I guess there’s Cash Intellect, and then again I guess there’s Cash Stupid. Bobby Brown is in very hot water after not paying for child support of his 2 kids. Apparently, he owes thousands of dollars in back payments. The judge has issued a warrant for his arrest. Better not visit Massachusetts Bobby.

Doesn’t he have enough trouble with Whitney filing for divorce, the gravy train is over Bobby. Can’t keep Whitney doped up any longer and live off of her money anymore, too bad! Get a real job and start paying your own way from now on.

You are the only person that should be signing your checks, no one else. And there is no quick and easy way to send a check over the Internet. Here’s an example of a check scamming system that was caught in California. Be very cautious, don’t fall for the nice looking stuff. Do not sign up for anything involving money transferring through the Internet. The only exception is using your bank to pay bills or purchasing something from a known vendor using a reputable payable system like PayPal.

I know competition and free enterprise is the end all and be all, the American dream et all, but, give me a break! Starbucks has lowered itself into the armpit of pitiful foul play. Allegedly, a competitor, Seattle-based Belvi Coffee and Tea Exchange Inc. has filed suit against the giant, Starbucks, for anti competitive tactics to get rid of it’s competition. Are things that bad that Starbucks has to contrive to dominate the world of coffee? Maybe that’s why they’ve increased their coffee by 5 cents a cup. Dirty pool.

I thought competition was healthy, you know, give the consumers a choice, buy what you like or want. I guess according to Starbucks they want a totalitarian world of complete domination filled with only one coffee distributor. Come one, come all, to the capitalistic coffee house, we serve all and take every ones money alike, we don’t discriminate.

Which do you prefer to read for your news? It appears that the newspaper industry is getting a might bit afraid of the effects of the Internet, especially on people under 50 years old. I can’t see it myself, however, I have not purchased the newspaper in favour of the Internet when I was doing comparison shopping. I found it easier and faster on line to quickly shop around, at known retailers, and get my information.

The news is a different thing when it comes to the Internet. There is a validation when reading news printed in the newspaper. The authors and editors are real. What do I mean by that? Sometimes newspapers print the columnist pictures, or they have been exposed via other means, like television or radio interviews. Who knows Craigslist? Do you really know who is posting news or information on the Internet, I think not. It could be a kid or flunky in his shorts typing on his computer in his basement. Who really knows.

One thing I will complain about in newspapers are the advertising pages, and I do mean pages, and pages, and pages. If it’s a full page ad or something just a bit smaller, ads consume the newspaper. I would dare say 75% or higher content is dedicated to ads. I hate seeing all these ads just to get to the news. But, like any operating business, they are in business to make money and advertising revenue is huge for the newspaper industry. I don’t think they will experience any reduction in subscribers or daily buyers, lots of people like to pass the time if they are using public transit.

We have a long way to go before there will be a clear winner. In the meantime, enjoy and use both, I do. Sometimes I want something in my hands to view and read, and othertimes I prefer the speed of the Internet, but lets not lose too many trees while we’re deciding which venue we prefer. 

Smart move by AT & T to revisit their outsourcing program and make a decision to implement back in house. Most companies look at the cost savings of outsourcing. What they don’t realize is that when you relinquish control of your customer, you lose. No one has your customer’s best interest at heart than you do.

Also, they are opportunities to up sell products at every customer contact, especially when you are speaking with your customer on the phone. Marketing Departments love to create and develop programs to increase revenue streams. That’s what they do. It is difficult to manage and control quality work standards when you have outsourced your work, it doesn’t work well. 

What do you buy for yourself as a little treat? We’re all busy slugging through the day making ends meet with the onslaught of daily bills, and time passes by quickly from week to week. But, if you stop, consider what you would buy specifically for yourself, what would it be? Would you lavish yourself like a car, or new furniture, or clothes? What reward would you give yourself?

I’ve seen some people treat themselves with small stuff. Like an expensive lunch/dinner at a posh restaurant that ordinarily they would never consider. Or going to the movies instead of waiting for the DVD, you know the movie everyone is talking about, and your still waiting to see it on the cheap through a DVD rental. How about a CD of your favourite singing artist.

Think about your mental state, a special treat can perk you up in no time. Self satisfaction that you actually enjoyed your treat and feel great for buying or doing something for yourself. It doesn’t have to be expensive, buy a book or pick up a knickknack, whatever brings you joy. A treat shouldn’t stress you out. The purpose of treating yourself is to relieve the mundane routine in you life, bring a newness and good feeling to yourself. Maybe you’ve been really good at saving money and feel just a small purchase is a good reward for being so dedicated and committed to your savings goal.

Whatever you choose, a special treat for yourself can go a long way to feeling better. There’s a saying “all work and no play…..” you know the rest. 

Would you bring your dog to work? About 20% of companies are allowing their workforce to bring their dogs to work. Corporations are bending all their old rules and have approved of pet companions on their premises. They finally figured it out. A happy employee makes for an increase in productivity, efficiency, and results. Go figure!

Long gone are the days of white shirts and basic ties wrapped around men’s throats. All women must wear dresses or skirts, either buttoned up to the top or skirts down to the knee. We live in a very different world today, a world of acceptance, approval and allowances for being an individual that wants to make a statement with style and self image.

I say good for the company that can incorporate change. For most people that are stuck in an office, they never see the customer. What difference is there in their appearance, as long as they are performing to your standards who cares what they look like. And if having your pet sitting beside you, giving you unconditional love, through the bad and good days, hurrah for you. Chalk one up for man’s best friend. 

It looks like the giant retailer is leading the way again. Wal-Mart is going to initiate a test program in Florida to sell generic prescription drugs for $4.00. The test will begin in Tampa Bay and expand state wide in January 2007. What a fantastic approach to a national problem and personal  issue for so many consumers. 

For those people who do not have prescription drug insurance, or simply can not afford the coverage, this will enable them to get the drugs they need. What a relief. Now if Wal-Mart can do this, why can’t other retailers? There is no valid reason why anyone in the world shouldn’t be without the drugs they need to be healthy. Way to go Wal-Mart, love you!

Imagine seeing the police carrying a little 10 year old girl away in handcuffs. This budding entrepreneur has felt the full thrust of the law. In Fayetteville, North Carolina, there is a law that does not permit any moving vehicles on their sidewalks.

Savannah Nelson found out the hard way that she was not allowed to ride her scooter on the sidewalk to make deliveries of coffee, or lunches to her customers. Subsequently, Savannah is not taking this lying down, she has started a petition to overturn the existing law so that she can be back in business.

Good for you Savannah, where there’s a wheel there’s a way.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Yahoo is offering a free coffee this Friday if you set your homepage to Yahoo. That’s right, there’s a huge advertising campaign hitting the airwaves from Yahoo as it tries to gain some marketshare from competitors Google.

This might fall into the category of “too little too late”. Coffee is a big time FREE incentive to most North American consumers, but I don’t think this will bring Yahoo back. Get your freebie fast, Starbucks didn’t do so well with this marketing strategy.