Paris P

I'm getting a C in one of my college courses, and I get tuition reimbursement from my employer if I get a B or better. They request I fax a report card after my final. Will HR really verify the grades I get?

People at my work and I get a lot of Mediterrean food (shwarma, shish kabob, kafta, etc), and it comes with lots of pita bread on the side that we don't always eat and it's getting a little stale. Do you have any suggestions for other uses when we take it home?

I have a group of friends that want to go camping on July 4th weekend, but everything that requires reservations is booked! Do you know of any public campgrounds where you just go and set up camp around Southwestern MI?

I'm traveling to Calgary, AB, Canada tomorrow and I have a lot of coins (like, around $30 worth) all loose... is there any major stores that have machines like Coinstar (machine that charges 8.9 cents per dollar, but gives you a voucher for your coins so you can use it at the store or get cash for it at the register)? Or does anybody know the denominations the coin rolls have to be to exchange at a Canadian bank?

I went 5-pin bowling in Windsor about 6 or 7 years ago and it was great times... I'd like to plan another outing- just wondering if anyone knows the name of any 5-pin bowling lanes in the Windsor area (willing to drive a half hour or so from the tunnel if there aren't any in Windsor itself).

I am planning a visit to Banff with a dance group, but I'm staying in Calgary for one night... I love to gamble, so I'm trying to find out what the best casino in the area is in regards to the poker room and craps tables (my two favoritge games). Food is not a high priority, but any reviews would be a bonus... thanks!

I am moving into a new house this weekend and everything has gone well, but i've started to notice that whenever I walk in the front door, there is a natural gas odor... but it's only located right at the front door. I've had other people notice it too right when you walk in the entranceway, but the smell either just fades or doesn't get any stronger anywhere else...should I have the gas company come take a look? Or is there something by the door I should check first? I did notice there is a gas pipe in the bushes right outside the door.

I just bought my first house last week and I'm going to be painting this weekend- right now the living and bedrooms are this nasty pink/peach color, paint's probably about 10 years old or so... I want to paint white or a light neutral blue to match the white kitchen... should I use a primer since i'm painting white over pink or just buy extra white interior paint and just go over it very well? Note: i'm having friends over to paint all day Sunday- not professionals.

I'm going to be painting a few rooms in my house myself and I was wondering if anyone knows if it is more cost effective to buy my interior paint from a big hardware store like Lowe's or Home Depot, or an actual paint store like Sherwin Williams?

I just moved into my first house and it has a very ugly black and brown bathroom with a unsightly avocado green bathtub... about how much would it cost to get my tub refinished/painted and paint the bathroom tile white since I've read that if you don't get it professionally done, then the paint will just come off after a few showers. About how much and how long would it take?

I received a $5000 bonus check from my job this week and I have 3 credit cards, one with a $2500 balance, a $2300 balance a $3000 balance (but at 0% for 2 more months). Should I take my lump sum and completely pay off one card or should I spread the payment over all 3 in order to increase my credit score?

I'm going to be around the Greektown area for some poker and looking to go out to a dance club, night club or somewhere with a few friends (about 4 or 5 of us, a couple guys, a couple girls) somewhere in downtown Detroit- somewhere not obscenely crowded and with either a good dance floor or some good entertainment.

I'm going to be around the Greektown area for some poker and looking to go out to a dance club, night club or somewhere with a few friends (about 4 or 5 of us, a couple guys, a couple girls) somewhere in downtown Detroit- somewhere not obscenely crowded and with either a good dance floor or some good entertainment.

My parents (early 50s) want to take a New Year's Eve vacation to somewhere nice, with either a nice NYE dance or party or a big bash. Ideally a hotel that's really close to the party... looking to spend about $150-200 per night, and since I'm going along (23/M), somewhere where me and one of my buddies can go out.

Fifth Third Platinum Mastercard

If you are trying to pay off your credit card debt and would like to apply for a card that has a fixed 3.9% balance transfer rate until 2010 and 0% on new purchases for one year, email me at pdiddy48071@yahoo.com with your name and phone number and I'd be glad to call you and go over all the benefits and take your application... trust me, it's a great card (i have one myself) and with the economy the way it is, credit card rates are going up and people are tightening belts... so lock in a very low rate now while you have the chance.

If you need to make a big purchase in the next couple months (great for tuition, a new computer, etc)- apply for this card and make the purchase with it- then destroy the card (so you don't get tempted to use it more), and make 12 monthly payments with no interest as long as you pay it off by next year! One $1000 computer = 12 $100 payments a month.

Transfer balances too! Fixed 3.9% until 1-1-2010! Email me today!

I've been saving up money for the past 6 months as I started my first real job (full-time bank teller/training to become customer service manager), and I want to buy my own home so that I can start building equity and move out of my parents' house. So I plan on paying off all of my credit card debt ($3500) through a maturing CD, a tuition reimbursement through work, and savings- in early January... with about $5000 left over as a down payment on my first house (looking in the $60-70k range since I'm single and am willing to fix up things as long as it's a good area... plus I have good credit (700+) and am prequalified for a 100% loan through my bank if I decide to use it in lieu of the $5000 downpayment on a traditional loan.) Should I start looking now (in Michigan with it's down market, great time for buying)- or start looking in January when I'm credit card debt free and have the liquid money in my savings account? I know it takes awhile (2-4 months) to buy a first home.

I am visiting friends in downtown DC and the Fairfax County, VA area over the weekend and would like suggestions on the best Thai restaurant (sit down or take out) and Chinese restaurant (sit down only). Hong Kong style Chinese preferred but not mandatory... good dim sum a plus! Thanks!

I am exploring housing options for the near future, looking to buy my first house and willing to fix it up in order to sell in 3-5 years. I would be living in the house as I fixed it up as well. Is there any differences in buying foreclosed or pre-foreclosed houses vs. buying a realtor-listed house that's for sale and making a low (but not too low) offer? Will it be worth my while to buy the listed house at a discount or should I go for a cheap foreclosure in order to get the best deal?

I am 23 and moved back in with my parents last September to stop renting an apartment and save up to move out for good in about a year or two. I was only working part-time at Meijer (a wal-mart competitor in Michigan), so I wasn't making a lot- so my parents claimed me on their taxes as a dependent and my tax return was greatly reduced. But now, I just got my first real job as a full-time teller at a bank, and every month I lose about $150 a week in taxes. I know that since I only make $28,000 a year or so, I'll probably be able to get a big tax return at the end of the year... but I know my parents want the tax write off for me still living in the house. Should I plan on filing on my own next year as an independent to get a big tax return, or should I stay put and let my parents claim me one more year since I am staying here rent-free? What exactly do my parents get for claiming me as a dependent? I'd much rather get a $1500 tax refund instead of $400 like the past couple years.

To: Ballroom dancers/instructors, people who know what i'm talking about!

I'm a ballroom dance student me and my instructor are planning to do a Holiday Showcase at our studio, and I need ideas on Christmas songs that are foxtrots and/or swing dances. I would need the song title and artist and album (if known). It can be any holiday song- something upbeat or more modern would be preferred as well... thanks!