United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), a package delivery company, provides specialized transportation and logistics services in the United States and internationally. It offers a range of supply chain solutions, such as freight forwarding, customs brokerage, fulfillment, returns, financial transactions, and repairs. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Domestic Package, International Package, and Supply Chain and Freight. The U.S. Domestic Package segment's operations include the delivery of letters, documents, and packages in the United States.
UPS has been continued to raise their dividends, doubles it's cash flow, and continues to grow international. We feel with all these factors,that UPS would be a good stock to look into. And even The Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio has some UPS and states they feel positive on this one for a long term.
So maybe you should start looking at this one for yourself alittle more.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Always improving, learning, watching videos, the life of a Pro
That's what Jermaine O'Neal did and does in the offseason. We recently found a great article talking about Jermaine O'Neal working hard in the offseason especially in the department of keeping his hands straight and up just like what Hakeem Olajuwon, a 12-time All-Star who was a force in the paint would do.
Hard work does pay off. Jermaine O'neal aka JO, worked extremely hard during this past summer and hopes of a great season, and to make the All-Defensive team. Well, JO is doing just that, he is currently leads the league in blocks with 3.1 swats per game, up from 2.3 bpg last year and 1.8 bpg over his career.
Working to expand his game during the summer, JO made an effort to raise his defensive play with his sights set on the All-Defensive team. Sounds like Larry Joe Legend has had an impact on how his talent views what truly great players bring to the game. One of the keys to his improvement in blocks is explained here:
O'Neal, who spent the summer in Indianapolis working out with the team's training staff, spent part of the off season looking at a tape of Hakeem Olajuwon, a 12-time All-Star who was a force in the paint, that older brother Clifford gave him.
The average basketball fan may not notice the difference, but what caught O'Neal's eye about Olajuwon helped him block more shots.
Olajuwon started his shot blocking motion with his hand up. O'Neal routinely started his motion with arm down by his side.
"Simple hand placement," O'Neal said. "The difference between a guy getting a shot off and you blocking a shot is merely a second. That's a difference from you having to come from your waist to up high. It makes it easier to block a shot when your hand is already up."
Here is another great example of how you videos, and working on your individual skills and through hard work can pay off and make dreams come true.
Hard work does pay off. Jermaine O'neal aka JO, worked extremely hard during this past summer and hopes of a great season, and to make the All-Defensive team. Well, JO is doing just that, he is currently leads the league in blocks with 3.1 swats per game, up from 2.3 bpg last year and 1.8 bpg over his career.
Working to expand his game during the summer, JO made an effort to raise his defensive play with his sights set on the All-Defensive team. Sounds like Larry Joe Legend has had an impact on how his talent views what truly great players bring to the game. One of the keys to his improvement in blocks is explained here:
O'Neal, who spent the summer in Indianapolis working out with the team's training staff, spent part of the off season looking at a tape of Hakeem Olajuwon, a 12-time All-Star who was a force in the paint, that older brother Clifford gave him.
The average basketball fan may not notice the difference, but what caught O'Neal's eye about Olajuwon helped him block more shots.
Olajuwon started his shot blocking motion with his hand up. O'Neal routinely started his motion with arm down by his side.
"Simple hand placement," O'Neal said. "The difference between a guy getting a shot off and you blocking a shot is merely a second. That's a difference from you having to come from your waist to up high. It makes it easier to block a shot when your hand is already up."
Here is another great example of how you videos, and working on your individual skills and through hard work can pay off and make dreams come true.
Make succes simple and making success simpler
Make succes simple and making success simpler
How to break the cyle of being in debt, or once you've broken the cylce. Then start taking steps of paying back the amount already owed. You have to have full plan of attack to make and continue any progress. And one major importance is sticking to your plan of attack.
A very good strategy for this is, it the spread of your interest rates on you debts:
First strategy attack should be to pay off your highest-rate debt first.
Second strategy attack is to making the maximum monthly payment you can afford on that card.
Third strategy attack is to be paying the minimum required on the rest of your debt.
Also, remember once the interest buildup on that card goes down, you'll automatically start paying down principal faster. Repeat the process with the next highest rate card and so on.
If the rate spread among your loans isn't big, pay off your smallest debt instead. The results will feel rewarding, and knowing that your finally going somewhere. completely.
How to break the cyle of being in debt, or once you've broken the cylce. Then start taking steps of paying back the amount already owed. You have to have full plan of attack to make and continue any progress. And one major importance is sticking to your plan of attack.
A very good strategy for this is, it the spread of your interest rates on you debts:
First strategy attack should be to pay off your highest-rate debt first.
Second strategy attack is to making the maximum monthly payment you can afford on that card.
Third strategy attack is to be paying the minimum required on the rest of your debt.
Also, remember once the interest buildup on that card goes down, you'll automatically start paying down principal faster. Repeat the process with the next highest rate card and so on.
If the rate spread among your loans isn't big, pay off your smallest debt instead. The results will feel rewarding, and knowing that your finally going somewhere. completely.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Retirement procrastination
Retirement procrastination
We all do it rather it's investing, retirement, or just with work everyday. Or maybe it's even putting off cleaning the house. Well, here is a losing scenerio for you wait until you are 45 or 50 years old to start saving for retirement. This is what we would call retirement procrastination and your going to be having a pretty short retirement. Consider that someone who starts socking away $300 a month at age 45, and earns an average annual return of 8 percent, will have about $178,000 at the age of 65. But if you start saving at 25, you'll have $1,054,000.
Yes, it's true you invest more of your own money ($144,000 versus $72,000) when you start saving at the age of 25, but look at the payoff: you end up with about $875,000 more because you played the time card so well.
Make Your Mortages Your Friend
Make Mortages your friend for your future
Well, we hope when you looked into choosing the right mortgage for you did your homework, research. You probably learned about which you should go with rather it was fixed rate, a hybrid, or an ARM. Though, did you forget about something. How long are you wanting this mortgage?
It's pretty much a reflexive move that we always opt for a 30-year mortgage. For my money, if you know you're going to be staying in that home for at least the next 10 years, a 15-year mortgage is the smartest move if you can handle the higher payments.
First, the interest rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage is typically about a half a percentage point below a 30-year fixed. Right off the bat, then, you have a better deal. But the real payoff is that you'll pay so much less in interest payments over the life of the loan.
On a $200,000, 15-year fixed-rate mortgage at 5.5 percent, the total interest payments are about $94,000, compared to more than $231,000 on a 30-year fixed-rate at 6 percent. Clearly, the time you take to pay off your mortgage has a huge financial cost.
Obviously, the 15-year loan also requires a higher monthly payment ($1,634 versus $1,200 in the example above). If that's not doable, then at least try to send in an extra payment or two a year on your 30-year mortgage. Just one extra payment a year will shave 5 years off your mortgage, which is going to save you plenty of interest.
Well, we hope when you looked into choosing the right mortgage for you did your homework, research. You probably learned about which you should go with rather it was fixed rate, a hybrid, or an ARM. Though, did you forget about something. How long are you wanting this mortgage?
It's pretty much a reflexive move that we always opt for a 30-year mortgage. For my money, if you know you're going to be staying in that home for at least the next 10 years, a 15-year mortgage is the smartest move if you can handle the higher payments.
First, the interest rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage is typically about a half a percentage point below a 30-year fixed. Right off the bat, then, you have a better deal. But the real payoff is that you'll pay so much less in interest payments over the life of the loan.
On a $200,000, 15-year fixed-rate mortgage at 5.5 percent, the total interest payments are about $94,000, compared to more than $231,000 on a 30-year fixed-rate at 6 percent. Clearly, the time you take to pay off your mortgage has a huge financial cost.
Obviously, the 15-year loan also requires a higher monthly payment ($1,634 versus $1,200 in the example above). If that's not doable, then at least try to send in an extra payment or two a year on your 30-year mortgage. Just one extra payment a year will shave 5 years off your mortgage, which is going to save you plenty of interest.
You do the Math
You do the Math
You really have to think, research, and know your investment options before you go diving into something blindfolded. To illustrate this, pick the offer below that seems better:
1. I'll give you $1,000 a day for 30 days.
2. I'll give you a penny on day one and then double your money every day for the rest of the 30-day month.
So which would you pick?
Well, some of you might think this is just another trick question, and really don't know what to pick. Other may have heard this one before, while some are saying I want my $30,000 screw that penny stuff.
Well, let's just do the math shall we. The first option plays on our impatience, because it takes no time at all to do the math on it: You'll have $30,000 at the end of the month. The second option doesn't seem so great at first glance, plus it takes time to do the math. But it'd be time well spent: Choose the second option and you'd have more than $5 million at the end of a 30-day month.
You really have to think, research, and know your investment options before you go diving into something blindfolded. To illustrate this, pick the offer below that seems better:
1. I'll give you $1,000 a day for 30 days.
2. I'll give you a penny on day one and then double your money every day for the rest of the 30-day month.
So which would you pick?
Well, some of you might think this is just another trick question, and really don't know what to pick. Other may have heard this one before, while some are saying I want my $30,000 screw that penny stuff.
Well, let's just do the math shall we. The first option plays on our impatience, because it takes no time at all to do the math on it: You'll have $30,000 at the end of the month. The second option doesn't seem so great at first glance, plus it takes time to do the math. But it'd be time well spent: Choose the second option and you'd have more than $5 million at the end of a 30-day month.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
This winter reduce your heating cost and save money
Reduce Heating Costs With These Money Saving Tips
If you live in a region that is cold in the winter, heating costs take a big bite out of your monthly budget for 25 - 50% of the year. Due to the rapidly escalating costs of home heating oil, propane, and kerosene, you may be paying twice as much to heat your house as you did just a few years ago. You can cut your heating costs significantly by following these money-saving tips.
Enrolling in load management programs and off-hour rate programs offered by your electric utility may save you up to $100 a year in electricity costs. Call your electric utility for information about these cost-saving programs.
Do an energy audit of your house, identifying areas where heated air is leaking out. Check around doors, windows, fireplaces, and other areas that may feel drafty. Use caulk, weather stripping, door sweeps, plastic, and other appropriate means to close off these leaks. If your house is poorly insulated, adding additional insulation will pay for itself in reduced heating costs. Ask your electric or gas utility if they audit homes for free or for a reasonable charge. If they do not, ask them to refer you to a qualified professional.
Minimize your use of ventilation fans such as bathroom fans and kitchen hood fans in winter. Reduce your heating billUse reflective insulation To reduce your heating costs
A bathroom fan can suck all the heated air out of the average house in little more than an hour. Over the course of the winter, ventilation fans can increase your heating costs by a surprising amount.
Don't heat areas of your house you don't use regularly, such as guest rooms. Close the doors, heating vents, or turn back thermostats in those areas.
Turn down the heat and use space heaters to heat the room you spend time in.
Keep your furnace, heat pump, or other heating equipment in top operating condition. Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of your furnace or heat pump. Poorly tuned units are inefficient and use more fuel. An annual maintenance agreement is well worth the money to ensure that your equipment is properly maintained and will last as long as possible.
Don't turn your thermostat up above the desired temperature. It won't heat up any more quickly and will make your furnace work harder. Also, while it makes sense to turn the heat back when you're sleeping or not at home, turning it down too low can actually cost you more because the contents of the house have to be re-heated in addition to the air. 68 to 70 degrees while you're home and awake, and 60 to 65% while you're asleep or not at home are reasonable temperatures.
Consider a programmable thermostat to raise and lower the temperature at pre-set times.
Check the temperature setting on your hot water heater. If you have a dishwasher, your water should be heated to 120%. Otherwise, it can be somewhat lower.
If your water heater is in an unheated space like an unfinished basement, wrap it in an insulation blanket available at hardware stores to prevent heat loss.
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.
Try to cut your shower time in half and this could cut your water heating cost in about a third. Try it really works.
In winter, try to get as much sun light as possible by opening the blinds and curtains or at the least the the sunny side of the house (the south-facing side), but it's important to close them all as soon as the sun goes down to retain the solar heat. Close curtains on the shady side of the house (north-facing side). Also, If you don't have curtains, consider installing some. Curtains made from heavy fabric with lots of folds (fullness) can prevent cold air from seeping in and warm air from seeping out, which reduces your heating costs.
If you live in a region that is cold in the winter, heating costs take a big bite out of your monthly budget for 25 - 50% of the year. Due to the rapidly escalating costs of home heating oil, propane, and kerosene, you may be paying twice as much to heat your house as you did just a few years ago. You can cut your heating costs significantly by following these money-saving tips.
Enrolling in load management programs and off-hour rate programs offered by your electric utility may save you up to $100 a year in electricity costs. Call your electric utility for information about these cost-saving programs.
Do an energy audit of your house, identifying areas where heated air is leaking out. Check around doors, windows, fireplaces, and other areas that may feel drafty. Use caulk, weather stripping, door sweeps, plastic, and other appropriate means to close off these leaks. If your house is poorly insulated, adding additional insulation will pay for itself in reduced heating costs. Ask your electric or gas utility if they audit homes for free or for a reasonable charge. If they do not, ask them to refer you to a qualified professional.
Minimize your use of ventilation fans such as bathroom fans and kitchen hood fans in winter. Reduce your heating billUse reflective insulation To reduce your heating costs
A bathroom fan can suck all the heated air out of the average house in little more than an hour. Over the course of the winter, ventilation fans can increase your heating costs by a surprising amount.
Don't heat areas of your house you don't use regularly, such as guest rooms. Close the doors, heating vents, or turn back thermostats in those areas.
Turn down the heat and use space heaters to heat the room you spend time in.
Keep your furnace, heat pump, or other heating equipment in top operating condition. Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of your furnace or heat pump. Poorly tuned units are inefficient and use more fuel. An annual maintenance agreement is well worth the money to ensure that your equipment is properly maintained and will last as long as possible.
Don't turn your thermostat up above the desired temperature. It won't heat up any more quickly and will make your furnace work harder. Also, while it makes sense to turn the heat back when you're sleeping or not at home, turning it down too low can actually cost you more because the contents of the house have to be re-heated in addition to the air. 68 to 70 degrees while you're home and awake, and 60 to 65% while you're asleep or not at home are reasonable temperatures.
Consider a programmable thermostat to raise and lower the temperature at pre-set times.
Check the temperature setting on your hot water heater. If you have a dishwasher, your water should be heated to 120%. Otherwise, it can be somewhat lower.
If your water heater is in an unheated space like an unfinished basement, wrap it in an insulation blanket available at hardware stores to prevent heat loss.
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.
Try to cut your shower time in half and this could cut your water heating cost in about a third. Try it really works.
In winter, try to get as much sun light as possible by opening the blinds and curtains or at the least the the sunny side of the house (the south-facing side), but it's important to close them all as soon as the sun goes down to retain the solar heat. Close curtains on the shady side of the house (north-facing side). Also, If you don't have curtains, consider installing some. Curtains made from heavy fabric with lots of folds (fullness) can prevent cold air from seeping in and warm air from seeping out, which reduces your heating costs.
Master Limited Partnership (MLP)
What is Master Limited Partnership (MLP):
A master limited partnership (MLP) is a limited partnership but it's still publicly traded. Each share of ownership is referred as a units. MLPs generally operate in the real estate markets, the natural resource, and financial services.
How do Master Limited Partnership (MLP) work:
Unlike a corporation, a master limited partnership is considered to be the aggregate of its partners rather than a separate entity. It combines the tax benefits of a limited partnership with the liquidity of publicly traded securities.
MLPs allow for pass-through income, meaning that they are not subject to corporate income taxes. Instead, owners of an MLP are personally responsible for paying taxes on their individual portions of the MLP's income, gains, losses, and deductions. This eliminates the "double taxation" generally applied to corporations (whereby the corporation pays taxes on its income and the corporation's shareholders also pay taxes on the corporation's dividends).
MLPs make distributions that are similar to dividends, and these are generally paid out on a quarterly basis. It is important to note that cash distributions are not guaranteed, and every unitholder is responsible for the taxes on his or her proportionate share of income, even if the MLP does not pay a cash distribution. In practice, MLPs pay their investors through quarterly required distributions (QRD), the amount of which is stated in the contract between the limited partners (the investors) and the general partner (the managers). Failure to pay the QRD may constitute an event of default.
Generally, investors can purchase MLP units from brokers. A unitholder's initial tax basis in MLP units is generally the amount he or she pays for the units. The unitholder's basis is usually then decreased with each distribution and allocation for losses or deductions, and the basis is increased for each allocation of income. A portion of certain distributions may qualify as a return of the investor's capital, thereby reducing the unitholder's taxable basis.
When an MLP pays more in distributions than it earns in taxable income, the unitholder's tax basis is decreased by the difference between the cash received and the MLP's taxable income. When the unitholder sells his or her units, any gain on the sale is taxed at the unitholder's ordinary income tax rate.
MLPs must mail an IRS Schedule K-1 to each of their unitholders every year. This Schedule K-1 reports the unitholder's allocated income, gain, loss, deduction, and credits. If the unitholder's taxable partnership income for the year is negative, then this is considered a passive loss under the tax code and may not be used to offset income from other sources. Instead, the passive loss may only be used to offset future income from the same MLP.
Although unitholders are generally limited in their liability, similar to a corporation's shareholders, creditors typically have the right to seek the return of distributions made to unitholders if the liability in question arose before the distribution was paid. This liability stays attached to the unitholder even after he or she sells the units.
Why Master Limited Partnership (MLP):
The fact that master limited partnerships (MLPs) are not subject to income tax means that more cash is available for distributions than would be available had the company incorporated. This generally makes MLP units worth more than similar shares of a corporation.
The size of an MLP's cash distributions generally drives the value of its MLP units. With this in mind, it is particularly important for investors to carefully evaluate whether an MLP is able to meet its current distribution obligations and whether it will be able to continue (and possibly even raise) its future distributions. If a particular MLP sports a distributable cash flow coverage ratio of 1:1, then this generally indicates that the MLP has adequate cash to meet its cash distribution requirements.
As a side note, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 added MLP income to the list of acceptable sources of income for mutual funds, with some conditions, including that mutual funds may not invest more than 25% of their assets in MLPs, nor may they own more than 10% of any one MLP.
A master limited partnership (MLP) is a limited partnership but it's still publicly traded. Each share of ownership is referred as a units. MLPs generally operate in the real estate markets, the natural resource, and financial services.
How do Master Limited Partnership (MLP) work:
Unlike a corporation, a master limited partnership is considered to be the aggregate of its partners rather than a separate entity. It combines the tax benefits of a limited partnership with the liquidity of publicly traded securities.
MLPs allow for pass-through income, meaning that they are not subject to corporate income taxes. Instead, owners of an MLP are personally responsible for paying taxes on their individual portions of the MLP's income, gains, losses, and deductions. This eliminates the "double taxation" generally applied to corporations (whereby the corporation pays taxes on its income and the corporation's shareholders also pay taxes on the corporation's dividends).
MLPs make distributions that are similar to dividends, and these are generally paid out on a quarterly basis. It is important to note that cash distributions are not guaranteed, and every unitholder is responsible for the taxes on his or her proportionate share of income, even if the MLP does not pay a cash distribution. In practice, MLPs pay their investors through quarterly required distributions (QRD), the amount of which is stated in the contract between the limited partners (the investors) and the general partner (the managers). Failure to pay the QRD may constitute an event of default.
Generally, investors can purchase MLP units from brokers. A unitholder's initial tax basis in MLP units is generally the amount he or she pays for the units. The unitholder's basis is usually then decreased with each distribution and allocation for losses or deductions, and the basis is increased for each allocation of income. A portion of certain distributions may qualify as a return of the investor's capital, thereby reducing the unitholder's taxable basis.
When an MLP pays more in distributions than it earns in taxable income, the unitholder's tax basis is decreased by the difference between the cash received and the MLP's taxable income. When the unitholder sells his or her units, any gain on the sale is taxed at the unitholder's ordinary income tax rate.
MLPs must mail an IRS Schedule K-1 to each of their unitholders every year. This Schedule K-1 reports the unitholder's allocated income, gain, loss, deduction, and credits. If the unitholder's taxable partnership income for the year is negative, then this is considered a passive loss under the tax code and may not be used to offset income from other sources. Instead, the passive loss may only be used to offset future income from the same MLP.
Although unitholders are generally limited in their liability, similar to a corporation's shareholders, creditors typically have the right to seek the return of distributions made to unitholders if the liability in question arose before the distribution was paid. This liability stays attached to the unitholder even after he or she sells the units.
Why Master Limited Partnership (MLP):
The fact that master limited partnerships (MLPs) are not subject to income tax means that more cash is available for distributions than would be available had the company incorporated. This generally makes MLP units worth more than similar shares of a corporation.
The size of an MLP's cash distributions generally drives the value of its MLP units. With this in mind, it is particularly important for investors to carefully evaluate whether an MLP is able to meet its current distribution obligations and whether it will be able to continue (and possibly even raise) its future distributions. If a particular MLP sports a distributable cash flow coverage ratio of 1:1, then this generally indicates that the MLP has adequate cash to meet its cash distribution requirements.
As a side note, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 added MLP income to the list of acceptable sources of income for mutual funds, with some conditions, including that mutual funds may not invest more than 25% of their assets in MLPs, nor may they own more than 10% of any one MLP.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Here is a good example of how not to invest your life savings
Here is a good example of how not to invest your life savings! Brit Ashley Revell bets $136000 on one spin of the roulette wheel in Las Vegas after selling everything he owned. This is what happened..
Be wise investing with your money
Be Wise with your money starting now!
Where is your money going? Yes, we know that you have probably read all those articles of just cutting out that cup of coffee at Starbucks, or the big fountain drink at the gas station. But, for most of us that might last maybe the first week of the new year, but rely does not last nor have much of an effect on your savings.
So why not take a look at a bigger look at things. Just like anything along with saving money, it takes hard work, discipline, and more hard work. So let's start of with taking a look at what kind of cars or vehicles do you have or are you driving in your family?
Consider the fact that once you purchase any new car and drive it off the lot it's going to start depreciating right away. Meaning if you purchase a 2007 car at $30,000, you will never get that amount back when you sell or trade it in. But, you will get a nice car. But, let's take a closer look at this. Why not look into different options in cars. Sometimes Just giving up leather seats, sunroof, and a few horse power could save you up to $10,000, and now that's a lot of cups of coffee or fountain drinks!
We estimate if you drive less expesive cars saving say $10,000, in a life time you could save well over $150,000 in YOUR LIFETIME!!
How about this one for saving more money. Plan and send your children to public schools and universities. We know that some are really wanting to send their youngsters to Yale or Harvard, but you look into sending them to State schools. The stats don't lie either stating that students with similar academic abilities earn the same whether they attend top schools or less selective ones.
Also looking taking vacations in the offseason or taking a trip to South American or Canada instead of Europe. This kind of vacations can save you well over $1,000 per vacation.
After checking out your vacation spots, than take a long hard look at your house and what you really need. Just some things to really think about helping you save and being wise with where you put your money.
The success of strategies like this will obviously depend on what you want to do with the all the extra savings! One simple way of doing this is estimate how much money you could save in a year off of this stragety and the increase your 401(k) or even better automatic IRA contributions by that amount. We really like this idea that automatically forces you to start saving each month.
Where is your money going? Yes, we know that you have probably read all those articles of just cutting out that cup of coffee at Starbucks, or the big fountain drink at the gas station. But, for most of us that might last maybe the first week of the new year, but rely does not last nor have much of an effect on your savings.
So why not take a look at a bigger look at things. Just like anything along with saving money, it takes hard work, discipline, and more hard work. So let's start of with taking a look at what kind of cars or vehicles do you have or are you driving in your family?
Consider the fact that once you purchase any new car and drive it off the lot it's going to start depreciating right away. Meaning if you purchase a 2007 car at $30,000, you will never get that amount back when you sell or trade it in. But, you will get a nice car. But, let's take a closer look at this. Why not look into different options in cars. Sometimes Just giving up leather seats, sunroof, and a few horse power could save you up to $10,000, and now that's a lot of cups of coffee or fountain drinks!
We estimate if you drive less expesive cars saving say $10,000, in a life time you could save well over $150,000 in YOUR LIFETIME!!
How about this one for saving more money. Plan and send your children to public schools and universities. We know that some are really wanting to send their youngsters to Yale or Harvard, but you look into sending them to State schools. The stats don't lie either stating that students with similar academic abilities earn the same whether they attend top schools or less selective ones.
Also looking taking vacations in the offseason or taking a trip to South American or Canada instead of Europe. This kind of vacations can save you well over $1,000 per vacation.
After checking out your vacation spots, than take a long hard look at your house and what you really need. Just some things to really think about helping you save and being wise with where you put your money.
The success of strategies like this will obviously depend on what you want to do with the all the extra savings! One simple way of doing this is estimate how much money you could save in a year off of this stragety and the increase your 401(k) or even better automatic IRA contributions by that amount. We really like this idea that automatically forces you to start saving each month.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Level 3 (LVLT)
Level 3 (LVLT)
Level 3 is look good to me. The facts are in and Level 3 is now trading in debt for
equity. Yes, that's right! How many companies would like to be doing that?
Well, get this Level 3 takes $490 mln of Level 3's 10% Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 for a total of approx 160.1 mln sh of LVLT's common stock, equivalent to approx 326.78 shares per $1,000 note. As a result of the exchange, co expects to reduce its 07 cash interest expense by approx $47 mln. The notes are callable by the company on May 1, 09.
With this kind of news, this stock could move just about anywhere and the estimates will probably keep going up. Now if Level 3 could just get a few more quick deals like this and this company could be a cash flow before this year is up...okay maybe more then just a few, but still at the moment looks good to me for Level 3.
Level 3 is look good to me. The facts are in and Level 3 is now trading in debt for
equity. Yes, that's right! How many companies would like to be doing that?
Well, get this Level 3 takes $490 mln of Level 3's 10% Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 for a total of approx 160.1 mln sh of LVLT's common stock, equivalent to approx 326.78 shares per $1,000 note. As a result of the exchange, co expects to reduce its 07 cash interest expense by approx $47 mln. The notes are callable by the company on May 1, 09.
With this kind of news, this stock could move just about anywhere and the estimates will probably keep going up. Now if Level 3 could just get a few more quick deals like this and this company could be a cash flow before this year is up...okay maybe more then just a few, but still at the moment looks good to me for Level 3.
Business Week
Business Week! You have to check this one out! Or you are even just looking for your Free Business Magazines
check it out today!
Warren Buffet Interview
Here is a great interview with Warren Buffet! The Oracle from Omaha visits Israel. Special interview on TheMarker TV.
Warren Edward Buffett Biography : Famous American Investor - Stock Market Guru
Famous for : The successful Berkshire Hathaway Company, 2nd Richest man in the world, & Philanthropist
Buffet details : Born - August 30, 1930 Omaha, Nebraska / Lives - United States of America - Omaha
Buffet Quotes, Warren Buffet Quotes, investing quotes, business quotes
"Wide diversification is only required when investors do not understand what they are doing."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Investing - Knowledge
"Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Long Term Investing
"We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."
Warren Buffett - Greed - Fear - Investing
"Why not invest your assets in the companies you really like? As Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful"."
Warren Buffett - Investing - Assets
"Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business."
Warren Buffett - Branding
"Our favourite holding period is forever."
Warren Buffet - Long Term Investing
For more Buffet Quotes, Warren Buffet Quotes, investing quotes, business quotes check this out.
Warren Edward Buffett Biography : Famous American Investor - Stock Market Guru
Famous for : The successful Berkshire Hathaway Company, 2nd Richest man in the world, & Philanthropist
Buffet details : Born - August 30, 1930 Omaha, Nebraska / Lives - United States of America - Omaha
Buffet Quotes, Warren Buffet Quotes, investing quotes, business quotes
"Wide diversification is only required when investors do not understand what they are doing."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Investing - Knowledge
"Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Long Term Investing
"We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."
Warren Buffett - Greed - Fear - Investing
"Why not invest your assets in the companies you really like? As Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful"."
Warren Buffett - Investing - Assets
"Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business."
Warren Buffett - Branding
"Our favourite holding period is forever."
Warren Buffet - Long Term Investing
For more Buffet Quotes, Warren Buffet Quotes, investing quotes, business quotes check this out.
Warren Buffet Interview
Here is a great interview with Warren Buffet! The Oracle from Omaha visits Israel. Special interview on TheMarker TV.
Warren Edward Buffett Biography : Famous American Investor - Stock Market Guru
Famous for : The successful Berkshire Hathaway Company, 2nd Richest man in the world, & Philanthropist
Buffet details : Born - August 30, 1930 Omaha, Nebraska / Lives - United States of America - Omaha
Buffet Quotes, Warren Buffet Quotes,
"Wide diversification is only required when investors do not understand what they are doing."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Investing - Knowledge
"Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Long Term Investing
"We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."
Warren Buffett - Greed - Fear - Investing
"Why not invest your assets in the companies you really like? As Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful"."
Warren Buffett - Investing - Assets
"Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business."
Warren Buffett - Branding
"Our favourite holding period is forever."
Warren Buffet - Long Term Investing
Warren Edward Buffett Biography : Famous American Investor - Stock Market Guru
Famous for : The successful Berkshire Hathaway Company, 2nd Richest man in the world, & Philanthropist
Buffet details : Born - August 30, 1930 Omaha, Nebraska / Lives - United States of America - Omaha
Buffet Quotes, Warren Buffet Quotes,
"Wide diversification is only required when investors do not understand what they are doing."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Investing - Knowledge
"Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years."
Warren Buffett - Stock Market - Long Term Investing
"We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."
Warren Buffett - Greed - Fear - Investing
"Why not invest your assets in the companies you really like? As Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful"."
Warren Buffett - Investing - Assets
"Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business."
Warren Buffett - Branding
"Our favourite holding period is forever."
Warren Buffet - Long Term Investing
Stock Holdings of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)
Stock Holdings of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)
New Investments and Additions?
In Berkshire Hathway last filing with the SEC showed that he has gone with some new investments and additions. Looking into this one, we saw that Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) did receive shares in Western Union (WU) which was spun off from longtime holding First Data (FDC). Berkshire also increased its stake in five of its existing holdings: Iron Mountain (IRM), Lowe's (LOW), Nike (NKE), and USG (USG).
We see that the Western Union was added, and it sort of draws our attention as well being the most dominate monery transfer market. Western Union looks to have some upside, but we would suggest doing you own homework and research on the matter.
Also, check out that Berkshire invested more into USG, a manufacturer of gypsum wallboards, which emerged from asbestos-related bankruptcy last June. Berkshire has owned USG since 2001, and more recently backed a rights offering from the company in mid-2006. Given Buffett's experience with asbestos liabilities via Berkshire's insurance operations.
Though, while you look at what Berkshire is adding you must also look at what they are getting or letting go of. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) is taking a less position on beer maker Anheuser Busch (BUD), continues to sell off tax adviser H&R Block (HRB), continued to let go of more shares of Ameriprise Financial (AMP), and appears to have sold a fair amount of its mass-market retailer Target (TGT).
To check out Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) current holding today!
New Investments and Additions?
In Berkshire Hathway last filing with the SEC showed that he has gone with some new investments and additions. Looking into this one, we saw that Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) did receive shares in Western Union (WU) which was spun off from longtime holding First Data (FDC). Berkshire also increased its stake in five of its existing holdings: Iron Mountain (IRM), Lowe's (LOW), Nike (NKE), and USG (USG).
We see that the Western Union was added, and it sort of draws our attention as well being the most dominate monery transfer market. Western Union looks to have some upside, but we would suggest doing you own homework and research on the matter.
Also, check out that Berkshire invested more into USG, a manufacturer of gypsum wallboards, which emerged from asbestos-related bankruptcy last June. Berkshire has owned USG since 2001, and more recently backed a rights offering from the company in mid-2006. Given Buffett's experience with asbestos liabilities via Berkshire's insurance operations.
Though, while you look at what Berkshire is adding you must also look at what they are getting or letting go of. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) is taking a less position on beer maker Anheuser Busch (BUD), continues to sell off tax adviser H&R Block (HRB), continued to let go of more shares of Ameriprise Financial (AMP), and appears to have sold a fair amount of its mass-market retailer Target (TGT).
To check out Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) current holding today!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Japanese Stocks
Japan and the Asian Market is worth taking a look at we think. We would suggest starting with funds (rather it's tradition mutual fund or ETF that is up to you) while trying to target and break into this Japan market. Note that Japanese stocks most regular appear in a lot of the most diversified international funds. And one more interesting fact is that a majority of large-cap foreign funds keep just about one fifth of their assets in stocks from Japan. With those to factores in mind we though it was worth talking alittle more look into some funds targeting Japan. And your wanting a true diversified portfolio its probably worth checking in and seeing if you have any investments targeting Japanese stocks.
Well, if you do you don't it might be the right time to start researching a few and we would like to help you out and start you with alittle pre homework. You have several options when looking to the Japanese stocks and Japan ETFs. Starting with Matthews Japan (MJFOX) and T. Rowe Price Japan (PRJPX), though they are not looking really bright as of right now. Another option is going the ETFs way of things while looking at iShares MCSI Japan Index (EWJ), which cost about half as much as those conventional near-picks and provides exposure to 85% of the Japanese market. These seem to play pretty heavy on these two Japan stocks Toyota (TM) and Sony (SNE), these two stocks could also be in some of your other foreign funds you own something you might want to look into.
While this one is so fresh, we really don't know what to think about it yet. Though, with that said, maybe you could give it a good hard look and figure out for yourself. WisdomTree Japan Total Dividend (DXJ) new ETF offering mid-cap to larg-cap Japanese stocks that are dividend pay outs instead of focusing on the actual market money matter. No one will know how the divinded playing stocks will play out this year, but it's low cost and diversification we seem is well worth the look.
Well, if you do you don't it might be the right time to start researching a few and we would like to help you out and start you with alittle pre homework. You have several options when looking to the Japanese stocks and Japan ETFs. Starting with Matthews Japan (MJFOX) and T. Rowe Price Japan (PRJPX), though they are not looking really bright as of right now. Another option is going the ETFs way of things while looking at iShares MCSI Japan Index (EWJ), which cost about half as much as those conventional near-picks and provides exposure to 85% of the Japanese market. These seem to play pretty heavy on these two Japan stocks Toyota (TM) and Sony (SNE), these two stocks could also be in some of your other foreign funds you own something you might want to look into.
While this one is so fresh, we really don't know what to think about it yet. Though, with that said, maybe you could give it a good hard look and figure out for yourself. WisdomTree Japan Total Dividend (DXJ) new ETF offering mid-cap to larg-cap Japanese stocks that are dividend pay outs instead of focusing on the actual market money matter. No one will know how the divinded playing stocks will play out this year, but it's low cost and diversification we seem is well worth the look.
Investing Goals
Write down why you invest in what you do. Or write down your Investin goals!
That's right, writing down your investing goals, or what you want out of your investments, or why your investing in what you are doing currently will help:
focuse your investing goals
organize your investments/investing goals
organize your focus and strategy towards your investing goals
They say this can work with anything. Rather your goal is investing more, getting healthy, or even just simple things as relaxing more.
But the idea is simple and easy. Write down why your wanting to invest in something new, or why you invested in that stock in the first place, and lastly what are you wanting to get out of that investment. So with these written down you can then stay more focused and on task with all your investments. But, you must have discipline as well to know if those investments are not reaching your goal or purpose that are written down then it's time to move on. For example if you say I would like to make a 45% return on this investment in a year. Well, and that year is up and you have not made that return well, then it's probably time to cut your loose.
Noting why you bought the fund--to get large-cap growth exposure and consistently above-average returns from a manager who has been in charge for several years, for example--will help to instill discipline and eliminate some of the emotion that so often gets in the way of smart investing.
For example you purchase iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index (DVY) to cover the costs of your son's education in 15 years. After much research you chose this EFT because the number look good and the dividend is pretty much unbeatable. After reflecting a good combination of returns and risk; its expenses were lower than the category average; and the fund didn't risk a lot on the technology stocks that so many other growth funds were feasting on. Those are all good reasons. So you shouldn't even consider selling the fund unless it falls short on these points.
To take the opposite case, maybe you bought DWS International (SCINX) because you wanted some international exposure and you were attracted by its long-tenured management and consistent performance. But since 1999, the fund's performance has been erratic, and it has also undergone a few management changes. Because the fund is no longer meeting your main reasons for buying it, selling would be a reasonable choice. Other legitimate reasons to sell would be that a fund has hiked its expense ratio or assets have gotten so bloated that performance starts to suffer. But remember reading all this, and action are two different things. It really comes down to you taking control, discipline, and writing down your investing goals.
That's right, writing down your investing goals, or what you want out of your investments, or why your investing in what you are doing currently will help:
focuse your investing goals
organize your investments/investing goals
organize your focus and strategy towards your investing goals
They say this can work with anything. Rather your goal is investing more, getting healthy, or even just simple things as relaxing more.
But the idea is simple and easy. Write down why your wanting to invest in something new, or why you invested in that stock in the first place, and lastly what are you wanting to get out of that investment. So with these written down you can then stay more focused and on task with all your investments. But, you must have discipline as well to know if those investments are not reaching your goal or purpose that are written down then it's time to move on. For example if you say I would like to make a 45% return on this investment in a year. Well, and that year is up and you have not made that return well, then it's probably time to cut your loose.
Noting why you bought the fund--to get large-cap growth exposure and consistently above-average returns from a manager who has been in charge for several years, for example--will help to instill discipline and eliminate some of the emotion that so often gets in the way of smart investing.
For example you purchase iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index (DVY) to cover the costs of your son's education in 15 years. After much research you chose this EFT because the number look good and the dividend is pretty much unbeatable. After reflecting a good combination of returns and risk; its expenses were lower than the category average; and the fund didn't risk a lot on the technology stocks that so many other growth funds were feasting on. Those are all good reasons. So you shouldn't even consider selling the fund unless it falls short on these points.
To take the opposite case, maybe you bought DWS International (SCINX) because you wanted some international exposure and you were attracted by its long-tenured management and consistent performance. But since 1999, the fund's performance has been erratic, and it has also undergone a few management changes. Because the fund is no longer meeting your main reasons for buying it, selling would be a reasonable choice. Other legitimate reasons to sell would be that a fund has hiked its expense ratio or assets have gotten so bloated that performance starts to suffer. But remember reading all this, and action are two different things. It really comes down to you taking control, discipline, and writing down your investing goals.
Stock Losses, Stock Gains
Here is a scenerio that I am sure we have all seen or heard of before. So you purchase a stock and it goes up a little bit after you buy it, but then say it drops 4%-5. The question is what should you do in this scenerio?
Well, we will try to break it down for you. Before really breaking it down lets talk about the bad news scenerio or different cases. Such as, you purchase a stock that never reaches a selling gain level that you like say 15% or higher. Well, then we would look into allowing that stock to decline as low as 8% before selling (unless there is bad news thinking it could only get worse then we would look into selling at any point).
Next say a stock that is purchased goes to a 7% loss and a 29% gain, meaning your target is you start selling shares at a 30% gain and/or 8% loss. Then no matter what we suggest to stick with your guns and sell all share at the 8% loss stop.
Next case, if I have sold the stock once at the approximately 30% appreciation point. In this case, if you choose to only sell partially out at the 30% level we would then ride it all the way out for either a higher gain or sell completely out of it at a break even point.
Their are many other types of strageties out there about this kind of topic and where and when to let go of your stock. But, the biggest keys we suggest are stick to your guns no matter what. If you have a 8% stock loss than stick with that. And overalll you will see the benefits in the long run!
Well, we will try to break it down for you. Before really breaking it down lets talk about the bad news scenerio or different cases. Such as, you purchase a stock that never reaches a selling gain level that you like say 15% or higher. Well, then we would look into allowing that stock to decline as low as 8% before selling (unless there is bad news thinking it could only get worse then we would look into selling at any point).
Next say a stock that is purchased goes to a 7% loss and a 29% gain, meaning your target is you start selling shares at a 30% gain and/or 8% loss. Then no matter what we suggest to stick with your guns and sell all share at the 8% loss stop.
Next case, if I have sold the stock once at the approximately 30% appreciation point. In this case, if you choose to only sell partially out at the 30% level we would then ride it all the way out for either a higher gain or sell completely out of it at a break even point.
Their are many other types of strageties out there about this kind of topic and where and when to let go of your stock. But, the biggest keys we suggest are stick to your guns no matter what. If you have a 8% stock loss than stick with that. And overalll you will see the benefits in the long run!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Exchange-Traded Funds
Exchange-Traded Funds
As assets in exchange-traded funds top $325 billion and the number of ETFs climbs near 300, investors now have indexed-based choices that cover everything from the S&P 500 to foreign currencies. That has some people wondering if there aren't already too many options. Lower fees, better tax efficiency and the ability to trade at will have been cited for ETFs' popularity. Also, note that the big run for ETFs was right with the scandals of the 2003 of all the mutual fund companies.
We think the continue growth and demand for exchange-traded funds will continue though 2007. Enough with the growth, ETFs will hold to be in popular trend in investing. While we thinkg more smart investors will jump on the EFT band wagon, and understand that most mutual funds can not beat indexes. Due to this factor smart investors will come a running to ETFs. Again, though some old school investors will still not give in and try to fight back with traditional mutuals funds, but don't be fooled this upcoming year.
As assets in exchange-traded funds top $325 billion and the number of ETFs climbs near 300, investors now have indexed-based choices that cover everything from the S&P 500 to foreign currencies. That has some people wondering if there aren't already too many options. Lower fees, better tax efficiency and the ability to trade at will have been cited for ETFs' popularity. Also, note that the big run for ETFs was right with the scandals of the 2003 of all the mutual fund companies.
We think the continue growth and demand for exchange-traded funds will continue though 2007. Enough with the growth, ETFs will hold to be in popular trend in investing. While we thinkg more smart investors will jump on the EFT band wagon, and understand that most mutual funds can not beat indexes. Due to this factor smart investors will come a running to ETFs. Again, though some old school investors will still not give in and try to fight back with traditional mutuals funds, but don't be fooled this upcoming year.
The truth of a growing stock options.
At the end of 2006 we look back and see that this was another hit year for the total of options continue to increase. It is stated that the the total option volume hit a recored 2.02 billion contracts. That's even a 35% increase over 2005 and marks the fourth consecuive yea of 30% plus volume growth.
If history continue to repeat itself in this area of stock option contracts. It might be worth a little more of your time to check into, and read a little more information about stock options.
This big increase player is the role of the hedge funds, these hedge fund are making up nearly 25% of trading volume in both options and equities. Plus the fact that traditional mutual funds use options to reduce risk, help investing, and generate income. The most evident of it all is the covered-calls and buy-write funds, which continue to raise and have risen over $100 billion the past two years.
With all this information, it's worth a look to see how much of stock options are coming down the pipe lines. In a recent survey by Schwab of 2,000 of its stock option clients revealed that more than half use options for income generation and some 46% are using options as part of their retirement-planning portfolio.
Plus the growing fact of mainstream brokers such as OptionsXpress, Schwab, E*Trade, and others. All these brokers are seeing this trend in stock options and continue to provide great resource, educational tools, trading tools, and even more option eductional tools. It seems as if finally investors have put a side the idea that we have been hearing for years which is "stock options are to risky" and "options are just to hard to learn". Plus, add the factor that all across the board commission rates have dropped which adds helping the stock options market overcome these myths.
Finally, we have to throw in the exchange-traded funds that continue to grow and will provide another great way to utilize stock options. For example, ETFs such as the Spyder Trust (SPY), the Nasdaq 100 Trust (QQQQ ) and iShares Russell 2000 Index (IWM) are typically the most-active options, trading collectively an average of more than 350,000 contracts a day.
If history continue to repeat itself in this area of stock option contracts. It might be worth a little more of your time to check into, and read a little more information about stock options.
This big increase player is the role of the hedge funds, these hedge fund are making up nearly 25% of trading volume in both options and equities. Plus the fact that traditional mutual funds use options to reduce risk, help investing, and generate income. The most evident of it all is the covered-calls and buy-write funds, which continue to raise and have risen over $100 billion the past two years.
With all this information, it's worth a look to see how much of stock options are coming down the pipe lines. In a recent survey by Schwab of 2,000 of its stock option clients revealed that more than half use options for income generation and some 46% are using options as part of their retirement-planning portfolio.
Plus the growing fact of mainstream brokers such as OptionsXpress, Schwab, E*Trade, and others. All these brokers are seeing this trend in stock options and continue to provide great resource, educational tools, trading tools, and even more option eductional tools. It seems as if finally investors have put a side the idea that we have been hearing for years which is "stock options are to risky" and "options are just to hard to learn". Plus, add the factor that all across the board commission rates have dropped which adds helping the stock options market overcome these myths.
Finally, we have to throw in the exchange-traded funds that continue to grow and will provide another great way to utilize stock options. For example, ETFs such as the Spyder Trust (SPY), the Nasdaq 100 Trust (QQQQ ) and iShares Russell 2000 Index (IWM) are typically the most-active options, trading collectively an average of more than 350,000 contracts a day.
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