Will You Ever Be Able to Retire ?

Will You Ever Be Able to Retire ?

Back in the Day ... Twenty-somethings often refer to their parents’ youthful years as “back in the day” - and little do they realize how much things have changed since then - economically, socially, and politically. These changes impact every American, but they are especially relevant to those beginning to think about target retirement dates and whether they have saved enough.

“Back in the day” people worked long enough at one job that they drew adequate pensions in retirement. The luckiest ( or most visionary ) ones are the “triple dippers” who collect a civil service or military pension, a pension from years of working for a private company, and social security.

While triple-dipping is an enviable way to fund retirement, at least one dip of the trio is quickly disappearing : the company pension. Only about 40% of the baby boom generation, just now beginning to retire, will have any sort of pension, and the life-long health insurance benefits that were once part of nearly every retirement package are for the most part a thing of the past.

The 401K plans came along in US. With participating employers contributing some matching funds, employees who participate defer taxes on part of their income and get a literal pay raise from the funds match. Once again, it sounds like a great idea : So why are economists worried that America is facing a retirement crisis ?

To begin with, only a little over half of employees who are offered a 401K plan actually participate. Some cash out their plans when they leave, often because they need the money for living expenses while they look for another job, or they want to pay ahead on debts they know they can’t handle if they aren’t working.

While some of the non-participants have IRA accounts or other individual savings plans, an alarming 31% of workers 40 or older admit that they have not saved anything at all for retirement, according to a recent AARP Bulletin poll. The same poll revealed that 28% of those who had already retired had saved nothing ! Like almost 60 percent of current retirees, Social Security is their major source of income.

“But I still have my pension ... right ?”

Wrong. Many companies have converted pension funds into 401Ks, expecting employees who know little about the stock market to figure out how to invest for their futures. Some companies simply fund 401Ks with 100% company stock. Where does that leave the employee if the company goes bankrupt - as Enron did, leaving thousands of employees out of work and with shares of company stock once valued at $80 worth less than a dollar ?

Where Do You Stand ?

If you participate in an IRA or 401K, by all means keep doing so. Don’t take out any “loans” on them. And remember that according to the fed’s own web site, you should expect Social Security to replace only about 40% of the income you will need in retirement. The average couple on social security receives about $20,000 annually from the government. According to Bloomberg’s retirement calculator, this couple needs an investment portfolio of an estimated $500,000 to make up the other 60% they need ( $30,000 ) to bring them up to a retirement income of $50,000 a year.

Maybe this doesn’t worry you. Perhaps you are right on target. Congratulations ! You’re in the fortunate minority.

But -- more than half of all workers who are over 55 have saved less than $50,000. That amount is almost insignificant. It will generate only about $3000 a year - and that’s assuming a 6% return and no unexpected nose-dives in the economy.

How did people get into this fix ?

There are plenty of reasons. For one thing, real wages have remained stagnant since the mid-1970s, meaning that despite very hard work, many have needed every penny just to get by. Poor spending habits - the desire to have it all and have it now - have led others down the road to debilitating debt. 401Ks and IRAs are accessible ( although you pay taxes and a penalty). People borrow to pay for college and medical expenses, and somehow the money never gets paid back to the retirement fund.

Is retirement security a luxury you can’t afford ?

With an uncertain economy, skyrocketing healthcare and energy costs, and little help from employers, retirement may seem like an impossibility to you.

This happens to most countries in this world.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

We are living longer and longer. Must we spend our retirement years filled with anxiety about outliving our money ? Will we just have to keep working forever ?

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Even if you are approaching retirement age with little in the way of savings, there is still time to make up for the shortfall, relax, and enjoy the rest of your life.

It’s all in your hands. But you must be willing to take control of your finances and turn your life around.

As we said at the beginning of this article, the responsibility for retirement income is yours now. The government will help you out a little bit, but you need to find a way to earn about 60% of what you will need.

There IS a way.

Even if you must stay home to take care of an ailing spouse or aged parent, there IS a way. There is a business you can run from your home, your RV, your vacation cottage, even a lounge chair on a sunny beach. Technological advances in the past few decades have made it all possible, and it’s working incredibly well for thousands of people. To establish a viable business that will produce income now and for years to come, all you need is an Internet connection and a telephone. Skilled professionals who took back their lives will be happy to teach you the simple secrets of their success.

Why haven’t you heard about this before ? If you had, you’d be ahead of the game. But the important thing is that you know about it now, and the sooner you act, the sooner you can begin to free yourself from anxiety about how to finance your retirement. In fact, you can look forward to enjoying the rest of your life as you live out your best years in the security of ever-increasing wealth.

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

Life Is A Series of Choices

Life Is A Series of Choices

Life is a series of choices ...

Look around you. What is happening in the lives of a large percentage of this country ? Nothing much. And, whether they realize it or not, it's the result of choices : the choice to take what comes, the choice to let things happen, the choice to settle for less, the choice to let others do their thinking, the choice to merely exist from one day to the next.

Reading this statement was a defining moment for me. Life is a series of choices. You can either sit back and take what life deals you, or you can fight back, take charge, and determine your own path.

If you want and believe in something, you must take the next step and go after it.

To put this in perspective, I distinctly remember sitting with a friend who was discussing her financial woes. This person was stuck in a rut, both mentally and financially. I began to discuss the possibility of a home-based business as a possible outlet.

How did my friend respond ? By saying, "I hate to stay at home. I could never do that ... I would be bored to tears." And, in the very next breath, she was complaining again about not having enough money or job satisfaction.

So, there you go. A choice was made. She chooses to let her current situation continue to drain her instead of choosing to make a change to improve her future.

Life should not be dictated to you. It is a series of choices. It is there for you to make the most of.

What do you choose ?

Here are things to take into consideration when beginning your journey towards getting all that you want out of life :

** Open your mind and be willing to reach towards new goals and dreams

** Don't let fear be a part of the equation. Fear is debilitating, and can hinder you in everything you do in life. Disable that fear ! Quiet it with renewed spirit and confidence by moving forward with your financial and emotional goals.

** Openly accept change and welcome self-discovery

** Be aware of your surroundings ; appreciate the opportunities that life presents you.

Human potential is an amazing vehicle. With this business opportunity, you will be working closely with a group of individuals who truly care whether you make it - both financially as well as personally. It is not just about making the "quick buck" ( although financial freedom is certainly a main ingredient ! ) It is also about finding inner peace and emotional stability.

I encourage you to take that first step towards finding peace of mind, contentment, and a renewed confidence. Don't discount the role that financial freedom has to do with these important values. Free yourself from the burden of debt or financial worry. Afford the luxury to choose your direction and set your path.

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

Is the American Dream Still Alive and Achievable ?

Is the American Dream Still Alive and Achievable ?

Defining the Dream

The immensely popular 19th-century author Horatio Alger is largely credited with defining the American Dream as well as the means to achieve it. His books told the rags-to-riches stories of people who succeeded because of the opportunities they had in the Greatest Nation on earth. It didn’t matter who they were. No matter how hopeless their situations seemed, his characters found wealth and success through determination and hard work - and of course, because they believed in the American Dream.

The Dream Today

We believe the American Dream is alive and well. The 21st century continues to offer incredible opportunities. Escalating wealth is mostly a matter of finding the right opportunities and having the determination and guts to follow them through.

The materials and methods for accumulation of wealth have changed, but the opportunities are greater today than at any other time. One simply needs to learn about the new materials and methods !

So Many Things Have Changed :
Dealing With Fear and Uncertainty

The events of September 11, 2001, permanently changed the country and its citizens. Their assumptions that they are safe in their own land faded to fear and uneasiness. Maybe you used to enjoy travel, but now airports make you nervous. Perhaps you dwell on the possibilities of another terrorist attack. We’re all dogged by an unstable job market where mass layoffs and outsourcing threaten our livelihoods. The future is fraught with uncertainty about whether we’re making wise investments, whether the CEO will abscond with the pension funds, and whether Social Security will be there for us.

Even weather patterns are unstable, taking lives with devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, heat waves, and blizzards. Fear can make you want to simply maintain the status quo and not take any chances - yet that is exactly what you must do to avoid becoming a victim of fear, because fear is the only thing that can prevent you from taking advantage of all the possibilities that are open to you. FDR’s famous statement still applies : “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

But think about this : All kinds of fears have always held people back from trying to improve their lives. We’ve used fear as a convenient excuse not to get on with the lives we’d like to live. It’s so much easier to stay where we are, complaining that we’ll never get ahead.

The opportunity is there for the taking, but you must be prepared to leave your comfort zone, summon up your strength and determination, and set a course towards wealth
accumulation. While money isn’t everything, it can certainly do a lot to alleviate uncertainty and to enrich your life and the lives of those you care most about.

Worrying about the future doesn’t change it. No one has ever been able to predict what will happen, or when, or why. You only have today and the lessons you have learned from your past. You can take charge of today’s reality and make it sing with tomorrow’s dreams.

Accumulating Wealth :
The Opportunity Has Never Been Better

Horatio Alger may have been right in the 1800s when he claimed that anyone willing to work hard could succeed. Today, the picture is different. It is painfully possible to work very, very hard and not get ahead. If you live from paycheck to paycheck and worry constantly about how you will meet your financial obligations, you’re living in a world of stress. You don’t even have the luxury of worrying about the stock market, because you’ve got nothing to invest.

Yet more people are amassing wealth today than at any other time.

True, the financial picture for many of us doesn’t measure up to the rosy pictures we hear of a growing economy. We worry about the war on terror, how we’ll afford gas to get to work, and whether our jobs will still be there for us tomorrow.

Yet you can begin your journey to financial success today.

Instead of the dubious prospect of accumulating wealth working for someone else, you can take control of your finances by owning your own business. It is much, much easier than you can imagine because you can do it with your own home-based business.

Did you know that two thirds of all American millionaires are self-employed ? Think about it. Who makes the most money ? The restaurant manager or the restaurant owner ? The car salesman or the dealership owner ? Owners are self-employed, and they are much more likely to be wealthy than the people who work for them.

We’re not suggesting that you buy a restaurant or an automobile dealership. It isn’t necessary to take that kind of risk or put in that kind of work. You own home-based business can be every bit as lucrative and much less stressful than a bricks-and-mortar business.

You probably already have the only equipment you’ll need - a computer and a internet connection. That’s all ! Now all you need is the information that has transformed so many people’s lives.

Take Control ...
Don't let someone else decide your future for you.

Take the first step today toward assuring a secure financial future for you and your family. And don’t wait until it’s too late. Today is the time to get started in an extraordinary business that has already changed the lives of so many, freeing them of fear and worry and showing them that they can live lifestyles they thought were meant only for others.

Always Remember : When you accumulate wealth, you generate a steady residual income that pays you every day, and every day ...

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

Is America Still The Land Of Opportunity ?

Is America Still The Land Of Opportunity ?

Here is a recent Survey of Consumer Finances conducted by the Federal Reserve Board revealed these statistics about the state of America’s finances.

Do any of these facts hit home with you ?

** The typical American family earns about $45,000 per year. From 2001 to 2004, family debt increased 33% ( adjusted for inflation ). Surprisingly little of this debt stems from unnecessary spending. Instead, credit is being used to pay for necessities like housing, household expenses and health care, particularly in low- and middle-income families.

** Average net worth, which grew rapidly during the boom of the 1990s, rose only 1.5% between 2001 and 2004 for the average American family. In other words, for most of us, the worth of our investments is not keeping up with the inflation rate.

** The middle class is being squeezed more tightly than ever. Among the wealthiest 10% of Americans, net worth rose to $831,600, or a 6.5% increase from 2001. Meanwhile, the net worth of those in the bottom 25% fell 1.5% to $13,300.

** More than a third -- 36% -- of those who owe more than $10,000 on their cards have household incomes under $50,000. 13% who owe that much have household incomes under $30,000. The percentage of disposable income used to pay debts is near record highs.

The report doesn’t point out these more unsettling statistics :

** In February, 2007, the US Commerce Department reported that the personal savings rate for 2006 was a negative 1%. The rate for 2004 was a negative .4%. For comparison, in the midst of the Depression in 1933, the PSR was -1.5%. If 2007 figures show a decrease similar to those of 2006, we’ll have a worse record than during the Depression. ( Source : Associated Press )

** “The US is becoming less of a meritocracy, where skill and intelligence determine success, and becoming more of a class-bound society, where economic background, including the better education money can provide, matters more. There are still many rags-to-riches stories. But there's stagnation in the underclass.” ( Sourc e : Christian Science Monitor )

** According to a new Federal Reserve data-based economic analysis commissioned by the Consumer Federation of America, “... more than half of American households ( 56 percent ) are behind where they should be in saving for a comfortable retirement.” A related CFA public opinion survey found that 59% of Americans do not expect to maintain their current standard of living in retirement.

Does this sound like a nation of people who believe in and are profiting from the American Dream - or simply a nation of people who want to live the Dream lifestyle without really being able to find a way to finance it ?

In fact, we have to ask ...

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

What Job Security ?

What Job Security ?

Let's face it, most of us need the assurance of a steady paycheck to sleep at night. Being able to rely on present and future income means not only that the bills are going to be paid, but that you can make major purchases, like houses and cars, without worrying that you'll lose them along with your job.

Unfortunately, job security, once taken for granted by most working Americans, is quickly being relegated to the memory boxes of an older generation, along with 40-year anniversary gold watches and other appreciation gifts for longevity.

It used to be that once you attained a fair amount of seniority, you could rest assured that if the company cut jobs, yours wouldn't be one of them. Now long-term workers get nervous when there are rumblings of downsizing and outsourcing. They are generally paid more than younger workers, and instead of valuing them for their experience, companies crunch the numbers and figure out how much they can save in salary, health insurance costs, and pension funding if they follow a "first in, first out" policy.

The most fortunate workers are lured into early retirement programs ; the least fortunate are simply given their notice. While official unemployment figures don't reflect it, countless people have been forced out of decent-paying jobs into low-paying ones. Sure, the government counts them as "employed." But most view their jobs as stop-gap measures, a way to barely get by while they remain hopeful that one day they'll find another job as good as the one they left.

Instead, the chances are they'll move from one low-pay job to another. The manufacturing jobs that formed the basis of the Fabulous 50s economy have moved elsewhere. Former areas of thriving steel plants and automobile factories are now referred to as "the rust belt." The auto industry alone announced over 90,000 job cuts in 2006. Most of these were "good union jobs" with enviable pay and benefits. But union jobs have been steadily declining. In 1945, nearly a third of Americans held union jobs. Today only 12% of workers belong to unions. As their numbers have shrunk, so has unions' ability to negotiate favorable contracts for their members.

White collar workers are hardly immune. In 2006, Ford announced it was offering "voluntary buyouts" to 10,000 salaried workers, including high-level executives. Those who took the buyouts explained they thought it was better than being laid off, which they assumed would happen next. Workers were offered the services of "outplacement agencies"- employment agencies that try to find new jobs for displaced workers. But in towns that depend heavily on one industry that is downsizing, it's more likely that laid-off employees will have to sell their houses ( in a real estate market that has also taken a price downturn ) and move to some other part of the country.

In 2002, the technology sector dumped 150,000 software jobs. In 2006, computer chip maker Intel announced job cuts of over 10,000. Students were told that their best bet for the future was information technology. They worked hard for technology degrees, earned millions for their employers, and then found themselves with nowhere to go-because their jobs were moving to India, China and Russia.

Another relatively new obstacle to job security is the practice of "offshore outsourcing." We all know how it works : Someone in India or Mexico does your job for 15% of what you were paid. More and more, outsourcing is affecting any job classification that does not depend strictly on a US or Canadian location. For example, if you're a waitress, grocery clerk, or store manager, you can't very well be outsourced. US factory workers were the first to be hit hard by the "giant sucking sound" of their jobs moving to other countries, but now software developers, engineers, journalists, and other professionals are facing the same fate.

Of course, the reason is the bottom line. Companies are in business to make a profit. Creating secure jobs for their employees is not their concern. Scaling back on labor costs is the number one way to increase profit margins, whether through outsourcing, not replacing employees who quit or are fired, paying workers less, or using non-union, lower paid, or part time workers here. The country's major employers are huge multi-national companies. Playing musical chairs with jobs among different countries is as simple for them as the children's game.

It isn't pleasant to think about. It's certainly easier to just assume that your job and your paycheck will always be there for you. But denial of a problem will not make it go away or solve it, and some day you may wish you had thought to create a backup plan for maintaining your income without relying on your current job.

At this point, you are probably asking yourself :

"What can I do to be financially secure ?"

As grim as the employment picture looks, there is still a way to provide an income for yourself that you control. Being your own boss means no one can lay you off or cut your hours and benefits. It's up to you to take control of your future income and your future security.

Fortunately, there is an exciting home business opportunity that offers you a way to create a safety net of security and financial success that no one can pull out from under you.

It may be tempting to believe that your good job will last, or to believe that even though you're not happy with your current job, there's a good one waiting down the road.

Just remember that while the unemployment figures look good, the jobs America is losing are being replaced by a whole new category known as "service industry" jobs. These are low-paying jobs in retail or customer service. Hourly workers are almost never allowed to work overtime, while those on salaries fill in the gaps without any overtime pay. The unfortunate truth is that you have to look out for number one because you cannot rely on any company to put you or any other employee first.

Your first step toward security should be to obtain information about starting your own home based business.

The beauty of a home-based business is that you need only Internet access and a telephone to build a thriving business. Our team of skilled professionals will train you and show you the secrets of their success. Incredibly, the capacity to change your uncertain future lies in your own hands.

Instead of worrying about how you'll pay the bills if you get the surprise pink slip, take the first step today towards protecting your financial future. Begin to create a considerable income right away - an income that will continue to provide for you and your family ...

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

Personal Debt is Skyrocketing

Personal Debt is Skyrocketing

With the exception of a small rise in middle-class wages in the late 1990s, real wages have simply not kept pace with inflation. In fact, the median income of average households has fallen steadily for five years in a row. Despite these facts, consumption continues to increase.

How can this be ? The answer, unfortunately, is that people are incurring an increasing amount of personal debt. We’re talking here about the 95% of us who are not wealthy, who are not saving enough for retirement, and who are bombarded constantly to buy, buy, buy.

It’s true that the nation’s economy is growing—how many times have you heard politicians point that out, while you wonder why you’re still so far in debt ? What they fail to mention is that the economic expansion is largely the result of people overextending themselves, using credit to buy such necessities as food and clothing, and even taking cash advances on credit cards to pay mortgage payments.

A Federal Reserve study showed that 43% of US families spend more than they earn. The only way to do that is to use credit. And it's pretty obvious that if you use credit to spend more than you earn, you are going to be in debt.

The credit card industry collected 43 billion dollars in late-payment, over-limit, and balance-transfer fees in 2004. The major advertising ploy used by all the credit card companies sounds like a scene out of Brave New World - “You like it. You deserve it. Buy it.” It’s easy to fall into their supposedly people-friendly trap. But the truth is, they exist for one reason only, and that is to make money from you.

“Uh-oh, the mail is here again.”

With the typical American family now owing $19,000 on non-mortgage debts, it’s no wonder that mail deliveries have become something to dread. Which bill is due or overdue ? How much are the finance charges on credit card A, B, C, D ... and on and on. ( The average family has 13 credit, debit and store cards. ) Sandwiched between the bills are offers from other credit card companies - or even the same ones you’ve already got. “Transfer your balances ! No interest for six months !” Many people go this route as a way out.

It can buy you some time, but it doesn’t work forever. The proverbial piper must eventually be paid—and when that time comes, it will be worse than ever.

“But I always make the minimum payment !”

Making just the minimum payments on your credit cards will keep your credit picture in focus as far as the credit reporting agencies are concerned. “Pays required amount. Pays on time.” Sounds good, doesn’t it ?

Actually, you’d be playing right into the hands of your creditors.

The less you pay on your balance, the more interest they make. Let’s say you have a balance of $6000 on a credit card and you STOP using it today. If your interest rate is 17.5%, a pretty average percentage, and you pay the minimum payment of $90 every month, it will take you almost 20 years to pay off the balance. You will have paid $21,240 on that $6000 balance. They made $15,240 in interest—and maybe additional amounts in annual fees.

Think about what you could do with $15,240 ! Wouldn’t you rather be tucking that money into an IRA or a college fund ?

Medical Expenses Are Enough to Make You Sick !

A 2006 study conducted by the Center for American Progress showed that most older Americans who find themselves in debt do so because of the high cost of healthcare and prescription medications. In fact, anyone of any age with a serious illness or debilitating injuries suffered by any family member can soon find themselves in deep financial trouble.

Even if you have health insurance, there are deductibles, co-pays, supplies and drugs that aren't covered. With today’s astronomical healthcare costs, a policy’s maximum lifetime payout can be reached with alarming speed. When they stop paying, and care is still needed, where do you turn ? A medical emergency can be devastating to any but the wealthy.

When Keeping Up With the Joneses Is a Bad Idea

In recent years, low mortgage rates and steadily rising real estate costs made home ownership seem like an excellent investment. While that is still true, some people find themselves in trouble now if they financed their home with an A.R.M. ( adjustable rate mortgage ) or an interest-only loan. When the federal reserve began raising interest rates, ARMs started resetting, increasing mortgage payments by as much as 25%.

If you took an interest-only loan to buy a dream house just before the housing bubble burst, prepare yourself for disaster. With prices declining, there’s a high possibility that if you can’t make your payments, you will have to sell the home for less than you owe—maybe a lot less.

“Wait ! There must be a way out.”

You could take an equity loans on your house—assuming you have enough equity to make it worthwhile, and that you can handle the equity loan payoff. Although you could try a credit counseling agency, and IRS inquiry in May, 2006, revealed that the 41 so-called credit counselors they examined were of virtually no benefit to consumers. Investigations into other agencies are on-going.

“I can always go bankrupt.”

Recent changes in federal bankruptcy law have made the procedure so expensive that people in dire financial straits cannot even afford the filing fees. While people often think that declaring bankruptcy means you can toss out your bills and just pay cash until your credit rating improves, the new laws demand a payback percentage to creditors. Credit counseling is now mandatory, although the chances are you will find yourself paying a bogus “credit counselor” for nothing more than a checkmark on your bankruptcy record that you’ve completed the counseling.

“Is There a Reasonable Solution ?”

Yes. Think about it. If you need more money to pay your debts, then you simply need to make more money. This doesn’t mean you need to go out and search for a new job in a crazy job market. It simply means that you need another income source to add to those you already have.

Ideally, you need to find a way to bring in extra income without undue stress on yourself and your family. You should still have some down time for relaxation. If this sounds impossible, there is good news : It can be done. Thousands of other people have already proven it.

If you're determined to get out of debt, a home-based business is a viable method for generating a genuine second income. It’s a far cry from working for peanuts at a night job in a retail store, warehouse, or fast-food joint. You’ll save money on commute time and gas, and the only equipment you’ll need is a computer and a telephone.

Your first goal will probably be to heave a huge sigh of relief as you realize your balances are declining and you’re getting ahead. Like many others, you may discover that you were always cut out for running your own business and increasing your personal wealth more every day.

Your second job could become so rewarding that you will decide to make it your only job. Imagine working from the comfort of your home, interacting with people who started out just like you and are now making fortunes.

The way to financial solvency - even wealth - is open now.

If you're ready to pop that steadily swelling debt balloon—ready to shape your future the way you’ve dreamed it could be - you can begin right now.

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

Baby Boom - Or Bust ?

Baby Boom - Or Bust ?

In the eighteen years between 1946 and 1964, over 78 million babies were born in the United States. World War II had been good for the American economy, pulling it out of the Great Depression for good.

During the “fabulous 50s,” unprecedented industrial growth provided steady employment and rising incomes. The four-child family became the ideal, along with a house in the suburbs, two cars in the driveway, and that wonderful new invention, the television, in the living room. One-income families were the norm - and for the middle class at least, one paycheck was enough to supply families with an increasing number of luxuries and new experiences.

While many boomers have invested wisely for retirement, the majority have just not saved enough. There have been incredible social and economic changes since the 1950s, when boomers grew up with an innocent confidence that life could only get better.

Unlike their fathers, who were likely to stay with one company and draw a sizable pension, many boomers have job-hopped - sometimes out of boredom or a desire to find work that would make them happy, and sometimes because of mergers, layoffs, outsourcing, and early-retirement buyouts.

Skyrocketing housing, education, and healthcare costs have depleted retirement nest eggs as boomers have found themselves sandwiched between college expenses for their children and care for their elderly parents. The increased frequency of divorce has also left many boomers with much less in their IRAs and 401Ks than they thought they would have.

Then there are those who have put aside nothing at all. Perhaps they followed the advice in the popular 70s song “Cast Your Fate to the Wind.” Or perhaps they lived paycheck to paycheck and simply never had anything to save.

How Much Will You Need For Your Financing Retirement ?

In 2008, the oldest of those 78 million boomers will turn 62 and will qualify for reduced-rate social security payments. In the decades that follow, more and more will qualify. As most people know, social security replaces only about 40% of pre-retirement income. Investment advisors suggest that retirees will need 60-80% of their pre-retirement income in order to maintain a comparable lifestyle.

But that assumes that their expenses will decrease - that retirees will simply put themselves on austerity budgets and make up the shortfall. Unfortunately, even if they want to be more frugal, it won’t be easy. Supplemental Medicare policies and long-term care insurance are new expenses retirees must absorb, and property taxes, home and auto insurance, energy costs, and food expenses will all continue to rise.

The Worst That Could Happen ...

Boomers’ biggest fear is that a healthcare crisis will use up funds they’ve set aside for retirement. Medical advances allow people to live much longer than in the past, but their quality of life is often not the best, and spending for prescriptions that prolong life is through the ceiling.

Boomers are worried about living out their final years in an unpleasant but expensive nursing home, or having to ask their children for help. This fear is another factor that fuels the desire to accumulate just a little bit more money and take less from retirement nest eggs so they’ll be able to grow and the funds will be available when work is no longer an option.

How Will Boomers Find Needed Funds In Retirement ?

There was a Associated Press survey reported that the majority of boomers hope to retire from their current jobs at around age 63. However, 66 percent anticipate they will work for pay after retiring. Twenty-seven percent will continue to work out of financial necessity, 43 percent because they can’t picture “sitting around doing nothing,” and 19 percent so that they will have money available for extras they could not afford on their retirement income.

The majority of boomers foresee neither full-time leisure nor full-time retirement, but a combination of both. With 30 years of retirement a real possibility, they are looking for challenges, not rocking chairs. Some plan to launch new careers or use their skills as volunteers. Others say they will go back to school, start their own businesses, or try to turn a profit from a hobby.

Are You a “Wealth Builder” or “Stretched and Stressed” ?

In The New Retirement Survey, Harris Interactive and Age Wave questioned a diverse population and identified five different types of soon-to-be retiring boomers : the "Empowered Trailblazers," the "Wealth-Builders," the "Leisure Lifers," the "Anxious Idealists" and the "Stretched and Stressed."

** About 18% were “Empowered Trailblazers,” people who look forward to retirement because they see it as a progression to another phase of life. About 90% in this group plan to work some after retirement, but they will also be busy with travel, volunteering, taking or teaching classes, and generally enjoying anything new that comes along.

** “Wealth Builders” ( 20% ) are looking for more financial security for themselves and their families, and money is the main reason 79% will continue to work after official retirement.

** “Anxious Idealists” ( 13% ) worry that they do not have enough money to retire, especially since they want to leave an inheritance for their children and a legacy to charitable organizations.

** “Leisure Lifers” (13%) just want to relax. They’re sick of work, probably never liked their jobs, and definitely don’t want to work after retirement. They had low income levels and did not save enough, but they figure “someone will do something” to help them if they get into trouble.

** The “Stretched and Stressed” ( 18% ) are well aware that they have not saved enough for retirement. They will work because they have to, but they don’t look forward to it. This group is the least optimistic.

You have an 82% chance of identifying with a group that feels it needs more money for retirement. With the economy in constant fluctuation and costs of necessities rising steadily, it’s no wonder that most people fall into the “I need more money” category. Peace of mind means knowing not merely that you will somehow be able to survive, but that you’ll have the funds to allow you to enjoy the happy retirement envisioned by the “Empowered Trailblazers.”

YOU Control Your Future.

Fortunately, no matter how old you are right now, it is very possible to become a “Wealth Builder.” This doesn’t mean you have to become a workaholic or even keep working full time. Instead, you can build an income generator that will provide funds for you to invest now and to fund your retirement for many years into the future. And you can do it in the privacy and comfort of your own home, or even from your RV or vacation hotel.

As long as you have Internet access and a telephone, you can build a successful business that will quickly transport you from a state of anxiety and pessimism about retirement to one of financial confidence and security—ready to enjoy the rest of your life in a style you may never have imagined possible.

Is There Still Time To Start ?

Absolutely. Obviously, the sooner you get started, the better. Home Based Business is the best opportunity. There are teams of skilled business professionals is ready to take you through the steps of building a home based business that can free you from worrying about the future. If you are ready to take control and secure your financial future, you’ve come to the right place ...

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

How To Become A Millionaire Saving Just 10% Of Your Income !

How To Become A Millionaire Saving Just 10% Of Your Income !

Imagine if you were to earn an average of $36,000 a year ( $3,000 a month ) for your entire working life of thirty years. This is assuming you start working at age 25 after graduating from university and retire at age 55.

The total income you would receive would be $1.08 million ( $36,000 x 30 years ). So the good news is that you would already be earning a million dollars in your lifetime, without any help from me.

The bad news is that if you are like most people, you would probably spend most of the money you earn and a whole lot more. You would end up at the end of thirty years with nothing much left.

What If you were to just invest 10% of that income a month ( i.e.$300 ) into the US stock market Index and allowed it to compound annually at 12.08%, how much would it grow to ?

Using a financial calculator, you will find that $300 a month invested at 12.08% compounded annually will grow to $939,106 ! Isn't that amazing !

Just by investing 10% of your income, you get back almost all of that $1 million which you earned in the first place. This is possible because of the amazing power that compound interest ( returns ) can have on small amounts of capital over a long period of time !

And the best part is that it takes very little investment knowledge to do this. All you have to do is to invest consistently in the Index. Once again, you will learn exactly how to do this in the Secrets Of Millionaire Investors.

I know that some of you are probably thinking that you don't have thirty years to wait to make your first million. You probably want to achieve financial freedom within the next 10-15 years or less !

The great news is that with some hard work and the savvy stock picking skills, you will confidently be able to achieve a minimum of 15%-25% compounded annual returns on your investment.

Thanks for reading ! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them !

To Your Investing Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

P.S. : To find out more the Secrets Of Millionaire Investors and how you can build a million-dollar net worth by investing in the stock markets, simply visit here ...

7 Steps to Financial Abundance

7 Steps to Financial Abundance

Is there a formula for wealth creation ? Do all self-made millionaires take the same steps to amass their fortunes ?

If we were to do an in-depth study of how self-made millionaires think and act, would we find some common clues that we can learn from ?

The answer is YES.

These are seven essential steps that i found from this self-made millionaire that i know, each one representing a wealth creating skill that all self-made millionaires possess and practice.

Step 1 : Adopt the Million-Dollar Mindset

Millionaires see learning experiences, where Mister Ordinary sees failure.

The moment you adopt the beliefs and habits of a millionaire, your perception of the world will change completely and you will realize that there are money-making opportunities everywhere and everyday around you.

Amazingly, these are opportunities that you were once quite blind to !

Step 2 : Set Clear Financial Goals

Wealth never happens by chance. It always begins with a clear goal in mind. At one point of time in their life, millionaires always make a decision to become rich.

However, whenever I ask most people what their financial goals are, I often get a blank stare. This is a major reason why they will never achieve any level of wealth because they have no clue what it is.

Unless you have a specific figure to focus on, you will never be able to develop a strategy to achieve it.

Step 3 : Create A Financial Plan

Once you have set specific financial targets of how much you want to earn and how much money you want to accumulate, you can then develop an effective plan to achieve it.

Goals by themselves are nothing but pipe dreams. Only when you create a plan, have you made your goal a possibility. The moment you start taking action on your plan, your dream becomes a reality.

Step 4 : Massively Increase Your Income

After developing their financial plan, most people tend to become initially disheartened. They look at their plan and realize that with the amount they are earning and saving right now, it will be decades before they see any big money.

It is therefore important that you learn how to accelerate and turbo-charge your financial plan by taking steps to massively increasing your income.

Step 5 : Manage Your Money & Reduce Expenses

Many people think that by increasing their income, their wealth will automatically increase. Unfortunately, increasing income is only one side of the wealth equation.

After all, there are people who earn $2,000 a month who are broke and there are those who earn $20,000 who are still broke.

The reason is because when we don't manage the money we earn, our expenses will always rise to our level of income, wiping out any surplus we have !

Step 6 : Grow Your Money at Millionaire Returns

By increasing your income and reducing your expenses, you will find that you will be able to accumulate a surplus of funds that you can use to help you build your fortune.

You need to do this because, no matter how hard you work and save, you will never be able to create phenomenal wealth unless you learn how to put your money to work for you.

Through the power of compounding, you will be able to take small sums of money and build it into huge returns over time.

Step 7 : Protect Your Fortune

There is no use working hard to build your personal fortune only to see it all taken away from you. There are many people who have taken decades to build their fortune only to see it wiped out by an accident, unforeseen illness or through an unexpected lawsuit.

Self-made millionaires engage professionals like insurance advisors, lawyers and accountants to help them build a financial fortress so their wealth is protected from potential creditors, plaintiffs looking to sue and the government who may take away a big chunk of your wealth through a whole range of taxes that you may not have even heard about.

So there you have it, an overview of the seven steps that you must take towards financial abundance.

Thanks for reading ! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them !

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

P.S. : Discover The Exact Methods You Need To Create Financial Success ... Without Having To Turn Your Life Upside Down To Get It ! Click on the link here ...

Can You Afford Not To Invest ?

Can You Afford Not To Invest ?

When you mention the word 'investing' to most people, especially when it comes to the stock markets, reactions of caution and fear often arise.

I have heard my friends and relatives say ...

... 'I lost half my savings when the stock market crashed'
... 'Every time I buy a stock, it seems to go down.'
... 'I should have kept my money in the bank instead.'
... 'Investing is risky, you can lose your capital'
... 'Buying stocks is like gambling'

This aversion to investing is compounded by the fact that we were taught by finance courses, banks and financial advisers that 'high risk leads to high return'.

In order to earn high returns, you must be a risk taker ! And since most people don't like the idea of taking big risks, they never ever aspire to achieve high returns with their money.

As a result of past painful experiences and well-intentioned advice from ignorant friends, many people have developed a phobia for investing. They believe that 'investing is too risky' and 'it's safer to keep my money in the bank.' And so they resign themselves to earning measly returns of 2%-3% from their fixed deposit accounts.

Consequently, they have lost out on one of the most powerful wealth building tools available, and the opportunity to retire young and wealthy. What's worse is that by not investing, these people actually experience the devaluation of their hard earned savings from the effects of inflation.

Thinking they have saved enough money to retire comfortably after twenty years of hard work, they realize too late that everything around them has doubled or even tripled in price !

Think about that $9 movie ticket that used to cost $3 in the 1980s. Inflation would almost guarantee that you will be paying more than $27 to watch a movie twenty-five years from now.

Similarly, maintaining your home and a car would cost three times more than it costs today. Is your money growing as fast as prices are rising ?

By not learning how to invest, it is almost certain that you will end up struggling financially in your twilight years. That is what I call truly risky ! Not investing really leads to 'high risk and no return'.

Thanks for reading ! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them !

To Your Investing Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

P.S. : To find out more the Secrets Of Millionaire Investors and how you can build a million-dollar net worth by investing in the stock markets, simply visit here ...

Is Investing Really Risky ?

Is Investing Really Risky ?

Is it really true that investing is risky ? The answer is ... it depends. The risk in an activity very much depends on the level of competence of the person doing that activity.

For example, is it risky to drive a car ?

Well, if you have never gone for any driving lessons and have no idea how to read road signs, engage the gears or to use your side-view mirrors, then there is a high chance that you could get yourself badly hurt or even killed.

However, if you have a thorough understanding of how to drive well, then driving is a low risk activity.

Similarly, investing is risky when you don't know what you are doing. The scary thing is that the majority of people who invest their hard earned money in the stock market do not know what they are doing.

Many people who buy shares of companies have little or no knowledge of how to invest. They are like that driver who has no clue about how to work the gears or the rules of the road. This is because you do not need to take a license or be qualified to be an investor. Just about anybody can do it !

Most amateur investors do not even have a basic understanding of the economic cycle and how interest rates and oil prices affect the global economy & the stock market.

They have no clue as to where and how to read financial reports that will impact the stock markets. Most have very little financial & accounting knowledge and do not know how to value the worth ofthe company's shares they are buying.

In fact, I am often shocked when I hear of people who invest in a company without even understanding what business the company is involved in, let alone understand the company's business strategy.

In the highway of investing, over 70% of investors ( mostly the general public ) are driving around without the basic skills of motoring ! This is why many of them crash and burn their hard earned money.

For the majority of people out there with little financial competence, investing is truly high risk and maybe high return ( depends a lot on blind luck ). To me these people are not investors but gamblers.

For such people, I would strongly advise them to learn how to drive or to leave their money in the bank or under their pillow !

When you have a thorough understanding of the stock market & the rules of investing, then investing is no longer risky ! When you know exactly what you are doing, you can achieve extremely high returns, with very low risk !

Thanks for reading ! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them !

To Your Investing Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

P.S. : To find out more the Secrets Of Millionaire Investors and how you can build a million-dollar net worth by investing in the stock markets, simply visit here ...

You Have All the Resources You Need to Succeed !

You Have All the Resources You Need to Succeed !

I just want to impress upon you that whatever goal you set yourself to achieve, you already have all the resources you need right now at your disposal.

You see most people place their own limits on what they can achieve in life simply because they don't believe they have what it takes.

People believe that they're not smart enough, or had enough education or know the right people to become successful. Even worse, some people believe that they don't deserve success at all.

You have all the resources you need because all of us have the same brain and neurological setup. If it's possible for someone else, it's also possible for you. It's only a question of strategy.

The truth is you deserve to become successful because you were put here to create value in your life and in others as well. And to me, wealth is just a reflection of how much value you create.

That is why a CEO gets paid more than a middle manager, simply because he creates more value. Or a brain surgeon creates more value than a general practitioner.

Focus on creating more value in your life, in your job or business and you will start to see more success and wealth flow into your life.

The sad fact is that most people never learn this. Instead of focusing on positive activities to create more value, most people blame and give excuses for the circumstance in their lives.

Yes, you cannot control every single thing that happens to you. But you can control how you respond to it. And that's the crucial difference between winners and losers.

People failed numerous times in their life. And all those setbacks only taught them more about themself and what they had to do to avoid making the same mistakes again.

But if they never learnt to pick themself up, time and time again, they would still be a FAILURE.

All of us want to be successful and financially free but most people don't know where to start and so they put off their dreams for another day and another day and another day.

It's a question of when are you going to start building your dream because only YOU owe it to yourself to make it happen now. No one else does.

If that makes a lot of good sense to you, then make your dream happen and take charge of you financial future today.

Here's what happened to someone who took charge of her financial future :
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'Adam's wealth creation program was the best investment I ever made. It gave me the value creation strategies to triple my income to achieve a breakthrough of $41,000 in September 2005.

I would have never been able to achieve this if I hadn't learnt all the strategies and principles this wealth program taught me. This is the program to learn how to start building financial abundance period.'

Mei Mei
Bank Relationship Manager
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Download your personal copy of the 'Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires' program. Just click on the link here.

Thanks for reading ! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them !

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

P.S. : To find out more the Secrets Of Self-Made Millionaires and how you can build a million-dollar net worth starting from scratch, simply visit here ...

The Four Levels of Wealth

The Four Levels of Wealth

There are basically four levels of wealth you must aim to attain.

Level 1 : Financial Stability

The first level of wealth is known as Financial Stability. This is the most basic level of wealth that you must first attain.

You have achieved Financial Stability when :

1. ) You have accumulated enough liquid assets to cover your current expenses for a minimum of six months.

2. ) In addition, you have life and hospitalization insurance to protect you and/or your family's lifestyle should you be permanently disabled, unable to work or if you pass away suddenly.

When you have attained this first level, you will have the peace of mind that should any unexpected challenges befall you ( like retrenchment, business failure, pay cut, death or disability ), you and your family's lifestyle will not be compromised. Or worse, you or your family will not slide into debt.

Once you have achieved this, you must then aim to achieve ...

Level 2 : Financial Security

You have achieved Financial Security when you have through the investment of time, money and ideas, accumulated a critical amount of Positive Cash Flow Assets that generate enough passive income to cover your MOST BASIC expenses.

In other words, when you reach this level, you can stop working and maintain a very basic lifestyle. It also means that if you continue working, all your active income can be channeled towards your investments and this will further compound your assets and increase your income streams.

Of course, we shouldn't be satisfied at being at this level. Once accomplished, you must then aim to go for ...

Level 3 : Financial Freedom

Many of us have heard of the dream of achieving financial freedom but what does it really mean ?

Well, Financial Freedom is when you have through the investment of time, money and ideas, accumulated a critical amount of Positive Cash Flow Assets that generate enough passive income to sustain your CURRENT LIFESTYLE.

When you reach this level of Financial Freedom, you can choose to stop working and still maintain your current standard of living ... indefinitely !

In reality, most people who achieve financial freedom love their work so much that they continue working not because they have to, but because they choose to.

It is a great feeling to have ... being free of financial pressure & worries and working purely out of passion !

Obviously, the more expenses you have now, the more luxurious and indulgent your standard of living, the longer it will take for you to achieve financial freedom.

So besides increasing your passive income, reducing your unnecessary/frivolous expenses will accelerate your way towards this fourth level. Finally, you must aim to achieve ...

Level 4 : Financial Abundance

So what is the ultimate level of wealth you can achieve ? Financial Abundance is when you have through the investment of time, money and ideas, accumulated a critical amount of Positive Cash Flow Assets that generate enough passive income to sustain your DESIRED LIFESTYLE.

Your desired lifestyle is the amount of monthly expenses it will take for you to live the life of your dreams. This is totally subjective depending on the lifestyle that you desire.

If your desired lifestyle is to live in a 20,000 square-feet bungalow with a swimming pool, send your kids to the best schools and drive a Mercedes Benz S-Class, then you could be looking at a monthly lifestyle that'll cost a cool $50,000.

Of course the more luxurious your desired lifestyle, the longer it will take for you to achieve financial abundance.

The moment you reach the level of Financial Abundance, you will be able to choose to stop working and live your dream lifestyle indefinitely.

Again, most people who do reach this level usually love what they do so much that they keep on working for fun, channeling 100% of their active income towards charitable causes and further compounding their wealth.

With the right strategies and plans in place, you too will be able to achieve this ultimate level of wealth.

Thanks for reading ! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them !

To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignaturebusiness.blogspot.com
Singapore

P.S. : Discover The Exact Methods You Need To Create Financial Success ... Without Having To Turn Your Life Upside Down To Get It ! Click on the link here ...