Chief Prognosticator

How is the first largest country in the world (Russia) regaining its superpower status? Oil! Gas! Timber! Steel! Coal! Anti-capitalism! You name it. Well what’s the second largest country in the world? Canada. Can Canada be poised for a new era of wealth?

Bet on it! With such vast wilderness spanning a massive landmass, Canada should benefit greatly from higher energy and raw material costs. Sure getting some of those resources, like oil shales, is tough but as energy prices rise, there could be a whole new wave of Canadian Billionaires!

OK, so Britney Spears already stole that phrase when she wore it on a t-shirt, but “being the American Dream” is more than just being a celebrity. The American Dream is, at its heart, about the promise of America and the ability for anyone in the society to pull themselves up and become a success with hard work and luck. As opposed to “old money” wealth — that is, wealthy families and individuals derived from inherited wealth — the American Dream means people from low socioeconomic classes to become successful and wealthy in their own lifetime. This success makes them part of what is called the Nouveau Riche. A French term meaning literally “New Rich”, the Nouveau Riche represent success in its truest form — self made success. From real estate moguls to Silicon Valley types, dry cleaner chain owners to President Bill Clinton, these people used their talents and hard work to come from nothing and create wealth and success made to last. There is even a “Nouveau Riche University” teaching people like you and me how to manage their money and build real wealth from real estate and investments. You’ve heard of the “Millionaire Next Door” right? Well its the same principle — take the right steps, act widely, work hard and you are almost guaranteed to become rich and successful. Its no secret — just things that we usually overlook or are not aware of in the first place. You TOO can be the American Dream.

I don’t know about you but by the time I was in my mid-20s, I pretty much figured out how mortgages work and the different kinds of them out there. This was also about the time that I took out a 3-year adjustable rate mortgage on my house! But there was a method to my madness — I knew we were moving in before that three years were up.

But with the current mortgage crisis in the U.S, it looks like many people are confused. With so many different types of Mortgages out there for the average consumer to select from, there are many ways to get confused. What is a good rate? Should I go fixed or variable rate? How much cash should I put down? All these questions can be met with just as confusing answers depending on where you look. If you feel you are one of these folks who are not exactly sure which mortgage is right, make sure you do your research well before you are forced to make a decision. Making decisions under pressure gets a lot worse when you aren’t comfortable with the subject matter.

When I think about my home, I think about durability and sturdiness. This is why I try to use top quality materials for not only the construction and finish but also the accessories. For one, I love slate and marble tile. Check out these great marble products from Marble Unique. They are a a direct importer of marble and natural stone from the best places on Earth. From a new stone fireplace to a unique marble statue for the backyard, they have amazing products which will last a lifetime. Now that’s a great investment! Check out their marble columns — a perfect way to show off a piece of sculpture or just for decoration.

“Web design, money and life!” — that’s why I am writing about a cool design blog named Stylish Web Design. Let’s start with the Web Design aspect. I love web design and am always looking for new ideas and tricks to use on my websites. The Stylish Web Design blog has great articles on everything from Blog Syndication to user accounts administration. Fresh ideas, new methods, and the latest programs are what you will learn about on this great site. For example, do you understand how Windows Defender works or that there are different levels of usage depending on setting? If not, read this article on spyware community and get the straight info you need to make the right computer settings and optimize your experience.

Next comes the money! As you’ve read here, I love to write about money and investing. The Stylish Weblog has a growing number of articles on finace and entrepreneurship. Read about the ways to start your own business and get inspired. All these things have to do with Life, of course, and on the site you’ll read random observations and ideas about the world around us. Check it out and leave a comment on what you think.

Your home’s value is important. With all the news reports about sinking home values, it is in your best interest to shore up your home’s worth and fight the market trend. Whether you need new Cabinets, solid surface Countertops, energy efficient Windows, or new Vinyl Siding, American Home Craft Inc. is the company that can deliver. Energy efficiency — that’s a double benefit — American Home Craft can not only increase the value of your home but save you money. Now that’s a great one-two combination. Energy efficient windows, new home insulation, and improved vinyl siding can all cut your electricity bills. Now is the time and American Home Craft is your partner.

Seriously — what’s going to happen if and when coastal waters continue to rise and start to reclaim inhabited land? I mean, what happened to New Orleans could only be the start. What if Manhattan, Miami, Galveston, and other major coastal cities start to be encroached by rising cost lines. Sure the rise would be gradual but there would come a point where the effect would be noticed. What could be done then?

With the current credit crunch in the U.S., now is the time to rebuild your credit and get your financial house in order. Countrywide Home Loans, Experian® and First USA have created a website to give you the free tools to accomplish that. From Home Loans to personal credit, CountrywideCredit.com is a great Internet resource. From the articles to the online calculators this website can be an important step on the path to rebuilding your financial house. Get your Experian Credit Report and find out what the creditors see and how they use that information to judge you. You can also find out your credit score to set a benchmark from which you can improve upon.

What can we say about home health? Well I guess we’ve all heard the adage about indoor air quality being far worse than outdooor (”fresh air”) air quality. But it goes even deeper than that. Do you know that your basement could be making you sick? Yup, wet and damp basements can induce mold growth which can be horrible for your health (and your resale capabilities). Make sure your basement is dry and safe.

The best basement waterproofing companies use the B-Dry® System Wet Basement Waterproofing Process. It’s a proven effective way to lock out moisture and keep basements dry. Wet basements are no fun and can even be dangerous — make sure your home is safe.

What’s so great about EBay Motors? The deals! Have you ever checked out the site? There are great deals on both new and used cars alike. Looking for a limited release car (like the Ford Shelby Cobra) or a great used deal on a luxury ride? Well you can find it there! The only problem is getting the car to your house. It might end up being from a dealership 3000 miles away. So what to do?

This is where National Auto Shipping comes in. With over 10 years experience, they have the nationwide coverage to get your vehicle from anywhere to anywhere. Now that’s a great idea — buy a car anywhere in the country and have it transported to your home or business. Not only to they transport from dealers but from any home or business address. Have multiple cars and are moving cross country? Use National Auto Shipping and only have to travel once yourself. They are fully Insured, Licensed and Bonded auto shipping company so you know your vehicle is in safe hands.