Google has launched Google Health to allow you to store and manage all of your health information in one central place (see video below). It’s completely free and all you need to get started is a Google username and password. With Google Health, you manage your health information, and you can access it anywhere, at any time.

Google Health allows you to:

• Keep your doctors up-to-date
• Stop filling out the same paperwork every time you see a new doctor
• Avoid getting the same lab tests done over and over again because your doctor cannot get copies of your latest results
• Don’t lose your medical records because of a move, change in jobs or health insurance
• Share your health information securely with a family member, caregiver, or doctor

Google believes that you own your medical records and should have easy access to them. The way we see it, it’s your information; why shouldn’t you control it?  For more information visit Google.com/health.

If you have excellent credit and carry a balance on your credit card, you may want to consider getting the Capital One Platinum Prestige Credit Card.  

The card offers 0% APR on transfers until September 2010 and 0% APR on purchases until September 2010 with no annual fee.  Transfers are processed in as little as 48 hours.

After September 2010, your variable rate will be about 8.75% plus prime and however, by then you maybe able to find another card with a similar offer.

As stated, this card is only for people with excellent credit which CapitalOne defines as people who had a credit card or loan for at least 5 years, a credit card with a limit greater than $10,000, never declared bankruptcy and never had more than 60 days late on a credit card, loan, or medical bill.

For more information visit CapitalOne.com.

As the recession winds down, unemployment continues to hang overhead, forcing many consumers to do more with less. The American Bankers Association Education Foundation offers personal finance advice for consumers with limited resources — especially the unemployed.

“We all know someone whose job has been affected by the economy,” explains Laura Fisher, director of the ABA Education Foundation. “Even during these difficult times, there are some things that consumers can do to remain in control of their finances — even while unemployed.”

The following are some personal finance tips for tough economic times:

• Assess what you have. Review and update your budget. Consider all sources of income like unemployment benefits, severance payments, savings and checking accounts. Look at past debit and credit card statements to discover spending patterns. ABA Financial Calculators.
• Get your benefits. Unemployment benefits can help you to stay afloat as you restructure your household budget and look for a new job.
• Ask for help. If you are having a hard time paying your bills, contact your creditor to arrange a more manageable payment plan. Then contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to find a local credit counselor to help you develop a budget and a plan for paying down debt.  To reach NFCC, call (800) 388-2227 or visit www.nfcc.org. ABA Education Foundation’s Help Contacts.
• Talk about it. Inform your network about your employment situation. Friends, fellow club members, former co-workers and other associates can be a great place to turn to find a new job.
• Eat in. Cut out fast food and dining out. It’s cheaper to eat at home. You’ll be surprised how much you will save by taking the time to prepare meals in your own kitchen.
• Cut, cut, cut.  Cutting cable television, cellular phone and Internet service can save you hundreds of dollars each month. Use the library’s Wi-Fi, your landline and a TV antenna until income returns.
• Shop smart. Pay with cash or debit cards, not with credit cards. Shop around for deals, use coupons and purchase store brands.
• Get creative. Look for free or inexpensive ways to entertain such as playing family games, choosing the library over bookstores, watching movies you already own or doing some local sightseeing.
• Go green and save green. Cut utility costs by turning off and unplugging unused appliances, wash with full loads, set your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer and use fans.

For more personal finance tips, visit www.abaef.com.

The ABA Education Foundation provides financial education programs and resources that help bankers make their communities better.  Nearly 90,000 bankers have taught basic finance skills to about4 million young people through participation in the Foundation’s signature programs, Teach Children to Save and Get Smart About Credit.  Founded by bankers in 1925, the foundation is guided by a board of bankers and is an affiliate of the American Bankers Association. For more information, visit www.abaef.com or call 1-800-BANKERS.

Related Articles:

• 13 Things to Know About Unemployment Insurance
• Surviving a Layoff
• Citi Helping to Fight Foreclosure with Homeowner Unemployment Assist
• Companies that are Hiring

This year (2009) alone 94 federally insured banks have failed.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has identified 416 banks and thrifts that are currently in trouble.

The FDIC currently insures over 8,000 banks and thrifts in the United States.  The FDIC expects the list of banks in trouble to continue to grow this year.

So how do you know if your bank is at risk?  There are few tell tale signs that your bank maybe in trouble.  They include:

• Recent employee layoffs or cutbacks
• Eliminating dividends to shareholders
• Not accepting loan applications
• Generous offers to increase business with the bank
• Offering high interest rates far above the current market rates

However, don’t panic if you have less that $250,000 with your bank if your suspect it maybe in trouble.  The FDIC currently insures deposits up to $250,000.  If you have over $250,000, you should immediately remove your money from that bank.

The FDIC doesn’t make public banks they consider in trouble, however, you can check your bank safety rating at BankRate.com.

You can also look up your banks financials at Sec.gov companysearch.html and search for your bank to review their 10K, 10Q and 8K filings.

Finally, you can check the FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) which is an interactive application that allows you to calculate the insurance coverage of your accounts at each FDIC-insured bank.

Related Article: Video: How the FDIC Takes Over a Failed Bank

If you are a Chase customer you may want to take advantage of Chase Blueprint which is a free online service that helps customers manage their finances.  

Blueprint’s four features include:

• Full Pay: Avoid paying interest on everyday purchases when your pay them off in full each month (separated on your statement).
• Split: Pay off large purchases on your terms, separated on your statement.  Set a goal date or monthly payment.
• Finish It: Pay down your balance transfer.  Choose a goal date or monthly amount.  Blueprint helps with the math and sets up a plan.
• Track It: Seeing your spending trends at a glance and track your progress against goals.

To get started visit Chase.com/Blueprint.

Mixcloud is an online radio site that wants to be the “YouTube of Radio”.  The site helps connect radio content to listeners via radio shows, Podcasts and DJ mixes. And best of all, it’s free!  (See video below).

Mixcloud refers to the radio content as Cloudcasts; audio shows that are stored in the “cloud” and available to be streamed on-demand.

Like YouTube, anyone can create an account and upload their content. The community then decides what they like and what gets to the top of the popularity charts.  Mixcloud accepts all types of radio content from talk to music shows that have 5 tracks or more in MP3 format.

Video: What is Mixcloud.com?

For more information visit Mixcloud.com.