Below is part of a documentary by FRONTLINE titled, “The Madoff Affair.“  The video is of Michael Bienes, who was one of Madoff first two accounts hired in the early 1960s at Madoff’s small investment advisory business.

In the interview with FRONTLINE, Mr. Bienes describes the money making early years. It was “easy, easy-peasy, like a money machine.” When asked if he had ever questioned Madoff about his approach, Bienes answers, “Never. Why would I ask him? I wouldn’t understand it if he explained it.”

FRONTLINE: The Madoff Affair | Michael Bienes Exclusive Interview

Download Audio:  Behind the scene interview with the producers.

Watch video at PBS.com.

Check out these five free Microsoft Applications that many people don’t know exists or are overlooked.   Some of these apps can save you hundreds of dollars because you don’t have to purchase their desktop versions by allowing you to easily use them online.   Some of these applications are also offered by Google, Yahoo and other smaller companies, however, these apps by Microsoft match or beat them.

The free Microsoft applications are as follows:

1. Windows Live SkyDrive – Offers 25GB of online storage free.  You can create folders online and upload files to it. You can also share folders with others.
2. Windows Live Sync – Allows multiple PCs to keep their files and folders synchronized.  You will have to download and run a small app on each PC, then use Windows Live Sync and specify which folders on which PCs should be synchronized.
3. Live Mesh – Allows you to keep your files in the cloud.  Instead of synchronizing files and folders from PC to PC, your create folders in Live Mesh. And then have your PCs sync with those folders.
4. Virtual Earth 3D – A better app that Google Earth that gives you a dramatic 3D views of places around the world.  The downloadable app uses simple controls, allowing you to fly in and out of cities in full 3D.  You can get guided tours that other people have created or make a tour your self and sharing them with others.
5. Office Live Workspace – This service is similar to Google Documents and Zoho that allows you to create and share documents, schedules and to-do lists, etc.  Applications you can use are Office Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.  You can view documents from almost any computer with a Web browser.  No need for flash drives; files are there when and where you need them.  Your files are password-protected.

Forbes has reported America’s Best and Worst Paying Jobs.  The data is according to the U.S. government’s newly released Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, based on 2008 data. A surgeon makes an average of $206,770 a year while a combined food-preparation and service workers make $17,400 per year.  I always say a surgeon can never make too much money, because it’s a job I don’t have the stomach to do.  Cutting another human would be extremely difficult for me to do.  However, I may be able to handle being an anesthesiologist who makes an average of $197,570.

Below is the top 5 best paying jobs and the bottom five worst paying job.

America’s Best-Paying Jobs (Top 5)

1. Surgeons ($206,770)
2. Anesthesiologists ($197,570)
3. Orthodontists ($194,930)
4. Obstetrician and gynecologists ($192,780)
5. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons ($190,420)

See full list of America’s best-paying jobs

America’s Worst-Paying Jobs (Bottom 5)

1. Combined food-preparation and service workers, ($17,400)
2. Cooks, fast food ($17,620)
3. Dishwashers ($17,750)
4. Dining room/cafeteria attendants, bartender helpers ($18,140)
5. Shampooers ($18,300)

See full list of America’s worst-paying jobs

Every month hundreds of thousands of Americans are getting laid off.  With the unemployment rate at 8.5% as of April 2009, millions of families have to deal with the uncertainty and stress from losing their jobs.

The good news is that President Obama’s 2009 Stimulus Package (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) helps people out of work.  There are a few things that you should be aware of.

The first $2,400 from unemployment benefits in 2009 is exempt from federal income taxes.  Of course anything benefit over the $2,400 you will have to pay taxes for.

Unemployment benefits have been extended for 20 weeks plus an additional 13 weeks in high unemployment areas such as Michigan.  Check with your local unemployment office to determine if you eligible for an extension. The date you must exhaust your regular unemployment benefits in order to qualify for extended unemployment benefits has been changed to December 31, 2009 from March 31, 2009.

Although this doesn’t see like much, every dollar helps.  Unemployment benefits have been temporarily increased by $25 per week. Prior to the increase, the average weekly unemployment benefit was about $295.

The government has subsidized COBRA coverage allowing you to keep medical insurance coverage provided by your former employer.  COBRA is usually more expensive, however, for workers laid off between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, the government will subsidize 65% of premiums under COBRA for up to 9 months.   Be sure to contact your former employer to determine if you qualify for the new subsidized COBRA insurance.  The 65% subsidy is for individuals with yearly salaries of $125,000 or less or for couples filing jointly making $250,000.

Related Articles:

• Your Share of Obama’s Stimulus Tax Breaks
• Where’s the Money Going in Obama’s Stimulus Package?
• What’s In the 2009 Stimulus Package for You?
• COBRA Health Insurance Coverage Stimulus Subsidy

Discover Financial Services has launched a Paperless $30,000 Giveaway for customers to sign up for paperless statements.  Apparently, Discover must see some big savings to convince customers to go paperless.

There is one (1) Grand Prize of $15,000, three (3) first prizes of $5,000 each.

The promotion is open only to residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are Discover Card members enrolled for Discover Card Paperless Statements as of 11:59:59 PM (CT) on 5/31/09 and are 18 years of age or older as of time of entry. Void in Florida, New York and Rhode Island and where prohibited by law.

If you are already enrolled in Discover Card Paperless Statements on or before 5/31/09, you will automatically receive one entry into the sweepstakes. If you are not enrolled in Discover Card Paperless Statements, visit Discover.com/sweepstakes beginning 12:01 AM (CT) on 5/1/09 and follow the on-screen instructions to enroll.

After enrolling, you will receive one entry into the sweepstakes. There is no cost associated with enrollment. To be eligible for the sweepstakes, you must enroll for Discover Card Paperless Statements by 11:59:59 PM (CT) on 5/31/09. Limit one entry per person per Discover Card.

A random drawing will be conducted on or about 6/17/09 from among all eligible entries received.

For more information visit www.discovercard.com/paperless-statements/sweepstakes.html

If you are looking for a prepaid credit card to help rebuild your credit then consider checking out the Eufora Elite Credit Builder Prepaid MasterCard. The card will help to build your credit by reporting to all the credit bureaus.  There is a 100% guaranteed approval* with no credit check, which is perfect for bad credit or no credit.  

Direct deposits are free, point of sale transaction are free, 24/7 online access is free, and live customer support is free.

You can also reload the card at thousands of retail locations nationwide with a $5,000 maximum value.  The card also comes with a cash reward program.  
Visit Eufora.com.

* Obtaining Your Card: The USA PATRIOT Act is a federal law that requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens a Card Account. What this means for you: When you open a Card Account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents. “Guaranteed Approval” is contingent upon successfully passing this mandatory identification confirmation.

For more information visit Eufora.com.

If you are for a dental discount plan, then you need to take a look at DentalPlans.com.  DentalPlans.com offers discount dental plans for individuals, families and groups looking to save money on their dental care needs. Like an insurance companies, participating dental care providers have agreed to accept a discounted fee from plan members as payment-in-full for services performed. As a plan member, you simply show your membership card when visiting any participating plan provider to receive most dental services at discounted fees.

However, keep in mind that discount dental plans offered through DentalPlans.com are not insurance plans, but discount programs.  Joining a discount dental plan allows you to save money on most dental care services.  DentalPlans.com customer service representatives can assist you in finding the right plan and participating provider in your area.  Of course you can also research the different plans and participating providers in your area online at DentalPlans.com.

The advantages of discount dental plans include:

• Savings of 10% to 60% on most dental procedures
• Choose from more than 30 national and regional plans with more than 100,000 participating dentist listings in combined networks
• Join online instantly and enjoy quick plan activation
• Easy-to-use search tools and plan comparison charts
• Qualified Customer Service Representatives to assist you
• No unnecessary paperwork hassles
• Discounts on dental specialties available with most plans
• No health restrictions

For more information visit DentalPlans.com.