It’s vacation time but the work continues

President –elect Obama is taking a much needed vacation in his native Hawaii. The media is calling it a working vacation because he is keeping abreast of what’s going on with the economy and abroad as well as work being done by his economic team on the bold and very large stimulus package. Vice-President Biden is still in DC working with the economic team and doing his best to sell this stimulus package to members of Congress.

The Obama transition team is issuing a report today that will state that there was no unlawful contact with the Illinois governor. This is an internal investigation by team Obama. The main investigation and final word on this will come from the U.S. attorney.

Beware of lowering credit scores

I was talking with a friend yesterday and she told me a story that gave me pause. Apparently a woman’s line of credit was lowered because she was not using her credit card. This in turn lowered her credit score. In essence she was being penalized for saving her credit line for a rainy day. Her credit card company is trying to force her to use her credit. She is worried about losing her job and the state of the economy.

Of course I should be surprised but I’m not. Those greedy bastards will try anything to make a buck. My question is who is going to force these companies to start lending again. They seem to be saving all that government money they got for a rainy day. Who is going to penalize them?

A big breakfast may help with weight loss

A new study suggests that a big breakfast with carbohydrates and lean protein may aid obese women in losing weight. The clinical trial studied women who ate a big breakfast with carbs and women who ate a low-carb breakfast. In an eight month period, women who ate a big breakfast lost 40 pounds. The low-carb women lost nine pounds. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University conducted the study.

Some are calling for more research but many nutritionists agree that a good breakfast help with weight loss. The earlier you get your calories the sooner your body can use them up efficiently. This also aids in feeding your metabolism which can slow down when not fed enough or later in the day on a consistent basis. So if losing weight is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, commit to eating a good breakfast. It may put you on the right path towards a slimmer, healthier you.

Flying shoes and corrupt politics rule the day

Last week Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, was arrested for allegedly putting President-elect Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat up for sale. Basically he got caught engaging in pay-to-play politics. This type of politics runs rampant at both the state and federal level but the Illinois governor has taken it to new heights. The Illinois legislature has given him six days to resign but since he hasn’t they are moving ahead with an impeachment investigation. The Illinois attorney general has asked the state Supreme Court to revoke the governor’s power to assign the Senate seat stating he is incompetent to do his job. Everyone is calling for the governor’s resignation. Now it’s just a waiting game.

In other news...
During a goodbye tour, while in Iraq at a news conference, a reporter threw his shoes at President Bush. Secret Service was slow to react but the reporter was eventually subdued. The President said he is not embarrassed and that the reporter wanted to call attention to himself. People in Iraq are protesting the reporters arrest stating that President Bush deserved what he got. The Iraqi authorities say that it was poor etiquette to throw the shoes while the Iraqi prime minister was within target range and could have been hit. They haven’t apologized for the reporter aiming at President Bush. It is said that shoe throwing is an insult in Iraqi result. I don’t care what people say, I’ve been laughing about this all day. Not because I wanted the President to be hit or hurt but because it was so bizarre to see the President dodging a pair of loafers and the Secret Service nowhere to be found.

What’s your financial plan for 2009?

CNN Money has a section under personal finance called Money 101. You should check these tips out as you create your financial plans for 2009. Now more than ever, having a plan for your money is essential. The following are the 23 tips but go to the web site to read more and get in depth step by step instructions for each tip. Do one a day to increase your chances of taking action.

Setting priorities
Making a budget
Basics of banking and saving
Basics of investing
Investing in stocks
Investing in mutual funds
Investing in bonds
Buying a home
Controlling debt
Employee stock options
Saving for college
Kids and money
Planning for retirement
Asset allocation
Hiring financial help
Health insurance
Buying a car
Taxes
Home insurance
Life insurance
Estate planning
Auto insurance
401(k)s

Here are five tips to stay healthy while traveling

In a report on CNN.com, winter time is a really germy time. Respiratory viruses thrive during this time and people are more susceptible while traveling because of using public spaces. Try these five tips to maintain your good health:

Sit toward the front of the plane. The air flows better toward the front of an aircraft. If you can afford it, fly first/business class where people aren’t so close together.

Don’t drink coffee or tea on an airplane. The water on an aircraft may not be so clean. The water is not heated to high enough level to kill pathogens. Coffee and tea are prepared using this water and not bottle water.

Sanitize your hands after leaving the bathroom. Washing hands is good but because the airplane water may contain harmful bacteria it’s a good idea to sanitize your hands when you return to your seat as well.

Sanitize your hands after getting off an escalator.
Sanitize hands after using an ATM.

These last two tips are pretty self-explanatory. Escalators and ATMs in airports are breeding grounds for germs because of the number of people using them per day. Protect yourself by sanitizing your hands after use. These five tips will help stay healthy so you can enjoy your trip.

The bailout train is getting crowded

Now America’s mayors want a piece of the bailout money. But really, who can blame them. Financial institutions, like AIG, got free money from the American taxpayers and have yet to start lending funds. Workers at a plant in Chicago are protesting the close of their plant. The owners closed the plant and let workers go without 60 day notice, leaving them with no severance or health benefits. The owners are blaming Bank of America, recipient of $25 billion in bailout funds, for terminating their line of credit and prompting the plant closing. The workers are getting support. The governor of Illinois says that the state will stop doing business with Bank of America. This could cause the bank millions of dollars.

Let this be a lesson to Congress. The requirements you have in place for the big three American automakers should have been in place for the financial institutions. It’s obvious they are misusing the funds they were given.

As if the greed of financial companies couldn’t get worse, the CEO of Merrill Lynch would like his $10 million bonus. He claims the company would be worse off without his leadership in the past year. Newsflash to the Merrill Lynch CEO: Your company lost $12 billion and had to be acquired by Bank of American to remain viable! How about you do like the CEO’s of the American automakers; take a dollar and have a nice life.

Governor Richardson and the Big Three

In economic news this week, President-Elect Obama named Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico as his choice for Commerce Secretary. In other news, The CEO’s of the big three automakers are back in Washington asking for $34 billion in bailout funds. Ford is in the strongest position of the three and asking for access to $9 billion just in case they may need it down the road. GM and Chrysler are asking for funds by the end of the year to keep them from filing for bankruptcy. The automakers union is also in Washington for the hearings and is looking for ways they can help the automakers survive by making concessions.

Most Americans are not in favor of bailing out the automakers. They are tired of bailing out companies when it seems that help to main-street is no where in sight, especially with so many layoffs being announced. The President-Elect and Congress are hoping to come up with a stimulus in January once he is sworn in as President.

Are airports getting healthier?

The good folks at Health magazine did some research and has come up with a list of the ten healthiest American airports. These are airports that are trying to help airports cope better with the crowded, stressful airports they encounter especially during the holidays. Some of these airports are doing their part to offer nutritious food, special relaxation zones, walking paths, and the latest safety technology. Next time you travel, you might want to connect through one of these airports.
Here are the top ten U.S. airports:
Phoenix Sky Harbor International
Highlights – healthy food options, video paging system, two pet parks, cleanest bathrooms
Baltimore/Washington International
Highlights – soft music and comfortable lighting at key security checkpoints, spa, hiking/biking path that circles the airport
Chicago O’Hare International
Highlights – healthy food options, children’s play areas, fitness center in on-site Hilton Hotel
Detroit Metropolitan
Highlights – storm-ready airport system, healthy food options
Denver International
Highlights – most energy efficient, extensive recycling system, close to 75% on time arrival and departures, healthy food options, free WiFi, second largest art collection in Colorado
Washington National
Highlights – museum quality artwork, walking and biking trail that circles the airport, easiest airport to get around in
Dallas/Fort Worth International
Highlights – two 600-sq feet play areas for kids, highest number of “green” vehicles, healthy food options
Boston Logan International
Highlights – green building in its Terminal A, natural gas shuttle buses, 50 wooden rocking chairs
Oregon Portland International
Highlights – paved walking and bike path, covered bike parking, recycling of cooking oil into biodiesel fuel, live trees in terminals, local musicians, 80% plus on-time departures
Philadelphia International
Highlights – AeroClinic that offers well care checks and treats minor conditions, wine tasting bar, and free WiFi on Saturday and Sunday

President-elect Obama names more cabinet members

It’s finally been confirmed. Senator Hilary Clinton (D-NY) is the president-elect’s pick for Secretary of State. She was very gracious during the announcement and said the she is proud to join the new President on this “difficult and exciting” adventure. Rounding out the security team will be Defense Secretary Robert Gates who will keep his post, retired Marine General Jim Jones as national security advisor, Eric Holder as Attorney General, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Homeland Security Secretary, and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations. The President-Elect hopes that his security team will bring in a new direction for American national security.