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According to the following article in the JoongAng Daily news, Korea is one of only three of the developed countries in the world to experience positive economic growth for the year 2009.

Published November 20,2009

"Korea will be among the three developed countries with positive economic growth this year and become the one with the highest growth rate next year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said yesterday.

The latest outlook for Korea, a considerable improvement from one released in June, reflects a steady recovery in the private sector of Asia’s fourth largest economy, the organization said.

It even recommended that expansionary monetary policy, which has provided the economy with a major boost, now needs to gradually come to an end in order to better balance the national budget.

Spending, the OECD said, should be scaled back.

'Other exceptional measures to stabilize the economy, such as the expanded support to small and medium-sized enterprises, should be phased out,' it said.

In its revised world economic outlook, the OECD said Korea’s growth rate this year and next year will be 0.1 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively.

That is a significant improvement from its previous forecast. In June, the OECD predicted a 2.2 percent contraction this year and a 3.5 percent growth next year for Korea.

Among the other 29 OECD countries, only Australia and Poland were predicted to post growth in the positive territory, at 0.8 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.

Next year, none of them were estimated to have a higher growth than Korea’s.

In the revision, the OECD also said Korea will post 4.2 percent growth in 2011 and then record a 4.5 percent average annual growth between 2011 and 2017, close to its potential growth.

'Following the severe contraction in late 2008, Korea has achieved one of the earliest and strongest recoveries in the OECD area, led by exports and expansionary fiscal policy,' said the OECD in the report.

Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun echoed the optimism on the Korean economy yesterday, saying the economy will grow more than 4 percent next year, which had been a government target.

'Major foreign media and international organizations are showing amazement at Korea’s rapid economic recovery,' he said.

Yoon, however, cautioned against an excess of optimism, saying the employment situation and the private economic sector are still stagnant.

Analysts also point to the new flu as a factor with the ability to weaken the recovery.

Early this month, Hyundai Research Institute said the growth rate could be lowered by up to 7.8 percentage points due to the new flu while the Korea Economic Research Institute suggested a 5.6 percentage point drop.

The government said the new flu will lower growth by up to 0.3 percentage point this year."

What do you think? Should we be worried about our economic growth pattern? Can we learn from Korea's smooth and swift economic recovery? To help your own economic recovery program send us your scrap precious metals including your gold, silver and platinum jewelry and get a financial boost all for yourself.

Thanksgiving recipes that are a great option for any vegetarian. Vegetarian lasagna is a great meal for any day, which makes it even better for Thanksgiving. This variation is from the classic red sauce version of lasagna. Visit theveggietable.com and find out what other suggestions they have to help you out with your Holiday feasts.

Serves: 8  Prep Time: 1hr 15min 

Ingredients:

1 pound lasagna noodles

2-3 c Italian tomato sauce

2 small or one large zucchini, grated

1/2-1 pound ricotta cheese

3 large bunches spinach, washed and stemmed

1 pound mozzarella cheese, grated or thinly sliced, your choice

1/2 pound provolone cheese *optional

Instructions:

Bring the tomato sauce to a boil, stir in the zucchini and cook for about 5 min. Ladle some of the sauce into the baking dish and spread it around until the bottom of the dish is lightly coated. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place noodles in the bottom of the pan, break the noodles if need be to make a single layer. (Pre-cooking isn't necessary but recommended). Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese lightly over the noodles and about 1/3 of the spinach on top of that. Put another 1/3 of the mozerella cheese on top of that and then a little more tomato sauce. Repeat this process twice and garnish with a light spreading of cheese.  Bake for about an hour or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling.

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Campbell and Swanson teamed up to help me give you a few delicious,  yet easy to make, recipes for your various side dishes this Thanksgiving.

If your family loves stuffing, or even if they don't, try the following recipe:

Prep Time: 15-20 min Bake Time: 30 min  Serves: 11

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
Generous dash ground black pepper  
2 stalk celery, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 package (16 ounces) Herb Seasoned Stuffing

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350°F. Heat the broth, black pepper, celery and onion in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the stuffing and mix lightly.

Spoon the stuffing mixture into a greased 3-quart casserole dish.  Cover and bake for 30 minutes or until hot.

Tip: For crunchier stuffing, bake the casserole uncovered.

Or, if Mashed Potatoes are more your thing,  try this recipe:

Prep Time: 15 min  Cook Time: 20 min  Serves: 6

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cup  Chicken Broth
5 large potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 7 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup light cream
2 tablespoon butter
Generous dash ground black pepper
1 can (14.5 ounces) Turkey Gravy

Directions:

Heat the broth and potatoes in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.

Here are some winter date ideas, or things you can do on your own, to avoid the cold weather blues.

1.  Go Bobsledding

2.  Build an igloo or snow furniture

3.  Go Snowshoeing

4.  Catch snowflakes on your tongue (make it a contest)

5.  Go dog sledding

6.  Have a fire and roast marshmallows

7.  Yodel on a chair lift (there doesn't even have to be snow!)

8.  Find a hill and go snow tubing

9.  Have an indoor picnic

10. Have a game night

11. Go on a sleigh or carriage ride

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Over the next three days (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) I will be posting tips for Winter activities. This first installment is 18 things you can do with your children (or any children) during the holiday and cold weather season.

1. Make Hot Chocolate! To make it a little more fun and interesting, you can spruce it up with  the following items. (A candy cane (for stiring and taste), whipped cream with sprinkles, add caramel, make s'mores in a cup (marshmallow and chocolate in cup, and graham crackers on the side).  2. Go sledding.  3. Make paper snowflakes.  4. Go bowling   5. Make sun catchers  6. Make ice cream using snow!  7. Go roller or ice skating   8. Have a snowball fight   9. Play board games  10. Make snow angels  11. Buy a child-sized shovel and shovel the snow together  12.  Get books from the library  13.  Draw and color a mural depicting a winter scene  14. Build a snow fort  15. Fill an old spray bottle with colored water using food coloring and "paint" a snowman or write in the snow  16.  Make a fort in the living room or their bedroom using old sheets, and other items from your home  17.  Teach them about caring for others by collecting old toys, and/or coats, and donating them to a local shelter (make sure to wash them first) 18. Decorate your home for Thanksgiving/ Christmas (Deorate the Tree together)

In "order" to make sure your family is set for the Holidays make sure you visit the Check City location nearest you to obtain a Western Union money order free of charge!

Check back tomorrow for things to do on a date!

(Be Sure to Include All of the Following Items- As they apply to you)

1. Regular and Snow Shovels

2. Snow Salt

3. A  Small First Aid Kit for Everyone in your Household, As well as a Complete Large one

Here are a few items that should fit into a small bandaid or gum box (pictured below) to serve as an individual First Aid Kit.  Moleskin (for blisters),  a few adhesive bandages, a small roll of adhesive tape, several sterile gauze pads (2" by 2") and a saftey pin.

4.  A Back Up Generator or Generators

5. Medical Supplies (Batteries, Extra Oxygen Tanks, Flashlights, Extra Medicine, Etc)

6.  Blankets and Extra Warm Clothing in your Current Size

7.  Enough Canned and Non-Perishable Food Items to Last at least through the Winter Months (About 4 month's worth depending on location)

8.  Matches, Extra Chopped Wood, Fuel, etc

Insurance shouldn't have to be a financial issue for you (or your family), you have enough to deal with during the cold weather season.  Check City offers insurance options that can be molded to fit your individual household needs. Visit us today at Check City Online or one of our many Check City Locations to find out what we can do for you to help ease your cold weather blues.

Here are some tips to help you (and your loved ones) prepare your home for the cold weather this year!

Heater/Furnace Check-ups: When is the last time you cleaned or oiled up your furnace or heater system? Follow this link from Service Magicto find out how.

Wood Burning Stove and Fireplace Cleanings: Follow general fire safety rules on this one.

Make sure all of your appliances are running properly: Including Refridgerators, Freezers, Stoves, Microwaves, Etc.

*Be sure to check back with us tomorrow to get tips for a full household inventory during the cold weather season.

Are your finances feeling a little "under the weather" during this flu season?  Visit us at Check City online we can help you out when times get tough with our new gold buying program, you can get money for all of the old, or even new, precious metals lying around your home. Visit us today to get started! 

Here are a few tips from State Farm Insurance to ensure that you and your family are safe when the storms hit this holiday season. 

• Bridges and overpasses freeze first, so always slow down and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
• Keep windows clear.
• Keep your speed steady and slow -- but not so slow that your car gets stuck in deeper snow.
• Use your brakes cautiously. Abrupt braking can cause brake lock-up and cause you to lose steering control.
• To make Antilock Brakes work correctly, apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal. During an emergency stop, push the brake pedal all the way to the floor, if necessary, even in wet or icy conditions.
• If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. Avoid spinning the tires. Use sand or cinders under the drive wheels.

To avoid feeling stuck financially this year, visit us at checkcity.com, or a check city location near you to see if you qualify for a money order or cash advance today and don't let this happen to you!

 If you are still a little worried about being a little short on cash this Thanksgiving don't worry. Here are a few more tips for saving money!

1.  Save on Sides: Learn new ways to make traditional side dishes to save money.

2.  Cut costs with Drinks: Instead of buying bottled wine, buy boxed wine. You can save about 50% on costs, or go with punch, which would be even cheaper.

3.  Make your own Pie: Pumpkin pie is easy to make, is cheaper when homemade and tastes better too!

4.  Look for deeply discounted items:  Many stores have ads for items that have been deeply discounted. You can save on stuffing, green beans, and even the turkey.

5. Be aware of Price Matching: Many stores will price match. It will save you time, money and stress when you can get everything at the same store.

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