Tax Refund Help : Personal Finance

A few grand for new shocks and springs in front, and 3 deteriorated motor mounts? (and you might not even need the new springs, just the shocks).

My guesstimates on car repairs are usually pretty close and I'd estimate: 600 for the front end, total including labor
$400 tops for replacing 3 motor mounts, labor included. that's 1,000 total, $1200 if you add in a labor fudge factor.

My guideline on a car is that it should cost $600 a year, on average, total. So, for $1000 worth of work, will your get $1000/600 years of one year, four months of driving out of it? .

I'd scope out the body and frame rust situation as well while making this decision. In other words, is it going to need major rust repair within the next two years? If so, rather than getting a new car, how about buying a newer used car for around $4000.

I'm just going to throw this out there as information, but I think those repair numbers are worth double and triple checking.

Fun fact: my last car needed bodywork for rust repair. The first shop I brought it to said it would cost "thousands of dollars." I knew that wasn't necessarily correct, I asked around for a good FRAME REPAIR shop. The customers who get frame repair on their cars are value conscious. Often people who use their vehicles hard for moving physical loads and don't necessarily fret about looks or the fact that their vehicle is 20 years old, as long as it runs well.
I found the frame repair shop, and they did the whole job excellently for $400. CASH. Versus the multiple thousands the "consumer repair-oriented insurance payment shop" (what I call them) would have charged.

As a disclaimer, I've never spent more than 3200 for a car, and my current vehicle, a '93 Escort stick, 167K miles,cost me $900 cash. It was this guy's daughter's car that was a gift from relatives in WA state, has no body or frame rust, and she just couldn't afford to keep a car and go to college at the same time. All I've had to put on it is some snow tires, and now some brake pads and spark plugs.

So i'm biased towards repairing the older vehicles. But financially it has always worked out for me as well. Thing is,though, I know vehicles pretty well, but if that's not your skill you may feel less confident.

At this point in time, with somewhat significant repair costs pending, it may be worth comparing total cost of ownership of this versus another car, particularly if there's a chance or reducing cost of ownership through fuel efficiency as well (If your current car gets less than say 33 MPG.) I'd suggest including the cost of gas for your current and propsective vehicles and how that affects things over, say, a five year period. Not just focusing on a monthly payment, though that's important, but also looking at gas expenses and interest expenses. Also put in the expected resale value of the vehicle so you get a full treatment of the cost of owning it.

For people on a tight finances, i would suggest buying used from a private party, and cash, IF they also know enough about cars to be confident.

Source: http://www.youneedabudget.com/forum/personal-finance-f9/tax-refund-help-t20271.html

denver vs new england denver broncos vs new england patriots north korea justin timberlake taylor swift taylor swift

Implants make light work of fixing broken bones

Monday, February 11, 2013

Artificial bone, created using stem cells and a new lightweight plastic, could soon be used to heal shattered limbs.

The use of bone stem cells combined with a degradable rigid material that inserts into broken bones and encourages real bone to re-grow has been developed at the Universities of Edinburgh and Southampton.

Researchers have developed the material with a honeycomb scaffold structure that allows blood to flow through it, enabling stem cells from the patient's bone marrow to attach to the material and grow new bone. Over time, the plastic slowly degrades as the implant is replaced by newly grown bone.

Scientists developed the material by blending three types of plastics. They used a pioneering technique to blend and test hundreds of combinations of plastics, to identify a blend that was robust, lightweight, and able to support bone stem cells. Successful results have been shown in the lab and in animal testing with the focus now moving towards human clinical evaluation.

The study, published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

This new discovery is the result of a seven-year partnership between the University of Southampton and the University of Edinburgh.

Richard Oreffo, Professor of Musculoskeletal Science at the University of Southampton, comments: "Fractures and bone loss due to trauma or disease are a significant clinical and socioeconomic problem. This collaboration between chemistry and medicine has identified unique candidate materials that support human bone stem cell growth and allow bone formation. Our collaborative strategy offers significant therapeutic implications."

Professor Mark Bradley, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Chemistry, adds: "We were able to make and look at a hundreds of candidate materials and rapidly whittle these down to one which is strong enough to replace bone and is also a suitable surface upon which to grow new bone.

"We are confident that this material could soon be helping to improve the quality of life for patients with severe bone injuries, and will help maintain the health of an ageing population."

###

University of Southampton: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/

Thanks to University of Southampton for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 54 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126712/Implants_make_light_work_of_fixing_broken_bones

high school shooting daytona 500 ohio school shooting sean young arrested matt kenseth bridge to nowhere primary results

Cuba con dos vacunas terap?uticas para c?ncer de pulm?n avanzado

Publicado: feb. 11, 2013 at 11:47 AM

LA HABANA, Cuba, feb. 10 (UPI) -- El registro en Cuba de la vacuna RACOTUMOMAB, destinada al tratamiento del c?ncer de pulm?n avanzado, fue el mejor resultado del Centro de Inmunolog?a Molecular (CIM).

El producto, de f?cil utilizaci?n, puede aplicarse en el nivel primario de salud y muestra resultados alentadores en los ensayos cl?nicos, destac? el doctor Agust?n Lage D?vila, director-fundador del CIM.

Seg?n precis? el cient?fico al peri?dico Granma, con este producto, el pa?s ya suma dos vacunas terap?uticas para la mencionada dolencia, junto a la CIMAVAX-EGF.

Lo anterior nos convierte en la ?nica naci?n del mundo en evaluar de manera simult?nea dos productos de ese tipo para tratar la enfermedad.

Latam/Reporte/lpg

Source: http://espanol.upi.com/Noticias-destacadas/2013/02/11/Cuba-con-dos-vacunas-terap%C3%A9uticas-para-c%C3%A1ncer-de-pulm%C3%B3n-avanzado/UPI-84461360594062/

madonna madonna papa johns guacamole recipe ufc 143 results kickoff time super bowl 2012 superbowl national anthem

Muslim makes Israeli football debut

By ARON HELLER

Associated Press

Associated Press Sports

updated 3:43 p.m. ET Feb. 10, 2013

JERUSALEM (AP) -Under heavy security, a Muslim football player whose signing with a Jerusalem club sparked a violent uprising by a hardcore group of racist fans made his much anticipated debut Sunday to a rousing ovation.

Hundreds of police deployed around Beitar Jerusalem's stadium, two days after a suspicious fire believed to be set by angry fans destroyed the team's main offices.

Tensions remained high as the team faced off against Bnei Sakhnin, an Arab team whose fans have clashed before with Beitar's. But the thousands of fans and foes who flooded to Teddy Stadium presented a show of strength against a rising tide of racism among Israeli soccer fans.

"I came today to show that not all Beitar fans are punks and racists," said Yair Sina, a 49-year-old lifelong Beitar fan. "I won't let them take away my love for the team."

The fire, which destroyed historic trophies and mementos, marked the height of a violent campaign by fans upset with the team for signing two Muslim players from Chechnya.

But in contrast to the previous taunts and jeers directed at the players, the crowd of thousands erupted into a rousing standing ovation when Gabriel Kadiev, a 19-year-old defender recently brought over from FC Terek Grozny, entered the game in the 80th minute. Every time he touched the ball the crowd cheered wildly, mostly drowning out a smattering of boos. The trend continued when a few minutes later Beiter scored a late goal to secure a 2-2 tie.

Kadiev's Chechen teammate, 23-year-old Zaur Sadayev, was injured and not included in the team lineup.

The goodwill was felt throughout the stadium with banners reading "Violence and racism? Not on our field" and fliers explaining the sensitivity of the game and beseeching the fans to behave.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said more than 500 policemen were deployed inside and outside the stadium to prevent disturbances. Officers were on horseback and others escorted the Sakhnin players into the field to make sure they were safe.

"It is now clear to any reasonable person in the country where racism can lead. I came here to strengthen Beitar in their battle against racism," said Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, one of several dignitaries at the game. "This is a historic process and it is clear that what was once cannot be again."

Beitar has long tried to contain a tightly knit fan group called "La Familia" whose behavior has had the team docked points and forced it to play before empty stadiums. The group is routinely abusive toward opposing players, taunting them with racist and anti-Arab chants.

But only after the signing of the Chechens did a full-fledged confrontation erupt between the Beitar fans and team management. At the first game after the move, fans unfurled large banners with racist undertones, such as one that read "Beitar pure forever."

When the team refused to back down, the fans turned abusive and began cursing and spitting at players and management.

Most of the ire has been directed toward general manager Itzik Kornfein, a former Beitar goalkeeping great who has spoken out forcefully against racism. "La Familia" members often curse at him outside team practices and some have even attempted to attack him physically.

Following Friday's firebombing attack, Kornfein said he feared for his life.

Four members of the group were charged with anti-Muslim chanting and most were prevented from entering the game.

Their typical stronghold in the eastern wing was empty - punishment the team received for one of the wayward fans' previous outbursts.

Still, not all those at the stadium were pleased with the new arrivals.

Tal Moyal, a hardcore 22-year-old fan who insists he was not a "La Familia" member, said the current battle was a "war over the principles of the team."

"As far as most of the fans are concerned, a Muslim is a terrorist," he said. "We are the capital of Israel. This team is a symbol. Muslims can't wear our uniforms."

"La Familia" was created in 2005, and it quickly became the team's loudest and most visible supporters. The fans routinely wave huge flags of the outlawed racist Kach party and chant racist slogans toward Arab players.

Their behavior has drawn a cascade of condemnations from Israel's president on down.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday with a call for fans to reject racism.

"The last thing we want, and which we absolutely reject is violence, racism and boycotts. These are unacceptable to us. I say this in regards to a team that I have supported for years, Beitar Jerusalem," Netanyahu said. "Lately, we have seen displays of extremism that we find unacceptable. These must be uprooted from the public sphere and, of course, from the world of sports."

Beitar Jerusalem, which has won six league championships and seven cup titles in its 77-year history, is a powerhouse in Israeli soccer and has a legendary following that includes several Israeli prime ministers.

The team has historically been strongly aligned with Israel's nationalist right wing and its name, Beitar, comes from the Zionist youth movement that is linked to the ruling Likud Party.

The team and its fans have since been a steady source of support for Likud politics and a string of politicians have served as team chairman. Prime ministers with Likud roots - from Ariel Sharon to Ehud Olmert to Netanyahu - have called themselves fans and made pilgrimages to the club's Teddy Stadium.

Olmert recently said he would stop attending games because of the fans' racism. On Sunday, he joined other top Israeli officials, former players and notable fans of Beitar in signing a petition against racism that was published in Israel's main newspapers.

----

Follow Heller on Twitter (at)aronhellerap

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/50763401/ns/sports/

Super Bowl 2013 Commercials Evasi0n NFL.com Superdome Iron Man 3 Trailer Super Bowl 2013 Ray Rice

More Marines charged over corpse urination video

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) ? Two more Marines face criminal charges over a 2011 YouTube video showing members of a scout sniper platoon urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Marine Corps announced Friday that Sgt. Robert W. Richards faces charges including dereliction of duty and violating orders. Military prosecutors say he filmed himself and others urinating on the corpses.

Capt. James V. Clement faces charges that include conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman for failing to properly supervise junior Marines and making false statements to investigators. Clement was the executive officer of the Marine battalion in Afghanistan.

Hearings for Richards and Clement will be conducted by Lt. General Richard Mills, head of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, to determine if there was evidence to proceed to courts-martial. No date has been set for the hearings, which will be held at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The video, which received international condemnation, shows four Marines in full combat gear urinating on the bodies of three Afghans in July 2011. One of the Marines in the video looked down at the bodies and quipped, "Have a good day, buddy."

John M. Dowd, a civilian defense lawyer who said he and a military attorney are representing Clement, said their client is a decorated combat veteran who had no knowledge of the urination incident until months later, when the video was posted on the Internet.

"Capt. Clement is not guilty of any offense and deserves the everlasting gratitude of the American people for his outstanding service in the Marine Corps," said Dowd, a former Marine officer who practices law in Washington, D.C.

Two other Marines have already faced courts-martial in the case.

Staff Sgt. Edward W. Deptola pleaded guilty to multiple charges last month, admitting to a judge that he urinated on one of the three corpses and posed in the "trophy photographs." Deptola said another sergeant in the platoon had been killed earlier that day by an IED, and the Marines believed the heavily armed Taliban fighters they killed could have been responsible for it.

Under the terms of his pre-trial plea agreement, Deptola is set to be demoted one rank.

Staff Sgt. Joseph W. Chamblin, who pleaded guilty in December, was reduced in rank to sergeant and fined $500.

The urination video surfaced on YouTube around the same time as other incidents that infuriated many Afghans. American troops were caught up in controversies over burning Muslim holy books, posing for photos with insurgents' bloodied remains and an alleged massacre of 16 Afghan villagers by a soldier.

The Marine Corps said the urination took place during a counterinsurgency operation in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province, located in the south of the country.

The United States now has 66,000 troops in Afghanistan. The U.S. and its NATO allies agreed in November 2010 that they would withdraw all their combat troops by the end of 2014, but they haven't decided on the scope of future missions in the country and the size of any residual force remaining after that.

___

Follow Associated Press writer Michael Biesecker at twiiter.com/mbieseck

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-08-Marine%20Urination/id-faacea3f4a4c41f59d0589943daac3f2

secret service scandal shea weber greystone sidney crosby at the drive in alternative minimum tax modeselektor

How To Make Your College Career Successful

College is an experience that you are sure to enjoy. Your time in college can be even more enjoyable, though, if you take the time to learn some helpful tips. The article below offers you some advice that you can use to make the most out of your college career.

Try to do everything in moderation when you enter college for the first time. This means that you should not party too hard or work too hard during your experience. Have a lot of fun, but make sure that you understand you are going to college to learn and expand your possibilities for employment.

College is easier to manage if you approach studying as a full time job. Adopt a strict schedule and plan on studying for a certain number of hours a day. You have probably seen college students spending an entire night working on a paper but you can avoid this if you do not do your homework at the last minute.

Know yourself when signing up for classes. If you are not a morning person, don't schedule your classes first thing in the morning. Likewise, if you are not a night person, don't schedule night classes or labs, if it can be avoided. This will help you to be at your best and most alert during your classes so you can learn efficiently.

Read the syllabus that your professor gives you for every single class to understand exactly what you are getting into. This is vital, as it helps to give you an idea of the plan for the class, the work you will encounter and the breakdown for what you will be graded on.

If you are an adult going back to college, try signing up for night classes. The classes during the day time are full of young adults right out of high school. The night classes are usually filled with adults and students who are serious about their education. It will result in a much better college experience.

You should consider signing up for a work study program if you want to get some professional experience. Most work study programs will require you to alternate between taking classes and working as an intern. This is a good way to finance your education while gaining some professional experience and building a professional network.

Make a commitment to your education. If you go into school thinking of it like a big party, then that's exactly what you'll get out of it. And you more than likely won't last the four years. A lot of money is being spent on your education, so you need to commit yourself to your success.

When you first get to college, get a map. You will feel a little silly using the map, but you do need to know where to go, after all. Map out your classes and the cafeteria so that you can easily get around when you first begin. That can make your first days less hectic.

Flip-flops aren't just for politicians! Be sure to wear your flip-flops every time you use the dorm shower. They will protect you from getting athletes foot; however, don't stop there. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly after showering and use a medicated powder. Pay special attention to the area between your toes. Be sure to store your flip-flops in such a way that they will dry thoroughly between uses. For example, you could hang them over a hanger in your closet if there is enough room for air circulation.

Be aware of the study resources available to you. Ask your professors, advisers, and school librarians about study resources for all your classes. This can be especially useful for classes you are struggling in. Never be afraid to ask for additional help with an area if you happen to need it.

If you are having any sort of emotional problems while in college, you shouldn't hesitate to visit your college counseling center. After all, that is what it is there for. Whether is grades, a break up or anything else that is troubling you, your counselor is there to help.

Wait until you go to class before buying your textbooks. When you start class, you will get a syllabus, and the teacher will talk to you about which books you need right away. You might be able get the book at the library, or you may be able to buy one book immediately and not need to buy other books until later in the semester. That will save you money.

You can have a successful and fun college experience. The advice shared here, if used, can ensure that your time spent being educated is one that you will like and one that will help ensure you are ready for your future career. College really can be a great experience.

If you find the idea of home schooling interesting you should take a look at:test anxiety tips or at: test anxiety tips

Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/how-to-make-your-college-career-successful-316120

Go Daddy Superbowl Commercial 2013 nfl nfl michael oher superbowl score Harbaugh brothers ray lewis

My Journey as a Writer | African Peoples Advocacy

?

My short-listing as ?Author of the Year? for the 2013 Women4Africa Awards has come as a huge shock to me. I have also been short-listed as ?Career Woman of the Year? and ?Role Model of the Year?. But that did not surprise me. Maybe because, over the years, I have had many tangible achievements as an advocate and campaigner for African communities, I did anticipate that these accomplishments would, sooner or later, be acknowledged by fellow Africans.

When it comes to my writing, however, I have always felt that it was not good enough. Any author I met or studied, African or otherwise, seemed far better than me. My recognition by Women4Africa has made me suspect that I might have been experiencing some sort of impostor syndrome. It has also prompted me to examine my journey as a writer, in order to determine my achievements in all objectivity. ???????????

Chantal Aboa is one of my two pen names, the other being Susan Akono. My birth certificate states that I was born in 1975 in Yaound?, Cameroon?s capital. However, since my grandfather, who had it made, is now dead, I can reveal that some of the information contained in that document must be taken with a pinch of salt. For instance, I have irrefutable proof that my birthplace was, in fact, the tiny town of Atega. It is located about 60 kilometres south east of Yaound?, and some 3 kilometres east of Mindassi, my grandfather?s village.

My mother often boasts that I produced my first piece of creative writing ?a poem written in French- when I was aged 4. But I recall neither a single line, nor the theme of that poem, and I do not know whether this story is true. I do, however, remember that I decided to become a writer at the age of 8. I was no more than 14 when I had an article published in Cameroon Tribune, the most widely read Cameroonian newspaper. Aged 16, I won a creative writing competition organised by the French Institute with a play titled Notre Amour Triumphera (Our Love Will Win).

As Cameroon was shaken by economic crisis and socio-political unrest in the 1990s, I left my homeland at the age of 19 to settle in Spain with my mother, who was married to a Spanish citizen. I had to contend with many problems, including cultural shock, crude racism (because African migration to Spain was just starting in the 1990s, and Spanish people had lots of difficulties accepting it), and the linguistic barrier, as I could barely speak or understand Spanish. However, instead of giving up my dream to become a writer, I learnt Spanish, and soon mastered it well enough to continue writing in this new language. I had essays, research papers and a short story, ?Carta a Clara? (Letter to Clara) published by several local Spanish newspapers and magazines between 1998 and 2001.

In 2002, I left Spain to settle in the UK with my British partner. I had to overcome challenges similar to those that had confronted me in Spain, as English was neither my first, nor second, nor even third language. Furthermore, in addition to the need to learn English and adapt to a new country, I had to look after my son Anthony, born in 2002, and my daughter Priscielle, born in 2005. I also worked as consultant on African topics and interpreter for several UK, US and African institutions from 2002 to 2007; International Office Co-ordinator of the Centre for Democracy and Development between 2007 and 2010, and I am currently serving as Executive Director of the think tank African Peoples Advocacy (APA), which I founded in 2008.

At the risk of behaving like the proverbial pig praising its own fat, I dare say a less determined person than me would have given up writing. But I did not. My essay, ?An Unfinished Business?, a critique of the re-colonisation of Africa proposed by Professor Niall Ferguson, was published by Brunel University?s EnterText in 2003. My book, WMD: The Weapons of My Disappointment, published in 2004, provides an analysis of Western wars from an African perspective. My essay ?From Utopia to Dystopia: The Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Liberia and Sierra Leone? and my short story ?The Murderous Archipelago? were published by EnterText in 2006. My book, Cuentos africanos, was the first collection of stories by an African writer released by the Spanish publishers Laberinto in 2007.

My short story, ?Letter to Clara?, was included in the anthology African Women Writing Resistance: Contemporary Voices published by the University of Wisconsin in 2010. I had many research papers, essays and short stories published between 2011 and 2012, including: ?An Unsung African Marvel: The Case for Somaliland?s Recognition?, ?The Demophile Deal for Africa: Blueprint for a New Western Policy towards Africa?, ?The Democratic Nature of African Societies?, ?Think Africa: The Case for an African-Led Think Tank?, ?The Rain Flower?, and ?The African Union and The Battle for Africa?s Soul in the 21st Century?. My latest creative writing projects include an historical African fiction series dubbed the ?African Dr Who?, whose first book, Bala in the Mali Kingdom, was published in October 2012.? In addition, I have published pieces and provided comments for APA?s blog and newsletter, and media including The New Londoner, The Observer, The Guardian, Vox Africa TV, Colourful Radio, Ben TV, Press TV, BBC Radio 4, and BBC World Service.

While I am aware that I still have a long way to go as a writer, I believe I have already achieved a lot. Do you think this is an objective assessment?

?

By Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell/ Chantal Aboa/ Susan Akono

Source: http://www.apadvocacy.org/my-journey-as-a-writer/

Star Trek Into Darkness Heisman watch John McAfee Jenny Rivera Pacquiao vs Marquez 4 pacquiao Jim DeMint