Reasons UPS Uses Local Couriers

UPS will use some local courier services in rare cases. In most cases UPS deliver from start to finish. When you use their service and put a package in their care UPS has it delivered on time and undamaged to its destination.

5 Simple Steps to Growing Your Business With Gratitude

Though we live in a modern, fast paced society, spend a lot of time communicating via text message, email and social media, and are extremely pressed for time, there is NO substitute for grace and expressing your appreciation in business. This is especially true when it comes to thanking those individuals who support your business efforts. To honor the relationship and encourage ongoing referrals it's important that you make the time to stay in touch with them and offer a heartfelt thank you.

Qantas grounds its flights

SYDNEY - Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is no stranger to clashing with unions. But his extraordinary move to ground the airline's global fleet over labor unrest is his biggest gamble yet and has angered unions, passengers and the Australian government.

The increasingly bitter dispute, which has dragged on since September, covers the sensitive issue of jobs in Australia being outsourced to Asia and even the very survival of the iconic 90-year-old national carrier nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo."

http://www.cnbc.com//id/45093268

MY VIEWS:

When the workers go on strike, they disrupt the operations and cause inconvenience to the public. In this interesting case, it is the management of Qantas that took the unusual decision to "go on strike" and ground its operations.

I respect the actions taken by the Australian unions in fighting for the rights and job security of their members. Many businesses find ways to increase their profits at the expense of their workers, and the profits can be absurdly large. I do not know if, in the case of Qantas, the airline has to reduce cost to survive, or just to increase its profits.

Worst Cars To Buy

First of all, avoid any car the first year it's released. I noticed in the paper this morning that you could lease a new Ford whatever their new SUV/sedan cross is for the same price you lease a Ford Explorer. What fool would buy a new car, before the manufacturer has had a year or two to iron out the bugs? They're in constant contact with dealers and service departments to find out how their new cars are performing and what customers like and don't like about them. Give them some time to fine tune the car before buying it for yourself.

Never buy whatever car is super popular. You'll pay top dollar, and you'll never get that money back out of it. No car dealer will dealer on a hot car. Why should they, if someone else who's willing to pay full price will buy it later that day? It's often hard to find a dealer who even has a hot car on his lot. There's no way in the world they're going to give you a price break if they're the only dealer within 200 miles who has the car everyone wants. And two or three years later, when you're ready to sell the car, there are enough of them available, and they may no longer be the hottest car, that you won't be able to sell it for the same top dollar you bought it for.

We Buy Any Car

A car that you only keep for a year or two definitely qualifies as a 'worst car to buy.' One study I read found that if a person kept every car they bought for ten years or more, instead of buying or leasing a new one every three years, that they would save 0,000 by the time they turned 65. It didn't matter whether they bought the car new or used, or what kind of car they bought. It was cheaper-significantly cheaper-to buy it and pay for whatever repairs came up. Cars are lasting longer every year, so it's possible you could keep your car even longer than ten years, and save even more money. Please don't be one of those people who buys a new car every four or five years.

Please don't make the terrible mistake of leasing your next car. Car salesmen can convince anyone that this is a great way to go if you don't have a lot of money to put down for your car (who does?) or if you want to buy a nicer car that you couldn't afford otherwise. You can't afford to lease a car; even Bill Gates can't afford to lease a car. Please cross leasing off your list of car options. We can't find anything truly worthwhile about leasing.

And now our list of worst cars to buy for 2007 (by make and model):

BMW 7 Series and X5

Chevy Astro, Blazer, Express, S-10 with 4WD, Venture,

Chrysler Town & Country (with all wheel drive)

Dodge Grand Caravan (all wheel drive)

GMC Jimmy, Sonoma 4WD, Safari, Savana

Infiniti QX56Jaguar S and X-types

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Kia Sedona (the 2006 is acceptable, if you must buy a Kia)

Land Rover Discovery

Lincoln Aviator and Navigator

Mercedes-Benz CLK, M- and S-Classes, SL

Nissan Armada, Titan

Oldsmobile Bravada, Cutlass and Silhouette

Pontiac Aztek, Trans Sport,

Volkswagen Cabrio, Jetta Turbo, Jetta V6, Beetle, Touareg

That's our politically correct list. But the fact is, in a million years we'll never buy: any British car (Land Rover, Jaguar, Mini-Cooper, Lotus, etc.); any German car (Volkswagon, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.) or any French car. Have you ever sat in the back seat of a BMW? If you're more than five feet tall, there's no headroom. A lot of these cars have become associated with the rich-you've made if you drive a Mercedes. But I've never met anyone who any of these who was really happy with it. We know all about the numbers of repairs per vehicle, but we've own a lot of these cars, or had family member or close friends who owned them. Please don't make the same mistake these people did. Buy yourself a nice Honda or Toyota.

Worst Cars To Buy

FISCA Financial Planning Workshop on 29 October

The workshop on 29 October was well attended with over 30 people, mostly young people. The participants told me that the talk made them more aware about the good and bad financial products and was very useful to them. I asked them go get their friends and parents to attend the next talk, which will be held monthly. It is important that they make the right financial decision and avoid giving away a lot of money on bad products.

Several participants said that they came especially to hear my talk! They must have got the recommendations from their friends!

More details of future workshops can be found at http://easyapps.sg/assn/Org/Event.aspx?id=5. Register early!

Speculators are increasing the prices of hard disks

Quote: "Speculators are gouging the market significantly and in some cases making enormous profits out of the people of Thailand's misery," Buckley told Reuters. He declined to say which distributors.

http://www.cnbc.com//id/45082719

My comments: It is bad to allow speculators to make profit by taking advantage of the misery of other people. This applies not only to hard disk prices, but to oil, food and most other essential products. The speculation should be stopped. The world system, under the control of financial speculators and the greedy banks and based on the "free market", has to be changed - to make a fairer world for the ordinary people.

When Should I Buy Used Tires For My Car?

Taking care of our automobiles is a very important and expensive enterprise. One aspect of that care is buying tires when necessary. While it can be easy to ignore this particular maintenance issue, letting tires deteriorate or grow bald to save a dime can be a costly error.

If money is a true concern, the fugal can save by purchasing used tires. Although these tires may not have the longevity of new ones, they are safe and can be found rather easily if you know where to look.

We Buy Any Car

When to Buy

Government regulations stipulate that tires have to be replaced when they have become dangerously worn. What constitutes wear?

Well, if the things are bald or showing rot from non-use, then one wouldn't have a doubt as to the tires unsuitable nature. Problem is, some wear is not so easily discernible.

Experts in the field advise placing the head of a dime in a crack in the tire. If you can do this, it will indicate the tire needs to be replaced. Another thing to look for is potential rubber degradation. The lowest part of the tire is the place where most tires show wear first. Check this area periodically to look for places that are staring to lose their tread or show steel.

Where to Buy

Many people have begun to buy used tires online which can be a bit foolhardy.

You can of course buy them online if you want to, but one should really look at tire purchase as a hands-on thing, as car tires are too important to leave to chance. If you have to buy used rubber, buy where you can physically inspect what you're getting.

One can find used tires at local automotive chains, discount and regular local tire shops. Again, this is the safest bet for obtaining quality used tires.

Longevity of Used Tires

The question of how long tires may last, whether used or new, can depend on a number of variables.

Even the best of tires, for example, won't last long if you are prone to speeding or skidding on pavement, gravel or asphalt. Severe climates and atmospheric conditions can also affect the life of the tire.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledges that tire maintenance and rotation will increase the longevity of the tires, but the heaviest factors of consideration will always be how often the car is driven.

In many cases, with great care, most may last between 30,000-50,000 miles.

Tire care and maintenance

Used tires can be maintained and kept to government regulation by keeping them inflated, checking them routinely for leaks, and wiping the tires down with soap and water. The latter is very important because you will be able to check for cracks, leaks and wear.

Now, in regards to tire inflation, you should know that it is possible to both over inflate and under inflate your tires. Manufacturers usually have specified instructions for how often their tires should be inflated. If the tires are used, you may have to call the manufacturer or ask the seller about these particular specifications.

The lifespan of a tire decreases when they are not inflated the way they should be. Buy a usable tire gauge and check for leaks as often as you can.

The Value of Transportation

Vehicles are essential to our livelihoods and independence, so we mustn't take any aspect of auto care for granted. If you wish to purchase used tires, make sure they are reliable and the right kind for the make and model of your car. Observing these tips alongside other simple tire care rules will keep you and your car safe and on the road for a good long while!

When Should I Buy Used Tires For My Car?