We found a great feature on Kayak's website, they are tracking all the new airline passenger fees.
Check the link here

As if the ridiculously high gas prices didn't frustrate all of us enough, many owners of SUV's, pickups, and motor homes who use a credit card at the pump can't get a full tank of gas. Now many gas stations have a $75 limit on Visa or MasterCard transactions at the pump and once you hit the limit, you must make a second transaction to finish filling. To keep this from happening to you, go see the attendant inside to have the card swiped instead of making two separate transactions.

Everyone knows the housing market is down. Whether you're looking to renovate to help sell your house or just finishing the remodeling project that you never got around to, don't let tough credit or falling home values scare you. We found two great websites to help you along the way so you don't waste your money.

Here are six home renovations that offer the best return on your investment.

Here are 21 ways to save on your remodeling project without cutting corners.

If you're starting to get your summer plans together, you might want to check out this report by our partners at Consumer Reports. They've done some of the homework for you, so you don't waste your money.

http://cf.consumerreports.org/tv/index.cfm?storydate=2008-06&storynumber=13&station=w123

For your information, sending a letter just got more expensive.

Effective today, the U.S. Post Office raised prices on first class stamps from 41cents to 42cents. Customers must buy 1cent stamps to account for the new rate increase; but, if you have "forever stamps" you can avoid the rate increase altogether. "Forever stamps" will work for any first-class postage, regardless of the increases. This means you can avoid putting multiple 1cent and 2cent stamps on letters because of the new rates.

The cost to send a post card is now also up, costing 27cents. The cost to mail a Priority mail flat-rate envelope will increase to $4.75 and Express mail flat envelopes will cost a quarter more, up to $16.50. Mailing letters to Canada and Mexico will go up to 72cents and most other countries 94cents.

 

 

Mother's Day is right around the corner. The most endearing Mother's Day gifts are those with a personal touch and with the tough economic times, an inexpensive gift with meaning is the best option. Here are some inexpensive gift ideas for the special woman in your life:

1. Breakfast in bed - The traditional 'breakfast in bed' never gets old. Why not cook Mom's favorite breakfast and deliver it to her right in bed (after you let her sleep in of course).

2. Flowers - This time of the year, floral companies create beautiful arrangements with in-season flowers for Mother's Day. Skip the expensive flower boutique and visit your local grocery or convenience store for cheaper bouquets. Many even come in a free vase, ready to deliver.

3. Magazine Subscription - For only about $25, you can buy a full year's subscription to Mom's favorite magazine. Or better yet, surprise her by renewing that old subscription she never got around to.

4. Maid Service - Give Mom a break from housecleaning and hire a professional maid service for just the day, a week, or even a month.

5. Photos - Photo processing websites like www.snapfish.com offer a variety of items that you can add your own personal pictures to. Everything from keychains to coasters and purses to scrapbooks can be ordered, and Mom can never have enough pictures of her family or kids.

6. Oil Change & Tune Up - If Mom doesn't have much time to spend on her car, surprise her with a complete car maintenance gift certificate. Include a wash and wax for an added bonus.

7. Customized Playlist - Almost everyone, including moms, own an i-Pod or mp3 player. Make her a playlist of 50 or so of her favorite songs with some personal meaning behind them, and add your own favorites for some new listening.

The most important thing to remember when searching for Mother's Day gifts is the art of creativity. A simple hand-made card or craft is always appreciated, and a personal letter always has meaning. But the greatest gift a mother can be given is the gift of time. Give her a day off and have the family clean the house, cook all the meals, do the laundry, and all the other little tasks that a mother does but are often overlooked. Spend all of your time with Mom because after all, it's her day!

           

FIVE-DAY MOTOWN FORECLOSURE AUCTION TO ATTRACT

STAMPEDE OF BUYERS 

 

Nearly 700 Homes Will Be Auctioned by Hudson & Marshall March 25^th-30^th

 

Contact:          Crystal Wright

                        Public Relations Strategist

                        202/829-0848

 

Detroit, MI-March 18, 2008—Buyers seeking deals on homes in today’s chilled housing market will find an incredible buying opportunity at the five-day auction of Detroit area foreclosure homes. Nearly 700 bank-owned foreclosures will be auctioned by Hudson & Marshall on March 25^th-30^th. Valued from $2,000 to $500,000, there is a home for everyone from first time homebuyers to investors. Each home comes with title insurance paid for by the sellers.

 

“There is a glut of homes for sale in Detroit due to job losses and the city’s high rate of foreclosures. As a result, home prices are continuing to fall, making it a great time to purchase a home,” said Dave Webb, principal, Hudson & Marshall. “Bank-owned foreclosure auctions are a great way for buyers to find exceptional values on homes because lenders are anxious to unload loans costing them money,” added Webb.

 

Real estate auctions create a level playing field among buyers who decide what a property is worth on that particular day and time. Moreover, in today’s depressed housing marketing, massive foreclosure auctions like those held by Hudson & Marshall help improve communities by putting new owners into empty homes.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2007, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the delinquency rate for home loans was 5.82%. Declining home values are fueling the rise in foreclosures. According to Realtytrac®, in 2007 Detroit reported the highest foreclosure rate among the nation’s 100 largest cities, with nearly 5% of households entering some stage of foreclosure.

 

America’s largest foreclosure auction firm, Hudson & Marshall will auction the Detroit area homes on the following dates: March 25^th and 26^th at 1:00pm at the Doubletree Hotel Dearborn; March 27^th at 1:00pm and 7:30pm at the Doubletree Hotel Dearborn; March 29^th at 1:00pm at the Ford Motor Company Conference & Event Center; and March 30^th at 1:00pm at the Ford Motor Company Conference & Event Center.

 

All homes are sold “as-is” and prospective buyers should preview all properties prior to placing bids. There will be an open house for all properties March 20^th and March 22^nd from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Buyers may also contact listing agents to schedule an appointment to inspect properties. Complete auction details and property listings may be found at www.hudsonandmarshall.com or by calling 866-539-4172.

 

Winning bidders will be required to make a cash or check deposit of $2500 or 5% of the total sales price, whichever is greater. Prior to the auction, buyers can purchase property online by visiting www.hudsonandmarshall.com and clicking on the Bid Now icon. Sellers usually respond to offers within 24 hours. This is a reserve auction, which means the sellers have the right to accept or reject any bid; however, in past auctions conducted by Hudson & Marshall, the majority of offers have been accepted.  

 

About Hudson & Marshall of Texas Inc.

H&M is America's Premier Auction Authority. Our 40-year history combined with our continued process enhancements have allowed us to become one of the largest and most respected real estate auction firms in the United States. H&M has set the standard as a full service auction company and continues to consistently raise the bar for our industry. Our number one priority is to provide top-quality service to our customers. Buyers know they can count on H&M to provide value and service from the initial property offering through the closing process. This same approach provides sellers with a one stop single solution to the disposition of real estate assets. Sellers particularly appreciate H&M's streamlined approach that handles their assets from marketing through closing and funding. The H&M process allows the seller to minimize expenses and maximize return. H&M has assisted clients ranging from individuals to large, medium, and small corporations, government agencies, and financial institutions. Recently, H&M has sold and closed over 40,000 homes throughout the country. See more about H&M at www.hudsonandmarshall.com.

The Internet is filled with stories of bad customer service, here is an example of just the opposite.

One of our photojournalists stopped in the DWYM office today to tell us to remind you to make sure you complain when you are not getting good service.

He lives in northern Troy, and says his house has never gotten good Internet service from AT&T.   He thinks it is because he is at the "end of the line".   He wrote a complaint email to AT&T customer service, they promptly sent him a $60 credit.

Too often we just grouse to our friends and family about bad service, and never bother to actually take it to the company.    It often pays to take it to the company directly.