Markets Near Potential Support

It is always a good idea to have a weak market “prove it” by waiting for signs of strength. During the waiting period, it is also a good idea to identify potential areas of support, which keeps our minds open to a reversal in stocks. Thus far, the market has proven very little, but [...]

Source: http://ciovaccocapital.com/wordpress/index.php/technical-analysis/markets-near-potential-support/

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Delaying the Real World

There’s a book by the same name – I’ve not read the book and probably will not get a chance to either, since I currently live in the Philippines and there’s no bookshops in this area. What’s more, ordering from the likes of Amazon becomes very expensive when you live in South East Asia. And [...]

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Survived September - sorta

Well end of September swoops in tomorrow and then I officially can say I made it through the first month of work.

'Made it' is very very loosely used.

By the skin of  my teeth, is more fitting.

The primary symptoms of colitis are still at bay, so still remission, for now. That is very good news. A secondary symptom of colitis is fatigue. It is alive and well in my word right now. My day consists of rolling out of bed, subconsciously counting the hours til I am done work and can sleep again. I give everything I have at work - have to this year, or I'd be eaten alive with this group.  then I come home to crash on the couch, totally energy depleted. I nap then scramble for supper, then nap again til bedtime.

It goes without saying that I will not be able to keep this up without hacking into additional energy.

How does it affect my world?

I am hard pressed to just get dishes done and a load or two of laundry. There is no meal planning. There is no budget consciousness. There is no blogging. I mean, I got paid on Tuesday and I didn't even take my jar money out yet, but I did charge on my CC for groceries. There is money for that, but it will eat at the accelerated LOC payments.

My school children get all I have. My own children get dregs of leftovers. Not that they are round a lot. DS1's hockey schedule is crazy busy. It is considered a full time job in the Junior A league. He is taking only  a half load at school. Thank goodness he has pretty much all he needs to graduate and a few college entry level courses. DS2 is busy too. He took over DS1's dishwashing job. We have to decide if DS2 can handle it or not. It does eat into his time 3 nights a week and sometimes a fourth or fifth night.

To make it interesting I decided to pick up a great head and chest cold last Saturday. I should buy stock in Kleenex and Nyquil.

I am hoping for some rest this weekend and some time to create a plan to get my world back on track before I start to accumulate debt.

It's been a beautiful September, with lovely weather. That part adds a great bright spot to my spirit.  Happy Saturday!!

Source: http://shakingthemoneytree.blogspot.com/2012/09/survived-september-sorta.html

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What's Important in the Financial World (9/28/2012)

Filed under: Investing

Paris Auto Show

The Paris Auto Show had its usual large number of new model introductions, along with dozens and dozens of displays of cars and light trucks already on sale around the world. Products from Audi, Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) and Renault were particularly visible. Among all of the glitter there probably was not a single industry leader who did not complain that the worldwide auto business is in deep trouble. Not only are European sales plummeting, but China's activity has flattened. That leaves U.S. sales, which have been unusually strong the past two years, but could begin to drop next year along with the American economy. Despite these problems, most press coverage of the event ignores the trouble and focuses on vehicles most people will not be able to buy. A sample of that coverage from The Los Angeles Times:

Jaguar used the 2012 Paris Motor Show to unveil its long-awaited F-Type convertible. So named to evoke memories of the car's spiritual predecessor, the eternally gorgeous E-Type, this new two-seat Jag will take aim at the likes of Porsche's Boxster/Cayman and possibly the 911.

It will interesting to see how many of those are sold.

Ongoing Worries About Spain

Global currency and stock markets continue to bounce around as the fight over the fate of Spain's economy continues. Will its budget cuts be enough? Will it press for a huge bailout? The nation's stock market lurches from huge gains to sharp drops. Even U.S. markets have been affected by nervousness about the southern European country. CNBC reports:

Spain is not out of the woods despite a well-received budget, with analysts and economists arguing that the budget is more important for easing the way towards a bailout than the measures itself.

Key proposals announced by the government on Thursday include cuts to ministries' spending of 8.9 percent, more liberalization of the goods and services sectors, aimed at increasing domestic and external competitiveness, and a new independent body to monitor public finances.

China's Economic Slowdown

Experts continue to weigh in on what will happen to China's gross domestic product as the world's economic expansion slows, or even moves into reverse. The most recent opinion from an important group comes from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS), which claims the GDP of the People's Republic will grow at no better than 7% over the next decade. Reuters reports:

China's economy is expected to grow at a much slower pace of about seven percent over the next decade, but its stock market still has the most attractive upside among "BRIC" countries, according to Jim O'Neill, Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

"China is in the early stages of going from a long period where it was all about the quantity of growth, into an era where the focus is on the quality of growth," O'Neill told a news conference in Singapore.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Market Open Tagged: GS, TM

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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/09/28/whats-important-in-the-financial-world-9282012/

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America's economy reformed?

Just over a year after economic calamity brought promises of reform to Washington, many now say that the recession is nearing an end. But is it business as usual for Wall Street, and have future financial crises been averted? Former International Monetary Fund chief economist Simon Johnson and US Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) join Bill Moyers for a report card on the bailouts, an update on the state of the U.S. economy, and to find out whether efforts of reform have been derailed.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/SIMWnLu_l4s/profile.html

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Debt crisis: Spain unveils emergency Budget

Spain unveiled €20bn of extra cuts in an emergency budget that aimed to shore-up market confidence in Madrid while stemming the escalating regional rebellions.

Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/579300/s/23e3ad0d/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cfinance0Cfinancialcrisis0C95720A510CDebt0Ecrisis0ESpain0Eunveils0Eemergency0EBudget0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Weekend Reading – Personal finance conferences and great blogs

Last week I told you it wasn’t a good week for my laptop.  The LCD screen started to do some very usual things so I took it into Future Shop for some diagnostic work.  Turns out my machine needed to be shipped out for repairs.  Hopefully it will come back next week, fully functional, in [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myownadvisor/CsCc/~3/0G3iiPnpmC8/

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Torture Hearings

BILL MOYERS JOURNAL goes inside last week's hearings on torture in Congress.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/_-a5j1pa4ls/profile2.html

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Ultra-Short-Pulse Laser for High Efficiency Cell Concepts

Coherent, Inc. introduces a new laser system – the TaliskerTM – optimized for next-generation high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing, and designed as a drop-in, turn-key tool for both production line equipment suppliers and cell manufacturers.
Traditionally, laser scribers for Edge Isolation, Laser Grooved Buried Contacts, and Wrap-Through hole drilling have had to rely upon lasers operating with [...]

Source: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/press/ultra-short-pulse-laser-high-efficiency-cell-concepts/

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Working Late, Choice or Not

As the saying goes: Times, they are a'changing.  Gone are the days of retirement filled with nothing but lazy days around the house and restoring that old clunker in your garage.  While those can still be possibilities, it is increasingly likely that your retirement days may be full of something you've been quite familiar with for decades: employment.

The fact is, more elderly citizens are working through their retirement.  To find out why, the Employee Benefit Research Institute conducted a survey aimed at this very phenomenon.  Let's take a look at a few of the reasons they discovered that help to explain why retirees are continuing to work.

Reason #1:  Retirees don't have enough savings.

This one should be obvious.  If you don't have enough savings, you're going to want to continue working for as long as you can.  The survey conducted by EBRI showed a drop in the number of people who either have money saved themselves or whose spouse has saved.  In 2009, that number was 75%.  But in 2012, it is only 66%.  That is definitely not a good sign.

Other numbers are alarming, as well.  The survey found that approximately 60% of workers have less than $25,000 socked away (not including a house or pension).  Even worse, 30% claimed to have less than $1000 in savings.  These numbers clearly show that far too many people are not taking part in retirement planning.  If these people don't start gaining control over their financial portfolios, many of them will be in bad shape throughout their retirement.

Reason #2:  Retirees have never felt safe when it comes to job security.

A number of workers do not concern themselves with planning for retirement because they're too worried about their current employment situation.  The days of staying with one job from the age of 18 until you are ready to retire are pretty much over.  Instead, workers are constantly worried about when they might find themselves on the chopping block.  In other words, people approaching retirement have more pressing concerns at the current time than worrying about how they'll deal with retirement.  Although that might not be a healthy stance to take, many Americans can understand such a sentiment.

Reason #3:  Retirees have too much debt.

Debt is a big problem in this country.  Whether it's taking on a house or car payment that is outside your comfort zone or racking up credit card debt and medical bills, many people closing in on retirement are trying desperately to pay off their debts so that their retirement can run smoothly.  The problem with this is that focusing all of your energy on your debt and none on saving for your future can end up causing the very problems you're trying to avoid.  Nowadays, many retirees are planning to work after they've retired to help alleviate their financial stress.

Reason #4:  Retirees have lowered their expectations.

In years past, retirees often looked to their retirement with a sense of happiness and excitement.  But given the current state of things, many are not counting on having such an easy time.  Not only will many not be able to take an early retirement due to financial concerns, many of them will rely on remaining in the workforce in order to survive.  The EBRI survey showed that the number of workers who plan to retire after 65 is up to 37%.  That is a 26% increase since 1991.  Which means many retirees feel they have no choice but to work through their retirement.

Source: http://firstsecurityfinancialshow.com/blog/bid/162804/Working-Late-Choice-or-Not

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September 26, 2012

The greatest personal concern of investors with $25 million or more in net worth (not including primary residence) is the well-being of their children/grandchildren. 

Source: http://www.millionairecorner.com/article/september-26-2012

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Louise Erdrich

Renowned for her mastery of multiple genres - including thirteen novels, poetry, children's literature, and a memoir of early motherhood - Louise Erdrich discusses how her Native American heritage and unique cultural experience has impacted her life, motherhood, and work.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/3zhJ9kH2D8k/profile.html

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Delaying the Real World

There’s a book by the same name – I’ve not read the book and probably will not get a chance to either, since I currently live in the Philippines and there’s no bookshops in this area. What’s more, ordering from the likes of Amazon becomes very expensive when you live in South East Asia. And [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Youngandthrifty/~3/_pxjyxDK5OQ/

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Millennials Not Dressing for Success (and Other Interview Faux Pas)

Author(s): 
Donald Liebenson
Millennials are not going to shake that derisive stereotype of being entitled if a new survey of hiring managers is any indication.
From Adecco, a human resources consulting company, comes findings that Millennials are most likely to break the cardinal rule of job interviews: Wear appropriate clothing. About 75 percent of the 501 hiring managers surveyed dress Millennials down for their penchant to commit fashion faux pas.
Their second most common mistake is posting “compromising content” on social media networks such as Facebook, followed by not conducting appropriate research on the company or position for which they are applying, or asking questions about the company or the position. Almost half (46 percent) said that Millennials need to work on their professional writing skills
But Millennials’ loss is the baby boomers’ gain, according to the Adecco survey. The hiring managers said that they were three times as likely to hire a worker age 50 or older. The reasons? More mature workers are considered to be more reliable (91 percent) and professional (88 percent), the respondents said.
Less than one-quarter (24 percent) of respondents said that older job applicants dress inappropriately, while only 19 percent said that boomers post inappropriate content online. However, their biggest mistake is asking for a high salary, according to 51 percent of hiring managers.
Older workers also excel at listening, 77 percent of hiring manager said, while 75 percent praised boomers’ work ethic. The same percentage praised their leadership skills while 61 percent said they were good problem solvers.
Millennials are sorely lacking in these skills, hiring managers said, but they do best their older counterparts in other areas. Seventy-four percent praised Millennials for their creativity vs. 17 percent who consider older workers to be creative. Millennaials, according to 73 percent of respondents, are also better than more mature workers at networking. They are also considered to be much more technically savvy than older workers.

Source: http://www.millionairecorner.com/article/millennials-not-dressing-success-and-other-interview-faux-pas

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Social Security to Run Out in 2035

Social Security.  Disability.  Medicare.

If you're retired, there's a great chance that you know these terms all too well.  And if you're not yet retired, you probably know someone who uses one of the programs, if not all three.  And, whether you realize it or not, each of these programs are in danger of running out of the funds they rely on.  Here are some facts that you may not be aware of.

Fact #1:  Millions of Americans utilize these very important programs.

The number of people in the United States who use these programs, whether retired or not, is a bit staggering.  For example, around 44 million receive Social Security checks each month.  For disability, the number is approximately one-fourth of that.  Medicare is now over 40 million, as well.  Obviously, many Americans and their families rely on these programs. So unless Congress intercedes and fixes the problems with each one, a huge number of Americans could be negatively affected.

Fact #2:  The funds for all these programs are at risk.

At some point, each of these programs will face the same dilemma: the trust fund from which the funds are distributed will be depleted to a point where full benefits simply won't be available.  The first to go would be disability, which is in danger of collapse as of 2016.  Medicare would be next, with an estimated date of depletion in 2024.  Just over a decade later, in 2035, is when the Social Security program would be threatened.  These dates aren't necessarily set in stone, but extending them means that changes would need to be made.

Fact #3:  Merging Social Security and disability could provide more time, overall.

As it currently stands, the government has more than a decade to find a solution for Medicare and more than two decades for Social Security.  A number of lawmakers believe that this is plenty of time to figure it out.  Unfortunately, disability is a more pressing matter.  If the 2016 date holds true, that means we have only four years to make changes to the current program.  One temporary fix would be to merge the trust fund utilized by Social Security with the one for disability, and then disperse payments for each from this single fund.  By going so, the depletion date of both would change to 2033.  This is only two years sooner for Social Security and would provide disability with an additional 17 years of funds.  Most lawmakers believe that this would give more than ample time to make some decisions regarding each program.

Fact #4:  The programs are getting worse over time.

This seems to be especially true with Social Security and disability.  Last year, there was a 3.6% adjustment made to cover cost-of-living increases, which was higher than expected.  This year, there will likely be another 1.8% increase.  These increases, while understandable, are pushing the cost of the program upwards.

A higher enrollment rate is an issue, as well.  For example, Social Security saw a jump during the recession as some elderly workers were forced into an early retirement and had no choice but to apply for benefits sooner than expected.  And disability has seen a 64% enrollment increase since 2000.  To put this in real numbers, disability took in only $106 billion last year while paying out $132 billion in benefits.  With only $154 billion remaining in the trust fund, it's clear to see why it only has four years left before benefits begin to decrease.

Source: http://firstsecurityfinancialshow.com/blog/bid/167297/Social-Security-to-Run-Out-in-2035

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Ultra-Short-Pulse Laser for High Efficiency Cell Concepts

Coherent, Inc. introduces a new laser system – the TaliskerTM – optimized for next-generation high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing, and designed as a drop-in, turn-key tool for both production line equipment suppliers and cell manufacturers.
Traditionally, laser scribers for Edge Isolation, Laser Grooved Buried Contacts, and Wrap-Through hole drilling have had to rely upon lasers operating with [...]

Source: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/press/ultra-short-pulse-laser-high-efficiency-cell-concepts/

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Dr. Margaret Flowers On Medicare for All

Pediatrician Margaret Flowers speaks about protesting for change and her recent arrest in an effort to get a Medicare-for-all plan back on the table.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/Hk9T9PGvGTk/profile3.html

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Friday Dividend Roundup (MCD, TXN, COV, LII, AGX, YUM, CAG)

Filed under: Investing

McDonald's Corp.'s (NYSE: MCD) board of directors approved a 10% increase in the company's quarterly dividend on common stock, to 77 cents a share. The new dividend is payable Dec. 17 to stockholders of record as of Dec. 3.

Texas Instruments' Inc. (NASDAQ: TXN) board approved plans to lift its quarterly dividend to 21 cents a share. That is a 24% increase from the current quarterly payout, and marks the ninth-straight year in which the company has hiked its dividend. The new dividend will be payable Nov. 19 to holders of record as of Oct. 31.

The board of Covidien PLC (NYSE: COV) okayed a 16% increase in the quarterly dividend paid on the company's ordinary shares, to 26 cents a share. That dividend is payable Nov. 5 to holders of record as of Oct. 11.

Lennox International Inc.'s (NYSE: LII) board approved an 11% hike in the company's quarterly dividend to 20 cents a share. It is payable Oct. 15 to holders of record as of Oct. 4.

And for the second time in a year, Argan Inc. (NYSEMKT: AGX) declared a special dividend, this one in the amount of 60 cents per common share. It is payable Nov. 7 to holders of record as of Oct. 11.

Yesterday, Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) boosted its quarterly dividend by 18% and ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) lifted its dividend by penny per share.

In premarket trading, McDonald's is up 0.1% to $93.25 per share, Texas Instruments is up 0.1% to $28.89 and Coviden is down 0.4% to $59.35.

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Dividend Tagged: AGX, CAG, COV, LII, MCD, TXN, YUM

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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/09/21/friday-dividend-roundup-mcd-txn-cov-lii-agx-yum-cag/

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Why Public Pensions Are About To Look Less Healthy

New accounting rules will make public pension plans look less healthy, though they don't change the underlying reality.

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/07/23/156323322/why-public-pensions-are-about-to-look-less-healthy?ft=1&f=127413671

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Rise in Offshore Spills Raises Wider Questions on Drilling

Sasha Chavkin

The catastrophe unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico has been portrayed as a one-of-a-kind disaster, a perfect storm of bad equipment, bad planning and bad luck.

But it’s far from the only spill that’s taken place this year – or even the only spill occurring in the Gulf right now.

On June 7, the Mobile Press-Register reported that the Ocean Saratoga rig has been leaking into the Gulf since April 30. Interior Department spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff confirmed the next day that “small amounts of oil” were leaking from the wells beneath the rig, about 10 miles from Louisiana’s southeastern coast.

Taylor Energy, the well’s owner, said in a statement that it was engaged in an “ongoing well intervention plan” with the government to fix damage caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and that no significant new spill had occurred.

The Deepwater Horizon isn’t the only recent spill for BP, either. On May 25, according to Reuters, an accident on the Trans-Alaska pipeline spilled thousands of barrels of oil and forced the pipeline to be shut down for more than three days. BP is the largest owner of the pipeline operator, controlling 47 percent. (Read our story about BP’s troubled history in Alaska and its other U.S. operations.)

In addition, there was the Jan. 24 spill in Port Arthur, Texas, when an Exxon-Mobil tanker collided with an outgoing vessel and dumped nearly half a million gallons of oil into the Gulf.

If it seems as if oil spills – and particularly offshore spills in US. waters – are on the rise, that’s because they are.

A USA Today analysis of federal data found that spills from offshore oil rigs and pipelines have more than quadrupled in the last decade. From the 1970s to 1990s, offshore facilities averaged four spills per year of more than 50 barrels. From 2000 to 2009, the annual average soared to 17.

The report also found that the rate of oil being spilled was increasing faster than the growth in production. From USA Today:

In the 1980s, an average of about 2,900 barrels of oil and other toxic chemicals spilled a year. That figure rose to more than 4,400 in the 1990s and to more than 6,100 in the 2000s. Offshore oil production increased during that time, but the rate of barrels spilled per barrels produced continued to increase.

The company with the most spills in the last decade was BP, which had reported 23 spills of over 50 barrels without counting the Deepwater Horizon blowout.

Why are offshore oil facilities spilling more in recent years than they have in the past?

One possibility is that regulators haven’t been able to keep up with the surge in offshore drilling. The Washington Post reported Thursday morning that the Minerals Management Service has only seven more inspectors now that it did in 1985, even as offshore drilling projects have skyrocketed. From the Post:

Although the number of exploration rigs soared and the number of deep-water oil-producing projects grew more than tenfold from 1988 to 2008, the number of federal inspectors working for the Minerals Management Service has increased only 13 percent since 1985.

A message left for MMS this morning has not been returned.

Stefan Mrozewski, a drilling engineer with Columbia University’s Borehole Research Group and a former oil industry employee who once worked on the Deepwater Horizon, said the increase may in fact be driven by a very different dynamic – better voluntary reporting of spills by the industry.

Oil companies and service companies in the Gulf of Mexico “have – at least over the past 10 years – been extremely conscientious about report [sic] spills, incidents, hazards, etc,” wrote Mrozewski in an e-mail. “I would venture that the same attitude did not prevail in the 90s, and certainly not in the 70s.”

David Miller of the American Petroleum Institute, a trade association for the oil and gas industry, said that offshore drilling was heavily regulated by the government, citing the MMS’s extensive guidelines for deepwater drilling.

“There’s quite a few regulations that the industry has to follow to be in compliance with the MMS,” said Miller.

Another possibility is that oil is simply harder to reach now – that increased consumption has led companies to turn to deeper waters and riskier procedures to satisfy the ever-expanding demand for energy.

“While the point of “peak oil” may or may not have been reached, what Michael Klare, a professor at Hampshire College, has dubbed the Age of Tough Oil has clearly begun,” wrote the New Yorker’s Elizabeth Kolbert on May 31.

Source: http://feeds.propublica.org/~r/propublica/energy-environment/~3/A6XyTCX78yQ/

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Buy term invest the difference? Not if you look at the numbers

Today’s guest post is by Glenn Cooke, a life insurance broker and president of LifeInsuranceCanada.com who believes in an educational approach to life insurance rather than a product sales approach. In the post he urges readers to take a closer look at the numbers behind the conventional wisdom of buy term and invest the difference. Proponents [...]

Buy term invest the difference? Not if you look at the numbers is brought to you by Canadian Capitalist -- Helping you to invest & prosper.

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Capitol Crimes

With disgraced lobbyist back in the news and on the big screen in Alex Gibney's new film, CASINO JACK, we re-present Bill Moyers 2006 in-depth exploration of Abramoff and his Washington world. CAPITOL CRIMES investigates the Abramoff lobbying scandal, revealing the web of relationships, secret deals and political manipulation and opening a disturbing window on the dark side of American politics. The fall of Jack Abramoff has exposed a huge web of corruption that still remains vastly unreported by the broadcast media, even as prosecutors continue to chase down leads and quiz insiders and witnesses. Moyers and his colleagues untangle emails, reports, interviews and facts on the record to provide viewers with a coherent pattern of criminal and political chicanery.

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Is it Really That Simple?

One of my first posts I wrote here was It’s Simple Isn’t It (I invite you to go over and have a look, it’s still pertinent (IMHO)). The simple idea was the following equation: Incoming cash - Outgoing cash = SAVINGS (or Losses if negative) Given we have now defined debt-free do we need to change [...]

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Debt crisis: as it happened, September 20, 2012

Spain passed a second test of appetite for its debt this week, raising €4.8bn at an auction of three-year and 10-year bonds.

Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/579300/s/23a4022a/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cfinance0Cdebt0Ecrisis0Elive0C95540A370CDebt0Ecrisis0Eas0Eit0Ehappened0ESeptember0E20A0E20A120Bhtml/story01.htm

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jpmorgan: @toddvernon You missed the speeches by Arthur Davis (co chair of Obama's '08 campaign) and Gov Nikki Haley (daughter of Indian Immigr.)

jpmorgan: @toddvernon You missed the speeches by Arthur Davis (co chair of Obama's '08 campaign) and Gov Nikki Haley (daughter of Indian Immigr.)

Source: http://twitter.com/jpmorgan/statuses/240666317856833536

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Generous Grandparents Can Limit Financial Aid Liability

Author(s): 

Adriana Reyneri

Grandparents can help pay college costs in a number of different ways, but some of the giving strategies can reduce the amount of need-based financial aid available to their grandchildren.

As much as one-third of grandparents are saving for college through a 529 college savings plan, according to the website FinAid. Contributions of up to $13,000 a year can be made to a 529 without incurring gift taxes and a grandparent’s plan does not count as an asset on the student’s financial aid application. Here’s the catch.

Distributions from a grandparent’s 529 plan are counted as untaxed income when a student files for financial aid in the subsequent year, according to FinAid. The income can reduce a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid by as much one-half of the income received. Cash gifts to a student and gifts made directly to the college can also hurt need-based eligibility, FinAid said.

What other choices do grandparents have? Grandparents can offer to help students repay loans once they are finished with college, easing the debt burden while avoiding financial aid concerns, Adam Zoll, an assistant editor at Morningstar.com, said in a recent article. “This strategy might be particularly useful for students with subsidized loans, which don't begin to accrue interest until after graduation,” Zoll said.

One in five retirees is helping a grandchild with college costs, according to a Millionaire Corner survey conducted in April, and they tend to pay one-fourth or less of the bill. About 16 percent say they have had to cut back in other areas of their budget to help a grandchild with college costs, and more than 38 percent express “major financial concerns” about college costs for their grandchild. Perhaps these retirees should heed the advice of experts who urge seniors to consider their own financial needs first.

“If there's any question about whether you've saved enough for your own retirement, you're better off letting your grandkids and their parents fund college on their own,” Zoll said. After all, they'll have plenty of opportunities to borrow money for college if they need to, but no financial institution will loan you money for your retirement.”

Related Content: 

Retirees Shoulder College Costs

Even Retirees Anticipate Higher College Costs

Source: http://www.millionairecorner.com/article/generous-grandparents-can-limit-financial-aid-liability

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Best Of Comments: Confusion, Chaos, Comcast

dangermike: I can’t be the only here who uses [surveys given by retailers] to spread just a enough chaos and misinformation to feel good about myself when I lay down my head at night. Most recent example, one of my favorite online shooting supply stores offers entry into a daily drawing for a $25 gift [...]

Source: http://consumerist.com/2012/09/best-of-comments-confusion-chaos-comcast.html

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Moyers on Memorial Day

Moyers on Memorial Day.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/XAr1TeIm5oQ/watch3.html

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Canadian Stocks Paying US Dollar Dividends

Imagine for a moment that Joe Canadian purchases shares in Encana (TSX: ECA) on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Joe holds the stock in the CAD side of a taxable investment account. It so happens that Encana, like many other Canadian resource companies pays dividends in US dollars. When Joe receives Encana dividends in his account, [...]

Canadian Stocks Paying US Dollar Dividends is brought to you by Canadian Capitalist -- Helping you to invest & prosper.

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News Analysis for the Investor on September 19, 2012

Author(s): 
Catherine McBreen
 
FedEx cuts outlook due to stalling global economy
FedEx says the global economy is stalling and will get worse.  It says that the experts have underestimated the slowdown of exports from China.  Because of the number of items it ships, Fed Ex is closely watched as a predictor of the economy.  The Associated Press says the Fed Ex has lowered its economic growth to 2.2 percent in 2012 and 1.9 percent in 2013.  It forecasts earnings of $6.20 to $6.60 per share compared to $6.90 to $7.40 previously.  Fed Ex shares dropped 3 percent on Tuesday. 
Bank of Japan eases monetary policy
The Bank of Japan took strong steps today to ease its monetary policy following recent actions by the Federal Reserve.  According to the Wall Street Journal, the Bank of Japan decided to extend its own quantitative easing program to last until the end of 2013 and to add more than $1 trillion to the economy.   Its actions are in alignment with other central banks.  The decision was caused by a bleaker view of its assessment for the economy.  Asian markets were up on the news while European markets remain mixed.  The Dow closed up 11 points on Tuesday ending at 13,564.
Longshoreman strike threatens holiday sales
The National Retailers Association is indicating that it fears a strike of longshoreman may threaten retailers during the peak holiday shipping season, according to USAToday. The contract negotiations cover 15,000 to 20,000 workers from Maine to Texas who unload cargo from shipping containers.  The strike could become a reality if agreement is not reached by September 30.  Many retailers have already started shipping holiday items into their stores to precede the strike.  If retailers are forced to find other ways to obtain merchandise, the consumers will ultimately bear the higher shipping cost.
Fiscal cliff tops European debt crisis as concern for investors
A monthly survey by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch of fund managers indicates that investors are more afraid of the US fiscal cliff than of the European debt crisis.  CNBC indicates that 35 percent of respondents rated this as the largest risk, up from 26 percent in August.  Managers indicate that investors are reducing their holdings in US equities in fear of the upcoming cliff, which will require significant budget cuts and raise taxes.
Alaskans get $878 in annual oil payout
The Alaska Permanent Fund will pay out $878 to each resident of Alaska this year.  That’s less than the $1,174 paid out last year and significantly smaller than the payouts prior to 2006.  According to USA Today, each resident of Alaska, who has lived there for more than one calendar year, is entitled to the annual payout.  The Alaskan residents, who pay no state income tax, are deciding on whether to save the money, buy a new iPhone, or perhaps the smartest option…..vacation in Hawaii when the weather hits 30 below zero.
Macy’s gets $400 million makeover
Macy’s iconic flagship store, best known as the home of the Thanksgiving Day Macy’s Parade, is undergoing a $400 million makeover, to be finished in 2015. The store will add 100,000 feet to its existing 1.1 million square feet, according to the Associated Press.  Critics indicate that the Beaux Art and Art Deco style is being scrapped for the modern “Apple Store” look.  Some of the sections, such as the largest women’s shoe department in the world, are already complete.

Source: http://www.millionairecorner.com/article/news-analysis-investor-september-19-2012

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temporarily awol

Sorry for the absence guys. It's been bat crap crazy here, to quote Penny from Big Bang. Between work and the boys' schedules and meetings and exhaustion, I'm outta juice. Will update on the weekend.

Thankssss

Source: http://shakingthemoneytree.blogspot.com/2012/09/temporarily-awol.html

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Comparing the iPhone trade-in services: Apple, Gazelle, uSell, Amazon and eBay

With Apple jumping into the gadget trade-in business I decided to compare its prices to the competition to see who offered the best buyback prices on the iPhone 4 and 4S. Read this before you sell your old iPhone.

Source: http://www.zdnet.com/comparing-the-iphone-trade-in-services-apple-gazelle-usell-amazon-and-ebay-7000003540/

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Flickr founder Stewart Butterfield on continuing to innovate

Source: http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/VideoPosts.aspx?id=17374

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TR35 winner Stephanie Lacour on stretchable electronics

Stephanie Lacour, a research project manager at the University of Cambridge in England, wants to take flexible electronics to the next level, by making them stretchable. Technology Review caught up with Lacour at the Emerging Technology Conference to ask her about the field's potential. In this video clip, Lacour also notes that the impact of her research might not be limited to biology: advertisers could benefit, too.

Source: http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/VideoPosts.aspx?id=17425

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New York Governor David Paterson

As 43 states face budget shortfalls, New York Governor David Paterson talks with Bill Moyers about how states are dealing with the economic crisis.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/vbakuk46aJg/profile2.html

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Santa Ana Health Crusade

The Journal profiles public health doctor America Bracho, who serves her Santa Ana, CA community – notorious for crime, poverty and disease – with her organization, Latino Health Access.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/Kt3OxLmYHv0/profile2.html

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Solar Stocks: Looking for a Value Play (CSIQ, FSLR, GTAT, WFR, SPWR, JASO, LDK, STP, TSL, YGE)

Filed under: Energy, Value Investing

Solar stocks have fallen so far in the past year and a half that there doesn't seem to be any further for them to fall. But that's not the way the stocks are being played.

We've looked at 10 solar stocks in our search for a value play in the sector: Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ), First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR), GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT), MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR), SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR), JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO), LDK Solar Co. Inc. (NYSE: LDK), Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP), Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL), and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE).

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) traded at $2.59 and has a market value of around $112 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $3.76 and the 52-week range is $2.07-$6.20. Canadian Solar does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 45%, and we note that the target is above the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 3.74 million shares, or 12.4% of the float.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) traded at $18.57 and has a market value of around $1.62 billion. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $23.26 and the 52-week range is $11.43-$93.64. First Solar does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 25%, and we note that the target is well below the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 31.9 million shares, or 63.5% of the float.

GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT) traded at $5.42 and has a market value of around $642 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $8.11 and the 52-week range is $3.92-$11.99. Canadian Solar does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 50%, and we note that the target is below the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 29.2 million shares, or 24.8% of the float.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) traded at $2.65 and has a market value of around $611 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $4.35 and the 52-week range is $1.44-$7.19. MEMC does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 64%, and we note that the target is above the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 27.8 million shares, or 13.6% of the float.

SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) traded at $4.15 and has a market value of around $492 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $5.62 and the 52-week range is $3.71-$13.66. SunPower does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 35%, and we note that the target is above the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 4.5 million shares, or 11.5% of the float.

JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) traded at $0.84 and has a market value of around $166 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $1.11 and the 52-week range is $0.89-$3.29. Canadian Solar does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 32%, and we note that the target is below the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals more than 10 million shares.

LDK Solar Co. Inc. (NYSE: LDK) traded at $1.21 and has a market value of around $185 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $1.35 and the 52-week range is $1.26-$6.92. LDK does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 12%, and we note that the target is well below the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 10.4 million shares.

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP) traded at $0.84 and has a market value of around $150 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $1.80 and the 52-week range is $0.81-$4.80. Suntech does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 114%, and we note that the target is below the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 17.6 million shares.

Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) traded at $4.21 and has a market value of around $298 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $6.98 and the 52-week range is $4.12-$13.21. Trina does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 66%, and we note that the target is well below the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 12.2 million shares.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE) traded at $1.56 and has a market value of around $244 million. The consensus target price from Thomson Reuters is $2.62 and the 52-week range is $1.50-$6.27. Yingli does not pay a dividend. The implied upside to the consensus target is 68%, and we note that the target is well below the 52-week high. Short interest in the stock totals 6.1 million shares.

The high levels of short interest in solar stocks should tell the story. Our search for a value play in the sector was essentially fruitless. And a few of the stocks - LDK, JA Solar, and Suntech - appear headed for oblivion. Expecting the Chinese government to orchestrate a consolidation in its solar industry is about the only thing that gives these three stocks any value, but there's not likely to be any upside anywhere in this sector at least until next year. If ever.

Paul Ausick

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Alternative Energy, Green Biz, Value Investing Tagged: CSIQ, FSLR, GTAT, JASO, LDK, SPWR, STP, TSL, WFR, YGE

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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/09/04/solar-stocks-looking-for-a-value-play-csiq-fslr-gtat-wfr-spwr-jaso-ldk-stp-tsl-yge/

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Greeks eye 'war reparations' from Germany as markets await euro ruling

Greece was said to be seeking billions in compensation from Germany for debts owed from the Second World War as the German Constitutional Court prepared to deliver its pivotal ruling on the eurozone bail-out fund

Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/579300/s/23547cdf/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cfinance0Cfinancialcrisis0C95374510CGreeks0Eeye0Ewar0Ereparations0Efrom0EGermany0Eas0Emarkets0Eawait0Eeuro0Eruling0Bhtml/story01.htm

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jpmorgan: @msuster agreed. The way Twitter is treating developers/users and killing the goose that laid the golden egg--I would expect nothing less.

jpmorgan: @msuster agreed. The way Twitter is treating developers/users and killing the goose that laid the golden egg--I would expect nothing less.

Source: http://twitter.com/jpmorgan/statuses/240677989476597760

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Replace Old Windows?

This week I continued replacing the old wood windows that came originally with my house and as I found out last year, none of the windows in my house (Model Home Version 0.1 for our area) were very well insulated (if at all), which in itself suggests the “investment” in new windows will be a [...]

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CanadianFinancialStuff/~3/ET_LN3S1Uk0/

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Bill Fletcher and Michael Zweig

With public support for labor unions at its lowest point in 70 years, Bill Moyers talks with experts Bill Fletcher, co-author of SOLIDARITY DIVIDED: THE CRISIS IN ORGANIZED LABOR AND A NEW PATH TOWARD SOCIAL JUSTICE and Michael Zweig, director of the Center for the Study of Working Class Life at SUNY Stony Brook, about the state of organized labor.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/0lhqcyYyhBA/watch2.html

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Women Fight for Peace, Part II

Instructed by a dream and organized in prayer, Leymah Gbowee and thousands of everyday women in Liberia --both Christians and Muslims alike --confronted warlords and a corrupt president to successfully fight for peace and dignity in their war-torn nation. "I realized that every problem we encounter on this journey, I'm going to rise above it and lead these women because they trusted me with their lives and their future," says Gbowee. Journal guest host Lynn Sherr interviews Leymah Gbowee and Abigail Disney, who documented their inspiring tale in the award-winning film Pray the Devil Back to Hell. Lynn Sherr is a long-time broadcast journalist who most recently covered events in Liberia for PBS' news program, WorldFocus.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/fvDaXrScwJo/profile3.html

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Patterson and Loury

BILL MOYERS JOURNAL examines racial inequality in America through the prisms of the legacy of slavery and the current socio-economic landscape with perspective from historical and cultural sociologist Orlando Patterson and Glenn C. Loury, an economist and expert on race and social division.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/1LkSGffvWyA/profile.html

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Steve Meacham and City Life/Vida Urbana

The JOURNAL profiles Steve Meacham, a Massachusetts community organizer fighting to keep working people in their homes.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/J797eIn5jW8/profile2.html

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jpmorgan: @msuster agreed. The way Twitter is treating developers/users and killing the goose that laid the golden egg--I would expect nothing less.

jpmorgan: @msuster agreed. The way Twitter is treating developers/users and killing the goose that laid the golden egg--I would expect nothing less.

Source: http://twitter.com/jpmorgan/statuses/240677989476597760

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Questions for the President.

Questions for the President. A Bill Moyers essay.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/VbjMAKIBMlE/watch3.html

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Chasing Value: The Very Best Investors

Filed under: Other Issues, Bad News, Rants and Raves, Competitive Strategy, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Market Matters, Money and Finance Today, Chevron Corp (CVX), Bargain Stocks, Chasing Value[TM], Oil, Stocks to Buy, Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG), Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI), Southern Company (SO), Raytheon Company (RTN), EZCORP (EZPW), Stock Picks, Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A)

After five years, 900,000+ words and a lot of interesting ideas this will be my last AOL post; a casualty of the Huffington Post deal. Chasing Value will live on somewhere else. In thinking of what to write about today, I thought it had to be a "best of" post so that I could leave readers with something useful to ponder.

To that end, let us start with the very best investors, and those that had a profound influence on me and contributed to my investment acumen in a meaningful and profitable way. It has to start with "my pal Warren": Warren Buffett that is, the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A and BRK.B). Say what you will about his recent issues regarding David Sokol's improprieties, it is highly improbable the world will witness again the 50-year run Buffett has had.

Buffett gave me the courage to trust my own research; to invest when others are fearful; to be patient, and that reversion to the mean is more reliable than most things you can observe in an inflated market.

A shout out also goes to Peter Lynch, the retired manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund, one of the most successful funds of all time.

Lynch gave me many examples of what to look for in a stock bringing some clarity to an often muddy picture. One example that always stands out in my mind is what I will call the data-versus-doughnuts analogy. If you own a technology stock you will be depending on the company's ability to invent and keep on inventing. If a competitor comes out with something like an iPhone or iPad, it changes the market instantly. However, If you own a chain of 150 doughnut shops on the East Coast and a competitor with a better, cheaper product has 150 stores on the West Coast, you would have years instead of months to prepare for the competition.

The other thing that stands out from Lynch is his PEG ratio, or the price-to-earnings-to-growth metric. It is not a precise tool but it is very useful one. It reduces the conflict between value versus growth investing by establishing a correlation between the two.

Another person that I have learned from is John Templeton. He too invested when there was "blood in the streets," buying a pile of stocks for pennies on the dollar in 1939. It got me to consider buying Newcastle Investments (NCT) for 60 cents a share when the market, and all investors, were in pain. It is trading around $6.00 a share now.

Recently I have been reading up on more contrarian investors. The best book on the subject to me is by David Dreman, the very comprehensive and comprehensible Contrarian Investment Strategies - The Next Generation. In it he reviews various investment strategies and makes a case for value investing with a very contrarian slant, just like Buffett, Lynch, and Templeton. There are many more great value investors and plenty to read on the subject. If you want to be the best you must learn from the best, reading everything you can get your hands on.

In my most recent investment presentations, there is a "slide" that has two columns. The one on the left is a list of great investors including the aforementioned and many more, such as John Paulson, Bruce Berkowitz, Carl Icahn, Kerk Kerkorian. The column on the right is a list of investment concepts. They include day trading, technical analysis, Elliot Wave Theory, penny stocks, quantitative analysis, indexing, momentum investing, market timing and more. I like to ask the audience if they can link anyone from the left column to anything on the right and look at their puzzled faces; because they can't. None of the most successful investors uses these ideas. They do one thing and one thing only --- THEY BUY CHEAP!

This part of the presentation is always the most intriguing because what it underscores is that the really great investors truly zig when everyone else zags. The column on the right probably includes 95% of the investment world, pros and amateurs alike. For some reason people want a short cut and will not do the work. To me it is like professing to be very interested in physics, yet skipping the chapters on Newton and Einstein.

When I started writing for AOL, a note about my best investment was included in my bio, that would be my wife. Our 30th anniversary is coming up and I still find her amazing in a hundred different ways. In the stock market my top five holdings have changed a little. Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and Southern Company (SO) are still in the mix but three new stocks have advanced. They are EZcorp (EZPW), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) and Prospect Capital (PSEC).

Having posted over 1,200 articles, it is hard to determine what I might bring to readers' attention that was most timely or valuable. The following is a small sampling of some from a few years back and some more recent:

• One day after this post was the first public announcement that Buffett was buying railroads Serious Money: Freight Railroads - BNI, CSX, UNP & more
• Calling the bottom of the market on the exact day, March 9 2009 was nice Nostradamus was a punk! Have we reached bottom?
• Two days later I discussed why the market would bounce, and it did. Is the stock market spring loaded? Could it move 3,000 points higher now?
• A few months later when Dr. Doom was cautioning investors I took the opposite position and was correct. Waiting for Roubini will cost you!
• Last summer I told our readers buying the worst stock names would beat the market. I have since done three popular follow-ups and this call was right on -- they did and they are. Chasing Value: Buying a Toxic Portfolio -- BP, RIG, C, GS, BAC and GE and the most recent follow-up Chasing Value: Toxic Stock Update #4 -- BAC, BP, C, GE, GS, RI.
• Last December I made the following proclamation which became absolutely true. Chasing Value: You Must Own Defense and Oil for Safety
• My stock picks beat the market 4 out of 5 of the years I have been blogging: Chasing Value: 2011 Picks Dust the S&P after one month and Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks Q1 Review -- A Platform for Success.
• Two weeks ago I posted Chasing Value: EZCorp Still a Bargain leading to yesterday's Chasing Value: EZcorp Still Besting Apple

You will still be able to find Chasing Value through your favorite search engine, and hopefully you will take the time to look. Thank you to all the wonderful editors that made me look good. This post started with the best investors, went through some of my best investments and stories and will conclude by saluting the many readers that have contributed to my posts with their thought-provoking comments; I thank you for also being the best.

Sheldon Liber is an architect and the CEO of Chasing Value[TM] Asset Management, Inc. He writes the columns Chasing Value[TM] and Serious Money and is on twitter: @ChasingValue. Disclosure: Mr. Liber currently owns shares and options of BRK.B, EZPW, ISRG, PSEC, RDS.A, and SO.

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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/06/chasing-value-the-very-best-investors/

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Emerging Markets Offer Banks Profits, but Headaches Too

Banks like Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are chasing the potential payoff abroad. But there's a quiet truth to success in those risky markets: the path to profits is often filled with mistakes and setbacks.

Source: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/emerging-markets-offer-banks-profits-but-headaches-too/?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

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Keep Your Heart Healthy - Cooking Guidelines

Both men and women run the risk of developing heart disease at some point in their life, especially if they are quite careless about what they eat. Are you concerned about developing heart disease? If you start immediately, you can keep your heart healthy by following these cooking guidelines every time you prepare a meal.

Keep Your Meals Heart Healthy

Choose Lean Cuts of Meat

Meat is full of protein, and protein helps you stay feeling full longer, and it is also a mood booster. However, to keep your cholesterol down try choosing leaner cuts of meat.

With beef, choose cuts like round, flank, sirloin, tenderloin, rib, chunk, rump roast, T-bone, porterhouse and cubed. In poultry, white breast meat is low in fat. In pork, the leaner types are pork loin, center loin chops, Canadian bacon and ham.

Cook with Less Fat

You can cut down on the fat through cooking methods like boiling, broiling, steaming, roasting, baking, grilling and microwaving food instead the usual frying. If you need to fry, use non-stick pans and a cooking spray instead of frying oil.

Fats can really add flavor to the food, so what do you do to add flavor without fat? Use a combination of fresh herbs, seasonings and spices instead.

Onion and garlic can boost the flavor of meat and vegetables.

Lemon juice is great for steamed vegetables and broiled fish.

Pepper is great for chicken seasoning.

Include Lots of Fresh Vegetables and Fruit

Every time you prepare a meal you need to include healthy fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables keep your heart healthy as well as your mind.

You will find that you will feel more alert and more focused after only a few days of eating more fruits and vegetables. 

Fresh fruit makes a great dessert after any meal, and vegetables can be added to breakfast omelets, lunch time sandwiches and of course dinner.

As well, always keep fresh vegetables and dip in your fridge for whenever your family gets the munchies.

By knowing what to cook you can help protect yourself and your family from heart disease. Also, your kids will learn to eat healthy at home, which will make it easier for them to continue following a healthy lifestyle when they move out on their own.

Are there any specific things that you do to ensure that you are eating healthy and protecting yourself from developing heart disease?

Source: http://tacklingourdebt.com/2012/08/27/keep-your-heart-healthy-cooking-guidelines/

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Solar Lighting Systems for Peru Earthquake Victims

(Palm City, Flordia) Sol Inc. (Solar Outdoor Lighting) has arranged for the donation of 42 solar lighting systems to 11 communities in Peru affected by the August 2007 earthquake. Philanthropist David Russell, who, funded the donation with the assistance of Practical Action of Peru and local governments facilitated a partnership with Sol Inc. to ensure [...]

Source: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/press/solar-lighting-systems-peru-earthquake/

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Vancouver Housing bubble?

According to one of the U.S.’s most renowned housing market analysts, Vancouver’s housing bubble is more extreme today than California’s was a few years ago. Robert Shiller, co-creator of the Case-Shiller Index, which measures U.S. house prices, told BNN late last week that “Vancouver looks like part of California” when it comes to its housing market. Both [...]

Source: http://www.canadianpersonalfinance.com/vancouver-housing-bubble.html

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RBC Visa Infinite Avion Credit Card Review

Although my Royal Bank of Canada Visa Infinite Avion credit card is long gone (thanks to my stubborness of being unwilling to succumb to paying an annual fee for a credit card), it still has a special place in my heart, much like the MBNA American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Credit card. First of all, [...]

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Youngandthrifty/~3/ATSJY6LCaGg/

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Obama's Retirement Rescue

The government has recently been taking steps to alleviate the heartache accompanying retirement plans.  Their goal has been to put retirees' best interests at the heart of the matter, and figure out what the best plan might be to ensure a secure retirement.

Their decision has been to focus on annuities and change up some of the rules as a way to strengthen retirement plans.  To keep you abreast of what's been going on, we have compiled some important information concerning annuities and these new rules.

Annuities: The Definition

An annuity is a financial product that provides you with an income throughout your retirement.  You make payments into the account, and once you've reached a certain age, you begin receiving checks.  The frequency of these checks depends on how you would like to receive them.  You can choose a lump sum in the beginning, a monthly payment, or an annual payment.  

Partial Annuities: The Definition

As illustrated above, once you retire, you are entitled to receiving your money in a lump sum, monthly payment, or annual payment.  With a partial annuity, you can split this up.  You can take part of the accumulated funds in a lump, and then take the rest either monthly or annually.

Partial Annuities: The Proposal

When given a choice, many retirees have decided to take the lump sum.  The main issue they have with this choice, however, is that they often run out of money

To help put a stop to this problem, the current administration has proposed that partial annuities get pushed harder as an option for retirees.  This would provide a great option for retirees, as they would receive both a nice amount of cash soon after retirement, but would also receive a monthly or annual payment.  

Also, employers often either don't offer partial annuities or do not inform employees when they do offer them.  Another part of the government's proposal would fix this as well by simplifying the calculations involved with partial annuities.  With simplified calculations, employers would have an easier time realizing the benefits of these annuities, and would pass this information on to their employees.

Longevity Annuities:  The Definition

A longevity annuity is one that pays quite a bit of time after retirement has happened.  The rules of this type of annuity declare that payouts begin to accrue once a retiree is 70 years old.  However, they are not given access to the funds until they're around 85 or so.  If the longevity annuity is offered through a 401k or IRA, a portion is funded by the employee's retirement funds.

Longevity Annuities:  The Proposal

Due to the late payout, not too many retirees utilize longevity annuities.  To make them more attractive, the government has proposed that they be simplified by lessening the age at which a retiree would have access to his or her money.  In addition, the value of such an annuity would not be included in any calculations.

401k Fees:  The Proposal

Employers often provide a variety of options when it comes to retirement plans.  To assist them with choosing the best plan, the government has created a set of rules wherein each 401k provider must list all plan administration and money management fees.  All plan providers must begin doing this no later than July 1st, 2012.  

In addition, the administration is proposing that each 401k provider design an easy-to-understand disclosure of fees.  This requirement was meant to start right away, but it has been delayed for an unspecified amount of time.

Source: http://firstsecurityfinancialshow.com/blog/bid/132199/Obama-s-Retirement-Rescue

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Canadian Personal Finance Happy Hour – Labour Day edition

How was everyone’s Labour Day weekend? Ours was great, a nice 8.5 k hike (my wife held our baby for most of the hike) and took in some sights from mid Vancouver Island. Todd Tresidder @ Financial Mentor writes 80 New Financial Calculators – Wow! – These new calculators simplify every aspect of financial planning [...]

Source: http://www.canadianpersonalfinance.com/canadian-personal-finance-happy-hour-labour-day-edition.html

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Expose on the Journal: The Business of Poverty

As more companies view low-income Americans as opportunities for profit, the "poverty business" is booming. Bill Moyers Journal and EXPOSE: AMERICA'S INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS follow a team of BUSINESSWEEK reporters as they track new corporate practices that some say exploit the working poor.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/dOvLMbdNtZo/profile.html

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Are We In a Secular Bear Market?

If you’ve spent any time at a cottage this summer, away from the bright city lights, you’ve probably enjoyed some beautiful views of the Milky Way. Astronomers believe that our galaxy is a barred spiral, with several arms radiating from the center, but they don’t know its exact shape. The reason is simple: you can’t [...]

Source: http://canadiancouchpotato.com/2012/07/26/are-we-in-a-secular-bear-market/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=are-we-in-a-secular-bear-market

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