21,000 Lung Cancer Deaths Each Year in The U.S., Due to Radon Gas

21,000 Lung Cancer Deaths Each Year in The U.S., Due to Radon Gas

Radon is a chemical element with symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as a decay product of radium, according to Wikipedia.

The recommended safe level for radon gas indoors is 4.0 picocuries per liter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims that those that have extended exposure to a 4.0 pCi/L level of radon has a 7 in 1,000 chance of death, due to lung cancer.

“Wilson, the owner of the home inspection company that tests for radon, said the test for radon takes about 48 hours. The test is installed in a lower living space of the house on a wall that is not close to a window. It usually costs $125 to $150.” As reported by ColumbiaMissourian.com

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/
http://homeinspectionallstar.com/

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Health, News, Real Estate

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Mobile Gaming Revenue in The U.S. Expected to Increase to 3.31 billion in 2016

Mobile Gaming Revenue in The U.S. Expected to Increase to 3.31 billion in 2016

The fastest growing segment in the gaming industry is the mobile gaming platform.  In 2010, the revenue for just ad supported mobile games amounted to $41 million, by 2017 it is expected to increase to $655 million in the just the U.S.

Additional revenues that surround the mobile gaming industry are found at sites that offer help for those that play mobile games.  For example the popular game WordBubbles, has sites like these that offer answers and cheats for WordBubbles.

According to a 2014 survey, 45% of Americans who played via mobile phone, played on a daily basis, with only 4% playing once a month.  When asked, many assume that mobile games are played by a younger demographic, but the survey results show that only 7% are between the ages of 18 to 24.  The same survey found that 24% of mobile gamers are in the 55 to 64 age group.

Sources:
http://www.statista.com/topics/1906/mobile-gaming/
http://wordbubblesanswer.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_game

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Finance, News

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Survey: After Increasing 42% in The Past 10 Years, The Average Spending on Back-To-School Shopping Drops This Year

Survey: After Increasing 42% in The Past 10 Years, The Average Spending on Back-To-School Shopping Drops This Year

The National Retail Federation reported a survey that was conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, where those with children from grades k-12 plan to spend less this year for school supplies.  The survey found that parents expect to spend a portion of their shopping budget on supplies such as laptops and other online tools.

The average amount expected to be spent on school supplies is $630.36 this year, which is down from $669.28 from last year.  The overall spent on school shopping this year is expected to exceed $24 billion for k-12, with an additional 44 billion when you add in college students, according to the National Retail Federation.

Sources:
https://nrf.com/resources/back-school-headquarters
http://www.edweek.org/ew/index.html
http://www.marketwatch.com/

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Finance, News

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July 2015 Marks the 55th Anniversary of Vietnam Tourism

July 2015 Marks the 55th Anniversary of Vietnam Tourism

Vietnam marked their 55th anniversary of tourism with a 5.1% increase over the same period from the previous year.  It was estimated that 593,566 visitors made the voyage to Vietnam, in the month of July, which accounted for the increase.

Tourism has been an important part of the Vietnam economy, accounting for 4.5% of the gross domestic product.  Foreign investment has been concentrated in heavy industry, urban development and tourism.  Most of the tourism related investment has been directed to the hotel industry.

Vietnam seemingly has something for every type of outdoors person.  Nature lovers, beach lovers and backpackers all have their place in the Vietnam landscape.  There are also guided walking and bicycle tours to choose from, as well as kayaking trips.

Sources:
http://voyagevietnam.co/
http://www.vietnamtourism.com/en/index.php/news
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Vietnam

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Finance, News

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Commercial Real Estate Sales and Prices Are Surging, Prompting Concerns About Possible Bubble, According to The WSJ

Commercial Real Estate Sales and Prices Are Surging, Prompting Concerns About Possible Bubble, According to The WSJ

The Green Street Commercial Property Price Index hit 118 in July, this leading indicator of commercial real estate prices, has been on a steady increase since its low in 2009.

“The value of U.S. commercial real-estate transactions in the first half of 2015 jumped 36% from a year earlier to $225.1 billion, ahead of the pace set in 2006, according to Real Capital.” As published in the Wall Street Journal.

Private equity real estate fundraising has already exceeded $73 billion and is on pace to surpass the highs in 2008.  Many are comparing this to the boom of the mid-2000s, which ended in a bust that affected developers around the world.

 

Sources:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/surge-in-commercial-real-estate-prices-stirs-bubble-worries-1439415930
http://www.retailsolutionsadvisors.com/services/
http://www.loopnet.com/

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Finance, News, Real Estate

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Percentage of Total Marketing Budget Spent on B2B Content Marketing in The U.S. is 28%

Percentage of Total Marketing Budget Spent on B2B Content Marketing in The U.S. is 28%

According to Wikipedia, “Content marketing is any marketing that involves the creation and sharing of media and publishing content in order to acquire and retain customers. This information can be presented in a variety of formats, including news, video, white papers, e-books, infographics, case studies, how-to guides, question and answer articles, photos, etc.”

Julie Roehm is one of the experts in the field of content marketing. As “Chief Storyteller” she thinks an important role for B2B companies is to be able to cut through the clutter of the overwhelming information that is swirling around us. According to Julie, this can be accomplished by telling the stories of how, in her case SAP, helps their clients run their businesses more effectively and improving people’s lives.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_marketing
http://www.julieroehm.com/
http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2015_B2B_Research.pdf

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Finance, News

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Less Than A Decade Later, Electronic Cigarettes and Vaporizing Devices Have Grown Into A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

Less Than A Decade Later, Electronic Cigarettes and Vaporizing Devices Have Grown Into A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

The upward trend and popularity of vaporizing devices such as vape pens, have caught the eye of federal, state and local governments. Currently these products do not fall under the same advertising restrictions that tobacco products do.

The FDA and CDC have their sights set on imposing new regulations for vaporizing devices, they have proposed putting them in the same classification as tobacco products so they will be regulated in a similar fashion. The CDC has already expanded their anti-smoking campaign to include e-cigarettes.

While governing agencies try to categorize vaping and traditional smoking together, there is a lack of data that supports this. Proponents of vaping claim that it actually helps tobacco users stop smoking.

Sources:
http://www.fda.gov/
http://www.paintthemoon.org/pax-2-vaporizer-review/
http://www.cdc.gov/

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Finance, Health, News

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Americans Spend Over 100 Million Per Year on Non-Prescription Acne Treatments, According to The AAD

Americans Spend Over 100 Million Per Year on Non-Prescription Acne Treatments, According to The AAD

“Acne vulgaris (or simply acne) is a long-term skin condition characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, greasy skin, and possibly scarring”, according to Wikipedia.org

Affecting over 40 million people in the U.S., acne is the most common skin disorder. Nearly 80% of those between the ages of 11 and 30, suffer with acne on their face, chest or back.

100 million is spent yearly on non-prescription acne treatment, this does not include cleansers, special soaps, prescriptions or doctor appointments.

Some of the leading causes of acne are oil and grease build up, emotional stress, heredity and hormonal factors. It is believed that 80% of the acne cases are due hereditary factors.

Sources:
https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a—d/acne
http://pantothenicacidacne.net/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_vulgaris

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Finance, Health, News

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California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing Files Lawsuit Due to Allegations of Prospective Tenant Being Discriminated Against For The Possession of Two Emotional Support Animals

California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing Files Lawsuit Due to Allegations of Prospective Tenant Being Discriminated Against For The Possession of Two Emotional Support Animals

“An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal which provides therapeutic benefit, such as alleviating or mitigating some symptoms of the disability, to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability.” According to Wikipedia.

According to the lawsuit that was filed on July 14th in Orange County Superior Court, the woman and her boyfriend were told they could move in with their dogs without paying a pet deposit. This changed when the apartment manager requested documentation on the tasks that the “service dogs” were able to perform. The manager then informed the prospective tenants that if the dogs did not perform tasks then they would not be allowed to move in.

When ask to respond, a spokesman for the Real Estate company said that the organization does not comment on active litigation.

Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/local/
http://thedogtoronline.com/emotional-support-animal-letter/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_support_animal

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Legal, News, Real Estate

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The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Area is in The Top Ten in the U.S., With The Highest Employment Level for a Locksmith, According to Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Area is in The Top Ten in the U.S., With The Highest Employment Level for a Locksmith, According to Bureau of Labor Statistics

With 370 locksmith positions available, the Chicago and surrounding metro area is seventh in the country when it comes to employment. The hourly mean wage for locksmiths in Chicago is $19.21 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual wage comes in at $39,950.

The L.A. metro area takes the top spot with the most locksmith positions of any metro area in the U.S. The Annual mean wage in the L.A. metro area is only second to the New York metro area, at $46,880.

According to BLS.gov there are over 17,000 locksmiths nationwide, with a mean annual wage of $40,600. The ALOA Security Professionals is the largest organization for locksmiths and security professionals with over 10,000 members.

Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499094.htm
http://www.omegalocksmith.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Locksmiths_of_America

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Local, News

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Real Estate Landscape is Slowly Shifting Due to Baby Boomers, According to The Counselors of Real Estate.

Real Estate Landscape is Slowly Shifting Due to Baby Boomers, According to The Counselors of Real Estate.

Demographic shifts are under way as baby boomers downsize to smaller homes, senior communities and assisted living facilities, according to The Counselors of Real Estate which is a group of 1,000 handpicked individuals, who are considered experts in Real Estate.

Low interest rates are playing a part in this shift, as seniors view this as a great time to downsize, taking advantage of low rates. These lower interest rates are helping the baby boomers sell as well as finance the home they are downsizing to.

Investors, such as “We Buy Homes Philadelphia” are preparing for interest rates to rise, when rate increases occur, “it will devalue future cash flows, thereby devaluing assets,” according The Counselors of Real Estate.

Sources:
http://articles.philly.com/
http://homecashguys.com/
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/on-retirement/2015/04/06/7-baby-boomer-housing-trends-to-watch

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News, Real Estate

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Over Euro 450 Million in Foreign Investment Reported by Malta’s Individual Investor Program

Over Euro 450 Million in Foreign Investment Reported by Malta’s Individual Investor Program

Since its launch in 2014, the Malta Individual Investor Program has received over 400 applications. The result of this influx of applications has resulted in US $530 Million in direct foreign investment.

The IIP is aimed at high net worth individuals around the world. The IIP is an exclusive program where reputable individuals who pass the due diligence standards can be approved. It is not simply a program where rich people can easily buy and EU passport.

The IIP has been set up to allow 1800 applicants, after 1800 applicants have been approved the program will close, causing this to be one of the most exclusive programs of its kind in the world.

Sources:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maltas-individual-investor-program-reports-continued-success-over-euro-450-million-in-foreign-direct-investment-288695301.html
http://www.maltaimmigration.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_nationality_law

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Finance, News

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U.S. Businesses Spent 13 Billion on Cloud Computing in 2014

U.S. Businesses Spent 13 Billion on Cloud Computing in 2014

According to Forbes the cloud computing industry is growing at a rapid rate. By year end 2015, end-user spending on cloud services could reach $180 billion.

For the average person cloud computing accomplishes tasks such as sharing files and backing up data. Small business use the cloud to collaborate and manage workflow. Even gamers use the cloud to back up there progress by using services like Minecraft server hosting.

Multiple companies have sprung up as the result of the popularity of cloud computing. Some of the popular service providers are Google Drive, Dropbox, Cubby and Carbonite to name a few.

Sources:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2014/01/29/cloud-computing-united-states-businesses-will-spend-13-billion-on-it/
https://ggservers.net/
https://www.google.com/drive/

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Finance, Technology

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Credit Repair Industry Annual Growth Drops 3.8% Following Recession

Credit Repair Industry Annual Growth Drops 3.8% Following Recession

The 6 Billion dollar Industry of credit repair has contracted at a rate of almost four percent over the last couple years since the height of the U.S. recession.

The tough economic times are credited for a situation where debt burdened consumers defaulted on debts at an alarming rate. During this time many turned to one of the 127,548 credit repair companies that currently operate in U.S.

Due to the growth of the industry during the recession, some predatory service providers have emerged prompting the Federal Trade Commission to become more involved even though the industry is governed by the Credit Repair Organizations Act.

Sources:
http://www.ibisworld.com/
http://www.creditmarvel.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_Repair_Organizations_Act

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Finance, News

According to Big Fish Games, 59% of Americans Play Online Games

According to Big Fish Games, 59% of Americans Play Online Games

Over 150 Americans play online games, ranging across a variety of age, gender and socioeconomic statuses. Many might guess that this 150 million gamers are made up of those under the age of 18. Surprisingly only 29% of the 150 million are under 18, with the average age of 31. More gamers are over the age of 50 than under the age of 18.

Online games are as diverse as those that play them, some of the top games are Escape the office 2015, The Impossible quiz and Are Vampires Real, just to name a few.

Digital games can also have an educational use, according to these published statistics, 74% of teachers use digital games in the classroom.

Sources:
http://www.bigfishgames.com/
https://www.immortalday.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_game

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News

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Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports that 24% of those Employed Work at Least “Some” Hours From Home Each Week

Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports that 24% of those Employed Work at Least “Some” Hours From Home Each Week

According to the monthly labor review employees are doing more telecommuting and working from their home office.

Those in favor of working from home see this as a way to give working mothers a way to stay competitive and narrow the wage gap between their male counterparts. With only a quarter of the workforce working from home, some mothers may have to use creative means when looking for a position that will allow them to work from home. One of the easiest places to start the search, is to look for stay at home mom jobs that are available online.

Proponents of the work from home revolution state some obvious environmental benefits of telecommuting. Less wasted time used traveling to the office cuts down on traffic congestion and energy consumption.

 

Sources:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2013/02/18/one-in-five-americans-work-from-home-numbers-seen-rising-over-60/
http://sahm.org/jobs/
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/06/art3full.pdf

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Finance, News

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Poll: 85% Said They Were Unlikely to Talk About Credit Card Debt to a Stranger

Poll: 85% Said They Were Unlikely to Talk About Credit Card Debt to a Stranger

According to poll results, we are living in a day and time where consumers are less likely to speak to a stranger about credit card debt than religion, politics, salary and even the details of their love life.

Even with the U.S. recession coming to an end the average consumer is still likely to be carrying consumer debt, even though it may be slightly lower than at the height of the recession.

In recent news, the Federal Reserve states that revolving debt in the U.S. has surged above the $900 billion mark. This could be an early indication of a rise in consumers using credit consolidation to ease their burden of debt.

Sources:
http://www.nasdaq.com/
http://www.creditconsolidation-usa.com/
http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/

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Finance, News

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Telemarketing and Call Centers, Rebounding After the U.S. Recession

Telemarketing and Call Centers, Rebounding After the U.S. Recession

Over the past five years the telemarking and call center industry has been in decline. Due to the U.S. recession and reduced corporate profits, companies have pulled back on their telemarketing efforts.

Major companies are now looking for the best value when it comes to investing in marketing. According to this popular call center blog, they review the top five questions to ask when outsourcing your call center to ensure the best quality.

Even though the telemarketing and call center industry is already a 22 Billion dollar industry, it is expected to grow even larger in the next five years, according to economic forecasts.

Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/home.htm
http://www.novasors.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-when-outsourcing-your-call-center-part-2/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemarketing

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Finance, News

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The Three Leading Causes of Bankruptcy

The Three Leading Causes of Bankruptcy

One of the myths that surround bankruptcy is that those who have filed bankruptcy are financially irresponsible. This myth is debunked by the fact that 42% of Americans that file, claim that it is due to medical expenses, of which 78% of those had medical insurance.

The second leading cause of bankruptcy, according to this bankruptcy attorney in San Diego, is unemployment. This creates a financial hardship that is difficult to recover from.

Excessive debts are the third leading cause of bankruptcy. Fifteen percent of those that file, claim that credit cards, large mortgages and expensive car payments forced them into bankruptcy.

Sources:
http://www.uscourts.gov/statistics-reports/caseload-statistics-data-tables
http://www.blclawcenter.com/
http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/05/14/5-bankruptcy-myths-debunked

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Finance, Legal

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Average Credit Card Debt Drops to the Lowest Level Since it’s High in 2008

Average Credit Card Debt Drops to the Lowest Level Since it’s High in 2008

The first quarter of 2015 brought with it positive news about the state of consumer debt in America. The national credit card delinquency rate (the rate of borrowers 90 or more days past due) decreased to 1.37%.

Although that is great news for most consumers some cities in the U.S. are still struggling to recover from the recession. Miami, Atlanta and Houston are the top three cities with the highest delinquency rate percentages.

Credit card debt per borrow hit its peak in 2008 with an average of $6,276 of credit card debt per borrower. The first quarter of this year saw it drop to $5,142. During this period other consumer debts such as installment loans, payday loans and other short term financing has seen a steady decline.

Sources:
http://www.transunion.com/
https://swiftmoney.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_debt

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Finance

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Americans Spend $34 Billion Annually on Alternative Medicine

Americans Spend $34 Billion Annually on Alternative Medicine

Acupuncturists, chiropractors and herbal supplements are just a few of the alternatives that many Americans are turning to according to nbcnews.com. The study shows that even during recessionary times people are still willing to spend their discretionary dollars on items like dietary supplements and essential oils.

According to this site that reviews the best essential oil diffusers for their visitors, one can see how quickly the costs can add up. To view more products and costs involved with alternative medicine visit www.thehealthy.com

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Health

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Why Dental Implants?

Why Dental Implants?

Dental implants provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth and according to http://www.webmd.com/ the dental implant is simply a replacement of the tooth’s roots. This top rated dentist office in Fort Worth, TX, explains the process like this; “After being placed in the jawbone, osseointegration begins, a process where the fixtures fuse with the natural bone to create a permanent home for your implants”.

Learn more about the costs and advantages of dental implants at http://fortworthtexasdentist.com/

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Health, Local

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Career Outlook For Public Claims Adjusters

Career Outlook For Public Claims Adjusters

According to Salary.com, claims adjusters in Texas can expect to earn a median salary of $55,142. The education required to become an adjuster is either an associate’s degree in a related field or two to four years of experience in a closely related industry. More information what a public claims adjuster does can be found at http://claimsmate.com/

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Insurance

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Sell Your Home Fast: Nail the Price and Get Sufficient Exposure

Sell Your Home Fast: Nail the Price and Get Sufficient Exposure

The correct price and adequate exposure. That’s it. That’s all you need to sell a house.
Let’s put it this way: if your Realtor is getting qualified buyers through the door, but you aren’t getting any offers, there is something wrong with your price. It’s that simple, says luxury real estate broker Scott Forman of Royal Palms Realty in Key West, Florida.

The bottom line is this. Selling your home is as simple as setting the right price and getting qualified buyers to visit your property. More on this topic: http://royalpalmsrealty.com/price-and-exposure-the-two-most-important-factors-in-real-estate-sales/

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Real Estate

Shortage of Skilled Professionals in the Blockchain Sector

Shortage of Skilled Professionals in the Blockchain Sector

Just this week, CNBC featured a fascinating interview with Taso Du Val, co-founder and CEO of freelance hiring firm, Toptal. Du Val stated that despite offering attractive salaries ranging from $80,000 to $180,000 per year (depending on their location and skillset), the tech industry is desperate to fill a plethora of job posts that have popped up for blockchain and software development. “Job postings for blockchain developers went up 700% from last year,” noted Duval, who added that the greatest difficulty with filling …

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Finance

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Augmented Reality Set To Overhaul The Real Estate Industry

Augmented Reality Set To Overhaul The Real Estate Industry

Findings released fromInternational Data Corp (IDC) have revealed that $27 billion is set to be spent on virtual reality and augmented reality during 2018. With more than 1 million iOS devices active around the world, Sotheby’s have just launched the first ever real estate augmented app which look sets to boost America’s real estate sales. The IDC study projects that the compound annual growth rate of AR and VR products will reach 72% over the next four years as more individuals …

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Real Estate

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USA Home Sellers Are in Line for Big Profits This Spring

USA Home Sellers Are in Line for Big Profits This Spring

Home prices in the USA went up by 7 percent in March of 2018, according to the CNBC.com website. This price increase represents the largest monthly gain since May of 2014. People are fighting for available homes, and this is driving up prices. According to a Trulia report, the February supply of existing properties was 3.4 months. This is the lowest level of supply ever for February. The median average cost of a home in February 2018 is over five percent more …

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Real Estate

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