Cheapest Places to Live: Fort Smith Perspective

A few weeks ago I wrote about Fort Smith receiving the dubious distinction of being one of the Cheapest Cities to Live in the United States.

It seems some in Fort Smith including City Wire reporter and blogger, Michael Smith aren't too happy with the recognition.

The Kiplinger report which bestowed the honour was quoted as saying, "Housing, grocery and transportation costs here are well below the national average. And compared with the most-expensive city on our list, New York, everything in Fort Smith is a bargain."

However, Tilley points out that being one of the cheapest places to live may not exactly be a 'badge of honor' worth wearing or publicizing. He states, "we can’t cheap our way to a better economy".

Tilley suggests that rather than promoting, 'Cheap Property' that the residents of Fort Smith lobby their representatives to shoot for recognition as a great place to live and to set a goal to be on Kiplinger's '10 Best Cities for the Next Decade' list.

Although local businesses do appreciate low labor and operating costs and an econo my where everyone gets more bang for their buck, Tilley says improving the regional economy by adding jobs and higher paying jobs in particular will create more opportunities for all and make Fort Smith a desirable place to live for better reasons.

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Finding Cheap Property

Finding Cheap Homes

One of the best ways for discovering the cheapest places to live is uncovering cheap homes is through foreclosures. These kinds of deals on homes were rare and took a lot of digging to find in the past but today the real estate bargains available through foreclosures are abundant. A foreclosure is when a home is put on the real estate market to collect the debt which is owed by the previous homeowner and which he is unable to pay. It's sad but true that many people have lost their homes in this latest economic downturn and even more regrettable is the fact they lost their home due to no fault of their own.  When a homeowner is unable to keep up the payments on their mortgage, the bank or other lender closes the account and then tries to sell the property to recover what is still owing on the loan. Today the amount needed to pay off the debt still owing on a home is often much lower than the actual value of the house being sold. Someone who is in a position to be buying rather than selling is able to uncover very inexpensive deals. Discounts to the tune of thirty to sixty percent off a house's actual market value is realistic.

Finding Cheap Properties

Purchasing cheap properties in this manner is a great way to save money and realize a high profit potential because you are 'buying low' in anticipation of the market returning so you can 'sell high'. Now you know you have bought at a  bargain price but you need to be patient to achieve the high profit potential. This kind of investing is not for the impatient. Finding the cheapest house requires a significant search and that is where the internet can come in very handy. Whether you are searching for a single family house, a luxury property or a multi-unit property which is conducive to rental income there are numerous databases full of opportunities to buy  at low prices.

If your goal is to find a cheap property where the land is raw and has plenty of untapped potential than the internet will only be helpful as a preliminary research tool.  Yes, it's a good idea to surf mls.com and realtor.com to get an idea of what is out there but know that you're only going to find property that has been listed by a Realtor.  And we all know if a Realtor is involved you are not going to get your best deal.  Afterall their responsibility and goal is to get as much as possible for the vendor and in doing so insure the highest commission possible for themselves. There is a built in bias to keep the prices up, in fact there is a bias to pushing prices higher because the more they can sell a property for the more they make. Now going through a Realtor isn't all bad, the realty is that's the way most people buy houses, but for finding cheap properties there are other ways which will save you money. The best deals on land never gets listed so you won't ever find them on MLS.

Country Property Dirt Cheap

Author Ralph Turner, who wrote, 'Country Property Dirt Cheap: How I Found My Piece of Inexpensive Rural Land' offers these suggestions for finding cheap properties without a Realtor:

• Take a drive in the country and look for abandoned or neglected farms. Make sure you have a "plat- map" or even a good road map to carefully mark exactly where you see a potential property. Once you have a potential property or two you can go to the local land registry, usual located in the courthouse,  to determine who owns the properties you are interested in.  If the property appears to be abandoned then whoever holds the title may be interested in getting rid of it.
• Rent a home in the area. Get to know your neighbours and and let them know you are looking for land.
• Visit the local banks and ask the manager if he knows of or has any foreclosure properties for sale.
• Find out if there are any land auctions in the area you are interested in.
• Research surplus government land for sale and see if there is any available in the area.
• Check out the local small papers - read the classifieds.
• Place a classified ad in the local paper. List what you're looking for.
• Go to farm, livestock and estate auctions and network. Meet the local people and see they know of any land for sale in the area.
• Create a "land wanted" poster. Copy it and post it in local establishments.

Making Money at Home Ideas

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How To Buy Real Estate In Panama

This Guest post By Lucia Haines gives us a brief Panama Guide on how to buy real estate in this wonderful Latin American country.

Requesting a title search is the first step in buying panama real estate. It's is not mandatory but it is highly recommended to ensure that the property you want has clear title, and is free of any liens or liabilities. The cost for the title search is usually comprised in the legal fees between 1 and 3 percent of the total price of the property. It's worth to mention that these fees may vary depending on the attorney.

The Promise to Buy/Sell Agreement which translates to Promesa de Compra y Venta in Spanish is the next formal step to close on a property as well as a down payment required to be paid to the seller, which most of the times will be 10% of the property price but may vary from sale to sale.

There are different stipulations that can be agreed by the Buyer and Seller as part of the Buy Sell Agreement. For example, the amount of time it will take the seller or buyer to close on the property.

This agreement creates a legal document between both parties stating that the Seller promises to sell the property and the Buyer promises to buy the property. In case one of the parties back out of the transaction, they could face certain consequences.

The agreement usually stipulates that if the seller decided to cancel the transaction they would need to return the down payment in addition to an equal amount. For example, if you made a down payment of 10% the seller would be required by law to return 10% plus another 10% as penalty.

It is very important to point out that the down payment is a very important step in the process of buying panama real estate. If a down payment isn't made, the seller has no legal obligation to hold a property before the actual close is made and may take a better deal if it comes along or not sell the property at all. Although the word escrow is not a used term in Panama, you can find various attorneys that will provide you with this service. This is the equivalent of holding money in escrow to allow you to secure the property before paying the seller.

In other words, if the seller received 0 down on a property and a better deal came along before the close takes place, by law they would be required to return the down payment of 0 plus an equal amount of 0, which totals 0.

Once the Promise to Buy and Sell Agreement is signed, and initial down payment made, the Seller must comply with a few obligations necessary to complete the transfer of the property from the seller to the buyer. These obligations include:

1. 2% payment of the transfer tax, assessed according to the negotiated sales price.

2. Paying the capital gains which is 3% of the negotiated sales price.

3. Obtain certificates and paz y salvos of good standing including:

* Paz y Salvo for Property Taxes

* Paz y Salvo from IDAAN (water bill) Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales

* If the property to be sold is part of a building or community that requires a maintenance fee, a letter of good standing needs to be provided confirming that all these fees are up to date

Depending on the stipulations outlined in the Promise to Buy Sell Contract and the complexity of the real estate transaction, transferring the property usually takes around 30 days in Panama.

Once all the requirements for transfer are met, the Promise to Buy Sell agreement is elevated to a Buy Sell Contract, signed and then inscribed in the Panama public registry. The new deed is generally approved and released from the public registry within a period of 10 business days.

About the Author:

Learn more about panama. Stop by Lucia Haines's site where you can find out general information and popular locations such as boquete panama to retire.

Editors Note - There's a lot more to discover about Panama and one thing I know for certain is that their system for titling land makes it very, very safe for foreigners to hold property there. That's why I believe Panama is the Best Place to Invest in Real Estate today.

Cheapest places to live and do business

I was reading this morning on my newsfeed and this article from Canoe caught my eye. It's titled, " Beat the Taxman - the Cheapest Places to Live and Do Business" Now how could I resist reading that! and of course passing on the hidden gems to you!

This article is about living in Canada and talks about the wide variation in taxes as they affect your income and cost of living from one province to the other. It's rally quite the same in the states and certainly worth looking at. Check out my post a few weeks back about the Cheapest City to Live in. It gives a similar comparison for cost of living in U.S. cities.

Anyhow, in the Canoe article they state that people who make pretty good coin ($70,000 a year) are best to live in British Columbia from a tax perspective. Ontario comes up as second best so if you make the big bucks you may want to think about a condo in Toronto. Now if you really make the big bucks ($150K +) than Alberta is your spot. Corporate tax is also lowest there. I was just in Calgary a few weeks ago and they have a beautiful downtown which is just in the process of re-gentrification. There appear to be some really nice condos being built. The downtown is clean, quiet and interesting with fantastic dining and entertainment options.

Back to the tax man. Ontario is a great place if you are into R&D or the entertainment / media business. Good tax incentives for those industries. Quebec is also a good place for film makers and anyone looking to set up manufacturing.

For new home buyers New Brunswick tops the list with the lowest land transfer tax plus their income tax rate is in decline.

Back to Calgary where one tax expert says personal and corporate tax rates are lower in Canada than virtually anywhere in the U.S. Interesting comment but he backs it up with stats - Corporate rates in Canada range from 28 to 30% whereas in the U.S. they often push 45%.

You can see the article here Cheapest places to live and do business

National Parks In Panama Have Many Different Species Of Birds

Guest post By Tyler Ramos

Rainforests constitute much of the landscape of Panama, which is reported to attract many of the tourists that visit throughout the year. It has a vast selection of flora and fauna. As a result there are at least sixteen national parks in Panama.

The Amistad National Park is located in both Panama and Costa Rica, making it the first park to exist within two countries. It has many services available to tourists, for example, hotels and transportation. It also permits travelers to go fishing in the Teribe River.

The Bastimentos Marine Park consists of several islands and has wildlife and sandy beaches. The protective reach of the Bastimentos is not reserved for just the animals and beaches but also for the coral reef off its shores.

Home to the Baru Volcano, the Baru covers a wide portion of rainforest. The top of the volcano, with its scenic views, is accessible by car, and tourists are likely to see wildlife during the trip up.

The Barro Colorado is a little park when compared to some of the others but it is not small in terms of activities. The Giant Tree is a point of interest that is part of a tour offered to travelers.

Reptiles, Birds, Monkeys, and pigs can all be potential spotted in Campana. The locals give special reverence to a reptilian species called the Golden Frog and consider it a great fortune if a tourist can spot one, especially because it is endangered.

The Canas Wildlife Refuge has many differing turtle species. These turtles are known to entertain tourists when they come out at night. The refuge is also known for its hiking and water sports.

Chagres is home to rivers that supply the Panama Canal with most of its waters. People are often spotted rafting on the rivers, and there are lakes for fishing, water skiing, jet skiing and sailing. Camping and bird watching are also encouraged in Chagres.

Coiba is further from bigger towns than other parks, and as a result has fewer accommodations. Despite this it still witnesses a fair share of yearly travelers who seek out its beaches, where reportedly turtles make their nests. In addition, in its ocean waters swim Marlins.

Darien has provided tourists with a unique experience. It has jungles known for excellent hiking and is also where several indigenous tribes live. Many visitors to the Darien jungles have witnessed indigenous people and their activities and some of these visitors report having experience indigenous dancing.

Iguana is known for the vast size of its iguana population. However, that is not all. There are other animals that live in Iguana, such as turtles. It is also famous as one of the places migrating whales stop at.

There are many more national parks. Diversity is one way to describe the immensity of rainforest and animal life that is found there. One park not yet mentioned is called the Metropolitan and is located just minutes outside Panama City.

About the Author:

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Laid Back Life In Affordable Jamaica Villas

Guest post by Adriana Noton

There are few places in the world that, when mentioned, bring to mind such happy bliss as Jamaica. With its white sand beaches, bright blue seas, and slow rhythmic reggae tunes, it sure to serve as a relaxing getaway for anyone fortunate enough to take a vacation there. But why should one settle with just a vacation? Jamaica is not only an affordable places to travel to unwind, but also affordable place to have your very own Jamaica villas.

In fact, Jamaica is host to some of the most interesting and unique attractions in its part of the world. With a rich and colorful history as well as an incredible landscape, it is a place that is sure to have something for everyone.

So, whether you are someone who wants to escape the tedium of your workday, a couple looking to a romantic vacation, a newlywed couple honeymooning, or a family trying to experience something awe inspiring, you are sure to find exactly what you want at a Caribbean villa. Indeed, Jamaican villas are available as luxury villa rents for extremely competitive prices.

Imagine having a beautiful blue sea lagoon as your own private backyard! You can sit on your back porch sipping exotic drinks made from local fruits and listening as the waves gently lap up on your white sand back garden. If that sounds like paradise, there is a simple reason for it. It is paradise.

The villas are available in a wide variety of places all over the island and are usually in the hottest tourist spots that guarantee tons of stuff to do while you stay there! You can easily find a place to enjoy cutting loose to an outdoor venue playing Jamaica's national music at night. Or simply admire the astonishing night sky that the mostly rural country supports.

While the people who lived back then may have had fear of pirates or any other number of things, one thing can be certain- you will not. Jamaica is a country famous for its atmosphere that inspires relaxation in even the most tightly wound. You can enjoy exotic drinks by the beach made with tropical fruits and unwind as you learn not to worry about a thing.

Jamaica villas are available for all occasions as well. Whether it is a family reunion, romantic escape for two, honeymoon, wedding, or just a simple vacation, you will have no problem finding an affordable beach resort that tailors specifically to your exact needs.

With the history, beach time, ocean swimming, party time, reggae, gold, and much more, there is no limit to the kind of time you can have on your vacation! Indeed, if you have been thinking about where to take vacation. Think no further. Jamaica villas are the perfect spot to go. You will be able to forget your worldly burdens and slip away into the relaxing realm of reggae, beaches, and seas.

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The ingredients of our success are unmatched within the industry and are the reason why, time and again, our valued and discriminating clientele turn to our Caribbean villa to both meet and exceed their expectations.

Best Places to Vacation: Package Tours To Europe Or The Caribbean

Guest post By Adriana Noton

Special vacations package tours are the ideal way to laze away the days on a Caribbean Island. Or, you might prefer to explore the fascinating continent of Europe. Let's first discuss the paradisiacal islands that make up the West Indies (Caribbean). The three main groups are the Lesser Antilles, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas.

This glorious part of the world is ranked as a top tourist destination. It has perfect weather throughout the year, beautiful beaches with crystal waters and soft sands, lots of activities, a vibrant nightlife, and historic attractions. A tailor-made package can be designed for you by a travel agent. It will include your transport, accommodation bookings, tours, and anything else that you want.

Traveling on a cruise-liner is the ideal way to see the Caribbean, and special offers are always available. If you want to get the best prices, make the booking a few months in advance. Peak holiday season is from December to April, but if you are happy to wait until this rush is over, you can obtain great discounts in the off-peak months of August to November.

Cabin accommodation on cruise-liners varies. For instance, the cost for a cabin with a porthole that looks onto the sea is much more expensive than an interior one. It's the same with deck levels. Upper decks are a lot more expensive than lower decks. You can save a lot of expense if you compromise on the location of the cabin.

The package will include accommodation, meals and free use of most onboard facilities. These include the swimming pools, lounges, library, spa, hot tubs etc. Services like body massages, the beauty parlor, hairstylist, alcoholic beverages and other bar refreshments and tips are not included.

Tailor-made packages can also be arranged for those who would rather travel to Europe. It is surprising just how much you can see and do on this continent in a week or two. The ideal package for this is a multi-region tour. If you would rather spend your time getting to know one particular country, then a single-region package is the answer.

Europe is made up of numerous countries, each with its own language and distinctive culture. This is why it is such a fascinating place to visit. Even the landscape is different from country to country. Take the UK as an example - the bright lights and the pulsating lifestyle of London is worlds apart from the remoteness and tranquility of the northern areas of Scotland.

Special vacations package tours (not only for Europe - even for a vacation in Cuba!) are definitely the best way to travel the world. A typical example would be an 11 day trip to Paris, Rome, and London. Not only will your accommodation and travel be arranged, but guided tours of many of the world's most famous sights will be included. Some of these are the Vatican Museum, the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Champs-Elysees, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace.

About the Author:

Organizing last minute vacations doesn't have to be a costly challenge. Find everything from Europe tours to Cuba vacation pacakges and experience a luxury vacation in style!

Northern California: Best Place for RV Camping

Guest post by Kathy Jhones

RV is the term used for the motorized wheeled vehicles that are used for camping and other recreational activities. With your own RV, it will be possible for you and your family to go on a vacation away from their chaotic and taxing daily lives. It is important that you find the proper RV destination, though this may turn out to be really difficult as there are so many destinations to choose from. Of all the RV destinations all over the world, you will find that the best are situated in California. This is due to its size as well as the exceptional facilities provided by the camps and the recreational areas and specially designed for the RV goers.

Sothern California is marked as the most popular RV destination. This area is toured by many families every time of the year. If you are an adventurer by heart, then you should definitely chek out the RV spots in Northern California. Norther California has a suprise for you in its store. It is the kingdom of many volcanoes. You will be able to know more about the volcanoes, especially how powerful they are. If you want to get rid of volcanoes, there are other outdoor activies awaiting you. This include fishing, hiking, hunting, boating, bicycling, snowmobiling and many more.

There is a river bank which is specifically designed for recreational activities. This is in and around Lake Davis. Many tourists visit this place to enjoy their time. Summer is the best season to visit this place. It has many activities like camping, picnicking, boating, hunting, fishing etc. There are many camping grounds made specifically for the tourist and can house up to 40 at a time. You should never miss Plumas National Forest which is a great place for hiking. This forest is the place for many canyons, peaks, lakes etc.

California is covered with forest covering nealy 50 % of its land.The major attraction of the tourist to this place is beacuse of its cone pine trees. This geograpghy looks very attractive no matter which ever age group you belong to. Also California is having many urban cities where many RVs love to spend without any hesitation. The most popular cities include San Diego, Newport Beach, Chowchilla.Each of its cities are famous for one another like San Diego for its spa resorts, Newport Beach for there presence of its own vast beach etc. Another attractive city which every one love to visit is Los Angeles.

California is divided into 16 regions, which are suitable for RV camping. Some of them have RV camping being carried out in the entire year. Famous Parks include the Arena RV Park situated in Chowchilla, Vineyard RV Park situated at Vacaville and the Yosemite pine RV resorts in Groveland. You can rent your RVs from various agencies like Cruise America or Motor home rentals

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Egypt Tours - Best Places to Spend Your Time

By Aikednea Johansen

In a perfect world everyone would get to have month long holidays, but in the real world, usually 7 days is the most we can do. So is seven days enough to create an impact on a destination like Egypt ? Stuart Cheese, UK Director of Operations for One World Tours affirms yes it is and informs you how to greatest spend your time.

Day 1. Based upon where you've flown in from, it might be a great concept to just take the rest of the day to acclimatise you to the pace of things in Cairo

Day 2 Cairo - The Pyramids are absolutely essential. You need to stand next to the pyramids to truly appreciate the enormity of them. The sphinx can also be an amazing masterpiece to behold. Books and Tv images cannot catch the genuine magnitude of the stunning structure that has endured the elements and time.

That evening we suggest getting an overnight train to Aswan. Waking early in the morning, if you can, and peering from the train, you will a lot more than likely be welcomed by a wonderful sunrise, mist swirling from the river and locals harvesting their simple crops.

Day 3. Aswan (and Elephantine Island) will also make a lasting impact on you. Even though the sound and light show on the Philae island in the night is in no way the most spectacular of the sound and light shows in Egypt, it is nevertheless a breathtaking experience.

Day 4 Aswan / Abu Simbel / Luxor. There are the two temples at Abu Simbel and in my judgment they're probably the most wonderful monuments you may have the good fortune to witness. Not everybody is knowledgeable before their visit, that they have been taken out and reconstructed, which when you stand in front of them, it is difficult to comprehend how something of this kind of magnitude could happen to be moved, let alone built in the first place. For the record, the monument was endangered with being submerged under water when the high dam was constructed and this is why it needed to be dismantled and removed.

Day 5 Luxor. It is a stunningly beautiful place to be and offers a gentler pace than cities like Cairo. In Luxor, the Valley of the Kings offers up all of its ancient secrets and opens you up to your own personal travel backwards in time. It is easy to get lost in the magical symbols which are the timeless communications from a time long passed. You can't assist but be motivated to conjure up images of how life must have been all of those years ago.

Day 6. Luxor. The temple of Luxor with its court of Amenhotep III is surrounded by a double row of columns. Be certain to glance up at these columns during a sound and light show in the evening and if you are there in the perfect time of the dat, sure you might just see the breathtaking night sky and Orions' belt framed by the towering structures. The temple is located on the east bank of the Nile and is really a wonderful sight to behold day or evening.

Tonight we recommend getting an overnight train back to Cairo.

Day 7 Back in Cairo again. If you have time, the Khan el Khalili Bazaar is really a delightful encounter, exactly where you are able to haggle with the locals to get a good bargain to take home with you; an excellent reminder for you of a magical stay in the mystical country of Egypt.

About the Author:

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Spending In Second Life

Guest post By Josue Habana

Second Life is a well known virtual world in which every single item of content is created and designed from scratch by the residents, or users of the platform. However, Second Life is simply miles ahead of the competition for one main reason. It has a booming virtual economy. Even as the real world struggled with global recession, Second Life residents continued to spend their 'Linden dollars,' and 2009 was a record year. Residents spent the equivalent of 567 million US dollars in Second Life.

Second Life has its own currency, known as the Linden Dollar. Residents can buy Linden dollars using real world currencies and spend them in world. By the same token, Linden Dollars you have can be cashed out into real world currencies, meaning that Second Life has fast become a genuine means of a very real income for a number of talented designers.

But what on Earth are Second Life residents actually buying with their Linden Dollars? Well one of the biggest purchases for many is that of virtual land, which can be a place to house a shop to sell your items, a club or venue to host events or even just a virtual home, kitted out with a house and furnishings. There's also big money being spent on avatar appearances. It seems the Second Life users are keen that their characters look the part with thousands of residents shelling out on skins, Second Life clothing and virtual hairstyles.

There's also no shortage of cash spent on services in world. These services might include marketing services to enlist the help of specialists in marketing your own products or even on a live musician or comedian to perform at an event at one of the many clubs or live performance venues within Second Life.

For many people who have never been involved in Second Life, to hear of people spending such copious amounts of money on items and services that simply do not physically exists is often difficult to understand. However, the economy within this booming virtual world is a real income for many talented designers. And for anyone who still can't get their head around it... you pay for your internet connection right? Can you touch it? Thought not.

About the Author:

For a satirical look at Second Life, check out Josue Habana's Second LIfe Blog or for Second Life Machinima visit his Youtube channel.

The Mapes Hotel: Best Places to Stay in Reno

Guest post By Ross Everett

The Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada met its demise on Superbowl Sunday of 2000 when 75 pounds of explosives packed inside the structure's support columns brought it to the ground. The controlled demolition came despite years of effort by a number of groups within the community to preserve the building with lawsuits, redevelopment proposals, and grass roots lobbying efforts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation even took up the cause, challenging the destruction in a lawsuit that eventually reached the Nevada Supreme Court.

While the logic and necessity of demolishing the Mapes is very questionable, one thing that is certain is that the hotel was an important part of Northern Nevada history. The Mapes opened in'47 and with it ushered in a new era for casino gambling and the state of Nevada. Despite some historical revisionism that suggests that the modern era began in Las Vegas with Bugsy Siegel's famed Flamingo, the Mapes was actually the first building in America to have a hotel, casino and live entertainment under the same roof. The Mapes attracted countless celebrities who'd make it their home when business brought them to Northern Nevada--this included movie stars like Clark Gable, TV stars like the cast of 'Bonanza' and political power brokers like infamous anti-Communist crusader Joseph McCarthy.

In the 50s and 60s it became, along with Lake Tahoes Cal-Neva Lodge the place to be seen in Northern Nevada. The top floor, window-walled Sky Room showcased performances by the legends: Sinatra, Louis Prima, Mae West, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Marx Brothers among others. Subsequent years were not kind to downtown Reno but the Mapes prospered during the 60's and 70's. The hotel finally closed in'82, due more to financial difficulties experienced by the Mapes family caused by one of their other Northern Nevada gaming properties than anything else.

Reno has yet to experience the sort of growth that has been seen in Southern Nevada, and for that reason the destruction of the Mapes is more open to debate than the hotel demolitions to the south. Even the demolition of The Sands--perhaps the most historically significant casino in the state--is hard to argue against given the inability of such a small property to compete in the current Las Vegas marketplace and in light of the value of the mid-strip real estate.

That's not the case in Reno, where vacant land and/or buildings ripe for redevelopment are abundant downtown and in the other casino areas of the city. The official reason that the Mapes had to come down was that the city needed the land to expand its vision for downtown redevelopment. While this is certainly a much needed effort, to suggest that the existence of the Mapes was a barrier is absurd. In fact, many of the proposals rejected by the city would have gone a long way to enhance the revitalization of downtown Reno and included artists lofts, office space and other mixed used properties. Despite receiving a number of viable concepts for the Mapes Building, the City Redevelopment Authority rejected all of them and the Mapes was destined for demolition.

The behavior of the City Redevelopment Authority throughout the process has come into question. Overlooking the Truckee River, the hotel was perfectly placed between the downtown casino area and the riverfront district. In'96, the city purchased the htoel and began accepting proposals for redevelopment. Despite receiving a number of proposals that made sense both in terms of their financial workability and positive impact on the downtown area, the City Redevelopment Authority nixed all of them and insisted that the hotel be razed.

After the demolition of The Mapes Hotel, the lot remained vacant for almost a year until a temporary ice skating rink was constructed in the winter of 2001. The site now houses a permanent ice skating rink which, while not a bad use for the land, brings into question the insistence by the City Redevelopment Agency that none of the proposals to preserve the building were viable. Clearly, they had no specific plan or even general idea of what to do with the land but for some reason wanted to see the hotel come down. This has led to all manner of speculation, ranging from financial self interest to a rumor that the structure was 'haunted' and needed to be destroyed to forestall future paranormal activity in Washoe County. Whatever the reason, the city of Reno lost a valuable landmark of a more civilized era.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

Best Places for Payday Loans

By Marshall Walker

You can spend many hours looking at every website after doing a simple internet search for 'payday loans' and still not be able to decide which loan is the right one for you. Taking a step by step approach will make this less of a problem. The first thing you should do is decide which type of short term loan suits your requirements. Short term loans include personal loans, bank overdrafts, credit cards or payday loans.

The loan you eventually pick will depend on just how much money you need, how long you are going to need the money for and your current credit rating. Let's just say you need a small amount of cash for a very short period of time and don't want to go through the process of applying for a loan with a bank. This type of loan is called a fast cash, payday or a quick quid loan. Payday lenders will often extend a short term loan to you with a period of less than 30 days or for the time up until when you receive your next salary payment. Arrangement fees are pretty substantial but are worth it because of the convenience of getting cash into your bank account on the same day.

There are a few ways to search for your ideal short term loan such as a quick quid loan - you can use one of the many price comparison websites on the market or search yourself by using Google or Yahoo. You've probably already decided on which type of loan will best you and your circumstances so you know need to make sure you understand the terms and conditions. In this list you need to include the interest rate and arrangement fee and what additional costs you'll be liable for if you don't pay the money back in time. Of course, price comparison websites have the advantage over search engines because it's far easier to compare different fast cash loans in one place.

A comparison website will lay out the different loan providers including the relevant measures such as the cost of the loan. An additional benefit with some comparison sites is that of a customer rating score. Customer rating scores link to customer reviews where you can find out what the experiences of others have been. Loans listed on a comparison website is also likely to be offers from more established companies, however some comparison websites will promote their own loans or those of partners so do look out for that.

On the other hand, a search engine will give you an unbiased list of providers of payday loans. You'll have far more choice in picking a payday loan as long as you're willing to spend time comparing and taking notes. A benefit of search engines is that the search results will usually show the most popular payday loan right at the top although a high profile may be a result of negative rather than positive publicity so do check! Also remember that the highlighted results are those that companies pay for, so they're not necessarily the most popular or the best option.

Whether you use a comparison site or search engine, always remember to determine whether the quick quid loan is from a reputable company and make sure that you fully understand the terms of the agreement you're entering into.

About the Author:

Want to find out more about payday loans?, then visit Ace Cash Express and learn how to choose the best cash advance loan for your needs.

Best Advice For Student Travelers Touring The World

By Adriana Noton

After a tough year studying and taking tests and final exams, many students enjoy their vacation by traveling. The travel industry is filled with great deals for student travelers, especially online travel discount sites. If you are a student looking to travel, below is a list of helpful advice for student travelers when touring the world.

Wear the Canadian Flag: When you sew the Canadian Flag on your backpack, you will enjoy goodwill from citizens in other countries. Because Canadians are known throughout the world as being well mannered and courteous travelers, wearing the red maple leaf will result in a friendly welcome.

Travel Destination: It is important to decide where you want to go early so you can make the appropriate arrangements and take advantage of great travel deals. If you travel to either Asia or Europe during the off season you will save a lot of money. In Europe, popular destinations include such cities as Paris, London, and Barcelona. As well, in Europe, there are many beaches, ski resorts, festivals, beautiful villages, cultural attractions and events, and much more.

Budget: It is important to make sure you can afford your trip. You should calculate how much you will spend daily on such items as getting around the destination, food, beverages, entertainment, souvenirs, and incidentals.

Student Identity Card (ISIC): It is essential that you acquire an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). This card is proof that you are a student and will enable you to get discounts on such things as: tours, restaurants, retailers, bicycle rentals, parks, museums and other cultural attractions, rental car....etc.

Flights: Research online travel discount sites to get the best possible deal. It is always a good idea to comparison shop at student-focused travel web sites.

Accommodations: It is recommended that you research and reserve your accommodations well in advance of the trip. You can often get student discount deals on accommodations. As well, it is important to check to see what is included in the price such as free WiFi and breakfast.

Necessary Items: It is important to remember such items as: travel insurance card, credit card, debit card, passport, cash, medication, International Driving Permit, first aid kit, and a list of important phone numbers such as your country's embassy. Make sure to check to see if you need any vaccinations for the particular destination area. When choosing travel insurance, make sure you understand your coverage, including the exclusions. This is particularly important for medical coverage.

Destination Education: It is important to understand the destinations laws, customs, and language, to make sure there are no misunderstandings. You should also know a few words in the local language such as hello, goodbye, and thank you.

During your Trip: It is important to maintain contact with family and friends from back home. You can use such technology as Twitter, Blog, Facebook, and Skype. As well, make sure you practice good judgment and safety practices such as avoiding dangerous areas. It is important to research the destination area for any dangerous issues.

Traveling abroad as a student is a great way to explore new places and cultures. When you do your research, you can find really great deals ensuring that you will not burn through your bank account. When you travel as a student, you will enjoy your freedom and make lasting memories.

About the Author:

Cheapflights is all about providing fast and easy-to-use services to help you find cheap flights, travel deals and last minute travel tickets online. Our airline information pages explains everything you to need to know about booking cheap tickets online.

Guide To Tipping Practices Around The World

By Adriana Noton

If you are an avid world traveler or are planning to take a trip to another country, one part of the trip that can be confusing is how much should be given as a 'tip.' It can be confusing figuring out how much of a tip to give for good service and you also want to make sure that you don't end up leaving a big tip for bad service, especially when considering the foreign exchange. To help you figure out the best tipping practices, the following is a guide to tipping around the world.

Canada: When visiting Canada, it is suitable to leave a tip of 15 - 20 percent at a restaurant, 10 - 20 percent at a bar, and 10 - 20 per cent for taxi drivers. At establishments such as coffee shops, there is normally a tip jar by the cash register where customers can drop a few coins in the jar. For hotels, it is appropriate to tip maids at $1 - $2 per day, the concierge a small amount at check out, and room service at about 15%.

United States: When visiting the US, it is appropriate to leave 20% at restaurants, 20% at bars, pocket change at a cashier tip jar, and at a take out restaurant, between $2 and $5. For taxi drivers, it is standard to leave $2 for a $5- fare and $3 for a $10- fare. Any higher taxi fare, the tip is about 20%. For hotels, tipping is as follows: maids: $5 to $10/night, room service: about $20%, and concierge: $10 for making any arrangements such as reservations, and $5 for providing information.

Mexico: For restaurants in Mexico, sometimes the bill includes the tip. If it does not include the tip, 10% - 15% is appropriate. At a bar, 10% of the total or $1 to $2 per round of drinks is suitable. For hotels, tips include: bellmen $1-$2 per bag, concierge $5 - $10 for making arrangements, maid $3 - $5 per day, valet $1 - $2, and a taxi driver is about a few dollars.

Caribbean: For all inclusive resorts and hotels, the price will include the tip. For restaurants, it is about 10%, and bars about 15% of the total bill or $1 per drink. For taxi drivers, tipping is about $1 - $2 and more for holidays, Sundays, and late night fares. For hotels, maids are about $2 per day, valets are a few dollars, and bellmen are about $1-$2 per bag.

Europe: Many European countries do not expect tips. In France, a service charge is included, however, for really good service, it is suitable to add a 10 -15% tip. As well, it is fine to leave change at a caf. In the UK and Ireland, a service charge will be included at hotels and restaurants, however, for really great service, you can add 10%. In the UK and Ireland, people do not tip in pubs. Tipping is not expected in Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Spain; however, 10% can be added for great service. For taxi drivers, it is appropriate to tip about 10%. For European hotels, it is suitable to tip two Euros for maids and porters.

Every country has its own criteria regarding tipping. It is always helpful and prevents misunderstandings when you know what to tip so that you can have a relaxing and fun vacation. Remember, the people waiting on you work hard, and the tip you provide will likely help their family.

About the Author:

Cheapflights isall about providing fast and easy-to-use services to help you find cheap flights, travel deals and last minute travel tickets online. Our airline information pages explains everything you to need to know about booking cheap tickets online.

Best Places to Stay: Dallas Residence Rentals

By Nora Greathouse

Dallas is one of the busiest metropolitan areas in Texas, and there are plenty of apartments available for rent. Whatever the objective of your visit, whether it is a quick business trip, a relocation or a leisure experience, you will a more authentic experience of the city by staying in an apartment.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is also known as the Metroplex, thanks to its leading development in the technological industry. It has also been dubbed as the Silicon Prairie, so named for the high concentration of computer and information technology industries and corporations. For professionals who specialize in these industries, you will find many work-related opportunities in this metropolitan area.

Within the metropolitan area of central Texas, you will find unlimited choices of Dallas apartments for rent. Whether you are here for a short business trip, a week-long leisure trip or a long-term relocation, staying in an apartment gives you a better prospective of the local lifestyle.

The area holds its name in the list of best places in the US to live. The area boasts of everything that a person might look for before moving to Dallas. Quality of life is good, employment opportunities are plenty and the area also offers great sightseeing, fine dining and shopping.

Encouragingly, homes for rent in Dallas do not cost as much as those in some of the other major American cities. If you rent a one-bedroom apartment, the average monthly rent in Dallas is about $650, and that in Fort Worth is in the range of $600. The rentals in the Metroplex region are a bit more expensive at $750. Of course, these are just averages and the exact amount you pay will depend on the furnishing, size of the apartment and neighborhood. If you are looking to rent a two-bedroom apartment, your budget should be in the region of $900.

Some of the most popular and sought after localities in the area are Pleasant Grove, Greenville, East Dallas, Park Cities Area, Frankford, Deep Ellum, and Lakewood. Plenty of information is available on the internet and you can know more about the area and even find yourself a good apartment on any of these reputed sites: apartmentguide.com, mynewapartment.com, dallas.apartment.com and move.com.

You can search apartments according to your needs and style on these websites easily. These websites generally sort the apartments into different categories for easy search and browsing. Other information like pets allowed, type of facilities, smoking permitted are also available. You can even make your search based on space requirements and number of rooms required.

On these websites, you will also find pictures of specific property listings, and sometimes even video tours to give you a feel of the apartment, just in case you can't visit the place. Other details of the listed Dallas apartments for rent are also available, such as the floor plan. Additionally, the sites also provide you with information about truck rentals and packers and movers.

Before moving to Dallas, you must check out the lease agreement and offer documents carefully, conditions etc. Ensure that your deal is a good one before you go for any Dallas Apartments for Rent.

About the Author:

About the author: Nora Greathouse is a traveler and travel writer. See more of his stuff at Moving to Dallas

Cheap Life Insurance Quotes Fast And Effortlessly

Guest Post By Sherry Ward

Do you feel the need to be financially stable at all times so that you can support your family? No doubt about it, of course you do. You, therefore, need to make sure you get an in-depth understanding of what life insurance can do for you, your family, and your business if you have one. If you do, then you will be able to experience the peace of mind that can only be brought about by having such a policy.

What then should you consider first, so that you can secure the life insurance that you need?

First, make sure that you have a clear picture of what your needs are. Coming up with a checklist will allow you to zero in on the life insurance quote that you need. Ask yourself if you still have mortgage payments to settle. Do you need to provide for your children's education? Do you have a business that you need to keep up and running? Do you like to travel domestically or abroad?

After coming up with a list of the things that you need to have in your life insurance cover, the next thing you need to do is to secure quotes from reputable companies. Since life insurance providers now operate online, this is an easy step. You need to make sure, though, that you scrutinize everything in the life insurance quotes that you will be presented with. This will help you get maximum benefit.

If you are having a hard time in securing the life insurance quote that you need, you can seek the help of life insurance agents. They will be more than willing to help you obtain the best cover because they know the benefits of the different types of life insurance available. They will be able to assess your needs based on your financial capabilities as well as give you the life insurance advice that you need. He or she will be able to help you shop around for life insurance quotes properly, eliminating the need for you to go through a lot of hassle and heartache.

In order to assess your situation better so that you will be able to obtain the life insurance quote that you really need, and to give you a good estimate on your monthly insurance premiums, a life insurance agent will most likely ask you the following questions:

1. How much money do you make monthly or annually from all sources? 2. What is the main source of your income? 3. What's your net worth? 4. What are your financial goals? 5. Do you need to secure your children's education? 6. Do you have any significant illnesses? 7. How old are you? 8. What is your family medical history? 9. Do you have vices? If yes, then what are they? 10. Do you like engaging in risky activities, like dangerous sports?

To be able to assess your overall health as well as your financial status, you may be asked to provide some supporting documents. Make sure that you answer all the questions in the life insurance application form accurately so that you can be given the best and cheapest life insurance quote. To avoid any disputes, answer all of them honestly.

About the Author:

An application for life insurance cover need not be so stressful. Some providers offer great life insurance plans but with very high premiums. 50s Insurance Life Over So that you are properly guided when looking for low cost life insurance, it is important that you do some research.

One Way To Finding The California Speedway Hotel

Guest Post By Earlene May

Looking to take a trip? Then you might want to get as far away as you can. The way that you do this is that you go to the one place that everyone is going to. What place would that be? This would be the California Speedway. You might be wondering how you can go about to find a hotel from all the California Speedway Hotels that are there. There is a way.

This way would be online. There are many sites that all you have to do is say you are looking for this and that when looking for a hotel. You want it for this price and this close to such place. When you do that, they will have a list of places.

Another thing with using sites like these is while others are paying high prices, you will not be. You will be given low prices when search and book through these sites. They are really easy to search for as well. All you have to do is show the things that you want such as smoking or none smoking and many more things.

The other thing you will find is that with these sorts of sites, you will get some amazing discounts. There are some that you will find through these websites. They normally have a deal with the hotels that they advertise for to book the rooms. This allows you to get good deals in return.

The other thing you will find with some of these sites is that when you are looking sites that will offer you the best stays at the speedway hotels, they have other discounts that you can get as well such as Triple A and more. That way, you are getting a much lower rate than what you bargained for.

Many of the hotels are near some of the things that you want to check out. On these sites you can tell the radius or miles from where you want to tour to find a hotel in that area. You never have to worry about not finding a place to stay. It is really all that simple when others tell you otherwise. When you find that you are in a jam and do not have the time to call around, you just have to search online.

Something that you will find is that there are a lot of things you can get when you stay at these hotels. A great time is just what you will find and when you go online to book your reservation, you can make sure that you get the satisfaction that you are looking for when it is a hotel room or rooms that you are looking for.


California speedway hotel

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Looking to find the single source of helpful information on California speedway hotel?

While you're thinking about California don't forget to read my post about the Cheapest Places to Live in the U.S.A. You may be surprised to learn the Modesto CA actually made the list! 

Quick Cash Concept Review

By Edgar Suppes

One with the biggest things which you need to remain away from, at all costs, are HYIPs or High Yield Investment Programs. In a nutshell, these programs promise you a percentage return on your investment depending on how much you invest. The returns could be anywhere from 14% to 20% for a period of 30 to 90 days. You will find numerous variations on this scheme. The problem with it's easy. The cash is paid out from the funds with the other investors. In other words, it's a pyramid scheme. The larger dilemma is the fact that eventually the pyramid collapses and those who get in late lose their shirts.

But the biggest dilemma with HYIPs is the fact that they are illegal and NOW the government is cracking down, not only on the person who started the HYIP but also on the men and women who profited the most from it. So in the event you think you're safe simply because you got out with your cash intact, consider again. You could be in for a rude awakening when the feds come to collect the bill.

An additional bad income generating program is the paid for survey. No, these aren't illegal like the HYIPs but they spend peanuts. Every single survey program is different. Some spend in rewards and others spend in points that may be traded in for cash. The problem is, the exchange rate is so low that you just ultimately end up taking dozens of surveys for what amounts to pennies. An even bigger dilemma is the fact that quite a few persons don't even qualify for these surveys and aren't informed of that until AFTER they have put in all of the info to take them. This results in TONS of wasted time.

Then you've paid to study emails or GPT applications. I'm lumping these together mainly because they are both at the bottom on the barrel as far as I'm concerned. With paid for to go through emails, you get paid out maybe a tenth of a penny for every single email you go through. So you've to read 100 of them just to make 10 cents or 1,000 to make a dollar. Given all of the time it takes, you can find much better methods to make a buck and to save your hard earned taxable income.

GPT, or Get Paid for To applications, offer incentives for trying out items and services. The trouble with these are numerous. Limited opportunities, low pay (occasionally within the form of just the product itself) and hidden forced continuity not merely make these not profitable but downright dangerous and costly if you're not careful.

And these few "gems" only scratch the surface of what's out there as far as poor dollars generating offers. When you want to obtain into something that truly gives you a chance of creating a decent buck on the internet, check the website below - just one of the Places for making money online.

And remain away from the rubbish that I've mentioned above.

About the Author:

Get the full Quick Cash Concept Review. Buying this course enables you to get the amazing Quick Cash Concept Bonus here.

Cheapest Ways to Live: Apartments Rent To Own

Guest post By Edward King

Rent to own has become popular in the ever-increasing hunt for a home especially that buying a house seems to be too expensive for most families. Sometimes renting to own can be the Cheapest way to live. However, apartments rent to own also have their upsides and downsides.

Good points when you have apartments rent to own

1. You do not need to have any credit or good credit to do it. Unlike bigger condominiums and apartment franchises, rent to own sellers usually do not check your credit rating. This means no matter how bad your credit is you can always find a rent to own home for you. For some, this is a way to build their credit during the renting period to be able to buy the house at the end of the apartments for rent to own contract.

2. There are rent to own that are well-furnished apartments. This could be a plus why it is good to have rent to own because there could be times that apartments rent to own have already all the things needed in a house; to mention a few, television set, sofas, bed and other electronic appliances. These are just good benefits if you avail this type because you do not need to but other things when you transfer. These things could even give more comforts for your living and make you feel convenient in every move you make in the house.

3. Apartments rent to own are just so easy in all aspects along with their good benefits. Just like any other rent to own style, it is such a good point that once you avail rent to own, you do not have to pay for any repairs if there were some defects you discover and other utilities that need to be fixed. These things are not your responsibilities if you were still in the stage of renting. In addition to that, if in case you could discover something wrong with the place and you do not want to stay longer, then you could have the time to leave the place and look for a better one. This is very helpful because there could be times that things might go wrong and the area where you are staying turned to dangerous area, so you could easily leave the place. Sometimes, if you have already paid some furniture, then you could take them with you when you leave. Just try to think over these benefits, why you would not try apartments rent to own.

Above mentioned are the good things in apartments rent to own. However, there are also bad sides that you need to think over before you decide.

Downsides: Arguments Against apartments rent to own

1. There are various dues for you to consider. If you would choose to have apartments rent to own, as soon as you start with the deal, you have got lots of payments to be done. Some of these are; the upfront fee which costs you ten to fifteen percent of the over-all price of the entire unit. In addition to that, the monthly payment for your rent is much higher than other common apartments.

2. You might be speechless about the price when you get started with the deal however, when you get on with the deal, you could even have more. You would take all the responsibilities and the payment of the unit. As the future homeowner and the buyer, you do not really have the power to demand the price of the rental. There could be no choice but to just follow what is being asked for. In addition, you have to take all the responsibilities once you would be the official owner of the rent to own apartments.

3. You might feel so drained when you would leave the apartment. A legitimate reason why people stay away from apartments rent to own is the fact that you could never get back the initial payment you made and other extra payments you have done once you plan not to but the unit of just leave the apartment before your contact ends. By renting, you have got lots of payments to undertake and these could surely drown you out of the budget. That is why you need to consider all these points first before you would allow yourself to be involved with this kind of deal so that you would know if it is beyond you or not.

You have just been presented about the good and the bad sides of apartments rent to own. These could not answer the needs and wants of all but we could not also deny the fact that this could help someone in some other situations. This is why it is necessary to know the good and the bad sides of things in order for you to determine if they go beyond your means or not.

About the Author:

Want your own home? Check out our affordable apartments rent to own now! Pick from our many beautiful and strategic locations with flexible payment terms. Click here to see various apartments rent to own in Michigan.

Cheapest Places to Live: Cheapest Gas

I was reading my newsfeed this morning and came across a headline about the Cheapest Places to Buy Petrol (Gasoline) in Australia. It got me to thinking about where the cheap places are to buy gas here in North America.

I always find it interesting to read about and also to explore and observe when I'm traveling how buying, shopping and changes depending on where I am. For example, in Central Canada (Ontario) competition, although not nearly as aggressive as in the United States, is still somewhat alive. Sometimes radio stations or bloggers will post where the least expensive stations are or when there is a 'gas war' on. It doesn't happen that often but when it does it's nice to take advantage of the lower prices. When I travel to the U.S. I am always amazed at how much more competitive it can be. It's a very refreshing change from Canada where the oil companies basically have a monopoly and love to put the screws to Canadians. In the U.S. you can see different prices on every corner - that is cool. In Western Canada, particularly Vancouver and Victoria there does not appear to be any competition whatsoever. Every gas station charges exactly the same amount and if the price goes up or down they seem to make the change in the middle of the night. One exception to this which is a bit of fresh air - pardon the completely inappropriate use of the term! - is the addition of gas service at many CostCo Wholesale locations. Finally a bit of competition! Typically gas at CostCo will run 4 to 5 cents per litre less than the regular gas stations all round.

Back to Australia for a moment - the average price if Petrol (Gas) has been declining and is now down to 125.5 cents per litre in average across the country. Canberra is the Cheapest City for fuel at 120.9 cents per litre.

It would be nice to see a report for gas prices across Canada and the U.S.A. It may have some impact on where to find the cheapest places to by a car and also the cost of gas is a big part of our cost of living so it may just help when trying to anser hat question, 'Where Should I Live?'

Read the Aussie article here Cheapest Places to Buy Petrol| Switzer

Cheapest Places To Buy A Car

When thinking about the Cheapest way to live I have thought many times and asked myself,

'Is it really worth buying locally or am I best to travel a little to get the best deal?'

It goes for so many things. Many people jump across the Canada/US border to shop for clothes and other household items. People who live in border towns often go across to cheap gas and groceries. I know people who have traveled far to get the best deal on boats and cars. So, when I read this article about the 10 Cheapest Places to buy a car I sat up and took notice.

So, where can you go if you are willing to take some time to drive back and process any necessary paperwork? Think Florida and specifically the area between and including Orlando to Tampa. This region topped the charts on AOL's best deal for autos as the top discount market. The average price of new vehicles in central Florida was discovered to be ten percent below manufacturer's suggest retail prices. Next in line are Baltimore / Washington at 9.9% below and next Atlanta at 9.4 % below MSRP. The AOL 'Best Deal' study also revealed Maryland (8.1% off), Virginia (7.6%) and Florida (7.5% state average) as the cheapest states for buying a new car. For those in the west who don't feel like making the cross country trek, San Francisco, LA and Dallas also offer up some pretty cheap deals.

It may seem like a daunting task, flying across the country and then taking a few days to drive back home. But it may be worth it. Especially if you are considering a vehicle with a higher price tag. Think of it this way, 10% of $100,000 is $10 grand! That's a lot of money and easily worth the cost of a flight and a few nights hotel stay. And if you combine your purchase with a vacation or business trip you were going to take anyways - bingo. You just saved a ton of cash.

The reality most people can't be bothered and won't go to all the extra effort just to find the cheapest places to buy a car let alone go there and do it. However, information like this can be food for thought and can also be solid ammunition in negotiated your best deal. If your local dealers knows you've been shopping and knows what he's up against that can translate into a nice discount for you right at your home dealership. Be prepared. Crunch the numbers and go to your dealer with data in hand. You'll be glad you did!

Read the original article - Cheapest Places To Buy A Car

Kiplinger Ranks Fort Smith Cheapest City To Live In

Fort Smith Arkansas least expensive place to live in the U.S.A.

Kiplinger . com has ranked Fort Smith #1 or the Cheapest Place to Live in the United States. Kiplinger using complex and accurate formulas based on average costs of living to determine which places are less expensive to live and which are the most. According to Kiplinger New York City is the most expensive place to live in America today. Through their index a person moving from Fort Smith to New York would need to earn 1.5 times to maintain the same standard of living. Conversely, someone moving from New York to Fort Smith could take a 60% pay cut to have the same standard of living.

This just shows that in large developed countries like the U.S. and Canada the cost of living varies greatly across the land. And you don't necessarily need to move to another country to find a cheap place to live. Kiplinger's study put 7 of the 10 cheapest American cities in the southern U.S. Arkansas garnered two spots in the top, or bottom 10, depending on which way you lok at it. Fort Smith in first and Conway, Ark in 6th place.

Kiplinger uses data collected over a specific period of time to establish their index. They price the same items in each area to be used in their study. Common groceries like: steak, a half gallon of milk and canola oil, for example. They also include other expenses related to daily living like: a visit to the doctor, an eye exam, a veterinary visit, a take out pizza, apartment rent and the avg cost for a new home.

Grant Pruitt shares his experience and love of Fort Smith in this YouTube video







(Source: Times Record, Fort Smith, Ark.) Story by Wanda Freeman, Times Record, Fort Smith, Ark. You can read the whole article here: Fort Smith Cheapest City To Live In

The World’s Cheapest Cities

Mercer undertook a survey recently on 'cost of living' whereby it researched and then ranked 208 cities around the world. Their research looked at items like food, clothing, housing and entertainment to compare and come up with it's list of the World's Cheapest Cities. Mercer is recognized as the leading authority and their study is recognized as the most comprehensive in the world. In fact many governments and large corporations use their reports to create pay plans and determine appropriate remuneration for employees who are sent abroad.

Addis Ababa, which sits at the base of Mount Entoto and is the capital city for Ethiopia, was found to be

One of the World’s Cheapest Cities. Addis is known as the political capital of Africa. There you will find World Heritage Sites; the Ethiopian National Library; Ethnological Museum; St Georges Cathedral to name a few. And all of this history and culture resides among a busy metropolitan city.

The report also notes Luanda which is the capital of Angola as the most expensive city for ex-pats followed by Tokyo, Ndjamena, Moscow and Geneva, Switzerland. Which you may recall from our discussion a few months back about International Livings Index and uncovering the Cheapest Places to Live.

For more information about Living Abroad check out International Living Magazine