Current law dictates that sometime during the period between 2017 and 2027 the credit rating of the U.S. Government will drop from "AAA" to "junk" because the Baby Boomers will be placing such high pressure on Social Security and Medicare. The government simply cannot permit this, so it is inevitable that personal tax rates will rise dramatically to prevent any shortfall. Even if Congress cuts spending, major tax hikes are inevitable unless dramatic changes occur (like scrapping the IRS and initiating a national sales or flat tax).
It is therefore likely that tax rates on IRA's and other retirement vehicles will increase. However - and this is where it pays to plan ahead - Roth IRA's and Roth 401(k)s will probably remain untouched. Why? Because the taxes have already been paid on the funds that are contributed to a Roth., and future distributions are tax free.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Save Big with Liquidators
Looking for bargains on quality items? No need to look any farther than your computer. The Internet offers a variety of online liquidators. Here are a few:
www.overstock.com - best for electronics, jewelry, designer accessories etc.
www.dgse.com - Jewelry - specializes in pre-owned Rolex watches
www.smartbargains.com - Jewelry, electronics, accessories
www.bluefly.com - designer clothes for both men and women
www.playitagainsports.com - new and used sports gear/equipment
www.overstock.com - best for electronics, jewelry, designer accessories etc.
www.dgse.com - Jewelry - specializes in pre-owned Rolex watches
www.smartbargains.com - Jewelry, electronics, accessories
www.bluefly.com - designer clothes for both men and women
www.playitagainsports.com - new and used sports gear/equipment
Craig's List
If you are looking to buy large or heavy items online, check out Craig's List (www.craigslist.org). Unlike most sites like Ebay, there is a Craig's List for every geographic area. Since the sellers are more local, the shipping/freight charges can often be eliminated - or at least reduced. Also, because the sellers are local, you can often go see the items before you buy, thereby reducing your risk.
And if you have something to sell, in most cases it costs nothing to post on Craig's List.
Oh, and it is the ideal place to look for cheap, last-minute tickets for sporting events, concerts, or even vacations. Many people whose plans change will offer steep discounts to unload tickets they cannot use, and will soon become worthless.
And if you have something to sell, in most cases it costs nothing to post on Craig's List.
Oh, and it is the ideal place to look for cheap, last-minute tickets for sporting events, concerts, or even vacations. Many people whose plans change will offer steep discounts to unload tickets they cannot use, and will soon become worthless.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Immigration Part II
This immigration problem is really getting blown out of proportion, primarily because too many folks are using it to push some miopic agenda. In reality, the solution to illegal immigration and the 12 million already here is rather simple. We can get all the illegal immigrants to register, return home, then come back as INVITED visitors, and bring their families with them.
No need for fences. No need to deport too many. No need to grant amnesty. No need to double the border patrol.
We do not have to deport anyone except the criminals - all the others would self-deport and go home to their families if there were no money or services here for them. Period.
1) First we cut off access to any income and services by coming down hard on employers and any agency or local government that is providing services to illegal immigrants. They are then forced to go home.
2) Before they go home, they will have the opportunity to sign up for the guest worker program (they get registered, so we know who they are, and can do background checks).
3) They would then go home, and if they pass a background check, etc., within 6 months they would be legally invited back TO WORK - but not to become citizens.
They would be VISITORS (guest workers) only. Their stay would be limited to 2 years, at which time they must return home for not less than one year (so others can have the opportunity to come and work, as the workforce grows). If they do so, they will then be granted permission to return for another two years, and so on. During their stay, they must remain employed (self-supporting) and not commit any crimes. If they do not follow the rules, they would be deported and not allowed to return.
These guest workers may bring their families, PROVIDED they can provide for them, financially, so as not to be a drain on the resources of America. But whenever they return home, their families must return home with them. As visitors, they may work, earn, spend, pay taxes. But they would not be entitled to any "entitlements", which would be reserved for American citizens. They can only have whatever they can afford to pay for.
If they want citizenship, they must go through the same process as everyone else. To become citizens, they must learn to speak English, must learn American history, and pass through the same process as all others who have legally sought citizenship. Guest workers would not be obligated to learn English, but they would be encouraged to learn it.
No need for fences. No need to deport too many. No need to grant amnesty. No need to double the border patrol.
We do not have to deport anyone except the criminals - all the others would self-deport and go home to their families if there were no money or services here for them. Period.
1) First we cut off access to any income and services by coming down hard on employers and any agency or local government that is providing services to illegal immigrants. They are then forced to go home.
2) Before they go home, they will have the opportunity to sign up for the guest worker program (they get registered, so we know who they are, and can do background checks).
3) They would then go home, and if they pass a background check, etc., within 6 months they would be legally invited back TO WORK - but not to become citizens.
They would be VISITORS (guest workers) only. Their stay would be limited to 2 years, at which time they must return home for not less than one year (so others can have the opportunity to come and work, as the workforce grows). If they do so, they will then be granted permission to return for another two years, and so on. During their stay, they must remain employed (self-supporting) and not commit any crimes. If they do not follow the rules, they would be deported and not allowed to return.
These guest workers may bring their families, PROVIDED they can provide for them, financially, so as not to be a drain on the resources of America. But whenever they return home, their families must return home with them. As visitors, they may work, earn, spend, pay taxes. But they would not be entitled to any "entitlements", which would be reserved for American citizens. They can only have whatever they can afford to pay for.
If they want citizenship, they must go through the same process as everyone else. To become citizens, they must learn to speak English, must learn American history, and pass through the same process as all others who have legally sought citizenship. Guest workers would not be obligated to learn English, but they would be encouraged to learn it.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Influence Others With Language
Chances are you know someone who can easily persuade people, or who can sell ice to Eskimos. What is their secret?
Well, it could be a number of things, but almost certainly part of the secret lies in the actual words they choose.
As you may have learned from the previous post, "Who Are You?", we are products of our environment. As such, one thing is absolutely certain - we rely upon our five senses to absorb info and learn. And the secret lies right there.
Some people rely most heavily on sight for inputting info. Others may rely most heavily on hearing (perhaps their eyesight is weak). Still others may depend heavily upon touch, smell, or taste. The point is, we are most easily swayed by our dominant sense. If you are sight oriented, you are more apt to believe what you see. If hearing oriented, you may place more importance on what you hear.
That brings us to one of the great secrets of effective communication. If you take a few moments making "small talk" with someone (as good salesmen do), take care to learn which sense seems to be dominant, based on their choice of words. For example, if the person uses phrases like, "I think that stinks", that may hint that smell is one of his more dominant senses. If you hear phrases like, "It sounds good" (hearing), or "It looks good"(sight), you have a clue as to how they absorb input.
Once you know how they assimilate information, you can use that sense to get them to listen to you more intently, and to better understand what you are saying. This can be very persuasive.
In my career as a real estate investor, selling homes is often a priority. If I find that the buyer uses "sight" words, then I use sight-oriented info to help him buy. I highlight the beautiful view, for example. If he is hearing oriented, I might mention the sounds of the songbirds, rippling brook, etc. In this fashion, I am better able to capture his attention, and in doing so, persuade him to buy. If he uses a lot of "smell" words, I make sure there are cookies baking in the oven, or lots of flowers.
We think, learn and communicate according to how we rely upon our senses for data input. You can use that to influence others.
Well, it could be a number of things, but almost certainly part of the secret lies in the actual words they choose.
As you may have learned from the previous post, "Who Are You?", we are products of our environment. As such, one thing is absolutely certain - we rely upon our five senses to absorb info and learn. And the secret lies right there.
Some people rely most heavily on sight for inputting info. Others may rely most heavily on hearing (perhaps their eyesight is weak). Still others may depend heavily upon touch, smell, or taste. The point is, we are most easily swayed by our dominant sense. If you are sight oriented, you are more apt to believe what you see. If hearing oriented, you may place more importance on what you hear.
That brings us to one of the great secrets of effective communication. If you take a few moments making "small talk" with someone (as good salesmen do), take care to learn which sense seems to be dominant, based on their choice of words. For example, if the person uses phrases like, "I think that stinks", that may hint that smell is one of his more dominant senses. If you hear phrases like, "It sounds good" (hearing), or "It looks good"(sight), you have a clue as to how they absorb input.
Once you know how they assimilate information, you can use that sense to get them to listen to you more intently, and to better understand what you are saying. This can be very persuasive.
In my career as a real estate investor, selling homes is often a priority. If I find that the buyer uses "sight" words, then I use sight-oriented info to help him buy. I highlight the beautiful view, for example. If he is hearing oriented, I might mention the sounds of the songbirds, rippling brook, etc. In this fashion, I am better able to capture his attention, and in doing so, persuade him to buy. If he uses a lot of "smell" words, I make sure there are cookies baking in the oven, or lots of flowers.
We think, learn and communicate according to how we rely upon our senses for data input. You can use that to influence others.
Who Are You?
By Bill Vaughn
From the day we are born, we start becoming a product of our environment. Everything we absorb through our five senses helps to create the person we become. And every person we encounter contributes to our makeup in some way. Our parents, siblings, teachers, peers - each of them burns their mark on us, and helps to forge us into who we ultimately become.
And therein lies the problem.
As long as we accept the person that life has molded us into, we will never be the person we really could be, and therefore it is unlikely we will find the happiness we seek. Why? Because we are not ourselves - we are only what others have made us. Think about it - are you a republican or democrat because Dad was? And do your religious beliefs reflect those of your parents? And what about the beliefs you have about money, relationships, love and family - exactly where did those come from?
As children, we have little choice about our beliefs, our life choices - most are made for us. And many of those will hamper us in later life, as we enter adulthood. For example, only 4% of all Americans ever achieve financial independence. Therefore, 96% of us have no clue how to achieve it, yet we go about teaching our children what we (don't) know. So, they won't be any better off.
If your life is not what you would like it to be, chances are you are simply carrying around too many preconceived and wrong notions and beliefs, instilled as a child. As an adult, it becomes your responsibility to either accept all that, and live with it, or change it. Again, we have little choice as a child, but once we become adults, we do have a choice.
Start by writing down all of your beliefs. Then, ask where you came by them, and why you believe them. Ask if those beliefs can be supported by facts. If not sure, investigate. Study. Learn. As you do this, you will be creating newer, better and stronger beliefs. Beliefs that are founded in truth and reality, and not simply because it was taught to you by someone else. But use caution - you are looking for established facts, and not merely another person's opinion. Too many of us allow ourselves to be swayed by others who are pushing their own agenda. It happens every day on college campuses around the country. It happens in schools, gangs, organizations and political groups.
Of course, not all beliefs can be supported with facts. Belief in a Supreme Power may be one of them. In such a case, you simply need to follow the logic - and, to some degree, the "odds". Or just go on faith.
Just for the record, here are the odds:
If you believe in God and He exists, you win.
If you believe in God and He does not exist, you do not lose anything.
If you do not believe in God, and He does not exist, you do not lose anything.
If you do not believe in God, and He does exist, you lose everything.
So, if you believe, you cannot lose, either way. But if you do not believe, your chances of losing are 50/50.
The ONLY way you can lose is if you do not believe.
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