HDTV or high definition televisions are finally entering the arena where it can be considered mainstream. Literally every single day we see that the prices on high definition television sets are falling or even dropping. Luckily the available supporting technology like the digital video recorders has no problem handling HDTV programs.

Today, in at totally different industry, we see that the video game systems are using the advantage that high definition technology provides. And as a bonus we are seeing that more and more channels become available in the HDTV format now than ever before in the history of the technology.

While all of this is considered good news in the of the high definition television market a few of the giant technology companies are fighting a format war in the market for the HD digital video disc. As in the old days with the Beta-max vs. VHS format war there are now two opposing formats that both utilize the blue laser technology in order to encode enough data for a full length movie in high definition. And on top of that there are the bonus features and materials that are added onto a disc that’s the same size as a normal DVD. The challenge is that most of the available players of today are only supporting one format and therefore won’t play discs in the other format. You can say that the formats are incompatible.

Consumers avoiding the Beta-max failure

Due to this conflict there is currently a lot of trouble in regards to the widespread adoption of just one of the formats. Consumers can easily remember the last time there was a format war and where many people got stuck with a bunch of useless Beta-max cassette players and tapes. Therefore we are now seeing consumers being more cautious and are therefore holding out to see which of the two formats that comes out on top before investing into new technology.

The technical specifications of the two formats are pretty close to being equal, but the Blu-ray disc format from Sony is the winner in terms of the amount of data that it can store. On a disc from Sony you can store up to fifty gigabytes or as much as twenty five gigabytes on each side of the disc. On the other side you have rival of Toshiba with their HD-DVD format. It can only store fifteen gigabytes per side for a total of thirty, but it has the advantage in terms of players being sold about half the price of Blu-ray disc players.

Due to the fact that the Blu-ray format can store the most data, it would seem obvious that it would be the winner on purely technical grounds. However time has shown us that the market for these things isn’t quite that simple. In order to win the battle both Sony and Toshiba are trying to win by making their technology more attractive than the other’s which in the end will only benifit the consumers.

To make the picture complete one must know that there are some really big names in the electronics, software, and movies industry have gotten behind each of the two formats. On one side the huge company of Microsoft favors HD-DVD and offers an HD-DVD drive that attaches to its popular Xbox 360 gaming system

On the other side there are the major movie studios like 20th Century Fox that are currently releasing a lot of movies on Blu-ray disc while yet other movie companies are releasing movies on HD-DVD. Some of the major film producers are going the safe route and are releasing movies in both formats just to hedge their bets.

So when it looks like high definition television is ready to become mainstream the DVD format war is becoming more and more ugly every day and at this point it doesn’t seem like there will be found any solution in the near future.

Mikael’s fiber optics site holds substantial information about fda fiber optics communication certification and every aspect related to fiber optics technology.

The first meeting or telephone conversation with your prospective tenant is the beginning of the screening process to find a good tenant. If they are viewing the rental property - are they on time? Are they smartly dressed? Is their car well mantained? Do they wipe their feet before entering the property? Small details like this can give you an insight into what type of tenant they are likely to be. When you question them about such things as employment, references or rental history are they happy to provide the answers? If both parties are keen to proceed with the let, you will need to put things in writing. At this stage the prospective tenants may decide to pay a holding deposit, while you go through the screening process necessary to complete the tenancy agreement.

Tenancy Application

It is strongly advised that as a first step you get any prospective tenants to complete a full application form. This needs to include: identity evidence, income and credit history, past accommodation and full employment details, references and other details, such as: any children, pets, car owner, smoker or non-smoker, the intended number of people living in the rental. The application should also specify the length and type of letting, the basic terms and the rent and deposit required. The application should also inform the tenant that credit checks and references checks will be made in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Reference Check

Don’t ever be tempted to not check the prospective tenant’s credit or identity history, and do take up the references before deciding to enter into any tenancy agreement. Consider asking for a guarantor if you are not 100% sure. All these steps are much easier than having to evict a problem tenant. However ‘nice’ your prospective tenants seem don’t be lulled into taking chances - your screening process is your insurance.

Tenancy Agreement

When you decide to let your property your new tenant will need to sign a Tenancy or Letting Agreement. This can be drawn up by anyone (and some landlords prefer to have it checked over by a solicitor) - the signing should be witnessed by an independent witness. This should be accompanied by a full inventory and statement of condition of the rental property. If you are arranging a let for more than three years you will legally need to get a Lease by Deed arranged by a solicitor.

What makes a Top Tenant?

Fiona Howard specializes in writing for the financial and business market, and is a well-respected city analyst. She currently advises Loan-Loans-Mortgage, one of the leading UK online sites for finding a fast Business Loan or Buy to Let Mortgage

So you’ve started a new diet. Good for you and congratulations on wanting to improve your health! Have you set a weight loss goal yet? Is it realistic? And by realistic I mean try and ignore all the hype you see out on the internet. You know what I’m talking about. The hype that promises you can:

Lose 18 pounds in 8 days

Lose 20 pounds in 3 weeks

Lose 42 pounds in 3 months

Sure it sounds great, but how realistic is it? In an effort to uncover the truth, I decided to do some REAL research and see how much weight someone can realistically expect to lose.
I found an interesting study that compared 4 major diets over a 1 year period. That sounded perfect. After all, if you could lose 18 pounds in 8 days, just think of how much you can lose in a year. In case you’re wondering, that would be over 821 pounds.
What were the results of the study?
The average person lost almost 7 pounds. That’s a little over ½ pound per month. The winner was the Atkins (Low-Carb) diet at almost 10 pounds.

After 6 months all of the groups in the study started to regain some of the weight they had lost.
But 7 pounds? That’s it?
When I looked at the data a little deeper I found that by the end of the year all the participants had reduced their calorie intake by over 300 calories a day. It might not sound like much, but if a pound equals 3,500 calories that means they should have lost over 31 pounds.
Right? So what gives? Were the numbers wrong?
Greg Easterbrook once said:

“Torture numbers and they’ll confess to anything”

I couldn’t agree more.
Here’s an example to explain what I’m talking about:
Put 2 people on a diet. If 1 loses 50 pounds, but the other gains 10 there are lots of ways to analyze the results:

Optimist: The diet is great, 1 person lost 50 pounds
Pessimist: The diet is a failure, 1 person gained 10 pounds
Realist: The diet works, average weight loss was 20 pounds per person

Are any of the above statements false? No. And that’s the point.
The problem I have with the whole number thing is based on the above 2 person sample, which ad do you think they’ll use when the try and sell their product? That’s right.
Lose over 50 pounds!

Misleading? Of course it is, but I think it is also dangerous. Even if you don’t buy the product, you’re being told about results that may not be achievable for you. So when you go on a diet and lose only 4 pounds in a month, what do you think?

Would you consider yourself successful? Or would you give up and try something else?
That’s the problem with numbers. When used improperly they cause us to build up these great expectations that are almost impossible to live up to.

If you are on a diet, how much weight do you want to lose in a month in order for you to feel good?

Sometimes you need to ask better questions BEFORE you ask yourself the ‘weight question’.
Seeing a diet counselor, or a weight loss coach, can help you understand why you’re at your current weight. They can help you eliminate some bad habits and even worse thought patterns. Good weight loss coaches can help you identify the emotional ties you have to food and show you how you can release those ties for good.

Once you have released those emotional ties almost any healthy diet will work in getting you to a health weight..

For additional articles, products and coaching services to help you lose weight please visit Unlimited Destiny at
lose weight coach

Mommy, Where Does Money Come From?

Ask any five friends where money comes from, and the answers you get may be about as enlightening as a four-year-old’s explanation of conception. And if you ask folks in the financial services industry, their answers are about as helpful as the fascinating paper I did on meiosis and mitosis in sophomore biology.

In other words, a lot of your information about how money enters your life is very likely incorrect or complicated past the point of usefulness.

How Money Enters Your Life

Let’s look at four channels through which money might flow into your life.

Gift. Money is given to you by in keeping with the intention of another party without requiring or expecting anything from you in return.

Accident. Similar to a gift, but without the specific intent of another party.

Exchange. Money you receive in exchange for actual or expected goods or services.

Investment. Money generated as earnings from an investment.

None of those channels is especially mysterious. So why is it that some people are so successful in building wealth and some people experience chronic lack of money?

There are conventional reasons, such as being born into poverty, abjuring the material realm for the realm of spirit, and garden-variety ignorance and mismanagement.

But do those really explain anything? After all, some men and women born to poverty become extremely successful in building wealth. Mother Theresa lived simply, yet she raised millions and millions of dollars for her work. And ignorance and mismanagement are eminently curable, especially for those of you who are reading this newsletter and want to explore the “money and you” issue.

Your success in building authentic wealth is a function of the relationship between money and you and the roles you play with respect to the money that enters your life. When you relate to money in a creative, free, authentic manner, Authentic Wealth is a natural result.

You may very well have spent a lifetime in the sincere pursuit of authenticity, creativity, and freedom. Why isn’t it showing up in the relationship between money and you? For the answer, let’s visit The Land of Oz.

Pay Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain

Do you know the scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy and friends face the Great and Terrible Oz? When a breeze disturbs the curtain concealing the all-too-human being behind the myth, the impostor cries out, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”

You are the man behind the curtain, in your relationship with money, orchestrating every aspect of the drama (and quite possibly terrifying yourself in the process.)

Spend some time looking at the roles you play in your financial life. Here’s just one example of what you might find.

When money enters your life as a gift, how do you receive it? Are you an open, grateful, and un-conflicted recipient? Are you a partner who has made an unambiguous request? Or do you respond to gifts as if you are now a debtor or as if receiving the gift establishes you as needy or weak?

Whenever you impose on money a story of lack or injustice or hardship, you are moving away from conscious relationship and into the territory of the man behind the curtain: twisting dials and stomping on pedals to terrorize yourself.

That’s why the amount you have has nothing to do with whether or not you are at peace about money. Just as the Lion’s courage, the Scarecrow’s brains, and the Tin man’s heart were established by means of a medal, a diploma, and a ticking clock, your ability to experience and build authentic wealth is all about how you see yourself.

Just for fun: The name of the fictional salesman who was carried to Oz in a great cyclone where he was made Wizard was Oscar Zoraster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs.

Molly Gordon, MCC, is a leading figure in business and personal growth coaching, writer, workshop leader, and a frequent presenter at live and virtual events worldwide. Visit her website and find out what abundance gurus don’t tell you about the law of attraction and how to use the power of positive thinking for building wealth. While on the site, join 12,000 readers of Molly’s Authentic Promotion® ezine and receive a free 31-page guide on effective self promotion.

The concept of a business opportunity might not be completely understood, simply because it can apply to so many different situations. For the purpose of our discussion here, we will not be talking about franchise opportunities. Otherwise, almost anything goes–from distributorships to vending machine routes, from network marketing to dealerships. Business opportunities can be online or be located in the real world. In general, a business opportunity is the sale or lease of a product, service or equipment that enables you to start a business.

Business opportunities usually involve a product and they may have a location, although the online world is quickly changing that. The assumption with a business opportunity is that there is a market for the product or service and there is the potential for profit. Initial fees for taking advantage of a business opportunity vary and there may be a buy-back or guarantee provision. Business opportunities usually come with some sort of marketing program as well.

A “business opportunity” doesn’t normally refer to the one-off sale of an independent business. Business opportunities normally consist of a system or set of procedures that can be sold to more than one buyer in more than one location. With the sale of an independent business, they are usually no continuing obligations between the seller and the buyer. The buyer can do anything they want with the business they’ve bought, and there’s no requirement for a continuing relationship with the seller.

There are many advantages and benefits connected with business opportunities. They normally have a lower initial fee and lower startup costs than a franchise. Business opportunities are normally based on a proven system or product, so you can profit from the experience of others. There may be a training program connected with the business opportunity and longer-term business counseling may be available as well. You benefit from the buying power of a larger company and you can often take advantage of cooperative promotional activities and advertising.

But the world of business opportunities is not always perfect. The company offering the opportunity may not always have your best interests in mind. There may be a lack of support at some times. Exclusivity clauses (meaning you can sell their product and no others) may hinder your ability to compete in the marketplace. It’s not unheard of for parent companies to go broke or declare bankruptcy. The bottom line? Anytime you consider taking advantage of a new business opportunity, it’s your responsibility (not someone else’s) to diligently evaluate both the company and yourself.

First of all, are you truly ready to take on a business opportunity? In addition to having the financial freedom to take a chance, do you really have the passion and excitement to put into a new business opportunity? And what about time? Do you have enough time freely available to devote to the success of this business opportunity?

Successfully starting up a new business requires complete knowledge of your product or service. If the company is not willing to immediately and cheerfully provide that knowledge, then you should quickly back away from this particular opportunity. Do some market research of your own. Don’t take the company’s word for it that a rabid demand exists for their particular product.

Investigate the company’s record of past success and try to interview someone who’s currently involved with the business opportunity. Has the company lived up to its promises and fulfilled its obligations?

What sort of income claims are connected with this business opportunity? You should look for assurances of reasonable income, but at the same time there should be no limit on future income. Promises of fast and easy riches should be a warning for you to stay away. How many years has the company offering the opportunity been in business? What sort of reputation do they have? Are their ethics and standards compatible with yours?

There’s no shortage of business opportunities available. It’s a fairly simple matter to find something that appeals to your interests and fits within your startup budget. But don’t allow yourself to be rushed into any arrangement. True business opportunities based on proven models will have no trouble waiting for your careful consideration.

This business opportunity article was written for http://www.business-trader.com.au

An Offshore Annuity works very similar to a deferred variable annuity. The owner pays into the annuity during the accumulation phase using either a lump sum or paying scheduled amounts over a period of time. The money in the annuity will gain interest at a rate determined by the investment portfolios in which it was placed, and either the owner or annuitant will be taxed once the withdrawal period begins.

You should remember that the owner and annuitant do not need to be the same, and for an Offshore Annuity the owner is usually an offshore trust. If the two annuities are so similar, then what is the benefit of having an Offshore Annuity versus a U.S-based deferred variable annuity?

BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF AN OFFSHORE ANNUITY

There are several advantages to having an Offshore Annuity, but they can be easily narrowed down into three main benefits:

1. flexibility

2. protection

3. tax advantages

FLEXIBILITY OF AN OFFSHORE ANNUITY VS DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY

When you choose to purchase a deferred variable annuity you are usually opting to place your money into mutual funds, equity funds, bond funds, etc. The investment portfolio chosen for your money is done by the insurance company you purchase the annuity from, and is limited to venders they have contracts with.

An Offshore Annuity offers more investment options since the overseas advisor can choose to place the money in any of the previously mentioned portfolios, or, for example, they can invest your money in gold. The overseas advisor is not limited by contracts and can invest your money into a number of diversified accounts. Your rate of return is not guaranteed, and is determined by the success of your advisor’s chosen investments.

ASSET PROTECTION AND SECURITY OF AN OFFSHORE ANNUITY

Offshore Annuities offer much more than just increased investment options; they offer a secure way to hide your existing assets from the U.S Government. This feature of an Offshore Annuity is also known as Wealth Preservation. If the offshore issuer of your annuity has no U.S-based affiliations, U.S Courts have no jurisdiction over them or your annuity. This means that anyone wishing to effect a garnishment of your assets must receive permission from the host country where your Offshore Annuity originates.

This is not as easy as it seems since Offshore Annuities are not subject to U.S foreign account reporting requirements. This feature of an Offshore Annuity makes it extremely difficult to link you to any funds other than what you report on your income taxes. It is important to note that while you can be both the owner and annuitant for your annuity, this situation only applies if the owner of the annuity is an offshore trust. (Please note Estate Street Partners and its partners do not ever condone on misreporting on your income.)

FRAUDULENT TRANSFER LAWS ON ANNUITY

If you are both the owner and annuitant, you may be ordered by a U.S. Court to use your annuity to pay a creditor. There are only a few states which exclude annuities from creditors, but you will be subject to fraudulent transfer laws if you obtained the annuity for the sole purpose of hindering or delaying a creditor’s claim.

Having an offshore trust take ownership of your annuity avoids this situation altogether, although it is important to investigate the fraudulent transfer laws of the offshore trust and choose only those which appear investor friendly.

OFFSHORE TRUST OF ANNUITY: WITHHOLD DIRECT ANNUITY PAYMENTS TO BENEFICIARY

Having an offshore trust for your annuity offers you, as trustee, the option of withholding direct annuity payments to a beneficiary. If the beneficiary is affected by a drug or alcohol addiction, or is battling legal issues, you may choose to allocate annuity payments indirectly for their benefit. This is very different from a deferred variable annuity which only offers a direct payment to the annuitant or beneficiary in the form of lump sum or scheduled payments.

TAX ADVANTAGES OF OFFSHORE ANNUITY AND OFFSHORE TRUST

Your Offshore Annuity will grow tax-deferred until you begin withdrawing money, and the U.S Government only requires a one percent excise tax on the premium you paid to implement your Offshore Annuity. Another difference between a deferred variable annuity and an Offshore Annuity owned by a trust, is your beneficiaries do not need to receive payments immediately following your death. Therefore they can delay paying taxes on your annuity until the trust begins distribution of the annuity.

HOW TO PURCHASE AN OFFSHORE ANNUITY? WHO IS IT FOR?

An Offshore Annuity is not for everyone. Most issuers require more than one million dollars to implement your annuity. As previously mentioned, it is wise to have an offshore trust own your annuity. In this case, the offshore trust completes the annuity application and sends it to the issuer. Upon approval you will wire funds to the bank account of your trust, who will then wire the premium to the issuer to complete the transaction.

author bio - Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA
award-winning estate planning & trust expert
MS - Taxation, Master of Science Taxation
MBA - Management / Taxation
BSBA - Management / Accounting
CPA - Certified Public Accountant
—–
Asset Protection Irrevocable Trust, Estate Planning
Annuity Types
71 Commercial Street #150, Boston, MA 02109
tel: +1.508.429.0011 fax: +1.508.429.3034

The history of real estate tax and property tax can be traced back to Colonial America. Land was taxed on a per-acre basis until the nineteenth century when uniformity clauses were adopted to help protect settlers. The uniformity clauses now require that property be taxed according to its value.

Illinois was the first state to adopt this clause, and some states such as Tennessee adopted additional provisions that exempted products produced from the soil and up to one thousand dollars of personal property. Elected officials would assess the market value of the property, collect taxes due, and turn the money over to the proper government (school districts, special districts for fire prevention, irrigation, etc.).

It wasn’t until 1907 that the National Tax Association was founded, and declared that trained professionals perform all assessments of real estate for tax purposes. This regulation curtailed favoritism and promoted equality.

PROPERTY ASSESSOR AND REAL ESTATE TAX MAPS

In the twenty-first century, state governments depend more on income and sales taxes than on property taxes for funding. Local governments still rely on a small percentage of property taxes to generate revenue. The tax assessment is based on the value of the building and the value of the land it occupies. The assessor maintains accurate “tax maps” which identify individual properties to ensure they are not taxed more than once.

Any improvements made to the structure or land will be noted on these maps. Methods used to calculate value of property have changed since colonial times. Assessors may now choose between the income approach, market value, or replacement cost. All values determined by the assessor are subject to a “second opinion” via administrative or judicial review. Once the value of the property is agreed upon, the assessor will multiply this value by the established tax rate to calculate how much you owe in taxes.

HOMESTEAD REAL ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION

Some states have passed laws to provide homestead exemptions to put limitations on how high property taxes may be raised. This exemption is only available to residents of these states in which the property in question is the primary residence. You cannot use a rental property or second home in a different state as your “primary residence” to receive this tax break. Once the property is sold, the exemption is removed and property taxes may rise for the new owner based on the purchase price of the home.

DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAX PENALTIES (APRIL 1ST)

Failure to pay your taxes by April 1st each year will result in a delinquent real estate tax. Penalties for delinquent taxes may vary by state. In some states you will be charged a ten percent penalty on all unpaid taxes and will be charged an additional administrative processing fee.

If after the beginning of June you still have not paid your delinquent real estate taxes, your property will become tax defaulted. At this time you will begin to accrue additional penalties for each month that your taxes remain unpaid. If you continue to refuse paying delinquent taxes, the Tax Collector may appeal to the Court to seize and sell your property.

LIEN ON PROPERTY AND TAX CERTIFICATES

A lien may be placed on the house through the purchase of a tax certificate, and the owner can only remove the lien by paying the required taxes due. After a period of two years, the holder of the tax certificate may request a tax deed application. This application allows the certificate holder to sell your property at a public auction. The only way to prevent losing your property is to pay all delinquent taxes and applicable fees that have accumulated.

ESTATE TAX LIEN AND AFFIDAVIT TO REMOVE TAX

Some states such as Massachusetts will put an estate tax lien on property after the death of the owner, or anyone else who may have had a legal interest in the property (i.e. spouse). This usually occurs in the absence of probate and when the gross estate value does not exceed $1.5 million. Estates worth more than this limit will be subjected to federal estate tax filing.

Barring the above exceptions, an estate tax lien may be removed by filing an Affidavit. The Affidavit may be filed by an Executor or anyone in possession of the deceased’s property (i.e. spouse). An Affidavit must contain key information such as:

1. Full name and date of death for the deceased

2. Documentation that the estate does not require federal estate state filing

3. The identity and title of the person signing the Affidavit and the form must be notarized

4. The death certificate

5. Any applicable recording fees for the Affidavit and death certificate

Author bio - Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA
Award-winning estate planning & trust expert
MS - Taxation, Master of Science Taxation
MBA - Management / Taxation
BSBA - Management / Accounting
CPA - Certified Public Accountant
—–
Asset Protection Irrevocable Trust, Estate Planning
Estate Planning and Trusts
71 Commercial Street #150, Boston, MA 02109
tel: +1.508.429.0011 fax: +1.508.429.3034

How to protect your assets during a divorce? Protecting assets through a divorce can be a complex financial process further complicated by the emotional devastation. If you are going through a divorce it may be important to you to determine ahead of time what your assets are and how you will protect them from your spouse.

The first step will be to hire a lawyer familiar with the laws for dividing property in your state. Good legal council will prove invaluable in defending your claims to property and can give you names of appraisers and accountants to help your case. Your divorce lawyer will also assist you on how to remove any Powers of Attorney granted to your spouse for control of your property and finances.

There are several steps you should consider when trying to protect your assets during Divorce:

1. Identify everything that was given to you as a gift or family heirloom.

2. Identify community property.

3. Hire a professional appraiser.

4. Figure out how you will split retirement and physical assets.

IDENTIFY GIFTS AND FAMILY HEIRLOOM TO PROTECT ASSETS DURING DIVORCE

A camera will prove to be your best friend during a divorce. You should make a list of all items which were given to you before and after the wedding and take pictures of these items prior to removing them from the residence. Once you have compiled your list you should remove all your personal items to a location not easily accessible to your spouse.

Your spouse will be within their rights to claim any items you leave behind in the residence and do not immediately claim. If you or your spouse left the residence voluntarily, either of you is entitled to return at any time and retrieve belongings. If locks have been changed, except in the case of a court order, you are within your rights to have a locksmith open the doors. Your next step will be obtaining, if possible, written proof of who gave you the items and when they were received.

COMMUNITY PROPERTY ASSETS

Community property of assets refers to the belongings shared by you and your spouse, such as the furniture, pots and pans, etc. It is important to take pictures of these belongings as well before you remove the items you wish to claim as your own. Photographs are especially valuable if there are expensive items you would like to have but did not have the ability to move and you feel your spouse may try to take them. All photographs should be kept in a secure location not readily accessible by your spouse.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL, INDEPENDENT APPRAISER FOR DIVORCE ASSET PROTECTION

Division of property during a divorce is determined by the fair market value of the disputed items to ensure one party is not being favored over the other during settlement. An appraiser will be necessary to determine accurate estimates, although you should consult your lawyer on finding a qualified individual.

Using the same accountant who handled your assets in the past may seem suspicious and a court may order another appraisal or rule in favor of your spouse’s accountant. It is critical that an appraisal be straightforward and unbiased for the protection of assets during Divorce.

ESTATE PLANNER CONSULTATION TO DIVIDE AND PROTECT ASSETS DURING DIVORCE

When considering how to divide assets prior to divorce settlement, it is wise to consult a professional estate planner or financial analyst. For example, if you are thinking about selling your home it may be wise to do so prior to settlement since you are entitled to deduct up to $500,000 of the sale from capital gain taxes.

Selling the home after the divorce is final and reduces your benefit to only half of the sale price. Retirement assets and stocks should also be discussed. If you and your spouse choose to split the retirement benefits you must sign a Qualified Domestic-Relations Order (QDRO) which notifies the pension sponsors how to pay the benefits. Although you cannot take stocks in your spouse’s name you may be entitled to the proceeds once they are sold.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE ON DIVORCE ASSET PROTECTION

Some states, such as New York, are known as “equitable distribution” states. “Equitable” mean “fair” and assets will not be divided right down the middle based on their fair market value. Division of assets according to New York Divorce law states that all property obtained prior to the marriage still belongs to the individual and all property obtained afterwards will be distributed by the court based on established guidelines.

The factors a court considers in equitable distribution states for divorce assets are:

1. The difference in income and property from when the marriage began to the date divorce was filed.

2. The age of both individuals and how long they were married.

3. The needs of a parent who has won full custody of children involved (i.e. will they need the house to properly care for the child?).

4. Any loss of pension or inheritance.

5. What contributions the parties made to acquire the property.

6. Future earning potential of both parties.

7. Tax consequences.

If you are considering divorce it is wise to consult a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure the protection of your assets and help you understand your rights as they pertain to individual state law. For maximum protection Estate Street Partners is available for consultation during and before a divorce.

Author bio - Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA
Award-winning estate planning & trust expert
MS - Taxation, Master of Science Taxation
MBA - Management / Taxation
BSBA - Management / Accounting
CPA - Certified Public Accountant
—–
Asset Protection Irrevocable Trust, Estate Planning
Hide Your Assets Now
71 Commercial Street #150, Boston, MA 02109
tel: +1.508.429.0011 fax: +1.508.429.3034

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) defines stress as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them.” The HSE has commissioned research into stress levels in the workplace all over the UK and have come up with the following jaw-dropping statistics:-

1. Approximately 500,000 people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level that they believe is making them ill.

2. Five million people in the UK feel “very” or “extremely” stressed by their work.

3. Around 12.8 million working days a year were lost to stress and stress-related illness in 2004/5. (Probably even higher in the U.S.).

And this is just the tip of the iceberg… this is just the work-related stress. Add to that the stresses of family life (need I say more?), the stress of making enough money to keep the wolf from the door and enjoy a pleasant lifestyle, the stress of trying to be who and what everyone wants us to be…and so on.

Some level of stress is essential to our functioning…we just wouldn’t be motivated to actually DO anything without it. When it’s something we want to do, we call it exciting. When it’s something we’d rather not do, we call it stressful! The effect on our body and mind is actually the same, believe it or not. Adrenaline shoots round our system, heart rate and blood pressure rise, our pupils dilate, our muscles get ready for action…. And then Daniel Craig puts his clothes back on!!

But you get my drift….our bodies are designed by Mother Nature to go into “Fight or Flight” mode, seeing as that’s what kept us alive millions of years ago when that noise in the bushes could have meant that either Bambi or Godzilla was behind us…

So life without any kind of stress would be unutterably boring. But our lives today have stresses that last over long periods of time - stresses that can’t be dealt with by running away or bashing something with a club…tempting though it may seem when your boss/child/mother-in-law is winding you up! And stress over a long period of time is what does us in. Your body is not designed to deal with these hormones staying in the system - the idea was that once Man had escaped from the predator, the hormones subsided. Job Well Done. Man then either slept, ate said predator or….You get the idea! (This is where Daniel Craig reappears…)

Long-term exposure to stress hormones can cause problems inside us. Big problems. High blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and some forms of cancer have been linked to high levels of stress sustained for years. Stress is one of the main causes of premature death in the developed world. Sobering thought, isn’t it? Well, now that you’ve read all this and got all stressed about your stress levels, what can you do about them?

You’ll have to read the next instalment for stress-busting ideas! (Hint: This might just involve some Pilates). Until next time…

All the best,

Carol Bartram (Pilates Instructor)

http://www.free-pilates-exercises.com

Acne is a widespread problem that affects many people, making their life miserable, often at a time when they are at their most vulnerable such as in the teenage years. There are many acne treatment products on the market, all claiming to be able to eliminate your acne. How do you sort through them all to find the best acne treatment product for you without spending a fortune trying them all out? Is it worth spending more or are the cheaper products just as good? Sifting through all the products available can be very confusing and time consuming, but here are a few points to consider when making your choice.

The first step is a visit to your doctor to establish which type of acne you are suffering from. They should also be able to confirm your skin type. This is important as cream based treatments should not be used on oily skin, while gel based products are not the best option for dry skins.

Do you have sensitive skin? If you do, avoid any products which contain high levels of chemicals - go for the acne treatment products which contain natural ingredients, like Zenmed acne treatment systems. Even if your skin is not particularly sensitive avoid any product which is going to dry out your skin too much, such as some acne treatment soaps which contain salicylic acid. Products which contain more than 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide can be too harsh and cause damage to your skin if left on for too long.

These tips should have enabled you to shorten your list of possible acne products considerably but what positive points can help in your choice?
Any product needs to be mild and gentle on the skin yet still be effective at treating the acne. It has to control the excess oil which has caused the skins pores to become blocked. (Pore blockage allows trapped bacteria to multiply and so cause the blemishes and spots.) It also needs to be able to unplug the blocked skin pores and help to fight the bacteria trapped in the pores.

The ideal treatment is one which does not just tackle the acne problem from the outside but also cleanses your body from the inside as well. Again be very careful of using products containing chemicals - some are thought to lead to depression in some people. However usually products like these will have to be obtained on prescription from your dermatologist.

Using the tips and pointers above you should be able to eliminate many acne treatment products from your list. Read reviews of those left and whichever product you decide upon give it a fair time to work. Don’t expect instant results.

For further help in choosing acne treatment products, visit Acne Treatment Reviews at http://www.zenmedacnetreatment.com

A combined internal and external acne treatment that acts naturally without any documented side effects is Zenmed Derma Cleanse which uses an external cleansing routine for the skin and a capsule to be taken for internal cleansing. This natural system has the advantage of not needing a prescription, but does take longer for the effects to show, so patience is needed!I t is also at the more expensive end of the market but users are reporting good results.