Massive Japanese Debt Monetization Is Coming, Yen to be Devalued

You can only stretch a rubber band so far before it snaps back or is torn, so too is the case with government indebtedness. There eventually comes a point when the road ends and the can hits a brick wall. It appears that Japan is rapidly approaching that brick wall and there are two likely outcomes. One option is that the bond vigilantes revolt and yields on Japanese debt spike or the second option is a massive debt monetization by the Bank of Japan (BOJ). Given the massive amount of debt relative to the Japanese economy and associated interest payments on the debt, Japan can?t afford a sharp rise in yields. Thus, it appears the BOJ is likely to step in and monetize the debt and the currency markets may be signaling this very outcome.

Japan?s Debt Mountain Time Bomb is Here

Japan has over 900 trillion yen in sovereign debt outstanding and the bulk of that is set to mature in the next 2.5 years. In the last half of 2012 alone Japan has 20% of their total outstanding debt mature as 178 trillion in Japanese sovereign debt is maturing with 108 trillion in yen due next year. The maturity of Japan?s outstanding debt is show below and as is clearly visible, Japan will be rolling over a tremendous amount of debt in the next few years.

Source: Bloomberg

As the table below highlights, by the end of 2015 Japan will have to roll over half their entire debt outstanding, or just over 450 trillion in debt.

Source: Bloomberg, PFS Group

The large percentage of Japanese sovereign debt maturing over the next few years could not have come at a worse time as Japan?s Baby Boomers retire and pension funds begin to make payouts rather than accumulate assets. For the first time in nine years Japan?s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the world?s largest pension fund, sold a net 443.2 billion Yen of Japanese government bonds (JGB) in its fiscal 209 to March 2010 as rising benefit payouts exceeded pension reserves (article link). This is a major concern for Japan as the GPIF owns nearly 12% of all outstanding JGB and has been a major buyer of JGB for decades and is now transitioning to a seller of JGB and plans to sell $108 billion worth of assets between 2012-2013, a large portion of which will include JGB to generate cash to meet pension payouts (article link).In the fiscal 2010-2011 year the GPIF sold 4.77 trillion yen worth of assets, of which 91.61% were JGB.

Japan Central Bank Likely to Monetize Debt

Give that Japan is the most indebted major developed country in the world with more than a 200% debt-to-GDP ratio (bigger than Greece), Japan can simply not allow interest rates to rise as the debt servicing costs would eat up too much of their annual budget.

Source: Capitalogix

The biggest buyer of Japanese debt has been their own citizens and their demographic trends show that more and more citizens will be retiring and selling their assets to support themselves during retirement rather than accumulating assets, which as highlighted above is already beginning to occur as the GPIF has turned into a net seller of JGB. If Japan can?t turn to their own citizenry to be net buyers of JGB?s and their paltry yields are unlikely to interest foreign buyers, who else can support the massive amount of debt that will be maturing every month over the next five years?

The likely buyer will be the BOJ as they monetize the debt to suppress interest rates and keep the debt servicing costs low. The BOJ has already been monetizing JGB?s for some time and I expect they will increase their purchases over the next 2.5 years and reclaim the title as the central bank with the world?s biggest balance sheet relative to their economy.

Source: ft.com

Central Bank Balance Sheets Drive Exchange Rates

With the unprecedented central bank intervention we have seen since 2008, one coming theme has been a global race to devalue one?s currency to stem exports and the economy and increase economic activity relative to the debt burden. As a result, we have seen a direction correlation between the relative size of central bank balance sheets and foreign exchange rates. A perfect example of this is the relative balance sheets of the Fed versus the ECB and the EUR/USD exchange rate. This is shown below and it is incredibly difficult to determine which is the exchange rate and which is the balance sheet ratio as the two are virtually identical.

Source: Bloomberg

The same is true for the BOJ and the US Fed, though their relative balance sheets tend to lead the currency exchange rate by a few months. This can be seen below when looking at the BOJ/Fed relative balance sheets relative to the Yen/USD exchange rate. As the BOJ intervenes in the currency market by buying JGB?s they weaken the Yen relative to the USD if the Fed keeps its balance sheet constant.

Source: Bloomberg

The Yen Appears to Have Peaked, Currency Markets Sniffing out Debt Monetization to Come

It appears that June has been a pivotal month for the Yen as it is weakening globally as world markets may be starting to discount massive Yen devaluation to come over the next two years.

Source: Bloomberg

In terms of the Yen/USD exchange rate, the Yen has strengthened relative to the USD for five years but we appear to be witnessing a major shift in this trend as the trend line was broken earlier in the year in which the Yen sharply devalued relative to the USD by more than 10% from early February to late March. It appears that the JPY/USD breakout that occurred came back to test the breakout and is heading higher once more.

Source: Bloomberg

One of the primary beneficiaries of a weaker Yen are Japanese exporters who are likely to see greater demand for their goods as they become cheaper to foreigners which will boost corporate sales and thus the Japanese equity market. The Nikkei 225 Index has a strong correlation to the JPY/USD exchange rate and a weaker yen ahead could lead to a major rally in Japanese equities.

Source: Bloomberg

Stepping back a bit and looking at the global situation, we see Europe focusing more and more on growth and less on austerity as their austerity measures of the last few years have simply not worked. What is likely to be associated with a greater growth focus in Europe is more debt monetization by the ECB and combine that with the likelihood that the BOJ begins to monetize JGBs in earnest, we may be in the early stages of a strong global reflationary wave ahead. Given corporations have some ability to pass through inflation into their goods they will likely benefit from global debt monetization, particularly if the monetized debt is used to increase economic activity. The likely plan ahead for indebted domestic economies is to bring down debt-to-GDP ratios by reflating their economies and increase nominal GDP relative to their debt levels.

Circling back to the notion that the BOJ is likely to begin a massive debt monetization ahead, US investors are likely to benefit in two key ways. The first is that the USD will appreciate relative to the Yen making imported goods from Japan like cars, TV?s and other electronic goods cheaper. Additionally, a stronger USD will also bring down commodity prices which are priced in USD?s, leading to overall lower inflation levels. Keeping inflation rates low while maintaining positive (but meager) GDP growth will keep real interest rates low and lead to lower debt-to-GDP levels, what Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates calls a ?Beautiful Deleveraging.?

I would keep a close eye on the JPY/USD exchange rate as an indication of how active the BOJ is likely to be in monetizing Japan?s massive debt burden. Given a large portion of Japan?s mountain of debt is maturing over the next two years we will not have long to wait. If the BOJ begins a massive debt monetization program and Europe begins to focus on growth and not austerity, equity bears and bond bulls beware!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fso/~3/1ZT0Ly0zrxk/massive-japanese-debt-monetization-is-coming-yen-to-be-devalued

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vance - Home Loans and Government Help | Moneyhacker

uying a home for the first time can seem like a foreboding endeavor thanks to the often unstable state of the housing market. Thankfully, the United States Government offers several alternatives to private and conventional loans that make buying a home a real possibility for ordinary people. In this article I?ll list four different programs, the ways they work and their limitations. I?ll also provide links that provide even more information about each of these programs.

The FHA (Federal Housing Administration), is part of the HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) and has been active since 1934. In a nutshell, FHA loans offer relatively low down payments, easy credit qualification and low closing costs. In fact, the down payment can sometimes be as low as 3.5% of the home?s total purchase price, and the loan can include the price of closing costs and other fees. The cost of fixing up an existing home can be included in the loan, and the loan can also be used to make a home energy efficient (via an FHA Energy-Efficient Mortgage). In addition to this, an FHA loan can be used to purchase a mobile home or manufactured housing. Due to the all-inclusive nature of FHA loans, they are often ideal for first time home owners. For more information, the

is a valuable resource.

VA Loans

For veterans of the armed services (including some Guard and Reservist members), a VA loan is often a wise and convenient choice. Qualified buyers can purchase a home with no down payment, no mortgage insurance premiums, receive a property value appraisal and enjoy low, fixed closing costs. In addition, a 1-year warranty on all homes is demanded from the builder in most cases. VA also offers loan and financial counseling to veterans. There?s no maximum VA loan, but most lenders cap the amount at $417,000. Prospective buyers must meet certain income and credit qualifications, and there are several clauses that make building a new home using a VA loan difficult. It also must be said that not all lending institutions are VA-approved. For more information about VA loans, Military.com provides a wealth of information.

RHS Loans

The Rural Housing Service falls under the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) and provides both direct loans and guaranteed mortgage loans. In some specific cases, the RHS offers people in rural locations a direct loan based on their income and their ineligibility for other types of loans. In most cases, however, the RHS provides a guarantee on a loan issued by a traditional lender. The RHS will repay the lender if the buyer defaults on a loan, and also helps many people who would not otherwise be approved for a loan obtain financial assistance. People with poor credit and low income are much more likely to receive a loan with the RHS, a division of the USDA, supporting their request. As long as the buyer makes less than 115% of the medium income in his/her area, they qualify for no down payment and other benefits. The loan can be used to purchase (and fix up!) existing property or to buy a new home. Buyers must live in a rural area, meet very specific income requirements and, in most cases, have a good credit rating. For more information about RHS loans, visit the USDA.

Section 184

Section 184 is the go-to program for Native Americans to purchase property on Tribal land. A buyer must be a member of a federally recognized tribe to qualify for Section 184. Created in 1992, the program makes a guarantee to private lenders so they can provide loans for those living on Tribal lands. If a home is on Tribal Trust Land, the buyer works with the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) and HUD to turn the property into a leased entity for the duration of the mortgage + 10 years. This means that if the buyer forecloses, the lender purchases the lease and not the Tribal land itself. If the buyer already owns Trust land, there is no need for a leasehold estate. To qualify for Section 184, land does not need to be Trust land, it just needs to be located on a Native American or Native Alaskan estate. Lending limits are based on the current market and not on a buyer?s credit rating.

With one of these programs standing behind them, any prospective home buyer should have the confidence they need to purchase a home without endangering their financial future. In any case, research, shopping around and asking as many questions as possible are the best resource to ensure long term stability.

Author bio: Tim Richmond is a passionate blogger who writes about the economy, finance and home ownership. He is an online publisher for 1st Tribal lending.

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Source: http://ilybu.livejournal.com/61081.html

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A brief history of cell phone design

In 1983, Motorola introduced the first cellular telephone in the United States. Called the DynaTAC, this bulky device bears little resemblance to the mobile phones of today. Between then and now, handsets have undergone a dramatic evolution, changing as much in terms of aesthetics as they have on the inside.

Flipping out
One of the first major design innovations in cellular phones ? besides making them smaller ? was the concept of flip-open handsets. Motorola was the innovator in clamshell design, introducing the first hinged "flip phone" in 1996. The StarTAC has become nearly as iconic as its DynaTAC predecessor, or its later Motorola-designed successor the RAZR V3.

Touching the future
Believe it or not, the first touchscreen-based cell phone actually debuted before most other design innovations saw the light of day. IBM introduced the Simon Personal Communicator in 1994, which featured a pressure-sensitive black & white screen in lieu of physical buttons. It also came with a stylus for taking memos and the phone could actually send faxes.

Despite these similarities to today's smartphones, it wasn't actually considered one. That honor went to the Ericsson R380, released in 2000.

Slide style
A year earlier in 1999, Siemens ushered in another major design innovation with its SL10: the slide phone. This style of handset covered the physical keys with the screen when not in use. Slide designs were used by other manufacturers for later handsets that hid full QWERTY keyboards beneath the slide-open screen, such as the Danger Hiptop?(which later became the?T-Mobile Sidekick).

Enter the iPhone
The title of first touchscreen cell phone might be held by the IBM Simon, but the handset that brought the concept into the modern era was Apple's original iPhone, released in 2007. The iPhone set the design benchmark followed by nearly all subsequent smartphones, namely one that incorporates a large multi-touch screen and very few buttons on the front ? the iPhone only has one, and most now only have three or four at most. The iPhone has also led the charge towards thinner handsets.

Behind the glass
Since the launch of the iPhone, smartphone makers have been focusing on refining the flat, thin aesthetic that emphasizes the screen over anything else. This has led to the wafer-thin, large-screen likes of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus and flagship Galaxy S III, the latter sporting a nearly 5-inch screen and 0.38-inch thickness.

It's also shifted focus away from major physical design innovations and onto the feature sets of phones. This has led to advancements in camera quality, data download speed, and processing power more than anything else. Innovation in software, such as Apple's ongoing evolution of its iOS operating system, Google's colorfully named Android iterations, and the rebirth of the Windows Phone platform, have also picked up pace.

Still, it seems like screen size will always be a focal point of designers. Samsung's Galaxy S III is considered at the top end of usability at 4.8 inches and phones like it have reportedly spurred Apple to target a larger display for its next iPhone.

This article was written by Randy Nelson.

More from Tecca:

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/a-brief-history-of-cell-phone-design.html

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Convention Center debt, age inhibit its use

Randy Siner | NMBW

The Albuquerque Convention Center is awash in debt and has no money to make major improvements to the facility, a part of which is four decades old.

The Albuquerque Convention Center? ? Albuquerque Convention Center Latest from The Business Journals Albuquerque Convention Center redesign revealedPhotos: ABQ Comic ExpoVeteran?s Business Expo moved because of fire Follow this company is awash in debt and has no money to make major improvements to the facility, a part of which is four decades old.

Without the ability to make improvements to the convention center?s west portion, which was built in 1972, or the east side, which was built in 1991, Albuquerque could see its role as a convention destination greatly diminished, said city and tourism leaders.

The U.S. convention center industry is overbuilt and older facilities like Albuquerque?s are finding it more difficult to compete even for regional conventions, industry and city officials said.

The convention center ...

Covers: Banking/finance, health care, government, economic development, water, insurance

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Hawaii bets right on SCOTUS health care ruling

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UPS Donates Autographed NASCAR and NCAA Items, Pro-AM golf day and More For United Way Auction

June 28, 2012 3:57 PM

Auction features NASCAR driver Carl Edwards? race-worn gear, autographed NCAA? merchandise, exclusive day golfing with Lee Westwood, LIVE NATION concert tickets and more
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Alexandria, VA (June 19, 2012) ? Sport and entertainment fans who want to support communities are in luck as UPS just donated more than 80 items for United Way to auction on eBay.

New auction items will post every week starting June 21 through September 3, including:

?? Sports collectibles autographed by champion athletes, coaches and stars, such as race-worn items from NASCAR driver of the No. 99 UPS Ford Carl Edwards as well as other items from Roush Fenway Racing

?? NCAA? tickets and exclusive merchandise

?? A round of golf with UPS Global Brand Ambassador Lee Westwood in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. European Tour professional and UPS Global Brand Ambassador Lee Westwood is one of the stars of world golf. Lee has been a UPS Ambassador since 2009, rising to the summit of world golf, reaching World Number One in November 2010. Lee has won 22 tournaments on the European Tour as well as tournaments in America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

?? A variety of products from UPS partner LIVE NATION, including Ticketmaster gift cards to use when purchasing concert tickets and merchandise. Also, Rock Paper Photo, the definitive online fine art photography gallery specializing in largely unpublished limited edition prints of iconic musicians, is providing unique photographs of artists who have toured sustainably with UPS, including Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.

Over 30 years, UPS and its employees have donated more than $1 billion to improve lives in partnership with United Way. UPS is one of United Way?s elite Global Corporate Leaders and has twice won the organization?s highest national honor for corporate citizenship: the United Way Spirit of America? Award. This is the fourth year UPS and United Way have partnered on a charitable auction, UPS? 30th year giving to United Way, and United Way?s 125th anniversary.

Source: http://www.roushfenway.com/?q=story/ups-donates-autographed-nascar-and-ncaa-items-pro-am-golf-day-and-more-united-way-auction

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Pinkberry Greek Yogurt Debuts (PHOTOS)

Pinkberry is going Greek.

No, the Los Angeles-based yogurt chain Pinkberry isn't joining a UCLA frat; they're hopping on the bandwagon and serving nonfat Greek yogurt!

The company -- whose first store opened in West Hollywood in 2005 -- is making a surprising move in a number of ways. While Pinkberry is known for its upscale frozen yogurt, the Greek yogurt that they're starting to sell is unfrozen.

Furthermore, the chain is serving savory combinations that might shock the palates of most customers, who are used to the likes of fruit, granola, or honey on their yogurt. With tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers on the menu, Pinkberry seems to be trying to put a new twist on a somewhat old fad.

Select Pinkberry stores are also now serving coffee and opening at 8 a.m., in an attempt to make the brand a one-stop breakfast destination. Customers can eat berries on their Greek yogurt in the morning, and then return for a mid-day snack of something savory. Pesto yogurt, anyone?

Greek yogurt has surged in popularity in the US in recent years, accounting for 20 percent of total yogurt sales in 2011, according to the Chicago Tribune. Brands like Fage and Chobani are now commonplace in many supermarkets, and even Ben and Jerry's has introduced a line of frozen Greek yogurts.

Considering this craze, it only makes sense that Pinkberry would try to get a piece of the proverbial yogurt pie. However, only time will tell if this capitalization on the Greek yogurt trend will work out for Pinkberry, especially considering their relatively unusual approach to it.

There's no better place to gauge the trend than in LA, where Pinkberry was "born and raised," in the words of Pinkberry CEO Ron Graves. If Angelenos want to try for themselves, four locations in LA are now serving the new yogurt:

South Beverly: 240 S. Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills
Third Street: 1456 Third St., Santa Monica
Century City Mall: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
Waterside Shopping Center: 4708 1/2 Admiralty Wy., Marina Del Rey

Greek yogurt is also being served at select Pinkberry locations in Boston and Washington, D.C. And, if you just want to look, check out some pictures of the new offerings.

• Pinkberry's new coffee and Greek yogurt. All photos courtesy of Pinkberry unless otherwise noted.

• Greek Yogurt, Basil, Halved Grape Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Balsamic Glaze, Pacific Sea Salt.

• Greek Yogurt, Sliced Cucumber, Diced Yellow and Red Bell Pepper, Pacific Sea Salt, Honey, Chili Powder.

• Greek Yogurt, Halved Grape Tomatoes, Halved Green Olives, Pacific Sea Salt, Pesto.

• Greek Yogurt, Chocolate Granola, Blueberries, Raspberries, Honey, Shaved Milk Chocolate,

• Greek Yogurt, Kiwi, Mango, Strawberries, Honey Almond Granola, Vanilla Agave,

• Greek Yogurt, Mango, Strawberries, Strawberry Puree, Toasted Almond, Coconut.

• Our own creation -- Greek yogurt with raspberries, blueberries, almonds, and cinnamon honey.

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General Introduction of Green Tea

Green tea is made solely from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates in China and has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. It has recently become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally consumed. Many varieties of green tea have been created in countries where they are grown. These varieties can differ substantially due to variable growing conditions, horticulture,production processing, and harvesting time.

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Over the last few decades green tea has been subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits, with some evidence suggesting that regular green tea drinkers may have a lower risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancer.Although green tea does not raise the metabolic rate enough to produce immediate weight loss, a green tea extract containing polyphenols and caffeine has been shown to induce thermogenesis and stimulate fat oxidation, boosting the metabolic rate 4% without increasing the heart rate.

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According to a survey released by the United States Department of Agriculture in 2007, the mean content of flavonoids in a cup of green tea is higher than that in the same volume of other food and drink items that are traditionally considered of health contributing nature, including fresh fruits, vegetable juices or wine. Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals in most plant products that are responsible for such health effects as anti-oxidative and anticarcinogenic functions.However, based on the same USDA survey, the content of flavanoids may vary dramatically amongst different tea products.

Tea consumption has its legendary origins in China of more than 4,000 years ago. Green tea has been used as both a beverage and a method of traditional medicine in most of Asia, including China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea and Thailand, to help everything from controlling bleeding and helping heal wounds to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion. A book written in the Tang Dynasty of China is considered one of the most important in the history of green tea. The book was written by LU Yu and is called the ?Tea Classic? or ?Cha Jing?. It was written between 600 and 900 AD and spoke about exactly how and where one could enjoy a fine cup of green tea.[9] The Kissa Yojoki (Book of Tea), written by Zen priest Eisai in 1191, describes how drinking green tea can have a positive effect on the five vital organs, especially the heart. The book discusses tea?s medicinal qualities, which include easing the effects of alcohol, acting as a stimulant, curing blotchiness, quenching thirst, eliminating indigestion, curing beriberi disease, preventing fatigue, and improving urinary and brain function. Part One also explains the shapes of tea plants, tea flowers, and tea leaves, and covers how to grow tea plants and process tea leaves. In Part Two, the book discusses the specific dosage and method required for individual physical ailments.

Green tea is processed and grown in a variety of ways, depending on the type of green tea desired. As a result of these methods, maximum amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants are retained, giving maximum green tea benefits. The growing conditions can be broken down into two basic types ? those grown in the sun and those grown under the shade. The green tea plants are grown in rows that are pruned to produce shoots in a regular manner, and are generally harvested three times per year. The first flush takes place in late April to early May. The second harvest usually takes place from June through July, and the third picking takes place in late July to early August. Sometimes, there will also be a fourth harvest. It is the first flush in the spring which brings the best quality leaves, with higher prices to match. Processed green teas, known as ?aracha? are stored under low humidity refrigeration in 30 or 60 kg paper bags at 0-5?C (32-41?F). This aracha has yet to be refined at this stage, with a final firing taking place before blending, selection, and packaging takes place. The leaves in this state will be re-fired throughout the year as they are needed, giving the green teas a longer shelf life and better flavor. The first flush tea of May will readily store in this fashion until the next year?s harvest. After this re-drying process, each crude tea will be sifted and graded according to size. Finally, each lot will be blended according to the blend order by the tasters and packed for sale.

Steeping is the process of making a cup of tea; it is also referred to as brewing. In general, two grams of tea per 100ml of water, or about one teaspoon of green tea per five ounce cup, should be used. With very high-quality teas like gyokuro, more than this amount of leaf is used, and the leaf is steeped multiple times for short durations.

?

Green tea steeping time and temperature varies with different tea. The hottest steeping temperatures are 81?C to 87?C (180?F to 190?F) water and the longest steeping times two to three minutes. The coolest brewing temperatures are 61?C to 69?C (140?F to 160?F) and the shortest times about 30 seconds. In general, lower-quality green teas are steeped hotter and longer, while higher-quality teas are steeped cooler and shorter. Steeping green tea too hot or too long will result in a bitter, astringent brew, regardless of the initial quality. It is thought that excessively hot water results in tannin chemical release, which is especially problematic in green teas, as they have higher contents of these. High-quality green teas can be and usually are steeped multiple times; two or three steepings is typical. The steeping technique also plays a very important role in avoiding the tea developing an overcooked taste. The container in which the tea is steeped or teapot should also be warmed beforehand so that the tea does not immediately cool down. It is common practice for tea leaf to be left in the cup or pot and for hot water to be added as the tea is drunk until the flavor degrades.

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World powers to meet in Geneva on Syria

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Is China really the world's top economy? Much of the world thinks so

But much of the world would be wrong, according to recent study. China still lags far behind the US in GDP and personal wealth.?

By Peter Ford,?Staff writer / June 14, 2012

Newly constructed residential buildings (back) are seen next to a construction site in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, in this May 25 file picture.

Rooney Chen/REUTERS/File

Enlarge

For the first time, more people around the globe think that China, not America, is the world?s biggest economic power.

Skip to next paragraph Peter Ford

Beijing Bureau Chief

Peter Ford is The Christian Science Monitor?s Beijing Bureau Chief. He covers news and features throughout China and also makes reporting trips to Japan and the Korean peninsula.

Recent posts

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They are wrong, of course, at least for the time being. America?s economy is much larger than China?s however you measure it, and when it comes to personal wealth, there is no contest.

But a recent 21-country survey by the Pew Research Center offers a snapshot of global perceptions of power, and the results are sobering for the United States.

World's top 5 economies. Where is China?

Americans themselves are almost evenly split over who they perceive to be the premier global economic heavyweight: 40 percent say the US, 41 percent say China. (Interestingly, the Chinese have no such illusions about themselves ? they put America ahead by a margin of 48 to 29.)

Europeans seem most overawed by the China hype, with 62 percent of Germans putting China at the top of the heap, compared with just 13 percent who still see America as the world?s top economic power. In Britain the split is 58-28, in Spain it?s 57-26.?

Worldwide, 42 percent of respondents put China ahead of America; 36 percent perceived it the other way around.

That 42 percent of respondents are off the mark. There are different ways to measure the size of a national economy, but even using the system most generous to the Chinese, called Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), the US economy was nearly half as big again as its nearest rival, the Chinese one, in 2010, according to the IMF. US Gross Domestic Product weighed in at $14.5 trillion against China?s $10.1 trillion, according to the September 2011 IMF report.?

If you go by straightforward GDP, America?s economy is two-and-a-half times as big as China?s according to the World Bank. And if you compare personal wealth, well, there is no comparison.

America?s per capita GDP came in at nearly $50,000 last year, while China?s was just over $8,000 at the most generous estimate ? about the same as Ecuador and Belize.

Of course you could use other criteria than mere size to judge which nation is the world?s leading economic power; innovation, for example.

But China still lags well behind the US in that field too. And when it comes to how much each country has invested abroad, Americans account for 20 percent of global foreign direct investment and the Chinese for only about 1.5 percent.

When it comes to energy, dynamism, and growth potential, the Chinese do look more impressive. And, of course, China?s population is five times bigger than America?s. At current growth rates, China probably will have the biggest economy in the world (measured on the basis of PPP) within 15 years.

But it hasn?t happened yet, whatever people around the world may believe.

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15 Financial Blogs Every Student Should Follow | WealthLift ...

Written by Jason Ramos in Investing Tips and Resources | 0 comments

I know it?s tough being a student; you have tons of things going on. There are classes to attend to, projects to finish on time, exams to cram for (not recommended) parties to attend to, and eventually for most of us, school loans to pay. Although it doesn?t take a genius to figure out that debt sucks, it?s good to know early on how to prepare for and manage your finances so that you can eventually live rich, and hopefully debt-free, lives. Here are the top 15 blogs that every student should read to learn about debt, personal finance, and investing in preparation for ?real life?.

1. Thousandaire.com

?This blog shares the financial experiences, blunders, and lessons-learned of its author, Kevin Mckee. Here, he (somewhat magically) teaches personal finance in a very funny and entertaining way. He makes crazy videos, investing experiments, contests, and a whole lot of other things just to point out very important (financial) tips and lessons. His aim is to help his readers become thousandaires by their 20?s. That means having at least $1,000 in total assets more than you owe in total debts. If you want a good laugh, along with some solid financial tips, thousandaire.com is the definite blog to read.

2.?Cheapscholar.org

?This is a blog by Doug Schantz, a university administrator who has extensive experience in student financial services. He started the blog primarily to help students and their families plan and navigate through the financial aspects of college education. His blog is a prime resource for topics related to paying for college, saving for college, scholarships, financial aid, student loans, and basically anything related to college expenses. If you want to get the most ?bang for your buck? in college, cheapscholar.org is a great place to start.

3. TheCollegeInvestor.com

This is a blog by an MBA student named Robert who is passionate about investing and personal finance. His blog is divided into three main topics, namely: (1) Everything Student Loans (2) Investing 101 and (3) Personal Finance Basics. He is giving away his ebook which is entitled: Student Loan Debt: Getting in Smart, Getting out Painlessly. This is the summary of his experience and lessons-learned during his ?battle? with his student loan servicer. He also gives all sorts of neat tips like how to avoid fees, what to do and not to do if you?re on a budget, etc. If you are a student, you?ll definitely learn a lot about ?student personal finance? from this blog.

4. MyUniversityMoney.com

?This is a blog by two teachers (who only go by their pen names) who want to help students financially thrive as they go through post-secondary schooling. They have tips and advice on almost every aspect of university life, ranging from; career selection, funding your education, scholarship applications, volunteering, saving on textbooks, to smart partying, etc. This blog is another great resource for both parents and students if they want to learn to ?hack? almost everything about college.

5. BarefootInvestor.com

?If you?re from Australia, this blog or its author probably won?t need any introduction. But for those who aren?t familiar, Scott Pape (the author of this blog) is tagged as ?Australia?s favourite money guy?. He?s got his own newspaper column, and a TV and radio show that is even broadcast over CNBC. In his blog, Scott writes great articles on money tips, investing basics, and even home buying advice. The really interesting features of this blog are the highlights from his radio show. They point out real-life situations and examples from his callers, guests, and audience, and they share and discuss what works and what doesn?t.

6. GetRichSlowly.org

?This blog was recently named the Best Blog of 2011 by Time Magazine, and Most Inspiring Money Blog by Money Magazine. No, this blog does not deal in ?heavy finance stuff? like the articles you find in yahoo finance. It does, however, teach ?commonsense? and practical personal finance. J.D. Roth started this blog in 2006 on the basic idea that ?few people can get rich quickly, but almost anyone can get rich slowly.? He developed twelve key beliefs that will keep you on track to getting rich slowly (and surely), and among those that I found true in my own experiences are:
(1) Money is more about mind than it is about math.
(2) Goals are important
(3) Spend less than you earn
(4) Pay yourself first and
(5) Failure is okay.

Read this blog if you want honest and unpretentious advice and tips on how to live a full and really meaningful life.

7. IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com

?This blog is the extension of Ramit Sethi?s New York Times Bestselling book, ?I Will Teach You to be Rich,? He has both a bachelor?s and master?s degree from Stanford, and has written about personal finance in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. His blog is all about detailed actions that anyone can take to improve their finances. He teaches tested systems that can help readers save more and earn more. In a nutshell, he helps readers save thousands of dollars, start side businesses, negotiate huge raises, or?even land their dream jobs. If need a step-by-step map on how to accomplish your money goals, Iwillteachyoutoberich.com is definitely the best blog to follow.

8. GreenPandaTreeHouse.com

This blog is another personal finance blog for college students and recent graduates. It tackles issues like getting out of debt, saving and investing, budgeting, etc for people in their 20?s. What?s different about this blog though, is that there are four contributors who share their own personal finance experiences and lessons. They (authors) come from various backgrounds (finance, web, student) and that is what makes this blog a complete package. This blog is fun (no cussing though), informative, and relevant, so add it to your must-follow blogs.

9. Milliondollarjourney.com

This is the blog of a Canadian who began investing in mutual funds when he was 16 years old. This blog documents his journey towards his goal of having $1 million worth of assets by the time he?s 35. He gives tips and advice on savings accounts, credit cards, home loans, retirement plans, etc. He also gives monthly updates on his net worth, so all the readers could see if his tips are really working. The only downside to this is that some of the strategies or products that he suggests may not be available in the US.

10. 20somethingfinance.com

This is the blog of G.E. Miller, a regular guy who one day, just got tired of the 5 or 6 day/week debt/work treadmill. He dreaded working for 40-50 years just to pay off (according to him) ?ridiculous consumer indulgences,? so he started hacking his finances. This blog is about those hacks and the philosophy that he now lives by. To him, ?stuff? and ?status? simply doesn?t matter anymore. He would rather have financial independence, health, and the time to spend doing the things he loves with the people he loves. If you want to inject some perspective into your financial (and non-financial) life,
this blog is definitely a must-read.

11. YoungAdultFinances.com

As the name implies, this financial blog has resources to help young adults with just about anything finance related. It features different sections for college students, entrepreneurs, career seekers, and even investors. This blog, however, has more advanced topics on financial instruments. It talks about Stocks, Bonds, Forex, Futures, Options, and even Real Estate. For me, this is some sort of a level-up from the mostly passive investing that other blogs are championing. I have to warn you though, that the potential higher rewards from these instruments also come with higher risks, so practice paper?trading first before diving in!

12. Gradmoneymatters.com

This blog is a bit different from the other blogs that we already covered. While it can still be classified under personal finance, it doesn?t focus too much on debt reduction, saving, investing, and setting up IRAs. Instead, this blog will teach you how to make more money?either from your current job, side business, or you own enterprise. In short, this blog is?focused on helping fatten-up your topline income. What?s great about it is that it?s got great resources for money making ideas along with the (really inspiring) success stories that back it up.

13. Graduatedlearning.wordpress.com

This is a blog of a recent MIT graduate who writes about her daily adventures with money and life in general. She shares tips and advice on paying off loans, setting up IRAs, saving, and just about most topics on personal finance. What?s really great about this blog though, stems from the fact that she is a prolific blogger / twitter(er). She is usually on top of hot topics in the financial blogosphere, so her content are up to date and relevant.

14. Studenomics.com

This blog is by Martin, a 23 year old who wants to make learning about personal finance fun and entertaining. He shares tips and strategies on how students can enjoy a rich and full life without ?blowing their financial future.? These strategies helped him, among others, buy a condo at the age of 20, graduate college debt-free and travel the world. We like this blog because it is pretty comprehensive, that is, it talks about taking care of both the top line and bottom line. Plus, he shares cool travel hacks that anyone with wanderlust would surely enjoy.

15. FrugalLawStudent.com

Brett McKay started this blog in 2006 when he was in his second year as a law student at the University of Tulsa, College of Law. His main goal for this blog is to share the lessons that he personally learned about frugality and personal finance, all in an attempt to get out of the tens of thousands of dollars he?s taken on in student loans. He has articles on topics like how to succeed in law school, productivity, and even career advancement. The two main things that make this blog unique are his productivity and study hacks. Almost everyone, especially students, will find the tips on those topics a great resource that will make their lives a whole lot easier.

So there you have it! Our top 15 blogs that will help students (and even non-students) hack / improve their personal finances and overall college experience. Now there?s no more excuse to stay uninformed, so go and conquer the world.

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Health and Fitness Talk ? Huntington's Disease

by Kimberly Allen R.N.

Huntington?s Disease also called Huntington?s Chorea is an inherited?disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain.? Unlike in many?other inherited disorders huntington?s disease is caused by an?autosomal ?dominant? gene mutation.? This means that instead of?needing 2 mutated genes you only need 1 mutated gene to develop?Huntington?s disease.? Huntinton?s disease is more prevelant in people?of Western Eurpean descent.

Close-up of neurons effected by Huntington's Disease

It is estimated by the Huntington?s?Society of America that 1 out of every 10,000 Americans has the?disease as well as 150,000 Americans that have a 50% chance of?developing the disease.? However some experts believe the numbers are?actually much higher because the disease usually doesn?t manifest?until mid adulthood there are many that not on have the disease but?are unaware of it yet, there are many of those that have had children?that have inherited the gene mutation and are unaware of it.? It?affects both men and women equally and caucasions are 70-100 times
more likely to develop Huntington?s disease than those of Asian or?African descent.
Though the exact mechanism of action is unknown, it is known that the?Huntington?s gene that is mutated causes a mutated form of the protein??huntintin?.? This mutation gradually causes damage to certain cells?in the brain.? These cells affect muscle coordination, cognitive?function and behavior.
The symptoms of Huntington?s disease usually present when a person is?between 40 ? 50 years of age, however they can develop earlier or?later.? Some have whats called juvenile Huntington?s disease, they?develop symptoms early usually before the age of 20.? Most experts say?that the earlier the onset of symptoms the faster the disease?progresses.? Early symptoms of Huntington?s disease varies?significantly from person to person.? In some people their family may?notice mood swings and changes in behavior like being more irritable,?depressed, apathetic or angry.? Some people may have hostile outbursts?or suffer bouts of deep depression.? In many people the disease firsts?manifests with uncontrolled movements in the fingers, face, trunk, and?feet that tend to increase with stress.? As the disease progresses it?causes difficulty with walking and can affect swalloing, eating and
speech.
There is no cure for Huntington?s disease, however there are?medications that can help control the symptoms including the
involuntary movements and psychiatric disorders.? There is also a new?medication available called tetrabenazine that is the first medication?approved for treating Huntington?s disease in the US.? It?s important?to remember that many of the medications used to treat the symptoms of?Huntington?s disease have side effects that are similar to those of the?disease so it can be difficult to determine if a symptom is part of?the disease or a side effect of medication.? One of the most important?components of any treatment plan for Huntington?s disease is??exercise?.? Those that maintain their physical fitness by including?exercise in their daily routine do better than those that don?t.
Nutrition is also a crusial part of caring for Huntington?s disease.?As medical science and treatments for Huntinton?s disease has advanced?so has the quality and length of life after the onset of symptoms.

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Bing Maps Just Got 165TB Better [Maps]

Bing Maps just added 165TB of new aerial images—more than doubling the 129TB previously available. The update covers 15 million square miles in North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia. Besides satellite imagery, additions include exclusive aircraft photography. You can explore the whole release and get more details from the Bing Maps World Tour App. [Bing Blog via The Verge] More »

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UK Newsx.com ? Great Ideas And Tips About Home Improvement

If you are hiring someone to perform your home improvement work, make sure to ask for their references. Think of it in terms of hiring an employee for your business. You want to look into their background as much as possible and make sure that other people have been pleased with their service.

If you do not have a friend or family member on hand to help you out with what you are doing, it is normally very easy to find cheap labor for assistance. If you live near an university, you can put up an ad asking for a student to help you out.

If you are planning on painting a room as part of a home improvement project, you can save money by accurately estimating the amount of paint you will need. One gallon of paint will cover about 350 square feet of wall space, unless you are painting drywall, which absorbs more paint. An accurate estimate can prevent you from overbuying paint, which once mixed in a specific color generally can?t be returned.

There?s no need for a full bathroom remodel when you can make your bathroom more functional and stylish by installing new fixtures. Update the shower with a more adjustable shower head or there are even models that mimic rainfall! New sink faucets, towel racks, cabinet hardware or mirrors are other effective choices. Change out your fixtures and you will update your style with out breaking your budget.

When it comes to home improvement, the lowest bidder for your project will not always translate to be the one who does the best work. Many times, a quote that is too good to be true is just that, due to poor work quality or hidden costs. Be sure to check with any agencies that provide feedback about contractors before hiring them.

If part of your home improvement entails repainting a door, there are two methods you may utilize to do this. Sometimes, the easiest way to paint a door is to remove it from its hinges and paint it on sawhorses which have been placed on a drop cloth. You can also choose not to remove the door and just paint it in place over a drop cloth. Use a high-quality paint brush and brush in line with the wood?s grain.

Do you want to gain a little closet or floor space in your next home improvement project? Relocate your water heater to your attic! Modern water heaters are produced in efficient, reliable ?low-boy? designs that you can tuck safely between your ceiling and your roof. This allows you to gain a little extra storage space.

By installing crown molding, you will be updating your home with a crisp and fresh look that is surprisingly high-impact. At just over a dollar per square foot, you can splurge on molding that complements your window trim, flooring and baseboards. This look is timeless and easily adds value to your home, even after many years.

Whenever you are taking on a home improvement project in the bathroom or the kitchen, be sure to turn off the water first. Any time you work near water pipes, an accident can happen resulting in a leak. You want to take steps to minimize the damage so that you do not end up with a flooded room. Be sure to know where your water shutoff valves are, and turn the water off before beginning your work.

If you have the extra yard space, you should add a sunroom to your home. This adds value to your home because it will add more square footage to the home and it will also give future potential buyers, the extra living space that they may be looking to have.

These are the things to take into consideration when you want to tackle your first, or your next home improvement project. You don?t have to be an expert to know what you are doing. You just need to have a basic understanding of the do?s and the don?ts which is what we have tried to teach you in this article.

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Story you have to study

Posted by jos91o1jro on 11 hours ago

Calculate the actual regular payment you really can afford. Be aware that your payment amount incorporates condo organization fees as well as home loan key, attention, insurance policies and real-estate levy. Compose a list of various condominium complexes in the community the place you would like to live. Newer buildings will often have a product sales workplace through an on-site sales rep. Elderly condos usually are fsbo, and quite often usually are listed with a broker. Get hold of the product sales business office for each sophisticated or even employ a real estate professional to discover the relationship charges and also a income cost range for your condo rentals. Remove processes from a list which might be out of your cost range. Look at the left over things in your listing as well as trip the free products. Pay specific focus to the constant maintenance with the property. A new well-maintained property results in how the people are happy and paying off the connection fees. The improperly preserved house can indicate this residents usually are behind on organization repaymants, and the administration clients are poor.

Request the home merchant or perhaps real estate professional how many of the actual condominiums from the intricate are generally leased devices. Renters usually take much less pride in the house, along with a difficult with a lot of leasing units usually lower the marketplace valuation on most models. Assess the affiliation service fees pertaining to the rewards and conveniences offered, as well as evaluate the relationship expenses to other things. Costs that go over outdoor upkeep along with residence insurance should not be beyond series together with the run you would certainly anticipate a payment regarding buying a home. When association charges are a couple of hundred dollars on a monthly basis or even more, you are very likely to find facilities including insured parking or even valet service, a new swimming pool, sports process of law and an click this link exercise routine facility. Large expenses for the essentials connected with property possession can be filled to pay inadequate supervision. Obtain from your agent as well as complicated sales person the two- or even three-hour go to inside all of the staying condominiums on your listing, when the device will be vacant. Seek to schedule ones pay a visit to all night of waking time once your friends and neighbors are likely to be property, for example nighttime along with evening hours. A call then will give you the opportunity to study the sound levels you?ll knowledge living in the machine. If you?re enthusiastic about possessing your home, yet maintaining the backyard just isn?t portion of your favorite luxury, a condo would be the excellent household for you. Condo development is on the rise during the past several years, giving prospective buyers which has a great deal of possibilities through standard in order to high-end possibilities in addition to places. To produce the most effective purchasing decision, you need to consider several things under consideration prior to entering into a legal contract to acquire.

Take into consideration how long you?re going to relax in 1 position. Getting a house is no unique of investing in a single-family home?you ought to reside presently there at the least a few years to extract unusual closing costs, assuming the property will probably get pleasure from. Give some thought to what you want. Discover serious about this swimming pool or maybe slimmer, recognize that the particular condo?s value and ongoing monthly connection expenses will certainly reveal their particular work with regardless of your own involvement in skating or even excessive sweating. Make your selection as well as bargain a new value together with the agent as well as sophisticated sales person. For anyone who is purchasing a brand new model, inquire the intricate salesperson intended for rewards, such as free coated car parking. Speak to your mortgage company to start out the home finance loan course of action when the vendor offers recognized your current present.

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Smallest and largest fetuses at greater risk of being stillborn, research finds

ScienceDaily (June 25, 2012) ? The tiniest and the heaviest fetuses are at much higher risk of being stillborn than those of average weight, new research has found.

Fetuses who are "severely small for gestational age," or weigh below the bottom one percentile of all fetuses, disproportionately account for about six per cent of all stillbirths, according to researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.

Fetuses that are "severely large for gestational age," or weigh above the 99th percentile, account for nearly one per cent of stillbirths. "In this study of all registered liveborn and stillborn infants in Ontario, extreme underweight and overweight states confer the highest risk of stillbirth," said Drs. Joel Ray and Marcelo Urquia, authors of the paper that appears in the current issue of the Journal of Perinatology.

Stillbirth is traditionally defined as the death of a fetus at more than 23 weeks of gestation weighing 500 grams or more. However, Drs. Ray and Urquia included babies born starting as early as 20 weeks of gestation on the grounds that maternal-fetal bonding is well established at that point, since most mothers-to-be have undergone a Level 2 ultrasound detailing the unborn baby's developing bones and organs.

Including those babies provides new information about the degree to which low and high weights are associated with stillbirths, including those before the point of viability, Dr. Ray said. That, in turn, may help doctors better decide at which time point it is better to allow a pregnancy to continue so the fetus can grow, or to deliver a premature baby who might otherwise die in the womb.

The rate of stillbirths in industrialized countries is about six per 1,000, of which half occur after 27 weeks of gestation. In poorer countries, the rate is up to five times higher. Stillbirths are more common than the death of a baby after birth, such as from prematurity or as a result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Yet, stillbirths have largely been ignored by our society, especially in terms of their emotional effect on the mother, her partner and extended family, Dr. Ray said.

The researchers examined records of all 767,016 live births and all 4,697 stillbirths in Ontario between 2002 and 2007. They said that because they looked at so many births, they could also make statistically precise estimations of the impact of extremely low birthweight on the risk of stillbirth.

They found that 19 per cent of stillbirths occur in fetuses under the tenth percentile of weight. But being below the first percentile of weight meant the fetus faced a 9.5 times higher risk of being stillborn than babies who are within the average weight range, between the 40th to 60th weight percentiles.

Dr. Ray said that when fetuses are severely small for gestational age, it usually means there is a problem with the placenta. Fetuses who are severely large for gestational age generally so because of the mom having diabetes or obesity.

The authors conclude that since more than 95 per cent of women in the industrialized world receive a Level 2 anatomical ultrasound before 22 weeks gestation, fetal weight should be estimated and reported at this time of the ultrasound, as a standard practice. In doing so, the early presence of a small or large fetus may help guide ongoing ultrasound surveillance for growth and well-being.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by St. Michael's Hospital. The original article was written by Leslie Shepherd.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. J G Ray, M L Urquia. Risk of stillbirth at extremes of birth weight between 20 to 41 weeks gestation. Journal of Perinatology, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/jp.2012.60

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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Hunter Stuart: Even With Universal Health Care, People Can Slip Through the Cracks

Growing up in Concord, Mass., I was close friends with a boy my age named Jeremy*. In sixth grade he was the darling of Concord Middle School: he was handsome and charming, a star hockey player and a champion freestyle skier.

In high school, he and I stayed close, although I went to a private school in Boston and Jeremy went to Concord High. We used to skateboard together almost every day. We went swimming at Walden Pond in the summer and took the train into the city to see concerts together on the weekends.

Jeremy dropped out of school after he turned sixteen and got a job as a food-runner at the nicest restaurant in town. He also worked construction part time -- he was terrific with his hands. He could lay a roof on a house or build a stairway before he turned eighteen. His work was solid, careful. He started earning a lot of money and became financially independent at an age when the rest of us still had to ask our parents for twenty dollars to go to the movies.

Jeremy earned his GED and went to college in Colorado, where he could ski when he wasn't in class. He had it made -- until he ran out of money and had to withdraw from school.

When that happened, he moved back home and got a job, and began saving up so that he could finish getting his college degree.

But he never did.

Jeremy and I lost touch over the years. It's mostly my fault, for not calling enough, for leaving my hometown for New York City, and never looking back.

But I caught up with Jeremy recently in Manhattan, and the story he told me of the past two years of his life was shocking.

Here's what happened:

Out of Luck

Jeremy had a job as a line-chef at an upscale restaurant in Maynard, Mass., until he broke his leg in a skiing accident. This was during the winter of 2011.

The doctors at the local hospital put a steel plate in Jeremy's leg and sent him home, saying he'd be back walking in about four weeks.

But his leg took almost two months to heal. He had to quit his job.

The bills from his leg surgery were around $4,000. They would have been a lot less if he had been insured. But Jeremy had no health insurance, even though he lived in Massachusetts -- a state which passed a health care reform law in 2006 that provides health insurance for low-income residents.

Jeremy had been enrolled the year before, at no cost (MassHealth pays for part or all of your premiums if you're unemployed). But like many people in their twenties Jeremy had changed addresses, and when the re-enrollment form came in the mail six months later, it went to his old apartment.

When MassHealth didn't get a response to their letter, they canceled Jeremy's insurance.

For two months that winter, Jeremy was confined to his bed. Luckily he had his girlfriend and his father to help take care of him. They went shopping for him, cooked for him.

After two months, his leg healed, and Jeremy started looking for work immediately. He traveled by foot, since he doesn't have a license.

Jeremy spent three weeks applying to dozens of jobs before he was offered a part-time gig working for a landscaper in Concord. The job would start the following day. But Jeremy never made it to work.

The Second Injury

Because when he got home that day, exhausted and broke, Jeremy accidentally poured a large pot of scalding water down his legs. (The sink was full of dishes, and Jeremy, in his haste to finish dinner so he could go to sleep and begin work the next day, didn't notice there was a plate under the colander. The water passed through the colander and shot right off the plate and into his stomach.)

The burns were diagnosed as third-degree. Over the next couple weeks, Jeremy returned to the local hospital three times to have skin removed and the pus drained from the burns. (He described the burns to me as looking "like beachballs" and "like raw meat.")

On his third visit, a doctor at the local hospital told him they weren't equipped to handle burns so severe, and that Jeremy needed to see a plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon, in turn, told Jeremy he'd have to go to Mass General Hospital in Boston to have skin graft surgery.

Jeremy traveled all the way to Boston three separate times for skin graft surgery. Between the two hospitals and the plastic surgeon's consultation (which alone cost $1,800), Jeremy owed about $9,000 for the burn treatment, on top of the $4,000 he already owed for leg surgery.

Jeremy had re-applied for health insurance as soon as he broke his leg, but there was a processing period for the paperwork that delayed his application for five months, during which time he had to pay the full amount of his hospital bills.

When he saw how much debt was piling up, Jeremy applied for financial aid from MassHealth. The hospital helped him fill out the application, and told him he'd been enrolled in the system.

But nevertheless, the bills came in the mail saying he had to pay the full amount. To this day Jeremy doesn't know why he didn't receive financial aid.

No Safety Net

Jeremy was unable to work for another two months as he recovered from the burns. Eventually -- after his roommate moved out of the apartment, and he couldn't afford rent -- Jeremy had to move out.

He moved in with his dad and his dad's second-wife's family in a rural town 40 miles west of Boston.

He had no where else to go.

Over a year later, Jeremy is still there, and needs to save up at least $15,000 before he can move out. He needs to pay a deposit on an apartment, get a car, get the car insured.

The problem is, he only makes $15 an hour at his job -- and his boss only lets him work two days a week. Jeremy fought to work more days but his boss couldn't afford it.

Jeremy picks up some extra work roofing, but the money still isn't enough.

And his debt from the hospital bills has ruined his credit.

Life On Hold

Jeremy is the first person to admit that much of this is his own fault. He should have given his new address to MassHealth, he should have been better about keeping track of the paperwork.

He should have been more careful skiing.

But to me, Jeremy's story is an example of why socialized health care still isn't enough. Even though the program has been in place for six years, even though it's been updated and revised to make it better, to make it more effective, even though it was designed to make sure the less-fortunate among us -- people like Jeremy -- don't slip through the cracks, it still isn't enough.

It will take Jeremy years to pay off his debt, and years more to repair his credit so that he can finish college and get a job that makes full use of how smart and talented he is.

Until then, his life is on hold.

*Names have been changed.

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Follow Hunter Stuart on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hoont

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