How To Buy A New Amazon Echo Dot Without Using Alexa Or Fire TV

How To Buy A New Amazon Echo Dot Without Using Alexa Or Fire TV

Amazon really wants people to use voice command to buy stuff. So much so that the new Echo Dot, the smaller, cheaper version of the Amazon Echo that can use an existing speaker can only be bought through voice commands, specifically on an existing Amazon Echo unit or through Amazon's Fire TV platform. At least, that's what the launch announcement says. It turns out you can get one through the Amazon Android storefront app just as easily, no extra hardware required (though you do need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber). Here we go:

1. Download and install the Amazon Shopping app on an Android phone or tablet. (This might work on iOS too, but I don't have anything to test it with.)

2. Log in to your Amazon account.
3. Tap the microphone icon in the upper left corner to start the voice command tool.

4. Say "add Echo Dot to shopping cart." Speak clearly - I got "echo dog" and "echo dart" before it caught the right voice-to-text string.

5. Tap "Add to cart" next to the Echo Dot. Tap "Proceed to checkout."

6. Check out and pay.
Note that the Echo Dot is in pre-order right now - it should ship on March 31st, along with the $129.99 Amazon Tap. Again, according to Amazon you need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber in order to buy either gadget.

By Michael Crider / androidpolice.com

Millionaire Puts His $250k Ferrari on Collateral Just to Loan $5,000 from the Bank

Bankers were shocked to discover that a multi-millionaire man borrowed $5k and used his Ferrari worth of $250k as a collateral... but they were not expecting the clever reason behind it.

This story is about this man who parked his Ferrari, worth $250,000 in front of a bank and decided to use it as a collateral to loan a smaller amount. The millionaire man just bought his car but he’s willing to give it up as a collateral in a New York bank for some reason. What is it? 

Upon entering the New York bank, he asked if he could borrow $5,000 from the loan officer. However, the loan officer said he can’t borrow or ask for a personal loan for quick cash if he’s not a depositor in the bank. So what he did was he put his Ferrari on collateral. But why did he go these lengths to be able to borrow money from the bank?

Because the Ferrari’s too expensive for the loan amount, the officer granted his request for personal loan. Thinking that the man made a stupid decision, the loan officer laughed really hard. However, in a few week’s time, the man returned and shocked the hell out of the loan officer.

Here’s the full story:

“His name was Bubba, he was from Texas and he needed a loan, so he walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Paris for an International Redneck Festival for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000, and that he was not a depositor of the bank.

The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the Redneck handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank.

The Redneck produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest.

Later, the bank’s president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Redneck from the Texas for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank’s private underground garage and parked it.

Two weeks later, the Redneck returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, “Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled.

While you were away, we checked you out on Dunn & Bradstreet and found that you are a distinguished alumni from Texas A & M, a highly sophisticated investor and multi-millionaire with real estate and financial interests all over the world. Your investments include a large number of wind turbines around Sweetwater, Texas... What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?”

The millionaire replied: “Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?”

Many people believe that in order to achieve success in your life, you need to work hard. What they don't tell you is because of the different circumstances you encounter along the way, working hard rarely gets you to your goals. You need more than just hardwork if you want to succeed. Nowadays, it is more important to work smart.

Donald Trump Health Care Reform Plan ( TrumpCare )

Donald Trump has repeatedly promised that he will not let people die on the streets. Today he has released his Trumpcare health care reform plan. His aim is to broaden the access of health care to the people. He is also for abolishing the individual mandate, which under Obamacare requires all Americans to have health insurance.

Donald Trump laid out his plan to reform the U.S. health care system after repeatedly pledging to repeal and replace Obamacare with something much better.

He posted his seven-point plan on his website (https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/healthcare-reform). Besides, scrapping the individual health insurance mandate he also promised to allow competition over states lines for health care plans, and block grant Medicaid to the states, this will let them follow through on his prescription to "eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources."

He will also make individual health insurance premium payments fully tax deductible.

His plan clearly is in line with conservatives. He will also "reduce the number of individuals needing access to programs like Medicaid." "The best social program has always been a job and taking care of our economy will go a long way towards reducing our dependence on public health programs."

His plan also requires "price transparency" to let patients to "shop and find the best prices" for their medical care and removing the barriers to entry that currently make it more difficult for cheaper drugs from overseas to enter the American health care market.

He also calls for "reform our mental health programs and institutions in this country. Families, without the ability to get the information needed to help those who are ailing, are too often not given the tools to help their loved ones. There are promising reforms being developed in Congress that should receive bi-partisan support."

How to Earn an MBA While Working

Receiving your Masters of Business Administration (MBA) can greatly advance your career. However, many people will have to work while they are in school.

The following tips can help you figure out how to earn an MBA while working:

1. Discuss flexible work options with your boss.
It never hurts to ask your boss if there is any chance for a flexible schedule. A 4-day, 10-hour-per-day schedule may be beneficial to you. So may a day you can work from home. Your boss will be more flexible if receiving your MBA will ultimately benefit your place of business. If your company doesn't realize how your higher education will benefit them, be sure to make it clear so they will work with you to make it all happen successfully.

2. Stay organized.
Along with more responsibility come more commitments. If you didn't keep a planner before you started school, now is the time to start. Keep careful track of when assignments are due, when you have important meetings for work and when you have made time to do something social. Without a planner, it would be very difficult to keep track of all of the different facets of your life.

3. Prioritize.
You'll have to get better at saying no. With all of the added work you will have for school, on top of the work you already have for your career, you may have to let a few of the optional commitments in your life go. For example, you may have to skip this year's softball season or your traditional Friday night happy hour.

4. Be realistic.
Allot more time than you really think you'll need when you need to set aside time for getting a combination of your school and job work done. Booking yourself too tightly can lead to added stress that won't help you get anything done. Setting a realistic timeline for yourself will make you more effective and keep you on track with the goals you have set.

5. Adjust your sleep schedule.
Unfortunately, you may need more hours in the day than you're used to. If you have a family, the hours after bedtime may be some of your most precious. Although, in the short-term, you may have to go on less sleep, it will pay off when you become more accomplished in any given 24-hour period.

6. Use your lunch break wisely.
You'd be surprised how much an added hour, or even just a half-hour, each work day can add up. Utilizing every extra moment you have to study will make you that much more productive. Pack your lunch rather than going out to make the best use of every possible minute.

How to Find a Job in Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administration is a growing field with lots of opportunities for qualified individuals. If you have recently completed a degree program in healthcare administration or you are considering the field, you may be wondering what you need to do to find a job. There are several ways that you can find a job in healthcare administration, including networking, volunteering, and starting with an entry level position.

Keep reading to learn how to find a job in healthcare administration.

Part 1: Getting Ready to Apply

1. Research jobs. One of the best ways to get your job search started is to do some research. Use career search databases to find out what types of healthcare administration jobs are available in your area (or in areas you would like to live). As you conduct your research, think about which jobs match up with your qualifications. Save jobs that are appealing to you and make notes about which ones you like best and why.

• Healthcare administration jobs are available at hospitals, nursing homes, research facilities, insurance companies, and within the private sector. Think about what type of organization you would like to work for as you conduct your research on available jobs.

2. Apply for a professional membership. Consider joining the American Association of Healthcare Administration Management (AAHAM), the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) or the Association for Healthcare Administration Professionals (AHCAP) to enhance your qualifications. Joining these associations will enhance your resume and it will also provide you with networking opportunities, access to a members only job lists, and access to webinars.

3. Find out if you need a certification for the job you want. Most healthcare administration positions do not require any sort of certification, but there are a few exceptions. If a special license is required for the position, the job posting should include this information. You can also check your state’s requirements since they may vary from state to state.

4. Create a resume. Since your resume is the first thing that employers will see, it is important to make sure that it makes you look like a great job candidate. Your resume should include your contact information, a brief paragraph that summarizes your qualifications, a list of your professional experience, education, special certifications and licenses, and professional organization memberships.

• Look at sample resumes to get ideas for how to format your own resume.
• If you are a recent graduate of a healthcare administration program, visit your university’s career center to get help with writing your resume.

5. Network as often as possible. Talk to people who are already employed as healthcare administrators to expand your network. Ask former professors about events for healthcare administrators and attend conferences relevant to your intended profession. For example, you could attend the American Association of Healthcare Administration Management’s National Institute.

• Another good way to network is to ask your friends and family if they know anyone who works in healthcare administration. If so, ask to be introduced to the person so that you can talk to them about their job.
• When you network, don’t ask people if they can help you get a job, just try to get to know them. Ask how they like their job, how long they have been there, and what advice they have for someone who is just starting out. Be kind, polite, and gracious when people share their knowledge with you.
• Keep in mind that making these types of connections may not lead to a job right away, but it may be part of the reason why you get a job offer later on.

Part 2: Searching for a Job in the Medical Field

1. Learn about the variety of positions available to healthcare administrators. While many hospital jobs are available to healthcare administrators, you can also look for jobs with other healthcare providers in your area. Healthcare administrators can be found at any of the following medical services:

• Group physician practices
• Clinics
• Nursing homes and elder-care facilities
• Home healthcare organizations
• Outpatient care centers
• Mental health organizations
• Rehabilitation centers

2. Search for jobs. There are thousands of healthcare administrator positions available across the United States, but it can sometimes be a challenge to find a job in your area. Watch your local paper’s classified section for information on local jobs and check with local healthcare providers, such as hospitals and clinics. You should also perform daily searches of job search websites to see what jobs are available in your area.

• Check healthcare providers’ websites. Some businesses are large enough that they post a "Jobs" or "Careers" section on their websites. You can often apply for these jobs by sending your resume and cover letter directly to the company’s hiring manager. If no jobs are available, check again in a week or two.
• Visit large job search sites. While the jobs listed on Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, SimplyHired and Craigslist are highly competitive, they will show the high profile jobs in your area. On some of these websites, you can request to receive alerts about relevant jobs so that you can apply to them as soon as they are posted.

3. Apply for entry-level healthcare administration jobs. If you are a recent graduate of a healthcare administration program, you may need to spend some time working in an entry level position to gain experience and additional skills before you can land your dream job. Keep in mind that starting with an entry level position is a normal part of professional development. These jobs are often easier to get and you may advance quickly depending on your abilities.

• To find entry level positions, look for job postings that include terms like “assistant” in the job titles.

4. Seek promotions and pay raises. You may be able to get promotions within your organization if there are enough opportunities. If there are not enough advancement opportunities and you no longer feel challenged, you can look for higher level positions with other companies after spending a few years in an entry-level position. Check the job posting descriptions to determine whether or not you are qualified for a higher level position.

5. Look for jobs in the private or corporate sector. If you prefer to work in a nontraditional healthcare setting or if you are having trouble finding jobs in traditional settings, consider applying to work for a private organization. Depending on your personal career interests, you can focus on business administration or conducting scientific research into the effectiveness of medications. Healthcare administration graduates are qualified to find jobs with:

• healthcare management companies
• pharmaceutical companies
• biotechnology companies

6. Consider working with a healthcare administration recruiter. Healthcare recruiters can help healthcare administrators find good jobs, but this option is not for everyone. Entry level healthcare administrators are better off seeking a job on their own, but experienced healthcare managers may benefit from the help of a healthcare recruiter. If you are an experienced healthcare administrator seeking a management position or if you are a recent MBA graduate seeking employment in an upper level healthcare administration position, then a healthcare recruiter might be able to help you.

7. Consider consultancy. After establishing yourself in the field, you might consider becoming a healthcare consultant. You can use your expertise to advise healthcare providers on management techniques and advanced training for staff members. This employment option will require you to work on a project by project basis, which can be exciting. But keep in mind that you will also have to seek out clients, which can be stressful for some people.

Part 3: Getting an Education in Health Care

1. Earn a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration or a related field. To have a career as a healthcare administrator, you will need to earn a degree in healthcare administration or in a related field. Healthcare administrations students take courses in public health, health services, and health administration. Depending on what type of healthcare administrator you would like to be, you may also need to seek additional training.

• Look for a program certified by the Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration (AUPHA). AUPHA-certified programs have high standards, including a requirement that their students complete a 120 hour internship in a healthcare setting.

2. Begin an internship while in college. Completing an internship is essential for getting hands on job experience and finding a job after you graduate. Some programs even require students to complete an internship before they can receive their degrees. Discuss your internship options with your academic advisor or the internship coordinator at your university.

3. Consider a graduate degree. While there are many entry level positions available to healthcare administrators with bachelor’s degrees, a healthcare administrator with a master’s degree can seek higher level positions, such as healthcare manager or director positions. Some upper level healthcare administration jobs may even require applicants to have a master’s degree to advance.

• Keep in mind that an advanced degree may not stand in for practical experience. Even with a master’s degree you may still need to start out with an entry level position if you do not have much work experience. Therefore, you might consider waiting to obtain a master’s degree until you have 5 or more years of work experience in healthcare administration.

4. Volunteer your services. To get your foot in the door with an organization that you’d like to work for after graduation, you can also consider volunteering. Taking a few hours out of your week to volunteer at a hospital or long-term care facility that you’d like to work at someday will provide you with opportunities to demonstrate your skills and get to know some people who already work there. The impressions and contacts you make may help you to land a job with the facility later on.

World's Largest Economies by 2020

Check out how the world's largest and fastest growing economies change over time from 2008 up to 2020. China is growing by leaps and bounds while the front runner the United States are steadily growing. By 2020 US GDP is estimated to grow to $22.5 trillion while China is estimated to grow to $16.2 trillion. At 3rd will be Japan at $4.9 trillion, 4th is Germany at $4.1.

Check out the CNN Graphics here


Estimated; Data: IMF, World Economic Outlook; Updated Feb. 11, 2016

Farmers Insurance Discontinue Coverage Of A Insurer after Filing Tornado Claims

Farmers Insurance cancelled the coverage of Richard Perry, a Moore, Oklahoma resident after he filled two claims for tornado damage. He got a letter from the insurance company stating that they would be canceling his policy, effective in April.

In an interview he said it doesn't make sense to him, he called his local agent and the agent to him that the company would be more than happy to continue coverage on their vehicles but, due to the location of his home in a high risk area, it would be too high a risk to cover it.

The letter reads: "Unfortunately, we are unable to continue coverage, because the number of losses you have experienced exceed our acceptability limits."

The family filed claims on two occasions following tornadoes. Their first claim was in 2013, when the insurance company paid $1,615 for wind damage. The second came in March of 2015, when Farmers paid $7,746. Perry said most of that claim was paid out on his truck, which was damaged in the storm.

Under state law, an insurance company can't drop a policyholder for filing a single claim. But, companies can take action if a policyholder files two claims or more.

It's hard to trust an insurance company that will drop you like a hot potato when things are hard on you.


Farmers Insurance is Rated Worst!