GeekSugar

What to Know About the Extended Homebuyers Tax Credit

SavvySugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:09 -0800

Stimulating the economy is the motivation behind many discussions and decisions coming from the White House these days. The original $8,000 first-time homebuyers credit was developed with economic improvement in mind, and the measure's popularity led to President Obama signing an extension and expansion of the credit on Friday.

The tax credit was scheduled to expire on Dec. 1, but the new version comes with a later date and widens the range of those eligible to claim the credit. Learn more about the new tax credit when you read more.

Homebuyers must sign a contract before April 30 and close on the home by June 30.
The previous credit was limited to first-time buyers or buyers who haven't owned a home in the past three years. The new version has been expanded to include those who have owned a home for five out of the past eight years and want to buy a new one.
First-time homebuyers are still eligible to receive the $8,000, while existing homeowners can qualify for a $6,500 tax credit.
The income limits have been significantly raised. With the previous credit, single people making more than $75,000 or couples earning more than $150,000 didn't qualify for the full credit. Under the new version, single buyers can earn up to $125,000 while a married couple can earn $225,000 and still get the full credit.

Are you hoping to take advantage of the extended homebuyers tax credit?

What Change Would You Still Like to See in the US?

TresSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Whether you make it to the polls or not, today is election day and marks one year since Americans elected Barack Obama as president. If you're curious how Obama managed to win, you can watch the documentary By the People: The Election of Barack Obama airing tonight on HBO. The film includes behind-the-scenes campaign footage and interviews with staff, volunteers, supporters, and opponents.

During the campaign, we heard a lot from Obama about "change." Among his accomplishments so far? There's the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the protection of wilderness through setting aside federal land, legislation that allows the federal government to regulate tobacco, and a new defense bill that cuts pricey weapons programs. Still, supporters are waiting for some big-ticket change items, like the closing of Guantanamo, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and real healthcare reform.

What change would you like to see?

Obama Shows You What the Weather Is Doing in Your City

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:15:53 -0800

In San Francisco, the weather can be hmm . . . how do I say . . . so up and down that I really do depend on my daily cell phone weather forecast deliveries to know what the heck I should wear each day! I like Umbrella Today because it texts me whenever I need to take an umbrella to work with me, but I also like Sleeves, since it says if I need to wear a long-sleeved shirt, a t-shirt, or if I can go sleeveless!

Well I think I've found one that tops em' all. With Obama Weather, you just enter your zip, and there's our cute President Barack Obama showing you a full weather forecast, and the most appropriate attire to wear each day! I'm loving it!

US Lifts HIV/AIDS Travel Ban

TresSugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00:00 -0700

For the last 22 years, foreign citizens living with HIV or AIDS have been forbidden to legally enter the US. As of Monday, that ban will be a thing of the past. On Friday, President Obama announced the decision to overturn the policy he called "rooted in fear rather than fact." He said:

"We talk about reducing the stigma of this disease - yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic - yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country. If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it."

Before this decision, the US joined a less-than-impressive list of countries that banned HIV-positive outsiders. The list still includes: Armenia, Colombia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sudan, and Yemen. Considering there are already Americans living with HIV/AIDS, it served little purpose to "quarantine" the country. I'm happy to see that our HIV/AIDS prevention strategies will no longer include an ineffective and discriminatory ban.

What Type of Green Technology Is This?

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:18 -0700

Today, President Obama toured a facility in Arcadia, FL, that specializes in a green technology. Can you tell me what type of technology it is? (Hint: Just look at the photo.)

Obama's Foursome Finally Includes a Woman

TresSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:10:00 -0700

The 44th president has played 24 rounds of golf (who's counting?) since he came to office. How many women have been invited along with the golfer in chief? One. This weekend, President Obama's chief domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes became the first woman to play golf with the president.

Last week, Obama sounded pretty enlightened about modern gender roles. He said that after he had kids, he realized that Michelle should not be solely responsible for running the house just because she's a woman. But it seems that Obama has been having a hard time translating these enlightened ideas to sports, as he typically plays basketball and golf with men only.

Hanging out socially with the boss is always good for career advancement, and it's a bit disappointing that the president was perpetuating the idea that these traditionally all-male activities are still for for members of the "boys club." Hopefully any of the sporty women on staff will now feel welcome to play in these very visible games.

Have you ever felt excluded from activities (social or work-related) because you're a woman?

First Couple Had to Negotiate Their Roles in Marriage

TresSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Last night, President Obama spoke to NBC about how he and Michelle had a discussion about gender roles and marriage once they had kids. He explained:

"Michelle was trying to figure out, OK, if the kids get sick why is it that she's the one who has to take time off of her job to go pick them up from school, as opposed to me? What I tried to do was to learn to be thoughtful enough and introspective enough that I wasn't always having to be told that things were unfair."

Based on the Obamas's visibly happy marriage, and the new study that suggests splitting housework leads to a better sex life, it seems that sharing responsibilities for the family and house can only be a win-win for spouses. Still, the president admits that because she's a woman, Michelle still had to make sacrifices he didn't have to. Have you ever spoken to your partner about expectations based on gender roles?

To see video of the president talking about his relationship with Michelle, read more.

Love It or Hate It? Excessive Plants on a Mantel

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:36 -0700

Today, President Barack Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in the Oval Office of the White House. While I'm not a fan of gold frames in general (even when they're housing a lovely portrait of a founding father), I'm not sure what i think of the all-over ivy on the mantel behind the president and the prime minister. Would you ever coat a mantel with this much ivy?

The Top 20 Celebrity Twilight Fans!

PopSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:44:16 -0700

Teens aren't the only Twi-hards eagerly awaiting the release of New Moon on Nov. 20. Tons of celebrities have admitted they're die-hard fans of the Stephenie Meyer series, and here's our top 20! From Jimmy Fallon's "Rob is Bothered" to Lucas Grabeel's "I Kissed A Vampire," there are plenty of spoofs to go around, but there are some serious fans in the celebrity set. The premiere date can't come soon enough for us, and it seems like the Twilight fever has overtaken Hollywood as well - check it all out now!

View Slideshow ›

Friday Feel Good: Epic Political Sing-Along

TresSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

No matter where you fall on healthcare reform, or Obama, or the UN, this musical combines presidents and prime ministers singing in perfect harmony, thanks to Auto-Tune. It's like church revival hour, but on Friday. Happy Friday!