Monthly Archives: February 2010

Author : Jay Peroni

If you study U S economic history and go back all the way to the 1850s, you will find only three occurrences when the economy fell back into a recession within 12 months of a previous recession The big question becomes, if a double dip is possible, how likely will it occur today? This is a great question! However, I am not so much worried about the U S economy being in a recession as I am about a deep, extended consumer recession

We have to separate the two The economy as a whole can be out of a recession (growing), yet consumers can still be in a consumer recession (depressed earnings, lack of savings, lack of credit, lack of spending) The worry about the overall economy trickles down to the consumer and can cause pessimism or optimism It takes the economy climbing out of a recession before the consumer follows suit In other words, you can’t have one without the other So if the overall economy plays an important role for the consumer, will we avoid a double dip?

Two of the previous double dips were pre-World War II (1913 & 1920) and show little resemblance to today’s situation The other occurrence was in 1980 as the Fed tried to combat double digit inflation This was back when interest rates hovered around 20% at their peak!

The reasons I think a double dip is unlikely is due to two main factors: the Government’s willingness and commitment to:

* Keep interest rates low while unemployment keeps rising

* Spend our way out of the recession

Though these fixes are short term solutions, will they work?

With our economy caught in a pickle between inflation and deflation, it is unlikely that we will slip back into another economic recession The recovery appears to be on track but at what cost? When our government throws trillions of dollars at the economy (through bailouts, guarantees, and stimulus packages now estimated at $11 trillion), it is bound to have some effect Let’s not forget the first time buyer home credit ($8,000) and cash for clunkers programs fueled much of the GDP increase that signified we were officially out of the recession Are we committed to continuing to pile up debt and essentially guarantee future tax hikes?

Americans apparently are growing weary and tired of this strategy as evidenced by the growing number of Tea Parties across the country where Democrats and Republicans are standing opposition of the endless spending Fiscal conservatism seems to be on the rise and in vogue as evidenced by the special elections and governor races that attacked wasteful spending!

While much of the public and media continue to focus heavily on rising unemployment rate and failed stimulus policies, the stock market should continue to watch for improvements that may or may not come sooner rather than later These government strategies will prove to be costly at some point, whether they work or not is another thing to be seen

We are in unchartered waters right now and have little history to fall back on here If the economic tides shift we could be in for a freefall Even if we are indeed stabilized, we should still expect some sort of sell-off before we continue the advance When will this occur? No one truly knows! This market has been anything but normal, but history shows corrections need to occur before strength and confidence fully come back to the markets

Despite the ‘concerns of mixing faith and money’ by some in the financial industry, Jay has boldly written 2 books dealing with just that: The Faith Based Millionaire and The Faith Based Investor. But more importantly, he’d like you to have a copy of his latest research absolutely free. It’s available in a new report titled How To Screen Your Investments that will show you how to keep the immoral junk out of your portfolio. You can get your free copy at www.freereport.faithbasedinvestor.com

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Author : Kaye Dennan

Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan

Property purchasing or property investing as it is termed today, is an age old strategy for securing your financial future It has been happening since time began and I dare say will continue to happen for many years to come

One thing for certain is that there is no more ground being developed and the value of real estate will keep climbing over the years and of course, along with the population growth, ensures that the value of all the essential necessities of life will continue to grow in value Gold, oil, timber, steel and food of all sorts are just other examples of how the demands of quantity forces the cost of items up if they are in short or limited supply

As sure as prices go up they also go down, and the world economy has experienced this during 2008 and 2009 We have yet to see what 2010 will bring as countries around the world stagger to recover from the global crisis

No matter what country you live in you would have either personally experienced an equity drop in real estate or you would have seen it happening somewhere near you Some countries are recovering faster than others and some countries like Australia, did not actually suffer too severely during these last two years and have also created a lot of interst from international investors

Again, back to where you live You can probably now see different areas where real estate prices are starting to level out or in fact starting to increase in price as people feel more confident about their financial future and have a little more job security

Keep abreast of interest rate increases

As each country rebounds from this crisis they will be increasing interest rates so if you are calculating your finances to purchase property and build a property investment portfolio, do factor in increased interest rates because they are a sure thing in the next year or two It is uncertainhow much they will go up and how quickly they will go up, but up they will go, so make sure you have excess cash to absorb the interest rate increase That is, unless you have another strategy for increasing rent, like upgrading the property

Research your finance

It is a good idea to research your finance options and work out what will be the best for the next few years A fixed loan which would mean you are paying a higher rate now could prevent increases for a few years and this may be a way to go Or a split loan, fixed and variable might be more manageable Check to see what costs there may be of creating a mortgage and any costs to get out of a mortgage as all these will cut into your property profit

Thousands of people will start building property investment portfolios in the next few years and if you are going to be one of them, research in all areas will make your investments more secure

Kaye Dennan has been involved in property investing for many years personally and also as a licensed real estate principal. With over 15 years being associated with it herself Kaye is keen to help others with the tips learnt over the years. For more insight into the ins and outs of property investing go to http://propertyinvestmentknowhow.com

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Author : Joseph Kenny

Did you know there are many types of bank accounts? Many people assume that checking and savings are the only valuable bank accounts available, but that is not always the case For many people, checking and savings is all that is needed, but many other people need a more robust variety of financial tools Let’s look at some of the more common types of bank accounts

The most common bank accounts are the checking accounts A checking account uses paper checks and/or electronic funds transfers as its primary means of business By opening a checking account you receive paper checks that can be used for a variety of purposes Many checking accounts are free, but some may charge a small fee each month

It is always a good idea to learn about any fees in advance of opening any type of bank accounts and this includes checking Some institutions will also allow you the use of their ATM with your account Other institutions may also allow you the use of debit cards which can be very handy As with checking fees, make sure you understand if there are added charges for using the ATM or for using debit cards

The next most popular bank accounts are the savings accounts that virtually all banks offer With most savings accounts you can make deposits and withdrawals, the same as you might do with a checking account Keep in mind, however, that savings accounts are normally not as flexible as checking accounts

In some cases, you are only allowed to make a set number of withdrawals per month from your savings It should also be understood that many savings accounts do not include checks which means you must visit the bank to get your money The use of ATM’s is usually allowed for savings bank accounts for both deposits and withdrawals

Money market accounts are yet another tool that many people find useful For the most part, a money market account pays higher interest on the funds that you deposit than a simple savings account, but there are also more restrictions on how and when you can get your funds when you need them These bank accounts will normally have a minimum balance that must be maintained in order for you to get the higher interest rate Also, you may find that these bank accounts have a very restrictive limit on the amount of withdrawals you can make each month

Another financial investment tool that many people find beneficial is the certificate of deposit (CD) that many financial institutions offer These particular bank accounts should be treated as investment vehicles rather than money-moving accounts

All CD programs require a certain amount of funds be deposited into the account and you must also agree to leave the money in the account for a predetermined length of time In exchange, the bank or credit union agrees to pays a higher interest rate on the money you have placed into the account

In the event you withdraw the funds early you will most likely be charged a penalty fee In some cases, you may be allowed to withdraw the interest that has accrued without having to pay the penalty fee, but this varies from institution to institution

Joe Kenny writes for Only Stop, compare bank accounts in the UK, visit them today for savings accounts and also loans, some great deals are available.

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Author : Art Gib

Commercial bankers help regular folks and small businesses manage their finances and obtain loans to help them in their daily enterprises Investment banking is a whole other arena in the financial services world, where bankers help companies and even governments raise the capital they need, and give advice and assistance with every financial aspect of their business

Good investment banks provide expert advice and strategies that will help a company with divestitures on the one end of the spectrum, and mergers and acquisitions on the other end They will help a company make money through trading in different markets, including foreign exchange, commodities, and equity securities, to name a few

Most investment banks have research divisions, whose job it is to stay abreast of the latest trends so that traders can give a bank’s clients the very latest and the very best advice about how to invest their funds In today’s precarious investment environment, this arm of the bank is particularly important Precautions are put into place to prevent the research side and the business side of the bank to affect one another so that there is not a conflict of interest

Of course, a good investment banking operation will have a risk management division whose job is to analyze credit risks and set limits on the amount of capital being traded at any one time and on any given day

Generally speaking, investment banks do not have ready cash available to lend to the companies they are dealing with Rather, they raise funds through selling equity or debt or finding investors willing to align themselves with a client In essence, i-banks act as intermediaries between a business and capital acquisition sources That capital may come from within (divestiture) or without (acquisition through mergers or wise trading)

When choosing an investment banker to help with a company, an owner should look for one with a long record of honest and reliable service in the industry Today’s volatile financial environment demands accountability and excellent service for a bank to thrive and truly make a difference for its clients An i-bank is a partner in helping a company grow and expand; as it is when choosing any partner, an owner needs to compare and contrast the different banks that are out there wanting to have the company’s business

When doing research, an owner should be able to be given proof of the recent services provided by the i-bank Does the bank have a long list of clients who are willing to recommend it? How long has the bank been in business and does it provide the kinds of services your particular company needs? A reputable investment banker will be one of the best tools an industry can have to help it remain solvent and keep growing

If you are looking for the most experienced bankers in Texas, and want investment banking in Houston, contact the professionals at GulfStarGroup (http://www.gulfstargroup.com/). With over 20 years’ history in the city, they are ready to help your company succeed. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

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Author : Joe Cline,

Lakeway is a beautiful resort community, situated just west of the major city of Austin, Texas Appealing to both singles and families or all ages, this area has experienced tremendous growth since its early days as a vacation destination The area has a crime rate well below the state and national averages, making this community a very safe place for its residents Made up of a combination of middle class families and wealthy retirees, Lakeway is one of the most desirable areas in which to live, within the suburbs of Austin

History

Lakeway was developed around an inn and resort that is still a central part of the town The main attraction of the resort complex was and still is Lake Travis, which offered residents of nearby major cities a place to escape and vacation In the years following the opening of the inn in 1963, the owners of the Lakeway Inn began selling the surrounding property and a small resort community sprang up Growth has continued, making the small city a haven for retirees and families with young children The diversity of the community has changed the area from a Mecca for the wealthy, to a community for those ranging from middle class and upwards

Economy/Jobs

Lakeway is an affluent area, with a median family income of approximately $94,266, as of estimates in 2006 The unemployment rate is well under the national average, holding at 3 8%, according to most estimates The majority of the area’s available employment is within the Computer Information industry, with technology manufacturing and software development at the forefront of open positions Current employment statistics show that approximately 16 percent of the Lakeway population is employed within the education and human services fields, including medical positions

Real Estate

The median price for listed homes in the Lakeway area was $273,100, as of the end of April 2008 Major new developments in the area provide plenty of opportunities for purchasing a newly built home within reasonable price ranges Compared to the national average, Lakeway has had very few foreclosures over the recent months and area growth has been very steady Previously occupied homes for sale tend to be hard to find, bringing premium prices on the market There are many homes in the area, valued at well over a million dollars, in gated communities for added security

Attractions

The Lakeway area has much to offer its residents and visitors, in the way of local attractions There are beautiful local parks with hiking trails, water features and activities for young and old, alike The city has built a skate park for its younger residents to enjoy, as well Of course, the area of Lake Travis offers fishing boating and water sports opportunities Area shopping centers include a variety of retailers and restaurants to please all shopping habits and dining tastes Austin is a short drive away, giving locals access to the nightlife and entertainment of the city, while continuing to live in the suburban peace and quiet For picnicking families and individuals, City Park is a great place featuring 64 acres of breathtaking area The park is at 502 Hurst Creek Road accessible via water as well from Hurst Creek Cove on Lake Travis The park can be accessed freely by Lakeway residents but visitors need to pay for entrance City Park is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Fun activities in the park include two miles of trails, bike and skate paths, a butterfly garden, playgrounds for toddlers and preschoolers and a dog park

The author writes articles on Austin Texas Real Estate Blog. For more information about Austin Real Estate, Pflugerville Real Estate and Lakeway Real Estate can be found on the net.

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Author : Thomas Pretty

Putting a property up for sale can be a stressful experience; there are many considerations to make and reams of paperwork that must be filled in The first factor to consider is the reasons to move home; by understanding this it is possible to create a plan and approach that will stand the best chances of achieving success Once this is understood however it is possible to undertake the practicalities of pursuing property sales Hopefully the following article will be able to provide advice to those selling their home

The most important factor when pursuing property sales is to present the home effectively It is a cold hard fact that a dirty or poorly decorated property will not reach the same figure as one that is clean, tidy and elegantly decorated For the homeowner it is advisable to spend time completing those jobs that have been sitting on the backburner for months For instance if a potential buyer sees that a door has not been put up or is hanging loose, they will wonder what else in the home is faulty or incomplete That said, it is ill advised to undertake large changes to the home when pursuing sales, typically these will be expensive and will take a great deal of time and effort; in some cases this effort may not even yield results If redecorating, the homeowner should try and keep things neutral and simple, effectively creating a blank canvas for potential buyers

For those who wish to utilise the services of an estate agent there are other considerations that must be made Most experts agree that shopping around is the most advisable course of action as it allows the seller to find the best balance between costs and services To assess this balance there are a number of important questions that should be asked

The first question should be the size of the commission rate In the majority of cases the agent will take around one to three percent of the eventual sales figure; of vital importance however is to ensure the agent operates on a no sale, no fee basis

It is also important to ask about the notice period applicable This is important as should the homeowner wish to change agencies, they must normally give notice to the agent before they can make the change Understandably being tied to an agent for an extended period of time is not preferable

These two questions are clearly the most important although there are other enquiries that should be made These questions include how the property is likely to be marketed, whether or not the agency pursues sales over the internet and how they plan to conduct viewings All of these questions are important as they give the homeowner a means of assessing the services provided by any agency, it also gives the homeowner an indication of how the sales process will be conducted and with knowledge received can even supply a form of consumer protection

It hoped that this article has cleared up some of the issues surrounding the property sales process While it is in no way intended as a comprehensive guide, the hope is that it acts as a valid introduction to selling homes and extracting the best possible services from estate agents With this information it should be possible for all those selling their homes to limit the stress and worry involved in the exchange process

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty advises those involved in the property sales process how to make the most of the services provided by their estate agent as well as their home’s assets.

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Author : Paul Hata

With all the three letter names floating around our society what is one more? Really? It’s not like we don’t have enough to worry about without adding this burden

However, when it comes to real life, these three letters will have a greater noticeable affect on people than many of the other three letter names that we here on a regular basis such as the CIA, FBI, NSB, ATF, and countless other abbreviations that are hidden behind three little letters

The good news is that an IRA isn’t nearly as insidious as its name would imply This is a useful tool to most Americans who hope to someday retire from their life of work and life out a somewhat comfortable existence There are actually many different IRAs, which is the abbreviation for Individual Retirement Account

A Traditional IRA is the most common The only requirement for this particular IRA is that you are employed and that you invest no more than 100% of your income or $4,000 per year, whichever is greater up to the age of 49

At the age of 50 your maximum investment is 100% of your income or $5,000 whichever happens to be greater If you meet the requirements of the IRS to their satisfaction your contributions to your traditional IRA will be tax deductible As a result, the funds are not taxed while in your IRA account but once the funds are withdrawn they are subject to federal income taxes

This is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly for those who plan to be in a lower tax bracket when the funds are withdrawn However, there is a growing number of people who are interested in the benefits that Roth IRAs and similar funds present by paying the taxes now when the rates are known rather than risk an even higher rate of taxation in the future, even in a lower tax bracket The best advice I can give is to discuss the matter thoroughly with your financial planner and listen to their advice

This is a case where only you can ultimately decide which decision is best for your needs but he or she can provide valuable guidance You should also keep in mind that though laws favor non-taxation for Roth contributions that could change between now and the time you are ready to withdraw your funds, which will have you paying double taxes on those funds and is the primary reason that many people elect to stick with Traditional IRAs instead

There are several distinct disadvantages to the traditional IRA funds One of those would be the requirements in order to qualify for tax deductions First of all, if you have the opportunity to invest in another retirement option through your employer you must be below a certain income level in order to qualify for the tax deduction If you do not meet that qualification all the funds that are deposited into your IRA fund are subject to federal income tax

You will need to seriously discuss your stock buying strategies before determining if this is the best choice for you as those who buy and hold tend to be penalized when it comes to capital gains

As things are currently, a Roth IRA is often preferable as the money isn’t immediately tax deductible but not only is the investment not taxed upon withdrawal but neither are the gains that were earned on the investment Another serious setback when it comes to the traditional IRA is that you are required to begin receiving payments at age 70 5 As we are seeing more and more people work well beyond the traditional retirement age this is becoming more and more of an issue

There are advantages and disadvantages to traditional IRAs It is important that you decide which of these you are prepared to live with and which you would rather live without These differences will matter a great deal when retirement comes Take the time to discuss your goals for the future with your financial advisor and see what he or she recommends

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Author : Cindy Heller

A retirement party is a great way to celebrate the transition of a colleague from employment into retirement Many offices buzz with the excitement of organizing a retirement party for a dear old colleague who may have spent decades working at the same place There is no single cookie cutter formula or format for a retirement party Each party is unique That is why an organizer needs many retirement party ideas

A lot more effort is usually spent organizing a party for a dear old colleague who has spent many years, perhaps decades, in the same company Less effort will be spent for a farewell party for a colleague that may have been with the company for a shorter time and has not had the chance to get to know everyone well

You will need to consider several factors before you even get started The retirement party may be held either in the office premises or at a function hall or restaurant The organizing committee will have many things to consider beyond the venue They need to come up with a suitable theme, a program, food and drinks and perhaps presents and performances

Since a retirement party for the person being feted is an important milestone for all concerned, some effort is required to ensure that everybody who attends it has a memorable time That is the key reason why many retirement party ideas need to be considered before settling on a few that will make the event fun for all

Fun Theme For A Retirement Party

The starting point for organizing a retirement party is to agree on a theme It is important to choose a theme that is in harmony with the nature of the retiree being feted If the soon-to-be retiree is quiet by nature and conservative avoid parties that would be considered loud and wild If on the other hand, he or she was the livewire in the office, then a party with all the bells and whistles can be considered

After the theme and venue have been confirmed, then the decorations need to be discussed for the retirement party It will be a great idea to use old photographs of the soon-to-be retiree at various company functions – from the time he or she joined the company and right up to today Banners at the entrance and within the party room are great decorations too If these have the name of the soon-to-be retiree, they will probably be thrilled to see that so much effort has been made to celebrate his or her transition into the golden years The banners can also indicate their start and end dates The time span may be a staggering number of decades

A popular item on the agenda for the retirement party is a slide show highlighting the development of the soon-to-be retiree during his or her many years of service in the company This can be really special and humorous if the organizing team is able to secure old photographs depicting the retiring colleague in various situations and events The slide show can be set to music and a presenter can describe the various images humorously The slide show can be presented to the retiree as a treasured token of his or her times at the company If highlights of the retirement party are appended to the slide show, this will give the retiree something to remember their times at the company and the fabulous send off party

Depending on the finalized party venue, you may need to think of cutlery and paper products This can include paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, spoons and cups If office furniture will be used to place the food and drinks on, then protective plastic sheets may also be needed If the retirement party is held outside the company premises, then the caterer would take care of these issues

Next come the invitations You can choose to prepare paper invitations, well-designed emails or a banner on the company web-site to invite everyone to the retirement party You may use timecards or other work related items as a quirky form of invitation Whichever method you choose align your choices to the theme of the retirement party

If the retirement party has an active format, then some games and contests can be planned The games can involve questions regarding significant and humorous events that the soon-to-be retiree has experienced Perhaps some questions regarding his or her area of expertise may also be a good idea

The purpose of any retirement party is to wish farewell to a colleague who is about to begin enjoying his golden years Make the occasion as fun as possible Keep everyone entertained right through the party with humor If a retirement party is planned well ahead and has the benefit of many contributors in ideas, time and props, the chances of having an enjoyable time are great!

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit Retirement Sentiments to learn more about pinchot retirement plan and nationwide retirement solutions.

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