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You're married, so should you have your own slush fund? by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine February 11, 2015, 7:39 AM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons Should a married woman have a slush fund…a stash of cash that her spouse doesn't have access to and maybe doesn't even know about? That's the sort of question I would expect to raise eyebrows, if not big red flags. Which is why I was bowled over when Jeff Landers, author of Divorce: Think Financially, Not Emotionally, answered with an emphatic yes. In fact, he believes that doing so can be "empowering in a way that actually strengthens your marriage." Evidently many women — and even more men, for that matter — feel the same way. According to a recent study conducted by Princeton Research Associates for CreditCards.com, 7.2 million Americans (4.4 million men and 2.8 million women to be precise) have a bank account or credit card that their spouse or live-in partner doesn't know about. For the record, I'm a big fan of separate money. I've written extensively about the fact that I think both parties in a marriage, or other long-term relationship, should maintain a degree of financial autonomy. My reasons are two-fold. First, I don't think that just because you marry (or love) someone you automatically start sharing the same exact list of wants and needs. Each person should be able to spend a certain amount of money without asking the other for permission, as long as it doesn't impact the health of the family's finances. (How much is that certain amount? More on that in a minute.) Second, every individual should have some sense of how to manage his or her own money. Having money in your own account or own name helps foster that. Once you have a stake in the game, you're more likely to participate. But secret money? With that, I have an issue. Lili Vasileff, a certified financial planner specializing in divorce, agrees. "The idea of a secret puts up a flag," she says. "The idea of something being secret is that you're fearful of being discovered…the more this idea of secrecy starts to creep in, the more you're driving a wedge through your marriage." Even Landers cops to the fact that if you're caught, the secret stash you created to strengthen your marriage (by enabling you to stop squabbling over money) could backfire. "If your spouse finds out, that in and of itself could cause a marital problem." So what to do? Separate but open. If you've been married for a while and this is something new, raise the topic of having some of your own money, but insist you want the same for your spouse in the form of yours-mine-and-ours accounts. Then, walk before you run, slowly funding each account in tandem. If you're in a newer relationship and you're considering merging some assets but keeping others separate, talk through it honestly. Recognize that if you co-mingle assets down the road, they will likely become marital, so you need to tread carefully. Then, see an attorney. This is what a pre-nup is for. How much is enough? Of course this depends upon your financial situation. You have to fund your household first, then focus on savings (both for short-term emergencies in a liquid account, and long-term goals like retirement in your IRAs and 401(k)s). At that point you can start moving money into your individual accounts. Landers, whose perspective is no doubt colored by the fact that he spends his time working solely with women, who are going through difficult divorces, suggests making sure there's enough in your stash to engage an attorney should you need to. That's anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on where you live. Draw a line in the sand. If you are going to try to maintain autonomy and merged assets simultaneously, one strategy that helps is to come up with a number – it could be $100 or $500. Again, it depends on your financial situation – that you agree not to cross (i.e. spend) without discussing it first. Hiding assets in a divorce is a no-no. Finally, this goes without saying, but should you ever decide to split, you're going to need to come clean. Says Vasileff: "It has to be disclosed at some point early on in the divorce process — to that person's own attorney and to the other side. It's not as if you can keep it hidden forever. And if you try, you run the risk of fraud. Whether you're talking about a silly $100, $1000, or tens of thousands, it's not worth running the risk." Kelly Hultgren contributed to this report.
How to save on your prescription meds (yep, there's an app for that) by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine February 3, 2015, 2:25 PM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons You know all that money you're saving at the pump? You're spending some of it on the increased prices you're paying for the prescriptions in your medicine chest. Prices on prescription meds rose 10.9% overall in 2014, according to a new study by drug-price researcher Truveris. Breaking that down further, the study found prices on brand name drugs spiked 14.8% while generics rose 4.9%. And people who suffer from some ailments – like muscle pain and stiffness (where prices rose 29.8%), inflammation (26.6%) and heart disease (19.4%) – were hit harder in the wallet than others. Although gas prices have headed (albeit, modestly) in the other direction, Truveris CEO Bryan Birch expects prescription drug inflation, particularly in generics, to continue this year. "The FDA cracked down on the quality [among generic] manufacturers," he explains. "The unintended consequence has been consolidation and folks going out of business. Because of the reduced competition, some prices got out of whack." So what's a consumer to do? A few suggestions. Always look for a generic alternative first. This should go without saying, but this is a question to raise with the doctor writing the prescription. If no generic is available, you want to be sure whatever drug is being prescribed is covered before you even get to the pharmacy. If it isn't – and this is information you should be able to find out (even if you have to call the pharmacy yourself) before you leave the doctor's office, ask for a substitute. "Consumers should know before they leave the office: 'What's this going to cost me,'" Birch says. Shop around like you would for any other consumer good. The market for prescription drugs is strangely similar to the market for cars, electronics and many other items. "It depends on the manufacturer, what's coming off patent, and what other drugs are out there," says Michelle Katz, a nurse and author of Healthcare Made Easy. "It's kind of like the stock market. There are always promotions and sales, you just have to know about them." Katz's suggested shortcut is an app called GoodRX available for iPhone and Android. You download it (or use it online at goodrx.com) and put in the name of the drug you're looking for as well as the length of the prescription and number of milligrams. It spits back a map of pharmacies near you along with their prices. Sometimes you'll get a downloadable coupon to bring the price into the desired range. "I like it because my grandmother can use it," Katz says. Ask for coupons and discount cards. Often when I go to the allergist with my daughter, I'll leave with coupons or multi-use discount cards/codes for the meds she's been prescribed. I get these things because my doctor is on top of the situation. Some aren't as coupon conscious, but ask. Ask also at the pharmacy, Katz says. "Sometimes manufacturers will give pharmacies coupons that they can keep in the back of their stores. If you ask, they'll sometimes give you the discount." Always check the cash price, too. Prescription drug prices aren't the only thing on the rise. According to the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute, co-pays on generics, brand-name and specialty drugs have been heading up as well. That's why it makes sense, particularly with generic drugs, to ask how much you'd pay for your prescription if you didn't submit it to insurance. There are times, Katz notes, when it's actually less. Finally, buy a pill splitter. If you take a medication that's scored down the middle, ask about the option of purchasing a pill with twice your dose and splitting it to make it last twice as long. Not all doctors will do this for you, the experts caution, particularly if what you're taking is pain medication, but it's certainly worth asking. After all, if you don't ask, the answer will always be no. Kelly Hultgren contributed to this report.
Will Obama's middle-class economics hurt college savings plans? by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine January 21, 2015, 12:19 PM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons "And let's close the loopholes that lead to inequality by allowing the top one percent to avoid paying taxes on their accumulated wealth. We can use that money to help more families pay for childcare and send their kids to college." When the President said that in Tuesday night's State of the Union Address, he was talking about dramatically scaling back the rules regarding a stepped-up basis on inherited assets allowing you to pass things like stocks and real estate to your heirs tax-free. But he was also alluding to his proposal to start taxing money coming out of the 529 college savings plans. This is not new, exactly. Prior to the Bush tax cuts of 2001, contributions to 529s were made with after-tax dollars. The money then grew tax-deferred, but when it was withdrawn to pay for education expenses it was taxed as ordinary income. Since then, withdrawals used for education (including not just tuition, but also room and board for students enrolled at least half time) have been tax-free – and assets in the plans have jumped from 19.4 billion at the end of 2001 to 245 billion in 2014, according to the Investment Company Institute. The President wants to roll those breaks back. With his pitch to make the first two years of community college free for every student who can keep his or her grades up, it's clear education is a priority for the President. So why would he want to do this? Middle-class economics – a phrase that came out of his mouth five times last night. Fewer than 3% of families have 529s or Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (a smaller program on which the President also wants to do away with tax breaks), according to a 2012 report from the General Accounting Office. Of those that do, about half earn more than $150,000 a year. More than that, the tax break those families earn annually, the report said, amounts to more than $3,000 – which is six times the break received by families earning less than $100,000 a year. So, if you have a 529 – or a baby/child/grandchild and are thinking about opening one – what does this mean for you? Perhaps nothing. With a Republican-controlled Congress, it's going to be tough for the President to pass any, if not all, of the items he proposed last night. But what if he does? Money already in the plan is safe. The White House's Fact Sheet on what it's calling a "simpler, fairer tax code" specifically says it will roll the break backs on "new contributions." It's helpful to keep in mind how much taxable income you're actually talking about. For the typical family saving from birth, when the child is ready to go to college, one-third of the balance generally comes from earnings, according to financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz, senior vp and publisher of edvisors.com. That's the amount that would be taxed. At that point, he says, the picture gets foggy. Among the questions that need answers: *Will withdrawals be taxed at the rate of the beneficiary (i.e. your child) or the owner of the account? If it's the former, current kiddie tax rules dictate that the first $1,000 in investment income is tax-free, the second $1,000 is taxed at the child's (presumably lower) rate, and the rest taxed at the rate of the parent. * What happens to state-tax breaks? Currently, Kantrowitz says, 34 states plus the District of Columbia provide some sort of break on state income tax for contributing to 529s. Will the states follow suit and start eliminating them as well? * How about the five-year contribution loophole? Today, some grandparents take advantage of the ability to front-load five years worth of annual gifts ($70,000 per grandparent, $140,000 if grandma and grandpa do it together) into a 529 at one time. It's a nifty way to move assets out of the elder's estate and into that of a grandchild, but clearly it doesn't fall into the middle-class bucket. Again, we'll have to wait and see. All in all, Kantrowitz notes, this is yet another reason to have a look at a Roth IRA. This year, couples filing jointly with a modified adjusted gross income of less than $181,000 and singles earning less than $114,000 can fully fund a Roth. You can do this even if you're making a contribution to a 401(k) or similar plan. Roth contributions can be used – without penalty or taxation – to pay for the same educational expenses that 529s can. And this year at least, they are not on the chopping block. Arielle O'Shea contributed to this report. Watch more of Obama's State of the Union from Fortune's video team:
The report every home and car buyer should read by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine January 8, 2015, 10:50 AM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons Professor Plum in The Library with The Candlestick. Perhaps like many of you, that's what I think of when someone mentions the word Clue. Turns out there's another iteration – of which only 8% of Americans are familiar with, according to a new survey by InsuranceQuotes.com. And this one could be costing you money. It's called a CLUE report. The letters stand for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange and it's a database, owned by LexisNexis, that stores seven years worth of data on both your homeowners and car insurance claims. A claims history is pretty much the holy grail when it comes to insurance premiums. The report notes that filing a homeowners insurance claim increases the average premium by 38% and an auto claim by an average of 9%. If this all sounds and feels a lot like credit reports did, say, 20 years ago, you're onto something. Here's what you need to know. How does the database work? "If an insurance company is part of this database, they'll contribute loss history for their customers," explains Laura Adams, senior analyst for InsuranceQuotes.com. "Then in turn they can use and analyze information from the database when they're looking at a new customer or looking at renewal rate if you're an existing customer." Or, looking to see if they want to insure or renew you at all. Learn more about insurance policies from Fortune's video team: Are homes and autos treated similarly? Not exactly. Your homeowners report tracks claims that you as an individual make (under the heading "Claims History for Subject"), but also claims on the property itself (under the heading "Claims History for Risk) – both over 7 years. Your auto report just tracks you as an individual. Complicating matters, you are the only person who can pull a report on property that you own. If you're buying a home, however, you'd be smart to look at claims the prior homeowner has filed on the property. Lexis seems to get this, so they've recently rolled out a separate Home Seller's Disclosure Report. It blanks out personal details on the seller. Ask for one. Can I manage my CLUE report like I manage my credit report? You can – and should – try. The most important thing to understand is that claims you discuss with an agent but never file – called '"inquiries" — count, too. "If I just call my agent and ask a question about coverage, for example: 'I have this problem, would it be covered?' they're going to mark that down. It goes on file as an inquiry even if you never make the claim," explains Amy Danise, Editorial Director of Insure.com. "One probably won't make a difference, but if you have multiple, even if you've never filed, it can. You have to be careful." Be particularly careful about inquiring about water damage (a note that privacyrights.org seconds!) What to do instead is to try not to call. Have your policy on hand and try to understand your coverage by reading about it. The declarations page will have your deductible in case you forget what it is, and the exclusions can tell you if you wouldn't have been covered anyway. "The best line of defense is knowing what your policy is, reading it and understanding it. Don't call for random things without bothering to look," she says. How do I get my report? You're entitled to a copy of your CLUE report once a year, gratis, under the same 2003 amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act that forced the three big credit bureaus to establish and fund annualcreditreport.com (where you can, and should, be pulling three free credit reports a year). You can order it at www.PersonalReports.LexisNexis.com. The data tracked includes the dates of any losses, the types of loss claimed and the amount paid by the insurance company. As with a credit report, you're also entitled to dispute errors and add a personal statement to your file. What if I find there is no CLUE report on me? Don't panic. There is no list of which insurance companies participate in CLUE. Some choose not to participate. If you are the customer of one of those, you don't have a CLUE report. Arielle O'Shea contributed to this report.
Why 2015 is the year for longevity annuities by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine December 16, 2014, 10:46 AM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons Ask many up-and-coming retirees what their biggest fear is, and they'll say running out of money. Just 18% of workers are very confident that they'll have enough money for a comfortable retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's 2014 Retirement Confidence Survey. The insurance industry has heard those worries loud and clear, and they've answered with longevity annuities. What are they? Essentially, these are simple deferred annuities that ask you to hand over a lump sum of cash to an insurance company in exchange for a guaranteed income decades down the road. Longevity annuities aren't new. But you'll likely see many more of them after the New Year – from big names like New York Life, Guardian and Mass Mutual — now that a new law says they can be purchased inside of 401(k) and IRA plans so long as the account holder begins collecting on the policy by age 85, rather than age 70 ½ — the age when required minimum distributions must begin. Here's how this looks in practice. Let's say you have a $500,000 IRA. Under the rules, you're allowed to take 25% of that account or $125,000, whichever is less, and buy a longevity annuity. The amount of your paychecks will depend on when you opt to start taking the income; the longer you wait, the lower your life expectancy, so the higher your monthly checks will be. But because you put $125,000 into the annuity, instead of taking required minimum distributions on the full $500,000, they'd be based on the remaining $375,000. If you die before you start receiving income you can structure it so 100% of the value will go to your beneficiaries; even if you've turned on the income stream, you can set it up so that the remainder goes to beneficiaries. "These annuities have been around for 10 years, but they've only really been sold for three and they only represent a little more than 2% of annuity sales. This ruling is going to educate the public on how these products work," says Stan Haithcock, an annuities expert. Haithcock is a fan of these products for their simplicity. (Variable and index annuities don't qualify under the new law.) "This is an easy to understand pension product. I could explain it to a 9-year-old," he says. "My prediction is that in 5 years, they will be the number one type of annuity in the country." Should you take the bait? The downside to these products involves liquidity and flexibility. "You can't change your mind and say, 'send me all my money back,'" Haithcock says. "That's one reason the government put a limitation on what you can put in." You should also steer clear if you need all of the money you expect to get from RMDs to live on. "This isn't for the person who needs more money from their IRA or needs to access a lifetime income stream sooner," he says. "But the vast majority of [people] with traditional IRA wealth will be okay with pushing some of these assets." There's also the question of whether you can create an income stream of your own that allows you to maintain more control over your assets. "In my practice, I'm employing something along the lines of a bucket strategy, which means there are three buckets of money — a stock bucket, a bond bucket and a cash bucket. Typically, clients will have two to five years of expected withdrawals in the cash bucket, so you're creating your own income stream and it's no different from what the insurance companies are trying to do," explains New York Certified Financial Planner Bill Losey. The missing element for the DIY approach: guaranteed income. You may do better than you would with an annuity. Then again, you may do worse. Finally, if you do go down this road, Haithcock says to be wary of agents who try to change the discussion to variable or index products where they'll get more money. They'll try to change the conversation. Don't let them. "This option was put on the planet for young workers to be able to put money away that is targeted to lifetime income stream," he says. If today's retiree fears are indicative of the future, they'll need it. Arielle O'Shea contributed to this report.
How to avoid impulse shopping on Black Friday by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine November 26, 2014, 12:37 PM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons You're shopping in a store – or online – and something catches your eye. It isn't something you knew you needed. It isn't even something you knew you wanted until this very moment. But right now that tablet or bracelet or cast-iron dutch oven or [fill-in-the-blank here] is calling your name. A swipe of your card or a few quick keystrokes later, it's yours…and you've joined the 75% of Americans who cop to purchasing on impulse, according to a new report from CreditCards.com. While you're happy in the moment, that rush likely won't last. According to the same survey, nearly half of those impulse purchasers regretted the action. So as we head into the season of one-for-you-one-for-me consumerism, it felt like a good time to ask two things: Why? And how do we avoid the impulse? Let's tackle the why first. A lot of our decisions boil down to short-term gain versus long-term gain, says David DeSteno, professor of psychology at Northeastern University. "Do I want to feel good in the moment versus do I want to sacrifice in the moment for long-term gain in the future? Most people would prefer to take $20 now versus $100 in a year. When you quintuple the money, you would logically think [people would go for it but instead they] tend to want immediate gratification. In some ways that makes sense, but we do it to such an excessive level that it becomes illogical." Viewed through that window, the fact that millennials are significantly more likely to buy on impulse than seniors starts to make sense. "The younger you are, the more time you have in front of you," says DeSteno, who believes it makes sense. "So it tends to make us think: I can have this money now or I can save it or invest it in my IRA, but I'm not going to see that for a long time." So, how do you avoid the trap? Know what's driving you. It's one thing to be in a store and get carried away by the moment. But there are often other factors at play. "We asked specifically if people had made purchases when excited, bored, sad, intoxicated or angry," says Matt Schulz, CreditCards.com senior industry analyst. Women were twice as likely as men to purchase on impulse when sadness was a factor. And at the time of purchase, both men and women were likely to feel excited. Understanding the emotions behind your impulses can help you in trying to do something else instead. Separate the festivities from the shopping. The time to get some last- minute holiday shopping done is not after the office toast, the celebratory (i.e. wine-laden) lunch with friends, or in front of your computer after a holiday party. Drinking inhibits your ability to think rationally and weigh the consequences of the purchases you're about to make, DeSteno explains. "It tends to make people want to be more impulsive. If you're prevented from thinking about long-term ramifications then you're just going to go with your gut." Your gut, naturally, wants that sweater. Steer clear. Opt for the do-over. If you do find yourself suffering from buyer's remorse, you typically have the option of taking whatever it is back to the store. Schulz notes that some credit card issuers offer guaranteed returns on purchases, even after it's too late to return them to the store. "Different issuers have different limits and rules, however, so call your card's customer service number for more information." Focus on what you already have. DeSteno suggests that the best way to solve the problem of buying on impulse may in fact be "from the bottom up." He suggests trying to stop obsessing on the thing you want and instead focus on being grateful for what you already have. "Our work shows that evoking a feeling of gratitude makes you value the long-term benefits of stuff more. That makes it easier to resist short-term temptations." An added benefit: Gratitude also increases the odds you're going to behave pro-socially. "You're going to be more willing to help other people out or treat them with respect." Just a little something to keep in mind as you dive for the door-busters this weekend.
Your 2014 taxes: Here's how to get ahead by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine November 21, 2014, 7:19 AM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons Despite the fact that it feels like mid-February, from a financial perspective we've got another month to go until we turn the page into 2015. That's enough time to do a little end of the year tax work. The good news, says Greg Rosica, Ernst & Young Tax Partner and a contributor to the EY Tax Guide 2015, is that there are not a whole lot of changes set to take place before the end of the year. "Things are fairly similar in 2015 as they were in 2014" he says. That can change. Sometimes last minute changes do come down the pike. But for now, your job is fairly predictable. You should start, as you do every year, by getting the lay of the land. Job number one is to sit down and project your tax picture for the full 2014 year. "We're in November so we have over 10 months of information," Rosica says. "You can estimate the remaining." Once you have that, look forward and do a 2015 – and perhaps even 2016 – income projection to try to understand the types of income you're going to have. See if you're subject to itemized deductions being phased out, if you're in alternative minimum taxland, or if you're subject to the new net investment income tax that went into effect on January 1, 2013 for individuals who have net investment income and modified adjusted gross income of $200,000 or more for singles, $250,000 or more for couples, he suggests. "Once you understand [your overall picture] you can start to look at ways to defer income, accelerate deductions and deflect income down to lower tax-bracket family members." Specifically: Consider deferring income. Generally, this is a valued strategy because it allows you to put off paying the taxes on whatever income you push into the next calendar year. Look at bonuses, if you have any flexibility as to when you earn or receive them. Similarly, with stock options, can you take them in January versus December? And if there are any assets you're considering selling, you may want to wait until January if there will be a gain associated with the sale. Deferring doesn't always make sense, Rosica notes: "Look at it from a big picture perspective. If you're already in a fairly high [income] year and you're going to try to have a lower one next year, you may not want to defer." Look at accelerating deductions. When it comes to real estate taxes, state income taxes, even charitable contributions, you want to consider if you get more benefits from paying them – and taking the commensurate tax deductions – this year versus next. By pushing payments into December, you can often lower your tax liability, but again, this is not a no-brainer, notes Melissa Labant, director of tax advocacy for the AICPA. "If you're subject to the alternative minimum tax, you may not receive a benefit for certain deductions like real estate taxes and state income taxes. That's why you want to have an income tax preparation prepared as soon as possible. It gives you the opportunity to look at income and expenses." Weigh deflecting income to lower tax bracket family members. If you have children who are in a lower tax bracket than you are, it may make sense to gift certain assets to them. They can then sell the assets and pay taxes on that sale at their lower rate. "There is still a zero tax bracket for capital gains, so there are real favorable results that can be achieved by looking at this," Rosica says. Max out retirement, college-saving contributions. If you haven't maxed out your 401(k) contributions for the year (the limit on contributions is $17,500, $23,000 if you're over 50), and you're in a position to do so, get in touch with your benefits department pronto. (If you're self-employed, you may be able to deduct much more — $52,000 or 25% of your compensation — by contributing to a SEP-IRA). Similarly, if you've established a 529 college savings plan for children or grandchildren, contributions should be made before the end of the year if you're looking to capitalize on the break many states offer on state income taxes. And if, like me, you have a college-aged son or daughter who worked over the summer, consider helping them with a Roth IRA contribution. "Many people are concerned about giving their kids money that will impact their motivation," Rosica says. This shouldn't. "This is a way to help them start saving for retirement in an extremely tax-efficient way." Contribute (wisely) to charity. Finally, if you're thinking about making year-end contributions to causes you believe in, think about giving appreciated stock that you've held for more than 12 months rather than cash. You get a deduction for the full value of the contribution and you don't have to pay tax on the appreciation. "You can actually get more cash into the hands of the charity this way," Labant says. It's a gift that gives back.
How to make the most out of gifting gift cards by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine November 10, 2014, 8:35 AM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons Ho, Ho, Ho? Or Bah Humbug? I've got to say when it comes to gift cards – which for the eighth year in a row are the most requested items for those celebrating the holidays, according to the National Retail Federation, I'm of mixed feelings. Gift cards are no doubt among the most useful items to put under the tree; the recipient gets to pick out something they actually want. But they're so unromantic. Does anyone get a little thrill, a tingle of excitement from unwrapping yet another gift card? (If you do, please let me know.) That said, I'm a realist. You want gift cards. You got 'em. But this year, there are a few new things you need to know to get the most out of them. There may be nothing to unwrap. The growth in the overall gift card business will continue at a rate of about 6% annually, according to the NRF. Overall, it's projected to be a $140 billion annual business by 2016, according to CEB Tower Group. But the growth in digital gift cards is skyrocketing, growing at a rate of 200%. These cards aren't physical, rather they're stored in your computer or mobile device and can be used to make purchases from there. This is actually good news for millennials, says Jeanine Skowronski, analyst for Bankrate.com. Millennials are more than twice as likely to lose gift cards than older people (some 40% of 18 to 29-year-olds cop to losing a gift card in the past according to Bankrate research). Digital gift cards are much harder to lose, because they live in your apps and your email. And for those romantics out there like me, look for ways to personalize them by tagging on photos or special messages before you press send. Be wary of exposing your recipient to email blasts. One of the potential negatives with mobile gift cards, Skowronski notes, is that you're "usually" asked to give the recipient's email address or their phone number. "For me as a consumer," she says, "I worry that the person wouldn't want me to give this information away to retailers." Generally, though, she says there will be a box you can check to opt your recipients out of future email or text blasts. Look for it, please. Fees are still an issue. According to the Bankrate study, when baby boomers and Generation Xers are the gift-givers, they prefer general "all purpose" gift cards over those that are tied to a particular store. That's nice for the convenience of the recipient. But pay attention to the fees. They're higher on these sorts of cards and tend to rise with the value of your gift. On Visa and Mastercard gift cards, for example, they're $2.95 for gifts of $20 to $74.99, $3.95 for gifts of $75 to $249.99, and $4.95 for gifts of $250 to $500. Doesn't sound like all that much, but on a $20 gift card you're talking about an add on of 14%. The secondary market is more robust than ever – and you can make use of it whether you're buying or selling. If you're on the receiving end of a gift card – mobile or terrestrial – that just doesn't fit, don't hesitate to resell it. You're not going to get 100% of the value, of course, but if you weren't going to use it anyway something is better than nothing. The amount you get depends on the desirability of the merchant. At Gift Card Granny – which aggregates gift card offers – you can see that you'd get about 90% of the value for a Costco gift card and 80% for one from the Disney Store. Kate Spade will only net you 56% back. On the flipside, if you're just starting your holiday shopping, one way to save significantly is to buy other people's unwanted gift cards and use them to make your purchases. Again, savings run the gamut from around 7% at Nike, to 10% at Bloomingdale's and to 20% at Massage Envy. If you do go this route, once you shop, check its balance immediately, says Kendal Perez, spokesperson for giftcardgranny.com. "Most retailers have that element built into their sites. From there, you're good to go." Kelly Hultgren contributed to this report.
'Tis open enrollment season: How to pick the right health insurance by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine November 3, 2014, 7:28 AM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons It's open enrollment time … again. If it doesn't seem like a full year has gone by since you heard about this, that's because in many places it hasn't. Open enrollment for insurance purchased through the exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act didn't end until March 31 of this year (and some states got extensions until mid-April). If you're purchasing your own coverage via the exchanges, you won't have as much time this year. Open enrollment begins November 15 and ends February 15. And if you want your coverage to kick-in January 1, you have to pull the trigger by December 15. Medicare Open Enrollment – the time when all people with Medicare can change their health plan or prescription drug plan – is even shorter. It began October 15 and ends December 7. And if you are choosing a health plan from a menu your employer provides, your window may be shorter still. So, this week I've pulled together some tips on making the right decision no matter where you're shopping. The Exchanges If this is your second go-round with the exchanges and you do nothing, in most states, you'll be re-enrolled automatically, says Don Silver, author of Obamacare 2015. "The problem is there are [many] ways re-enrollment can hurt you. That's why he suggests that even people who have been happy with their plans go through the enrollment – and subsidy determination – process all over again. Why? Prices have gone up, for one thing. Monthly health insurance premiums are projected to go up by an average 8%, according to Carrie McLean, Director of Customer Care ehealthinsurance.com. That's average, she notes. "Some rates may go down. Others may go up by as much as 20%." In addition, your plan may change. Many plans are ending, because they don't cover the categories of benefits they are required to cover under the ACA, explains Cheryl Fish-Parcham, Private Insurance Programs Director with Families USA. Your insurer, though, likely wants to keep you and so they'll send you a letter telling you that if you continue to pay your premiums you'll be transitioned into a new plan. Look at it very carefully, McLean advises. There may be a rate increase. Your doctor may or may not be in the new plan. The prescriptions you take may or may not be on the formulary. Don't just go along for the ride. Whatever you do, don't go without coverage. The penalties for not having coverage are rising substantially in 2015. If you want to see how much you'll be on the hook for if you don't buy insurance, this calculator from insurancequotes.com will give you a peek. Medicare This year, we're seeing some reduction in the number of Medicare Advantage plans nationwide, says Juliette Cubanski, associate director of the program on medicare policy at Kaiser Family Foundation. That's not necessarily bad news, she notes. "There are also a lot of plans coming into market. A lot of plans leaving market tend to be at or below average in terms of quality. People might have access to a higher quality set of plans in 2015." Bottom line: If the company you're with is leaving the market, you'll have to shop for a new plan. If the company is staying, but the plan is being eliminated, you may be shifted into the new plan automatically. For the same reasons I mentioned above, be careful of this. Even if your plan isn't exiting the market, Cubanski recommends taking a look at it to see if it still serves your needs. Monthly premiums on Medicare Advantage plans are going up an average of 4%. While that's not drastic, a change in your plan's formulary, or a change in the prescriptions you're taking, might dictate making a change. Finally, a bit of good news all around: One of the provisions of the ACA was the closing of the donut hole – the coverage gap that consumers had to fill – and that's happening. "In 2015, when you reach the gap you'll pay 65% of the cost of generic prescriptions and 45% of cost of brand name," she says. That's an improvement. Employer-Based The biggest change happening in employer-based health insurance is the shift away from traditional policies to high-deductible policies coupled with a health savings account – i.e. consumer-driven healthcare. This has been going on for several years, but it's continuing. According to a survey from Aon Hewitt, 15% of companies surveyed now offer these plans as their only option, and another 42% of employers are looking at moving in that direction. Why are they doing this? They want you more involved, says Craig Rosenberg, Practice Leader for the Health and Welfare Benefits Group. If your employer has jumped on board, you should know that with these plans, preventative care will be offered for free. But for everything else, you'll need to set aside savings until you satisfy your deductible. That's where a health savings account comes in. Some employers will make contributions to an HSA on your behalf. Others will allow you to do it with paycheck deductions. Some will do a combination of both. Rosenberg suggests approaching the process holistically. "The price to purchase this policy is likely lower than a traditional plan. So, you could put for example some of that savings into a HSA. The HSA has a lot of tax advantages," he notes. "Your contributions are tax free, any earnings or investment growth is tax free, and you can use it for healthcare expenses tax free." The other trend in employer provided healthcare is that more employers are offering incentives that promote healthy behaviors. You may be offered cash – or a lower price on your premiums – for taking a health screening or completing a health risk questionnaire. Blow these things off at your own peril. There are often hundreds of dollars there for the taking. Arielle O'Shea contributed to this report.
The little white lies we tell ourselves about money by Jean Chatzky @FortuneMagazine October 24, 2014, 7:22 AM EST E-mail Tweet Facebook Google Plus Linkedin Share icons Now/Soon/Later. Those are the titles of a trio of gorgeous Stephen Sondheim songs – performed separately, then all at once – from the first act of A Little Night Music (the show known best for giving us Send In The Clowns). I thought of them (and you can listen to them here) as I sat down to write this column. Why? Because when it comes to our money there's often a great deal that we're planning to do soon, and all too much that we tell ourselves we'll do til later, but not nearly enough that we attack now. That's the takeaway from two new pieces of research I got my hands on this week. The first is the fifth annual Wells Fargo Middle-Class Retirement Study. It found that four in 10 middle class Americans between 50 and 59 years old are not currently saving for retirement. Moreover, more than half of the pool of respondents say that they plan to save later for retirement in order to make up for not saving enough now. The trouble with this strategy (or lack thereof) says Joe Ready, Wells Director of Institutional Retirement and Trust, is that the longer you put it off, the more difficult it gets. "Life gets bigger and harder later," he says. "When you keep delaying, you run into crunch time, aging parents, kids in college, etc." Which brings me to the second survey. This one, from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, took a look at the viability of saving for college among today's parents and found that more than two-thirds haven't started socking away money for their children's future education expenses. Why not? Current living expenses are getting in the way – including, surprisingly, the fact that many are still paying off student loans of their own. What's troubling about this study is not the fact that these parents have put both their own emergency cushions and retirement funds ahead of saving for college for their kids – that's exactly as it should be says Jean Keener, a Financial Advisor from Keller, TX – but rather the sort of magical thinking that's going on behind the scenes. When asked how they expected to finance their children's education, 45% said they expect to get merit aid and scholarships; 13% said they expect their children to win athletic scholarships, and 16% said they expect the grandparents to kick in. "It appears to me that they [are] not being entirely realistic," says Eleanor Blayney, Consumer Advocate for the CFP Board of Standards. She's right. According to The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, only about 8% of undergraduate students receive scholarships each year (they average $3,400) and fewer than 1% receive athletic scholarships (which average $10,200). The prospect of help from grandparents looks better; more than half say they're either saving or planning to start saving, according to research from Fidelity Investments. The median amount from planning to participate is significant: $25,000. Yet, nearly one-third of parents haven't even thought about college for their kids yet. Granted, they're more likely to be in their 20s and 30s than their 40s and 50s, but as someone with one child in college and another on the way, I can attest, it creeps up on you very quickly. So what to do if you can see yourself in one or both of these pool of survey respondents. Something. Start by trying to save just 2% of what you're bringing in; put the contributions on auto-pilot to be sure they actually make it into the designated pot. As Keener notes, "Here's the thing. Someone is reading this and thinking, `It's too late for me.' But you don't have to make these changes all at once. Look at your long-term plan and trim around the edges to start supporting all that you want down the road." Arielle O'Shea contributed to this report.


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Godsey said he liked the commission's action and that the decision would allow him to veto a tax increase if one were proposed. No one but perhaps Godsey buys into such political grandstanding.
CommentsA shop on Bloomingdale Road reported the theft of an air compressor from a sidewalk during business hours. When she arrived at work the next morning the stolen compressor had been returned, and was sitting outside.
CommentsJoshua Baber, 24, walked away from a minimum custody work detail in Mountain City on Thursday. He was captured in Johnson City on Friday.
CommentsIn the years that followed the 1998 attack that horribly burned her then-8-year-old son, Colleen Middleton felt fear and frustration over the possibility that the person she believed was responsible would never be taken to trial.
CommentsA security guard working in Oscar Pistorius' gated community says the athlete told him everything was "fine" when he called to investigate neighbors' reports of gunshots on the night Reeva Steenkamp was killed.
CommentsOne by one, President Barack Obama's warnings to Russia are being brushed aside by President Vladimir Putin, who appears to only be speeding up efforts to formally stake his claim to Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
CommentsWith a stark decline in the honeybee population in recent years, Leslie Hammond says folks have become more aware of the need for beekeeping to help provide habitats for these important little pollinators.
CommentsThe Lee County Sheriff's Office and Commonwealth's Attorney Office confirmed that the operation began at 7 a.m.
CommentsBlood tests revealed Xanax and Lortab were in her system at the time of the crash, while prescription medications, drug paraphernalia and marijuana were located in her purse.
CommentsOfficers from the Tennessee Department of Corrections and the Johnson County Sheriff's Department officials were searching for Joshua M. Baber Thursday afternoon.

subset: commoncrawl


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Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate now just £23.68 on 3DS.
Make sure to use Rakuten Voucher Code FEB15%OFF.
This is a great price for an utterly superb game. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate deserves respect, building on every aspect of the franchise by adding more freedom, detail, verticality and personality, and was practically essential at £26.99. However, this new deal brings the price down even lower to a bargain £23.68 delivered. Thanks, toca73!
However, you might well hate Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. I certainly do from time to time. Occasionally I have wild fantasies about snapping the cartridge in half due to its stern difficulty and odd design quirks. But I'm not far off reviewing it now... and currently I'm teetering on the brink of a perfect score.
Valkyria Chronicles now just £6.00 on PC.
Use Green Man Gaming voucher code B1CYB0-CLSSD1-ARAAGM for the extra saving!
This is the best price yet for SEGA's cult classic strategy RPG that finally made its way to PC, not before time. The saving undercuts Steam's most recent deals, so definitely take advantage before the timer runs out in 24 hours!
Alien: Isolation just £12.80 on PC this weekend!
Make sure to use Green Man Gaming voucher code B1CYB0-CLSSD1-ARAAGM for the extra saving!
"Alien: Isolation is the most terrifying game I've ever played," Matt wrote in our Alien Isolation review. "It has several flaws (the Alien glitching through your hiding place is a surefire way of ruining immersion), it can legitimately be accused of padding its mid-section, and piling up of Android towards the end can get a bit silly, but I didn't care about any of that, I was simply too busy giving myself heart attacks." £12.80 is a bargain.
Green Man Gaming have another new voucher code for you, which knocks 20% off of all digital games (not including VIP deals).
Click here to head over to Green Man Gaming and grab some cheap PC deals!
Bundle Stars are running a CI Games sale this weekend.
There are some decent deals on offer here, including the exhilarating yet under-appreciated Dogfight 1942.
Tomb Raider DLC Collection just £3.74 on PC.
The Tomb Raider DLC Collection brings all of the extra content together in one package. It features The Tomb of the Lost Adventurer, where Lara must explore the final resting place of an intrepid adventurer, and solve a puzzle involving a crashed plane to claim the reward. Additional single player content includes 6 outfits, 3 skill unlocks and 2 weapon upgrades for Lara. Then tackle Tomb Raider's multiplayer modes with 4 multiplayer characters, 6 weapons from Hitman: Absolution, and all of the map packs: Shantytown, Caves and Cliffs Multiplayer Map Pack, 1939 Multiplayer Map Pack & Shipwrecked Multiplayer Map Pack.
Not a bad haul for less than four quid! Thanks Gooner.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse is out today in Europe... and it's brilliant.
"Dragon Ball Xenoverse captures the brutal thrill of soaring aerial anime battles better than practically any game I've ever played, all while allowing us to genuinely enter the Dragon Ball universe as our own character by participating in key canonical events and crazy 'what if?' scenarios," reads our glowing Dragon Ball Xenoverse review.
Want to get involved? You can buy Dragon Ball Xenoverse for £27.99 on PC (Steam Code).
Use voucher code #FUNRICE to bring the price down, courtesy of Rice Digital.
EA and GAME have joined forces to launch an in-store promotion that lets gamers get a free T-Shirt and 1000 bonus GAME reward points if they pre-order Battlefield Hardline.
To do so, however, you'll need to head into your local store, download the mobile app and then scan the shop for evidence first. Augmented reality funtimes!
Click here to read more...ShopTo's Pay Day sale is now live until Monday at 10:00.
Naturally we'll pick out the biggest bargains, but there are plenty of smaller offers to take advantage of, including the following:
Stay tuned for the latest games deals!
Pay what you want for Race The Sun on IndieGameStand.
Race The Sun is a welcome fresh take on the endless runner genre, but unfortunately it doesn't really do enough to justify its $10 price tag, particularly when there's a perfectly good version of the game (not to mention dozens of robust competitors) already available for free. Sure, it's elegant and it looks nice but it's also a relatively simplistic score attack game that gets old pretty quickly.
So don't pay £6.99, then. Pay what you want, starting at only $0.25 for a DRM-free download or $1 (64p... ish) for a Steam code! Ta Gooner.
The New 3DS XL is an excellent piece of kit that improves on a fantastic portable console with small yet smart new features, all of which will add up over the coming years. If you plan on getting into Nintendo handheld gaming, the New 3DS XL is the console you want, while original 3DS owners should seriously consider an upgrade to take advantage of the vastly increased comfort and enhanced gaming experience.
You can read all the detals in our New 3DS XL review.
Interested? If so, think fast, because you can now buy a New 3DS XL for only £159.99, as much as the regular 3DS tends to cost elsewhere! Thanks to serialvelocity1 for a great spot.
Payday 2: Crimewave Edition is coming to PS4 and Xbox One in June, containing a graphical update and all of the paid DLC released thus far. A good thing too, because Payday 2 is still one of the most thrilling cooperative games on the planet.
The news was only announced a day ago, but you can already take advantage of a pretty decent pre-order deal that undercuts the likes of Amazon by a tenner and ShopTo by £20!
Interested? Payday 2: Crimewave Edition only £29.99 on PS4.
"It's a blank canvas for riotous cooperative shenanigans, a selection of unpredictable randomised heists hewn out of an eccentric engine that's never quite fit for task," I wrote in our Payday 2 review. "Your four-man crew will case banks, jewellery shops, art galleries, FBI headquarters and more in search of the big score; planning the perfect silent hit that, nine times out of ten, goes all to hell in the space of a single gunshot."
The PC version of Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare's Havoc DLC pack has been delayed until March 3rd, but in better news, Sledgehammer Games want to make it up to you.
"Please pardon today's delay, and accept this KVA Paramilitary Exo as a small token of our appreciation," reads a contrite post on the Sledgehammer blog. "The KVA Paramilitary Exo's unique look matches the exclusive AE-4 Widowmaker directed energy Assault Rifle. This Rare Enlisted Loot will be contained in the next Supply Drop you open and Double XP has been activated through the PC launch of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare HAVOC DLC on March 3rd."
So that's a free EXO and double XP. Not bad.
The Havoc DLC pack is already out on Xbox 360 and Xbox One, and releases on PSN today. You can still buy Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare for £23.85 on PS4!
You can currently pick up Persona 4 Arena Ultimax for £18.70 on PS3, but if you're a massive franchise fan and you need some extra merch to show your colours, Rice Digital are still offering the Fan Edition complete with a Deck of Tarot Cards and a free T-Shirt for £5 less than anywhere else. Not that many other retailers have stock in the first place!
Considering that many stockists are charging upwards of £25 for just the game itself, this is a bit of a steal, so long as you crave the extra swag.
GamersGate are running a Europa Universalis IV weekend sale, with the game and all DLC available at a 75% discount.
Grand Strategy fanatics will have probably already delved into this exceptionally deep take on the genre, which received rave reviews and is generally considered to be the best in the venerable series. Indulge in true exploration, trade, in-depth diplomacy and, when all else fails, all-out warfare.
Newbies can also grab the Paradox Grand Strategy bundle for £20.00!
Ready to get re-elected? Saints Row IV: Re-Elected Edition + Gat Out Of Hell is only £20.99 on PS4 and Xbox One.
Saints Row IV is as brilliant, anarchic and deceptively clever fun now as it ever was, and Base.com have rustled up a seriously tasty bargain. £20.99 will net you both the Re-Elected Edition, Gat Out Of Hell expansion and the Devil's Workshop DLC, which is a seriously good haul. Thanks Turkey!
We've already reviewed the New 3DS XL, which is a fantastic piece of kit for serious handheld gamers, but here in Europe it's not the only option on the table. The New 3DS includes all the extra inputs and new features -- faster processor, C-Stick, Super-Stable 3D, Z bumpers and more -- but manages to cram them into a much smaller form factor at a lower price point. With swappable cover plates to boot.
I must admit to writing off the New 3DS as a bit of a novelty, especially given its no-show on the other side of the Atlantic, but Nintendo were kind enough to lend me a review unit which I've been thoroughly testing over the last seven days.
Consider my eyes well and truly opened! While the 3DS XL was a great console that only needed small refinements, the original 3DS was deeply flawed in a number of respects that have all been completely shored up. Far from a gimmick, the New 3DS is actually a seriously impressive little machine that might even be more suitable for some players than its big brother.
Click to enlarge.
Unlike the New 3DS XL, which has remained almost completely unchanged in terms of dimensions, the New 3DS has put on a bit of girth. Or love handles, to be precise. Clocking in at 142mm x 80.6mm x 21.6mm (compared to 134 mm x 74 mm x 21 mm), it's slightly but definitely chunkier in all but depth, which still lends the clamshell a slim form factor that can easily slip into a regular pocket or bag.
This extra heft is very much appreciated, though, as it allows the New 3DS to deliver a range of sweeping improvements starting with a larger screen. The top 3D screen has increased in size by a factor of 1.2 (3.88 inches vs 3.53 inches), which is still piddling compared to the beastly New 3DS XL or almighty Vita, but original 3DS owners will notice a massive difference in terms of comfort and viewing distance. The resolution remains the same, but in practice you'll actually be able to see more of the fine detail in better-looking titles.
Click here to read more...Good morning! Here are your headlines:
GAME are currently running a 2-for-£5 pre-owned game promotion.
As you'd expect, you'll have to rummage through a lot of tat to get to the good stuff, but there are some gems to be snapped up here and huge savings to be made! Here are a few of my personal highlights.
And loads more. Thanks Gooner!
Steam are running a Galactic Civilizations sale this weekend.
You can pick up Galactic Civilizations for £1.74 and GalCiv 2 for £3.74, but for me the highlight has to be Early Access to Galactic Civilizations III for £14.99. In terms of raw value, this is the cheapest ever way to buy into the project, which has previously commanded insane prices.
However, I also have to urge caution: Early Access games carry inherent risks and the project may not turn out how you'd like - or even be finished. Stardock should stick this one out, though, and reviews are solid even if there's loads more ground to cover.


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MINI United Music: Soundtracking the Festival
MINI United is a Janus-faced festival of sorts. In the blistering heat of the day, it's all about MINI, MINI, MINI. But as dusk descends, a different vibe sets in. The air becomes heavy with the crackle of opening beers, the shrieks of overexcited children, and the chatter of new-formed friendships. The festival stage begins to glow as the sunlight dims. It's party time.
MINI United had a truly stellar lineup this year. From local French bands to international megastars, from disco, to punk, to dance to mellow rock, there really was something here to suit every taste. Add to that a blistering soundsystem and a seemingly endless crowd of festival-goers, and the stage is really set for a night to remember.
Friday's lineup kicked off with British indie rockers The Rifles, who warmed up the crowd nicely with their wry observational style. French locals, Naive New Beaters, followed the show with a psychedelic performance and some pretty creative stage props. And the cult French musical legend Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine lent some gravitas to the proceedings with a complex, multilayered and thought-provoking set.
By the time Iggy and the Stooges were due on stage, the atmosphere was positively electric. And Iggy only superseded expectations of his live performance. Writhing on the stage with signature bare torso and flying blond hair, he exuded a maniacal energy that couldn't fail to astound. The crowd was hooked from start to finish, with pleas for encores resounding long after the set was over.
Chart-topping French DJ, Martin Solveig, closed proceedings with a gleefully eclectic set, sampling everyone from Run DMC to Nirvana. Sound strange? Ask anyone. It worked.
Saturday's lineup offered a different vibe. Parisian singer-songwriter Ben Mazué warmed things up, honing a laid-back, soulful style with an undeniable hint of je ne sais quoi. French rockers SOMA shifted gears with a blend of anthemic pop and aggressive, rock 'n' roll attitude. And English-born French native Charlie Winston charged through his set with boundless energy and spontenaiety – check out this impromptu beatboxing for a teaser.
The night's headliners had a lot to live up to, but they didn't disappoint. UK punk pop darlings, The Ting Tings, whipped the crowd into a veritable frenzy with a string of super-hits and some memorably charming Franglais. And riot-punk megastars Gossip seared through a scorcher of a set. There's no denying the strength of that voice.
Festival closers Birdy Nam Nam flew the French flag high for a final, high-octane dance set, closing the festival lineup with a bang.
It's always been a haven for MINIacs, but this year, MINI United truly cemented its reputation as a spectacular music festival in its own right.
Related Links:
MINI United: Who's Playing?
Iggy and the Stooges
Birdy Nam Nam
The Ting Tings
Charlie Winston
Ben Mazué
Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine
The Rifles
Martin Solveig
Q&A With Creators of a Virtual Supercar: MINI and Gran Turismo Introduce the MINI Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
The creators of the MINI Clubman Vision Gran Turismo share the unique process of collaborating in a virtual world. Founder of Gran Turismo Kazunori Yamauchi and MINI Designer Christopher Weil have a virtual supercar they want on a real racetrack.
MINI Saves the Day in: "Cure for the Common Commute"
Traffic jams aren't good for much, but they definitely produce some great daydreams. Anna Dulin, designer and new MINI driver from Houston, brought one common commuter's fantasy to life. Watch here.
India in a New MINI: An Epic First Drive
Imagine taking a 6,000km cruise across India through 14 cities in 17 days as your test drive of the New MINI. That's what MINI India did. Tour the incredible subcontinent now.
Rally Dakar 2015: Barely time to catch your breath
The competitors at the 2015 Rally Dakar now have half of the roughly 9,000 kilometres through the heart of South America behind them. Their reward is a rest day. However, it would be wrong to believe they can put their feet up for a day. There is no time for that sort of thing on the toughest rally in the world.
Rally Dakar 2015: MINI plays "Connect Four"
More than 9,000 kilometres over perilously soft sand dunes, through fields of treacherous boulders, across the gargantuan heights of the Andes, and through the relentless desert heat of one of the driest regions on earth: anyone with victory in mind must be prepared to suffer. That much is certain, as MINI looks to successfully defend its title at the 2015 Rally Dakar.
Quoted: Inspiring Words from MINI Champs Past and Present
Take it from the guys who go the extra mile to top the podium. This is what they say it takes to win.


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Second Fan Made Trailer for Halo Arrives
John Hopper ⋅10 Reasons Fantastic Four will be awesome!!
Rómulo Lovato ⋅6 Cartoons too Dumb To Exist (but they do)
Peter DiDonato ⋅4 Video Games That Need to Become Movies
Myles Pompey ⋅Super Soldier VS Super Soldier!
Kody Zedolek ⋅9 Video Games That Left Us An Emotional Wreck
Jim Napier ⋅Ridley Scott to produce a second Halo series
Mark Newton ⋅


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East Africa: 'It's because of the drought' Climate change is causing devastating droughts across East Africa - leading to an end of the pastoral way of life. 22 Jun 2011 11:24 GMT | Environment, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia
Four hours to save four million children World leaders have four hours to save the lives of four million children at the Global Vaccinations Summit in London. 12 Jun 2011 17:50 GMT | Health, Kenya, United Kingdom
Talk to Al JazeeraAmitabh Bachchan: 'We have a strong cultural identity'One of India's biggest movie stars discusses his latest projects, his relationship with his fans, and politics in India.Arts & Culture, Asia, Cinema
Special SeriesOnce Upon a Time in PunchbowlThe untold story of how the Lebanese community overcame the odds and found their place in multicultural Australia.Asia Pacific, Australia, Lebanon
Special SeriesWukan VotesAfter decades of corrupt rule, will a Chinese community's remarkable experiment in grassroots democracy succeed?Politics, Asia, China
Al Jazeera WorldSyria: The ReckoningThe history of modern Syria is offering an intriguing and incisive perspective on the current war in the country.War & Conflict, Politics, Syria


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Voting is open to the public through Sunday, February 10. Fans can log onto facebook.com/catchdesmoines to cast their ballot. Rizzo is up against Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, Iowa Crush quarterback Jennifer McIntire, and NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in the pro athlete category.
The Iowa Cubs open the 2013 season on Thursday, April 4 at Albuquerque and the home opener at Principal Park will be Friday, April 12 at 7:05 against the Isotopes. Season ticket packages are available by calling (515) 243-6111 or find more information online at iowacubs.com.
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Love Lies You're Falling For
Posted in HOROSCOPE ARTICLES on December 9, 2010
Provided by Horoscope.com
Let's face it: people lie all the time. There are even names for the degrees of severity. There are white lies, fibs, fish stories, and whoppers. And, how about stretching the truth, pulling your leg, and pulling the wool over your eyes? Each of the signs has certain "sore spots" - things they're more likely to stretch the truth about, either because they're trying to protect themselves or they want to keep you from knowing the facts. And, there are certain behaviors that will give them away...
: Your average Ram doesn't lie much. It's too time-consuming, and the reaction they'll get when they have to answer truthfully is just too much drama for them to stir up. If you do call them out on a fib, though, don't be scared - their defensive bark is worse than their caught-red-handed bite.
: This quality-conscious sign loves the good things in life, so they need to make money. Lots of money. So that's their usual weak spot. If they say they don't have cash on them or that they're broke, don't believe it. Neither is usually true.
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: Here's a truly tough sign to catch in a lie. They're natural storytellers, so they're good liars. To make things worse - or better - they're so chatty and personable that you'll be entertained by the stories they tell you, and you won't care if they're based on fact or fiction.
: These home-oriented types are the nurturers of the Zodiac, so when they lie to you, they'll be stroking your hair and telling you that everything will be just fine, and that you shouldn't worry. If you're still concerned, though, trust your intuition, and prepare yourself for an unpleasant truth.
: Leos are notoriously good at this "sport" - mostly because they think of deception as a form of entertainment. When they tell you a story, if you applaud, they'll keep going - which is how you'll trap them. Be gentle. After all, it's better than television.
: Here's another sign that hates to lie - unless the truth will interfere with the successful completion of an assigned task. In that case, given the efficiency factor, they'll estimate that the fallout from being found out will be less harmful than the effect of the truth.
: Librans have been called "Smiling Scorpios." A famous astrologer good-naturedly gave them this moniker because of the smooth and polished way they'll pull the wool over your eyes without you ever suspecting a thing. Relationships, however, will be their favorite topic to twist.
: Don't bother to check their story. They'll anticipate it and have their tracks covered before they ever open their mouth. Favorite topics include sex, sex, and sex - oh, and sex. It only makes sense. Scorpios are known for their sensual personalities.
: Most Sags don't lie. Their sign is famous for being brutally honest. If they're going to lie, however, they won't mess around. Sag also rules excess. Big, better, more, much. So if they're going to lie, it's going to be a huge lie, with far less of the 85% truth most lies contain.
: If a Capricorn is lying to you, it's going to bother them. They detest dishonesty, mostly because it throws them off the track and wastes time, and this sign likes to take care of business quickly and efficiently. If they look guilty, fold your arms and stare at them. They'll buckle quickly.
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: Aquarians are geniuses. It's just part of the package. They arrive on the planet with a propensity toward odd-colored hair and the ability to see into the future. Consequently, their stories will be equally inventive and their techniques of delivery flawless.
: These sensitive types will usually only lie if they're trying to hide something from you "for your own good." They're masters at evading reality, however, so you may never see through them - and even if you do, you'll probably opt to ignore the facts just to keep their feelings safe.
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All Smithsonian museums will be open today, March 6. The National Zoo will open at noon today.
Skip navigationJuly 1, 1976 – Permanent
Museum: Air and Space Museum
Location: 2nd Floor, West Wing, Sea-Air Operations, Gallery 203
The focus of this gallery is overwater flight, including aircraft carrier operations from 1911 to the present.
Highlights include:


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Paris takes belligerent line on its lost airmen
Bosnia settlement: French President warns Milosevic of unspecified action over missing pilots if he fails to produce pilots shot down in August
Mr Chirac, who has recently demanded greater safety guarantees for Serbs who are to come under government rule next month, raised the issue in a telephone call to Belgrade yesterday, his spokeswoman said, though she gave no details of the conversation.
"The President had a new telephone call with President [Slobodan] Milosevic on Wednesday morning and told him that if the two French pilots were not released in the coming days, France would be forced to draw all the appropriate conclusions," Catherine Colonna said. But she said there was no question of postponing the Paris peace conference, scheduled for 14 December, until the pilots' release, as demanded by their wives.
Captain Frederic Chiffot and Lieutenant Jose Souvignet disappeared on 30 August after ejecting from their Mirage 2000 as it plunged towards a hill near the rebel Serb headquarters at Pale, east of Sarajevo. Many UN and Nato officials believe the men are dead, because Radovan Karadzic recently claimed they had been kidnapped by unknown forces, and because they were not used as a bargaining chip by the Serbs at last month's peace talks in Dayton, Ohio.
"The most commonly held view here is that if they existed and were alive, they would have been cashed in at Dayton," one official said. "For example: OK, if we get Grbavica [a Serb suburb of the capital due to revert to government control] you get the pilots."
Last week Mr Chirac wrote to the US President, Bill Clinton, urging the international community to strengthen safeguards for Serbs living in Grbavica and four other suburbs ceded to the government at Dayton. "That was definitely linked to the French pilots - that was the right noise the Serbs would want to hear," the official said, "in that Chirac was saying to the Serbs: 'I will raise with Clinton what I know are your concerns over Grbavica etc'."
France will be the third-largest troop contributor to the Nato peace Implementation Force (I-For), which has the difficult task of reuniting Sarajevo within 90 days of the transfer of authority in Bosnia from the UN to Nato. That is expected on 18 December.
Preparations for I-For's arrival are under way in Bosnia, with most attention focused on the new boys: the 20,000 US troops who are to deploy around the northern town of Tuzla. Yesterday a US Air Force cargo plane became the first fixed-wing aircraft to land at the UN air base in Tuzla for more than a year - the runways were closed for most of the war by Serb shelling.
Colonel Neal Patton of the US Air Force and Lt-Col Sid Kooyman, an army liaison officer, flew into Tuzla yesterday to inspect the air base and begin setting up for the arrival, after Paris, of their soldiers. Although the Americans have dispatched several reconnaissance teams to the area, Col Kooyman and his comrades represent the first wave of Dayton peace- keepers to reach the industrial city.
Col Patton told reporters he was "absolutely" satisfied with security at the air base. But he was unable to give details about the alleged impending arrival of US troops.
n Bonn (AP) - Parliament made history yesterday by ordering the deployment of 4,000 German soldiers to support Nato peace enforcers in Bosnia, the largest German military mission abroad since the Second World War. It is the first time since the Nazis'occupation of Yugoslavia that German troops are being dispatched in large numbers to the region.
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PoliticsEgypt's army: On the sidelines What is the army's role in Egypt's crisis and for how long will it stand aside? 04 Feb 2011 18:02 GMT | Politics, Egypt " /> There have been dramatic scenes in Cairo's Tahrir Square as pro-Hosni Mubarak supporters clashed with opposition demonstrators. In the ensuing carnage, several people were killed and hundreds were injured.The country's military is increasingly being criticised for standing on the sidelines and watching the bloodshed unfold.So what is the army's role in this crisis and for how long can they stand aside and watch Egypt descend into chaos?Inside Story discusses with guests: Gamal Mazloum, a retired general and professor of security at the Nile Academy in Riyadh; John Sfakianakis, an analyst who wrote his PhD on the Egyptian economy and the role of the military; and Richard Weitz, a senior fellow and director of the Centre for Political-Military Analysis at the Hudson Institute.This episode of Inside Story aired on Thursday, February 3, 2011.Source: Al Jazeera
A message to Obama Egyptian-Americans call on Obama to stand firmly on the side of the Egyptian people. Politics, US & Canada, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia
The battle for Tahrir Square Recounting a night of violence in central Cairo, when the revolution was at its most perilous point. Politics, Middle East
Soaked in oil: The cost of war in South Sudan Derelict oilfield caught in a war zone contaminating drinking water and threatening tens of thousands of civilian lives. Environment, Humanitarian crises, War & Conflict
Kremlin spin and the killing of Boris Nemtsov Pumping out 'hatred' and seeking out 'traitors', Russia's media accused of targeting government critics. Politics, Human Rights, Media
Israel, Iran, and the struggle for US favour Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu delivers anti-Iran speech - but which way will Washington sway? Politics, Middle East, United States
Hate attacks: Bulgaria's invisible crime Human rights activists say the Bulgarian government is not properly investigating a growing number of hate attacks. Human Rights, War & Conflict, Europe
Talk to Al JazeeraAmitabh Bachchan: 'We have a strong cultural identity'One of India's biggest movie stars discusses his latest projects, his relationship with his fans, and politics in India.Arts & Culture, Asia, Cinema
Special SeriesOnce Upon a Time in PunchbowlThe untold story of how the Lebanese community overcame the odds and found their place in multicultural Australia.Asia Pacific, Australia, Lebanon
Special SeriesWukan VotesAfter decades of corrupt rule, will a Chinese community's remarkable experiment in grassroots democracy succeed?Politics, Asia, China
Al Jazeera WorldSyria: The ReckoningThe history of modern Syria is offering an intriguing and incisive perspective on the current war in the country.War & Conflict, Politics, Syria