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            <title>Why Do People Gamble? Reasons to Gambling Popularity</title>
            <link>http://www.easternshorelocal.com/pages/Blog/op/extended/article/3</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Here you can read why despite the risk and the bad reputation gambling is so popular worldwide.

Gambling in its various forms has been popular for centuries in different cultures all over the entire world. Whether through the national lottery, in horse racing tracks or in casino table games, people are wagering their money hoping to win big time. Although the number of people who go home with life changing winnings is much smaller than the number of people who have left their money in the casinos, race tracks or bingo halls, the popularity of the pastime has not been reduced through the years. 

Despite the low odds of stepping out as winners in most popular forms of gambling is a well known fact, even though gambling suffers from a bad reputation and even when it is illegal, gambling is still one of the most popular pastimes in the world. So, why do people gamble? The most obvious answer would be money, but it will not be a full answer. There are many other reasons that drive people to the nearest gambling facility. Here we will try to offer an answer to this disturbing question. 

Luck: the irrational believe in luck is engraved in most of us. These unexplained gut feelings that a special day or a certain number is luckier than the others are sends a lot of people to gamble or even gamble on the same numbers over and over again.

Social Purposes: have you ever wonder how can a group of people beat the pants off someone in a poker game and remain best buddies? You can see it in bingo halls, casino bars and friendly poker games: many people see gambling as an opportunity to make new friends or spend time with old friends in addition to the chance of earning additional money. 

Entertainment: many people visit casinos and play their favorite casino games simply because they love it and they are having a great time. In Las Vegas casinos for example, you will meet more recreational gamblers who see gambling as part of their vacation activities than professional gamblers who take gambling as a serious source of income.

Excitement: the act of gambling apparently can give you quite an adrenaline rush. Regardless of the money aspect, the anticipation of the outcome of the game while still not knowing whether it would match your bet is what makes all forms of gambling so thrilling and exciting.

Relaxation: as opposed to the accelerated adrenaline rush described by many gamblers, many gamblers find the gambling experience relaxing. When you think about it, what can be more relaxing than ending a busy work week in the comfortable casino atmosphere, playing your favorite game and served free drinks?

 Boredom: whether exciting or relaxing, when the daily lives become an unbearable routine, gambling can serve as a way to escape reality.

Money: in addition to all the reasons mentioned above, gambling allegedly provides an opportunity to earn unbelievable amounts of money within short time and minimum investment. Even if you are aware to the exact mathematical odds of beating each and every gambling game, if you are an optimist by nature, this slightest chance would nevertheless drive you to a casino, a bookie, a lottery terminal or a bingo hall.


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            <pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:12:58 +0100</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <title>Watch Your Spending</title>
            <link>http://www.easternshorelocal.com/pages/Blog/op/extended/article/2</link>
            <description><![CDATA[You can never have enough money to buy everything you want. It doesn't matter if you make $150,000 a year or if you make $35,000 a year. You can still be just as broke. In fact, those with the higher incomes may be even more broke.


You can never have enough money to buy everything you want. It doesn't matter if you make $150,000 a year or if you make $35,000 a year. You can still be just as broke. In fact, those with the higher incomes may be even more broke.

The simple truth is that it isn't how much you make, it is how much you spend. If you make $100,000 and spend $120,000, you are just as broke as someone who makes $40,000, but spends $48,000.

With easily accessible credit it has become very easy to overspend and not even know it. Years ago, when you were out of money, you were out of money. But today, you can dig yourself a nice little debt.

I understand that sometimes events happen that are out of our control. People get ill, loose jobs and face other emergencies. But the majority of people with debt and money problems out there haven't faced these emergencies. And if they do in the future, they will have very little to fall back on.

What you have to learn is how not to spend your money. Not where and when to spend, but how to not spend at all.

The more you make, the more you spend. Have you ever noticed that as soon as you get a raise, you have it spent? I know plenty of people that are planning on getting a raise, so they go ahead and buy the new car or bigger home.

And it goes beyond the large spending. There is a whole new attitude with a higher income. You think that you can afford the little things now. The grocery bill doubles. You splurge more often.

And it all adds up quickly.

Over the years, you get no further ahead. You find yourself struggling even more than you did at twenty. You make more, but you can't see where all the money has gone.

The key to controling your spending is found in setting goals. When you have a concrete financial goal that you are working towards, you are better equipped to avoid temptation. You may be more willing to drive your older vehicle a few more years, if you know that the money saved will help you retire one year earlier. Not buying that sweater may seem like a little sacrifice next to realizing the goal of remodeling your kitchen.

When you are faced with the temptation to splurge, think about your goal. Find other ways to spend your time instead of shopping. If you never go in the store, you won't spend the money.

Remember, each dollar you spend that you don't have is costing you hundreds of dollars in the long run. And if you count the time it is taking off of building your retirement savings, you are actually losing thousands. Spending is the problem, not the money.

The most important thing you can do for your finances is to learn to budget. Take the time to make a budget work for you. A good budget will let you plan for the future, while keeping you aware of exactly how much money you have right now. It will help you see what you are spending your money on and what you could be spending it on.


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            <pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:01:39 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Why Own a Home Instead of Rent?</title>
            <link>http://www.easternshorelocal.com/pages/Blog/op/extended/article/1</link>
            <description><![CDATA[There are times when it is better for a person to rent, but most often home ownership has many more benefits and advantages.

There are times when it is better for a person to rent, but most often home ownership has many more benefits and advantages.  

About 10 year ago a had a retired aunt and uncle who rented a condo in Las Vegas. Uncle Jim (not his real name, but that's what I'll call him) was a retired minister. Throughout his career he and his wife lived in parsonages, which are homes furnished by the congregation while they ministered there.  

He and his wife told me that the biggest mistake they ever made was not to invest in buying a home.  In their retirement years, when their other retired friends were living in homes that were almost paid off and had appreciated greatly, Uncle Jim and his wife were using a huge portion of their limited retirement money to make expensive condo rent payments. They strongly cautioned me not to make the same mistake they had.


Recent studies are showing that there are many benefits for both the owners and the community for owning your own home, including increased education for children,  lower teen-age pregnancy rate and a higher lifetime annual income for children. Besides these, listed below are some of the primary advantages for owning your own house.


More Stable Housing Costs
Rent payments can be unpredictable and typically rise each year, but most mortgage payments remain unchanged for the entire loan period. If the taxes go up, the increase is usually gradual. This stable housing cost especially important in times of inflation, when renters lose money and owners make money.

Tax Savings
Homeonwers can be eligible for signifigant tax savings because you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from your federal income tax, as well as many states' income taxes. This can be a considerable amount of money at first, because the first few years of mortgage payments is made up mostly of interest and taxes.

If you need to refinance to consolidate other debts (an opportunity you don't have if you are renting) the interest on this is also tax deductable. 

Equity
Instead of payments disappearing into someone elses pocket, home owners are building equity in their own home. This is often one of a person's biggest investment assests.  Each year that you own the home you pay more toward the principal, which is money you will get back when the home sells. It is like having a scheduled savings account that grows faster the longer you have it. If the property appreciates, and generally it does, it is like money in your pocket. And you are the one who gets to take advanatge of that, not the landlord. You can then use this equity to plan for future goals like your child's education or your retirement.

It is Yours!
When you own a home you are in control. You the freedom to decorate it and landscape it any way you wish. You can have a pet or two. No one can pop in and inspect your home and threaten to evict you. 


Even young people, like college students out on their own, can often benefit from home ownership. It puts them ahead of other young people their age financially by helping with their credit and giving them what is often an excellent investment. Often a college student buying a home will rent the rooms out, and his or her roommates end up making the payments for the house. When the student is ready to move on, her or she can sell the home (hopefully making a profit) or keep it as an investment and continue to rent it.

Buying a home is an important decision. It is often the largest purchase a person makes in his or her life. Home ownership also comes with some increased responsibilities, and isn't for everyone. There are some disadvantages to homeownership that you should take into account. 

Increased Expenses
Your monthly expenses may increase, depending on your situation. Even if the monthly payments are the same, home owners still have to pay property taxes, all the utilities, and all the maintenance and upkeep costs for the home.  Often you need to supply appliances that were furnished with a rental.

Decreased Freedom of Mobility
Homeowners can't move as easily as a renter who just has to give notice to the landlord. Selling a house can be a complex and time consuming process.  

Risk of Depreciation
In some areas with overinflated prices, there may be a risk that the house will depreciate instead of increase in value, if the prices go down. If you then sell the house, you may not get enough money from the home to pay back your mortgage, and you will still owe the mortgage company money. 

Possibility of Foreclosure 
If for some reason you are unable to make your payments, you risk having the lender forclose on your propety. This can result in the loss of your home, any equity you have earned, and the loss of your good credit rating. 

When considering home ownership, you need to weight the advantages and disadvantages for yourself.  If you are like most people, you will find that homeownership is worth the risks and disadvantages.


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            <pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:43:38 +0100</pubDate>
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