blog on July 31st, 2009

Fixing the UK’s banking woes may not be a simple matter.
There appears to be a significant rift forming with regard to changes required for the regulation of the UK banking sector, to avoid a systemic failure as was evidenced in 2007. A report released today by the Treasury select committee expressed concerns about the way [...]

Continue reading about Rift looming in UK banking reforms

blog on July 30th, 2009

Business broadband is a way of life nowadays, with very few (if any) serious businesses still using dial up.
There are several types of connection. They are:
* Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
* Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), and
* Leased Line
ADSL is fine for residential users, who generally do not have much in the way of [...]

Continue reading about Broadband connection speed

blog on July 30th, 2009

One of New Zealand’s leading economists believes the fall in house prices is over and the market is set to resume rising, albeit at a substantially slower rate than in the last seven or so years.
Tony Alexander, the Bank of New Zealand’s chief economist, has scoffed at doomsayers who are predicting the country’s housing market [...]

Continue reading about The fall is over

blog on July 29th, 2009

For those of you still fortunate enough to have money, you might need to find out more about things you can do to make best use of it.
Saving and investment are two different things. Savings are money put aside to protect it from loss, whereas investment is about using your money to make money. The [...]

Continue reading about Things to do with money

blog on July 29th, 2009

Here’s a few ads from local newspapers in the US and around the world.
* Dinner Special — Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25; Children $2.00.
* Wanted: 50 girls for stripping machine operators in factory.
* Great Dames for sale.
* Vacation Special: have your home exterminated.
* Toaster: A gift that every member of the family appreciates. Automatically [...]

Continue reading about Funny adverts

blog on July 28th, 2009

Has the property market hit rock bottom yet? Is it already on the upswing? Not likely, it seems.
The government is pumping money into building new houses, which will go some way towards improving things in the construction industry, but is not likely to push prices up. Quite the opposite, in fact. The property news is [...]

Continue reading about Buy now or later?

blog on July 27th, 2009

I watched a rerun of an Oprah episode from earlier this year, all about how the recession is affecting people in the US.
Multi-billion dollar stimulus packages and huge bonuses for finance sector executives gall when you see ordinary families reduced to walking the streets waiting for the homeless shelter to open.
Reporter Lisa Ling went [...]

Continue reading about Home foreclosures

blog on July 24th, 2009

I’m of the opinion that some of what could be called graffiti actually enhances the environment. But this is good quality art in a place where it is wanted. Street art, perhaps. This is not random, unwanted, incomprehensible rubbish.
On the first Monday of the school holidays, I arrived at school at 8am to kick off [...]

Continue reading about Graffiti – love it or hate it

blog on July 23rd, 2009

These are personal advertisements from newspapers in the US and around the world.
* Lost: small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered. Like one of the family.
* Four-poster bed, 101 years old. Perfect for antique lover.
* We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand.
* Tired of cleaning yourself? Let me do it.
* [...]

Continue reading about Personal ads