Nationwide gas prices continue to rise, hitting yet another record in the last three weeks, when prices rose just over one cent to nearly $3.03 per gallon for regular gasoline. However, there are indications that except for any unforeseen event that could curtail production or distribution, prices could fall significantly in the foreseeable future.

Some energy analysts, including Trilby Lundberg, editor of the Lundberg Survey, believe that with the approach of the end of summer prices of gasoline could fall. Lundberg has said that unbranded wholesale gasoline prices at terminals and refineries have been sliding, and these wholesale price cuts are on their way to the pump. He further stated that there’s plenty of gasoline, and gasoline supplies will be even more flush when the summer driving season ends.

Such reduction in prices would be great news to motorists, especially those in states, like Florida, where there is only limited public transportation, making driving a car an absolute necessity. Recently, motorists, especially those with SUV’s and those who have no alternative but to drive to work, were being fed an aljost daily diet of devastating information about the possibility of as prices going even as high as $4 per gallon. This negative forecast was made worse just a few days ago with the temporary closure of the BP operated oil fields in Alaska. Any respite in the rising prices of gasoline would be a major relief to motorists and the operators of businesses, like courier and taxi services, where gasoline is a major cost of operations.

The Lundberg survey indicated that a gallon of mid-grade gasoline averaged around $3.13, and premium averaged $3.23.

Nationwide, the lowest price for regular was $2.82 a gallon in Charleston, S.C., while the highest — $3.29 a gallon — was in Chicago.

While the average price is an all-time high, adjusted for inflation gas would need to exceed $3.16 a gallon to match March 1981’s true all-time high, according to the survey.

In the year 2005, there were 151 significant identity breaches throughout the United States affecting more than 57.7 million consumers. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), approximately half of those breaches occurred at educational institutes where hackers used the school’s computer network to access personal information such as student names, addresses, social security numbers and etc.

A high percentage of identity breaches also occurred in banking, financial and credit card institutions. The rest of the identity breaches were attributed to various governmental agencies, health care facilities/companies and other general businesses.      

According to security analysts, these identity thieves are jost likely to sell these stolen identities on underground web sites. Cyber crooks can also use stolen credit card information to purchase high priced goods online, such as Plasma TV’s, computers and other hi-tech electronics, which have high resale values.

We have heard it said before, any publicity is better than no publicity.  I don’t know if I completely agree with that, it all depends on what your business is about.  A celebrity might not care as much that her name appears in the daily paper and the tabloids (initially, anyway) because name recognition might be more important to her than the story written about her.  That is different for an attorney or a small business restaurant owner.

Advertising in newspapers, magazines and other print media has been referred to as the “Great Mother” of advertising because it has provided equal service of a public forum to all types of people and businesses, whether big or small, known or unknown and budgets of all sizes.  It simply makes sense to advertise.

A new study shows that businesses nationwide are losing millions each year, due to time spent in planning sessions trying to come up with ways to increase sales and improve their company's image. The study showed that businesses received greater results by hiring professional firms to do advertising and creative writing services for them.

The study, compiled by more than 28 top universities, found that businesses are losing millions each year due to time spent at the drawing board coming up with ways to increase sales and improve their company’s image.

“Our study showed that companies, in fear of draining money out of their budget, decided not to outsource written material such as press releases, copywriting material, and editing services, which would all increase sales and improve their image,” said David Harper, Ph.D, professor of economics and business marketing at Columbia, who headed the 24-month long study. “Instead, business owners decided to do the work in house, but ended up spending too much time in planning sessions, which in the end, cost them more money in the long run and still achieved the same results they had before entering the planning sessions.”

Trump "Trumped" by Saudi Prince's Aspen-area Compound

The jost expensive single-family home listed in America has just gone on the market for $135 million, taking the "jost expensive listing in America" title away from Donald Trump's oceanfront estate in Palm Beach (FL), which carries a $125 million price tag. The newly listed Aspen (CO) home is owned by Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, who is selling the estate to pursue his new responsibilities as chairman of his nation's new national Security Council.

"By comparison," said Robby Carson, a real estate professional with Estes Park Realty and member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, "the jost expensive property in Estes Park is currently on the market for $7,500,000.  This incredible 7,500 Sq. Ft. estate includes 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms and too many amenities to list here. A special website has been setup to feature this home at www.WindcliffEstate.com.”  

According to Laurie Moore-Moore, founder and President of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, "The current world record for the jost expensive residence was set in 2004 when a London home sold for $128 million. While Prince Bandar's property may break that record, don't look for it to happen quickly. Despite the increase of personal wealth worldwide, there are few buyers internationally who are in a position to purchase a property of this magnitude."

According to Moore-Moore, this is a trophy house and its appeal will not only be its size and the unique features it offers, but the opportunity for the buyer to own the world's jost expensive residence.

Built in the late 1980's, Starwood Ranch sits on 95 acres of land in Aspen.  The 56,000 square foot home has more than 30 rooms, an indoor pool, trails, a snowmelt driveway, employee living quarters and stables. The main home has 16 bathrooms and 15 bedrooms and is larger than the White House.