Business

EPayroll: Online Payroll Services

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EPayroll online payroll services are sure to have advantages from the complicated handling of 401k and tax returns to the mere provision of a direct deposit service. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the attributes that will allow you to select an online payroll service that is right for your business.

Direct deposit is one of the most common features on the epayroll network. Instead of your business needing to create and deliver regular checks, direct deposit allows worker payroll to be easily transferred to your checking account. If this is really the only feature you are looking for, it may not be necessary to pay money for a web payroll service. You should be able to make direct deposits through your bank or ACH service.

Tax filing is a great feature of various ePayroll services. With this function they will manage the filling of payroll taxes. It generally applies to all payroll taxes. If you want this attribute, you will want to use a signature that ensures the accuracy of tax returns and takes legal responsibility in the event of a wrong tax return.

W-2 services mean that you no longer need to assemble W-2s for your staff each year. With this feature, your online payroll service does them for you. Additionally, the epayroll service saves the W-2 forms so your workers can go to the payroll merchant to modify their tax withholding at any time instead of hassling you or your human resources staff.

1099 contractors could be a headache to pay and keeping up with 1099s can be a frustration when using independent contractors. Several epayroll services handle this on your behalf in addition to compensating your regular W-2 workforce.

The payroll service often handles the documentation of new hires. This usually means that you don’t have to bother filling out the proper documents every time you hire someone. The epayroll online service can take care of completing the correct documentation and sending it to the appropriate agencies.

Verifying new hires is a problem, especially with growing concern about illegal immigration and illegal employees. If desired, some epayroll providers can perform record checks and check worker status for new hires.

Online payroll providers keep track of vacation and sick days records. Many times your workers can check a web-based portal to find out how many days they still have.

Nontax payroll deductions can be significantly difficult to maintain. This ranges from 401k benefits to child support compensation to court-enforced judgments. Many online payroll providers can handle this for you, and again, your employees can often deal directly with the payroll provider regarding deduction-related issues.

Accounting integration is an important element. The most typical accounting application is QuickBooks, and several online payroll providers integrate with QuickBooks. Some also integrate with other accounting applications.

Relationship

5 smart ideas for children’s entertainment

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With the last days of school right behind us, many of us are now faced with the prospect of being home with our children, all day. In theory this sounds great, however you know that if they don’t stay entertained they will start to constantly annoy you! If this is your fear, here are five clever kids’ entertainment ideas that will keep your kids busy and entertained all summer long.

1. Sidewalk masterpiece

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to entertain children consists of a bucket of chalk and a small section of sidewalk or driveway for them to create their masterpiece. Sidewalk chalk, often purchased cheaply, can provide hours of entertainment as you create your own scenes and paintings. Consider looking up some of the amazing sidewalk chalk artists online or on YouTube for inspiration!

2. The library

Get your kids out of the house and get them to do something educational that will help them start the next school year off on the right foot. Grab your library card and head to your local library this summer for days of kid-friendly entertainment. Most libraries offer summer reading programs, whereby your children can earn prizes and recognition the more books they read. Not only does this keep your home from the mini tornadoes that your kids are, it also makes them do something educational.

3. Water day

It is not necessary to have a swimming pool to tire your children playing in the water. One of the easiest ways to entertain children for literally hours is to connect your garden hose to a sprinkler and place it in the garden. Kids will jump back and forth over the sprinkler, glide across the lawn, and maybe even make some mud pies, but more importantly, they will lose their hair and probably wear out. You can sit in the shade with a cold drink while you supervise!

4. Strong

Inherent in the nature of every child is the desire to build forts out of virtually anything they can find. From pulling a sheet through a rope tied between two doorknobs to stacking sofa cushions and hiding inside them, kids love strong ones. Whether you use the aforementioned materials, cardboard, or go so far as to build a complete tree house, your kids will want to spend hours playing and entertaining themselves in their own space.

5. Live historical entertainment

Another educational way that you can entertain your children is to find historically accurate forms of live entertainment that they can participate in. Your kids will delight in painting their faces at the nearby Renaissance fair, munching on historic dishes with their hands, and maybe even watching some knights in shining armor as they jostle on the tournament grounds.

Gaming

The new Razer Mamba wireless gaming mouse: pros and cons

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The emergence of the wireless gaming mouse has made gamers wonder which type of mouse is best suited for gaming, wired or wireless? The advantages offered by the new wireless gaming mouse technology as evidenced by the Razer Mamba are many.

Mamba is the ultimate solution for comfortable, versatile and fast games. It has all the fast-action capabilities that top gamers seek, plus more features to ensure a satisfying gaming experience.

  1. With its 1000hz refresh rate, the Mamba Wireless Gaming Mouse can take hundreds of image frames per second. This works toward a considerable refinement of performance.
  2. The Mamba incorporates the ability for the user to adjust the display’s dots per inch (DPI) resolution from 400 DPI to 5600 DPI for the best image processing and accuracy to date. This gives the player excellent localization capabilities.
  3. Mamba wireless mouse uses 2.4 Ghz speed. It can detect and ignore noise in graphics and effectively removes image interference. The response rate is very fast and it has the same performance as wired gaming mice.
  4. Its rapid acceleration allows the player to move the mouse at a fast speed without losing coordination with the mouse cursor, which is never lagged or lost on the screen. This disorientation of the mouse avoids critical and fast moments in the game.
  5. With Mamba, the gamer has access to wired and wireless mouse technology. The user can choose to connect the mouse with the cable to recharge it.

Mamba Wireless Gaming Mouse version 1.02 exhibited some power storage issues. Battery effectiveness for normal use stopped after about 3 hours, 4 hours less than the 7 claimed by Razer. However, version 1.03 of the Mamba wireless gaming mouse seems to have solved the power issue. The Mamba will need its own driver installed.

This wireless gaming mouse is the fastest performing mouse on the market today. It’s free from many of the shortcomings that plague wired and wireless gaming mice. In addition to troubleshooting, it has added a few more features, such as the ability to adjust the DPI up to 5,600, which is a high value milestone for dots per inch.

The Mamba Wireless Gaming Mouse will actually simulate an increase in your Avatar’s stats and weapon power due to its high acceleration and extreme sensitivity of the main mouse buttons. Your mouse will never miss a single click.

One versatile feature that the Mamba doesn’t have and Microsoft’s Sidewinder Wireless Mouse is the ability to respond on any surface. This is an area in which the technology that was incorporated into the Mamba does not reach the Microsoft technology.

But overall, Mamba will remain one of the best choices you can make for your razor mouse.

Health Fitness

Do high-level judo players do weight training regularly?

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As an international Judo player, I have spent a lot of time in Japan training and it always amazes me when people say that the Japanese practice Judo every day and that they don’t need to do any kind of weights.

I always respond by saying, “Haven’t you seen the pictures of Ishii and Nomura without their jerseys? What about multiple world champions Ilias Iliadis and Teddy Riner?”

I don’t want to sound like a stalker, but if you’ve seen photos of them shirtless, you may have noticed that you don’t get muscles like that just from doing Judo.

High-level judo players clearly do weights (and watch their diet), but note that they are built like judo players, not bodybuilders.

All these Judo players understand that strength alone is not going to win them in Judo matches, and it is not just technique either.

With both judo technique and a judo gym program, you will be on your way to becoming a stronger judo player.

You need a strength training regimen that suits you and your lifestyle. If you practice Judo 3 nights a week, then you should go through a strength training regimen two to three times a week, although if you practice Judo only once a week, you may want a split program and be in the gym for two. to four days a week. It is important to find a strength training manual that includes a variety of gym programs including upper and lower body splits, full body programs, and even 30 minute express strength programs so you can choose the routine you want. suits you and your schedule. .

For example, due to the fact that I have been doing a lot of college work, I am currently doing Judo only 3 days a week. Therefore, I have been following a basic whole body program that includes:

– Front squats

– Dead weight

– Weighted Chin ups and Dips

– Javelin Press

With this routine, the front squats are great for the core, as well as building lower body strength and stability (great for Seoi nage players), while the javelin press is a great exercise. for the core that integrates upper body strength at the same time.

Weighted dips are great for really hitting your upper body, while the deadlift is one of the best exercises you can do to develop your back and grip strength simultaneously.

All of these physical aspects are important to judo players of all ages and skill levels.

I just do this workout two to three times a week for six weeks before resting for a week. After my week-long break, I will continue with another full-body strength routine that includes slightly different exercises that will benefit my Judo game.

Legal Law

Hope on the horizon for immigration reform in 2013?

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Is there real hope on the horizon for the roughly 12 million immigrants residing illegally in the United States? According to a bipartisan group of senators dubbed the Gang of Eight, immigration reform may be on the horizon in 2013. Many people have resisted the temptation to become overly optimistic, mainly because the immigration reform initiative sounds eerily familiar to the same offer as it was released in 2005, 2009, and again in 2010, which was eventually phased out without a real resolution. However, several factors indicate that this year will be different. Political will in the form of radical demographic changes in the US and an exponential increase in the Hispanic population, along with 1/3 of the legislators in the House and Senate who are new to their positions, will likely become the lever of change needed to address our nation’s immigration policies.

Republican John McCain, a staunch and vocal opponent of President Obama’s stance on immigration reform, said on ABC’s “This Week” that the group still had a lot of work ahead of it, but was pleased with progress. ” McCain further stated that a change was needed, because “we cannot go on forever with 11 million people living in this shadow country in an illegal state. We cannot have forever children who were born here, who were brought here by their parents when they were little, to also live in the shadows. “

So why should this new plan be any different? According to the plan offered by Gang of Eight, which includes key decision makers Michael Bennet of Colorado, as well as Republicans Marco Rubio of Florida, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jeff Flake of Arizona, the plan contains enough compromise in both. sides of the hall to make a real remodel a possibility. Legislators are aware that times have changed and immigration problems now have dire consequences.

The plan contains four basic ideas that would lead to a systematic transformation of immigration policies. First, the new plan would streamline the current immigration system and create a “tough, fair, and practical roadmap” toward citizenship for illegal immigrants. Second, it would reward advanced graduates of American universities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. The plan would also create a way for employers to check the status of potential employees and impose sanctions on companies that fail to comply, and ultimately the new plan would allow employers to hire low-wage, undocumented blue-collar workers when there are no Americans who they will accept the job.

However, the plan is not without opposition. “In the race to overcome Obama’s amnesty, the Gang of Eight today repeated the failed amnesty plan of six years ago,” said Rosemary Jenks, director of government affairs for Numbers USA, an advocacy group that fights at higher levels. low immigration, calling the plan little more than “Amnesty 2.0”. Additionally, Republican Lamar Smith of Texas expressed an opinion likely shared by other conservatives when he said, “When you legalize those in the country illegally, it costs taxpayers millions of dollars, it costs American workers thousands of dollars. jobs and encourage more illegal immigration, “Smith said,” by granting amnesty, the Senate proposal actually compounds the problem by encouraging more illegal immigration. “

Senator McCain summed up why the current plan will succeed where others have failed with one word, “Elections.” “The Republican Party is losing the support of our Hispanic citizens … This is a preeminent issue for those citizens.” As long as both parties remember that Hispanic voters have a tremendous impact on the success or failure of an election, there is real reason to be optimistic about the success of the 2013 immigration reform.

Lifestyle Fashion

Altadena, CA is a booming city

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In close proximity to the successful city of Pasadena, Altadena is earning well-deserved respect that is reflected in the value of its homes.

With the region northeast of downtown Los Angeles the westernmost area of ​​what is called the San Gabriel Valley, entire neighborhoods and cities are on the rise. Nowhere is this clearer today than in Altadena, CA. Homes in Altadena are being restored to their original shine and Altadena real estate is through the roof when it comes to home values.

A friend of mine owned one of those 1920s storybook Mediterranean style houses with a red tile roof in Altadena. It was perched high on a ridge and nestled among mature trees. Rainbow-colored bougainvillea vines spilled from the rooftop. Sitting in the breakfast nook, one could marvel at the San Gabriel mountain range from its French windows. The house had plaster walls that met the ceiling in a curve. The floors were built with large wooden planks, giving the place a kind of Greek island art studio feel. An idyllic setting for those looking to get away from it all, the Altadena neighborhood sits just north of its older sister, Pasadena.

Just being close to beautiful Pasadena, of Rose Parade fame, has never been enough to create the real estate buzz Altadena has craved so far. After all, homes for sale in Pasadena have always been in high demand and the Pasadena real estate market is always booming. Now it’s Altadena’s turn and home sellers are giddy while home buyers grind their teeth from waiting too long to enter the Altadena real estate market.

John and Fred Woodbury launched the first subdivision, naming it Altadena in 1887. Recognizing the breathtaking scenic beauty of the hills below the Angeles Crest range, millionaires from the east erected the first mansions along Mariposa Street. This became known as the millionaires’ rank. Now fast forward to the era of civil rights, a generation later. When public schools were desegregated, a phenomenon known as “White Flight” occurred at this once desirable location. Caucasians withdrew and headed west, and the African-American population doubled in size overnight. Sadly, properties deteriorated and the area became a much less attractive neighborhood than it is today.

Thirty years later, the gentrification of Northeast Los Angeles began to take shape. Dilapidated and abandoned houses were bought cheaply and renovated, then overturned. Northeast Los Angeles became a prime target for real estate investors and modest middle-income buyers looking for their first home.

Before long, the community was thriving once again and the curb appeal of these older neighborhoods improved. The ongoing restoration movement in Altadena, which began in the 1990s, has helped increase property values. As things get fixed and the area becomes more attractive and expensive, the buyer naturally becomes more demanding and sophisticated. Like it or not, good or bad, the rich get richer, and those of lower socioeconomic status are often expelled. Some call it gentrification. Some call it progress. Once considered a common working-class neighborhood, Altadena now has a private country club with tennis courts and swimming pools. A striking contrast to what was “the other side of the tracks” during the 1980s.

For foodies with a sweet tooth and authentic Italian ice cream, drive down East Altadena Drive and find Leo Bulgarini ice cream parlor. The former Rome-born sommelier chose this trendy spot to open his gourmet ice cream parlor and that says it all. The new generation of “Hipsteropolis” bars is also coming to this side of town. If you have a good palette and crave a good French wine, Altadena Ale and Wine House is just around the corner. These specialty stores cater to the elite, which, of course, is a good sign that the Altadena community is definitely on the rise.

You can still find a single family home in this glorious horse country for less than half a million. In California’s booming real estate market, that’s unheard of. It won’t be long before the middle class loses price, so it’s time for home buyers to make their move. Start by hiring a real estate agent who specializes in the area and has been successful in helping Altadena buyers and sellers alike.

Pets

5 Guidelines for Buying a Siberian Husky Puppy

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There are many potential dangers when it comes to purchasing a Siberian husky puppy. The following 5 guidelines will ensure that you buy a quality puppy that will give you a life full of happiness and love for dogs!

1. Purchase from an ethical Siberian husky breeder

Unfortunately, the dog farming industry is rife with irresponsible and unethical practices. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 4,000 “puppy mill” operations that herd thousands of breeding dogs in small cages throughout their lives, solely for the purpose of raising puppies.

Due to their poor breeding practices, these puppy mills often produce puppies that have all kinds of inherited diseases and temperament issues. The general rule of thumb is NOT to buy your puppy from pet stores or unverified classified advertising. One estimate suggests that 90% of puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mill operations, while the “home delivered” puppies advertised in classified ads are often from the same unethical breeders.

Be sure to purchase your Siberian Husky from a responsible and ethical breeder, especially those who have a specific breeding program with championship dogs.

2. Make sure the puppy comes with a health guarantee

Always make sure you get a health guarantee when buying your puppy. Such a guarantee will ensure that your new Siberian Husky is in good condition and free from inherited diseases. You will find that puppies that come with a health guarantee and / or medical clearances are more expensive, but can potentially save you from a lot of headaches. If you DO NOT buy your puppy with a health guarantee, your puppy may end up costing you $ 1000 in unjustified veterinary bills. Many unwanted dogs ended up in dog pounds simply because owners couldn’t afford those costs.

There are numerous health clearances that your new puppy must come with. These include a hip dysplasia removal from the OFA and an eye health clearance from the CERF. These authorizations are in no way a guarantee that your dog is free from all inherited diseases, but will give you the best chance of purchasing a healthy dog.

3. Verify the pedigree of the breeding animals.

Make sure you understand what pedigree of dogs were used to raise the puppy you want to buy. When it comes to Siberian Huskies, there must be a championship dog within 4 generations of a puppy’s pedigree or else the puppy most likely comes from an irresponsible puppy mill operation that is NOT worries about the quality of the dogs produced.

You should expect certain championship titles or high-producing kennel names within the puppy’s pedigree to ensure that you are purchasing a quality puppy. Titles can include Ch. (Champion) or SD (Sled Dog). More specifically, you can expect sled dogs, show dogs, or working dogs within the pedigree of the Siberian Husky puppy.

4. make sure the Siberian husky comes with proper industry registration

Each country has an equivalent organization that is responsible for registering dogs in the country. Make sure your new puppy comes with such a record. Within the United States, the official registrant is the American Kennel Club (AKC), while in Canada it is the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).

One thing to note is that, especially in the United States, certain breeders have been terminated by the official registrant (AKC) due to their poor breeding practices. These irresponsible breeders continue to breed dogs but instead register their deficient puppies with an alternative dog registrar like the Continental Kennel Club because these registrants have been known to register ANY dog simply for profit. Make sure you DO NOT purchase a registered dog with an alternate dog registration.

5. Have you thought about adoption?

Last but not least, have you thought about adopting a Siberian husky instead of buying one?
Unfortunately, numerous Siberian Huskies are available for adoption due to the fact that they are the most frequently lost breed of dog, while harboring certain desired characteristics that some owners are unable to handle.

There are Siberian Husky adoption centers all over the world and especially in the United States, so getting an adoptable Husky shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Especially for someone new to dog ownership, it is recommended that you adopt a Siberian Husky puppy or an older dog already trained in the house.

Real Estate

What to offer for HUD foreclosures?

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You’ve found your dream home and it’s a HUD foreclosure. You have taken a tour of the HUD home and it appears to be in good shape, only a few minor repairs.

Unfortunately, he already made a big mistake. Your real estate agent, who is your uncle, has never sold a HUD foreclosure. You have no idea how much you should offer for a HUD foreclosure. Your uncle is not just one; Most real estate agents are inexperienced in HUD foreclosure listings.

First, a little about what you can and cannot do when buying HUD foreclosures:

1. You cannot buy HUD foreclosures without a real estate agent. A real estate agent does not have to receive special training to sell HUD foreclosures. Personally I think they should have compulsory training. An inexperienced realtor can cost you thousands of dollars in mistakes. Again, you must use a real estate agent to purchase HUD foreclosure listings.

2. You do not have to offer the list price. HUD foreclosures are listed at “market value” as assessed by the FHA. In my experience, HUD foreclosures are listed somewhere within 20% of market value, either too high or too low.

3. If HUD’s foreclosure listing is new to the market, you will not get it at a 50% discount off the listing price. You’re wasting your time with a low offer. But, if the HUD home has been on the market for 3-4 months, then a low offer might work.

4. HUD will pay up to 5% of the purchase price for the buyer’s closing costs. The amount of the buyer’s closing costs that you want HUD to pay must be on the initial offer form.

5. HUD will pay up to 5% of the purchase price for real estate agent commissions and it must also be on the initial offer form.

Ok so what do you offer? HUD’s foreclosure bidding process is just a numbers game for HUD. They don’t care what you offer; they look at what they get from the sale of HUD foreclosure listings.

If HUD foreclosure is new to the market, HUD will generally accept 85% to 88% of the net listing price to HUD.

For example, the HUD house you want to bid on is listed at $ 100,000. Your uncle, the inexperienced agent, will be paid 5% of the purchase price in commissions and you want HUD to pay $ 3,000 of your closing costs.

What do you offer for HUD to get 88% of the list price? You have to take what you know and go back to the figure you don’t know, the offer price.

You know what you want HUD to incur and what costs HUD will pay. First, you want HUD to generate $ 88,000 ($ 100,000 X 88%). He wants HUD to pay $ 3,000 of his closing cost and pay his uncle, the inexperienced agent, a 5% commission.

You take $ 88,000, add $ 3,000 closing costs, and you get $ 91,000. You still have to calculate the 5% commission from your uncle, the inexperienced agent. $ 91,000 is the figure without the agent’s 5% commissions, or it is 95% of an unknown amount. You divide $ 91,000 by .95 and you get $ 95,790. That’s the amount you can bid and HUD will get $ 88,000 net and HUD will pay $ 3,000 for closing costs and 5% Buyer’s agent commissions.

How did I determine that HUD will accept 85% to 88% net of the list price? HUD publishes bid results and bid statistics on all of its HUD foreclosure listings. Bid results are accepted bids and bid statistics are all bids, including those that were not accepted. I am a CPA, so I enjoy working with numbers. I have also brought in foreclosures from HUD for me to fix and resell. I want to buy HUD foreclosure listings as cheaply as possible.

This example is for HUD foreclosures that are new to the market. It’s a different game if HUD homes have been on the market for 2-4 months.

You should also remember that whoever offers the highest net amount to HUD will get HUD foreclosed.

It is not difficult to determine what to offer for HUD foreclosures if you or your real estate agent have the experience or knowledge of buying HUD foreclosures. It’s just a numbers game for HUD and it’s easy to calculate the numbers HUD will accept for HUD foreclosure lists.

Shopping Product Reviews

Clearing up the rumor of PS3 games

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The PlayStation3 console won’t be released until later this year, but there are already rumors about it and PS3 games. The report on Theseis is a rumor that perhaps confused even the most devoted gamer. Developers and publishers, as well as game sites, have been posting their reviews, release dates, and other news on the latest PS3 games for the past few months. The hype about the PS3 Blu-ray player raised expectations about games; A rumor of the game, although confusing, was not unexpected.

Let me update the events that fueled the rumors. Track7 Games, the developer of the popular adventure game Theseis for PC and Xbox 360, reportedly called the people behind PS3 Land to announce some important news. Ad? Consequently, PS3 Theseis development was canceled due to high development costs for PS3 games. The PS3 Land article even quoted Vicky Valvanos, Managing Director of Track7, as saying that development of Theseis would resume if Sony offers any help to the company.

This news has spread among internet gaming sites and blogs with webmasters and forum moderators following the threads. Discussions also ensued regarding the production of Theseis as one of the PS3 games. Apparently, no gamer noticed that there were no announcements or news during recent E3 or on product listings about Theseis software for PS3. One likely reason for this was the fact that Theseis appeared on various retail sites as a PS3 game. Track7, however, did not acknowledge the existence of these catalogs.

This is the point where everything got confusing. Track7 did not recognize Theseis games on the retailers’ sites, but they called PS3 Land to announce that PS3 Theseis has been discontinued. Track7 tried to clear up the issue by saying that the canning parts of Theseis and Theseis development from PS3 were just jokes. The company even called the PS3 Land article “wrong.” As of now, PS3 Land updated their article on PS3 Theseis with the new article from Track7. But the confusion about PS3 games came from Track7. According to them, Theseis had not been planned or developed for PS3, but what about the announcement they made on PS3 Land? Was there really a mistake, or was it just a joke that was told in passing that was expanded in large proportions?

A misunderstanding between PS3 Land and Track7 is a probable cause, although the question of what they talked about remains. Surely, there was some reference to Theseis, otherwise it would not have appeared in the article. There were also a number of retail databases listing Theseis as one of the PS3 games. Clearly, someone started it and the knowledge about Theseis rests solely with Track7, as Sony did not include the game in their repertoire during the recent E3. I think the most likely cause is that Track7 wanted to develop Theseis software for PS3. They blurted out that little “joke” to test the market and demand for their game. In my opinion, they did it, also to induce Sony to think that a Theseis is a nice addition to their games. Regardless, whatever the reason behind it, the market for PS3 games is huge, and I can’t blame anyone for wanting to exploit this lucrative business.

Sports

SportGamble.us chooses this year’s college football bowling games

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Here are the consensus bowl picks from the SportGamble.us staff.

Tuesday December 14

New Orleans Bowl

North Texas vs South Mississippi

SG Pick: North Texas

If the So. Miss Defense can stop Jamario Thomas from adding to their flashy stats, they should be able to keep this close.

7:30 pm

Tuesday December 21

Champions Sports Bowl

Georgia Tech vs Syracuse

SG Pick: Georgia Tech

7:45 pm

Wednesday December 22

GMAC bowl

Memphis vs Bowling Green

SG’s Pick: Bowling Green

I want to pick Memphis to win this battle, but the Falcon’s fourth-highest scoring offense in the nation will simply surpass Memphis no matter how well they play.

8:00 pm

Thursday, December 23

PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl

Cincinnati vs. Marshall

SG’s Pick: Marshall

Marshall has appeared to play in big games this year. I consider a bowling game to be a “big” game, right?

6:30 pm

Las Vegas Bowl

Wyoming vs UCLA

SG’s choice: UCLA

UCLA should burn Wyoming with its passing and passing game. Although Wyoming is playing its first bowling game in 11 years … that’s certainly motivating.

9:45 pm

Friday, December 24

Hawaii bowl

UAB vs Hawaii

SG’s pick: Hawaii

The NCAA’s all-time passing leader should have a day off against this no-show UAB defense

7:00 pm

Monday December 27

Bowl MPC Computers

Fresno State vs. 18 Virginia

SG’s choice: Virginia

Fresno State couldn’t play the big dogs this season and Virginia is on the horizon to become one.

2:00 pm

Motor City Bowl

Toledo vs Connecticut

SG election: Toledo

Does Connecticut have a soccer team? Well that’s what we would have said last season, but they have a quarterback who can destroy the secondary. You probably haven’t heard of him, but NFL scouts know him all too well. Connecticut has a chance if it captures the mindset it had when it met with Pittsburgh earlier in the year.

5:30 pm

Tuesday December 28

Independence Bowl

Iowa State vs Miami (Ohio)

SG Pick: Iowa State

Iowa state’s explosive offense will give Miami everything they want … plus something.

6:30 pm

Insight bowl

Oregon State vs Notre Dame

SG’s pick: Notre Dame

Notre Dame will fight with all its heart in defense of Tyrone Willingham. Oh, did we mention they’re a pretty good soccer team anyway?

9:45 pm

Wednesday, December 29

Houston bowl

Texas-El Paso vs Colorado

SG Pick: Texas-El Paso

Jordan Carson (does the name sound familiar?) Will finally get a chance to showcase his talents on national television. Colorado still wonders what happened in the Big 12 championship …

4:30 pm

Alamo bowl

24 State of Ohio vs State of Oklahoma

SG Pick: Ohio State

The state of Oklahoma is no stranger to big games. Unfortunately, they have not learned how to win them.

8:00 pm

Thursday December 30

Continental Tire Bowl

25 Boston College vs North Carolina

SG’s Choice: Boston College

North Carolina has a lack of “big game” experience, while Boston College has the “secret of success” to winning bowling games, they have won 4 in a row.

13:00

Emerald bowl

New Mexico vs Marina

SG’s choice: Marina

Did we say Marina? That’s how it is! These guys finally learned to play soccer.

4:30 pm

Holiday bowl

4 California vs 23 Texas Tech

SG Pick: California

Cal will punish Texas Tech for being kicked out of the BCS landscape.

8:00 pm

Silicon Valley bowl

Troy vs. Northern Illinois

SG Pick: Northern Illinois

Troy has never been to a bowling game and he’s not ready to win one, either. N. Illinois has a rushing attack that will outmatch this Troy defense.

11.00 pm

Friday December 31st

Music City Bowl

Alabama vs Minnesota

SG Pick: Alabama

This is not because we like the SEC. Minnesota doesn’t play at home …

12:00 pm

Bowl of the sun

Purdue vs 21 state of Arizona

SG’s Pick: Purdue

Arizona State comes with its second quarterback that Purdue’s young but very good defense should contain. Wait for Purdue to light up the scoreboard on this one!

2:00 pm

Liberty bowl

10 Boise State vs. 7 Louisville

SG’s pick: Louisville

This may be the bowling game of the year. If you like fast attacks and aggressive scoring, this game is for you! Vegas will explode with “total points” bets in this case.

3:30 pm

14 Miami (FLA.) Vs 20 Florida

Peach bowl

SG Pick: Florida

If Chris Leak (Gators) isn’t the best quarterback in the country, he will be. When the Gators are running full steam ahead, I’d pick them to beat anyone in the country. Keep an eye out for this one because it should be a money maker!

7:30 pm

Saturday, January 1

Cotton bowl

15 Tennessee vs. 22 Texas A&M

SG Pick: Tennessee

The Vols simply ran out of time in the SEC championship. I suspect they will pick up where they left off. Neither team “should” be here, so it will definitely be one of the best games to watch.

11am

Outback bowl

16 Wisconsin goes 8 Georgia

SG election: Georgia

Wisconsin can play offense, but GA’s quick defense will stop the run and force Wisconsin to pitch, resulting in too many mistakes to overcome. Georgia wins.

11am

Gator bowl

17 The state of Florida passes to West Virginia

SG Election: State of Florida

Florida State has outgrown Florida’s loss. Bowden’s ability to master bowling games has a “W” written all over it.

12:30 pm

Capital One Bowl

11 Iowa vs 12 LSU

SG choice: LSU (restrictions apply …)

LSU is young, but he managed to fight his way to a good game of bowling this year. If the LSU defense can keep the score close, they can do it.

13:00

Vase

13 Michigan vs 6 Texas

SG Pick: Texas

If Mack can persuade his players that they are as good as he is, the coaches of the nations, Texas, will outperform a strong Michigan team.

4:30 pm

Party Bowl

5 Utah vs 19 Pittsburgh

SG Pick: Utah

Pittsburgh slipped out the back door to win the Big East, but I’m afraid Utah will show Pitt what it’s like to play for the Big Boys.

8:30 pm

Monday, January 3

Sugar bowl

3 Auburn vs 9 Virginia Tech

SG’s Pick: Auburn

Auburn should play for the national title. Look for Auburn to win big for the small chance of title sharing.

8:00 pm

Tue, Jan 4

Orange bowl

1 Southern California vs 2 Oklahoma

SG Pick: Oklahoma

This should be reduced to the last trimester. Oklahoma should prevail with vigor.

8:00 pm