Googles INSTANT ON is now PERMANTLY OFF!

Here I am working late at night as usual - I have a laundry list of things to get done, and so this when I get most annoyed.

Google has been my search engine of choice for a very long time. But several months ago, when the instant preview emerged its ugly head, I noticed my searches took longer and my typing got distracted by the instant preview. I just didn't like it.

I searched for ways to turn it off. Some site suggested logging in as a user and turn it off. Yup, not interested in logging in every time I wanted to use google. I use it A LOT - that would defeat the purpose!

Another simple way to hit the "INSTANT IS ON" drop down, and change it "INSTANT IS OFF". Yeah, I am NOT lazy, but why do I have to hit it every time I get annoyed with the feature?

GUESS WHAT! I found a way to disable without having to jump through hoops! On your Internet browser options, go to TOOLS, then go to INTERNET OPTIONS.

Select the SECURITY tab.

In the security tab, select RESTRICTED SITES

Select the SITES button.

Add "http://www.google.com" (without the quotes) to the restricted sites and viola! (of course don't forget to hit CLOSE and OK)

Now, if you notice in the image below, INSTANT IS ON, but it really ISN'T! Now I can type a topic and not worry about google trying to spell check for me and suggest me alternate searches that have NO relevance to what I am actually looking for! Hurray for ME!

By the way, even though google is added as the restricted site, it still works perfectly fine, even as a homepage or whatever... enjoy! UPDATE: if you use a google account, you will have to remove the restricted site to log in - but thats OK for me since I don't use it that often...

PS. I hope you my new Facebook Fan Page!

Thank you!






Robert Jarvis, MBA
Phone: 773-572-2362
Email: RobertJarvis@AnOpenHome.com

Who is Robert Jarvis? Stalk me at my other sites!





Create your own custom PROPERTY SEARCH at http://www.mlsfinder.com/il_mred/robertjarvis

Erasing Debt - IRS Tax Tip 2011-44, March 3, 2011

OK, these are NOT my words, I've copies them directly from http://www.irs.gov/

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If you are a homeowner whose mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven during tax years 2007 through 2012, you may be able to claim special tax relief and exclude the debt forgiven from your income.

Here are 10 facts the IRS wants you to know about Mortgage Debt Forgiveness.

1. Normally, debt forgiveness results in taxable income. However, under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, you may be able to exclude up to $2 million of debt forgiven on your principal residence.

2. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return.

3. You may exclude debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in a foreclosure.

4. To qualify, the debt must have been used to buy, build or substantially improve your principal residence and be secured by that residence.

5. Refinanced debt proceeds used for the purpose of substantially improving your principal residence also qualify for the exclusion.

6. Proceeds of refinanced debt used for other purposes – for example, to pay off credit card debt – do not qualify for the exclusion.

7. If you qualify, claim the special exclusion by filling out Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness, and attach it to your federal income tax return for the tax year in which the qualified debt was forgiven.

8. Debt forgiven on second homes, rental property, business property, credit cards or car loans do not qualify for the tax relief provision. In some cases, however, other tax relief provisions – such as insolvency – may be applicable. IRS Form 982 provides more details about these provisions.

9. If your debt is reduced or eliminated you normally will receive a year-end statement, Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt, from your lender. By law, this form must show the amount of debt forgiven and the fair market value of any property foreclosed.

10. Examine the Form 1099-C carefully. Notify the lender immediately if any of the information shown is incorrect. You should pay particular attention to the amount of debt forgiven in Box 2 as well as the value listed for your home in Box 7.

For more information about the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, visit http://www.irs.gov. A good resource is IRS Publication 4681, Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions and Abandonments.

You can also use the Interactive Tax Assistant available on the IRS website to determine if the cancellation of debt is taxable. The ITA tool is a tax law resource that takes you through a series of questions and provides you with responses to tax law questions

Taxpayers may obtain copies of IRS publications and forms either by downloading them from http://www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

PS. I hope you my new Facebook Fan Page!

Thank you!






Robert Jarvis, MBA
Phone: 773-572-2362
Email: RobertJarvis@AnOpenHome.com

Who is Robert Jarvis? Stalk me at my other sites!





Create your own custom property search at www.mlsfinder.com

Facebook Fan Page is UP and RUNNING! Complete with FREE Stuff!

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If selecting the image doesn't work for you, simlpy copy this link into your browser:
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You can like it (or love it) on Facebook or bookmark http://data.anopenhome.com/ to be sure always have the most recent information.