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After failing to sell its remaining 567 stores, Circuit City announced Friday that it was finally closing its doors after 60 years in the business. Here is another proof that the economy is still on its way down as this most recent demise will mean 34,000 more jobless as the year begins.

Negotiations to sell its stores fell Thursday as they failed to secure financing and support from its vendors. Last year, the problems in the credit market also made it impossible for Circuit City to secure refinancing from its creditors and led to its filing of bankruptcy.

Circuit City has about $1.8 billion in inventories to liquidate until March this year. Many bargain hunters are now on the lookout to take advantage of the opportunity. Buyers beware though. Remember that close-out sales mean you will only be able to get the manufacturer’s warranty. These are “no return, no exchange” deals and products are sold “as is.” When making a purchase, make sure you check out the manufacturing date and consider that it may be a display item. For TVs, display items mean that it has already been utilized, and at maximum brightness to lure buyers.

Well, Circuit City’s bad luck just meant that Best Buy has just cemented its niche in the retail electronics business.

While America holds its breath with the start of Barack Obama’s term next week, we have already heard a thing or two about the stimulus plans or other bail out plans that will supposedly put the US economy back on its feet. What if all these well-thought of programs still fail to make the grade? Should we hang our hopes on what our politicians claim they can do?

Personally, I’d rather take a proactive stance. If my property gets foreclosed or I lose all my savings, I can’t go to the Oval Office and try to get it back. We are still the captains of our destiny. With the economy still on the brink of collapse, we have to manage our financial condition while there is still something to manage. And what has drowned many are debts. As debts continue to pile up from mortgages, credit cards, or cash loans, it has left many bankrupt due to inability to even service interests alone. Sadly, foreclosures are happening left and right. Do not allow your condition to get to this point of no return.

We need not be financial wizards or college graduates to be able to manage our debts. There are companies out there who have the expertise to help. As a matter of fact, many have been saved by Debt Counseling. Just allow the experts to help you lower your exposure or minimize your interests, if possible.

The Credit Exchange Corporation is the only company in existence that provides debt referral services to people who want assistance in managing or consolidating their debts. All their affiliates have been thoroughly reviewed and can be trusted to provide clients with the best debt counseling services in the market. Whether you are looking to manage your credit card debts, refinancing your mortgages, or consolidating your loans, they can provide you with the best help in the market.

Don’t take this crisis sitting down. Find the experts to help you get into better shape.

You may be getting money from the IRS without even knowing it.  As the economic crunch worsened in 2008, the IRS expects to hand out more stimulus check payments to millions of US taxpayers this year.  In February, the economic-stimulus law was enacted which provides tax breaks for taxpayers with an annual income of less than $75,000.  Eligibility is based on income, family size, and other factors as reported in your federal income tax return for either 2007 or 2008.
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Friday morning trading in Wall Street was chaotic. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped by more than 330 points. If it drops by 1,100 points before 2 pm, the New York Stock Exchange will activate “circuit breakers” that will temporarily shutdown the market to minimize losses. This is something that hasn’t been done since 1997. Before it opened, Dow futures had dropped 550 points which already triggered a trading halt in stock futures contracts to slow the decline.

Stock markets worldwide already plummeted Friday with oil prices taking a nose dive to the lowest levels in more than a year. Even the more stable gold prices fell sharply. Amid fears that worldwide financial markets are declining, many fear that governments and banks are not capable of resolving the deepening global recession.

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Despite the $700 billion bail-out plan by the government, the financial crisis is still not showing signs of slowing down. Many people are still losing jobs, the stock market has been unstable, and everyone is still jittery. But most people don’t just leave everything to fate. Do something about it.

Cyberspace has become my best resource for extra income. And it has yet to fail me. Now, I discovered another online opportunity that I am taking advantage of. Ciao was recently acquired by Microsoft — an online community supported by multi-million members who review millions of products over the web. Members review products and rate reviews to determine how helpful the review will be to consumers. Aside from doing reviews, members are likewise given an opportunity to showcase their creative writing skills and other tips they can share with other members.

Ciao pays its members for each published review and provides bonuses whenever another member reads and provides a positive rating for the review. They also pay for every review that you read and rate. For a limited time, Ciao is giving $1 for each new standard product review, 1 Cent for each reading of the review by other members, and 3 Cents for every positive rating given by other members. You may think this is a small amount. But considering how easy it is to make a review of a product you are familiar with, it’s very easy to make 50 reviews in a week. There are members who have already made hundreds of dollars in Ciao. Unlike other get-paid-to (GPT) sites, you don’t have to grab opportunities, compete with other members, or wait all day to make money. I already made $10 in 2 days with just a few hours dedicated to the site. You also make a dollar for each member that you refer and a 50% commission on your referral’s earning for the first 6 months of his membership. Your earnings are sent through PayPal a few weeks after a requested cash out.

Join Ciao and find out how you can make money and augment your income now.

What cuts Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series above the rest? It’s just another sappy love story about teenagers. And a vampire falling in love with a mortal isn’t new. Buffy and Angel were the first ill-fated lovers in this genre. Other stories have followed suit — isn’t this the same plot of the new TV series True Blood?

Just when I thought I have given up on love stories, along came Twilight. Maybe no matter how hard we deny it, we still crave for undying love stories that we know can’t be real. If we can’t have it in our lives, we probably settle for reading it in a book or watching the movie. Having someone cough out lines like, “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe,” “You are my life now,” or “I’d rather die than stay away from you,” reminds us of something most of us have given up looking for. Of course, blend this with the mystic and sexy nature of vampires and the thrill of a “love that cannot be” and you’ve got yourself a bestseller and a blockbuster.

Here is the new Twilight Trailer that got cyberspace buzzing yesterday before its official release. Enjoy it while waiting for the official movie release on November 21.

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Isn’t it surprising that during an economic crisis, the big businesses fall first while the small ones survive? We sometimes wonder how it happens when we know that it’s the big ones who have more resources and more opportunities. Isn’t there a saying that says, “the bigger you are, the harder you fall?” Maybe more doesn’t always win. Sometimes, less survives.

I have heard so many success stories. But there are those that make my mouth gape open when I hear about them. One of them is the story of a cheap cologne manufacturer who made millions selling his products for $3 per 100ml bottle. Not only did the owner make enough to own a grand house for his family, but he was able to buy a dream vacation beach house. I can only scratch my head to contemplate how he made it. How did he? He filled a need that cost very little. We all want to smell good, especially after working out or playing sports. Would you put on an expensive perfume after an activity or a shower just to go home? And what about those who can’t afford branded perfumes or colognes? What also set his business apart from competition is that he established his business in a small stall inside a mall. Why would he put his product inside a grocery or drugstore and have consumers compare it to others? People walking past the stall readily sees his product and at $3 per bottle, it was a no brainer. Voila, he has volume sales in hundreds of thousands per month.

Looking at large companies as our models would be looking too far ahead. Aiming to be the next Calvin Klein is a goal that may be too tall for us regular folks. Start a business that only requires small capital but caters to majority of the market. At the moment, majority means budget-conscious consumers worrying about the economic crisis. If you are thinking of a business idea, a good question would be, “what do most people need and how much would they pay for it without reservations?” Remember that a profit of 50 cents per item may seem small, but if you multiply this by millions, it is bigger than what you can imagine. Maybe we don’t have to think big to make it big. Sometimes, thinking small just might work.

Did you know that most small business owners are unaware that they are qualified for tax credits? The government does give tax incentives to companies regardless of its size. The US government motivates innovation and provides Research and Development tax credits to engineering companies, chemical manufacturers, software companies, and others that will move the nation forward in terms of technology.

Most tax consultants discovered that many small and mid-sized companies are unaware of this tax program by the government. They probably believe only companies such as Microsoft or Apple are eligible. Some even end up getting thousands of dollars back from tax overpayments after applying for the tax credits for the first time.
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Clay Aiken finally discloses what has long been the subject of suspicions and rumors. He is gay. People Magazine’s cover shows Aiken holding his infant son, Parker Foster Aiken, with headlines saying, “Yes, I’m Gay.”

According to Aiken, his confirmation was motivated by his son as he claims that he cannot raise his child on lies and deceit. The baby’s mother is Aiken’s friend and record producer Jaymes Foster. Aiken gained fame as the runner-up in American Idol 2003. He has been silent for years regarding questions on his sexuality claiming that he is not obliged to answer to anyone but God and those that he loves. He recently made his broadway debut in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” and released his CD “On My Way Here.”

The financial news this week is making people more and more jittery. The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the problems of Merryl Lynch and AIG is telling everyone that hard times are still up ahead. Saving for the rainy days is now becoming more of a necessity. It is also important to be aware of the remedies available to you in the event of a financial problem.

With the current economic crisis, more and more financial institutions are offering consumers relief with various types of loans that can tide them over till they are able to stabilize their fiscal positions. One such institution that can be relied upon is PersonalLoanMarket.com. They provide online loan services with fast and secure approvals. Unlike other personal loans offered in the market, they offer credit of up to $10,000. A larger credit line is important especially when your need is more substantial — it can bridge mortgages, credit card payments, or even help you with emergency expenses in the family. Whatever the purpose is, Personal Loan Market will assist you in getting the funds you need at the soonest possible time.

They also offer bad credit personal loans for those who are unable to get financing due to low credit ratings or previous financial problems. Check out their website and find out how you can bridge your cash gaps now. If you need a Fast Loans now, Personal Loan Market is exactly what you need.

With the economy still trying to recover, it is not uncommon that ordinary people like you and me fall short on funding everyday expenses. When you take care of a big family like me, it is necessary to have a safety net when cash becomes tight before the next payday. Fortunately, the financial sector has risen to the challenge and it is now possible to bridge cash shortages with Payday Loans.

Apex Payday loans are one of the fastest in the market. You can apply online and get your approval for a loan of up to $1,500 with no credit required, no documents needed. Apex offers the best services in the market because they realize how important it is for ordinary people to get by. Their services have been streamlined that your application gets processed instantly with no waiting period. It is not necessary to borrow from friends or relatives to bridge your insufficient cash. Visit Apex now and get the fastest solution to your money problems.

While real estate prices are still down, it is a good time to take advantage of opportunities to invest in properties or purchase your own. One of the good areas to look for prime properties is in Austin, Texas. What even makes the timing perfect is that you can get properties or homes for half the price. It may sound crude and insensitive, but the misfortunes of those who are unable to meet their mortgage obligations can be treasure for some.

When it comes to finding the best Texas properties, no one else can match the integrity and the expertise of Century 21 Ripley. The proprietors are traditional couple Dan and Rose Castro who both believe in hard work and dedication to service. Rose provides the heart and values of the company while taking care of day-to-day business with her management skills. Meanwhile, Dan as the practicing lawyer, author, speaker, and business consultant, handles the personal training of agents in the legal aspects of the real estate industry. He also manages the major commercial investments of the company. The complementary mix of skills of this husband and wife team is ideal in providing the best service in real estate Austin can offer.

And if you’re low on budget, Century 21 Ripley can help you get an Austin Foreclosure and you may get your dream home at big savings. Austin Foreclosures are not only a good idea for those with limited funds, but they can also be good investments to take advantage of for those with excess funds. Other than helping you find your dream home, they also help in financing and relocation.

Visit www.century21ripley.com now and make the most out of the slump in the real estate industry. Another opportunity like this may not pass again as soon as it recovers.

Oscar-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones is suing Paramount Pictures, makers of “No Country for Old Men,” for more than $10 million. He claims that they owe him for starring in the 2007 crime thriller. The lawsuit claims that the production company promised “significant box-office bonuses” and other compensation depending on the success of the film. The movie went on to make more than $160 million.

The movie is based on the critically acclaimed Cormac McCarthy novel and garnered four Academy Awards, including “Best Picture.” The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Bexar County in San Antonio. Aside from Paramount, its subsidiary, N.M. Classics, Inc., was also named in the lawsuit.

Jones played Sheriff Ed Tom Bell in the film and claims he was not paid the agreed bonuses and even had expenses wrongly deducted from his upfront fee. His contract also had known errors but were not corrected before the movie was made. Jones is asking that an auditor be named to review financial records to determine how much he deserves based on the promised bonus and the revenues earned by the movie.

Over the years, business and technology has been evolving at a fast pace and changing the world of manufacturing and construction. Design has never been as good and technology has never been better. At the pace we are moving, it is essential that industrial construction contractors move just as fast to keep up with the markets and comply with the dynamic changes in regulations.

It is beyond this that JR Merit Industrial Contractors intends to move and change the industry. JR Merit is a full-service industrial general contractor offering high value construction services to business groups. The company revolves around an innovative environment with safety and client satisfaction as their priority. They have kept up to this mission and thus remains a strong force in the market for a decade. JR Merit has kept its commitments to safety and adheres to environmental standards, assuring clients that they intend to stay in the market for good. They are the benchmark of quality for every industrial contractor.

Visit and explore JR Merit’s website and find out how high quality industrial construction complements corporate responsibility.

Beyonce had to stuff herself and gain 20 pounds when she took the part of Etta James in the movie Cadillac Records. I was trying to look for a good pic of Beyonce in the movie to see how far she went. The closest pic I got didn’t look bad. She still looked voluptuous and sexy . . . darn it!

According to the sexy singer, gaining weight was so much fun (really?). The irritating part was having to lose it when she landed a role in the psychological thriller Obsessed. She had to go on a strict diet — no junk food, no chips, no candy and nothing fried. No wonder it was hard. Still, she managed to lose it to prepare for the role.

Beyonce also claims she is done being a pop star. Her goal is to be an icon like Diana Ross. It’s a tough act to follow. But with the way her career is moving at the moment, it is a possibility.