July 3rd, 2009
by Colin Jones
If you are thinking about a hybrid vehicle, you may be hearing quite a bit of “gossip”. Some people think the hybrid car is the best thing since sliced bread. Some people say it will just pass. Yet other people again say they think they can save a packet, but you’re not sure it’s really worth it. What’s the truth, and how do you separate fact from fiction with all of the stuff that is being said to you? Below, you can read and consider the usual hybrid car myths.
Hybrid cars are the same as electric cars: This is untrue because hybrid vehicles are fuel-powered for the most part. They have what are called ‘battery assists’. The assist is powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack that is rechargeable.
You are guaranteed to save money with a hybrid vehicle: If you are doing city driving, you may economize on fuel and you may not. The same goes for long-distance driving. There are just too many different factors involved. It has been said that if everyone bought hybrid vehicles, the fuel consumption would drop by just 10%. That’s not a very big difference, is it?
A hybrid vehicle’s battery can run out: A hybrid car’s battery should not run out when you are actually driving it. The engine of a hybrid car does not idle when stopped (at a red traffic light for instance). What does it do instead? Well, it recharges its battery. So, there is no need to worry about a hybrid vehicle stopping for that reason.
The hybrid car’s rechargeable battery only lasts for 2 years: A hybrid car certainly would not be worth purchasing if this was the case. A hybrid car’s rechargeable batteries usually come with an eight-year warranty.
If I run out of fuel, I can keep driving on the hybrid vehicle battery: Bear in mind, a hybrid car’s battery is an assist. That means that hybrid car’s still run on fuel. After you run out of gas, the battery may keep the car running for a little while. However, the car will stop running very soon.
Hybrid vehicles will soon put normal car dealers out of business: I’m sure that this won’t take place anytime soon. The reason for the delay has to do with the how much hybrids cost. Most people just can’t afford one. Also, people just aren’t sure whether they will really save money by buying a hybrid car. Therefore, they are loathe to join the rush of people who want to own a hybrid vehicle.
Hybrid cars will only save you about 88USD per annum: I did see something on the news the other day, but it may be untrue. If there’s something you really want and there’s a lot of gossip surrounding it, you simply have got to start digging around and do some research yourself. There are many different types of hybrid car, and many different manufacturers make them. This means that there may be much more involved than we have discussed here. A hybrid car may help you, and it may not, but the final decision is up to you.
So, don’t worry too much about what people say. Do your own research and make up your own mind. Use the Internet to get information. The manufacturer’s advertising is also useful, if you stick to reading the facts and gloss over the hype. Check that what the literature claims is also in the guarantee.
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Tags: alternative energy, america, automobiles, cars, family, hobbies, hybrid cars, hybrid vehices, modern technology, motors, other, travel, trucks, Uncategorized, vehicles
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July 2nd, 2009
by Joy Mitchell
Any diet that asks you to go low carbohydrate and use only low carbohydrate vegetables is telling you that you need to hunt for vegetables that are low in carbohydrates. You need to use these vegetables in stead of your regular vegetables. There are many great tasting things that you can do with low carb vegetables.
They can be used in your various diet recipes or used for salads. They are great by themselves as healthy snacks and you can also blend them for a nutritious drink. The many websites that offer recipes for low carb cooking and meals could have some recipes that will let you use your low carb vegetables in meals.
How about turning out a splendid meal using only low carb foods. You can give a great side dish full of low carbohydrate vegetables that have been transformed into a delicious salad. This salad can be garnished with many interesting foods that are also low carbohydrate but taste great by themselves as well.
For example, you could concoct a salad from low carbohydrate vegetables and boneless beef, top sirloin steak, fresh lemon juice, gourmet salad greens, medium plum tomatoes, ranch or blue cheese dressing. You have the choice of making a seasoning for this salad from dried oregano, garlic cloves and pepper.
As you can now see, there are many ways that you can mix your low carbohydrate vegetables with many other foods in order to make delicious meals for you and others to enjoy. The main thing to bear in mind is not to put foods like a heavy French dressing on your low carb vegetables. This will turn your nutritious low carb vegetables into something heavy.
There are times|instances| in your low carb cooking when you can use only one of the low carb vegetables to give you a fantastic dish that looks mouth-watering. This type of low carb recipe will call for only a low carbohydrate vegetable like aubergine. This vegetable is very adaptable and you can use it in very many ways.
When you decide to eat low carb vegetables in this way, you take your cooking experience into another realm of gourmet food. The many low carb recipes that you can find on the Internet, will let you make great dishes with your low carb vegetables. After all, low carbohydrate just means eating other types of vegetables and showing your taste buds low carb meals.
Tags: advice, Atkins, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, diabetes, diet, fat, fitness, health, other, plus size, self help, Uncategorized, weight loss
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July 2nd, 2009
by Colin Jones
The spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species of snake as it not only has a deadly bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of prey and aggressors alike. Contact with the eyes can be very painful and even blinding, therefore, if you accidentally get cobra snake venom in your eyes, wash them out immediately so as to prevent permanent damage to the tissue.
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also unusual in this large family of snakes (elapidae) bexause it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes with mice and small birds also making up part of its diet.
The King Cobra is also unique because of its size - it can reach 5.85m (almost 20 feet) in length, which makes it the longest poisonous snake in the world. The latest discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 when it was identified by London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.
Going by DNA reports, this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but differs in genes. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been named the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.
Although they are highly dangerous when threatened cobras will rarely attack if you keep your distance from them, although the spit can travel very accurately for two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is rather slow in its attack and besides that, many bites prove to be non-venomous.
Statistics of a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicate that only 55% of the bites involved poison release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of only 10% for people bitten, since the poisons injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxins), which induces respiratory failure approximately half an hour after being bitten, so you have 30 minutes to seek help.
The colouration is variable from light green-grey to black, while juveniles are yellow and black banded. This snake can find a habitat all over south-eastern Asia.
Tags: animals, Asia, california, exotic, fauna, florida, other, outdoors, pets, reptiles, snakes, Thailand, tropical, Uncategorized, unusual
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July 2nd, 2009
by Gail Jones
So you may wonder, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your female dog’s name is? The answer is a lot, because your bitch’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?
Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs or bitches. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with a mental image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup romping around on a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Queenie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a pretty appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.
However, there seems to be very few cute dog names out there for male dogs. This may be because it reduces the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are some male cute dog names about. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to ensure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.
Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.
Whilst dogs are very intelligent animals, they cant process the same amount of information that we can. Therefore, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can increase your chances of training them successfully.
Moreover, dogs names (can|should help them shape a character of their own. Common names dont encourage them to do that, so finding a simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to respond to a command.
I am prepared to bet money that most dog owners do not think of the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at random, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if for no other reason.
Tags: advice, animals, classes, dog training, dogs, family, garden, obedience classes, other, outdoors, pets, school, self help, terriers, Uncategorized
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July 1st, 2009
by Marion Jones
For the people who seem to have it all or for those who are bored with their lifestyle, there are a few things that one can do to spruce-up one’s life. Maybe one of the best ways however is to start redecorating one’s house. Some of the first places one should look at redecorating are your bathroom and kitchen.
These are often the most overlooked and most used rooms in the entire house. Think about it, have you redecorated at least even one of these rooms within the past few years? The answer is probably going to be no. In which case think back to the last time you even looked closely at your bathroom or kitchen other than to clean them.
Probably, if you noticed anything at all, you put the notion off until a future date when you would be able to devote more time to refurbishing your bathroom or kitchen, although at that time, the place probably didn’t look as old as it does now, after all, the years soon add up and even though you’ve been keeping it spotlessly clean you can’t stop the steady progress of time.
It is probably true that if you take a closer look now, you’d find that the curtains are looking a might shabby and ragged around the edges, as are the bathroom rugs. And do not even look at the toilet roll holder. It is quite true that they don’t make them like they used to, and with very good cause too!
Do yourself a favour and throw out all the unnecessary clutter in the room and get yourself some new stuff - you will be surprised at what you can find nowadays. Anyway, you’ve probably been admiring that lovely bathroom set you saw in the shop for some time now, so at the very least now you will have a good reason to go out and splash out on yourself.
And while you’re about it, don’t forget to buy that lovely new spice rack you saw last week for the kitchen and a few mats that can be used in either room. They should be resilient to such everyday occurrences like water, soap, oil grease, fat and all the other things that somehow seem to become ground into carpets.
But, if you’re looking for some new ideas about decorating your bathroom or your kitchen, there are a number of resources you can get your inspiration from. The best one I’ve found so far are the catalogues, which you can browse through until you find what you’re looking for.
With all these options, you can even substitute something that is less expensive for the items that you see in the catalogues. This then, is the best way to get your decorating projects started and to keep yourself busy for some time to come and to make your long suffering bathroom and kitchen areas spotlessly new and glitzy.
Tags: advice, decor, decorating, design, environment, family, flooring, hobbies, house, interior design, modern, other, self help, style, Uncategorized
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July 1st, 2009
by Brandon P. Nadeau
There are not a lot of varieties when we talk about mortgage insurance products. There is mortgage life insurance to guarantee that your mortgage will be paid on the event of your death. This can be either decreasing term or fixed term, it depends on the kind of mortgage you have. There is mortgage disability insurance, which is intended to guarantee that your mortgage payment will be made in case you are disabled and unable to work.
But in addition to these plain vanilla variety of mortgage insurance products, buyers have some choices about the full nature of their policy.
In discussing a mortgage liability insurance policy, be sure you understand whether your broker is talking about a partial disability policy where you get a predefined amount during the disability period, or a residual policy where you get a percentage of your income.
Short term as well as long term disability exists and you may decide upon short term if you feel you have other income that will start at a certain point. If you have retirement funds and planned on early retirement, you may not have to have disability insurance to cover your home loan when you start that income stream.
Besides the kinds of insurance a homeowner can pick, there are number of optional features, or riders, that can be written onto a policy. They are: guaranteed renewable policy, non cancelable policy, guaranteed future insurability, inflation protection or waiver of premium.
Inflation Protection
With this rider, inflation is factored into the payout, so that your disability payments, for example, will go up as the cost of living goes up. This will protect your mortgage benefit from being inadequate for paying your future home loan payments.
Guaranteed Future Insurability
The value of your home may increase because market forces or improvements you have made, but if you purchase this rider, you will be guaranteed that you can increase the policy to cover it, without re-applying.
Guaranteed Renewable Policy
You will always possess the right to renew the policy, but the insurer reserves the right to increase premiums.
Non-Cancelable Policy
This rider will renew the policy and also protects the premium from going up.
Waiver of Premium
Another popular rider is a feature that allows for the premiums on the policy to be waived when benefits begin. It would be a difficult financial load to have to continue to pay the premiums on the policy after you have become disabled.
Tags: b, business;finance, e, f, family, finance, h, home, i, insurance, life insurance, m, mortgage, Mortgage Life Insurance, o, personal finance, r, real estate, u
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June 30th, 2009
by Jason Kendall
The Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course is perfect for men and women looking to get into supporting networks. Whether you want to get going or already have knowledge but want to formalise that with an acknowledged certification, it’s possible to achieve your goals with the right training. For someone just entering the world of computers, it could be appropriate to pick up some skills ahead of getting involved in the first of the four Microsoft Certified Professional exams (MCP’s) that are required to achieve an MCSA. Look for a company that can create a bespoke package to suit you - one who will guide you to guarantee that you make the right choices.
So, why should we consider qualifications from the commercial sector rather than more traditional academic qualifications gained through the state educational establishments? The IT sector is of the opinion that for mastery of skill sets for commercial use, certified accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe is closer to the mark commercially - for much less time and money. The training is effectively done by concentrating on the skills that are really needed (along with a proportionate degree of associated knowledge,) instead of going into the heightened depths of background non-specific minutiae that computer Science Degrees often do - to pad out the syllabus.
The bottom line is: Accredited IT qualifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - the title is a complete giveaway: i.e. I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure’. Consequently an employer can identify exactly what they need and what certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.
Frequently, a normal IT hopeful really has no clue in what direction to head in the IT industry, or even what area is worth considering for retraining. Therefore, if you’ve got no background in IT in the workplace, what chance is there for you to know what a particular IT employee actually does day-to-day? And of course decide on which certification program is the most likely for ultimate success. To get through to the essence of this, there should be a discussion of a number of core topics:
* The type of personality you have plus what interests you - what working tasks please or frustrate you.
* Why you’re looking at getting involved with IT - is it to overcome some personal goal like being self-employed for example.
* Where is the salary on a scale of importance - is it of prime importance, or does job satisfaction rate further up on your list of priorities?
* Getting to grips with what the normal career areas and markets are - including what sets them apart.
* The time and energy you’ll have available to spend on the training program.
To be honest, you’ll find the only real way to gain help on these matters is through a chat with someone who has years of experience in IT (and chiefly it’s commercial requirements.)
So many training providers focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you’re doing this - getting yourself a new job or career. Your focus should start with the final destination in mind - don’t make the vehicle more important than the destination. You could be training for only a year and end up doing the job for 20 years. Avoid the mistake of choosing what sounds like a very ‘interesting’ program and then put 10-20 years into something you don’t even enjoy!
It’s essential to keep your focus on what it is you’re trying to achieve, and create a learning-plan from that - avoid getting them back-to-front. Stay on target - making sure you’re training for an end-result that will keep you happy for many years. It’s worth seeking help from an advisor who knows the commercial realities of the sector you’ve chosen, and will be able to provide ‘A day in the life of’ explanation of the job being considered. These things are incredibly important because you obviously have to know if you’re going down the right road.
You have to make sure that all your qualifications are current and commercially required - don’t bother with courses which end up with a useless in-house certificate or plaque. From the perspective of an employer, only the major heavyweights such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe (to give some examples) provide enough commercial weight. Anything less won’t make the grade.
A useful feature that many training companies provide is a Job Placement Assistance program. It’s intention is to assist your search for your first position. It can happen though that too much is made of this feature, for it’s really not that difficult for a well trained and motivated person to secure a job in the IT industry - as employers are keen to find appropriately skilled employees.
However, what is relevant is to have CV and Interview advice and support though; also we would encourage everybody to work on polishing up their CV as soon as training commences - don’t wait till you’ve finished your exams. It’s possible that you won’t have even passed your first exam when you land your first junior support position; although this can’t and won’t happen unless you’ve posted your CV on job sites. You’ll normally experience better results from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than you’ll get from a training provider’s national service, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
In a nutshell, as long as you focus the same level of energy into getting your first job as into studying, you’re not going to hit many challenges. A number of students inexplicably put hundreds of hours into their training and studies and then call a halt once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
Tags: a, advice, c, career, computer, computer training, computer;internet, Computers, e, education, h, home, i, internet, m, money, n, o, online, r, reference, Reference Education, s, self improvement, training, u, Uncategorized, w, web, work
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June 30th, 2009
by Bob Jones
Almost everyone over the age of consent has or wants a credit card these days and they are accepted almost everywhere. There are three main kinds of credit card very common in America. The first main type of credit card is travel and entertainment cards such as American Express or Diners Card. These have to be paid in full at the end of the month and are generous on spending limits.
The second major kind of credit card is the bank card such as Visa, Master Cards, GM, and Ford cards sponsored mainly by the banks. The bank defines the spending limit, which in bank parlance, is known as the credit line and each bank offers different terms and conditions. Banks offer a selection of payment means: you may either pay the balance in full with no interest charges or pay the minimum or some part of the balance with a finance charge.
The other major type of card is the retail store card, such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Shell or Mobil. These store cards and those from gas companies, widely known as fuel cards, are only accepted in specific countries. They usually do not carry annual charges. There is a large disparity in the terms and conditions for these cards.
Different sorts of credit cards offer different options. Some are geared toward individual consumers, while others are designed in ways that work best for small business needs. To know what type of credit card fits your needs, you should look over a few options.
How to Choose your Credit Card.
Credit cards have become a part of everyday living for most people who live in the west. It’s becoming increasingly impossible to avoid them, especially for business men. So, if it is the first time you are about to enter into the realm of credit cards, here are some of the basics you ought to look out for.
First, compare the interest charged on all the credit cards you are interested in. While the rate will not remain fixed for ever, it’s always better for beginners to go for the one charging the least interest.
Read the fine print carefully, especially on the other charges that may be applied, like late-payment fees, annual fees, and whether there is a grace period which is normally given before the finance charges kick in.
Decide which spending limit is most appropriate for a person of your income. Also the fewer credit cards you have, the better placed you are to understand your spending.
You should compare the services and other features such as the cash back incentives, or warranties, rebates and such like and check whether the card is taken widely enough to suit your needs.
You will help yourself by acquainting yourself with the following terms: 1] Annual Percentage Rate: this is the yearly cost of the credit. 2] Finance Charges: these are the total charges of the transaction. 3] Period of Grace: This is the length of time the card issuer allows you before they commence charging you interest on new purchases. (NB: not all credit card issuers allow a grace period).
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Tags: advice, auto, banking, credit, credit cards, debt, finance, funds, loans, money, mortgage, other, self help, shopping, Uncategorized
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June 30th, 2009
by Marion Jones
Who are the predators? Predators are Cyber Stalkers, serial killers/rapists, rapists, paedophiles, women beaters, child abusers, thieves and so on. Predators often have mental problems that prevent them from behaving properly in normal society. Children with mental illnesses are often the prey of these predators, and sometimes children with mental disorders are the predators themselves. In fact, the distributor of one of the most serious viruses online came from an eighteen-year old from England.
Dangers mental disorders: Not everyone with a mental illness is a threat to society. Generally, predators with mental disorders are plagued with sociopathic, psychopathic and anti-social disorders, oppositional defiance, conduct control disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorders (BPD), and psychosis. While there are a few other mental illnesses that pose threats to our society, this is a list of the most common potential dangers that lurk on the streets and on the Internet.
How to save a child with mental disorders from dangers : Never treat your child as if he/she has a mental disorder. Treat your child as special, yet avoid treating the child as if he/she is mentally ill, since many mentally ill patients are extremely intelligent. Teach your child the same rules that other children must live by and stick to those rules. Do not leave room for doubt when danger is present. Teach your child respect by showing respect yourself.
Children with dangerous mental disorders will often engage in pornography, violent images, content, and so forth. This makes it difficult as a parent to protect your child. It is important that you enforce the laws. Never put yourself in danger while enforcing these laws, since some children with dangerous problems may cause you harm.
If the child refuses to listen to you, bring in the police and make sure that they do their job to help you enforce the rules. You may have to pay court fees and go through all sorts of rigmarole, but I can promise you that it will be worth it in the end. As a mother who has raised two boys with dangerous mental diseases, I can tell you it isn’t easy but it can be done.
Children with mental illnesses often have brilliant minds that can often get past any parental controls and will do so without you even knowing. Take extra time than normal to monitor your child’s activity online. Teach your child that divulging personal details is dangerous and encourage them to request your permission when thinking about divulging name, phone number or other details online.
Leave room for your child to take some responsibility and always encourage your child to participate in family discussions that concern them. Encourage the child to protect their safety by encouraging them to report any crime committed against them.
One of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to do while raising a child with mental health issues is teaching him/her to stay away from violent images and pornography. It is next to impossible to keep them clear of this trash. Still, it can be done if you set a good example for the child to follow.
It is important that you keep talking and listening to your child. Allow your child to express concerns, opinions, ideals, theories and so forth without demeaning the child. You will be astounded at the knowledge children with certain mental disorders have, if you will only listen to them.
The best advice I can offer you for dealing with children with major mental illnesses, such as psychopathy, is to seek help and stand firm. For additional child safety advice for children with mental disorders get advice from a qualified professional.
Note: Children learn what they see and hear.
Tags: child safety, children, Computers, family, home, internet, mental health, other, parenting, police, safety, school, security, sociology, Uncategorized
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June 29th, 2009
by Owen Jones
There are quite a few different kinds of investments, and there are many factors in determining where you should invest your funds.
Of course, determining where you will invest starts with researching the various types of investment available, determining your risk tolerance, and determining your investment style and your financial goals.
If you were going to purchase a new car, for instance, you would do quite a bit of research before making a final decision and a purchase. You would not consider buying a car that you had not fully looked over and taken for a test drive. Investing your money works in very much the same manner.
You will, of course, learn as much about the prospective investment as you could, and you would want to see how previous investors have done too. It’s just common sense, isn’t it?
Does learning about the stock market and investments take a lot of time? Yes, but it is definitely time well spent. There are numerous books and websites on the topic, and you can even take degree level courses on the subject, which is what stock brokers do. With access to the Internet, you can actually play the stock market with fake money in order to get a feel for how it works.
You can make pretend investments in a pretend portfolio, and see how they fare. Do a search with any search engine for ‘Stock Market Games’ or ‘Stock Market Simulations’, although almost every online stock broker provides these services. This is a great way to commence learning about investing in the stock market.
Other sorts of investments external to the stock market do not usually have simulators, so you will have to learn about those types of investments by reading about them.
As a potential investor, you must study thing you can possibly get your mits on about investing, but start at the lowest level of investment books and websites first, or, you will find that you quickly get lost.
Finally, speak with a financial planner. Tell her your aims and ask them for their suggestions. This is their job! A good financial advisor can easily help you determine where to invest your money, and help you set up a plan to reach all of your financial goals. Many planner will even teach you about investing along the way, so make sure you pay attention to what they are saying to you!
Tags: bonds, business, Computers, finance, forex, home business, money, online, other, retired, shares, stock market, stocks, trading, Uncategorized
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