managing personal finances

There are many ways to manage your finances online, but many of them handle only the paying of run-of-the-mill bills. A site starting in beta-test mode on Monday, called Manilla, is aiming for something broader.

Manilla, which is owned by the publishing company Hearst, wants to help people organize four categories of accounts: household bills, like phone and cable; magazine subscriptions; air travel rewards programs; and financial bills like mortgages and credit cards. Once users sign up for Manilla they can link their personal accounts to the service and are supplied with a simple and clean interface to manage them.

Jessica Insalaco, an executive vice president at Manilla, said people the company surveyed said they were constantly baffled by the bills, subscriptions and other programs they have to manage. People also feel overwhelmed by the piles of paper bills they face on a daily basis, she said.

I tested Manilla ahead of its introduction and found that the process of linking and managing a bill was simple. I linked my AT&T phone bill to the service and it took only a few seconds to hook up the two sites and begin managing my account from Manilla.

Manilla isn’t only trying to help people organize their household finances. The company is teaming with businesses, too, hoping to offer a less expensive alternative to paper bills.

According to the United States Postal Service’s 2010 Annual Report, businesses in the United States send 48 billion account notices, statements and bills to customers each year. That’s a lot of paper that ultimately ends up in garbage dumps and paper shredders.

“Right now, some companies can spend up to 75 cents on a single paper bill,” Ms. Insalaco said. “We want to work with these major companies to send us the bill, reducing the cost of the paper version, and we will act as the middleman to the consumer.”

To make this process even more seamless, Manilla plans to create “premier partnerships” with some companies. Manilla said in a company blog post that it was opening with Comcast as its first premier partner, where cable customers who sign up for Manilla will no longer receive a paper bill, but will instead be billed directly through Manilla.

The company plans to add several premier partners when it has its full introduction in coming months.

ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet's term expires in October. Alex Weber president of Bundesbank (Germany's Central Bank), an inflation hawk was widely recognized to be the leading candidate to replace Trichet.

However, that idea came to a crashing end last week when Alex Weber resigned from Bundesbank.

Supposedly Trichet's replacement is a wide-open race. However, Mario Draghi, an Ex-Goldman Sachs Managing Director has the clear inside track.

Please consider Axel Weber Resigns Bundesbank, Throws ECB Race Open

Bundesbank President Axel Weber resigned, ending three days of confusion and opening the field for candidates from Finland to Italy to become the next chief of the European Central Bank.

Weber, 53, “expressed the wish to resign” and will leave office on April 30 with a successor to be named during the next week, Steffen Seibert, a German government spokesman, said today after Weber met in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Weber is leaving for “personal reasons” after deciding to step down a year early on Feb. 8 and then being asked by Merkel to postpone the announcement, the Bundesbank said.

Attention shifts from Weber to the qualities of other candidates who, according to 1991’s Maastricht Treaty, must be from the euro area and boast “recognized standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters.” Likely meeting that criteria are central bankers Mario Draghi from Italy, Luxembourg’s Yves Mersch and Erkki Liikanen of Finland. German Klaus Regling, head of Europe’s bailout fund, may also do so even if he lacks monetary policy experience.

This week’s decline in the euro against the dollar suggests the “FX market is not pleased” by the loss of Weber given his status as an inflation fighter, said Lutz Karpowitz, a currency strategist at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt. The ECB’s credibility may nevertheless be safe given “the assessment of a central bank should not depend on one person alone,” he said.

Philosophical Reasons For Weber Leaving

Weber is not leaving for "personal reasons" per se. He is leaving because of huge feuds with current President Jean-Claude Trichet, and the likelihood he would be in disagreement with the the rest of the ECB as well.

For example, please consider ECB’s Trichet Rejects Weber’s Call to End Bond Purchase Program

European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet rejected Bundesbank President Axel Weber’s call to end the bond purchase program that has provided a lifeline for European governments and banks trying to shore up their finances.

“This is not the position of the Governing Council, with an overwhelming majority,” Trichet said when asked to respond to Weber’s Oct. 13 call for an end to the program, according to the a transcript of an interview published yesterday in Italian newspaper La Stampa.

Weber, who also sits on the ECB’s 22-member decision-making council, said the risk of “exiting too late” from the emergency measures was greater than pulling out too soon. The remarks, the strongest from any ECB official advocating a removal of stimulus, came as governments and banks in Ireland, Portugal and Greece struggle to convince investors they can control their finances in the aftermath of this year’s sovereign debt crisis.

“Trichet is sending a clear signal to Weber,” said Carsten Brzeski, an economist at ING Group NV in Brussels. “The majority seems to favor a safety belt option for the moment and isn’t comfortable with sending conflicting signals to the markets.”

“There is only one single currency; there is one Governing Council, only one monetary policy decision, and one president, who is also the porte-parole of the Governing Council,” Trichet told La Stampa.

Weber was never in favor of the ECB's bond program to begin with, and that caused a feud at the outset.

Weber felt the ECB was not only violating the Maastricht Treaty, but making unsound decisions on monetary policy as well. Given Weber was in a distinct minority on many decisions he decided to say to hell with it.

Mario Draghi is now recognized as the leading candidate to replace Jean-Claude Trichet.

Mario Draghi's Background

Inquiring minds are interested in Mario Dragh's Background

Mario Draghi is a member of the Governing and General Councils of the European Central Bank and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements. He is also governor for Italy on the Boards of Governors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank. In April 2006 he was elected Chairman of the Financial Stability Forum, which became Financial Stability Board in spring 2009.

He graduated from the University of Rome, received his Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and subsequently served as professor of economics at the University of Florence from 1981 to 1991.

Prior to taking the helm of the Bank of Italy, he was vice chairman and managing director of Goldman Sachs International and a member of the firm-wide management committee (2002-2005). He was director general of the Italian Treasury (1991-2001), chairman of the European Economic and Financial Committee, a member of the G7 Deputies, and chairman of OECD Working Party 3. He was appointed chairman of the Italian Committee for Privatisations in 1993, and, from 1984 to 1990, was an executive director of the World Bank.

Mario Draghi's Role In Greek Debt Swaps Under Review

Please consider Mario Draghi and Goldman Sachs, Again

March 17, 2010

The latest revelations regarding the Goldman-Greece relationship (on the Senate floor, no less) clearly indicate that Goldman was a lead manager of Greek debt issues in spring 2002, i.e., when Mr. Draghi was on board.

This raises three entirely reasonable and straightforward questions.

1. Was Mr. Draghi involved in the Goldman-Greece relationship? Sources indicate that this was very much part of his set of responsibilities, but this may be disputed.
2. If Mr. Draghi was involved in marketing Greek debt, did he at that time know the true Greek debt numbers - i.e., was he aware of the "debt swap" arrangement? Perhaps his Goldman colleagues concealed that information from him.
3. And when/if Mr. Draghi became aware of the inherent misrepresentation involved this transaction, did he take steps to fully informed investors (and any relevant regulatory bodies)? Again, it is entirely possible he learned of this matter only recently and from the newspapers.
   

SEC Names ex-Goldman Sachs Employee to Oversee Asset Managers and Hedged Funds

While on the subject of ex-Goldman Sachs employees turning up in high-power jobs, please consider SEC Taps Goldman Sachs Executive as Division Head

The Securities and Exchange Commission has named Goldman Sachs Asset Management Chief Investment Officer Eileen Rominger to head its division overseeing asset managers and hedge funds.

Rominger will come to the SEC after nearly 30 years in the investment management business, according to an SEC press release Tuesday.

She managed equity funds at Oppenheimer Capital and at Goldman before becoming Goldman's chief investment officer for its global portfolio management teams.

All we need now to complete the picture is for an ex-Goldman employee to run for president of the United States and for another ex-Goldman employee to replace Bernanke at the Fed.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List

Surface Encounters proudly ensures purchaser satisfaction and selling price installing granite assurance. “I’m consistently skeptical heading with new vendors, but your employees has created me a believer!” - Steve, Indianapolis

Surface Encounters is actually a fast-growing surface encounters enterprise and, yet still they have kept tempo with all of the latest client referrals. “This service has become the most low-priced, dependable and pleasant corporations from the whole state. I might endorse them to anyone.” - Mike R., South Bend

A great deal of effort goes into generating spectacular countertops from nature. The process comes with laser measurement creative vein matching, precision diamond and water-jet cutting, edging and expert set up. A single can't basically call in their purchase for any custom countertop and also have it inside of every day or two. High quality normally requires time.

Surface Encounters encourages customers to go to a showroom to discover a lot more about organic stone countertops. Aside from the assortment and fabrication process, yet another significant part of customer treatment is ensuring one particular knows the right way to treatment for his or her granite countertop to maintain it on the lookout new for many years to arrive.

Granite is a attractive organic stone product which can be a common substance used for countertops and floor tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite has surpassed marble in recognition considering that is it much more durable and less difficult to treatment for. Granite is unmatched by synthetic products and solutions for its strength and durability, tolerance to temperature modifications and resistance to stains and scratches.

Granite is a normally shaped stone that's quarried from deep while in the earth, harvested, reduce, polished, sealed and set up in houses to add beauty, elegance and type. Given that it is a all-natural item, no two slabs are specifically alike. Granite is available in many colors through the various minerals that are discovered during the rock. Due to the fact it comes from throughout the entire world, unique areas and environmental elements ensure it is completely unique.

Granite is mainly designed up of quartz crystal, nonetheless it also is made up of varied quantities of other metals together with feldspar, mica, copper and iron. Some granite may perhaps include bits of gold or silver. The amount of just about every metal is dependent around the region it arrives from. All granite is formed into a challenging stone by heat and strain. Rain adds other minerals as it is forming. It happens to be attainable throughout the entire world, in each individual region, and each area will generate a surface encounters special number of granite.

Surface Encounters state-of-the-art machinery makes sure the highest high-quality finished merchandise because they design and style and build several of the greatest kitchens and bathrooms. Granite Countertops boost the warmth and splendor of properties whilst growing their worth and improving upon lifestyles.

Surface Encounters can also be concerned with employee morale; satisfied staff are extra very likely to contribute on the good results of the organization. On top of that to currently being a profitable company and a single that's superb to get the job done for, Surface Encounters does their portion to preserve our planet.

Surface Encounters does what exactly is ideal for their customers, workers as well as the atmosphere. Surface Encounters utilizes advanced h2o recycling capabilities to recycle approximately 43,000 gallons of drinking water daily. On top of that, a hundred % from the scrap generated in generating beautiful kitchens and gorgeous baths is re-used as aggregate in road building up, surface preparations and concrete.

The Columbus, Ohio Grand Opening of Surface Encounters benefits an artwork gallery showroom of Granite, Marble, Quartz and Engineered Stone counter tops. Retailer Supervisor, Scott Donnelly unlocked the doors from the showroom at 4717 Roberts Street, just west for the I-270 Beltway. The Surface Encounters production plan employs precision, automated engineering all the way through the fabrication on the customer's custom-made counter the best, this kind of as: a laser measuring alignment that applications the diamond-tipped sculpturing blades. Surface Encounters' operation comes with computer-driven software program that perpetuates the stone's normal veins. Just about every Surface Encounter retail store has not less than one particular registered, interior designer to assist you in building the finished challenge you might be seeking for. The craftsmanship continues through the

House owners are determining to remodel instead than offer their homes in today’s marketplace
Granite countertops have become a best alternative amongst Wixom individuals for kitchen remodeling jobs. Kitchen remodeling is often the very first challenge tackled with households shelling out 3,000 hrs or even more each year within their kitchen. Granite countertops present an natural environment that enhances the high quality time put in with spouse and children and good friends. Granite countertops very last a lifetime and develop the good quality of properties.

Surface Encounters Wixom store manager, Sal Dellacasa, says there are several factors shoppers are picking granite for their countertop desires. “Granite countertops add beauty and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is offered inside a variety of vibrant hues and rich textures and its strength and sturdiness is unmatched by any other purely natural stone or synthetic countertop content.”

Surface Encounters’ users benefit from pro services and a friendly, valuable staff to guideline them with the kitchen remodeling technique. Numerous of Surface Encounters new people are referred to them by earlier people.
"This organization is probably the most cost effective, trustworthy, and pleasant organisations from the entire state. I'd advise them to everyone." Mike R. Clinton Twp., MI

"The provider has at all times been there to help me in whatsoever way probable. Thank you so much!" David V. Lapeer, MI


Surface Encounters Macomb will be the household of half-off granite for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Granite countertops by Surface Encounters have easily turned out to be the best selection for Macomb residents that are remodeling their kitchens. Kitchen remodeling normally takes priority with households investing 3,000 hours or even more each year in their kitchen. Granite countertops present an environment that enhances the quality time spent with friends and family and colleagues and enhance the excellent of houses.

Surface Encounters Macomb store supervisor, Sal Dellacasa, says there are various reasons individuals are deciding upon granite for their countertop desires. “Granite countertops add magnificence and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is offered in a selection of vibrant hues and abundant textures and its strength and sturdiness is unmatched by every other surface encounters normal stone or artificial countertop material.”

Surface Encounters’ customers benefit from experienced services including a friendly, beneficial employees to tutorial them with the kitchen remodeling practice. Lots of of Surface Encounters new users are referred to them by former clientele.