What Counts As A Financial Emergency? By Gabrielle Karol

Med & Member Chat - Post By Ksdunlap Dinar Speculator

Soonerfan62 in chat at Intel4U Sunday evening

Wangdang Sunday Afternoon Conference Call Recording Link and Replay #'s

Retired State Dept. Economist Posted by Healthscans at MIG

Evening DinarLand Chatter

Bluwolf in chat at Intel4U Sunday evening

Poofness Update - Emailed To Recaps

Should You Move Your Money to A Credit Union?

Should You Move Your Money to a Credit Union? Alden Wicker

You wouldn't normally think of credit unions as sexy or hip.

They don't have glossy ad campaigns and beautiful branches on every street corner. Even their basic definition-non-profit financial co-ops-sounds boring.

But these days, more and more Americans are clamoring to join the club of credit unions because of their low fees, higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower interest rates on loans.

Because they are non-profit, credit unions are the only financial institutions that go out of their way to serve low-income clientele. But you'd be wrong if you think that's the only group they serve. Anyone can benefit from the low-fee, low-rate products that credit unions specialize in. And in fact, many more people are.

After a furor erupted over new debit card fees announced by several commercial banks in September, 650,000 customers have switched to credit unions, depositing $4.5 billion in new accounts. (That's the same amount as existing credit union customers across the country had been depositing in an entire month.) Those bank fees have since been rescinded, but the bad taste in many Americans' mouths remains.

Just take the wildly successful "Bank Transfer Day" on November 5th, organized by Los Angeles small business owner and former Bank of America customer, Kristen Christian. This particular party, to which she at first invited 500 of her friends on Facebook, ballooned to 75,000 RSVPs within a month. On that Saturday, thousands of disgruntled customers closed their accounts at large institutions and sat down with a credit union employee to open an account. It's too early to tell exactly how many people moved their money, but we do know that 54% of credit unions saw growth.

Should you join the party? We spoke with Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com, to see if credit unions might be a good choice for you.

Why You Should Go With a Credit Union

The Same Basic Financial Services

Credit unions may have different names for their services, like share accounts (savings accounts), share draft accounts (checking accounts) and share term certificates (certificates of deposit), but they work the same way bank accounts by different names do.

Credit unions also offer online banking and credit cards. And if you're worried about finding an ATM when you need it, McBride says, "Many credit unions belong to large surcharge-free ATM alliances that open up thousands of ATMs around the country." These networks have even more ATMs then Bank of America or Chase.

Lower Fees and More Savings

Because credit unions are not-for-profit (unlike banks), they use excess earnings to give their members lower fees, higher rates of return on savings accounts, more affordable loans or new services. Compare the median annual credit card fees for credit cards-$25 at credit unions and $59 at banks-and the median overdraft fee-$6 at credit unions and $10 at banks.

And more than three-fourths of credit unions offer no-strings-attached free checking, while only 45% of banks do. As of late September, the average interest on a savings account at a credit union was higher than at a bank: 0.23% over 0.17% for a $1,000 savings account, or 0.28% vs. 0.18% for a $2,500 money market account.

You're the Boss

Instead of shareholders owning the bank, each member of a credit union owns a piece and gets one vote-regardless of how much money he or she keeps at the union-to elect the Board of Directors. In turn, the Board of Directors decides the interest rates, fees and other practices. So if you don't like what is going on, you can vote the offending board member out. Plus, having local owners instead of shareholders running the show changes the timbre of service you get. Here's why.

Better Customer Service

Since "customers" are technically owners, your local credit union will likely get to know you and work with you to meet your needs. All that individual attention means that credit union customers tend to be a pretty satisfied bunch: Almost 90% of credit union clients plan to stay, while only 60% of customers at big banks plan to do so.

Why You Should Think Twice

Payday Loans

We are never fans of payday loans, which are personal loans that come with exorbitant interest rates that take advantage of low-income customers and plunge them into a cycle of debt. For the most part, credit unions offer low-cost, financially healthy alternatives paired with counseling.

But a few credit unions, 25 to be exact, are doing exactly what they purport to save customers from: handing out loans that charge 300% or more. So, be sure to avoid any credit union that is on this list, and if you must take out a personal loan, don't agree to one with interest rates above 28% per year or a high "application fee." A reputable credit union with your interests in mind will offer a loan with an interest rate of around 10%.

Not Always Federally Insured

Bank accounts at both commercial banks and at most credit unions are insured by equally safe government bodies (the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, for commercial banks, and the National Credit Union Administration for credit unions). But notice we said "most" credit unions: Watch out for the few state credit unions that have private insurance, because that is not as safe as a government guarantee.

For instance, if several credit unions insured by one private company fail at once, that insurer may not be able to cover the deposits (as happened with American Share Insurance in 2009 and 2010). So, make sure your credit union is federally insured. As Bankrate's McBride says, "The presence of federal deposit insurance means the risk of the institution failing is their problem-not your problem."

Late on the Technology Curve

If you're a tech/smartphone junkie, you should know that credit unions tend to adopt tech innovations later than commercial banks. For instance, many of them are still in the process of developing mobile banking services and mobile-phone check depositing. It's not as though they'll never adopt these innovations. They just tend to get to them a bit later. (For example, LearnVest's My Money Center is unable to link every single credit union, though it does support many.)

Members Only

Unlike a regular bank where you can walk in off the street and open an account, many credit unions have specific requirements. Some are affiliated with the military, some with universities, some with large employers or certain industries and some require that you be part of a certain church or club. Some just ask that you live in a certain town or area.

You'll have to do some work to find one you can join, though it should be possible for almost anybody. You can start by searching for a credit union by geographic location or your affiliation to an industry or employer with three websites: NerdWallet.com's Credit Union Finder, aSmarterChoice.org and CULookup.com.

Why You Shouldn't Go With a Credit Union

You Tend to Relocate Often

This is only a downside if you want local branch access (and if you're searching for a mortgage or car loan, you likely will): Because many credit unions are affiliated with a location or an employer, if you're young and switch jobs or move before settling down, your credit union will no longer be nearby. (But you can never be kicked out for moving. "Once you're a member, you're always a member of a credit union," says McBride.)

Signing up with a national bank like Bank of America allows you to move to almost any new city, with the only chore being changing your mailing address online. But if you're a member of a local credit union, move to a new state and want in-person branch access, you'll have to search for a new financial institution and move your account. (Also, some credit unions belong to networks that allow their customers to walk into a partner credit union and use it as if it were their own.)

No Wealth Management Services

"If you are a high-income, high-net worth consumer that needs a lot of personal banking options like private banking services and wealth management, credit unions cannot provide that," says McBride. But for people in need of all the basics-checking account, savings account, car loan and mortgage-a credit union can work just fine.

The Bottom Line

As with any financial decision, the choice you make should be right for you. That means you should be fairly certain before joining a credit union that you won't need the wealth management services that they lack, or that you won't be moving locations anytime soon, or that if you do move, you'll be satisfied with online banking, etc. And vet your options carefully. As noted above, some credit unions are better than others.

Above all, do your homework and figure out whether a credit union or bank better meets your needs, in terms of services, rates and locations. As McBride points out, "Credit unions tend to offer higher rates on deposits and lower rates on loans. So for consumers who are seeking the best deal, credit unions need to be included in your comparison shopping."

http://www.learnvest.com/knowledge-center/should-you-move-your-money-to-a-credit-union-464/ 

Tidbit Rumors & Opinions - Post By Leo GET Forum

10-14-12 Easyrider: You have to ask yourself what have they accomplished while Maliki is there? Hmm no NM, no HCL, no chapter 7 release. The guy is obviously a puppet for Iran. Hes done his best to block a lot of important things because of power and greed now he is trying to accuse shabbs because he wants to take over the CBI. This is just getting ridiculous. It's time for them to show him who is Boss, Talabani needs to buck up and the majority need to get him out of there.

10-14-12 LoriC: I believe Maliki is making false accusations against the Shabibi and leaking statements to the press from anonymous sources to set up a CBI takeover and further his grip on the country of Iraq. This is a huge mistake for him. The US, China, Russia, IMF, World Bank etc., will never let this happen with so much riding on this.

The world needs this bad with the global financial crisis reaching it's boiling point and the Prime Minister of Iraq is not going to get in the way of a plan that has been in the works for a decade.
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Blaino Update - Post By Junebug Dinarian Chat

{First part of Blaino Update is in reference to a question / concern that was brought up in morning chat and covers his "opinion" -- Further down the post will be Blaino's Recent Update on the Investment}

4:17 PM junebug: Blaino: I have been assailed about the latest Executive Order from BEBS.... STAND BY FOR ::::::::::::::::: OPINION!

4:20 PM junebug: Blaino: AGAIN... IN MY OPINION

4:20 PM junebug: Blaino: OK, ON THE EO::::::: (executive order)

4:22 PM junebug: Blaino: NOTHING I CAN FIND IN THERE "APPEARS" TO AFFECT OR EFFECT US IN ANY WAY....
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Sunday Afternoon Dinar Chatter, Rumors and Opinions

[bryan1972] Congrats to all, We all have made History!!! guiness book of worlds records called and said that the rv broke the record for being the worlds longest roller coaster ride!!!! lol

[Imperium] If they would only revalue their currency, the rest of the world would begin using it in commerce and they would have all the funds they need.

[Precious]sound like the people are mad because the dinar increased in value months ago and they did not know it lol

[heartfelt] So it sounds like there was a revalue and they have been keeping it from the US and others?

[heartfelt] smoke?

[Precious] yes

[Imperium] ... with strong asset backed purchasing power!

[Precious] could be smoke or truth

[stargate] Imperium Why would other countries be using Iraq's currency for commerce? Iraq has very little to export except for oil which is sold in USD.
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Med & Member Chat - Post By GLK Dinar Speculator

Michigander Articles & GET Team Members Chat

3:13 PM [tina] hi Michigander~~~~~~~~~
3:14 PM [michigander0131] 10/13/2012 12:00 am Architecture - Saad Hasan Discussed a workshop organized by the Office of the representatives of the Iraqi parliament in the province of Maysan on the mechanism of deleting three zeros from the Iraqi currency was attended by representatives of Maysan MPs Mohammed Saadoun Chihod Rafi Abd al-Jabbar Noshi and professors from the University of Maysan and bank managers and specialists affairs and financial arithmetic and Mmmthelo civil society organizations in the province.

one of the requirements of the current stage and economics Iraq now need to reform and placed the deletion of zeros is one of the economic reforms that elevate the Iraqi economy to the level of our ambitions, but Multi deleted zeros do more harm than good at this stage.

This big mistake must approve the deletion of zeros is everyone's participation in policy-making Economic by the Iraqi parliament and the Central Bank of Iraq and can not be of the Iraqi Central Bank to be alone with the process of deletion of zeros
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Tidbit Rumors & Opinions - Post By Dinar Detectives

10-14-12 Butifldrm: This is crazy. Something is going to POP. I don't believe the US would allow Shabibi to be arrested. Plus, isn't Shabibi in Tokyo?

Hopefully this is just more NA propaganda. "Regulatory source revealed the issuance of an arrest warrant against CBI Governor Shabibi, sources revealed his escape outside Iraq.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for said that an arrest warrant issued against Iraqi Central Bank Governor Shabibi for his alleged involvement process monopoly of the dollar and money laundering."

10-14-12 Moneysoon: "Shabibi known at the international level for his national courage, competence and integrity. Criticized what it called targeting the Iraqi Central Bank and the attempts by some political forces to undermine the independence of the Bank guaranteed by the constitution of Iraq and Iraqi laws and international."
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SWFG Thoughts and Opinions at MIG Sunday Afternoon

[SWFloridaGuy] I've read a bunch of posts lately where people are saying this is out of Iraq's hands. I respect their opinion and just wanted to offer my views on the subject.

[SWFloridaGuy] Is this about Iraq or are they out of the picture? Some investors maintain that according to their contacts this has been out of Iraq's hands for over a year and that Iraq's upcoming economic reforms are not about the country of Iraq because this is really about the PTB, good guys vs bad guys, etc. (notice they never provide details). This, in my opinion, is utter nonsense.

That's like saying my winning the lottery and then protecting that wealth would have nothing to do with me because I was instructed by some entity on how to get to the store to buy the ticket. This has everything to do with Iraq and I don't know how many years have to pass before people realize that their secret contacts were off the mark and all is not done, but rather a work in progress that is not on our time-frame. Iraq must have enough political stability to ensure the success of the economic reforms.

[SWFloridaGuy] If you don't believe that the economic reforms being delayed were due to the political unrest then you don't believe what the UNSC has said in open session, the IMF and World Bank have said in countless meetings, SIGR reported to our Congress, the Finance Committee and even the CBI itself all listed as the preeminent imbroglio which must be rectified before they can move forward.
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Med Articles & Member Chat - Post By GLK Dinar Speculatorr

Med says to (05:44:47): HOLD ON OK YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS IT IS BIG NEWS VERY BIG

LINK

BAGHDAD / Obelisk: A member of the Finance Committee, which investigated suspicions of corruption in the operations of the Central Bank of Iraq and the auction Haitham al-Jubouri the issuance of an arrest warrant against Iraqi Central Bank Governor d. Shabibi and two of his advisers and employees rank of director general.

Jubouri said in a statement singled out the "obelisk" that "the Supreme Judicial Council on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Iraqi Central Bank Governor Sinan al-Shabibi and two of his advisers, without disclosing their names and rank of director general officer."
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News, Rumors, and Opinions Sunday Morning in Dinarland

[devildogmom] : I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. God bless the troops, God bless America and her allies, and God bless all of you!

blue skies] cruiser what's the good word for today?

[cruiser] blue skies Really do not have too much to say. Nothing has changed.

[calibeach] cruiser Do you think they will remove Maliki before they will revalue their curency?

[cruiser] calibeach I really do not follow Iraq. Since I believe they are done and in the same position we are in. Waiting!

[xyz] cruiser hunting animals follows the scent of the target. imagine iraq is the scent and taget is the rv lol

[cruiser] I am gonna run. Time for breakfast. I would like to thank all of you. This is a great group of people who will do great things in the coming future. I also would like to say thank you to those who have worked behind the scenes and fought tirelessly for all of us. I may never get a chance to meet you personaly, but please know that I, as well as many others appreciate all you have done!

[rustyc] cruiser hope some day you can share all the behind the scenes stuff I'm sure there are things you cant say right now!
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Top Saving Mistakes To Avoid - By Angela Wu

National Prayer Call Tonight 9PM EDT

National Prayer call Posted by DebTarheelgirl

Dinar Investors! Join us Today, Sunday Oct. 14-2012 , 9pm EDT for an evening of Praise and Thanksgiving.

Conference Line: 1-805-360-1000 code: 1016947#

Feel free to forward to other Dinar Intercessors
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Words of Encouragement and Praise from DebTarHeelGirl Sun. AM.

Good Morning Everyone,

Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG) "It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, HE had designs on us for glorious living which is part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone" - Folks GOD has ordained us to be here for such a time as this...

GOD has ordained us to be a part of HIS plan in this very hour... Yes all of us have prayed Lord help us in our financial department - lots of us have gone through horrendous financial trials - some due to the choices and mistakes we made and some due to the enemy that has come to steal kill and destroy...Let's take a stand today to confess that the trials we have gone through have caused us to become better stewards - and choose to walk out in stewardship the principles we have learned, and ask him to continue to teach us so we can learn more

- the bible says to study to show ourselves approved.. Therefore tonight let's make a decision to inquire of the LORD to reveal to us HIS will about this outpouring of this SOON coming financial wealth...
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Trade: international companies heading to work in Iraq for being an open market to attract investment

Trade: international companies heading to work in Iraq for being an open market to attract investment Sunday 14 October 2012

BAGHDAD - babysit : Trade Minister Khairallah Hassan Babiker be directed international companies to work in Iraq came to being a good and open market to attract a lot of investment, especially after the economic recession in Europe and some other countries of the world.

He said, according to a ministry statement, Iraq sought to build political and economic relations with many countries of the world, which in turn gave a clear vision that in the process of reconstruction in the economic and trade fields, including infrastructure. 

Majority government would be a lifeline to the owners

Majority government would be a lifeline to the owners 14-10-2012

Haider Abbas Naddaw: Will not be able to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to change the reality and overcome the many mistakes that accompanied Sir government of national partnership, both in the electoral period the first of the Ministry of Maliki or in the electoral period the second live Arhasatha and challenges, problems and crises real and contrived, which are in the final stages did they have left plenty of time before they reach the stage of dying and clinical death, and because Alssed Maliki does not have the courage to declare failure and the failure of his government to achieve progress Almlos or address outstanding problems because of mismanagement and exclusivity, he insisted that the imbalance in the government partnership, and not in the curriculum, management and trust.

And he head back Saying Macalt Hanan. Whether government was formed political majority or not formed and the situation remains as it is going on in the orbit of industry and fabricating crises that live off them the Maliki government, all endings lead to a result and one which combustion period remaining life of the current government without seeing Citizen Iraqi any trace of the presence of a real state and at all levels, but the justifications and excuses that argue the current government of each failure and the decline will throw on the peg government of national partnership and will find it cheering for this discovery will be the prime minister to dissolve all the mistakes and misdeeds, corruption and blood given by the Iraqi people and that was he can get rid of them if I give the field and was able to achieve a political majority government that aspires Maliki also leads the wolf-led sheep.