Crain's Chicago Business:

After loading up on debt near the top of the market, the owner of the landmark Allerton Hotel is all tapped out at the bottom.

A joint venture led by San Francisco-based Chartres Lodging Group LLC has defaulted on $70 million in loans on the 443-room hotel, according to a foreclosure suit filed at the end of April.

Read the whole story: Crain's Chicago Business

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WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans are still likely to lose their homes in the coming years, but the foreclosure crisis is finally showing signs of subsiding.

The number of households facing foreclosure in April fell 2 percent from a year ago, the first annual decline in five years, RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday. It followed a report earlier this week from credit reporting agency TransUnion, which said the percentage of borrowers who had missed at least two months of payments posted the first quarterly drop in four years.

Shaun Donovan, President Barack Obama's housing secretary, said the housing market is clearly in better shape than a year ago.

“In just about every indicator in the market, we've either seen stabilization or significant improvement,” he said Thursday. “It doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet.”

But the data aren't all sunny. While the number of new delinquencies is dropping, the number of borrowers losing their homes is still rising.

Banks seized a record 92,000 homes last month. Many analysts project that home prices will turn downward again this fall as banks dump more foreclosed properties at low prices.

And there are millions more potential foreclosures ahead. Nearly 7.4 million borrowers, or 12 percent of all households with a mortgage, had missed at least one month of payments or were in foreclosure as of March, according to Lender Processing Services Inc., a mortgage data research firm.

RealtyTrac, a foreclosure listing firm in Irvine, Calif., reported that nearly 334,000 households, or one in every 387 homes, received a foreclosure-related notice in April. That was down more than 9 percent from March.

Economic woes, such as unemployment or reduced income, are the main catalysts for foreclosures this year. Initially, lax lending standards were the culprit, but homeowners with good credit who took out conventional, fixed-rate loans are now the fastest growing group of foreclosures.

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Crain's Chicago Business:

After loading up on debt near the top of the market, the owner of the landmark Allerton Hotel is all tapped out at the bottom.

A joint venture led by San Francisco-based Chartres Lodging Group LLC has defaulted on $70 million in loans on the 443-room hotel, according to a foreclosure suit filed at the end of April.

Read the whole story: Crain's Chicago Business

Get HuffPost Chicago On
Twitter, Facebook, and Google Buzz!

Know something we don't? E-mail us at chicago@huffingtonpost.com

WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans are still likely to lose their homes in the coming years, but the foreclosure crisis is finally showing signs of subsiding.

The number of households facing foreclosure in April fell 2 percent from a year ago, the first annual decline in five years, RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday. It followed a report earlier this week from credit reporting agency TransUnion, which said the percentage of borrowers who had missed at least two months of payments posted the first quarterly drop in four years.

Shaun Donovan, President Barack Obama's housing secretary, said the housing market is clearly in better shape than a year ago.

“In just about every indicator in the market, we've either seen stabilization or significant improvement,” he said Thursday. “It doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet.”

But the data aren't all sunny. While the number of new delinquencies is dropping, the number of borrowers losing their homes is still rising.

Banks seized a record 92,000 homes last month. Many analysts project that home prices will turn downward again this fall as banks dump more foreclosed properties at low prices.

And there are millions more potential foreclosures ahead. Nearly 7.4 million borrowers, or 12 percent of all households with a mortgage, had missed at least one month of payments or were in foreclosure as of March, according to Lender Processing Services Inc., a mortgage data research firm.

RealtyTrac, a foreclosure listing firm in Irvine, Calif., reported that nearly 334,000 households, or one in every 387 homes, received a foreclosure-related notice in April. That was down more than 9 percent from March.

Economic woes, such as unemployment or reduced income, are the main catalysts for foreclosures this year. Initially, lax lending standards were the culprit, but homeowners with good credit who took out conventional, fixed-rate loans are now the fastest growing group of foreclosures.

I don’t know. This is one of my pet peeves - concentrating on the discretionary budget of the federal government as if this is actually representative of government spending. I hear people say things like “63% of the budget is spent on defense!” all the time and it’s just not true. Defense is big, but Social Security and Medicare are far bigger and, if you include state and local government spending which spends trivial amounts of money on defense, but large amounts of money on education, Medicaid, and other social programs, you get a much better idea of exactly where government dollars go.

I’m not trying to make a political point here. It’s certainly reasonable to argue that we spend too much money on defense, but posters like this one are designed to push a particular political agenda and are lying to accomplish it. (And, yes, I read their reasons why they didn’t include Social Security and Medicare and I am unconvinced.)

If the Democrats want to pass anything in the Senate with 50 votes over the course of the next year, they have to decide now what they want to use reconciliation for and include that in next year’s budget resolution.

What kind of progressive changes can you accomplish using reconciliation?  Well, anything done through reconciliation must effect the federal budget because of the Byrd rule.  But that still includes a huge set of great potential issues.

A reconciliation bill gives Democrats the opportunity to pass the bills they want without compromise.   It can serve as the perfect vehicle to prove to the American voters how they plan to improve the country and why they should be allowed to hold their majorities.

Below are ten areas Democrats should think about addressing using reconciliation:

1. End Tax Loopholes

Arguably the entire purpose of the reconciliation process was to end things like completely unjustifiable tax loopholes. The special loophole that allows hedge fund managers to pay only a 15% tax rate on their income is a great example of a loophole that should be on the reconciliation chopping block.

2. Job Creation

There is whole range of job creation/job protection actions that could be addressed as part of a reconciliation bill. Something like the Local Jobs For America Act is a good starting point.   Tom Harkin’s plan to provide schools with sufficient funds to stop the massive teacher layoffs occurring around the country would a smart job protection idea. And Kent Conrad, Chairman of the budget committee, seems to be envisioning jobs legislation as the main purpose for any reconciliation measure this year.

3. Fixing The New Health Care Law

There are literally dozens of critical changes you could make to the new health care law using reconciliation:

• adding a public option or Medicare buy-in
• strengthening the risk adjustment mechanism
• earlier start date than 2014
• all-payer
• direct Medicare drug price negotiation
• taxing direct-to-consumer drug advertising to discourage the practice

4. Climate Change Legislation

A simple straightforward tax on greenhouse gas production would be economically and environmentally the right thing to do. Putting a tax on CO2 production would help deal with global warming, and the money it generated could be used for many other functions, including deficit reduction, pay for new social services, or proportional reductions in payroll taxes.

Moving to a system that taxes pollution instead of work is not a bad idea. Unfortunately, Kent Conrad is determined to make sure reconciliation will not be used for climate legislation.

5. Energy Efficiency Improvements

Most of our homes, offices, and public buildings are not as energy efficient as they could be. This is bad for the environment and an unneeded added cost to personal and public budgets. Obama’s “cash for caulkers” program is one idea making its way through Congress. Similar legislation could probably be moved using reconciliation with additional funds directed to local governments to add energy efficiency improvements to schools, libraries, police departments, etc.

6. End Corporate Welfare Programs

Our system is so riddled with corporate welfare programs that it is hard to even know where to start. A good place would probably be cutting the insane agricultural subsidies, which appeals to both supporters of sustainable agriculture and anti-subsidy libertarians.

7. Taxing Wall Street and CDOs

A Wall Street tax could be designed to make it unprofitable to get “too big to fail.”  Another tax could be create to at least rein the insane volume of CDOs that the finance system is engaged in. The goal would be to have the new taxes on Wall Street that would reduce leverage and risk, to prevent them from bring down the whole economy during a collapse. At the very least, such taxes would allow us to get back some of the billions they have stole from the taxpayers over the years.

8. Dealing With Citizens United Ruling

The Citizens United ruling will unleash an even bigger flood of corporate spending within the political system.  While reconciliation might not be the best vehicle to deal with that, there are some solutions that probably could survive the Byrd rule.  A bill requiring that all corporate spending on elections be treated as profit and taxed at the top corporate tax rate, for instance. The money raised could be used to create a small donor matching fund program, or a public financing program for those seeking federal office.

9. Increase Infrastructure Investments

Many of our water and sewer systems are incredibly old. We are falling behind in broadband access, and we need to begin a serious investment program in public transportation because gas prices will eventually start to rise as world wide demand picks up. We need to direct more money toward upgrading our infrastructure, and reconciliation could be used as a vehicle to do much of that.

10. Extend Unemployment and COBRA

Republicans have been continuously holding up the temporary extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA  coverage. While I think it would be a bit of a waste of reconciliation to use it for this purpose, there are a lot of people hurting in this economic downturn who need help and this is something that would easily fit within the rules of reconciliation.

You Don’t Need To Choose Just One

The great thing is that many of the possible uses for reconciliation are not mutually exclusives, so several of them could be included in one reconciliation bill.  For example, jobs creation legislation could be paid for by ending tax loopholes and the billions that would be saved by a public option. A carbon tax could pay for energy efficiency investments and improving mass transit systems.

Reconciliation is the best tool the Democrats have for getting around  Republican obstructionism in the Senate.

Please share your thoughts on reforms (need to effect the budgets) that you would like to see passed using reconciliation.

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Fannie Mae says it will make it easier for struggling homeowners who avoid foreclosure now to buy a home in the future.

Under new rules that will take effect in July, Fannie says it will allow homeowners who voluntarily transfer ownership through a “deed in lieu of foreclosure” or complete a short sale, where the home is sold for less than is owed, to apply for a new mortgage it will back.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-backed mortgage-finance companies that back about half of the U.S. mortgage market.

Homeowners must wait two years after their home is sold or transferred to apply for a new loan that would be backed by Fannie. Currently, borrowers must wait four years. The rules will remain the same for foreclosures. Fannie still won't help you until five years have passed.

To be able to apply for a new loan after the two years, you must be able to make a 20 percent down payment, unless you have extenuating circumstances such as a job loss. In that case, you might be able to put down 10 percent.

Of course, Freddie still can't help your credit score. If you've had financial troubles, your credit has likely taken a hit, and it can take up to seven years for that to clear. A poor credit score will almost certainly hamper your ability to get a loan.

Last Friday, I watched Governor Brewer of Arizona sign the harshest anti-immigrant law in our country and I thought about the many Latino families who would be affected. Most of all, I thought about the Latino children in Arizona and across our country who will make up a vital share of our nation's future adult population. By 2035, Latino children–92% of whom are U.S. citizens–will account for one-third of all American children. As a country we need to think about how the policies and laws we adopt will affect our country's future workers, taxpayers, parents, voters, and leaders. Today, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, released a report and online database presenting a comprehensive picture of the state of Latino children in the United States. The report, co-authored by the Population Reference Bureau, examines 25 key factors and outcomes in demography, citizenship, family structure, poverty, health, education, and juvenile justice. In reading the report and looking through the state-by-state data I was struck by the geographic and generational diversity in the Latino population as well as the need for a comprehensive approach to increase opportunities for Hispanic children.

The experience of Latino children varies depending on where they live and how recently they or their family came to the United States. For example, Latino children in the new immigrant gateway states of the Southeast, which have experienced a very rapid increase in first- and second-generation Latino children over the past ten years, have a high chance of being in low-income families and linguistically-isolated households, but also have lower rates of obesity and incarceration relative to states such as California with more established Latino communities. In comparison, Maryland and Virginia, which also have a high-proportion of first- and second-generation Latino children, fare significantly better on several economic variables than those in the Southeast. These differences suggest that Hispanic educational attainment, regional economies, and local level policies are contributing to regional and state differences in Latino child well-being.

At NCLR, we know that informed and effective policy changes and program initiatives can make a crucial difference in the lives of Hispanic children. We need to take specific policies into account and apply a comprehensive approach to help Latino children and families with all of the challenges they face. Immigration enforcement is an example of how one policy area can impact specific indicators, as well as the overall well-being of Latino children. Misguided immigration enforcement often leads to the separation of U.S. citizen children from their parents. Recent reports from the Urban Institute and First Focus show that immigrant children whose parents are detained or deported are more likely to become anxious and clingy. Families who lose parents to detainment or deportation also experience a decline in household income and are often forced to move in with extended family members. Policy issues, such as high unemployment rates in communities of color, the housing foreclosure crisis, low rates of health coverage, underperforming schools, and a broken immigration system affect the well-being of Latino children as a whole. We must address all of these issues in a comprehensive and targeted approach to help Hispanic children–a vital portion of our nation's future population–successfully transition into adulthood.

Latino youth are strong and resilient and can thrive with adequate support and equal opportunity. We encourage you to read the data book and search our online database. Look at the data for your state. How are Latino children doing? How are they faring compared to other states in your region or the national average? What are the most pressing issues for children in your state? What is working for kids in your state? We hope that the information provided here will serve as a tool for all those who seek to join us in this fight for America's future.

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Most of us have bills, but those of us with mortgages know that the mortgage bill takes precedence over all other household bills. There are many reasons debtors miss paying their mortgage. Some of them are due to poor decision making, but often times circumstances arise that the debtor does not have control over. If this applies to you, no matter what the reason is for missing payments, the most important step you can take today is to determine if your creditor has begun the foreclosure process. It is best contact them before legal fees are attached to your loan.

A Truthful Look at the Circumstances

Try to relax, be realistic, and open-minded. You have several options which are dependent upon your finances and which programs or agencies can assist you. Treat it like an important assignment, and research all possible ways to get help. Remember when one door closes, another one opens.

Most mortgage companies will file legal action for breech of contract when the debtor is three months behind. You will receive notification via mail. This is referred to as a notice of default or breech letter. The letter will provide you with agencies that can provide foreclosure help. Keep in mind there may also be non-profit organizations in your local area that are not listed on the letter.

What Can Be Done

If you are behind on payments, but your home has not yet been foreclosed - there may still be hope. Many lenders are assisting debtors with repayment plans. This is referred to as forbearance. Some lenders are even waiving obligations to bring accounts current. This rarely happens, but when it does, the missed payments are forgiven. You may also consider asking to spread out past due amounts over a longer period. This allows the lender to add more on to your monthly payments until your missed payments are paid up. Some lenders have also been known to freeze or modify interest rates for debtors.

If your lender has filed a notice of default, it will be much more difficult to get a repayment plan. This is the most important reason to contact your lender as soon as possible. You will likely be responsible for paying the cost of filing your foreclosure and stopping the foreclosure. If all of the obligations are met, your loan will be reinstated. If you cannot do this, and your lender is not willing to work with you - consider trying to put your home on the market or signing a deed in lieu. By signing the deed, you are giving back the home to the lender. As far as your credit score, foreclosure and deeds-in-lieu have the same damaging effects. So bottom line, it is up to youto decide what actions you will take to stop foreclosure of your home or lessen its devastating effects.

startups, investing, Government

Dodd Bill Could Render Startups Too Small to Succeed

James Geshwiler 3/23/10

Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn) recently introduced sweeping legislation that aims to rein in the excesses that led large financial institutions to become “too big to fail.” Somewhat ironically, it also has the potential, as one commentator put it, to make startups “too small to succeed.” In the rush to prevent future problems, we risk taking resources away from our entrepreneurs who are the economic engines that create jobs and help grow GDP.

Two Problems for Entrepreneurs

There are two small and seemingly innocuous provisions buried in the over 1,300 pages of this bill that almost certainly will hurt startups, particularly those at the earliest stages. Both have been opposed by the Angel Capital Association and the National Venture Capital Association. The first (sections 412 and 413) would change the definition of “accredited investor.” The second (section 926) would delegate at least part of the oversight for private placement filings—known as Regulation D—from the federal level to states.

These may be small provisions, but they will have no small effect. According to a study last year by the Kauffman Foundation, so-called “gazelle” firms (ages three to five years) comprise less than 1 percent of all companies, yet generate roughly 10 percent of new jobs in any given year. Even more to the point, remove startups from the job creation totals, and only six years from 1977-2005 saw net positive job creation. In the other 28 years of this span, without startups there would have been net job losses. The jobs attributed to startups reflect both the innovation entrepreneurs bring and the net growth to GDP that’s been heavily documented by both the Kauffman Foundation and NVCA.

“Accredited Investors:” Does the SEC Really Need to Protect Millionaires? Dodd’s bill recommends changing the definition of “accredited investor,”which was set roughly 30 years ago at $1 million in net worth or $200,000 per year in salary for individuals. The idea then was that people who were millionaires had sufficient resources to evaluate investment opportunities and did not need the Securities and Exchange Commission to look out for them. While wealth is not necessarily a proxy for sophistication, at least those prospective investors had the resources to hire lawyers, accountants, and other service providers to help them in their assessment.

The argument behind changing the definition is that, thanks to inflation, $1 million is no longer what it used to be. The mistake in that argument is that the world is not what it used to be, either. Back in the 1980s, there were no on-line resources for investors, few entrepreneurial events, and most people, including myself, didn’t know how to spell “VC.” Today, anyone with a computer can learn more than they can imagine about term sheets, growing entrepreneurial businesses, and venture capital. Checking references: use LinkedIn. Need details on an esoteric technology: you’ll likely find a blog, Wikipedia articles, and links to experts across the globe. In most major cities of the United States, there are a variety of entrepreneurial organizations, and the majority of states have at least one angel group that is a member of the Angel Capital Association. So, $1 million might not be what it used to be for buying a house, but it sure goes a lot farther in making sophisticated investments. The question should be: At what income or net worth level should we as taxpayers be paying regulators to look out for those with fewer resources? It’s probably not millionaires at any level. But while what we have now is not a great solution, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Adjusting for inflation, the new level would be $2.3M. The legislation would leave the exact figure to the SEC to determine, and worse, allow it to change periodically. A moving target could create legal confusion and make the lawyers guiding these companies even more cautious. What happens if the level increases two years after a financing? Could the company be in trouble because prior investors are no longer “accredited?” Even if they were grandfathered, would they be excluded from participating in new rounds of financing, which often are critical for protecting an investment and generating a return?

The net effect would be to eliminate vast pools of capital from being available to invest in startups. While the exact amount of this reduction is unclear, various studies over the past decade, including the Kauffman Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and a study commissioned by the Small Business Administration, have suggested that a significant amount, and perhaps the majority of “angel” or “informal” investment in startup companies, comes from lower-net-worth individuals who might well fall under the new threshold. Worse, areas other than Silicon Valley, Boston, and New York are most likely to be hit hardest because they have a lower proportion of higher net worth individuals.

Passing the Buck to State Regulators. The second section noted above would delegate regulation of smaller private placements to the states. Imagine the resulting diverse regulatory landscape, with some states being more “friendly” and others more “onerous” to investors. Since regulators rarely see a regulation they don’t like, it is almost a guarantee that not only will the costs of compliance increase, the cost of any financing that crosses state lines will become even more expensive. This might not be a big issue when a company is raising millions of dollars, but it would be particularly expensive and painful for small rounds. There needs to be legal clarity about who is really in charge, and the SEC cannot just pass the buck when it does not want to be involved.

Companies raise money from many locales all the time. Angel groups in New England-including ours-and across the country actively syndicate deals across state lines. Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine are within a two-hour drive of my office and our portfolio companies, and many of them have investors from around New England, the country, and even the globe. Investment, simply put, is a matter of interstate commerce and is the jurisdiction of the Federal Government even more so than it ever has been.

Moving Ahead

Given the economic crisis of the past two years, we clearly need changes to our financial regulations to expose unknown risks and avoid undue ones in the public markets. We also need to be careful that those changes don’t have unintended consequences that cause more harm than good. Dodd’s bill has some bright ideas, but needs revisions to remove these sections and protect the entrepreneurs who will help create the jobs and fuel the growth that will get us out of today’s economic mess.

James Geshwiler is managing director of CommonAngels, one of the first formal venture capital investing networks and the largest angel group in the Northeast. CommonAngels is the lead investor in Xconomy.

The major movie studios may have lost their first battle over box-office futures trading, but they unveiled a powerful new weapon in response.

Financial reform legislation unveiled Friday by Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.,  contains a provision that would ban futures trading based on box-office receipts.

Lincoln is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which has jurisdiction over futures markets.

The Motion Picture Assn. of America, joined by the National Association of Theatre Owners, the Directors Guild of America and the Independent Film and Television Alliance, issued a press release today trumpeting the provision and their support of the legislation. It was sent less than two hours after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved the creation of a market, from a company called Media Derivatives, intended for entertainment-related futures.

“As Congress moves forward with financial regulatory reform, we are very grateful to Chairman Lincoln for seeking to put a stop to plans to allow wagering on box-office futures, which are based on a faulty understanding of the film business and could cause real financial harm to both the film industry and other Americans drawn in by an online gaming platform that could be easily manipulated,” the groups said in a statement.

Robert Swagger, chief executive of Media Derivatives, said that instead of attempting to ban the markets, companies opposed to them should simply not participate and allow others to reduce the risk of investments in motion pictures by buying and selling futures contracts.

“This legislation is just to protect six large studios while smaller independents aren’t allowed to have this economic opportunity,” he said. “How can an exchange that helps to create liquidity be criticized when it is bringing in new money so entertainment can be created?”

In addition to the proposed legislation, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on box office futures next Thursday at which MPAA Chief Executive Bob Pisano and others from Hollywood are expected to testify, along with representatives for Media Derivatives and Cantor Fitzgerald, the company behind the other proposed box office market.

Cantor's market will be approved or denied by the CFTC by Tuesday.

– Ben Fritz

RELATED:

Box-office futures market gets key approval from government

Decision
on box-office futures markets delayed until next week

Hollywood
wants movie bets off the table

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can soon make bets on movie box office

The Health Care Blog: Reputation versus quality: U.S. <b>News</b> <b>…</b>

Each year, US News and World Report publishes its list of the top 50 hospitals in various specialties (example here). Now, an article has been published suggesting that one aspect of the methodology used by the magazine is flawed. …

Bookninja » Blog Archive » <b>News</b> catchup

After two solid days spent in a fog-bound car on a moose-laden highway, I am finally back to a place from which I can blog. I am simultaneously relieved and disappointed. Here's some news I missed Monday and Tuesday: …

Your latest NFL Draft <b>news</b>, including Detroit Lions, Michigan <b>…</b>

NFL draft prospect, Tim Tebow speaks during a news conference at an event to promote the upcoming NFL football draft on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in New York. AP photo. Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn had some company while …

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Jerry Traunfield, one of this season’s contestants, offers tips on how to master the art of the herb in your kitchen.

Jerry Traunfeld is chef and owner of the Seattle restaurant Poppy. Prior to opening his own restaurant, he received national acclaim as the chef at The Herbfarm, which was voted one of the top 10 restaurants in the United States in the 2007 Zagat Survey, is a Gayot’s Top 40 U.S. Restaurant, and is the only AAA 5-Diamond restaurant in the Northwest. He was a 2000 recipient of a James Beard Award for Best American Chef: Northwest and Hawaii. He is the author of the award-winning books The Herbfarm Cookbook and The Herbal Kitchen. Jerry also can be seen on this season’s Top Chef Masters on Bravo.

1. Slow Roasted Salmon with Spring Herb Sauce

It is this recipe that inspired me to write The Herbal Kitchen. When I began thinking of writing a second cookbook about 10 years ago, I was experimenting in my restaurant kitchen with roasting salmon at a very low temperature. The gentle heat consistently turns out perfectly done, moist fish, and miraculously it’s one of the easiest and most foolproof ways you can prepare it. Most home cooks had never heard of the technique, but it translates flawlessly to the home kitchen and I felt the world needed to know about it. I thought of how great it would be to put together a collection of many recipes with similar magic, borrowing techniques I discovered as a chef, translated into extremely simple and quick home recipes, and all made fabulous with fresh herbs.

2. Dilled Celery, Asian Pear, and Hazelnut Salad

This is has been my go-to cool weather salad for many years, and it’s a favorite in my cooking classes, where students are amazed at how such little effort can turn out such an amazing salad. It has celery, nuts and winter fruit in common with the classic Waldorf, but choosing Asian pear, hazelnuts, and mustard vinaigrette to replace mayonnaise gives it swank. I love to use the Duchilly variety of hazelnuts that are grown in Washington state for this dish. They have such thin skins that don’t need to be removed, and their glossy rich brown color is gorgeous with the green and gold of the other ingredients.

3. Parsley and Mint Soup

Many chefs use potatoes to thicken pureed soups like this one, but I always find the potato flavor noticeable and the texture never completely silky and smooth. I prefer to use a tiny bit of rice. It gives the soup a velvety body, almost as if it were enriched with cream, without contributing a taste. This takes lots of parsley, but after all, it is a parsley soup—just the thing to begin a lovely spring dinner.

4. Mushroom Marjoram Bread Pudding

When I was working on the recipe mix for The Herbal Kitchen I tried to think of recipes that would be most valuable to someone who loves to cook at home but has limited time. Everyone needs side dishes for holidays and dinner parties, things that you can prepare ahead, throw in the oven, and bring to the table along with your roast or turkey. A savory bread pudding is just the thing. For this one I use dried porcini, my precious pantry staple, which brings savory depth of flavor to dishes that are rich with cream and eggs. And I use generous amounts of fresh marjoram, the herb I always consider first when I cook with mushrooms.

5. Rhubarb Mint Cobbler

I’ve never been big on sugary, gooey desserts. Instead, give me tangy warm fruit, buttery crisp crust, and a creamy cold scoop of something on top. That’s why I’m a big fan of rhubarb cobbler. Rhubarb is so easy to prep, you just wash and slice, and cobbler biscuits come together in an instant, which means this is a dessert you can indulge in with about 20 minutes of effort.

Click here for more of Jerry’s recipes on Cookstr.com.

Plus: Check out Hungry Beast, for more news on the latest restaurants, hot chefs, and tasty recipes.

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It's easy to say you support the troops, but numbers prove that the support often stops with the placement of a yellow ribbon on the back of a car. 1 in 5 veterans from the current wars has a service connected injury - both physical and mental. These veterans, who weren't responsible for the policy they enforced, have returned home to find that few companies are willing to hire them. Sure, times are tough all over the U.S., but read the following excerpt from an article in USA Today and tell me something else isn't going on:

Unemployment for male Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans has tripled since the recession began, rising from 5% in March 2007 to 15% last month, Labor Department statistics show.

More than 250,000 of these veterans were unemployed last month. Another 400,000 have left the workforce to attend college, raise children or because they have stopped trying to find a job, says Labor Department economist Jim Walker.

The overall national unemployment rate is 9.7%.

“It makes you almost want to go out and rip off all the 'Support Your Troops' bumper stickers,” says Joe Davis, a spokesman for the 1.5 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars. “If you want to support your troops, give them a job.”

I know what is like to be an unemployed veteran and spent several years searching for a job. I applied nationally, willing to relocate for a position, for an opportunity to make money. No luck. Rejection after rejection started to make me believe that my military service was the main reason why I was perpetually unemployed. While I could've removed the Marine portion from my resume, I wasn't willing to do that: I am a Marine and worked hard to earn that title. I'd rather stand in a soup line.

Maybe, just maybe, there is a bit of veteran discrimination going on that few are willing to talk about. Maybe people are afraid of us, think we are going to overrun their perimeter or wig out on employees. Whatever the case, it has to stop.

We are an intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated bunch who may be the (gasp) Greatest Generation. Take for instance, the Operation In Their Boots (OITB) fellows: Chris Mandia earned the most prestigious scholarship the film studies graduate program at U.S.C. offers and recently had a movie he wrote, called Get Some, selected for the Short Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival (yeah, that Cannes); Victor Manzano, a proud father of two boys, is an entrepreneur who manages talent, produces music, trains E.O.D. (military bomb squad ), and fights for veterans' rights; Kyle Hartnett, a San Francisco State alumnus, is an accomplished musician who also has a movie making its rounds on the film festival circuit; and Tristan Dyer, a Brooks Institute alumnus, is a mad scientist of stop action animation (watch some of his work below) and has worked on numerous productions in the film industry. All five of us were enlisted.

The OITB fellows are not anomalies. We are standard for this generation of combat veterans, a generation that has a 15% unemployment rate.

We know vets will always have our backs and this is the reason we are working so hard on our films. We want to get cover theirs, too. We want to bring more people on board, get more Americans interested in the readjustment process, and show America that hiring a vet isn't just the right thing to do, but is also good for business. The more America starts to understand her veterans, the better this country will be. And if our documentaries help just one vet, then we will consider our filmmaking mission a success.

The Other Way Out from Tristan Dyer on Vimeo.

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We doubt you need too much reminding about Samsung's “hybrid DSLR” shooter — it's not every day you hear of a 14.6 megapixel APS-C sensor strapped inside a mirrorless body. Aiming to best Olympus and Panasonic at the game of tempting compact camera users up in price class and SLR image quality obsessives down in weight category, the NX10 is certainly an ambitious project. But does it succeed? According to dpreview, the control layout, user interface, ergonomics, and (crucially) image quality were all praiseworthy, though the sensor exhibited more noise than they would have liked and higher ISO images lost detail due to noise reducing algorithms. Photography Blog agreed that this camera is “an excellent first entry” into a developing market, and could only point out the proprietary NX lens mounting system and slightly bulkier dimensions than on Micro Four Thirds shooters as significant disadvantages. Check out the full reviews for some truly exhaustive analysis.

We've seen plenty of the headline 1080p / 30fps video mode on the Rebel T2i, but what's been missing till now are the equally comprehensive reviews of this new 18 megapixel shooter's other talents. Starting off with image quality — still the bread and butter of any DSLR — Camera Labs informs us that “the EOS 550D / T2i delivered images which were essentially the same as those from the EOS 7D,” describing them as highly detailed and exhibiting no greater noise than can be found on Nikon's 12 megapixel competitors. An impressive feat, you will agree. Further appreciation is meted out for the newly improved LCD screen on the back, whose 3:2 ratio matches the sensor's dimensions, but there's also warning that the 7D retains a significant advantage in terms of ergonomics, weatherproofing, continuous burst mode, and autofocus. Even so, both reviews were happy to pin their “highly recommended” badges on the T2i, and you can discover the more nuanced reasons for doing so at the source links below.

As each aspiring photographer knows, there are many types of equipment that exist that you need to wade through before you find the perfect camera and accessories. We are going to cover the basic list of items that you need this is not all-inclusive; some can be omitted depending upon what you want your camera for.

Item #1. Camera -This can range from the tiny point and shoot digital camera, up to the advanced semi-professional SLR models. The power and ability of your camera is only limited by your budget and willingness to pay for a great camera. If you are only interested in snapshots, you can easily purchase a great digital camera that is capable of taking 6MP or much higher for a reasonable price. By carefully selecting your camera to fit your needs you will enjoy your purchase for many years. One important thing to remember, there is a massive difference between optical zoom, and digital zoom. Some low-end digital cameras do not have optical zoom, however for far distances optical zoom will provide you with a much clearer photograph. Digital zoom, will take your “still” picture and enhance it digitally, instead of using lenses as optical zoom does. This can results in blur, and fuzzy pictures depending upon the mega pixel size of the camera, as well as how far away the item is.

Item #2. Camera Bag -There are few things are essential in photography as a good camera bag. This along with your camera is not somewhere you want to scrimp and save a few bucks on cheap materials. Your camera bag will be your lifeline for your camera. The bag should be big enough to comfortably hold your camera, film, batteries, and extra lenses if it has additional lenses and any other accessories that need to stay close to the camera. You want to make sure the bag you purchase closes securely so nothing accidentally falls out. In addition, a very thick layer of cushion and padding is needed to cradle the camera and protect it from shock. Some camera bags are also large enough to hold a tripod; however, these are typically much larger. While a good-sized camera bag is essential, you do not want the bag to be so big that you avoid taking it with you when you use the camera.

Item #3. Additional Batteries -This is something more for the photographer who cannot stop taking pictures. Whether it is a rechargeable battery, or normal disposable batteries having extra batteries along is always helpful. You never know when the opportunity to take dozens or even hundreds of great pictures will present itself. Having extra batteries will ensure you can continue taking the great shots you want. If the battery is rechargeable, search about for a quality backup, it is not always necessary to purchase the spare from the camera manufacture, however the quality will typically be higher from the camera manufacture, as well as a much higher price.

Item #4. Lens Hood -If you are using a high-powered camera or even a small point and shoot and you have the ability to get a lens hood they can be wonderful accessories. They are small, lightweight and help remove the glare from the camera lens that bright light creates. The use of a lens hood can often salvage a picture that would have otherwise been destroyed due to the amount of light hitting the lens.

Item #5. Film/Media -Depending upon whether you have purchased a film camera, or a digital camera will determine whether you need a memory card, or a roll of film. In today's emerging technology, digital cameras are in high demand delivering great pictures that rival professional photographs. If your camera is digital you need to make sure, your memory card fits the camera you have purchased, each manufacture has a different media format they use, many photo printers also have the ability to hold these memory cards and transfer the pictures to your computer which gives you greater flexibility. If you are using film, you need to search for the best film speed for your particular situation depending upon the subject you are photographing, as well as the conditions of the area you are photographing.

As you can see the list of items for a camera purchase is not massive, however with some basic supplies you will be quite happy with your purchases. Due to the expense and variations on the market always take the time to thoroughly do reviews of your desired item to find the best match for your budget, as well as ensure that the component will do what you want it to do.

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Jessica Simpson is attacking her gay boyfriend Ken Paves with her nasty tongue of DOOM. This is an actual photo that Jessica put up on her Twitter. It’s funny how she’s always trying to get Ken to make out with her. And he’s all “no thanks, I know where that sh-t has been.” Speaking of Jessica’s dating past, she’s got a new interview with Fox News Pop Tarts where she’s going a little overboard about what she’s learned about dating and men. Granted, she makes some good points and I can see how some of the stuff she says might be enlightening to a 12-year-old girl, but in general, Jessica is annoying me:

It’s no secret that Jessica Simpson has had more than her fair share of failed romances, including a divorce from Nick Lachey in 2006 and very public break-ups from Tony Romo and John Mayer. But the VH1’s “Price of Beauty” star still believes her Mr. Right is out there – and even has some tips for other ladies who too are lost in the love world.

“It’s important for women not to find their confidence in a man. I think you really have to know who you are before you can truly fall in love and give your all, and I don’t think a man can define you. You have to own that,” Simpson told Pop Tarts in an exclusive interview. “So if you’re ever with anyone who says you should change something about yourself then they should never fall in love with you in the first place.”

And while the 29-year-old has managed to conquer the pop world and stay in the spotlight for over 12 years, she is still faced with one of her biggest challenges.

“By ten years I would love to be a mom, I would love just to be in love and be a mom,” Simpson said. “It sounds simple but it’s a lot harder [ than you think.] I’m pretty picky.”

And after hitting the headlines last year for having added a few pounds to her petite frame, Simpson traveled the world to film the reality series “The Price of Beauty” to explore how beauty is defined by a multitude of different cultures and heal herself from the hurt of being subjected to such tabloid fodder.

“I personally needed it for myself after going through all the scrutiny I went through for gaining a couple of pounds. It was really hard on me and I felt I needed to find some light in the very dark place I was in,” Simpson said. “I realized that people’s judgments about me and about my weight are really just none of my business, it’s not something I should be listening to or taking to heart. People can say whatever they want to say and I cannot take it personally. I know it’s the business I am in and I put myself in a position to be criticized, but I’ve found something that will help me deal.”

Simpson says one of the most shocking experiences she endured while filming was visiting a fattening hut in Uganda and seeing women strive to be called “fat cows.”

“The fatter you are the more beautiful. Brides-to-be go into these huts and gain up to 90 pounds. They just drink loads and loads of milk. They gain weight solely off of milk,” she said.

“These women want you to compare them to cows – they literally want to be called a fat cow. I’ve never heard of that in my life, and being able to live that with these women and to see them go through their routines was definitely shocking.”

And speaking of beauty and body parts, what feature does Simpson treasure most about herself?

“I like my nose, that’s my favorite body part,” she said. “I do have a bump, but I like my profile - I don’t think anyone else has my exact same nose, I think it’s unique and a little flawed.”

[From Fox News Pop Tarts]

I believe that Jessica’s goal in life is to get married and have babies. At least, that’s her goal at this point. Maybe at one point she had dreams of being a real actress (like Pinocchio had dreams of being a real boy), but I think even Jessica knows that her “careers” as a singer and actress are done. Now she’s just a “personality” and a clothing designer (which isn’t bad). Oh, she’s also a “farter” but that’s not a career choice. Anyway, I do think Jessica will end up married with a few babies, and we’ll probably hear all about it.

AP: Young adults will see a 17% increase in premiums under ObamaCare

posted at 10:55 am on March 30, 2010 by Ed Morrissey

Share on Facebook | printer-friendly

During the entire ObamaCare debate, young voters consistently provided the most support for the government overhaul of the health-care system.  Groups that encourage the youth vote campaigned in support of it, including the “F*** the Vote” campaign by Rock the Vote that had supporters pledging to only have sex with other Obama acolytes.  Now that ObamaCare’s passed, the Associated Press finally explains to them a simple truth about federal mandates and the cost structure of insurance risk pools:

Under the health care overhaul, young adults who buy their own insurance will carry a heavier burden of the medical costs of older Americans — a shift expected to raise insurance premiums for young people when the plan takes full effect.

Beginning in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy insurance or pay a tax penalty. That’s when premiums for young adults seeking coverage on the individual market would likely climb by 17 percent on average, or roughly $42 a month, according to an analysis of the plan conducted for The Associated Press. The analysis did not factor in tax credits to help offset the increase.

The higher costs will pinch many people in their 20s and early 30s who are struggling to start or advance their careers with the highest unemployment rate in 26 years.

I explained this in my response to the “F*** the Vote” campaign:

First, the young people to whom they’re preaching largely avoid buying health insurance, and for good reason. They don’t need to spend $3600 per year (Minnesota’s average in 2007) to cover a couple of doctor visits every year. They’re better off buying catastrophic health insurance, rather than the mandated comprehensive coverage under ObamaCare, and use HSAs to pay for their health care with tax-free cash. That’s what Keith Olbermann does, after all, and he’s a lot older than the RtV target audience.

Who benefits from this push? The young adults don’t; they’re going to pay a lot more than they receive. Insurance companies will benefit by forcing them into the system, reducing the risk and spreading the costs over a wider base. I don’t consider insurance companies evil, but many of the ObamaCare advocates do — and yet they’re pushing their followers to subsidize slight declines in health insurance premiums for the older generations in America. It’s just like Social Security, only with a worse payoff in the end.

But there is more than just this mechanism driving costs up for younger people.  The new law restricts the ability of insurers to charge higher-risk pool members more in premiums.  This helps keep prices lower for middle-aged and senior customers by transferring the costs to younger, healthier clients:

At issue is the insurance industry’s practice of charging more for older customers, who are the costliest to insure. The new law restricts how much insurers can raise premium costs based on age alone.

Insurers typically charge six or seven times as much to older customers as to younger ones in states with no restrictions. The new law limits the ratio to 3-to-1, meaning a 50-year-old could be charged only three times as much as a 20-year-old.

The rest will be shouldered by young people in the form of higher premiums.

This is what happens with “community pricing.”  Costs don’t disappear; they just get allocated in a different manner.  Instead of the actual higher-cost clients paying their share of the burden, they now get subsidized by low-risk clients instead.  Thanks to Congress, these low-risk clients no longer have the option of choosing high-deductible catastrophic insurance with HSAs for routine medical work, but have to buy comprehensive insurance plans that wind up subsidizing their parents and grandparents.

Or, to put it in simpler terms, they’re getting f***ed by the same people who pushed the “F*** the Vote” campaign and the Democrats.  Had the younger voters taken the time to learn something about risk pools, insurance, and the experience of Massachusetts and Maine using the same kind of mandates, they’d have told Rock the Vote to f*** off.  They still have the opportunity to deliver that message to Democrats in November.

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Jessica Simpson is attacking her gay boyfriend Ken Paves with her nasty tongue of DOOM. This is an actual photo that Jessica put up on her Twitter. It’s funny how she’s always trying to get Ken to make out with her. And he’s all “no thanks, I know where that sh-t has been.” Speaking of Jessica’s dating past, she’s got a new interview with Fox News Pop Tarts where she’s going a little overboard about what she’s learned about dating and men. Granted, she makes some good points and I can see how some of the stuff she says might be enlightening to a 12-year-old girl, but in general, Jessica is annoying me:

It’s no secret that Jessica Simpson has had more than her fair share of failed romances, including a divorce from Nick Lachey in 2006 and very public break-ups from Tony Romo and John Mayer. But the VH1’s “Price of Beauty” star still believes her Mr. Right is out there – and even has some tips for other ladies who too are lost in the love world.

“It’s important for women not to find their confidence in a man. I think you really have to know who you are before you can truly fall in love and give your all, and I don’t think a man can define you. You have to own that,” Simpson told Pop Tarts in an exclusive interview. “So if you’re ever with anyone who says you should change something about yourself then they should never fall in love with you in the first place.”

And while the 29-year-old has managed to conquer the pop world and stay in the spotlight for over 12 years, she is still faced with one of her biggest challenges.

“By ten years I would love to be a mom, I would love just to be in love and be a mom,” Simpson said. “It sounds simple but it’s a lot harder [ than you think.] I’m pretty picky.”

And after hitting the headlines last year for having added a few pounds to her petite frame, Simpson traveled the world to film the reality series “The Price of Beauty” to explore how beauty is defined by a multitude of different cultures and heal herself from the hurt of being subjected to such tabloid fodder.

“I personally needed it for myself after going through all the scrutiny I went through for gaining a couple of pounds. It was really hard on me and I felt I needed to find some light in the very dark place I was in,” Simpson said. “I realized that people’s judgments about me and about my weight are really just none of my business, it’s not something I should be listening to or taking to heart. People can say whatever they want to say and I cannot take it personally. I know it’s the business I am in and I put myself in a position to be criticized, but I’ve found something that will help me deal.”

Simpson says one of the most shocking experiences she endured while filming was visiting a fattening hut in Uganda and seeing women strive to be called “fat cows.”

“The fatter you are the more beautiful. Brides-to-be go into these huts and gain up to 90 pounds. They just drink loads and loads of milk. They gain weight solely off of milk,” she said.

“These women want you to compare them to cows – they literally want to be called a fat cow. I’ve never heard of that in my life, and being able to live that with these women and to see them go through their routines was definitely shocking.”

And speaking of beauty and body parts, what feature does Simpson treasure most about herself?

“I like my nose, that’s my favorite body part,” she said. “I do have a bump, but I like my profile - I don’t think anyone else has my exact same nose, I think it’s unique and a little flawed.”

[From Fox News Pop Tarts]

I believe that Jessica’s goal in life is to get married and have babies. At least, that’s her goal at this point. Maybe at one point she had dreams of being a real actress (like Pinocchio had dreams of being a real boy), but I think even Jessica knows that her “careers” as a singer and actress are done. Now she’s just a “personality” and a clothing designer (which isn’t bad). Oh, she’s also a “farter” but that’s not a career choice. Anyway, I do think Jessica will end up married with a few babies, and we’ll probably hear all about it.

AP: Young adults will see a 17% increase in premiums under ObamaCare

posted at 10:55 am on March 30, 2010 by Ed Morrissey

Share on Facebook | printer-friendly

During the entire ObamaCare debate, young voters consistently provided the most support for the government overhaul of the health-care system.  Groups that encourage the youth vote campaigned in support of it, including the “F*** the Vote” campaign by Rock the Vote that had supporters pledging to only have sex with other Obama acolytes.  Now that ObamaCare’s passed, the Associated Press finally explains to them a simple truth about federal mandates and the cost structure of insurance risk pools:

Under the health care overhaul, young adults who buy their own insurance will carry a heavier burden of the medical costs of older Americans — a shift expected to raise insurance premiums for young people when the plan takes full effect.

Beginning in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy insurance or pay a tax penalty. That’s when premiums for young adults seeking coverage on the individual market would likely climb by 17 percent on average, or roughly $42 a month, according to an analysis of the plan conducted for The Associated Press. The analysis did not factor in tax credits to help offset the increase.

The higher costs will pinch many people in their 20s and early 30s who are struggling to start or advance their careers with the highest unemployment rate in 26 years.

I explained this in my response to the “F*** the Vote” campaign:

First, the young people to whom they’re preaching largely avoid buying health insurance, and for good reason. They don’t need to spend $3600 per year (Minnesota’s average in 2007) to cover a couple of doctor visits every year. They’re better off buying catastrophic health insurance, rather than the mandated comprehensive coverage under ObamaCare, and use HSAs to pay for their health care with tax-free cash. That’s what Keith Olbermann does, after all, and he’s a lot older than the RtV target audience.

Who benefits from this push? The young adults don’t; they’re going to pay a lot more than they receive. Insurance companies will benefit by forcing them into the system, reducing the risk and spreading the costs over a wider base. I don’t consider insurance companies evil, but many of the ObamaCare advocates do — and yet they’re pushing their followers to subsidize slight declines in health insurance premiums for the older generations in America. It’s just like Social Security, only with a worse payoff in the end.

But there is more than just this mechanism driving costs up for younger people.  The new law restricts the ability of insurers to charge higher-risk pool members more in premiums.  This helps keep prices lower for middle-aged and senior customers by transferring the costs to younger, healthier clients:

At issue is the insurance industry’s practice of charging more for older customers, who are the costliest to insure. The new law restricts how much insurers can raise premium costs based on age alone.

Insurers typically charge six or seven times as much to older customers as to younger ones in states with no restrictions. The new law limits the ratio to 3-to-1, meaning a 50-year-old could be charged only three times as much as a 20-year-old.

The rest will be shouldered by young people in the form of higher premiums.

This is what happens with “community pricing.”  Costs don’t disappear; they just get allocated in a different manner.  Instead of the actual higher-cost clients paying their share of the burden, they now get subsidized by low-risk clients instead.  Thanks to Congress, these low-risk clients no longer have the option of choosing high-deductible catastrophic insurance with HSAs for routine medical work, but have to buy comprehensive insurance plans that wind up subsidizing their parents and grandparents.

Or, to put it in simpler terms, they’re getting f***ed by the same people who pushed the “F*** the Vote” campaign and the Democrats.  Had the younger voters taken the time to learn something about risk pools, insurance, and the experience of Massachusetts and Maine using the same kind of mandates, they’d have told Rock the Vote to f*** off.  They still have the opportunity to deliver that message to Democrats in November.

In an exciting but frightening transition from our desktops to a more virtualized way of handling our files and programs, Tonido seems to be the beautiful compromise between the two.

It allows you all the flexibility of having your documents and files accessible from anywhere via a URL you create, with the security of having them still stored safely in your computer or external harddrive. The Tonido website, is a cloud-based gateway where you create an account which will then allow you to access all of the files on your Windows, Mac or Linux computer from anywhere, even some phones, and use all of the features they have installed on their cloud.

This week, we will be giving away 20 WebShare Pro licenses and 4 Tonido Plugs, worth $700 in total. Find out how you can win one!

Some of the features of Tonido include:

• The Tonido Workspace, which allows you to manage your calendar, contacts, tasks and files from anywhere.
• One Click Webshare and Tonido Photos, which allow you to share your files (even very large ones) with family and friends or create photo albums open to the public. All of the sharing can be done with one single click, which creates the URL, allows you to choose who can see it, or if it will be public to anyone and view the history (who has seen the files).

  It even allows you to set a date for the shares to expire, which means you can set the files to only be available for a certain period of time.

  No more concerns about how to email that large file to your co-worker or how to send grandma the new video of Johnny taking his first steps without having to upload it to some public site.

• A Jukebox, so you can stream all of your music from any computer or from your phone.

Luke Knowles is the founder of numerous money-saving websites including Coupon Sherpa, Gift Card Granny and Mr. Free Stuff. In 2008 Luke founded Free Shipping Day, now a red-letter discount date for online holiday shopping.

Despite a recession allegedly in our rear view mirror, frugality remains a hot, dare I say trendy topic. Nowhere is that more evident than in the often expensive world of consumer tech. Those of you currently debating that iPad purchase know just what I mean. But remember, a one-time splurge could pay dividends in the long run if you do your homework.

Take Steve Jobs’ previous technological wonder. The iPhoneiPhone’s price tag might seem hefty, but just a cursory review of its money-saving potential might prove tempting to even the most fiscally conservative. Here are ten of our favorite apps for the frugal-focused.

Finances


The first step to saving money is learning how to handle it. Depending on your needs, there are literally hundreds of apps to help you manage your money, track expenses and pay bills. You can use your iPhone to make late fees and overdrafts a thing of the past.

• 1. Quicken

  Existing Quicken users as well as newbies will no doubt find this simple but handy app the ideal way to check financial accounts on the go. Track your financial goals, monitor account activity and even find an ATM.

  Cost: Free

• 2. BillMinder

  One of the most popular bill tracking apps out there, the interface is simple, sleek and easy to use. Plus, you can back up your data and export via e-mail for added peace of mind. Enable push notifications to make sure you never miss a due date.

  Cost: $1.99

Shopping


Once you’ve got your accounts balanced, it might be time to start spending (wisely). But a note to the coupon clippers: Now you can leave that Sunday circular at home.

• 3. Coupon SherpaCoupon Sherpa

  Coupon Sherpa offers both in-store coupons (just show the entry at checkout) as well as exclusive deals just for users. You can search by category or store name, locate merchants closest to you, and even e-mail coupons to your friends. (Disclosure: the author is the founder of Coupon Sherpa.)

  Also check out Yowza!! Mobile Coupons and Coupon Cabin.

  Cost: Free

• 4. Grocery Gadget Shopping List

  Scribbling down grocery lists is so 2006. Meticulous shoppers can now download apps to manage their grocery needs, ensuring every discounted item is accounted for. This one allows users to upload and share lists while offering additional frugal options like price comparisons and coupons.

  Cost: $4.99

Food & Drink


The recession has taught even the most sociable among us the value of eating in. These apps can make it cheap, and relatively pain-free for even the most amateur of gourmets.

• 5. AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner

  A godsend for foodies. Spun off from the hugely popular website, it offers quick access to thousands of recipes complete with directions, photos and user reviews. Try the “spinner” and find yourself a new favorite dish. Tips not required.

  Cost: Free

• 6. Mixology

  Instead of fighting the crowds for a $14 martini, home-based mixologists can entertain friends hassle-free. Mixology features 7900+ recipes and a fun “liquor cabinet” feature to manage your whole inventory. Charge a cover at your next shindig, and you’re back in the black!

  Cost: Free

Travel


Whether you drive, fly, ride the rails or hail a cab, just getting around can cost a pretty penny. Luckily there are a number of apps to help keep prices (and aggravation) down.

• 7. Maps

  The only native app (though based on Google MapsGoogle Maps) on our list is a no-brainer for anyone who relies on public transportation. Integrating directions, schedules, traffic and more into this mega-app, you’ll find the closest, fastest, and most importantly cheapest route with ease.

  Cost: Free

• 8. Gas Buddy

  Drivers can use this to find the cheapest filling stations nationwide. With prices varying as much as 20% (even in the same city) this could mean big savings. Get distance, directions and time estimates to each location. Just stay off that phone when you’re behind the wheel!

  Cost: $2.99

Communications


Since the iPhone is, after all, a phone, we should point out some ways to offset that monthly service fee. Chatterboxes, take note.

• 9. TextFree Unlimited

  This is an interesting option for those looking to completely eliminate a portion of their monthly phone bill. Be aware, this app must be open in order to receive a text, and certain features from the native iPhone version are unavailable. For light users, though, this could be a good alternative.

  Cost: $5.99

• 10. SkypeSkype

  Already a popular desktop application for placing worldwide voice calls over the Internet, now Skype has an iPhone app that many feel delivers an even clearer connection. Calls between Skype users are free, and peanuts to landlines or cell phones. If you have international friends and family, this could save you a bundle.

  Cost: Free




For more mobile coverage, follow Mashable Mobile on TwitterTwitter or become a fan on FacebookFacebook




More iPhone resources from Mashable:


- 3 Useful iPhone Apps to Help File Your Taxes
- 10 Essential iPhone Apps for Runners
- 10 Best iPhone Apps for Dog Lovers
- 10 Fun iPhone Apps for Beer Lovers
- Mashable’s New iPhone App: Download Today!

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Jim Tobin is president of Ignite Social Media, where he works work with clients including Microsoft, Intel, Nature Made, The Body Shop, Disney and more implementing social media marketing strategies. He is also author of the book “Social Media is a Cocktail Party: Why You Already Know the Rules of Social Media Marketing.”

“What’s next in social media?” It’s among the most popular questions out there. But while most folks currently answer with “location-based services” (i.e. FoursquareFoursquare, GowallaGowalla) or “group purchasing” (i.e. Groupon, Twongo, Living Social), the real battle may be between FacebookFacebook and GoogleGoogle.

The fight between these two Internet giants to become your default social profile has been brewing for a long time, and the prize is an enormous potential revenue stream. Let’s take a closer look.

Connect It. Buzz It.

Many sites allow you to become a member using Google Friend Connectgoogle friend connect. While the benefit of doing so wasn’t always clear, it was one of the first efforts to encourage the use of Google profiles across the web. Google BuzzGoogle Buzz and its thus-far poorly executed GmailGmail integration, is another. Google WaveGoogle Wave, if widely adopted and used at its full capability (which hasn’t happened yet), would be yet another a compelling reason to use your Google profile as a way to engage with most sites.

At the same time, on many sites, including MashableMashable, you can use Facebook Connect to leave a comment. If you do, it will grab your profile picture and leave a link to your Facebook profile.

All these features are pretty basic so far, but these are just the recon teams prepping for the coming war. Right now, each company is trying various tactics to condition you to use their service as your default social profile.

Social Commerce is Coming

In April 2009, Forrester released its “Future of the Social Web,” a report that outlines five major eras of social media. The final one, set to begin in 2011, is “social commerce,” in which social networks start to become intermediaries in the buying process.

With programs like Alvenda, where you can buy flowers from within the Facebook Fan Page of 1-800-Flowers, and Payvment, where you can buy from multiple businesses on Facebook using one shopping cart, we’re seeing the early efforts of outsiders to make buying within social networks easy and natural. I believe this will continue. If the process is easy and secure, why wouldn’t users feel comfortable making purchases directly through their social interactions with companies and friends? Because of this trend, I expect Facebook and Google to start generating their own revenue streams from these transactions.

Virtual Goods Worth Billions

Add to this a genuine interest in the purchase of virtual goods (from little Facebook gifts at birthdays to just about everything in the online game Second Life), and you’ve suddenly got a $1 billion market in the U.S. alone.

In China, the market for virtual goods last year was $5 billion, and the larger social networks in China are profitable — something Facebook is reportedly still reaching toward.

Facebook, therefore, now has a genuine interest in having a very secure, very simple e-commerce platform, where you can buy whatever you want with one-click, similar to Amazon’s Kindle Store, and Apple’s App Store.

Make Checkout Portable

So Facebook has Facebook Credits. Google has Google Checkout.

While Google Checkout has always been designed to be used on other sites, in Q2 this year Facebook will roll out its Open Graph API, which will “allow any page on the web to have all the features of a Facebook Page.” If “all the features” includes the ability to make purchases (large or tiny) using Facebook credits, we’ve got something there. Plus, Facebook just announced that they might automatically connect you with certain pre-approved sites without you even clicking a button — a strong move if their goal is to become that default social profile.

Google can counter this by integrating Checkout data (your credit card, basically) with your Google Profile, allowing sites that choose Google to also have the potential for one-click buying. And both Google and Facebook are good at making these programs easy to implement, so the friction for site owners to add that functionality is very low.

Certainly AmazonAmazon.com has also had a long interest in people using its cart functionality on sites, but I’m not considering it here because it doesn’t aim to use your social profile as the hook for connecting – it is a more traditional e-commerce play.

Team Facebook? Team Google?

Suddenly, whether Facebook or Google becomes the default social profile around the web has billion-dollar ramifications. Just ask credit card companies how much can be made by taking just a small percentage of all of those transactions. And with billions at stake, it’s likely to be a real battle ahead.

The winners may be all of us, because to compel us to connect using their services, both companies will have to think about providing a lot of genuine utility. When they get creative, we get better web experiences.

Get it right, make it secure, and I’m there.

Which social network do you think will ultimately triumph and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

For more social media coverage, follow Mashable Social Media on TwitterTwitter or become a fan on Facebook

More social media resources from Mashable:

- How Facebook Can Become a Money Making Machine
- 6 Easy Ways to Score the Best Deals with Social Media
- 5 Big Twitter Trends to Follow Right Now
- 5 Ways Non-Profits Can Increase Engagement With YouTube
- 4 Tips for Reducing Social Media Stress

7 comments on “Google Finds 1 Out of 3 Mobile Searches Have Local Spin”

1. David @ seo-writer.com Says:

   March 23rd, 2010 at 10:27 am

   “non-evil world domination “? I am trying to picture James Bond trying to figure that one out.

2. Ryan Says:

   March 23rd, 2010 at 10:53 am

   I think local mobile search has come. Being a Blackberry user for a couple of years, I surprise myself how many times I do a Google search or local business. Don’t forget about Yelp which has applications for both the iPhone and the Blackberry. Yelp users are looking for a very specific local service when they search.
   Ryan´s last blog ..Why You Need to Promote Your Blog

3. Wynne Says:

   March 23rd, 2010 at 4:05 pm

   It makes a lot sense. Geo location marketing and smart phones are a match made in heaven. It’s surprising that the idea didn’t take off sooner.
   Wynne´s last blog ..Speed Up Your WP Blog & Get Better Search Engine Rankings With this Tool

4. Kirsty Says:

   March 24th, 2010 at 5:10 am

   Some good points here, thanks

5. Garrett Peterson Says:

   March 24th, 2010 at 3:03 pm

   Makes a lot of sense. As an a heavy Droid user, I still use my laptop for general searches, but for food, local business, locations etc – 99% are done on my mobile

6. Mark Aaron Murnahan Says:

   March 24th, 2010 at 4:17 pm

   When you look at this market, consider just how many solutions it brings to life for both consumers and businesses. The extreme usefulness pretty hard to neglect.
   Mark Aaron Murnahan´s last blog ..Social Media Tactics Without Social Media Strategy Fails

7. Justin Sturges Says:

   March 28th, 2010 at 12:11 pm

   Hyperlocal niche marketing will be a major force which is just now starting to emerge. Traffic on local ads is quite strong in general. I know the smartphone (iPhone) has unlocked a treasure of local info and access for myself and see more potential every day. Yes, local has arrived. Mobile will play a big and ever growing part as more capable phones enable higher value interactions. This is a great area of opportunity and expertise with a razor focus.

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We've now come full circle. Instead of trying to get people to stay in their homes, Obama is willing to pay them to leave. Please consider Program Will Pay Homeowners to Sell at a Loss.

In an effort to end the foreclosure crisis, the Obama administration has been trying to keep defaulting owners in their homes. Now it will take a new approach: paying some of them to leave.

This latest program, which will allow owners to sell for less than they owe and will give them a little cash to speed them on their way, is one of the administration’s most aggressive attempts to grapple with a problem that has defied solutions.

Under the new program, the servicing bank, as with all modifications, will get $1,000. Another $1,000 can go toward a second loan, if there is one. And for the first time the government would give money to the distressed homeowners themselves. They will get $1,500 in “relocation assistance.”

Short sales are “tailor-made for fraud,” said Mr. Lawler, a former executive at the mortgage finance company Fannie Mae.

Under the new federal program, a lender will use real estate agents to determine the value of a home and thus the minimum to accept. This figure will not be shared with the owner, but if an offer comes in that is equal to or higher than this amount, the lender must take it.

Big Shell Game

Diana Olick describes the situation perfectly in Mortgage Principal Writedown Won't Save Housing.

And so it begins. Big gun lawmakers are making the move toward principal writedowns as the last resort to save the housing market.

The problem is prices. Home prices have fallen so far in the hardest hit areas, the areas where the bulk of the troubled loans are, that banks would have to write down principal 30 to 50 percent to put borrowers back in the green. Accounting rules require that banks write down the value of those loans on their books, and experts tell me that if banks really accounted for all the losses in the home loan market, they'd all be insolvent.

That's why the Obama Administration has created this kind of shell game in the first place.

I stole that shell game idea from housing consultant Howard Glaser: “We're spending tens of billions of dollars on a tax credit to get people to purchase homes, we're spending federal money to keep them in their homes through the modification program, and now we're going to pay them to move out of their homes. This is not a sustainable system for the housing market. It's a shell game. Bernie Madoff could have created this system,” Glaser told me today.

F.R.A.U.D.

Let's take real estate agents who might not have had any sales for 6 months or even a year, and agents who have a vested interest (a commission) in selling a home, and let's put them in charge of figuring out what a home is worth. Good idea.

Oh…there's no chance real estate agents will sell homes to their friends for cheap or to total strangers for that matter, just to get a commission. Indeed, real estate agents have been the paragon of virtue throughout the crisis so this is the culmination of a perfect idea.

Even appraisers working directly for the bank might be tempted to make special arrangements with favored real estate agents. A final approval process at the bank would make fraud harder, but that is contrary the idea the lender must take an offer if it hits the established minimum bid. A secondary review would also slow things down.

That aside, even with the chance for fraud, lenders are losing money by doing nothing, and in many cases by letting people live in homes rent free for 18 months or longer. Perhaps dealing with fraud issues is the lesser of two evils, assuming of course the banks can afford the loan losses. Then again, what alternative is there besides pretending loans on the books are worth full value?

This is what our affordable housing program has become: Giving tax credits to new home buyers, spending taxpayer money to keep people in their homes, paying people to move out of their homes, and bankrolling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with tax dollars for unlimited losses.

Mike “Mish” Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List

One of the key questions is: Will house prices fall as the government support for housing eases? From CNBC: Housing Prices May Be Heading for a Double Dip

Anyone thinking housing prices have reached a bottom had better do some recalculating. Despite Tuesday's Case Schiller report showing smaller declines in January, housing prices may already be in another free fall.

Newly revised numbers are pointing to the decline.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) adjusted figures show a housing price decline of 2 percent in December and 0.6 percent decline in January—reversing some regional price increases in 2009.

And more pricing dips are predicted.

Few people use the FHFA index anymore, but I do think prices will fall further in many areas. And I think the key housing price indexes, Case-Shiller and First American CoreLogic, have not bottomed yet - although it is possible.

Right now the Case-Shiller composite 10 index is 4.4% above the bottom of May 2009 (seasonally adjusted), and CoreLogic's index is 3.5% above the bottom of March 2009 (NSA), so it will not take much of a decline to see new post-bubble lows.

Last year I listed some of the temporary Government housing support programs (as opposed to permanent programs like tax breaks). This included: