assets http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for assets Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:46:09 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/assets It Is No Money Magic http://www.artwoo.com/article/it-is-no-money-magic http://www.artwoo.com/article/it-is-no-money-magic#comments Fri, 09 Jun 2006 09:32:04 +0000 asset management companyprofessional asset managementasset evaluationasset protectionstocks bondsfinance peoplereal estate http://www.artwoo.com/article/it-is-no-money-magic asset protection, asset tracking and . Technical, isn't it? Most people would probably be bewildered when bombarded with these terms. Others would dismiss these as pre-occupations of the rich and wealthy. Some even think of these as the plaything of stockbrokers, bankers, and . But this should not be the case because everybody has assets. No matter how little or valuable your assets are, they should be one of your priorities. Just think about it this way, how you protect and oversee your assets can make or break you in the future.

How to go about this? You can hire a professional to do this for you. They are equipped and trained to secure for you the best possible value and protection for your assets. However, if you want to take a more personal approach, it is better to try and clarify a few terms. Assets, asset management, asset recovery, asset protection, asset tracking and asset evaluation are easily understood if you know how they work together. Assets are your material and physical possessions. These include your lands, , money, jewelry, stocks, and every source of your income. Asset evaluation simply means putting value on your assets. This entails finding out how much all your assets are worth and the evaluation also probes if your spending habits are still within your assets' value. Asset management refers to how and where you invest your assets (think: stocks, bonds, real estate) where they can yield the highest returns possible. Asset recovery is the means you take to get your investments back; for example, when someone rents your property, the rent is your means to recover your asset. It's also the same thing when somebody borrows money from you. His payment and interest enables you to recover your assets. Asset protection are the measures you take to prevent the losing your assets. Insurance policies and contracts are common means of asset protection. Asset tracking obviously is a system you adapt to track your assets. Through this system, you map your assets, cash flow, and income returns. It is also important that this system allows you to identify which assets are making the most money and which of assets are in danger of loss. With these key factors, you can be capable and adept in taking charge and managing your assets.

However, if you're still unsure facing the world of assets, asset management, asset recovery, asset protection, asset tracking and asset evaluation, here are some guidelines. Your strategy must depend on assets' value, your income, age, and portfolio. Your risk appetite is also a big factor. As a general rule, high-risk asset investment is suitable while still young but move on to more reliable assets as you age (changing stock market or steady real estate investment?). The larger your assets, the more it is needed to allot time to manage it. Search the web for online tools and asset management software to guide you in taking charge of your money and assets better. Still not comfortable with the idea? Call for asset management assistance now. For more valuable information on assets, asset management, asset recovery, asset protection, asset tracking, etc., please visit http://www.asset-resources.com ]]> Finding The Right Asset Management System http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-right-asset-management-system http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-right-asset-management-system#comments Sat, 21 Oct 2006 22:27:13 +0000 daily basisfixed assetsasset management systemasset management systemsshrinkagechoose oneindividually http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-right-asset-management-system fixed assets on a day to day basis. This system is used through all phases of the asset's life cycle. This includes when the asset was first acquired until it is retired or no longer of use. It can be used to manage an individuals assets or a business and all of its assets. In order to maintain your assets, you must know what the asset you own is, when you got the asset, how much the asset cost, how much it will cost to maintain the asset through the asset's life cycle, where the asset is located, and what the asset will or can be worth.

Effective s have one specific goal that is always to be met. This goal is to reduce the costs of owning the asset and investing the asset in order to achieve the maximum and significant results. For this goal to be met, the asset management system should incorporate different functions, policies, resources, and procedures that help maintain the asset in a cost efficient manner and still leave you with significant results.

Most commonly, people use an asset management system to take care of their assets for them. There are many available. But before you , you should make sure that the asset management system they use is the best one for your assets. It should include:

1. Various technologies to maintain and track your assets , meaning that it always knows where your assets are or where they can be found.

2. Uses a software system that is constantly updated.

3. Reduces your direct cost of owning the assets.

4. Controls and/or other losses of the assets.

5. Seeks out information on a to lower the cost of maintaining the assets.

6. Follows a constant budget when maintaining the asset to reduce over head costs.

7. Provides a maintenance history on all costs of maintaining the assets.

8. Reallocates any assets that do not seem to be achieving goals so that they can meet these goals.

9. Lets you know when it may be advantageous to you if you disposed of the asset either through selling, trading, etc.

10. Makes the most of the potential of assets by ensuring they are appropriately maintained and used at all times.

11. Reduces the demand for new assets, thus saving money through demand management techniques.

12. Always tries to achieve greater value for your money through economic evaluation of options that take into account the asset's life cycle, full costs of the asset, and with value management techniques.

13. Reduces any unnecessary acquisition of assets or new assets. This is done by making any organizations that use your assets pay for the full costs of using and/or holding the asset itself.

14. Has all attention focused on gaining results.

15. Assigns responsibility of maintaining all aspects of your assets to the right departments.

If you find an asset management system that incorporates all of these items, you are sure to have an easy and effective means to managing your assets. Sometimes it is very difficult to do this yourself, especially if you own a large business, large corporation, or if you just have a great deal of assets to begin with. The right asset management system can make your life a whole lot easier and turn your assets into a much more profitable endeavor. Robert Michael is a writer for Fixed Asset Management which is an excellent place to find links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.aegisassetmanagement.com ]]> How The Nursing Home Spend-Down Program Affects You And Your Family http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-the-nursing-home-spend-down-program-affects-you-and-your-family http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-the-nursing-home-spend-down-program-affects-you-and-your-family#comments Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:27:07 +0000 assetsnursing home careirrevocable trustpredict the futureavoid probateaccustomedaccumulated http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-the-nursing-home-spend-down-program-affects-you-and-your-family nursing home care, you must spend-down all of your . These restrictive new rules are designed to impoverish the healthy spouse. They have mandated a 5 year look-back, that means you better have done something to protect your assets 5 years before you become sick.

Without careful attention your wealth can disappear before your very eyes, because you were unlucky in your health. If either you or your spouse get sick, before you can ask for any government assistance, you must spend all of your accumulated wealth, leaving your healthy spouse without any resources to keep on living the lifestyle you and your spouse are normally to.

Good health, although very important and a blessing, cannot be relied upon as we all know no one can . But you can do something about this now to ensure that your wealth is limited to how much the government can expect from you.

There is a method to insulate your assets from the nursing home mandated spend-down. So what is this secret, you ask? Simple. It's called an .

So what is an irrevocable trust? An irrevocable trust can reposition your assets to allow you control and limit the amount that can be demanded Of the nursing home spend-down mandate to reduce your hard-earned wealth. Assets that qualify for repositioning are your primary residence, your vacation spot, your CD's, your stocks, bonds, and other investments.

By "repositioning your assets" (transferring your assets) to an irrevocable trust you legally no longer own the assets, therefore no one can demand or sue you for those assets. Even more important, if you no longer own your assets you don't qualify for the expensive probate process and you do not have to pay estate taxes.

Moreover, if you have a will, "your will" won't protect your assets from the nursing home spend-down, it will not and it will not avoid taxes on your estate. So, in essence, an irrevocable trust is ideal in many instances.

A solid, personally developed and well-planned irrevocable trust by a team of competent professionals such as accountants, lawyers and financial planners can avoid these more than mere unpleasant events. It can literally save you and your family's fortunes and life-savings. Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA, award-winning trust and estate-planning expert. 71 Commercial Street #150 Boston, MA 02109 tel: +1.508.429.0011 fax: +1.508.429.3034 Sign up for a FREE newsletter and learn how you can reduce your taxes, protect your assets and secure your privacy. http://www.UltraTrust.com ]]> Safeguard Your Assets In A Divorce http://www.artwoo.com/article/safeguard-your-assets-in-a-divorce http://www.artwoo.com/article/safeguard-your-assets-in-a-divorce#comments Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:27:08 +0000 assetshave signeddivorcelife insurance policystockspower of attorneybank accounts http://www.artwoo.com/article/safeguard-your-assets-in-a-divorce divorce it is very important to protect your . It is possible for an unsuspecting spouse to find on top of everything else, were raided, sold and insurance policies cashed.

If you are a woman going through a divorce try to have joint liquid accounts transferred to your name. You may have to get your husband to sign documents but some banks just need one party to do this.

The process is not so simple with assets such as stocks, mutual funds, bonds and other investments. Usually it is necessary to have both signatures to liquidate these assets, but, if you a in the past or if your husband's new girlfriend tries to sign up in your place, you may in trouble. To combat these circumstances, make sure all institutions are aware you are going through a divorce and ask them to check for identification before accepting a transaction.

One bad scenario would be if your husband runs off with a cash value of a . In this case, to protect yourself try to get that policy in your name. Sometimes the courts would require a husband to keep up the policy while you are separated. Another way to safeguard the assets is to keep track of account numbers and balances. Make copies for your attorney too. A wife should know what a husband's pension looks like. Knowledge is power. At the very least, this would reduce some anxiety around an already stressful situation.

The safeguarding goes both ways though. At this stage assets should be considered money you intend to protect until it can be divided equitably. However if you need to take out some money to pay for another marital asset like your home or child support then make sure your attorney understands the situation and has an account of it. Abby Johnson is a staff writer at http://www.legal-journal.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.lifestylegazette.com. ]]> Understanding Asset Management http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-asset-management http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-asset-management#comments Sat, 21 Oct 2006 18:27:32 +0000 assets under managementglobal investment managementinvestment management firmsasset managementinvestment management industryinvestmentstrillion http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-asset-management Asset management is a form of investment management. The term asset management is sometimes used to refer to the management of all , including assets, or it may be used to refer to assets that don't fall under the more standard categories of investment management, fund management or portfolio management.

Asset management is one facet of the vast industry. Large financial institutions manage billions of dollars in assets for businesses and individuals all over the world.

Many insiders feel that independent firms are more successful and more dynamic in investment management than are large banks and insurance companies.

Asset management helps to protect and grow investments. The may be a large company's pension fund, or an individual's retirement savings. Institutions that manage assets have great weight in the financial markets because of the amount of funds under their control. The decisions these companies make as to how to invest and move around the money they control can affect the overall rise and fall of financial markets.

Pension funds accounted for more than $15 of funds that were under asset management in 2004. In comparison, more than $30 trillion of private wealth was in investments in 2004, about one third of which was being managed by . Asset managers in the United States account for almost half of all funds under management globally.

Understanding asset management is a complicated topic. If you have large investments, you want to make sure your assets are properly managed. Various financial advisors can provide information about the best fund managers, the institutions with the best track records, and in general the type of management that may be right for you or your business. Different types of financial management are indicated, depending upon the size of the investment capital, the form of the assets, and many other individual factors. http://www.assetmanagementwest.com ]]> How To Hide Assets http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-hide-assets http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-hide-assets#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:27:06 +0000 assetsindependent trusteesubchapter s corporationlimited liability companyirrevocable trustsirrevocable trustasset protection http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-hide-assets assets?" From who are you trying to hide your assets from? Is there a legitimate way to hide your assets?

You will know if you have succeeded in hiding your assets if an asset search by an extremely interested party does not reveal your identity. In a post 9/11, it's not possible. Everything has become more transparent with the passage of government banking acts.

Interested parties have a way of finding the true owner for the right price. The Internet is running on high steroids. Anything you do is public knowledge.

However, the original owner and its present owner can legally be changed without having to go offshore. Legitimate repositioning of assets from you to an is perfectly legal. The fact is, if your assets are owned by a subchapter S. Corporation or a and in turn the shares of the Sub S or membership units of the LLC are owned by an irrevocable trust, it's the fortress of US .

HIDE YOUR ASSETS WITH

How to hide your assets is a simple as the repositioning your assets through an irrevocable trust with a true . The key to the transfer is the exchange of equal value in return for the asset, or the receipt of a fair market value for the asset transferred.

If you reposition your assets, you will no longer own them. If you don't own assets, no one will want to sue you; no one will want to track you; no one will want to know your name. You don't have to go offshore. US Laws, US courts will defend and support your asset protection system.

GIVE UP CONTROL OF YOUR ASSETS TO AN INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE

These laws have been defined by numerous court cases, over and over, right up to the Supreme Court. You must however, give-up control over your assets to a true independent trustee. Your asset protection system is enhanced when a Limited Liability Company further re-defines your asset protection system.

HOW THE LLC CAN HELP PROTECT YOUR ASSETS

The LLC is nothing new, but (until recently) states refused to legislate its existence. The LLC resembles the German GmbH the French SARL and the South American Limitada forms of doing business. The LLC allow small groups of individuals to enjoy limited personal liability while operating under partnership-type rules (rather than the complex rules that apply to corporate-type structures).

The LLC is recognized by the IRS as a "pass-through type" of disregarded tax entity. That is, the profits or losses of the LLC pass through the business and are reflected and taxed on the individual' member's tax returns of the owners, rather than being reported and taxed at a separate business level.

Other pass-through entities include general and limited partnerships, sole proprietorships and "S" corporations. The IRS now lets an LLC elect corporate tax treatment if it wants it by filing IRS Form 8832. Consult with your tax advisor or call Estate Street Partners toll-free 888-938-5872. Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA, award-winning trust and estate-planning expert.71 Commercial Street #150 Boston, MA 02109 tel: 888-938-5872 fax: +1.508.429.3034 Sign up for a FREE newsletter and learn how you can reduce taxes, protect assets and secure your privacy. http://www.UltraTrust.com ]]> How To Get A 100% Commercial Mortgage http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-a-100-commercial-mortgage http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-a-100-commercial-mortgage#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:24:59 +0000 cash assetstraditional mortgagesmortgage worksbusiness mortgagesliquid assetscommercial mortgagefinance deal http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-a-100-commercial-mortgage liquid assets to finance the move?

A 100% may hold the answer. Unlike and many standard , a 100% commercial mortgage requires no down payment, so you don't have to pay out cash in a big chunk up front. This can be a major advantage if you're just getting a business off the ground, or if you simply need to keep your liquid.

How a 100% Commercial

Like any other mortgage, whether it be residential or for business purposes, a 100% commercial mortgage is a secured loan. That means that you put up property or assets as a guarantee that you will repay the loan. If you miss payments or default on the loan, the lender has the right to take possession of your assets and liquidate them to get its money back.

In the case of a commercial mortgage, that security is generally the property for which the loan is sought. In addition, some banks may require additional collateral in the form of other property or assets before they'll approve your application.

If you are taking a 100% commercial mortgage to start a business, your bank or building company will nearly always require that you file a business plan which their lending officers will evaluate before deciding whether or not to lend you money.

Why Choose a 100% Commercial Mortgage?

The best reasons for choosing a 100% commercial mortgage, of course, arise from the fact that there is no need to put down an up-front payment on your property. There are many reasons why a business owner would decide to pay higher interest rates in return for a 100% .

- Your business may not have the capital to provide a down payment, but does have assets that can be provided as security.

- When you take out a 100% commercial mortgage, your cash assets are available for other purposes to build your business.

- Your cash assets can continue to accrue interest or be used for investment purposes rather than being spent.

- You keep a portion of your assets liquid to meet unexpected expenses.

- Interest payments on your mortgage can be offset against taxes.

With a 100% commercial mortgage, you generally trade a higher interest rate and higher monthly payments for the advantages of holding on to your cash assets longer.

What Are the Disadvantages of a 100% Commercial Mortgage?

The most obvious disadvantages of deciding to take a mortgage with no down payment required have to do with paying more interest on your loan.

- Since you are not putting down a significant amount of the purchase price for your business property, you will be taking out a loan for more money. That means that you'll be paying interest on a larger sum.

- Since you are borrowing more money, you will probably be making higher monthly payments to pay off your loan in the same amount of time.

- Banks and finance companies often charge higher interest rates on 100% mortgages, since they are substantially riskier for the bank.

That means, of course, that you will have to bring in more per month in order to meet your mortgage payment before your business can show a profit. To learn more about funding your business with commercial mortgages and other types of finance, visit http://www.cash4business.co.uk. ]]> What Is Ultimate Wealth? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-ultimate-wealth http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-ultimate-wealth#comments Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:15:00 +0000 high paying jobbaby boomersmike tysonbusiness real estatewrong ideaglobal economyincome stream http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-ultimate-wealth wrong idea about wealth. So what is ultimate wealth? Ultimate wealth is when the income from your assets exceeds your expenses. It does not matter if you are only making 20,000 from your assets as long as your expenses are lower, then you are wealthy. If your expenses happened to be over the amount your of your income then you are not wealthy. That is basically it. So let's say Don is bringing in 5,000 a month from his commercial real estate and his expenses are 2,000 a month then Don is wealthy. Now let's say Sam is bringing in 1 million a month in income from his assets but his expenses are 2 million a month he is not wealthy.

In the above example is where the majority of people get confused. Have you heard people say he must be rich because of the car, house or any number of other items a person may have.That is completely wrong. Those items are liabilities because they do not put money into the pocket of the owner.The next big myth is about the amount of money a person makes. This does not matter for two reasons. One what good is it to make 20 million a year if you are spending 40 million year, for example . Next it depends on what type of income you are earning. If your only is from your job you may be in trouble. The day of a job taking care of you is gone, this is a . For instance, many sold on the myth of going to school and getting a are finding themselves out of work and desperate for anyway to make ends meet each month. Your job cannot be considered a reliable stream of income because it is not. So when you hear someone say so"n"so makes this much a year. Dig more deeply is it income from a job or income from a business, real estate, and stocks because that makes a huge difference.

Ultimate Wealth is when the income from your assets(businesses,real estate, stocks) exceeds your expenses. Wealth is not a high paying job, it takes much more than having a high paying job to be wealthy. A good question to ask yourself is this "If I were unable for whatever reason to never work another day in my life, how long would I survive with my current lifestyle?" The answer to that question determines your ultimate wealth. When you can survive without a job and just live off of your income from your assets then you are considered wealthy. That is considered to be true wealth and then you are wealthy. Assets are the key in becoming wealthy. Liabilities get in the way of you achieving true wealth, so cut back on your liabilities and increase your assets. That is a smart strategy to increase your financial standing and creating a great life for you and your family. This article was written by Aaron Aldama. To learn more about making money go to http://homebusinesslosangeles23.blogspot.com/ ]]> What Is The Effect Of An Overdraft On The Balance Sheet? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-the-effect-of-an-overdraft-on-the-balance-sheet http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-the-effect-of-an-overdraft-on-the-balance-sheet#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:35:59 +0000 assets liabilitiesbank overdraftcurrent assetscurrent liabilitiescash assetsbalance sheetleft column http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-the-effect-of-an-overdraft-on-the-balance-sheet balance sheet, how efficiently it is funded ("Funding") and how efficiently it is operated ("Operations"). Both are important but separate parts of a business; the is part of funding. Changes to funding arrangements do not impact on operating performance.

Traditionally accounting balance sheets are arranged into Assets, Liabilities and Equity in accordance with the balance sheet equation i.e. Assets = Liabilities + Equity. With a two column format, Assets are in the and Liabilities and Equity on the right. In a traditional balance sheet may contain "cash at bank" and may contain entries for "bank overdraft". Both Current Assets and Current Liabilities are components of Working Capital which is the operational aspect of the business. In traditional accounting format it can therefore be difficult to distinguish funding from operations.

However the presence or absence of an overdraft only affects the funding aspect. This is clearly seen if the format of the balance sheet is rearranged to reflect the separation of Finance and Operations. In this financial analysis format the left column contains the funding entries (Debt and Equity), and the right column the operational entries (Working capital and Non-current assets) . Instead of cash and overdraft being included with Working Capital they are moved to the Debt section in the left column. The Debt section includes cash, bank overdraft and long term debt. All or cash liabilities are shown as debt (cash is regarded as negative debt).

In this format you can clearly see what effect an overdraft has on the balance sheet. An overdraft will raise debt. The overdraft affects the Income statement because debt incurs interest (an expense) so interest payments will rise, there will be less profit and therefore less tax to be paid. The retained income entry on the balance sheet (under Equity) will reflect this. However nothing on the Operations side of the balance sheet will be affected by whether the operations are funded by debt or equity or both.

Most businesses are financed by a combination of equity and debt. Exactly what debt/equity mix (leverage) is best for the business is part of the funding strategy determined by management. Article by Carol Baskir who runs http://www.balancesheetwalk.com for balance sheet analysis knowledge. Read more about http://www.balancesheetwalk.com/traditional_balance_sheet.htm ]]> Top Asset Protection Strategies http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-asset-protection-strategies http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-asset-protection-strategies#comments Sun, 10 Dec 2006 22:27:22 +0000 asset protection planasset protection strategiesassetsfinancial planningmedical professionunscrupulouslegal liabilities http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-asset-protection-strategies medical profession? Does your job require you to deal with people everyday? Do you own rental income properties and earn income from them? Or are you the owner or boss of a company?

If you happen to fall under any of the above mentioned categories, you need to consider planning for asset protection right away.

If you are not sure what asset protection is, asset protection is a type of advanced technique that helps protect your from any type of now and in the future.

Contrary to popular beliefs, asset protection does not mean hiding assets, and is not a trick to evade authority. Asset protection also does not involve deceptive agreements or fraudulent transfers. It is simply smart and safe financial planning. It uses the cunning of business and tools of financial planning to safe guard your assets from being extracted by outsiders who do not have any right to or claim on your hard earned money.

In a nutshell, asset protection is the simplest and most inexpensive way of safe guarding your assets in case the situation arises where there is a threat to your assets. These are simple strategies that will make it unnecessary for you to hire the services of attorneys and other experts if the situation suddenly turns against you.

When it comes to protection of your assets, there is no one-size-fits-all or strategy. Defining your goals and needs, and using common sense will ultimately help you to work out the best plan for protecting your wealth against people and endeavors. Below are some useful :

* The first tip is to keep a low profile by resisting the temptation to show off your wealth and being extravagant. Do not own all your assets directly under your own name.

* If you have more than one asset, then register the names of each asset as separate legal entities.

* Stay away from any types of ventures involving general partnership or handshake agreements. Partners are more likely to drag you into all sorts of legal troubles where you and your assets become directly liable.

* The liability laws differ from state to state. Some states follow more stringent rules while laws in other states are comparatively more flexible.

* Do not trust your financial advisor fully. Before trusting somebody with your money, just remind yourself of all the scams that routinely appear in the front pages of the leading newspapers.

Even if you have worked out a foolproof asset protection plan, you should keep a liability insurance, so that if something unfortunate were to happen, the insurance will strengthen your defense. Get more information on how to protect your assets at http://www.asset-protection-strategy.info and http://www.asset-protection-strategy.info/protection-asset.html. More articles on asset protection are available at http://www.mynicheblog.info. ]]> What Really Is Financial Independence http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-really-is-financial-independence http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-really-is-financial-independence#comments Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:14:59 +0000 passive incomefinancial independencepersonal investmentsassetslifestylethis means thatbecome financially independent http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-really-is-financial-independence financial independence means having a lot of money and . We tend to focus only on earnings and the so-called wealth build-up. But have we ever asked ourselves what really wealth is? Is not wealth just having the money to support our needs at any given time? If we believe in this, then we could be financially independent without having very much cash. If our chosen needs are modest, then all we need is a modest level of earning assets and we would be financially independent!

Financial independence is simply having the means to maintain the we choose to have without having to actively work. It is the state of economic well being where our or savings are generating enough to cover our expenses consistent with the level and kind of lifestyle we want..

Passive or investment income is key to financial independence. Without that income, we will never achieve financial success.

Like for instance, as an employee, our monthly pay allows us to have a certain level of lifestyle right now. If we are to , we have to accumulate earning assets and/or investments that will generate earnings that will allow us to maintain our current level of lifestyle by the time we retire.

In another sense, we become financially independent when we reach the point where we stop working and yet we can provide our basic needs. our passive income, or the money we earn through our assets and investments are sufficient to provide for our daily needs such as food, shelter, clothing, education of our children, medical expenses, and even some luxuries.

Financial independence can be achieved at any stage of our lives at any age. We just need to plan for it. We do not need to wait to become old enough before we can achieve financial independence. Learn more about personal financing at http://onpersonalfinance.blogspot.com ]]> Can You Handle the Truth About Conceal Your Assets? http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-you-handle-the-truth-about-conceal-your-assets http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-you-handle-the-truth-about-conceal-your-assets#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:02:14 +0000 offshore asset protectionlearning curvesnest eggbusiness assetstax fraudcustomer asset protection companyprotection options http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-you-handle-the-truth-about-conceal-your-assets Business Assets Protection course will help you do just that. Sun Tzu in the art of war mentioned once that war is fought with the mind and that a battle is won by the sharpest mind. If you have a good job and get lucky enough to score on some decent investments, it won't be hard to have a very nice built over time. But exactly how protected is that nest egg. It's only as protected as your educate yourself for it to be.

Unless you create some thought into a complete Asset Protection Strategy, you might later be waving good bye to these assets, so be certain that you stop and deliberate what your options are when you are looking to plow forward and when you need to make certain that you can certainly get the options that you are going to require.

Asset Protection For Personal Residence

When trying to learn Business Asset Protection by purchasing the Conceal Your Assets course, you will save a ton of time. It could take a decade to devour all the wisdom contained inside this ebook the traditional way. Trial and error right? Why lose tens of thousands of dollars to save a few bucks for a course that will walk you through every possible land-mine you could face when trying to setup a plan for you and your family. There are many small to consider, but with some effort, these are easily broken by doing some reading.

When you want to look at the Conceal Your Assets , you'll soon understand that you have to safely tuck away your wealth in completely legalized ways. For instance, not reporting various things can get you audited by the IRS for , and you may understand that there are a plethora of various things that you need to think about when it comes to a prenuptial agreement.

Many individuals when they set into a wedlock fail to deliberate what can go wrong if the relationship goes south, but if you have wealth or assets that are protected in safe keeping, you'll soon enough understand that there is Target Asset Protection that you need to deliberate in order to make certain that you have the appropriate Asset Protection Trust that you require in front of you. Make certain that you are going to retain possession of the wealth that you worked so hard to keep, and make certain that you are not going to suffer for it down the road like so many others do.

With the Conceal Your Assets Asset Protection Strategies Course, you'll have all of the knowledge that you need to get started with Business Asset Protection. You'll understand that this is a wholly legal and wholly inoffensive way to make certain that your wealth stays in good hands and you'll also understand that this is something that can help you be more from your wealth as well.

Asset Security and Protection is paramount if you have a net worth of $100,000 or more imho. There are thousands of starving, blood sucking attorneys that can find out how much you have in every bank account with the click of a mouse. Scary but very true. In fact, attorney don't go after guilty people, they go after people with fat bank accounts. Anyone these days can conjugate a legal beef for almost no reason. It doesn't matter if you are an angel. Don't fall into this trap. Be more prudent they are and make sure these are not found before it becomes too late.Allow Investment Review Kings Brian "Porky" Garvin and Jeff West present to you more about Conceal Your Assets today. You can always visit our website as we have a multitude of aids to help you find what you require, with no obligation.]]> Bankruptcy Primer http://www.artwoo.com/article/bankruptcy-primer http://www.artwoo.com/article/bankruptcy-primer#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:25:02 +0000 filing bankruptcybankruptcy lawsbankruptcy abuse prevention and consumer protection actbankruptcy proceedingbankruptcy proceedingstypes of bankruptcybankruptcy court http://www.artwoo.com/article/bankruptcy-primer filing bankruptcy.

Before you file bankruptcy you should have a good understanding of the process and what to expect after you have competed filing.

Bankruptcy is meant to give a person a fresh start by relieving debt. A person can file bankruptcy for most debts they have incurred. Some debts can not be cleared through bankruptcy, though. It is very important for a person to check each of their debts to see if they can be cleared through filing.

During a a person has to make attempts to pay what they can. Most assets and cash on hand is seized and used to pay off the debts. There are some assets which are exempt and can not be used to pay off debts. Once a person starts creditors can no longer attempt to collect debts from them.

Bankruptcy is filed in a U.S. . There are six . Only a few of these apply to an individual. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies are the most commonly filed by individuals.

Under Chapter 13 a repayment plan is set up instead of assets being seized. The exempt assets list varies from state to state, so a person should check their states to see what assets they will not have to surrender.

The of 2005 changed how individuals file bankruptcy. The aim of this act is to prevent people from using bankruptcy as a way to get out of debt and instead use alternatives to help them get out of debt.

It bases the idea of paying back debts on a person income. If a person has the ability to payback their debts then they are required to do so. It also requires credit counselling to help ensure a person does not end up with debt problems in the future.

Perhaps the most important point for a person to understand about bankruptcy is that it is not just an easy method to clear debts. When a person files for bankruptcy the creditors are not just going to walk away. The court will try to ensure that every step is taken to pay back as much debt as possible.

The court will force a person to sell their assets, like their vehicle, to pay off the debts. Bankruptcy is more about protecting the individual from having creditors harass them or attempt to collect debts. Once a debt is cleared through bankruptcy, the creditor can not attempt to collect on the debt ever again. James Copper is a mortgage broker with over 30 years experience. He works for http://www.any-loans.co.uk/adverse-credit-loans.shtml as a Adverse Credit Loans Advisor. In his spare time he writes on all things finance and investment related. ]]> Debt Consolidation Loans And You http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loans-and-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loans-and-you#comments Mon, 24 Apr 2006 22:50:01 +0000 credit cardunsecured loansshort term loansstudent loansdebt consolidationcredit cardsinterest rates http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loans-and-you credit card debt? You may be paying way too much every month in and fees simply because you're not able to pay it off in time. One of the warning signs is simply not being able to completely pay off your credit card. Another warning sign is struggling to pay most of it off every few months. The clearest warning sign is not being able to meet the minimum monthly payment required by the credit card!

Whatever the case, you can "nip it in the bud" by paying off your credit card all at once.

How? It's easy and it's a smart financial decision for most people. In fact, if you have a credit card with a balance, it's probably a smart financial decision for you!

Why? Because credit card interest rates are among the highest rates of interest. are essentially short-term loans and the credit card companies have been able to keep raising interest rates higher and higher and no one has done anything about it.

But you can. Did you know that many people who fail to pay off their credit card can really get stung by how expensive the interest rate is? It's true! In fact, a person who pays only the minimum balance on their credit card each month will pay almost half again as much for their purchases simply in interest! That's a lot!

So what can you do about it? Easy! You can get a loan and pull all of your debts together. Not just credit cards (although those should be your priority) but also other debts, such as lines of credit, , , wherever you have borrowed money). Each debt that has a higher interest rate should be pulled together and put under the umbrella of a secured loan.

A secured loan uses the value of your assets, such as your home, car, stock certificates, or other assets as security against the loan. You don't have to deposit the assets at the bank to get the loan, you simply have to have them. And because you have assets as security, the bank or lending institution may be more willing to give you a loan.

So get control of your debts by identifying some assets you can use as security and get yourself a UK secured loan to help you get your life back on track. Hit the reset button on your debts by paying them off at once and paying less with a UK secured debt consolidation loan! Tim Renolds is the creator of the http://www.loan-source.co.uk website. This website provides U.K. homeowners with free no obligation secured loan quotes. ]]> Legal Family Matters: Family Law in Orange County http://www.artwoo.com/article/legal-family-matters-family-law-in-orange-county http://www.artwoo.com/article/legal-family-matters-family-law-in-orange-county#comments Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:43:28 +0000 marital assetsdivorce settlementasset divisionstress levelsretirement benefitsgray areasequitable distribution http://www.artwoo.com/article/legal-family-matters-family-law-in-orange-county stress levels, but cause irreversible bitterness and hurt.

Using family law in Orange County in the division of is one way to help make this incredibly difficult and emotional process a little easier to handle. California uses community property laws, meaning that in a , all property the couple acquired during marriage is divided in half. Almost everything spouses obtain during marriage is considered marital property: the home, vehicles, and non-tangible things such as and debt. Assets that existed prior to the marriage then usually remain with the respective spouse.

There are in the division of marital assets in Orange County though, such as what happens to marital property and prior property that was mixed during marriage. Confusion also arises with property that was acquired by the couple using both marital funds and separate funds. It is in these gray areas that the most work needs to be done by a spouse to prove which property is rightly theirs. Arguments often arise from the confusion of these mixed marital assets--who paid more for this and who deserves that can be a never ending battle without the help of a third party.

Another issue that arises in marital is when a spouse attempts to hide assets. If some spouses are aware that Orange County upholds community property, they may hide assets or even increase debt because their spouse will be required to pay half of that debt in a divorce settlement. When this occurs, the victimized spouse will need help proving that this dishonesty has occurred.

A final issue that can occur is when spouses have residency in two states and one state is community property while the other is , meaning marital assets are not split in half but rather the financial status of each spouse is taken into account in the settlement. When this occurs, a family law professional can work as an adviser on which state to file for divorce to achieve the best outcome.

Family law professionals in Orange County can ease couples' burdens in the exhausting task of marital assets division. They are legal professionals who mediate the division process and sort through these complex issues to work towards a fair settlement. The more spouses know about divorce laws in Orange County and the more support they receive from a family law professional, the better.

Divorce in Orange County is a depressing matter that brings unbelievably stressful times on families. When there is a large amount at stake in the division of marital assets, it is time to bring in a family law professional to help mediate and sort through the settlement process. These third parties relieve stress and allow spouses to begin their necessary individual healing processes after a divorce.More information on family law in Orange County, divorce Orange County and division of marital assets in your area is just a click away.]]> Medicaid Asset Protection http://www.artwoo.com/article/medicaid-asset-protection http://www.artwoo.com/article/medicaid-asset-protection#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:27:05 +0000 marital assetsmedicaid asset protectionnursing homemedicare assistanceseniorstax implicationsfraudulent conveyance http://www.artwoo.com/article/medicaid-asset-protection seniors are asking to include as part of their tax planning strategies. For those of you not familiar with the 2005 Tax Reduction Act, some of the provisions address specific transfers by seniors under the new Medicare provisions. Under the new provisions, before a senior qualifies for into a nursing home, they must spend-down their assets. These new restriction have a 5 year look-back, used to be 3 years. And used to be that each spouse had a one-half interest in the marital property, it now appears that all the are to be spent-down. I have not seen specific regulations but it appears that the healthy spouse will be left without any assets if one of them gets sick.

Suggestions by seniors have been to transfer their assets to their children. Although this option is available, I'm not sure that it's a good option.

What if the child decides to use the asset for themselves, what if they get divorced and the judge awards assets originally intended for the parents to the divorcing wife's decree, what if the child get's sued?

There are also . If the assets are transferred to the child for less than fair market value, then it's a taxable gift. Even worse, if this type of transfer to the child is completed before the 5 years-look back, -is it a "?"

Medicaid asset protection has to be done very carefully. Planning in this area is evolving. There are a lot of eldercare law firms popping up all over the place. I have been approached by such a firm to send them clients. They claim that they can structure a new deal whereby the nursing home won't be able to attach assets even after they enter the nursing home.

I know this much, any method used to deflect assets from the original owner has to be done at it's fair market value. For example you just can't transfer your house from you to your child. There are tax consequences. Did you just sell your house? Or did you just gift your house? Who will determine the fair market value? Did you get a genuine appraisal? If therefore, it's at less than fair market value (willing buyer and willing seller, neither under compulsion to buy or sell, each acting in their best interest) did you just create a more challenging problem?

Any method whereby there's an element of strings attached, it's revocable and therefore you have done nothing to disassociate yourself from your asset. One can challenge your intent, to divert assets for the purpose of defrauding a potential creditor and failure to have filed a gift tax return has statutory penalties, and interest, worse- if Medicare intended, criminal?

I am aware of only one method of disassociating yourself from your asset (personal residence, your CD's, your investments, vacation spot) is to give it away. Period. You can gift it to your children, pay the tax and that's it. The problem is that you no longer have any control and you are at the mercy of your child's good intentions and a blessed spouse. Risky? You bet!

An irrevocable trust with an independent trustee (not related to you by blood or marriage) will fit the bill. An irrevocable trust, is an irrevocable contract between you and the independent trustee to manage the assets for the benefit of all beneficiaries. You and your spouse can become beneficiaries along with your children and grand children.

Timing is extremely important. If the transfer (repositioning) of your valuable assets is done before the 5 years, chances are good that it will stand-up in court. What if it's before the 5 years are up? Is your Medicaid asset protection plan still good?

In my book it's better to have done something than nothing. Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA, award-winning trust and estate-planning expert.71 Commercial Street #150 Boston, MA 02109 tel: +1.508.429.0011 fax: +1.508.429.3034 Sign up for a FREE newsletter and learn how you can reduce taxes, protect assets and secure your privacy. http://www.UltraTrust.com ]]> Appraising a Business the Right Way http://www.artwoo.com/article/appraising-a-business-the-right-way http://www.artwoo.com/article/appraising-a-business-the-right-way#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:01:54 +0000 mid size businessassets liabilitiesmarket valuationsphysical assetscompensation adjustmentstype businessesrule of thumb http://www.artwoo.com/article/appraising-a-business-the-right-way mid size business, there are about 3 main approaches, which are utilized more than others and these are Market value, Income value, and Asset value.

In short, these will be explained as follows:

Valuation that is based on income: First is looking at possible earning power of business in future. The past earnings, projected future growth, the owner's , as well as specific risk issues, like customer concentration, very weak management and short of diversification are taken in account when the income based evaluations are utilized.

Market Valuation: This technique of valuing business is very much same to way one values house while selling it. What is looked here is what market can pay for business in question. In essence, one collects info on sale of similar businesses in industry that business is in. The "" info is just summary of lots of businesses sold with million differences not being taken in consideration.

With income valuations and , we can determine 2 different cost multipliers. One is cost divided by the gross sales and other is cost divided by the earnings. Applicable cost multiple is selected above all on profitability of business. For instance, business with the high profits would have high price multiple practical to it. Business with the low profits are assigned lower price multiple and when using this loom, one will get more correct result when one makes use of minimum of dozen comparables of same .

The Asset valuation: This type of valuation procedure supposes that business is worth fair market price of its and its insubstantial assets. From these entire assets, liabilities and debts are subtracted. To value business, which has intangibles, some methods are used. Method that is employed in this part is 5-step surplus earning estimate. We might not go in details of how it is done; we just explain that there is method as well as giving quick explanation. Never try to make use of this technique without taking some classes and seminars that will train you in details of this process.

This computation deals with the intangible assets, tangible assets, liabilities as well as adjustments thereof, to come at estimated value for business and it figures what reasonable return, on assets, of business, must be. If profit is great, than that particular number, it is indication that business has a few intangible assets that will generate excess profit.

If company in the question is making some or no cash then there are no intangible assets and when this is case, asset valuation technique is generally used. This is a case because when business has the capital occupied in equipment as well as other tangible assets other valuation techniques will come with price way below actual asset value, and without thinking any good will. The goodwill is not at all considered because of there is not any goodwill, when income way shows low earnings. It is comprehensible that even though business is making not any profit or loosing money, which seller wants to acquire at least what tools are worth. For this reason this method is been used.Start building your credit today with business credit cards at FINDbizcards.]]> Balancing A Budget And Saving Money http://www.artwoo.com/article/balancing-a-budget-and-saving-money http://www.artwoo.com/article/balancing-a-budget-and-saving-money#comments Tue, 11 Apr 2006 20:00:23 +0000 saving moneyunfortunatelymortgage paymentssecured loanunsecured loanlending institutioncredit rating http://www.artwoo.com/article/balancing-a-budget-and-saving-money unfortunately it seems like you need an accountant to help you understand and decode the mysteries of balancing a budget or . At some point you might need to get a loan. When that day comes, this article can help you understand which is the right one to get.

An un is simply a loan you get based on your good name and your . Often the interest rates are higher on an than on a secured loan because the risk is higher to the . If, for some reason, you are unable to pay back the loan and the lending institution does not get any money back. However, your good name and your credit rating are potentially ruined.

On the other hand, a secured load is a low you get when you put up some assets. The advantage of a secured loan is that you often get more money at a lower interest rate for longer repayment period that you would with an unsecured loan. This is because you have some assets to backup your loan. The lending institution prefers this kind of loan because if you find yourself unable to make payments, they can see your assets as an alternative form of payment. Because the risk to them is diminished they are able to provide you with more attractive loans at a better rate.

You might think of a mortgage as a secured loan. The bank lends you money to buy a home and they use the home as a way to back up the loan. If you do not make your , the bank can seize your house.

Or you can think of a secured loan as a pawn shop that lends you the money you want but lets you still use the goods you pawned!

So which one is the right one for you? It's a tough decision to make. In most cases, a secured loan will get you a better rate, so you just might prefer that.

However, perhaps you don't have any assets available, or you don't want to risk the seizure of certain assets if you are unable to make payments. In this case, you just might not mind paying a little more for the benefit of having an unsecured loan.

Both unsecured and secured loans are good options to have when you are doing your financial planning. You can use them to consolidate your outstanding bills, leverage your home investments, or get the things you need and want. And, with the choices between unsecured and secured loans, you have the benefit of being in total control of your financial destiny! About The Author: Tim Renolds is the owner of http://www.loan-payment.co.uk providing Uk homeowners with a free loan quote service. Visit us today for a free no obligation quote. ]]> Your Will Is The Core Of Estate Planning http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-will-is-the-core-of-estate-planning http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-will-is-the-core-of-estate-planning#comments Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:27:04 +0000 assetsquotsuccessionuntimely deathpersonal belongingsright to decideassurance policies http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-will-is-the-core-of-estate-planning
If you own property, there are basic questions which need to be answered upon your death. If these answers are not set out in the form of a will, then the courts have the what happens to your . The end result may well coincide with your wishes, but often it will not. If you have children, then you will need to make clear your wishes about their guardianship in the event of your . Who should inherit your ? Do you have any special bequests? Do you have anyone you wish to exclude from your will that would automatically inherit as a result of the law of ?

If you die without a will you are said to die and;intestate,andquot; and others have the right to say what happens to your assets. The value of your estate will be substantially reduced, as professionals such as accountants and lawyers will argue as to what the law of succession means.

Many people feel that they need to be old or wealthy to have a will. However, this is a misconception. How does anyone know when he or she will die? You may have wealth that you are not considering. Have you correctly evaluated the insurance and that you hold? Perhaps you have intellectual property, for instance, copyrights. Or you may have latent wealth bequeathed to you in another person's will. You need to consider all your assets whether you are young or old, wealthy or not.

The earlier in life that you make a will, the easier it is for you to review and change your plans. As your life evolves, the expectations change for the different stages of your life. Death for the survivors is a traumatic, emotional experience, but a will makes it easier to cope. Wills are a valid legal document, but they are not written in stone. Circumstances change during the course of your life, and a codicil can be added to a will to reflect your changes.

Once you have your will, it is possible to make decisions regarding other matters, in particular, trust funds, taxes, and the costs of probate. Probate oversees the transfer of your assets. Probate is the legal process of proving a will, appointing an executor, and settling you estate according to your wishes; but by custom, it has come to be understood as the legal process whereby a dead person's estate is administered and distributed. Probate costs and taxes can diminish the assets passed on to your beneficiaries. You may want to consider setting up trusts to minimize your probate costs and tax liabilities in order to maximize your bequeathed assets. Trusts can avoid probate, but they also can be used as an instrument to transfer assets while you are still alive.

Whether you want just a simple will or a will, codicils, and trusts, the time to plan the disposal of your estate is now. It is a mistake to delay your estate planning in this uncertain world. Take care of your planning now to assert and safeguard your own decisions about your assets. Catherine Ford is a freelance writer for ASeniorHaven.com, a site with information on senior finances http://www.aseniorhaven.com/finances.php and other interests of seniors. Visit http://www.aseniorhaven.com ]]> Hide My Assets From Medicare http://www.artwoo.com/article/hide-my-assets-from-medicare http://www.artwoo.com/article/hide-my-assets-from-medicare#comments Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:27:11 +0000 fraudulent conveyanceinstant gratificationmedicareassetsmailadequate considerationcrash of 1929 http://www.artwoo.com/article/hide-my-assets-from-medicare Medicare nursing home qualifications. Seniors become very anxious about having to spend-down their with no cap on the amount that they can keep. This unlimited drain on their funds is of major concern to the healthy spouse, and because the sick spouse can't do anything about getting sick, they become more and more depressed. These folks are of the World War II generation and the market mentality. If you don't have the cash you don't buy it. Most of them got a credit card only because they had to pay their prescriptions over the .



Their health and well-being depends on knowing that they can tap into their resources to get what they need or when their grandkids come to visit they want to reward their visit with a few bucks. My mother is of this vintage, and I know that when my kids drop in for a visit, it makes her day. She wants to give them something in return, not because it's an enticement to come back, but she doesn't get out enough visits and she values their time, especially in this day of with Ipods, Internet, cell phones, video, etc. and because they valued their grandmother more.

So, how can I hide my assets from Medicare is relevant to their lives. My answer is that if they did not do something as far back as five years ago, chances are that trying to do something now, could very well be considered a in order to defraud a potential creditor. For example, if they were to put their son or daughter on the deed of the house without , it would be considered a" fraudulent conveyance" because they did it for less than the fair market value, they received nothing back in return. Or, if they did recognize that they gave away the house to their children it was a taxable gift and taxes are due on the transferor (the person giving the gift has to pay the tax, the person receiving the gift is always after taxes). But like many people they don't think it through in terms of filing of a gift tax return or fraudulent conveyance. They just do it for their convenience.

The new Medicaid spend down provisions are very restrictive. The intention is that if you (the elderly) have assets, before you qualify for nursing home assistance, they want you to become a welfare recipient. And that's what seniors are afraid to become. Their generation never asked for assistance if they had a strong back, they worked for their dignity. They don't want to become "welfare recipients" it a very humiliating concept to them.

Most common mistakes committed by seniors when trying to hide their assets:

1.Naming their children as (Parent's name "and" Child 's name) (Parent name "or" Child's name) on their savings, checking, investment accounts, or near cash accounts. THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. Too much risk, what if child gets sued, or divorced, or worse dies. You open a new can of worms.

2.Give the house to the children. You name one or more of the children. Again not a good idea. What if the children get sued, divorced, or prematurely dies. There's too much risk.

3.Cash under the mattress, in between the walls, in the basement, etc. Well it works, but unless you tell someone the hiding place, then what? Or, leave the cash to lose interest or depreciate with inflation?

In God we Trust.

Trusts are the most common and useful legal devices. An "Irrevocable Trust" works best for hiding your assets. Your assets are RE-POSITIONED from you to an irrevocable trust. You "legally" no longer own the assets. This involves the actual transfer of assets to an independent trustee who will independently manage and actually own the assets for the benefit of all beneficiaries. This type of control over assets is not new, it goes back to medieval times when landlords went off to the crusades and left their lands in trust of monks for when they returned. There are specific laws and it's generally accepted by the judicial system as a legal, acceptable method of protecting one's assets for legal protection and tax minimization. Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA, award-winning trust and estate-planning expert. 71 Commercial Street #150 Boston, MA 02109 tel: +1.508.429.0011 fax: +1.508.429.3034 Sign up for a FREE newsletter and learn how you can reduce your taxes, protect your assets and secure your privacy. http://www.UltraTrust.com ]]>