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Cruise Line Extra Charges Can Easily Double The Price {Gadling}
Sep 15th 2012 11:58AM First of all, avoid "cruising for the masses" lines like Carnival. I have been on several cruises, geared towards singles or older folks, not families, so no kids. As for the added costs, for the most part avoid the shore excursions, they are a rip off. The only extras I incur are for beverages and the occasional higher end restaurants on board which ran about ten to twenty dollars per person and are well worth it. Cruising is a great value, you unpack once, no running around, and you can do everything or nothing. I take a cab from the nearest airport to the port, so no parking fees. Since I know at least a year in advance that I am going on a cruise, I get a great airfare too. I tend to use Norwegian Cruise Lines or Princess and have had nothing but positive experiences. They reward returning customers with on board credits and other incentives such as cabin upgrades. Another great value is when they are moving a cruise ship to another part of the world for another season. If you get on one of these "moving" cruises the rates are great.
Floor Plans of TV Homes: Brandi Roberts Re-Creates the 'Friends' Apartment and More {AOL Real Estate}
Sep 12th 2012 6:09PM I have to disagree with the apartment from Will and Grace. In one of the early episodes it was established that the bath off the living room and the bath off of Will's room backed each other, with a common wall.
Housing Crisis Turns Some Ex-Homeowners Into Lifelong Renters {AOL Real Estate}
Sep 8th 2012 10:32PM I've been a renter, a landlord, and a homeowner. I would never rent again if it can be avoided. As a renter, you always answer to the landlord, you are paying their mortgage and adding to their income, if they decide they want to sell or want the apartment for a friend or family member, too bad, you are out. I have found that I had a better class of neighbors when I owned, and many undesirables when I rented. Owning gives me control, not some landlord. As for being a landlord, that got old real fast. Not worth the headaches and having to worry that the tenant will pay every month or that they will move and I will have several months without rental payments.
I'm currently between homes and in the process of moving to my preferred area of the country. I will buy, not rent.
Principal Reduction: Is Debt Forgiveness Fair? {AOL Real Estate}
Aug 1st 2012 10:58AM First, where's my principal reduction? I lost my job and was unable to pay my mortgage in 2009. My loan was a conventional loan with 25% down at closing in 2004. The lender rejected a "deed in lieu" proposal, then the lender suggested a short sale, which they completely mishandled, and in the end they foreclosed and resold the house for far less than they would have on a short sale. Secondly, will the IRS consider any principal reductions "income"? On a short sale, the lenders sometimes come after the borrowers for a "deficiency judgement" for the difference between the loan balance and the sale price. So, where is the fairness in a principal reduction? A better solution would be for banks to do interest rate modifications and extension of mortgage terms, in other words, work with the homeowner, unlike the bank that mishandled my short sale or refused to modify the loan since there wasn't any equity in the house.
Homeless Man Allegedly Rents Out Vacant Home to Tenants {AOL Real Estate}
Jul 3rd 2012 10:41PM "uttering" a worthless check? AOL needs to improve their proofreading. As for Craigs List, it is useless, especially for help wanted ads. It is full of scammers and non existent jobs.
Unreal Estate: Home Seller Throws In $1,000 Worth of Booze {AOL Real Estate}
Sep 26th 2011 6:28PM Try pricing the home at market value or less, then it will sell.
Teena Marie Dead at 54 {The Boombox}
Dec 27th 2010 6:42PM Vanilla Child! Thanks for the memories!
Julianne Hough Gushes About 'Romantic' Ryan Seacrest {The Boot}
Nov 16th 2010 10:13PM Ryan's looking old.
NBA Awaits Satnam From India, So Big and Athletic at 14 {Fanhouse NBA Blog}
Nov 13th 2010 3:27PM OK, seven foot, 250 pounds, wonder what the rest of his stats are? Has anyone verified this kid's real age?
'TXTNG KILLS' Anti-Texting Thumb Bands Get Thumbs Up from Police {AOL Small Business}
Oct 28th 2010 7:31PM No, WE are not all guilty of it, I have never texted while driving, and do not use the cell phone while driving. Not only should it be illegal, the fines and penalties should be so stiff that no one will do it. I can't imagine what is so important that it can't wait till you arrive at your destination, or at least pull over to a safe place and park before using the cell phone. Using a cell phone while driving and texting has to be enforced and stopped!
