Custom Homes

I've finally made my decision - I want to have my own home built. Now, here's my problem... there are about a million different options to consider. I think I'm going to need to call in some professional help. I'm currently doing a lot fo research online at pages like this review of Schumacher Homes. Companies like this look promising, I just need to get my land situation squared away first.

Tags: homes, home building, custom homes, real estate

Classy Mantel Clocks

The girlfriend and I are going through the transition of moving in together, and we're compromising on a lot. One of the things I put my foot down about was my office... aka the "guest bedroom". At least, she wanted a guest bedroom. I vetoed that one, and used up all my... veto-powers on that one room. Ah well, it'll be worth it. I'm going through now and picking up a seth thomas mantel clock for the shelf thats directly across from my desk. The desk is going to be shit - the desk doesn't matter though. I'll spend $50 on a bare-bones desk, and then drop $700 on the best chair I can get my hands on. The chairs really all that matters... the desk just needs to have legs and a flat surface. The chair is what I'm going to be sittin in for hours on end. Thoughts?

new loan blog

I'm in the market for a new house, so I've been looking around for some info and tips about applying for, and getting a home loan. I found this blog that has a ton of info on the topic. Take a look!

Costco, BJ's quarterly profits rise (Reuters)

Reuters - Costco Wholesale Corp and
BJ's Wholesale Club Inc posted higher quarterly profits
and better-than-expected February sales on Wednesday as the
warehouse clubs attracted bargain-hunting U.S. shoppers looking
for deals on food and fuel.

Big Auto Sales Drops for the Big Three

GM, Ford and Chrysler all report sales declines for February.

Re-Listing Homes: Marketing or Deception?

Many real estate agents re-list homes that haven't sold. Is it bad business?

Fund managers: Keep cool in volatile market

Stock markets are likely to remain volatile for some time dogged by persistent worries about a U.S. recession and the credit crunch, fund managers said on Wednesday, with Fidelity advising investors to keep their cool.

Answer Desk: A hostile takeover playbook

If Microsoft has the cash to buy rival Yahoo, why can’t it just call up a stock broker and? buy? all of Yahoo's stock? The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen.

OPEC Won't Boost Oil Production

The cartel cites America's economic problems, "mismanagement" in its decision.

10 Tips: Rent a car without breaking the bank

Even if you’ve rented a car many times in the past, it’s still possible to experience that deer-in-the-headlights feeling as you stand at the counter and talk to the rental agent.

Six Flags, Dubai plan Arab world theme parks (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. theme park operator Six Flags Inc
said it agreed with company owned by the ruler of Dubai
to develop theme parks in the Arab world, including one in
Dubai in Six Flag's first foray outside North America.

MSNBC: Abraham Lincoln Letters Proposed Avoiding Civil War

"Barely a year into the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln suggested buying slaves for $400 apiece under a "gradual emancipation" plan that would bring peace at less cost than several months of hostilities."

Obama wins on civil liberties

NY Times editorial says our privacy rights not as big a priority for Clinton

FBI Murders Scott to Seize His Land. No Marijuana Found.

Age 62 at the time of his death at his home in Malibu, CA. on October 2, 1992.

Deal May Protect New Home Buyers

The N.Y. Attorney General has reached an agreement with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac.

The World's Most Expensive Rental Markets

Thinking of renting a home overseas? These prices might force you to reconsider.

What U.S. Workers Need: A Pillow

American workers need about 40 more minutes a sleep each day.

Airport Security To Be Easier for Families?

TSA tests 'family' and 'expert' lines for security in two U.S. airports.

Obama: Clinton didn't have the "experience" to read the NIE

She didn’t read the National Intelligence Estimate, Jay Rockefeller read it, but she didn’t read it. I don’t know what all that experience got her because in my experience if you have a National Intelligence Estimate and the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee says, 'You should read this, this is why I’m voting against the war.'

America's Debt Crisis Lot Worse Than Reported / $48 Trillion

Last year total debt increased $3.9 Trillion, 5 times more than GDP.External debt owed foreign interests increased $1 Trillion;Household, business and financial sector debt soared 9%.72% ($35 trillion) of total debt was created since 1990,a period primarily driven by debt instead of by productive activity.

10 Tips: Dating services help

Consumer complaints about dating services has jumped 73 percent. If you’re using a dating service, these tips can help you avoid feeling heartbroken because you spent too much.

Does Experience Matter in a President?

A story is often told at times like this — times when American voters are choosing among candidates richly seasoned with political experience and those who are less experienced but perhaps more exciting alternatives.

Get Money Back From Your Credit Card

You may qualify for a check for excessive foreign-transaction fees.

20 Money Hacks: Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Finances

Improving your finances improves your happiness, in general, so I thought it would be important to share stuff that’s worked for me.

Answer Desk: Tax rebate riddles

As readers sit down to the annual brain-teaser of filing their income tax returns, this year offers a new enigma. Will I get one of these tax rebates from the government?

TV That Sounds Like a Million Bucks

Think your HDTV was spendy? Think again. Home audio goes super high end.

"The Daily Show" Reports From "Anti-Hillary HQ"

Last night on "The Daily Show," Samantha Bee satirized the media's grand "plan" to destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. "We're at debate 20, and I think everyone here is a bit disappointed that it took Senator Clinton this long to catch on to our plan," Bee said, reporting from "the media's Anti-Hillary War Room in the Paula Jones Conf. Ctr.

Too Much Whining Ruined Whatever Points Clinton Scored

Too Much whining ruined whatever points Hillary clinton Scored.

Hollywood's Greatest On-Screen Pairs

When the right chemistry is in place, one plus one equals big box office hit.

1 in 100 Americans Are Behind Bars: Highest Rate Ever

For the first time in the nation’s history, more than one in 100 American adults is behind bars, according to a new report. Nationwide, the prison population grew by 25,000 last year, bringing it to almost 1.6 million. Another 723,000 people are in local jails. One in every 99.1 adults is behind bars.

The 10 Worst Products For Men Ever Created

While much as been said about the way advertisers have always hawked their products to women by playing on their insecurities, men have not been immune from similar pitches.

High Court Says Suing Your 401(k) Is OK

The Supreme Court is allowing retirement plan participants to sue over losses.

Dollar Continues Plunge as Bernanke Proposes More Rate Cuts

The dollar fell to a record low of $1.50 per euro on speculation Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke today will indicate the U.S. central bank is prepared to keep lowering interest rates.

Black America Still a Step Behind

Four decades after Kerner equality efforts, income and education gaps persist.

More people are tapping their 401(k) for cash

Trent Charlton knew the risks when he borrowed $10,000 from his 401(k) and cut his retirement savings in half.

Sharper Image : The Future Was Then

For all of its flaws as a business, nobody can accuse the Sharper Image of over-promising. Then the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced it would close 90 of its roughly 180 stores "as soon as possible." ...What are we losing? A world of luminescent safety leashes, hideaway gyms, telescoping ladders --

Free! Why $0.00 Is the Future of Business

Once a marketing gimmick, free has emerged as a full-fledged economy. Offering free music proved successful for Radiohead & Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. The fastest-growing parts of the gaming industry are ad-supported casual games online and free-to-try massively multiplayer online games. Virtually everything Google does is free to consumers..

Fed Forecasts Slower Economy, Less Jobs

In documents released today, the Fed says it expects slower economic growth.

Dow, S&P near flat after rally fades (Reuters)

Reuters - The Dow and S&P 500 ended little
changed on Wednesday after a rally fizzled when doubts emerged
that lifting investment caps on the two largest home financing
companies was enough to prevent deeper damage to the housing
market.

Stealthy Stack

Four USAF F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighters fly in formation during a sortie over the Antelope Valley, California, USA. Photographer: Bobbi Zapka, Chief, Aerial Photo Department at Edwards Air Force Base

Big-Ticket Manufacturing Orders Plunge

Orders for planes, car parts and other U.S. goods see largest drop in 5 months.

Clinton Gets Caught Again on NAFTA

I want to remind folks who claim Hillary Clinton never praised NAFTA that, in fact, she did praise NAFTA - repeatedly.

Parts of 60 Minutes broadcast blocked in Alabama...

As 60 Minutes was putting its show together, the White House put pressure on CBS - the parent company - to kill the show. During the 60 Minutes broadcast and ONLY during the Don Siegelman portion - the screen went black for Huntsville residents and Mobile residents. Karl Rove may be gone from office, but he clearly is not gone from power.

As Economy Slips, Yacht Sales Skyrocket

Your home's value might be falling, but these billionaire toys are appreciating.

2004: Nader was funded by high-dollar Republican donors

GOP donors funding Nader: Among those who had given to Nader were businessman Nijad Fares, who donated $200,000 to Bush's 2000 inaugural committee; Richard and Pamela Egan, who have raised more than $300,000 for Bush; and Michigan developer Ghassan Saab, who has given $30,000 to the RNC since 2001. Follow the money.

In Recessions, Doing the Job Is Not Enough

Career coach says no job is safe, and the workplace is no place for modesty.

The Burn Bag. When shredding evidence just isn't enough

A senior U.S. Secret Service inspector admitted today that she destroyed original evidence sought in a long-standing lawsuit alleging that the service routinely discriminates against African American agents. She placed the documents in a “burn bag” for destruction just two days before she was scheduled to testify in the case.

The Clinton Camp's "Audacity of Hopelessness"

The Clinton camp has been the slacker in this presidential race, and its candidate’s message, for all its purported high-mindedness, is self-immolating.

Still Europe, but Cheaper

Once overlooked, Eastern European locales are drawing more travelers.

UAW goes on strike against American Axle (Reuters)

Reuters - The United Auto Workers began a strike
against auto parts maker American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings
Inc shortly after midnight on Tuesday after failing to
reach agreement on a new contract.

Supreme Court allows retirement plan suits

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that individual participants in the most common type of retirement plan can sue under a pension protection law to recover their losses.

Existing Home Sales Hit 9-Year Low

Sales of single-family homes and condos dropped by four-tenths of one percent.

US-Mexico 'virtual fence' ready

A high-technology system to control the US-Mexico border with cameras and radar instead of a physical fence has gained government approval, US officials say.

GOP congressman indicted for extortion, money laundering

Republican Rep. Rick Renzi has been indicted for extortion, wire fraud, money laundering and other charges related to a land deal in Arizona

How to tell if now is the time to refinance

A sharp drop in mortgage rates has sparked a wave of refinancing. But not everyone qualifies. Here is a guide on whether refinancing might be a good option for you.

Amtrak's New Look: Screeners, Dogs, Guns

Amtrak says new procedures won't hold up the flow of passengers.

Clintons' Tax Returns Would Cast a Wider Light

Clinton is resisting calls from Obama to follow him in releasing personal tax returns, arguing that large amounts of her personal financial information are already public.

Russ Feingold: "I Voted for Barack Obama"

Senator Russ Feingold, a progressive icon who was the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act in 2001, proposed the first timeline for bringing the troops home from Iraq and sought to censure Bush over warrantless wiretapping, said he voted in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary for Barack Obama.

Trader Joe's to Exclude Some China Imports

The move comes after customers voiced concerns about products from China.

The most overpriced suburbs in America

While many of the nation's homeowners are worried about falling home prices, others would argue they're not falling fast enough.

Ambac rescue may be announced Mon or Tues--source (Reuters)

Reuters - A rescue for bond insurer Ambac
Financial Group Inc may be announced on Monday or
Tuesday, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Trouble Selling Your House? Try Swapping It

House swapping is a growing trend in tough market -- find out how it works.

Have You Had to Borrow from Your 401(k)?

Tell your story to ABC News.

Building a Life on $25 and a Gym Bag

A college graduate leaves a comfortable life for an experiment in poverty.

Deputy tasers high school student against direct orders

Disgusting. Those things need to be banned.

Answer Desk: How much will my rebate be?

What could be simpler than handing out tax rebates? Alas, with all things related to the U.S. tax code, the question of who gets what turns out to be not so simple.

Short quarter trims JC Penney 4Q profit (AP)

AP - J.C. Penney Co. said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit fell 10 percent as its middle-class customers struggled with a weakening economy, and the department store retailer predicted modest earnings this year.

Food, Health Care Spur Price Index Jump

The increase in the Consumer Price Index was higher than economists expected.

Obama Wins Hawaii and Wisconsin

Obama wins Hawaii caucuses!

Bush: 19% approval

"Seventy-seven percent of Americans disapprove of the job he is doing, and 79 percent disapprove of his handling of the economy."

The Next Financial Crisis?

A failure in the bond insurance world could have grave ramifications.

Investor's Corner: Use Fund Data To Find Promising Stocks (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - Hunters follow footprints when they stalk big game. Likewise, investors can follow the tracks of mutual funds to spot winning stocks.

No Oil, No Peace, No Problem

In 'Fuel of War,' players can have fun as an oil shortage spurs a new world war.

Feel the 'Crunch'? Head to the Pawn Shop

More Americans appear to be selling gold and jewelry to pay their mortgages.

Ill-Advised Business Names (PICS)

The response to our second reader photo challenge was great, and we got a ton of hilarious submissions! We’re posting most of them here, and all of them on our Flickr page. Enjoy!

Supreme Court rejects ACLU challenge to wiretaps

The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the Bush administration's domestic spying program. However, the justices' decision Tuesday included no comment explaining why they turned down the appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union.

A Penny Saved, Is $10.7M Earned

A penny saved is not necessarily just a penny earned: One man's collection of rare American cents has turned into a $10.7 million auction windfall.

Deval Patrick: I asked Obama to use my words

Two days after the Clinton campaign first published videos on YouTube that sparked allegations of plagiarism on the part of Barack Obama, the press was still on the case. And in an appearance on ABC News' Good Morning America on Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, an Obama friend and supporter, addressed the issue.

Was the Beef Recall Enough?

The beef industry and animal rights groups duel as a lawmaker calls for a probe.

Fired black worker claims white boss put noose on him

A black former hotel worker who claims his white supervisor put a noose around his neck at an event on one of the country's oldest plantations said he was fired when he complained about it.

Air Rebel: 'Any Publicity Is Good Publicity'

Irish airline's Ryanair's cheeky ads draw censure, but get everyone talking.

Kosovo Declares Independence

Kosovo has formally declared its independence from Serbia and become the world's newest state...

Clinton's attacks on Obama's oratory called into question?-

...some party strategists who have been involved in many presidential campaigns think the attack strategy is ineffective at best and self-defeating at worst because it seems to smack of a self-acknowledgement that Mr. Obama has better communications skills — a chief requisite for an effective presidency...

10 Tips: Frugal Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day sure can pack an unexpected financial punch. Consider these tips for dreaming up an approach to this year’s celebration that is both meaningful and economical.

UPDATE: Obama Robbed in NY

This is huge. "Barack Obama's primary-night results were strikingly under recorded... ...In a predominantly black Brooklyn district for which Clinton was given credit for a 118-0 victory...the latest figures indicate that she may not even come out the winner - Obama currently has 116 votes to her 118."

Car Repos Soar as Owners Default on Loans

Beware the tow truck: Car repossessions are heading for a record high.

Who's No. 1? $14.3M License Plate Buyer

Man pays record amount for car license plate at Abu Dhabi auction.

Toshiba to give up on HD DVD, end format war: source (Reuters)

Reuters - Toshiba Corp (6502.T) is planning to give
up on its HD DVD format for high definition DVDs, conceding
defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp
(6758.T), a company source said on Saturday.

Sad, self-absorbed shoppers spend more

If you’re sad and shopping, watch your wallet: A new study shows people’s spending judgment goes out the window when they’re down, especially if they’re a bit self-absorbed.

How “Flat Earth” News is Killing Journalism

For hundreds of years everyone knew the Earth was flat. Indeed it was a heresy to challenge that statement. Eventually someone, Galileo or Copernicus, bothered to check and discovered they were wrong. But if you look at the way the mass media functions today you’ll see we are riddled with “flat earth” statements.

Economy - Friday (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - Net purchases of U.S. long-term securities, ex nonmarket flows, fell to $56.5 bil in Dec. from $90.9 bil in Nov. The broadest measure fell to $60.4 bil from Nov.'s $149.9 bil. However the data are sliced, foreign buying fell but remained healthy, analysts said. The foreign inflows are a rough measure of how well the U.S. can finance its large trade deficits, which are starting to cool.

How To Make A Million Before You Turn 20

While their peers were out making trouble, these young achievers were making bank. Forever in search of the secrets to entrepreneurial success, we peeked into the inspirational lives of five whiz kids who built million-dollar enterprises before the age of 20...

Obama camp cries foul over Clinton stance in Florida

After eight losses in a row and no victories in sight this month, Hillary Clinton's campaign renewed calls Wednesday for the votes in Florida and Michigan to count toward delegates that would help her catch Barack Obama.

House finally considering contempt charges for Bush aides

The House on Thursday finally considered long delayed citations that would formalize contempt of congress charges against to Bush administration figures.A vote on the measure was expected later Thursday.

What Kind of Traveller Are You?

Agency allows fliers to select security lines at Salt Lake City's airport.

Countdown Special Comment on FISA: President Bush Is A Liar

Not that it's a big surprise..

Don't Get Fat While Waiting for Your Flight

From "guiltless salmon" to tapas: How to find healthy food at the airport.

The Campus Emergency Business Boom

The Ill. shooting may aid the already booming emergency notification business.

Water for $42 per bottle. What is wrong with people!?

I've never understood people's fuss over the water they drink when they go to hotels, let alone their willingness to pay for what is otherwise free in most western countries. When I'm out in cities where you can drink tap water, that's what I ask for; when I have to buy mineral water, I ask for the cheapest.

Clintons' InfoUSA Ties Scrutinized, SEC investigation

Senator Clinton's campaign sold its donor list to a direct mail company currently under investigation by the SEC. The campaign sold out their supporters for a mere $8,255. Why? Turns out InfoUSA's CEO hired Bill Clinton as a consultant for over $3 mil, spent over $900k flying the Clintons around, and more. Hmmm.

United to Charge $25 to Check Second Bag

The airline, struggling with high fuel costs, hopes to raise more money this way

Buying past winning stocks: easy and worthwhile (Reuters)

Reuters - Buying past winners in the stock markets
sounds like a no-brainer, but this simple momentum strategy
gives long-term returns at least twice as great as
short-selling past losers, a study showed on Thursday.

Senior McCain Adviser Refuses To Work Against Obama

Earlier today, the Swamp noted that Mark McKinnon, a senior campaign adviser to both President Bush and Sen. John McCain of Arizona, had said some time ago that he could not serve McCain if Sen. Barack Obama became the Democratic presidential nominee.

Fox News Radio Compares Obama to Hitler [AUDIO]

Fox News Radio host Tom Sullivan took a call from a listener who stated that when listening to Barack Obama speak, "it harkens back to when I was younger and I used to watch those deals with Hitler, how he would excite the crowd and they'd come to their feet and scream and yell." Sullivan then played a "side-by-side comparison" of a Hitler speech a

Luxury Hotels Boom in the Middle East

Palace-style hotels combine ancient aesthetics with modern indulgences.

Graph: How Americans Spend Their Money

Looking at a far more direct measure of American families’ economic status — household consumption — indicates that the gap between rich and poor is far less than most assume, and that the abstract, income-based way in which we measure the so-called poverty rate no longer applies to our society.

Yahoo seen in News Corp talks but analysts dubious (Reuters)

Reuters - Yahoo Inc is in
talks on a possible deal with News Corp (NWSa.N), but analysts
said an alternative was unlikely to emerge to rival Microsoft
Corp's bid for Yahoo, now valued at $42.1 billion.

Clinton Ex-Campaign Manager Backs Obama!

An aide to Barack Obama says the man who led former President Clinton's 1992 bid plans to endorse the Illinois senator. ....the announcement would be made public later in the day.

Airport Luxe: Terminals Spare No Expense

Virgin, British Airways fight for the sleekest, hippest terminal in London.

Do Airline Mergers Mean Higher Prices?

What a combined Delta and Northwest could mean for you.

Drop in Consumer Confidence Now Its Second-Steepest on Record

Fall in confidence is surpassed only during the 1990-91 recession.

Big Brother in London: When Surveillance Cameras Talk

The disembodied voices of authority offering advice and warnings that now issue as if from thin air in the hardscrabble east London borough are, in fact, talking CCTV cameras.

Sen. Clinton, will this quote from 06 come back to bite you?

"I want to be clear that I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats in their primary, I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe we must honor the decisions made by Democratic primary voters."

CNN Equates Obama to Osama

A piece on CNN relates the body language of Barack Obama to that of Osama Bin Laden

CrackBerry Addicts Face Another Outage

BlackBerry service outage across North America frustrates users once again.