It may not seem obvious to many people, but the strategies involved in real estate investing and stock market investing are different from each other. Many people, disenchanted with the lackluster performance of their stock portfolio, first become interested in real estate investing after someone they know makes a large sum of money in real estate in a relatively short time.

If that sounds like YOU, be warned: investing in real estate in the hopes that the market will increase rapidly and steadily is, and always has been, a risky strategy, and can cause severe difficulty if you guess wrong about a piece of property–or if the entire real estate market begins to collapse, as has happened many times in the past.

If you can afford to buy real estate and hold on to it for five to fifteen years, you will nearly always realize a substantial profit. If you are savvy enough to buy a significantly discounted piece of property and then sell it within a year, you’ll make money, too. But buying an investment property at its fair market value that only gives you a break-even cash flow (or worse yet, loses money every month) can sink you in a relatively short time if you don’t have the wherewithal to feed it until you CAN make money on it.

It’s like riding a horse. If you don’t know how to ride, you’d better take some lessons before you sign up for a rodeo! The results could be disastrous if you make a mistake. And if you haven’t done your homework, you WILL make a mistake. The wrong real estate investment could cause not just financial hardship, but also financial ruin.

So know your real estate market, inside and out. Know where it is in its overall cycle, because all markets, no matter how hot, have ups and downs within the overall trend. There are always bargains available, regardless of the market. Watch your local housing market so you know how much rental income to expect and if there is a vacancy glut on the market. Two years ago you could buy an apartment building in Las Vegas for zero down because investors couldn’t rent the apartments. Some investors who could afford to make up the negative cash flow each month made a killing in appreciation. Investors with financing or cash who transformed the apartments into condominiums made even more money.

Finding the lowest-priced financing also helps make the most return on your investment. Unlike stock investing, you need strong credit to use other people’s money to finance investment property.

Even if you’re frustrated by a lackluster stock market, don’t expect to make a short-term killing in real estate to make up for it. In both cases, one of the best strategies is to buy excellent examples–and then hang on for awhile. It’s also a good strategy to maintain a cash reserve, especially when it comes to real estate. That way, even if the market heads south, you won’t find yourself being overwhelmed while you wait for the inevitable rebound in prices.

Real estate investing can carry more significant consequences than stock market investing if you guess wrong, since there’s generally a great deal more money involved. So take it easy, do your homework, and don’t rush into anything until you’ve learned as much as you can about how to become a prudent real estate investor.

Copyright © Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher teaches beginning real estate investors how to find bargains, finance multiple properties, fix with designer touches for less money, and sell houses for top dollar. FREE “Interior Design Psychology for Selling Houses” ebook at http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com

Posted by admin as Better Investment at 7:06 PM CDT

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To get a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar is not as difficult as many people think. The ticket offices are found at the port and ferries leave regularly from 7h30 to 15h45 - although times tend to change. There are three high speed ferries companies to choose from and each has about two departures per day. No pre-booking is needed simply turn up and buy a ticket for the next boat. Times change regularly, but there is usually a boat ever hour or two.

The port is close to the centre of town in both Dar es Salaam and Stone Town. Tickets can be bought at the port but you will have to brave the ticket touts who earn a living from commission from ticket sales. Watch out for pickpockets.

The journey takes about an hour and a half and leaves The mainland and heads for Stone Town the capital of Zanzibar, the port and entrance to these spiced islands. Entering this small port by ferry from Dar es Salaam is certainly an unforgettable experience, never failing to make the most weary traveler eager to explore this ancient port.

As you step onto the wharf the smell of cloves is carried on the breeze to greet you; immediately you are aware Stone Town is out of the ordinary. Arab dhows white-sails shaped like the crescent moon, sail gently out of the harbor and pass along the miles of palm fringed beaches. Stone Town transports you into the past. The whole atmosphere is of medieval times, veiled women, their hands and feet hennaed with elaborate patterns, haggle in the markets and small shops which cluster on the peripheries of the town.

The spice islands of Zanzibar refers to an archipelago of fifty or so islands with Unquia and Pemba being the largest. The main island is more commonly referred to simply as Zanzibar and to all intents and purposes Unquia is Zanzibar.

The Return journey to the mainland has the option of the night ferry and as the name suggests sails overnight. It is a slow journey taking literally the whole night - however - it is cheaper than the high speed ferries.

The site http://www.tanzania-info.co.uk has full details and timetables for Zanzibar Ferries - and http://www.betheladventure.co.uk has safari information. Use responsible tourism to make a difference.

Posted by admin as University of Leisure at 2:15 AM CDT

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The UK credit crunch can be a scary situation for any small organisation, especially with the rate of firms having to cut jobs in the last ten months. With the recession it truly makes most company finance directors to decide to cut company budgets for almost everything like office furniture. With all of this in mind, the greater part of owners are now looking at second hand furniture or cheap furniture.

No more are the times when business owners would kit the place of work in oak and pine antique desks from the Victorian era and own marble flooring at reception. Many now use bargain office furniture. The lovely thing about cheap furniture is that business owners might actually get much more for your cash than finance directors would expect. For the same cost of an antique oak computer desk, finance directors could probably afford to find a woodchip reception desk, leather chair, filing cabinet and office plant.

With the UK credit crunch, various businesses will be looking for ways to cut outgoings. Assessing the cost that is not necessary might well help numerous companies free up money to help with their financial situation. So next time you are seeking to get office desks be fully aware that there is a less costly option out there if finance departments look for it. Find the latest range of Computer Desks from ComputerFurnitureWarehouse.com

Posted by admin as House Of Shopping at 5:45 PM CDT

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For clarity’s sake: a gambling house is a construction that focuses on games of chance. At such a place, aficionados will hopefully have fun by challenging the one-armed-bandits or some other pastimes of chance. Gaming room games on the whole include logically determined percentages constituting them which ensure the gaming company holds on to its superiority over the patrons. Sloto’Cash Casino

Far too many betting establishment games can encourage you to become hooked in no time. Case in point being the archetypal one armed bandit, a cash operated contraption with three or more drums which pivot if an arm on its side is operated. The machine most often rewards corresponding with a string of pictures seen on the screen of the gadget. Regretfully, casino games proffer the delusion of domination, effectively hoodwinking the gambler — the participant is given over options, but in reality they can not match the customer’s overall negative odds. This is brought about by the the gaming establishment never paying the full stake as expected. This systematic arrangement will persistently be noticeable in well-known casino games such as Texas hold’em poker, dice games, roulette or blackjack.

Poker is really a very fashionable casino pastime. The betting enthusiasts, closely guarding their guarded hands, will wager into a pot in the center which is ultimately given to the prevailing gamester retaining the leading combination of cards. (And yes, the shameless bluff can win too!) Resembling five-card stud poker, blackjack too is an immensely trendy casino pastime. A substantial amount of its repute is by virtue of the mix of chance and skill & decision making, and a trick named “counting”. It is an approach in which gaming aficionados will dramatically switch the odds of the game to establish the upper hand both by betting & strategy opetations established on the hands shown.

“Craps” is another well-known game involving the roll of 2 dice. Aficionados can bet stakes on the end result of one cycle, or on a succession of spins on two dice. Dissimilar to blackjack, there just isn’t any viable long term winner tactics people could play on to boost the odds.

Roulette is another eminently popular casino pastime; a croupier will revolve a roulette wheel which incorporates a set of thirty seven (as in French roulette) or, alternatively thirty eight (American or Vegas roulette) distinctively numbered cells in which a rolling ball will eventually come to rest, which will obviously be the final winning number and the other related combinations. Supposing that the gamer bets on any given number which makes it, in other words it’s their lucky day, the guaranteed remuneration is 35 to 1, the stake is paid back. Consequently in totality it’s increased by thirty-six.

You should always be guarded for these gambling saloon pastimes are considered extremely habituating. An incredible number of lives are known to have been demolished in the course of reckless gambling and albeit it indisputably can be enjoyable, work to govern oneself.

Posted by admin as Best Gambling, Online Luck, University of Leisure at 9:50 AM CDT

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The 1990’s were the longest period of economic prosperity in U.S. history. What goes up, must come down and in 2000 the economy cycled back downward. Business cycle and market fluctuations are outside of your control.

Here are several powerful strategies you can use to help manage your retirement portfolio in any economic climate. An appropriate asset allocation, retirement plan and insurances can together create a financial strategy to help your savings last a lifetime.

Asset Allocation Review

Are you positive that your funds are distributed appropriately among asset classes such as stocks, bonds, cash, and real estate? Your risk tolerance, target retirement date, and overall financial situation also needs to be taken into consideration.

Allocations traditionally become more conservative as retirement approaches. Even retirees may want to earmark a portion of their portfolio for growth investments, such as equities, in order to safeguard it from the potential effects of inflation.

Plan Withdrawals Carefully

When it is time to create an income stream from your portfolio, remember that there are regulations governing withdrawals from tax-advantaged retirement plans such as traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s.3 Although you must begin taking the required minimum distributions (RMDs) by age 701/2 new rules simplify how RMDs are calculated. If you have a pension or other sources of income, you may be able to withdraw less, while easing your tax burden, and leaving more of your retirement fund intact to continue growing tax deferred.

Health-Care Options

The cost of nursing-home stays and home health care has risen dramatically, potentially affecting the millions of retirees who will someday require long-term care for an injury or chronic illness. Owning a long-term-care insurance policy can help protect you from a dangerous cash drain during your retirement years.

You may need help implementing these strategies and should speak with your financial planner. At some time in the future you will be glad you were proactive about preserving your retirement funds.

Roger Sorensen

America’s Financial Guide can be found at ==>http://www.Slave2Work.com Subscribe to Money Basics via http://www.slave2work.com/ezine.html

Slave2Work.com - Are you ready for financial freedom?

Posted by admin as Better Investment at 7:20 AM CDT

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The current environment is for traders only.

We are starting to see indications things might be picking up. Sometimes, the “short term” bounce turns into the “long term” move. Sometimes it doesn’t. So stay tuned. And check the hotline for updates, as it’s updated every few days. It’s a toll free call and available 24-7.

Remember that the market is currently on defense, so the name of the game right now is…

Principal Preservation!

What’s on my list of “things to do” right now is to have a shopping list ready to go. When we go back on offense, it’s no time for dawdling. I’m finalizing this shopping list right now.

In a retirement account, like a 401k, a deferred comp plan or 403b account, the current order is safety-safety-safety. That will change as soon as the light changes to green.

Outside of a retirement account, there is an easy way to “dip a toe in the pool,” which is about all we SHOULD do now. Buying the deep in-the-money calls is a way to get the big toe wet.

What’s a deep in-the-money call? As an example XYZ stock is trading at $63. A deep in-the-money call would be calls with a strike price of $50, or say $55. The $55 calls should be priced around $8, plus a premium for the amount of time left until expiration.

By getting in with $8 instead of $63, we keep more money on the sidelines, which is exactly what we want to do in defensive times. And you can get a lot of mileage by only investing small amounts in this approach and keeping the bulk of your assets in cash, out of harms way.

But it HAS to be deep in-the-money calls. Speculators will buy calls at (or sometimes, even above!) where the stock is trading. For example, if XYZ stock is trading at $65, they’d buy the 65 calls. This is because they’re usually the cheapest priced options.

This is NOT what we want!

Deep “in-the-money” calls can often move in tandem with the underlying stock. Sometimes they will match, point for point, the move in the stock. Let me explain why this really matters.

Subconsciously, when many folks buy a stock, they think they’ll own that stock for a long time. But we’re on defense. So we may need to exit an idea quickly. If this happens, and we are holding a stock, we might hesitate about selling. Our subconscious may be telling us to “hang in there.”

Bad!

In bull markets, you can “hang in there.” In a bear market (like now), there is no TIME for us to “hang in there.” It’s either working, or it’s not.

Now, if we own a call option (and not a stock) we may be less inclined to “hang in there” like we could with a stock. Because if the stock drops to (or below) the strike price of the calls, the calls will be worthless. This is essentially the same result we’d get if we were stopped out on a stock.

We need to take this kind of protective approach today because we don’t know when the market will be going back on offense.

Yes, “calls” are options. Options can destroy accounts when they are used improperly. 100 shares buyers should buy only 1 call. 200 shares, 2 calls. Problems come along when someone who normally buys 100 shares decides to buy 35 calls (which is the equivalent of buying 3500 shares of stock). So they’re not for everyone. And, like driving a car (or most other things in life), if you don’t know what you are doing…

You Can Get REALLY Hurt!

But using deep in-the-money calls can create a scenario where you can invest in several different ideas, all at the same time, with far less dollars than buying the actual stocks.

Regards,

PS Now you know why I’m busy preparing my shopping list! That’s my job. Now, your job is to keep coming up with these great questions I continue to get. So continue to email and call. And check the hotline. Back in a few days with another update.

Thomas P. Mullooly, President of Mullooly Asset Management, LLC (http://www.mullooly.net) has spent over twenty years in the investment industry, as a broker and as an investment advisor.

Posted by admin as Better Investment at 6:29 PM CDT

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Why learn about medicinal plants? Certainly, backpackers shouldn’t leave the first aid kit home, but it can be useful and interesting to know a few plant medicines too. Whether you are someday in a survival situation, or you just lost your first aid kit and have a terrible headache, wouldn’t it be nice to find relief nearby?

You can. There are many effective medicinal plants. Some are also dangerous, of course, just like synthetic medicines can be. I won’t discuss those here. This is a quick guide to a few safe plant medicines.

Plants For Pain Relief

Fill the bottom of a cup with shredded willow bark, and make a cup of tea with it. Let it steep for a few minutes before you drink it. The active ingredient is salicin, closely related to salacylic acid, which is used to make aspirin. You can also try chewing on a few balsam poplar buds.

Antiseptic Plants

Sap from “blisters” on balsam firs is a strong antiseptic. Pop the blisters on the trunks of young trees, and the sap will ooze out. You can spread it over cuts and small wounds to prevent infection. It is very sticky, however, and it will be difficult to wash off (at least it smells nice).

The crushed leaves of Saint John’s Wort can be used as an antiseptic dressing as well. I once put a wad of the mashed leaves on a nasty gash in my foot, replacing it occasionally, and the cut healed faster than I’ve ever seen a cut heal. St. Johnswort has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

Medicinal Plants For Diarrhea

You can drink tea made from the roots of blackberries and their relatives to stop diarrhea. Just fill the bottom of the cup with the cleaned and shredded roots and pour boiling water over them. Let the mix steep for five minutes before drinking.

Oak bark and other barks containing tannin are also effective. I have also used the twigs to stop diarrhea when I was backpacking in Mexico. Make tea with a spoonful of the bark or chopped-up twigs. Tannins can be hard on the kidneys, so drink just one cup of tea, or use oak only if you don’t have other options.

Skin Medications

You can relieve the itch from insect bites, sunburn, or plant poisoning rashes by applying a poultice of jewelweed (Impatiens biflora). I have seen a poison ivy rash cleared up overnight using the juice from jewelweed. It is also said to work on sunburn as well as aloe vera.

Make a tea of witch hazel leaves (Hamamelis virginiana), and you can use it for relief from insect bites, and sunburn. Witch Hazel used to be a common astringent that women used as a “tightening” face wash.

There are hundreds of wild medicinal plants that could be useful to hikers and backpackers. You don’t need to become an expert to benefit from them. Just learn to identify and use a few of the most widespread and safest ones.

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. For more on medicinal plants, plus tips, photos, stories and a new Wilderness Survival Guide, visit The Ultralight Backpacking Site: www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Posted by admin as University of Leisure at 8:29 AM CDT

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Hoards of consumers will have to pick between filing for financial insolvency or permitting their mortgage lender to foreclose their home. If bi-weekly or monthly mortgage payments are not received as agreed, the financial institution will file a foreclosure on the home. You can interrupt the foreclosure process by paying the home loan lender . Mortgage loans are much like automobile loans; if you can not pay your monthly payments you will have it repossessed. Foreclosure is essentially the same for anyone who has not been able to pay his home loan; the bank will likely foreclose on the home.

Insolvency proceedings are a legal action filed by a person who cannot pay his debts. If the debtor is in the middle of bankruptcy then all active civil proceedings connected to the home loan are halted. Consequently, a mortgage creditor must interrupt all collection activity including, but not limited to, foreclosure. A lender might be allowed to continue if they appeal for relief from the automatic stay period; and if it is allowed, can go ahead with the aforementioned process. Filing for Bankruptcy will not halt foreclosure and you must still repay your home loan. Going into bankruptcy only makes the foreclosure process proceed at a slower pace, it does not solve the problem.

Although insolvency is not going to end a foreclosure permanently, it allows a person enough time to repay the past due portions or at a minimum it does make it little less difficult to to repay the home loan. Bankruptcy laws requires a mortgage to put a hold on foreclosure actions, a debtor will have a bit of time to produce the funds to pay back the creditor. It is the final fall back for any debtor to file for financial insolvency when the debtor is completely unable to pay their creditor’s minimum commitments. With bankruptcy, some debt will likely be discharged but the real estate loan will not be cleared. The home loan borrower has to be prepared to pay back the home loan inside the required time as the debt is guaranteed by real assets. Additionally, chapter thirteen insolvency has a fee schedule that is ordered by the bankruptcy court, that will permit the borrower make payments on her home loan to get caught up to date on their balance.

There will be legal fees. Possibly, it may cost you more in legal fees than if they were to simply buckle down and make your mortgage payment. If you know somebody that is considering that declaring bankruptcy can be helpful for the situation, an attorney might be capable of answering any questions. Because bankruptcy is extremely complicated, the home owner ought not attempt to do it by themselves.

This article contains general information that perhaps is not pertinent in any or all United States. This is not legal advice. We make no representation that this constitutes legal advice.

Posted by admin as Credit Ratings etc., Hints, Money + Finance at 12:12 AM CDT

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Direct Public Offerings, commonly known as Internet Offerings, are a development of the Internet and World Wide Web. Similar to SCOR offerings in the type of paperwork required, they remain an unknown as far as acceptance by the securities industry. Their primary setback at this time is that there are no acknowledged trading markets (like NASDAQ, NYSE, AMEX).

Test for a Direct Public Offering

Drew Field, on his web site (http://www.dfdpo.com/screen.htm) suggests the following test as to whether your venture is a candidate for a DPO:

1. The business would excite prospective investors, making them want to share its future.

Soon millions of Americans will become “securities analysts,” using computer-based tools for screening and selecting among thousands of companies to invest their retirement funds and savings. Until then, companies will have to attract us with a story close to our personal interests. We’re not ready for the “dull but good” businesses yet.

2. There is a history of profitable operations under the Company’s present management.

DPOs are sold when the prospectus is read, by cautious individuals spending their own money. With some exceptions, they want proof that management can turn a profit.

3. Company and management meet standards of honesty and social responsibility.

When people invest directly in share ownership of a company, after making their own decision and using their own money, they feel a sense of identity with that company. Polls consistently show that an overwhelming percentage of consumers prefer products from companies that aren’t causing harm. That carries over to buying shares as well.

4. The business can be understood by people who may have no experience investing.

Shares are sold in a DPO when someone reads the prospectus, and sales are lost when this prospectus is difficult to understand. Try describing your business in ten words or so. Also, try telling your whole story–what your business is, what you’re going to do with the public’s money and the particular risks of investing in your shares–in a one-page memo.

5. The Company has natural affinity groups, with cash to risk for long-term gain.

Affinity groups may be easier to explain your business to, but also need to be large enough to buy your entire offering. For instance, people in the same area of town may be likely investors, even if they aren’t also customers. Other groups may be interested in the particular technology or corporate mission of a business. Along with the number of potential investors, consider strength of the affinity (how loyal do they feel toward your company).

6. Those affinity groups will recognize the Company’s name and consider its offering.

DPOs for companies with consumer branded products should carry the logo, slogans and color identifications through into the share offering materials. Companies with names that are entirely different from their product names must transfer the feelings about the known name over to the new one. The greatest challenge is to create recognition for a company with no current identification among affinity groups.

7. Names, addresses, phone numbers and demographics are in the Company’s database.

There are ways to “profile” those customers and figure out how to reach them through selected media.

8. A Company employee is able to spend time as project manager, directed by the CEO.

There needs to be one person for whom the DPO is the top business priority. Experience has shown that anything less than that will lead to slippages in the schedule and a decline in enthusiasm for getting the job done. The ideal is someone earlier in their career who works directly under, and speaks with the authority of the CEO or CFO.

9. The Company has, or can obtain, audited financial statements for at least the last two fiscal years.

This is the requirement for the new securities law filing forms made available to small businesses (under $25 million annual revenue) by the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless the company has been in business less than two years, we suggest that you not try to save accountants’ fees by using unaudited (even “reviewed”) numbers. In cases where prior years would be difficult or impossible to audit, or where accounting records need to be put in auditable shape, it may be best for the company to arrange some private financing until it is ready for public scrutiny.

John B. Vinturella, Ph.D. has almost 40 years experience as a management and strategic consultant, entrepreneur, author, and college professor. For 20 of those years, Dr. Vinturella was owner/president of a distribution company that he founded. He is a principal in business opportunity sites jbv.com and muddledconcept.com, and maintains business and political blogs.

Posted by admin as Better Investment at 3:41 PM CDT

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Getting savings on everyday online shopping is a great way to make your wages go further. Add on to this the strategy outlined below you’ll soon be freeing up plenty of cash which is a gladly welcomed thing given the state of the economies at present.

I challenge people to spend a short amount of time looking in the UK and see where they can make further savings. It really is as easy as that! A few moments of your time and you could make savings of 20% on this, 10% at that store or get a free gift or Free Delivery on your order.

So How Do You Find These Hot UK Deals?

There are many ways to find hot deals in the UK.

• Firstly how often do you check around various websites in the same retailer sector that you’re buying from? Simple and effective! Some stores will have a better price or a sale on - but these are only worthwhile if you make full use of them and check aroung.

• Second, check with the price comparison websites out there. There are a few worthy of noting down: simply search for the product you’re thinking of buying in Google with the term Price Comparison or Compare Price at the end - you’ll soon end up with a few results and know where to go.

• Third, check the cashback websites! There are many great deals to be had in the cashback sector.

• Fourth and last, have a look around at the ‘discount code‘ websites. Many of these sites will have the hot uk deals you’re looking for, be-it product specific or for a certain store (when you’re buying more than one item).

What To Do With This Info?

Sometimes the answer to this may sound abrupt, but it’s really rather simple!… COMPARE! Just compare your search results and see where you can be saving a few pennies, cents, dollars or pounds here or there. You may find a cashback website gives you better deals on certain things and voucher codes give you better deals elsewhere. So just hunt around, follow these simple steps and if a saving is possible then you will more-than-likely be able to find it.

Posted by admin as End Users, Hints at 10:54 AM CDT

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