IRA Investing in Real Estate - The Revolution to Retirement Planning

There has been a change or revolution, if you dare call it, taking place in the United States. What is it you ask? The use of IRA's for real estate investing. That's right, many people, especially baby-boomers, are no longer depending on traditional methods for investing their IRA's. The unpredictable and volatile stock market along with low paying mutual funds and CD's are no longer the main stream for retirement planning. IRA investing in real estate has quickly become the way to secure those future years of bliss! And for those individuals that have already lost so much, it may very well be the only way to stay afloat and pull their heads out of the sinking sand.

IRA real estate investing makes up for approximately 50% of the U.S.'s net worth per capita, and almost twice that much of wealth is acquired through real estate. But sadly enough, only a few percent of that is acquired from IRA investing in real estate. So why is it that so many people are still not using their IRA accounts for real estate investing? The raw simple fact is 'ignorance' (lack of knowledge) or self education. People are just not educated on the facts of IRA's and real estate investing. You would be amazed at how many CPA's still have no clue to the fact that their clients could be using IRA's for real estate investing and that it is actually 'legal'. Yes, that is right an individual can put their IRA into a 'self-directed' IRA and actually make the decisions themselves as to what happens to their retirement nest-egg. Of course you have to keep in mind that it takes a good CPA to help you keep those large profits. To do this many individuals use some form of business/company such as a corporation or LLC, but I can not, nor would I, attempt to advise anyone in this matter. You should consult your real estate attorney or CPA for further information and advice on this matter.

The catch to using an individuals IRA for real estate investing is that it is restricted for the sole purpose of investment only, but investments can be made in the U.S. as well as internationally. Did you know that IRA's used in real estate investing can get up to 70% bank non-recourse financing to purchase income-producing investment properties. Results have shown triple to quadruple return on investment on all-cash IRA investments in real estate.

For example let's imagine that you had a property on 'Land Contract' and put a future owner in it that will purchase the property from you in 12 months. Obviously dollar amounts, all time periods, and interest rate vary, but I'll use this for the sake of an example. The future owner gives you a non-refundable deposit of ($3,000) and make monthly interest rent payments of ($600). The new owner is responsible for all taxes and repairs. At the end of 12 months the future owner purchases the home for a profit of ($30,000). Now if you add that up for a 12 month period it was a ($3,000) deposit, ($7,200) total monthly payments, and ($30,000) cash-out for a total of ($40,200) interest profit in 12 months! Try to acquire that in one year using traditional methods. I have four words for you. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

It is easy to see why there is this revolutionary new way of investing taking place in the U.S., of using IRA's for real estate investing verses traditional methods. As an investor myself I have seen first hand the changes taking place and the opportunity at hand. The wealth to be made is amazing and retirements will be secured once again. And so I guess the question is; Are you one of those people? Are you financially prepared for your retirement future? Or are you one of those people who just want more and will not settle for less than the best? Which is great, don't get me wrong. The point is, why settle for less if you can have your dream and security all by using your IRA and investing in real estate. Or maybe your at that point and have little to no retirement. The new laws can help you as well. I have seen the changes the laws have made first hand in this business and there is hope.

By: Colleen K. Rich

Colleen K Rich is a real estate investor that partners with both private individuals and lending corporations to finance investment properties. Colleen also works with investment groups/teams [http://www.IRA-and-Investing.com] that offer services for IRA's, 401(K)'s, cash & other forms of investing, as to ensure that all may be educated and helped along in the process of retirement planning. The web site has valuable information and an E-book/special report, which can be sent to you upon request. Colleen K Rich can be reached at Investing4Retirement@gmail.com for further questions on retirement or cash/private money investing. You can find more articles related to this topic and author online. To find out more on how the power of leverage can work for you visit: [http://www.Retirement-and-Planning.com] or call 1-248-891-8339.

What Makes a Leader?

Leader, leader where are you? Are you still sleeping?

In the history of mankind, the success and fall of a nation lies upon the leader.
In the present time, you can seldom find a true and a dedicated leader doing their job well in the service of mankind. Many leaders nowadays are sad to say, but majority of them were just only after for money, power, as well as recognition. IT HURTS, IT HURTS YOU KNOW! But it's really true - our world suffers because of some selfish leaders!

To become an effective and great leader is one of the most painstaking kinds of job. That's why I have arisen with this question, WHAT MAKES A LEADER?

In this short article, I will share to you, dear readers of what I've learned through my personal readings from the profiles as well as the writings of the great men of excellence and valor. To give you some tips enable you to become also a man of excellence, a man of honor, a man of dignity as well as a man of power!

Now, read carefully the following tips below and apply it to yourself. Dear readers, a great teacher once says, "Teach me and I will forget, show me and I will remember; allow me to do it and I will learn."
The above wise teachings mean, you must apply the tips below and put it into action. Remember, action speaks louder than words! A true effective leader, they are doer; not a talker!

1. Character. Character is one of the best assets in the leadership. If you want to become a good as well as effective leader, encourage yourself to nurture your character, for your character will cover and protect your reputation!

James Legget once says, "Reputation is made in a moment. Character is built in a lifetime."

2. Affirmation. Leader should and must understand that their members has an innate need to be treat like a human being, to be special, to be valued most. Tomas Carlyle reminds you "A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men."

3. Avoid Criticizing. A true effective leader has no time in criticizing, mocking as well as insulting the individuals for their mistakes and failures. They are busy in improving themselves and helping the lowly ones.

4. Learn to control his temper. A true great leader knows how to manage his temper as well as his tongue in times of volcanic eruption period. Always remember this; people will lost their honor and respect if you are a hot - headed individual!

5. Team Work. It is one of the essence as well as best ingredients in leadership. Dale Carnegie, the author of the book How to Win Friends and Influenced People asserted "It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone."

6. Mentoring. A leader cannot be qualified to be called leader without followers. To enable you to become a true, great effective leader, you should learn to become a follower too! Encourage, motivate, nurture and train your flocks to become a good great leader in the future. Always remember this, people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did...but people will never forget how you made them feel!

7. Vision. To become an effective leader you should have always a vision for your group or members. The Word of God exclaims "Without vision people will perish." So remember, the true effective leaders are visionary!

8. Risk. The true great effective leaders are not afraid to take a risk. Stan Toler commended "Leaders are willing to pay a price. They're prepared to barter what they have for what they might gain. They're motivated more by the prospect of success than by the fear of failure. They're adventurers. They're not willing to stay on the porch."

9. Motivation. True great leaders were busy in motivating as well as inspiring people. Stan Toler argued, "The best leaders are those who can inspire others to reach for something greater than themselves."

10. Selfless. True great leaders were not selfish. They are ready and wide open handed in helping his flocks in time of needs. Remember this dear readers, you shall pass through this world but once, any good therefore that you can do or any kindness you can show to any human being let you do it now. Let you not defer or neglect it, for you shall not pass this way again!

11. Build a better you. True great leaders are busy in continuous improvement of their attitude, character, talent, skills as well as relationship with other people. They're not wasting their time for idleness. Every minute are important for them.

Before I will conclude my article, I would like to leave a special message for you, dear readers.

Sufi Bayazi says this about himself: "I was a revolutionary when I was young, and all my prayer to God was ... "Lord, give me the energy to change the world."

As I approached middle age and realized that half my life was gone without changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to... "Lord, give me the grace to change all those who came contact with me. Just my family and friends, I shall be content."

Now that I am an old man and my days are remembered, my one prayer is "Lord, give me the grace to change MYSELF."

Had I prayed for this right from the start, I should not have wasted my life.

Wish you many blessings to come and God Bless!

Moises P. Reconalla

About the Author:

Moises P. Reconalla is the School Guidance Counselor at North Davao College, Panabo City, Philippines. He has taught several courses at the college including: Guidance and Counseling, General Psychology, Philippine History: Roots and Development, General Anthropology and Sociology, and Dr. Jose Rizal: Life, Works & Writings.

You can send your comments about this Article through his email wisdomisgreat@gmail.com or visit his blog at http://www.mosesreconalla.blogspot.com

All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright 2006-2008 by Moises P. Reconalla

NOTE: You're free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided that the article is reproduced in its entirety, including the author information.

The 3-Day Diet - Your Countdown to Losing 10 Pounds

If you are raring to lose all those unwanted pounds you've been carrying all these time, well, it might be as simple as one, two, three.

Pay attention dieters for there is this 3-Day Diet that promises all those who will religiously follow the diet plan involved to shed off 10 pounds in a brief span of three days only. This diet renders the following three promises as well (aside of course for its ultimate assurance of making one lose weight):

• It will provide more energy for the body


• It will cleanse the body


• It will decrease the level of cholesterol in the body

The 3-Day Diet has been known to be practiced since 1895, and sometimes it is also referred to by some as The Cleveland Clinic Diet. Actually, this diet got associated with certain health centers (including the already mentioned Cleveland Clinic) like Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Birmingham Heart Clinic and also with the distinguished organization, American Heart Association, but all of them disclosed that they have nothing to do with the said diet.
It's also believed that the 3-Day Diet is originally intended for someone who will undergo a heart surgery.

Whatever its origin, the diet can make one shed off 10 pounds by strictly following a meal plan each day for three consecutive days that targets to increase the body's metabolic rate. Each day, the dieter will only consume 1,000 calories that includes consumption of tuna in all those three days.

What's more enticing about this diet is that it allows the person to eat certain "tempting" foods such as cheese and hot dog and, guess what? Vanilla ice cream! Tea or plain coffee is drank and the following fruits and veggies are also involved:

• apple


• banana


• green beans


• carrots


• cauliflower


• melon

After dieting for three days, the person can resume to regular eating. There should be an interval of four to five days before doing again the diet. This diet, by the way, doesn't include any exercise, so if you think this is your dream diet plan, waste no time in getting more details about it at Diet Fads.

Sturat is very interested in writing articles on diet fads [http://www.diet-fads.com/index.shtml] To read more about 3 days diet plan click here http://www.diet-fads.com/diets/3-Day-Diet.shtml

Back to School List For a Fit College Student

With only a few more weeks of summer freedom, it's time to start preparing to head back to school. This list will have you ready for your most healthy and fit year of college yet!

Workout Program
It is so important to have a workout that you love to do. If you don't love it, you won't do it! I believe the best workouts for college students are those that can be done in a dorm room or apartment. It doesn't get any more convenient than that! All of the Beachbody workout programs can be done in a small space and I would highly recommend trying the one that fits your fitness goals. If you are looking to build muscle and lose weight, P90X is for you. If you are more interested in great cardio, I would suggest Insanity, Turbo Jam or TurboFire. I am personally completely addicted to TurboFire. The music is awesome and keeps me coming back for more every morning. There is no better way to start your day!

Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are the perfect fitness accessory for any college student. They are small, lightweight and inexpensive. Resistance bands allow you to tone your body without taking up the space that a full set of weights would. I recommend using the resistance bands in conjunction with a DVD home workout specifically designed for the bands. My favorites are the Turbo Jam 3T workout and the new TurboFire Tone 30 or Sculpt 30.

New Athletic Shoes
It is important to have shoes that not only provide structure and support but also reduce stress and impact on the feet to prevent injury. Determine what type of exercise you will primarily be using the shoes for and make a visit to the shoe store. Be prepared to try on as many pairs of shoes as it takes to find the pair that fits best. Your feet, legs and back will thank you!

Water Bottle
Drinking water is essential for good health. Your body is estimated to be made up of 60 to 70 percent water and needs it to regulate all major bodily functions. How much water do you need to drink daily? Take your body weight and divide it in half. That gives you the amount of water in ounces that you need to be drinking each day. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should be drinking 70 ounces of water. Also, don't forget to add another eight ounces for every 20 minutes you are active. It can be difficult to drink all of this water, especially when you are busy going to classes, studying and doing homework. This is why I recommend purchasing a large water bottle. I fill up my bottle with ice water in the morning and take it with me to all my classes. You would be surprised at how easy it is to get your recommended daily intake of water when you have it with you everywhere you go.

Shakeology
Shakeology is a meal replacement drink that helps you increase energy, become more regular, lower cholesterol, lose weight, detoxify your body and feel great. It is packed with super nutritious, whole food ingredients that deliver the essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids that your body needs to curb cravings, accelerating your body's ability to shed stored fat. If that wasn't enough, Shakeology also includes more than 20 different antioxidants and phytonutrients which help reduce free radical damage that leads to heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. This is the perfect option for an early morning breakfast before your 8 AM class or quick lunch between classes. It gives you all the energy you need to get through the day without feeling hungry between meals. To get more information, please visit my website.

Vitamins
Finally, if you don't drink Shakeology, I would recommend taking a multivitamin. It's hard to get all the recommended nutrients your body needs on a college diet and this can help fill the wholes. Getting sick during a college semester can result in you falling behind in classes and becoming completely overwhelmed and stressed with school.

I hope this list helps you prepare for a great school year - Good Luck!

My name is Ellie Handel and I am both a dental student at Marquette University and an Independent Team Beachbody Coach. I have learned that incorporating fitness into even the busiest schedule is essential for overall good health. There is no better stress reliever than a great workout! I love motivating others to achieve all their fitness goals. If you would like to improve your physical fitness and become a healthier person, send me an email at ellie.handel@gmail.com or visit my website at http://www.exercise-for-life.com. I would love to help you every step of the way. If you are interested in becoming a Beachbody Coach like me and make extra money while getting fit just check out my website or send me an email. I can give you more information about this great opportunity. Hope to hear from you!

Keeping Your Hot Wheels in Order

Looking for presents for kids is a bit like shopping for junk food - you have to get something doesn't cost very much and comes in various eye-catching colors that provide great entertainment value. There's absolutely no shame when parents who are short on ideas and funds decide to buy Hot Wheels cars for their little boy, or boys, as the case may be.

These toys are the perfect little stocking stuffers when Christmas rolls around too. Children's imagination can provide hours of fun centered on the 1/64-scale toy cars. Even grown ups can get in on the act too! One of the best things about these toys is that they're so affordable. On the other hand, one of the worst things about them is that because they're so affordable, and new models keep getting designed so often, it's all too easy to buy a few models here and there every few months. Parents often wind up with a room full of little cars underfoot and nowhere to store them in an organised manner.

The more fanatical Hot Wheels car collectors devote entire rooms filled with display shelves for the toys. Others who place a premium on usable living space may opt to keep things neat and tidy with a Hot Wheels carrying case. However, if the family has been collecting these cars for years, then one may not be enough!

In any case (pun intended), carrying cases such as these are a godsend for the loving parent whose child can't leave the house without a dozen or so of his beloved toys. You know how it is, the kid has to have X number of cars in Y colors and Z variations, or else that visit to grandpa's will be a complete no-go. Carrying them in a case that snaps shut securely also makes them much easier to move around than packing them in a backpack that will, more often than not, get turned upside down and have it contents spill out.

Maybe you think the Hot Wheels cars you have lying around the house and lurking between the sofa cushions far outnumber the available space in a Hot Wheels carrying case. Well, it's likely you'll never know unless you find them all and line them up for a head count. If you've only recently started buying the cars, you might want to opt for the 48-car carrying case. However, if the Hot Wheels collection in your family spans generations, it's a good thing there are also 100-car carrying cases available. The larger case comes with wheels to spare your child the burden of lugging a heavy case around.

No one expects children's toys to last beyond the week, but Hot Wheels has made a commitment to quality by making these cases from incredibly durable plastic material. It's one of the best ways to keep the cars organised and in good condition. Well, as good a condition as kids' playthings can be anyway!

Angela Yorke managed to navigate the steep learning curve of article marketing safely and considers it her duty to research and disseminate information to everyone who reads, whether they asked for it or not. For more of what she can do to help your business grow, please send her an inquiry at yorke.angela@gmail.com.

Avoid Spam Email - 7 Easy Ways to Stop Spam Email

Spam is considered unsolicited or "uninvited" email sent out in large quantities. spam is not only annoying, it is also dangerous.

Spam is a common way people get lured into online phishing fraud. Phishing fraud happens when a scammer sends a spam email that pretends to be from your bank, credit card company, eBay, PayPal, etc. The link takes you to a fake website that looks just like the real website. When you click on the link to the fake website and try to log in to your real account, the scammers have software set up to automatically collect your log in name and password. As soon as you do, they use your information to log in to your real account and do their damage.

Spam is also a common way to get people to a "poisoned" web site, referred to as a Drive-By-Download website. A Drive-By-Download website automatically starts installing its malicious software like viruses, Trojans, and worms as soon as you visit the website. You don't have to click anything on the site for the download to automatically start.

Spam seems to randomly show up in your email inbox. Its email you probably didn't directly ask for and don't want. But are you doing things that get your name on email lists? Surprisingly, most people are.

You may be surprised to find there are a lot of common things that people do that get their names added to email spam lists. Since spam lists are sold and traded frequently, once you are one one spam list, you will soon be on many others. And once your name is on one of these lists, you really cant get it removed.

Below are 7 common ways to get your name on an email Spam list.

1. Opening up and reading a spam email

By simply opening an email to read it, you tell the spammer you read the email. There is email monitoring software that can tell an emailer if an email was opened or not. By opening the email, you have told the spammer your email address is active, this is an email account you actually check, and you are somewhat interested in this topic. This will get you added to their spam lists.

2. Clicking on any text link in an email you didn't specifically ask for

By clicking on a text link (a link with words) in an email you didn't ask for, you confirm you were even more interested in that topic to click on the link to get more details and information. The spammers keep track of this kind of information too, and add you to their spam lists.

3. Clicking on pictures in an email you didn't specifically ask for

Pictures and computer images can be set up to automatically go to a website by clicking on the picture or image. This is just like clicking on a text link with words in it. Once you click on the picture or image, the spammers know this, collect your email address and add you to their spam list.

4. Signing up for those "amazing free offers" that are too good to be true

Signing up for email or website offers for things like free luxury vacations, free High Definition TV's, free gift cards, computers, sweepstakes, money making offers, etc can quickly get your email inbox filled up. Not only can you get a lot of spam from these "free" offers, you can also start getting a lot of spam email from other spam lists when the owner of this list sells your name to other spammers.

5. Online discussion groups, newsgroups, chat rooms, and forums

When you sign up for online groups like forums, chat rooms, newsgroups and discussion groups, your email address is usually visible somewhere. Either as part of your profile, or when you post. Often the full member list is available to anyone who is a member. So if a spammer signs up for one of these groups they can get your email address and add it to their spam list. If you use online groups, sign up for a free email account (Gmail, Yahoo mail, Hot mail, etc) that you only use for these groups.

6. Personal and Business websites

Just about all websites have a "Contact Us" area. This contact area usually has one or more email addresses for website visitors or customers to use for contacting the website owner. These email addresses are easily harvested by software that scans the internet for emails. Most websites have email addresses like "admin" @website.. or "webmaster" or "sales" or "admin", "support", etc. Spammers have software that adds these kinds of names to the "www" domain name, and often these are valid guesses.

7. Clicking on the "Remove Me" link on a spam email

Don't click on the link to get removed from a spam email. Most of the spammers don't follow the laws that require them to remove you when you request it. The problem is that by clicking on the "remove me" link you verify to the spammer that your email address is real, and it is an email account you check. Emails verified by the email user by clicking on anything in the email, and especially the "remove me" link are worth more money when sold to other spammers. So, clicking on the "remove me" link for even one spam email will likely get you on several spam lists.

As always, you have to be smart when using the internet, and this includes email. We are talking about "computer smart", but smart thinking in how you use and view web sites and emails. By knowing the common ways spammers get your email addresses, you can take the necessary steps to avoid getting your email address added to these lists.

Geoff Burnette - http://TheComputerBlogger.com. Geoff is a certified computer technician. He has been deeply involved in a wide range of computer support since the mid 1980's and enjoys sharing valuable tips and insights on Computers, Microsoft Windows, Computer & Internet Security, and general ways to get more from your computing experience. Geoff thinks computers should be fun, not frustrating and really enjoys helping people really understand their computers. Check out his blog at http://TheComputerBlogger.com for more articles!

Water Softener - Save Money and Washing Machine Breakdowns

Hard water is the term used to describe areas where there are high amounts of minerals such as calcium in the water supply. While these minerals are harmless to our health (some are even quite beneficial) they do have an impact on our appliances and heating systems.

Many of us live in hard water areas and it's quite easy to tell if you are unsure. Just take a look in your kettle or check for a water line after you have taken a bath. The minerals in the water often gather around the surfaces of our water systems. And in the case of a bath, which can be easily cleaned, it's not a problem, however appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and boilers can succumb to a build up of these minerals and damage can result.

Hard water and mineral build-ups like limescale are the number one cause of washing machine failure and furthermore, hard water often reduces the capabilities of heating and boiler systems. Some people also find the minerals in hard water areas leave a bitter taste when the water is drunk.Limescale removers are available but some of the use harsh chemicals.

Fortunately a simple little water softening device can be installed, without any plumbing or chemicals that can soften your water, remove minerals, improve the efficiency of your heating system, prevent your appliances from breaking down and save you money - all without chemicals or any plumbing.

These devices work by coiling aerials around the cold water feed, a series of very low frequency radio frequencies are then induced electronically into the water which magnetizes the minerals and helps break up the minerals - it even helps break up mineral build-ups such as limescale that are already built up in your appliances.

Richard N Williams is interested in green innovations and writes about them. Please visit our website if you are interested in Little Plumber Water Softner or other eco-friendly products.