Home equity rates for Friday, August 5

Many borrowers tap their equity to pay for things such as home improvements.

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(4) Testers Wanted; Precision Pro GPS Golf Band

Riddle me this, Golfman:

What goes on your wrist, gives you yardage, tells time, but isn't a watch?

It's the GPS Golf Band by Precision Pro.

Testers Wanted

Precision Pro is carving out a nice little niche for itself with laser rangefinders and golf GPS devices heavy on the features but light on the price tag. The company says its GPS Golf Band is sleeker and lighter (only 1 oz), with a much smaller profile than your typical wrist-mounted GPS device.

Just don't call it a watch.

We're looking for four of you to try this baby out to see if if performs as advertised. Is it easy to use? Does it pack a ton of performance into a modestly priced package? Is it, as its name would suggest, professionally precise?

How To Apply:

As you know, we take our product testing pretty seriously here at MyGolfSpy, so please read these instructions carefully.

First, if you haven't already, please register for the MyGolfSpy Community Forum (click here to sign up).

Next, apply to be a tester in the Official Precision Pro GPS Golf Band application thread (click here)

Piece of cake, right?

Remember, you MUST apply in the Official Precision Pro GPS Golf Band application thread in the MyGolfSpy Community Forum.

 

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GolfSmith Faced With Possible Bankruptcy

The biggest story to hit the golf equipment world in the last 5 years (NIKE Exiting Equipment Business) is barely even 24 hours old and its shockwaves are still being felt.

The next story might have more lasting impact.

Golfsmith is faced with possibly having to file for bankruptcy.

More details to follow soon.

 

Here is the full report from Bloomberg:

"Golfsmith International, the retailer of golf clothing and equipment, is considering filing for bankruptcy as it looks for a new owner, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

Golfsmith hired the investment bank Jefferies LLC to solicit buyers for the roughly 150-store chain, without success so far, said the people, who didn’t want to be identified because the process isn’t public. The company also hired Alvarez & Marsal to help it restructure, according to the people, who said that a sale could come as part of a Chapter 11 filing.

 

More on GolfSmith History:

Founded by Carl and Barbara Paul in 1967, Golfsmith began as a custom golf club components supplier. As of August 2014, the company had expanded to comprise over 100 retail stores in over 20 states, selling golf clubs, performance apparel, skills improvement products, etc.

 

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The Nike Golf Shutdown: What We Know So Far

As you might imagine, the aftershocks from yesterday afternoon's announcement that Nike is exiting the golf equipment business are still being felt.

Information is coming in at a steady rate, and we'll continue to update you as we learn more, but we wanted to give you an update on what we're hearing and share what we've learned about how things went down.

Here's what we know:

The Tour Impact

• Nike’s exit is particularly disruptive at the tour level because of its position as the biggest spender (at least on individual contracts) in the game. There is immediately less money available for Tour players by way of sponsorship dollars, and that’s likely going to be the longest lasting impact of the exit. The financial landscape just shifted, and likely dramatically.
• The presumption is that Nike will be on the hook for the full value of its current player contracts - at least until staffers reach new equipment deals, which they are now free to pursue.
• Assuming new deals haven’t been quietly completed already, this will ultimately impact that amount of money that Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, and others that come behind them can expect from their equipment sponsorships.
• Regarding current Nike staffers, the suggestion is that Nike is actively working with their guys to assist in the transition to other equipment providers. Tiger’s agent, Mark Steinberg, has said that Woods will continue to wear Nike apparel and shoes, and will take a methodical approach to switching clubs.
• I expect that to be the case with Rory and the rest of the Nike staff as well, although the equipment changes will likely come more quickly.
• PXG’s Bob Parsons told us that he’s fielded 30 calls from people connected to Nike Golf. This no doubt includes employees, and multiple player agents as the tour staff looks at the options.
• Parsons has hinted at a more formal arrangement with Nike. After pointing out that his PXG brand comes without apparel entanglements, he added “maybe I could be their partner”.
• Given the nature of the current market (Nike out, TaylorMade not spending, and Callaway being exceptionally measured in its tour approach), if PXG wants to make a bold statement and a lasting impact, this is its opportunity. That fact is not lost on Parsons.
• When asked about specific rumors that PXG was working on a deal with McIlroy, Parsons uncharacteristically declined to comment.
• We’ve likely just witnessed the end of the head-to-toe, full bag deal. Professional golfers will need to get more creative in how they balance multiple sponsors.

The Retail Impact

• Nike Golf's 2017 product line will likely never see the light of day.
• Discounted gear will remain on shelves until it's gone.
• We're talking about a very small piece of the pie. Nike’s market share across all club categories barely registers, and what share they have within the ball category is at the $20.
• The bottom line – most in the industry feel the hard goods retail space will feel no significant impact from the Nike departure.
• Regarding Nike Golf's intellectual property, two sources I spoke with believe interest from within the larger industry will be minimal, and since Nike doesn't need the money, it probably isn't interested in selling it.

Shutdown: Product & Personnel

• The shutdown was well-guarded secret. Everyone I’ve spoken with was caught completely by surprise. As recently as last week everything was on track for the 2017 product launch.
• Nike’s equipment reps were recently shown the 2017 product which I’m told featured RZN technology across the entire driver line, a new adjustable weighting system, and filed under too little too late; no covert cavity.
• The 2018 lineup was well into the development phase, again suggesting a relatively sudden change of course.
• Every indications are that the decision was made rather quickly (possibly after Q2 results and second month of year over year declines industry wide).
• Athletes are rumored to have been given a heads-up ahead of Nike Golf's employees.
• Staff in Portland and Ft. Worth were let go yesterday morning. Remote staff, including Nike’s fitting team were notified via conference call yesterday afternoon.
• While Nike's press releases suggested a gradual transition, the reality is that the overwhelming majority of hard goods staff has already been let go, including the team at The Oven in Ft. Worth as well as hard goods personnel in Portland. By 11/1 the equipment division will be almost entirely shutdown.
• We’ve confirmed with sources at 3 other equipment companies that now former Nike Golf employees have reached out to inquire about open positions. We assume the same is true for other companies as well. It should be noted that the same companies have fielded calls from current TaylorMade employees who are weighing their options as a result of the uncertainty there.
• The reality is that, with the equipment side contracting a bit, there are few if any positions available for even the most experienced industry professionals. Nike’s products aren’t highly regarded by others in the industry, and that could impact the number of opportunities available.

We'll continue to keep you updated as more information comes in.

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Pick a Photo Project to Do with Your Kids

Scrapbooking is not my thing. Filing papers is not my thing. And printing out hard copies of photos… is not my thing. I am trying super hard to create photo books of the boys each year, but I am years behind. Thankfully, Beryl has a fantastic FREE photo printing challenge starting in a few days (and I’m an affiliate of, all links below are affiliate links) that will help make this happen. Will you join me?

When was the last time you printed photos?

As a professional photographer, you’d think I print photos all the time. But around the time my daughter was turning 4, I realized there were thousands upon thousands of photos I had snapped and almost none of them were in print.

I was GREAT at taking photos, but not so great at getting them OFF the camera, computer, or phone.

The problem? I was overwhelmed with where to begin.

Printing photos is important.

Photos tell our family’s story.

They’re a tangible way of remembering life events, making meaningful connections with our kids, and finding gratitude for the people and places that surround us.

But when you have a backlog of images staring you in the face, starting your next project can feel overwhelming.

My advice?

Just start. Involve your kids in the process. Pick something easy, meaningful, fun, and simple to get you going.

Because once you hold the finished product of a project in your hands, once you see the smile on your kids face as they look at photos of your family, once you connect over a project you created together — you’ll have the momentum to work on the backlog of photos, one project at a time.

Today I’ve got 24 photo project ideas you can do WITH your kids.

Pick the one that sounds the most fun, and then come join me for a 3 Day Photo Printing Challenge HERE and let’s finish your next project together!

Make a themed photo book:

• ABC Book
• Colors Book
• Pets Book
• A trip to the…..(zoo, farm, playground, ice cream)
• Favorite Foods Book
• My Family Book

Or try any of these fun photo projects:

• Start a photo art journal (glue a photo on a page and decorate over or around the image)
• Use an editing program to transform photos into art (I love PicMonkey for this)
• Read a photography themed book together
• Create a photo time capsule
• Create image clones with this app! (iPhone/Android)
• Photograph your child’s art, print and frame it! (then throw the paper copy away!)
• Print photo magnets
• Print photos on cardstock and then cut into puzzle pieces for a fun activity.
• Let your children snap photos of one subject. Print, hang, and invite friends or family over for a ‘gallery’ showing.
• Print your photos on marshmallows for a yummy photo treat!

• Create photo statuettes HERE of your family in funny poses – find a fun place in your home to put them on display
• Make your own pretend ‘photo booth’ and take a series of silly selfies. (bonus points if you make or find props!). Bonus points if you print the photo strips.
• Take a stuffed animal friend or toy on an adventure that can be photographed and transformed into a photo book
• Make photo holiday ornaments
• Go old school – choose a few favorite photos and create an 80’s style viewfinder
• Buy a disposable camera, take all the exposures, and then send it away for developing
• Make an unexpected photo card for someone you love. Send it in the mail.
• Take photos of objects that start with your child’s name, print them out and glue them to a letter to hang in your child’s room (see more here).

What other unique, creative, or fun activities have you done with your kids and photos?

Tell us about it in the comments and then go sign up for the 3 Day Embrace Challenge HERE.

Pick a Photo Project to Do with Your Kids on handsonaswegrow.com

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Mortgage rates for Thursday, August 4

If you're purchasing or refinancing, it's a great time to lock in a rate.

from Bankrate.com » Mortgages http://ift.tt/2awNiBX

Wells Fargo rates and news for Thursday, August 4

Wells Fargo's rates are remaining competitive on mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.

from Bankrate.com » Mortgages http://ift.tt/2aL4bvK