The No-Wing Maine Militia
Started in 1995, the Maine Militia isn’t right or left wing; it’s an “up and down” wing group. According to co-founder, Michael Chute, We’re trying to get the folks to see the problem ain’t left vs. right or to use an analogy, a Republican is a standard screw. A Democrat is a Phillips screw. So whichever way you vote, you get the screw.”
The diverse group all share a belief that our government has lost its moral authority and has degenerated into “whores for wealth and arbiters of empire.”
Their meetings focus on developing a sense of community, how to take care of the people, feed the people. Amen!
“Government is like fire. If it’s kept within bounds & under the
control of the people, it contributes to the welfare of all. But,
if it gets out of place, if it gets too big & out of control, it
destroys the happiness of the people & even the lives of people.”
--Harold Stassen
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Finding Unclaimed Money & Assets
You may have heard about how state governments take ownership of funds, jewelry, coins, stocks, refunds, etc. that owners never claim. Here’s a site you can use to investigate if any state owes you or a loved one assets or cash. Worth a look see & there is no cost.
http://www.unclaimed.org/
Find links to all 50-states to help you with obtaining state assistance programs
Navigating through the maze of public benefit programs can be difficult and confusing. Many people don’t know what assistance is available — or how to gain access to it. AARP offers online tools that take the guesswork out of the process for every state in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. It’s fast, private, and secure!
https://www.benefitscheckup.org/index.cfm?partner_id=22
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12 Most Frequent Scams During Christmas. Recognize them, avoid them.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/McAfee-Inc-Warns-Consumers-bw-33358632.html?x=0&.v=1
New book: Ed Begley Jr's Guide to Sustainable Living, devotes an entire section to making your home more energy efficient. I can't stress how important it is.
“My audit revealed a few key problem areas. First, in an area above my old office, where the original room addition had been done, I was missing some key spots of insulation that had created a virtual 'chimney' of air leaking from the house. Filling that spot in made a huge difference. Secondly, our home has a basement which was ventilated out the sides of the foundation. By sealing up the basement completely, more large scale energy savings were achieved. In order to do this, I had to put some new equipment in, including my AO Smith Vertex 100 water heater and the First Company AquaTherm water furnace. These devices, in conjunction with sealing the basement, have dropped my natural gas bill by 50%!” Find out more at (www.hotwater.com/edbegleyjr).
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Bartering & 2nd Hand Stores See Rise in Use
As higher taxes and more intrusive regulations take hold (while the dollar continues to sink), more and more Americans are turning to barter and other forms of private commerce between individuals. CraigsList, for example, is reporting an 80% jump in bartering activity by private citizens. And there has been a surge of interest in sites such as Barterquest.com as well.
Of course, the rise of the "black market" (i.e. the free market) is one consequence of political rules and mandates which are largely responsible for crippling our economy.
See our site for links to community currency how-to’s and bartering!
According to the Census…real median household incomes declined nationally and for the first time in a decade, foreign-born residents in the US did not grow. The share of people who have never married increased 4% since 2002. Cities which lost the largest percentages of population include Cleveland, Philadelphia and New Orleans. Participation in the census isn’t optional. Failure to fill out the form is punishable by a fine of up to $5000!
www.absurdlycool.com offers freebies you might need…shower cleanser, dog food and for stuff you didn’t know you needed such as caffeinated soap.
Get Free internet radio featuring 2.4 million songs at:
www.slacker.com
Consumer spending rose in October 1.7%…oh how the fed & Wall Street love that. Consumer Price Index, which is a statistical lie (it doesn’t include food or fuel), shows inflation is ‘under control,’ & wages rose 0.2% and unemployment claims were under 500,000 representing a slight dip. The Obama administration continues to focus on their nonsensical healthcare plans, while devoting little attention to the employment picture. Wag the dog politics as far as I’m concerned. Those bumblers in Washington don’t seem to have a clue about the real way to reform health care.
Make it simple…initiate tort reform, tie premiums into auto/home insurance to create a bigger national pool…or, just expand/revise the current Medicare program.
See my thoughts on China below to see how they focus on the real economy. Our one-time enemy now seems poised to beat us at our own game. Perhaps Washington is too busy watching Dancing With the Stars or some other lame program?
>>><<<
Environmental Police – what’s next, bedroom police?
Looking at these police officers, you might think they’re from the Parks Department or some tiny town in Texas. Brooklyn business owners look at their olive green uniforms and Stetson hats and know immediately that they’re not city brass. But these aren’t visiting officers from another state – they’re an environmental police force whose job is find and prosecute environmental offenders, and they’re very serious about what they do.
As a member of a small force of police officers whose sole focus is enforcing environmental laws, Officer Stevens carries a gun and handcuffs and can haul a suspect off to jail. These environmental conservation officers number barely 20 in New York City, out of about 300 around the state, but issue about 2,000 summonses for violations and criminal charges annually.
http://earthfirst.com/eco-police-officers-bust-environmental-offenders/
>>><<<
Google says PC will start in seven seconds or less
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (Reuters) -
New Google Inc software will start up a computer as fast as a television can be turned on, the search company said on Thursday as it showed off its Chrome operating system designed for PCs that do their work on the Web
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20091120/tc_nm/us_google_chrome_5
>>><<<
5 Easy Steps to Stay Safe (and Private!) on Facebook
When the President of the United States warns schoolchildren to watch what they say and do on Facebook, you know that we've got a problem...and it's not one limited to the U.S.'s borders, either. People everywhere are mindlessly over-sharing on the world's largest social network, without a second thought as to who's reading their posts or what effect it could have on them further down the road. For example, did you know that 30% of today's employers are using Facebook to vet potential employees prior to hiring? In today's tough economy, the question of whether to post those embarrassing party pics could now cost you a paycheck in addition to a reputation. (Keep that in mind when tagging your friends' photos, too, won't you?)
http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2009/09/16/16readwriteweb-5-easy-steps-to-stay-safe-and-private-on-fac-6393.html?em
We used to build stuff!
The middle class in America was built by the manufacturing or Blue Collar worker. Manufacturing has all but vanished in this country and that’s when our decline started.
Now, the Chinese have taken over that role and their economy is doing much better than ours.
President Obama’s recent visit to China should have opened his eyes as to the disparity between our two countries. Isn’t it amazing that a Communist country, once our enemy, is now surpassing us in terms of capitalism? While we are contaminated with bumbling bureaucrats, the Chinese, for instance, recently built a new six-lane highway in Shanghai which took only two years. In America, it would have taken two years just to do an environmental study!
The Chinese are constructing a national high speed rail system covering 10,000 miles, something I’ve been urging for this country to do for more than twenty years. The Chinese are moving forward while America is stuck in neutral. They’re pouring money into the real economy, while we’re busy bailing out the idiots who got us into our financial mess. They’re seeding green technology jobs and will eventually dominate the electric vehicle market. They’re busy ramping up technological and engineering education (free to qualified citizens) to its people while we raise tuition rates beyond the reach of average Americans.
Not everything is bleak here…Dow chemical company, for instance, recently developed a solar shingle for your roof; costing 10-15% less than traditional solar powered panels.
Goes back to what I always say…we don’t need another election, we need another revolution!
Yours for better living – Bruce “The PoorMan”
Please share this with others!
http://www.poormansuvival.com
Our Mission: To protect and promote your freedom, civil rights, financial well being and overall self reliance in these turbulent times.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Free Holiday Resources, Tips & Ideas
Holiday Freebies, Tips & Resources-Save Money!
The Right to be left alone is indeed the beginning of all freedom!
--Justice William Douglas
Free holiday shipping & other freebies
To get packages delivered at no charge from retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon, the Gap & others, go to:
www.freeshipping.org
For Free jewelry (shipping charges apply) go to:
www.SilverJewelryClub.com
www.MyFreeSilverJewelry.com
Even more freebies…
www.HeyitsFree.net
www.FreeStuff.com
www.Buxr.com
Swap it for cash
Get paid for your old gadgets from sites like:
www.Gazelle.com
www.FlipSwap.com
Get competing bids from the different sites to see which will pay more for your old MP3 player, cellphones, etc. Some retailers like Sam’s Club, Best Buy & Radio Shack will let you trade up your old electronics. Once the item is appraised, you’ll get a gift card to use on new purchases. Check a retailers website beforehand as some will only allow these trades online.
Better Budgeting
Join or start your own coupon or budget club to save money & track expenses.
Find handy guides at:
www.meetformoney.com
www.moneyclubs.com
www.LearntoCoupon..com (start your own coupon club)
Winter-proofing your auto
It’s been many years since I’ve lived in a cold climate & here are some tips for dealing with cold weather.
· Wipe ordinary car wax onto your auto headlights to keep winter slush & salt away
· Ice-proof your windows with vinegar-3 parts vinegar to water in a spray bottle, spritz onto your windshield at night
· De-ice your lock with hand sanitizer-just place some onto your key & lock
· Prevent car doors from freezing closed with cooking spray-place on the rubber seals around car doors & rub in with a paper towel
Go Green With Holiday Cards this Year
Save time & money & choose from 100s of free eCards for the holidays this year at:
www.Hallmark.com
www.123Greetings.com
10 Crucial Trends for 2010-Free Report from TrendWatching…always wise to have an idea as to what will take place in society. Get your insights here.
http://trendwatching.com/briefing/
25 Hot Niche Areas to make money from Howie
http://www.howiesapprentice.com/app5/25-niches.html
Solid & growing alternative to eBay-free listings too! Tell ‘em the PoorMan sent ya!
www.eBid.net
Buying Gold & Silver questions…
"Is there any advantage," asks D.B. Ting, "to holding 'coin grade' coinage versus 'bullion grade' coinage?"
"Do the brokerages who sell gold and silver [coins] report to the federal government the purchases made?" asks Janet S.
And a reader known only as "Dave," questions, "[what's the] best place to buy 'junk' silver? How to receive them in a low profile fashion, so the delivery guy (and neighbors) don't know? And yes, I am paranoid."
1. Numismatically speaking, graded coins sell for higher prices and hold their value better. Junk silver is just that…the worth is based on current silver prices.
2. Depends. Buy large amounts (over $5000) and if you pay in cash, a true brokerage firm does report to the IRS…better off buying under the table from private citizens or dealers. In either case, avoid using a credit card for payment
3. Place ads online or in local papers…offer to buy ‘junk silver’ coins. Coin magazines usually have ads where you can find sources to purchase bag lots of junk silver coins. Visit local coin dealers and antique malls too. An offer to buy in bulk will usually get you a better deal.
>>><<<
Establishing martial law in the United States
Editors Note: In 1996 I wrote a manual on protecting your privacy from ex-spouses, lawyers & government agencies. The situation, as far as Big Brother has grown significantly worse with agencies like RISSNET & others which have developed more power & cooperation. This is an update to a presidential executive order 1st issued in 1976. Almost any excuse today will allow the government to declare martial law & to completely take over EVERY aspect of your life.
From SourceWatch
The John W. Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2006 (PL 109-364), "named for the longtime Armed Services Committee chairman from Virginia," was signed October 17, 2006, by President George W. Bush. The Act "has a provocative provision called 'Use of the Armed Forces in Major Public Emergencies'," the thrust of which "seems to be about giving the federal government a far stronger hand in coordinating responses to [Hurricane] Katrina-like disasters," Jeff Stein, CQ National Security Editor wrote December 1, 2006.
"But on closer inspection, its language also alters the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act, which Congress passed in 1807 to limit the president’s power to deploy troops within the United States ... 'to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy'," Stein wrote.
"But the amended law takes the cuffs off" and "critics say it’s a formula for executive branch mischief," Stein wrote, as "the new language adds 'natural disaster, epidemic, or other serious public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident' to the list of conditions permitting the President to take over local authority — particularly 'if domestic violence has occurred …more at:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Establishing_martial_law_in_the_United_States
This will be the first holiday season that I’ve been home in years and with that in mind, I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! Order from Chaos.
Yours for better living – Bruce “The Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
The Right to be left alone is indeed the beginning of all freedom!
--Justice William Douglas
Free holiday shipping & other freebies
To get packages delivered at no charge from retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon, the Gap & others, go to:
www.freeshipping.org
For Free jewelry (shipping charges apply) go to:
www.SilverJewelryClub.com
www.MyFreeSilverJewelry.com
Even more freebies…
www.HeyitsFree.net
www.FreeStuff.com
www.Buxr.com
Swap it for cash
Get paid for your old gadgets from sites like:
www.Gazelle.com
www.FlipSwap.com
Get competing bids from the different sites to see which will pay more for your old MP3 player, cellphones, etc. Some retailers like Sam’s Club, Best Buy & Radio Shack will let you trade up your old electronics. Once the item is appraised, you’ll get a gift card to use on new purchases. Check a retailers website beforehand as some will only allow these trades online.
Better Budgeting
Join or start your own coupon or budget club to save money & track expenses.
Find handy guides at:
www.meetformoney.com
www.moneyclubs.com
www.LearntoCoupon..com (start your own coupon club)
Winter-proofing your auto
It’s been many years since I’ve lived in a cold climate & here are some tips for dealing with cold weather.
· Wipe ordinary car wax onto your auto headlights to keep winter slush & salt away
· Ice-proof your windows with vinegar-3 parts vinegar to water in a spray bottle, spritz onto your windshield at night
· De-ice your lock with hand sanitizer-just place some onto your key & lock
· Prevent car doors from freezing closed with cooking spray-place on the rubber seals around car doors & rub in with a paper towel
Go Green With Holiday Cards this Year
Save time & money & choose from 100s of free eCards for the holidays this year at:
www.Hallmark.com
www.123Greetings.com
10 Crucial Trends for 2010-Free Report from TrendWatching…always wise to have an idea as to what will take place in society. Get your insights here.
http://trendwatching.com/briefing/
25 Hot Niche Areas to make money from Howie
http://www.howiesapprentice.com/app5/25-niches.html
Solid & growing alternative to eBay-free listings too! Tell ‘em the PoorMan sent ya!
www.eBid.net
Buying Gold & Silver questions…
"Is there any advantage," asks D.B. Ting, "to holding 'coin grade' coinage versus 'bullion grade' coinage?"
"Do the brokerages who sell gold and silver [coins] report to the federal government the purchases made?" asks Janet S.
And a reader known only as "Dave," questions, "[what's the] best place to buy 'junk' silver? How to receive them in a low profile fashion, so the delivery guy (and neighbors) don't know? And yes, I am paranoid."
1. Numismatically speaking, graded coins sell for higher prices and hold their value better. Junk silver is just that…the worth is based on current silver prices.
2. Depends. Buy large amounts (over $5000) and if you pay in cash, a true brokerage firm does report to the IRS…better off buying under the table from private citizens or dealers. In either case, avoid using a credit card for payment
3. Place ads online or in local papers…offer to buy ‘junk silver’ coins. Coin magazines usually have ads where you can find sources to purchase bag lots of junk silver coins. Visit local coin dealers and antique malls too. An offer to buy in bulk will usually get you a better deal.
>>><<<
Establishing martial law in the United States
Editors Note: In 1996 I wrote a manual on protecting your privacy from ex-spouses, lawyers & government agencies. The situation, as far as Big Brother has grown significantly worse with agencies like RISSNET & others which have developed more power & cooperation. This is an update to a presidential executive order 1st issued in 1976. Almost any excuse today will allow the government to declare martial law & to completely take over EVERY aspect of your life.
From SourceWatch
The John W. Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2006 (PL 109-364), "named for the longtime Armed Services Committee chairman from Virginia," was signed October 17, 2006, by President George W. Bush. The Act "has a provocative provision called 'Use of the Armed Forces in Major Public Emergencies'," the thrust of which "seems to be about giving the federal government a far stronger hand in coordinating responses to [Hurricane] Katrina-like disasters," Jeff Stein, CQ National Security Editor wrote December 1, 2006.
"But on closer inspection, its language also alters the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act, which Congress passed in 1807 to limit the president’s power to deploy troops within the United States ... 'to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy'," Stein wrote.
"But the amended law takes the cuffs off" and "critics say it’s a formula for executive branch mischief," Stein wrote, as "the new language adds 'natural disaster, epidemic, or other serious public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident' to the list of conditions permitting the President to take over local authority — particularly 'if domestic violence has occurred …more at:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Establishing_martial_law_in_the_United_States
This will be the first holiday season that I’ve been home in years and with that in mind, I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! Order from Chaos.
Yours for better living – Bruce “The Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
2000 Mile Trek, Volunteer Opps
The US ranks #6 for credit card balances
Contrary to what’s often reported, the average American does not carry an $8000 credit card balance; it’s closer to $3000; 27% of Americans don’t carry a credit card! The Dutch owe an average of one week’s salary or less to credit cards.
10 Ways Credit Card Companies Are Still Screwing You
According to the Center for Responsible Lending, issuers are using the power they still have for a few months to implement “any time any reason” price changes to raise the interest rates for large groups of customers.
One top issuer recently raised the rate across the board on a very large group of low risk consumers who have always paid on time to an astonishing 30%. Just a year ago, this high a rate was unheard of for a regular purchase rate on a non-subprime credit card.
That's confirmed by a new Federal Reserve study on the CARD Act: 54% of banks have already increased or are planning to increase the credit card APR on their good (prime) customers. 74% of banks have already or will increase APRs on those with poor credit (subprime). For more of the story, go to:
http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-credit-cards-can-still-screw-you-2009-11#theyre-jacking-up-rates-1
eBay Consumer Loyalty Drops in 2009
eBay's consumer loyalty, measured by whether they would recommend
the brand to a friend, has been slowly eroding through all of
2009, according to YouGov's BrandIndex, a daily
consumer-perception research service of brands.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m11/i16/s02
Are Western Governments Going Broke?
Are the Western Welfare States (the U.S., Japan, and EU nations) really going bankrupt? Things were headed that way before the credit crisis began. The Global Financial Crisis may be becoming a sovereign debt crisis and that will worsen an already bad situation.
First, let’s check out the chart below from the 2008 annual budget audit by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. It shows that the U.S. government must roll over $3.4 trillion in debt over the next four years. This $3.4 trillion does not include any additional borrowing that may be required for other government programs (wars, healthcare, wars, school lunches). For the rest of the story, go to:
www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com
>>><<<
I’m curious…how many of you will be mailing holiday cards this year?
I still send out printed cards, though fewer each year. Many families seek out ways to give back during the holidays and the best gift is to volunteer or make other donations (we donated a 14’ foot truck worth of goods and food prior to our move this year to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and other organizations).
>>Buy greeting cards from more than 100 non-profit groups to help fund their causes at:
www.cardsthatgive.org
>>Type in your zip code & interests to find volunteer projects near you at:
www.volunteermatch.org
This n That…
Form a weekly gratitude group. Folks who talk together about what’s right in their lives are happier, healthier and more optimistic and tend to form stronger bonds with each other. Develop the Gratitude Attitude as Zig Ziglar always says!
Ask for free legal advice at this site…lawyers will review & provide feedback:
www.FreeAdvice.com
Finally…during our 2000 mile trek across the country, we made a few observations:
>>Aside from Arizonians, who are among the rudest drivers in the country, everyone else seemed pretty darn nice.
>>Most folks we spoke with ALL seemed very concerned with the direction our government has taken and NOT ONE felt the stimulus package has helped the average guy!
>>Fuel prices rose in just about every state.
>>Super8 Motels, though very nice, have really jacked up their prices and NOW charge for overnight pets (they used to be free).
That’s all for this week – Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Bruce “The Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Contrary to what’s often reported, the average American does not carry an $8000 credit card balance; it’s closer to $3000; 27% of Americans don’t carry a credit card! The Dutch owe an average of one week’s salary or less to credit cards.
10 Ways Credit Card Companies Are Still Screwing You
According to the Center for Responsible Lending, issuers are using the power they still have for a few months to implement “any time any reason” price changes to raise the interest rates for large groups of customers.
One top issuer recently raised the rate across the board on a very large group of low risk consumers who have always paid on time to an astonishing 30%. Just a year ago, this high a rate was unheard of for a regular purchase rate on a non-subprime credit card.
That's confirmed by a new Federal Reserve study on the CARD Act: 54% of banks have already increased or are planning to increase the credit card APR on their good (prime) customers. 74% of banks have already or will increase APRs on those with poor credit (subprime). For more of the story, go to:
http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-credit-cards-can-still-screw-you-2009-11#theyre-jacking-up-rates-1
eBay Consumer Loyalty Drops in 2009
eBay's consumer loyalty, measured by whether they would recommend
the brand to a friend, has been slowly eroding through all of
2009, according to YouGov's BrandIndex, a daily
consumer-perception research service of brands.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m11/i16/s02
Are Western Governments Going Broke?
Are the Western Welfare States (the U.S., Japan, and EU nations) really going bankrupt? Things were headed that way before the credit crisis began. The Global Financial Crisis may be becoming a sovereign debt crisis and that will worsen an already bad situation.
First, let’s check out the chart below from the 2008 annual budget audit by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. It shows that the U.S. government must roll over $3.4 trillion in debt over the next four years. This $3.4 trillion does not include any additional borrowing that may be required for other government programs (wars, healthcare, wars, school lunches). For the rest of the story, go to:
www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com
>>><<<
I’m curious…how many of you will be mailing holiday cards this year?
I still send out printed cards, though fewer each year. Many families seek out ways to give back during the holidays and the best gift is to volunteer or make other donations (we donated a 14’ foot truck worth of goods and food prior to our move this year to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and other organizations).
>>Buy greeting cards from more than 100 non-profit groups to help fund their causes at:
www.cardsthatgive.org
>>Type in your zip code & interests to find volunteer projects near you at:
www.volunteermatch.org
This n That…
Form a weekly gratitude group. Folks who talk together about what’s right in their lives are happier, healthier and more optimistic and tend to form stronger bonds with each other. Develop the Gratitude Attitude as Zig Ziglar always says!
Ask for free legal advice at this site…lawyers will review & provide feedback:
www.FreeAdvice.com
Finally…during our 2000 mile trek across the country, we made a few observations:
>>Aside from Arizonians, who are among the rudest drivers in the country, everyone else seemed pretty darn nice.
>>Most folks we spoke with ALL seemed very concerned with the direction our government has taken and NOT ONE felt the stimulus package has helped the average guy!
>>Fuel prices rose in just about every state.
>>Super8 Motels, though very nice, have really jacked up their prices and NOW charge for overnight pets (they used to be free).
That’s all for this week – Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Bruce “The Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Middle Class Woes, New FTC Rules, 7 At-Home Jobs
FTC Red Flag Rules, 7 At-Home Jobs, Outlook
At the end of 2006, many of my ‘inner circle’ of dealers and eBay sellers scoffed when I told them to get rid of stuff as quickly as possible to avoid the fall in prices and demand. They’re not laughing now.
Many of my dealer friends have left the business entirely or have finally downsized their inventories. The recession is over suggests many recent headlines, but I beg to differ. So long as people aren’t working and the government is spending us into oblivion, the recession is not over with.
No, I don’t have a crystal ball, but one doesn’t need to be a psychic to see what has been happening. Common sense tells us everything, including economics, is cyclical. Long time readers of my columns noted that since 1986 I’ve been highly critical of government and Wall Street policies, which I predicted would lead to some kind of crash.
Right now, I’m telling my circle to invest in some kind of foreign currency as a hedge AND no, I’m not a financial planner either!
>>><<<
7 Unusual Work-From-Home Jobs
Once you had to be a graphic designer, a consultant, or a freelance copywriter if you wanted to ditch your cubicle and make money in your pajamas. But advances in technology have brought work-from-home jobs to nearly every business sector.
If you're ready to trade your morning car-commute for a quick stroll over to your home computer, consider these unusual work-from-home possibilities:
* Concierge -- Ask for restaurant recommendations
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-7_unusual_work_from_home_jobs-1004
>>><<<
Stay Away from so-called mortgage rescue firms. Neighbor Works America (www.nw.org) has teamed up with other non-profits to warn homeowners against scam artists. Here are a couple of legitimate resources you can use:
· Homeownership Preservation Foundation-HOPE at 1-888-995-4673 or www.hopenow.com
· Find HUD approved groups which offer free foreclosure assistance at: www.findaforeclosurecounselor.og
· File complaints against scammers by contacting your Attorney Generals office (see our site for links to all 50 states) or call the FTC at: 1-877-382-4357
The Dollar's Worst Market, Ever.
We've had bear markets in the dollar before, but none as wicked as the current one. The dollar has now lost more than 40% of its value since 2001 — and is likely to lose as much as another 50%, before it's ultimately replaced as the world's reserve currency. You might wish to consider stashing some cash into a foreign currency such as the Canadian dollar as a hedge.
Steps you should be taking NOW ...
From an environmental and social perspective, naturally, you should become acutely aware of the problems Mother Earth faces in the years ahead. That means being more respectful to the environment, more conserving and recycling what you can.
Each of us has to do our part. Not only to help Mother Earth, but to help those less fortunate than us and in desperate need of resources we take for granted.
We have reached peak oil and it’s showing itself again with higher prices; already starting before Thanksgiving. Since being forewarned by the Arab Oil Embargo of 1974, our government has never initiated any kind of viable energy policy AND lip service doesn’t solve anything.
The end of the middle class in the USA?
“[Those in the] middle class suddenly discover that they are overqualified for the jobs they can find and have to settle for anything they can obtain, therefore unemployment sky rockets: too much to offer, too little demand. You see they prepare, study for a job they are not going to get. You kids, you are studying Architecture because you simply wish to do so. Only 3 or 4 percent of you will actually find a job related to architecture.”
We all sat there, letting it all sink in. After a few months, it all proved to be true. Even the amount of students that dropped out of college increased to at least 50%. They either [saw] no point in studying something that would not make much of a difference in their future salaries, had no money to keep themselves in college, or simply had to drop college to work and support their families.
Fernando Aguirre, who posts on Internet forums and his blog as FerFAL, has written voluminously about his experiences as an Argentine citizen during and after the economic cataclysm that wracked his country in 2001.
This reads like a premonition.
The USA’s middle-class includes lots of people whose careers rest on higher education and specialized certification. While plumbers, electricians, factory employees and truck drivers typically are among the middle-class, most of those populating suburbia are accountants, middle managers, sales people, financial consultants, teachers, nurses, writers, etc. In other words, as manufacturing and now building activity contract, more of the middle class is made up of the college-educated in white-collar careers.
Across the economy, the need to cut employment costs (not just payroll, but payroll taxes and benefits) is resulting in mass layoffs of sales people and white-collar office staff. When one considers how much work can be replaced now by accounting software, electronic sales presentations, flatter organizational structures, and “news persons” filing reports for free on the Internet via blogs, it is obvious that vast numbers of middle-class Americans teeter on the precipice of unemployability, not just unemployment.
Is the economic tide sinking middle America?
Are you complying with the Red Flags Rule?
The Red Flags Rule requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs – or "red flags" – of identity theft in their day-to-day operations. Are you covered by the Red Flags Rule? Read Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: A How-To Guide for Business to:
· Find out if the rule applies to your business or organization;
· Get practical tips on spotting the red flags of identity theft, taking steps to prevent the crime, and mitigating the damage it inflicts; and
· Learn how to put in place your written Identity Theft Prevention Program.
By identifying red flags in advance, you'll be better equipped to spot suspicious patterns when they arise and take steps to prevent a red flag from escalating into a costly episode of identity theft. Take advantage of other resources on this site to educate your employees and colleagues about complying with the Red Flags Rule.
http://www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule
Why We’re Moving to MI
Right now, Detroit is as close as any city in America to becoming a food desert, not just another metropolis like Chicago, Philadelphia, or Cleveland with a bunch of small- and medium-sized food deserts scattered about, but nearly a full-scale, citywide food desert. (A food desert is defined by those who study them as a locality from which healthy food is more than twice as far away as unhealthy food, or where the distance to a bag of potato chips is half the distance to a head of lettuce.)
About 80 percent of the residents of Detroit buy their food at the one thousand convenience stores, party stores, liquor stores, and gas stations in the city. There is such a dire shortage of protein in the city that Glemie Dean Beasley, a seventy-year-old retired truck driver, is able to augment his Social Security by selling raccoon carcasses (twelve dollars a piece, serves a family of four) from animals he has treed and shot at undisclosed hunting grounds around the city. Pelts are ten dollars each. Pheasants are also abundant in the city and are occasionally harvested for dinner.
One of our long-term goals is to acquire a 5-10 acre farm that we can make into a self- sufficient teaching farm!
This is a short one for the week as we’re hoping to depart the desert Saturday, take our time driving and reach MI by Tuesday. Enjoy and feel free to email us as we’ll be checking in during the evening via a wireless connection.
Yours for better living – Bruce ‘The Poor Man’
http://www.poormansurvival.com
At the end of 2006, many of my ‘inner circle’ of dealers and eBay sellers scoffed when I told them to get rid of stuff as quickly as possible to avoid the fall in prices and demand. They’re not laughing now.
Many of my dealer friends have left the business entirely or have finally downsized their inventories. The recession is over suggests many recent headlines, but I beg to differ. So long as people aren’t working and the government is spending us into oblivion, the recession is not over with.
No, I don’t have a crystal ball, but one doesn’t need to be a psychic to see what has been happening. Common sense tells us everything, including economics, is cyclical. Long time readers of my columns noted that since 1986 I’ve been highly critical of government and Wall Street policies, which I predicted would lead to some kind of crash.
Right now, I’m telling my circle to invest in some kind of foreign currency as a hedge AND no, I’m not a financial planner either!
>>><<<
7 Unusual Work-From-Home Jobs
Once you had to be a graphic designer, a consultant, or a freelance copywriter if you wanted to ditch your cubicle and make money in your pajamas. But advances in technology have brought work-from-home jobs to nearly every business sector.
If you're ready to trade your morning car-commute for a quick stroll over to your home computer, consider these unusual work-from-home possibilities:
* Concierge -- Ask for restaurant recommendations
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-7_unusual_work_from_home_jobs-1004
>>><<<
Stay Away from so-called mortgage rescue firms. Neighbor Works America (www.nw.org) has teamed up with other non-profits to warn homeowners against scam artists. Here are a couple of legitimate resources you can use:
· Homeownership Preservation Foundation-HOPE at 1-888-995-4673 or www.hopenow.com
· Find HUD approved groups which offer free foreclosure assistance at: www.findaforeclosurecounselor.og
· File complaints against scammers by contacting your Attorney Generals office (see our site for links to all 50 states) or call the FTC at: 1-877-382-4357
The Dollar's Worst Market, Ever.
We've had bear markets in the dollar before, but none as wicked as the current one. The dollar has now lost more than 40% of its value since 2001 — and is likely to lose as much as another 50%, before it's ultimately replaced as the world's reserve currency. You might wish to consider stashing some cash into a foreign currency such as the Canadian dollar as a hedge.
Steps you should be taking NOW ...
From an environmental and social perspective, naturally, you should become acutely aware of the problems Mother Earth faces in the years ahead. That means being more respectful to the environment, more conserving and recycling what you can.
Each of us has to do our part. Not only to help Mother Earth, but to help those less fortunate than us and in desperate need of resources we take for granted.
We have reached peak oil and it’s showing itself again with higher prices; already starting before Thanksgiving. Since being forewarned by the Arab Oil Embargo of 1974, our government has never initiated any kind of viable energy policy AND lip service doesn’t solve anything.
The end of the middle class in the USA?
“[Those in the] middle class suddenly discover that they are overqualified for the jobs they can find and have to settle for anything they can obtain, therefore unemployment sky rockets: too much to offer, too little demand. You see they prepare, study for a job they are not going to get. You kids, you are studying Architecture because you simply wish to do so. Only 3 or 4 percent of you will actually find a job related to architecture.”
We all sat there, letting it all sink in. After a few months, it all proved to be true. Even the amount of students that dropped out of college increased to at least 50%. They either [saw] no point in studying something that would not make much of a difference in their future salaries, had no money to keep themselves in college, or simply had to drop college to work and support their families.
Fernando Aguirre, who posts on Internet forums and his blog as FerFAL, has written voluminously about his experiences as an Argentine citizen during and after the economic cataclysm that wracked his country in 2001.
This reads like a premonition.
The USA’s middle-class includes lots of people whose careers rest on higher education and specialized certification. While plumbers, electricians, factory employees and truck drivers typically are among the middle-class, most of those populating suburbia are accountants, middle managers, sales people, financial consultants, teachers, nurses, writers, etc. In other words, as manufacturing and now building activity contract, more of the middle class is made up of the college-educated in white-collar careers.
Across the economy, the need to cut employment costs (not just payroll, but payroll taxes and benefits) is resulting in mass layoffs of sales people and white-collar office staff. When one considers how much work can be replaced now by accounting software, electronic sales presentations, flatter organizational structures, and “news persons” filing reports for free on the Internet via blogs, it is obvious that vast numbers of middle-class Americans teeter on the precipice of unemployability, not just unemployment.
Is the economic tide sinking middle America?
Are you complying with the Red Flags Rule?
The Red Flags Rule requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs – or "red flags" – of identity theft in their day-to-day operations. Are you covered by the Red Flags Rule? Read Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: A How-To Guide for Business to:
· Find out if the rule applies to your business or organization;
· Get practical tips on spotting the red flags of identity theft, taking steps to prevent the crime, and mitigating the damage it inflicts; and
· Learn how to put in place your written Identity Theft Prevention Program.
By identifying red flags in advance, you'll be better equipped to spot suspicious patterns when they arise and take steps to prevent a red flag from escalating into a costly episode of identity theft. Take advantage of other resources on this site to educate your employees and colleagues about complying with the Red Flags Rule.
http://www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule
Why We’re Moving to MI
Right now, Detroit is as close as any city in America to becoming a food desert, not just another metropolis like Chicago, Philadelphia, or Cleveland with a bunch of small- and medium-sized food deserts scattered about, but nearly a full-scale, citywide food desert. (A food desert is defined by those who study them as a locality from which healthy food is more than twice as far away as unhealthy food, or where the distance to a bag of potato chips is half the distance to a head of lettuce.)
About 80 percent of the residents of Detroit buy their food at the one thousand convenience stores, party stores, liquor stores, and gas stations in the city. There is such a dire shortage of protein in the city that Glemie Dean Beasley, a seventy-year-old retired truck driver, is able to augment his Social Security by selling raccoon carcasses (twelve dollars a piece, serves a family of four) from animals he has treed and shot at undisclosed hunting grounds around the city. Pelts are ten dollars each. Pheasants are also abundant in the city and are occasionally harvested for dinner.
One of our long-term goals is to acquire a 5-10 acre farm that we can make into a self- sufficient teaching farm!
This is a short one for the week as we’re hoping to depart the desert Saturday, take our time driving and reach MI by Tuesday. Enjoy and feel free to email us as we’ll be checking in during the evening via a wireless connection.
Yours for better living – Bruce ‘The Poor Man’
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Friday, October 30, 2009
Art of Minimizing, Spy in the Interview, Reader Input
Ronald Reagan said it best when he stated:
"Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives."
Our growing intolerance, in the name of tolerance…
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed. Guess Home Depot won’t be accepting US currency due to its bearing the word GOD on it?
As I write in my Regaining Personal Freedom report, there is a lot of stupidity and intolerance (usually in the name of tolerance) growth in this country – anyone got a spare country I can buy?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_god_button_home_depot
One of our interesting subscribers, Steve Gillman, maintains several useful websites you might find interesting…
Wanted to let you know about a new website I have created. It is all about money, but more about the meaning and purpose than about how to make it - although it covers that and how to save it or invest it as well. If this is of any interest, you can go check it out and sign up for the free Money Matters newsletter on the homepage here: http://www.themeaningofmoney.com
“Much of what government does is based on the premise that people can't do things for themselves. So government must do it for them. More often than not, the result is a ham-handed, bumbling, one-size-fits-all approach that leaves the intended beneficiaries worse off. Of course, this resulting failure is never blamed on the political approach -- on the contrary, failure is taken to mean the government solution was not extravagant enough." --columnist John Stossel
From our readers (intriguing thoughts to share)
“A challenge…show me a government bureaucracy whose primary goal has not become its own continued existence. Show me a government-run program that is economical and efficient. Show me a government solution that is simple and directly corrects a problem without creating a new set of problems. Think about it.” –Kathleen R.
“Homer Simpson, Bart’s dad, once toasted, ‘Here’s to alcohol-the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.’
I think Homer got it wrong; it’s trial lawyers. They are the elephant in the room when it comes to defensive medicine and the ever-rising cost of other types of insurance. We all know it. They are certainly the preferred solution for Pres. Obama, and the ACLU, and the entire Democratic Party. As a society, we’re addicted to them. Alcohol, move over.” –Tres W.
Feel free to send your thoughts to us at: bedavid@yahoo.com
It puzzles me how a state-sponsored economy can fuel the stock market. What happens when the stimulus funds come to a halt? Who will prop up the economy then? During the Great Depression, a small number of bankers did just that and the rally lasted one weekend…before everything crashed!
>>><<<
The Spy in the waiting in the job interview room
Here are a few ‘interview’ techniques you should be aware of when seeking that next job.
· You may be interviewed before you walk in the door. It’s not unusual for employers to have someone glance at the inside of your car to see how dirty it is. Clean your car before the interview or they may think your untidiness is an indication of you might perform on the job.
· Some interviewers purposely keep folks waiting in the lobby for up to an hour in order too see how you react to stressful situations. Earn points by reading quietly and stay off the cell phone.
· Seal the deal when an interviewer asks if you have anymore questions by asking ‘what’s the first problem I could tackle for you?’
· Learn about the company and focus on their needs…ask the interviewer to describe the perfect candidate for you.
· Do not lie on your resume. If you have gaps, explain them as simply as possible
FINALLY-Get rid of juvenile social networking stuff… hiring managers have a cadre of maneuvers. Many are now using social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to dig up dirt. Others are calling references you never OK'd. Still others are grilling past employers on your reference list in the hopes of getting them to slip. Some firms are also asking job candidates to sign waivers promising not to sue a former boss if he or she says bad things about you.
>>><<<
Inflation to return?
Massive federal stimulation dollars created a situation where the US dollar became less valuable as seen on the world market. If you collect Social Security, for instance, you didn’t see a COLA increase this year-first time in 30-years. Inflationary pressures seem to have diminished. The Consumer Price Index shows a more modest deflation set in over the past 12 months.
Most Americans today haven’t lived through net deflation; but it could happen this year or early next year. The fed is pumping a ton of money into the system, inflation hasn’t happened because most banks aren’t lending money. Instead, they are sitting on those funds, collecting interest from the Federal Reserve (a great income on essentially free money). Therefore, there is no growth. All of this could easily lead to a rise of inflationary pressure in the coming year according to most economists.
Winners and losers for whichever scenario takes place…homeowners and other current debtors, for example, are helped by inflation in that they pay off loans with cheaper dollars. Future borrowers could be hurt by rising inflation because it will likely lead to higher interest rates.
Gold, everyone’s investment darling right now, could go either way…as the fed pumps more fiat money into the system, gold will likely increase in price for the near term… 80 experts see $2,200/oz. average gold price ahead according to David Bradshaw, Editor - Real Money Perspectives…Basic economics with many variables – a crapshoot, if you will. This has been your two-minute economic lesson!
>>><<<
Today, the U.S. Dollar is falling in value like a lead balloon.
That means importers around the world can buy U.S. products for less that ever before.
The opportunities are growing exponentially everyday.
Get into today's HOTTEST business ... right now.
http://www.businesslyceum.com/exporting.html
>>><<<
If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care, and so on. The only thing lacking ... is freedom." -- U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)
The Art of Minimizing
We co-founded the not-for-profit Minimalist Group in 1999 with the goal of minimizing dependence on government while maximizing self-reliance skills. At one point, due to the Y2K fear, we had members throughout the world. Once that fear faded, so did the majority of our membership (it lives on however-see minimalistgroup.org for more).
The group still donates to a wide range of other non-profit groups and our current cross-country move reminds me of our need to minimize. Since giving up my publishing business, I’ve made my primary living as a book dealer and it hurt to give up the majority of the 10,000 books I had in my collection. Donations of thousands of books were made to area libraries, prison libraries and other non-profit groups. Still, our move included 6,000 lbs of books from my personal collection.
I’m repeating that cycle again. This week we donated more than 1,000 books (hardbacks) to area charities. The Salvation Army, my favorite charity (I once served as a volunteer board member & even rang the bell during the holidays) is coming by with a truck this week to pick up a dozen bookshelves and other items.
The lesson I’ve learned over the years is twofold. One, most material goods, if truly needed, can be replaced. Second, the more you give the more you receive.
"Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives."
Our growing intolerance, in the name of tolerance…
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed. Guess Home Depot won’t be accepting US currency due to its bearing the word GOD on it?
As I write in my Regaining Personal Freedom report, there is a lot of stupidity and intolerance (usually in the name of tolerance) growth in this country – anyone got a spare country I can buy?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_god_button_home_depot
One of our interesting subscribers, Steve Gillman, maintains several useful websites you might find interesting…
Wanted to let you know about a new website I have created. It is all about money, but more about the meaning and purpose than about how to make it - although it covers that and how to save it or invest it as well. If this is of any interest, you can go check it out and sign up for the free Money Matters newsletter on the homepage here: http://www.themeaningofmoney.com
“Much of what government does is based on the premise that people can't do things for themselves. So government must do it for them. More often than not, the result is a ham-handed, bumbling, one-size-fits-all approach that leaves the intended beneficiaries worse off. Of course, this resulting failure is never blamed on the political approach -- on the contrary, failure is taken to mean the government solution was not extravagant enough." --columnist John Stossel
From our readers (intriguing thoughts to share)
“A challenge…show me a government bureaucracy whose primary goal has not become its own continued existence. Show me a government-run program that is economical and efficient. Show me a government solution that is simple and directly corrects a problem without creating a new set of problems. Think about it.” –Kathleen R.
“Homer Simpson, Bart’s dad, once toasted, ‘Here’s to alcohol-the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.’
I think Homer got it wrong; it’s trial lawyers. They are the elephant in the room when it comes to defensive medicine and the ever-rising cost of other types of insurance. We all know it. They are certainly the preferred solution for Pres. Obama, and the ACLU, and the entire Democratic Party. As a society, we’re addicted to them. Alcohol, move over.” –Tres W.
Feel free to send your thoughts to us at: bedavid@yahoo.com
It puzzles me how a state-sponsored economy can fuel the stock market. What happens when the stimulus funds come to a halt? Who will prop up the economy then? During the Great Depression, a small number of bankers did just that and the rally lasted one weekend…before everything crashed!
>>><<<
The Spy in the waiting in the job interview room
Here are a few ‘interview’ techniques you should be aware of when seeking that next job.
· You may be interviewed before you walk in the door. It’s not unusual for employers to have someone glance at the inside of your car to see how dirty it is. Clean your car before the interview or they may think your untidiness is an indication of you might perform on the job.
· Some interviewers purposely keep folks waiting in the lobby for up to an hour in order too see how you react to stressful situations. Earn points by reading quietly and stay off the cell phone.
· Seal the deal when an interviewer asks if you have anymore questions by asking ‘what’s the first problem I could tackle for you?’
· Learn about the company and focus on their needs…ask the interviewer to describe the perfect candidate for you.
· Do not lie on your resume. If you have gaps, explain them as simply as possible
FINALLY-Get rid of juvenile social networking stuff… hiring managers have a cadre of maneuvers. Many are now using social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to dig up dirt. Others are calling references you never OK'd. Still others are grilling past employers on your reference list in the hopes of getting them to slip. Some firms are also asking job candidates to sign waivers promising not to sue a former boss if he or she says bad things about you.
>>><<<
Inflation to return?
Massive federal stimulation dollars created a situation where the US dollar became less valuable as seen on the world market. If you collect Social Security, for instance, you didn’t see a COLA increase this year-first time in 30-years. Inflationary pressures seem to have diminished. The Consumer Price Index shows a more modest deflation set in over the past 12 months.
Most Americans today haven’t lived through net deflation; but it could happen this year or early next year. The fed is pumping a ton of money into the system, inflation hasn’t happened because most banks aren’t lending money. Instead, they are sitting on those funds, collecting interest from the Federal Reserve (a great income on essentially free money). Therefore, there is no growth. All of this could easily lead to a rise of inflationary pressure in the coming year according to most economists.
Winners and losers for whichever scenario takes place…homeowners and other current debtors, for example, are helped by inflation in that they pay off loans with cheaper dollars. Future borrowers could be hurt by rising inflation because it will likely lead to higher interest rates.
Gold, everyone’s investment darling right now, could go either way…as the fed pumps more fiat money into the system, gold will likely increase in price for the near term… 80 experts see $2,200/oz. average gold price ahead according to David Bradshaw, Editor - Real Money Perspectives…Basic economics with many variables – a crapshoot, if you will. This has been your two-minute economic lesson!
>>><<<
Today, the U.S. Dollar is falling in value like a lead balloon.
That means importers around the world can buy U.S. products for less that ever before.
The opportunities are growing exponentially everyday.
Get into today's HOTTEST business ... right now.
http://www.businesslyceum.com/exporting.html
>>><<<
If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care, and so on. The only thing lacking ... is freedom." -- U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)
The Art of Minimizing
We co-founded the not-for-profit Minimalist Group in 1999 with the goal of minimizing dependence on government while maximizing self-reliance skills. At one point, due to the Y2K fear, we had members throughout the world. Once that fear faded, so did the majority of our membership (it lives on however-see minimalistgroup.org for more).
The group still donates to a wide range of other non-profit groups and our current cross-country move reminds me of our need to minimize. Since giving up my publishing business, I’ve made my primary living as a book dealer and it hurt to give up the majority of the 10,000 books I had in my collection. Donations of thousands of books were made to area libraries, prison libraries and other non-profit groups. Still, our move included 6,000 lbs of books from my personal collection.
I’m repeating that cycle again. This week we donated more than 1,000 books (hardbacks) to area charities. The Salvation Army, my favorite charity (I once served as a volunteer board member & even rang the bell during the holidays) is coming by with a truck this week to pick up a dozen bookshelves and other items.
The lesson I’ve learned over the years is twofold. One, most material goods, if truly needed, can be replaced. Second, the more you give the more you receive.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Become an Expatriate, New Resources, Etc.
"'He who goes a-borrowing, goes a-sorrowing'...quote from Ben Franklin.
Order from chaos…of which there is plenty!
· Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama chastised Wall Street firms on Tuesday for resisting tighter regulations of their industry and said they had not done enough to boost lending to small businesses…so why hasn’t he pumped up the small business administration to take the lead? Typical government lack of help to the small guy!
Recession Creates New Holiday Shopping Trends
PriceGrabber.com's annual Holiday Forecast Consumer Behavior
Report reveals that 53 percent of consumers polled are taking
coworkers off of their gift lists, and 36 percent anticipate
holiday spending of between $100 and $499.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m10/i20/s04
Donate your old cell phone and make a difference!
Verizon Wireless collects phones to aid victims of domestic abuse via:
www.Aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/hopeline.html
Send outdated phones to Secure the Call which converts phones to 9-11 only devices for needy families. www.SecuretheCall.org
Keep your children safe from scammers
Many of us order an annual credit report to check for errors. Now, you should order one for your children too as scammers can use their Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts. Go to: www.annualcreditreport.com
Cut your heating bill this winter by an average of 10%Hard to imagine that I’ll be living in a cold climate again (see below) but here are a few tips for cutting that bill.
--turn on your ceiling fan. Turn the rotor so blades run upward…hot air rises so this will circulate the heat down the walls.
--Seal the leaks in your home. Pay particular attention to windows and doors.
--Vacuum heating vents or heaters every few weeks – could save as much as $20 a month!
Fiat Currency: Using the Past to See into the FutureFiat Money -Toilet Paper Money
The history of fiat money, to put it kindly, has been one of failure. In fact, EVERY fiat currency since the Romans first began the practice in the first century has ended in devaluation and eventual collapse, of not only the currency, but of the economy that housed the fiat currency as well. Get the rest of the story: http://dailyreckoning.com/fiat-currency/
>>><<<
Government Officials Inclined To Cut Popular Programs First
In Attempt to Build Support for Tax Increases
It isn't on the national radar screen quite yet, but state and local government budgets across the country are falling apart after expanding to lofty levels during the recent "salad years" of sky-high tax revenues.
With meaningful cutbacks blocked by government union bosses and other political parasites, public-sector budgets are getting squeezed in the wake of failed businesses, job losses, and collapsing tax revenues.
But rather than cut useless bureaucrats and extravagant pensions, you may have noticed that government officials are more inclined in many states to punish the public with basic service cuts the populace really likes – hoping that doing so will lead to more political support for higher taxes. It’s happening here in AZ and in MI and other states. That means jails are emptied, criminal sentences shortened, police patrols pared back, parks closed, after-school programs axed, and corners cut on basic government services.
Even the pro-Obama Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute now admits state government tax revenues are sinking fast and are the worst seen in at least five decades, when such statistics first started being compiled. This is one of the biggest under-reported stories ever.
It is no wonder the October 20 edition of Wall Street Journal notes that one of the few private businesses with enough strength to "go public" recently is a gun maker enjoying a surge in buyers concerned about self-defense.
The Ultimate Estate Plan: How You Can Escape Taxes (and Possibly Tyranny) Forever
October 23, 2009 by Robert E. Bauman J.D.
Americans find it difficult, in a nation with constitutionally guaranteed civil rights, to imagine that our freedoms could one day be taken away by government.
Yet in my lifetime, and that of many others now living, that is what we witnessed in Germany, Poland and the occupied territories during World War II. There was at first a gradual, and then the total, erasure of civil and economic rights. By war’s end in 1945, millions had died. But millions more, those lucky enough to survive, were displaced refugees who lost everything—property, homes and family.
Yet, when this turmoil began in the 1930s, there were those who were smart enough to realize early on what was happening. These people planned accordingly and escaped with their lives and their fortunes. They got out before asset confiscation, currency controls and financial restrictions were clamped down in their home country.
I don’t mean to belittle the heroic sacrifices of those who lived and died in that era. Nor do I want to overstate the seriousness of the current situation in the U.S. But I believe sovereign individuals have to accept the fact that our rights and liberties now are under attack by our own government. Equally alarming is the perilous economic state of not only our government, but our country as well.
Why You Need a Plan in Place
Consider the facts: Between financial rescue missions and the economic stimulus program, government spending accounts for a bigger share of the nation’s economy—26 percent—than at any time since World War II. Facing a $2 trillion deficit in 2009, a $12 trillion national debt and a declining dollar, the president calls for more and bigger programs for healthcare and just about everything else.
Higher taxes, inflation and economic collapse seem all but inevitable.
Given this dangerous state of affairs, common sense dictates that you should have an escape plan in place for your family and your assets. If the worst comes to pass, you will be ready.
While it may seem like an extreme step, expatriation—the process of giving up one’s citizenship—might not just save your wealth. It may save your life.
And the process, while dramatic, is relatively straightforward.
Every year about 250,000 U.S. citizens and resident aliens leave America to make a new home in some other country. More than 5 million Americans now live abroad. Only a tiny fraction of these people give up their U.S. citizenship, and of those, most do so for non-tax reasons.
Step #1: Find a New Place to Call Home
One of the first steps toward expatriation and escaping U.S. taxation is finding a new home country that best suits you and your personal tastes.
If you have a genuine interest in living offshore it’s best to take a “test drive” of at least several months by living in your chosen country before you make a final decision. Be sure to pick a country with a “territorial tax system” that does not tax offshore income—only income earned—within the country.
Most countries will welcome you as residents, but on their own terms. Some countries, such as Switzerland and Austria, prefer wealthy entrepreneurs willing to invest and create jobs in exchange for special tax and residency deals.
Other countries, notably Panama, Uruguay and Belize, take a different approach. They have special laws to attract foreign retirees of more modest means to take up residence. They welcome you, not just with a lower cost of living, by also with real estate and import tax exemptions, discounts on many goods and services, tax-free offshore income, and quick approval of resident applications.
While these so-called “pensionado” programs in Panama and Belize require minimal guaranteed annual income from established pensions, neither program leads to eventual citizenship. However, many of their immigration programs do. Uruguay’s retiree program does grant eventual citizenship.
Step #2: Secure a Second Citizenship
A second major step on the road to expatriation is acquiring a second citizenship. Simply put, this means that you are legally a citizen of two countries at the same time, qualified as such under each nation’s law. The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed Americans’ right to hold dual nationality, although some countries do not permit it.
Millions of American citizens potentially qualify for various reasons—ethnic heritage, religion, country of birth or where their spouse was born. While it’s impossible to know exactly how many Americans have acquired another passport, experts put the number of U.S. citizens who either have, or are entitled to have a second passport at more than 40 million.
Based on your ancestry (parents, grandparents), several countries encourage foreigners to apply for citizenship. The most notable are Ireland, Italy, Poland, and with some qualifications, the United Kingdom, Spain and Israel.
If you don’t qualify for a citizenship thanks to your bloodlines, economic citizenships are available. If you want a fast second passport, two countries, St. Kitts & Nevis and Dominica, sell quick “economic citizenship” but at very high prices. However, both programs are perfectly legitimate.
It’s also important to note that dual citizenship might result automatically for some people. This can occur, for example, when a child is born in a foreign country or if a U.S. citizen acquires foreign citizenship through marriage to a person from another nation. Often these types of automatic options are overlooked, so check to see if you qualify.
Keep in mind that you can’t end your U.S. citizenship without having a valid second passport. You cannot be a proverbial “man without a country.”
The final step to freedom is to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate and hand in your U.S. passport. You will also need to sign an official document stating that you are renouncing your rights to U.S. citizenship.
Ultimate Estate Plan
Expatriation is indeed “the ultimate estate plan” in the very real sense that it gives you the legal right to stop paying U.S. taxes forever. However, it is a major step that will separate you from family and friends and treat you as a foreigner when you travel to the U.S.
Expatriation works best for those who have substantial liquid assets that can be transferred to the low tax country of choice. This process requires professional assistance for coordination of assets planning, assessing tax consequences and acquiring a second nationality.
A drastic plan? You bet. But for the person who wants a permanent and legal way to stop paying U.S. taxes, expatriation is the only option—and it could be a lifesaver in a crisis.
For information on offshore residence and dual citizenship, see my new 7th edition of The Passport Book. It covers some of the best offshore jurisdictions for whatever needs you have.
http://www.escapeartist.com/Sovereign_Society/Avoidance.html
A quick note on the passing of Soupy Sales…
As a kid I was on the Soupy Sales show (and Milky the Clown & others) and he was a lot of fun. All of us got paid at the end of the show by dipping our hands into a bowl filled with silver dollars. We could keep whatever we were able to grab – which wasn’t much. Those silver dollars are worth quite a bit now!
Due to the passing of my father, we’ll be moving back to MI in the coming weeks…so there may be a delay in postings. Once in MI, we’ll be working on our free How to Live Better on Less programs, which will probably begin in late Jan or Feb. Once final details have been worked out, dates and locations will be posted on our website.
Happy Halloween!
Bruce “the Poor Man” Wachter der Freiheit-thanks to those who have downloaded our free report on Restoring Personal Freedom which is still available & you’ll find the link at our site.
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Order from Chaos
Order from chaos…of which there is plenty!
· Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama chastised Wall Street firms on Tuesday for resisting tighter regulations of their industry and said they had not done enough to boost lending to small businesses…so why hasn’t he pumped up the small business administration to take the lead? Typical government lack of help to the small guy!
Recession Creates New Holiday Shopping Trends
PriceGrabber.com's annual Holiday Forecast Consumer Behavior
Report reveals that 53 percent of consumers polled are taking
coworkers off of their gift lists, and 36 percent anticipate
holiday spending of between $100 and $499.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m10/i20/s04
Donate your old cell phone and make a difference!
Verizon Wireless collects phones to aid victims of domestic abuse via:
www.Aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/hopeline.html
Send outdated phones to Secure the Call which converts phones to 9-11 only devices for needy families. www.SecuretheCall.org
Keep your children safe from scammers
Many of us order an annual credit report to check for errors. Now, you should order one for your children too as scammers can use their Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts. Go to: www.annualcreditreport.com
Cut your heating bill this winter by an average of 10%Hard to imagine that I’ll be living in a cold climate again (see below) but here are a few tips for cutting that bill.
--turn on your ceiling fan. Turn the rotor so blades run upward…hot air rises so this will circulate the heat down the walls.
--Seal the leaks in your home. Pay particular attention to windows and doors.
--Vacuum heating vents or heaters every few weeks – could save as much as $20 a month!
Fiat Currency: Using the Past to See into the FutureFiat Money -Toilet Paper Money
The history of fiat money, to put it kindly, has been one of failure. In fact, EVERY fiat currency since the Romans first began the practice in the first century has ended in devaluation and eventual collapse, of not only the currency, but of the economy that housed the fiat currency as well. Get the rest of the story: http://dailyreckoning.com/fiat-currency/
>>><<<
Government Officials Inclined To Cut Popular Programs First
In Attempt to Build Support for Tax Increases
It isn't on the national radar screen quite yet, but state and local government budgets across the country are falling apart after expanding to lofty levels during the recent "salad years" of sky-high tax revenues.
With meaningful cutbacks blocked by government union bosses and other political parasites, public-sector budgets are getting squeezed in the wake of failed businesses, job losses, and collapsing tax revenues.
But rather than cut useless bureaucrats and extravagant pensions, you may have noticed that government officials are more inclined in many states to punish the public with basic service cuts the populace really likes – hoping that doing so will lead to more political support for higher taxes. It’s happening here in AZ and in MI and other states. That means jails are emptied, criminal sentences shortened, police patrols pared back, parks closed, after-school programs axed, and corners cut on basic government services.
Even the pro-Obama Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute now admits state government tax revenues are sinking fast and are the worst seen in at least five decades, when such statistics first started being compiled. This is one of the biggest under-reported stories ever.
It is no wonder the October 20 edition of Wall Street Journal notes that one of the few private businesses with enough strength to "go public" recently is a gun maker enjoying a surge in buyers concerned about self-defense.
The Ultimate Estate Plan: How You Can Escape Taxes (and Possibly Tyranny) Forever
October 23, 2009 by Robert E. Bauman J.D.
Americans find it difficult, in a nation with constitutionally guaranteed civil rights, to imagine that our freedoms could one day be taken away by government.
Yet in my lifetime, and that of many others now living, that is what we witnessed in Germany, Poland and the occupied territories during World War II. There was at first a gradual, and then the total, erasure of civil and economic rights. By war’s end in 1945, millions had died. But millions more, those lucky enough to survive, were displaced refugees who lost everything—property, homes and family.
Yet, when this turmoil began in the 1930s, there were those who were smart enough to realize early on what was happening. These people planned accordingly and escaped with their lives and their fortunes. They got out before asset confiscation, currency controls and financial restrictions were clamped down in their home country.
I don’t mean to belittle the heroic sacrifices of those who lived and died in that era. Nor do I want to overstate the seriousness of the current situation in the U.S. But I believe sovereign individuals have to accept the fact that our rights and liberties now are under attack by our own government. Equally alarming is the perilous economic state of not only our government, but our country as well.
Why You Need a Plan in Place
Consider the facts: Between financial rescue missions and the economic stimulus program, government spending accounts for a bigger share of the nation’s economy—26 percent—than at any time since World War II. Facing a $2 trillion deficit in 2009, a $12 trillion national debt and a declining dollar, the president calls for more and bigger programs for healthcare and just about everything else.
Higher taxes, inflation and economic collapse seem all but inevitable.
Given this dangerous state of affairs, common sense dictates that you should have an escape plan in place for your family and your assets. If the worst comes to pass, you will be ready.
While it may seem like an extreme step, expatriation—the process of giving up one’s citizenship—might not just save your wealth. It may save your life.
And the process, while dramatic, is relatively straightforward.
Every year about 250,000 U.S. citizens and resident aliens leave America to make a new home in some other country. More than 5 million Americans now live abroad. Only a tiny fraction of these people give up their U.S. citizenship, and of those, most do so for non-tax reasons.
Step #1: Find a New Place to Call Home
One of the first steps toward expatriation and escaping U.S. taxation is finding a new home country that best suits you and your personal tastes.
If you have a genuine interest in living offshore it’s best to take a “test drive” of at least several months by living in your chosen country before you make a final decision. Be sure to pick a country with a “territorial tax system” that does not tax offshore income—only income earned—within the country.
Most countries will welcome you as residents, but on their own terms. Some countries, such as Switzerland and Austria, prefer wealthy entrepreneurs willing to invest and create jobs in exchange for special tax and residency deals.
Other countries, notably Panama, Uruguay and Belize, take a different approach. They have special laws to attract foreign retirees of more modest means to take up residence. They welcome you, not just with a lower cost of living, by also with real estate and import tax exemptions, discounts on many goods and services, tax-free offshore income, and quick approval of resident applications.
While these so-called “pensionado” programs in Panama and Belize require minimal guaranteed annual income from established pensions, neither program leads to eventual citizenship. However, many of their immigration programs do. Uruguay’s retiree program does grant eventual citizenship.
Step #2: Secure a Second Citizenship
A second major step on the road to expatriation is acquiring a second citizenship. Simply put, this means that you are legally a citizen of two countries at the same time, qualified as such under each nation’s law. The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed Americans’ right to hold dual nationality, although some countries do not permit it.
Millions of American citizens potentially qualify for various reasons—ethnic heritage, religion, country of birth or where their spouse was born. While it’s impossible to know exactly how many Americans have acquired another passport, experts put the number of U.S. citizens who either have, or are entitled to have a second passport at more than 40 million.
Based on your ancestry (parents, grandparents), several countries encourage foreigners to apply for citizenship. The most notable are Ireland, Italy, Poland, and with some qualifications, the United Kingdom, Spain and Israel.
If you don’t qualify for a citizenship thanks to your bloodlines, economic citizenships are available. If you want a fast second passport, two countries, St. Kitts & Nevis and Dominica, sell quick “economic citizenship” but at very high prices. However, both programs are perfectly legitimate.
It’s also important to note that dual citizenship might result automatically for some people. This can occur, for example, when a child is born in a foreign country or if a U.S. citizen acquires foreign citizenship through marriage to a person from another nation. Often these types of automatic options are overlooked, so check to see if you qualify.
Keep in mind that you can’t end your U.S. citizenship without having a valid second passport. You cannot be a proverbial “man without a country.”
The final step to freedom is to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate and hand in your U.S. passport. You will also need to sign an official document stating that you are renouncing your rights to U.S. citizenship.
Ultimate Estate Plan
Expatriation is indeed “the ultimate estate plan” in the very real sense that it gives you the legal right to stop paying U.S. taxes forever. However, it is a major step that will separate you from family and friends and treat you as a foreigner when you travel to the U.S.
Expatriation works best for those who have substantial liquid assets that can be transferred to the low tax country of choice. This process requires professional assistance for coordination of assets planning, assessing tax consequences and acquiring a second nationality.
A drastic plan? You bet. But for the person who wants a permanent and legal way to stop paying U.S. taxes, expatriation is the only option—and it could be a lifesaver in a crisis.
For information on offshore residence and dual citizenship, see my new 7th edition of The Passport Book. It covers some of the best offshore jurisdictions for whatever needs you have.
http://www.escapeartist.com/Sovereign_Society/Avoidance.html
A quick note on the passing of Soupy Sales…
As a kid I was on the Soupy Sales show (and Milky the Clown & others) and he was a lot of fun. All of us got paid at the end of the show by dipping our hands into a bowl filled with silver dollars. We could keep whatever we were able to grab – which wasn’t much. Those silver dollars are worth quite a bit now!
Due to the passing of my father, we’ll be moving back to MI in the coming weeks…so there may be a delay in postings. Once in MI, we’ll be working on our free How to Live Better on Less programs, which will probably begin in late Jan or Feb. Once final details have been worked out, dates and locations will be posted on our website.
Happy Halloween!
Bruce “the Poor Man” Wachter der Freiheit-thanks to those who have downloaded our free report on Restoring Personal Freedom which is still available & you’ll find the link at our site.
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Order from Chaos
Monday, October 19, 2009
Restoring Your Freedom-Free Report
Read & Share!
"It is well enough that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system for, if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
— Henry Ford
Poor Man’s Guide to Freedom
Perhaps the most important piece I’ve ever written. Even though it’s a concise 27-pages, it is packed with essential how-to steps you need to take to restore your personal freedom during these socialistic and financially devastating times. Many online resources included too. No charge!
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last 30-years, you may have witnessed the slow, but sure, erosion of our Bill of Rights. No-knock warrants, seizure laws, anti-gun laws, spying on citizens and more have undermined our Constitution and the government has become the master instead of the servant.
Few will argue that severe consequences of our government’s debt binge are looming…deflation/inflation, more government controls, etc. Spending our country into oblivion doesn’t seem the right course of action to me. More countries favor dumping the dollar as the international currency of choice and that usually means a borrower becomes a servant or slave of sorts (meaning you and I). If OPEC, for instance, chooses another currency as its standard, watch for cataclysmic changes in this country.
Virtually every government administration lies about economic statistics. For example, government stats show average unemployment figures at less than 10% but in reality (due to their faulty accounting methods) it’s probably closer to 20%. Personal bankruptcies are growing and soon, commercial real estate will take a major hit. Private Property rights have been one of the key elements to the success of this country. Are we doomed to becoming serfs or ‘tenant farmers’ on our property?
You’ll find some of my ideas thought provoking at the very least. Feel free to pass this along to your friends.
Poor Man’s Guide to Restoring Your Freedom
http://tinyurl.com/FreedomPDF
>>><<<
More Money-Saving Resources
Stick with store brands to save money. Retailers today wish to be seen as offering the best value, so they’ve invested in better quality and variety. A recent survey found that 75% o shoppers now rate store brands as better than many national brands and savings average 30%.
Although you can save money by signing up for a store’s newsletter, you can often save even more by following that store on Twitter or Facebook. No Twitter account? No problem. Check out www.cheaptweet.com or www.coupontweet.com for deals.
Holidays can ruin a budget (and it’s hard to believe they are already approaching – analysts believe retail sales will be one percent lower than last year). When shopping online or at retail, remember to forego the extras such as gift wrapping. Shipping and taxes add up costs quickly so seek out those offering free shipping and online sales rarely incur sales taxes.
Unusual uses for mouthwash. Keep houseplants healthy by filling a spray bottle with one part alcohol-based mouthwash to three parts water. Spray directly onto plant leaves and into the soil. It will protect them from fungi.
Your toilets will gleam when you pour a ¼ cup into the bowl and let it sit for 30-minutes.
After shampooing, pour a capful of alcohol-based mouthwash onto your scalp for five minutes, then rinse and condition; it kills the fungus that causes dandruff!
You can also use mouthwash to disinfect a cut (alcohol-based).
More alternative DIY marketplaces to sell your stuff.
www.bonanzle.com
Kind of an online garage sale where you can negotiate.
www.dealitlive.com
Still in its beta stage, anyone with a webcam & mike can star in this version of the Home Shopping Network.
www.buymytronics.com
Sell used, new and even broken gadgets.
www.secondspin.com
Sell used CDs, DVDs and video games.
www.abebooks.com
New & used books, both rare & common (one of my favorites)
Energy Saving Casa has a comprehensive list of ways to save energy and water at home. Our list provides the most cost-effective and convenient ways to save energy, money, and the environment. Energy Efficiency Tips at: http://www.energysavingcasa.com/Energy_Efficiency_Tips.html
>>><<<
Secret agenda behind the push for a national health care plan?
This may prove another ‘conspiracy theory’ however, there is a ring of truth to this…for years the feds have been attempting to implement a national ID program for purposes of more population control. The last attempt, via a biometric drivers license was thwarted because states couldn’t afford the program. Rumor now has it Obama’s health care bill will make it mandatory (or face fines/jail time) for citizens to sign on. Obviously, such a card will have an RFID strip embedded in it which will provide government and healthcare officials instant access to your medical history, social security number, etc. and eventually, who knows what else? Some are even suggesting these flu shots will also contain a grain-sized chip in it that will be injected into each recipient without their knowledge…this one has me saying no, but a national ID card in the name of mandatory health care access, would not surprise me.
>>><<<
A society of free and responsible individuals who are able to form voluntary associations will solve the social dilemmas they confront through various means of self-governance.
— “Elinor Ostrom's Nobel Prize in Economics” October 15, 2009
The Reckoning…
10/16/09 London, England
Higher stock prices; fewer jobs…
And don’t forget the foreclosures. They’re running 23% ahead of last year…even though they weren’t as bad last month as last month.
Associated Press:
“The number of households caught up in the foreclosure crisis rose more than 5 percent from summer to fall as a federal effort to assist struggling borrowers was overwhelmed by a flood of defaults among people who lost their jobs.
“The foreclosure crisis affected nearly 938,000 properties in the July-September quarter, compared with about 890,000 in the prior three months, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc. That puts foreclosure-related filings on a pace to hit about 3.5 million this year, up from more than 2.3 million last year.”
What an economy!
For the rest of this eye-opening piece, go to:
http://dailyreckoning.com/a-retirement-society/
>>><<<
Washington's Secret War on the Dollar, turn up your computer speakers and click this link. The video is free — a service to help you survive. http://weiss.streamlogics.com/Oct1-2pm/
Make no mistake about it — the world's monetary system is on the verge of dramatically changing. And the chief reason behind it all is ...
Washington's Tower of Debts
The total amount of U.S. government debts and obligations is far greater than what most people realize.
Uncle Sam is saddled with ...
· An officially recognized national debt of $11.8 trillion, which will likely exceed $12 trillion sometime this month.
· Unfunded national obligations of $104 trillion!
· Another $9 trillion in cumulative deficits over the next ten years.
· Plus another trillion dollars for health care reform, no matter what bill finally makes it through Congress.
Grand total: $125.8 TRILLION of public debts!
All told, that means that each and every household in America is now indirectly responsible for more than 1 MILLION DOLLARS in government debts and obligations.
Sorry to be such a scare-monger, but I am frightened over what the government is doing to us & feel it is important to bring you such resources!
Bruce – ‘the getting even poorer, Poor Man’
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Please share this bulletin with your friends!
"It is well enough that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system for, if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
— Henry Ford
Poor Man’s Guide to Freedom
Perhaps the most important piece I’ve ever written. Even though it’s a concise 27-pages, it is packed with essential how-to steps you need to take to restore your personal freedom during these socialistic and financially devastating times. Many online resources included too. No charge!
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last 30-years, you may have witnessed the slow, but sure, erosion of our Bill of Rights. No-knock warrants, seizure laws, anti-gun laws, spying on citizens and more have undermined our Constitution and the government has become the master instead of the servant.
Few will argue that severe consequences of our government’s debt binge are looming…deflation/inflation, more government controls, etc. Spending our country into oblivion doesn’t seem the right course of action to me. More countries favor dumping the dollar as the international currency of choice and that usually means a borrower becomes a servant or slave of sorts (meaning you and I). If OPEC, for instance, chooses another currency as its standard, watch for cataclysmic changes in this country.
Virtually every government administration lies about economic statistics. For example, government stats show average unemployment figures at less than 10% but in reality (due to their faulty accounting methods) it’s probably closer to 20%. Personal bankruptcies are growing and soon, commercial real estate will take a major hit. Private Property rights have been one of the key elements to the success of this country. Are we doomed to becoming serfs or ‘tenant farmers’ on our property?
You’ll find some of my ideas thought provoking at the very least. Feel free to pass this along to your friends.
Poor Man’s Guide to Restoring Your Freedom
http://tinyurl.com/FreedomPDF
>>><<<
More Money-Saving Resources
Stick with store brands to save money. Retailers today wish to be seen as offering the best value, so they’ve invested in better quality and variety. A recent survey found that 75% o shoppers now rate store brands as better than many national brands and savings average 30%.
Although you can save money by signing up for a store’s newsletter, you can often save even more by following that store on Twitter or Facebook. No Twitter account? No problem. Check out www.cheaptweet.com or www.coupontweet.com for deals.
Holidays can ruin a budget (and it’s hard to believe they are already approaching – analysts believe retail sales will be one percent lower than last year). When shopping online or at retail, remember to forego the extras such as gift wrapping. Shipping and taxes add up costs quickly so seek out those offering free shipping and online sales rarely incur sales taxes.
Unusual uses for mouthwash. Keep houseplants healthy by filling a spray bottle with one part alcohol-based mouthwash to three parts water. Spray directly onto plant leaves and into the soil. It will protect them from fungi.
Your toilets will gleam when you pour a ¼ cup into the bowl and let it sit for 30-minutes.
After shampooing, pour a capful of alcohol-based mouthwash onto your scalp for five minutes, then rinse and condition; it kills the fungus that causes dandruff!
You can also use mouthwash to disinfect a cut (alcohol-based).
More alternative DIY marketplaces to sell your stuff.
www.bonanzle.com
Kind of an online garage sale where you can negotiate.
www.dealitlive.com
Still in its beta stage, anyone with a webcam & mike can star in this version of the Home Shopping Network.
www.buymytronics.com
Sell used, new and even broken gadgets.
www.secondspin.com
Sell used CDs, DVDs and video games.
www.abebooks.com
New & used books, both rare & common (one of my favorites)
Energy Saving Casa has a comprehensive list of ways to save energy and water at home. Our list provides the most cost-effective and convenient ways to save energy, money, and the environment. Energy Efficiency Tips at: http://www.energysavingcasa.com/Energy_Efficiency_Tips.html
>>><<<
Secret agenda behind the push for a national health care plan?
This may prove another ‘conspiracy theory’ however, there is a ring of truth to this…for years the feds have been attempting to implement a national ID program for purposes of more population control. The last attempt, via a biometric drivers license was thwarted because states couldn’t afford the program. Rumor now has it Obama’s health care bill will make it mandatory (or face fines/jail time) for citizens to sign on. Obviously, such a card will have an RFID strip embedded in it which will provide government and healthcare officials instant access to your medical history, social security number, etc. and eventually, who knows what else? Some are even suggesting these flu shots will also contain a grain-sized chip in it that will be injected into each recipient without their knowledge…this one has me saying no, but a national ID card in the name of mandatory health care access, would not surprise me.
>>><<<
A society of free and responsible individuals who are able to form voluntary associations will solve the social dilemmas they confront through various means of self-governance.
— “Elinor Ostrom's Nobel Prize in Economics” October 15, 2009
The Reckoning…
10/16/09 London, England
Higher stock prices; fewer jobs…
And don’t forget the foreclosures. They’re running 23% ahead of last year…even though they weren’t as bad last month as last month.
Associated Press:
“The number of households caught up in the foreclosure crisis rose more than 5 percent from summer to fall as a federal effort to assist struggling borrowers was overwhelmed by a flood of defaults among people who lost their jobs.
“The foreclosure crisis affected nearly 938,000 properties in the July-September quarter, compared with about 890,000 in the prior three months, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc. That puts foreclosure-related filings on a pace to hit about 3.5 million this year, up from more than 2.3 million last year.”
What an economy!
For the rest of this eye-opening piece, go to:
http://dailyreckoning.com/a-retirement-society/
>>><<<
Washington's Secret War on the Dollar, turn up your computer speakers and click this link. The video is free — a service to help you survive. http://weiss.streamlogics.com/Oct1-2pm/
Make no mistake about it — the world's monetary system is on the verge of dramatically changing. And the chief reason behind it all is ...
Washington's Tower of Debts
The total amount of U.S. government debts and obligations is far greater than what most people realize.
Uncle Sam is saddled with ...
· An officially recognized national debt of $11.8 trillion, which will likely exceed $12 trillion sometime this month.
· Unfunded national obligations of $104 trillion!
· Another $9 trillion in cumulative deficits over the next ten years.
· Plus another trillion dollars for health care reform, no matter what bill finally makes it through Congress.
Grand total: $125.8 TRILLION of public debts!
All told, that means that each and every household in America is now indirectly responsible for more than 1 MILLION DOLLARS in government debts and obligations.
Sorry to be such a scare-monger, but I am frightened over what the government is doing to us & feel it is important to bring you such resources!
Bruce – ‘the getting even poorer, Poor Man’
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Please share this bulletin with your friends!
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