The following situation happens quite often to many traders. Look it over and see if it has been happening to you:

You have been faithfully following your trading plan and the rules you’ve set for trading. By following them you are now in a trade that doesn’t look so good. At the same time, by following your trading plan, you see that you’ve missed a beautiful move in a different market, one that could have made you a lot of money.

You are in a bad trade and you’ve missed out on a great trade. You become disgruntled. You think to yourself that your trading plan must not be so great. You think there must be a better methodology that you should use that will prevent this from happening. You think to yourself, “Yes! That’s it, I’ll change the way I do things.” So you create a new rule or modify an old one so that such a rule would have let you capture the trade you missed and avoid the one you took. Have you been making this mistake?

Here’s another way it can happen: You are in a trade, and your rules cause you to be stopped out with little or no profit. Shortly after you exit the trade according to plan, prices take off and move to where, had you stayed in, you would have made substantial profits. The move leaves you sitting there thinking you are stupid. You reason that there must be something wrong with the way you do things.

Your rules, your plan, or both must not be right. So you change what you are doing, or make a new rule so that the next time this happens, you won’t be left behind.

You have just abandoned all of the hard work you’ve previously done that enabled you to successfully trade futures. You’ve abandoned your education and learning. You’ve abandoned the wisdom that will enable you to be consistently successful as a trader. You’ve just started trading history, and you are supposed to be trading on the future movement of prices. You are trading what happened, not what will happen. By not being willing to be left behind, you are setting yourself up for being left out.

If you’ve been having thoughts, or have been acting as we’ve just described, you have a terrible problem with greed. Why? Because greed can never get enough. You can’t satisfy greed. Greed wants more, and yet more.

Not every trade is your trade. Not every trade has to work out for you. You have to be satisfied with getting a reasonable share of trades that fit your description of a good trade. Some of those trades will turn out to be great trades, others are good trades, and a certain percentage of your trades will be bad. There’s no way around it.

Not every good trade will turn into a great trade. When you enter a trade according to your rules and trading plan, you have no idea whether or not it will turn out to be a good trade, much less a great trade. The reality of trading is that, try as you might, you cannot know the future.

Whenever we miss a big move and then try to find some pattern, indicator, rationale, or modification to make to what we are doing so that the next time we will not miss the “big” move, it is a part of the hunt for something magic – a continuation of our quest for the holy grail of trading.

What a terrible mistake to allow yourself to make. Winning as a trader consists of making some small profits and some larger profits on a regular basis. Obviously, there will be some losses. We regularly want to keep losses small, but there are times when a loss will get away from us and turn out to be bigger than desired.

If adversity causes you to become disgruntled, then you really need to examine your thinking and your approach to trading. Your trading plan must allow for disappointment and loss.

You’ve got to believe in what you are doing and be able to trade from the knowledge that when you follow your rules and your plan, you will make money from your trading.
When you become disgruntled and begin to change your plan, your rules, or both, you are setting yourself up for almost certain failure and the worst thing that can happen to a trader – you will lose the courage of your convictions. Without it you cannot trade with any level of confidence.

This is why we encourage you to write out the reasons and rationale for every trade you make, even if you have to do it after you have completed the trade. You must develop a keen recognition of the trades that are your trades. Write out your trading plan every day and for every trade you intend to make. If you did not have time to plan every trade, be sure to review those you did make without pre-planning. Then you can go back over your trading and be able to see why and when you are successful.

Reminder: Here are some steps to take before the market opens.

View major formations on the charts of those futures you intend to trade. View potential congestion areas, get the big picture from the longer term charts.

Write down all potential entries as you see them on the chart.

You need to go through this exercise every day that you trade. This takes discipline. However, doing so will help you develop the kinds of habits that will mold you into a great trader.

If you are too busy to be disciplined, then you are too busy to trade. If you don’t discipline yourself, you will soon disappear from the trading scene.

Joe Ross

tradingeducators.com/?source=Ezinearticles/ Trading Educators Inc

ABOUT JOE ROSS:

Joe Ross has been trading for more than 47 years, and is a well known Master Trader. He has survived all the up and downs of the markets because of his adaptable trading style, using a low-risk approach that produces consistent profits.

Joe is the creator of the Ross hook, and has set new standards for low-risk trading with his concept of “The Law of Charts™.” Joe was a private trader for most of his life. In the mid 80′s he shift his focus and decided to share his knowledge. After his recovery, he founded Trading Educators in 1988 to teach aspiring traders how to make profits using his trading approach. He has written 12 major books on trading. All of them have become classics and have been translated into many different languages.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California at Los Angeles. He did his Masters work in Computer Sciences at the George Washington University extension in Norfolk, VA. Joe still tutors, teaches, writes, and trades regularly. Joe is still an active and integral part of Trading Educators.

Forex? What is it, anyway?

The market

The currency trading (FOREX) market is the biggest and the fastest growing market on earth. Its daily turnover is more than 2.5 trillion dollars, which is 100 times greater than the NASDAQ daily turnover. (click here to read full market background by Easy-Forex™).

Markets are places to trade goods. The same goes with FOREX. The Forex goods (or merchandise) are the currencies of various countries. You buy Euro, paying with US dollars, or you sell Japanese Yens for Canadian dollars. That’s all.

How does one profit in Forex?

Very simple and obvious: buy cheap and sell for more! The profit is generated from the fluctuations (changes) in the currency exchange market.

The nice thing about the FOREX market, is that regular daily fluctuations, say – around 1%, are multiplied by 100! (in general, Easy-Forex™ offers trading ratios from 1:50 to 1:200). If, for example, the exchange rate of “your” pair of currencies increased by 0.6% in the last 4 hours, your profit will be 60% on your investment! Such can happen in one business day, or in a few hours, even minutes.

Moreover, you cannot lose more than your “margin”! You may profit unlimited amounts, but you never lose more than what you initially risked and invested.

You can implement your choice (the pair of currencies, the volume amount) under any direction to which the market is moving, and yet make profit. It does not matter whether the exchange rate is going up or down: you can always decide to buy Euro and sell dollar, or vice versa – buy dollar and sell Euro. You don’t have to physically possess certain currencies in order to perform “buy” or “sell” with them.

How do I start?

Register (Easy-Forex™ offers the simplest and quickest registration process, no obligation); deposit your first trading “margin” amount (credit cards are welcome, only by Easy-Forex™); start trading.

It can’t be simpler or easier than that. Need help? We’ll provide you with 1-on-1 training and service, as much as necessary (Easy-Forex™ offers real people service, live, in your own language).

How do I trade Forex?

You select the pair of currencies with which you wish to make a Forex deal. You determine the volume (the amount of the deal). You deposit the “margin” (collateral needed to facilitate the deal. Usually – only a very small portion of the whole deal, say: 1% or 1:100).

Before you finally activate the deal, you can still “freeze” it for a few seconds. That enables you to either change the terms, or accept it as is, or altogether regret the whole idea. The “freeze” feature is a unique service by Easy-Forex™.

When your Forex deal is running (you hold an “open position”), you can monitor its status and check scenarios online, whenever you wish. You may change some terms in the deal, or close it (and cash the profit, if any, or minimize the loss, if any). Moreover, Easy-Forex™ lets you determine a “take-profit” rate, with which the deal will close automatically for you, when and if such rate occurs in the market. Meaning: you do not have to stay near your computer when you hold open positions.

Want to know more? Want to get on-line training? Register here: easy-forex.com/Gateway.aspx?gid=20908&pid=31 www.easy-forex.com/Gateway.aspx?gid=20908&pid=31 (simple, quick, no obligation), we’ll be glad to guide you, every step of the way.

Good luck!

Andy Shera
Indonesia

People generally believe that money is difficult to come by, and then getting rich is a matter of either impossibly hard work or downright impossible luck. What they fail to realize is that the way they live their life – their attitude towards money, life and happiness – has a great deal to do with whether they attract money and success. They live their life as paupers, not just where money is concerned, but in every aspect. They scrape by financially, they’re stingy with kind words and generous acts, and they attack each day as if suffering through unpleasantness will somehow earn them happiness simply because they’re so miserable.

It doesn’t work that way, however. Success breeds more success, and positive events chase after positive attitudes. If you live an abundant life – a life that’s full, rich and happy – you’ll continue to reap positive energy and material prizes in return. You just need to truly understand what an abundant life entails.

There are three things that you need to live a truly abundant life. You need your health, you need good relationships, and you need money. If you feel fulfilled in all three of these areas, then you’re ahead of the game – you’re living an abundant life. But if any of these three are unfulfilling, you run the risk of succumbing to negativity and stress. Look at it this way – imagine your net worth is $50 million but you have a debilitating illness that keeps you from doing much of anything. Or that you’re that rich but you have no friends, no family, and no other loved ones with whom you can experience life’s joys.

The same holds true when you don’t have any money at all – you could be extremely healthy and have loving friends and family, but if you’re struggling for money then you aren’t living a full life.
So why is it so difficult to fulfill all three of these areas, thus ensuring an abundant life? The answer is your attitude. Your thoughts and feelings which, in turn, drive your actions, determine whether or not you’ll have a successful life.

From the time that we’re small children we’re forming the basis of our belief system, the manner in which we view ourselves and the world around us. Some of it is taught to us by our parents. Some lessons we learn through trial and error, forming perceptions based on our experiences. Some of it comes from our religion, and the society in which we live. By adulthood, all of these things have come together to form the way we deal with everything in our lives.

Many people live their lives as victims of circumstance, convinced when bad things happen that life is “just like that” – and, for those people, that’s the truth. What they don’t understand is that the majority of things that happen to them occur because of their own outlook. Religious leaders and philosophers have lectured for thousands of years that “we reap what we sow” – that good attracts good, and negative attracts negative.

Many man made religions of today teach that you must do certain things or act in certain ways if you are to accomplish or accumulate. Basically, that you must be good. And that is the great secret to living an abundant life. That by simply believing that you deserve good things, by rejoicing in all that you’ve been given and visualizing that more will be coming your way, you will attract positive events, success, happiness and wealth. It’s not magic – you’ll still need to work towards your goals and exploit any opportunities that come your way, but those opportunities will increase tenfold once you develop a positive, forward-thinking attitude.

Starting 11 years ago, jamie-mcintyre.com Jamie McIntyre
took less than 5 years to become a self made millionaire. In the last 8 years as
a world leading educator and success coach, he has touched the lives of 165,000
Australians and New Zealanders and recently people world wide, producing many
millionaires in the process and helping many retire early.
jamie-mcintyre.com jamie-mcintyre.com

It is the greatest fear of growing older. Not only have you run out of money, now you are dependent on your family members and nothing to leave behind. You may not want to work for the rest of your life in order to ensure a steady income. Retirement is to be enjoyed. It’s the time that’s meant for nobody else…but you.

“Now I can do whatever I want.”

That’s the phrase that we long to say. But sometimes we don’t realize how the transition to retirement can be a life altering experience. Retirement is more than moving from hours per day dedicated to job to lifetime unemployment. It requires a new way to manage money.

A study completed in 2002 by gerontologist Ken Dykwald found that the single most important factor of retirement satisfaction was financial preparedness. This means, that the financial resources and plans for using the money would sustain a lifestyle for years to come. To achieve this, we need to begin by understanding the challenges.

Challenge #1 Too Much Too Fast

“Hurray! I’m Free! Now I can do all the things I want to do.” Well hold on. This can be a major setback early in retirement if withdrawals on your finances are too high or too frequent. In addition, if the markets are down and investments are taking a hit and you withdrawal money on top of that…now you are experiencing what is called a ‘double negative’. This can potentially accelerate the depletion of your savings.

Challenge #2 Discipline to Stick with the Plan

Take a serious look at the finances. A goal may be to potentially lower lifetime taxes and minimize taxes on social security. There are two different ways that investments can be taxed: Capital Gains with a cap rate of 15% and Ordinary Income which is taxed on the standard tax bracket. It’s critical to develop a plan that has a specific liquidation order for tax efficient withdrawals. Simply keep in mind that the more income you have, the more they will tax your social security.

Challenge #3 Other Expenses Beside Fun

The best way to manage your fixed expenses might be to know your fixed income. Keep in mind some expenses that fall through the cracks, costs such as prescriptions, hospital and doctor visits.

Adjusting to a New Life…Style.

One of the best ways to adjust to your new life is to situate the finances (fixed income) to cover all of the fixed expenses. This way you will not be forced to take as much money out on a monthly basis.

Here are the Top 3 possibilities for what can be done to achieve balance in retirement:

1.Readjust or re-engineer additional expenses in order to attain a moderately balanced, total return portfolio that focuses on dividends.

2.Consider an immediate annuity. Review how you have just create a lifetime paycheck that has a pension-like effect that is unaffected by stock market fluctuations.

3.Track expenses. Know each month what you are spending your fixed income on and decide what adjustments, if any, need to be made in order to keep expenses in line with income.

Just remember retirement is a major milestone in one’s life. Make the most of it by taking the time to plan, monitor your progress and make adjustments when necessary.

John Michalak is a well-known local authority and financial educator in the matters of retirement finances. He assists retirees & pre-retirees in preserving their capital, protecting their estates and more profitably structuring their investments. People who consult with John find that they reduce or eliminate tax on social security income, increase their fixed monthly income and obtain better protection for their financial future.

Educational Background:

1) MBA in Finance 2) Have completed the CFP – Certified Financial Planner Certificate program at Loyola Chicago. 3) Certified Senior Advisor, (CSA)

Professional licenses and other qualifications:
Series 63, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) (State or SEC) or RIA representative, Masters of Business Administration, Series 65, Series 6, Certified Financial Planner Certificate Program

Does your business require an immediate move? Have you already found your next home and need to complete quickly to avoid a loan? Or is there no particular hurry and need a price that recoups your investment in renovation and improvements? It is believed that bridging loans are the best financial solution for the individuals. These loans are popular in real estate sector.

The bridging loans are secured in nature. These loans contain collateral pledging. Collateral- as individuals’ current property. On the basis of the pledging, the loan amount is sanctioned. Although the amount raised by the lending authority for the bridging loans is £ 100, 000 , but after seeing the borrowers’ inconvenience into account, the authority increases the sum up to £ 400, 000.

Interestingly, the bridging loans, actually, fill the gap between selling and lending. So as these loans are constituted to assist individuals’ in desperate need of an urgent financial support. These loans are offered for a very short period of 4 weeks. Managing repayment amount is not an easy task for everyone. For the convenience of the borrowers, the lending authority has extended the time of repayment up to 12 months.

Only what the candidates has to do is to apply for the bridging loans online. There are many sites available online. On these sites, uncountable lenders with there respective terms and conditions are present round the clock. The need is only of right selection. Selection of your choice that suits and supports your financial status. Some factors always affect the candidates from availing the facility of the bridging loans. These factors are as follows:

• Financial status of individuals looking forward to availing the bridging loans.

• Flow of income of the salaried.

• And, lastly what affects most is the market value of the pledging property.

Qualifying of the facts and conditions, the candidates are benefited with the bridging loans. These loans are offered on low interest rates and for shorter period of time period. It takes bridging loans processing easy, and consequent approval within 24 hours after applying the loan online. Thing imperative for the processing is only of arranging collateral. Residential properties, commercial or semi-commercial properties, auction properties, retail shops etc. are ample pledging options available to the aspired individuals.

Peter Taylor is a senior financial analyst at 24 Bridging Loan with an acumen for finance and insurance. To find 24hrbridgingloan.co.uk/bridging-loan-uk.html Bridging loan, 24hr bridging loan, 24hr bridging loan uk, best bridging loan, bridging high loan visit 24hrbridgingloan.co.uk/ 24hrbridgingloan.co.uk/

This is an urgent call to care for your Self, and not become someone small and dependent, a poor little girl in her eighties or nineties.

CREATE YOUR WEALTH-BUILDING CIRCLE NOW. Here are my Nine Notes for finding your Personal Financial Trainer.

1. CREATE YOUR PROSPERITY CIRCLE NOW: Start interviewing for your Prosperity Circle members this week. Make a list of six other people who have financial experience greater than your own. Call them and make an appointment to visit with them. Find out if any of them uses a financial advisor. Plan to include six to seven people in your personal Prosperity Circle. Ask/interview to find these people.

2. ACT: Call three financial advisors. Get them from the phone book if you have no other sources. Make an appointment to visit with them. Let them know you are “shopping” for a long-term consultant to your financial interests. Ask for one hour and do not abuse the person’s time.

3. PREPARE: Prepare for this meeting by writing down the following and sharing the exact same information with each of the three:

YOUR INCOME: Your current annual income and whether you anticipate specific increases or decreases over the next five years.

YOUR AGE: Your current age.

YOUR SAVINGS: Your savings rate. You CAN save. (You can link to www.goldafter50.com/budget.html to see how to budget.)

YOUR TIMELINE: Your estimated time in the market before you plan to begin withdrawing assets from the plan your Financial Advisor will create with you. (The longer you can stay in the market, the more probable it is that you will achieve higher returns.)

YOUR LATE LIFE INCOME: Many people today do not ever want to retire. They want to work at something they care about, perhaps not as many hours, but they still want the human interaction and recognition that comes from meaningful work. Getting some income from this activity will influence the amount of money that you will need in the last quarter of your life. And you can expect long life, based on current statistics and your personal health history.
YOUR PLAN: Ask if the professional is willing to create a unique plan for you…and if he/she has some initial ideas about your plan.

4. FEELINGS: Your selection will be an emotional and intellectual choice. Consider your instincts when you meet with these prospective consultants to your life. How did you feel about the meeting? Were you respected? Were you heard? Were you patronized? Could you share difficulties if necessary? Would this professional keep your life secrets? Could you trust this person? TRUST YOUR OWN INSTINCTS!

5. FOCUS: Was this professional INTERESTED in you? Did he/she ask about your life? Your hopes? Your values? Your closely held dreams that require resources?

6. RECALL: Could this person summarize the information that you shared? Could you see yourself working with this person for many years to come? On a scale of one to ten, how highly would you rate the listening skills of the Financial Advisor?

7. PRODUCTS: Did the advisor attempt to “hard sell” you products immediately, having an easy answer and instant solution? (making you one of a crowd) Did the advisor explain anything about products in clear and easy to understand language?

8. ROLE MODEL: Is this advisor going to be a good personal role model? Ask what products and programs he/she uses to personally achieve sound financial health. If your advisor is not willing to share this information, choose another. Too many “professionals” are not willing to live what they advise.

9. SERVICE RECORD: What studies has your prospective advisor completed? These can be life lessons learned as well as degree/certification programs. (Not all certified professionals are professional!) How has your prospective advisor served other clients? What would they say about how successful his/her strategies have been from their perspective. Ask about the privacy policy, then ask if he/she have any clients who have granted permission to provide references. (Sometime compliance issues prevent this.) Find out why your prospective advisor chose this line of service. You want someone who does believe that financial advising is a powerful and meaningful service career.

Once you have identified your advisor or Personal Financial Trainer, ask if she/he will meet with your Prosperity Circle from time to time. Work to establish a regular commitment of time that each of you will make to building prosperity for the long term.

Simone Nathan
Author of “Going for Gold after 50: An Illustrated Guide to High Probability Investing for The Plus Years”. Discover how to put the investing odds greatly in your favor at goldafter50.com goldafter50.com

Personal, spiritual, financial, healthful life planning— dreamcatcherprogram.com dreamcatcherprogram.com

With a jet ski, you surely would have to spent so much time in waters. And because of your regular cruising or due to natural depreciation of the vehicle, your jet ski would have to face lots of wear and tear. Good thing, we have our options when all we want is a revamp of our jet skis.

Well, too many people have mistaken their old jet skis for nothing but trash. You see, once your jet ski fails to function the way it does when it was new, it is surely calling your attention for some repairs.

You need not buy new equipments or replace the entire jet ski itself. All you need are tools, gadgets and the knowledge of repairing the jet ski. Yet you can always have the option for having it professionally done.

Whichever you prefer, there is one thing that you must always keep in mind- you have to find that later in the process, the repair of your jet ski meets your expectations or even exceed them.

It’s easy to find a repair center for your jet ski. Yet the question always lie on the quality of work they could render.

As we may have noticed, quality is not a quantitative subject to deal with. We always have different variations for defining quality. It may be a good work for some but may actually appear the other way around for other people. Now, you have to set it yourself. What must qualify to your assessment of quality and what will not.

Does quality mean a simple good work based on the knowledge that your jet ski works after the repair or does it lie to the craftsmanship that is done to your vehicle? Is quality something you must see performing or is it the length of performance that it can provide?

These are basic questions actually but they would largely determine the outcomes of work and your contentment on the wok incurred in your precious jet ski.

This aspect is practically a personal preference and confidence. Only you, as the owner and customer could set and demand the boundaries of “quality”.

Then what may be safer option to help create the quality that you like. Well then choose it.

People who work in high paying industries have in general, create the highest quality there is. Obviously, this is because they have trained for it and have spent most of their lives improving their craft.

You get what you pay for they say. Be assured, this applies even in the world of jet ski repair.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Jet Ski, please visit jetski.articlekeep.com jetski.articlekeep.com

Non profit debt consolidation is one of the debt management programs adopted to restructure high interest debts into one single loan, without taking out another loan. This avoids several monthly payments and helps borrowers to take control of their financial situation. Non profit debt consolidation serves as an alternative for those who cannot afford the fees charged by profit debt consolidation agencies.

Bank loans, cash loans, credit card bills, IRS, medical bills, and student loans are some of the debts that usually require non profit debt consolidation solutions. Among many of the options available, debt consolidation mortgage is the best solution if you are certain to make repayment duly. They are tax deductible, and are provided against collateral, which may be in the form of home or some other valuable asset. Consumer debt consolidation is another option for debt consolidation. In this case, consumer debt management companies negotiate with creditors on behalf of borrowers for a consolidated payment at a low rate of interest.

A genuine agency can help borrowers to find the best non profit debt consolidation solution. Non profit debt consolidation is usually supported by the federal government through grants. Banks, credit unions, consumer credit counseling agencies, finance companies, registered debt counseling companies, and legal money lenders also provide non profit debt consolidation programs. Since many of the non profit agencies are entitled for tax write offs, they pass this benefit on to their clients by way of reduced rate of interest. The fees charged by these companies are exceptionally low or sometimes even free.

Non profit debt consolidation agencies provide assistance of trained debt specialists to handle debt problems. They educate clients on financial issues and render personal services. However, proper research must be carried out to find whether a non profit debt consolidation agency is bonded, certified, and licensed. The Internet will help you in finding a good debt consolidation agency.

e-debtconsolidationsolutions.com Debt Consolidation Solutions provides detailed information on debt consolidation solutions, online debt consolidation, free debt consolidation, debt consolidation services and more. Debt Consolidation Solutions is affiliated with e-DebtConsolidationServices.com Non Profit Debt Consolidation Services.

With longer life expectancy improved health care and better lifestyle choices, today’s adults have more options than their parents did in saving for and funding their retirement. However, many have relied solely on the Social Security system as their sole means retirement income. They realize that means living in poverty in their ‘golden years’ and they see the need to ‘catch up’ and are looking for specific ways to do so.

CONTROLLING THE SIZE OF YOUR RETIREMENT

If you are a part-time or full-time investor, property owner or business owner you have a better chance of controlling the size and the timing of your retirement. Some retirement planning options are available only to companies — including small, private companies.

The maximum amounts allowed for contributions to Defined Benefit Plans, Defined Contribution Plans, 401(k) Plans, Roth and traditional Individual Retirement Plans, and Welfare Benefit Plans have been increasing and offer attractive dollar amounts. Additionally, non-qualified retirement funding through insurance policies that grow without taxation during the accumulation phase offer yet another path to wealth accumulation.

SHOULD WE EVEN COUNT ON ‘SOCIAL INSECURITY’?

Many people working today joined the Social Security system as teens or young adults. They contributed to it over the years. The common belief was that retirement was many years away and there is always ‘plenty of time’ to save. But now, with Congress borrowing for years from what was supposed to be an untouchable Social Security trust fund and with changing demographics, Social Security is at risk of bankruptcy. Even if the Social Security system is saved, most now realize that its benefits provide only a ‘poverty-level’ income at best.

RETIREMENT PLANNING OPTIONS

To enjoy the lifestyle you want in retirement, consider several options:

• §401(k) Plans, Defined Contribution and Benefit Plans, Self-Directed IRAs, and of course single-employer Welfare Benefit Plans under §419(e) are ways to reduce taxes while saving for retirement. In addition, the Self-Directed IRAs and Self-Directed Solo §401(k) allow you to invest in real estate, foreign currency exchange, and much more (see our separate Special Report on Self-Directed IRA accounts more including asset protection options).

• Single Employer Welfare Benefit Plans in a Restricted Property Trust (under §419(e) with an 83(b) election) allow you to save even more for yourself and ‘key employees’ without requiring coverage for all employees. It allows you to cover just yourself if you want. The large deductions available are nice.

A NEW ERA IN ACCELERATED RETIREMENT WEALTH

Some well-meaning CPAs are leery of 419 plans. I don’t blame them. In 2003 the IRS issued guidelines that curbed two abusive multi-employer plan design models and encouraged the use of §419(e) Single Employer Welfare Benefit Plans. The tax-compliant plans were left alone. They use a separate ‘restricted property trust’ for each employer under IRC §83(b) to distinguish restricted property from deferred compensation. The best Restricted Property Trust §419(e) / §83(b) plan design provides:

• Tax deductible contributions with no annual maximum limits;
• Access before age 59½;
• Asset Protection of accumulating wealth from lawsuits;
• A predictable fixed Rate of Return;
• Death Benefits may be used for Estate Planning and/or Business Buy / Sell Agreements

LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD.

Using the best Restricted Property Trust plan design, let’s “do the math” on just one example.

Irene is a 41 year old business owner & investor in good health. She contributes $50,000 from the otherwise taxable revenue of her LLC. The company takes a 100% tax deduction on that amount and Irene takes an 83(b) tax election on a portion. Assuming a rate of return based on current dividends and assumptions, after 20 years the net deductions total $700,000, the cash value is $1,526,662 and the death benefit totals $3,735,140. Unlike certain plans, Irene does not have to include her employees. She can choose to cover ONLY herself if she wants. The plan’s features focus on compliance under the guidelines established by the IRS. It’s easily distinguished from the specific abusive plans which the 2003 IRS regulations targeted.

To maximize Retirement Wealth, I say use every single legal tool at your disposal. Work with savvy advisors that can sing more than one song and have many tools in their toolbox. Maximize your deductions and don’t retire with just a Social Security poverty-level income. If you’d like information on how the Restricted Property Trust works, e-mail me and I’ll give you information on How To Get Started.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael Potter, Esq. is a familiar face to many business owners and investors. His Integrated Planning practice is focused on Tax-Advantaged Wealth Accumulation, Accelerated Retirement Planning, Asset Protection, Business and Estate Planning, and core-values based Multi-Generation Legacy Planning. His e-mail address is mailto:WealthPreservation@cox.net WealthPreservation@cox.net

It’s exciting. It’s stressful. It’s expensive. Selling your home sends you through a whirlwind of emotions. From the excitement of moving to your new residence to the frustration of knowing you’ll pay thousands in real estate listing commissions, the journey can often feel like a roller-coaster ride. There are ways to get discount real estate fees, however, without negotiating or haggling.

Flat Fee

Many discount real estate offices are moving toward a flat fee listing commission structure. According to recent CNN.com and Wall Street Journal reports, this allows a seller to have his/her property listed in the Multiple Listings Service (MLS) database for a flat fee of around $500. Professional agents are then able to see the home listed in the MLS and have the option to show and sell the property at another discount. Real estate listing commissions for sales that result from discount Realtors’® listings run about 3% as opposed to the standard 6% in addition to the flat fee of $500.

These are not always full-service agencies, so be sure to ask what you’ll receive for your investment. Depending on the services offered by the discount real estate office, this could save you several hundred dollars on traditional listing commission fees. Talk with local discount Realtors® in your area to see what is available and the stipulations involved.

Single Fee Transaction

A new concept in real estate sales, single fee transaction, allows a seller to pay no listing commissions on the sale of their property provided they agree to purchase their new home through the same real estate franchise. You pay a single fee for both transactions.

Full-service agencies offer the traditional types of assistance that sellers would expect from a typical real estate office. These services include conducting open houses, running advertisements in local real estate magazines and newspapers, listing your home in the MLS database, assessing current values, giving professional advice and more.

As reported in the Tucson Citizen, these types of discount real estate franchise offices do charge a listing fee. They retain and pay the buyer’s agent (if applicable) half. However, when the home seller purchases a new residence through the same Realtor®, the other half of the original listing commission is refunded. The Realtor® of a single fee transaction franchise makes his/her commission on the purchase of the new home. This can save a seller thousands of dollars in fees.

Single fee transaction is a new concept. It has not yet expanded nationwide, so you’ll need to check your area for availability of these types of real estate franchises.

For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

This is the ultimate in discount real estate fees because you pay none. Many homeowners don’t realize that the use of a Realtor® is not legally mandated for home purchases or sales. An attorney can process the needed legal documents and filings to record your transaction.

An agent from a local real estate office traditionally becomes involved for his/her ability to market your home effectively. However, for those able to devote the time and money needed to sell a home, doing it yourself is an exceptional way to proceed.

Do some research before deciding. Total the estimated number of hours you’ll spend on the various duties required to sell a home, then multiply the total by your salary (broken down into hourly increments). Then total the amount of money you’ll spend on magazine and newspaper advertising, yard signage, mileage and other expenses. If the total of both is less than the amount of fees your Realtor® quoted, you’ll know the FSBO method is the better bargain for you.

If you’re looking to sell your home, don’t assume you are forced to pay a 5% or 6% listing fee. You do have options. A little research online can lead you to effective ways to sell your home for its maximum price while still saving money on listing fees.

Dan Pool is President of Two4One Real Estate offering an innovative two4one.com real estate franchise opportunity and discount real estate fees for sellers. Two4One will sell your home for free if you buy your next home through them. Visit Two4One Real Estate online today at two4one.com two4one.com for more information.