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By admin On January 25, 2010No Comments
In over 30 years, since November 1976, the US dollar and Canadian dollar have not been par until now. As the Canadian economy has been progressing over the years, the US economy seems to have fallen behind with all its turmoil. The war in Iraq has not helped the US economic situation but rather offset the deficit, and in a move to avoid the forecasted economic recession due to the credit crunch, the feds cut interests rates by 0. 5 points to 4. 75 percent.
The move to cut interest rates to ease the mortgage industry has weakened the US dollar against foreign currency including the Euro, and giving the push for the Canadian dollar to hit parity with the US dollar. One US dollar now buys one Canadian dollar. But the Canadian dollar’s gain isn’t only linked to the US federal interest rate cut, but can also be seen as the Canadian economy has been booming in an upward gain from 2006 with a low inflation rate, and a red hot oil industry.
This rapid progression of the Canadian dollar against the US comes as a shock to some Canadians, who measured the Canadian dollar value at . 62 USD only four years ago in 2002, and now hitting par seems too good to be true.
As Jeff Rubin, chief economist and strategist at CIBC World Markets, stated, “the Canadian economy that once used to be the sleepy little resource backwater of the North American economy is certainly turning the tables on its big brother in a hurry. “
So what does all this have to do with Canadian and American dealings with each other? Well, for starts there will be an increase in American exports as buying from the American markets will become cheaper for Canadians. Although, vice versa Canadian exports to America will also decrease, as it will simply cost more for Americans to buy Canadian manufactured goods.
The Canadian tourism industry will also suffer, as more American visitors will decline as the dollar parity discourages Americans from shopping in Canada, since the one time savings of up to 40%, due to the dollar value, will no longer be available to Americans.
Although, Canadians will suffer in sales, they will gain in purchasing from American based businesses, and buying cars from the American side is becoming more attractive to some Canadians. As car prices in Canada are much higher than in America, a lot of Canadian shoppers will find drastic savings by traveling south of the border to buy a car. The difference in prices may not be the greatest for all cars, but gaps in some categories such as luxury sports cars, will save a Canadian buyer almost $14,000 on average.
But the high loony will put pressure on Canadian companies that are dependent on exporting to the US, who is also Canada’s largest trading partner. Already, in 2006 there were almost 100,000 job losses in southeastern Ontario, due to the rising Canadian dollar against the US dollar.
Even with such a massive job loss, the Canadian economy is still doing well, as the manufacturing sector loss a total of 289, 000 jobs since 2002, the Canadian economy has created over one million jobs in resources, construction, services, health care, education and financial industries, leaving the national jobless rate at 30-year low.
In contrast the Canadian dollar seems to be stronger over the American for the time being, but only time will tell the future of the American dollar vs. the Canadian. If asked to predict, there is always uncertainty, but given factors such as future interest rate cuts by the Americans, could possibly even lower the US dollar compared to the Canadian, and this could become reality in the next 6-12 months.
This article is provided courtesy of http://www. justwantaquote. com Find Free Mortgage Quotes, Rates and Mortgage Lending Information.
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By admin On January 25, 2010
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Golf is a great physically demanding sport What is the golf sport like in your mind? Elegance? Easy going ? Requiring technical skill but vigor? Actually, golf is a very physically demanding sport.
By admin On January 24, 2010
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Want to know what professional golfers really think about the big issues of 2009? Here are the key findings of LET 2009 survey . . . Golf in the Olympics What is the ultimate prize: Olympic Gold, the US Open or the British Open? Unsurprisingly the British Open was a convincing winner (57%) but the lure of gold in 2016 was greater than we expected with 20% wanting the medal ahead of the two Opens and a further 17% keen to grab all three. The marketing of ladies golf When we asked the players to get creative and suggest improvements for the promotion of the game the biggest cry was for improved television coverage. In terms of competing in a men’s event 1 in 4 respondents have or would consider playing (”it would be an amazing experience”), but they were keen to qualify under what circumstances. “Only as a one-off”, said one and, “not unless it was co-sanctioned with ALL the professionals,” said another. In a slightly more frivolous vein we asked what music the players would play on the first tee if it were permitted (as Aussie player Anna Rawson suggested it should). If it ever happens be prepared for lots of Black Eyed Peas and Coldplay. Tiger Woods When doing the survey to the LET and the players getting the opportunity to answer it something hit the fan – and it wasn’t a wild Tiger tee shot. The players responded in the first week of the controversy and reaction to those early scandals was mixed. Clearly, when we asked if players preferred Woods or Mickelson, some were having doubts. “Mickelson,” said one player. “Or haven’t you read the news lately?” “Right now it is Mickelson ha ha,” wrote another before qualifying with a statement that seemed to sum the general feeling up. “No, still Woods even though I’m very disappointed. ” Tiger remained more popular with nearly two thirds of the vote but, three weeks on, with more scandal having emerged, it would be interesting to ask the question again and see if those numbers flipped over in favour of Mickelson. Sexism in golf According to research the only growth area in club memberships is amongst young women and yet golf clubs still operate 19th century policies. It’s absurd: who would you rather play golf with or sit next to in a clubhouse bar? Someone who likes golf (their sex is irrelevant) or a mad man (or even sad man) who is prejudiced against half the human race? So how do Europe’s finest lady golfers view the golfing gender gap? The general feeling is that the professional game is slightly less sexist than club golf. “Too many courses are still in the dark ages,” wrote one player. Article recommended: Why golf is better than sex Tour questions We can reveal that Becky Brewerton is the ball-striker most admired by her peers. Diana Luna’s short game and Rebecca Hudson’s putting skills are also envied, but neither swept the board in the overwhelming fashion Brewerton did. Talking of fashion, Beatriz Recari was voted “best dressed off the course” with Paula Marti and Rebecca Coakley sharing the “on the course” vote. Fashion home: www. go4uggboots. com We also asked if Michelle Wie will have won a major by the end of 2012. A hefty 83% think she will have but one player was unimpressed. “Sorry,” however, she candidly wrote, “couldn’t care less. ” Tour life Finally what picture emerges of the LET golfers off the course? Musically, in addition to the Black Eyed Peas and Coldplay, there were votes for Eminem, the Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Michael Jackson. Someone also likes the Lighthouse Family. Oh dear! Most use social media with a tour average of 366 friends or followers on Facebook and/or Twitter (the tour highest is 1220). They have a weakness for sunglasses and shoes (the items they admit to having spent most on for golf-course wear) and they prefer 24 and The X Factor to The Wire and The Apprentice. Copyright reserved by Ebayoyo. com
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By admin On January 24, 2010
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It should come as no surprise that some of the most expensive golf clubs in the country are found in and around Las Vegas. It’s just not as easy as you might think to keep a lush green in the middle of a desert! That said, many private golf courses in the area don’t even list rates, so one can only guess how steep the rates actually are. But there are still a number of private and public courses where you can go and play a great round of golf – and still leave the green with some greenbacks in your wallet.
I lost at blackjack last night but I still have $50 left. . . can I play golf, or should I just head over to the slot machines instead?
Well, I guess that all depends on just how lucky you feel. But if you are tired of giving the casinos all of your money, and want to take advantage of the great golf courses Las Vegas has to offer, then you are in luck. . . maybe. A growing concern for those wanting to play on the golf courses in the Las Vegas area is the fluctuating rates. Hey, we’re all used to rates changing due to seasons, lighting conditions, reservations. . . the works. But some of the golf courses in Las Vegas have divided the seasons up in ever-more-imaginative ways, that seem to try and squeeze every last possible dollar out of the green. However (and this is subject to change, so DEFINITELY try to book some green time as far in advance as possible), the following golf courses can be played for $50 or less: Craig Ranch, Los Prados, and Eagle Crest.
I managed to escape the casinos with $100. . . golf anyone?
If you have been able to squirrel away a Ben Franklin, then a lot of the golf courses Las Vegas offers will gladly put you on the green. Now again, the rates at some golf courses are changing by the day, it seems – so be sure to check before showing up with only Ben. Those officially posting fees of $100 or less during the winter months are: Desert Rose, Las Vegas Golf Club, Painted Desert, Highland Falls, Palm Valley, Las Vegas National Golf Club, and the Rhodes Ranch. Oh, and for those not “in the know”, rates tend to be higher for golf courses in Las Vegas during the winter months, as the heat can be downright brutal during the summer. Oh yeah, Las Vegas is in the middle of a big desert, isn’t it?
I really need to stretch my golfing funds as much as possible. . . what options do I have?
No worries, my friend – sometimes the cards just aren’t rolling. You can save anywhere from $5-15 by walking golf courses instead of driving the carts. Not a great option during the heat of the summer months, but an option that can help stretch the dollar a little farther.
Twilight rates are another way to save money, but they can be very confusing. What is most confusing about the golf courses Las Vegas has to offer is that their twilight rates are not necessarily offered in the dying light. During the summer months, and due to the extreme heat, twilight hours tend to start in the late morning and early afternoon. In the winter, however, twilight hours occur at the end of the day, and it is not uncommon for golfers to not get in an entire 18 holes.
While Las Vegas does have many exclusive golf clubs, with prices so steep that they refuse to post them, there are a number of reasonably priced golf courses that offer some great greens at prices even the worst of gamblers can afford. Plus, if you are wise and plan accordingly, you can get those low prices even lower – and maybe even get in another round of golf to keep your mind off those lousy cards for a few hours longer! After a great round on the green, I can promise you that you will not leave Las Vegas feeling like a “loser” – even if your wallet tells you otherwise.
Albert Medinas has developed and maintains the website Best Golf Courses, which answers the most common questions players have about Golf Courses. Please visit us at http://www. bestgolfcourses. net today.
By admin On January 24, 2010
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Do they work? That is one question that bogs the mind of many aspiring golfers, or people who are just venturing into the golfing profession. For individuals who have tried it, it is simply amazing and produces the best results. I believe it is every golfers dream to reduce his/her number of strokes to the minimum, that is, to hit the fist hole in one stroke. There is no any simple and effective way you can achieve that except by fixing the mistakes that you experience with your golf swings. Golf swing instructions are not any farce; in fact you can improve your game within the shortest time possible. You will be able to say bye to the many rounds, you usually take to hit the hole. This method has helped people to reduce their strokes by up to fifteen strokes within a short time. In addition the instructions will increase your playing confidence to great levels. Up to that point, I know you want to get going. That is a wise decision and I guarantee you great results that are proven. One of the important golf swing instructions is to keep your head down every time you hit the golf ball; actually, it is advisable to wait until the ball lands before you lift your head up. The reason why you should strive to keep your head down every time you play is to prevent any ball top that easily deny the ball certain lifts needed to stick greens. Lifting your head can also lead to bouncing balls that are very hard to control. Another way of improving your golf performance is to be at home with different ways of hitting each club. You should be able to hit a pitching wedge of 130 yards or 95 yard pitch off the greens. If you can master the different styles of hitting the ball you will be able to achieve full swings, half strength swings as well as short chipping swings. If you learn how to use the various clubs of different lengths, you will be able to handle a low hanging branch on a short pitch using a half strength 5-iron rather than a wedge. These two ways are just all you need to make fantastic hits or strokes. You cannot learn all these by studying how people play, but through the fabulous golf swing instruction. Slicing the golf ball once is embarrassing. Slicing the golf ball swing after swing is humiliating. One of the fastest ways to improve your golf game is to ask a golf swing coach for golf swing instruction. The next best way is to study and understand the correct golf swing mechanics. Do you have these 3 problems with your golf swing: 1) inconsistency; 2) slice; 3) distance? Find out how to improve your swing and cut your Handicap by 7-12 Strokes and Lengthen your Drive in just 2 Weeks with my FREE Special Report. Click Here.
Jana Chen