For many married couples, one partner is involved in a business whilst the other is not. It is rather surprising but quite common that both spouses are named as personal guarantors to financial institutions and other creditors for the business.The truth is such personal guarantees are rarely a requirement of a contract and in case of default, the couple will lose everything.So why do most lenders ask both spouses to be named as guarantors? Simply...more
Are you part of a double income no kids (DINK) household? If so, your wealth and financial considerations are different. Consider this case study for determining if an investment property may be the best option to grow your portfolio and avoid facing excessive taxes.Case Study: the JonesesA typical DINK couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jones are both employed in professional fields. They earn $250,000 per year and own their own home, which is valued at...more
What are economists saying about the future of New Zealand's economy and how does this affect the decision to invest in property?The question many potential investors have is whether or not the housing market has reached bottom yet. Recently it was stated that the industry has declined 12% over 2007 figures. Some pundits have said that it could go even further with another 5% decline expected before the bottom is hit.Putting Economic Forecasts into PerspectiveIf the economist quoted above is truly correct, then someone purchasing real estate right now would presumably pay 12% less for a devalued property. At the time that it decreases an additional 5%, the buyer will also experience a total loss of 17%, right?Not necessarily.The buyer only experiences a comparable loss if they sell at the bottom of the market. The old adage of "buy low, sell high" proves true for any type of financial transaction. The key is to hold on to your investment until its value rises. If you buy real estate at a low price, up to 20 - 30% less than its prior value, with comfortable financing terms, it just makes sense to keep the property until the economy recovers and the value increases substantially. In...more
When was the last time you threw away a working Promotional Calculator? People just don't dispose of such a practical gift which is why you should consider using them for your next promotional merchandise purchase. They are used at home, at school,in the office and on the move. How many times can you say that about a promotional item?1 Promotional...more
Is this the best time to be investing in New Zealand real estate? The answer depends. Take a look at both the pros and cons regarding the current market before making a decision to tie up capital funds in property investment.The ProsFor one thing, the amount of new residents coming into the country is on the rise, with an estimated 20,000 people...more
In some workplaces, the mention of team development leads to groans and unhappy mumblings by the employees, and it is clear then that these people have had unhappy experiences with this idea previously. However, team building can and should be fun, and with a suitable program in place, it can help the productivity of any company.Team development is something that is often overlooked by companies, especially in these tough economic times, but they need not take up much company or personal time, and they do not have to be expensive activities either to be successful. Simple fun activities can pay off dividends, with better communication between departments, staff that know one another a little more than at present, and a happier atmosphere in the workplace, as employees feel more appreciated. There can be many benefits from spending just a few hours doing a fun team building activity, but make sure that department members are put on different teams.By having a couple of fun team building activities a year, that perhaps only last for a couple of hours at a time, you can help improve the atmosphere in any company, and the productivity level too. Staff will feel more appreciated, which...more
Chris Carpenter - Master of PPC Marketing? In 2002, Chris Carpenter, an online marketer now, was no different from a normal employee who worked nine to five at a little firm. Like many others, he had a financially difficult life, until he noticed...more
Just like any passionate relationship, you need to love your business. That love gives you the energy and passion to keep your attitude positive and optimistic. There are many factors that contribute to the success of a business. But attitude is...more
The eBay business can be most likened to an online flea market. But, as with most flea markets, there is always the possibility that questionable hawkers lurk around the corners. Therefore, there must be rules in place to insure that the auctions and...more
The CARS Act or Car Allowance Rebate System Act is colloquially known the 'Cash for Clunkers' program in US. The programme officially commenced on July1, 2009 and ended on August 24, 2009. It had been introduced as a $3 billion US federal scrappage...more
If you are considering starting a small business, or if you already own your own business but can't quite seem to get on top of things, you need to know what the personal characteristics are of a truly successful small business owner. Quite frankly,...more
Undisclosed Offshore Accounts are being hunted down with FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reporting) information requests of U.S. Taxpayers suspected of hiding assets in the wake of the UBS AG fallout and IRS Offshore Settlement Initiative. What is in...more