Little Ways You Might Improve Your Financial Life

Hey! Some useful notes. I advise you to read this carefully because some time it can help you! So read and enjoy!

This is the year!Yes, you can make 2009 the year you alter your financial life for a better financial future. Let’s look at some steps you might think of taking with the goal of financial freedom in mind. No, we’re not talking about those ridiculously obvious steps the usual articles recommend, like “write your goals down” and “set a budget.” Let’s go past the clichés and get into the real issues.Look at your income source, your expenses and your debt. How do you earn income? If you earn it from one source, is there effectively a ceiling on it, or is there real potential for your income to rise in the next few years? Now look at your core living expenses, the ones you can’t avoid (such as a mortgage payment, car payment, etc.). Can any core expenses be reduced? Investing aside, you position yourself to gain ground financially when income rises, debt diminishes and expenses stay (relatively) the same. Maybe you should pay your debt first, maybe not. If you are a business owner or a professional, for example, you’ll likely always have some debt. Your ultimate goal should be to build wealth – and you can plan to build wealth and minimize debt at the same time. Some debt is “good” debt. A debt is “good” if it brings you income. If you buy a rental property, you’re paying a mortgage, but that’s considered a “good” debt because you’re getting passive income from the rent payments. Credit cards are “bad” debts. If you’ll be carrying a debt for a while, put it to a test. Weigh the interest rate on that specific debt against your potential income growth rate and your potential investment returns over the term of the debt. If the interest rate on that debt looks like it will outpace your income growth and investment returns, then you should really think about paying that debt down fast, because you can’t afford that interest rate. Of course, paying off your debts, paying down balances and restricting new debts all works toward improving your FICO score, another tool you can use in pursuit of financial freedom (we’re talking “good” debts). Implement or refine an investment strategy. You can’t refrain from investing, even when the bears are out. You’re not going to retire on the relatively small elective deferrals from your paycheck; you’re going retire on the interest that those accumulated assets earn over time, plus the power of compounding. Investing can also potentially bring you passive income. Consistent investing, this year and in years to come, has the potential to help you improve your financial life. Manage the money you make on your way to financial freedom. It’s amusing: all these Internet gurus tell you they have a method to make you “financially free” or “debt free,” but few tell you how to manage the money you make. Their not-so-subtle message seems to be “succeed and live lavishly” – if you make it financially, you’ve earned the freedom to blow it all on cars, boats and luxuries. This is a classic nouveau riche mistake. If you simply accumulate unmanaged assets, you have money just sitting there open to risk – inflation risk, market risk, even legal risks. Don’t forget taxes – while not technically a “risk”, they are a threat to your money. The greater your wealth, the more long-range potential you have to accomplish some profound things – provided your wealth is directed. If you want to build more wealth this year or in the near future, don’t neglect the risk management strategy that could be instrumental in helping you retain it. Your after-tax return matters even more than your investment return, so risk management should be part of your overall financial picture. Request professional guidance for the wealth you are growing. A good financial professional will really help to educate you about the principles of wealth building. You can draw on that professional knowledge and guidance this year – and for years to come.

Changes will require callers to dial new regional area code

Hi! And what do you think of this? Is it interesting for you? If so, I/m waiting for your comments!

Northern Wisconsin residents’ fingers will soon get an additional workout as they will be required to enter an area code to make a local phone call.
Because of a shortage of telephone numbers in the 715 area code, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved in November a new area code — 534 — that will be used in conjunction with 715, effective Aug. 10, 2010.

Beginning Oct. 17, callers can dial either the seven-digit phone number or the 10-digit number to make a local call. Long-distance dialing still requires a “1″ and the area code.

There will be a nine-month transition period when calls still will be connected without the area code. After July 17, 2010, it will be mandatory to use the 10-digit number and an audio recording will instruct callers to do so if they don’t.

“This will give customers a wide window to start to get used to it,” said Lee Gierczynski, a Verizon spokesman. “We encourage them to start dialing 10 digits as soon as they can.”

Verizon began placing notices last month in customers’ billing statements and plans more notices in the future, Gierczynski said. Charter Communications mailed notices last week.

In addition to typing three more numbers for a phone call, users of speed dial, security alarms, dial-up Internet, fax machines and life lines must remember to change their phone numbers for calls to be connected.

PSC spokeswoman Teresa Smith said the proliferation of cell phones and other communication devices have used up available phone numbers at a rapid rate. A November 2008 forecast predicted that the number of available phone numbers in 715 area code would be exhausted by 2011, according to PSC documents.

The 534 area code will be assigned to new telephone customers starting in August 2010. A similar process is coming for the 920 area code in eastern Wisconsin. A 274 area code will be used in conjunction with 920 starting in March 2012.

Tools every work at home professional should have

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Being a work at home professional requires that you not only possess the required skills to get the job done, but that you also have the tools of the trade. Unlike working onsite, where supplies and equipment are provided for you, when working from home it’s almost guaranteed that you will be totally responsible for obtaining most of the resources that you need.

Here’s a list of just some of the resources that you should expect to have if you work from home:

Internet access

Having internet acccess is no longer optional if you work from home, it’s a must. The ability to access e-mail, doucments, articles, news online, and company servers is a requirement for practically every business and it’s employees, especially those who work from home.

Microsoft Office

You’ll need a dependable and universal software program to create your documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, and more. Microsoft Office is the most widely used business software package and is a highly recommended investment. However, if cost is an issue, there are plenty of freeware business programs you can access online, just beware of potential viruses and incompatibility issues.

A dedicated phone and fax line

Next to having internet access, owning a phone and fax line dedicated solely to your home business is the next most important tool you can own. Features that you may be required to have includet: disabled three-way calling and unlimited long distance if you are working for a customer service company, and electronic fax capability, which allows you to send and receive fax messages directly through your computer.

Social Networking Accounts

Social networking is a great way to promote your skills and services to employers and clients. Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter allow you to display your work, thoughts, and attract new business. Many employers like to see their workers previously engaged in these sites before hiring them to guarantee that they are actively engaged and familiar with how to use them to effectively. Just make sure you keep it professional.

A professional email account

Having an email address is standard for almost everyone these days, but having a professional email address is a necessity for any work at home professional. You can’t expect to be taken very serously with email addresses like hotnsexy@hotmail.com or wildingout@yahoo.com. If possible, it’s always best to own an email address hosted on your own domain.

Access to instant messaging and chat

The ability to remain in constant contact with your employers and clients is critical when working from home. Changes and problems can arise at any time, so having an instant message account is a great way to make yourself available throughout your work day (and night). Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and Google Talk are all good platforms and they’re free!

A website or blog

In today’s world of ever-increasing technology and the need for instant access, having a website or blog is the new equivalent of a paper resume. Establishing yourself on the internet is a great way for potential clients and employers to find you and connect with you. And contrary to popular belief, creating a website doesn’t have to cost you a thing or require extensive knowledge of html or other coding languages. Free sites like Blogger.com and WordPress.com are great places to get started online for free and are loaded with tutorials and public forums where you can find valuable information to any questions you might have.

This list is by no means comprehensive, but it is a great place to start in ensuring that you have the tools that you need to succeed in your home based career.

Spammers test filters with obscure formats

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Spammers are adopting obscure file formats to get attachments passed security filters, Symantec researchers have warned.

According to Symantec, spammers have taken to using two formats in particular, the electronic fax format, eFax, and the Internet Explorer web archive format, MHT, in a bid to sidestep aggressive filtering for better known file types.

Prediction: H-1B visa regulations lifted for TARP recipients?

The attacks detected by the company are standard in every way except the file format used for the attachments, both of which open convincing but bogus websites designed to scam unsuspecting visitors.

“Users need to be cautious of unknown file types and should understand the capabilities of the new file type encountered before attempting to open it,” caution the researchers with understatement.

Experimenting with file attachment formats in spam isn’t a new phenomenon, but usually involves popular types known to users. The use of unfamiliar MHT and EFX formats shows the lengths to which spammers will now go to get dangerous content into email inboxes by whatever means. PDFs, ZIP files emerged as a favoured type in 2006, but are now tricky to get past most attachment filters because the threat is known.

It is unlikely that the use of attachments in place of embedded links or html is significant beyond the possibility that recipients might be more drawn to open an email because it comes with an attachment. In many cases, the email might get caught for other reasons, such as the use of keywords, the subject line, or because the sender’s address falls foul of reputation filtering.

Airport Authority trying to make Clarksville airport corporate-focused

Today I have found some interesting info about the Clarksville airport. Waiting for your comments.
The Airport Authority is trying to change the focus of operations at Outlaw Field to meet the changing needs of the community and to move away from a waning aviation trend.
Board members and other community leaders want to shift Outlaw Field from a general-aviation airport to a corporate-focused facility.

General aviation

A general-aviation facility supports light, predominantly single-engine, personally owned aircraft that are used for recreational flying or personal travel.

Characteristics of general-aviation airports include:

Flight schools and flight-training are a large part of flying.

Fuel sales are lower because of the smaller planes.

Covered hangars and tie-down areas predominant, with limited hangar space for aircraft.

Social activities centered around Flying Clubs.

Some have restaurants that generate weekend “fly-ins” for breakfast or lunch from surrounding general-aviation airports.

Facilities are available for routine maintenance, but electronic or sophisticated maintenance or repair usually is not available.

A fixed-base operator meets general aviation needs and light aircraft sales at larger general aviation airports.

Flying is generally under Visual Flight Rules.

Runways are usually not equipped for electronic approaches.

Corporate aviation

A corporate-aviation airport focuses on business-owned planes, predominantly multi-engine, turbo-prop or turbine aircraft used for business travel.

Characteristics of corporate-aviation airports include:

Facility offers excellent pilot support, with weather information, flight planning and crew rest areas.

Business support with access to Internet, fax machines, catering and meeting space.

Fuel sales are higher because larger planes burn more and hold more fuel.

Large, well-lit, clean hangars are available for interim use to protect corporate planes from weather conditions.

Corporate-owned hangars — with and without flight departments — are typical to house and service aircraft that can cost from $2 million to $35 million.

Sophisticated maintenance is available for turbine engines and electronics.

Flying is predominantly under Instrument Flight Rules.

Runways have more sophisticated landing aids.

Charter flight services are usually available.

IRS Alerts Public to New Identity Theft Scams

Hi! Today I will post the info about some types of scams for you could be ready for the danger of being defrauded. It is really useful in nowadays, when such cases are met every day and everywhere. Read carefully!
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds consumers to avoid identity theft scams that use the IRS name, logo or Web site in an attempt to convince taxpayers that the scam is a genuine communication from the IRS. Scammers may use other federal agency names, such as the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

In an identity theft scam, a fraudster, often posing as a trusted government, financial or business institution or official, tries to trick a victim into revealing personal and financial information, such as credit card numbers and passwords, bank account numbers and passwords, Social Security numbers and more. Generally, identity thieves use someone’s personal data to steal his or her financial accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim’s name and even file fraudulent tax returns.

The scams may take place through e-mail, fax or phone. When they take place via e-mail, they are called “phishing” scams.

The IRS does not discuss tax account matters with taxpayers by e-mail.

The IRS urges consumers to avoid falling for the following recent schemes:

Making Work Pay Refund

This phishing e-mail, which claims to come from the IRS, references the president and the Making Work Pay provision of the 2009 economic recovery law. It says that there is a refundable credit available to workers, consumers and retirees that can be paid into the recipient’s bank account if the recipient registers their account information with the IRS. The e-mail contains links to register the account and to claim the tax refund.

In reality, most taxpayers receive their Making Work Pay tax credit, which was designed for wage earners, in their paychecks as a result of decreased tax withholding, not as a lump sum distribution from a federal fund. Additionally, consumers and retirees who are not wage earners are not eligible for this tax credit.

Inherited Funds / Lottery Winnings / Cash Consignment

In this phishing scheme, recipients receive an e-mail claiming to come from the U.S. Department of the Treasury notifying them that they will receive millions of dollars in recovered funds or lottery winnings or cash consignment if they provide certain personal information, including phone numbers, via return e-mail. The e-mail may be just the first step in a multi-step scheme, in which the victim is later contacted by telephone or further e-mail and instructed to deposit taxes on the funds or winnings before they can receive any of it. Alternatively, they may be sent a phony check of the funds or winnings and told to deposit it but pay 10 percent in taxes or fees. Thinking that the check must have cleared the bank and is genuine, some people comply. However, the scammers, not the Treasury Department, will get the taxes or fees.

Form W-8BEN

In this scam, fraudsters modify a genuine IRS form, the W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding, to request detailed personal and financial information. This could include nationality, passport number, bank account and PIN numbers, spouse’s name and mother’s maiden name, or other personal or financial information or security measures for financial accounts. The scammers may use the genuine form number and name or may make up a new form number, such as W-4100B2.

They either e-mail or fax the form or letter. If only a letter, the letter itself contains the request for the personal and financial information. The letter, which claims to come from the IRS, states that the recipient will face additional taxes unless he or she quickly faxes the required information to the number provided by the scammer.

In reality, taxpayers file the genuine Form W-8BEN with their financial institutions, not with the IRS. Additionally, the genuine W-8BEN does not request the taxpayer’s passport number, bank account number, security or similar information.

Refund Scam

The bogus e-mail, which claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible to receive a tax refund for a given amount. It instructs the recipient to click on a link contained in the e-mail to access and complete a form for the tax refund. The form requires the entry of personal and financial information. The refund scam is the most common one seen by the IRS. Several recent variations on this scam have claimed to come from the Exempt Organizations area of the IRS. Some others have included the name and purported signature of a genuine or a made-up IRS executive.

Taxpayers do not have to complete a special form to obtain a refund. Taxpayer refunds are based on the tax return they submit to the IRS.

Improve Office Productivity with RingCentral Office and Fax

Today you will read some fresh news about RingCentral. Enjoy!

Owning a small- or medium-sized business can be overwhelming at times. That’s why business owners are always looking for ways to make their everyday tasks simpler. With one San Mateo, Calif.-based office and fax solution, businesses can extend their customer base and not bust their wallets.

RingCentral can connect businesses to their customers even when they are closed. There is a click-to-call me option that allows customers easy access to the business Web site by letting them call directly from a blog or e-mail. Simply embed code on the Web page or e-mail. The cloud computing based phone systems provider also allows owners and employees to listen, view, play and call back voicemails.

Company officials say their cloud computing-based business phone system offers a fixed monthly fee, with no contracts and zero setup costs.

“The fact that RingCentral offers a unique self-service capability with an all inclusive pricing model and no contracts is, frankly, quite revolutionary in the business phone systems market,” said David Lemelin, senior analyst at market research firmIn-Stat.

“In addition, this system delivers more business class telecommunication services and functions than many office phone systems designed for small businesses, yet remains affordable. With small businesses cutting costs due to the economic downturn, RingCentral Office is an attractive phone service, particularly due to its low and predictable monthly fixed cost,” Lemelin said.

RingCentral Office combines a hosted multi-extension business phone system with voice and fax functionality, always-on service, unlimited calling and full-featured phones that arrive pre-configured and ready for use.

The company’s Internet Fax both inbound and outbound service, sends and receives faxes that can be converted into PDF files. There is also the capability to have Internet faxes forwarded to an e-mail account.

RingCentral officials say that they offer the only virtual phone system that is completely integrated with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook. Place calls directly from Outlook, receive faxes in Outlook and even send a fax directly from applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

RingCentral also allows companies to promote its products and services by providing Message on Hold Custom Plans. While a customer is on the phone, keep them informed with specials, discounts or announcements that are recorded by their professional voiceover team or by an employee.

To learn more about this exiting product visit RingCentral’s Web Site or check out their Fax channel here on TMCnet .

Man sounds warning after falling victim to Internet job scam

Nowadays we must be aware of scam! One more note about scamming, but on the different theme – Internet job scam! Read next!

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Tough economic times seem to bring more opportunity for crooks and more hazards for job hunters.

A Bakersfield man who just lost his job also lost a lot of money in an Internet job scam.

Daniel Nichols, 31, answered an ad he found on the Web site Careerbuilder.com, and he was offered a position by a company calling itself International Design Center.

“It was a legitimate job hunting Web site, where you post your resume,” Nichols said Friday.

He said the company asked him to fax back an application and a document they called a “contractor agreement.” It all looked like a real job and a real company. And the position was Financial Manager.

The company then mailed him a check for $2,743.80. He was supposed to cash the check, keep 5 percent for himself, and wire the rest to the company. He did that, and then got the bad news.

“The next day when I came home from a job interview, I found out that my bank account was at a negative $2,700,” Nichols said. The bank told him the check from the company was counterfeit, and he was responsible for paying back the money.

Nichols had just been laid off from a job in a store at the mall. He had about $600 in his bank account from his last check. He hoped that would cover some bills while he looked for another job.

The bank took that $600 to cover the counterfeit check, and he still owes the rest. He expects to also get hit with steep bank overdraft fees.

Nichols said he hasn’t been sleeping much since this happened. And he admits he did think the new job might be too good to be true.

“It did unfortunately, I have to admit it,” Nichols said. “But because of my certain situation right now, as far as having a new child on the way and losing my job, I thought this might be too much, the thought did run through my mind. Unfortunately, it should have run through my head a little bit better.”

Nichols has filed a crime report with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. He’s contacted the FBI, the district attorney’s office and some consumer groups.

Kern County Sheriff’s Sr. Deputy Mike Whorf said there were definitely some red flags in this scam. It’s always suspicious when someone is asked to cash a check and wire money back. Whorf said the cash is immediately gone, and almost impossible to track.

Meanwhile, it takes longer for a bank to clear a check and discover if it’s bogus.

Wiring money out of state or out of the country is another big warning sign. In Nichol’s case, he was asked to wire the funds to Russia.

But, he insists the bogus company’s Web site looked so realistic.

“These people that are doing this kind of stuff are very sophisticated. They build extremely good Web sites that make it look like it’s a legitimate business,” Nichols said.

He now thinks the scammers stole a Web site from a real company, and put it on their Web site.

So far, every agency he’s contacted told Nichols he is probably out his money, and stuck paying back his bank to cover the counterfeit check. He’s still out looking for jobs, he’s been on interviews, and hopes for good news on a real position.

“Basically, I’m just trying to reach out to the community if there’s anything they can do to help me,” Nichols said. “And I’m just trying to help them. I want people to know that this can happen to anybody.”