I'm so amazed with the number of articles online about loans, student loans, debt consolidation, student loan consolidaton and similar stuff. This high volume of articles is enough to pull my attention to gdig deep into this topic. What is loan consolidation or debt consolidation anyway? Maybe this kind of service has become so popular because of the ongoing recession and it helps many who are in need. Before all however, I would like to understand first what is Debt consolidation to be very exact.

According to Wikipedia's definition, Debt consolidation entails taking out one loan to pay off many others. This is often done to secure a lower interest rate, secure a fixed interest rate or for the convenience of servicing only one loan. This, in accounting view point is like a rolling credit although they are not exactly the same. As I can see it, it's reasonable enough to find for a lower interest rate with almost the smae amount of loan, right? But careful attention must be paid everytime, there might be tricks within this scheme so everyone needs to open his/her eyes and mind on this.

As further explained by Mr. Wikipedia, Debt consolidation can simply be from a number of unsecured loans into another unsecured loan, but more often it involves a secured loan against an asset that serves as collateral, most commonly a house. In this case, a mortgage is secured against the house. The collateralization of the loan allows a lower interest rate than without it, because by collateralizing, the asset owner agrees to allow the forced sale (foreclosure) of the asset to pay back the loan. The risk to the lender is reduced so the interest rate offered is lower. In an accounting/business stand point, this is just normal. There is always a price to everything. If you open your eyes to it, there is really no big difference. I mean, your house is at stake here and the risk, the very heavy burden is in your shoulder this time as the debtor, Can you imagine selling your house if you can't pay your loan? At fist this can really look attractive but if you accidentally lost your job, you are finished! Again, be careful then.

Sometimes, debt consolidation companies can discount the amount of the loan. When the debtor is in danger of bankruptcy, the debt consolidator will buy the loan at a discount. A prudent debtor can shop around for consolidators who will pass along some of the savings. Consolidation can affect the ability of the debtor to discharge debts in bankruptcy, so the decision to consolidate must be weighed carefully. As usual, there is a catch in there. The debtor only temporarily relieves himself or herself of the debt but it's still there. It is only to widen your debt and risks at the bottom. Always remember that no one gives out something without nothing in return, debt consolidators are not there as your angel but they are there to gain profit out of you. Thus, watch out!

Debt consolidation is often advisable in theory when someone is paying credit card debt. Credit cards can carry a much larger interest rate than even an unsecured loan from a bank. Debtors with property such as a home or car may get a lower rate through a secured loan using their property as collateral. Then the total interest and the total cash flow paid towards the debt is lower allowing the debt to be paid off sooner, incurring less interest. Can you imagine ultimately losing your house just because at first you became compulsive with your credit card? That is a scary thought, right? I mean, come on! You consolidate your credit card loan because you can't pay them normally anymore. This means you overspent!

The bottom line to this is, another loan is not really the answer to an existing loan. But if it really helps, why not? But as I always see, no free lunch around and everything has a cost so be very very very careful! Debt consolidation? Or loan consolidation? Think many times and compute the risks versus the benefits!

Tis week was quite heavy for me. I don't know why but almost all of us in the office has the same reaction. Is it the weather or the time of the year? We were not even busy last week! Or is it becaus we are s o used to become busy and when things slow down we feel different? Anyway, I felt the days were gagging so slow to reach the weekend. I'm just glad not it's weekend and I can lay down in my back down and finish the book I have started . Happy weekend everyone!

And here is the rest of it.

The other day I was out spending some time along the big canal near the house to take some air and hide under the forested park. A few days back, I shared about the busy canal with lots of huge ships and this time, I was able to observe a lesson in rowing. The shots were not that clear but just try to look through the bushes as they were rowing and moving and I had a hard time catching them in action. They stop from time to type to listen to the instructor's instructions that is why I have to get a good angle and timing to get them in motion.




How I envy those rowers. I also love looking at people who can go in deep waters, can row, can surf and everything that involves water but I have some psychological problems with water. I know how to swim but there must be a level of confidence with me. The moment I realize that the bottom is beyond my reach, I just sink like a stone! It's all in the brain, I know but I have tried so much already to release this fear but it sticks to me. Any advice?

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Grant: Mom, where do you buy my glasses? It seems that I have a lot of them around? I think around nine of them? So many got intrigued with all these fashionable pairs that they think I am an eye glasses collector.

Mother: Hmmm... maybe around nine pairs indeed, Son. You need not worry about that, they are suitable glasses as they are very affordable. I always have thought that you could be careless and break them but you took care of them all that is why they seem to be piled up now.

Grant: Yes, Mom. But you did not answer my question. Where did you buy those eyeglasses?

Mother: They're all from ZenniOptical and each of 'em costs $8!

Grant: Are you kidding, Mom? I mean, if I have a yellow shirt for the day, I can always look for a frame with a color that match. ANytime I have a choice which one to wear, I just appreciate how you think of me.

Mother: What made you ask me anyway?

Grant: My science teacher asked me and she wanted to know. She likes the frames and the various designs of each pair I wear. Why do I have these much anyway?

Mother: As I told you, they are not that much in terms of cost. Zenni optical has so much choices and when I buy, I buy like three pairs after all they are not that much. I bought three times and look at you, you have 9 pairs now!  Then, I want that you will have always something to choose from.

Grant: You're just great Mom. Thanks.

Mother: You're a brilliant son, Grant. You deserve every good thing. And you are welcome sonny!

Do you think I can still handle another blog? I have seven already and just started my eighth one. I mean, I really want that these blogs will have at least 4 or five contents that are obviously googleable so that I will have organic traffic everyday. I mean, time will come that I would not be able to support all, or even at least one of these blogs but to think that they would not just dies down on the net because they have searcheable contents, is amazing!. In few of my blogs, I am really very conscious about SEO and lucky that those ones that have very good keywords and seemed to be unique topics get a 30-unique hits daily. I just hope my luck and time don't run out to have all the information I share searcheable by others who need those information.

Happy blogging everyone!

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Prose / Fiction 

Jennifer M Scott – “Dreaming of Eve” – This story is for mature audiences for strong language. sexual situations and violence just wanted to forewarn you. a woman is haunted by her former boyfriend.

H. Benjamin Petrie – “Is this Love?” - A stream-of-consciousness piece aiming to combine a Raymond Carver-style relationship story with James Joyce-style internal monologuing.

Webbielady – “Blue Moon” - At last!

Poetry
Dragon Blogger – “Who Will Make Coffee” - Funny and humorous poem about a volunteer brewing a pot of coffee.

Zorlone – “Untamed beauty” - One cannot claim full knowledge behind a woman's smile. "Looks like the girl is full of mystery..." - Snow

Free Spirit – “Armageddon” - When earth is too filthy to live in...

What inspires you to stay fit? Honestly, when I see slim and physically well-trimmed individuas, they really make me swallow and make me think, " I want to be like them as well"... And then, I would think of an exercise plan to trim my weight off. On the other hand, if I see some people, whether male or female, and they are quite overweight and not that well trimmed in terms of weight and shape, they also make me think, "I don't like to be like them, thus I must not eat so much, I must take exercise, I must run in the morning, etec... etc..."

How about you? What inspires you? I know fully well that thinking to stay fit is very easy but putting them in practice requires commitment. What's your say on this? I'll be really glad to know your opinion. Enjoy your lifestyle and stay fit!

Grant: Mom, why do we  Direc tv and Mike's family doesn't have? |  

Mother: Son, your dad and I made that decision months back when I understood how better off we are with the Dish Network rather than having a cable TV. | 

Grant: Why is that, Mom? | 

Mother: Obviously, more and more consumers, just like me and your dad, and most of our neighbors, are turning to Satellite TV because dealing with the cable companies is less than convenient. 

Mother:  Directtv, for me,  is number 1 in customer service and offers more variety in programming and pricing than any other television option.

Grant: No wonder Mike is bragging around that they will have it as well, very very soon. He mentioned that his mom does not wanna get left behind without DirectTV. Now I got it. Thanks Mom!

Mother: No problem my dear. You are always a curious one. No wonder everyone is fond of you. All right, I have to finish my work now. Go out and I bet Mike is waiting for you in the park for your afternoon stroll. See you during dinner time My treasure. (She kissed her son).

Finally, the month-end and quarter end has been concluded, at least, as far as my side is concerned. I am glad that next week, and two more weeks thereafter, the rhythm of the work is quite normal although it's always busy but it is manageable and I do love what I do.

What does month end means in an accounting and finance standpoint? This means the following for me:
1. Making sure everything at hand is booked;
2. At certain moment the booking is frozen, thus, the latest stuff will be booked the next period (say, now is period 6 or June, the next period is 7 or July)
3. Journal entries for accrual purposes (tons of them);
4. Making sure the bank transactions for the current period are booked and naturally, in balance;.

The only thing is, sometimes the freeze for the current period takes some time, and when the new period comes and it is open for booking, the lags are heavy because no bookings were done during at least a couple of working days.

But as I say, I do love my job, the learning that I get and also if it's very bus, the day ends so early. :)

Who is Grant? A dear friend has asked if I do ads in this blog. The answer is.... a BIG YES! In fact, you might have notice the dialogues that Grant is doing in this blog and I have to say, everytime Grant opens his mounth, it means an earning to this blog. Some of Grant dialogue series are found in the following: When Beautifying the Surroundings is as Simple as Reading Maxim, I Like Buffonic Stuff: A Story on Soccershp, Dreams and Reality: Orlando Getaway ...and a lot more.

I made this dialogue type to put taste to the stuff I am endorsing and indeed, they are easier to be googled as they are not so obvious as paid post.

I am so glad that this blog has gained PR of 2 and now better opportunities in paid posting. So far, I have spent $30 for the domain of this blog but that's still valid until June 03 2010 and still alot of opportunities to come. Go paid postings!.

What do we need when we feel tired and just want to recharge our body? We need guest beds! But seriously, what we need is sleep! But without a good bed, sleeping is not the same. I know I am not in any position to tell anyone what to do. However, I find this very interesting truth sent by a friend to me. He told me to forward it to my friends but since all of YOU are considered by me as "friends", I post it here to share it all to you. It's actually about sleeping hours. This is suppose to be the "better" sleeping schedule.

Evening at 9 - 11pm: is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am rather than no meal at all.

Hope all is guided now and let's all sleep healthy!

The warmth of the summer season is really something new when one is leaving here in the Netherlands. I do hope this very good weather continues for long before it's gonna be fall again. I a week, I will be celebrating my first anniversary of arriving in this country from Italy. It seems just a few months ag and now I am a year here! Wow! That means I am a year older! Oh my! Oh my! Some of the good things in NL? I will be sharing with you soon!.

Grant: Maxim Enterprises ... Hmmm.... interesting. I just stumbled into this web site. Lemme check this out and see what it has for me and for my mom.

Grant was doing his regular web surfing as nine-year old child with an adult thoughts and when he stumbled into this site, he was already thinking about the application of the services the site offers that may be applicable to his life and is mom's life.

Grant: It says here that Maxim does a lot of stuff for its clients. It says that it provides a wide range of property preservation services including evictions, damage estimates, lock changes, roof repair, board-ups, winterizations, debris and hazardous material removal, mold remediation, lawn maintenance, allowing access and more. And then their blog is a place to provide their clients and anyone interested with property management information. That means Mom would be very happy to see this to utilize our big backyard.

And so Grant summoned his mother in no time to show her the Maxim Enterprises web site.

Mother: What is it my dear son? Let me see this web site you are telling me.

And the mother browsed the web site and she was fascinated.

Mother: Thanks son. You really know what I need and what I like. Maxim will help us in beautifying that huge backyard that we lat alone for all thse years. For now let me study their property management software and see what is the best next action from our side. I will be really happy to invite your friends and mine when we will have barbecuew right after it's fixed.

As noted in previous post, the busy canal would be shown in this post. And here they are! Honestly, I am not aware of the name of this canal but what I deard is, it can connect the traveler(in boat, ship or any water vessel) either to Rotterdam or to Germany. In this very particular afternoon, I took photo shots of the ships and you will notice that almost all of the ships are for heavy stuff. Sometimes I even saw ships carrying snad and maybe others garbage. Such a cargo huh???!!


I'm so lost in the shadow but at least the background shows... ^^



It's coming.... just look through the bushes...


Another one....


Here it is...


A whole new style


I think my camera can't take the whole length


...and here they meet..

Can you imagine guys how many ships passed by in a matter of minutes? That was taken at around 5:00-5:30 frame and maybe that was just the busy hours for those ships. Such a busy canal it is, right?

I like how it is in this new place. Every afternoon, just after office work, going around in bike is really. Now tha it's summer, it's really beautiful here. I mean, it's far away from the city but I am not really a city type. I prefer a relaxed and heavy nature-grown environment. You will understand what I mean when you see the follwoing images. That's along the bike path near the house where I stay and that's the same path I use to go to work. The distance of this place from the house is maybe around 63 meters.


This bench we have seated quite a few times when it gets so hot and when the shade gives a cool feeling and towatch those big ships is an interesting thing.


The pathway to walk in feet. This one is very near the canal bank.

The cycle path that is also routed to the house and to the office.

The canal...

In the next post I will be showing the busy river/canal that you see in here. That very day when I took these photos, the waterway was so busy that there were ships for almost every 3 minutes! 

Grant: What's your team? Mine is Azurro! Are you interested to have all those sporty items? I just found the place both for me and you. Any soccer gear can be found at the shop. Just look at these products! Can you imagine how lucky these guys are? They play the sport that they like and at the same time, they are really the greatest earners in this world! Wow! But still, I bet playing like a work is also tiring. Whadyathink Mike?



Mike: Isn't that cool? How you arrived in this team? I mean, it's all for Juventus. Is there a way I can see Real Madrid CF Team?

Grant: Of course my friend! Wait a moment and I'll show you.

Mike: As for working, well, as long as I earn and I am famous, I don't care about working at all. Who can be more lucky that them? They are always on TV and they can buy whatever they want! Wow!

Mike and Grant are classmates and buddies. Grant is nine years old and Mike will be ten next couple of months. One Saturday afternoon, they two were playing and having their afternoon discussions when this soccer topic was commenced.

Grant: Here you are my friend! Look at these gears for Real Madrid! They look so cool. What do you think if we buy each of our own? I'd like to have something from my Juventus and you from your Real Madrid? I'll ask Mom about it later.

Mike: Sure thing Buddy! Now let me ask my mom as well. I want to have the full gear as it would be my birthday in 8 weeks. I might even ask for a soccer team party for my birthday! So prepare yourself. I'll ask Mom now. See you my friend. Great that you showed me this. Adios.