooring, appliances, toilets, and other basic functional items.
Also, most other mortgage financing programs will not close a loan unless the condition and value of the property provides adequate security for the lender. A lender typically requires any improvements to be finished before a long-term mortgage is made. What this typically means is that lenders don’t want to give you money for a home that is falling apart even if you plan to use that money to put the home into livable condition and make it into a worthwhile investment.
The beauty of the 203(k) program is that it streamlines this whole process. Basically, the FHA 203(k) loan program is an FHA mortgage and a home improvement loan rolled into one 30-year fixed mortgage loan. It’s about $495 more in fees and about a quarter or three tenths of a point higher than basic FHA rates.
There are two types of FHA 203(k) mortgage: regular and streamlined. The regular version is for property that needs structural repairs while the streamlined version is for homes that need non-structural repairs. Both types of loans can be used for either a purchase or a refinance.
The streamlined version lets homebuyers finance an extra $35,000 into their mortgage for home improvements before they move in. This extra funding can pay for repairs that will help the home to pass the appraisal inspection for regular FHA or VA home loans. It can also simply close the gap between in personal finances between the down payment and the repairs necessary to make a house livable.
Here’s how a typical Streamlined FHA 203(k) purchase works. Let’s say that a house lists for $200,000. The buyer inspects it and figures out that the house needs $20,000-$25,000 in repairs. They offer $180,000 to the seller and, after the seller (hopefully) accepts, get a loan for $200,000 that pays for the total cost of the house with the repairs.
“I’ll give you an example of a client that I just closed on this week,” says Keller, to further explain the process. “They put in new carpet, new hardwood floors, new granite counter tops, a backslider door, and a fence in their backyard. It ended up costing about $26,000, which they negotiated into the contract. They got a check at closing for 50% of that $26,000. After a contractor does the work, he will request a second draw and get the rest of the cash. Then, we have an FHA appraiser come out and verify that the repairs have been done the clients are good to go.”
If you are a first time homebuyer, the FHA Streamlined 203(k) may end up being essential to your purchase, especially if you plan to buy a short sale, foreclosure, or fixer upper. “I’m a big advocate of this great loan program,” says Keller, “Especially as we continue to navigate through this foreclosure rich market. Since the banks that foreclose and re-sell these homes aren't willing to pay for the much needed repairs, the FHA Streamlined 203(k) loan program is really the only financing option for many of the great deals that are out there.”
source: mortgageloan.com
You’ve probably seen listings for impossibly cheap foreclosure or “as is” homes and asked yourself just how bad they could be. Pretty bad, actually! Sometimes the owners of these homes simply could not afford to maintain them. Other times, though, the owners went out of their way to trash them.
“I've been experiencing a lot of clients lately in these situations,” says Seattle-based FHA 203(k) residential mortgage banker Dan Keller. “Mr. and Mrs. First Time Homebuyer have found a really good deal on a foreclosure, but the previous homeowners either (1) abandoned the home and damaged it prior to getting foreclosed on, or (2) They took personal property such as appliances, cabinets and flooring with them prior to getting foreclosed." In both of these cases, the bank that foreclosed (new seller) will not restore the home. Instead, they sell it at a discount, "as is,” and the only way to purchase a home like this is with a substantial down payment or an FHA 203(k) rehab loan."
The catch-22 for some of these foreclosed or “as is” homes is that the bank doesn’t plan to make any repairs, however, the buyer can’t get FHA financing without flooring, appliances, toilets, and other basic functional items.
Also, most other mortgage financing programs will not close a loan unless the condition and value of the property provides adequate security for the lender. A lender typically requires any improvements to be finished before a long-term mortgage is made. What this typically means is that lenders don’t want to give you money for a home that is falling apart even if you plan to use that money to put the home into livable condition and make it into a worthwhile investment.
The beauty of the 203(k) program is that it streamlines this whole process. Basically, the FHA 203(k) loan program is an FHA mortgage and a home improvement loan rolled into one 30-year fixed mortgage loan. It’s about $495 more in fees and about a quarter or three tenths of a point higher than basic FHA rates.
There are two types of FHA 203(k) mortgage: regular and streamlined. The regular version is for property that needs structural repairs while the streamlined version is for homes that need non-structural repairs. Both types of loans can be used for either a purchase or a refinance.
The streamlined version lets homebuyers finance an extra $35,000 into their mortgage for home improvements before they move in. This extra funding can pay for repairs that will help the home to pass the appraisal inspection for regular FHA or VA home loans. It can also simply close the gap between in personal finances between the down payment and the repairs necessary to make a house livable.
Here’s how a typical Streamlined FHA 203(k) purchase works. Let’s say that a house lists for $200,000. The buyer inspects it and figures out that the house needs $20,000-$25,000 in repairs. They offer $180,000 to the seller and, after the seller (hopefully) accepts, get a loan for $200,000 that pays for the total cost of the house with the repairs.
“I’ll give you an example of a client that I just closed on this week,” says Keller, to further explain the process. “They put in new carpet, new hardwood floors, new granite counter tops, a backslider door, and a fence in their backyard. It ended up costing about $26,000, which they negotiated into the contract. They got a check at closing for 50% of that $26,000. After a contractor does the work, he will request a second draw and get the rest of the cash. Then, we have an FHA appraiser come out and verify that the repairs have been done the clients are good to go.”
If you are a first time homebuyer, the FHA Streamlined 203(k) may end up being essential to your purchase, especially if you plan to buy a short sale, foreclosure, or fixer upper. “I’m a big advocate of this great loan program,” says Keller, “Especially as we continue to navigate through this foreclosure rich market. Since the banks that foreclose and re-sell these homes aren't willing to pay for the much needed repairs, the FHA Streamlined 203(k) loan program is really the only financing option for many of the great deals that are out there.”
source: mortgageloan.com
Mortgage Rate Re-Pricing Alert 12:00 PM ET
Mortgage pricing has increased as the stock market rallied on a modest drop in oil prices. Rumors that Libyan President Gaddafi may be considering leaving the country have contributed to the oil price drop.
source: mortgageloan.com
source: mortgageloan.com
Mortgage Rate Update, March 8, 2011
No data for a second straight day will keep investors focused on oil and unrest in the oil producing regions of North Africa and the Middle East. Oil prices seemed to hit a plateau yesterday and many analysts think that they have peaked barring any additional negative developments.
Mortgage Rate Trend Direction: Neutral/Down
Economic Reports/Rate Impact: No economic data released today
Key News: Geithner goes to Europe
Summary
Yesterday was all about the price of oil. Fears of supply disruptions led traders to push oil futures prices higher. This in turn led to concerns about a negative impact on the US economy which pushed mortgage prices down slightly. Today oil price concerns will be prominent once again, but Treasury Secretary Geithner’s trip to Europe may also provide influence. I do not expect significant moves today, but there may be some slight downward pressure.
Impact of economic reports
No economic reports are scheduled for release today.
Impact of international or political events
Rumors that OPEC leaders were planning a special meeting to discuss potential output increases may have led to a premature pause in the increase in oil prices. Just moments ago OPEC announced that no such meeting was being planned at this time. Immediately, oil futures prices began to tick upward.
US Treasury Secretary Geithner is traveling to Europe to meet with central bank leaders to discuss global economic concerns including the debt issues of several European nations. On-going issues in Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal threaten to stall economic growth in Europe and in turn in the US.
source:http://www.mortgageloan.com/mortgage-rates-get-oily-march-8-2011-8439
Mortgage Rate Trend Direction: Neutral/Down
Economic Reports/Rate Impact: No economic data released today
Key News: Geithner goes to Europe
Summary
Yesterday was all about the price of oil. Fears of supply disruptions led traders to push oil futures prices higher. This in turn led to concerns about a negative impact on the US economy which pushed mortgage prices down slightly. Today oil price concerns will be prominent once again, but Treasury Secretary Geithner’s trip to Europe may also provide influence. I do not expect significant moves today, but there may be some slight downward pressure.
Impact of economic reports
No economic reports are scheduled for release today.
Impact of international or political events
Rumors that OPEC leaders were planning a special meeting to discuss potential output increases may have led to a premature pause in the increase in oil prices. Just moments ago OPEC announced that no such meeting was being planned at this time. Immediately, oil futures prices began to tick upward.
US Treasury Secretary Geithner is traveling to Europe to meet with central bank leaders to discuss global economic concerns including the debt issues of several European nations. On-going issues in Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal threaten to stall economic growth in Europe and in turn in the US.
source:http://www.mortgageloan.com/mortgage-rates-get-oily-march-8-2011-8439
Learn the secret methods to boost your adsense earnings overnight
Most webmasters know that Adsense generates a sizeable source of additional advertising income. That is why most of them use it to go after high paying keywords. They have with them the lists that tells what the keywords are and have already used various methods of identifying them. And yet, after putting up these supposed-to-be high paying keywords into their pages, the money they expected to come rolling in is not really coming in.
What is it that they are doing wrong? Having the pages is with the proper keywords is one thing. But driving visitors to those pages is another matter and often the factor that is lacking. The thing is, to get visitors to your high paying keyword pages, you need to optimize your site navigation. Stop for a moment and think about how visitors are using your website. After a visitor has landed on a certain page, they have the tendency to click on another page that sounds interesting. They get there because of the other links that appears on a page that they initially landed on. This is site navigation. It is all about enabling visitors to move about your site. And one way of maximizing your Adsense earnings. A typical website have menu links on each page. The wording on these links is what grabs a visitor’s attention and gets them to click on one of the links that will take them to another page of that website. Links that have “free’ or “download” are oftentimes good attention-grabbers. This navigation logic can also be applied to driving traffic to your high paying pages. There are some websites that are getting a lot of traffic from search engines, but have low earnings. The trick is to try and use come cleverly labeled links to get the visitors off that pages and navigate them to the higher earning ones. This is one great way of turning real cheap clicks to real dollars. Before you begin testing if this same style will work for you and your website, you need to have two things. Something to track and compare and some high earning pages you want to funnel your site traffic to. An option is to select a few of your frequently visited pages. This is ensuring fast result to come by. Now, the next thing to do is think of ways to get visitors viewing a particular page to try and click on the link that will take them to your high earning pages. Come up with a catchy description for that link. Come up with a catchy and unique description for the link. Think of something that people do not get to see everyday. That will trigger their curiosity enough to try and see what that was all about. You can also use graphics to grab your readers’ attention. There is no limitation to what you can do to make your link noticeable. If you are after the success of your site, you will do everything it takes just to achieve that goal. Just be creative. As far as many Adsense advertisers are concerned, there are no written and unwritten laws to follow regarding what they write. Just as long as you do not overstep the guidelines of the search engines, then go for it. Also remember that it is all about location, location and location. Once the perfect attention grabbing description has been achieved, you have to identify the perfect spot on your page to position that descriptive link to your high paying page. There is nothing wrong with visiting other websites to see how they are going about maximizing their site navigation. “Hot pages” or “Most read” lists are very common and overly used already. Get to know the ones that many websites are using and do not try to imitate them. Another way of doing it is to try and use different texts on different pages. That way you will see the ones that work and what does not. Try to mix things around also. Put links on top and sometimes on the bottom too. This is how you go about testing which ones get more clicks and which ones are being ignored. Let the testing begin. Testing and tracking until you find the site navigation style that works best for you site.
What is it that they are doing wrong? Having the pages is with the proper keywords is one thing. But driving visitors to those pages is another matter and often the factor that is lacking. The thing is, to get visitors to your high paying keyword pages, you need to optimize your site navigation. Stop for a moment and think about how visitors are using your website. After a visitor has landed on a certain page, they have the tendency to click on another page that sounds interesting. They get there because of the other links that appears on a page that they initially landed on. This is site navigation. It is all about enabling visitors to move about your site. And one way of maximizing your Adsense earnings. A typical website have menu links on each page. The wording on these links is what grabs a visitor’s attention and gets them to click on one of the links that will take them to another page of that website. Links that have “free’ or “download” are oftentimes good attention-grabbers. This navigation logic can also be applied to driving traffic to your high paying pages. There are some websites that are getting a lot of traffic from search engines, but have low earnings. The trick is to try and use come cleverly labeled links to get the visitors off that pages and navigate them to the higher earning ones. This is one great way of turning real cheap clicks to real dollars. Before you begin testing if this same style will work for you and your website, you need to have two things. Something to track and compare and some high earning pages you want to funnel your site traffic to. An option is to select a few of your frequently visited pages. This is ensuring fast result to come by. Now, the next thing to do is think of ways to get visitors viewing a particular page to try and click on the link that will take them to your high earning pages. Come up with a catchy description for that link. Come up with a catchy and unique description for the link. Think of something that people do not get to see everyday. That will trigger their curiosity enough to try and see what that was all about. You can also use graphics to grab your readers’ attention. There is no limitation to what you can do to make your link noticeable. If you are after the success of your site, you will do everything it takes just to achieve that goal. Just be creative. As far as many Adsense advertisers are concerned, there are no written and unwritten laws to follow regarding what they write. Just as long as you do not overstep the guidelines of the search engines, then go for it. Also remember that it is all about location, location and location. Once the perfect attention grabbing description has been achieved, you have to identify the perfect spot on your page to position that descriptive link to your high paying page. There is nothing wrong with visiting other websites to see how they are going about maximizing their site navigation. “Hot pages” or “Most read” lists are very common and overly used already. Get to know the ones that many websites are using and do not try to imitate them. Another way of doing it is to try and use different texts on different pages. That way you will see the ones that work and what does not. Try to mix things around also. Put links on top and sometimes on the bottom too. This is how you go about testing which ones get more clicks and which ones are being ignored. Let the testing begin. Testing and tracking until you find the site navigation style that works best for you site.
INCREASE YOUR INTELLIGENCE
Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. But if you never use your brain, or abuse it with harmful chemicals, your ability to think and learn will deteriorate.
Here are 5 simple ways anyone can squeeze a bit more productivity out of the old gray matter.
1. Minimize Television Watching - This is a hard sell. People love vegetating in front of the television, myself included more often than I’d like. The problem is watching television doesn’t use your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It’s like having the energy sapped out of a muscle without the health benefits of exercise.
Don’t you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long. You don’t even have the energy to read a book.
When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you’re too tired, listen to some music. When you’re with your friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation. All of these things use your mind more than television and allow you to relax.
2. Exercise - I used to think that I’d learn more by not exercising and using the time to read a book instead. But I realized that time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentrate more easily.
3. Read Challenging Books - Many people like to read popular suspense fiction, but generally these books aren’t mentally stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world and will make you think in more precise, elegant English. Don’t be afraid to look up a word if you don’t know it, and don’t be afraid of dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and you’ll soon grow accustomed to the author’s style.
Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you’ll find that you aren’t tempted to go back to page-turners. The challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any tacky suspense-thriller.
4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise - Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than sleep deprivation. You’ll be most rejuvenated if you go to bed early and don’t sleep more than 8 hours. If you stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you’ll wake up lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental acuity all day.
If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.
5. Take Time to Reflect - Often our lives get so hectic that we become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your responsibilities. Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s important and what isn’t. The unimportant stuff won’t bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.
I’m not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and chant ‘ommm’. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk. Someone famous said, “All the best ideas occur while walking.” I think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity that works best for you.
Conclusion - I hope you aren’t disappointed that none of the techniques I’ve proposed are revolutionary. But simple, unexciting answers are often the most valid. The challenge is having the will to adhere to them. If you succeed in following these 5 tips, you’ll be rewarded with increased mental acuity and retention of knowledge.
Here are 5 simple ways anyone can squeeze a bit more productivity out of the old gray matter.
1. Minimize Television Watching - This is a hard sell. People love vegetating in front of the television, myself included more often than I’d like. The problem is watching television doesn’t use your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It’s like having the energy sapped out of a muscle without the health benefits of exercise.
Don’t you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long. You don’t even have the energy to read a book.
When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you’re too tired, listen to some music. When you’re with your friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation. All of these things use your mind more than television and allow you to relax.
2. Exercise - I used to think that I’d learn more by not exercising and using the time to read a book instead. But I realized that time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentrate more easily.
3. Read Challenging Books - Many people like to read popular suspense fiction, but generally these books aren’t mentally stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world and will make you think in more precise, elegant English. Don’t be afraid to look up a word if you don’t know it, and don’t be afraid of dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and you’ll soon grow accustomed to the author’s style.
Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you’ll find that you aren’t tempted to go back to page-turners. The challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any tacky suspense-thriller.
4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise - Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than sleep deprivation. You’ll be most rejuvenated if you go to bed early and don’t sleep more than 8 hours. If you stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you’ll wake up lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental acuity all day.
If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.
5. Take Time to Reflect - Often our lives get so hectic that we become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your responsibilities. Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s important and what isn’t. The unimportant stuff won’t bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.
I’m not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and chant ‘ommm’. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk. Someone famous said, “All the best ideas occur while walking.” I think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity that works best for you.
Conclusion - I hope you aren’t disappointed that none of the techniques I’ve proposed are revolutionary. But simple, unexciting answers are often the most valid. The challenge is having the will to adhere to them. If you succeed in following these 5 tips, you’ll be rewarded with increased mental acuity and retention of knowledge.
Attorney at Law
An attorney at law (or attorney-at-law) in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients. Alternative terms include attorney and counselor (or counsellor) at law, attorney, and lawyer.[1]
The U.S. legal system has a united legal profession, which means that it does not draw a distinction between lawyers who plead in court and those who do not. Many other common law jurisdictions, as well as some civil law jurisdictions, do draw such a distinction: for example, the division of solicitor and barrister (advocate) found in the United Kingdom, and the division of advocate and civil law notary in France. An additional factor which differentiates the American legal system from other countries is that there is no delegation of routine work to notaries public or their civil law equivalent.
Attorney-in-Fact and Attorney-at-Law
Strictly speaking, an "attorney is one who acts on behalf of another person in some capacity. An "attorney-in-fact" is akin to an agent who acts on behalf of another person, typically with respect to business, property, or personal matters. Such an agent does not have to be licensed to practice law and may not need to have any license at all.
By contrast an attorney-at-law, or lawyer, is a person trained and licensed by a relevant jurisdiction to practice law by representing clients in legal matters and giving legal advice. In the United States, the term attorney, standing alone, generally refers to this meaning rather than to "attorney-in-fact".
The term "attorney-in-fact" is mostly seen in the context of someone representing another person's interest in business negotiations or regarding signature pages on documents where the person signing is doing so on the basis of a power of attorney. The term power of attorney generally relates to an attorney-in-fact, not an attorney-at-law. Alternative titles for "power of attorney" type documents in non-U.S. jurisdictions include the French "Pouvoir", the German "Vollmacht" and the Portuguese "Procuração".
Attorney-at-Law and Attorney General
The term Attorney General is used to designate the chief law enforcement officer of a state or other political jurisdiction. The Attorney General is a lawyer who represents the government, prosecutes criminal cases, defends the government from lawsuits against it, and brings civil lawsuits to enforce consumer protection, antitrust, and other laws.
Older U.S. terminology and non-U.S. terminology
In common law jurisdictions outside the United States (e.g., England, Canada, Australia), attorney is incorrect as a general term, and lawyer, barrister, or solicitor are used instead. In these areas, the specific terms Crown attorney, power of attorney, and Attorney General, are also used. In intellectual property, the term patent attorney is commonly used.
In earlier times, some states, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court, maintained a divided legal profession, as can still be found in the United Kingdom, consisting of attorneys (who practised in courts of Law), solicitors (who practised in courts of Equity ) and barristers, also known as counsel, whom solicitors and attorneys instructed to appear in the higher courts. In deference to this practice, when an attorney at law is admitted to practice in some states, his or her certificate of admission bears the title Attorney and Counselor-at-Law in recognition of his inheritance of both of these roles.
Some attorneys use the post-nominal Esq., the abbreviated form of the word Esquire.
The U.S. legal system has a united legal profession, which means that it does not draw a distinction between lawyers who plead in court and those who do not. Many other common law jurisdictions, as well as some civil law jurisdictions, do draw such a distinction: for example, the division of solicitor and barrister (advocate) found in the United Kingdom, and the division of advocate and civil law notary in France. An additional factor which differentiates the American legal system from other countries is that there is no delegation of routine work to notaries public or their civil law equivalent.
Attorney-in-Fact and Attorney-at-Law
Strictly speaking, an "attorney is one who acts on behalf of another person in some capacity. An "attorney-in-fact" is akin to an agent who acts on behalf of another person, typically with respect to business, property, or personal matters. Such an agent does not have to be licensed to practice law and may not need to have any license at all.
By contrast an attorney-at-law, or lawyer, is a person trained and licensed by a relevant jurisdiction to practice law by representing clients in legal matters and giving legal advice. In the United States, the term attorney, standing alone, generally refers to this meaning rather than to "attorney-in-fact".
The term "attorney-in-fact" is mostly seen in the context of someone representing another person's interest in business negotiations or regarding signature pages on documents where the person signing is doing so on the basis of a power of attorney. The term power of attorney generally relates to an attorney-in-fact, not an attorney-at-law. Alternative titles for "power of attorney" type documents in non-U.S. jurisdictions include the French "Pouvoir", the German "Vollmacht" and the Portuguese "Procuração".
Attorney-at-Law and Attorney General
The term Attorney General is used to designate the chief law enforcement officer of a state or other political jurisdiction. The Attorney General is a lawyer who represents the government, prosecutes criminal cases, defends the government from lawsuits against it, and brings civil lawsuits to enforce consumer protection, antitrust, and other laws.
Older U.S. terminology and non-U.S. terminology
In common law jurisdictions outside the United States (e.g., England, Canada, Australia), attorney is incorrect as a general term, and lawyer, barrister, or solicitor are used instead. In these areas, the specific terms Crown attorney, power of attorney, and Attorney General, are also used. In intellectual property, the term patent attorney is commonly used.
In earlier times, some states, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court, maintained a divided legal profession, as can still be found in the United Kingdom, consisting of attorneys (who practised in courts of Law), solicitors (who practised in courts of Equity ) and barristers, also known as counsel, whom solicitors and attorneys instructed to appear in the higher courts. In deference to this practice, when an attorney at law is admitted to practice in some states, his or her certificate of admission bears the title Attorney and Counselor-at-Law in recognition of his inheritance of both of these roles.
Some attorneys use the post-nominal Esq., the abbreviated form of the word Esquire.
Health Insurance
The term health insurance is generally used to describe a form of insurance that pays for medical expenses. It is sometimes used more broadly to include insurance covering disability or long-term nursing or custodial care needs. It may be provided through a government-sponsored social insurance program, or from private insurance companies. It may be purchased on a group basis (e.g., by a firm to cover its employees) or purchased by individual consumers. In each case, the covered groups or individuals pay premiums or taxes to help protect themselves from high or unexpected healthcare expenses. Similar benefits paying for medical expenses may also be provided through social welfare programs funded by the government.
By estimating the overall risk of healthcare expenses and developing a routine finance structure (such as a monthly premium or annual tax) that will ensure that money is available to pay for the healthcare benefits specified in the insurance agreement. The benefit is administered by a central organization, most often either a government agency or a private or not-for-profit entity operating a health plan.[1]
History and evolution
Main article: History of insurance
The concept of health insurance was proposed in 1694 by Hugh the Elder Chamberlen from the Peter Chamberlen family. In the late 19th century, "accident insurance" began to be available, which operated much like modern disability insurance.[2].This payment model continued until the start of the 20th century in some jurisdictions (like California), where all laws regulating health insurance actually referred to disability insurance.[3]
Accident insurance was first offered in the United States by the Franklin Health Assurance Company of Massachusetts. This firm, founded in 1850, offered insurance against injuries arising from railroad and steamboat accidents. Sixty organizations were offering accident insurance in the US by 1866, but the industry consolidated rapidly soon thereafter. While there were earlier experiments, the origins of sickness coverage in the US effectively date from 1890. The first employer-sponsored group disability policy was issued in 1911.[4]
Before the development of medical expense insurance, patients were expected to pay all other health care costs out of their own pockets, under what is known as the fee-for-service business model. During the middle to late 20th century, traditional disability insurance evolved into modern health insurance programs. Today, most comprehensive private health insurance programs cover the cost of routine, preventive, and emergency health care procedures, and also most prescription drugs, but this was not always the case.
Hospital and medical expense policies were introduced during the first half of the 20th century. During the 1920s, individual hospitals began offering services to individuals on a pre-paid basis, eventually leading to the development of Blue Cross organizations.[4] The predecessors of today's Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) originated beginning in 1929, through the 1930s and on during World War II.[5][6]
By estimating the overall risk of healthcare expenses and developing a routine finance structure (such as a monthly premium or annual tax) that will ensure that money is available to pay for the healthcare benefits specified in the insurance agreement. The benefit is administered by a central organization, most often either a government agency or a private or not-for-profit entity operating a health plan.[1]
History and evolution
Main article: History of insurance
The concept of health insurance was proposed in 1694 by Hugh the Elder Chamberlen from the Peter Chamberlen family. In the late 19th century, "accident insurance" began to be available, which operated much like modern disability insurance.[2].This payment model continued until the start of the 20th century in some jurisdictions (like California), where all laws regulating health insurance actually referred to disability insurance.[3]
Accident insurance was first offered in the United States by the Franklin Health Assurance Company of Massachusetts. This firm, founded in 1850, offered insurance against injuries arising from railroad and steamboat accidents. Sixty organizations were offering accident insurance in the US by 1866, but the industry consolidated rapidly soon thereafter. While there were earlier experiments, the origins of sickness coverage in the US effectively date from 1890. The first employer-sponsored group disability policy was issued in 1911.[4]
Before the development of medical expense insurance, patients were expected to pay all other health care costs out of their own pockets, under what is known as the fee-for-service business model. During the middle to late 20th century, traditional disability insurance evolved into modern health insurance programs. Today, most comprehensive private health insurance programs cover the cost of routine, preventive, and emergency health care procedures, and also most prescription drugs, but this was not always the case.
Hospital and medical expense policies were introduced during the first half of the 20th century. During the 1920s, individual hospitals began offering services to individuals on a pre-paid basis, eventually leading to the development of Blue Cross organizations.[4] The predecessors of today's Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) originated beginning in 1929, through the 1930s and on during World War II.[5][6]
Insurance
Insurance, in law and economics, is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for a premium, and can be thought of a guaranteed small loss to prevent a large, possibly devastating loss. An insurer is a company selling the insurance. The insurance rate is a factor used to determine the amount, called the premium, to be charged for a certain amount of insurance coverage. Risk management, the practice of appraising and controlling risk, has evolved as a discrete field of study and practice.
Commercially insurable risks typically share seven common characteristics.[1]
1. A large number of homogeneous exposure units. The vast majority of insurance policies are provided for individual members of very large classes. Automobile insurance, for example, covered about 175 million automobiles in the United States in 2004.[2] The existence of a large number of homogeneous exposure units allows insurers to benefit from the so-called “law of large numbers,” which in effect states that as the number of exposure units increases, the actual results are increasingly likely to become close to expected results. There are exceptions to this criterion. Lloyd's of London is famous for insuring the life or health of actors, actresses and sports figures. Satellite Launch insurance covers events that are infrequent. Large commercial property policies may insure exceptional properties for which there are no ‘homogeneous’ exposure units. Despite failing on this criterion, many exposures like these are generally considered to be insurable.
2. Definite Loss. The event that gives rise to the loss that is subject to insurance should, at least in principle, take place at a known time, in a known place, and from a known cause. The classic example is death of an insured person on a life insurance policy. Fire, automobile accidents, and worker injuries may all easily meet this criterion. Other types of losses may only be definite in theory. Occupational disease, for instance, may involve prolonged exposure to injurious conditions where no specific time, place or cause is identifiable. Ideally, the time, place and cause of a loss should be clear enough that a reasonable person, with sufficient information, could objectively verify all three elements.
3. Accidental Loss. The event that constitutes the trigger of a claim should be fortuitous, or at least outside the control of the beneficiary of the insurance. The loss should be ‘pure,’ in the sense that it results from an event for which there is only the opportunity for cost. Events that contain speculative elements, such as ordinary business risks, are generally not considered insurable.
4. Large Loss. The size of the loss must be meaningful from the perspective of the insured. Insurance premiums need to cover both the expected cost of losses, plus the cost of issuing and administering the policy, adjusting losses, and supplying the capital needed to reasonably assure that the insurer will be able to pay claims. For small losses these latter costs may be several times the size of the expected cost of losses. There is little point in paying such costs unless the protection offered has real value to a buyer.
5. Affordable Premium. If the likelihood of an insured event is so high, or the cost of the event so large, that the resulting premium is large relative to the amount of protection offered, it is not likely that anyone will buy insurance, even if on offer. Further, as the accounting profession formally recognizes in financial accounting standards, the premium cannot be so large that there is not a reasonable chance of a significant loss to the insurer. If there is no such chance of loss, the transaction may have the form of insurance, but not the substance. (See the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board standard number 113)
6. Calculable Loss. There are two elements that must be at least estimable, if not formally calculable: the probability of loss, and the attendant cost. Probability of loss is generally an empirical exercise, while cost has more to do with the ability of a reasonable person in possession of a copy of the insurance policy and a proof of loss associated with a claim presented under that policy to make a reasonably definite and objective evaluation of the amount of the loss recoverable as a result of the claim.
7. Limited risk of catastrophically large losses. The essential risk is often aggregation. If the same event can cause losses to numerous policyholders of the same insurer, the ability of that insurer to issue policies becomes constrained, not by factors surrounding the individual characteristics of a given policyholder, but by the factors surrounding the sum of all policyholders so exposed. Typically, insurers prefer to limit their exposure to a loss from a single event to some small portion of their capital base, on the order of 5 percent. Where the loss can be aggregated, or an individual policy could produce exceptionally large claims, the capital constraint will restrict an insurer's appetite for additional policyholders. The classic example is earthquake insurance, where the ability of an underwriter to issue a new policy depends on the number and size of the policies that it has already underwritten. Wind insurance in hurricane zones, particularly along coast lines, is another example of this phenomenon. In extreme cases, the aggregation can affect the entire industry, since the combined capital of insurers and reinsurers can be small compared to the needs of potential policyholders in areas exposed to aggregation risk. In commercial fire insurance it is possible to find single properties whose total exposed value is well in excess of any individual insurer’s capital constraint. Such properties are generally shared among several insurers, or are insured by a single insurer who syndicates the risk into the reinsurance market.
Commercially insurable risks typically share seven common characteristics.[1]
1. A large number of homogeneous exposure units. The vast majority of insurance policies are provided for individual members of very large classes. Automobile insurance, for example, covered about 175 million automobiles in the United States in 2004.[2] The existence of a large number of homogeneous exposure units allows insurers to benefit from the so-called “law of large numbers,” which in effect states that as the number of exposure units increases, the actual results are increasingly likely to become close to expected results. There are exceptions to this criterion. Lloyd's of London is famous for insuring the life or health of actors, actresses and sports figures. Satellite Launch insurance covers events that are infrequent. Large commercial property policies may insure exceptional properties for which there are no ‘homogeneous’ exposure units. Despite failing on this criterion, many exposures like these are generally considered to be insurable.
2. Definite Loss. The event that gives rise to the loss that is subject to insurance should, at least in principle, take place at a known time, in a known place, and from a known cause. The classic example is death of an insured person on a life insurance policy. Fire, automobile accidents, and worker injuries may all easily meet this criterion. Other types of losses may only be definite in theory. Occupational disease, for instance, may involve prolonged exposure to injurious conditions where no specific time, place or cause is identifiable. Ideally, the time, place and cause of a loss should be clear enough that a reasonable person, with sufficient information, could objectively verify all three elements.
3. Accidental Loss. The event that constitutes the trigger of a claim should be fortuitous, or at least outside the control of the beneficiary of the insurance. The loss should be ‘pure,’ in the sense that it results from an event for which there is only the opportunity for cost. Events that contain speculative elements, such as ordinary business risks, are generally not considered insurable.
4. Large Loss. The size of the loss must be meaningful from the perspective of the insured. Insurance premiums need to cover both the expected cost of losses, plus the cost of issuing and administering the policy, adjusting losses, and supplying the capital needed to reasonably assure that the insurer will be able to pay claims. For small losses these latter costs may be several times the size of the expected cost of losses. There is little point in paying such costs unless the protection offered has real value to a buyer.
5. Affordable Premium. If the likelihood of an insured event is so high, or the cost of the event so large, that the resulting premium is large relative to the amount of protection offered, it is not likely that anyone will buy insurance, even if on offer. Further, as the accounting profession formally recognizes in financial accounting standards, the premium cannot be so large that there is not a reasonable chance of a significant loss to the insurer. If there is no such chance of loss, the transaction may have the form of insurance, but not the substance. (See the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board standard number 113)
6. Calculable Loss. There are two elements that must be at least estimable, if not formally calculable: the probability of loss, and the attendant cost. Probability of loss is generally an empirical exercise, while cost has more to do with the ability of a reasonable person in possession of a copy of the insurance policy and a proof of loss associated with a claim presented under that policy to make a reasonably definite and objective evaluation of the amount of the loss recoverable as a result of the claim.
7. Limited risk of catastrophically large losses. The essential risk is often aggregation. If the same event can cause losses to numerous policyholders of the same insurer, the ability of that insurer to issue policies becomes constrained, not by factors surrounding the individual characteristics of a given policyholder, but by the factors surrounding the sum of all policyholders so exposed. Typically, insurers prefer to limit their exposure to a loss from a single event to some small portion of their capital base, on the order of 5 percent. Where the loss can be aggregated, or an individual policy could produce exceptionally large claims, the capital constraint will restrict an insurer's appetite for additional policyholders. The classic example is earthquake insurance, where the ability of an underwriter to issue a new policy depends on the number and size of the policies that it has already underwritten. Wind insurance in hurricane zones, particularly along coast lines, is another example of this phenomenon. In extreme cases, the aggregation can affect the entire industry, since the combined capital of insurers and reinsurers can be small compared to the needs of potential policyholders in areas exposed to aggregation risk. In commercial fire insurance it is possible to find single properties whose total exposed value is well in excess of any individual insurer’s capital constraint. Such properties are generally shared among several insurers, or are insured by a single insurer who syndicates the risk into the reinsurance market.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person licensed to practice law."[1] Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain stability, and deliver justice. Working as a lawyer involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who retain (i.e., hire) lawyers to perform legal services.
The role of the lawyer varies significantly across legal jurisdictions, and therefore can be treated here in only the most general terms.[2][3] More information is available in country-specific articles (see below).
Terminology
In practice, legal jurisdictions exercise their right to determine who is recognized as being a lawyer; as a result, the meaning of the term "lawyer" may vary from place to place.[4]
In Australia, the word "lawyer" is used to refer to both barristers and solicitors (whether in private practice or practising as corporate in-house counsel) but not people who do not practice the law.
In Canada, the word "lawyer" only refers to individuals who have been called to the bar or have qualified as civil law notaries in the province of Quebec. Common law lawyers in Canada may also be known as "barristers and solicitors", but should not be referred to as "attorneys", since that term has a different meaning in Canadian usage. However, in Quebec, civil law advocates (or avocats in French) often call themselves "attorney" and sometimes "barrister and solicitor".
In England, "lawyer" is used loosely to refer to a broad variety of law-trained persons. It includes practitioners such as barristers, solicitors, legal executives and licensed conveyancers; and people who are involved with the law but do not practise it on behalf of individual clients, such as judges, court clerks, and drafters of legislation.
In India, the term "lawyer" is often colloquially used, but the official term is "advocate" as prescribed under the Advocates Act, 1961.[5]
In Scotland, the word "lawyer" refers to a more specific group of legally trained people. It specifically includes advocates and solicitors. In a generic sense, it may also include judges and law-trained support staff.
In the United States, the term generally refers to attorneys who may practice law; it is never used to refer to patent agents[6] or paralegals.[7]
Other nations tend to have comparable terms for the analogous concept.
The role of the lawyer varies significantly across legal jurisdictions, and therefore can be treated here in only the most general terms.[2][3] More information is available in country-specific articles (see below).
Terminology
In practice, legal jurisdictions exercise their right to determine who is recognized as being a lawyer; as a result, the meaning of the term "lawyer" may vary from place to place.[4]
In Australia, the word "lawyer" is used to refer to both barristers and solicitors (whether in private practice or practising as corporate in-house counsel) but not people who do not practice the law.
In Canada, the word "lawyer" only refers to individuals who have been called to the bar or have qualified as civil law notaries in the province of Quebec. Common law lawyers in Canada may also be known as "barristers and solicitors", but should not be referred to as "attorneys", since that term has a different meaning in Canadian usage. However, in Quebec, civil law advocates (or avocats in French) often call themselves "attorney" and sometimes "barrister and solicitor".
In England, "lawyer" is used loosely to refer to a broad variety of law-trained persons. It includes practitioners such as barristers, solicitors, legal executives and licensed conveyancers; and people who are involved with the law but do not practise it on behalf of individual clients, such as judges, court clerks, and drafters of legislation.
In India, the term "lawyer" is often colloquially used, but the official term is "advocate" as prescribed under the Advocates Act, 1961.[5]
In Scotland, the word "lawyer" refers to a more specific group of legally trained people. It specifically includes advocates and solicitors. In a generic sense, it may also include judges and law-trained support staff.
In the United States, the term generally refers to attorneys who may practice law; it is never used to refer to patent agents[6] or paralegals.[7]
Other nations tend to have comparable terms for the analogous concept.
Credit Card by Bank
Advanta
Advanta Business credit cards offer 0% Intro and as low as 7.99% APR. Choose between the Platinum BusinessCard with Unlimited Rewards, Platinum 90-Day Interest Free Business World MasterCard and the Kiva BusinessCard.
American Express
American Express credit cards can earn up to 5% cash back with Blue CashSM. American Express cards offer free rewards program and great rates. Cards include Blue, Gold and Green Reward cards, Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Platinum, Starwood Preferred and Business Credit Cards.
Bank of America
Bank of America has many great credit card offers like Platinum Plus VISA Card, Worldpoints Platinum Plus VISA Card, Cash Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard, World Mastercard with Worldpoints and many more.
Capital One
Capital One offers credit cards for frequent flyers and shoppers who want to redeem rewards for travel, merchandise or cash back. Capital One also features platinum Visa and MasterCard credit cards with competitive rates designed for all types of credit.
JP Morgan Chase
JP Morgan Chase provides many great offers: Platinum, Cash Plus Rewards, Flexible Rewards Card, Value Miles Platinum, Disney, Subaru, Toys "R" Us, Universal Entertainment Card, Gas Rebate Card, Continental Airlines and more.
Citibank
Citibank offers a great choice of cards with rewards, 0% APR for up to 12 months, low ongoing APR, no annual fee and instant online decision. Citi Platinum, CashReturns, Diamond, Drivers, and AT&T Universal Cards. Also see Citibusiness and student credit cards.
Discover® Card
Discover Bank Introduces the Discover® More Card with Cashback Bonus® Program - Earn 5% Cashback on gas purchases, and 0% Intro APR. Choose from various More card designs including Clear, Flag, Wildlife, Sealife Collection and more. Also available: Miles Card, Open Road Card, Business Cards, and Student Cards.
First National Bank Credit Cards
First National Bank of Omaha offers Visa credit cards for consumers with good credit seeking low interest rates, extended introductory APR periods, rewards and gasoline rebates.
First Premier Bank
First PREMIER Bank offers secured and unsecured credit cards. Get your Credit back on track!
HSBC Bank
HSBC Bank offers credit cards that include 5% Earnings and 0% Intro GM Card, the Orchard Bank MasterCard and the HSBC Platinum MasterCard.
MasterCard Credit Cards
The MasterCard, along with the Visa Card, are the most widely accepted credit cards in the world. MasterCard is owned by over 20,000 member organizations. They serve customers in over 210 countries, and process over 15 million transactions a day in over 180 currencies.
Visa Credit Cards
Visa credit cards are the number one credit card used by people around the world, Visa cards offer exceptional convenience and reliability. Visa has unsurpassed acceptance in more than 150 countries, as well as at Internet merchants. And with a Visa credit card, you can get cash at more than 840,000 ATMs in the Visa Global ATM Network. It's a secure, reliable way to pay for anything you need, anywhere in the world.
Advanta Business credit cards offer 0% Intro and as low as 7.99% APR. Choose between the Platinum BusinessCard with Unlimited Rewards, Platinum 90-Day Interest Free Business World MasterCard and the Kiva BusinessCard.
American Express
American Express credit cards can earn up to 5% cash back with Blue CashSM. American Express cards offer free rewards program and great rates. Cards include Blue, Gold and Green Reward cards, Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Platinum, Starwood Preferred and Business Credit Cards.
Bank of America
Bank of America has many great credit card offers like Platinum Plus VISA Card, Worldpoints Platinum Plus VISA Card, Cash Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard, World Mastercard with Worldpoints and many more.
Capital One
Capital One offers credit cards for frequent flyers and shoppers who want to redeem rewards for travel, merchandise or cash back. Capital One also features platinum Visa and MasterCard credit cards with competitive rates designed for all types of credit.
JP Morgan Chase
JP Morgan Chase provides many great offers: Platinum, Cash Plus Rewards, Flexible Rewards Card, Value Miles Platinum, Disney, Subaru, Toys "R" Us, Universal Entertainment Card, Gas Rebate Card, Continental Airlines and more.
Citibank
Citibank offers a great choice of cards with rewards, 0% APR for up to 12 months, low ongoing APR, no annual fee and instant online decision. Citi Platinum, CashReturns, Diamond, Drivers, and AT&T Universal Cards. Also see Citibusiness and student credit cards.
Discover® Card
Discover Bank Introduces the Discover® More Card with Cashback Bonus® Program - Earn 5% Cashback on gas purchases, and 0% Intro APR. Choose from various More card designs including Clear, Flag, Wildlife, Sealife Collection and more. Also available: Miles Card, Open Road Card, Business Cards, and Student Cards.
First National Bank Credit Cards
First National Bank of Omaha offers Visa credit cards for consumers with good credit seeking low interest rates, extended introductory APR periods, rewards and gasoline rebates.
First Premier Bank
First PREMIER Bank offers secured and unsecured credit cards. Get your Credit back on track!
HSBC Bank
HSBC Bank offers credit cards that include 5% Earnings and 0% Intro GM Card, the Orchard Bank MasterCard and the HSBC Platinum MasterCard.
MasterCard Credit Cards
The MasterCard, along with the Visa Card, are the most widely accepted credit cards in the world. MasterCard is owned by over 20,000 member organizations. They serve customers in over 210 countries, and process over 15 million transactions a day in over 180 currencies.
Visa Credit Cards
Visa credit cards are the number one credit card used by people around the world, Visa cards offer exceptional convenience and reliability. Visa has unsurpassed acceptance in more than 150 countries, as well as at Internet merchants. And with a Visa credit card, you can get cash at more than 840,000 ATMs in the Visa Global ATM Network. It's a secure, reliable way to pay for anything you need, anywhere in the world.
Jewellery
Jewellery (also spelled jewelry, see spelling differences) is a personal ornament, such as a necklace, ring, or bracelet, made from gemstones, precious metals or other materials.
The word jewellery is derived from the word jewel, which was anglicised from the Old French "jouel" circa the 13th century.[1] Further tracing leads back to the Latin word "jocale", meaning plaything. Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body adornment; recently found 100,000 year-old beads made from Nassarius shells are thought to be the oldest known jewellery.[2]
Although during earlier times jewellery was created for practical uses such as wealth, storage and pinning clothes together, in recent times it has been used almost exclusively for decoration. The first pieces of jewellery were made from natural materials, such as bone, animal teeth, shell, wood and carved stone. Jewellery was often made for people of high importance to show their status and, in many cases, they were buried with it.
Jewellery has been made to adorn nearly every body part, from hairpins to toe rings and many more types of jewellery. While high-quality is made with gemstones and precious metals, there is also a growing demand for art jewellery where design and creativity is prized above material value. In addition, there is the less-costly costume jewellery, made from less-valuable materials and mass-produced. New variations include wire sculpture (wrap) jewellery, using anything from base metal wire with rock tumbled stone to precious metals and precious gemstones.
Amber pendants
Form and function
Jewellery has been used for a number of reasons:
Currency, wealth display and storage,
Functional use (such as clasps, pins and buckles)
Symbolism (to show membership or status)
Protection (in the form of amulets and magical wards),[3]
Artistic display
Most cultures have at some point had a practice of keeping large amounts of wealth stored in the form of jewellery. Numerous cultures move wedding dowries in the form of jewellery, or create jewellery as a means to store or display coins. Alternatively, jewellery has been used as a currency or trade good; an example being the use of slave beads.[citation needed]
Many items of jewellery, such as brooches and buckles originated as purely functional items, but evolved into decorative items as their functional requirement diminished.[4]
Jewellery can also be symbolic of group membership, as in the case of the Christian crucifix or Jewish Star of David, or of status, as in the case of chains of office, or the Western practice of married people wearing a wedding ring.
Wearing of amulets and devotional medals to provide protection or ward off evil is common in some cultures; these may take the form of symbols (such as the ankh), stones, plants, animals, body parts (such as the Khamsa), or glyphs (such as stylized versions of the Throne Verse in Islamic art).[5]
Although artistic display has clearly been a function of jewellery from the very beginning, the other roles described above tended to take primacy.[citation needed] It was only in the late 19th century, with the work of such masters as Peter Carl Fabergé and René Lalique, that art began to take primacy over function and wealth.[citation needed] This trend has continued into modern times, expanded upon by artists such as Robert Lee Morris and Ed Levin.
Read more ... ( click here )
Diamonds
The word jewellery is derived from the word jewel, which was anglicised from the Old French "jouel" circa the 13th century.[1] Further tracing leads back to the Latin word "jocale", meaning plaything. Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body adornment; recently found 100,000 year-old beads made from Nassarius shells are thought to be the oldest known jewellery.[2]
Although during earlier times jewellery was created for practical uses such as wealth, storage and pinning clothes together, in recent times it has been used almost exclusively for decoration. The first pieces of jewellery were made from natural materials, such as bone, animal teeth, shell, wood and carved stone. Jewellery was often made for people of high importance to show their status and, in many cases, they were buried with it.
Jewellery has been made to adorn nearly every body part, from hairpins to toe rings and many more types of jewellery. While high-quality is made with gemstones and precious metals, there is also a growing demand for art jewellery where design and creativity is prized above material value. In addition, there is the less-costly costume jewellery, made from less-valuable materials and mass-produced. New variations include wire sculpture (wrap) jewellery, using anything from base metal wire with rock tumbled stone to precious metals and precious gemstones.
Amber pendants
Form and function
Jewellery has been used for a number of reasons:
Currency, wealth display and storage,
Functional use (such as clasps, pins and buckles)
Symbolism (to show membership or status)
Protection (in the form of amulets and magical wards),[3]
Artistic display
Most cultures have at some point had a practice of keeping large amounts of wealth stored in the form of jewellery. Numerous cultures move wedding dowries in the form of jewellery, or create jewellery as a means to store or display coins. Alternatively, jewellery has been used as a currency or trade good; an example being the use of slave beads.[citation needed]
Many items of jewellery, such as brooches and buckles originated as purely functional items, but evolved into decorative items as their functional requirement diminished.[4]
Jewellery can also be symbolic of group membership, as in the case of the Christian crucifix or Jewish Star of David, or of status, as in the case of chains of office, or the Western practice of married people wearing a wedding ring.
Wearing of amulets and devotional medals to provide protection or ward off evil is common in some cultures; these may take the form of symbols (such as the ankh), stones, plants, animals, body parts (such as the Khamsa), or glyphs (such as stylized versions of the Throne Verse in Islamic art).[5]
Although artistic display has clearly been a function of jewellery from the very beginning, the other roles described above tended to take primacy.[citation needed] It was only in the late 19th century, with the work of such masters as Peter Carl Fabergé and René Lalique, that art began to take primacy over function and wealth.[citation needed] This trend has continued into modern times, expanded upon by artists such as Robert Lee Morris and Ed Levin.
Read more ... ( click here )
Diamonds
Adsense
Tips and tricks for google adsense your how-to guide for google with google tutorials, tips for using google and handy tricks. Adsense packages - adsense templates and adsense websites much has been made of untimely death of google adsense but how come some folks are still generating a handsome revenue from adsense is your site topic a google adsense accelerant. Free charts generated from your google adsense reports seo tools - adsense calculator the adsense calculator helps google adsense affiliates understand what affects their earnings by letting them experiment with values. Adsense calculator - seo tools - search engine optimization, google adsense tips help you to earn more money the desire to make money and live a more comfortable life is a trait that is inherent in all human beings. Live search: adsense adsensecharts - free charts generated from your google adsense reports.
Is your site topic a google adsense accelerant adsense for making money have you ever heard of adsense if not, it is one service that allows you to make money online. Adsense pin not received don't worry is making money with google adsense as easy as everyone seems to think it is adsense and other google programs offer an opportunity to make money from your web site, but how easy. Google adsense - making money with adsense adsense ready websites, adsense templates and adsense turnkey websites instantly download our adsense websites use our adsense websites to make money with google, yahoo or. Adsenseguide - google adsense earnings one millionaire adsense affiliate who was the first to reveal online that they were on course to raking in over one million dollars from their adsense affiliate program revealed.
Two ways google is trying to juice adsense: ad-only search boxes and firefox add-ons add-ons extend firefox, letting you personalize your browsing experience take a look around and make firefox your own. Adsense this introduction to adsense will help you decide if the program, which allows you to sell advertising space for other people's ads on your own site, is right for you. Adsense ads: making money online even if you know nothing about earning money with google adsense, building websites, or any other. Clickcatcher forums google adsense earnings - how much can you earn. Adsense tips help you to earn more money feature boosts the number of text ads tied to a web page and improves the relevance between the ads and the web page's content.
How to make money with google adsense clickcatcher forums support for adsense reporter 6 users have contributed to 11 threads and 11 posts in the past 24 hours, we have 0 new. Adsense secrets adsense pin not received don't worry what is pin this is a part of adsense payment system in order to check the address of publisher, google sends a pin (personal. Youtube - adsense tips & tools: adsense preview (firefox add-on) http://webhole.net important note: this firefox extension is not endorsed nor affiliated in any way with google the adsense preview tool remains the property of. Adsense search results. Google adsense tips google turned in healthy third-quarter earnings largely thanks to the fact that google is finally getting serious about cost containment but that is.
Is your site topic a google adsense accelerant adsense for making money have you ever heard of adsense if not, it is one service that allows you to make money online. Adsense pin not received don't worry is making money with google adsense as easy as everyone seems to think it is adsense and other google programs offer an opportunity to make money from your web site, but how easy. Google adsense - making money with adsense adsense ready websites, adsense templates and adsense turnkey websites instantly download our adsense websites use our adsense websites to make money with google, yahoo or. Adsenseguide - google adsense earnings one millionaire adsense affiliate who was the first to reveal online that they were on course to raking in over one million dollars from their adsense affiliate program revealed.
Two ways google is trying to juice adsense: ad-only search boxes and firefox add-ons add-ons extend firefox, letting you personalize your browsing experience take a look around and make firefox your own. Adsense this introduction to adsense will help you decide if the program, which allows you to sell advertising space for other people's ads on your own site, is right for you. Adsense ads: making money online even if you know nothing about earning money with google adsense, building websites, or any other. Clickcatcher forums google adsense earnings - how much can you earn. Adsense tips help you to earn more money feature boosts the number of text ads tied to a web page and improves the relevance between the ads and the web page's content.
How to make money with google adsense clickcatcher forums support for adsense reporter 6 users have contributed to 11 threads and 11 posts in the past 24 hours, we have 0 new. Adsense secrets adsense pin not received don't worry what is pin this is a part of adsense payment system in order to check the address of publisher, google sends a pin (personal. Youtube - adsense tips & tools: adsense preview (firefox add-on) http://webhole.net important note: this firefox extension is not endorsed nor affiliated in any way with google the adsense preview tool remains the property of. Adsense search results. Google adsense tips google turned in healthy third-quarter earnings largely thanks to the fact that google is finally getting serious about cost containment but that is.
Mortgages
Mortgages are a necessary part of home buying. With as many diverse types of mortgages as there are mortgage rates, finding what you need can be difficult. But on NationalRelocation.com, the different types of mortgages are laid out on their own pages so the task is easier. Whether you are buying your first home or looking for a mortgage refinance, you want to find the best mortgage rate possible. Mortgages will allow you to own a home, whether a starter home or the home of your dreams, without having to wait until you can pay for it outright. It is a good idea to get mortgage quotes for your home purchase so that you can choose the right type of mortgage for you and your family and get the best deal on a mortgage rate and an interest rate possible.
Here are some basic things to know about mortgages:
Mortgage companies and lenders are the institutions that will lend you money to pay for your home. A mortgage company will give you a loan for your home, but you are indebted to them for that loan until you pay it off. Lenders will work with you to determine a mortgage rate, as well as decide if you will need any mortgage insurance or a second mortgage. It is a good idea to shop around for a lender or mortgage company, as every institution will offers different mortgage rates and mortgages.
One of the decisions you'll have to make includes whether to get a fixed rate mortgage (FRM) or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). This is an important decision, as one type of mortgage rate may be a much better fit for you. With a fixed rate mortgage, your monthly rates will always be the same. An adjustable rate mortgage means that your monthly payments will vary, or adjust, according to the market.
If you already have a mortgage but aren't satisfied with your current mortgage rate, you can refinance it to get a lower rate. By doing this you can save money now and in the long term. Your new refinanced mortgage might be for a shorter term, meaning that you'll save on interest in the long term because you'll be paying your mortgage for shorter period of time. Another reason to refinance your current mortgage would be to upgrade your current adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to a different one so that you can take advantage of the introductory period when the mortgage rate is very low. Fixed rate mortgages can be refinanced to get a lower fixed rate, as well.
A home equity loan or second mortgage is a way to get money out of your home. Even if you already have a mortgage, you can borrow against the amount of money your home is worth minus what you still owe on the first mortgage. You can use this money to improve the value of your home, pay off debts, or pay college tuition costs.
If you are a veteran or current member of the U.S. Military, you can qualify for a VA loan, or Veterans Affairs loan. This loan carries many benefits that non-veterans do not have access to. For example, the mortgage rates for VA loans are usually lower. Also, sometimes having a VA loan will mean that you don't have to make a down payment on your home purchase. The benefits for veterans and their families are numerous, but you must be eligible to pursue such mortgages.
Here are some basic things to know about mortgages:
Mortgage companies and lenders are the institutions that will lend you money to pay for your home. A mortgage company will give you a loan for your home, but you are indebted to them for that loan until you pay it off. Lenders will work with you to determine a mortgage rate, as well as decide if you will need any mortgage insurance or a second mortgage. It is a good idea to shop around for a lender or mortgage company, as every institution will offers different mortgage rates and mortgages.
One of the decisions you'll have to make includes whether to get a fixed rate mortgage (FRM) or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). This is an important decision, as one type of mortgage rate may be a much better fit for you. With a fixed rate mortgage, your monthly rates will always be the same. An adjustable rate mortgage means that your monthly payments will vary, or adjust, according to the market.
If you already have a mortgage but aren't satisfied with your current mortgage rate, you can refinance it to get a lower rate. By doing this you can save money now and in the long term. Your new refinanced mortgage might be for a shorter term, meaning that you'll save on interest in the long term because you'll be paying your mortgage for shorter period of time. Another reason to refinance your current mortgage would be to upgrade your current adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to a different one so that you can take advantage of the introductory period when the mortgage rate is very low. Fixed rate mortgages can be refinanced to get a lower fixed rate, as well.
A home equity loan or second mortgage is a way to get money out of your home. Even if you already have a mortgage, you can borrow against the amount of money your home is worth minus what you still owe on the first mortgage. You can use this money to improve the value of your home, pay off debts, or pay college tuition costs.
If you are a veteran or current member of the U.S. Military, you can qualify for a VA loan, or Veterans Affairs loan. This loan carries many benefits that non-veterans do not have access to. For example, the mortgage rates for VA loans are usually lower. Also, sometimes having a VA loan will mean that you don't have to make a down payment on your home purchase. The benefits for veterans and their families are numerous, but you must be eligible to pursue such mortgages.
Benchmark Lending
Benchmark Lending is the interest rate the banks pay when they borrow money. That's right; your bank borrows money, too. They must have a certain amount of money on reserve, and when they don't they borrow money over a very short term (such as one night).
Subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date with Benchmark Lending deals, announcements, coupons or other news.
Benchmark Lending is a full service mortgage broker dedicated to finding the best mortgage loan program and mortgage rate for you.
So the floor isn't the lowest you can go. There's something under the "floor". The rate known as "prime" has been the popular benchmark for lending in Canada.
This is primarily designed to help people recover from predatory lending. Whether you have been victimized by predatory lending or just here to acquire more information about lending then this site is for you.
Taking a cue from the series of moves by RBI, banks pared rates. Public sector banks cut their benchmark prime lending rates up to 200 basis points, and private banks 50 basis points. The decline in deposit rates has been steeper with some banks lowering rates over 200 basis points for certain maturities.
years that means the experience quality of them. Benchmark Lending group which has provided much needed finances to get new homes or refinance the existing homes to many families for over ten years. They provide calculated offers that suit the client?s need and flexibility to bear it.
Benchmark Lending provides loans and banking solutions for you Benchmark Lending Group.
ICICI Bank, India?s second-largest lender, did not indicate whether it will cut rates. However, Joint MD & CFO Chanda Kochhar said: ?These measures will accelerate the move to a lower interest rate regime across the system.?
Last night in America, the American people chose socialism. They chose to have the government be the answer to everything. They chose to have the government take money from one group of people and give it to another.
The banking system is headed towards a cheaper rate regime. We will cut benchmark lending rates in two tranches. We may cut our rates at least 50 basis points in the first tranche in eight to ten days and further cuts will be made in the next tranche with a 15-day lag.
The problem is not of availability of credit but demand. Credit is available for viable proposals,?
Subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date with Benchmark Lending deals, announcements, coupons or other news.
Benchmark Lending is a full service mortgage broker dedicated to finding the best mortgage loan program and mortgage rate for you.
So the floor isn't the lowest you can go. There's something under the "floor". The rate known as "prime" has been the popular benchmark for lending in Canada.
This is primarily designed to help people recover from predatory lending. Whether you have been victimized by predatory lending or just here to acquire more information about lending then this site is for you.
Taking a cue from the series of moves by RBI, banks pared rates. Public sector banks cut their benchmark prime lending rates up to 200 basis points, and private banks 50 basis points. The decline in deposit rates has been steeper with some banks lowering rates over 200 basis points for certain maturities.
years that means the experience quality of them. Benchmark Lending group which has provided much needed finances to get new homes or refinance the existing homes to many families for over ten years. They provide calculated offers that suit the client?s need and flexibility to bear it.
Benchmark Lending provides loans and banking solutions for you Benchmark Lending Group.
ICICI Bank, India?s second-largest lender, did not indicate whether it will cut rates. However, Joint MD & CFO Chanda Kochhar said: ?These measures will accelerate the move to a lower interest rate regime across the system.?
Last night in America, the American people chose socialism. They chose to have the government be the answer to everything. They chose to have the government take money from one group of people and give it to another.
The banking system is headed towards a cheaper rate regime. We will cut benchmark lending rates in two tranches. We may cut our rates at least 50 basis points in the first tranche in eight to ten days and further cuts will be made in the next tranche with a 15-day lag.
The problem is not of availability of credit but demand. Credit is available for viable proposals,?
Process benchmarking: an application to lending products
Benchmarking techniques evolved from Xerox’s pioneering visit to Japan in the late 1970s. However, the application of the benchmarking concept to the banking industry did not take place until the late 1990s. Process benchmarking, in particular, is a tool that helps FIs to cut costs, improve productivity and integrate business processes. Although process benchmarking involves divulging what may be considered as sensitive or confidential information, forming de facto benchmarking partnerships with competitors allows participating institutions to compare cost and output advantages and disadvantages, when performing key processes involved in lending operations. This paper presents an application of process benchmarking to lending operations across Australia to highlight differences in costs involved in seemingly identical value chains.
Benchmarking Process
There is no single benchmarking process that has been universally adopted. The wide appeal and acceptance of benchmarking has led to various benchmarking methodologies emerging. The most prominent methodology is the 12 stage methodology by Robert Camp (who wrote the first book on benchmarking in 1989)[1].
The 12 stage methodology consisted of 1. Select subject ahead 2. Define the process 3. Identify potential partners 4. Identify data sources 5. Collect data and select partners 6. Determine the gap 7. Establish process differences 8. Target future performance 9. Communicate 10. Adjust goal 11. Implement 12. Review/recalibrate.
The following is an example of a typical shorter version of the methodology:
- Identify your problem areas - Because benchmarking can be applied to any business process or function, a range of research techniques may be required. They include: informal conversations with customers, employees, or suppliers; exploratory research techniques such as focus groups; or in-depth marketing research, quantitative research, surveys, questionnaires, re-engineering analysis, process mapping, quality control variance reports, or financial ratio analysis. Before embarking on comparison with other organizations it is essential that you know your own organization's function, processes; base lining performance provides a point against which improvement effort can be measured.
- Identify other industries that have similar processes - For instance if one were interested in improving hand offs in addiction treatment he/she would try to identify other fields that also have hand off challenges. These could include air traffic control, cell phone switching between towers, transfer of patients from surgery to recovery rooms.
- Identify organizations that are leaders in these areas - Look for the very best in any industry and in anycountry. Consult customers, suppliers, financial analysts, trade associations, and magazines to determine which companies are worthy of study.
- Survey companies for measures and practices - Companies target specific business processes using detailedsurveys of measures and practices used to identify business process alternatives and leading companies. Surveys are typically masked to protect confidential data by neutral associations and consultants.
- Visit the "best practice" companies to identify leading edge practices - Companies typically agree to mutually exchange information beneficial to all parties in a benchmarking group and share the results within the group.
- Implement new and improved business practices - Take the leading edge practices and develop implementation plans which include identification of specific opportunities, funding the project and selling the ideas to the organization for the purpose of gaining demonstrated value from the process.
Cost of Benchmarking
Benchmarking is a moderately expensive process, but most organizations find that it more than pays for itself. The three main types of costs are:
- Visit Costs - This includes hotel rooms, travel costs, meals, a token gift, and lost labor time.
- Time Costs - Members of the benchmarking team will beinvesting time in researching problems, finding exceptional companies to study, visits, and implementation. This will take them away from their regular tasks for part of each day so additional staff might be required.
- Benchmarking Database Costs - Organizations that institutionalize benchmarking into their daily procedures find it is useful to create and maintain a database of best practices and the companies associated with each best practice now.
The cost of benchmarking can substantially be reduced through utilizing the many internet resources that have sprung up over the last few years. These aim to capture benchmarks and best practices from organizations, business sectors and countries to make the benchmarking process much quicker and cheaper.
Product of Benchmarking
The technique initially used to compare existing corporate strategies with a view to achieving the best possible performancein new situations (see above), has recently been extended to the comparison of technical products. This process is usually referred to as "Technical Benchmarking" or "Product Benchmarking". Its use is particularly well developed within the automotive industry ("Automotive Benchmarking"), where it is vital to design products that match precise user expectations, at minimum possible cost, by applying the best technologies available worldwide. Many data are obtained by fully disassembling existing cars and their systems. Such analyses were initially carried out in-house by carmakers and their suppliers. However, as they are expensive, they are increasingly outsourced to companies specialized in this area. Indeed, outsourcing has enabled a drastic decrease in costs for each company (by cost sharing) and the development of very efficient tools (standards, software).
Types of Benchmarking
- Process benchmarking - the initiating firm focuses its observation and investigation of business processes with a goal of identifying and observing the best practices from one or more benchmark firms. Activity analysis will be required where the objective is to benchmark cost and efficiency; increasingly applied to back-office processes where outsourcing may be a consideration.
- Financial benchmarking - performing a financial analysis and comparing the results in an effort to assess your overall competitiveness.
- Performance benchmarking - allows the initiator firm to assess their competitive position by comparing products and services with those of target firms.
- Product benchmarking - the process of designing new products or upgrades to current ones. This process can sometimes involve reverse engineering which is taking apart competitors products to find strengths and weaknesses.
- Strategic benchmarking - involves observing how others compete. This type is usually not industry specific meaning it is best to look at other industries.
- Functional benchmarking - a company will focus its benchmarking on a single function in order to improve the operation of that particular function. Complex functions such as Human Resources, Finance and Accounting and Information and Communication Technology are unlikely to be directly comparable in cost and efficiency terms and may need to be disaggregated into processes to make valid comparison.
Hair removal in Washington DC
Laser hair removal in Washington DC is quickly becoming one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for both men and women. If you are sick and tired of shaving, waxing, or tweezing unwanted hair on a daily or weekly basis, and are looking for a more permanent solution, we have exactly what you need. Many men and women are turning to the latest trend in hair removal - the laser.
For those interested in our revolutionary non-invasive procedure, here are all the facts that you need to know before you go under the light. This procedure has been hyped around the globe as the permanent solution to unwanted hair removal and has shown great promise in delivering on that claim. However, before investing your valuable time and hard earned money into Laser Hair Removal treatments, we suggest you do a little research.
The effect of removing unwanted hair by laser was first discovered by dermatologists in the late 1960s. Dermatologists discovered that during treatment for skin conditions with lasers, the removal of hair in the treatment area happened to be a side effect and because of this, lasers have been studied extensively for years for their hair removal effectiveness.
Many different types of lasers have since been approved by the FDA and now professional treatments for Laser Hair Removal in Washington DC are available to all interested residents.
Today, Laser Hair Removal in Washington DC is one of the fastest growing non-invasive cosmetic procedures on the market. Last year alone, over one million individuals underwent laser treatments around the globe.
At our Washington DC clinic, all of the technicians are trained and certified on the latest laser hair removal equipment; this guarantees professional Laser Hair Removal treatments each and every time you visit.
To learn more about our approach to this extraordinary treatment, come in for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll give you all the information you need and get you set up for a series of Laser Hair Removal treatments at our Washington DC clinic that will leave you with nothing but hair free skin!
For those interested in our revolutionary non-invasive procedure, here are all the facts that you need to know before you go under the light. This procedure has been hyped around the globe as the permanent solution to unwanted hair removal and has shown great promise in delivering on that claim. However, before investing your valuable time and hard earned money into Laser Hair Removal treatments, we suggest you do a little research.
The effect of removing unwanted hair by laser was first discovered by dermatologists in the late 1960s. Dermatologists discovered that during treatment for skin conditions with lasers, the removal of hair in the treatment area happened to be a side effect and because of this, lasers have been studied extensively for years for their hair removal effectiveness.
Many different types of lasers have since been approved by the FDA and now professional treatments for Laser Hair Removal in Washington DC are available to all interested residents.
Today, Laser Hair Removal in Washington DC is one of the fastest growing non-invasive cosmetic procedures on the market. Last year alone, over one million individuals underwent laser treatments around the globe.
At our Washington DC clinic, all of the technicians are trained and certified on the latest laser hair removal equipment; this guarantees professional Laser Hair Removal treatments each and every time you visit.
To learn more about our approach to this extraordinary treatment, come in for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll give you all the information you need and get you set up for a series of Laser Hair Removal treatments at our Washington DC clinic that will leave you with nothing but hair free skin!
Laser Hair Removal- Dangers and Side Effects
Women and men have hair on all the wrong places and it can be quite embarrassing for people to show of their hairy bodies. Women especially suffer a lot with hair on all unwanted places. There have been many solutions for hair removal, including laser hair removal. These types of procedures give a permanent solution and also hair does not grow back. However, there are some positives and negatives when it comes to laser hair removal procedures. Laser removal procedure is new and was introduced in the 1990s.
Laser hair removal procedure can cause some side effects that can be dangerous for some people. The most common side effects that most people experience are swelling and redness at the area of removal. People with sensitive skin can have more severe rashes. Another problem with this kind of treatment is discoloration of skin. This is known as hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, depending on the type of discoloration. Lasers also block the melanin from entering the skin cells. This type of discoloration has irreversible effects. It can also burn the skin and mostly people, who have darker skin, are more susceptible to such injuries. Sometimes, after laser removal the hair re-grows in patches and blotches which are even more embarrassing than what was present prior to the treatment.
There are also risks of some rare occurrences like reticulate erythematic which means lasting redness in the skin. Erythmea means irritation of the skin. It forms a web-like pattern on the skin. Another such serious side effect of laser removal is uveitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the uvea which lines the cornea of the eye.
Laser hair removal procedure can cause some side effects that can be dangerous for some people. The most common side effects that most people experience are swelling and redness at the area of removal. People with sensitive skin can have more severe rashes. Another problem with this kind of treatment is discoloration of skin. This is known as hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, depending on the type of discoloration. Lasers also block the melanin from entering the skin cells. This type of discoloration has irreversible effects. It can also burn the skin and mostly people, who have darker skin, are more susceptible to such injuries. Sometimes, after laser removal the hair re-grows in patches and blotches which are even more embarrassing than what was present prior to the treatment.
There are also risks of some rare occurrences like reticulate erythematic which means lasting redness in the skin. Erythmea means irritation of the skin. It forms a web-like pattern on the skin. Another such serious side effect of laser removal is uveitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the uvea which lines the cornea of the eye.
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