As the owner of a 2002 Honda Civic, I found this interesting and thought I should pass it along:
Honda Motor Co. said Friday it widened a previously announced recall to add 440,000 cars that could have a lethal airbag defect. Affected models include the 2001-2002 Honda Accord, 2001 Civic and 2002-2003 Acura TL.
The potential defect has caused 6 known injuries and one known death, according to Honda spokesman Chris Naughton.
In the meantime, Honda owners can log onto the Web site www.owners.honda.com/recalls and click on the "Owner Link" to get a status of their recall.
For more on the recall see:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/31/autos/honda_recall/index.htm?postversion=2009073118
Friday, July 31, 2009
Dealing With Debt Collectors
When I was younger, I got in to a bind with my bills and didn't know how to deal with it. It caused me so much grief and anxiety, I was to the point that I would not answer my phone. I even left a job that I loved just so the bill collectors would not call me a work any more. No one wants to find themselves in that type of situation. What I didn't know and what everyone should know is that most bill collectors are not as hard to deal with as you might think. They want their money, so if you can show them that you're honestly trying to make that happen, then more than likely you can work something out.
It pays to familiarize yourself with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which protects consumers from unscrupulous collection practices. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you can report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission or file a lawsuit to collect damages. Be honest with the bill collector. Let them know if circumstances beyond your control have caused you to fall behind or stop making payments on your bills. They will still try to collect the debt, but it could buy you some time and it may make it more likely that they will work with you to resolve the situation in a way that is suitable to both parties. You know how much you can afford to pay each month, so don't let them convince you to pay more. You still have to have a place to live and food on the table. If they are insistent on your paying more, you may need to seek legal counsel. Every time you speak with the collection agents, take notes! Write down highlights from the conversation along with the date and time of the call. These notes may prove helpful if the collector contradicts himself on future calls, or if you end up filing a complaint or lawsuit. When you reach an agreement with a collector, make sure you stick to it. As long as you keep up your end of the bargain, the collection agency can make no further efforts. If for any reason you are not able to pay as agreed, call them immediately and let them know when you will be able to pay.
No one likes to deal with a collection agency, but if you are honest and reasonable, it's rarely as bad as you think it will be. In most cases, you can work out an agreement, get your debt paid and get on with your life.
It pays to familiarize yourself with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which protects consumers from unscrupulous collection practices. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you can report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission or file a lawsuit to collect damages. Be honest with the bill collector. Let them know if circumstances beyond your control have caused you to fall behind or stop making payments on your bills. They will still try to collect the debt, but it could buy you some time and it may make it more likely that they will work with you to resolve the situation in a way that is suitable to both parties. You know how much you can afford to pay each month, so don't let them convince you to pay more. You still have to have a place to live and food on the table. If they are insistent on your paying more, you may need to seek legal counsel. Every time you speak with the collection agents, take notes! Write down highlights from the conversation along with the date and time of the call. These notes may prove helpful if the collector contradicts himself on future calls, or if you end up filing a complaint or lawsuit. When you reach an agreement with a collector, make sure you stick to it. As long as you keep up your end of the bargain, the collection agency can make no further efforts. If for any reason you are not able to pay as agreed, call them immediately and let them know when you will be able to pay.
No one likes to deal with a collection agency, but if you are honest and reasonable, it's rarely as bad as you think it will be. In most cases, you can work out an agreement, get your debt paid and get on with your life.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Job Search
I'm still looking for a new job. If you've read any of my previous posts regarding the job search, you'd know that I've been concentrating my efforts on a state job in Missouri. I am now on the state register for 13 different jobs. Would love to get a job with probation and parole. My experience with the Sheriff's department in Harrison County Mississippi leads me to believe that I would be very well suited for this type of job. However, I also scored very high on the state test for computer operator trainee, which involves working with mainframe computers. I don't really have any experience with mainframes and all of my computer experience is self taught. I have repaired and upgraded several computers over the past 9 years and seem to have a knack for it, but don't know how well I would do with the big computer systems.
I was reading an article in the waiting room at physical therapy, while waiting for my neighbor to finish with the therapists. It was talking about all the searches on Google for how to become a male porn star or how to get a job as a beer taster. Don't think I could ever get in to the porn business, unless fat hairy middle aged guys suddenly become the rage. As for beer taster, I've never really liked the taste of beer, so that's probably out as well. Although, if you know of anyone hiring for bourbon and coke tasters, please send me an email, lol.
I'm not really suffering too much compared to most of the unemployed. I do have enough money to live on and I am still building my investment portfolio, but everything is kind of in limbo until I have a regular income again. My bills are going down very slowly. That will be my main priority when I do return to work. To finish paying off the $6,000+ in credit card debt that I'm currently carrying. Then all of the money that I've been paying towards debt reduction will go towards building my investments. I definitely want to get in to investing in rental properties, so that will be my next goal after paying off the debt. I'll probably start small with a four plex apartment building and see how that goes before I get more involved with rentals. I'm also interested in owning a self storage facility. We'll see how it goes.
I was reading an article in the waiting room at physical therapy, while waiting for my neighbor to finish with the therapists. It was talking about all the searches on Google for how to become a male porn star or how to get a job as a beer taster. Don't think I could ever get in to the porn business, unless fat hairy middle aged guys suddenly become the rage. As for beer taster, I've never really liked the taste of beer, so that's probably out as well. Although, if you know of anyone hiring for bourbon and coke tasters, please send me an email, lol.
I'm not really suffering too much compared to most of the unemployed. I do have enough money to live on and I am still building my investment portfolio, but everything is kind of in limbo until I have a regular income again. My bills are going down very slowly. That will be my main priority when I do return to work. To finish paying off the $6,000+ in credit card debt that I'm currently carrying. Then all of the money that I've been paying towards debt reduction will go towards building my investments. I definitely want to get in to investing in rental properties, so that will be my next goal after paying off the debt. I'll probably start small with a four plex apartment building and see how that goes before I get more involved with rentals. I'm also interested in owning a self storage facility. We'll see how it goes.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Investing In Brazilian Utilities
In a move to further diversify my portfolio and produce earnings from outside the U.S., I have decided to buy shares in one of Brazil's largest utilities providers, CPFL Energia S A ADR (CPL:NYSE). At their recent price of $51.16, their dividend payout of $3.69 per share represents a current yield of 7.22%. The Group's principal activities are those of a holding company. It operates through its subsidiaries in the generation, distribution and marketing of electricity. The Group has 8 distribution centers serving 568 municipalities in Brazil. It sells electricity nationwide on the free and the regulated market and also provides value added services to its customers. The Group operates in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Parana and Minas Gerais.
With Brazil's dynamic progressive and growing economy, demand for electricity will only increase going forward and CPL is in a good position to take advantage of future business. With earnings of $4.19 per share and future earnings expected to increase, the dividend looks to be on stable ground. It should make a fine addition to my long term holdings.
To further diversify my holdings, I will be looking for quality dividend investments from India, China, Canada and possibly Russia.
With Brazil's dynamic progressive and growing economy, demand for electricity will only increase going forward and CPL is in a good position to take advantage of future business. With earnings of $4.19 per share and future earnings expected to increase, the dividend looks to be on stable ground. It should make a fine addition to my long term holdings.
To further diversify my holdings, I will be looking for quality dividend investments from India, China, Canada and possibly Russia.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Today's Stock Trades, Regency Energy, BP
Decided to sell my stake in Regency Energy Partners (RGNC) for a quick 24% gain. I mentioned in an earlier post that I would consider selling if the gain went over 20%, just didn't think it would happen so soon. This frees up quite a bit of cash, so I've decided to reinvest the money in shares of ConAgra (CAG) and British Petroleum (BP). I like the dividend payouts and the long term prospects of both companies. My positions in both stocks are for the long haul, as long as the dividends hold up.
I'm still holding shares in a couple of energy limited partnerships. The dividend payouts are good on both, albeit a bit questionable due to recent earnings. Am hoping to trade out of both with a small profit, we'll see how it goes. I see from the news on CNBC.com that Warren Buffett is reiterating his advice to "buy American." I can't help but agree, since I'm still seeing what I consider bargains in some great stocks. My biggest regret is that I don't have the money to take advantage of everything I find. But I know that opportunities will always reveal themselves to people who look for them. I'm always on the look out for a great investment opportunity.
I'm still holding shares in a couple of energy limited partnerships. The dividend payouts are good on both, albeit a bit questionable due to recent earnings. Am hoping to trade out of both with a small profit, we'll see how it goes. I see from the news on CNBC.com that Warren Buffett is reiterating his advice to "buy American." I can't help but agree, since I'm still seeing what I consider bargains in some great stocks. My biggest regret is that I don't have the money to take advantage of everything I find. But I know that opportunities will always reveal themselves to people who look for them. I'm always on the look out for a great investment opportunity.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Some Favorite Quotes
Dave Ramsey's column, Saturday July 18th, on teaching your kids about responsible spending, "If there are video games or music that you feel are inappropriate, then they don't get to buy that stuff-period. If they put trash, filth and nastiness into their minds and spirits, they're going to become trashy filthy and nasty."
From the Motley Fools column of the same date under Ask the Fool: "Strong dividend paying stocks can turbocharge your portfolio. In, "The Future for Investors" (Crown Business, $27.50), Jeremy Siegel reports that an investment in the 10 highest yielding of the 100 largest S&P 500 stocks would have returned more than 15.7% annually from 1957 to 2003, turning a $10,000 investment into more than $8 million. Compare that with an annual gain of 11.2% for the overall S&P 500."
From the Motley Fools column of the same date under Ask the Fool: "Strong dividend paying stocks can turbocharge your portfolio. In, "The Future for Investors" (Crown Business, $27.50), Jeremy Siegel reports that an investment in the 10 highest yielding of the 100 largest S&P 500 stocks would have returned more than 15.7% annually from 1957 to 2003, turning a $10,000 investment into more than $8 million. Compare that with an annual gain of 11.2% for the overall S&P 500."
Recent Stock Trades
Decided to sell Copano Energy (CPNO) for a profit of 27%, with earnings down I am concerned about their ability to maintain their dividend payments. I will be reinvesting a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Copano in ConAgra Inc. (CAG). Their earnings per share of $2.15 per share is more than sufficient to maintain, and possibly increase, their dividend of 76 cents a share, which represents a 4% yield on the current price per share. While energy use may be declining in the current economy, people still have to eat, so upping my stake in ConAgra looks like the way to go.
For my IRA account, I'm adding more shares of AT&T (T). While their dividend payout of $1.64 represents 76% of earnings, I feel that their dividend is in little danger of being cut. AT&T is a long term holding in my personal portfolio as well.
My stake in Regency Energy Partners (RGNC) is doing well. It is up nearly 20% since my initial investment. Their dividend payout is around 62% of earnings, so I'll probably hang for the dividends unless the unless the price goes up over 20%. In that case, I would take the gain, since I initially bought the shares of the energy partnerships for short term gains. We'll see how that plays out.
For my IRA account, I'm adding more shares of AT&T (T). While their dividend payout of $1.64 represents 76% of earnings, I feel that their dividend is in little danger of being cut. AT&T is a long term holding in my personal portfolio as well.
My stake in Regency Energy Partners (RGNC) is doing well. It is up nearly 20% since my initial investment. Their dividend payout is around 62% of earnings, so I'll probably hang for the dividends unless the unless the price goes up over 20%. In that case, I would take the gain, since I initially bought the shares of the energy partnerships for short term gains. We'll see how that plays out.
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