Our Mission: To protect and promote your freedom, civil rights, financial well being and overall self reliance in these turbulent times.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
How Greed Works, Dr. Doom, Make Mo Money
Bruce’s Poor Man Recession Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In This Issue:
1. Secret IRS formula/reduce your audit risk
2. Make a few extra bucks
3. Financially fit tips, not made of money blog
4. How Greed Works-the interview
5. $1500 worth of stuff for $20
6. 99 Lies, Stupidity in government files
7. Dr. Doom
Most Americans are not concerned about the erosion of the Constitution, of the sinister interlocking of government/Big Money/Big Docile Media or much of anything other than Sunday Night Football.
Self Defense laws…do you have a right to shoot?
If you ordered and read our Poor Man’s Homestead Defense manual…you may recall the illustration I used when, on the 38-acre farm we owned, two girls (they turned out to be adults) crashed through our fence on their 4-wheelers.
I happened to be nearby with our dog, kerplinking with a .22 rifle and observed them racing toward me. I held up my rifle cross wise, not aimed at them and stopped them, making them turn off their engines. I lectured them loudly about destroying my property and ignoring my No Trespassing signs and they left.
An hour later a deputy pulled up into our driveway. He asked me if I had experienced a problem recently with some young women. (That’s how I learned they were over 21). I explained what happened. Apparently, the women reported me to the sheriff’s department saying I had threatened them.
Thankfully, I had called law enforcement several times in the past over these trespassing incidents as it occurred frequently and the officer was aware of this. He politely told me to keep it cool, that he understood but was doing his duty by coming out to investigate.
Recently , in AZ a law was passed placing the burden of proof on the prosecutor when someone used a weapon to defend their person and property which put the reins on many stupid stunts pulled by anti-gun prosecutors. In MI, it’s even illegal to own or use non-lethal items such as pepper spray or stun guns to protect yourself…damned absurd.
My suggestion - a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is one should only shoot to protect life, not property. Of course, the prudent person will check out what laws apply in their area.
Learn how greed works by watching this interview with Milton Friedman & Phil Donohue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A
<<>>
Try this morning shot - This smoothie gives you a good start on the day...
Breakfast SMOOTHIE
½ cup milk (regular or skim)
½ cup plain yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
½ cup frozen strawberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon honey
4 ice cubes
Purée everything but the ice cubes in a blender. Add the ice, and purée again. Serves one.
From the stupidity in government files…watch this cute flick.
All actions have unanticipated side effects, but government acting through regulation or legislation is particularly adept at creating disastrous unintended consequences.
Great Moments in Unintended Consequences takes a look at three instances of epic government facepalm: Osborne Reef, Corn Ethanol Subsidies, and a particular clause in ObamaCare that is already doing more harm than good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSwMEtuL-GQ&feature=player_embedded
<<<>>>
Freedom, independence, and awareness are undoubtedly in decline in the western world, particularly the U.S. In the last 10-days, Homeland Security has started seizing Internet domains from ‘rogue’ webmasters, and TSA has begun labeling dissenters of its new security procedures as domestic extremists.
The weekly blabber & blather!
Online Merchants Face Annual Increase in Shipping Costs
Whichever carrier you use to ship your orders, you'll be paying
more beginning in January. FedEx announced rate increases of
Friday, echoing previously announced UPS rate increases. The USPS
is also set to raise prices in January.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y10/m12/i06/s02
How the Coupon Prof Got $1500 worth of stuff for $20
http://couponprof.blogspot.com/2010/11/post-thanksgiving-super-ninja-at.html
Fellow online publisher Steve (and subscriber) writes a tome which should be of interest to all…
“99 Lies.” Law is implemented from the barrel of a gun. That is meant metaphorically in part, but you probably get the point. It is the threat of force that ultimately makes us comply with laws we don’t agree with.
A couple years ago I wrote an ebook called "99 Lies," which covered common lies we are told or common beliefs that are not true. I explained the reason for each lie (sometimes speculative on my part), the truth, and why it matters. Many of the entries were what I sometimes refer to as "public lies."
Another description could be "participatory lies," since they require not only a desire to deceive, but a desire on the part of others to be deceived. Politicians and businesses cater to this desire. These lies can be right out there for all to see and believe or not. Here is an example from the book.
The Business Licensing Lie
This is actually a small bundle of lies. First, it isn't necessarily true that licensing protects us as is commonly believed, or that most businesses need to be regulated in this way. The bigger lie though, is that "consumer protection" is the intention from which such regulations originate. Finally, another huge non-truth is the belief that businesses don't want this kind of regulation.
People, businesses and governments lie for all sorts of reasons. For example, lies are told to gain...
Continues here...
http://www.999ideas.com/blog/?p=343#more-343
Making a few extra hundred dollars.
More and more readers are asking for examples of producing extra money…this is due to holiday shopping, job loss or the need to sock away more cash or an uncertain future. As the fed continues creating more fiat money, it’s not difficult to see how nearly everything costs more now.
I truly feel sorry for seniors and parents who are footing college tuition bills, which always far exceed cost-of-living hikes.
The past few issues have featured a number of ideas and we’re continuing with that theme with this issue as well.
What can you do to earn a few hundred bucks extra this month? The first
step, experts say, is to focus on what you have to offer by assessing your
skills and researching the market rates for those abilities.
>>Become a virtual assistant. world of virtual word-processing work available:
Typing press releases, resumes, manuscripts, medical and legal transcription,
student papers, and business letters are just a few, says Ennen,
who offers a free booklet at VirtualWordPublishing.com on how to obtain
clients. Web sites, including HireMyMom.com, ProductionTranscripts.com,
Tigerfish.com, and AliceDarling.com hire transcribers for virtual work.
>>Become a Customer Service Agent: Another growing work-from-home opportunity
lies in answering inbound customer calls for companies like
1-800-Flowers, Virgin Atlantic, and Walgreens. These companies and many
others now outsource their customer-service calls to companies that hire
U.S.-based virtual agents.
The work requires a pleasant voice, strong customer-service skills, highspeed
Internet access, a computer, a landline, and a quiet place to
work. Though you can set your own hours, most companies will probably
want you to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. Some of the companies
that hire virtual agents include LiveOps.com, West.com, Arise.com,
WorkingSolutions.com, AccoladeSupport.com, Customer Loyalty Concepts
(www.customloyal.com), Overflow (www.overflowusa.com), JetBlue.com,
ACDDirect.com, and AlpineAccess.com.
>>Work One Day at a Time: consider contacting an agency that provides
short-term help to employers, such as KellyServices.com, RobertHalf.com,
and Manpower.com. Jobs here can range from office work and reception work
to landscaping or work in construction, factories, offices, and manufacturing.
Specialized services like Accountemps.com focus just on the finance
profession.
<<>>
Here’s a timely offer for PM Subscribers… go to this website (http://www.homebusinessguru.net/7techniques.htm) and read the ad. The ebook offered is only $29.95. If you mention you saw the ad in this newsletter, Dave will answer any questions they have about the techniques or about getting ideas or even evaluating an idea that you have via his email at dearestsan@aol.com . Here's the catch: if you don't like the offer or the ad, please tell Dave why.
<<>>
According to the SBA, the US has dropped to 3rd place in terms of being entrepreneurial
And the number one cause of this drop, according to its recent survey-government red tape and cost of insurance!
NOTE: Watch out for government tax traps…they want your cash!
Worker misclassification.” Basically, that’s when you
pay somebody as an independent contractor, thus avoiding the need to withhold
payroll taxes, rather than as an employee. Or perhaps you are paying
someone a salary when they really should be hourly and subject to overtime
pay. Either way, if you get it wrong it could cost you dearly.
The new federal budget hands the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) an extra
$25 million to pursue misclassification miscreants. But, according to leading
human resources consulting firm MBO Partners, the extra dough for DOL
is nothing compared to an estimated $8 billion boost the feds are giving
IRS to modernize and expand enforcement programs.
Implications for small business are terrible. Make sure you use qualified tax professionals to assist you.
>>Little known tax tip<<
Make work pay. All wage earners, including the
self-employed and working retirees who receive earned
income, may qualify for the Making Work Pay Credit
for the 2009 and 2010 tax years equal to 6.2 percent
of taxable wages, up to $400 for single filers or
$800 for joint filers.
Many self-employed people don’t realize that they
can get the ‘back to work’ credit for 2010 — $400 for
single filers and $800 for those married with earned
self-employment income, people tend
to think it’s only for those who get W-2 forms, where
it reduces Social Security tax, because the credit
for the self-employed is not well publicized.
The credit begins to phase out at adjusted gross
incomes of $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for
joint filers, and drops to zero when AGI hits $95,000 for single filers-speak with
Your tax consultant.
Want useful economic information? Known as Dr. Doom, Nouriel Roubini, economics professor and financial guru predicted the current crisis back in 2005 and is now a sought after expert. Sign up for his blog at:
http://nourielroubini.blogspot.com/
Failure to extend the Bush tax cuts will result in an average additional tax burden of $2600 a year for middle-income families earning around $70,000. But don't worry - if you make less, you're still going to get hit. A married couple making a combined income of $40,000 with two dependent children will still face a tax increase of about $1,000 a year.
Lower your odds of a tax audit by taking certain steps
with your tax return.
You just need to be “DIF” score savvy. DIF is hush-hush Fed-speak
for “discriminate information function,” the secret IRS formula that
decides whether your tax return is ripe for an audit.
Although DIF details are, well, secret, the steps below can help you avoid
the audit hook. “The best defense is a good offense,” says Maggie Doedtman,
former manager of tax advice delivery for H&R Block. “You don’t have to
worry about an audit as long as you prepare honestly and have the receipts
to prove it.” Here are eight things you can do:
1. Be accurate, thorough, neat, and on time (but not early). Sloppy
returns, math errors, and rounded numbers raise flags. Using tax preparation
software makes your return look more professional and helps you avoid
mistakes. Filing too early only gives the IRS extra time to look it over.
2. Avoid filing electronically. Sure, electronic tax return filings are
convenient. But the IRS hires temporary workers to enter data from millions
of paper returns, and they capture only about 40 percent of the info.
Electronic filing gives the IRS fast access to 100 percent of your return.
3. File on time or request an automatic extension. This is a no-brainer, but
millions of Americans still roll the dice. Late returns raise flags.
4. Beware of your income-to-deduction ratio.
Your tax audit odds rise if the difference
between expenses and income exceeds about
52 percent. But total deductions are only
part of it. One especially large deduction
also can raise flags, even if others are
small or in line with other people in your
line of employment or income.
5. Take reasonable deductions. The only
way to guarantee you won’t get audited is to
not take advantage of any deductions, credits,
and so on — of course, that’s the worst
tax advice you can give anyone-Take deductions, but don’t be greedy.
6. Be careful about taking home office deductions. This has been a rule for a very long time as the government seeks to discourage folks working from home. As always, consult with a tax professional to ensure the most legal deductions.
Washington fat cats will bail out Wall Street buddies, but they’ll play games with American workers…how sweet.
http://action.workingamerica.org/c/575/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1013
Now, Some ways to save some scratch…
Updated guidelines, better ways to save.
Most of us learned the basic tenets of budgeting, housekeeping and auto maintenance from our parents. But times have changed, and some of the things you believed to be true are not the case anymore.
Following are several examples of conventional wisdom that may cause you to needlessly waste money. Dig in and learn how to effortlessly save money by thinking outside the box.
Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles
The little sticker placed on the car windshield reminds you to change a car's oil every 3,000 miles -- regardless of make, model or scenario.
But many experts now say the 3,000-mile oil change is dead. Why? New car engines and oil quality have advanced to the point where cars can go 5,000 to 10,000 miles without a
Change. Get more money saving tips and videos at:
http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-111447-7590-3-6-ways-conventional-wisdom-wastes-money?ywaad=ad0035&nc
Thanks Amanda for sharing this - as a college student, I often don't have more than two nickels to rub together, so the idea of finding ways to save money, invest money, or just make things cost less without sacrificing a whole lot really appeals to me. And I thought considering the economic downturn, it might appeal to a whole lot of you too.
http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/
Step-by-step guide to a frugal living style and environmentalism. Features practical money saving tips, ideas and techniques, more…thanks Roy!
http://www.best-money-saving-tips.com/
Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy, finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness (by the government). -- George Orwell
*******************************
A Few Good Articles:
Time Has Killed the Constitution
by Michael LeMieux
We have generations of American citizens that have been persecuted by the infernal IRS, families and lives destroyed, and the theft of trillions of dollars from the American citizens on the back of a lie and our courts not only know it – they defend it. The American political system is corrupt! How can we expect justice in America when the courts openly admit to supporting unconstitutional laws?.....
http://www.newswithviews.com/LeMieux/michael138.htm
~~~~~
Global Elites Reveal the Final Plan: Destroy America
by Greg Evensen
Timing, as I have told hundreds of thousands, is the critical element here in how “we,” the man of valor, respond to the escalating threat circling in the field preparing its final assault. If you can get a picture of our situation through this symbolic illustration, then you just begin to understand the reality of world bankers, international corporate entities, domestic political figures, and all of their related networks and.......
http://www.newswithviews.com/Evensen/greg159.htm
********************************
Three degrees and only able to find a part time job washing trash cans…60 Minutes
Parting Shots…Dept. of Homeland Insecurity
If you’ve made public your support of Ron Paul…if you’ve opposed U.S. intervention abroad…hell, if you’ve so much as bought a copy of Atlas Shrugged, then you very well may be on the list of “persons of interest.” At some point the federales are going to stop playing nice.
I placed a terrific link on my face book page of an interview w/ Newt Gingrich and my favorite judge regarding Wickileaks-its founder having turned himself into British authorities. The first rule of spying and diplomacy is NOT to leave a paper trail so why did all these idiot diplomats leave so much paper? Interesting and you can view it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K42AZUK84GQ
I suggest everyone who wishes to get an unbiased perspective of the world to subscribe to the Sovereign Man’s free newsletter.
Finally, have you ever taken a hard look at your monthly budget? It sure seems much of it is taken up by various insurance policy premiums. Auto insurance (in MI we have the 2nd highest in the US), homeowners insurance, life insurance, health insurance, etc. all add thousands of dollars annually to the cost of living.
Most of our grandfathers did not use or pay for these services. However, living in a country where the national motto has become when in doubt-sue, legal considerations have certainly contributed to the need for such policies.
Thanks for all of you who take the time to send me your thoughts, resources and updates. It’s not always easy knowing what to include in this bulletin but I try to keep it varied.
PS. Are you tired of the corporate controlled media?
Get the latest news and information at http://RealityReport.TV
That’s it for this week from your favorite gossip column - the Poor Man!
Visit our sites and spend some money.
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman
http://www.OldBookNook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In This Issue:
1. Secret IRS formula/reduce your audit risk
2. Make a few extra bucks
3. Financially fit tips, not made of money blog
4. How Greed Works-the interview
5. $1500 worth of stuff for $20
6. 99 Lies, Stupidity in government files
7. Dr. Doom
Most Americans are not concerned about the erosion of the Constitution, of the sinister interlocking of government/Big Money/Big Docile Media or much of anything other than Sunday Night Football.
Self Defense laws…do you have a right to shoot?
If you ordered and read our Poor Man’s Homestead Defense manual…you may recall the illustration I used when, on the 38-acre farm we owned, two girls (they turned out to be adults) crashed through our fence on their 4-wheelers.
I happened to be nearby with our dog, kerplinking with a .22 rifle and observed them racing toward me. I held up my rifle cross wise, not aimed at them and stopped them, making them turn off their engines. I lectured them loudly about destroying my property and ignoring my No Trespassing signs and they left.
An hour later a deputy pulled up into our driveway. He asked me if I had experienced a problem recently with some young women. (That’s how I learned they were over 21). I explained what happened. Apparently, the women reported me to the sheriff’s department saying I had threatened them.
Thankfully, I had called law enforcement several times in the past over these trespassing incidents as it occurred frequently and the officer was aware of this. He politely told me to keep it cool, that he understood but was doing his duty by coming out to investigate.
Recently , in AZ a law was passed placing the burden of proof on the prosecutor when someone used a weapon to defend their person and property which put the reins on many stupid stunts pulled by anti-gun prosecutors. In MI, it’s even illegal to own or use non-lethal items such as pepper spray or stun guns to protect yourself…damned absurd.
My suggestion - a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is one should only shoot to protect life, not property. Of course, the prudent person will check out what laws apply in their area.
Learn how greed works by watching this interview with Milton Friedman & Phil Donohue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A
<<>>
Try this morning shot - This smoothie gives you a good start on the day...
Breakfast SMOOTHIE
½ cup milk (regular or skim)
½ cup plain yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
½ cup frozen strawberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon honey
4 ice cubes
Purée everything but the ice cubes in a blender. Add the ice, and purée again. Serves one.
From the stupidity in government files…watch this cute flick.
All actions have unanticipated side effects, but government acting through regulation or legislation is particularly adept at creating disastrous unintended consequences.
Great Moments in Unintended Consequences takes a look at three instances of epic government facepalm: Osborne Reef, Corn Ethanol Subsidies, and a particular clause in ObamaCare that is already doing more harm than good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSwMEtuL-GQ&feature=player_embedded
<<<>>>
Freedom, independence, and awareness are undoubtedly in decline in the western world, particularly the U.S. In the last 10-days, Homeland Security has started seizing Internet domains from ‘rogue’ webmasters, and TSA has begun labeling dissenters of its new security procedures as domestic extremists.
The weekly blabber & blather!
Online Merchants Face Annual Increase in Shipping Costs
Whichever carrier you use to ship your orders, you'll be paying
more beginning in January. FedEx announced rate increases of
Friday, echoing previously announced UPS rate increases. The USPS
is also set to raise prices in January.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y10/m12/i06/s02
How the Coupon Prof Got $1500 worth of stuff for $20
http://couponprof.blogspot.com/2010/11/post-thanksgiving-super-ninja-at.html
Fellow online publisher Steve (and subscriber) writes a tome which should be of interest to all…
“99 Lies.” Law is implemented from the barrel of a gun. That is meant metaphorically in part, but you probably get the point. It is the threat of force that ultimately makes us comply with laws we don’t agree with.
A couple years ago I wrote an ebook called "99 Lies," which covered common lies we are told or common beliefs that are not true. I explained the reason for each lie (sometimes speculative on my part), the truth, and why it matters. Many of the entries were what I sometimes refer to as "public lies."
Another description could be "participatory lies," since they require not only a desire to deceive, but a desire on the part of others to be deceived. Politicians and businesses cater to this desire. These lies can be right out there for all to see and believe or not. Here is an example from the book.
The Business Licensing Lie
This is actually a small bundle of lies. First, it isn't necessarily true that licensing protects us as is commonly believed, or that most businesses need to be regulated in this way. The bigger lie though, is that "consumer protection" is the intention from which such regulations originate. Finally, another huge non-truth is the belief that businesses don't want this kind of regulation.
People, businesses and governments lie for all sorts of reasons. For example, lies are told to gain...
Continues here...
http://www.999ideas.com/blog/?p=343#more-343
Making a few extra hundred dollars.
More and more readers are asking for examples of producing extra money…this is due to holiday shopping, job loss or the need to sock away more cash or an uncertain future. As the fed continues creating more fiat money, it’s not difficult to see how nearly everything costs more now.
I truly feel sorry for seniors and parents who are footing college tuition bills, which always far exceed cost-of-living hikes.
The past few issues have featured a number of ideas and we’re continuing with that theme with this issue as well.
What can you do to earn a few hundred bucks extra this month? The first
step, experts say, is to focus on what you have to offer by assessing your
skills and researching the market rates for those abilities.
>>Become a virtual assistant. world of virtual word-processing work available:
Typing press releases, resumes, manuscripts, medical and legal transcription,
student papers, and business letters are just a few, says Ennen,
who offers a free booklet at VirtualWordPublishing.com on how to obtain
clients. Web sites, including HireMyMom.com, ProductionTranscripts.com,
Tigerfish.com, and AliceDarling.com hire transcribers for virtual work.
>>Become a Customer Service Agent: Another growing work-from-home opportunity
lies in answering inbound customer calls for companies like
1-800-Flowers, Virgin Atlantic, and Walgreens. These companies and many
others now outsource their customer-service calls to companies that hire
U.S.-based virtual agents.
The work requires a pleasant voice, strong customer-service skills, highspeed
Internet access, a computer, a landline, and a quiet place to
work. Though you can set your own hours, most companies will probably
want you to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. Some of the companies
that hire virtual agents include LiveOps.com, West.com, Arise.com,
WorkingSolutions.com, AccoladeSupport.com, Customer Loyalty Concepts
(www.customloyal.com), Overflow (www.overflowusa.com), JetBlue.com,
ACDDirect.com, and AlpineAccess.com.
>>Work One Day at a Time: consider contacting an agency that provides
short-term help to employers, such as KellyServices.com, RobertHalf.com,
and Manpower.com. Jobs here can range from office work and reception work
to landscaping or work in construction, factories, offices, and manufacturing.
Specialized services like Accountemps.com focus just on the finance
profession.
<<>>
Here’s a timely offer for PM Subscribers… go to this website (http://www.homebusinessguru.net/7techniques.htm) and read the ad. The ebook offered is only $29.95. If you mention you saw the ad in this newsletter, Dave will answer any questions they have about the techniques or about getting ideas or even evaluating an idea that you have via his email at dearestsan@aol.com . Here's the catch: if you don't like the offer or the ad, please tell Dave why.
<<>>
According to the SBA, the US has dropped to 3rd place in terms of being entrepreneurial
And the number one cause of this drop, according to its recent survey-government red tape and cost of insurance!
NOTE: Watch out for government tax traps…they want your cash!
Worker misclassification.” Basically, that’s when you
pay somebody as an independent contractor, thus avoiding the need to withhold
payroll taxes, rather than as an employee. Or perhaps you are paying
someone a salary when they really should be hourly and subject to overtime
pay. Either way, if you get it wrong it could cost you dearly.
The new federal budget hands the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) an extra
$25 million to pursue misclassification miscreants. But, according to leading
human resources consulting firm MBO Partners, the extra dough for DOL
is nothing compared to an estimated $8 billion boost the feds are giving
IRS to modernize and expand enforcement programs.
Implications for small business are terrible. Make sure you use qualified tax professionals to assist you.
>>Little known tax tip<<
Make work pay. All wage earners, including the
self-employed and working retirees who receive earned
income, may qualify for the Making Work Pay Credit
for the 2009 and 2010 tax years equal to 6.2 percent
of taxable wages, up to $400 for single filers or
$800 for joint filers.
Many self-employed people don’t realize that they
can get the ‘back to work’ credit for 2010 — $400 for
single filers and $800 for those married with earned
self-employment income, people tend
to think it’s only for those who get W-2 forms, where
it reduces Social Security tax, because the credit
for the self-employed is not well publicized.
The credit begins to phase out at adjusted gross
incomes of $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for
joint filers, and drops to zero when AGI hits $95,000 for single filers-speak with
Your tax consultant.
Want useful economic information? Known as Dr. Doom, Nouriel Roubini, economics professor and financial guru predicted the current crisis back in 2005 and is now a sought after expert. Sign up for his blog at:
http://nourielroubini.blogspot.com/
Failure to extend the Bush tax cuts will result in an average additional tax burden of $2600 a year for middle-income families earning around $70,000. But don't worry - if you make less, you're still going to get hit. A married couple making a combined income of $40,000 with two dependent children will still face a tax increase of about $1,000 a year.
Lower your odds of a tax audit by taking certain steps
with your tax return.
You just need to be “DIF” score savvy. DIF is hush-hush Fed-speak
for “discriminate information function,” the secret IRS formula that
decides whether your tax return is ripe for an audit.
Although DIF details are, well, secret, the steps below can help you avoid
the audit hook. “The best defense is a good offense,” says Maggie Doedtman,
former manager of tax advice delivery for H&R Block. “You don’t have to
worry about an audit as long as you prepare honestly and have the receipts
to prove it.” Here are eight things you can do:
1. Be accurate, thorough, neat, and on time (but not early). Sloppy
returns, math errors, and rounded numbers raise flags. Using tax preparation
software makes your return look more professional and helps you avoid
mistakes. Filing too early only gives the IRS extra time to look it over.
2. Avoid filing electronically. Sure, electronic tax return filings are
convenient. But the IRS hires temporary workers to enter data from millions
of paper returns, and they capture only about 40 percent of the info.
Electronic filing gives the IRS fast access to 100 percent of your return.
3. File on time or request an automatic extension. This is a no-brainer, but
millions of Americans still roll the dice. Late returns raise flags.
4. Beware of your income-to-deduction ratio.
Your tax audit odds rise if the difference
between expenses and income exceeds about
52 percent. But total deductions are only
part of it. One especially large deduction
also can raise flags, even if others are
small or in line with other people in your
line of employment or income.
5. Take reasonable deductions. The only
way to guarantee you won’t get audited is to
not take advantage of any deductions, credits,
and so on — of course, that’s the worst
tax advice you can give anyone-Take deductions, but don’t be greedy.
6. Be careful about taking home office deductions. This has been a rule for a very long time as the government seeks to discourage folks working from home. As always, consult with a tax professional to ensure the most legal deductions.
Washington fat cats will bail out Wall Street buddies, but they’ll play games with American workers…how sweet.
http://action.workingamerica.org/c/575/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1013
Now, Some ways to save some scratch…
Updated guidelines, better ways to save.
Most of us learned the basic tenets of budgeting, housekeeping and auto maintenance from our parents. But times have changed, and some of the things you believed to be true are not the case anymore.
Following are several examples of conventional wisdom that may cause you to needlessly waste money. Dig in and learn how to effortlessly save money by thinking outside the box.
Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles
The little sticker placed on the car windshield reminds you to change a car's oil every 3,000 miles -- regardless of make, model or scenario.
But many experts now say the 3,000-mile oil change is dead. Why? New car engines and oil quality have advanced to the point where cars can go 5,000 to 10,000 miles without a
Change. Get more money saving tips and videos at:
http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-111447-7590-3-6-ways-conventional-wisdom-wastes-money?ywaad=ad0035&nc
Thanks Amanda for sharing this - as a college student, I often don't have more than two nickels to rub together, so the idea of finding ways to save money, invest money, or just make things cost less without sacrificing a whole lot really appeals to me. And I thought considering the economic downturn, it might appeal to a whole lot of you too.
http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/
Step-by-step guide to a frugal living style and environmentalism. Features practical money saving tips, ideas and techniques, more…thanks Roy!
http://www.best-money-saving-tips.com/
Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy, finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness (by the government). -- George Orwell
*******************************
A Few Good Articles:
Time Has Killed the Constitution
by Michael LeMieux
We have generations of American citizens that have been persecuted by the infernal IRS, families and lives destroyed, and the theft of trillions of dollars from the American citizens on the back of a lie and our courts not only know it – they defend it. The American political system is corrupt! How can we expect justice in America when the courts openly admit to supporting unconstitutional laws?.....
http://www.newswithviews.com/LeMieux/michael138.htm
~~~~~
Global Elites Reveal the Final Plan: Destroy America
by Greg Evensen
Timing, as I have told hundreds of thousands, is the critical element here in how “we,” the man of valor, respond to the escalating threat circling in the field preparing its final assault. If you can get a picture of our situation through this symbolic illustration, then you just begin to understand the reality of world bankers, international corporate entities, domestic political figures, and all of their related networks and.......
http://www.newswithviews.com/Evensen/greg159.htm
********************************
Three degrees and only able to find a part time job washing trash cans…60 Minutes
Parting Shots…Dept. of Homeland Insecurity
If you’ve made public your support of Ron Paul…if you’ve opposed U.S. intervention abroad…hell, if you’ve so much as bought a copy of Atlas Shrugged, then you very well may be on the list of “persons of interest.” At some point the federales are going to stop playing nice.
I placed a terrific link on my face book page of an interview w/ Newt Gingrich and my favorite judge regarding Wickileaks-its founder having turned himself into British authorities. The first rule of spying and diplomacy is NOT to leave a paper trail so why did all these idiot diplomats leave so much paper? Interesting and you can view it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K42AZUK84GQ
I suggest everyone who wishes to get an unbiased perspective of the world to subscribe to the Sovereign Man’s free newsletter.
Finally, have you ever taken a hard look at your monthly budget? It sure seems much of it is taken up by various insurance policy premiums. Auto insurance (in MI we have the 2nd highest in the US), homeowners insurance, life insurance, health insurance, etc. all add thousands of dollars annually to the cost of living.
Most of our grandfathers did not use or pay for these services. However, living in a country where the national motto has become when in doubt-sue, legal considerations have certainly contributed to the need for such policies.
Thanks for all of you who take the time to send me your thoughts, resources and updates. It’s not always easy knowing what to include in this bulletin but I try to keep it varied.
PS. Are you tired of the corporate controlled media?
Get the latest news and information at http://RealityReport.TV
That’s it for this week from your favorite gossip column - the Poor Man!
Visit our sites and spend some money.
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman
http://www.OldBookNook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Why Many Now Live in Fear, Relief for Shop-a-holics, More
Bruce's Poor Man Recession Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In this issue:
1. Superfluid - a new social currency?
2. Your plan for the coming years
3. Why most live in fear
4. Program for Poor-aholics
5. Pentagon war games-’breakdown of society’
6. People are still making $ on eBay
7. Using the free SkyDrive
8. Gov’t pressures PayPal, Foreigners to cut off Wickileak founder
“…If a bad guy really wanted to do some damage, he’ll just stand in a line with hundreds of others waiting to go through screening, and detonate his carry-on bag there. Soon, there will be armies of TSA agents swarming through bus and train terminals, then the public highways. Terrorists are smart enough to know how to win against Americans - keep ‘em scared and let the government keep ‘em under control.” --from ‘keepthesheep’
Making money online, on eBay requires constant tweaking
Our Poor Man library has grown nicely but I do believe with all of the free links and bonus items we include we've reached somewhat of a saturation point on self sufficiency, preparedness materials (at least I think we have). Our goal has been to offer the most information at little cost, trying to keep all prices at $4.95. - far less than our competition.
With that in mind, the coming year will see growth in the publication of other, related how-to materials more along the lines of what Paladin Press used to offer (except for how to be a hit man). If you have ideas or suggestions or wish to collaborate on such ebooks, send me an email with your proposal or outline. We probably won't get rich but we can possibly enrich others!
One area I would caution against writing about – Green anything. My experience over the year selling 'green living-money/planet saving' books has been dismal at best. Frankly, I think most folks give lip service to the concept of going green. On the other hand, acts done for social good will be the “in” thing for commerce in the coming years.
Stats are showing us that eBay's traffic is down. Some are joyful that eBay is taking a hit.
However, it has become a challenge to remain profitable on eBay while still trying to offer unique items. Over the holidays, the Ipad and Ipod and other electronics continue to be the hot sellers. Vintage toys, especially Disney & scifi stuff like robots still do quite well. Then there are the unique items such as seller easymakebow who makes hairbow ribbon spike kits…makes on average of $4k every 90 days!
Another person sells digital study guides for current university classes and generates $7k quarterly…a Monkees LP sold for nearly $800. All things Superbowl seem to sell - an ‘07 Peyton Manning patch sold for $700, a press pin went for $237, a program sold for $200...an old pair of Levi jeans sold for a whopping $4K.
Yes, there is a recession but it doesn’t stop people from spending their money.
Creativity is key!
When you use eBay as a TOOL instead of an "end game" it's still a great place to get started and thrive online…when I say tool, that means building a mailing list from your sales.
I constantly tweak items I’ve created & listed. Example: we’ve had a lot of problems with our Poor Man IV in that I keep losing or screwing up the transfer process and have lost much of this extensive data. So I revamped it and revised the eBay listing to reflect the changes…ultimately, my buyers will get more and pay less.
I’ve now included more information that I created and added a link which will provide the same materials as previously offered at no cost to me, eliminating the need for shipping costs. To comply with eBay’s stupid rules, I will still mail something to the buyer (a letter summarizing what they purchased and how to access it)…will cost me far less too. This is important because as we all know, eBay will nickel and dime you to death with fees and it’s important to keep costs down wherever possible.
I encourage you to share your success stories on generating extra cash or eBay strategies!
<<<>>>
This week’s odds and ends resources
Superfluid is a mechanism for providing "social currency," hence
facilitating the exchange of services via social networking.
Members of the network earn "Quids" through collaborative work; Quids
may also be borrowed against future contributions of goods or services
to other members.
Two levels of superfluid participation are available: Activities deemed
to have commercial, monetary value are managed in superfluid:business
while other, noncommercial activities are managed on the superfluid:p2p
side.
https://www.thesuperfluid.com/
Do you have a personal strategic plan for the next 10 years?
Your plan includes three parts:
• A vision— a mental image of your life ten years from now.
• An action plan composed of strategies and a timetable for execution of each strategy.
• A contingency plan—actions to take when a low-probability, high-impact event occurs.
Now is the time to do some analysis before you put your plan into effect. Here’s a good starting point. NOTE: The Poor Man was a member of the World Futurist Society for several years and I feel you might benefit from their materials in the coming year.
http://www.wfs.org/content/analyzing-your-personal-plan
================================
Depression and mass unemployment are not caused by the free market,
but by government interference in the economy."
-- Ludwig von Mises
(1881-1973) Economist and social philosopher, escaped from NAZI Germany
Last.FM
Last.FM is considered by some to be the ultimate free music website. It is free online music, you can customize with your favorite artist and songs. You have the ability to listen to all sorts of music, both new and old. Essentially no matter your age or your taste, this free online site has it. If you have not downloaded or heard of Last.FM simply go to http://www.last.fm/ and sign up
Get Terry Dean’s latest offering free of charge-(Dean is a cool guy even if he does live in Florida)
You can create the lifestyle you want where you earn more, work less, and enjoy life with your own kitchen table business...just like we have.
"Secrets of a Kitchen Table Entrepreneur"
http://mymarketingcoach.com/kitchen-table-entrepreneurs-and-you/
===================================
People are gobbling up their food-government subsidies subside to the public
With 17.3 percent underemployment, the only thing shrinking faster than wallets are time horizons. The Wall Street Journal has a compelling story today about how consumers are stocking their pantries only with the products they'll use in the immediate future, even at the expense of sales bargains. According to research done by , home pantry inventories have fallen 20%.
"For over two decades, Americans bought big, bought more and stocked up, confident that bulk shopping, often on credit, provided the best value for their money. But the long recession—with its high unemployment, plummeting home values and depleted savings accounts—altered the way many people think about the future. Manufacturers and retailers report that people are buying less, more frequently, and are determined to keep cash on hand."
“Found your new book Citizens Guide to Screwing Bureaucrats witty & useful…ever see the movie Deliverance? Our local jerk off is squealing like a pig now.”
How to...Configure Gladinet to Access Multiple SkyDrive Accounts from Windows Explorer…two issues back I indicated the PM had to migrate files from the old Microsoft platform to its new platform…here’s how plus some tools you can use.
SkyDrive is a cloud storage service from Microsoft that offers 25GB storage space for free. Those who are already familiar with Gladinet can skip this part, but for those who aren't, let me introduce you to the service. You can use Dropbox which offers free 2GB cloud storage but comes with a syncing app that automatically synchronizes your cloud files with those on your PC. SkyDrive, on the other hand, doesn’t come with this feature. So we are going to use Gladinet, a free tool used for syncing popular cloud storages like Amazon, Google Docs, Google Picasa, SkyDrive, FTP server etc., for this purpose.
Why Do You Need SkyDrive?
With the rising demand for hard disk space for images, documents, multimedia, the risk of losing them is equally increasing. Whether it's your son’s 1st birthday pictures or your office project files, you should always have a backup. In addition to offering a backup, cloud storage has another advantage over conventional backup. You can access your backed up files anywhere with just a browser.
Why Have Multiple Accounts?
It’s never enough. I mean 25GB is a lot of storage, but it’s nothing if you have a picture gallery of 30GB. Having two SkyDrive accounts will make the count 50GB and if you still need more, do the math.
SkyDrive is great when you think about the storage space it offers for free. However, if you want to download the cloud storage files back into the system, you have to manually download every single of them. Consider what happens if you lose your hard disk. It's great to have access to all your files, but downloading all the 20K project files one by one will take some time. But what if I say, it can be done automatically? In this tutorial, I will show you how.
To read the full tutorial, click here. From our friends in Toledo:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/multiple-skydrive-accounts-with-gladinet
<<<>>>
Free coupon code app
http://www.myshoppinggenie.com/msgdownload/getfreegenie.aspx?key=76740
How to Venture Offshore Without Getting in Trouble with the IRS
http://offshorepress.com/
The governments of the great States have two instruments for keeping the people dependent, in fear and obedience: a coarser, the army; and a more refined, the school."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844-1900)
A Program for Poor-aholics
Can't earn enough dough to pay the rent? A tiny but growing fellowship of New Yorkers might suggest that the problem isn't the economy. The problem is you. You may have a disease—a compulsive addiction to low-paying work. And they have a 12-step program to help you recover: Underearners Anonymous.
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/111383/a-program-for-poor-aholics?mod=career-salary_negotiation
· Noam Chomsky: WikiLeaks Cables Reveal "Profound Hatred for Democracy on the Part of Our Political Leadership"
“My name is Susette Kelo, and the government stole my home.”
Government thieves use eminent domain to steal private property-video
http://vimeo.com/17368032
Homeland Security shuts down dozens of websites without court order
While many of the web domains were sites that trafficked in counterfeit
brand name goods, and some others linked to copyright-infringing
file-sharing materials, at least one site was a Google-like search engine,
causing alarm among web freedom advocates who worry the move steps over the
line into censorship.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/11/homeland-security-shuts-dozens-sites/
“Apologists for activist government never tire of telling us that the benevolent state is our protector and that without it we’d be at the mercy of monsters. It is about time that we understood that the U.S. government does more to endanger the American people than any imagined monsters around the world…By pursuing its Grand Foreign Policy of meddling anywhere and everywhere.”
— Sheldon Richman
Military Actively War Gaming ‘Large Scale Economic Breakdown’ and ‘Civil Unrest’
For the hard core “preppers” amongst us, you may have already considered
this possibility and the chance that the fallout from an economic collapse
may lead to an inability to perform daily transactions with the U.S. dollar,
food supply disruptions, violence and looting, and even a completely
‘down-grid’ where utilities are completely out of service. If you haven’t,
what would you do if you awoke to news of a total meltdown in the US
dollar - one that led to rejection of the US dollar as a currency for
international settlement?
Will you be the one facing off against highly trained U.S. military
personnel holding a “Food Now” sign at an inner city riot? The U.S.
government and many of their counterparts around the world are getting
ready - just in case - maybe you should be too.(China and Russia recently
dumped the dollar)
http://blacklistednews.com/Pentagon%2C-Military-Actively-War-Gaming-%E2%80%98Large-Scale-Economic-Breakdown%E2%80%99-and-%E2%80%98Civil-Unrest%E2%80%99-/11628/0/5/5/Y/M.html
<<<>>>
You are no longer free to move about the country
Janet Napolitano said last month that we should expect to soon see tighter restrictions at bus, train, and marine transportation centers, too. Here's a report about TSA, Border Patrol, and local police setting up a checkpoint at a Greyhound station in Tampa. Note how quickly preventing a possible terrorist attack expands to include catching illegal immigrants, and preventing drug and what sounds like "cash smuggling." (It's hard to tell from the audio.) Note also the complete and utter reverence the local news report bestows on these government agencies, who after all are merely "teaming up to keep your family safe." http://reason.com/blog/2010/12/01/you-are-no-longer-free-to-move
Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder
respectable, and to give the appearance of solidarity to pure wind."
-- George Orwell
Parting Shot-Why most live in fear
Most of us fear something. As in the case of government, it fears exposure of their mean spirited ways through groups like Wikileaks and will do whatever it can (including blackmail and extortion) including pressuring foreign governments and even PayPal in its goal to “get” its founder. This is why freedom of the press and the need for them to act as public watchdog is so important.
Right now there are a lot of folks who fear losing their unemployment benefits. Rightly or wrongly, the government (as I write this) sounds as if it will not grant an extension of those funds. Yet, we all know politicians will continue to accept raises and perks most of us could only dream of.
If these millions, and the millions more (including police, fire, emergency crews) who will lose their benefits and/or jobs in the coming months, what will happen? Will they riot, turn to crime, go hide in the woods to live…what will happen to the small businesses, such as grocery stores who depend on those people who spend their UE benefits at the local Kroger? Will they lay off employees, adding to the cycle?
Any student of history knows it doesn’t take much to rattle ‘law-abiding’ citizens and food riots have already taken place in cities around the world. It didn’t take a day during Hurricane Katrina before looting of stores started and police abandoned their post. Hell, many Americans panic to the point of riot if their cell phones die!
Students of history also know when citizens are hungry or desperate, this is when they become most vulnerable to being led astray.
I once asked my former father-in-law (a former German soldier during WWII) how the Germans could so easily fall for Hitler’s megalomania? His response was most citizens were timid, afraid to lose their job or bureaucratic position. This enabled the Gestapo to have an easy time controlling the population.
“Soon, things we had taken for granted, became a crime. The right to own pistols, unless you were a party member. Even travel became restricted. At first we could only take 50 marks out of the country, then it became 5, passports were harder to get even for non-crimes such as being a Jew or non-citizen. The same kinds of things are happening today in America…restrictions on how much currency you can leave the country with, passports denied for non-crimes. It’s always a slow process and I see it happening here and Americans don’t realize it, just like we didn’t fully realize it back in the 1930s.”
Most everyone knew how brutal and ruthless the regime was with anyone it didn’t like or who refused to be brought into line or disobeyed the thousands of regulations and prohibitions. Many people, even priests, were taken into ‘protective custody’ and jailed never to be seen alive again, all of their possessions confiscated by the state.”
This is how a minority succeeded in holding the majority in check.”
All along the way, there were two types of people: The first group was folks that figured, “This has GOT to be the bottom; it can only get better from here.” Their patriotism was rewarded with reduced civil liberties, higher taxes, insane despots, and a polluted currency.
The other group consisted of people who looked at the warning signs and thought, “I have to get out of here.” They followed their instincts and moved on to other places where they could build their lives, survive, and prosper…which group are you in?
That’s all for this issue from your benevolent dictator…the Poor Man! Please share our bulletin with your friends. I invite you to view this video of how the government is attacking our freedom from the Ayn Rand Inst.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg3ZVOKc0h0
The tap's run dry, the supermarkets have been ransacked, the power is off and the low rumble of tanks can be heard in the distance. The unprepared who refused to believe that such a thing could happen here will live as wretched refugees—if they live at all. But for the prepared—for the city survivors—life will go on for the prepared.
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.OldBookNook.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
The Poor Man is not sustained by any political, special interest or parent company.
The views presented are ours and those of our contributors.
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In this issue:
1. Superfluid - a new social currency?
2. Your plan for the coming years
3. Why most live in fear
4. Program for Poor-aholics
5. Pentagon war games-’breakdown of society’
6. People are still making $ on eBay
7. Using the free SkyDrive
8. Gov’t pressures PayPal, Foreigners to cut off Wickileak founder
“…If a bad guy really wanted to do some damage, he’ll just stand in a line with hundreds of others waiting to go through screening, and detonate his carry-on bag there. Soon, there will be armies of TSA agents swarming through bus and train terminals, then the public highways. Terrorists are smart enough to know how to win against Americans - keep ‘em scared and let the government keep ‘em under control.” --from ‘keepthesheep’
Making money online, on eBay requires constant tweaking
Our Poor Man library has grown nicely but I do believe with all of the free links and bonus items we include we've reached somewhat of a saturation point on self sufficiency, preparedness materials (at least I think we have). Our goal has been to offer the most information at little cost, trying to keep all prices at $4.95. - far less than our competition.
With that in mind, the coming year will see growth in the publication of other, related how-to materials more along the lines of what Paladin Press used to offer (except for how to be a hit man). If you have ideas or suggestions or wish to collaborate on such ebooks, send me an email with your proposal or outline. We probably won't get rich but we can possibly enrich others!
One area I would caution against writing about – Green anything. My experience over the year selling 'green living-money/planet saving' books has been dismal at best. Frankly, I think most folks give lip service to the concept of going green. On the other hand, acts done for social good will be the “in” thing for commerce in the coming years.
Stats are showing us that eBay's traffic is down. Some are joyful that eBay is taking a hit.
However, it has become a challenge to remain profitable on eBay while still trying to offer unique items. Over the holidays, the Ipad and Ipod and other electronics continue to be the hot sellers. Vintage toys, especially Disney & scifi stuff like robots still do quite well. Then there are the unique items such as seller easymakebow who makes hairbow ribbon spike kits…makes on average of $4k every 90 days!
Another person sells digital study guides for current university classes and generates $7k quarterly…a Monkees LP sold for nearly $800. All things Superbowl seem to sell - an ‘07 Peyton Manning patch sold for $700, a press pin went for $237, a program sold for $200...an old pair of Levi jeans sold for a whopping $4K.
Yes, there is a recession but it doesn’t stop people from spending their money.
Creativity is key!
When you use eBay as a TOOL instead of an "end game" it's still a great place to get started and thrive online…when I say tool, that means building a mailing list from your sales.
I constantly tweak items I’ve created & listed. Example: we’ve had a lot of problems with our Poor Man IV in that I keep losing or screwing up the transfer process and have lost much of this extensive data. So I revamped it and revised the eBay listing to reflect the changes…ultimately, my buyers will get more and pay less.
I’ve now included more information that I created and added a link which will provide the same materials as previously offered at no cost to me, eliminating the need for shipping costs. To comply with eBay’s stupid rules, I will still mail something to the buyer (a letter summarizing what they purchased and how to access it)…will cost me far less too. This is important because as we all know, eBay will nickel and dime you to death with fees and it’s important to keep costs down wherever possible.
I encourage you to share your success stories on generating extra cash or eBay strategies!
<<<>>>
This week’s odds and ends resources
Superfluid is a mechanism for providing "social currency," hence
facilitating the exchange of services via social networking.
Members of the network earn "Quids" through collaborative work; Quids
may also be borrowed against future contributions of goods or services
to other members.
Two levels of superfluid participation are available: Activities deemed
to have commercial, monetary value are managed in superfluid:business
while other, noncommercial activities are managed on the superfluid:p2p
side.
https://www.thesuperfluid.com/
Do you have a personal strategic plan for the next 10 years?
Your plan includes three parts:
• A vision— a mental image of your life ten years from now.
• An action plan composed of strategies and a timetable for execution of each strategy.
• A contingency plan—actions to take when a low-probability, high-impact event occurs.
Now is the time to do some analysis before you put your plan into effect. Here’s a good starting point. NOTE: The Poor Man was a member of the World Futurist Society for several years and I feel you might benefit from their materials in the coming year.
http://www.wfs.org/content/analyzing-your-personal-plan
================================
Depression and mass unemployment are not caused by the free market,
but by government interference in the economy."
-- Ludwig von Mises
(1881-1973) Economist and social philosopher, escaped from NAZI Germany
Last.FM
Last.FM is considered by some to be the ultimate free music website. It is free online music, you can customize with your favorite artist and songs. You have the ability to listen to all sorts of music, both new and old. Essentially no matter your age or your taste, this free online site has it. If you have not downloaded or heard of Last.FM simply go to http://www.last.fm/ and sign up
Get Terry Dean’s latest offering free of charge-(Dean is a cool guy even if he does live in Florida)
You can create the lifestyle you want where you earn more, work less, and enjoy life with your own kitchen table business...just like we have.
"Secrets of a Kitchen Table Entrepreneur"
http://mymarketingcoach.com/kitchen-table-entrepreneurs-and-you/
===================================
People are gobbling up their food-government subsidies subside to the public
With 17.3 percent underemployment, the only thing shrinking faster than wallets are time horizons. The Wall Street Journal has a compelling story today about how consumers are stocking their pantries only with the products they'll use in the immediate future, even at the expense of sales bargains. According to research done by , home pantry inventories have fallen 20%.
"For over two decades, Americans bought big, bought more and stocked up, confident that bulk shopping, often on credit, provided the best value for their money. But the long recession—with its high unemployment, plummeting home values and depleted savings accounts—altered the way many people think about the future. Manufacturers and retailers report that people are buying less, more frequently, and are determined to keep cash on hand."
“Found your new book Citizens Guide to Screwing Bureaucrats witty & useful…ever see the movie Deliverance? Our local jerk off is squealing like a pig now.”
How to...Configure Gladinet to Access Multiple SkyDrive Accounts from Windows Explorer…two issues back I indicated the PM had to migrate files from the old Microsoft platform to its new platform…here’s how plus some tools you can use.
SkyDrive is a cloud storage service from Microsoft that offers 25GB storage space for free. Those who are already familiar with Gladinet can skip this part, but for those who aren't, let me introduce you to the service. You can use Dropbox which offers free 2GB cloud storage but comes with a syncing app that automatically synchronizes your cloud files with those on your PC. SkyDrive, on the other hand, doesn’t come with this feature. So we are going to use Gladinet, a free tool used for syncing popular cloud storages like Amazon, Google Docs, Google Picasa, SkyDrive, FTP server etc., for this purpose.
Why Do You Need SkyDrive?
With the rising demand for hard disk space for images, documents, multimedia, the risk of losing them is equally increasing. Whether it's your son’s 1st birthday pictures or your office project files, you should always have a backup. In addition to offering a backup, cloud storage has another advantage over conventional backup. You can access your backed up files anywhere with just a browser.
Why Have Multiple Accounts?
It’s never enough. I mean 25GB is a lot of storage, but it’s nothing if you have a picture gallery of 30GB. Having two SkyDrive accounts will make the count 50GB and if you still need more, do the math.
SkyDrive is great when you think about the storage space it offers for free. However, if you want to download the cloud storage files back into the system, you have to manually download every single of them. Consider what happens if you lose your hard disk. It's great to have access to all your files, but downloading all the 20K project files one by one will take some time. But what if I say, it can be done automatically? In this tutorial, I will show you how.
To read the full tutorial, click here. From our friends in Toledo:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/multiple-skydrive-accounts-with-gladinet
<<<>>>
Free coupon code app
http://www.myshoppinggenie.com/msgdownload/getfreegenie.aspx?key=76740
How to Venture Offshore Without Getting in Trouble with the IRS
http://offshorepress.com/
The governments of the great States have two instruments for keeping the people dependent, in fear and obedience: a coarser, the army; and a more refined, the school."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844-1900)
A Program for Poor-aholics
Can't earn enough dough to pay the rent? A tiny but growing fellowship of New Yorkers might suggest that the problem isn't the economy. The problem is you. You may have a disease—a compulsive addiction to low-paying work. And they have a 12-step program to help you recover: Underearners Anonymous.
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/111383/a-program-for-poor-aholics?mod=career-salary_negotiation
· Noam Chomsky: WikiLeaks Cables Reveal "Profound Hatred for Democracy on the Part of Our Political Leadership"
“My name is Susette Kelo, and the government stole my home.”
Government thieves use eminent domain to steal private property-video
http://vimeo.com/17368032
Homeland Security shuts down dozens of websites without court order
While many of the web domains were sites that trafficked in counterfeit
brand name goods, and some others linked to copyright-infringing
file-sharing materials, at least one site was a Google-like search engine,
causing alarm among web freedom advocates who worry the move steps over the
line into censorship.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/11/homeland-security-shuts-dozens-sites/
“Apologists for activist government never tire of telling us that the benevolent state is our protector and that without it we’d be at the mercy of monsters. It is about time that we understood that the U.S. government does more to endanger the American people than any imagined monsters around the world…By pursuing its Grand Foreign Policy of meddling anywhere and everywhere.”
— Sheldon Richman
Military Actively War Gaming ‘Large Scale Economic Breakdown’ and ‘Civil Unrest’
For the hard core “preppers” amongst us, you may have already considered
this possibility and the chance that the fallout from an economic collapse
may lead to an inability to perform daily transactions with the U.S. dollar,
food supply disruptions, violence and looting, and even a completely
‘down-grid’ where utilities are completely out of service. If you haven’t,
what would you do if you awoke to news of a total meltdown in the US
dollar - one that led to rejection of the US dollar as a currency for
international settlement?
Will you be the one facing off against highly trained U.S. military
personnel holding a “Food Now” sign at an inner city riot? The U.S.
government and many of their counterparts around the world are getting
ready - just in case - maybe you should be too.(China and Russia recently
dumped the dollar)
http://blacklistednews.com/Pentagon%2C-Military-Actively-War-Gaming-%E2%80%98Large-Scale-Economic-Breakdown%E2%80%99-and-%E2%80%98Civil-Unrest%E2%80%99-/11628/0/5/5/Y/M.html
<<<>>>
You are no longer free to move about the country
Janet Napolitano said last month that we should expect to soon see tighter restrictions at bus, train, and marine transportation centers, too. Here's a report about TSA, Border Patrol, and local police setting up a checkpoint at a Greyhound station in Tampa. Note how quickly preventing a possible terrorist attack expands to include catching illegal immigrants, and preventing drug and what sounds like "cash smuggling." (It's hard to tell from the audio.) Note also the complete and utter reverence the local news report bestows on these government agencies, who after all are merely "teaming up to keep your family safe." http://reason.com/blog/2010/12/01/you-are-no-longer-free-to-move
Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder
respectable, and to give the appearance of solidarity to pure wind."
-- George Orwell
Parting Shot-Why most live in fear
Most of us fear something. As in the case of government, it fears exposure of their mean spirited ways through groups like Wikileaks and will do whatever it can (including blackmail and extortion) including pressuring foreign governments and even PayPal in its goal to “get” its founder. This is why freedom of the press and the need for them to act as public watchdog is so important.
Right now there are a lot of folks who fear losing their unemployment benefits. Rightly or wrongly, the government (as I write this) sounds as if it will not grant an extension of those funds. Yet, we all know politicians will continue to accept raises and perks most of us could only dream of.
If these millions, and the millions more (including police, fire, emergency crews) who will lose their benefits and/or jobs in the coming months, what will happen? Will they riot, turn to crime, go hide in the woods to live…what will happen to the small businesses, such as grocery stores who depend on those people who spend their UE benefits at the local Kroger? Will they lay off employees, adding to the cycle?
Any student of history knows it doesn’t take much to rattle ‘law-abiding’ citizens and food riots have already taken place in cities around the world. It didn’t take a day during Hurricane Katrina before looting of stores started and police abandoned their post. Hell, many Americans panic to the point of riot if their cell phones die!
Students of history also know when citizens are hungry or desperate, this is when they become most vulnerable to being led astray.
I once asked my former father-in-law (a former German soldier during WWII) how the Germans could so easily fall for Hitler’s megalomania? His response was most citizens were timid, afraid to lose their job or bureaucratic position. This enabled the Gestapo to have an easy time controlling the population.
“Soon, things we had taken for granted, became a crime. The right to own pistols, unless you were a party member. Even travel became restricted. At first we could only take 50 marks out of the country, then it became 5, passports were harder to get even for non-crimes such as being a Jew or non-citizen. The same kinds of things are happening today in America…restrictions on how much currency you can leave the country with, passports denied for non-crimes. It’s always a slow process and I see it happening here and Americans don’t realize it, just like we didn’t fully realize it back in the 1930s.”
Most everyone knew how brutal and ruthless the regime was with anyone it didn’t like or who refused to be brought into line or disobeyed the thousands of regulations and prohibitions. Many people, even priests, were taken into ‘protective custody’ and jailed never to be seen alive again, all of their possessions confiscated by the state.”
This is how a minority succeeded in holding the majority in check.”
All along the way, there were two types of people: The first group was folks that figured, “This has GOT to be the bottom; it can only get better from here.” Their patriotism was rewarded with reduced civil liberties, higher taxes, insane despots, and a polluted currency.
The other group consisted of people who looked at the warning signs and thought, “I have to get out of here.” They followed their instincts and moved on to other places where they could build their lives, survive, and prosper…which group are you in?
That’s all for this issue from your benevolent dictator…the Poor Man! Please share our bulletin with your friends. I invite you to view this video of how the government is attacking our freedom from the Ayn Rand Inst.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg3ZVOKc0h0
The tap's run dry, the supermarkets have been ransacked, the power is off and the low rumble of tanks can be heard in the distance. The unprepared who refused to believe that such a thing could happen here will live as wretched refugees—if they live at all. But for the prepared—for the city survivors—life will go on for the prepared.
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.OldBookNook.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
The Poor Man is not sustained by any political, special interest or parent company.
The views presented are ours and those of our contributors.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Underground Money Sources, USA being Plundered
Bruce’s Poor Man Recession Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In this issue:
1. The Indian Lament-White man speak with forked tongue
2. Earn cash under the table-more news from the underground
3. 10 Commandments of being financially independent
4. Make your own apple cider vinegar
5. Fixing your own car gets easier
6. Our country is being plundered-mini-essays
"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits."
-- Mark Twain
White man speak with forked tongue
No matter where you stand on the WikiLeaks drama, I have to give the guy credit as he brings to light many shameful US activities. This kind of stuff has been going on with governments for centuries but it’s rather odd to see the dirty laundry being aired worldwide and you know our government is mighty pissed.
WASHINGTON – To ease surging budget deficits, Americans prefer cutting federal services to raising taxes by nearly 2-1 in a new poll. Yet there is little consensus on specific, meaningful steps — and a wariness about touching two gargantuan programs, Social Security and Medicare.
An Associated Press-CNBC Poll showed widespread anxiety about exceeding $1 trillion a year. Eighty-five percent worry that growing red ink will harm future generations — the strongest expression of concern since AP polls began asking the question in 2008. Fifty-six percent think the shortfalls will spark a major economic crisis in the coming decade.
Trying to buy the 364 items repeated in all the song's verses — from 12 drummers drumming to a partridge in a pear tree — would cost $96,824, an increase of 10.8 percent over last year, according to the annual Christmas Price Index compiled by .
The Consumer Price Index only rose less than 2% but that government issued index conveniently fails to include the price of food or fuel….proving once again, there is little truth to come out of Washington.
Indeed, here’s a little ditty called the Indian Lament
Wife he die,
I so sad.
Done gone bad.
Buy ol’ Ford
No good too--
Ride and push
No can do.
White man banker
No can trust,
Take in monies--
Bank go bust.
Republicans,
Stock market hogs,
Run it country,
To the dogs.
Democrat,
He Hoover man--
Hoover man,
Republican.
No more Democrat
By damn--
Guess me vote
For Uncle Scam!
--Unknown-from the Great Depression Era
Treating Terrorists like Americans -
And Americans like Terrorists!
Here are some helpful hints that could make your winters easier to deal
with! Thanks Mitch!
>Keep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary car wax on your
headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that
messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.
>Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol! Wipe the wipers with a cloth
saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly
streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity.
>Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray
bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your
windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar
contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing
water from freezing!
>Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray! Spritz cooking oil
on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a paper towel. The
cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.
>Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream! Spray some shaving cream on
the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream
has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.
>De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer! Just put some hand
sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!
Hope these hints help even just one time!
How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar
Read more: How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2295083_apple-cider-vinegar.html#ixzz16nr7swkC
Avoid Nasal Zinc products.
Homeopathic nasal zinc sprays and gels can permanently damage your sense of small and does not prevent or treat colds according to a new Univ of CA study.
Here is an informative pdf on using animals, insects, birds and worms for food that you can download for free.
http://www.preppers.info/uploads/Food_-_Animals_For_Food.pdf
Random Password Creator-Free
http://passwordplace.net/
Just for fun-site is so intense that originally I thought I'd write up certain categories individually, then I realized that in one visit I had managed to click into just about every section to see what was there, so I'm bringing it to you all as one but be warned you can lose the better part of a day checking out all the different sections!
Under Updates you'll find: Matchbox Museum, Comic Covers, 100 Mysteries, Star Tribune, Black & White World, The 30s, Comic Ads, and Miscellany. Thankfully you'll find a great description of what each section has in it before you click.
http://lileks.com/
Arbeit macht frei
Contrary to the Marxists, the Nazis did not advocate public ownership of the means of production. They did demand that the government oversee and run the nation’s economy. The issue of legal ownership, they explained, is secondary; what counts is the issue of control. Private citizens, therefore, may continue to hold titles to property—so long as the state reserves to itself the unqualified right to regulate the use of their property."
-- Leonard Peikoff
10 commandments of achieving financial independence and being happier while you do it …
1. Thou shalt live like you’re going to die tomorrow, but invest like you’re going to live forever.
The ease of making money in stocks, real estate, or other risk-based assets is inversely proportional to your time horizon. In other words, making money over long periods of time is easy – making money overnight is the flip of a coin.
Money is like a tree: Plant it properly, care for it every so often, then wait patiently. Stare at a newly planted tree for 24 hours, and you’ll be convinced it’s not growing. Fixate on your investments the same way, and you could miss out on a game-changer.
http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2010/11/24/the-10-commandments-of-wealth-and-happiness/
Fixing Your Own Car Just Got Easier
If you like to make auto repairs yourself, here are a few gadgets, including diagnostic tools, that could make it easier...
Battery Monitor ($19.95). Know the current state of your car battery at a glance with the simple installation (with basic hand tools) of the Battery Doctor 3-in-1 monitor on or near the battery. The device also can act as a surge protector during jump-starting (or recharging). Available from AutoSport, 800-953-0814, www.autosportcatalog.com.
Non-Contact Laser Thermometer ($59.99). Car lovers often need to take the temperature of components in their cars to trace an overheating problem. This handheld tool saves time and hassle because you can read the temperature of things, such as radiators and cylinder heads, just by pointing at them. It also is helpful for diagnosing problems with air-conditioning systems -- and can read temperatures from -4°F to 968°F. Available from Harbor Freight Tools, 805-388-3000, www.HarborFreight.com.
Multi Fluid Extractor ($89.99). Changing the oil can be a messy job that may require jacking up the car and crawling underneath -- unless you have this tool. The pump can suck the old oil out of the engine with a nozzle that slips into the oil dipstick tube. It holds nearly seven quarts of oil. Available from Griot’s Garage, 800-345-5789, www.GriotsGarage.com.
POR-15 Super Starter Kit ($19.80). A car lover’s nemesis is rust -- and POR-15 is the best stuff available to stop rust in its tracks. A rust-preventive paint (a favorite of those who restore old cars), it permanently seals existing rust and can protect exposed metal with a virtually indestructible coating that can be drilled and painted. The kit includes enough POR-15 to cover six square feet with two coats, plus metal-preparation treatment, a degreaser, gloves and two brushes. Available from POR-15, Inc., 800-726-0459, www.POR15.com (click on "POR-15 Rust Preventive Paint").
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Eric Peters, a Washington, DC-based automotive columnist and author of Automotive Atrocities! The Cars We Love to Hate (MBI). A member of the International Motor Press Association and the Washington Auto Press Association, he has been writing about cars for 17 years. His next book, Road Hogs (MBI), will be published later this year. http://EricPetersAutos.com
<<<>>>
Our Country is being plundered
Neither the Constitution of the United States nor the institutions set up by that Constitution are enough to ensure the continuance of a free, self-governing nation. When Benjamin Franklin was asked what members of the Constitutional Convention were creating, he replied: "A republic, madam, if you can keep it."
Here’s a small roundup of essays and examples to ponder on the coming cold nights (pun intended).
The Rape and Plunder of America
http://www.sullivan-county.com/wcva/lilley1c.htm
For an interesting series of essays by the famed Frenchman, Bastiat, go here:
http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html
Or view the Crime of our Time video here:
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/4/28/plunder_the_crime_of_our_time
How To Protect Your Hard Earned Money From Financial Meltdown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTsD7Sfl13w
Peter Schiff: Americans must prepare for deepening unemployment, inflation and possible breadlines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhPpzWZDyx0&feature=channel
Fiscal Mess Puts U.S. at Crossroads
“If Americans aren’t prepared for the hard choices needed to control the national debt, most voters here must have missed the memo…. Cutting the deficit and debt is the preferred prescription for the economy among 39% of Americans, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll conducted Nov. 19-21 shows. That tops other options, including raising taxes on the wealthy, cutting taxes and increasing stimulus spending.” (USA Today)
Thanks to all the politicians who dug this hole and all those who voted them into office.
Business of the USA for 50 years has been war. Making money off weapons is what rich Americans do. In essence, China is financing our wars and debt. The dollar will make its final demise as the world currency no later than 2018. --The Poor Man
News of the odd-underground living
A number of subscribers are asking about more ways to make cash…
Site devoted to 2012 disaster, but has interesting info on building underground bunkers
http://blog.2012pro.com/2012/10-tips-how-to-build-bunker-to-survive-2012
Information on making money in the underground economy
http://livesafely.org/financial-freedom/underground-economy-work-under-the-table/
An educator looks at how ghetto dwellers survive in the underground economy
http://www.wmich.edu/destinys-end/underground.htm
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17648511/7c1808f/Extraordinary_Books_and_Texts_.html
http://www.4shared.com/dir/13123021/9b2c77ad/sharing.html
>>><<< Now we've moved into the realm of gangster government. We have gangster government when the Federal Government has set up a new cartel and private businesses now have to go begging with their hand out to their local--hopefully well politically connected--Congressman or their Senator so they can buy a peace offering for that local business. Is that the kind of country we are going to have in the future? --Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachman
99ers: Unemployed need help as their benefits expire
Other groups are taking a more high-profile approach. FlashMobs4Jobs is holding rallies and demonstrations, mainly in New York City, to show how urgent the need is to extend the safety net.
"We want to educate and ask for support from the American public so they understand these are not lazy bums happy to get a check," said Kian Frederick, an unemployed union organizer who founded the movement.
Earlier this month, the group recreated a 1930s breadline outside the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to send home the message that many jobless are finding it hard to feed themselves or their families.
.
UnemployedStatesofAmerica provides forums for its 270 members to ask questions, post information or just vent. It also offers resources such as interviewing tips and the number for the national suicide prevention hotline. And it sponsors an online radio show focused on unemployment issues.
"This gives them a sense of 'people are going through this with me. I am not alone,' " said Wendy Ashley of Evansville, Ind., an unemployed factory worker who spearheads the site…in that line of thought, here are some ideas for generating extra income:
<<<>>>
It is incredible that a system of taxation which permits a man with an income of $1,000,000 a year to pay not one cent to his Government should remain unaltered."
--Andrew Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury under conservative Republican President Calvin Coolidge
Earn Cash: Jobs That Pay Under The Table
Earn cash tutoring college students. One of the easiest ways for a college or university grad to earn straight cash is to work as a tutor. Some skills that are in very high demand for this could involve tutoring math courses, physics, English literature, history, or languages such as French or Spanish. You could also offer to teach English to new immigrants off the books.
Work as a proofreader. I knew someone when I was in university who had graduated years before who supported themselves, under the table, by proofreading essays and term papers for students and charged by the page.
Make a second income delivering lifestyle services to people’s homes. I have met dozens of women who made ends meet by offering professional salon quality hairstyling - in peoples homes, well below market cost of the typical salon price. The same applies to similar work: manicures, pedicures, massage therapy, aromatherapy, yoga classes, reflexology, reiki, alternative medicine/naturopathy, the list goes on.
Work for extra money in the food and beverage industry. Without a doubt, one of the biggest underground employers is the food industry. Coffee shops, bars, pubs, taverns, restaurants etc have employed many people I have known over the years - many of which have also lived below the radar of immigration services for many years. It is also one of the easiest ways to finance living abroad if you have skills as a cook, bartender or doorperson and want to escape and start a new life abroad.
Offer traditional building trades in your community. This “no-brainer”, like the food and beverage is one of the two most obvious examples of an underground employer. Offering anything from complete major renovations to small carpentry jobs, welding jobs, plumbing repairs. If one is a skilled carpenter with their own facilities, one could even build custom lawn furniture, wooden retro screen doors, stairs - right down to something obscure like custom birdhouses, some of which can fetch over a hundred dollars. The construction industry is a huge consumer of undocumented workers.
Earn profit from your craft skills. Selling anything from homemade soap and paper products, to quilting, sewing, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, screen printed clothing, homemade rugs. I know of a guy who, when he came to Canada, made homemade sandals out of old tires which resembled those popular rubber “crock” style shoes. This same guy used that money to fund a legitimate food and catering business, which he still operates today!
Teach music lessons. Offer guitar lessons in people’s homes. Or piano lessons in yours. The possibilities here are endless.
Rent your home or apartment to tourists. Just check Craigslist and I’ll bet that there are people in your city advertising to rent out their apartments for close to what hotels charge! All you need to be competitive is a place that has a good location for tourists and is of the quality that someone would actually like to rent, and you could be on your way to having a competitive bed and breakfast business.
Clean people’s homes or apartments. Start off by using some free desktop publishing software to make some flyers and then distribute them in your area.
Teach classes in any sort of skill you have. Do you have experience in yoga? martial arts? pottery or ceramics? This could be the prefect income opportunity for you.
Give walking tours of your city. If you live in an urban setting and have knowledge of history, this could make you a good income with tourists. Even better if you can make this service unique, like for example offering a walking tour of famous haunted houses and buildings in your city.
Become a bicycle messenger. If you have bike and being a bit of a road warrior appeals to you, you could make several hundred a week, just for a few days work.
Offer to edit student papers. Live in a university town and have a degree in the Arts? Great, then you can advertise to proof student papers. Maybe there could even be a better income if they want you to write them. Some online services charge as much as $20 a page!
Become a personal assistant. Running errand for execs such as shopping, deliveries, etc can pay handsomely.
Become a pet sitter. Often dog walkers and pet sitters can make $20-30 a day just for a couple of hours doing very little If you love being around animals, as I do, this could be fun as well as lucrative.
Offer services for elderly consumers. Yard work, snow and roof shoveling are very popular and obvious choices here. So are any other rubbish removal, spring cleaning services.
Make a second income growing vegetables in people’s backyards. Got a green thumb? Offer to grow vegetables for people for a low cost, setting them up with a starter home garden which you get paid cash to maintain. Sure, a reasonable rate might only be 20-30 dollars a month, but add this up if you did this for 100 people!
Offer computer repairs. Computer savvy? This could be another perfect way to provide a service for people off of the books.
Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies."
-- Honore de Balzac
Parting thoughts…
In October 1937 the stock market crashed - again and nearly as badly as it had in 1929. The reason? That year Social Security taxes were withheld for the first time from paychecks. Consumer spending dropped dramatically as people had less of their money to spend.
The economy shrank and unemployment shot up to 22%. Money that had been skimmed from paychecks (most folks at the time were a little slim on the details) didn’t circulate in the economy again for another year.
You might think this would be a lesson for Washington. Each time they take away from citizens, it has negative repercussions.
Now that Washington has looted this so-called ‘lock box’ you know who will pay the price for this larceny…certainly not the thieves.
On another political oddity…Eugene Debs is the only person in history to run a presidential race while serving time in prison. He ran on the Socialist Party ticket in 1920 against Warren Harding. Though he managed to get 920,000 votes, he was serving a 10-year sentence for publicly criticizing the government’s questionable use of the Espionage Act in prosecuting people!
2009 saw a 20% increase in the number of people growing their own vegetables. It saw an increase in the number of people interested in living a more simple life that gives them greater control. Living off the grid is more than being independent. It's about be proactive in your own survival, it's about becoming more connected to family and community, and it's being responsible for your own well-being and not dependent on the government to get you through.
That’s it for this issue of pithy thinking! The Poor Man!
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.OldBookNook.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In this issue:
1. The Indian Lament-White man speak with forked tongue
2. Earn cash under the table-more news from the underground
3. 10 Commandments of being financially independent
4. Make your own apple cider vinegar
5. Fixing your own car gets easier
6. Our country is being plundered-mini-essays
"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits."
-- Mark Twain
White man speak with forked tongue
No matter where you stand on the WikiLeaks drama, I have to give the guy credit as he brings to light many shameful US activities. This kind of stuff has been going on with governments for centuries but it’s rather odd to see the dirty laundry being aired worldwide and you know our government is mighty pissed.
WASHINGTON – To ease surging budget deficits, Americans prefer cutting federal services to raising taxes by nearly 2-1 in a new poll. Yet there is little consensus on specific, meaningful steps — and a wariness about touching two gargantuan programs, Social Security and Medicare.
An Associated Press-CNBC Poll showed widespread anxiety about exceeding $1 trillion a year. Eighty-five percent worry that growing red ink will harm future generations — the strongest expression of concern since AP polls began asking the question in 2008. Fifty-six percent think the shortfalls will spark a major economic crisis in the coming decade.
Trying to buy the 364 items repeated in all the song's verses — from 12 drummers drumming to a partridge in a pear tree — would cost $96,824, an increase of 10.8 percent over last year, according to the annual Christmas Price Index compiled by .
The Consumer Price Index only rose less than 2% but that government issued index conveniently fails to include the price of food or fuel….proving once again, there is little truth to come out of Washington.
Indeed, here’s a little ditty called the Indian Lament
Wife he die,
I so sad.
Done gone bad.
Buy ol’ Ford
No good too--
Ride and push
No can do.
White man banker
No can trust,
Take in monies--
Bank go bust.
Republicans,
Stock market hogs,
Run it country,
To the dogs.
Democrat,
He Hoover man--
Hoover man,
Republican.
No more Democrat
By damn--
Guess me vote
For Uncle Scam!
--Unknown-from the Great Depression Era
Treating Terrorists like Americans -
And Americans like Terrorists!
Here are some helpful hints that could make your winters easier to deal
with! Thanks Mitch!
>Keep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary car wax on your
headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that
messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.
>Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol! Wipe the wipers with a cloth
saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly
streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity.
>Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray
bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your
windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar
contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing
water from freezing!
>Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray! Spritz cooking oil
on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a paper towel. The
cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.
>Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream! Spray some shaving cream on
the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream
has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.
>De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer! Just put some hand
sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!
Hope these hints help even just one time!
How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar
Read more: How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2295083_apple-cider-vinegar.html#ixzz16nr7swkC
Avoid Nasal Zinc products.
Homeopathic nasal zinc sprays and gels can permanently damage your sense of small and does not prevent or treat colds according to a new Univ of CA study.
Here is an informative pdf on using animals, insects, birds and worms for food that you can download for free.
http://www.preppers.info/uploads/Food_-_Animals_For_Food.pdf
Random Password Creator-Free
http://passwordplace.net/
Just for fun-site is so intense that originally I thought I'd write up certain categories individually, then I realized that in one visit I had managed to click into just about every section to see what was there, so I'm bringing it to you all as one but be warned you can lose the better part of a day checking out all the different sections!
Under Updates you'll find: Matchbox Museum, Comic Covers, 100 Mysteries, Star Tribune, Black & White World, The 30s, Comic Ads, and Miscellany. Thankfully you'll find a great description of what each section has in it before you click.
http://lileks.com/
Arbeit macht frei
Contrary to the Marxists, the Nazis did not advocate public ownership of the means of production. They did demand that the government oversee and run the nation’s economy. The issue of legal ownership, they explained, is secondary; what counts is the issue of control. Private citizens, therefore, may continue to hold titles to property—so long as the state reserves to itself the unqualified right to regulate the use of their property."
-- Leonard Peikoff
10 commandments of achieving financial independence and being happier while you do it …
1. Thou shalt live like you’re going to die tomorrow, but invest like you’re going to live forever.
The ease of making money in stocks, real estate, or other risk-based assets is inversely proportional to your time horizon. In other words, making money over long periods of time is easy – making money overnight is the flip of a coin.
Money is like a tree: Plant it properly, care for it every so often, then wait patiently. Stare at a newly planted tree for 24 hours, and you’ll be convinced it’s not growing. Fixate on your investments the same way, and you could miss out on a game-changer.
http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2010/11/24/the-10-commandments-of-wealth-and-happiness/
Fixing Your Own Car Just Got Easier
If you like to make auto repairs yourself, here are a few gadgets, including diagnostic tools, that could make it easier...
Battery Monitor ($19.95). Know the current state of your car battery at a glance with the simple installation (with basic hand tools) of the Battery Doctor 3-in-1 monitor on or near the battery. The device also can act as a surge protector during jump-starting (or recharging). Available from AutoSport, 800-953-0814, www.autosportcatalog.com.
Non-Contact Laser Thermometer ($59.99). Car lovers often need to take the temperature of components in their cars to trace an overheating problem. This handheld tool saves time and hassle because you can read the temperature of things, such as radiators and cylinder heads, just by pointing at them. It also is helpful for diagnosing problems with air-conditioning systems -- and can read temperatures from -4°F to 968°F. Available from Harbor Freight Tools, 805-388-3000, www.HarborFreight.com.
Multi Fluid Extractor ($89.99). Changing the oil can be a messy job that may require jacking up the car and crawling underneath -- unless you have this tool. The pump can suck the old oil out of the engine with a nozzle that slips into the oil dipstick tube. It holds nearly seven quarts of oil. Available from Griot’s Garage, 800-345-5789, www.GriotsGarage.com.
POR-15 Super Starter Kit ($19.80). A car lover’s nemesis is rust -- and POR-15 is the best stuff available to stop rust in its tracks. A rust-preventive paint (a favorite of those who restore old cars), it permanently seals existing rust and can protect exposed metal with a virtually indestructible coating that can be drilled and painted. The kit includes enough POR-15 to cover six square feet with two coats, plus metal-preparation treatment, a degreaser, gloves and two brushes. Available from POR-15, Inc., 800-726-0459, www.POR15.com (click on "POR-15 Rust Preventive Paint").
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Eric Peters, a Washington, DC-based automotive columnist and author of Automotive Atrocities! The Cars We Love to Hate (MBI). A member of the International Motor Press Association and the Washington Auto Press Association, he has been writing about cars for 17 years. His next book, Road Hogs (MBI), will be published later this year. http://EricPetersAutos.com
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Our Country is being plundered
Neither the Constitution of the United States nor the institutions set up by that Constitution are enough to ensure the continuance of a free, self-governing nation. When Benjamin Franklin was asked what members of the Constitutional Convention were creating, he replied: "A republic, madam, if you can keep it."
Here’s a small roundup of essays and examples to ponder on the coming cold nights (pun intended).
The Rape and Plunder of America
http://www.sullivan-county.com/wcva/lilley1c.htm
For an interesting series of essays by the famed Frenchman, Bastiat, go here:
http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html
Or view the Crime of our Time video here:
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/4/28/plunder_the_crime_of_our_time
How To Protect Your Hard Earned Money From Financial Meltdown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTsD7Sfl13w
Peter Schiff: Americans must prepare for deepening unemployment, inflation and possible breadlines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhPpzWZDyx0&feature=channel
Fiscal Mess Puts U.S. at Crossroads
“If Americans aren’t prepared for the hard choices needed to control the national debt, most voters here must have missed the memo…. Cutting the deficit and debt is the preferred prescription for the economy among 39% of Americans, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll conducted Nov. 19-21 shows. That tops other options, including raising taxes on the wealthy, cutting taxes and increasing stimulus spending.” (USA Today)
Thanks to all the politicians who dug this hole and all those who voted them into office.
Business of the USA for 50 years has been war. Making money off weapons is what rich Americans do. In essence, China is financing our wars and debt. The dollar will make its final demise as the world currency no later than 2018. --The Poor Man
News of the odd-underground living
A number of subscribers are asking about more ways to make cash…
Site devoted to 2012 disaster, but has interesting info on building underground bunkers
http://blog.2012pro.com/2012/10-tips-how-to-build-bunker-to-survive-2012
Information on making money in the underground economy
http://livesafely.org/financial-freedom/underground-economy-work-under-the-table/
An educator looks at how ghetto dwellers survive in the underground economy
http://www.wmich.edu/destinys-end/underground.htm
http://www.4shared.com/dir/17648511/7c1808f/Extraordinary_Books_and_Texts_.html
http://www.4shared.com/dir/13123021/9b2c77ad/sharing.html
>>><<< Now we've moved into the realm of gangster government. We have gangster government when the Federal Government has set up a new cartel and private businesses now have to go begging with their hand out to their local--hopefully well politically connected--Congressman or their Senator so they can buy a peace offering for that local business. Is that the kind of country we are going to have in the future? --Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachman
99ers: Unemployed need help as their benefits expire
Other groups are taking a more high-profile approach. FlashMobs4Jobs is holding rallies and demonstrations, mainly in New York City, to show how urgent the need is to extend the safety net.
"We want to educate and ask for support from the American public so they understand these are not lazy bums happy to get a check," said Kian Frederick, an unemployed union organizer who founded the movement.
Earlier this month, the group recreated a 1930s breadline outside the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to send home the message that many jobless are finding it hard to feed themselves or their families.
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UnemployedStatesofAmerica provides forums for its 270 members to ask questions, post information or just vent. It also offers resources such as interviewing tips and the number for the national suicide prevention hotline. And it sponsors an online radio show focused on unemployment issues.
"This gives them a sense of 'people are going through this with me. I am not alone,' " said Wendy Ashley of Evansville, Ind., an unemployed factory worker who spearheads the site…in that line of thought, here are some ideas for generating extra income:
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It is incredible that a system of taxation which permits a man with an income of $1,000,000 a year to pay not one cent to his Government should remain unaltered."
--Andrew Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury under conservative Republican President Calvin Coolidge
Earn Cash: Jobs That Pay Under The Table
Earn cash tutoring college students. One of the easiest ways for a college or university grad to earn straight cash is to work as a tutor. Some skills that are in very high demand for this could involve tutoring math courses, physics, English literature, history, or languages such as French or Spanish. You could also offer to teach English to new immigrants off the books.
Work as a proofreader. I knew someone when I was in university who had graduated years before who supported themselves, under the table, by proofreading essays and term papers for students and charged by the page.
Make a second income delivering lifestyle services to people’s homes. I have met dozens of women who made ends meet by offering professional salon quality hairstyling - in peoples homes, well below market cost of the typical salon price. The same applies to similar work: manicures, pedicures, massage therapy, aromatherapy, yoga classes, reflexology, reiki, alternative medicine/naturopathy, the list goes on.
Work for extra money in the food and beverage industry. Without a doubt, one of the biggest underground employers is the food industry. Coffee shops, bars, pubs, taverns, restaurants etc have employed many people I have known over the years - many of which have also lived below the radar of immigration services for many years. It is also one of the easiest ways to finance living abroad if you have skills as a cook, bartender or doorperson and want to escape and start a new life abroad.
Offer traditional building trades in your community. This “no-brainer”, like the food and beverage is one of the two most obvious examples of an underground employer. Offering anything from complete major renovations to small carpentry jobs, welding jobs, plumbing repairs. If one is a skilled carpenter with their own facilities, one could even build custom lawn furniture, wooden retro screen doors, stairs - right down to something obscure like custom birdhouses, some of which can fetch over a hundred dollars. The construction industry is a huge consumer of undocumented workers.
Earn profit from your craft skills. Selling anything from homemade soap and paper products, to quilting, sewing, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, screen printed clothing, homemade rugs. I know of a guy who, when he came to Canada, made homemade sandals out of old tires which resembled those popular rubber “crock” style shoes. This same guy used that money to fund a legitimate food and catering business, which he still operates today!
Teach music lessons. Offer guitar lessons in people’s homes. Or piano lessons in yours. The possibilities here are endless.
Rent your home or apartment to tourists. Just check Craigslist and I’ll bet that there are people in your city advertising to rent out their apartments for close to what hotels charge! All you need to be competitive is a place that has a good location for tourists and is of the quality that someone would actually like to rent, and you could be on your way to having a competitive bed and breakfast business.
Clean people’s homes or apartments. Start off by using some free desktop publishing software to make some flyers and then distribute them in your area.
Teach classes in any sort of skill you have. Do you have experience in yoga? martial arts? pottery or ceramics? This could be the prefect income opportunity for you.
Give walking tours of your city. If you live in an urban setting and have knowledge of history, this could make you a good income with tourists. Even better if you can make this service unique, like for example offering a walking tour of famous haunted houses and buildings in your city.
Become a bicycle messenger. If you have bike and being a bit of a road warrior appeals to you, you could make several hundred a week, just for a few days work.
Offer to edit student papers. Live in a university town and have a degree in the Arts? Great, then you can advertise to proof student papers. Maybe there could even be a better income if they want you to write them. Some online services charge as much as $20 a page!
Become a personal assistant. Running errand for execs such as shopping, deliveries, etc can pay handsomely.
Become a pet sitter. Often dog walkers and pet sitters can make $20-30 a day just for a couple of hours doing very little If you love being around animals, as I do, this could be fun as well as lucrative.
Offer services for elderly consumers. Yard work, snow and roof shoveling are very popular and obvious choices here. So are any other rubbish removal, spring cleaning services.
Make a second income growing vegetables in people’s backyards. Got a green thumb? Offer to grow vegetables for people for a low cost, setting them up with a starter home garden which you get paid cash to maintain. Sure, a reasonable rate might only be 20-30 dollars a month, but add this up if you did this for 100 people!
Offer computer repairs. Computer savvy? This could be another perfect way to provide a service for people off of the books.
Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies."
-- Honore de Balzac
Parting thoughts…
In October 1937 the stock market crashed - again and nearly as badly as it had in 1929. The reason? That year Social Security taxes were withheld for the first time from paychecks. Consumer spending dropped dramatically as people had less of their money to spend.
The economy shrank and unemployment shot up to 22%. Money that had been skimmed from paychecks (most folks at the time were a little slim on the details) didn’t circulate in the economy again for another year.
You might think this would be a lesson for Washington. Each time they take away from citizens, it has negative repercussions.
Now that Washington has looted this so-called ‘lock box’ you know who will pay the price for this larceny…certainly not the thieves.
On another political oddity…Eugene Debs is the only person in history to run a presidential race while serving time in prison. He ran on the Socialist Party ticket in 1920 against Warren Harding. Though he managed to get 920,000 votes, he was serving a 10-year sentence for publicly criticizing the government’s questionable use of the Espionage Act in prosecuting people!
2009 saw a 20% increase in the number of people growing their own vegetables. It saw an increase in the number of people interested in living a more simple life that gives them greater control. Living off the grid is more than being independent. It's about be proactive in your own survival, it's about becoming more connected to family and community, and it's being responsible for your own well-being and not dependent on the government to get you through.
That’s it for this issue of pithy thinking! The Poor Man!
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.OldBookNook.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
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