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The 2008 financial crisis was the single worst economic crisis in recent memory. There were a variety of interrelated factors that led to its development, but most people identify the first domino as deregulation in the financial industry that led to higher availability of subprime mortgages.

Put simply, banks were issuing mortgages at ridiculously low rates to subprime borrowers (those with limited or poor credit) to engage in hedge fund trading of derivatives (a newly available strategy, thanks to said deregulation). When Fed interest rates rose at a time when subprime interest rates were starting to reset, there was a cascade of homeowners who could no longer afford to keep their homes. Banks, simultaneously, suffered and stopped lending to each other, and the combination of financial industry and consumer economic woes caused global markets to spiral out of control. (more…)

College is one of those pinnacle experiences that you wait for your entire life. It gives you the chance for a fresh start, the freedom of independence, and paves the way for a new future. But with so many new challenges staring you down, it’s natural to have some level of anxiety.

6 Tips for Acing the First Semester

The summer before college may feel slow and drawn out, but once you arrive on campus for move-in day, reality starts to set in. When your parents drive away, you’ll be left in a new city, with a new room, and new friends. But instead of letting all of this change scare you, heed the following advice for acing your first semester. (more…)

Applying your makeup like a professional is not difficult once you have the right tips. The key is knowing what the professionals use and the techniques that they employ to ensure that the makeup they apply looks virtually flawless.

Find an Awesome Primer

A primer gets your skin ready for makeup application. There are dozens of options, so look for one that matches your skin tone. For example, a hydrating primer for dry skin or a matte primer for oily skin. Apply the primer evenly and gently push it into your skin. Allow it to set before starting your foundation and concealer routine. (more…)

Live auto dealer chat is not just the latest tool every dealer should have in their marketing arsenal, it’s also one of the most effective ways to optimize your website, generate more organic leads online, and build better customer relations. Live auto dealer chat works best when it’s fully managed, but still gives your sales team a chance to monitor and even intervene, so that they can provide their expertise and sales tactics when they have the time to jump in.

Another great way to utilize live auto dealer chat technology is with something called a behavioral intelligence system. A behavioral intelligence system identifies a unique IP address (that’s the location of a web visitor), tracks their user behavior (i.e., how they travel through your website and how long they stay on each page), and finally, trigger events (like an invitation to chat). (more…)

When you need a new employee, do you toss up a quick post on Craigslist by copying and pasting a job description you found on an official job website? Do you relist a former ad for the position? Furthermore, how much involvement do you have in your new hire process from start to finish?

Unless you have a proven training program in place like most major corporations, you should be completely involved in hiring and onboarding your new staff members, starting with the ads you create. (more…)