Fred Harteis News Articles - Personal Budgeting: Establishing a Budget

Fred Harteis News Articles- Many of us fail to see the relationship between budgeting and saving. Budgeting is a process that starts by setting spending targets that help you to stay within your means of paying for the bills. A personal budget is useful in controlling personal expenses.

Reasons for having a personal budget usually change over time. In our 20s, we focus on repaying debts or saving for a down payment on a home. We may want to budget in order to set aside several thousand dollars for a trip around the world. In our 30s and 40s, budgeting is important to help pay for our children's living and college expenses. By the time we enter our 50s, saving for retirement becomes a major financial goal.

Some important steps in setting up a personal budget include:

Select a period to measure. A monthly budget often works best. Most of us pay our rent, mortgage, and utility bills monthly. It is also the period over which many of us get paid. If you are paid every two weeks, you can add the amounts to determine a monthly figure.

Calculate net cash flow for the period. Your personal net cash flow subtracts your cash expenses (cash outflows) from you cash income (cash inflows). If you charge with your credit card, add those charges to your cash expenses. Using your credit card is only a means of postponing cash outflows. While you're at it, be sure to add the little items, like those $4 lattes and video store trips. These items easily add up to $100 or more in a month.

Keep records. Accurate records will help you to keep a history of several budgeting periods. You can string together 12 months of budgets to create an annual budget. You can use your budget records to compare actual and budgeted spending. The differences in actual and budgeted spending are called variances. Be as precise in your record keeping as you can afford to be.

Monitor and review. Your records help you to compare how well you budget. The key is to identify positive budget variances—where your actual cash outflows are less than your budgeted cash outflows. These variances are a source of funds to save and invest. For example, if you budget $1,500 in monthly cash outflows but routinely only have cash outflows of $1,400, you have identified a source of savings worth $100 a month.

Save for an emergency fund. As you gradually find you can save each month, you may want to first set aside enough for an emergency fund. An emergency fund consists of three to six months of savings. An emergency fund is also called a rainy-day fund and should be used only to pay for unanticipated financial setbacks. These setbacks may include losing a job, becoming ill, or suffering the death of a family member.

Invest regularly. A personal budget may have led you to identify a way to save $100 a month. Investing this extra $100 every month lets you take advantage of dollar-cost averaging. Dollar-cost averaging is a basic principle of investing. Studies consistently show that, over time, dollar-cost averaging buys shares at a cheaper price than if you attempt to time your purchases. In addition, your regular contributions fuel the compounded growth of your investments.

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Home prices: Record drop in October

Fred Harteis News Articles - The price of existing homes sold in October fell for the third straight month and posted the biggest drop on record, an industry group said Tuesday, adding it expects weakness in pricing to drag on into next year.

The National Association of Realtors said that the median price of a home sold in October was $221,000, the same as in September, but down 3.5 percent from October 2005.

The previous record drop was a 2.1 percent decline in November 1990, the real estate group said.

While month-to-month declines in home prices are not uncommon, year-to-year drops had been rare before the recent housing slump.

August was the first month in 11 years to see such a decline. September was originally reported as a record 2.2 percent drop, but a revision in those numbers put that price decline at 1.8 percent.

The weakness in home prices isn't likely to go away soon, according to Realtors spokesman Walter Molony. "We do expect we'll see prices stay below year-ago levels through the end of this year, and pick up in the first quarter of 2007," he said.

Pat Vredevoogd Combs, a Grand Rapids, Mich., Realtor and president of the trade group, said in a statement the the market has become a good one for buyers.

Photos: Million-dollar homes
"With the exception of parts of the West, sellers are cutting their price enough to encourage sales," she said. A sharp drop in sales and prices in once hot markets such as Washington D.C. and parts of Florida, coupled with improved sales in some lower-price markets in Texas, have driven median prices down 7 percent in the South.

But all four regions of the country posted a year-over-year decline in median prices.

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Never Forget an Anniversary Again?

Fred Harteis News - Forgetful husbands beware! A jeweler may have stumbled onto a way to make sure you never forget your anniversary again.

The Remember Ring is a wedding band with some high-tech innards that heats up to give the wearer a burning reminder about the special day about 24 hours before it arrives.

It may be the most surefire way to ensure the flowers and dinner reservations are made on time, but there's one small problem -- the ring doesn't exist.

The idea belongs to Cleve Oines, who runs the Web site for Goldsmith Gallery.

"Originally it was sort of a 'ha-ha,' but it's been getting so much traffic that we've begun to wonder," he said.

Oines says the store's Web site normally receives about 500 unique visitors a day, but since word got out about the Remember Ring, the site has been struggling to keep up with an increase in traffic. He said traffic on the site is about 60 times higher in volume since word got out.

If the ring makes it out of Oines' mind and into reality, it likely wouldn't look exactly like the picture he posted but would incorporate the same concept.

"The question is space," he explained. "It can certainly be done. Whether it can be done in a thin band, or whether it would have to be a signet ring, we just don't know."

In an e-mail, Oines said the shop is in talks with an engineer to bring the ring to life sometime next year, and he guesses that it'll retail for around $700 to $800.

If the information that was posted on the Web site as part of the gag becomes reality, 24 hours before the big day the interior surface of the ring will heat up to 120 degrees for approximately 10 seconds. According to the site, it will continue to warm up "every hour, on the hour, all day long!"

"Using a micro thermopile, the Remember Ring converts the heat from your hand into electricity, keeping the battery charged and microchip clock running perpetually. Just specify your anniversary date when you order, and we'll program your ring for you. Set it and forget it -- until your anniversary!"

Interestingly, the response has been mixed, and while you might think women, who are often portrayed in film and television as being let down by their mates on anniversaries, are not as amused by the idea as their counterparts.

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Black Friday: Bargains make it busy

Fred Harteis News Articles - Bargain-hungry shoppers raced to malls as early as midnight to be the first in line to grab the best of retailers' so-called doorbuster deals on Black Friday - an early indication that the 2006 holiday shopping season was off to a solid start.

Impatient shoppers were chanting, "Open the door!" shortly before a 5 a.m. opening at a Wal-Mart store in Union, N.J.

Some malls around the country ignited the shopping frenzy at the stroke of midnight as Thanksgiving turned into Black Friday. Retailers got a boost from generally favorable weather throughout the nation.

The Citadel Outlets Center in Los Angeles County, Calif., held a "Moonlight Madness" event this year with some stores opening their doors at 11 p.m. Thursday.

Anita Boeker, Citadel Outlets' marketing director, said the Old Navy store already had a long line of people outside it by 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

Black Friday frenzy from coast to coast
"By the time the store opened, they were facing overcapacity," she said. "Our parking lots are filling up quickly and it's only 3 a.m."

The Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga, Tenn., opened at 5 a.m. According to spokesman Jeff Odom, throngs of shoppers crowded into the mall over the first hour to get an early start on the 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. "early bird" discounts ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent in specialty stores such as teen clothier Aeropostale.

"So far it's looking like a good and early start to Black Friday, characterized by very calculated shoppers," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst with NPD Group.

"Everybody is very focused on the discounts. People are going to stores with Black Friday circulars in their hands," Cohen said.

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Solve Your Family's Eating Challenges

Fred Harteis - “None of us loves fruits or vegetables. Solution: Getting enough produce is one of the best ways to protect your health. Turn fruit into treats and make veggies part of your daily menu.

Add fresh berries to pancake and waffle mixes.
Combine chocolate or vanilla pudding and bits of real fruit; freeze them in ice-pop molds.
Have apple sundaes: Dip fresh apple slices into melted caramel or chocolate, peanut butter or low-fat whipped topping.
Serve artichoke or spinach dip with baked tortilla chips or fresh celery sticks as an appetizer.
Add scallions, chopped mushrooms and onions to turkey burgers.
· Mix carrot juice into a fruit smoothie; it adds sweetness and color, but you won’t notice any carrot flavor.

Control Cravings
Love eating candy, can’t eat just one piece? Solution: Satisfy your sweet tooth with lower-calorie, healthier treats most days.

· Sprinkle light microwave popcorn with cocoa powder for a crunchy, low-cal, chocolatey snack.
· Fake a milk shake by combining fat-free chocolate or strawberry milk, vanilla yogurt and ice in a blender.
· Make floats with diet orange or black cherry soda and vanilla frozen yogurt.
· Buy small cups of low-fat pudding instead of cookies.

Eat a Low-Calorie Dinner
If you often don’t get home until it’s late, which doesn’t leave much time to cook, and that’s why you have fast food a lot. Solution: Limit high-fat foods and include more fruits and vegetables in meals to help cut calories.

· Remake favorite cheese spaghetti. Use chunky marinara sauce, chopped peppers, lean ground turkey, one tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and whole-wheat pasta.
· Update fried pork chop dish: Bake the chops (3 ounces each, the size of a deck of cards). Use evaporated skim milk and fresh herbs (like rosemary) to thicken and season one cup (the size of a baseball) of mashed potatoes. Have more vegetables, such as a healthy side salad.

Make Meals Television Free
If the family eats every dinner in front of the television, and most breakfasts in the car.
Solution: Eating while working or watching TV can lead to overindulging. If you don’t focus on enjoying your meal, you’ll end up eating too fast and too much.

· Make dinnertime family time. Gather around the table and dive into a fun conversation while relaxing over a healthy meal. You’ll feel closer and healthier. Many bookstores carry conversation cards to help revitalize the family meal.
· Really enjoy your meals. When you eat without distraction, you’re more likely to eat less but feel more satisfied. Eating on the run and while watching TV could be one reason your feeling hungry all the time.



Stop Missing Major Nutrients
If your children are picky eaters. Solution: Kids need nutritious foods to grow properly and keep their immune systems strong. Have healthier snacks and incorporate fruit and veggies into every meal.

· Whip up a smoothie anytime to get one full serving of dairy and one full serving of fruit. In a blender, mix one cup 1 percent low-fat milk with a half cup frozen strawberries, half cup canned crushed pineapple and half of a small banana.
· Keep ready-to-eat yogurt, string cheese and low-fat chocolate milk in the refrigerator for a daily boost.

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - At least 3 students killed in school bus crash

Fred Harteis News Articles - A school bus carrying 43 students plunged some 40 feet off the side of a highway overpass Monday in Huntsville, killing at least three students, according to school, police and fire officials.

"It's not a good day in Huntsville," police spokesman Wendell Johnson told CNN.

Christina Collier, 18, and Nicole Ford, 17, who attended Lee High School in Huntsville, died, said Police Chief Rex Reynolds.

A third student, Tanesha Hill, also died, said Sue Esslinger, Director of Marketing at Huntsville Hospital.

A witness told police it appeared that a small car struck the bus, which then went over the guardrail and crashed some 40 feet below the Interstate 565 overpass at Church Street, Reynolds said.

Police are attempting to find the driver of the car. It took authorities about an hour to transport 33 of the students and the bus driver to Huntsville Hospital, Johnson said.

Of those, 23 were taken by ambulance and the others -- who were not as seriously injured -- were treated on the scene before they were driven to the hospital in a minivan as a precaution, he said.

The emergency room became overwhelmed and had to transport some of the injured to Crestwood Medical Center, he said.

"It was a very chaotic scene and parents were just frantic," Johnson said.

Ten students did not need to be taken to a hospital.

The bus was carrying students from Lee High School to a technology center for classes, he said.

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Fred Harteis News Articles- The Best Time to Buy Everything

Fred Harteis News Articles - AT 50 CENTS a roll — instead of the regular retail price of $4 — buying wrapping paper after New Year's is an easy way to save. The same holds true for buying half-price inflatable pool loungers and patio furniture after Labor Day weekend.

In fact, bargain lovers know that there's a smart time to buy just about anything. For example, those looking for a great deal on a car should shop on weekday mornings in September. Groceries are cheapest on Sunday evenings.

Airplane Tickets
When to buy: On a Wednesday, 21 days (or a couple of days earlier) before your flight.
Why: Airlines make major pricing changes (and run fare sales) every week, typically on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. About 21 days out from your flight, you'll see plenty of deals out there as airlines scramble to fill seats, says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, a consumer travel advice Web site. Don't wait much longer, she cautions; prices jump significantly from 14 to seven days ahead of departure.

Appliances
When to buy: During a holiday weekend.
Why: You'll find sales on select models all year long, but retailers bring out the big guns for holiday weekends, says Carolyn Forte, homecare director for the Good Housekeeping Institute. But don't worry about spending your Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends shopping for a new fridge — smaller holidays like Columbus Day and President's Day have their share of sales, too.

Baby Clothes
When to buy: During your pregnancy.
Why: Once you know your due date, keep an eye out for end-of-season clearances, recommends Alan Fields, co-author of "Baby Bargains." "If you're [newly] pregnant now, you know you'll be having a baby next summer," he says. "Well, right now, stores are closing out all the summer clothes." You can pick up newborn essentials like onesies for less than half price. For

Broadway Tickets
When to buy: Hours before the curtain rises.
Why: How does a $25 front-row seat to the smash musical "Wicked" sound? Several musicals offer same-day ticket lotteries that offer up orchestra seats at inexpensive prices. If you'd rather not gamble on getting a seat, wait in line at the famous TKTS booth in Times Square. There, you can get tickets for hit musicals for up to 50% off. On a recent night, prime seats were available for "Hairspray," "Rent," "Sweeney Todd" and "Beauty & the Beast."

Cars
When to buy: Weekday mornings in September.
Why: By September, all the next year's models have arrived at the lot, and dealers are desperate to get rid of the current year's leftovers, says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. It's the prime time of year for incentives and sales, not to mention bargaining. "Any car that's been on the lot for a long time loses its value in the eyes of the car salesman," he says. Heading to the dealership on a weekday morning also helps because there's low foot traffic, meaning you'll have ample time to negotiate and fewer people trying to buy the same car.



Clothing
When to buy: Thursday evenings, six to eight weeks after an item arrives in stores.
Why: After an item lingers in stores a month or more, retailers start dropping its price to get it out the door, says Kathryn Finney, author of "How to Be a Budget Fashionista." These season-end clearances tend to be the same month that designers host fashion weeks (February and September) to preview the next fall or spring collections. So smart buyers can check the catwalk to see if any of this season's trends — say, leggings or military-style jackets — will still be hot next year, and then scoop them up on clearance.


Computers and electronics
When to buy: Just after a new model is launched.
Why: When the latest and greatest of a product is released, you'll often see prices drop on what had previously been the best thing out there, says Tom Merritt, executive editor for CNET, an electronics review web site. Case in point: When Apple released the Nano last September, prices for the now-discontinued Mini dropped 12%, from $199 for a 4GB to about $175. So keep your eyes open for announcements from major manufacturers. Want a little less work? Time your purchases for after big annual technology show like MacWorld (next held Jan. 8-12, 2007) and the International Consumer Electronics Show (next held Jan. 8-11, 2007).

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News - Children among 8 people killed by N.C. tornado

Fred Harteis News Articles - At least eight people were killed and nearly 20 injured Thursday when a tornado ripped through a mobile home park in this small town west of Wilmington, North Carolina, officials said.

"All of the fatalities were residents in the mobile homes," said Columbus County Emergency Services spokesman Kip Godwin.

At least two of those who died were under 18, said Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten, who did not provide further details. Nineteen people were injured, four of them -- all children -- critically.

An area about half a mile wide and up to a mile long was "demolished," Batten told reporters. Some of the bodies were found about 200 yards beyond the twister's path, he said.

"We don't have any confirmed missing, but we are keeping our options open," he said. Search and rescue personnel were combing the area. "We want to cover every inch of the property."

The first report of the twister touching down came at 6:44 a.m., he said. The National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning for the area at 6:29 a.m. CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said it appeared the tornado "was on the ground for some time."

However, Batten said, there was no time to warn residents and no sirens were activated. When the weather service warning was received, he said, "We alerted our officers."

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley told reporters earlier that as many as 13,500 homes were without power. Easley activated the state's Emergency Response Team and dispatched emergency crews to the area.

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Fred Harteis News Articles - Butter Up Your Boss by Sign

Fred Harteis News Articles - Want to gain an edge over your co-workers and get along better with the boss? Hard work may be the foundation for staying in your supervisor's good graces, but you can also figure out what your manager wants most from employees based on his or her astrological sign. Whether you're itching for a raise, working toward a promotion or you just want your chance to shine, the following advice will set you on the path for career success.

Aries (March 20 to April 19)
Aries supervisors like bold workers who display courage and get a job done quickly. Show that you aren't afraid to take the lead, try something new or make the sale no matter what. The Aries boss is great at emergency situations, but not so great at follow-through or day-to-day details. Pick up the detail work and let your actions prove your worth to your Ram supervisor. Gain bonus points by being prepared to pinch-hit for the boss and lead a meeting on short notice.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
The bottom line for the Bull boss is the bottom line. Money and finance take the lead in the Taurus supervisor's priorities, so the more you can contribute to office prosperity, the better. The Taurus boss also loves personal comforts such as a quality desk chair, cushy backrest or morning coffee and sweets. Keep flowers or green plants in the office on a regular basis to convey the serene, prosperous vibe the Taurus supervisor loves.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
To please the Twin supervisor, keep up on new trends in your field and make sure your boss is up-to-date on the latest information as well. Keep your PDA or Rolodex full of names of the right people to contact in any situation. Knowledge and mobility are the keys to Gemini's contentment, so attend networking events, have reliable transportation and be available at a moment's notice to keep the Twin boss happy.

Cancer(June 21 to July 21)
More than any other sign, the Cancer boss sees his or her workers as family. Sure, the office clan may have all the crazy workings of the Soprano family, but cozy holiday parties may make up for office dramas played out during the year. The Cancer supervisor often has trouble keeping the line clear between personal and professional matters. Gain points by listening to his or her concerns about personal issues when necessary, yet keep what you share on the professional level.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 22)
The Leo boss was born to lead, and (if you're lucky) will do so warmly, generously and creatively. Assist your Leo boss in bringing elements of fun to the office environment, like sports pools, parties or incentive programs. Since the Lion is usually better with face-to-face interaction than with computers, gain points by giving your Leo boss a hand with understanding the latest technologies. Leos like grooming new leaders, as long as they don't upstage Numero Uno.

Virgo (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)
Be punctual and work hard to score points in the Virgo supervisor's playbook. Your Virgin boss notices missing details such as blank spaces on spreadsheets or documents, so make sure to dot your i's and cross your t's on work projects. You'll be especially valued by the Virgo boss if you spot flaws before they create problems for everyone (but please, no tattling on co-workers!), and if you keep a clean, efficient and orderly workspace.



How to Butter Up Your Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius or Pisces Boss

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - U.S. believes Castro has terminal cancer

Fred Harteis News Articles - The U.S. government believes Fidel Castro's health is deteriorating and that the Cuban dictator is unlikely to live through 2007.

That dire view was reinforced last week when Cuba's foreign minister backed away from his prediction the ailing Castro would return to power by early December.

"It's a subject on which I don't want to speculate," Felipe Perez Roque told The Associated Press in Havana.

U.S. government officials say there is still some mystery about Castro's diagnosis, his treatment and how he is responding. But these officials believe the 80-year-old leader has cancer of the stomach, colon or pancreas.

He was seen weakened and thinner in official state photos released late last month, and it is considered unlikely that he will return to power or survive through the end of next year, said the U.S. government and defense officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the politically sensitive topic.

With chemotherapy, Castro may live up to 18 months, said the defense official. Without it, expected survival would drop to three months to eight months.

American officials will not talk publicly about how they glean clues to Castro's health. But U.S. spy agencies include physicians who study pictures, video, public statements and other information coming out of Cuba.

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articls - 10 Crimes of Work Fashion

Fred Harteis News Articles - Fair or not, appearance matters in the workplace. Just ask Desiree Goodwin. The Harvard assistant librarian sued the university in 2005, claiming she was rejected for jobs or passed over for promotions 16 times because her supervisors viewed her as just a "pretty girl" who "wore sexy outfits," according to media reports.

When it comes to professional perception, clothes make a difference. According to a survey by Office Team, an administrative staffing firm, 80 percent of workers say a person's work wardrobe affects his or her professional image.

This means that dressing appropriately is a must if you want to be taken seriously at work. But knowing what's acceptable attire isn't easy in today's workplace. Business-casual dress codes vary widely between companies, and even between departments. The following items, however, are almost never acceptable to wear to work:

1. The crime: Poor-fitting clothing
Too-tight clothing is never flattering and usually too revealing, but too-baggy clothes make you look sloppy and unprofessional. Pant length also matters -- if you're showing too much sock or leg, expect to be teased all day about an upcoming flood.

2. The crime: Too much perfume or cologne
You never want your co-workers or clients to smell you before they see you, and a colleague could be severely allergic to your favorite scent.

3. The crime: Shorts or too-short skirts
Showing too much leg is never a good professional move -- for women or men. Revealing a little leg makes men appear overly casual or sloppy, and makes women look more sexy than serious.
Men should stick with long pants, and women should wear shorts or skirts that hit within an inch-and-a-half of the knee.

4. The crime: Out-of-control hair
Whether it's frizzy coifs or bushy beards, wild hair just doesn't look professional.

5. The crime: Dirty, ripped or torn jeans
Even on casual Fridays, ripped jeans look too dirty and messy for the workplace.

6. The crime: Cleavage
There are very few legitimate jobs where showing off your chest is a good career move.
Cover up. Whenever possible, avoid wearing anything low-cut to the office. If you can't part with your V-neck shirts, simply buy a few camisole shirts to wear underneath them.

7. The crime: Tank tops
Showing too much skin in the office is never a good idea, and tank tops are especially inappropriate for men.

8. The crime: Noisy jewelry
An armload of bangles or long, dangling earrings are perfect choices for a bar, but downright distracting in the office.

9. The crime: Gym attire
Even in the most casual workplaces, yoga pants, shorts, T-shirts and running shoes make you look sloppy and apathetic.

At the very least, wear nice jeans and professional-looking shoes. If you're going to the gym or catching a flight after work, change into your comfortable clothes in the bathroom on the way out.

10. The crime: Extremely high heels
Extremely high heels are too sexy for the workplace -- not to mention impractical. Few things would be more embarrassing than wobbling or tripping over your extreme footwear in front of the boss.

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About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Bush replaces Rumsfeld to get 'fresh perspective'

Fred Harteis - President Bush introduced Robert Gates on Wednesday afternoon as his nominee to replace Donald Rumsfeld as secretary of defense, saying the country needs a "fresh perspective" on Iraq.

Gates, a former CIA chief, was a member of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel that is making recommendations to Bush on how to proceed in Iraq.

Gates traveled with the panel to Iraq earlier this year, an experience, Bush said, that will enable Gates to come up with "new ideas on how America can achieve our goals in Iraq."

Gates, 63, said Wednesday he accepted the nomination because "the United States is at war" and the president called.

"I believe the outcome of these conflicts will shape our world for decades to come," Gates said.

Bush announced Rumsfeld's departure earlier Wednesday.

"The timing is right for new leadership at the Pentagon," Bush said in announcing the resignation.

Bush said Rumsfeld "understands that Iraq is not working well enough, fast enough."

Rumsfeld has been heavily criticized for his policies in Iraq, and exit polls taken during Tuesday's midterm election, seen by some as a referendum on Bush and his administration, showed strong voter dissatisfaction -- 57 percent -- with the Iraq war.

"I recognize that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made" in Iraq, Bush said.

Gates headed the CIA from 1991 until 1993, part of 40 years of public service that Bush said prepares him well for the challenges he'll face at the Pentagon.

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Fred Harteis News Articles - Parties look to get out the vote in campaign's final day

Fred Harteis News Articles- On the eve of midterm elections, Democrats criticized Republicans as stewards of a stale status quo while President Bush declared, "we're closing strong" in a final drive to preserve GOP control of Congress.

"They can't run anything right," countered former President Clinton, taunting Republicans about the war in Iraq, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and even the scandal involving the House page program that complicated GOP efforts to win two more years in power.

Bush campaigned on Monday from Florida to Arkansas and Texas. But the day brought one more reminder of his poor standing in the polls when Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist skipped the presidential rally in Pensacola, Florida, to make a speech of his own hundreds of miles away.

Bush made no mention of the evident snub in public, but not so his aides. "Let's see how many people show up in Palm Beach on 24 hours notice, versus 8,000 or 9,000 people" expected for the president's speech, said Karl Rove, the White House's top political strategist.

Some late polls suggested momentum was swinging the Republicans' way, and Ken Mehlman, the party chairman, told allies the surveys summoned memories of 1998, when the GOP lost seats but held power.

Democrats steadfastly refused to say so in public, but some Republicans signaled privately they expected to lose more than 15 seats, and control of the House with them.
Among GOP-held open seats, those in Arizona, Colorado, New York, Ohio and Iowa seemed likeliest to fall.

In particularly difficult re-election struggles were Republican Reps. John Hostettler, Chris Chocola and Mike Sodrel of Indiana; Charles Taylor of North Carolina; Curt Weldon, Don Sherwood and Melissa Hart of Pennsylvania; and Charles Bass of New Hampshire.

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Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - 10 Top-Secret Jobs

Fred Harteis News Articles - Can you keep a secret? They can. "They" are some of today's top-secret employees. Whether they're tracking down terrorists, holding back hackers, protecting politicians or withholding this year's Oscar winners, these folks have all perfected the art of keeping information under wraps.

So if you're hot on the trail of a new career and looking to add a little excitement to your life, here are a few of today's top-secret jobs to get you started on your mission:

1. FBI Special Agent
What they do: Work includes law enforcement responsibilities and examining operators suspected of violating federal law, such as national/transnational serial killers, terrorists and kidnappers.

What you need: Citizenship, a valid driver's license, and to be at least 23 years of age, but younger than 37 upon your appointment as an agent. A four-year degree is required and must be received from a school accredited by the United States Secretary of Education. Extreme flexibility for relocation is needed, as well as qualification for one of the five entry programs. Additional requirements may also include critical skills, physical abilities and background check.

2. CIA Operations Officer
What they do: They research and scout global information and determine its influence and relation to the United States in order to alert its policy makers. They also make criminal convictions.

What you need: You must be at least 18 years old, Citizenship for both you and your spouse, and have an undergraduate, or preferably, an advanced degree that relates to the work, and a strong interest in international affairs. Officers must also successfully complete a medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview and an extensive background investigation. Fluency in foreign language and additional requirements may be needed.

3. Secret Service Special Agent
What they do: Originally, agents were assigned to examine counterfeit currency, but today they protect political figures and safeguard the financial system. Work includes investigating matters of forgery, theft and identity fraud as well as making arrests.

What you need: Citizenship is required and to be between 21 and 37 years old at the time of appointment. Agents must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, three years of work experience in the criminal investigation or law enforcement fields that related to criminal violations or have an equivalent combination of education and related experience. You also need to pass an extensive background investigation and have extreme flexibility on relocating. Additional requirements may be needed.

4. Nuclear Engineer
What they do: They work with either utilities companies, the research and testing units of engineering and defense companies, or with the Federal Government. Most conduct in-depth research, from how to improve the performance of a nuclear power plant to the development of medical technologies.

What you need: A B.S. in nuclear engineering, business or a related technical field. Knowledge of the industry standards, regulations and equipment are vital.

5. Detective
What they do: Detectives survey and investigate matters of crime such as robbery, homicide or narcotics as part of a police force or as a private investigator. Work includes record and forensic evidence investigation and testifying in court.

What you need: While there is no formal education requirement for private detective work, most have college degrees and related experience. Entering this field directly after graduation requires a two- or four-year degree in police science or criminal justice. Licensing, exams and additional requirements vary based on job type and state regulations.

6. National Security Agency Language Analyst
What they do: They analyze foreign language intelligence content and organize it according to context. Language analysts may also provide understanding of the culture surrounding the languages they study.

What you need: Essential is a professional proficiency in a language or multiple languages. Currently, the agency is focusing on the recruitment of linguistics experts familiar with Asian or Middle Eastern languages.

7. Psychiatrist
What they do: Determine, assist and treat the mental statuses of their patients. They may do this through means of psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and/or through prescribing medications, but they must keep a stern vow of doctor-patient confidentiality.

What you need: Required are four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, and residency for four more years. Under residency, at least four post-graduate months of pediatrics or internal medicine and two months of neurology must be completed. After training, psychiatrists must complete written and oral board examinations.

8. Biometric Technology Developer
What they do: They require research, devise and test security software and hardware that uses physical or behavorial characterstics -- such as scans for face recognition, fingerprints or voice recognition -- to verify identity, generally for security access. Their findings and advancements have upgraded the way many casinos, banks, hotels and other areas operate their security.

What you need: A B.S. in computer science or a related field, and graduate degrees are preferred. Developers must have experience in biometrics and related areas and an understanding of the most current applications. Certification is also required at different levels and the U.S. government may have additional regulations and requirements for federal research employment.

9. Cryptanalyst
What they do: They design, decipher and analyze ciphers, or coding systems. This work is done to protect secret information for law enforcement, military, or political personnel, as well as to provide privacy for people and businesses.

What you need: A strong talent in understanding mathematics, economics and computer science is essential. While a degree is not required, most have at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics or computer science, and often have a graduate degree in mathematics.

10. Awards-Show Auditor
What they do: Auditors tabulate the votes conducted by a secret ballot and withhold the results so that the envelopes may be opened onstage and televised by live programming. This work is done in addition to the auditor job duties that include organizing and verifying company and personal finance information and public records.

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.