G. Edward Griffin The Federal Reserve is neither federal nor is it a reserve

G. Edward Griffin on Goldseek radio 03-03-10

G. Edward Griffin interview on Gold Seek Radio dated March 3rd, 2010

G. Edward Griffin (born November 7, 1931) is an American film producer, author, and political lecturer.[1] Starting as a child actor, he became a radio station manager before age 20. He then began a career of producing documentaries and books on often-debated topics like cancer, Noah's ark, and the Federal Reserve, as well as on right-libertarian views of the U.S. Supreme Court, terrorism, subversion, and foreign policy. Since the 1970s, Griffin has promoted Laetrile as a killer of cancer cells, a view not accepted by a majority of scientists.[2][3] He has also promoted the Durupınar site as hosting the original Noah's ark, against skeptics as well as near-Ararat Creationists. He has opposed the Federal Reserve since the 1960s, saying it constitutes a banking cartel and an instrument of war and totalitarianism.[4] In 2002, Griffin founded the individualist network Freedom Force International.

Griffin enrolled in the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado,[23] became a Certified Financial Planner in 1989, and described the U.S. money system in his 1993 movie and 1994 book on the Federal Reserve System, The Creature from Jekyll Island.[1] This popular book[24][25] has been a business bestseller;[26][27] it has been reprinted in Japanese, 2005, and German, 2006. The book also influenced Ron Paul during the writing of a chapter on money and the Federal Reserve in Paul's New York Times number-one bestseller, The Revolution: A Manifesto, which recommended Griffin's book on its "Reading List for a Free and Prosperous America".[28]

The title refers to the November 1910 meeting at Jekyll Island, Georgia, of seven bankers and economic policymakers, who represented the financial elite of the Western world.[29][30] The meeting was recounted by Forbes founder B. C. Forbes in 1916,[31] and recalled by participant Frank Vanderlip as "the actual conception of what eventually became the Federal Reserve System".[32] Griffin states that participant Paul Warburg describes the Jekyll Island meeting as "this most interesting conference concerning which Senator Aldrich pledged all participants to secrecy".[33]

Griffin's work stresses[34] the point which Federal Reserve chair Marriner Eccles made in Congressional testimony in 1941: "If there were no debts in our money system, there wouldn't be any money."[29] Griffin advocates against the debt-based fiat money system on several grounds, stating that it devours individual prosperity through inflation and it is used to perpetuate war. He also described a framework of central bankers underwriting both sides of an ongoing war or revolution.[35] Griffin says that the United Nations, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the World Bank are working to destroy American sovereignty through a system of world military and financial control, and he advocates for United States withdrawal from the United Nations.[10]

Edward Flaherty, an academic economist,[36] characterized Griffin's description of the secret meeting on Jekyll Island as "conspiratorial", "amateurish", and "suspect".[37] Griffin's response was that Flaherty had miscategorized the book with other publications and had labeled all criticisms of the Federal Reserve as the results of conspiracy theory.[38]

Griffin's dreams of a free-market, private-money system superior to the Fed caused economist Bernard von NotHaus to deploy such a system in 1998. Griffin states that von NotHaus's private silver certificates, known as Liberty Dollars, are "real money".[39]
[edit] The "Mandrake mechanism"

The Mandrake mechanism is a term coined by Griffin in this book. Mandrake the Magician was a comic strip character from the 1940s. He had the ability to magically create things and, when appropriate, make them disappear[40]. Griffin's view is similar to many other gold-standard supporters' critique of the fractional reserve banking system and the Federal Reserve in particular: that it makes money "magically" appear from nothing.

In Griffin's view, the "magical" quality of this mechanism is really just a simple mathematical limit (mathematics). When banks loan money, they don't actually loan existing money. Rather, they allocate money to loan, but they are limited by how much money they can create. The law basically says that, for each dollar a bank has on hand in one of its savings accounts, it is allowed to create another 90 cents to give out as a loan. (The dollar from the savings account is still there, and can still be spent by the person who owns the savings account.) This loan is then spent, and the recipient puts it into another bank, and that bank can now loan 90 cents times 0.9 = 81 cents. This can be repeated many times (depending on the demand for loans) until it approaches its mathematical limit of 10 dollars.

For example, when the Federal Reserve holds on deposit 1 billion in marketable United States Treasury security then the banks in the banking system, public and private, and bound by US financial law, are able to generate 10 billion in new debt over time. In September, 2008 the US Public Debt was 5.8 trillion and from that debt there was a potential to create approximately 53 trillion ((5.8x10)-5.8=52.2) dollars of money (as debt).
(Source Wikipedia)

Bob Chapman deflationary depression and war coming

Bob Chapman on The Alex Jones March 26, 2010

Alex Jones talks with regular guest Bob Chapman The International Forecaster . Mr. Chapman publishes The International Forecaster, a newsletter of timely and in-depth coverage on the economy and world economic events. Chapman became a stockbroker in 1960 and retired in 1988. He owned and wrote the Gary Allen Report, which had 30,000 subscribers. From 1976 to present he has spoke and given workshops at over 200 business conferences worldwide, and has been on radio and TV hundreds of times.



Bob Chapman : Get your cash out of the Banks and The Stock Market - we will have Bank Holiday and the Stock market will crash by the end of this year
Mr. Chapman also known as The International Forecaster is a 74 years old. He was born in Boston, MA and attended Northeastern University majoring in business management. He spent three years in the U. S. Army Counterintelligence, mostly in Europe. He speaks German and French and is conversant in Spanish. He lived in Europe for six years, off and on, three years in Africa, a year in Canada and a year in the Bahamas.

Mr. Chapman became a stockbroker in 1960 and retired in 1988. For 18 of those years he owned his own brokerage firm. He was probably the largest gold and silver stockbroker in the world during that period. When he retired he had over 6,000 clients.
Bob Chapman : you got to remove these people from the government
Starting in 1967 Mr. Chapman began writing articles on business, finance, economics and politics having been printed and reprinted over the years in over 200 publications. He owned and wrote the Gary Allen Report, which had 30,000 subscribers. He currently is owner and editor of The International Forecaster, a compendium of information on business, finance, economics and social and political issues worldwide, which reaches 10,000 investors and brokers monthly directly, and parts of his publication are picked up by 60 different websites weekly exposing his ideas to over 10 million investors a week.

In June of 1991, at the request of business associates, and due to retirement boredom, he began writing the International Forecaster.
Bob Chapman : do not expect the government to guarantee your bank account , it is bankrupt

Spanish Housing Market Struggles to Recover

Costa Del Sol, Spain real estate bubble bursts after being a booming vacation spot for years

Gold vs Crude Oil

What is Moving Gold and the Precious Metals?

George Gero of RBC Wealth Management offers a snapshot of the commodities market.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Return Fees for Merchant Accounts

The return fee is charged when a buyer’s purchase is overturned and funds are brought back to their account in a ‘no more, no less’ basis. The benefits of the return fee is that it imparts pleasant customer feedback, it safeguards your e-business’ name, and it enhances customer service and refund policies. On the other hand, the drawbacks are extra business costs, downright necessity and concern, and safety issues.

Normally, return fees vary between $15-30 answerable to the credit card company and your merchant account provider. This can be seen in your billing statement after a client gives back their bought goods or acquired services. They will then ask for a refund. It typically takes seven days to complete this process however it could take longer due to some further requirements required for the refund to be acted out. Find out the pros and cons of return fee in the following subsections.

Advantages

Imparts pleasant customer feedback

This will assure your customers that you really stick to what your refund policy states. Once they tried to return certain purchased merchandise and they successfully receive the refund in their account, then they will put their trust and confidence in you. They are rest assured of a secured payment system and that they will gain their money’s worth.

Safeguards your e-business’ name

Return fees should not be seen as a mistake but it should be distinguished as an opportunity to improve the quality of your goods and services marketed online. When a customer demands a refund, it’s either he is not pleased or is not engrossed with what they purchased. Through their comments, you can upgrade your manufactured article and at the same time, pay a closer look to your available products and assuring that there are no flaws. You’ll come up with a better marketing approach. In this manner, you’ll be protecting the reputation of your online business.

Enhances customer service and refund policies

From time to time, your business will be challenged by customers who take your policy for granted since they are not aware that you, as the merchant, is being charged in exchange of their returned purchase. You can state in your policy that if a customer demands a refund, he will be charged for the return fee that is being placed in your bill by the merchant account provider. This will assure you that bogus buyers won’t be in your way. This will also pose a clarification that you don’t want any mishaps between you and the customer in the near future.

Disadvantages

Extra business costs

Without a doubt, return fees benefit your customers, which is good but it is the other way round for you. There are times when the return fees cost you more than what you are earning. You have to cut your budgets for unwanted billing statements. Since you are obligated to obey the merchant account rules, you have no other choice but to pay for whatever fees are charged in your name. It won’t only cost you the return fee but also the refund for your customers. To avoid this, make sure your policy is strictly implemented and that your products are worth their money.

Downright necessity and concern

As stated above, you are obliged to follow the rules and regulations of having a merchant account. It is your responsibility to pay for the fees and charges posted in your account or else, your business will be discontinued. In doing so, you will grant a good reputation with your merchant account provider.

Safety issues

The biggest problem of online businesses is the hackers. One day, you’ll open your account and be surprised with the random transactions processed. In the end, you’ll be paying more fees and charges. What’s worst is when you never notice the scamming at all. This is why you have to make sure that you verify your online security software and conduct a scheduled system check to steer clear from hackers and other fraudulent pursuits.

One way to have a good refund policy is to know the possibilities of having return fees. You have to be aware of its benefits and drawbacks. This will steer your business away from probable disaster.

Real Estate Expert: Home Ownership Not a Right

Los Angeles Realtor Connie DeGroot argues home ownership is a risk not a right.

Shell CEO on alternative Energy

Shell CEO on Oil Outlook, Renewable Energy

Royal Dutch Shell CEO Peter Voser on off-shore drilling and building more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Illuminati Symbolism in Hollywood - Dark Stars

Hollywood Insiders Dark Stars examines Illuminati symbolism, Predictive programming, 9/11 synchronicities, and Satanism in Hollywood and the music industry

Bob Chapman : Millions will be laid off many companies will close doors up to 40% unemployment as a result of the Healthcare Bill

Bob Chapman on the Sovereign Economist 24 march 2010

Bob Chapman : we gonna have a deflationary deflation accompanied by a war which will last for years , it is a set up it was deliberately done.....last year 80% of the treasuries were purchased by the FED which is a private bank , the FED has the ability to make up money out of thin air , it is hugely inflationary says Bob Chapman the international forecaster , he Euro zone will break up most of the eurozone countries have a deficit above 10% compared to the norm of 3% , they will keep Greece above water for a year , a year and a half through IMF injections , the US and the UK will pull out of WTO and NAFTA , , England will withdraw from the European Union ...millions are going to be laid off many companies will close doors up to 40% unemployment by the end of the year direct result of the Healthcare Bill
thousands of banks will go bankrupt by the end of the year because they want to nationalize the banks





Bob Chapman : Get your cash out of the Banks and The Stock Market - we will have Bank Holiday and the Stock market will crash by the end of this year
Mr. Chapman also known as The International Forecaster is a 74 years old. He was born in Boston, MA and attended Northeastern University majoring in business management. He spent three years in the U. S. Army Counterintelligence, mostly in Europe. He speaks German and French and is conversant in Spanish. He lived in Europe for six years, off and on, three years in Africa, a year in Canada and a year in the Bahamas.

Mr. Chapman became a stockbroker in 1960 and retired in 1988. For 18 of those years he owned his own brokerage firm. He was probably the largest gold and silver stockbroker in the world during that period. When he retired he had over 6,000 clients.
Bob Chapman : you got to remove these people from the government
Starting in 1967 Mr. Chapman began writing articles on business, finance, economics and politics having been printed and reprinted over the years in over 200 publications. He owned and wrote the Gary Allen Report, which had 30,000 subscribers. He currently is owner and editor of The International Forecaster, a compendium of information on business, finance, economics and social and political issues worldwide, which reaches 10,000 investors and brokers monthly directly, and parts of his publication are picked up by 60 different websites weekly exposing his ideas to over 10 million investors a week.

In June of 1991, at the request of business associates, and due to retirement boredom, he began writing the International Forecaster.
Bob Chapman : do not expect the government to guarantee your bank account , it is bankrupt

US Federal Reserve Dealing in Magic and Secrets

Fed makes money out of thin air to solve deflation with inflation, credit crisis continues, frustrations with politicians, not healthy to have over 3 trillion in t-bills held in foreign hands, Fed fights audit legislation, Threats to the Eurozone...

The dramatic and costly undertow of deflation continues unabated, as government via fiscal policy and the Federal Reserve, by creating money and credit out of thin air, proceed to overpower this deflation with massive inflation.

Unbeknownst to most the Fed and the Treasury have been maintaining this program for the past several years, accompanied by most major countries, all of which have taken the path of least resistance rather than address the underlying problems.

The current stage of problems had to be addressed 2-1/2 years ago in what has become known as a credit crisis. This continuing crisis has been accompanied by 22-1/8% current unemployment that has resulted in a perpetual fall in tax revenues and a resultant enlargement of government deficits. We might add that this condition is being experienced by many countries worldwide, which followed America’s leadership into this terrible financial and economic morass. These policies have led to massive sovereign debt policies, a hangover of the policies of 1933 and 1971.
read entire article

Bob Chapman founder of The International Forecaster became a stockbroker in 1960 and retired in 1988. For 18 of those years he owned his own brokerage firm. He was probably the largest gold and silver stockbroker in the world during that period. When he retired he had over 6,000 clients

V-Shaped Recovery in U.S. Housing Market says Feder

March 24 (Bloomberg) -- Michael Feder, chief executive officer of Radar Logic Inc., talks with Bloomberg's Matt Miller and Carol Massar about the outlook for the U.S. housing market. Blizzards, unemployment and foreclosures combined to produce the fewest sales of houses in the U.S. last month since record-keeping began in 1963, according to the Commerce Department. The supply of homes at the current sales rate increased to 9.2 months worth, the highest since May, from 8.9 months. (Source: Bloomberg)

Bearish on crude; sell at current levels

In an exclusive inter with CNBC-TV18, Kishore Narne, Anand Rathi Commodities, discusses various commodities and gives his outlook going forward.

Gold May Reach $1,400-$1,500 by Year End says Jeffrey Nichols

March 25 (Bloomberg) -- Jeffrey Nichols, managing director at American Precious Metals Advisors, talks with Bloomberg's Matt Miller and Carol Massar about his forecast for gold prices. (Source: Bloomberg)

U.S. Stocks Fall on Treasury Auction, Greece Discord

March 25 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg's Deborah Kostroun reports on the performance of the U.S. equity market today. U.S. stocks fell for a second day as a disappointing Treasury auction and discord among European leaders about how to rescue Greece erased a rally in the final half hour of the session. The 10-year notes yield climbed to the highest level since June, and the dollar rallied. (Source: Bloomberg)

Bob Chapman : JP Morgan Goldman Sachs Citi group are shorting gold and silver and longing the Dollar

Bob Chapman on dr. Deagle show 24 March 2010

Greece and Italy should have never qualify for the Euro zone , Greece was bankrupt ten years ago , Goldman Sachs set them up with the derivatives to hide their real debt ...the three big players are Germany Holland and France and they allow the IMF solution

Bob Chapman : Get your cash out of the Banks and The Stock Market - we will have Bank Holiday and the Stock market will crash by the end of this year
Mr. Chapman also known as The International Forecaster is a 74 years old. He was born in Boston, MA and attended Northeastern University majoring in business management. He spent three years in the U. S. Army Counterintelligence, mostly in Europe. He speaks German and French and is conversant in Spanish. He lived in Europe for six years, off and on, three years in Africa, a year in Canada and a year in the Bahamas.

Mr. Chapman became a stockbroker in 1960 and retired in 1988. For 18 of those years he owned his own brokerage firm. He was probably the largest gold and silver stockbroker in the world during that period. When he retired he had over 6,000 clients.
Bob Chapman : you got to remove these people from the government
Starting in 1967 Mr. Chapman began writing articles on business, finance, economics and politics having been printed and reprinted over the years in over 200 publications. He owned and wrote the Gary Allen Report, which had 30,000 subscribers. He currently is owner and editor of The International Forecaster, a compendium of information on business, finance, economics and social and political issues worldwide, which reaches 10,000 investors and brokers monthly directly, and parts of his publication are picked up by 60 different websites weekly exposing his ideas to over 10 million investors a week.

In June of 1991, at the request of business associates, and due to retirement boredom, he began writing the International Forecaster.
Bob Chapman : do not expect the government to guarantee your bank account , it is bankrupt

Introduction Futures Trading

A futures contract is a standardized contract to buy or sell a specified commodity of standardized quality at a certain date in the future and at a market-determined price (the futures price). The contracts are traded on a futures exchange. Futures contracts are not "direct" securities like stocks, bonds, rights or warrants. They are still securities, however, though they are a type of derivative contract.

The price is determined by the instantaneous equilibrium between the forces of supply and demand among competing buy and sell orders on the exchange at the time of the purchase or sale of the contract.

In many cases, the underlying asset to a futures contract may not be traditional "commodities" at all – that is, for financial futures, the underlying asset or item can be currencies, securities or financial instruments and intangible assets or referenced items such as stock indexes and interest rates.

The future date is called the delivery date or final settlement date. The official price of the futures contract at the end of a day's trading session on the exchange is called the settlement price for that day of business on the exchange[1].

A futures contract gives the holder the obligation to make or take delivery under the terms of the contract, whereas an option grants the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to establish a position previously held by the seller of the option. In other words, the owner of an options contract may exercise the contract, but both parties of a "futures contract" must fulfill the contract on the settlement date. The seller delivers the underlying asset to the buyer, or, if it is a cash-settled futures contract, then cash is transferred from the futures trader who sustained a loss to the one who made a profit. To exit the commitment prior to the settlement date, the holder of a futures position has to offset his/her position by either selling a long position or buying back (covering) a short position, effectively closing out the futures position and its contract obligations.

Futures contracts, or simply futures, (but not future or future contract) are exchange traded derivatives. The exchange's clearing house acts as counterparty on all contracts, sets margin requirements, and crucially also provides a mechanism for settlement.[2]
( source wikipedia )

Housing Market Slump

Sales of new homes fall for fourth consecutive month; double-dip recession fears raised

Wall Streets Rally : Here to Stay?

We break down whether the current market upturn can last.

Bob Chapman : this Healthcare bill is a financial disaster

Bob Chapman on Radio Liberty 15 March 2010

Today 10% of the Americans are on food stamps , the unemployment is on the rise he economy is a disaster and yet they claim that we are in a recovery ?!...
The next elections are so important , we got to throw 75% to 95% of the constituents out of office , these are the people being paid by the brotherhood of darkness said Bob Chapman the International Forecaster....

Bob Chapman : Get your cash out of the Banks and The Stock Market - we will have Bank Holiday and the Stock market will crash by the end of this year
Mr. Chapman also known as The International Forecaster is a 74 years old. He was born in Boston, MA and attended Northeastern University majoring in business management. He spent three years in the U. S. Army Counterintelligence, mostly in Europe. He speaks German and French and is conversant in Spanish. He lived in Europe for six years, off and on, three years in Africa, a year in Canada and a year in the Bahamas.

Mr. Chapman became a stockbroker in 1960 and retired in 1988. For 18 of those years he owned his own brokerage firm. He was probably the largest gold and silver stockbroker in the world during that period. When he retired he had over 6,000 clients.
Bob Chapman : you got to remove these people from the government
Starting in 1967 Mr. Chapman began writing articles on business, finance, economics and politics having been printed and reprinted over the years in over 200 publications. He owned and wrote the Gary Allen Report, which had 30,000 subscribers. He currently is owner and editor of The International Forecaster, a compendium of information on business, finance, economics and social and political issues worldwide, which reaches 10,000 investors and brokers monthly directly, and parts of his publication are picked up by 60 different websites weekly exposing his ideas to over 10 million investors a week.

In June of 1991, at the request of business associates, and due to retirement boredom, he began writing the International Forecaster.
Bob Chapman : do not expect the government to guarantee your bank account , it is bankrupt

U.S. Stocks May Fall 15 Percent

TCW's Sri-Kumar Says U.S. Stocks May Fall 15 Percent

March 24 (Bloomberg) -- Komal Sri-Kumar, chief global strategist at TCW Group Inc., talks with Bloomberg's Carol Massar and Matt Miller about the outlook for U.S. stocks. Sri-Kumar also discusses the U.S. economy, Treasury market and Fitch Ratings' cut in Portugal's credit grade. Barry Knapp, head of U.S. equity strategy at Barclays Plc, and Bloomberg's Adam Johnson also speak. (Source: Bloomberg)

Commodities Roar Higher following the Euro reversal,

Commodities are rallying following the euro's reversal, with Dennis Gartman, The Gartman Letter.

Assessing Sugar and Other Soft Commodities

Sugar prices have tumbled in recent months but weather risks like the Indian monsoon could turn prices up again, says Wayne Gordon, senior analyst at Rabobank. He shares his outlook for soft commodities with John Licata of Blue Phoenix and CNBC's Amanda Drury and Sri Jegarajah.

Bullish on Bullion

Western investment demand for gold will stay well-supported regardless of the economic outlook, says Rozanna Wozniak, investment research manager at World Gold Council. She tells Michael Yoshikami of YCMNET Advisors, CNBC\'s Martin Soong & Karen Tso why.

2 Viable Alternatives to Utilizing Your Existing Merchant Starter Account for a Second Yahoo Store

Every Yahoo store requires a separate merchant account even if you operate more than one store with them. For identification and individuality purposes, it would not be possible to make use of the same merchant account if you are planning to open a second Yahoo store in addition to your starter merchant plan. Alternately, you can either apply for a new merchant account or upgrade your current Yahoo Merchant Solutions plan.

If you want to create another store with Yahoo either because you intend to offer new products and services or because your website’s traffic volume has increased to exceed your store’s capacity, you are required to open a new merchant account. This is because the features of Yahoo! Merchant Solutions are intended to benefit and apply to individual business needs, thus requiring a specific merchant ID (MID) and terminal ID (TID) per store, assigned by your merchant account provider. To address your concern, consider the following alternatives:

Apply for a new merchant account

If you have a new set of products or services to offer, then you really need to open a new store. Your option would be to apply for a new Yahoo store merchant account that is compatible with First Data Merchant Services (FDMS) Nashville Platform. FDMS is Yahoo’s payment gateway service provider. Aside from being a requisite, even if it would be possible to use only one merchant account for both stores, it would be logical to separate your funds with each other, since the nature and the needs of your new store would be different from your existing business. In this way, it would be easier for you to manage your funds especially when reconciling your sales and profits, as well as dealing with chargebacks or refunds to customers.

Upgrade your current Yahoo Merchant Solutions plan

If you are planning to open a second Yahoo store because the traffic in your website has increased or maybe you want to expand your business and add related products, but your store’s capacity is not able to handle your needs, then you can resort to upgrading your store. You do not have to create a new store and undergo all the hassles and incur all the additional expenses starting from business permits to new merchant account applications, new website, and other related operating costs. Considering you have a starter plan with Yahoo, you can upgrade to either standard or professional plan depending on the sales you expect to generate per month. Even if upgrading entails higher fixed monthly fees, per transaction fees are lower for these higher plans. More features are also included, which will allow you to save more in the long run.

What is important in decision-making is that you are able to see all the benefits and the costs that go hand in hand. Always remember that your aim is not only to increase your sales, but ultimately to gain more profits. You need to provide yourself with as much options available in order to come up with the best course of action that will help boost your business.

Adapting to Changing Business Landscape

Adapting to Changing Business Landscape

Business has changed during this economy. Money has gotten much tighter, both in people’s pockets and their credit lines. This affects your business in many different ways. First, you may have seen a drop-off in customers due to people being a lot more careful with their money. Next, you may have had trouble borrowing money for your business. Finally, you may be wondering how to generate more income in a tough economy.

Advertise More Not Less

The first problem can easily be resolved by doing some targeted advertising. Yes, this means you have to spend money. However, studies from the Great Depression showed that during times of poor economic activity, those that advertised more did better. Those that didn’t advertise created a self-fulfilling prophecy of low demand by failing to advertise when it was most critical.

Take Advantage of Alternate Funding Sources

Since credit is hard to locate, you will wan to take a look at different ways to fund your business. Merchant funding can be obtained for businesses that have a healthy history of credit card receivables. You may to need to purchase special equipment, but usually the application process is fairly easy. They don’t even require a good credit score to get you funded.

Generating More Income

You want to pay attention to what’s selling in this economy and how shifting demographics are changing your revenue structure. You may find people are buying for different reasons. You may find men aren’t buying as much as they are being laid off in greater numbers. You will have to customize your inventory and advertising to appeal to the demographic that is buying and the products they need most. You may even find you have to expand your services or move to a new location to get more business through the door.

New home Sales Hit an All-time Low

Sales of new homes fell to their lowest point on record in February, underscoring the housing industry's struggle to rebound from the worst slump in decades. (March 24)

FX Concepts Taylor Says Sell Euro, Buy Asia on Recovery

March 24 (Bloomberg) -- John Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of FX Concepts LLC, talks with Bloombergs Betty Liu, Jon Erlichman and Adam Johnson about prospects for
the euro, dollar and yuan, and investment strategy for currencies. Taylor, who oversees the world's largest currency hedge fund, says investors should buy Asian currencies and sell the euro as the economic recovery in Asia outpaces other regions. (Source: Bloomberg)

Bob Chapman : you got to remove these people from the government

So Many people are moving out of the country : Bob Chapman

Bob Chapman the International forecaster : The government via the COMEX is manipulating the Gold and Silver prices ..this is a disaster for America even worse than the wars we had , the healthcare bill is unconstitutional ,
Bob Chapman : if you knew what I know about the system you will dig a hole and jump in , this system is going down big and if you do not have gold , you are not going to eat... , finally Bob Chapman reveals that the famous Italian soccer player Luca Toni is one of his subscribers :



Bob Chapman : Get your cash out of the Banks and The Stock Market - we will have Bank Holiday and the Stock market will crash by the end of this year
Mr. Chapman also known as The International Forecaster is a 74 years old. He was born in Boston, MA and attended Northeastern University majoring in business management. He spent three years in the U. S. Army Counterintelligence, mostly in Europe. He speaks German and French and is conversant in Spanish. He lived in Europe for six years, off and on, three years in Africa, a year in Canada and a year in the Bahamas.

Mr. Chapman became a stockbroker in 1960 and retired in 1988. For 18 of those years he owned his own brokerage firm. He was probably the largest gold and silver stockbroker in the world during that period. When he retired he had over 6,000 clients.
Bob Chapman : you got to remove these people from the government
Starting in 1967 Mr. Chapman began writing articles on business, finance, economics and politics having been printed and reprinted over the years in over 200 publications. He owned and wrote the Gary Allen Report, which had 30,000 subscribers. He currently is owner and editor of The International Forecaster, a compendium of information on business, finance, economics and social and political issues worldwide, which reaches 10,000 investors and brokers monthly directly, and parts of his publication are picked up by 60 different websites weekly exposing his ideas to over 10 million investors a week.

In June of 1991, at the request of business associates, and due to retirement boredom, he began writing the International Forecaster.
Bob Chapman : do not expect the government to guarantee your bank account , it is bankrupt

IShares Muni ETFs Provide Transparency Says Tucker

Tucker Says IShares Muni ETFs Provide Transparency

March 24 (Bloomberg) -- Matthew Tucker, managing director of U.S. fixed-income strategy at BlackRock Inc., talks with Bloombergs Betty Liu about the municipal-bond exchange-trade funds offered by BlackRock's IShares unit. Tucker also discusses market reaction to Portugal's debt rating downgrade by Fitch Ratings. (Source: Bloomberg)

The New American Home - Multigenerational Homes increase in number

AARP: Grandparents, 'boomerangers' moving in as multi-generational homes expand in tough economy

Wave of UFOs Sightings Above Lake Erie

A strange light over Lake Erie has Cleveland residents nervously eyeing the sky.

For more than a week, a mysterious pulsating light has been appearing nightly over Lake Erie east of downtown Cleveland — showing up at approximately 7:30 pm and zipping around in the darkness for about two hours before disappearing — reports MSNBC. Captured on film from various angles, it's now drawing nightly crowds at the lakefront. While Nick Pope, former chief UFO investigator at the British defense ministry, calls it a "significant sighting," some of the UFO's fans do not exactly inspire faith: "I have absolutely no expertise in this field, but I can guarantee you that it is not human!" says Eugene Erlich, a local college student who has been videotaping the lights.
March 13 2010: Msnbc's Alex Witt talks to a man who claims that a UFO has been spotted in Cleveland for ten straight nights. Wave of UFO Sightings over Cleveland (March 2010)-
An Ohio man claims he spotted a UFO over Lake Erie and he captured video of it. WJW's Mark Zinni reports.
Fox news reports on the wave of nightly UFO sightings over Lake Erie near Cleveland, Ohio USA.

Costs of a Merchant Payment Setup and a PayPal Setup for Average Websites

Costs of a Merchant Payment Setup and a PayPal Setup for Average Websites

The cost of an average website with merchant payment setup and PayPal setup will range from $50 up to $250 conditional on the expectations that you need to meet.

First timers in the online business department who would wish to setup a merchant account and PayPal on his website would probably be tiring and mind-numbing. What follows is a guide to be familiar with the process and especially the payment processing. So before acquiring a merchant account and PayPal for your e-business, get to learn how much money is to be left aside for these.

Merchant account and its cost

A merchant account is utilized by most online business stores to widen their capacity to receive payment through debit and credit card transactions. This is made possible through creating a payment gateway which serves as the storage space for credit card information and data needed when collecting such charges and payments from customers. These fees will then be credited to your merchant account. Merchant accounts could be free of charge when it only offers the basic services.

Certain merchant accounts are free of charge but then again, there are others which have cutting-edge and more professional features that range from $100 to $200 setup cost. It only takes a week of waiting for the approval after enrolling your e-biz and processing period when you set up for a free merchant account. After which, you can now format the recently acquired merchant account to your website and attach your payment gateway for the credit card processing. This is a fine method of tracking payment transactions for it directly debits from your client’s account and credits that expenditure to your merchant account. It only requires the personal data and information from your customer’s credit card and right after that, it is validated and then redirected to the monetary establishment or to the bank.

PayPal and its cost

PayPal is one of the leading Internet businesses that cater to permitting transactions and money transfers made via the World Wide Web. It is an automated substitute to customary paper methods, that is to say, checks and money orders. This payment processing system is manageable even to the first-timers in online buying and selling. PayPal is an exceptional tool intended for credit card processing since it is trustworthy and has a clean and thriving name in the industry. One thing that makes it so well-liked and accepted because of the fact that their online processor is compatible to e-commerce of all varieties.

Its normal asking price is about $50 for the overall arrangement and 1.5% per transaction charge. PayPal occasionally holds promos where you can get excellent discounts and maybe by the stroke of luck, you can acquire their services free of charge providing that you are a prospective user of PayPal.

Setting up a merchant account and PayPal for your average-class Internet business is one way of excelling in your chosen field of enterprise. In connection with that, being aware of the expected fees to be paid is a notable way to get started.

3 Simple Stages Involved in Credit Card Transactions Making It More Convenient and Profitable to Do Business

When your customer purchases something from your store using a credit card, the information and money involved follows a certain process technically called an interchange. It consists of three basic stages including verification and authorization; reporting, settlement, and billing; and funding. It also involves another process in case a chargeback is claimed.

Credit card payment process sure does sound complicated, especially with the different parties involved and the different channels consumers can make use of to pay using their credit cards. The process is technically the same, varying only during verification and authorization process as different terminals are used to do this, such as point-of-sale (POS) or virtual terminal. Here are the stages by which credit payments go through from the moment a purchase has been made to the moment funds are sent as payment to your merchant account:

Verification and authorization

This is the first step in credit card transaction by which your client or the cardholder decides to make a purchase using his credit card. In retail stores, a client's credit card is swiped on the point-of-sale (POS) terminal, while online stores use virtual terminals wherein confidential credit card information are inputted by a client through a secure website. Mail Order/Telephone Order (MOTO) and mobile credit card transactions may be done either by installing a POS terminal on the merchant's computer or using a virtual terminal. The card information is then transmitted to the credit card processor, who in turn relays it for verification to card issuing companies like HSBC, Capital One, and Citi Cards through credit card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. Once information and amount have been verified, the transaction, whether rejected or approved, is reverted to the credit card processor, who also gives response to you about the authorization of the transaction. Once approved, the POS terminal will generate charge slips, which need to be signed by the cardholder. The client keeps the customer copy, while you keep the merchant copy and retain the bank copy if there is any. For virtual terminals, a notice will appear on the customer's screen that the transaction has been completed, as well as the corresponding reference number. A record of approved transactions will also be automatically recorded in your integrated system. This stage in credit card transaction, regardless of the terminal used, is done almost instantly, making it very convenient for you and your customers.

Reporting, settlement, and billing

So how do you collect from your clients? First of all, you do not directly collect from your customers. What happens is that you generate a report of your daily credit card transactions in a batch and send it to your credit card processor. Otherwise known as batching, this report is usually done at the end of the day. Your credit card processor forwards the batch to the credit card network, who collects the funds from card issuing companies. These issuing companies are the ones who collect payments from your customers through the monthly statements of account they generate. The credit card processor then receives payments usually the next banking day.

Funding

Once funds are already credited or paid to your credit card processors, you are now ready receive the payment in the merchant account you opened. The amount you will receive is usually net of the discount rate, which you pay your processor for every credit card transaction processed. Other fees are deducted either annually or monthly from your merchant account. Do care to know about the costs involved and the payment scheme before entering into a contract with a credit card processor. In as fast as two to three days, you are now now ready to use the funds from your credit cards sales.

These three are the basic stages that a credit card transaction normally goes through. However, you also need to know that a further process also applies as to handling chargebacks. A chargeback occurs when a customer who has been billed or has already paid for his purchase disputes the transaction made. One of the most common reasons for such dispute is that the customer is dissatisfied of your product or service. There is also a possibility that the product he received was not the one described or he has not received any item at all. Here's how it goes:

• First, the customer formally makes a complaint to his credit card issuer. If the issuer finds it invalid, the complaint will be declined; otherwise a provisionary refund will be given to the customer.


• If the refund is granted, the issuer then claims credit from your credit card processor who in turn relays the complaint to you through a mail notification.


• Your processor deducts applicable amount from your merchant account, including chargeback fees.


• If you find the dispute untrue, you may send a rebuttal together with supporting documents and send it to your credit card processor. Normally, you are given at least ten days from receipt notification to respond to such chargebacks. If you find the dispute valid, there is no need for a rebuttal.


• If your credit card processor finds your rebuttal valid, it will forward your response to the credit card issuing company and reclaims the funds for you.


• The credit card issuing company will then refund the amount and lets the customer repay for the transaction.


• The amount will then be credited back to your merchant account.

Knowing the process by which every credit card transaction goes through is important for you understand how client information as well as funds are coursed through. In cases problems arise, you would know who to address your concerns to. It will also help you understand the nature of some costs that go with credit card processing. Finally, it will help you realize how the ease and security of the payment process can help make doing business more convenient for you and your customers, resulting to a more profitable business.

4 Types of Merchant Accounts and How They Differ from One Another

The four types of merchant accounts are: retail or traditional merchant account; Internet merchant account; MOTO or mail order - telephone order merchant account; and, wireless or mobile merchant account. Normally, these types of merchant accounts differ in these two major aspects: on the transaction fees incurred and on the rules or restrictions that govern each type of account.

Whatever kind of business you have, there is a need to have a merchant account in order to increase and eventually maximize your sales. Whether you have a physical store, an online business, or even a mobile business, incorporating a merchant account to it will definitely generate more sales. It can attract more customers primarily because we are now dealing with a cashless society. The type of merchant account you should acquire should be an answer to the type of trade you are into. Below are the four types of accounts which are differentiated from one another to aid you in your decision-making in choosing for the most suitable one for you:

Retail or traditional merchant account

This is intended for a retail type of business like department stores and grocery stores. The card should be physically present upon item purchase, and the card should be swiped through a card terminal which should be found inside the store premises. This type of merchant account charges the lowest discount rate, but then it charges a higher rate for monthly fees.

Internet merchant account

Internet accounts are quite similar to a MOTO account in terms of rules and rates. This is the most in demand nowadays. This is because of the increasing online businesses that are sprouting. This merchant account is used by vendors to sell their products over the net. The card payments are processed through a virtual terminal or by employing the services of a payment gateway. The discount rates charged are on the medium range while the rate for monthly fees are from middle to high.

MOTO or mail order - telephone order merchant account

This merchant account allows purchase of items without having to leave your house. You can order by phone or by mail order. Its discount rate is higher. However, the other fees are low.

Wireless or mobile merchant account

This merchant account type is appropriate for mobile businesses and professionals. This is designed to accommodate payments anywhere when necessary. A mobile merchant account service is recommended for contractors, landscapers, etc. Wireless merchant account uses a credit card machine like that of a traditional or retail merchant account. The only difference is that wireless machines is using a wireless network while a retail card machine is connecting to a telephone line. When it comes to monthly fees, this a mobile merchant account offers higher discount rates, while the monthly fees are lower.

Merchant accounts are very useful to businesses. In fact, a business can even have more than one type of merchant account. It all depends on the growing needs of a particular business.

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Difference Between a Merchant Account and Paypal

Merchant account is a special type of bank account that allows businesses to accept and process payments through your chosen bank account while, Paypal whose purpose is basically the same as that of the merchant account; however, it uses someone else's account to process your transactions.

In general, both the Merchant account and the Paypal differ in several aspects like the type of business, number of transaction, speed of approval and cost. To help you decide, pros and cons must be carefully evaluated before acquiring an account.

Merchant account

A merchant account is an agreement between a merchant bank and the merchant for settlement of online transactions, which is also known as payment processing or credit card processing. When a merchant makes a sale, sales will be deposited to his chosen account. The same thing applies when a refund transaction is made, funds will be withdrawn from the merchant's account. Although merchant account is difficult to acquire, it has some advantages that proved to be useful for your business namely:

* Handles transfer of funds from the customer to the merchant's bank account faster and safer
* All transactions are secured by the Federal banking regulations

Type of business

The type of business a merchant account accepts is a real business that has established physical stores, which have lower risk and lesser chances of fraud.

Number of transaction

Merchant account prefers higher volume transactions and on a regular basis.

Speed of approval

Most merchant accounts are difficult to acquire. Several supporting documents are needed and verified before one can successfully get an account. It is an advantage if you get a merchant account with a bank that you have an existing transaction with.

Cost

A regular monthly fee will be charged to the merchant's account whether or not a transaction has been completed.

Paypal

As a third party processor, Paypal allows you to send and receive online payments. Getting a Paypal account is easier compared to a merchant account. One can also leave or discontinue the account anytime without any obligation. Like the merchant account, Paypal also has some advantages such as:

* Allows you to send money without revealing your credit card details and bank account information
* Does not have limit on volume of transaction

Type of business

Those businesses that don't qualify for merchant account application like high risk business, bad credit record, or small and newly opened business are readily accepted at Paypal.

Number of transaction

Paypal does not require a minimum volume of transaction; however, it would be cheaper to have it in bulk per transaction.

Speed of approval

A Paypal account allows easy application and approval for any type of business including those considered high risk. All you need to do is apply online by supplying your personal information as well as your credit card details.

Cost

You don't have to worry about the costs and fees since Paypal charges on a per transaction basis only. Clients are not obliged to pay monthly dues and other charges when there is no transaction conducted.

Before deciding what type of account you will get for you business, first you need to weigh things including the advantages and disadvantages. You can also research more about the types of accounts to help you understand better about their differences.

If you are just trying out or starting an online store, better get a PayPal account. But if you are really serious with your online business and monthly sales are dramatically increasing, then merchant account might just be the best option. It will cost you less in the long run.

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