Resist the chicken little within.
If you cannot or will not resist the chicken little within, get used to poverty, and all that comes with it.
After you have overcome the chicken little within, you will be very busy overcoming chicken littles from that you are probably surrounded by.
You know where to find more information.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Achieving Your Dreams
Achieving Your Dreams by Jim Rohn
While most people spend most of their lives struggling to earn a living, a much smaller number seem to have everything going their way. Instead of just earning a living, the smaller group is busily working at building and enjoying a fortune. Everything just seems to work out for them. And here sits the much larger group, wondering how life can be so unfair, so complicated and unjust. What's the major difference between the little group with so much and the larger group with so little?
Despite all of the factors that affect our lives - like the kind of parents we have, the schools we attended, the part of the country we grew up in - none has as much potential power for affecting our futures as our ability to dream.
Dreams are a projection of the kind of life you want to lead. Dreams can drive you. Dreams can make you skip over obstacles. When you allow your dreams to pull you, they unleash a creative force that can overpower any obstacle in your path. To unleash this power, though, your dreams must be well defined. A fuzzy future has little pulling power. Well-defined dreams are not fuzzy. Wishes are fuzzy. To really achieve your dreams, to really have your future plans pull you forward, your dreams must be vivid.
If you've ever hiked a fourteen thousand-foot peak in the Rocky Mountains, one thought has surely come to mind "How did the settlers of this country do it?" How did they get from the East Coast to the West Coast? Carrying one day's supply of food and water is hard enough. Can you imagine hauling all of your worldly goods with you... mile after mile, day after day, month after month? These people had big dreams. They had ambition. They didn't focus on the hardship of getting up the mountain.
In their minds, they were already on the other side – their bodies just hadn't gotten them there yet! Despite all of their pains and struggles, all of the births and deaths along the way, those who made it to the other side had a single vision: to reach the land of continuous sunshine and extraordinary wealth. To start over where anything and everything was possible. Their dreams were stronger than the obstacles in their way.
You've got to be a dreamer. You've got to envision the future. You've got to see California while you're climbing fourteen thousand-foot peaks. You've got to see the finish line while you're running the race. You've got to hear the cheers when you're in the middle of a monster project. And you've got to be willing to put yourself through the paces of doing the uncomfortable until it becomes comfortable and until you realize your dreams.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Energize Your Ebook Writing
Today, it is not enough that you create ebooks about interesting topics and giving them interesting titles. As more and more people are trying all their might in sinking their teeth into this endeavor, it has become increasingly difficult for everyone to make a sale and get a fair slice of the pie. That is why, you always have to strive to make sure that you stay on top of the game and offer your potential clients with compelling ebooks.
Here are the 5 simple steps to energize your ebook writing:
1. Hone your writing skills. If you want to dominate this field, you need to have impeccable writing skills. You must have the ability to communicate your ideas in a very easy to understand but highly intelligent manner so you can easily earn the trust of your readers. You can improve your skill level by constantly working with the experts, putting your writing into practice everyday and attending writing seminars.
2. Be an expert. As an ebook writer, you need to be a great source of information to your readers. You must know the ins and outs of the topics that you are writing about so you can give your clients their money's worth. Make sure that you always keep yourself abreast with latest issues that are affecting your chosen niche by constantly doing your research and interviewing other experts.
3. Help your readers. You need to keep these people on top of your priority list as they are the ones who can help you succeed in this endeavor. Strive to offer them content that they can use in enriching their lives. Using your expertise and experiences, offer them solutions to their problems, answers to their questions, and information that can empower them to do things on their own.
4. Get straight to the point. Want to know the easiest way to lose your readers? Communicate your messages using too much introductions and by beating around the bush. If you would like to help you readers focus on your content and keep them interested, you must offer your information upfront. Just say what you mean and mean what you say.
5. Make you book cover visually appealing. There are so many free internet tools that you can use in designing your ebook cover. Get one of them and learn how to use effective color combination, insert compelling images, and incorporate attractive fonts.
Do you want to discover the secret to generating over $180,356 per year online?
Download this: How to Make 6 Figures Online
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sean Mize is an internet marketing strategist who teaches internet marketers how to increase their income by creating high ticket classes and coaching programs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize
Here are the 5 simple steps to energize your ebook writing:
1. Hone your writing skills. If you want to dominate this field, you need to have impeccable writing skills. You must have the ability to communicate your ideas in a very easy to understand but highly intelligent manner so you can easily earn the trust of your readers. You can improve your skill level by constantly working with the experts, putting your writing into practice everyday and attending writing seminars.
2. Be an expert. As an ebook writer, you need to be a great source of information to your readers. You must know the ins and outs of the topics that you are writing about so you can give your clients their money's worth. Make sure that you always keep yourself abreast with latest issues that are affecting your chosen niche by constantly doing your research and interviewing other experts.
3. Help your readers. You need to keep these people on top of your priority list as they are the ones who can help you succeed in this endeavor. Strive to offer them content that they can use in enriching their lives. Using your expertise and experiences, offer them solutions to their problems, answers to their questions, and information that can empower them to do things on their own.
4. Get straight to the point. Want to know the easiest way to lose your readers? Communicate your messages using too much introductions and by beating around the bush. If you would like to help you readers focus on your content and keep them interested, you must offer your information upfront. Just say what you mean and mean what you say.
5. Make you book cover visually appealing. There are so many free internet tools that you can use in designing your ebook cover. Get one of them and learn how to use effective color combination, insert compelling images, and incorporate attractive fonts.
Do you want to discover the secret to generating over $180,356 per year online?
Download this: How to Make 6 Figures Online
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sean Mize is an internet marketing strategist who teaches internet marketers how to increase their income by creating high ticket classes and coaching programs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize
Beef Up Your EBook
So you've finished creating ebooks and you want to launch them to the world. Only one problem...it seems a little thin. The content is great, but you wish it had more "bulk".
Adding bulk to an ebook is a great way to increase customer satisfaction which leads to fewer refunds and higher profit margins- something people publishing ebooks have to think about. In fact, skimpy pdf ebooks are the number one reason people return information products. So how do you beef up your PDF e-books? How do you put your ebook on steroids and have it busting at the seams with value?
First, add a table of contents. I am always surprised at the number of ebooks that don't have a simple table of contents. Not only will it help your customer find his way around, it also adds about 2-3 pages to your ebook!
Second, add a list of resources in the back. All of the web sites, blogs and forums you visited to research your ebook should be put in a resources section in the back. You can also put all of the print books that you find helpful as well. Face it. There are tons of resources dealing with the topic of your ebook that you know and your customers don't. List those and you will provide a valuable service for them.
Here's a short list of things you can put in the resources section: - List of books on your topic - List of magazines on your topic - List on videos form YouTube on your topic - List of web sites on your topic - List of blogs, Yahoo groups and forums on your topic
If you really want to bulk up your resource section and make it valuable to your customers, then put a short description of each resource right under the link. Tell your reader why you like that resource and what it's best used for. People don't just want a link, they want to know how to use that link!
In my next article I will give you three more strategies to adding bulk to your ebook so you satisfy your customers and reduce your refund rate. Publishing ebooks with true value and lots of content is quite easy when you follow these strategies.
Stephen Beck teaches you that publishing ebooks can create a "cash on demand" online business. Creating ebooks has never been easier when you watch Steve's free videos by clicking either of the links.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_R._Beck
Adding bulk to an ebook is a great way to increase customer satisfaction which leads to fewer refunds and higher profit margins- something people publishing ebooks have to think about. In fact, skimpy pdf ebooks are the number one reason people return information products. So how do you beef up your PDF e-books? How do you put your ebook on steroids and have it busting at the seams with value?
First, add a table of contents. I am always surprised at the number of ebooks that don't have a simple table of contents. Not only will it help your customer find his way around, it also adds about 2-3 pages to your ebook!
Second, add a list of resources in the back. All of the web sites, blogs and forums you visited to research your ebook should be put in a resources section in the back. You can also put all of the print books that you find helpful as well. Face it. There are tons of resources dealing with the topic of your ebook that you know and your customers don't. List those and you will provide a valuable service for them.
Here's a short list of things you can put in the resources section: - List of books on your topic - List of magazines on your topic - List on videos form YouTube on your topic - List of web sites on your topic - List of blogs, Yahoo groups and forums on your topic
If you really want to bulk up your resource section and make it valuable to your customers, then put a short description of each resource right under the link. Tell your reader why you like that resource and what it's best used for. People don't just want a link, they want to know how to use that link!
In my next article I will give you three more strategies to adding bulk to your ebook so you satisfy your customers and reduce your refund rate. Publishing ebooks with true value and lots of content is quite easy when you follow these strategies.
Stephen Beck teaches you that publishing ebooks can create a "cash on demand" online business. Creating ebooks has never been easier when you watch Steve's free videos by clicking either of the links.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_R._Beck
Friday, July 18, 2008
12 Web Design Mistakes
Twelve years ago, I had the good fortune to align with a superb Web designer, and I still rely on his judgment. He taught me plenty about what a Web site should include, and what did not belong there. Ever since he became my Internet mentor, I have revised my Web site every couple of months. I will keep doing that, as I discover fresh ideas and strategies.
In addition to learning from my mentor, I have studied hundreds of Web sites other professionals have created for their companies. Now I want to share with you what I have learned, by advising you what not to put on your Web site (and if it's there already, I suggest you delete it).
Here's my list of Web site "No-Nos":
Your outdated photo
When people meet you after seeing the ten-year old photo, they will wonder: "If he is dishonest about his image, what else is he dishonest about?"
Pop-up ads
Sure, I know their purpose. Because you want site visitors to sign up for your newsletter, you install a pop-up to greet them on the home page. Bad strategy. Most viewers despise pop-ups and the delays they cause. Why else would Office Depot sell pop-up blockers?
Too much glitz and glamor
Yes, some color and motion enliven a Web site. Yet an overabundance distracts the viewer from your main message. You don't hear brass bands playing in the public library. So find the happy medium of sight and sound.
An extensive biographical sketch
Provide enough information to establish your credentials, but remember that boasting turns prospects away. Place your bio in a separate section with its own button, so viewers can click that button or choose not to. Instead of talking excessively about yourself, talk about what you can do for people who purchase your services and products.
Over-sized fonts
While you may consider them headlines, readers might dislike the jarring glare.
Introductions the viewer cannot skip
OK to have a musical intro and a "virtual tour," as long as you let viewers elect to bypass it and get to the heart of the site.
Data overload
You may have earned your CPA or majored in statistics. The average viewer, though, did not, and will prefer interesting, easy to understand stories and illustrations.
Relentless, annoying selling
E-Bay gets by with hundreds of sales offerings. However, that's why people go there. Probably they visit your site for information--which means they will tolerate only a moderate degree of sales pitches. Keep your sales and marketing to 20% or less of your content
Risky humor
What amuses a few viewers might offend thousands. When in doubt, leave it out.
Copyrighted material for which you lack permission
Many authors (including me) will be glad you want to quote them. They appreciate the visibility, and will not charge you a fee. Still, they expect you to ask them first. So does the law.
Links that no longer work
Be sure the links you provide have permanent life, or else you will frustrate and anger your viewers.
Typos
Typos destroy credibility immediately. Use spell check and two or three proofreaders outside your family.
To borrow an old expression, sometimes "less is more." Delete the annoying features I have mentioned, and you will keep readers interested and well informed.
Bill Lampton, Ph.D.--author of The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication, Change Your Life!--helps you "Learn More. . .Earn More," through his expertise in communication, motivation, customer service, and sales. His speeches, seminars, and communication coaching have benefited top-tier clients, including the Ritz-Carlton Cancun, Gillette, Duracell, Procter & Gamble, Missouri Bar, CenturyTel, British Columbia Legal Management Association, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Visit his Web site to sign up for his complimentary monthly E-mail newsletter: http://www.ChampionshipCommunication.com Call Dr. Lampton to discuss how his services will benefit your organization: 678-316-4300. E-mail him: drbill@ChampionshipCommunication.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Lampton,_Ph.D.
In addition to learning from my mentor, I have studied hundreds of Web sites other professionals have created for their companies. Now I want to share with you what I have learned, by advising you what not to put on your Web site (and if it's there already, I suggest you delete it).
Here's my list of Web site "No-Nos":
Your outdated photo
When people meet you after seeing the ten-year old photo, they will wonder: "If he is dishonest about his image, what else is he dishonest about?"
Pop-up ads
Sure, I know their purpose. Because you want site visitors to sign up for your newsletter, you install a pop-up to greet them on the home page. Bad strategy. Most viewers despise pop-ups and the delays they cause. Why else would Office Depot sell pop-up blockers?
Too much glitz and glamor
Yes, some color and motion enliven a Web site. Yet an overabundance distracts the viewer from your main message. You don't hear brass bands playing in the public library. So find the happy medium of sight and sound.
An extensive biographical sketch
Provide enough information to establish your credentials, but remember that boasting turns prospects away. Place your bio in a separate section with its own button, so viewers can click that button or choose not to. Instead of talking excessively about yourself, talk about what you can do for people who purchase your services and products.
Over-sized fonts
While you may consider them headlines, readers might dislike the jarring glare.
Introductions the viewer cannot skip
OK to have a musical intro and a "virtual tour," as long as you let viewers elect to bypass it and get to the heart of the site.
Data overload
You may have earned your CPA or majored in statistics. The average viewer, though, did not, and will prefer interesting, easy to understand stories and illustrations.
Relentless, annoying selling
E-Bay gets by with hundreds of sales offerings. However, that's why people go there. Probably they visit your site for information--which means they will tolerate only a moderate degree of sales pitches. Keep your sales and marketing to 20% or less of your content
Risky humor
What amuses a few viewers might offend thousands. When in doubt, leave it out.
Copyrighted material for which you lack permission
Many authors (including me) will be glad you want to quote them. They appreciate the visibility, and will not charge you a fee. Still, they expect you to ask them first. So does the law.
Links that no longer work
Be sure the links you provide have permanent life, or else you will frustrate and anger your viewers.
Typos
Typos destroy credibility immediately. Use spell check and two or three proofreaders outside your family.
To borrow an old expression, sometimes "less is more." Delete the annoying features I have mentioned, and you will keep readers interested and well informed.
Bill Lampton, Ph.D.--author of The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication, Change Your Life!--helps you "Learn More. . .Earn More," through his expertise in communication, motivation, customer service, and sales. His speeches, seminars, and communication coaching have benefited top-tier clients, including the Ritz-Carlton Cancun, Gillette, Duracell, Procter & Gamble, Missouri Bar, CenturyTel, British Columbia Legal Management Association, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Visit his Web site to sign up for his complimentary monthly E-mail newsletter: http://www.ChampionshipCommunication.com Call Dr. Lampton to discuss how his services will benefit your organization: 678-316-4300. E-mail him: drbill@ChampionshipCommunication.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Lampton,_Ph.D.
Resilient Mindset
Developing a resilient mindset of a millionaire by re-wiring your subconscious for wealth creation we will need to answer a few simple questions about financial pressure. When I refer to financial pressure I'm not necessarily talking about being broke and struggling. You can be wealthy and still have financial pressure. There is no right or wrong answers, only answers applicable to you.
1. When was the last time you felt financial pressure?
2. Do you currently feel financial pressure in your life?
3. Does having more money really create less financial pressure?
4. When have you felt completely free from financial pressure?
For some people being completely free from financial pressure might have been as far back as when they were at school. It could have been when they would get pocket money and had to determine whether to buy a Mars bar or put it in their piggy bank and for others, it may have been never.
Apart from happiness, what is it you think that people really want in their life? A resilient mindset, more often than not people are looking for a financial future they are certain about. You want the certainty to be able to manage money, have plenty of it and never have to worry about not having enough of it. Anyone would want that. Another word for that is security.
I believe that people really want to be certain that in the future they will not have to experience pain that instead they will have the financial freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want, as much as they want using their a resilient mindset.
I know the quest for financial security drove me, because I had so much pain in my life and I never wanted to experience that again. So I was driven to become financially successful to avoid that pain. Pain drove me in the beginning more than pleasure. Pain is what drives people the most. If you've made a decision to start changing your life, or changing your financial future, eventually it will lead to more pleasure, but more than likely it's pain that drove you to your initial decision to change. Subconsciously you were probably thinking, "If I don't learn how to master money now, what will it cost me in the future?"
Author: Greg Dempsey - Investor/Marketer Title: Resilient Mindset
http://www.opulentwealth.com.au/
Reprinting this article is allowed with this footer attached
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Dempsey
1. When was the last time you felt financial pressure?
2. Do you currently feel financial pressure in your life?
3. Does having more money really create less financial pressure?
4. When have you felt completely free from financial pressure?
For some people being completely free from financial pressure might have been as far back as when they were at school. It could have been when they would get pocket money and had to determine whether to buy a Mars bar or put it in their piggy bank and for others, it may have been never.
Apart from happiness, what is it you think that people really want in their life? A resilient mindset, more often than not people are looking for a financial future they are certain about. You want the certainty to be able to manage money, have plenty of it and never have to worry about not having enough of it. Anyone would want that. Another word for that is security.
I believe that people really want to be certain that in the future they will not have to experience pain that instead they will have the financial freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want, as much as they want using their a resilient mindset.
I know the quest for financial security drove me, because I had so much pain in my life and I never wanted to experience that again. So I was driven to become financially successful to avoid that pain. Pain drove me in the beginning more than pleasure. Pain is what drives people the most. If you've made a decision to start changing your life, or changing your financial future, eventually it will lead to more pleasure, but more than likely it's pain that drove you to your initial decision to change. Subconsciously you were probably thinking, "If I don't learn how to master money now, what will it cost me in the future?"
Author: Greg Dempsey - Investor/Marketer Title: Resilient Mindset
http://www.opulentwealth.com.au/
Reprinting this article is allowed with this footer attached
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Dempsey
Monday, July 14, 2008
New Traffic Page
If you need help with the basics of driving traffic to your site, take a look at:
http://www.independentwealth.us/TrafficBuilding.html
The above link is a site I just typed up that will give you a good idea of how to start getting customers to your site. The page covers SEO, article marketing, ebooks, etc.
The page is pretty basic, but, I hope it helps. : D
http://www.independentwealth.us/TrafficBuilding.html
The above link is a site I just typed up that will give you a good idea of how to start getting customers to your site. The page covers SEO, article marketing, ebooks, etc.
The page is pretty basic, but, I hope it helps. : D
Sunday, July 13, 2008
A Fool and His Money Are Easily Parted
* A Fool and His Money Are Easily Parted, by Bill Staton
Why is it that so many people who easily become wealthy also easily go broke? Entertainer Ed McMahon is a recent example. He made millions as Johnny Carson's sidekick on The Tonight Show. This is part of a recent interview on
Larry King Live:Larry King: What did happen, Ed?
Ed McMahon: It's a combination; it's like a perfect storm. Economy problems. Selling the house right now is a tremendous operation.... We've had this house on the market for two years. We've shown it, I don't know how many, 50 organizations or people. Nobody has made an offer. I mean, it's just a lovely home. I hate to leave it. I want to keep the home. I want this all to work out.King: And the payments, you can't make -- what's the problem?
Ed McMahon: Well, if you spend more money than you make, you know what happens. And it can happen. You know, a couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that. And, you know, things happen. You want everything to be perfect, but that combination of the economy, I have a little injury, I have a situation. And it all came together.
King: Did you break your neck?
Ed McMahon: I broke my neck. I had a fall. ...
King: Has that stopped you from working?
Ed McMahon: Oh, sure. You know, you can't work with this [brace] around your neck. And I have to wear this.
King: But, Pam, the assumption is that the McMahons are multimillionaires and multimillionaires -- how much behind are you, $644,000, right? That's what's reported? ... If you're a millionaire, shouldn't you be able to pay $644,000?
McMahon: I think over the years, you know, it's just a kind of a combination of maybe Ed working so hard and not kind of looking at proper management, which happens a lot. ... Because you're a celebrity, people think you have a lot more than you have. And you always want to take great care of all of your friends and your family and everybody, and you do. And you don't, and I think, you know, we didn't keep our eye on the ball. We made mistakes.
King: And are they foreclosing?
Pam McMahon: Yes, they are.
...Billionaire sports entrepreneur Mark Cuban's brother, Brian Cuban, had this to say on a recent Cuban Revolution blog. Brian works with the Dallas Mavericks:"First, whether it is a lottery winner, an athlete or a star entertainer, if they are not equipped with the knowledge on how to make and save money they are in trouble."When they didn't earn it through disciplined business practices and they don't have those skills they usually go through it quickly."
Most lottery winners or athletes make a great deal of money in a short period of time. They start spending it on things that only go down in value (cars, jewelry, partying, entourage, etc.) and start to evaporate the money they do have. They can carry this off until they stop earning big money. This is when the trouble starts."It is hard to believe that MC Hammer, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and now Ed McMahon are broke. These are people who earned hundreds of millions over time and it disappeared. Lavish spending and entourages were probably the downfall for the first three for sure.
HERE'S THE KEY TO FINANCIAL SECURITY -- "However, if athletes [or anyone else for that matter] educate themselves, learn money management skills and make smart, safe investments along the way, they are usually in very good shape.
"Most people die coming down from Mt. Everest, not going up. The goal is to get to their Mt. Everest AND to get down safely."*************
Bill Staton, MBA, CFA, America's Money Coach® Chairman, The Staton Institute Inc. & Staton Financial Advisors LLC bill@billstaton.com mary@statoninstitute.comNot sure if you need a Money Manager? Take this quick quiz and find out: http://www.billstaton.com/quiz.htm
Why is it that so many people who easily become wealthy also easily go broke? Entertainer Ed McMahon is a recent example. He made millions as Johnny Carson's sidekick on The Tonight Show. This is part of a recent interview on
Larry King Live:Larry King: What did happen, Ed?
Ed McMahon: It's a combination; it's like a perfect storm. Economy problems. Selling the house right now is a tremendous operation.... We've had this house on the market for two years. We've shown it, I don't know how many, 50 organizations or people. Nobody has made an offer. I mean, it's just a lovely home. I hate to leave it. I want to keep the home. I want this all to work out.King: And the payments, you can't make -- what's the problem?
Ed McMahon: Well, if you spend more money than you make, you know what happens. And it can happen. You know, a couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that. And, you know, things happen. You want everything to be perfect, but that combination of the economy, I have a little injury, I have a situation. And it all came together.
King: Did you break your neck?
Ed McMahon: I broke my neck. I had a fall. ...
King: Has that stopped you from working?
Ed McMahon: Oh, sure. You know, you can't work with this [brace] around your neck. And I have to wear this.
King: But, Pam, the assumption is that the McMahons are multimillionaires and multimillionaires -- how much behind are you, $644,000, right? That's what's reported? ... If you're a millionaire, shouldn't you be able to pay $644,000?
McMahon: I think over the years, you know, it's just a kind of a combination of maybe Ed working so hard and not kind of looking at proper management, which happens a lot. ... Because you're a celebrity, people think you have a lot more than you have. And you always want to take great care of all of your friends and your family and everybody, and you do. And you don't, and I think, you know, we didn't keep our eye on the ball. We made mistakes.
King: And are they foreclosing?
Pam McMahon: Yes, they are.
...Billionaire sports entrepreneur Mark Cuban's brother, Brian Cuban, had this to say on a recent Cuban Revolution blog. Brian works with the Dallas Mavericks:"First, whether it is a lottery winner, an athlete or a star entertainer, if they are not equipped with the knowledge on how to make and save money they are in trouble."When they didn't earn it through disciplined business practices and they don't have those skills they usually go through it quickly."
Most lottery winners or athletes make a great deal of money in a short period of time. They start spending it on things that only go down in value (cars, jewelry, partying, entourage, etc.) and start to evaporate the money they do have. They can carry this off until they stop earning big money. This is when the trouble starts."It is hard to believe that MC Hammer, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and now Ed McMahon are broke. These are people who earned hundreds of millions over time and it disappeared. Lavish spending and entourages were probably the downfall for the first three for sure.
HERE'S THE KEY TO FINANCIAL SECURITY -- "However, if athletes [or anyone else for that matter] educate themselves, learn money management skills and make smart, safe investments along the way, they are usually in very good shape.
"Most people die coming down from Mt. Everest, not going up. The goal is to get to their Mt. Everest AND to get down safely."*************
Bill Staton, MBA, CFA, America's Money Coach® Chairman, The Staton Institute Inc. & Staton Financial Advisors LLC bill@billstaton.com mary@statoninstitute.comNot sure if you need a Money Manager? Take this quick quiz and find out: http://www.billstaton.com/quiz.htm
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Investment Politics - Corporate Income Tax Reform
The investor's eye view of politics is a simplistic, practical, dot-connecting approach to sorting things out so that win/win change can be considered. Real world politics is not concerned with such things, and that is one of the most serious problems facing investors today. There are at least ten issues that require government action if we are to maintain our competitive position in the world economy. Most of these are interrelated and need to be acted upon simultaneously--- thus causing a major political dilemma.
Politicians are much more interested in talking about change than they are in actually legislating it; they prefer to champion just one specific issue at a time so as not to appear too independent; and they can't keep themselves from back sliding into the now archaic distinction between investors and poor people. Rich or poor, most Americans have investments. For the small investor to become wealthier his or her efforts must be encouraged by the tax code-- the wealthy will become wealthier in spite of the tax code. And, believe it or don't, the vast majority of the wealthy (even corporate executives) are good, productive, caring-about-the-environment, people.
At the root of the problem is the tremendous investment the major parties have in nurturing divisiveness, jealousy, and misunderstanding in the electorate. The Republicans or Democrats in power are always ruining the country and, of course, the guys who are seeking power, will undoubtedly do the same. Perhaps the most obvious example of misguided political handiwork is the negative attitude of most individuals toward corporations, big business, and international economic collaboration.
As non-voting but taxable entities, corporations are easy to blame for all that is wrong in society, easy to sue frivolously with no remorse or control, and popular to tax--- by both parties. The sad thing is that most people don't take the time to appreciate just how important business success and profitability are to their own financial interests, short and long term. Mutual funds, for example, perform better when businesses, large and small, prosper. Profitable businesses produce jobs, provide higher salaries, and (once all the extra fees, mandates, taxes, and handouts are eliminated) lower prices.
Politicians have never been shy about dictating proper behavior to individuals or hesitant in shamelessly picking the pockets of businesses to fund their projects. Self-employed business owners, for example, pay a minimum 35% Federal Income Tax, state and local taxes of various kinds, and the usual Workers Compensation, Medicare, and double Social Security Taxes. It adds up to better than 50% quickly, and, at every level, all taxes, fees, subsidies, assessments, withholdings, compliance costs, etc. are:
(1) Added to the price of goods and services, (2) considered in hiring decisions at all levels in all business entities, and (3) factored into decisions regarding new plant locations and service function outsourcing. Businesses will only produce jobs in an environment that recognizes the importance of the contributions they make. Meaningful tax reform needs to begin where the jobs begin. Reforms to the Individual Tax Code and the Social Security/Retirement System can then be integrated into the business framework.
Just as Congress picks corporate pockets, corporations pick those of their shareholders. The compensation of corporate officers is a clear example of how this has gone totally out of control, even if it is understandable under existing tax codes--- both corporate and individual. Multi-million dollar salaries, bonuses, deferred compensation and option packages are all designed to avoid and/or to defer taxes while, at the same time, they are deductible on a dollar for dollar basis from business taxes.
Changes on the personal side could clean this up quickly but, for now, politicians need to focus more on protecting shareholders from these creative, and excessive, compensation schemes. Eliminating the Corporate Income Tax, and all tax deferral/option/bonus mechanisms that are not available to all employees at all levels, would be an excellent start. Then cap total compensation packages at a specific number--- any excess being paid only in the form of dividends to all shareholders.
The Corporate Income Tax is a non-productive weight on business decision makers, causing expenditures that would not be considered were they not tax deductible. Ironically, jobs are not created to reduce the tax bite because every dollar of salary brings with it an additional 40% or so in overhead. All the actual costs of doing business (and all the perceived risks associated with doing business) wind up in the price of goods and services. The fact that governments can raise corporate costs so much more easily than they can raise individual's taxes is perhaps the biggest shell game threatening our economic well being today.
If instead of taxing them into leaving the country, Congress would cultivate the profitability of corporations, while focusing regulatory efforts on the economic abuses of shareholders, employees, and consumers, a whole new era of economic expansion and productivity growth would ensue--- and we're just getting started.Investors need to impress upon candidates that they expect meaningful change throughout the tax code, and that a second term just won't happen without it.
After the Corporate Tax environment changes, politicians will be able to devote their energies to defining "proper corporate and non-corporate business behavior", and monitoring compliance with a whole new set of rules and regulations. Converting the United States into a Free Trade Zone, by eliminating all nuisance assessments from all levels of government, would: increase employment, reduce prices, and multiply distributable dividends. Making it happen should not be that difficult, particularly with the growing outrage concerning the obscene compensation of high level corporate executives, and considering how successful the FTZs have been on the local level.
Managers will make these changes work because the incentives are where they belong--- on the bottom line instead of the tax return. Small businesses would benefit from the reduction in taxation, and fees, and would be less constrained in their efforts to grow. If they don't do the right thing, they will become less competitive in the marketplace, and that is the way capitalism is supposed to work. But, don't be naive. Publicly held companies will need direction, guidance, and policing--- an excellent new career for displaced accountants and lobbyists.
Steve Selenguthttp://www.sancoservices.comhttp://www.kiawahgolfinvestmentseminars.com/ Professional Portfolio Management since 1979Author of: "The Brainwashing of the American Investor: The Book that Wall Street Does Not Want YOU to Read", and "A Millionaire's Secret Investment Strategy"
Politicians are much more interested in talking about change than they are in actually legislating it; they prefer to champion just one specific issue at a time so as not to appear too independent; and they can't keep themselves from back sliding into the now archaic distinction between investors and poor people. Rich or poor, most Americans have investments. For the small investor to become wealthier his or her efforts must be encouraged by the tax code-- the wealthy will become wealthier in spite of the tax code. And, believe it or don't, the vast majority of the wealthy (even corporate executives) are good, productive, caring-about-the-environment, people.
At the root of the problem is the tremendous investment the major parties have in nurturing divisiveness, jealousy, and misunderstanding in the electorate. The Republicans or Democrats in power are always ruining the country and, of course, the guys who are seeking power, will undoubtedly do the same. Perhaps the most obvious example of misguided political handiwork is the negative attitude of most individuals toward corporations, big business, and international economic collaboration.
As non-voting but taxable entities, corporations are easy to blame for all that is wrong in society, easy to sue frivolously with no remorse or control, and popular to tax--- by both parties. The sad thing is that most people don't take the time to appreciate just how important business success and profitability are to their own financial interests, short and long term. Mutual funds, for example, perform better when businesses, large and small, prosper. Profitable businesses produce jobs, provide higher salaries, and (once all the extra fees, mandates, taxes, and handouts are eliminated) lower prices.
Politicians have never been shy about dictating proper behavior to individuals or hesitant in shamelessly picking the pockets of businesses to fund their projects. Self-employed business owners, for example, pay a minimum 35% Federal Income Tax, state and local taxes of various kinds, and the usual Workers Compensation, Medicare, and double Social Security Taxes. It adds up to better than 50% quickly, and, at every level, all taxes, fees, subsidies, assessments, withholdings, compliance costs, etc. are:
(1) Added to the price of goods and services, (2) considered in hiring decisions at all levels in all business entities, and (3) factored into decisions regarding new plant locations and service function outsourcing. Businesses will only produce jobs in an environment that recognizes the importance of the contributions they make. Meaningful tax reform needs to begin where the jobs begin. Reforms to the Individual Tax Code and the Social Security/Retirement System can then be integrated into the business framework.
Just as Congress picks corporate pockets, corporations pick those of their shareholders. The compensation of corporate officers is a clear example of how this has gone totally out of control, even if it is understandable under existing tax codes--- both corporate and individual. Multi-million dollar salaries, bonuses, deferred compensation and option packages are all designed to avoid and/or to defer taxes while, at the same time, they are deductible on a dollar for dollar basis from business taxes.
Changes on the personal side could clean this up quickly but, for now, politicians need to focus more on protecting shareholders from these creative, and excessive, compensation schemes. Eliminating the Corporate Income Tax, and all tax deferral/option/bonus mechanisms that are not available to all employees at all levels, would be an excellent start. Then cap total compensation packages at a specific number--- any excess being paid only in the form of dividends to all shareholders.
The Corporate Income Tax is a non-productive weight on business decision makers, causing expenditures that would not be considered were they not tax deductible. Ironically, jobs are not created to reduce the tax bite because every dollar of salary brings with it an additional 40% or so in overhead. All the actual costs of doing business (and all the perceived risks associated with doing business) wind up in the price of goods and services. The fact that governments can raise corporate costs so much more easily than they can raise individual's taxes is perhaps the biggest shell game threatening our economic well being today.
If instead of taxing them into leaving the country, Congress would cultivate the profitability of corporations, while focusing regulatory efforts on the economic abuses of shareholders, employees, and consumers, a whole new era of economic expansion and productivity growth would ensue--- and we're just getting started.Investors need to impress upon candidates that they expect meaningful change throughout the tax code, and that a second term just won't happen without it.
After the Corporate Tax environment changes, politicians will be able to devote their energies to defining "proper corporate and non-corporate business behavior", and monitoring compliance with a whole new set of rules and regulations. Converting the United States into a Free Trade Zone, by eliminating all nuisance assessments from all levels of government, would: increase employment, reduce prices, and multiply distributable dividends. Making it happen should not be that difficult, particularly with the growing outrage concerning the obscene compensation of high level corporate executives, and considering how successful the FTZs have been on the local level.
Managers will make these changes work because the incentives are where they belong--- on the bottom line instead of the tax return. Small businesses would benefit from the reduction in taxation, and fees, and would be less constrained in their efforts to grow. If they don't do the right thing, they will become less competitive in the marketplace, and that is the way capitalism is supposed to work. But, don't be naive. Publicly held companies will need direction, guidance, and policing--- an excellent new career for displaced accountants and lobbyists.
Steve Selenguthttp://www.sancoservices.comhttp://www.kiawahgolfinvestmentseminars.com/ Professional Portfolio Management since 1979Author of: "The Brainwashing of the American Investor: The Book that Wall Street Does Not Want YOU to Read", and "A Millionaire's Secret Investment Strategy"
Tips to Increase Internet Traffic
There are millions, no billions of sites on the internet which attract little to no traffic. This doesn't have to be the case with your website. If you're all but finished your website, there are some things you need to know to increase internet traffic. Here they are...
Then, I will take you to more detail and then I'll give you access to traffic knowledge you possibly can't get anywhere else on the internet or in a book. Let's take it one step at a time.
You have done everything right. Now you need to let people know you exist. Maybe you are wondering if you should buy website traffic or, maybe, if there are things you can learn to get more website traffic more quickly and easily.
Some ways to improve your website traffic include content and article marketing, in-bound linking, Web 2 strategies, free website directories and search engine optimization. If you do nothing, you will likely get very little traffic.
Then, I will take you to more detail and then I'll give you access to traffic knowledge you possibly can't get anywhere else on the internet or in a book. Let's take it one step at a time.
You have done everything right. Now you need to let people know you exist. Maybe you are wondering if you should buy website traffic or, maybe, if there are things you can learn to get more website traffic more quickly and easily.
Some ways to improve your website traffic include content and article marketing, in-bound linking, Web 2 strategies, free website directories and search engine optimization. If you do nothing, you will likely get very little traffic.
1. Content and Article Marketing
To get traffic you need top quality content on your website. If you don't, any visitors you do get will click away from your website immediately and move to the next one in the list.
Article marketing can be used quite affectively to drive traffic to your site. Write good quality articles relevant to your website's content and submit them to online directories.
This will help get you noticed and listed in the most popular search engine directories. Remember to stick with quality. Check places known for their stringent approach toward quality such as ezinearticles.com to get an idea of what you should be doing.
Article marketing can be used quite affectively to drive traffic to your site. Write good quality articles relevant to your website's content and submit them to online directories.
This will help get you noticed and listed in the most popular search engine directories. Remember to stick with quality. Check places known for their stringent approach toward quality such as ezinearticles.com to get an idea of what you should be doing.
2. Creating Links
Start a link campaign. The best way is to get in-bound links commonly known as back-links from similar or complementary website owners. Another way to create links is to make informed comments on blogs and forums that allow you a link to your website address. This is effective and many will click your link simply out of curiosity, especially if you have interesting things to say in your field. But remember, it is not the quantity of external links that is important; it is the quality of them. Keep away from reciprocal linking, it is most often not worth the effort.
3. Web 2.0 Strategies
3. Web 2.0 Strategies
Web 2 strategies, often known as social marketing, have become a huge online marketing tool. YouTube, Flickr, Reddit, Propeller, MySpace, Facebook, Stumbleupon and Digg are all examples of social marketing tools that have come to the forefront in recent times. There are many ways to use these communities to promote yourself and improve website traffic in an ethical manner.
4. Free Website Directories
Promote your website to online newsgroups and free directories. These are important for gaining prominence to some degree. Take care with directories and make sure you're not submitting to a link farm. Search engines don't take kindly to link farms. Make sure the directory offers significant traffic. Google themselves promote Yahoo directory and niche directories as good places to list your site. Yahoo charges a hefty fee but you have to decide how much credence you place in your site.
5. Search Engine Optimization
Make sure your website is optimized so search engines list you. You must be listed for people to ever see your site on a search engine. To optimize your website use keywords in your content, the same keywords in you meta keyword tag, a sensible and relevant meta description, headlines and page titles. Don't cheat! You need to learn a little more about On-page and Off-page optimization. You can Google these terms and find out more in detail later.
No longer do we live in an age where we can expect people to come to us. It is essential to know your target market and tactfully encourage folks to visit. Usually with quality. Remember, that in the end, real people will decide the future of your site so don't be in a rush.
No longer do we live in an age where we can expect people to come to us. It is essential to know your target market and tactfully encourage folks to visit. Usually with quality. Remember, that in the end, real people will decide the future of your site so don't be in a rush.
Author Ray Baker, who tutors and consults to business on SEO has provided this review on an established source of internet traffic secrets
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Baker
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Baker
Monday, July 7, 2008
Conspiracy to Keep People Down?
You have probably run into to people who thought there was a conspiracy keeping them or everyone down. Sure, there are politicians making absolutely stupid decisions, but you still have a lot of power. No one says you can't apply for a new job or start your own business. Your employer can't stop you from quitting, but they can give you a bad reference and dog you in other ways. Your employer can't stop you from saving and making excellent investments. If you are at a loss for finding a way out of the rat race, visit:
www.financialindependenceuniversity.com and start studying today!
www.financialindependenceuniversity.com and start studying today!
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