Thursday, January 17, 2008

Young Brits 'Face Serious Financial Pressures'

Young Brits 'Face Serious Financial Pressures'
Young people feel that they are under intense financial
strain, a new study shows.

According to research carried out by Gumtree, four out of
ten Britons between the ages of 18 and 30 claimed that they
are worried about their monetary situation and believe that
there is pressure placed upon them to earn more. Findings
from the classified adverts website also showed that just
under three-quarters (72 per cent) of people within this
age group are in debt, reports the Press Association. Out
of such consumers, about a quarter are shown to still be
making repayments on their student loan, with 35 per cent
struggling to get to grips with money owed on their credit
cards.

With such demands on their finances, people may find that
taking out a loan for the purposes of debt consolidation
could be a means for them to get to grips with their
spending.

Research from the firm also indicated that 31 per cent of
young people state that they regularly use their overdraft
to help supplement their finances through the course of a
month. Meanwhile, 15 per cent claim to resent the fact that
repaying their student loan will mean that they will have
to delay making their first steps on to the property
ladder. Furthermore the study showed that more than half
(58 per cent) of 25 to 30-year-olds wish that they had
saved more money when they were younger. Just over a
quarter of these people state they regret not buying a
house when property prices were lower.

Due to the debts that young people face today, where this
is through loans, overdrafts or credit cards, the group
claimed that many could be facing a "quarter-life crisis".
It was also put forward that many of these Britons are
under pressure to succeed before they reach the age of 30
and to do so on a larger scale then previous generations.

Damian Barr, author of Get It Together: A Guide to
Surviving Your Quarter-Life Crisis, said: "Today's
20-somethings face serious financial pressures such as
student debt, high career expectations and a property
market that's out of their reach. Part of this is to do
with what their parents achieved - the generation of
baby-boomers who have had it all and are now about to enter
prosperous retirement.

"Their kids are now trying to live up to their parents'
success but the reality is that today's 20-somethings are
dealing with a socio-economic environment that's very
different to when their parents were young and things
aren't as easy any more."

For people looking to get to grips with their money
management, a debt consolidation loan could be of help. By
taking out this type of loan, borrowers could pay off a
number of demands on their spending, such as plastic cards
and overdrafts, at once. This may mean that they have more
disposable income each month, so helping them to get to
grips with their finances more effectively.

A recent study by Nationwide revealed that a significant
number of Britons are looking to sort out their economic
situation over the course of this year. Some 48 per cent of
people either want to start saving or put more away for the
future, with six per cent aiming to get rid of unwanted
credit cards.


----------------------------------------------------
Abbi Rouse writes for All About Loans where visitors can
apply online for cheap UK loans. We also specialise in
poor credit loans, and cheap consolidation loans. Visit
today http://www.allaboutloans.co.uk/

Panama Real Estate Investing

Panama Real Estate Investing
The time to invest in Panama real Estate is now. Panama
Real Estate is experiencing and unprecented boom and there
are many foreigners. The real reason this Central American
Country is attracting tourist is that panama real estate is
at such a bargain compared to the US beachfront or mountain
properties it provides the perfect opportunity for
investment for retirement living. Panama beaches boast
untouched pristine sand and gently curling waves. Panama
is also one of the best, if not the best, residency deals
in the world today.

Offshore

It is debatable if Mexico is cheaper than Panama but they
do tax offshore income in Mexico so it is probably more
expensive for this reason alone and the crime situation
makes it hazardous. Costa Rica is not really cheaper and
has a serious crime problem plus there are no longer
benefits for Expats and you would have to pay income tax on
your offshore income like retirement, social security etc
in Costa Rica. Unless you open a business that does
business in Panama within the local economy or take a job
in Panama you can plan on your income being tax exempt as
offshore income.

Investment

The real estate investment in Panama is increasing because
of the natural beauty of ocean view property in Panama.
Don't let your real estate agent tell you where to
buy—chances are, they'll be pushing you into the
investment where they get the biggest or fastest commission
check. As more and more people discover the Azuero
Peninsula Panama investment in this area continues to
increase. Everyday more and more people are making an
investment in Real Estate in the Azuero Peninsula of
Panama. The Azuero Peninsula Panama should be on the list
for all those seeking excellent investment opportunities
and a tranquil, beautiful living environment. The coming
year is looking good for recent investments in Panama's
real estate and tourism industries. Here are a few reasons
why Panama real estate is a boom in investments: Panama has
a stable government and an economy growing greater with
time.

Panama Beach Property

The beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and just
relaxing. Real Estate Values in Panama and primarily in
these Pacific Coast Beach areas has been appreciating very
steadily, and as interest and growth increases so to do the
real estate values. Real Estate in the Azuero Peninsula
have unimaginable views, access to unspoiled beaches, and
all for very affordable prices. This Azuero Peninsula
Ocean View Real Estate is only a distance to many excellent
beaches.

The arrival of Nikki Beach may attract a new crowd to
Panama. However, the concept of Nikki Beach is quite
distinct from these other groups. Nikki Beach is focused
towards an exclusive market: People over 30 with purchasing
power that want to have a good time in an exotic, unique
environment. Nikki Beach is exclusive property of Michael
Penrod and his family, though at some of their clubs and
hotels they do maintain strategic alliances with local
investors. Regarding waterfront property, by law all
beaches are public hence all beach-front properties must
provided a right of way, starting from the highest tide
line to the property line.

Living

Panama has one of the lowest costs of living in all of
Central and South America. When thinking of the best
places to retire, it is important to understand that Panama
has a very low cost of living combined with amazing beaches
and scenery that propels Panama to the number one spot to
consider for those wishing to retire abroad. There are
numerous benefits to living the Expatriate lifestyle. Town
Living - There are nice neighborhoods that offer
convenience and proximity to shopping and restaurants.

Legal

Factor in obscure Panamanian laws, crafty scam artists,
andthe newcomer's relative inexperience to Panamanian
culture, and thefirst-time investor is faced with a
troublesome and confusing puzzle. A lot of legal problems
arise with use rights and this includes litigation. Once
your attorney has confirmed the property title is legal and
free of liens or other restrictions, the final closing is
scheduled and the buyer/seller signs the final Buy/Sell
Contract. The law does not require a Buy/Sell Contract to
be in Spanish to be legally enforceable.

Retirement

There is something for every taste in retirement living in
panama real estate. A welcoming community, safe
environment, low crime statistics, excellent incentives for
retirees, together with the natural beauty and ethnic
diversity that is Panama, all appeal to the increasing
number of baby boomers from North America and Europe who
are looking for a different option for retirement. During
the past several years Panama has been consistently rated
in the top ten for the best retirement locations worldwide.
With a little homework and due diligence, you will find
that Panama has all the criteria for a solid investment or
retirement destination.

Impacts of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is also about to undergo an expansion.
Now Panama a country of 3 million people has an annual
income of one billion dollars from the Panama Canal
revenue. The Canal expansion, another major boost to the
economy, is expected to bring tens of thousands of new jobs
along with long-term incremental revenue for the country.
With the expansion of the Panama Canal there are a lot of
high paid executive coming through for a short time.
Panama is a hot tourist destination for many reasons, least
of which is the Panama Canal, though it's certainly still a
popular visitors site. If the project of building the
extra canal goes through it is expected to result in an
apartment shortage due to extra workers being sent here by
their companies which of course means you could buy an
investment unit furnish it and rent it out for big bucks
for many years while the new canal is being built, not
kidding about this.

Panama Real Estate is a great investment. Panama is
currently one of the most considered and researched
locations with many investors. Panama could be the new
destination for this exclusive market of "jet setters.
Panama's modern amenities are similar to that of North
America, making life a bit easier day to day. Panama has
one of the lowest costs of living in all Central and South
America. Panama real estate is hot right now...don't wait
to stake your claim.


----------------------------------------------------
To learn more about Panama Real Estate and other Panama
legal issues, visit Offshore Legal at
http://www.offshorelegal.org/faqs/offshore-faq/panama-real-e
state---legal-issues.html

Building your Wealth Team

Building your Wealth Team
Building your own personal wealth team is perhaps the most
important step you can take to creating massive amounts of
wealth. Why? Quite simply, it's a matter of leverage. At
ProVision, we are fond of saying that the three most
expensive words in the English language are, "do it
yourself." When we try to do things all by ourselves, we
are ignoring the fact that we all have only 24 hours in the
day. By building a wealth team, we are leveraging those
hours into hundreds or even thousands of hours each day.

Imagine, for example, a man like Bill Marriott. Suppose he
told himself when he went into the hotel business that he
was going to manage his hotel all by himself. If that were
the case, rather than building the mammoth chain of
Marriott hotels, he would likely have a small bed and
breakfast. Instead, he built a team of thousands to
locate, build and manage hotels around the world. He used
his wealth team to leverage his time.

But that's not all he leveraged. Don't imagine for a
minute that Bill only leveraged his employees' time. He
also leveraged their intellectual capital. He knew from
the start that if he were going to build a hospitality
empire, he would need ideas from all of his employees,
advisors, vendors and other team members in order to be
successful.

You can do the same. There was a time when Bill Marriott's
father, J. Willard Marriott, only had a single store. He
didn't start out with a large team or lots of money. But
he understood the value of other people's time, knowledge
and wisdom, as well as his own intellectual capital. He
used these to begin and empire that his son, Bill, has
taken to a level that perhaps even J. Willard never
conceived.

How do you get started? As I suggest in my coaching, begin
with a mentor. A mentor is a teacher. Someone with ideas
that you like and who you feel you can follow to financial
freedom. It doesn't have to be anyone you know personally.
It can be a well-known financial guru or a lesser-known
financial professional whose ideas strike a cord with you.
This mentor will be a critical part of your financial team.

The next person you need is a strategic wealth coach. This
is clearly the most important member of your team. A
wealth coach brings everything together. They hold you
accountable for your activities and provide quality advice
about how you should proceed. Your wealth coach should be
a financial professional and preferably a certified public
accountant or have similar credentials and experience.

Your wealth coach should be your primary source for many of
your team members. They should be able to recommend
several of the members personally or they should help you
learn how to find and interview team members. Team members
will include such individuals as attorneys, financial
advisors, tax strategists, bankers and insurance agents.
If you are in business, of course your team will be much
larger and will include all of your employees, contractors,
vendors and customers.

Can you imagine how powerful your wealth creation machine
becomes when you have all of these team members working
towards your success? There is no way you can be as
successful on your own as you will be with all of these
talented people helping you. So go out and begin creating
your own wealth team today, beginning with a mentor and a
coach.

Warmest Regards,

Tom


----------------------------------------------------
Tom Wheelwright is not only the founder and CEO of
Provision, but he is the creative force behind Provision
Wealth Strategists. In addition to his management
responsibilities, Tom likes to coach clients on wealth,
business, and tax strategies. Along with his frequent
seminars on these strategies, Tom is an adjunct professor
in the Masters of Tax program at Arizona State University.

Top Five ways to improve your credit report

Top Five ways to improve your credit report
Is your credit report standing between you and a home
refinance loan? If it is, you can either be patient and
wait for it to improve on it's own, or you can take matters
into your own hands and get it done more quickly. Here are
five ways to kick start your credit repair into overdrive
and really boost your chances of a good home refinance
loan..

1. Get a copy of your credit report and look it over
carefully. See if any obvious errors jump out at you, such
as accounts you didn't open, bad credit loans, or payments
you didn't miss. If you happen to see any fraudulent
accounts on your credit report, you need to get them
removed as soon as possible. Millions of credit
transactions take place every month and it's always
possible that a simple mistake has taken place, but you
don't want somebody else's mistake looking like one of
yours. It's a good idea to review your credit report at
least once per year. You know the old saying: An ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure. It couldn't be more
true here! You can find your free credit score by going
directly to companies like TransUnion Canada or Equifax USA
and Equifax Canada

2. Do you have any credit cards you're not using? If what's
in your wallet isn't being used, you should close the
account because open accounts sitting on your credit report
are reducing your credit worthiness. The reason for this is
because available or "open" credit is often viewed as
negatively as utilized credit. Plus, if you close credit
card accounts that you're not using you won't be tempted to
buy that awesome set of steak knives you saw advertised on
your satellite TV at three o'clock in the morning while you
were eating that monster bowl of ice cream.

3. Even if you have a balance on a credit card, call the
credit card company and cancel the account. A lot of people
don't know this, but you don't have to have a zero balance
to cancel an account. You can cancel the card and pay the
account off under the terms of your card membership
agreement. Don't believe me? Dig out the terms and
conditions disclosure you got in the mail when you received
your card and you'll see that I'm right on the money. Not
only will this help improve your credit score, but you'll
find it easier to sit down or close your purse.

4. Do you have late payments languishing on your credit
report? If you do, and you're current right now, you can
call the creditor and ask them if they're willing to change
that late payment to an on-time payment. You have about a
50% chance of getting your late payment removed, but it's
better than the 0 % chance you have by not asking!

5. Do you have any charged-off accounts or missed payments
on your credit report that are older than two years? If you
do, there's an excellent chance you can get those entries
removed as well. In most cases, creditors are only required
to keep records for credit transactions for two years.
Simply write to the credit reporting agency and dispute
that entry and asked for written verification of the
accuracy of that record. If the creditor can't prove it,
the credit reporting agency is required to remove it.


----------------------------------------------------
Darrin Roseborsky is a Refinance Specialist with OMAC
Mortgages, seminar speaker and president of
HomeRefinanceCoach.com. Darrin shows people how to MAXIMIZE
their equity PROPERLY and how to choose options that make
the MOST SENSE for their situation! An example of exactly
how this works, is at: http://www.homerefinancecoach.com

Make My Credit Score Shine - 3 Steps to a Higher Score!

Make My Credit Score Shine - 3 Steps to a Higher Score!
STEP 1: Know the score. What's your credit score? A
recent study found that 63% of people don't know what their
credit score is. So if you're not sure, now is the time to
find out. Lenders use your credit score as part of their
evaluation, and credit scores generally range from 300-850.
Anything over 650 is usually considered a "fair" score that
qualifies you for standard rates. The higher your number,
the better shot you have at getting great interest rates.

So if your score is a little low, you'll want to boost that
number. Otherwise, you could pay way more interest on loans
and big purchases than you should.

STEP 2: Make sure your credit report is correct. There are
a bunch of different factors that help determine your
credit score. Things like your payment
history...outstanding debt...length of time you've had
credit...number of inquiries...and the type of credit you
have make up your score. All this information is found in
your credit reports.

If your information isn't correct, your credit score could
be affected. Take a look at your credit report. Go through
each section and make sure everything is 100% correct.
There's a handy checklist you can use that'll show you
exactly what to look for as you go over your credit report.

If you do find wrong information on your credit report,
dispute the items with the credit bureaus to have
inaccuracies on your credit report corrected. And now you
can easily file your dispute online. The credit bureaus
have 30 days to investigate your claim and make any
appropriate corrections.

You'll find the creditor contact information right on your
credit report.

STEP 3: Pay on time, all the time. It's simple: late
payments, collections and bankruptcies have the greatest
negative effect on your credit scores. By being punctual,
you can keep your score up (and your interest rates down).

Some folks struggle with making payments on time. Are you
usually late? The best thing to do is sign up for automatic
payment. Or try banking online with email reminders. You'll
be surprised at how doing something like changing your bill
paying routine can help. And if you do pay on
time—don't change a thing!

Following these 3 steps will get you headed in the right
direction to a better credit score. By taking aim at a
higher credit score, you're taking control of your
finances. So the next time you need a mortgage, a car or
any kind of credit, you'll know your number is going to get
you the interest rate you deserve.


----------------------------------------------------
Since 1999, TransUnion's TrueCredit has helped millions of
consumers successfully manage their credit. Through a suite
of educational materials, free monthly newsletters and
easy-to-use products, http://www.TrueCredit.com empowers
consumers to achieve greater financial well-being.
TrueCredit.com's online products include credit reports,
insurance and credit scores, credit monitoring, debt
management tools and identity theft insurance services.

First Time Home Buyers - Tips and FAQs

First Time Home Buyers - Tips and FAQs
If you are a first time home buyer, you more than likely
don't know what the process is. Most first time home buyers
rely on a real estate agent to guide them a long. Here is
the advice and tips that will make your home buying
experience a good one.

First Step:
1. Find out what you qualify for. This is the most
important part of the home buying process whether you are a
first time home buyer, or someone upgrading to a bigger
home. We know that getting the approval process done first
is not as fun as looking at homes. But you could be wasting
your time and everyone involved by not getting your
finances in place first. I would recommend getting a
current copy of your credit report with scores before
calling a lender. Make sure you know your credit situation,
so you are an educated home buyer.

Second Step:
2. Find a seasoned realtor that knows what they are doing.
There are too many realtors in the real estate business
that don't have a clue when trying to find you a home. I
would get a recommendation from you lender. They typically
know who will get the job done for you. You don't have to
buy a home with a realtor that works for some big name
brokerage. There are plenty of good realtors that work for
small companies as well. Do some research?

Third Step:
3. Once you have secured financing with a reputable lender
and have found a seasoned realtor, then you are ready to
start the looking process. If a realtor takes you out and
only wants to show you 4 to 5 homes and that is it, this is
a sign that all they are interested in is a commission
check. This is the biggest purchase of your life, it
usually takes all day to look at homes and then make a
decision. In some instances there may only be 4 to 5 homes
to look because that is all that is available that meets
your criteria. I am sure you get the idea though.

Fourth Step:
4. Close on your new home. Hopefully you have made the
right decisions and got reputable and honest real estate
professionals to make it happen for you.

Conclusion: Make sure you can buy first, and what type of
loan you qualify for. This is essential so you will not be
disappointed. You should also have selected seasoned and
professional real estate service providers. Remember you
are relying on real estate professionals to help you make
the biggest purchase of your life.


----------------------------------------------------
About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of
http://www.my720fico.com . My720fico.com is one of the most
unique on-line resources for free credit score reports,
Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, and
a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The
information within this website is written by professionals
that know about credit, and what determines ones credit
worthiness.

Where Do Credit Cards Come From?

Where Do Credit Cards Come From?
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines credit as "a
transaction between two parties in which one (the creditor
or lender) supplies money, goods, services, or securities
in return for a promised future payment by the other." The
concept of credit was already used in the earliest period
of history in Assyria, Babylon and Egypt.

The use of credit card was first used in the US in 1920 by
some automobile owners who used cards to buy fuel. However,
these cards were accepted only to the establishment who
issued it. By 1938, a number of companies started to accept
each other's card.

There is an amusing story behind the origin of the first
official credit card. According to the story, in 1949 Frank
X. McNamara, head of Hamilton Credit Corporation. was
having dinner with Alfred Bloomingdale and his attorney
Ralph Schneider at the famous Major's Cabin Grill, a
restaurant beside the Empire State Building. They were
going to discuss a credit problem with one of his clients
who was unable to pay him back. At the end of the meal, Mr.
McNamara realized that he has forgotten his wallet so he
called his wife to bring him some money. From this
incident, an idea came to life. So in 1950, Diners Club was
founded and the first "multi-purpose" credit card was born.

A credit card gives its holder the privilege to make
purchases without cash and pay for it on a later date. When
a person opens a bank account, he may apply for a credit
card in order to receive a specified credit limit
equivalent to cash. The bank assigns a certain interest
rate per month, and this will be charged on the account
whenever the credit limit is exceeded or whenever there is
an unpaid balance past due.

For many people, owning a credit card has become a
lifestyle. When applying for a credit card, it is always
advisable to do extensive research on the different terms
and conditions that each bank offers. Doing so enables the
customer to choose the type of credit account that is best
suitable to his needs. It is also important to understand
all stipulations before signing up to any agreement.
Because credit cards allow for more freedom to buy, it is a
common tendency for many people to splurge and overspend,
frequently resulting with unpaid bills and increasing debt.
To avoid the misery of bad credit, one must learn how to
use his credit card wisely. It is sensible to always pay
all balances on time and to know when it is necessary to
make another purchase. Thus, owning a credit card also
involve self-discipline, modesty and good financial
management.

Clearly, credit cards play a major role in business
transactions all over the world today. It is used in almost
every business establishment around the globe. It also
dominates the world of online shopping and e-commerce.
Truly, credit cards has come a long way and it is
interesting learn how it all began.


----------------------------------------------------
Liz Roberts is a loan consultant with NewHorizon Finance
and has been providing consumers and business owners with
financing since 1989. Bad Credit? Join our mailing list for
tips on building and repairing credit yourself, without
hiring a credit repair service or view our list of credit
cards for bad credit at
http://www.newhorizon.org/Info/unsecured.htm
Copyright 2007

A Soft Housing Market: Fabric Structures in Residential Applications

A Soft Housing Market: Fabric Structures in Residential Applications
Fabric Structures are considered the oldest forms of
Housing. Throughout history, they have been adopted in one
form or another by different groups of people living in a
variety of environmental conditions. The tent form was
ideal for nomads because they were lightweight, mobile and
adaptable but the "modern Nomad" doesn't need a tent
anymore as our living quarters have become more permanent
wherever we happen to be or go. 20 years ago, This author
wrote a student thesis on the potential of Fabric
Structures in Housing. The focus of that report was to
demonstrate that the "overall performance" of Housing could
improve with the use of Architectural Fabric Structures.

Overall performance is defined as the success of a building
or space in sustaining human needs (physical, social and
environmental). This sounds quite utopian but what's wrong
with dreaming a little in college! Unlike other building
types, Housing is a very personal experience and a form of
architecture with complex physical, environmental and
social issues. My utopian vision was to first have a decent
home (fabric structure) for every person. I dreamed of a
"mast supported" single family home with a Teflon roof over
the main living spaces and a shade structures over the
outdoor living spaces. My dream has not come true and maybe
for good reason.

The use of fabric structures in residential applications
must be looked at differently at each segment of the
market. For single family homes, the use is extremely
personal and often experimental. An Architect wants to put
his or her signature on a home and can use a fabric
structure to make a particular statement whether it is a
retractable roof, wall or even floor. On the other hand,
the benefit Architects tend to seek in using fabric
structures in housing is a safe and reliable spatial
envelope for public assembly that will improve (not solve)
the overall performance of the development. Today, Fabric
Structures have played an important role in society. We can
all agree that they provide UV protection and an
alternative solution to some traditional materials but it's
hard to measure the satisfaction one gets out of fabric
structures on a social level. Fabric structures have
primarily been built for only public uses: amphitheaters,
recreational centers, shopping malls, stadiums and
pavilions, to name a few. These structures tend to
congregate people and provide social interaction for a
specific period of time but they are not used on an
everyday basis for living.

Let's consider a closer look at the "soft" housing market.

Physical Performance is making something that is affordable
and durable. Architecture as shelter has primarily been
built of hard materials, to separate our public and private
spaces and buildings from the environment. However, look at
the design of some homes today. The home has gone from
fabric walls (see the nomads) to heavy walls (see H.H.
Richardson) to glass walls (see Mies) to fabric walls (see
Shigeru Ban) to no walls at all. Fabric covered patios,
gardens, garages, entries and sidewalks are being designed
with structures with translucent membranes to get closer
and closer to nature at an affordable price. Today,
commercial tents and pre-engineered clear spans are
wonderful solutions for enlarging ones living space and
protecting one from the elements. In larger developments,
entries, public facilities and parking garages are being
developed using fabric structures to advertise, hide or
protect existing or new construction and owner's personal
belongings. Textile facades are providing UV protection,
greater signage opportunities and provide an alternative to
EIFS and other building facade treatments available in the
market.

Social performance is creating a place or space where
social interaction can occur. This normally occurs through
the arrangement of housing units or the space created
between buildings. Architects usually approach fabric
structures in terms of their novelty and long span
capabilities, but there are so many other features which
architectural fabrics bring to improve social interaction.

Retail has learned about the potential of fabric structures
and multifamily buildings and garden apartments can learn
the same. Main Street or the neighborhood corridor can be
covered with either retractable awnings or street wide
velas. Retractable systems are getting bigger, wider and
capable of being used with new and more advanced materials.
Domed stadiums are no longer trends in professional sports
and the multi family market can see the benefits as well.
Small scale tennis and recreational facilities and public
amenities like bathrooms and corner stores can be fabric
structures for large scale developments and shade and
shelter is needed for areas like parking, transportation,
and dining.

The Environmental performance is in some ways the most
complex. Although, performance can be calculated in dollars
and cents and in the BTU's and Kilowatts, it can also be
very subjective as every person has a different comfort
level. Another issue being addressed with regards to the
environmental performance is the material itself. There is
past, present and future interest in the environment and
sustainability. Is the material durable, recyclable,
environmentally friendly, assisting in LEED certification
or giving off toxic gases to the environment? You can say
that about any material. Fabric structures are made of very
few materials and designed and made to improve human
comfort. Their benefits include the reduction of direct UV
to the skin, the impact on the land thru minimal
foundations and by providing natural light to areas which
might otherwise require artificial lighting and electricity.

What is the future of Fabric Structures in Houses and
Housing? With the rise in energy cost and real estate taxes
nationwide, there may be more interest in creating
temporary structures for outdoor living in single family
homes. Do it yourself Pavilions, clear spans and pool
enclosures are more than ever within reach. As for
multifamily housing, the public spaces, roof and the
parking lot are the places being considered for fabric
structures. The social areas or play areas will see the
greatest growth as the need for UV protection for children
and elderly will increase. Today, the automobile is part of
the nucleus family and it is being cared for like a child.
Expect to see more covered parking. Lastly, Architects and
designer are seeing the roof as a possible new source for
interaction, energy and creativity. Enclosed Pools and
partially covered "green roofs" are on the drawing boards
as well as the use of photovoltaic on membrane structures.
Ultimately, the key to any successful housing project or
neighborhood development is its social performance.

Fabric Structures are coming home again!


----------------------------------------------------
Samuel J. Armijos, AIA is Vice President of Sales for USA
Shade and Fabric Structures and author of Fabric
Architecture: Resources for shade, signage and shelter. He
resides in Fairfield, NJ with his wife and two children.
http://www.fabricarchitect.com

Top 9 Offshore Bank Account Considerations

Top 9 Offshore Bank Account Considerations
One of the misnomers about an offshore bank account is that
it is only for the very wealthy. An offshore corporation
plus offshore bank account is more economical than one
might think. An offshore bank account is an account that
you open in a country or jurisdiction outside your own.
Thus opening an offshore bank account is a good place to
begin on the freedom road and such an offshore banking
relationship can provide the foundation of what follows.
The most obvious legitimate reason for opening an offshore
bank account is the cash-flow advantage of getting interest
on deposits paid gross, without the withholding tax usually
imposed on non-resident bank accounts. One of the numerous
benefits of opening an Offshore Bank Account is that they
are often situated within tax havens, which means that the
individual pays less tax.

Offshore Bank Account

Most offshore bank accounts come with a cash card that can
be used to withdraw funds anywhere in the world. Offshore
Bank Accounts the Ultimate Protection Seeking to protect
you money in an offshore bank account once someone has laid
a claim to your assets just won't happen, its already too
late. An additional benefit of an offshore bank account is
that if you are not willing to leave a high tax nation you
can benefit by moving money to a tax free secure and
private haven. Asset security and privacy is what the
offshore bank accounts and the financial world are designed
to accommodate.

Opening an Offshore Account

To actually open an overseas bank account, you must firstly
do some research - which country and which bank will be
most suitable for your needs. Although you may not need
any of these things; opening an offshore account can be as
straightforward as just having a checking or savings
account. Most people who open an overseas bank account
want to enjoy the significant tax breaks that this will
give them. A passport, a driving license, and a untilty
bill are all you need to open an offshore account.

Privacy

Offshore privacy can no longer be taken for granted.
Having a offshore bank account may be something you can
explore in regard to banking privacy, being insulated from
predatory lawsuits, building your assets and to legally
avoid excessive taxation. This is a popular choice for
people who are very particular about their privacy and
anonymity. For maximum privacy and asset protection,
however, the best advice is this: Establish an offshore
corporation to own your offshore bank account. The
Anonymous Panama Corporation adds in a nice thick layer of
privacy protection. Right now, a secure, private bank
account is reserved for your personal use in countries with
some of the strongest bank privacy laws on earth.

Investment

An offshore account is an excellent way to diversify
investments and take advantage of global tax savings. Sure
you have to report your earnings in most places and pay
taxes, but you can still open up an offshore bank account
for greater investment possibilities, protection from
domestic lawyers who might want to sue you for your life
savings and for greater financial privacy. And, you must
report any interest payments or dividends you have received
from any offshore investments made using that account. You
can have instant access to the world's best investment
opportunities, including currencies and precious metals
without concern about your home nation's legal restrictions.

Legal

The proper way to open an offshore bank account is through
an experienced law firm offering offshore legal services.
As a matter of principle the rights to privacy can be
suspended when a criminal investigation is underway. Don't
rely on banking secrecy being upheld if you are engaging in
illegal activites. Some countries like Panama are more
tolerant than others.

Services

Typically a tax free haven is offered by countries that
have little or no means of exporting goods and services to
offset the imbalance they would otherwise have in terms of
their overall currency exchange. You may want to consider
other services the bank offers, such as different types of
accounts, credit cards and safety deposit boxes. There are
advantages either way here - a larger bank may offer
greater security and more services, but with higher fees.
Many offshore banks offer a full range of private banking
services, but have certain terms and conditions that need
to be met by their clients. An offshore corporation
combined with the quality banking and commercial services
found in Panama consistently meet the needs of diverse
types of clients.

International

If you're in regular receipt of international transactions
it can make sense to establish an offshore company
structure in a jurisdiction like the Seychelles where no
tax is levied on income generated outside the jurisdiction
and where such a company is not required to fill out annual
financial or activity reports. Such a company can then
open and hold an account which can be used for
international personal OR business transactions. If you're
moving overseas you have a number of choices available to
you - you can let your current bank know and they may
change your account type to be an international account.
You can then use this account to pay bills back home and
conduct international transactions.

Visa

The way these programs work is Visa and MasterCard do not
know who the actual card holder is - no date of birth, no
address, no tax id numbers etc. So a subpoena to
MasterCard or Visa would produce very little and since the
bank is in a country with bank secrecy this avenue is going
to be a long burdensome process that would be unlikely to
be pursued and could only be pursued by a government in a
criminal matter. The more private way of doing this is to
get a Visa or MasterCard debit card from another bank, not
your Panama bank.

Bank ATM Debit Card

Some people obtain an ATM card from another unrelated
financial institution. These cards typically have no name
imprinted on them which right away adds to your privacy
protection. These cards also do not leave a trail to your
real bank. Money can be transferred to the ATM card by
wire from your Panama or other bank account and then
withdrawn as needed. Some people are fond of using these
cards to cover corporate expenses like travel,
entertainment and other business expenses. Usually the ATM
card purchase requires a copy of a passport.

Offshore banking has many advantages, some of which include
the access to politically and economically stable
jurisdictions, and the lower cost and higher interest rate.
You can use a foreign bank account as an integral tool in
an aggressive, two-pronged offshore wealth strategy. In
other words, an offshore private bank account is not just a
place for safekeeping cash. You might think it is a bit
odd at first to open an offshore account when away on
holiday but if you are going to that destination anyway on
holiday it makes something nice to do one day.


----------------------------------------------------
To learn more about the Panama Offshore Bank Account and
other Panama Offshore Banking issues, visit Panama Offshore
Legal at
http://www.offshorelegal.org/offshore-banking/swiss-switzerl
and-offshore-banking/offshore-bank-account-tips.html

How to Build Wealth in the Military

How to Build Wealth in the Military
Many military members proudly serving this Country will
return home deep in debt. Payday loans are the solution
that many in the military have turned to. These lenders
have been conveniently positioned by military bases to give
them easy access to quick cash with sky high interest rates.

Financial education - a skill young people desperately need
- isn't taught in high schools. So for many military
personnel, they enter the military without any knowledge on
how to handle their finances. This can lead to financial
problems and military debt since it's the first time many
of them have to make financial decisions for themselves.

This lack of financial education is evident in a recent
Associated Press report stating that thousands of U.S.
troops are being banned from serving overseas because they
are deep in debt. Because of this high level of debt they
are considered security risks. On top of that, many
unscrupulous payday lenders are taking unfair advantage of
many members of the military by charging them fees and
interest rates that make it almost impossible for them to
get out of the hole.

You can become financially secure in the military with some
simple steps. The tips below will put you on the path to
financial freedom.

1. Cut your expenses. To afford the items you would like
to purchase, start by listing everything that you want to
buy in the order you want to buy them. This will help you
focus your spending on the things you want the most.

To avoid wasting money, keep track of your daily expenses
for a month. Write down everything you purchase for a
month and see where your money goes. If you're spending
four dollars on a cup of coffee during the week that adds
up to more that $1,000 a year. It's a great way to find out
what small daily purchases add up to big expense.

Develop a military budget by writing down your take home
pay and listing your current expenses. If you're spending
more than you make, it's time to cut those expenses or work
extra hard to get that promotion.

2. Develop a military savings plan. The average American
spends more than they earn, so become a money rebel and
save money. With a simple investment plan, just by saving
$250 a month starting at age 18, you could reach
millionaire status by age 40.

Get in the habit of paying yourself first. Have your bank
automatically transfer a portion of your money from a
checking account to a savings account or start an allotment
directly to your savings account. Each time you deposit
your paycheck, money is automatically transferred into your
savings before you have a chance to spend it. That way
you'll have military money set aside for the long-term and
available for the things you want to buy now.

Many of you are serving the country overseas now in hostile
territory and earning hostile fire and imminent danger pay.
This could be a great way to save more military money.
Take advantage of the military programs such as TSP (Thrift
Savings Plan) and SDP (Savings Deposit Program) that allow
you to save military money and earn a higher return when
compared with most civilian savings accounts. By simply
setting that military money aside, it will help you to have
money in the bank and a way to treat yourself when your
return for a job well done.

3. Have Uncle Sam pay for your house. The military offers
many benefits that will allow you to become a homeowner.
VA loans allow you to borrow 100% of the purchase price
which means you won't need money for a down payment in most
cases. Combine that with BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing)
for civilian housing and you can have your mortgage
payments paid for.

This is a huge benefit because you purchase a $100,000 home
your property could be valued at over $570,000 in 30 years.
The best part is using BAH you could of not even made a
payment with your own money.

4. Invest in yourself. The military offers education
benefits through the G.I. Bill, VEAP (Veterans Educational
Assistance Program), LRP (Loan Repayment Programs) and TA
(Tuition Assistance) may all help you to get a higher
education. Just like in the civilian world the higher
education you receive the more likely you are to get
promoted and paid more.

You defend this country to protect the freedom of all
American's; and you deserve to be financially free to live
the lifestyle you want without having to worry about
military debt. The tips above will help you avoid the
shackles of life long debt and put you on the road to
financial freedom.


----------------------------------------------------
Give yourself the freedom that you deserve by learning the
simple military money lessons that will help you afford
what you want now and secure your financial future. Visit
Vince Shorb's, 'Financially Free By 30' site now for free
video lessons. Go to http://www.FreeBy30.com