Photo courtesy of aka Kath

Swine flu has made its way to the United States, with several dozen cases reported across the country.  Swine influenza has hit other countries much harder, particularly Mexico, where a number of deaths have been reported.  In fact, many of the cases here in the U.S. have some connection to Mexico, such as a group of students from a private school in New York who recently returned from a school trip there.

Swine flu is spread in similar fashion as other types of flu, but there are some things we can do to prevent, or at least slow, the spread.  Listed below are a few prevention tips from the CDC.gov website.

Swine Flu Prevention Tips

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Hopefully, the known cases of swine flu can be contained and the strain will not be able to spread.  The Department of Homeland Security has declared a public health emergency here in the United States, but it is important to recognize that at the current time, cases of swine flu infection seem to be fairly concentrated, and most have recent travel to Mexico in common.  Still, it is a good reminder that the daily hygiene habits listed above should be used daily to prevent the spread of germs.

“Britain’s Got Talent” is making a name for itself outside of Britain by showcasing the unlikeliest of stars.  Those familiar with the show remember Paul Potts signing his way into the mainstream, which surprised even Simon Cowell after his awkward presentation before the performance.  Now video of Susan Boyle’s performance is making a big splash around the world.  Both Paul Potts and Susan Boyle’s video on “Britain’s Got Talent” have made them a global sensation.

Susan Boyle was a bit different though.  She seems comfortable in her own skin, and though she isn’t flashy, she certainly inspired me with her attitude and her willingness to put herself out there. In less than two minutes her life has changed forever.

What Life Lessons Can We Learn from Susan Boyle?

Do not let your appearances keep you in the shadows
Far too many people waste incredible talent for fear of being ridiculed in some way by their appearance.  Maybe they are to fat, or too skinny, or too short, or too tall.  Maybe they have acne, or freckles, or funny looking hair.  Don’t let your insecurity of physical traits stand between you and your dreams.  Seek out your own “Britain’s Got Talent” performance and shine!

Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!
What they say is often true; opportunity only knocks once.  And if you aren’t ready to perform at your peak then you just might miss that opportunity.  Susan Boyle was ready. Paul Potts was ready.  Are you ready?

Smile, even when you are quaking in your boots
My mom used to tell me, “Never let them see you sweat.”  What she meant was always look confident even when you are terrified.  Susan Boyle sure looked confident when she belted out the tune “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables on “Britain’s Got Talent”.

Never, ever, ever give up!
We don’t know the entire back story about Susan Boyle yet, but we will.  However, I think it is safe to say over the years she has faced many challenges, many ups and downs, to get to this moment.  So what separates Susan Boyle from the others who came, and failed, before her?  She never gave up. She never lost sight of her dream.  Carry on, Susan!

Want to reduce the amount of interest you are sending to credit cards each month?  Who doesn’t?  Even if you are only paying the minimum payment, making the payment earlier in the month rather than waiting for the due date can make a noticeable difference in the amount of interest you pay.

A recent article from Red Tape Chronicles breaks down the numbers assuming a $1,000 debt payment made at different times during the month:

“A full month’s interest on $3,000 at 29 percent is $74. Make the payment two weeks early and you’ll only owe $33.37.

So by simply moving up your due date a couple weeks you chop your interest payment in half (in this example). Credit card interest accumulates based on what is known as the average daily balance.  Think of it as the average balance on your account over the entire month. 

At the end of each day your balance is recorded and the sum of all those balances is divided by the number of days in the billing cycle (typically around 30).  This figure is then multiplied by your daily periodic rate to get the monthly amount of interest you owe.

By paying your payment half way through the billing cycle you are effectively reducing the amount owed on your credit card balance, and driving down this average daily balance figure.

Photo courtesy of basykes

In case you missed the Superbowl commercial last night, Denny’s is offering a free breakfast to everyone on Tuesday February 3rd, 2009 from 6:00am - 2:00pm.

The Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s consists of pancakes, bacon, eggs and sausage–and this Tuesday it is on the house!

ATM machines are a great way to easily access your money, but unfortunately they are also the home to a lot of crime.  There are several important safety tips to keep in mind when approaching, using, and leaving an ATM machine.

Avoid walk-up ATM machines.  Most banks are doing away with walk-up ATM machines, opting for the safety and convenience of a drive-thru teller machine.  You are safer in your car with all the doors locked and only the driver side window down than walking up to a machine.

Be alert when approaching the ATM machine.  This is particularly important if the bank is closed at night.  Look for anyone hanging out in the parking lot, or near the teller machine itself.  If you see someone that looks out of place, leave the bank and return the next day.

Be wary of people trying to help you.  And be wary of people asking for help.  People like to hang out at ATM machines and ask for help with their card, or offer to help you with your card, etc.  There efforts are rarely noble.  Chances are they are stalking their next victim.  Don’t let it be you.

Check the card slot on the ATM machine.  Scammers have been know to rig ATM machines with a little sleeve that fits into the machine to capture your card, and a small camera disguised as a security camera to capture your PIN number.  The sleeve eats your card, you punch in your PIN and when you leave because the machine won’t return your card you’ve given crooks your card and PIN information.

Put away cash after withdrawal.  Stash the cash in your purse or wallet and leave the bank premises after withdrawing money.  Don’t dilly dally outside the car counting money or organizing the contents of your purse.

Are you being followed?  If you leave the ATM and notice someone following you, go to the nearest public place and park your car (grocery store parking lots are good, or even better, a police or fire station.  Crooks like to stake out ATM machines and follow people to their next destination to rob them of their cash.

Review statements.  Check your monthly statements to make sure the withdrawal is recorded correctly.  As with any technology, ATM machines can make mistakes and record your transaction in error.  Hang on to your receipt until the statement arrives and you verify everything is recorded correctly.