This could get addicting

So I found this cool site the other day. It is called KIVA. It allows everyday people to loan money to burgeoning businesses in 3rd world countries. It is so cool. You can read a story about the person, their business, and see the record of the sponsoring agency in repaying the loans. And all you have to contribute is $25. In fact, that is their current limit on individual (although you can go over by just increasing the amount on the pay screen). Then, over a pre-set amount of time the loan is repaid, and you get your money back. You can invest in someone else, or take you money out. The overall default rate for KIVA loans is .17%!! The average loan time is just over 10 months. So while you won't get any interest on your loan -- you will get the good feeling you get when you donate money to a charity -- but chances are you will also get your original investment back again! How cool is that??? I highly recommend you check it out!

Support a Soldier

So, I don't know anyone who is over in Iraq right now. I know a few who have gone, but nobody there right now. While I have never supported this war, I of course, support our troops. But it is hard to know what to do (other then call for their immediate safe return) for the ones over there. Well, I found a great website that lets you do something. Its called "Any Soldier". Its a great site that lets soldiers post what they want (everything from magazines, to cookies, to phone cards, to underwear, to movies, to books, etc.) and when you register they will email you their address.

Duffy and I baked a few batches of cookies, and threw in some magazines, and some snack foods. Going out to a unit from DC today.

Easy and makes me feel like I am doing something...