The Truth Bar

The local government staff has been awarded a pay increase of 2.75%. However, even before the joy had sunk in, concerns regarding job losses to make up for the additional expenditure has spoilt the party.

The decision of pay hike was taken by the independent arbitration and conciliatory body, Acas, and is likely to affect around 1.5 million workers including academic staff, refuse collectors and dinner staff. This increase from 2.45% to 2.75% was in the wake of the two days strike in July due to which refuse was not collected and even a few schools had to remain closed.

This unprecedented rise in expenditure, owing to the sudden alteration in pay structure is likely to be compensated by job cuts. As Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association justifies, the additional expenditure created by the salary hike cannot be allowed to put an extra burden on the taxpayers, and hence the cut in jobs has become imminent. For more information visit Workplace Law’s dse assessor training website

The news of the pay hike is said to have been accepted with ’surprise and disappointment’ by the councils. Brian Baldwin, chairman of the employers’ side of the National Joint Council says that the stress on the services would increase and this might cause a significant number of pink slips being handed out.

The recent survey conducted by the LGA has shared some disturbing statistics, showing that more than a hundred local authorities have begun laying off employees and 70% are projected to do so in the near future. Brian Strutton, the GMB’s national secretary for public services, said that the figure of pay hike should not have been a surprise for the councils; instead, it is the council workers who are in for disappointment post these announcements.

I searched for a tool to resize images online. My mother is 72 years old and has no clue of computing devices. For her software is too complicated.On the internet you can find quite some different services for that, but there only was one great find.At ResizeImagesOnline.com you can resize images , rotate them and save them on your computer or send them via email.Wherether you need to, you can use the service. E.g. in the park, at home or even laboring. All you need is you photo camera and internet acces.

A) Pick Out image.

B) Select new size :

Longest Side:

Extremely small ( 80 Pixel )

Little ( 200 Pixel )

Moderate ( 400 Pixel )

Huge ( 600 Pixel )

Longest Side:

The maximum of pixels of the longest side is chosen

Free Scale:

Height and width are picked out freely.

The photo / image can possibly get an aspect ratio which is distorted horizontally or vertically.

C) Optional : Rotate.

D) Select “Resize!”. The picture is uploaded and resized.

Electronic Mail can be used to send the image to your pals.You have to input a valid electronic mail address.

The image resize is performed applying a new resampling technique.So you can get a superior quality compared to industry strength programmes like photoshop.but the output is limited to 5000×5000 (Pixel).The formats JPEG, PNG and GIF can be resized.

Cash back cards offer you a rebate either in cash or in kind as a reward for making your card payments on time or for having an excellent credit history. The rewards may come in 1% to 5% rebates for all purchases charged to the credit card, although certain companies implement present minimum spending amounts before users become entitled for the rebates.

This sounds like a good offer as you will be getting cash back for a maximum of $125 in cash rebates for a total charge of $2500. Do this consistently on a monthly basis, and you will begin to see your cash rebates become substantial.

Also, some companies offer special rebates or rebate coupons when users shop at selected stores that partner with the credit card company to offer special privileges specifically to their credit card holders. These benefits provide card owners with a sense of prestige and builds customer loyalty.

What’s more, cash back cards also present other forms of cash back offers: 0% annual percentage rates, a 0% rate on balance transfers (for limited periods) or $0 annual fees. Some credit card companies go the extra mile by literally mailing cash back rebates in the form of checks. This may be one of the most ideal deals around, as this is as close to cash as cash back rebates can get.

As cash back credit cards are also aimed to encourage users to spend more, some credit card companies offer a point accumulation reward scheme. Essentially, you are rewarded with a preset amount of points if you make charges above a preset minimum amount. The accumulative effect of these reward points will then allow you to use them as cash to redeem exclusive items. All in all, cash back cards have a lot to offer if you can afford to spend, spend and spend with your credit card.

Adam Goldman recommends Find Credit Cards to get the best cash back card offer.

How Some Credit Repair Companies Ruin Your Credibility

Let it be known right at the outset that not all Credit Repair companies are disreputable. There are many companies and credit repair professionals who genuinely help you repair your credit. When trying to select a company to help you in Credit Repairs, you need to do a lot of research before settling on one. Some will approach you to help “fix” your credit, and these should be avoided.

Credit Repair Scams

The best way is to repair your credit yourself. However, if you need help, you need to be careful in selecting the type and mode of help. Some Credit Repair companies do not help at all. Rather, they produce opposite results. Some will promise to get you out of debt, but they cannot improve or repair your credit. You need to send them a check every month from which they are to pay your creditors. They, in fact, make late payments and your account is rated R2 - which mean that payments were made after 30 days. This further lowers your credit score!

Certain persons, posing as ‘Debt Negotiators’ further ruin your credit rating by suggesting not paying your credit card bills. They, of course, charge you upfront fees, maintenance fees, and monthly fees, etc. After months of non-payment, they negotiate with the creditors to settle for a lesser amount. This ruins your credibility, by your account being tagged R4 or R5 - payments delayed beyond 90 days, and beyond 120 days. Further, the money you considered as having saved, by paying a lesser amount, is actually considered ‘income’ by the IRS and you pay income tax on that!

Some Credit Repair companies, promising to remove listed information in your credit reports, will write on your behalf to the credit bureaus, stating the information as false. The credit bureaus will remove the said information while conducting investigations. In the meanwhile you receive a clean Credit Report, which gives you a false sense of having a good credit. After investigations, the negative information reappears in your report.

Some agencies do perform a reputable job and help you remove incorrect items, such as children’s items on parents’ reports, double items, paid-off items that still show on your report, and items that should rightly have been removed after a bankruptcy. Such reputable Credit Repair companies do help people who are not comfortable dealing with such things.

Keep this in mind: Only the incorrect items, if proven to be false, can be removed from your credit reports. If the negative items are correct, they JUST cannot be removed, regardless of what anyone tells you!

More credit repair articles here:
Finance and Credit Repair

Prepaid credit cards are new twists on the popularity of plastic money. The name says it all. They are cards that function just like credit cards in nearly all aspects, but you have to pay the spending limit upfront. It’s like a prepaid phone card you can use to buy anything at all.

There are a lot of benefits to a prepaid credit card, as well as many different applications for the technology. The most obvious benefit is that you can’t go over your limit. There is no such thing as over drafting from an account. When the account is empty, you simply cannot use the card. You have to refill it before any more purchases can be made. This is very good for people who have poor credit history or impulsive spending habits. It can help people avoid debt and be a good first step in rebuilding a low credit score.

These cards are also good for teenagers whose parents may want a middle step before getting a full service card for their children. Parents can fill the card with an allowance (or teens can put summer job paychecks into the card) whenever they want to, and junior gets to enjoy the freedom and security of credit card spending. Purchases can also be monitored with this system, which can help a teen increase his financial savvy. By seeing exactly where his or her money is going, they will be more likely to develop good habits they can keep throughout their adult life. An added bonus is that these cards frequently look the same as full-service cards, which enables teenager to keep their pride intact when the go out with their friends.

Pre-paid credit cards are also being used for specific situations. Most prevalent is the Visa Gift Card, which can be bought in any denomination and given as a gift. Recipients can spend the money anywhere, any way they wish. Another specific application is Visa’s Travel Money Card. It can be loaded directly from an ATM with funds from a checking or savings account, and then carried in place of cash or travelers checks. It is also covered under Visa’s Zero Liability Plan, which protects it against fraudulent purchases, card theft, and identity theft.

A third application that is growing in popularity is the payroll card. The payroll card is a great way for companies to reduce payroll costs and help the environment. A payroll card can be given to every employee of a business and then at the end of the pay period employees receive a direct deposit of the funds they have earned. This is available immediately upon deposit, which saves the employee the time it would take to go to the bank, wait in line, pay a cashing fee, etc. It also saves the company the time and money it takes to print and mail paychecks. Employees who may not have a bank account can take advantage of the system as well. Since all funds are deposited into the card account, there is no need for separate checking or savings accounts.

There are a few downsides to the prepaid card. Most cards require a start-up fee, and while for many companies this fee is minimal, some of them are substantial. Another downside is that many businesses that accept automatic payments from bank or credit card accounts will not accept them from prepaid cards. For most consumers this is a minimal annoyance, but for some it can be a significant setback. As with a normal credit account, when selecting a prepaid card it is best to research your options and make an informed decision on the best card to meet your individual needs.

This article has been provided courtesy of Creditor Web. Creditor Web offers great credit card articles available for reprint and other tools to help you search and compare credit cards.

This month is host to countless different types of events; the most famous of the 2 are at completely particular ends of the spectrum, London’s 2009 Fashion Week and The Awards 2009

Both are enormously renowned and have developed into somewhat of a tradition and consistently annual occurrence.

The Capitals Fashion Week takes place in NYC, Milan & Paris, the most chic and treasured capital cities in the entire world. The earliest Fashion Week was in New York City in 1943 & was situated proposed to focus concentrated attention away from France fashion style during World War II when fashion trends insiders were unable to take a trip to Paris to 1 the Paris Fashion shows. The long awaited awesome Fashion Week takes place in Feb, it can be in simple terms a chance for gifted designers both big names like Chloe & up and coming fresh designers to display their latest collections on the catwalk. This now gives brand and store buyers an opening to take notes of what’s certainly to be in demand this coming season. Fashion Week begins with New York Fashion Week followed quickly by London’s 2009 Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and then at long last France Fashion Week.

The British Phonographic Industry also more well known as The Brits are the annual pop music awards. The awards began in 1977 & took place in the Royal Albert Hall in London The awards ceremony originally shown on BBC One it is now shown on ITV 3. The Brits are watched by millions & millions of people year on year and are also put out live every single year. 2009’s Brit Awards are as always promised to be a show to remember and with brilliant acts such as Kings of Leon, Duffy & Girls Aloud performing there your sure to be in for out of this world evening, and what is great to know is that it wont stop there though. This years hosts are the entertaining BBC’s Gavin and Stacey’s, James Corden and Mathew Horne and the delightful Kylie Minogue so you are also certain to be in for a laugh too. Looking forward to the Brits hear all the latest gossip today.

Most credit cards offer the balance transfer facility. Balance transfer implies transferring the outstanding or balance amount payable on one credit card to another credit card with a lower interest rate. Before you go ahead and opt for a new credit card, solely because of the balance transfer facility, keep the following pointers in mind.

- Low introductory rates on credit cards last anywhere between 6-12 months. Most of the major credit card companies have zero percent rates on balance transfers. However, one late payment is all the invitation your credit card company needs to increase the interest rates.

- Some low-rate cards levy a transaction fee, to avail of the balance transfer facility. Run in the opposite direction (without the credit card being offered) when you hear of a transaction fee.

- Ensure that your old credit card company has sent you a billing statement which states that you have cleared your outstanding balance. Make sure this tallies with the billing statement issued by your new credit, which confirms all the balance has indeed been transferred. Only then should you close your old credit line.

- Keep making minimum payments on your old card, while availing of the balance transfer facility, which may take anywhere between 2-4 weeks. Do not make the mistake of not closing the credit line on your old card. You might succumb to the temptation of charging credit to your old card and will soon be left with 2 cards and very high debt.

- Ensure that the rock bottom rate being offered is applicable to you also. Offers may boast of rock bottom rates, which shoot up by a large margin after an introductory period. You could qualify for a 5 percent initial rate which increases to 20% after 6 months. Some one else might qualify for a 4 percent initial rate that increases to 15 percent after 8 months. Drive a hard bargain for the best rate.

Other Balance transfer card features include:

- APR rate ranging between 9 - 11 %

- Typically 3 other interest rates offered (Introductory, Monthly, and Annual). The Introductory rate is usually 0%, the monthly rate varies between 0. - 1.5 % percent, and the annual rate varies between 9-11%.

- Minimum and Maximum credit limit

- Cover against online fraud when purchasing on the Internet

- Card replacement in case of loss

- Customer service support 24/7/365.

Inspite of the host of credit card related features on offer, the best protection against getting sucked into the whirlpool of credit card debt is to reform your spending habits. Make a keen distinction between needs and wants before your next purchase.

To compare features of various balance transfer cards, visit http://www.smallbusiness-creditcard.com/Low_Balance_Transfer_Cards.htm

Smallbusiness-creditcard.com, features credit cards from major card companies. Read our articles to familiarize yourself with credit card terms and compare various credit cards including balance transfer credit cards before you apply for one.

A business credit card can be a great way to take control of you business and ensure your business stays financially secure while still moving forward and growing. The trick is knowing how to use a business card to help make your business a success rather than a failure.

Consolidating Debt

Once of the great aspects of business credit cards is that you can keep all of your business expenditures on just one card. This makes it easier to keep track of what you have spent on your business when it comes to paying taxes. In addition, receiving a monthly bill helps you see just how much money you are spending on your business each month. This ability to monitor expenditures makes it simpler for you to make modifications as necessary. In addition, most business credit cards provide end of the year summaries that make it much easier for you to analyze your annual expenses.

Many business credit cards also provide special introductory offers with low APRs. Some even waive balance transfer fees, making it possible for you to transfer all of you business expenses from other credit cards on to one card. The lower APR can save you money a great deal of money in the long run, particularly if you are unable to pay the bill in full at the end of each billing cycle.

Investing in the Future

A business credit card provides you with a revolving line of credit that makes it easier for you to expand your business whenever necessary. Many business owners, particularly those that are just starting out, need to have money available to them quickly. After all, the only way to grow a business is to invest in it. A business credit card allows you to bypass long loan application processes, thereby making it possible for you to make investments quickly and keep the momentum rolling in the growth of your business.

Look Professional

With business credit cards, you can often get your company logo in addition to its name on the card. There is no doubt this makes your business look more professional. A business credit card is a sign that you are an established, serious business. In addition, just using a business credit card is a great way of marketing your business. As cashiers see your business logo and name, word slowly spreads about your business. It’s one of the easiest marketing strategies you can utilize!

Perks of Business Credit Cards

Many business credit cards provide extra perks that are nice to have as a business owner. Take the time to compare business credit cards to discover what each has to offer and whether or not the benefits are helpful for you and your business. For example, some provide special travel benefits to business cardholders. But, if you do not need to travel frequently for your business, this benefit may not be too attractive. On the other hand, some business credit cards provide discounts at certain office supply stores. If you frequently purchase office supplies for you business, this benefit could potentially save you a great deal of money. Of course, be sure the business credit card you get provides discounts to a store you actually use. Otherwise, you are once again failing to take full advantage of your business credit card.

If you take the time to compare business credit cards, you are guaranteed to find one that offers benefits or rewards programs that will be beneficial to you and to your business. Make sure you weigh all of the benefits and stipulations, including APRs, annual fees, rewards programs, and other perks before deciding on which business credit card is best for you.

For more information on how to use a business credit card to take control of your business, Steve Bert recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com.

In case you haven’t yet learned about gambling saloon games of luck, do read on…

casinos casino

The most common definition of a gaming establishment is a house that features games. Paying Customers will hopefully bet going for the slot-machines or different games. Gaming room games normally include transparent percentages included that maintain that the gaming establishment keeps up a lead above the betting fans. Rather a lot of betting house games may cause you to get habituated very swiftly. Take the archetypal 1-armed bandit, a cash operated instrument with three plus gears which swivel if a bar on its side is yanked. The gadget typically remits with reference to predefined patterns of logos asvisible on the panel of the machine. Sadly, betting hall pastimes suggest an apparition of domination, thus conning the gaming fan: the punter is presented judgments, but they can’t truly level the player’s fundamental odds. This is brought about by the the betting saloon not paying up the full amount as expected. This process will persistently be found in well known casino games such as stud poker, craps, roulette or blackjack.

Poker is really a highly popular casino pastime. The patrons, playing with partially guarded hands, place bets in a principal pot that is then awarded to the winning participant sitting on the highest combination of cards. (Of course, the bluff can easily win ..) Comparable to blind poker, blackjack is likewise a very fashionable casino pastime. A substantial part of its popularity is caused by its peculiar mix of luck and cleverness & choice making, not to forget a process termed “counting”. This is a skill in which gambling buffs may dramatically bend the probabilities of the game to establish the upper hand by both betting and fundamental actions corresponding with the hands shown. Craps is the name of a incredibly popular wagering game making use of the roll of a couple of dice. Customers may place bets on the result of one roll, or on a series of cycles on 2 dice. In contrast to blackjack, there can’t be a feasible winning system punters can use to boost the odds. Roulette is another insanely popular casino game of chance: a croupier revolves a roulette wheel which contains precisely 37 (classical roulette) or precisely 38 (in the case of Vegas roulette) independently tagged slots in which a tossed ball will come to a stop, which is the winner and the other combinations. Assuming that our punter has placed a chip on a number and is successful so they’ve got a lucky hand, the guaranteed payout will be 35:1, the initial bet being returned. Indeed in total it’s increased by thirty six.

Try to be cautious however, because all of these betting house pastimes should be considered massively addictive. Myriad lives have indisputably been wasted by uncontrolled gambling & although it seems like a lot of fun, do please venture to balance your gambling.

Do you see yourself in this situation also? Observing that your middle section is spreading out or just heading due south. Is buttoning those pants growing more difficult? Are you discovering the months passed on your rear looking at TV, running through chips and boozing has finally caught up with you, and you are sporting love handles? Have you lost your six pack abs(http://six-pack–abs.net)? You’re definitely not the only one and we’ve got great news for you.

If you want to vaporize the fatty tissue to reveal the muscle you should start some ab workouts. Back problems can be alleviated and this benefits both sexes. When you beef up one you fortify the other. Some elementary workouts to lose those spare tires are sit ups and stomach crunches.

Dealing with the lower back you can try lying on your tummy. Lifting your feet and knees off of the floor and lightly kicking your legs as if you were swimming. Do repetitions of 15 seconds action, resting 30 seconds.

While you’re at it, why not trim down on the salt consumption. We are inclined to connect salt and sodium rich foods with heart disease and stroke. Sodium also leads to water retention which can make a large belly look even bigger. Don’t add extra salt to foods and avoid processed foods. Drinking water can also aid in losing those love handles. Water not only helps to keep the body hydrated, it also assists your body to metabolize stored fat into energy and reduces your appetite.

A great idea would be to lay off the alcohol drinking to trim caloric intake. Yes, I know, we are both disappointed that alcoholic beverages are not a water substitute. Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of what is called empty calories which have a tendency to get lodged around the stomach area resulting in excessive fat. You do not need to eliminate alcohol altogether, just keep a tally of how much you booze and adjust as needed; same method as scaling down your food consumption.