Check it out!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Joy Compass: How To Make Your Retirement The Treasure Of Your Life
Check it out!
Friday, December 2, 2011
How Would a High Five vs. High Three Salary Calculation Affect a CSRS or FERS Annuity?
View the original article here
Thursday, December 1, 2011
What to Consider During the 2011 Federal Benefits Open Season
View the original article here
Friday, November 4, 2011
Florida Move Guide: The Unofficial Moving To Florida Warning, Decision and Help Guide
The Unofficial Moving To Florida
Warning, Decision and Help Guide
Why do roughly half of the people who
move to Florida, end up moving out, often at great financial loss and
emotional distress?
Don't let this happen to you! Selling
where you now live and moving to Florida to buy a home, just to sell
that and move back can destroy your nest egg! The financial loss and
stress of multiple long distance moves can cause serious health
problems!
As a licensed real estate agent and
broker, I discovered the reasons that caused new residents to sell
and move out as I sold hundreds of homes in Florida for these
sellers. No one ever told them that so many others before them did
the same thing, and mostly for the same reasons. Living in Florida
can be very different than spending a vacation at the beach and theme
parks here.
Don't get me wrong, not everyone who
moves to Florida considers it to be a mistake. About half absolutely
love their new life, enjoying the Florida beaches, golf courses and
weather. A little known secret is Florida is also about the best
asset protection state in the US, and there is no individual state
income tax. It could be the best move of your life.
This guide will help you determine if
moving to Florida would be right for you. Learn the reasons why
folks just like you left Florida, sometimes after living there for
less than a year.
Discover the secrets I learned about
the people who are thrilled with their move. Learn what they have
done that has made their new lifestyle so enjoyable.
Most importantly, you will also
discover the best way to inexpensively test a move before making a
life altering commitment, so you can be sure you won't be making a
huge mistake.
Will moving to Florida be the best
decision you ever made, or a stressful financial disaster? Find out
now with this informative book!
FLAmoveGuide
Price: $9.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
Financial Calculators
This simple-to-use software program consists of financial calculators which can help you make important financial decisions in areas ranging from home financing (how much house can I afford?) to retirement planning (how much do I need to save to retire a millionaire?) It can also show you how much money you can save if you make 1/2 of your mortgage payment every two weeks instead of making a full mortgage payment once a month. You'll be amazed! Plus so much more!
PARTIAL LIST OF FINANCIAL CALCULATORS INCLUDE:
LOAN CALCULATORS
Missing Loan-Term Calculator
Simple Loan Calculator
Payment Breakdown Calculator
Loan Comparison Calculator
Loan Calculator w/Amortization
MORTGAGE CALCULATORS
Mortgage Qualification Calculator
Bi-Weekly Mortgage Calculator
Mortgage Refinancing Calculator
Mortgage Payoff Goal Calculator
Simple Mortgage Payment Calculator
Average Interest Rate Calculator
INVESTMENT STRATEGY CALCULATORS
Portfolio Mix Calculator
BUDGETING CALCULATORS
Budget Percent Calculator
Irregular Payment Calculator
Cash Flow Calculator
Net Worth Calculator
Rapid Debt-Repayment Calculators
FINANCIAL LESSON CALCULATORS
Compound It!
Debt Investment Calculator
Real Hourly Wage Calculator
Appliance Operating Cost Calculator
Lifetime Savings Calculator
Lifetime Earnings Calculator
PRESENT VALUE CALCULATORS
Monthly Deposit Time Calculator
Savings Goal Calculator
Lump Sum Savings Calculator
Retirement Savings Calculator
FUTURE VALUE CALCULATORS
Future Value of a Single Deposit
Future Value of Periodic Deposits
AUTOMOBILE CALCULATORS
Miles Per Gallon Calculator
Car Cost Comparison Calculator
AND MORE!
From time to time, we add new calculators to the above list. All you need to do, once you have the program installed, is click the UPDATE button, and you will be connected to our UPDATE web page (you must have Internet access.) There you can download the most current version of the program.
Price:
Click here to buy from Amazon
Friday, October 28, 2011
How to Retire Happy: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire, Third Edition
--Steve Vernon, columnist, CBSMoneyWatch.com
“Everyone in the workforce today should read this book!”
—Horace B. Deets, former Executive Director, AARP
Award-winning Washington Post retirement columnist Stan Hinden’s bestselling How to Retire Happy helps you decide if you can retire now, or whether you have to stay on the job for a few more years.
This trusted guide has been fully updated to address the stomachchurning issues created by financial market volatility and the economic recession.
Will you have enough money for health care? Do you need—and can you afford—a longterm care policy? How much income can your savings produce?
The third edition of How to Retire Happy provides answers to these questions—plus all-new information about:
- A new menu of Medigap insurance policies
- New strategies for maximizing Social Security income
- Making your money last through a long retirement
Price: $18.95
Click here to buy from Amazon
Investing Money in Plain English
This book, like all Common Craft Kindle Books, is presented in the Paperworks style - about 35 pages of very short and simple explanations along with paper cutouts and whiteboard illustrations.
These Kindle Books are designed to provide a starting point for further learning. Common Craft's goal is to make complex things easier to understand.
Price: $2.49
Click here to buy from Amazon
How to Retire Happy : The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire, Third Edition (How to Retire Happy: The 12 Most Important Decisions You)
Price: $18.95
Click here to buy from Amazon
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Okanagan Valley
The border town of Osoyoos has a southwest, North American look and feel. The Okanagan valley area is a major draw for Okanagan living in British Columbians... other Canadians and many International visitors would like the Okanagan living experience. The cities, lakes, mountains and rivers in semi-desert conditions are everywhere to enjoy. The flora and fauna are unique to this area, including cactus, sagebrush, rattlesnakes, skinks and various other reptiles. Plus orchards and vineyards on nearly every hillside make this a great place for Okanagan living and life in the valley.
'Wine Capital of Canada', these vineyards must stand up to the test and they do exactly that. Canada's Okanagan vineyards are ubiquitous, and some of the best up-and-coming wines are being developed right here. The wine industry is still in its maturing stage, but... it is growing in size and recognition in the wine world. That makes Okanagan living good.
Birdwatchers Unite! Winding further north on the highway passing so many lakes and rivers, we arrive at Okanagan Falls at the south end of the beautiful Skaha Lake...a quaint and picturesque setting and a popular retirement and tourist area. Small home based businesses sell their wares at the farmers market. Local food and gift shops fill the downtown area. By the way birdwatchers, you will be glad you brought your camera equipment with you.
'The Working Pulse of the Okanagan Valley' Kelowna is the next stop, it is approximately in the middle of the valley. Kelowna has a very walkable downtown area to the many interesting venues. Lots of accomodations, restaurants and entertainment. The lakeside park with a beautiful sandy beach is steps from downtown. Kelowna is the largest of the valley towns and everything is available there. A good place to really enjoy Okanagan living.
Accomodation can be difficult to secure later in the day or weekends during the summer season. Plan special events...easily done on the internet. Enjoy the seasons, warm summer outdoor activities, like the winter season, ski at one of the 4 olympic class ski resorts. Enjoy!
My name is John Higgins and I have been living int Okanagan Valley for 5 years and it is such an unique place to live. Who would have thought that there is a semi-desert in Canada...the frozen north.
There are a lot of surprises such as rattle snakes, lizards and unique flora and fauna. A great place to live but a great place to visit.
Take a look at things to see and do in the valley. See you soon and hope you can visit my web site at: http://www.okanagan-in-focus.com
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Property Investing In Bangalore
According to statistics, 30% of India's 1 million IT professionals are employed by Bangalore tech companies alone. Therefore Bangalore property has become the fourth unsurpassed IT center in the world. Due to its pleasant climate and pleasing atmosphere, many settle down in the city in their post retirement. Lakes and gardens are a natural attraction that the city is blessed with and hence it is called the Garden City of India properties.
The MG road and the Brigade road reflect the lifestyle and the speedy modifications in style and fashion with which Bangalore is growing. This is the reason why it is favoured by the younger generation making it the Fashion Capital of India. As a result the property market is on its peak in the current years.
Investment in Bangalore properties
India is a budding economy and the FDI plans in India are considered most moderate and reasonable for property investment. Investment in Bangalore property can prove most lucrative. It is an excellent investment platform for the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) as well as the cosmopolitans for commercial reasons as well as those looking to settle down in Bangalore. Apart from IT companies, Bangalore also is famous for high grade Universities and world class hospitals. Students across the world come to pursue engineering, medicine, management, and mass communications. People across India as well as from other parts of the world seek medical treatment in the hospitals. These remarkable realities attracts the investors to invest in Bangalore real estate.
Students, job seekers or people coming for treatments who are looking to settle for a short time reside on rental basis. The rental properties comprise of flats, independent houses, bungalows, apartments, paying guest accomodation, etc. A lot of companies provide accomodation to its employees in the form of staff quarters or house rent allowance. For business reasons one can obtain commercial real estate, industry real estate, office gap or retail gap on rent.
There are many good builders top builders offering budget homes and luxury homes as well. There are a number of commercial and residential projects in the pipeline and the builders and developers are working to meet the ever growing demand.
If you are moving here go to bangalore property
Making Love for a Lifetime: Seniors and Sexuality
I. Some Myths about Aging and Sexuality
Many cultural "truths" convey the message that sexuality is for
the young. If seniors are interested in sex there is something wrong with that. How many of the following myths and stereotypes have you heard?
- Older people don't have sex, don't want sex, don't think about sex.
- It's perverted for an older person to have sexual thoughts; perhaps he is a "dirty old man".
- Women don't want sex, aren't interested in sex, and are only going along with what men want.
- When you get "old", you can't have sex.
- Sex is for younger adults. (I saw a cross-stitched sampler once which said "Kissing don't last - cooking do".)
- If you can't have sex like a porn star, you have no business trying it at all.
These are all misleading and incorrect stereotypes. It is
important to recognize that sexuality is a central part of healthy living - all our lives!
II. Survey Information: What's Happening Out There?
Three recent national surveys of older Americans have focused on
sexuality and sexual behavior. "Healthy Sexuality and Vital
Aging" (1998) was funded by Pfizer and sponsored by the National
Council on the Aging (NCOA) and surveyed over 1300 people. The
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) sponsored national surveys in 1999 and again in 2004. "Sexuality at Midlife and Beyond" looked at a nationally representative group of 1700 adults aged 45 and older.
The NCOA survey found that almost half of seniors over sixty are
sexually active; 39% want sex more often. The majority of
respondents reported having sex less often now than when they
were in their forties - 82% of men and 63% of women.
61% of men and 62% of women find sex equal to or more physically
satisfying than it was in their forties. With regard to
emotional satisfaction, 76% of men and 69% of women found sex to
be at least as emotionally satisfying as in their forties.
72% of men and 47% of women consider sex important to their
relationship with their partner. Men, however, were more than
twice as likely as women to report wanting sex more frequently.
This was true in all age segments - even in men 80 and older.
The AARP study found that the proportion of men who've tried
potency-enhancing medicines, hormones, or other treatments has
doubled since 1999. The majority (68%) report the treatments
have increased their sexual satisfaction. Their wives also
reported increased pleasure for themselves.
63% of men and women with partners described themselves as either extremely satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their sex lives. 51% of men and women surveyed reported having sexual thoughts, fantasies, or erotic dreams at least once a week.
50% of women in the 45-49 age range reported that they
masturbate; 20% of women 70 and older said they masturbated. A
majority of all women - even those 70-plus - told AARP that self- stimulation is an important part of sexual pleasure at any age.
Both these surveys, based on scientifically randomized samples,
indicate that seniors are having sex, thinking about sex,
enjoying sex - and taking steps to increase their enjoyment and
pleasure. Clearly sexuality is important to older Americans,
contrary to popular stereotypes!
III. Natural Changes Occurring With Aging
Most of us reading this are not twenty years old any more! Our
bodies are constantly changing - though many of us are in denial. Orthopedic medicine is one of the fastest-growing medical specialities, treating rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, injured backs, torn cartilage, blown ACLs - in aging baby
boomers. We're not ready to give it up!
Your body changes as you age, and these changes can affect your
sexual relationships.
A. Physical Changes
Testosterone regulates your sex drive whether you're a man or a
woman. Most aging men and women produce enough testosterone to
maintain their interest in sex, though patches and creams can
provide an alternative source of the hormone to boost desire if
needed.
Men and women experience different changes in their bodies as
they age.
-- Women --
Most physical changes are linked to menopause and reduced
estrogen levels. As you age, it takes longer for your vagina to
swell and lubricate when you're sexually aroused. Your vagina
also loses some elasticity. Together these can make intercourse
less comfortable or even painful.
What to do:
- Longer foreplay increases natural lubrication.
- Use water-based lubricants, such as Astroglide, Probe or Silk.
- Estrogen creams or hormone replacement therapy can rejuvenate vaginal tissue.
- Regular intercourse helps maintain lubrication and elasticity.
- Do Kegel exercises to keep the pelvic floor muscles toned.
- If you haven't had intercourse for a while, realize it takes time to stretch out - go slowly!
- Minimize any pain or discomfort. Desire usually returns once any discomfort is relieved.
-- Men --
As you age, it might take longer to achieve an erection; it may
be less firm and it may not last as long. Aging also increases
the time between possible ejaculations.
What to do:
- Relax, stop worrying about it! Anxiety makes it worse.
- Let go of performance expectations. American media is filled with messages implying that masculinity and virility is equated with youthful performance.
- Kegel exercises are very helpful for men also, to tone the pelvic floor musculature.
- Take longer with sexual activities. You may also need more direct physical stimulation.
- Try different positions, for comfort and extra stimulation.
- Focus on pleasurable sensations, rather than on hurrying towards orgasm and ejaculation.
- Viagra, Cialis or Levitra may help intensify erections.
- Other medical devices, such as pumps, drugs and implants have been developed. I would encourage a natural and relaxed exploration of sexual possibilities before submitting to an expensive and invasive medical procedure.
Intercourse is Not the Only Way to Have Sex!
Helen Gurley Brown, author of Sex and the Single Girl, has said,
"When people say they can't have sex because they have a bad
back, or arthritis, or all of the things that can affect our
bodies as we get older, I think what they're really saying is
they're looking for an excuse not to have sex. When you care,
you find that there are all sorts of ways to express sensuality."
Sexual ignorance, cultural values and media images combine to
"sell" the story that sex = intercourse - and having an orgasm is the way to tell if you're accomplishing anything!
This mindset gets everything backwards. The purpose of having
huge concentrations of nerve endings and pleasure receptors in
our genitals is to experience pleasure. While orgasms are
wonderful, when sex becomes goal-driven to "achieve" climax, it
short-changes both partners' pleasure and places enormous
performance expectations and demands - which can turn sex from
playful, spontaneous, pleasurable sensual intimacy between two
people who care about each other into something like a chore.
I highly recommend Marty Klein's book Let Me Count the Ways:
Great Sex Without Intercourse as an excellent guide and
encouragement in your creativity. (For more information about
Marty Klien's book look on:
http://www.books4selfhelp.com/sexuality.htm )
Passionate kissing, oral sex, mutual masturbation, telling erotic stories to each other, massage, hugging, touching, cuddling -- all of this can be great sex!
What is most important is pleasure - giving and receiving
physical and emotional pleasure. We are all hungry to be
touched. We need touch. Without touch, babies do not thrive,
and may even die. Grownups need to be touched too. (If you're
reading this and do not have a partner in your life, remember
that self-pleasure can be a very important aspect of self-care
and nurture. It is always possible to choose pleasure for
oneself!)
B. Psychological Changes
The aging process may have psychological and emotional effects -
particularly as we live in a culture that glorifies youth and
extols youthfulness as the epitome of physical beauty. (I would
remind us all that this is market-driven: marketers learned long
ago that younger people are more likely to spend disposable
income, and are more influenceable by advertising.)
- We may be embarrassed or ashamed of our sexual needs as an older adult.
What to do: Get over it! Join the party. You deserve pleasure in your life, from birth until the day you die.
- Changes in appearance affect how we feel about ourselves. Bodies no longer match the idealized body images we see in advertising and the media.
What to do: Realize that media has created the youthful ideal of beauty. Celebrate and love the body you have! Every wrinkle, stretch mark, gray hair, rounded contour, ache and pain is a mark of your ever-increasing maturity and wisdom! Bette Midler once said that if you are a woman and consider yourself unattractive -- visit another culture for a wake-up call. American stereothypes of physical attractiveness are insane dreams invented by marketers who are playing on our anxieties and insecurities in order to sell us more products.
- Worrying about sexual performance may actually reduce the body's ability to perform sexually; men may experience erectile dysfunction, women an inability to lubricate.
What to do: Relax! Relax... Enjoy your partner. Look into his or her eyes. Breathe together. Cuddle, stroke, gently massage each other. Sexuality is about pleasure, playfulness, and spontaneity.
- Depression may reduce energy, optimism and desire.
What to do: Exercise, do pleasurable activites, get sun on your face every day. Talk with your doctor about an antidepressant medication. See a therapist. Talk with your friends. Write your feelings in a journal. Any positive action taken - even drinking a glass of water! - is a step towards moving out of depression.
C. Changes Due to Medications and Surgery
Chronic pain or surgery and illness that cause fatigue can make
sexual activities more challenging or painful.
What to do: Talk about it. Slow down, focus on simple pleasureable activities. Experiment with different positions or activities to discover what is most pleasureful.
Some commonly used medications can interfere with sexual
function. High blood pressure medications can reduce desire and
impair erection in men and lubrication in women. Some
antihistamines, antidepressants and acid-blocking drugs can have side effects that affect sexual function.
What to do: Talk with your doctor about how to minimize these effects. It may be possible to substitute alternative medications that work as well as the original, but without affecting sexual function.
IV. Improving Sex as You Age
David Schnarch, in his book Passionate Marriage emphasizes that
people become better lovers as they age. This runs counter to
cultural stereotypes which hold that sex is for the young. Older persons have learned a few things over time, and no longer
struggle with youthful anxieties and ignorance about sexuality.
(For more information about David Schnarch's book, look on:
http://www.books4selfhelp.com/intimate-relationships.htm )
With age and maturity, it is more possible to slow down and
deeply experience all the pleasure that sensual sexuality has to
offer. It is possible to learn how to combine deep relaxation
with high states of arousal in order to have more intense,
longer-lasting sexual experiences.
- Expand your definition of sex. Sex is more than intercourse!
- Communicate with your partner. Talk about what you need and what you like. Discuss the changes you're going through. Ask your partner about his or her needs and how to be accomodating. Communication itself can be arousing!
- Make changes to your routine. Change the time of day in which you have sexual activity. Mornings or afternoons may be better than at night when you are tired or achy. Take more time to set the stage for romance: romantic dinners or an evening of dancing or a special time or place for lovemaking. Try a new sexual position.
- Manage your expectations. If you didn't have sex very often as a younger adult, don't expect to have lots of sex as an older adult. Partners who enjoy frequent sex when they are younger are more likely to continue that as they age.
- Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day. Avoid alcohol as it decreases sexual function in both men and women. Do your Kegel exercises every day.
- Practice safe sex. If you have a new partner, get tested. Use condoms. People over 50 make up about 10% of AIDS cases in the United States
Most of all, simply enjoy the pleasureful sensations which your
body is amply equipped to experience. Take time to nurture your
relationship with your partner so that you are feeling
emotionally connected. Approach your sexual relationship with
playfulness, humor, patience and love.
Sexual pleasure is part of the birthright of being human - and it is a lifelong resource for joy, health and personal growth.
For further resources on Seniors and Sexuality - books, magazine
articles, films and Internet resources - see my Resource page at
http://www.DavidYarian.com/resources.htm.
More resources are listed in The Guide to Self-Help Books,
http://www.Books4SelfHelp.com. Relevant sections of the Guide
include Sexuality, Men's Sexual Health, Women's Sexual Health,
Intimate Relationships, Gay and Lesbian Concerns and Tantra.
------------
Attention Publishers & Webmasters:
(c) 2005. Permission is granted to reprint this article in its
entirety in your ezine or on your website as long as you leave
all links in place, do not modify the content and include our
resource paragraph above. If you do use the material please drop
me a note so I can take a look. Thanks!
David Yarian, Ph.D. is the creator of The Guide to Self-Help Books, http://www.Books4SelfHelp.com and co-author of Self-Help Central, an ezine to help you build a better life with self-help resources. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist in private practice in Nashville, TN.
Monday, October 10, 2011
My Favorite Way to Purchase a Commercial Investment Property
As I was on my way to my son's Flag Football practice today I drove by a property that I own. It is a nice apartment property; good location, tenants are nice and responsible, and the property cash flows very well.
As I was looking at the building I got to thinking about the fun I had when I purchased it. I actually ended up buying this property about 13 years ago with a Mentor of mine. This guy is now 82 years old and still spends some time around the property - giving him something to work on during his retirement...
That got me thinking..
What is the best way, or rather, my favorite way of purchasing commercial investment real estate property?
Well, first most people get the picture in their head of people on two sides of the table. They think of Donald Trump's Board Room with people arguing and negotiating on the property, beating each other up until one person says "uncle," and you can have it at your price.
The real world is much different. For the most part negotiating is fun, not really controversial, and you have like-minded people wanting to get an investment property transaction done.
Then it hit me. Some of my best deals have been fun to purchase, little in the way of problems, and pretty easy without the dog eat dog mentality. Some of my worst properties I have had over the years did have a lot of stress, arguing, one-upsmanship, etc.
My recommendation when purchasing a property is to truly seek a win-win scenario for both parties. Look for properties that make sense in the first place, and do not try to make the numbers make sense at the negotiation table. What I have found is that when one party pushes the other "over the edge" so to speak, they will need something from the other party sooner or later. It may be during the closing process, or it may even be a question they need answered after closing. How do you think the person who left the negotiation table feeling like they were run-over will react? Of course, the answer is that they will not be very accomodating when that time comes.
So be sure when you are at the negotiation table you follow these steps:
1. Work on properties that make sense in the first place.
2. Focus on a win-win deal.
3. Be professional.
As I reflect on this, those people that I have found to be the most successful definitely operate on the side of fun, as do I. Try to make it easy to do business with you, and take a laid-back approach. This is not to say I let the other side have everything they want and bend over backwards every time they want something. Remain tough, yet relaxed, and make it easy to do business with you. This is the best way for the long-run, and I have found the most successful too.
The bottom line is that if you are in deal with a lot of stress, problems, arguing, etc. it may not be a deal you want to be in. If there is a lot of controversy, you may want to at least think about why you have it, and act accordingly...
Do you want to learn more about investing in commercial properties? Click the link below for my FREE 7-Part Investment e-Course. I'll also send you my FREE special report and teleseminar access "How to Buy Apartments and Commercial Real Estate With No Or Low Money Down."
Download it free here: Commercial Real Estate.
Could You Live Like the Golden Girls in Your Golden Years?
You may have had children that are now grown and left home. You may have been married or in a long-term relationship and now find yourself single once again. You may have owned nice homes over the years but now find yourself in a rental apartment or had a great career but now that is gone and you are living on a fixed income. Yes, things can and do change.
Sometimes just one thing changing in your life can trigger many others creating a domino effect, with all of the other changes coming one behind the other.
That is not to say that it is all bad, just not what you had expected. One of the big issues for seniors these days is that your finances are often not what you hoped for. It is not surprising that many will have their retirement plans upset due to the economic downturn and other such things.
A number of years ago while housebound and recovering from major back surgery one of the things that kept me going was watching 'The Golden Girls' I am sure many of you watched it at some time. I would think that these four women had it made with the way they lived. The idea of four friends sharing a nice house together seemed to make so much sense. With the economy as it is today it seems an even smarter idea, sharing a house but still having your own space, sharing expenses, and having the social aspects of friendship too. I remember thinking back then if I was single and older that it would be a great way to live.
Two of my very good friends and I over the years that we have known each other have shared a lot of deep conversations, including how we saw our life in the future. We would say if we are all still single when we get older; we should be like the Golden Girls. All three of us agreed that it was a great idea and something for us to keep in mind. Well, we are getting older but we are not quite there yet, but living like the golden girls is still a possibility.
Over the past few years one my friends moved away but we still get together a couple times a year. Even now we still talk about the possibility of sharing a place and talk about possibilities as to where this place might be, which could possibly be in another country like Mexico.
There are lots of things to consider about a venture such as this. Should you buy a place between you or should you rent. If one person decided that they wanted out, how would you get around that, especially if you have made a purchase between you? There would have to be a lot of agreements in place but I am sure that it is doable. When you consider the individual expenses each person has it could be a great way to go.
Years ago lots of families lived together and even now certain cultures share their homes. If you get along well with your friends you could be the 'Golden Girls' or the 'Golden Guys'. If you are close with your family, going this route with family members could work for a lot of people. Or even couples getting together sharing the right living space could make a lot of sense.
Many are struggling to make ends meet and are giving up a lot just to live in a place of their own. With so many seniors looking to cut back on their living costs it is certainly worth a lot of consideration and I do mean a lot of consideration and careful planning. Could this type of communal living be an option for you?
Author Bio: Shirley Price is trained in Life Coaching, NLP, Solution Focused Counselling and as a workshop facilitator. Shirley has presented workshops and written a number of articles on retirement. She is the publisher of a website for the over 50s. To read more articles on a variety of topics including hobbies and relationships visit her website. Get some tips on planning a life in retirement by claiming your copy of her free report 'What are you Doing After Work' at http://lifebydesignover50.com/
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Avant Home Business Review - Brent Payne Personal Development Income Opportunity
Brent Payne himself has, as far as can be seen, a very successful business record when it comes to direct sales, internet marketing and business start ups.
A Brief History
After spending quite a few years selling discount travel packages he then went on to form the company Liberty League International some 9 years ago along with business partner Shane Krider.
Liberty league International was in its particular market extremely successful. The business itself Comprised of direct selling personal development products starting with a home study course and then following onto 3 and 5 day personal growth conferences.
The products themselves came with large up front profits enabling the associate to build quite a profitable income in a fairly short space of time especially when you hold it up to a traditional MLM type business where years rather than months are needed to see a decent return.
By 2009 though, Liberty League International had run into some regulatory troubles due to the business not being completely legal in certain countries. It should be noted that Brent Payne by this time had retired from the company to pursue other interests.
With this in mind the company changed its name to Polaris Media Group for a while and then as of late to Polaris Global.
Since that time Brent Payne has been putting together the Avant Home Business and quite understandably he has modelled it very much on the original and successful Liberty League International business idea. Focussing on the huge market of personal development and the publics insatiable lust for a direct sales, up front profit type business model.
The Avant Business Model
The Avant income opportunity consists of 3 products beginning with Elevate, a 72 day home study program. Comprising of a whole host of features, the program is designed to elevate you as a person to another level over the 72 days, in terms of personal growth, spirituality and financial results. The product its self retails for $1595 and returns a profit of $1000 to the selling advisor. This is all backed up with a 72 day refund policy.
Next in the product line is Transform which is a 3 day conference that will be held every few months and always in exotic locations if Brent Payne's previous company is anything to go by. The conference itself will give the participant the opportunity to meet up with fellow Avant advisors as well as enjoy motivational speakers and various other events designed to raise your game in any area of your life. The price of $9495 includes entrance to all the events plus accomodation for 2 people. The profit to the selling advisor is $5000.
The final piece to the product line is Transcend. This will be very similar to the transform conference but instead lasts for 5 days rather than 3. To attend this event will cost $16495 and again is for 2 people with accommodation and the various events all included. The profit for the selling advisor is a healthy $10,000 up front.
Becoming Qualified
To become a selling advisor or to put it another way, be in a position to make money from the business all that is required is for you to either purchase one of the products yourself or pass up your first sale to your advisor. Once this is achieved you then are able to keep all subsequent profits on anything sold..
There is a residual side to the business that was always missing from the Liberty League model. Here you are able to make an income on up to 4 levels deep of your organization. Which if successful could be as profitable as your upfront profits. But in my experience very few people ever achieve any sort of residual income from any type of business that they can retire on. I think with the Avant home business the large up front profits that are paid directly to you as the advisor is going to be a much more attractive proposition.
Final Words
In closing having looked at the Avant home business and seeing that it is being run by Brent Payne who obviously knows how to make a direct sales business opportunity within the personal development market a success, I would have to say that it is a very tempting proposition. Of course there are no guarantees that you will make any money with this but that is true of any business opportunity out there. Already though you can see that some significant money is being made with this company by the individuals involved with it, even at this early stage.
Looking for more information on the Avant Home Business to see if its really for you or are you searching for other ideas to use when it comes to making an income online. Visit http://nick-squires.com
IHS Pharmacists - Indian Health Service - Beyond TDYs
For pharmacists who are waiting for their Commissioned Corps call to active duty right now, an option available to you is working temporary pharmacist assignments through a pharmacist staffing agency that offers Indian Health Service assignments. This gives you the opportunity to work in the IHS setting without losing out on experience and making money, while waiting for your bureaucratic paperwork to come through.
If you are recently retired from the Indian Health Service and wanting to do some relief work, travel assignments can be a great way for you to stay connected with the IHS, make money to supplement your retirement, and work when you want to.
If you are currently working for a relief agency and working in the IHS setting, but want to have more desirable work environments and locations to choose from, do research on how you can get the opportunity to do IHS assignments in desirable settings.
If you have worked for the Indian Health Service at some point in time, whether as a pharmacist or had exposure as a JRCOSTEP or during a rotation, doing contract pharmacist work in between jobs or as a career can be options to consider. One IHS-experienced pharmacist, for example, was most recently working for the Veteran's Affairs as a full-time clinical pharmacist. In between transitioning from the VA to her next job, she explored different parts of the country such as Alaska and Arizona and covered for IHS/tribal pharmacies, before settling in a permanent position. It offered her the opportunity to bridge her recent job with her next career move, by allowing her time to think about what she wanted to do. She was able to use her clinical knowledge while serving Native American patients, and make money in the interim. Other pharmacists step into temp pharmacist work with the Indian Health Service as an interim plan, but then eventually continue contracting for the flexibility and rewarding practice opportunity it offers.
When selecting a relief agency to connect you with Indian Health Service travel assignments, see if the company specializes in Indian Health Service and in pharmacy. Some companies offer temporary pharmacist opportunities, but do not offer a variety of IHS assignments to choose from. This means that they may not have as good connections that will result in options to choose from.
Find out how they select the IHS sites they work with. Some agencies will send relief pharmacists to work at any site that has a need, whether or not the work environment is desirable.
Also, ask the temporary pharmacist staffing company whether they have minimum length assignment requirements. Some companies require minimum of 13-week assignments with no flexibility. Others are open to you completing variable length assignments, accomodating your schedule needs.
Find out what the staffing company does to address what's important to you and meet those needs of yours before, during, and after the assignment. This is where many relief agencies differ. Some make it a point to make you a priority. Others are focused on getting you to take any assignment they have an opening in, and may not give you the level of service you deserve.
The pharmacists who find the most joy working Indian Health Service travel assignments are ones who are adaptable, have an interest in Native American culture, and appreciate working in an ambulatory care setting in close collaboration with providers.
If you are either recently retired from Indian Health Service, are in the process of waiting for Commissioned Corps call to active duty, or have experience or interest working in the IHS setting as a relief pharmacist, do some research to find out options available to you.
Chen Yen, PharmD, Pharmacist Job Market Expert has worked as a pharmacist in the IHS setting for over 10 years. She is the founder of RPh Temp Service, connecting IHS or VA-experienced pharmacists with Indian Health Service travel assignments. Learn how to access the best IHS assignments: http://www.rphtempservice.com
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Think, Write & Retire!
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Friday, October 7, 2011
Financial Planning Manuals
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401(k) Retirement Guide
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
How To Retire Early, Live Well In Warm Weather
We therefore are always on the look out for places that offer us good living at costs that allow us to maintain a high standard of living, in a safe environment but without compromising on the ease that modern advances afford us. Malaysia is a very good alternative under its Government initiated Malaysia My Second Home Programme. Easily accessible from most parts of the world with direct international connections by air, Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi cultural country with ultra modern infrastructure framed by the World's highest Twin towers in the Capital City of Kuala Lumpur. The whole country is very well connected with up-to-date, modern road, rail, air, and sea transportation systems. Public transport by air-condition buses, taxis, trains and planes are comfortable, efficient and relatively low in cost.First classes medical facilities are available are also available at a fraction of the cost most non-Malaysians are used to.
A choice of Hill, beach or City living in accomodations of ones choosing is available at affordable pricing. English is widely spoken. All religions and cultures can be practiced very freely and there is a free intermingling of different cultures.
The country has everything for the family, theme parks, jungle trails/sports, water sports and one of the highest numbers of golf courses - ratio to population.
All the food of the world can be found here at very reasonable cost. You can live very well for less than USD2,000 per month). For example, a 5 star hotel room in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur costs less than USD100 per night and a meal with wine for two an estimated USD60 only. A MacDonald's Burger costs less than USD1.50 With so many races and cultures living together in harmony, it is understandable that each race has picked up the best of each other's food and made Malaysia into Asia's Food Paradise. Similarly the tropical fruits of Malaysia are unique, exotic and available in abundance practically throughout the year. It is a real joy to savour these fruits.
The weather is pleasant, warm and balmy with moderate rain throughout the year, there are also highland residential areas and resorts with permanent spring-like weather throughout the country.
Quality goods from all over the world are imported and are relatively low in price and sold throughout Malaysia Statistics proof that Malaysia is one of the safest countries in the world; its crime rate is relatively low. The rule of law is one of the fundamentals in Malaysia's constitution.
Everyone is subjected to the law and also equal before the law. Malaysia practises basically the British system of justice with an independent reliable and dependable judiciary.
RETIREMENT TO MALAYSIA IS SO GOOD!
KJ Wong
http://www.accesswerks.com
How Thousands Of People Are Buying Second Homes In Spain?
Investments in Spanish property have seen high returns though these may vary from area to area. For instance, across Spain as a whole, last year, the value of property increased by 17.5% pproximately .In order to discharge doubts about investing in Spain for a second holiday home, the new legislation that covers property sales and building standards offers increased security, which makes it safer than ever before to buy property in Spain. Add to this an expectancy of growth in the Spanish property market that is widely predicted to continue. This is given a further impetus by the Spanish Government's policy to encourage tourism, international investment and construction in the Country. Players from the European region have especially stood to benefit from this move.
The number of foreign investors buying holiday property in Spain has increased dramatically in the past few years. Pleasant climatic conditions, great scenery combined with fantastic culture and cuisine have attracted a wide range of people wanting to buy a second home in Spain. Low interest rates, a boom in the Spanish property market and a growing demand for rental accommodation from the tourist industry indicates that a current investment would yield impressive returns in the ensuing years.
The area to buy property is most dependent on individual tastes and needs. If the priority is to generate income out of the second home then, it calls for a detailed research or, engaging a real estate consultant. Then again, there is a tussle between choosing a seaside home and the quiet rustic interior regions. The former, which is also profitable, calls for a heavy investment initially. On the other hand, the countryside home is economically viable but does not guarantee returns by renting out the homes to holiday planners. The rural areas are most suited to an investment that helps to gain more property at a lesser rate.
Depending upon personal considerations, investments could be made on new property or, those for resale. The returns on previously owned property is immediate if adequate research is done on the existing rentals for the area as the advantage of buying furnished property can also be cashed upon. This is in turn, determined by the condition of the house and dues to be paid, along with how much in demand the property is valued to be.
From holiday apartments to villas to small-town properties, each has its own defined set of capital investment in terms of buying and maintenance. The returns range from personal luxury of a home away from home, to rentals dependent on proximity, to tourist locations. So, whether you fall in the investor category or the relocated bracket, Spain is a preferred choice. Coastlines have attractive incentives to rent out bought properties; the retired get more for their money by moving inland; and those moving to Spain permanently are doing well by looking at the population-dense areas.
By visiting the preferred location, the investors have also seen the holiday homes for themselves, understood the potential for income-generation and avoided pitfalls, if any. Thus, engaging Spanish lawyers familiar with the Country's regulations in order to ensure smooth and well-negotiated transactions has helped the people to make sound homely investments. That an estimate of all these works up to only 10% of the property-price is of great interest to the buyer.
The procedure for sale of estate homes in Spain requires the buyer to be exceedingly fast with investments and decisions, which allows for quick owning of homes and happy times and returns thereafter. Following an exchange of deeds, contracts and payment of fees and dues, a person is the proud owner of a beautiful holiday home. With sufficient guidance from the Spanish-speaking lawyer or consultant regarding wealth-tax and taxable incomes, people have finally woken to the possibility of the second holiday home in Spain as well as appreciating Spain as a property investor's paradise.
For more information on
properties for sale in Spain,
please visit http://www.villasabroad.co.uk
Author?s Bio:
Andres Miller is a successful Real Estate Broker and Property Consultant in Spain. He has been contributing to http://www.villasabroad.co.uk a Guide to buying villas and properties in Spain.
Early Auckland History
Pre-1840.
Auckland had a substantial Maori history and settlement prior to white settlement. Just walking around the many volcanic cones of the city one can see the many kumura pits, terracing and other signs of what were once substantial hill pahs (forts). By 1840 these no longer existed and the area was relatively vacant. In fact some local Maori invited and sold land to Europeans in the hope of obtaining protection from further violent wars from tribes of the North. The crown would later overturn these land deals for its own benefit. Prior to 1840 most Europeans settling in New Zealand lived in the Wellington area (approx. 1600) where a settlement was established by the New Zealand Company and in Northland at Russell (about 600) and around the Bay of Islands. Few would have predicted that Auckland would become the pre-emienant city in New Zealand with only 2 white settlers in the Waitemata at this time.
Hobson's Choice.
All that was to change when in 1840 Governor Lt. William Hobson chose the isthmus as the site of his future capital. With fertile volcanic soils, twin habours, rivers to the North and South and a good climate it was an inspired choice. 3000 acres were brought from the local Maori chiefs - the Ngati Whatua. The Crown paid £341 for the original land handed over for the settlement (3000 acres). Six months later, just 44 acres of that land was resold by the Government to settlers for £24,275. (not a bad profit and this same 'crown/state' expects the tax payer today to fork out to settle Maori land claims, the irony is not lost on this writer). Shortly the first ship the Platina arrived from Wellington with Hobsons pre-fab. house (Mannning Frame House) and 3 days later the Anna Watson from the Bay of Islands arrived with the first group of internal settlers. At 1:00pm on Friday 18th day of September 1840 Captain Symonds, also a chief Magistrate raised the Union Jack, both ships fired their guns and Auckland was founded.
At first living in raupo huts and tents these 'mechanics' (tradesmen) and officials (government bureaucrats) began to build the beginnings of a town.
The other side of the world.
Imagine now if you will you are on the other side of the world. You decide you are sick of living in crowded impovised conditions in Scotland. Thanks to the combination of many factors including industrialisation, the throwing of people off lands, and increasing birth rate, there are now large overcrowded slums. You hear of the opportunities that exist on the other side of the world, new lands with man eating natives. To get there you will have to spend at least 3 months on a sailing ship and you have no guarantee you will get there. Ships sunk on a regular basis and even if the vovage was without incident you had a 1 in 15 chance of not making it to your destination (given on average on a ship of 300 persons approximately 20 died on the way, I don't think many of us would get on a 747 if given those odds). Perhaps now we should have a greater respect for those early white settlers. Not only would the trip be dangerous, on arrival only hard work awaited.
Despite this 306 settlers got onto the Duchess of Argyle and 255 onto the Jane Gifford and left Greenock Scotland for Auckland and an uncertain future. They arrived in Auckland 16 weeks later on the October 8th 1842. The Duchess of Argyle arrived first but got stuck on a sandbank and the Jane Gifford sailed past, it wasn't until the following day with the high tide that the Duchess of Argyle's passengers made landfall. With the arrival of the first overseas immigration ship the settlement really took off. Despite Sir Logan Campbells view that these new arrivals with not of the rich capitalist class Auckland needed for investment, in truth these were just the kind of people Auckland needed, average plebs, hard working tradesman, farmers, labourers and artisans, people with the neccessary skills to create a useful economy. (On the Duchess of Argyle a young 10 year old Robert Laing had arrived with his mother Anne McDonell Laing COX and his step-father to begin a new life and so one of my ancestors became a first settler and helped build Auckland. He would die in 1925 aged 92 during which time he had lived to see Auckland become New Zealand's major city.)
These were the first of many more overseas immigrants who would help swell Aucklands population, along with the fact these early immigrants themselves had large families.
What was early Auckland like?
By 1852 Auckland was a town with its own society. A population of 4,500 in the town itself and another 3,500 listed in the borough in surrounding farmlands.
Despite its relatively small size it considered itself as having a considerable society. As the seat of government it had numerous government officials as well as the seat of most of the churches, including Bishopricks of N.Z (Church of England) and of Rome (Catholic) and the Seat of the Missionary society's pacific operations & the Wesleyan Mission as well. One should remember at this time in history churches still had a tremendious influence over the lifes of people and had large resources at their disposal to support missionary work throughout the pacific.
As well as these there was the army with its officers, artillery, engineers. At this time the New Zealand fencible settlers were arriving in Auckland bringing in another 2,500 settlers between 1847 - 1852 (these were retired soliders (721 in total) who volunteered for New Zealand on the condition they gave part-time army service in return for a 2 room cottage and an acre of land, they are now estimated to have over a quarter of a million descendants). They were brought to Auckland to help defend it against a possible Maori invasion from the strong Waikato tribes. Fencible villages included Howick, Onehunga, Panmure, and Otahuhu.
(On the Inchinnan which arrived on 27th May 1852 was a John McNeil and his family who settled in Howick, Auckland and so began another branch of my family tree, one of his sons would follow the solider tradition and fight in the Waikato War).
In this small society there were many comings and goings. Soliders posted to elsewhere in the British empire, new settlers, others who 'cleared out' deciding Auckland was not for them, visiting ships and sailors, merchants and others who travelled the world. There was no landed gentry, not alot of old persons, and no old settled families and less formality as had been in England. In fact there was the beginning of a new society, a classless society that the whole of New Zealand was growing into, not they had fully realised this yet. Consider this quote from the New Zealander "Pretension and assumption are quickly seen through, and valued at their worth. Rank, station, fortune, family connection, unless supported by character, ability, public spirit or liberality, receive but small respect." This was going to be a city where who you were and what you did and achieved mattered more than inherited wealth and titles. Despite this servants were in great demand. One of the problems for 'ladies' was the difficulty in getting and retaining trained servants. One of the problems being with the lack of females in the colony they were constantly poached away by getting married and taking on new domestic duties.
Auckland was said to have no religious or political bickering, and that any dispute could be aired in the two local newspapers, the New Zealander and the Southern Cross, which were published twice weekly.
Fashion was very much as it was in England though 'delayed' somewhat, and the clothes whilst the same designs tended to be made out of lighter fabrics like cotton due to New Zealand's warm climate (remember most of these people had come from England, Ireland and Scotland), with other changes like straw hats. It must have been difficult to keep clean with all the roads being dirt. Houses were small wooden cottages, or raupo huts. Few stone buildings of note yet existed and transport was by boat or horse.
Aucklanders didn't see a great city taking shape before them at this stage, Auckland only 12 years old and was seen as a watering hole to replenish ships, supplies, people, etc.
In such a small town one of the greatest activities was 'gossip' as this quote from the New Zealander 2/6/1852 states "New comers, especially those who have had no experience of the "tittle-tattle", common, all the world over, in small communities, are struck with the prevalence of "gossip". But finding that it is "neighbour's fare" - that it is no respecter of persons - thats its equal pressure in all directions destroys its force - they soon become almost as unconscious of its existence as of the air they breath".
In Summer once a week the Regimental Band played on the well kept lawns of government house (now site of Auckland University) for a couple of hours. Society had 3 to 4 balls. And once a year to celebrate the Queens Birthday (Victoria), the Governor would throw a ball and invite 200 of the most important people. Families went on picnics, with boating, bush walking, horse riding being the favourite outdoor activities, and for the more adventuress trips to the Island of Kawau, or to the the Waikato and the lakes of Rotorua awaited. Also popular were school feasts, lectures, and stitcheries. For the sporting minded there was an annual race meeting and cricket matches. Of great importance was the Auckland Regatta (still going strong) in which sailing craft of all types took part, there was even a races for native canoes, one for no more than 12 natives, and one for unlimited numbers.
Regarding living standards Auckland was considered an expense place to live with rents being double of a similar sized place in England. However wages were somewhat better, particularly servants wages which were double. There were no rates, taxes or dues of any kind (what happened?!). Clothing was more expensive, but wine, spirits and groceries were cheaper. Fish was plentiful and cheap, (although they complained about the quality, not having refined their english tastes to our local varieties yet). Bread and Butchers meat were about the same price as in England. Vegetables were abundant and Maori Natives brought in huge quantities of produce via canoe - 20 tons of onions, over 100 tons of potatoes, as well as corn, cabbages, kumera and peaches. (This trade was brought to a crushing halt by the Waikato wars). For the gardener peaches, strawberry, apples and figs, melons, plums, pears, gooseberries and cherries could be grown easily.
Living in the countryside was considered cheap, but living standards were basic, a raupo hut (brought for 10 pounds), a couple of pigs and chickens, wheat, potatoes, pumpkins and a house cow were considered sufficient to live on.
In fact Auckland was considered a good place to live with no beggars and the average citizen eating meat at least twice a day. For the average settler, life had become much better than back 'home'. If accident befell them their neighbours would pitch in to help.
Crime was considered rare and on reading the papers they regularly published the results of 'police court', e.g. two persons charged with being drunk, one for swearing, one for parking their cart as to block a road, would be a standard weeks matters. Capital punishment was still available but rarely needed.
Local relationships with the Maori were considered excellent at this stage, being a healthy trade between the two peoples, food as mention before brought from Maori farmers (normally communal farms), and horses, boats, imported goods, flour mills being brought in turn by the Maori. Further they provided a source of cheap labour. It was not uncommon to see numerous maori canoes in either habour. Maori were seen to be "Good humored, ever ready to enjoy a joke, and a laugh, and always appearing self satisfied and contented." (THE NEW ZEALANDER). Past battles and deaths were seen as a thing of the past (how wrong they were).
One of the most important events was the arrival of a ship. Auckland habour was a center of trade and of vital importance to the growth of the city. With the coming of a ship came the much appreciated letters from home and news of the world (abet already 3-6 months old). Such was this anticipated that a large crowd would wait outside the post office for it to open. Further with the ships came necessary imported goods and in turn goods were exported to the world, in particular wheat and wood to Sydney, Tin and whale products.
With the arrival of further immigrants Auckland continued to grow. From the original settlers by 1860 there were 8,000 in the city and 14,000 in the surrounds, by 1880 both those numbers had doubled, by the turn of the century those numbers had doubled again to 38,000 in the city and 68,000 in the metropolitan area. Merchants grew and with the finding of Gold in Victoria and then in Thames wealth was brought into the region and back by gold miners. Imports and exports continued to grow as did the importance of the habour and surrounding industries.
Sailing ships of all sorts, brigs, barques, clippers and even the new steam ships made regular calls to auckland.
Most internal transport was on dirt or metaled roads via horse and cart, though eventually railways and tramways were laid.
Important structures like the customs house, post office and others were made of stone and were multi-storied and gave Auckland the feel of a large town.
Merchants such as Samuel Cochrane who had immigrated from the United States of S.Cochrane and sons build up business and spread into auctioneering, boat transport, mining and much more. (Another early ancestor of mine).
As Auckland continued to grow a multitude of problems emerged. As can be seen in the above picture roads were dirt. Ineffective local government, funding problems and a lack of basic planning meant some of the basics we take for granted today were not available. Early water came from what is now the duck ponds in the Auckland Domain and then western springs, but it wasn't until the first dam was established in the Waitakere's in 1907 that the first reliable and quality water began to flow though the pipes. Likewise electricity began in 1908.
Soon would come motor cars would come and they would change the face of Auckland. Roads and Motorways would turn Auckland from a city into an urban spawl, particularly after the second world war.
Old Auckland continued to grow and to change over the years, old businesses went and new ones started. In fact much of old Auckland would be unrecognisable to the modern Aucklander. Take this view of Queen Street with the Town Hall taken in 1923. Everything else in the picture has changed greatly. The Aotea square now fills most of this picture and the street going up the other side of the town hall is gone. Buildings such as the town hall and the customs house make more sense in their original context for which they were built.
One should remember for the much of the last century much of Auckland was farmland. As seen from this 1912 view from One Tree Hill passed Manukau Road towards Hillsborough. This same scene now would be a mass of houses. What will it look like in another hundred years time? (see original webpage)
Short bio on some of my early Auckland ancestors and pioneers -
Robert James LAING - arrived on the first immigrant ship the Duchess of Argyle, became a sailor, ropemaker, Justice of the Peace, Lay preacher and 'gentleman'. Buried amongst the earliest settlers in the Symonds Street Cementary.
John McNEIL - He was recruited in 1823 at Inverness into the 91st Reg. at the age of 17yrs (underage) for one year without pay. From 1824-1831 the reg. served in Jamaica, the conditions resulting in constant deaths from yellow fever. The reg. was relieved and returned to England months before the slave rebellion in 1831. On the 5th Jan 1835 John married Catherine ColCLOUGH nee McGRATH. He was either Corporal or Sergeant at this time. After another move to St. Helena he was promoted to Corporal but was court marshalled and reduced to the ranks. The charge was over charging in the companys account book. In 1842 the reg. served time at the cape of good Hope but John was unfit on account of his rheumatism and respiratory problems, so his return to England was recommended and he was duly discharged. Age. 39yrs his heigh 5'7", dark hair, grey eyes and sallow complexion. The couple settle in New Ross, Wexford, Ireland where two children were born, Eliza.b.1839, Alexander b.1847. In 1851 they arrived in NZ with baby John b. 1849 and settled in Howick in Waterloo Road. John was granted his land in 1858 at Howick, which he transferred to his widowed daughter Eliza STUART in 1879. John also purchase 6 arces near pigeon mountain which he later sold. Catherine went to live with her sons at Coromandel until 1886 when she passed away.
THEY WERE FENCIBLE SETTLERS.
Samuel COCHRANE's Obituary
On Sunday Morning at 3 o'clock Mr Samuel Cochrane, the well known auctioneer breathed his last at his son's residence, Remuera. Though not belonging to what may be regarded as the old identities the founders of Auckland, Mr Cochrane was a very old resident in the Auckland District. He has reside amongst us about 21 years, and during that time has been an active and useful man of business. He was born in New York in the year 1815 during a short residence of his parents in that city and was thus in the 6th year of age. On the return of his parents to Ireland he was brought up in the vicinity of Londonderry and was there engage in the linen-trade. He subsequently settled in Montreal and there carried on business for a number of years. Hearing of the more genial climate of Auckland from some relatives of his who had settled here Mr. Cochrane was induced to cast in his lot amongst us in the year 1858. During the greater part of his residence here he has earned on the business of auctioneer and land agent, and gathered an extensive business, which his sons carry on still.
From 1860 to 1863 Mr. Cochrane took a very active part in developing the mineral resources of the Coromandel district, in connection with Mr Keven, Michael Wood and others. With this object in view he purchased from the goverment the steamer sandfly, after better known by the name of the Tasman Maid, which he ran in the coromandel trade for a number of years. He was also the principal owner of the steamer Waitemata now known as the enterprise no. 2, which was at first intended for the purpose of opening up regular steam communication with the North shore, whau, hobsonville, etc. His other and last enterprise in connection with steam was the SS Jane, in the early days of the Thames Goldfields. Mr Concrane's object in these various ventures was the advancement of the auckland district and to secure fast and regular steam communication between this city and the various districts. In political life Mr Cochrane took little part. For a short time he ahd the hnour of a seat in the Provincial council, but he seemed to delight in more practical work than conducting debates in the council chamber. On one occassion we think in 1863 he recieved a special vote of thanks of the provincial council for his offer to provide them with accomodation in which to carry on the business of the province. He was chosen in connection with Mr. T. Cheeseman as a commissioner to settle the compensation claims which arose in regard to the auckland and drury railway.
In reference to the political which Mr. Cochrane occupied it may be meintioned that he was a member of the first harbour board that was selected for Auckland. Advance of the Drury Coal mines. He also started a wool-scouring establishment at the whan and he owned the prince alfed battery, grahamstown. During a short visit back to Ireland he was granted the post of NZ emigration agent for the north of Ireland. He selected many colonists for NZ. He died of cancer of the bladder. The great fund of humour which he possessed was often times exhibited while discharging his duties as an auctioneer. He was altogether an exemplary and energetic citizen.
http://early-history-auckland.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Shooting Machine Guns in Vegas
Apparently The Gun Store in Vegas has completed slipped under my Jet Set radar. It's already been featured on the Travel Channel, Bravo T.V.'s Pawn Stars and Maxim magazine to name a few. So, I figured what the heck! Life is about doing different and interesting things. Why not!
When we arrived at The Gun Store we were completely taken care of. You have your own personal "tour guide" assigned to you (think Rambo) who sets you up with pretty much anything you want. They have everything from Tommy guns to AK-47s. You name it, you can get your hands on it! Best of all? You do not need a special license for anything. All employees are certified range safety officers through the National Rifle Association. In addition, many of the staff members are retired military and law enforcement officers.
During our tour we got to select one gun from each of the following categories (a total of three guns):
Handgun (20 shots): Glock, Springfiled, Beretta, Walther, FNH, Ruger, Smith & Wesson or Dirty Harry.44
Shotgun (5 shots) or semi-automatic rifle (10 shots): Benelli M4 12-gauge, Remington 12-gauge, AR-15, HK G3, Springfield M1A, HK G36 or Beretta Cx4 Storm
Fully automatic machine guns (50 shots): Walther MPL, Madsen M50, Colt M16, HK MP5, Uzi, Sten MKII, Thompson, Grease Gun or AK47 / M4 (25 shots)
It was a total BLAST!
Sure, Vegas is famous for lots of other things. But, how often do you get a chance to shoot a machine gun? If you are in Vegas and you want to try unique things to do like shooting a machine gun, taking a sunset helicopter ride over the strip (or whatever else Kaori can dream up) head over to Angelika Boutique Concierge.
Robert Murgatroyd is the co-owner of Jet Set Life http://jetsetlife.tv/ where he reports on where the Jet Set stay, eat and play around the world. For more reviews, photos and videos check out his blog- Living Jet Set http://www.jetsetlife.tv/robsblog/
Social Security: It's More Than Just Retirement Benefits
Brought into existence at a time when the American people were still in the throes of the great depression, the social security act provided retirement benefits to elderly individuals who might otherwise have been forced to rely on the generosity and stability of their immediate and extended family members. It was, essentially, an expression of the belief that the country's retirement-age workers should not be left to completely fend for themselves. It was, likewise, a reflection of our then-President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, that the American nation was a single entity, bound in both sincerity as well as obligation, to deliver a minimal level of equity to all its citizens.
The social security act provided a safety net for the elderly. And, today, despite decades-long discussions of potential insolvency, it continues to provide this same net. However, it also does quite a bit more. Today, social security covers more than just retirement benefits for individual workers. It allows widows to receive benefits based on the earnings records of deceased spouses and provides survivors benefits for the minor children of deceased parents. And, last but not least, it provides disability benefits.
After the initial passage of the social security act of 1935, the act was later amended to include provisions for providing benefits to injured and sick workers, based on their disability status. Such benefits were covered under title II of the social security act. However, to provide equal and fair consideration to individuals whose condition was such that they were never able to work, or whose condition made it impossible to work long enough to become insured for title II benefits, title 16 benefits were also established. Today, typically, we simply refer to title II benefits as social security disability and title 16 benefits as SSI, or supplemental security income.
Chances are, if you are younger than thirty, you've never heard of either social security disability or ssi. However, if you've had a friend, acquaintance, or family relation who has become sick or injured and, as a consequence, unable to work, you may be at least a little familiar with the programs and associate them with the broader safety net operated by the social security administration.
The title II and title 16 disability programs administered by the federal government allow individuals who are unable to work the same dignity as retirement-age workers. However, unlike the federal government's "old age pension", qualifying for disability benefits requires more than simply calling the local social security office (for information on filing for disability benefits, this faq may be helpful: Answers to disability program questions.
To receive disability benefits, an individual's medical condition must be evaluated to determine whether or not their condition is truly disabling, and also to determine whether or not their condition will last a minimal length of time. To this end, the social security administration has established a multi-component system to accomodate disability applicants.
How does this system work? In many respects, the system is overly complicated, but it essentially works as follows: an individual who cannnot or who can no longer work simply calls their local social security office, informing them of the desire to pursue disability benefits. Once this request has been made, an appointment is made for the purpose of conducting an interview and application. Once an application has been taken, it is sent to a a state-level agency that specializes in making decisions on such claims. At this agency, a person's medical records will both be gathered and evaluated. And after the necessary analysis has been conducted, provided that a person meets the social security administration's standards of eligibility, their claim will be approved and they can then look forward to receiving benefits.
Is the system always this cut and dry? Unfortunately, in many cases, it is not. And, considering how many bureaucratic institutions, including government programs, are run, this is not to be unexpected. Yet, despite this, the title II and title 16 sections of the social security act provide help and needed resources for literally millions of American citizens who are either unable to work or whose condition, starting from an early point in their life, made it quite impossible to ever seek work.
The author of this article is Tim Moore, a former disability claims examiner, who publishes a site on The Social Security Disability and SSI system
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