Dirt-Cheap Las Vegas Home Prices at 20-Year Low

The price of existing Las Vegas homes -- as well as new home sales -- fell to their lowest levels in 20 years, according to a new report. SalesTraq.com reported that the median price for a house bought in the Vegas Valley in January 2011 was just $109,000. That's 9% less than Jan 2010 and the lowest since 1991!

Here's the kicker: according to many real estate experts, including Larry Murphy the president of SaleTraq, home values will probably keep falling for the rest of 2011. That's mainly because of all the dirt-cheap foreclosure sales going on in Vegas. According to Murphy:

"We will continue to see a significant number of foreclosures in the near term for this market... Still, given the nature of the Las Vegas economy, we expect a higher proportion of short sales later in the year."

Houses sold at foreclosure auctions in Las Vegas sold for a median price of $92,500 in January. But even normal homes are going for unbelievable cheap prices, with over 1000 of them selling for a median price of $110,000 in the same month!

Experts believe that short sales, which currently account for about 20% of all Las Vegas home sales, are the only thing that will eventually cause a rise in prices. That's because about 70% of Vegas mortgages are still underwater. That should, in theory, lead to many more short sales and a bump in home values over the long term.

But here's the bottom line: Las Vegas houses are SUPER cheap right now and will most likely continue to sell at low prices for at least the next 6-9 months. So, if you've got the cash, or at least the desire to live in the Vegas Valley, NOW would be a great time to buy a home here! (Special Note: All of our editors are currently house hunting and plan to buy new homes this year!)

Learn some mo': Price of existing homes at 20-year low in Las Vegas

Samsung Sliding PC 7 Tablet: Exciting Gadget Geeks!

Samsung's new "hybrid" tablet computer -- the Sliding PC 7 Series -- is set to be released soon and many people are very excited. Originally called the (ultra-boring) "TX100" and released at CES 2011 in Las Vegas, this new tablet/laptop combination device is expected to make some big waves in the tablet world. Some experts believe that it will be one of the very truly useful tablet computers and could be one of 2011's best selling gadgets.

For the first time since its unveiling, Samsung is allowing regular old people to handle it and test it out. It's running on a modified version of Windows 7. That fact alone makes it different (more useful) than most of the tabs out there. It's a little heavier than the popular Galaxy Tab, Samsung's other tablet, but features a full keyboard as well as a 10l.1-inch LCD touchscreen with multi-touch capability.

The PC 7 Series isn't the only tablet/laptop combo product out there but it may be the most unique, with a screen that slides up instead of doing the "twist/flip" movement found in similar devices. It also basically converts into a full-powered netbook-style computer for those times when you just want to type comfortably like a regular human. It even has a track pad for navigation, which we think is very cool.

This thing is pretty powerful, with a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom Z670 chip, 2GB of RAM, and a 6-cell battery that allows it to run for up to 9 hours on a full charge. It will be available with a 16GB and a 32GB solid-state harddrive as well USB 2.0 and HDMI connection ports. Wi-Fi is built-in as well.

Right now it looks like the Sliding PC 7 will retail for about $700 buck when it's released in March. Not bad for a small, light, thin, ultra-portable tablet that converts into a fully-functional netbook computer!

Learn some mo': Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series hands-on

Cheaper iPhone Alternatives Becoming More Popular Than the iPhone!

There are many new alternatives to the iPhone and they're becoming more and more popular, according to many mobile technology experts. HTC smartphones, in particular, are exploding in popularity across the globe. The HTC Desire, Desire HD, and Wildfire models are quickly becoming some of the best-selling high-end cell phones in the US and beyond. The same can be said for several newer devices from Samsung, Blackberry, and Nokia.

Why is this happening? Because the iPhone, its apps, and its service contracts are simply very, very expensive. Google's Android operating system has completely opened up the market for cheaper and, in many way, more powerful iPhone alternatives that are attracting consumers.

Our take: don't spend your money on the newest iPhone. Get a "Droid" device or Blackberry for less and still enjoy tons of apps and functionality! (At least that's our plan for 2011.) Or buy a used or discounted iPhone, at the very least...

Learn some mo': iPhone 'becoming less popular'

$5/Gallon Gas: Coming to the US Soon?

$5 per gallon gasoline is on its way to the United States, according to some experts. Why? Because lots of people in the Middle Easy are pissed off at their crappy governments and are protesting/revolting against them. After the success of the Egypt protests, political unrest is exploding in Libya and may spread to many other oil-producing nations. Social chaos in those countries could quickly result in lower crude oil production and that could mean $5/gallon gas by summer 2011.

That's a serious problem for a US economy that's just starting to get back on its feet!

Oil prices are already at their highest levels since 2008, mainly due to the violence that's erupting in Libya. Over 300 people have been killed there so far, mainly by government police forces. But the bigger threat is Iran, which is a huge OPEC nation who pumps out tons of crude. Its crazy leaders have already stirred things up in recent days by sending 2 naval ships through the Suez Canal for the first time since the 1979 revolution.

If the Iranians (or the Saudia Arabians) start their own major uprising things could quickly break bad for the US and even the global economy. When energy costs skyrocket, the prices of LOTS of things go up. That will hurt already weak consumer spending and could stifle the fragile economic recovery currently taking place in most developed nations. If things really get out of hand and oil prices get to $150+ per barrel (a definite possibility), economists say that the US and many other countries will rapidly be pushed back into a recession.

We think maybe it's time to start seriously developing true alternative energy sources... don't you??

Learn some mo': If Libyan unrest spreads, gas could reach $5

Whey Protein Fights Liver Fat & Helps Obese People

Whey protein supplements may improve your blood lipid (fats) profile and even reduce your liver fat levels by up to 20%, according to new research from Switzerland. A study showed that just 4 weeks of regular whey supplementation significantly lowered key markers of "fatty liver disease" in obese subjects. It appears to do that by reducing the total amount of fat inside of liver cells, a big benefit to overweight people and those with heart disease!

According to head researcher Murielle Bortolotti:

"This preliminary, uncontrolled study therefore suggests that a high-protein diet may, in the long term, reduce the risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [fatty liver disease] and of cardiovascular disease in obese patients."

Experts say that fatty liver disease is a major problem in obese patients and is considered the major liver-associated component of metabolic syndrome. It's believed to be closely associated with several other obesity-relate problems, including insulin resistance, lowered glucose tolerance, and dyslipidemia or abnormally high levels of blood lipids.

So there you have it: more evidence that whey protein powder is one of the BEST diet supplements in the world. And it's not just for bodybuilders and fitness nuts... overweight people can benefit from whey too!

Learn some mo': Whey protein holds fat fighting potential, suggests study

Ab Rocket Twister: Any Reviews?

A new version of one of the most popular abdominal exercise devices ever made has been released. It's called the Ab Rocket Twister and some people (including us) think it will be one of the best-selling infomercial fitness products in 2011 and probably 2012 as well. But now the question is: does it work?

So far there aren't many "real" user reviews online but we hope to change that with your help. Please scroll down and leave your own reviews, testimonials, and experiences in the Comments section at the bottom of this page!

The original Ab Rocket was ultra popular mainly because it allows the user to do supported or "assisted" abdominal crunches. It also supports the back and neck muscles in a way that makes ab exercise movements much more comfortable and enjoyable with significantly less muscle strain. The maker also claims that it increases the overall safety of the crunch/sit-up movement since it reduces the risks associated with using poor exercise form.

Some reviewers say that the Ab Rocker actually reduces the effectiveness of the crunch by making it too easy. Others say that provides an enjoyable way to work the abs while burning calories at the same time. Some users simply state that the device allows them to do a normally painful exercise that they wouldn't otherwise do without it. The thousands (possibly millions?) of Ab Rockets sold since 2007 would seem to show that more than a few people find the product useful!

The new Ab Rocket Twister ads a whole new dimension to the workout by allowing you to twist your hips and legs in a way that works more muscles, including the obliques. The commercial being run on late-night television certainly makes it look like a fun time. Of course, the truth is that no fitness or exercise machine sold on television is going to make you lose all your extra pounds and belly fat by itself. That requires proper diet and exercise beyond just doing a few minutes of "Ab Rocking" every day. But the Ab Rocket Twister does come with a "Blast Away the Calories" meal plan as well as a "Total Body Sculpt" DVD workout program to help you out.

Please leave your Ab Rocket Twister reviews, opinions, and questions in the area below. Lots of people want to know if this new "six pack" abs product really works or if it's just another infomercial rip-off/scam product. Thanks!

Click here to get the best price on the Ab Rocket Twister and try it out for yourself!

Update: Here's the commercial currently running in North America...

Best Anti-Aging/Anti-Wrinkle Cream: Tropical Flower Sugar?

The best cream for getting rid of wrinkles and "rejuvenating" the skin may be made from a sugar extracted from a tropical flower called the Uncaria, aka "Cat's Claw" or "Uña de Gato". New research from the L'Oreal company shows that the sugar, called rhamnose, can actively regenerate skin cells by stimulating them to produce new collagen. This apparently leads to an increase in skin elasticity and plumpness over time, giving skin a more youthful appearance.

Researchers are hailing rhamnose as the first anti-wrinkle compound proven to work by science. We take that to mean that all the thousands of other wrinkle creams and supplements are worthless junk. :)

Whatever the case, the development of new cosmeceuticals containing wrinkle-fighting ingredients that actually work is going to make millions of aging women -- and surely more than a few men -- extremely happy. It's also going to make the cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies millions of dollars...

Learn some mo': Chemical from tropical flower latest weapon against wrinkles

Las Vegas Lingerie Football Team Is Here!

It's finally here in Sin City: the new Las Vegas "Sin" Lingerie Football League team! The team was announced yesterday morning at The Sporting House in the New York New York hotel and casino. The Vegas team will join two other expansion teams from Green Bay and Cleveland (we bet the Vegas girls are way hotter than the Cleveland chicks!).

Angelica Bridges will be the celebrity team captain to lead the new squad. LFL players, most of whom are current or former models, have developed a surprising reputation for playing fearlessly and intensely. Plus, they're just really hot.

The Lingerie Bowl will take place this Super Bowl Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center. It will be available as a pay-per-view halftime show that will compete against the regular Super Bowl halftime show. Fortunately for Vegas locals like us, admission to the game is free at the arena. This will mark the first time that the Lingerie Bowl will be held in Las Vegas and we hope it's just the first of many!

According to league founder Mitchell Mortaza:

“The move to Las Vegas instantly creates an exciting series of events for fans. We are anxious to turn it into an annual signature event on Super Bowl weekend!"

Great new for sports fans, football lovers, and guys who just really love to watch sexy models in Las Vegas run around a field in lingerie!

Learn some mo': LFL debuts Las Vegas Sin at The Sporting House

Resistant Starch Foods: Good Carbs for Healthy Weight Loss

It looks like it may be possible to eat lots of carbohydrates and still lose weight. According to some diet experts "resistant starch foods" fill you up and boost energy while helping you eat fewer overall calories and burn fat faster. They can apparently also lower stress levels, decrease bad cholesterol counts and even help to increase lean muscle mass.

So obviously, millions of carb-lovers around the world are jumping up and down in utter happiness!

The buzz about these "healthy carbs" has skyrocketed lately since they received praise from both the World Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization. They're also getting lots of attention from researchers at several universities, especially in the United States.

Here's the catch: resistant starch foods are not junk foods. Sorry. In fact, for the most part, they are good carb foods that health and weight loss experts have touted for years because of their ability to decrease hunger, limit food cravings, and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time. Some of the most well-known food include: whole grain breads and cereals, whole potatoes, beans, oats, barley, brown rice, granola, an bananas.

Learn some mo': Resistant Starch Foods: Will They Make You Thin?