U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to Investigate Silver

According to the Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee (GATA), Andrew Maguire, a metals trader in London, contacted the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in November 2009, claiming inside information about the manipulation of the precious metals market, including silver. According to Maguire, workers for JPMorgan Chase bragged to him about the manipulation of the market and the profits earned from the process. On February 3, 2010, Maguire contacted the CFCT regarding a manipulation set to occur on February 5. When the manipulation occurred as reported, the CFTC decided to launch an investigation.

While some silver investors may worry about the results of the investigation on the investment value for silver, Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, who is an editor for online newsletters pertaining to investments in precious metals, said the investigation should lead to a payout. According to Lewis, the current price of silver remains well below the value it should have given the historic value and the rate of inflation. Based on those criteria, the price of silver should skyrocket if the CFTC discovers market manipulation. If it doesn't discover manipulation, the price should at the least remain on a similar path, allowing investors to make the gains they anticipated at the time of purchase.

Individuals who are considering silver as an investment should know this wasn't the first time the CFTC investigated the market. In 2008, the CFTC fielded similar complaints accusing leading US banks of manipulation. At that time, the commission determined the banks acted in an appropriate manner, and the investigation didn't impact the market. Silver investors should also note that publications like the Wall Street Journal refer to silver as a volatile market—in 2008, the value for silver dropped almost 50% before remaining down by 9.5% for the duration of the year.

Home Mortgage Credit Rates Go Up and Down

Whether you’re in the market for home mortgage credit to buy a home and take advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit, or refinancing an existing mortgage, you may have been watching the mortgage interest rates go up and down over the past two weeks. For example, Wells Fargo home mortgage credit rates have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage hitting as low as 4.75-percent and shooting as high as 5.15-percent—all over a two-week period. With a myriad of first time home buyers trying to take advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 that is due to expire on April 30, 2010, many are looking to lock in the home mortgage credit rates now.

'''First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit'''

Be aware that if you are trying to take advantage of the first time home buyer credit, you need to be under contract for the purchase of the home by April 30, 2010. If you do not have a contract by April 30th, then you cannot qualify for the first time home buyer credit.

'''Where are the Interest Rates?'''

Currently, the 30-year fixed rate home mortgage credit rates are hovering around 4.95-percent. In order to qualify for an interest rate at this low rate, most lenders are requiring a credit score of at least 740. If your credit score is not this high, you still have options to obtain home mortgage credit, but it may be at a higher rate than the average 4.95-percent, where it currently sits. Check with a few different lenders to see what the rates are before committing to one lender or before locking in on an interest rate. It’s also important to remember that interest rates can change on a daily basis, so what you see today may be gone by tomorrow.

House-hunting for good Phone Coverage

Few would disagree that networking has become probably the most effective tool for every executive. This means that one’s availability at the end of a cell phone can spell the difference between clinching a deal and failing to do so. Huge numbers are moving into bustling Philadelphia, where job opportunities remain reasonably plentiful. The home-hunter scouring Philadelphia apartments needs to bear several factors in mind, since the search for a personal perch is not just a matter of securing accommodation that is adequately comfortable in a desirable neighbourhood and with easy access to the bright lights. It is also about having the certainty that you have chosen the right spot for optimum cell phone coverage.

Forums are among the best sources of advice for the migrating executive or entrepreneur for whom a range of locations are under consideration. Some websites dedicated to this very topic include Mobiledia and Wirelessguide.

The highs and lows of cell phone coverage are no great mystery and depend basically on two things: how many phone users are loading the system at any one time and the location of cell towers. Since the mobile phone – no matter how souped up it may be – is effectively a radio, its ability to receive a signal is restricted by the number of frequencies which (in the US) the Federal Communications Commission has allocated to a given city. Thus, control of coverage is out of the individual’s – and the phone carrier’s – control.

Certain aspects of mobile phone performance depend not just on the carrier, but also on the standard of handset. This includes limits on the number of characters in any email message that might be sent. In this situation, it is worth studying one’s contract carefully, as the majority of providers offer to accept returns. This way, the customer can back out of their cell phone contract.

Equipment issues apart, it is vital to carry out your own coverage test when you are on an apartment-inspection. During the viewing tour, make a specific point of carrying out a cell-phone test both in the living room and in the bedroom. (Only you know in which of these two rooms you conduct more business!) Beware: you may fall in love with the apartment, but can you afford less than perfect coverage?

Athletes and Credit Counseling

When you taste sweet success, it is very hard to keep yourself from various temptations. This is why we can see many movies and sports celebrities ending up in debt, and requesting credit counseling.

Cars, huge houses, luxurious trips, and peculiar hobbies- these are just some of the many expenses that these star athletes make, which lead them to bankruptcy. However, we often wonder, how do these rich celebrities go bankrupt even after making millions from sports. There are many reasons, but they all come to spending.

SPENDING

Many athletes get used to a lavish living style when they are at the peak of their career. They do not save money for the future, and when they retire, they have already become so used to these extra expenses, that they cannot leave their lavish lifestyle. This is the main reason why most of them go under credit, and require credit counseling, though there are many athletes who invest in some businesses, to make their future secure. Most athletes like to spend on cars and houses.

Most of the athletes, who have gone bankrupt, like Scottie Pippen and Evander Holyfield, have been said to have made some poor decisions in handling their finances.

It is well known that if you spend more than you earn, you are eventually going to run out of money. Though it's hard to believe this in case of athletes, because these people make millions of dollars, and it seems that their vast and almost infinite money can never be depleted, but it is not true. Even if you earn millions of dollars, you can still become bankrupt, if you do not plan your finances well.

PREVENTION

It is advisable that these athletes take their financial matters more seriously and realize that money does not last forever. With spendthrift behaviour, they are going to end up looking for credit counseling.

This does not apply only to star athletes- even a normal person can get into deep debt if he or she does not plan his finances well.

The Art of Smart Sports Betting

If you are a football fan, hey, you can enjoy the game in all of three ways. You can play the game yourself; there’s nothing like a rain drenched football field to ramp up your spirits. You can watch the game, cheering for a team or another. You can also indulge in some fun online sports betting to show the world your commitment to your team and that you are willing to bet money on it. A little bit of sports betting can be fun, especially if you already have a passion for watching Championship Football.

Passion is the keyword when it comes to sports betting. If you really want to make money as a bettor, don’t ever bet on a sport you don’t have a passion for. Unless you are passionate about the game, you will not develop a bettor’s instinct for it. Just academic knowledge about the sports you are betting on will never help you bet on the right person or team. You may know all the statistics, sure, but you will not have that “feel” for the person or the game that will help you bet right.

Also important to know is what website you use to place your bets. Remember that many of these websites are offshore, and some of these are quick scams. It is a good idea to bet locally, through a website that has a local office that you can call up or visit to make sure they are there.

Finally, know when to quit. Even though online betting may be less exciting than real world betting – and, therefore, less prone to foolhardy steps – you should still retain a modicum of control over yourself, whether you are on a winning or a losing streak. The smartest bettors always know when to bet high, and when to go slow or leave a game altogether.