Easy Life

XBox 360 HD DVD Player

2008-01-03T22:24:00.000-08:00

What do you need to know about XBox 360 HD DVD? Simple. It is:
1. Manufactured by Microsoft. If you are Microsoft hater, you can stop reading this article right now
2. Comes with a free copy of King Kong HD-DVD in bundle. Note this may be a limited time offer.
3. Comes with AV remote and firmware upgrade disc for your Xbox 360 console. Place the disc inside and wait. The rest runs automatically.
4. Produces very, very good image quality that had impressed many people
5. Delivers impressive audio quality as well
6. Smaller than the XBox 360 console.
7. Connects via USB cable. You can connect it to PC and built a home theatre PC with it if you want to.
8. Reasonable price. At least by the time this article posted.

If you already had an XBox 360 then add an extra $$$ for this baby won't hurt you much because in return you can, not only play game but also watch your favourite movies in high quality picture. You turn your gaming console into multimedia center.

Find Xbox 360 HD DVD Player from Amazon in lower price!

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS

2007-09-23T23:25:00.000-07:00

Forerunner 305 GPS is a watch, GPS receiver and heart rate monitor, all in one. It comes in sporty design (of course) with wrapped GPS antenna around part of the wist for a better view of the sky. Garmin states that they improve the GPS receiver inside to provide better tracking under trees and tall buildings

You will find out that the actual tracking is very much improved, compare to the the previous series, the interface is so user friendly and easy to use. The size is also excellent and conformtable. This baby is just perfect for you who need a watch for running that can monitor your heart rate, speed and distance with BIG capacity.

Forerunner 305 comes with courses feature that can help you compare your pace and heart rate to your past performance over the same run. You can also track how much calories you burn with the Foot Pod. Unfortunately that it is optional, you have to add extra $$$ to have it work with your Forerunner 305.

When turned on, it tries to locate the satellite signals. This process, however can take up to five minutes or perhaps more, but after it gets the signal, it locks itself into and never lost it.

Garmin also gives you a Training Center software for free to help you analyze your data with interactive graphs. You can do you exercise and then download your pace, heart rate, time and distance data into your pc and analyze it. This will help you improve your self better.

If you're looking for a watch for running that has highest technology about exercising, then go for it!

Buy Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS with the best price! Click Here!

Give your Forerunner something worth to buy:

Attached to your bicycle and see how fast you are with its cycling speed sensor, and store the result for further analysis. This baby is compatible with Garmin Edge 305, Edge 305CAD, and Forerunner 305. Won't hurt you much to but it!

healthy oatmeal cookies

2007-09-11T23:37:00.000-07:00

I won't talk much this time. Just a resume of some best oatmeal cookies recipe books from Amazon. Here I sort the ones those having with at least 3.5 stars in review.

Reviews say this book is fabulous, has many great advices and reminders. This one also says that low carb is about getting back to basic,unprocessed, "REAL" foods and not just about counting the carbs in food. Good point I think, because if I have to count every carbs before eat, most likely I'll end up by eating nothing. Here you'll learn how to cook Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps, UnPotato and Sausage Soup, Mexican Cabbage Soup, French Toasty Eggs or Chipotle-Cheese Fauxtatoes, all are low carb foods.

This book is intended for beginners, each recipe is explained. Detail. Most recipes are easy to follow with extra little tips here and there. If you want to have healty food without worrying about carbs, getting bored eat the same menu again and again, perhaps this book is for you.

If you are vegetarian and hardly find recipe book for your need, perhaps you should take a look at this one. Bear the name, this how about to cook vegetarian food. By the time this article is posted, there are 173 people review this book and 147 of them give 5 stars!. Doesn't it mean something? At least this book has something worthy enough inside. Tofu hater? Well maybe this book can help you to start to know tofu better.

Most people agree that recipes inside are easily modified, familiar ingredients, easy preps and taste yummy. Some people also agree this book is written in personable and approachable way. So why don't you give it a try?

A great way to losing weight and loving it - in short that is what most people agree about this book. The recipes are quite easy and use common ingredients however some recipes may not for a beginner. Recipe has symbol on top of the page, indicates it is a quick or hot ones. If you have problem with weight and want to lose some while can still enjoying delicious food, you might want to consider this book.

Croton Stainless Steel Watch

2007-08-28T00:31:00.000-07:00

A watch is just a watch, a bunch of metal, gold and jewel those packed together. It is the brand that makes different, that makes people address you as a very, very important person, success, richness, charitable and (they hope) single. *Well at least you are free*

If it is not the brand then the look. They make a perfect combo. Now imagine a watch with elegant, luxury style, looks expensive with jewel and crystal around. Wear it, and people will turn their eyes on you. Attractive. It is you. Fashion. It's you again. You win their first impression. Now the rest is up to you. I didn't say a watch can do it all for you, you still have to do your part.

Speaking about watch, you may want to take a look at the following samples I bring before you. They are most people's choice *by the time this article is posted, I mean*. If they do not meet your expectation, at least you have someting to start with. Enjoy!

It is a great looking and (seems) solid and at affordable price watch. You may not impress most people by wearing this but at least you catch some of their attention. At this price range, you get what you paid for.

Solid. Cool. Two Eye True Chronograph. Domed Scratch Resistant Mineral Crystal. Like the design? No wonder. This comes with elegant stainless steel combine with rubber adjustable band.

This one is a different option than above. Bear the name "aquamatic", easy to assume that this sporty design watch is for you who loves out door activity. Click on the image to find out about more promotion program on this item.

That's all for today. There are more but can't show them here. If you need a watch or looking for a present for your hubby, wife, kids whatever, find one that suits you most, for you and your credit card, best watches at best price

Check Visa Card: Debit Card vs Credit Card

2007-08-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what is "check visa card", "check card", "master money"? Well they are all simply a debit card. VISA calls them "Checkcards" and Mastercard calls them "Mastermoney" cards. Different name but same meaning and purpose. Yeah marketing tricks often get you lost in the jungle.

Check visa card or debit card is both debit and ATM in single card. You can withdraw cash from any ATM that has Visa logo (or Mastercard logo, depend of which merchant you card belongs to) and at the same time you can swipe your card like common credit card. In common, you are obliged to open a checking account in the bank institution who issues the card. When you go to ATM and withdraw cash, you are withdrawn from your account. When you swipe your card the store withdraws from your account as well. It's not a credit but debit card.

The plus:
1. there's neither interest charge nor outstanding balance.
2. You can withdraw cash while purchase.

The minus:
1. You can't build a good credit score. Yes, transaction using debit is not registered in credit history. It is debit not credit, make sense doesn't it?
2. You may miss the reward point program. Most reward program can only be earned by credit transaction. Though some banks have changed their policy but more are still stay the same.
3. There is transaction fee. Some banks charge from a few cents to as much as $2 for every time you use your PIN in debit transaction. You'll never know about this fee until you find out yourself. The banks obviously have no intention to tell their clients.

You may think debit card is a better option to save you from debt and monthly interest but know this: there are risks those are greater than credit card. Debit is not always as simple as it seems, once you have your debit card on fraud, it can cost you more than credit card.

Blocking
You may have heard "blocking" in credit card. In simple, a block is a number of amount that get freeze in your account for every transaction you made. This amount is "hold" by the merchant and it is always bigger than the real amount in transaction. This "block" is released after you complete your payment.

Here's an example:
You check into $100/night hotel for three nights, and then at least $300 will be blocked from your account. Hotels may block more since they add anticipated charges such as food, laundry, etc.

When you check out, if you pay your bill with the same card as you checked in, the final amount (the total charges for your three nights stay in hotel including service and tax) will replace the block in a day or two. But if you use different card or pay cash, the block may stay for up to 15 days since the company that issue your card doesn't know that the bill has already paid in another way.

Blocking can cause problem
If you are far away from your credit card limit or low balance account, blocking will not be a problem, but if you're not then be extra careful since the amount that blocked can prevent you from using your card. In example above, let's say there's only $400 left in your checking account, when you checked in you thought you still have $300 left to spend, actually there's only $100 of it since $300 is blocked. Isn't it embarrassing if you find your credit card declined and people are looking at you? And what if you need to purchase something urgent?

Blocking tips:
1. Whenever you use credit/debit card in firms such as hotels or car rents, ask if the company is "blocking". If it is then for how long and how much.
2. As far as you can, avoid using different card in beginning and ending transaction of "blocked" bills.. For instance, if you check in using your Visa card, then use the same card when you check out.
3. If you have to pay using different card, remind the clerk you're using different form of payment and ask them to remove the prior block
4. You may want to ask your debit card issuer if they permit blocks, for how long and from what types of merchants. Know your card better!

Transfer via Western Union and claim your Free eCard

Risks of using debit card:
Debit card can be used with or without PIN (signature only). Just like credit card, debit card is also open of fraud. When a credit card is fraudulently used, you are also only disputing whether you owe the bank money, but when a debit card is fraudulently used, the thief robs your checking account until all of your money drains out.

Under the law, your debit card liability could be as much as $500, if you notify the bank more than 48 hours after you learn of the problem or even up to all the money in your checking account plus your maximum overdraft line of credit if you fail to notify the bank within 60 days while your ultimate liability for fraudulent use of a credit card is generally only $50.

Debit vs Credit:
1. By debit card, thieves have easier access to your money.
This is due to the nature of debit card: withdraw money from your checking account, it means if your debit card is stolen, thieves can drain out your entire bank account even if they do not know the PIN. If you have your card with you but thieves know your card number (and worse, your PIN as well), they still can access your account and take whatever you have there.

2. If a thief accesses your account you may be without your money.
If your credit card is fraudulently, you may fight with your bank about the unauthorized transactions and who should pay but you still have your money with you. But if it is your debit card then you will fight your bank to get your money back AND you have no money with you.

Unlike credit card, debit card knows no limit except minimum low balance account. Say you have $700 in your checking account with minimum balance is $10, if your debit card is fraud the thief can pull out all $690 and leave the $10 for you. Though some of you may argue "at least I still have $10 with me", I don't think loosing $690 is a good idea. You report to bank which then investigates it. The process can take days, weeks or months while you need to live. You have children to feed, debt to pay, food to buy but you are without your money. If it is your credit card, though you still have to fight with your bank, you still have your money with you

3. Bank makes more money from debit card
When you use the card like a credit card (with a signature, but not with a PIN), banks take a hefty fee from the merchant. When you use it with a PIN, like an ATM card, more and more banks are charging you a transaction fee (called a POS fee) of $0.25-$1. Other banks are charging a monthly card rental fee (even if you do not use it at all) of $1-2/month. That adds up to $12-24/year, plus transaction fees. Of course, banks are hitting you with a POs fee in hopes you use the card with a signature-- so they can make more money from the merchant.

How to Lower Debit Card Risk:
1. Do not use debit card for transaction in internet. You open your checking account by doing so, just like invite thief your house. Credit card offers better protection under the law if goods are defective or do not arrive.
2. Use it with only merchants you trust and never loose it from your sight when it is swiped until it is back to you.
3. Do not use debit card for call info merchant in televions. If anything happens in delivery process and you do not get your item, you already lost your money and to get it back from your bank, it will be exhausting.
4. Keep an eye on your checking account balance
5. If your card is stolen, report it to your bank immediately
6. Make a complain as soon as possible once you notice any unauthorized transactions in your statement
7. Always get the full name of anyone you speak with on the phone at the bank

Last but not least, I'm not telling you that debit card is a bad option since credit card has its downside as well. It's all back to you, which one do you prefer. Some people have no problem controlling their "swipe the card" habit and believe credit card is the best, while some other prefer debit card. It's not a problem. You can have both, just keep an eye of your cards, use them wisely and everything will be allright.

Credit Card Rewards

2007-07-12T23:57:00.000-07:00

Credit card is issued by credit provider usually a general or captive bank. When a transaction is made using credit card, the provider lends money to the card holder (customer), the customer then will receive a billing statement provide detail of transaction. Customer has option to pay the minimum proportion or the entire amount.

Verification made when a card is swiped either through PIN (Personal Identification Numbered) key in or using electronic verification system performed by credit card terminal with communications link to the merchant's acquiring bank.

Rewards
Most merchant offers rewards to attract more consumers. Such rewards are:

1. Cash Back Reward
Card holders receive small amount percentage of their purchase. this can be either credited to the credit card account or paid to the card holders. Most beneficial to customer who pay their credit card statement off each month. If you have outstanding balance, you won't earn the reward. Cards with cash back rewards usually have higher APRs.

2. Travel Rewards: airline miles, gas rebate or cash back, hotel stay
In gas rebate, customers get rebate on gas purchases, in cash back customers get cash back. Most beneficial of course for customers who on lond road trip oftenly. Be aware that it's not always as beauty as it seems. Gas reward comes under certain conditions such as purchases must be made on affiliated gas station, or with minimum amount, and if there's still outstanding balance most likely you're not entitled to earn gas rebate reward.

In airline miles and hotel stay, customers gain accrue points corresponding to the distance flown on airline used by them if they purchase ticket using credit card. These points (frequent flyer miles) can be redeemed for free air travel; for other goods or services; or for increased benefits, such as airport lounge access or priority bookings.

Calculation method for this type of reward can be very complicated as flying in first class gain additional points instead of flying in business class. Points can also be based on number of flight instead of miles flown.

Usually frequent flyer miles programs have vary of level status, the more you fly the more points you gain the higher your level. Benefit often includes:

* Access to business and first class lounges with an economy ticket
* Access to other airlines' lounges
* Increased mileage accumulation (such as doubling or tripling)
* Reserving an unoccupied adjacent seat
* The ability to reserve specific seats, such as exit row seats with more leg room
* Free or discounted upgrades to a higher travel class
* Priority in waitlisting or flying standby
* Preference in not being bumped if a flight is oversold

3. Point reward
This is the most common in credit card marketing. Points earned for every purchase you made and after you reached certain amount, points can be redeemed for merchandise items or gift certificates. Usually, points are applied for minimum amount of purchase.

4. Discount/Privileges for Certain Items
You may buy with special price for certain items on certain stores. This more like promotion than reward, before you decide which card you'll apply you may want to look which cards have the biggest offer. Some cards also offer privileges on airport executive longue or restaurant. Some cards also offer kind of "buy 1 get 1 free" promotion, such as if you buy one ticket at certain theatre you get extra another ticket.

What Should You Pay Attention to:

1. How about the annual fee?
Notice that some cards have higher annual fee, you should take a closer look at it since it is the one you should pay each year, doesn't matter you swipe your card or not. See also how much you must spend before you can earn reward, if it is too much then let it go. For instance, is it worth to spend $10,000 just for $50 gift reward? You decide.

2. How about the APR?
For your information, APR stands for annual percentage rate, the effective interest rate that will be paid on a loan. Ask for the APR before you apply. Is it fixed or float rate? Usually 0% APR is applied for first year only, after that you'll be charged based on prime rate. If prime rate increases, APR will follow, but if prime rate falls, there's a minimum cap for APR. This means if prime rate falls below the limit, APR will not go below the minimum cap

3. Pay attention on the detail
If your card has point reward program, check out on which store your purchase can earn point because sometimes points are only available on limited store with limited items. If it is expensive store with unreasonable price then you will spend money than you should.

And as the wise says, nothing lasts forever so as the reward program. Find out if there's any expiration date on reward program. You certainly don't want to collect point for nothing just because when you want to redeem it, the program has ended, do you?

Sometimes hotel rewards can not be claimed on peak season. Some others only applied for standard room only including or excluding breakfast, not mention local tax. So pay attention on the detail.

What You Should Know:

1. "Up to" means less
Yes that's right. "Up to 15%" means you can earn reward in range from 0% to 15% maximum, in fact most of you will only earn half of the value. The highest number always comes with tighest conditions you must meet, which usually won't be achieved with normal using of your card.

2. Keep Your Balance Off
If you intend to earn cash back or gas rebate reward then keep your balance off. Cards those offer cash back used to have high APR, unless you always keep your balance off you'll mostly will fall into debt.

3. Travel reward is not for small charge
Do not use travel reward card for personal expense such as groceries item or clothes since most of type of this cards have a higher minimum point than other cards. You may have to spend at least $ 10,000 per year before you earn a free travel. Therefor, this typical card is intended for frequent fylers who often use their card to purchase airline ticket, hotel and travel transportation.

So, Which Reward Card is the Best For Me?
First mention your purpose and your life style of course. If you are a frequent flyer or often purchase gas for your car then obviously a travel/gas reward credit card is your best. If you use your card for your personal expense then you might want to look at card that offer points or cash back reward program. Find the one that most suitable for you and not charge you a high annual fee or APR.

Last but not least, once again, always stay away from cards with high annual fee and/or high interest. The more you swipe the harder you can keep your balance off and the more likely you will fall into debt. Credit card can help you build your credit score but if you're not smart, it'll be easily to turn into your nightmare.

Credit Card Terminal

2007-07-09T00:06:00.000-07:00

Basically there are three type of credit card terminal:

1. Stationery credit card terminal.

This is the most common in use and seen in many places. Usually it has keypad, display screen and a built-in printer but the last is optional. Some can have no printer installed. This one links to network usually using cable. Though simple and easy, some of them can accept debit card as well.

Display is vary in size, larger display means more information can be seen at once. Displays are usually measured line lines and columns: an 8 x 20 display has 8 lines of text, 20 columns wide. Getting a backlit display lets you use the terminal even in low light conditions and is probably a good idea - backlights are standard on most new terminals in any case.

2. Wireless credit card terminal

This one has the same feature as above unless this does not require a network cable to connect to server, it's wireless remember? This type of terminal is oftenly used by taxi driver or store with temporary location counter.

If you plan to purchase this then pay attention on battery life, maximum range it can tolerate, weight and shock resistance. Since it is mobile and often carried around there is always a chance it can be dropped occasionaly.

3. Virtual credit card terminal
This one is used for internet business or phone order. Actualy, this is not pyhsical item you can touch and see, this is a software. Most likely you can customize several things such as discount and tax. Customers don't swipe card on this terminal, instead they enter their credit card number and the software will do the rest. Sites those accept credit card payment are using this kind of terminal.

Credit Card Terminal Feature
Some common features those most of the terminal have are:
1. Magnetic stripe reader
2. Display
3. Keypad
4. Printer

Some more are echanced feature like:
1. External PIN Pad - This is useful if your card terminal can accept debit card since your customer needs to enter PIN for every transaction. A separate PIN pad can give customers convenient access to type in their code.
2. Flash Memory - to keep their software and this provide and easy way to up date via downloading patches
3. Check Processesing - This allow immediate validation
4. Reading properiarty card - This is useful if you want to accept gift card or scan private label for inventory management or security purpose.

Others
Most terminal have Address Verification System (AVS) for every transactions. By comparing the address on a customer's ID with the billing address of the credit card, AVS greatly cuts down on fraud. AVS is a standard feature on most terminals - do not buy a terminal without it.

The magnetic stripe reader part must stay clean all the time. If it gets dirty it can't read data stored in card, meaning you won't earn money from your customer. A clean, air conditioning environment is the best for this kind of magnetic reader. If your counter is in an open air-outdoor area make sure your credit card terminal is shielded behind the desk, prevent dust from touching it.

Although today most credit card terminal can communicate with every merchant account, it is always a good idea to test it first. Reliability for credit card terminals is measured in mean time between failures (MTBF) or mean cycles between failures (MCBF), and is commonly in the 2-to-4 million transaction range. Because of this, you are not likely to need the 1 year warranty most terminals come with - but do accept it. As with any electronics, there is a small chance that you wind up with a faulty unit.

Printer
There are three type of receipt printer:

1. Dotmatrix

Inexpensive, noisy, low speed about 1 line per second. Use pins and ink ribbon and regular paper.

2. Thermal
More expensive, but quieter, faster and more reliable. Using less fast moving parts, print speed is about 10 lines per second. Need a special heat sensitive paper to print.

3. Inkjet
Fairly rare since it is more expensive than thermal printer and the only advantage is it can print multiple colors. You don't need rich colors for receipt printer, you want to print out slips or photos anyway?

While choosing printer, check out how easy it is to change paper. The process should be as simple as possible because a long queue customer line has a little bit patience. Don't forget to check if your printer is using USB or standard COM port, today connect by means of USB is the trend but older machines do not recognize USB. There's USB-COM connector of course but that means extra cost and extra work since in some cases it's not that easy as it seems.

Equipment
Notice that credit card terminal comes along with its equipment such as ribbon, paper, cable, pin pads and imprinters. Imprinters is used to store a snapshot of credit card if the credit card terminal is offline or can't read the magnetic stripe on card. It is a wise move to have at least one imprinter in case of connection failure or power outage because just like airbag, you'll never know when you'll need it.

note: all images but the ones from amazon are intended for sample only.