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<title>Minyanville - Stephanie Taylor Christensen RSS</title>
<description>
The Trusted Choice for the Wall Street Voice
</description>
<link>
		http://www.minyanville.com</link>
<copyright>
		2013Minyanville Publishing and Multimedia, LLC. All Rights Reserved
</copyright>
		<item>
<title><![CDATA[5 Ways to Make Retirement Feel Real]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/5-Ways-to-Make-Retirement-Feel/2/17/2013/id/47980</link>
<pubDate>
			Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:00:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/5-Ways-to-Make-Retirement-Feel/2/17/2013/id/47980</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[When you've got bills to pay, debt, little to no savings and a family to feed, saving for retirement has a tendency to go on the back burner of financial priorities. But waiting to focus on retirement causes you to lose a key financial advantage of youth: how systemic investing grows your portfolio. According to the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey, 60% of workers report having less than $25,000 in total savings and investments; 30% of those have less than $1,000 saved for retirement. Though you may not have much spare cash to contribute, the sooner ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[When you've got bills to pay, debt, little to no savings and a family to feed, saving for retirement has a tendency to go on the back burner of financial priorities. But waiting to focus on retirement causes you to lose a key financial advantage of youth: how systemic investing grows your portfolio. According to the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey, 60% of workers report having less than $25,000 in total savings and investments; 30% of those have less than $1,000 saved for retirement. Though you may not have much spare cash to contribute, the sooner ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[Four Ways Your Current Real Estate Choices Might Impact Life After Retirement]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/four-Ways-Your-Current-Real-Estate/2/11/2013/id/47979</link>
<pubDate>
			Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:30:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/four-Ways-Your-Current-Real-Estate/2/11/2013/id/47979</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[You may not consider real estate and retirement in the same bucket of personal finance matters, but they're closely intertwined: Both are the largest expenses you'll fund in your lifetime, and how you approach and manage each goes hand in hand. Here are four ways to make sure that your financial approaches to real estate and retirement complement one another.

Realize the long-term value of the 30% rule. While the current low mortgage interest rates can mean that your money goes further toward buying the home of your dreams, remember the 30% rule of housing before you shift your focus ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[You may not consider real estate and retirement in the same bucket of personal finance matters, but they're closely intertwined: Both are the largest expenses you'll fund in your lifetime, and how you approach and manage each goes hand in hand. Here are four ways to make sure that your financial approaches to real estate and retirement complement one another.

Realize the long-term value of the 30% rule. While the current low mortgage interest rates can mean that your money goes further toward buying the home of your dreams, remember the 30% rule of housing before you shift your focus ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[5 Tax Audit Triggers to Avoid]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/5-Tax-Audit-Triggers-to-Avoid/1/23/2013/id/47474</link>
<pubDate>
			Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:25:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/5-Tax-Audit-Triggers-to-Avoid/1/23/2013/id/47474</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Despite the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 passed in January, the government is still tasked with how to cut spending and reduce the deficit. As a result, Certified Public Accountant David Wolfson, a partner in the accounting and consulting firm Schulman Lobel Wolfson Zand Abruzzo Katzen & Blackman LLP, predicts that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be on the lookout for tax errors: "There will always be more audits (deserved or not) in a down economy, as a cash-strapped government seeks to raise funds." Though the 2013 goal for taxpayers may be how to legally reduce more of ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Despite the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 passed in January, the government is still tasked with how to cut spending and reduce the deficit. As a result, Certified Public Accountant David Wolfson, a partner in the accounting and consulting firm Schulman Lobel Wolfson Zand Abruzzo Katzen & Blackman LLP, predicts that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be on the lookout for tax errors: "There will always be more audits (deserved or not) in a down economy, as a cash-strapped government seeks to raise funds." Though the 2013 goal for taxpayers may be how to legally reduce more of ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[6 Ways to Uncover and Change Your Worst Money Habits]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/6-Ways-to-Uncover-and-Change/1/18/2013/id/47344</link>
<pubDate>
			Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:30:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/6-Ways-to-Uncover-and-Change/1/18/2013/id/47344</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Ever wonder why you can't seem to stick to a budget, while some people who make a similar income are able to religiously pay their credit card balances in full and contribute to savings and retirement? You probably haven't found the reason for-and solution to-the bad habits that are part of your financial personality, and you may not be aware of what motivates you when it comes to money. Here are six techniques that psychologists and money coaches recommend to help people understand and redesign their financial lives.

1. Recognize the problem isn't money. Money gets the blame for so ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Ever wonder why you can't seem to stick to a budget, while some people who make a similar income are able to religiously pay their credit card balances in full and contribute to savings and retirement? You probably haven't found the reason for-and solution to-the bad habits that are part of your financial personality, and you may not be aware of what motivates you when it comes to money. Here are six techniques that psychologists and money coaches recommend to help people understand and redesign their financial lives.

1. Recognize the problem isn't money. Money gets the blame for so ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[6 Expert Tips on Minimizing Exposure to 2013 Tax Hikes]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/6-Expert-Tips-on-Minimizing-Exposure/1/9/2013/id/47251</link>
<pubDate>
			Wed, 9 Jan 2013 15:22:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/6-Expert-Tips-on-Minimizing-Exposure/1/9/2013/id/47251</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[The fiscal cliff deal that was reached by Congress just in time for the New Year resulted in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA). Although the deal resulted in a clarified tax code, more tax burden for higher income earners, and the extension of some tax credits (like those related to child care, higher education, lower wage earners, and small businesses), the impace won&#39;t be felt by the wealthy alone. Though you can't escape the effects of 2013 tax changes altogether, you can apply a bit of strategy to keep more of your money working directly for you ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[The fiscal cliff deal that was reached by Congress just in time for the New Year resulted in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA). Although the deal resulted in a clarified tax code, more tax burden for higher income earners, and the extension of some tax credits (like those related to child care, higher education, lower wage earners, and small businesses), the impace won&#39;t be felt by the wealthy alone. Though you can't escape the effects of 2013 tax changes altogether, you can apply a bit of strategy to keep more of your money working directly for you ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[5 Up-and-Coming Retailers to Watch This Year]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/5-Up-and-Coming-Retailers-to/1/2/2013/id/47013</link>
<pubDate>
			Wed, 2 Jan 2013 13:00:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/5-Up-and-Coming-Retailers-to/1/2/2013/id/47013</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINAYNVILLE ORIGINAL Once upon a time, retailers began expanding to the Internet to broaden their reach and remain competitive. These days, the trend is in the opposite direction, with many online retailers making the jump into physical stores. In our list of up-and-coming shops, however, the dominant unifying theme is the increased use of social media; each of these increasingly successful companies uses interfaces and marketing that capitalize on the success of social networks like Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), Twitter, Pinterest, and Reddit. 

Polyvore.  Though technically a technology company, Polyvore is an online shopping magazine of sorts that offers a unique type ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINAYNVILLE ORIGINAL Once upon a time, retailers began expanding to the Internet to broaden their reach and remain competitive. These days, the trend is in the opposite direction, with many online retailers making the jump into physical stores. In our list of up-and-coming shops, however, the dominant unifying theme is the increased use of social media; each of these increasingly successful companies uses interfaces and marketing that capitalize on the success of social networks like Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), Twitter, Pinterest, and Reddit. 

Polyvore.  Though technically a technology company, Polyvore is an online shopping magazine of sorts that offers a unique type ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[5 Up-and-Coming Fast Food Restaurants for 2013]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/5-Up-and-Coming-Fast-Food/12/26/2012/id/46871</link>
<pubDate>
			Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:15:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/5-Up-and-Coming-Fast-Food/12/26/2012/id/46871</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Though you might assume that fast food behemoths like McDonald's (NYSE:MCD), Burger King (NYSE:BKC), Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN), Kentucky Fried Chicken (NYSE:YUM), and Taco Bell leave little room for competition, market researcher IBIS World data indicates that the top four players -- McDonald's, Subway, Starbucks, (NASDAQ:SBUX), and Wendy's in 2011, based on revenue -- are actually forecasted to have a combined total market share of less than 40% in 2012. In the $170 billion quick service restaurant (QSR)/fast food industry, such market fragmentation equates to major opportunity for smaller fast food restaurants -- and investors looking for future opportunity. Here ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Though you might assume that fast food behemoths like McDonald's (NYSE:MCD), Burger King (NYSE:BKC), Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN), Kentucky Fried Chicken (NYSE:YUM), and Taco Bell leave little room for competition, market researcher IBIS World data indicates that the top four players -- McDonald's, Subway, Starbucks, (NASDAQ:SBUX), and Wendy's in 2011, based on revenue -- are actually forecasted to have a combined total market share of less than 40% in 2012. In the $170 billion quick service restaurant (QSR)/fast food industry, such market fragmentation equates to major opportunity for smaller fast food restaurants -- and investors looking for future opportunity. Here ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[Gray Thursday: Increased Sales, or Black Friday Suicide?]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/business-news/editors-pick/articles/Gray-Thursday253A-Increased-Sales-or-Black/11/21/2012/id/46023</link>
<pubDate>
			Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:24:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/business-news/editors-pick/articles/Gray-Thursday253A-Increased-Sales-or-Black/11/21/2012/id/46023</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Black Friday once kicked off the holiday spending season in America, despite the fact that it wasn't actually the biggest shopping day in terms of retailer profitability until 2005. However, the trend has continued; a record 226 million shoppers visited stores and websites over the 2011 Thanksgiving weekend.

Last year also marked the arrival of new retailer trend aimed at holiday deal-seekers: Opening deals once-reserved for Black Friday, on the night of Thanksgiving. Now dubbed Gray Thursday, the strategy appears to have been a competitive edge for retailers like Toys R' Us and Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), who opened at ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Black Friday once kicked off the holiday spending season in America, despite the fact that it wasn't actually the biggest shopping day in terms of retailer profitability until 2005. However, the trend has continued; a record 226 million shoppers visited stores and websites over the 2011 Thanksgiving weekend.

Last year also marked the arrival of new retailer trend aimed at holiday deal-seekers: Opening deals once-reserved for Black Friday, on the night of Thanksgiving. Now dubbed Gray Thursday, the strategy appears to have been a competitive edge for retailers like Toys R' Us and Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), who opened at ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[What Investors Need to Know About the Fastest and Most Accurate of the Fast-Food Drive-Thrus]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/Who2527s-the-Fastest-and-the-Most/11/5/2012/id/45479</link>
<pubDate>
			Mon, 5 Nov 2012 10:15:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/Who2527s-the-Fastest-and-the-Most/11/5/2012/id/45479</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Fast food restaurants frequently adjust menu offerings, pricing, hours of operation, and promotions to compete for a piece of the $200 billion quick-service restaurant industry, but when success or failure is judged by the experience time-pressed customers have, drive-thru performance is a key driver that keeps revenue streams afloat. Since 1998, QSR Magazine and Insula Research have partnered to monitor drive-thru operations at fast-food restaurant chains. In 2011, the study was modified to benchmark critical aspects of the drive-thru experience, like speed, accuracy, and customer service, at six national fast food standouts: Burger King (NYSE:BKW), Chick-fil-A, Krystal, McDonald&#39;s ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Fast food restaurants frequently adjust menu offerings, pricing, hours of operation, and promotions to compete for a piece of the $200 billion quick-service restaurant industry, but when success or failure is judged by the experience time-pressed customers have, drive-thru performance is a key driver that keeps revenue streams afloat. Since 1998, QSR Magazine and Insula Research have partnered to monitor drive-thru operations at fast-food restaurant chains. In 2011, the study was modified to benchmark critical aspects of the drive-thru experience, like speed, accuracy, and customer service, at six national fast food standouts: Burger King (NYSE:BKW), Chick-fil-A, Krystal, McDonald&#39;s ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[How GMO Foods and California's Prop 37 Could Affect Your Portfolio's Health]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/How-Genetically-Modified-Ingredients-Can-Impact/10/17/2012/id/45035</link>
<pubDate>
			Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:40:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/How-Genetically-Modified-Ingredients-Can-Impact/10/17/2012/id/45035</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL The impact that national elections have on current and future economic conditions is inherent, but ballot issues at the state level can have a major role in your portfolio's performance, too. This year, that issue is California's Proposition 37, a state statute whose fate will be determined on November 6. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of genetically engineered or modified organisms -- GMOs -- from a health perspective, regulations surrounding their future could affect your investments. Here's why.
 
What is it?  Proposition 37 essentially calls for food manufacturer transparency regarding foods that contain GMOs, which ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL The impact that national elections have on current and future economic conditions is inherent, but ballot issues at the state level can have a major role in your portfolio's performance, too. This year, that issue is California's Proposition 37, a state statute whose fate will be determined on November 6. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of genetically engineered or modified organisms -- GMOs -- from a health perspective, regulations surrounding their future could affect your investments. Here's why.
 
What is it?  Proposition 37 essentially calls for food manufacturer transparency regarding foods that contain GMOs, which ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[As Peer-to-Peer Lending Grows Up, Investors Seeking High Returns, Safer Bets Jump In]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/As-Peer-to-Peer-Lending-Grows/10/2/2012/id/44587</link>
<pubDate>
			Tue, 2 Oct 2012 11:10:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/As-Peer-to-Peer-Lending-Grows/10/2/2012/id/44587</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL If a stranger stopped you on the sidewalk and offered to pay you a 10% interest rate if you lent him or her $20,000 to pay off a credit card debt, would you do it? Many investors seeking greater returns outside of a volatile market are turning to such a concept by way of online peer to peer (P2P) lending. But, as with any investment opportunity, the hope of great returns requires risk. Here's the scoop on what the P2P market is all about, and whether it may be a worthy addition to your portfolio.
 
The fundamental concept ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL If a stranger stopped you on the sidewalk and offered to pay you a 10% interest rate if you lent him or her $20,000 to pay off a credit card debt, would you do it? Many investors seeking greater returns outside of a volatile market are turning to such a concept by way of online peer to peer (P2P) lending. But, as with any investment opportunity, the hope of great returns requires risk. Here's the scoop on what the P2P market is all about, and whether it may be a worthy addition to your portfolio.
 
The fundamental concept ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[5 Crippling Money Moves You Could Be Making Now]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/personal-finance-money-moves-crippling-money/6/26/2012/id/41920</link>
<pubDate>
			Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:10:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/personal-finance-money-moves-crippling-money/6/26/2012/id/41920</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL  Many people wrongly assume that making more money would solve their financial woes, but in reality, what you do with your money has far more impact than the amount of your paycheck.  Here are five crippling money moves you could be making right now.
 
Skipping the financial baby steps to invest. Turn on any news program that focuses on the markets and the excitement of investing is palpable: There's breaking news, scandal, and constantly changing opportunities that allow your mind to wonder whether this is the big break that will contribute to an early retirement filled with pool ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL  Many people wrongly assume that making more money would solve their financial woes, but in reality, what you do with your money has far more impact than the amount of your paycheck.  Here are five crippling money moves you could be making right now.
 
Skipping the financial baby steps to invest. Turn on any news program that focuses on the markets and the excitement of investing is palpable: There's breaking news, scandal, and constantly changing opportunities that allow your mind to wonder whether this is the big break that will contribute to an early retirement filled with pool ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[Money and Same-Sex Couples: 5 Tips You Can't Afford to Ignore]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/same-sex-estate-planning-same-sex/6/22/2012/id/41813</link>
<pubDate>
			Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:35:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/personal-finance/articles/same-sex-estate-planning-same-sex/6/22/2012/id/41813</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Though same-sex couples are currently afforded the right to be legally wed or recognized in civil unions in 13 states in the United States, federal rights that traditional married couples enjoy don't apply to such unions, and they certainly aren't extended to unmarried same-sex partners. As such, estate planning by same-sex couples is critical to ensuring that control over finances, assets, health-related matters, and even children, remain in the hands of those you intend. Here are critical aspects of estate planning that all same-sex couples should plan for and consider, regardless of their incomes or asset levels.
 
1. ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Though same-sex couples are currently afforded the right to be legally wed or recognized in civil unions in 13 states in the United States, federal rights that traditional married couples enjoy don't apply to such unions, and they certainly aren't extended to unmarried same-sex partners. As such, estate planning by same-sex couples is critical to ensuring that control over finances, assets, health-related matters, and even children, remain in the hands of those you intend. Here are critical aspects of estate planning that all same-sex couples should plan for and consider, regardless of their incomes or asset levels.
 
1. ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[What the Resale Values of Gift Cards Reveal About Retailers' Popularity]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/gift-cards-gift-cards-resale-value/4/20/2012/id/40522</link>
<pubDate>
			Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:10:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/gift-cards-gift-cards-resale-value/4/20/2012/id/40522</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Gift card sales are expected to reach $100 billion in 2012, but after years of being a win-win for retailers, consumers are starting to take back the gift card power, thanks to a highly profitable market: Gift card resale.
 
There are at least a dozen viable businesses online that have created an entirely new market from simply linking buyers and sellers of unwanted gift cards. At Plastic Jungle, the self-described "largest gift card exchange" on the Web, a person selling a gift card can expect to make "up to 92%" on unwanted gift cards, and save "up to 35%" buying ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Gift card sales are expected to reach $100 billion in 2012, but after years of being a win-win for retailers, consumers are starting to take back the gift card power, thanks to a highly profitable market: Gift card resale.
 
There are at least a dozen viable businesses online that have created an entirely new market from simply linking buyers and sellers of unwanted gift cards. At Plastic Jungle, the self-described "largest gift card exchange" on the Web, a person selling a gift card can expect to make "up to 92%" on unwanted gift cards, and save "up to 35%" buying ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[Not Available in the USA: 5 Popular Products We Can't Buy Here]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/overseas-products-colic-remedy-colic-treatments/3/30/2012/id/40131</link>
<pubDate>
			Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:15:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/consumer/articles/overseas-products-colic-remedy-colic-treatments/3/30/2012/id/40131</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Travel abroad lately? You likely found a few products and services you wanted to bring home. Here&#39;s a round-up of some wildly popular overseas products that Americans can only envy.



Nokia 808 PureView
In late February, 2012, the official Nokia blog announced the relase of the Nokia (NOK) 808 PureView smartphone in Spain. Featuring a "41 megapixel sensor," and oversampling technology, which allows a user to eliminate "visual noise," zoom in without sacrificing image details, and resize for sharing,  it contains the highest performing optics on a smartphone to date. The Nokia 808 PureView is also "the world's first video ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Travel abroad lately? You likely found a few products and services you wanted to bring home. Here&#39;s a round-up of some wildly popular overseas products that Americans can only envy.



Nokia 808 PureView
In late February, 2012, the official Nokia blog announced the relase of the Nokia (NOK) 808 PureView smartphone in Spain. Featuring a "41 megapixel sensor," and oversampling technology, which allows a user to eliminate "visual noise," zoom in without sacrificing image details, and resize for sharing,  it contains the highest performing optics on a smartphone to date. The Nokia 808 PureView is also "the world's first video ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[The Real Value of Dogs in Commercials]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/media/articles/dogs-in-commercials-dogs-in-advertising/3/2/2012/id/39681</link>
<pubDate>
			Fri, 2 Mar 2012 10:00:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/media/articles/dogs-in-commercials-dogs-in-advertising/3/2/2012/id/39681</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[If it seems like dogs have taken over the ad industry, it's not your imagination. One in three commercials includes a dog, according to Michelle Zahn, owner of Le PAWS, a professional pet talent agency. Dogs also dominated many of this year's popular Super Bowl ads, and apparently, the strategy paid off. According to Nielsen, the top "most remembered" ads in the 2012 Super Bowl belonged to Doritos, owned by Frito-Lay/PepsiCo (PEP), M&M's, Skechers (SKX), Coca-Cola (KO), and Bud Light (BUD); three of those spots included dogs. One key reason animals strike a chord in audiences is the humor factor, ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[If it seems like dogs have taken over the ad industry, it's not your imagination. One in three commercials includes a dog, according to Michelle Zahn, owner of Le PAWS, a professional pet talent agency. Dogs also dominated many of this year's popular Super Bowl ads, and apparently, the strategy paid off. According to Nielsen, the top "most remembered" ads in the 2012 Super Bowl belonged to Doritos, owned by Frito-Lay/PepsiCo (PEP), M&M's, Skechers (SKX), Coca-Cola (KO), and Bud Light (BUD); three of those spots included dogs. One key reason animals strike a chord in audiences is the humor factor, ]]>
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			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[Can You Judge a Retailer by Social Media?]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/retail-retail-shopping-social-networking-mcommercer/1/12/2012/id/38824</link>
<pubDate>
			Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:45:00EST
</pubDate>
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			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/retail-retail-shopping-social-networking-mcommercer/1/12/2012/id/38824</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[There&#39;s little debate that retailers who embrace Facebook, Twitter or Google+ (GOOG) can get a "leg up" on the competition. Customers love shopping with social media since being a friend, fan, or member often translates to early notice of promotions and exclusive sales. Retailers love the relationship-building that comes from such customer engagement, especially now that evidence suggests people are more likely to "like" a brand once they see a friend is already on the bandwagon.

But does a company's social media success reveal insight for investors looking to spot a company's potential and future trends? You be the judge. ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[There&#39;s little debate that retailers who embrace Facebook, Twitter or Google+ (GOOG) can get a "leg up" on the competition. Customers love shopping with social media since being a friend, fan, or member often translates to early notice of promotions and exclusive sales. Retailers love the relationship-building that comes from such customer engagement, especially now that evidence suggests people are more likely to "like" a brand once they see a friend is already on the bandwagon.

But does a company's social media success reveal insight for investors looking to spot a company's potential and future trends? You be the judge. ]]>
</content:encoded>
			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[Hot Trend in 2012: Retailers Turning E-Waste Into Gift Cards]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/retail-trends-old-phones-old-cell/12/27/2011/id/38561</link>
<pubDate>
			Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:10:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/retail-trends-old-phones-old-cell/12/27/2011/id/38561</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Looking to spot the next retail trend in 2012? Look for retailers that pay customers to turn their old electronic items into something new (like a gift card). The concept lies in the "reCommerce" industry, and industry analyst site TrendWatching.com predicts that "trading in to trade up" will be a major economy in 2012. Major retailers have jumped on board the trade-in program idea, and those who develop a working formula might just pull ahead of the competition.

The idea of "reCommerce" is not new, but as technology changes rapidly and the economy lags, customers are collecting more and more ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Looking to spot the next retail trend in 2012? Look for retailers that pay customers to turn their old electronic items into something new (like a gift card). The concept lies in the "reCommerce" industry, and industry analyst site TrendWatching.com predicts that "trading in to trade up" will be a major economy in 2012. Major retailers have jumped on board the trade-in program idea, and those who develop a working formula might just pull ahead of the competition.

The idea of "reCommerce" is not new, but as technology changes rapidly and the economy lags, customers are collecting more and more ]]>
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			</item>
			<item>
<title><![CDATA[How Amazon Will Keep its Kindle Fire Sales Hot]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/Amazon-Kindle-Fire-tablet-sales-Kindle/12/20/2011/id/38478</link>
<pubDate>
			Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:20:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/Amazon-Kindle-Fire-tablet-sales-Kindle/12/20/2011/id/38478</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Exact sales figures for the Amazon (AMZN) Kindle and Barnes & Noble (BKS) Nook have been lacking since the tablet&#39;s releases in 2007. Both companies allude to success. Amazon recently released a statement noting that "for the third week in a row, customers are purchasing well over one million Kindle devices per week." 

In its financial results release for the second quarter of 2012, Barnes & Noble said "the consolidated Nook business across all of the company's segments, including sales of digital content, device hardware and related accessories, increased 85% in the second quarter to $220 million." The company also ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Exact sales figures for the Amazon (AMZN) Kindle and Barnes & Noble (BKS) Nook have been lacking since the tablet&#39;s releases in 2007. Both companies allude to success. Amazon recently released a statement noting that "for the third week in a row, customers are purchasing well over one million Kindle devices per week." 

In its financial results release for the second quarter of 2012, Barnes & Noble said "the consolidated Nook business across all of the company's segments, including sales of digital content, device hardware and related accessories, increased 85% in the second quarter to $220 million." The company also ]]>
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<title><![CDATA[The Worst Bosses of 2011: Is Your Money Backing One of These CEOs?]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/bad-bosses-worst-bosses-worse-companies/12/19/2011/id/38455</link>
<pubDate>
			Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:05:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/bad-bosses-worst-bosses-worse-companies/12/19/2011/id/38455</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Bad bosses are one of the few facets of the working world that are consistent across industries, genders, and pay scales. Level of education, years of experience and role in the company doesn't guarantee that a boss will be good or bad-and it doesn't always mean that they are lacking in talent or contribution, either. (Though known for his genius, even the late Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc. (AAPL) was often described as "prickly" in his own leadership style.)
 
eBossWatch, an online career resource that enables people to "anonymously rate their bosses and evaluate potential employers" ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Bad bosses are one of the few facets of the working world that are consistent across industries, genders, and pay scales. Level of education, years of experience and role in the company doesn't guarantee that a boss will be good or bad-and it doesn't always mean that they are lacking in talent or contribution, either. (Though known for his genius, even the late Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc. (AAPL) was often described as "prickly" in his own leadership style.)
 
eBossWatch, an online career resource that enables people to "anonymously rate their bosses and evaluate potential employers" ]]>
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			<item>
<title><![CDATA[KFC, Dunkin' Donuts Seek to Ensure Obesity Epidemic Doesn't End in US]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/kfc-dunkin-donuts-seek-to/</link>
<pubDate>
			Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:26:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/kfc-dunkin-donuts-seek-to/</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[The United States ranks 18th on the Global Prevalence of Adult Obesity list, with 32.2% of males and 35.5% of females measuring a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher. China ranks #136, with 2.4% and 3.4% of males and females medically categorized as obese. South Korea and India are almost at the bottom of the list, at a rank of #140 and #141, respectively. However, thanks to global expansion and international consumer reciprocity of some fast food chains as American as apple pie, that may soon change.  Fast food brands going global is nothing new, but thanks to ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[The United States ranks 18th on the Global Prevalence of Adult Obesity list, with 32.2% of males and 35.5% of females measuring a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher. China ranks #136, with 2.4% and 3.4% of males and females medically categorized as obese. South Korea and India are almost at the bottom of the list, at a rank of #140 and #141, respectively. However, thanks to global expansion and international consumer reciprocity of some fast food chains as American as apple pie, that may soon change.  Fast food brands going global is nothing new, but thanks to ]]>
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			<item>
<title><![CDATA[Can the Film Industry Save Detroit?]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/no-hollywood-ending-for-detroit/</link>
<pubDate>
			Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:40:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/no-hollywood-ending-for-detroit/</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[For the past few years, it&rsquo;s been nothing but doom and gloom in regards to the Motor City. It won a place on Forbes&rsquo; 2009 list of America&rsquo;s 10 Most Miserable Cities. Now the latest bad news involves a massive hit to its public school system as the latest plan, aimed to eliminate the current $327 million budget deficit, will leave just 72 public schools in Detroit by 2014. But, could Detroit be finding new economic footing in an unlikely industry? According to the Michigan Film Incentive study, conducted by Ernst & Young, there was a positive Return on Investment ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[For the past few years, it&rsquo;s been nothing but doom and gloom in regards to the Motor City. It won a place on Forbes&rsquo; 2009 list of America&rsquo;s 10 Most Miserable Cities. Now the latest bad news involves a massive hit to its public school system as the latest plan, aimed to eliminate the current $327 million budget deficit, will leave just 72 public schools in Detroit by 2014. But, could Detroit be finding new economic footing in an unlikely industry? According to the Michigan Film Incentive study, conducted by Ernst & Young, there was a positive Return on Investment ]]>
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			<item>
<title><![CDATA[The Pitfalls of Solar Leasing Programs]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/the-pitfalls-of-solar-leasing/</link>
<pubDate>
			Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:00:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/the-pitfalls-of-solar-leasing/</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[Global financial services giant Citi and Solar City, a California-based leader in solar power systems and services, have joined forces to make residential solar power more viable. The two companies recently announced that $40 million in funding has been earmarked for expansion of a residential leasing program that allows homeowners to install solar panels without an upfront investment. The step is one of many initiatives Citi is partaking in to reinforce its dedication to greener causes. According to the official release, &ldquo;the global financial services leader is in the midst of a 10-year, $50 billion initiative to support the commercialization ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[Global financial services giant Citi and Solar City, a California-based leader in solar power systems and services, have joined forces to make residential solar power more viable. The two companies recently announced that $40 million in funding has been earmarked for expansion of a residential leasing program that allows homeowners to install solar panels without an upfront investment. The step is one of many initiatives Citi is partaking in to reinforce its dedication to greener causes. According to the official release, &ldquo;the global financial services leader is in the midst of a 10-year, $50 billion initiative to support the commercialization ]]>
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			<item>
<title><![CDATA[2011's Hottest New Wine Bar Is at Your Grocery Store]]></title>
<link>
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/2011s-hottest-new-wine-bar/</link>
<pubDate>
			Thu, 3 Feb 2011 13:34:00EST
</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="true">
			http://www.minyanville.com/mvpremium/2011s-hottest-new-wine-bar/</guid>
<description>
<![CDATA[{FLIKE}It may sound hard to believe, but wine drinking as you know it may be turned on its ear in 2011. The first change? Your favorite neighborhood wine joint may be the same place you buy soup and toilet paper. According to Napa Technology, wine lounges inside of mass market retailers are the new place to be. Retailers like Whole Foods, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, andÂ Kroger have already found success in the trend. Many are taking it a step further and offering free entertainment, appetizers, and local musicians to create the ambiance of a real wine bar, complete with bar stools ]]>
</description>
<content:encoded>
	<![CDATA[{FLIKE}It may sound hard to believe, but wine drinking as you know it may be turned on its ear in 2011. The first change? Your favorite neighborhood wine joint may be the same place you buy soup and toilet paper. According to Napa Technology, wine lounges inside of mass market retailers are the new place to be. Retailers like Whole Foods, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, and Kroger have already found success in the trend. Many are taking it a step further and offering free entertainment, appetizers, and local musicians to create the ambiance of a real wine bar, complete with bar stools ]]>
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