Andrew Knight

Germany, the third biggest economy has fallen into recession over night as the global financial crisis continues to strike. Europe’s largest economy shrank 0.5 per cent in the third quarter, following a contraction of a revised 0.4 per cent in the second quarter. The contraction is known to be the worst than expected, analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires predicting a 0.1 percent fall compared to the previous three months.

According to The Capital Economics research group, the data that was published could mean the economy is heading for the worst recession since the 1930s. I wasn’t alive at this date, nor was my father and it’s scary to think with all our technological advances, we could go back just as fast.

Germany actually got off to a good start this year, expanding by 1.4 per cent in the three months to March. What happened you ask? The country had been hit by slumping activity in its major export markets while domestic consumption remained at low levels. Corporate investment also suffered as well from a sharp decline in the business outlook. Following on in October, German business confidence hit its lowest point in more than five years, a widely-watched survey by the Ifo research institute showed.

Now the outlook for 2009 is looking grimmer than ever, with Berlin slashing its forecast for 2009 growth to just 0.2 per cent! A panel of experts also advised the government, saying it expects a standstill next year.

So with the world is utter chaos, does this mean Australia will fall into recession and economic fright? To be honest, I don’t think we will be effected hard like the US, UK and China. Our banking system has been strengthed over the years with good, solid grounding, provided by all the regulations the government put in place over the past. Even with the Australian stock market crashing, recovering and then repeating the process, we are still ahead in comparison to many other countries.

People are suggesting you save your money, stock it away and be a scrooge, this is the wrong mentallity as I’ve said previously. Don’t over spend but the economy needs money injected into to help it survive and prosper. Buying shares in banks and mining companies should be something to also consider, especially when the demand can be so high for certain materials and so forth.

Remember, now is the time to be investing - not squirreling your money away…not that anything is wrong with doing that, just we need money into the economy to help it survive and keep it strong!

Source: http://news.smh.com.au/business/germany-in-recession-as-slowdown-bites-20081113-666s.html

Tags: banking, Finance, germany in recession, Stock Market

Consumerism has hit me hard recently, making me get on my knees and grovel for a popular materialistic item, the iPod Touch - 2nd Edition. Even with our current economic situation with world debt being increasingly high and money dropping in value by the hour, the iPod is still referred to as an liability due to the fact it’s not making me any money and posesses the possibility of breaking down in some way.

I have lost some money surplus by giving in to my feelings which has been invoked by multiple things like incredible marketing. Not to mention, my own desire to hold something which has been beautifully crafted to perfection, with a sleek steel case and a 480×320 touch screen - it’s pure all over.

Pushing that aside, I will now be adding money to a personal fund, details I can’t exactly disclose however I can assure you it’s beneficial to my future and will secure profitable ventures - exciting! I will be removing my saving bar and replacing it with a new bar representing the money added to the fund, named “Success Fund”.

Tags: apple, Finance, ipod, ipod touch, itunes, Personal Finance

Hayden Panettiere, a beautiful and attractive woman who is mostly known from the hit tv series, Heroes is one of the few women celebrities who {usually} look natural and composed. She doesn’t try and go for the fake look even though there a few photos floating around. She seems genuine but how do I know, I can only see the outside — but I guess that’s enough for me!

Hayden was born August 21, 1989 and at only age 19 she became a very well known face in TV. Hayden is also known for her hit role in Remember The Titans as Sheryl Yoast and Maddie Harrington in Ally McBeal, doing 11 episodes.

Hayden was born a model and actress, starting her modelling at only 4 months old! At 11 months, she appeared in commercials for popular shows like Playskool. After growing up a little, between five and eight she appeared in the soap opera One Life to Live as Sarah Roberts then later as Lizzie Spaulding on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light.

From there Hayden boosted her career from being a wonderful child straight into being a teenager and landing in Heroes as Claire Bennet. While on the set of Heroes, Hayden Panettiere met Milo Ventimiglia, who plays co-star character, Peter Petrelli. This was known In April 2008, when during an interview on the BBC’s The Chris Moyles Show to promote the second season of Heroes, Ventimiglia confirmed that he is dating Hayden Panettiere.

Last month I posted some sexy Hayden Panettiere wallpapers for everyone to download and admire Hayden’s beauty on their desktop. I have recently added more to this collection and recommend you visit my previous post. There is multiple resolutions available, all to the best quality I could find so enjoy!

If you have anything you would like to add about beautiful Hayden Panettiere, please do so by commenting. I would like to hear your thoughts!

Tags: hayden panettiere, sexy wallpapers

Around 1:30AM this morning, an 18 year old man was stabbed numerous times by a group of young men in front of a karaoke club in Sydney’s Chinatown. Police report two groups of males started fighting outside the karaoke club on Factory lane when the 18 year old man intervened whilst coming outside for a smoke.

Inspector Brenton Lee reports from City Central Police saying the 18 year old man tried to break-up the fight:

“An 18-year-old male left the club to have a cigarette outside the premises and there he came across six young males fighting. He then went in to stop the fight occurring and some of those young men produced a knife.”

Friends of the victim managed to hail down a taxi and take him to Macquarie Street, before calling an ambulance. He was then taken to St Vincent’s Hospital and is currently in a critical condition.

Police spoke to a number of witnesses at the scene, but say the motive for the attack is still unclear.

The identity of these men are unknown however, anyone who witnessed this attack or might have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Vicious events like these shouldn’t occur in today’s society and it’s everyone to blame. If you see something unlawful, call the Police or Crime Stoppers, doesn’t matter how small you may think it is, every bit counts.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/07/2412797.htm

Tags: crime, News

Is this how we are being brought up? Learn how to drive in your parents car, get your license, find the car of your dreams and get a car loan, then spend the next 10 years paying it off. I’m not one to judge, however I do find it intriguing how much we as a nation have changed over the years. Back in the industrial age you would either get your pops truck or work hard and save your money, and then purchase a car in full, most likely it being a used one for your first car. Now it’s sign on the dotted line, get now and pay later with interest, not to mention their hands just inches away from crushing your throat if you refuse or “forget” to pay. Should this be the way, should we teach our kids to have now, before earning it and understanding appreciation?

Personally, I don’t drive as yet however, I see logic in saving up a few thousand to buy your first car out in full. From my readings and understanding, chances are most young adults will “accidentally” forget to pay on time and will get slapped with a hefty bit of interest. Don’t get me wrong, credit in this world is not only needed but it’s important to wealth. I just feel we as consumers rely on credit cards and personal loans too much because we have this mindset of “want now” and as you can see, this has clearly caused trouble.

A car loan would be beneficial if claimed under a business as it would eventually pay itself off. From my point of view, you should only consider applying for a car loan when you have the following Why, What, When and How worked out:

1. Why do you need a car loan? - This is a serious question, think outside the square for a moment.
2. What car loan suits you best? - Many to choose from, find which one works for you.
3. When will it be paid off? - Knowing a rough estimate on when it will gives you a goal.
4. How much interest will you be paying? - 5 years might be easier for you but harder on your pocket in the long run. Think this through.

Most people will act on their emotions - i.e. want now - and not consider their current circumstances. By analysing your situation, how much you can afford and how quick you can pay it off, your removing your natural emotion and starting to think like the rich.

If you need a car loan, I would recommend comparing various car loans to find the best one which suits you. You can do this by visiting http://www.carloan.com.au - you can compare and apply for a car loan online.

Tags: car loan, Finance, Personal Finance

UPDATE: Interest Rates have officially been cut by 0.75 percent, leaving the current interest rate at: 5.25%

Where money is being splashed around, being lost and being gained, the Reserve Bank of Australia will be meeting with the focus on cutting interests rates by another 0.5 percent. This of course isn’t certain, only theory by economists not to mention ANZ, CommSec, AMP and Austock’s Michael Heffernan predicting the cut. However, Mark Dutton spoke for most experts suggesting the slow economy would push the RBA into cutting rates between 0.5 to 075 where as Robert Camilleri of Aviva Investments was more optimistic, saying he believed the banks would cut rates by 1 per cent.

An interest rate cut is of course vital in our economy though it’s uncertain how much improvement this can do to the economy, asking questions like how much would rates fall. According to News.com.au, a rate cut of 0.5 percent would would lower payments on a 25-year mortgage of $250,000 by about $85 a month, meaning more money for necessities like groceries.

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Information: News.com.au

Tags: banking, Finance, Personal Finance, Saving Money, Stock Market

The taste of summer is near, with the beautiful women lazing about on the golden beaches, relaxing music by day and hard music by night. Where parties don’t stop for days and sleeping is absent. I’m getting excited just by talking about it. Chris Hamilton & I are launching a brand new website, SummerMusic.com.au which will host a variety of different things to cater for this years summer including; Summer sports, summer fashion and trends and of course, summer parties! Events will also be posted in relation to their state. For example, there will be a static page for Byron Bay with all events listed.

We’re aiming for Summer Music to be successful so we can keep it recurring and engage into next years summer, the year after that and so on. There will also be a community forum so you can signup and discuss whatever needs to be discussed, meet new people and live the summer life!

Tags: Modern Life, Music, News, summer music