I can’t seem to get away from these celebrities who have decided it to be okay to use their fame and influence to delve deep into the pockets of the people of this country to persuade them to pay for things that have no benefit. This common practice of these superstars using their name to promote financial predators has gotten ridiculous and I cannot let any of them get away with at least warning unwary consumers of the dangers and irresponsibility of their products they are promoting.
It started for me when I had to call out Russell Simmons for promoting his RushCard. Then it continued when I had to call out Magic Johnson for promoting a few financial predators such as Rent-A-Center and the refund anticipation loan (Troy Aikman jumped on the bandwagon to also promote Rent-A-Center where those who solicit this establishment have the luxury of spending $7,000 with interest on a $2,000 television).
Now I am scrolling through the internet and see that the Kardashians, of all people, are entering into the prepaid debt card market. The same people who are promote living lavishly on their reality show are now diving into the pre-paid debit market in order to “provide people with something where they could learn their budgets” as stated by Kim Kardashian to reporters.
I have a few questions for the Kardashians since they are so concerned about helping people to learn about budgeting in this rough economy:
Do you think the $99.95 fee to purchase your card for 12 months will help or hurt someone’s budget?
What about the monthly fee of $7.95 that kicks in after the initial purchase period…does that help someone’s budget?
If someone loses their card, does the $9.95 fee they have to pay to replace the card help or hurt their budget? I actually had to replace my card the other day and was able to do so for free through my bank but I guess you feel there are teachable moments in making someone pay for something they can get for free?
If someone’s card is stolen and they need it replaced right away because they have a pressing bill that is due, or need to have immediate access to their money, the whopping $25 that your card charges the people to replace the card and send it overnight…I’ll bet that does wonders for the budget doesn’t it?!
The $1.50 ATM Withdrawal fee, $2.00 ATM Inquiry or Decline fee, the $1.00 Point of Sale fee, the $6.00 Cancel Account fee, the $1.50 fee just to talk to a Service Center Care-Live Operator if you have questions, and all of the other LONG list of fees listed on your site…how do those fees help with your budget Kardashians?
The biggest question that I have to ask you did you even learn about this product before you endorsed it and started to make claims that it actually teaches you about money? This product does nothing of the sort and actually teaches people about what you SHOULDN’T do with your money. Who told you that it would be a wise move to promote a financial product that charges exorbitant fees to hard working Americans who are already having a hard enough time putting food on the table? Didn’t you read the stat where almost 1 out of 5 Americans are having problems with simply putting food on the table? I guess your lavish lifestyle that you lead only causes you to be concerned about the state of most of America when you are scalping them for their last cent just to make a profit for yourself?! Now you are going to pitch a product that is designed to systematically cipher the last few dollars from working class families who actually had faith in you that you wouldn’t steer them wrong? Shame on you!
To the hard working Americans out there, I wanted to leave you with some tips to make sure that you don’t ever have to fall for these types of products again.
Fame doesn’t equal intelligence – Just because someone is famous doesn’t mean that they know what is best for you and your family. It is up to you to research every financial product that you use and don’t base your decision upon someone’s notoriety.
If a product is EVER trying to get you to spend money just to spend your own money that is a usually red flag. I might spend money on water, or might spend money on air to put in my tire…but I will be darned if I ever spend money just to use my own money. Think about it…does that even make sense?
Research other options – There are ALWAYS other alternatives if you just take the time to research them. These financial predators will pitch this product as the ONLY option that you may have and depend upon you not doing the research to find out alternatives. Those who are financially savvy know better. Here are a few alternatives:
Open a bank account and use a debit card that has no fees attached to it. For some, this may require some work as they are considered “not bankable”. Many banks are now working specifically with this population, especially local community banks, so your job is to find a local bank that will work with you. Even if you have to open a “second chance” bank account with restrictions (no writing of checks allowed, no overdraft allowed, close monitoring, etc.).Seek out and join a credit union in your area that has a loan builder program that allows you to establish credit and will provide you with a credit card.
Go to bankrate.com and select a secured credit card that has no fees. Anybody, even those with poor credit, can get a secured credit card. The beauty of a secured card is that it actually has a line of credit and on time debt repayments will go towards improving your FICO score where the pre-paid debit card has no impact on your FICO score.
Spread knowledge to others – It is frustrating to me when people label this as common knowledge then just sit on this information. The one thing that I have learned through life is that common sense isn’t always common. Even if you feel you know of all that was stated in this article, why aren’t you out there advocating that these cards be taken off the market or at least boycotted? MasterCard obviously feels that this is a lucrative market because they continue to find new ways to sell these products. With the onslaught of legislation of banks that has limited their practices you can be certain that banks will continue to promote additional ways to increase their bottom line regardless of how unethical the practices. The community has to become more accountable for the products we are choosing to use AND to spread knowledge and information to other consumers who might not have as strong of a grasp of the information as you. If you are one of the ones who are considering using this card or another similar card…shame on you as well!
In summary Kardashian…stick to fashion and entertainment and leave the financial literacy to the experts. Next time that MasterCard comes to you with this brilliant idea about how they can teach the people how to budget understand they have an ulterior motive to make money at all costs. They are hurting because they feel the new rules do not allow them to gauge the American people for billions of dollars as much as they used to so they are now using you as their new tool to suck the economy dry from its last dollar. Not to say that the American people don’t have a role in this because with adequate knowledge we can put the pre-paid debit card industry out of business. I would love to partner with you to promote some real financial literacy one day. Until then…stop the nonsense!
RELATED:
Ryan Mack, Financial Expert and Advisor, Joins Newsone
Share this post on Facebook! CLICK HERE:
Where there are trees, there are fallen branches, especially after a big windstorm. In MAKE Volume 24, crafter Kristin Roach explains how to turn tree tailings into wooden buttons that add a natural touch to any garment. The process is simple, but she gives tips from experience on what branches to look for (and avoid), how to dry the wood, and how to prevent splitting during drilling.
Instead of spending money on endangered-hardwood, sweatshop-labor buttons from around the world, why not wear a piece of a local, living tree that you love?
Check out MAKE Volume 24:
MAKE blasts into orbit and beyond with our DIY SPACE issue. Put your own satellite in orbit, launch a stratosphere balloon probe, and analyze galaxies for $20 with an easy spectrograph! We talk to the rocket mavericks reinventing the space industry, and renegade NASA hackers making smartphone robots and Lego satellites. This, plus a full payload of other cool DIY projects, from a helium-balloon camera that's better than Google Earth, to an electromagnetic levitator that shoots aluminum rings, and much more. MAKE Volume 24, on sale now.
» BUY or SUBSCRIBE
bench craft company rip off
bench craft company rip off
Cable announces new business mentoring network - <b>News</b> : NDS
p>Vince Cable announced a new 40000-strong network of business mentors at the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week today, and called on more businesses to join up.</p>
What to Expect in House Lame Duck - FoxNews.com
FOX News covers politics on America's Election Headquarters. FOX News political coverage on elections, races, foreign policy, candidates, and national security.
Probably Bad <b>News</b>: Juxtaposition FAIL - Epic Fail Funny Videos and <b>...</b>
epic fail photos - Probably Bad News: Juxtaposition FAIL.
bench craft company rip off
bench craft company rip off
Pulse <b>News</b> Reader for iOS now free
This is both a strength and a weakness -- it works better with some types of feeds than others -- but overall it provides a pleasant way to catch up with the news over your breakfast. Tags: AlphonsoLabs, ipad, new york times, ...
<b>News</b> - Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson Are Engaged! - Healthy <b>...</b>
The singer flashed a sizable ring during an in-store appearance on Saturday.
NBC Ad Urges Recording <b>News</b> - NYTimes.com
The anchor Brian Williams encourages people to record "Nightly News" if they cannot watch it at 6:30 pm.
bench craft company rip off
Networked <b>news</b>: the digital future of regional journalism | Media <b>...</b>
US local and regional media are rebuilding using new business models, including that of Washington-based site TBD. By Kevin Anderson.
Kinect - OpenSource - amazing work created within a few <b>...</b>
November 14, 2010 | In News, c++, openFrameworks | View Comments. There have been a number of exciting developments in the last few days related to XBox Kinect. For those that may not be aware of what it is, it's a brand new interface ...
Pulse <b>News</b> Reader app celebrates VC success by going free
Celebrating their anticipated announcement of a successful VC injection of $800000, Alphonso Labs, makers of the Pulse News Reader iOS application , have made the application a free download. The Pulse News Reader, which formats RSS ...
bench craft company rip off
<b>News</b> - PIC: See Jessica Simpson's Stunning Engagement Ring <b>...</b>
The singer debuted her new bling at an in-store appearance Saturday.
Kinect - OpenSource - amazing work created within a few <b>...</b>
November 14, 2010 | In News, c++, openFrameworks | View Comments. There have been a number of exciting developments in the last few days related to XBox Kinect. For those that may not be aware of what it is, it's a brand new interface ...
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 11/15 - Arrowhead Pride
Well, that happened. Who invited the 2009 Chiefs to yesterday's game? As you can imagine, there are a lot of recaps and opinions on the game (and a missing handshake). Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news.
bench craft company rip off
NBC Ad Urges Recording <b>News</b> - NYTimes.com
The anchor Brian Williams encourages people to record "Nightly News" if they cannot watch it at 6:30 pm.
Senator-Elect Rand Paul Pushes Earmark Ban - FoxNews.com
Paul said during an interview with Fox News on Sunday, "I think ear markings are bad. There is some symbolism. Definitely the symbolism is bad. And, I think it encourages people to vote for large appropriations bills, because all of a ...
Sea Ice <b>News</b> #29 | Watts Up With That?
In sea ice news this week, Arctic sea ice continues its inexorable climb toward the summit, to be reached sometime in March 2011. At present the ice growth is tracking just below the rate of 2007, but it should also be pointed out that ...
bench craft company rip off
bench craft company rip off
Monday <b>News</b> Roundup - - The Offside - Liverpool Football Club Blog
Hodgson, aka The Manatee, as seen in this stock photo from 1937. A short international break.
NBC Ad Urges Recording <b>News</b> - NYTimes.com
The anchor Brian Williams encourages people to record "Nightly News" if they cannot watch it at 6:30 pm.
<b>News</b> - PIC: See Jessica Simpson's Stunning Engagement Ring <b>...</b>
The singer debuted her new bling at an in-store appearance Saturday.
bench craft company rip off
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 11/15 - Arrowhead Pride
Well, that happened. Who invited the 2009 Chiefs to yesterday's game? As you can imagine, there are a lot of recaps and opinions on the game (and a missing handshake). Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news.
» Movie Review: LennoNYC - Blogger <b>News</b> Network
We are pleased to announce our latest endeavor, Blogger News is now sponsoring some radio shows on Blog Talk Radio. You can check our full schedule, and listen to previous broadcasts here, and we hope that you will join us on the air in ...
Afghan Insurgents in Weakened State « Liveshots
KABUL, Afghanistan -US and NATO officials claimed Sunday that insurgents in Afghanistan are.
bench craft company rip off
Probably Bad <b>News</b>: Congressional FAIL - Epic Fail Funny Videos and <b>...</b>
epic fail photos - Probably Bad News: Congressional FAIL.
Debian Project <b>News</b> - October 18th, 2010
State of Debian 6.0 Squeeze , ask.debian.net, updated DebianEdu, new sloppy backports, Debian project membership.
<b>News</b> - PIC: See Jessica Simpson's Stunning Engagement Ring <b>...</b>
The singer debuted her new bling at an in-store appearance Saturday.
bench craft company rip off
Monday <b>News</b> Roundup - - The Offside - Liverpool Football Club Blog
Hodgson, aka The Manatee, as seen in this stock photo from 1937. A short international break.
Probably Bad <b>News</b>: Juxtaposition FAIL - Epic Fail Funny Videos and <b>...</b>
epic fail photos - Probably Bad News: Juxtaposition FAIL.
<b>News</b> - PIC: See Jessica Simpson's Stunning Engagement Ring <b>...</b>
The singer debuted her new bling at an in-store appearance Saturday.
bench craft company rip off
<b>News</b> - PIC: See Jessica Simpson's Stunning Engagement Ring <b>...</b>
The singer debuted her new bling at an in-store appearance Saturday.
Debian Project <b>News</b> - October 18th, 2010
State of Debian 6.0 Squeeze , ask.debian.net, updated DebianEdu, new sloppy backports, Debian project membership.
Pulse <b>News</b> Reader app celebrates VC success by going free
Celebrating their anticipated announcement of a successful VC injection of $800000, Alphonso Labs, makers of the Pulse News Reader iOS application , have made the application a free download. The Pulse News Reader, which formats RSS ...
bench craft company rip off
What to Expect in House Lame Duck - FoxNews.com
FOX News covers politics on America's Election Headquarters. FOX News political coverage on elections, races, foreign policy, candidates, and national security.
<b>News</b> - Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson Are Engaged! - Healthy <b>...</b>
The singer flashed a sizable ring during an in-store appearance on Saturday.
Sea Ice <b>News</b> #29 | Watts Up With That?
In sea ice news this week, Arctic sea ice continues its inexorable climb toward the summit, to be reached sometime in March 2011. At present the ice growth is tracking just below the rate of 2007, but it should also be pointed out that ...
bench craft company rip off
Networked <b>news</b>: the digital future of regional journalism | Media <b>...</b>
US local and regional media are rebuilding using new business models, including that of Washington-based site TBD. By Kevin Anderson.
Cable announces new business mentoring network - <b>News</b> : NDS
p>Vince Cable announced a new 40000-strong network of business mentors at the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week today, and called on more businesses to join up.</p>
» Movie Review: LennoNYC - Blogger <b>News</b> Network
We are pleased to announce our latest endeavor, Blogger News is now sponsoring some radio shows on Blog Talk Radio. You can check our full schedule, and listen to previous broadcasts here, and we hope that you will join us on the air in ...
bench craft company rip off
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 11/15 - Arrowhead Pride
Well, that happened. Who invited the 2009 Chiefs to yesterday's game? As you can imagine, there are a lot of recaps and opinions on the game (and a missing handshake). Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news.
Probably Bad <b>News</b>: Juxtaposition FAIL - Epic Fail Funny Videos and <b>...</b>
epic fail photos - Probably Bad News: Juxtaposition FAIL.
Monday <b>News</b> Roundup - - The Offside - Liverpool Football Club Blog
Hodgson, aka The Manatee, as seen in this stock photo from 1937. A short international break.
bench craft company rip off
Sea Ice <b>News</b> #29 | Watts Up With That?
In sea ice news this week, Arctic sea ice continues its inexorable climb toward the summit, to be reached sometime in March 2011. At present the ice growth is tracking just below the rate of 2007, but it should also be pointed out that ...
What to Expect in House Lame Duck - FoxNews.com
FOX News covers politics on America's Election Headquarters. FOX News political coverage on elections, races, foreign policy, candidates, and national security.
Afghan Insurgents in Weakened State « Liveshots
KABUL, Afghanistan -US and NATO officials claimed Sunday that insurgents in Afghanistan are.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the most important thing to make money online. If you know the basic concept of SEO, you can be confident to make money online by SEO. Here I am jotting down best SEO tactics that I have learned from hands on SEO experience on SEO for online marketing.
1) Think where to write SEO articles? Answer is - blog, website or article submission websites. If you have a blog or website, SEO is important to promote your website through search engines by doing SEO. If you have a good search engine ranking, you can get more target traffic/visitor to your website and if you run Google adsense /adbrite/chitika or any other contexual ad providers, your earning potential will be increased by an increasing CTR (click through rate).
If you have no website but you want to promote your affiliate product, then SEO for article marketing is important to you for your affiliate marketing. Figure out the right product for your affiliate marketing.
2) Now decide what topic you should choose. You need to research on various SEO trends, Google search volume on particular keyword, Google AdWord selector tool to select best paying and popular keywords and the most important tool is to use some best keyword selector tools like KEYWORD ELITE 2.0. You choose the best keywords with maximum volume of global search and good no. of advertiser competitions. Learn Why Keyword Elite 2.0 Will Allow You To Dominate The Competition
3) Now comes SEO content writing. Try to focus on the most important 3 keywords or key phrases that you have researched from KEYWORD ELITE2.0. Try to use these keywords meaningfully in your content title and use frequently in your content body. The content body should contain a SEO keyword density of 3-4%. So, if you write a 300 words article, it should contain 9-12 times repeatation of that particular keyword in your content. You have to maintain keyword proximity too. That means the most important keywords should be in a sequence and close to each other. It gives the content a SEO boost.
4) Now if you have a website, use title tag, meta description, meta tag optimization for good SEO and then paste the SEO content in website content area. The title should contain 3 keywords and meta description and title should be relevant to the content of the website. Try to put some unique keyphrases/combination of keywords to make your title different from the crowd. Your creativity along with the techniques I described is vital for a good SEO title. Then write a keyword rich meta description (meaningful)
You can use H1-H6 tags in your web page HTML to boost SEO. Also don't forget to put put alt text for images. If you have blogs try to put some good blogger hacks for better SEO
5) Put keyword rich anchor text in body of the content, that links to your other web pages. Cross linking with anchor text is a must for good SEO practice.
6) If you are writing articles put your signature line and affiliate links there. the rest of the SEO article writing is same as discussed above. Also using Mass Article Control Tool is a good choice to make money by article marketing
7) If you are using wordpress, then change your permalink structure to custom field /%postname%/ or anything else you would like that act as static HTML pages. Also use All in one SEO plugins and other best wordpress plugins for good SEO. The keyword research is sufficient if you use KEYWORD ELITE2.0. It will save your time and effort to make you decide what niche you should choose to work and to make money online. Don't forget to upgrade your wordpress to latest version.
8) Now comes promotion of your content by SEO. Do link exchange with other good relevant sites. Give links to other authority sites like Google, yahoo, wikipedia from your site. Do social media marketing and social bookmarking in Digg, Stumbleupon, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, Propeller, Yahoo Buzz, Simpy, Mixx, Netvine, Mybloglog, Technorati, Blogcatalog, and Feedburner for the best SEO
9) Submit your article or sites to article directories, blog directories. Do rss submissions for better SEO.
10) Write free press releases and submit that also acts good to boost up your backlinks and thus SEO
11) Use SEO tools like SEO centro meta analyzer, keyword density checker, page rank checker, Google banned checker, Google webmaster central, domaintools to get your SEO score.
12) Always update your self what is happening in internet marketing and SEO industry. Read Google's Matt Cut's blog, problogger.net and search Google on different other SEO topics. Read 2 SEO Tips That I Bet You Really Didn't Know
Hope you like these SEO tips that I have summed up here to give you a brief idea on SEO and online marketing tips to promote your website and to earn money.
Have some fun with loads of funny jokes and funny pranks. Article Source: |  |
Probably Bad <b>News</b>: Congressional FAIL - Epic Fail Funny Videos and <b>...</b>
epic fail photos - Probably Bad News: Congressional FAIL.
Cable announces new business mentoring network - <b>News</b> : NDS
p>Vince Cable announced a new 40000-strong network of business mentors at the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week today, and called on more businesses to join up.</p>
<b>News</b> - Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson Are Engaged! - Healthy <b>...</b>
The singer flashed a sizable ring during an in-store appearance on Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment