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this is a test after site redesign.

401(k) debit/credit cards may or may not be a good idea. In most cases not, but one way or another many people have been using them lately. A man by the name of Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, has introduced a bill to prevent people from even obtaining an 401k debit or credit card. While I agree these credit or debit cards are a terrible idea, I do not condone Washington taking away our right to choose. I suppose as the economy gets tougher and people start looking to different avenues to help get by, they choose this method, instead of a hardship withdrawal or loan, as it is quick and handy and much easier to spend.

A common question I hear asked is “where can I find the best rates on ….fill in the blank.” Well, to answer your question, you have many options, like checking with your local banks in your area, or a better option would be to go to a place like bankrate.com and find the best rates nationwide. Let me ask you this, why would you invest your money at a lower rate at a local bank when you can compare rates across the nation and get much higher returns. Not to mention, with places like Bankrate, it takes just one quick second to check online, versus having to call various banks and or having to stop at each one. I hope this helps.

In my previous article I looked at those companies that were profitable in the the 1930’s and during the great depression. I went on to talk about the five and dime stores of that time (Woolworth) and related them to current day stores such as Walmart. I told you that these types of companies, if managed properly, would greatly profit when hard times fall upon our economy, as they offer the cheaper alternative. Today, Bloomberg pointed out that Walmart and Costco profited recently from the tax-rebate check spending. What can we learn from this? This money was sent to stimulate the economy in hard times, and a huge chunk of the recipients used their proceeds at these discount retailers to buy “Grocery, entertainment and health products.” We can see people are sticking to buying the necessities. Those companies that produce and sell these products at the most affordable price will do the best, and it would be wise to invest in them.

In my article I wrote just a few days ago, I analyzed those companies that did well and prospered (comparitively speaking) during the great depression. One of the companies I spoke about was American Can, one of my predictions was that a similiar company to this now, would be Coca-Cola Bottling and Pepsi Bottling. I urged my readers to further investigate these companies, I believed they were poised to make money in this down market. If you would have taken my advice you would have been delighted by the news today over at reuters “Pepsi Bottling profit rises, tops view.”

“Pepsi Bottling Group Inc (PBG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) posted better-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday as price increases in the United States and Canada more than offset a decline in volume.

The largest bottler of PepsiCo Inc (PEP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) drinks said net income rose 7.4 percent to $174 million, or 78 cents per share, in its fiscal second quarter ended June 14, from $162 million, or 70 cents per share, a year earlier.

Analysts’ average forecast was 75 cents per share for the bottler, which operates in the United States, Canada, Greece, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Turkey, according to Reuters Estimates.

The company said the weakness of the dollar boosted net revenue by 3 percentage points and operating income by 2 percentage points.

Quarterly net revenue rose nearly 5 percent to $3.52 billion despite a 3 percent decline in case volume.

Pepsi Bottling, which is 40 percent-owned by PepsiCo, said revenue per case rose 8 percent worldwide, led by strength in Europe and Mexico, and was up 5 percent in the United States and Canada, due mostly to price increases.

In North America, volume fell 4 percent due to the absence of the Easter holiday — which fell in the first quarter this year — and “overall weakness in the liquid refreshment beverage category,” the company said.

The weak U.S. economy, the housing market decline and soaring food and fuel costs are hampering the spending power of U.S. consumers, who have been cutting back on impulse drink purchases at gas stations.

Volume fell 3 percent in Mexico and grew 1 percent in Europe as growth in Russia and Turkey was partially offset by a decline in Spain.

Pepsi Bottling, based in Somers, New York, affirmed its full-year earnings forecast, which calls for profit of $2.30 to $2.38 per share and operating free cash flow of at least $620 million.

Pepsi Bottling shares, which closed Monday at $28.66 on the New York Stock Exchange, have fallen 27 percent this year, versus a 34 percent decline for Coca-Cola Co’s (KO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) largest bottler, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE.N: Quote, Profile, Research).”

(Reporting by Martinne Geller; Editing by Derek Caney and John Wallace)

Please note how their share prices have fallen tremendously, as they struggle to pass price increases fast enough, however, after they get caught up - they often set a nice cushion to prevent it from happening again and see nice profits. These two companies seems like a good buy now, but do more research on your own, to make sure it is right for you and your portfolio.

As of 2PM EDT, July 7, 2008 the Dow Jones Industrial average is down 3,013 points if compared to the all time high 8 months ago on October 9, 2007 of 14,164, which equates to a nearly 22% decline. According to Standard & Poor’s Corporation, the last major bear market lasted over 2 and 1/2 years.

Bear markets come and go, below you will see that we’ve experienced several over the last half century. Some could argue this is the best time to buy, as prices are low. Just keep in mind your goals, you’re in this for the long haul and you will experience market declines over your investment life. The market will rebound, it just may take some time - so keep investing and you will gain back more than you’ve lost.

The last ten bear markets:

August 1956-October 1957 Lasted 14.7 months, -21.6% market loss

December 1961-June 1962 6.4 months, -28.0%

February 1966-October 1966 7.9 months, -22.2%

November 1968-May 1970 17.9 months, -36.1%

January 1973-October 1974 20.7 months, -48.2%

September 1976-March 1978 17.5 months, -19.4%

January 1981-August 1982 19.2 months, -25.8%

August 1987-December 1987 3.3 months, -33.5%

July 1990-October 1990 2.9 months, -19.9%

March 2000-October 2002 30.5 months, -49.1%

Source: Standard & Poor’s Corporation.