Quotes of the Day

Beacon Score: Credit scores range from 400 to 850; The average consumer has a score of 700; First-rate bankers want a score of at least 640; Second-level bankers want a minimum score of 600 or higher. The number of inquiries on your file can negatively impact your score. Unsophisticated investors who shop loans to many institutions, or apply for a bunch of credit cards as a way to invest in real estate, will have lower scores. [2009] - Don R. Campbell

Real estate commissions are negotiable based on various factors, including the services provided. The traditional rule of thumb is 5% on the first $200,000 and 2.5% thereafter for an exclusive listing, and 7% on the first $200,000 and 2.5% thereafter for a multiple listing (MLS). [2006] - Douglas Gray

When day trading futures, options, or forex, you can use leverage and trade multiple contracts on a rather small account. The average profit should be at least 50% higher than your average loss, preferably even twice as high. In the first four weeks of your trading, you might set your weekly target at $100 per contract. The key element to trading success is having a sound trading strategy that produces consistent profits. [2008] - Markus Heitkoetter

You can find listings of court-ordered sales, either at the local courthouse or through services that collect such data and distribute it for a fee. Websites such as www.foreclosuresearch.ca exist, but as often as not vendors facing foreclosure are actively trying to avoid the circumstance and working with brokers who will be able to tip you off to potential opportunities in your locale. [2020] - Douglas Gray

Zinc lozenges appear to shorten colds by about 3 days, with significant reduction in nasal discharge (by 34%), nasal congestion (by 37%), hoarseness (by 43%), and cough (by 46%). The best way to take zinc for the common cold is lozenges containing around 10-15 mg of zinc taken every 2 waking hours for a few days, starting immediately upon symptom onset as either zinc acetate or zinc gluconate without binders such as citric acid, tartaric acid, glycine, sorbitol, or mannitol. Efficacy against more serious infections such as pneumonia may only be present among those with preexisting zinc deficiency. [2023] - Michael Greger