Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

For individuals with a long term disability, here is news we recently learned about that could be of particular importance. It deals with social security disability insurance benefits.

Deciding how to move forward after a diagnosis of a long-term disability is a personal matter, but it's important that individuals do as much as they can to understand their financial options, according to Allsup , which represents people nationwide for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI).

"No one is going to see your personal situation and circumstances, or your financial position the way you can," said Paul Gada, a tax attorney and personal financial planning director for Allsup. "You have the best perspective on what needs to happen next, but you don't have to go it alone."

Experiencing an injury, chronic illness or disease condition causes stress and worry for individuals and their families. It also places some concerns into sharper focus, including financial decisions and options. "Many people don't see the need for a budget because they have enough money coming in to cover their expenses," Mr. Gada said. "But encountering a disability and having to stop work dramatically alters the picture for people and their families. That's when all the numbers really need to come under the magnifying glass."

To help clarify these concerns, Allsup offers the following information about the role of Social Security disability benefits and financial calculators, which can help families get a better grip on their existing financial situation.

Why You Want SSDI

A diagnosis of a long-term disability generally means the end of someone's working days, but it's not the end of key decisions related to money and financial income, medical treatment or healthcare.

"One of the most important steps you can make is to apply for SSDI as soon as possible," Mr. Gada explained. "This can be a complicated process because it involves documenting your work history and your medical condition. You can make it less stressful on yourself by hiring a representative such as Allsup, to handle those complicated aspects."

Even if someone has a long-term disability insurance plan, there can be a number of benefits to applying for SSDI. These include regular monthly income, medical benefits through Medicare (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Managing-Healthcare-Costs/Medicare.aspx) (after 24 months of entitlement to SSDI) and prescription drug coverage. More information can be found at Allsup.com in the section called, "Why You Want SSDI."

SSDI is a payroll tax-funded, federal insurance program. A portion of the FICA taxes you pay are set aside for SSDI (as well as Social Security retirement and Medicare). Social Security disability benefits are designed to provide you with income if you are unable to work due to a disability or until your condition improves, and guarantees income if your condition does not improve. Then once you meet your retirement age - 65 or older - you move from SSDI to Social Security retirement income.

The Social Security Administration's (SSA) definition of disability is different than other programs you may come into contact with through your employer or private insurance. The SSA pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.

Eligibility for SSDI is based on your inability to work. There are a number of requirements for eligibility, and the SSDI application process can be cumbersome--but it's an option that should not be overlooked. Choosing a representative can help you begin and get through the SSDI process with less stress.

Focusing Next on Finances, Healthcare

"If you know that an expert is handling that part of your financial situation, then you can start to focus on the next steps--handling the bills, covering your mortgage and meeting your healthcare needs," Mr. Gada explained.

There are several financial issues to assess for the coming months, especially knowing that the SSDI process (http://www.allsup.com/About-SSDI/SSDI-Process.aspx) can take someone as long as two years or longer in order to receive benefits. Most people don't have the background of financial planners. But there are a number of ways to evaluate your financial circumstances and get a better picture of where things are headed and, if needed, alter course.

To make this evaluation process a little easier, Allsup offers 11 financial planning calculators (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Financial-Planning-Calculators.aspx) on its Web site. Each calculator highlights a specific financial perspective and helps answer key money questions for users. The financial topics include:

• Evaluating the household budget. Setting up a realistic budget may be one of the hardest things for some families, but it becomes critical following a disability. The Home Budget Analysis calculator (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Financial-Planning-Calculators/Home-Budget-Analysis.aspx) provides a form to evaluate mortgage, utility costs, food costs and other daily expenses that can add up.

• Increasing cash flow. A long-term disability usually means money will be in short supply, so it's important to understand all available options until SSDI benefits are awarded. This includes evaluating personal resources, support from a spouse and government financial assistance. The Net Worth calculator (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Financial-Planning-Calculators/Savings-for-Cutting-Back.aspx) gives a more complete picture of someone's available resources or assets, such as real estate and investments, and liabilities (what they owe).

• Decreasing expenses. Stretching the available dollars and reducing spending can make a significant difference while waiting for approval of SSDI benefits. Over time, a little savings can make a big difference. Try out some cost-cutting methods with the Savings for Cutting Back (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Financial-Planning-Calculators/Savings-for-Cutting-Back.aspx) and Benefits of Spending Less (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Financial-Planning-Calculators/Benefits-of-Spending-Less.aspx) calculators at Allsup.com.

• Getting a handle on debt. This is a significant challenge for those with disabilities and their families, primarily because two factors have collided: income has become more limited and healthcare costs are skyrocketing. It may pay off to evaluate your current mortgage, other personal debt and payoff strategies, including consolidation. Experiment with possible strategies through the Personal Debt Consolidation calculator (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Financial-Planning-Calculators/Personal-Debt-Consolidation.aspx) or Mortgage Debt Consolidation calculator (http://www.allsup.com/Financial-Matters/Financial-Planning-Calculators/Mortgage-Debt-Consolidation.aspx).

One of the rewards when it comes to examining your financial situation is to realize there are a variety of tools available, Mr. Gada said. Consider all the options that may be available, even less likely options.

"It may seem like a drastic step, but some people decide to sell their homes and rent," he explained. "You quickly lower your monthly home payment and maintenance costs, avoid taxes and lessen the burden that comes simply from owning a home."

Other financial tools include refinancing the home mortgage or taking out a home-equity line of credit. Find additional calculators, including help evaluating the impact of one or two incomes, on Allsup.com.

"The situations vary so much between people and their families that there is no one-size-fits-all answer," Mr. Gada explained. "It's difficult because the decision to work has been taken out of your hands. But you have other decisions you can make that will help you get through this time, especially while waiting for SSDI benefits."

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Can we wait until January?

Everywhere I turn are more signs the economy is going down the toilet. Today, Zoom airlines shut its doors, leaving 600 employees out of work and thousands of passengers stuck in airports in Europe and Canada. The likely reason why this airline went under? The ever rising cost of fuel has made nearly everything more expensive.

But that's not all. A report published today by the Better Business Bureau shows that Americans no longer trust businesses as much as they did seven months ago.

in 13 of 15 industries measured, with an overall composite Index decline in consumer trust of 14 percent. And nearly half (47 percent) of those surveyed say they have only “some, very little or no trust at all” in companies they do business with in everyday life.

The survey and Index, which measure consumer trust in businesses that they regularly deal with, were commissioned by BBB and conducted by Gallup. Based on its findings BBB will organize a business forum, ultimately geared toward reversing the current downward trend in trust between consumers and businesses. The BBB Forum will bring together a broad cross-section of senior leadership from across industries examined in its survey, including representation from small and medium enterprises, as well as multinational corporations doing business in North America.

It is very distressing to learn that only 33 percent or less of Americans have a ‘great deal’ or ‘quite a lot of trust’ in 11 of 15 industries measured in the survey,” said Fred T. Elsberry, President & CEO of the BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens & Northeast Georgia. Trust levels have fallen 14 percent just from last fall when these measurements were begun. “This should defitinatley be a wake up call for businesses, especially in these difficult economic times. Consumers will do business with a company they trust and in turn companies of trust and ethics will be maintaining their customer base and making a profit no matter the economic situation. The link between trust and profitability is well established.

The first BBB/Gallup Trust in Business survey was conducted in September 2007; the second in April 2008. Consumers were asked to indicate their degree of trust in businesses using six categories: A Great Deal of Trust, Quite a Lot of Trust, Some Trust, Very Little Trust, No Trust or Don’t Know.

From the first to second survey, nine industries had a 10 percent or more drop in the combined “A Great Deal of Trust” and “Quite a Lot a lot of Trust” grouping, including:

• Auto Dealers : -19 percent
• Real Estate Brokers: -19 percent
• Department Stores: -16 percent
• Gas Stations: -15 percent

Another nine industries experienced a greater than 10 percent increase in the combined “Very Little Trust” and “No Trust” grouping, including:

• Home Improvement Stores: +33 percent
• Banks, financial institutions and stock brokers: +30 percent
• Department Stores: +27 percent
• Gas Stations: +27 percent

Department Stores and Gas Stations ranked in the top four in both the “Most Trusted” (dropped) and “Least Trusted” (gained) groupings. And only the Banks, Financial Institutions and Stock Brokers segment saw a greater than five percent change in the actual percentage of consumer responses in both the “Most Trusted” (dropped) and “Least Trusted” (gained) groupings.

In the opinion of this observer, we're racing toward hell in a turbo-charged handbasket, largely because of the near-criminal incompetence of George W. Bush and his corporate cronies who are happy to whistle at our plight as long as they continue to line their pockets.

Personally, I think the world would be better off if Barak Obama started running it sooner, rather than waiting until January to take charge.

डिजीटल फोटोग्राफी: ओवर १०० बिल्लिओं served

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced that Canon Inc. has reached an important milestone with the shipping of its 100 millionth compact digital camera.

Compact Cameras - A Historical Look Back
Beginning in May 2000, Canon launched the breakthrough PowerShot Digital model, which featured a compact body with a stylish design. This model spearheaded the digital camera market’s later massive growth with its easy portability and simple operation, which won over millions of users worldwide. Following the introduction, Canon released a string of revolutionary products that drove market expansion while addressing the diversifying needs of users: the PowerShot A70 digital camera (2003), which sold more units worldwide than any other model that year due to its superb operability and cost performance; the smooth and chic PowerShot Digital SD10 Digital ELPH camera (2003); the PowerShot G7 digital camera (2006), which carved out a position for high-end models in the compact digital camera market; and the PowerShot S5 IS digital camera (2007), which combined a high-power zoom lens with precise image stabilization.

Canon began producing compact digital cameras in 1996 at Oita Canon, which continues to be the prime production site. Canon also has manufactured compact digital cameras at a number of locations, including Canon Opto (Malaysia) and Canon Zhuhai (China).

On the technology front, Canon has been a leader in pushing the evolution of compact digital cameras. Some notable contributions have been the DIGIC high-performance imaging processor, which processes richly detailed image data at very high speeds; Canon’s ultra-compact lens with built-in image stabilizers; and iSAPS technology, which controls exposures with high accuracy based on shooting condition predictions.

As a leading digital camera company, Canon is committed to delivering attractive products that satisfy every user by pursuing new technical breakthroughs to better capture those important moments, by elevating the Company’s renowned product quality, and by strengthening its sales and service platforms.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

This reporter remembers when digital photography did not exist. Now it is the industry standard.

Stars and athletes using gemstone jewelry

We have long been aware of the strange power of gemstones, with their energies that can heal, alter the mood and otherwise have positive affects on the human anatomy and psychie. Now we learn that no other than the great footballer David Beckham has discovered the power of gemstones to enhance his performance. We presume this performance enhancement refers to his activities both on and off the soccer pitch.

We now have learned that the Energy Muse gemstone jewelry line was worn this past weekend by U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball players Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh and has been seen on David Beckham, popular LA Galaxy Soccer player and international star.

David Beckham has been spotted wearing Energy Muse gemstone jewelry at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards, at the Opening of Gordon Ramsey's restaurant in Los Angeles and at LA Lakers Games. Beckham wears Health, Prosperity, Transformation and Performance necklaces as wrapped bracelets. Youngs and Branagh will be wearing Energy Muse Strength and Prosperity necklaces throughout competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

U.S. Olympic Volleyball athletes Youngs and Branagh have received personal gemstone consultations from Energy Muse - now you can too. Energy Muse announces the immediate availability of two new services: Energy Muse Personal Gemstone Consultations and Energy Muse Custom Jewelry Design.

Energy Muse Custom Jewelry Design: Energy Muse is now providing customized gemstone jewelry to energize top athletes, performers and all those that seek an added personal touch to their jewelry experience. Energy Muse designers helped 2008 Olympic Beach Volleyball players Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh craft custom versions of the Strength and Prosperity necklaces they have worn during their Olympic-qualifying volleyball run. According to Elaine and Nicole, "Our Energy Muse necklaces were intended to help us get the strength we need to support and accomplish our Olympic goals this year and remind us of the balance, spirit and freedom that we're striving to always have as a team."

Energy Muse Personalized Gemstone Consultations. This exclusive experience places you one-on-one in the presence of Heather Askinosie, Chief Muse and a gemstone healing expert. As personal advisor, Heather helps those seeking to improve their performance, health, relationships, and prosperity using her unique process of communication and gemstone knowledge.

During a one-hour session Heather will use gemstones to assist in identifying and exploring personal goals, obstacle realization and prevention, and recommending the usage of crystals and gemstone jewelry that assist in the process of goal attainment

Demand has made this an exciting new service now available to a broader audience. While not therapy, many consider this session cleansing and helpful to the mind and spirit. These one-hour sessions take place at the Energy Muse Headquarters in Torrance, California.

Energy Muse clients also include motivational guru Anthony Robbins, L.A. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley, two-time Emmy winner Jeremy Piven, ''Entertainment Tonight's'' Mary Hart, Heidi Klum, Seal, Kristin Davis, Britney Spears, Avril Lavinge, Hillary Duff, rocker Courtney Love, and musical artist Usher. ''Gossip Girl's'' Blake Lively can be seen wearing the Energy Muse Shine necklace in the just-released film ''Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.''

On a slightly different level, we have seen that therapeutic gemstone necklaces, as popularized by the Wind Spirit Jewelry website, have almost medical benefits. Aquamarine therapeutic necklaces are associated with spiritual awakening whilst Blue Sapphire gemstone necklaces have been associated with treatment of the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Help for digital photography newbies

You know how yesterday I was saying that film photography was on the way out, and that digital photography was here to stay as its replacement? Well, today I just learned about a new publication that will help people who need a hand getting into the swing of using digital cameras.

According to a recent Simmons Market Research Study, the nation's 78 million baby boomers are being overwhelmed by an avalanche of increasingly intimidating high-tech gadgets. And, with more and more of them becoming empty-nesters as they age, the youngest of whom turned 44 this year, they can no longer rely on their tech-savvy Gen X or Y children for help.

Enter "Digital Diva" and acclaimed Orange County photographer Julie Diebolt Price and her new e-book, Babyboomers' Guide to Digital Photography, $24.95 plus tax and shipping, (www.babyboomersdigitalphoto.com).

"This book is for those who are confused by all the 'stuff' you have to know just to take pictures with a digital camera today," says Diebolt Price. "It is your opportunity to finally learn, and remember, all you need to know about digital photography."

The Babyboomer's Guide to Digital Photography is a concise (only eight chapters), easy-to-use aid whose sole purpose is to help you take better pictures quickly by cutting through all the technical jargon you find in many other photography books.

You'll learn:

• How to choose the camera that's right for you.

• The first thing to do when you take your camera out of the box.

• Simple techniques to deal with shutter lag.

• How to take pictures like a pro.

• How and when to use a flash.

• How to output your images - for print or Web.

• How to easily manage all the photos on your computer.

• A down-to-earth explanation of all those "geeky" photo terms.

• When and how to hire a professional.

Julie Diebolt Price, president of JDP Photography, is an award-winning photographer, educator, and passionate traveler. Her company's tagline, 'More than just a shot in the darkSM', gives you insight to her philosophy. Known for her personal style, cutting-edge photographic techniques, and keen ability to capture a story and have fun in the process, has led to numerous industry awards and recognition over the past 20 years.

As an early adopter of digital photography in 2001, Julie began teaching in small group and private tutoring sessions. In 2006, she designed and implemented digital photography classes at Santiago Canyon College in the Community Services department and is currently growing that series of class offerings.

For more information about Julie's upcoming Fall classes or to order a book, go to www.babyboomersdigitalphoto.com or call 714-669-4537.

And if you'd like an online digital photography tutorial, this is the website for you to go: http://digital-photography-tips.info/

My father was a semi-professional photographer who had a very elaborate darkroom set up in our basement. He taught me how to mix developer and other chemicals, and how to develop film, make prints with an enlarger, and the whole ball of wax. It's sad for me to see this whole world of technology coming to an end.

Digital camera prize in vacation photo contest

The winner of the summer vacation photo contest will receive a 16-GB SanDisk Ultra® II memory card and a Sony® (alpha) DSLR A350 Digital Camera; 2nd prize is a 4-GB SanDisk Ultra® II memory card and a Sony Cyber-shot W170 Digital Camera; and 20 runners-up will receive 4-GB SanDisk Ultra® II memory cards and the Fodor's travel guide of their choice.

Fodors.com users will have the opportunity to share summer vacation photos with other travelers and win prizes in a photo contest (www.fodors.com/contest/summer-vacation) promotion sponsored by SanDisk® Corporation and Fodors.com.

Throughout August, registered Fodors.com users are invited to "Show Us Your Summer Vacation" by submitting favorite vacation photos and descriptions. The winning photographer will receive a 16-GB SanDisk Ultra® II memory card and a Sony® (alpha) DSLR A350 Digital Camera; 2nd prize is a 4-GB SanDisk Ultra® II memory card and a Sony Cyber-shot W170 Digital Camera; and 20 runners-up will receive 4-GB SanDisk Ultra® II memory cards and the Fodor's travel guide of their choice. The winning photographs may also be featured on Fodors.com and in Fodor's travel guidebooks.

The photo contest highlights Fodor's Focus on Photography section (www.fodors.com/travel-photography/), which is sponsored by SanDisk and which provides users with expert advice on taking travel and vacation photos. Fodor's Publisher Tim Jarrell says, "Our users travel to some of the world's most beautiful and amazing destinations. We provide them with the information they need to bring home equally beautiful and amazing photos, by featuring extensive travel photo tips on Fodors.com."

"Partnering with Fodor's on the Show Us Your Summer Vacation photo contest (www.fodors.com/contest/summer-vacation) speaks to our commitment to providing consumers with the highest quality memory cards users can trust with their precious memories," said Tanya Chuang, Global Retail Marketing Director, SanDisk Corporation. "The SanDisk Ultra® II memory cards feature faster performance, greater storage capacities and better dependability so you can get the most from your investment in a feature-rich, high-quality digital camera or camcorder."

Summer vacation photo contest submissions will be accepted at www.fodors.com/contest/summer-vacation through September 5, 2008.

We have been recently informed by a well respected professional photographer that film cameras are going to be discontinued soon and that digital cameras will be the only mode of photography remaining. Look for the discontinuation of sales of roll film and sheet film within the next two years, and soon afterwards photofinishing machines and shops that process film negatives and prints will be as extinct as the proverbial dodo. Yes, digital photography has proven its superiority. For more tips on digital cameras including digital photography tutorial lessons, visit http://digital-photography-tips.info.