NAB Index Reveals Broader Australian Economy Merely Limping Along

Written by Robert White on June 22, 2011 – 12:00 am

The results of the most recent monthly business survey conducted by Australian banking major NAB makes it clear that the economy is operating at two speeds, with the mining sector leaving the rest of the economy in its wake.

Overall, though, the economy is merely limping by.

Apart from a dip during the first couple of months, due to natural disasters hitting eastern Australia, the NAB index of business conditions hit its lowest level in May since early 2009, when the economy was still dealing with the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

The index is produced based on a number of measures including employment, profitability and trading conditions.

During May, all three were either at or very near their lowest levels for the last couple of years, excluding the period at the start of the year.

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Tags: Economy, Economy Merely
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Invest With Prosper and Get Great Returns and Cool Gifts

Written by Robert White on June 21, 2011 – 8:01 pm

Prosper is looking for people who want to get great rates! I wanted to let you know about a new Lender Promotion that goes into effect today but ends June 30, so don’t delay.

Prosper is a peer-to-peer lending site. On Prosper, borrowers list loan requests between $2,000 and $25,000 and individual lenders invest as little as $25 in each loan listing they select. In addition to credit scores, ratings, and histories, investors can consider borrowers’ personal loan descriptions, endorsements from friends, and community affiliations. Prosper handles the funding and servicing of the loan on behalf of the matched borrowers and investors.

It’s basically a way to cut out the middle man in many loan scenarios. Inste

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Tags: Get Great, Great
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Keep an eye on your debit card account, even if you don’t shop at Michaels Stores

Written by Robert White on June 21, 2011 – 2:21 pm

A month ago, Michaels Stores Inc. let consumers nationwide know that Personal Identification Number pads at nearly 90 of its stores nationwide had been outfitted with skimming devices.

Only now, it appears, are consumers around Portland discovering fraud from such heists.

What’s more, the increase in debit-card fraud observed by several local financial institutions over the weekend might not all be a result of the tampering at Michaels.

Unitus Community Credit Union vice president Laurie Kresl said this morning that it is “also aware of a smaller issue, which appears to stem from a breach/compromise at a local merchant.”

“If they weren’t in Michaels, that doesn’t keep them safe,” said Betty House, a Portland resident. Hou Full Article…


Tags: Michaels Stores, Stores
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Some Thoughts on the Long Term

Written by Jessica Clark on June 21, 2011 – 10:12 am

A few days ago, Donald left a provocative comment on my recent article How to Get Rich Quickly!. Although I think his tone is a bit aggressive, he does bring up an interesting point:

Yes this is good advice – work for 45 years, squirrel away your income the whole time, and when you are ready to die, you will be rich (*disclaimer – rich in 2011 dollars, maybe not so rich in 2043 dollars)

First of all, I have no interest in being rich. My impression of being rich is that I have enough money saved that my children will have an easy life. I have no interest in that at all.

My goal is financial independence, which means simply that if I choose to engage in activities that don’t earn an income for the rest of my life, I’ll survive financially with a standard of living roughly similar to what I have now (and I don’t live like a rich person). I might c

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Marble Flooring Color Types

Written by Robert White on June 21, 2011 – 3:48 am

Marble is a metamorphic stone, and its elegant look and strength has made it a preferred architectural material for both ancient and modern structures alike.

Marble floor tiles have been used throughout the years due to its unique patterns and colors. It is made up of relatively hard material, but is not as hard as granite. Marble is classified into groups A, B, C, and D, which indicate the fabrication ease based on the quality of hardness. Marble tiles tend to be veined.

Marble that is tumbled has an entirely different exterior from the polished version. These tiles have a porous, and sometimes even sponge like consistency.

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Tags: Marble, Marble Flooring
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