Are You Afraid of Email?
Since the days of telephone party-lines, it has been a fact of life that some communicators have tended to cause others of us frustration. Teenagers tying up the familys only telephone line for hours on end; then the computer tying up the line for hours on end. Our mail boxes have been so ... more...

Independent Brokerage Firm - Go Independent
Successful brokers and advisors basically have their own business regardless of where they work. The client investment business is a self-starter and largely commission based industry, so a broker must rely on his own production for survival anyway. When does the in-office support staff and other ... more...

Why Do You Need an IBC?
Virtually anyone with a net worth can benefit from the use of an IBC. Imagine operating your business and personal affairs with 100% confidentiality, with no restrictions on your business or tax penalties on your profits in your chosen jurisdiction. Imagine operating without the constant fear of ... more...

Understanding the Escrow (Closing) Process
1. What is an escrow?Escrow is defined as a process where parties deposit instructions and funds with a "disinterested" third party until conditions of the instructions are met. This applies whether the purchase is real estate or an expensive Ebay item. In a real estate escrow, a title insurance ... more...

Banks and Monetary Policy: the Mechanics of Interest Rates Setting
We hear a lot about interest rates, and not only in my professional field of expertise. Interest rates are everywhere to be found in our daily lives: credit card interest, interest on deposits, car loan interest, personal loan interest, treasury bond interest. The other day I received a spam e-mail ... more...

How to Decrease the Value of Your Own House
Owning a house is part of the American Dream. Depending on where you live in the US - home ownership can be around 70%. That means that 70% of people own their own home. That is very high compared to other countries. Owning a home is usually a nice piece of independence and also part of building a ... more...

The World is Not Enough - Calling for a More Ethical Approach to Personal Finance
At a time when the entire worlds attention is focused on the problems of world debt, with the Live 8 concerts, the G8 summit in Scotland, the Make Poverty History Campaign (MPH) and the various anti-poverty marches, it seems that everyone wants the worlds governments to behave more ethically ... more...

Dangerous Liaisons: Tips For Securing Homeowner's Insurance
Whether you are buying a home, selling a home, retiring or relocating homeowners insurance can be a tricky issue. Learning the basics of homeowners insurance is key to completing a smooth real estate transaction. Below are some important tips that can help you secure a homeowners insurance policy ... more...

Equity Raising Strategies, Myths, and Cold, Hard Facts
Start-ups and early stage companies are generally not attractive to institutional investors. Even in today's favorable climate, start-ups are basically just too risky for these sources of capital. The primary exception is where it is a proven entrepreneur starting another venture.For start-ups, the ... more...