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Being out on the road all the time has it's risks and my worst nightmare came true a couple of weeks ago. My Sony Vaio laptop has performed flawlessly for more than 15 months despite being lugged around in a normal briefcase every single day and being left on virtually permanently when "docked" in my home office. For a week or two it had been making a bit of a strange noise which I put down to a noisy fan. Then, one morning I got the "Blue screen of death". Booting in safe mode worked for a while and then another crash, and another, and another until it wouldn't even boot up at all. Seems like that noisy fan had caused the motherboard to overheat. A call to Sony established that it was going to have to be returned to them by Courier and I'd have a 10-15 day wait for the repair to be completed. more

The 2006 World Junior Champion Kenta Matsudaira finally back in

The Polish Youth Open continues to be a big draw on the ITTF Junior Circuit. This year one hundred and twenty four boys and some ninety-three girls have made their way to the small coastal town Cetniewo, a long hour�s drive from Gdansk.

In fact the total number of participants, including the cadet events, is quite impressive. The Polish Youth Open, the tenth event on the 2008 junior circuit calendar, features not fewer than three hundred and seventy four athletes getting ready to compete for pride, honor and valuable junior circuit points over the five full days of action.

High Quality fields
The quality of the two fields are noting short of jaw-dropping. Several interesting players are testing their forms in Cetniewo. The most noticeable starter of them all ? No doubt, the Japanese wonder boy and ITTF World Junior Champion from Cairo 2006 � Kenta Matsudiara, making his international comeback after a longer injury break. more

More young people try employ themselves

The first of these trends showed that more young people were opportunity seizers as against others starting a business because they had no option. The analysis focused on the Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate - the primary measure of entrepreneurship used by the study - from 2004 to 2006. It showed that the age group 25-35 years, of all the age groups researched in two of the three years surveyed, had the highest rate of people wanting to be entrepreneurs because of an opportunity they saw, rather than because they had no choice. More female entrepreneurs were entering the market - young men exceeded young women entrepreneurs in 2004 and 2005, but the figures being equal in percentages in 2006. This was in line with international trends. An increase in the number of students completing secondary school could be a positive trend which, if they acquired the correct skills sets, could eventually form a sound basis for more accelerated TEA activities among the youth. more

LiveDeal CEO leaves company Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal

LiveDeal Inc. said Tuesday its chief executive, Dan Coury, is no longer with the company or a member of the board.

In a regulatory filing, LiveDeal (NASDAQ:LIVE), a combined local online classifieds and Yellow Pages marketplace that has offices in Santa Clara, said it terminated Coury's employment and paid him a one-time lump sum of $496,000.

The company, which did not give a reason for Coury's departure, also named founder Rajesh Navar chairman of the board.

. more

S&P Raises Rosneft's Credit Rating

Rosneft had $29.2 billion in debt at the start of this year, of which $15.5 billion was short term, S&P said.

The Yukos acquisitions "dramatically improved Rosneft's size, diversity and vertical integration," S&P said. "They boosted profitability because production growth helps offset ruble appreciation and because Russia's export duty regime favors refined products over crude oil." . more

Latest Business Retirement Plan News

High 401(k) Plan Fees Depleting Americans’ Retirement ... - Earthtimes

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - (Business Wire) Despite the U.S. stock market’s recovery, Americans are still struggling to make up for the historic losses sustained in their 401(k) plans over the past two years. One main obstacle employees face as they ...

Law Office of Brodsky & Smith, LLC Announces ... - Earthtimes

Business Wire ... Nasdaq: SWM) investment of Plan participants and beneficiaries assets in company stock. The investigation concerns whether administrators breached their fiduciary duties and violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of ...

Canadians urged to save more for retirement - Toronto Star

Still, many provincial governments believe retirement incomes are under siege and are asking Ottawa to lead reforms that would build on the Canada Pension Plan and eventually deliver more generous pension benefits to retirees. Ottawa is preparing to ...

3 ways to build a solid retirement plan - msnbc.com

If you don't want to open your 401(k) statement, you're not alone. But not paying attention to your retirement plan now will come back to haunt you later. Take these three steps to build a solid plan to ensure security in retirement. 1. Determine ...

Gays plan retirement differently? - New Haven Register

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender baby boomers plan to approach retirement differently than their heterosexual counterparts, with most expecting to work until at least age 70 and rely more on close friends than family for support as they age ...

Aon buys JP Morgan retirement unit - Crain's Chicago Business

(AP) — An Aon Corp. unit said Friday it agreed to buy a division of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.'s retirement unit for an undisclosed amount. Aon Consulting is buying JP Morgan Compensation and Benefit Strategies, a division of JP Morgan Retirement Plan ...

Unemployment in 2009 reflects in your taxes - Contra Costa Times

For example, a married couple filing jointly covered by a workplace retirement plan can have adjusted gross income in 2009 of no more than $109,000 to qualify for a tax deduction on a traditional Individual Retirement Account. (The deduction phases ...

Aon Consulting to buy JP Morgan retirement unit - Forbes

Aon Consulting said Friday it agreed to buy a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s retirement unit for an undisclosed amount. JP Morgan Compensation and Benefit Strategies, a division of JP Morgan Retirement Plan Services LLC, provides compensation ...

Column: Mind the gap - Abbotsford News

Following basic rules of thumb such as the requirement of 70 per cent of pre-retirement income is far too simple for such an important plan. Meet with a qualified professional to help you determine the income you need in retirement. Second, identify ...

Fixing flaws in retirement planning - msnbc.com

... flurry of new changes taking place in the retirement planning industry. Indeed, unstable stock market conditions in recent years have not only motivated legislators to fix some of the flaws in the system, but also inspired plan sponsors (meaning ...

Resolved Question: Is this what Barack Obama has planned for us?

The Dinner Roll .. Once upon a time I was invited to the White House for a private dinner with the President. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I paid it no mind. I live in a FREE country. There's nothing that the government can do to me if I've broken no laws. My wealth was EARNED honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American President is an honor. I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the President in a yellow dining room. We sat across from each other at a table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china. Uniformed staff served our dinner. The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate and began nibbling it as he walked back to the kitchen.. "Sorry 'bout that," said the President. "Andrew is very hungry." "I don't appreciate..." I began, but as I looked into the calm brown eyes across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty. It was just a dinner roll. "Of course," I concluded, and reached for my glass. Before I could, however, another waiter reached forward, took the glass away and swallowed the wine in a single gulp. "And his brother, Eric, is very thirsty," said the President. I didn't say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I thought. I withheld my comments and decided to play along. I don't want to seem unkind.. My plate was whisked away before I had tasted a bite. "Eric's children are also quite hungry." With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from under me. I stood, brushing myself off angrily, and watched as it was carried from the room. And their grandmother can't stand for long." I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool. Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some game. I reached for my coat, to find that it had been taken. I turned back to the President. "Their grandfather doesn't like the cold." I wanted to shout, "that was my coat!" But again, I looked at the placid smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread my hands helplessly and chuckled. Then I felt my hip pocket and realized my wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant side table. I learned shortly that my credit cards had been maxed out, my bank accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had vanished, and my wife had been thrown out of our home. Apparently, the waiters and their families were moving in. The President hadn't moved or spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the phone into its cradle and turned to face him. "Andrew's whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven't planned for retirement and they need a house. They recently defaulted on a subprime mortgage. I told them they could have your home. They need it more than you do." My hands were shaking. I felt faint I stumbled back to the table and knelt on the floor. The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak, and drank his wine. I lowered my eyes and stared at the small grey circles on the tablecloth that were water drops. "By the way," he added, "I have just signed an Executive Order nationalizing your factories. I'm firing you as head of your business. I'll be operating the firm now for the benefit of all mankind. There's a whole bunch of Erics and Andrews out there and they can't come to you for jobs groveling like beggars...we need to spread YOUR wealth around..." I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty ramekin which had been his crème Brule. He drained the last drops of his wine. As the table was cleared, he lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair. He stared at me. I clung to the edge of the table as if it were a ledge and I were a man hanging over an abyss. I thought of the years behind me, of the life I had lived. The life I had earned with a lifetime of work, risk and struggle. Why was I punished? How had I allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across the table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board between us. What had I done wrong? As if answering the unspoken thought, President Obama suddenly cocked his head, locked his empty eyes to mine, and bared a million teeth, chuckling wryly as he folded his hands. "You should have stopped me at the dinner roll," he said. more

Resolved Question: Help! How do I save for retirement?

I will be 23 this year and my son will be one in two months. I want to start planning for our futures. I want to start a savings for him and a retirement plan for myself. The savings for him is the easy part. The retirement for me...not so much. I found places like ING and Liberty Mutual, but I don't know where to business. Can I do this on my own? And How? more

Resolved Question: How can somebody say they read the stimulus bill and did not see any tax breaks?

Individual Tax Cuts: 1. "Making Work Pay" Tax Credit (Sec. 1001, Page 195). In tax years 2009 and 2010, the Making Work Pay provision will provide a refundable tax credit of 6.2 percent of earned income up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married taxpayers filing joint returns. 2. Increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (Sec. 1002, Page 198). Go to the stimulus bill for all the details, but it essentially expands this benefit for the working poor. 3. Increased Eligibility for the Refundable Portion of Child Credit (Sec. 1003, Page 199). In 2009 and 2010, families who don’t earn enough to pay income tax would be eligible to claim the $1,000 child credit. 4. "American Opportunity" Education Tax Credit (Sec. 1004, Page 199). Increases the Hope Scholarship Credit to $2,500. 5. Refundable First-time Home Buyer Credit. (Sec. 1006, Page 202). This extended and increased the first-time home buyer tax credit from $7,500 to $8,000. 6. Temporary Suspension of Taxation of Unemployment Benefits (Sec. 1007, Page 203). This exempts from taxable gross income the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits. 7. Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Improvements to Existing Homes (Sec. 1121, Page 208). This provides up to a $1,500 tax credit for qualified energy efficiency improvements. 8. Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases (Sec. 1008, Page 203). This allows people to write off state and local sales taxes related to the purchase of a new vehicle costing up to $49,500. 9. Premium Credits for COBRA Continuation Coverage for Unemployed Workers (Sec. 6432, Page 348) 10. Economic Recovery Credits to Recipients of Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement and Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits (Sec. 2201, Page 336). This was a $250 payment for senior citizens, disabled veterans and disabled people living on Social Security benefits. 11. Computers as Qualified Education Expenses in 529 Education Plans (Sec. 1005, Page 202). This allows college students to write off the expense of computers and software, provided it's for educational purpose and not for games. 12. Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (Sec. 1141, Page 212). Allows purchasers of plug-in electric vehicles to write off up to $5,000 of their purchase (depending on the power of the battery). 13. Tax Parity for Transit Benefits (sec. 1151, Page 219). This relates to an increased exclusion amount for commuter transit benefits and transit passes. 14. Health Coverage Tax Credit Expansion (Sec. 1899, Page 309). Small Business Tax Cuts: 1. Extension of Enhanced Small Business Expensing (Sec. 1202, Page 221). This is a temporary increase in limitations on expensing some depreciable business assets. 2. 5-Year Carryback of Net Operating Losses for Small Businesses (Sec. 1211, Page 221). 3. Extension of Bonus Depreciation (Sec. 1201, Page 220). This extends by a year election to accelerate the AMT and Research Credits in lieu of bonus depreciation. 4. Exclusion of 75% of Small Business Capital Gains from Taxes (Sec. 1241, Page 228). 5. Temporary Small Business Estimated Tax Payment Relief (Sec. 1212, Page 222). 6. Temporary Reduction of S Corporation Built-In Gains Holding Period from 10 Years to 7 Years (Sec. 1251, Page 228). Other Business Tax Cuts: 1. Advanced Energy Investment Credit (Sec. 1302, Page 231). This relates to properties designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as those that produce energy from the sun, wind, geothermal deposits, fuel cells, microturbines, or an energy storage system for use with electric or hybrid-electric vehicles. 2. Tax Credits for Alternative Refueling Property (Sec. 1123, Page 211). This is a temporary increase for alternative fuel vehicle refueling businesses. 3. Work Opportunity Tax Credits for Hiring Unemployed Veterans and Disconnected Youth (Sec. 1221, Page 223). This is a tax credit to provide incentive to businesses to hire unemployed veterans and "disconnected youth." That latter term is defined, in part, as young adults "not readily employable by reason of lacking a sufficient number of basic skills." 4. Delayed Recognition of Certain Cancellation of Debt Income (Sec. 1231, Page 224). 5. Election to Accelerate Recognition of Historic AMT/R&D Credits (Sec. 1201, Page 220). From the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to fact check me if you want to.to answer your question Ice T more

Resolved Question: is this in my own words? the othter 1 screwed up?

Is this in my own words? you know how you can't plagerize and all that... i tried putting this in my own words, is it good enough? internet: Step 1: Identification of a Vacancy The Line Manager identifies a vacancy for reasons that may include: • Staffing changes – eg. secondment, resignation, termination, retirement, leave; and/or • Work requirement changes – eg. creation of a new position, temporary additional workload. Step 2: Review the need for the position/to fill the vacancy. The Line Manager will review the short/long term requirement for the position and the need to fill the vacancy. In so doing the Line Manager will consider: • Staffing Plan/profile for the work area • Budget • Current / Future Requirements • Job Skill Requirements • Occupancy required to meet need (eg. ongoing, fixed term) • Adequacy and accuracy of position description • Whether the position is approved and established Note: This review may involve other managers within the faculty/service centre. Step 3: Determine the most effective recruitment strategy to acquire a pool of candidates The Line Manager will consider and assess the best way of attracting a pool of suitably qualified candidates, who will meet the needs of the business. Examples of methods for acquiring a pool of candidates are: • Internal staff (Advertisement) • Internal staff (Redeployment) • Candidates from recent/previous recruitment activity • Professional/Industry Organisations • Recruitment Agencies/Job Network • Advertising • Internet • Journals • Newspaper Step 8: Commence selection by reviewing applications and determine a shortlist of candidates. The Chairperson of the selection panel will ensure that all members or a representative sub-group have access to the applications, consider the information and facilitate a shortlisting process to identify the most competitive candidates. The selection panel (or representative sub-group) will compile a summary assessment and ranking of the candidates against the selection criteria for inclusion in the selection report. It may be necessary at this step to consider pre-selection interviews or other assessments tools to identify a manageable shortlist. Candidates not shortlisted will be advised that they were unsuccessful. Step 9: Assess short listed candidates. The selection panel will conduct interviews and/or apply other relevant assessment methods to acquire information relevant to the university’s business needs, position role & accountabilities and selection criteria. The assessment methods should be consistently applied to all candidates for a vacancy and may include, but not be limited to: • Interview • Skills/aptitude test • Work samples/simulations • Psychological testing • Reference check (mandatory for the recommended applicant) Following the collation of information from the various sources, including the candidate’s application/resume, the selection panel will review all the information and determine a ranking of the candidates. The ranking will identify the candidates who meet the criteria and order of merit. Step 12: Verbal offer of employment to preferred candidate and discuss employment terms and conditions. The relevant Line Executive/Chairperson/Line Manager makes contact with the recommended candidate and informs them of the offer subject to relevant conditions. The contact may address: • Remuneration package details • Relocation budget/costs • Availability for commencement • Clarify terms and conditions of appointment including tenure, probation etc. This should be undertaken immediately on receiving approval of the recommendation. Step 13: Make written offer of employment to candidate. HR will arrange for the formal written offer and contract of employment to be prepared (in accordance with the selection report) and dispatched within 1 day of receipt of the approved Selection Report and recommendation. Step 15: Arrange appointment and commence induction process. HR will ensure that all appointment documentation is stored on the Vacancy File and the appointment is finalised. This will include: • Obtaining a signed contract of employment • Update of all information/records (eg. ALESCO System) • Ensure induction is planned and conducted • Storage and retention of all original recruitment and selection documentation for 12 months in accordance with relevant records management guidelines.mine: Managers identify vacancy for reasons that can include: dismissal, leave, resignation, terminations, retirement or work requirement changes. Review the need for the position to fill the vacancy Managers will look at the short term and long term requirements for the position. Things they need to consider include: staffing plan/profile for the work area, budget, current /future requirements, job skill requirements, adequacy and accuracy of the position description and whether the position is approved and established. Determine the most effective recruitment strategy to acquire a pool of candidates The manager would find best way to attract candidates who would be suitable for the business. Some of these methods include advertising, the internet, newspapers, and journals, recent candidates from previous recruitment activities, job networks and recruitment agencies.Commence selection by reviewing applications and determine a shortlist of candidates The chairperson of the selection panel would then make a shortlist of candidates by reviewing the applications. To do this the chairperson has to make sure all members or a representative sub-group has a chance to read all the applications. Then they will make a decision by identifying and selecting who is most suitable for the job. The selection panel will put together a summary assessment and rank each of the candidates against the selection criteria for inclusion in the selection report. Here it is necessary to look at pre-selection interviews or other documents to decide on a manageable shortlist. Candidates who were not put on the shortlist would be told they weren’t successful. Assess short listed candidates Here the selection panel will assess each of the candidates they chose to put on the shortlist. They will conduct interviews or use other methods to acquire the most suitable person forthe job. They need to consider the business’ needs, position role and accountabilities and selection criteria. The methods used for selecting a member of staff should be the same for every person. The methods can include interviews, skills/aptitude tests, work samples/simulations, psychological testing and reference checks. After acquiring all the information needed, the selection panel would review the information they have gathered and rank all the candidatesFollowing the collation of information from the various sources, including the candidate’s application/resume, the selection panel will review all the information and determine a ranking of the candidates. The ranking will identify the candidates who meet the criteria and order of merit. Verbal offer of employment to preferred candidate and discuss employment terms and conditions. The executive/chairperson or manager will contact the candidate and inform them of the offer, work conditions and expectations. Information can include: remuneration package details, relocation budget/costs, availability for commencement, clarify terms and conditions of appointment including tenure and probation. Managers are expected to clarify these terms immediately on receiving approval of the recommendation.Make written offer of employment to candidate. The manager will write a formal offer and provide the contract of employment. The letter of approval and contract would be sent within one day of receipt of the approved Selection Report and recommendation. Arrange appointment and commence induction process. The manager has to make sure the appointment is finalized and all the documentation is stored on the Vacancy File. This will include: finding a signed contract of employment, update of all information/records, ensuring induction is planned and conducted and storage and retention of all original recruitment and selection documentation for twelve months is in accordance with relevant records management guidelines.i did it for you check your e-mail more

Resolved Question: Some career advice..?

Here is the situation, a lot of things have been happening fast, and I'm stuck at a crossroad. College is coming up real soon, and at this point I'm confused on what I should go in for. I'm constantly back and forth between teaching (always been what I wanted to do) and going into business (I studied this all throughout high school, and even a little bit on the college level). I under with teaching, it's low paying, but rewarding, and I have to complete anywhere from 4-6 years of school to find a job. With going into business, I can continue working for the company I do now and move up into management (making for $100,000 annually), I don't really have to go to college, but I think it would help me out to at least get a associate degree, or maybe even a bachelor's degree one day. I'm very conservative, so I don't really like taking risks, with going into teaching I consider that a risk, because 4-6 years of school can get expensive, and it's not promised I could get a job as a teacher, then I would be stuck. With staying where I am at now, I could retire 7-8 years before I could teaching, it's a secure job, and I believe I have what it takes to move up into the management position. What would you do in my situation? I know it's a weird question, and I know I'm too young to be thinking of retirement, but I've always been a planner, I can't stand doing something without a direction of which it might take me. I typically always have a back-up plan. One reason why I am more shifted to stay where I am at now is that I could maybe even go into some kind of business venture myself. I've done numerous projects in school where I had to write a business plan, or something of that nature. It's always been somewhat of a dream of mine to open a restaurant of my own (I love to grill, and I love bbq, so I would open a bbq restaurant). I'm not looking for a smart-a response, I am looking for some advice, maybe someone who has traveled down the path I am looking at now. Thank you in advance. more

Resolved Question: Please correct my Toefl essay :D URGENT?

Both lecture and Reading explain different problems about work in a company and work in their own business. In the reading explain problems with owner of small businesses. First Small Owners needed to do many things by theirselves , for example to get approbe of government, and thir need to do a lot of paper work. And many of these bussines (Around 95%) will be broken at its first month. Owners has other kind of problems too, for example : If owner need to get separate because it could be a legal hell for them. The last point Is about heath plan because their plans are in their hands. In contrast in the lecture explain why empleoys left their work and desired to open their own businesses . For example disagree with their bosses and the dissolution because they feeled to don’t have the control of their own works, because every desition need to be agreeded with many other people. Lecture explain the importance of have a good retirement and people looking for better opportunities in life. In concusion Company life may be disappointed but has the work of everyone is supported your own job , in contrast Work by your own is more in risk. more

Resolved Question: Will our retirement funds be forced to become the buyer of last resort for US treasury obligations?

Excerpts: I fear that today the control, nationalization and ultimate confiscation of trillions in private US retirement plan assets is on the horizon. Rick Santelli alluded to the possible nationalization and forced investment into treasuries on CNBC as recently as January 8, 2010. There was also similar coverage on Bloomberg and Business Week. Says Holland, "I think the mandatory IRAs just proposed by Obama is the first step in stealth nationalization and forced investment of our retirement benefits to support the U.S. Treasury debt market." http://www.ronaldholland.com/retirementtrap.htm There is an estimated $15 trillion worth of private retirement plans in the United States; $4 trillion in IRAs alone; this constitutes 35 percent of all private assets in America. That is what the Obama government is eyeing to help plug the multi-trillion dollar deficit in his big spending budget. You could call this move Obama’s attempt to "pull an Argentina." What’s “An Argentina?” In October 2008, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner—a peronista—confiscated US$30 billion worth in that country’s 10 privately managed pension funds. This was presented as an emergency measure to meet her faltering government’s financing costs. The Argentine congress went along with this radical property grab of individual retirement accounts, 401Ks and the like. Could this happen in America? Should you be worried about this latest radical Obama move? more

Resolved Question: Books similar to "Paranoia," Joseph Finder?

Just finished the awesome book Paranoia, by Joseph Finder and I've been itching to reading another book like it. Here's the synopsis of the book, in case it helps you with any suggestions, thanks! Author Joseph Finder has written about espionage and international affairs for the New York Times and other newspapers, and is also a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers. So it would stand to reason that he had seen it all in the realm of espionage. Yet, in the acknowledgements at the end of the book, he states that his research on his other novels "has taken me around the world and into places like KGB headquarters in Moscow, but nothing prepared me for how strange and fascinating I'd find the world of the American high-tech corporation." In Paranoia, he combines high-tech business with corporate security and espionage to create an exciting thriller that the reader will not soon forget. Adam Cassidy is the quintessential slacker who is tired of his job at Wyatt Telecom. He diverts corporate funds to throw a large retirement party for a loading dock employee, and he fully expects to be fired for it. But instead he is threatened with criminal charges if he does not agree to steal highly confidential product plans from Trion, a rival of Wyatt. With the help of the Wyatt's CEO, security chief, and executive coach, he is groomed for an executive job at Trion. He is taught to breach the tightest corporate security and turn over his findings. Thus begins his life as a corporate spy, where the game he is playing becomes more and more treacherous, his loyalties to his friends and employers are stretched to the limit, and he is caught in a web of deceit from which there seems to be no exit. The characters are well drawn and believable. Finder expertly depicts Adam's struggle with his conscience, his problems with his ailing father and best friend, his worries about being unmasked as a spy, and his fondness for his Trion CEO. This makes him a very sympathetic protagonist. The two corporate presidents are strongly contrasted: the Wyatt CEO is ruthless, aloof, and vain; the Trion CEO is paternal, benevolent, and demands honesty. Also included in the interesting cast of characters are a quirky staff engineer, some power-hungry middle managers, a jealous and competitive coworker, and a shady security chief with a penchant for violence. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, and the final plot twist was a powerhouse. Not only is this a fast-paced thriller, but it provides fascinating facts about espionage and corporate security. Each section defines an espionage term, which is then exemplified in the story line. I was shocked to learn about how lax corporate security can be, permitting access to password-protected PCs and locked offices and file cabinets. Even badge readers and biometric scanners can be circumvented. This is definitely worth reading, but be sure to schedule it for when you have some spare time, because once you start it you will have trouble putting it down. more

Resolved Question: How much would you pay a party decorator?

O im starting a party decoration business but eventually want to get into full wedding and event planning. But since im starting small I would like to know how much would people pay for a event decorator? Themed parties,birthdays,kids,retirement, anniversaries etc! more

Voting Question: What forms will I need to file with the IRS?

For 2009... I did not work any hours as a regular employee, but I did receive a paycheck for work I had done as an employee in December of 2008... They sent me a W-2 I ran my own business. People Paid me cash. I kept good records. I had business expenditures. I kept receipts. I assume that means I need to include a 1040 Schedule C I worked for a company for a month as an independent contractor. (I have yet to receive any documentation from them). I took about $3000 out of a retirement plan. Mutual of America withheld about $550 in federal taxes for that. They sent me a 1099-R With all of these 4 things in mind, What forms should I be filing this year? Thank you very much. more

Resolved Question: Should I buy or rent a house when I retire?

My husband and I plan to retire in 3-5 years. I am 62 now and he is 59. We have no money saved for retirement (a long story) but he will receive a small pension and social security for us both. My husband is self employed and will continue in that business. We hope to move near Austin TX. Our income probably will be between $40-$50K as long as he works. We will probably realize $40K from the sale of our house. Would we be better off to rent or buy a home? We do not plan to stay in the area where we currently live. more

Resolved Question: For people who say "the GOP has no ideas," what do you think about these?

In 2013, when President Mitch Daniels, former Indiana governor, is counting his blessings, at the top of his list will be the name of his vice president: Paul Ryan. The former congressman from Wisconsin will have come to office with ideas for steering the federal government to solvency. Not that Daniels has ever been bereft of ideas. Under him, Indiana property taxes have been cut 30 percent and for the first time, Standard & Poor's has raised the state's credit rating to AAA. But in January 2010, Ryan released an updated version of his "Roadmap for America's Future," a cure for the most completely predictable major problem that has ever afflicted America. Some calamities -- the 1929 stock market crash, Pearl Harbor, 9/11 -- have come like summer lightning, as bolts from the blue. The looming crisis of America's Ponzi entitlement structure is different. Driven by the demographics of an aging population, its causes, timing and scope are known. Funding entitlements -- especially medical care and pensions for the elderly -- requires reinvigorating the economy. Ryan's map connects three destinations -- economic vitality, diminished public debt, and health and retirement security. To make the economy -- on which all else hinges -- hum, Ryan proposes tax reform. Masochists would be permitted to continue paying income taxes under the current system. Others could use a radically simplified code, filing a form that fits on a postcard. It would have just two rates: 10 percent on incomes up to $100,000 for joint filers and $50,000 for single filers; 25 percent on higher incomes. There would be no deductions, credits or exclusions, other than the health care tax credit (see below). Today's tax system was shaped by sadists who were trying to be nice: Every wrinkle in the code was put there to benefit this or that interest. Since the 1986 tax simplification, the code has been recomplicated more than 14,000 times -- more than once a day. At the 2004 Republican convention, thunderous applause greeted George W. Bush's statement that the code is "a complicated mess" and a "drag on our economy" and his promise to "reform and simplify" it. But his next paragraphs proposed more complications to incentivize this and that behavior for the greater good. Ryan would eliminate taxes on interest, capital gains, dividends and death. The corporate income tax, the world's second highest, would be replaced by an 8.5 percent business consumption tax. Because this would be about half the average tax burden that other nations place on corporations, U.S. companies would instantly become more competitive -- and more able and eager to hire. Medicare and Social Security would be preserved for those currently receiving benefits, or becoming eligible in the next 10 years (those 55 and older today). Both programs would be made permanently solvent. Universal access to affordable health care would be guaranteed by refundable tax credits ($2,300 for individuals, $5,700 for families) for purchasing portable coverage in any state. As persons under 55 became Medicare eligible, they would receive payments averaging $11,000 a year, indexed to inflation and pegged to income, with low-income people receiving more support. Ryan's plan would fund medical savings accounts from which low-income people would pay minor out-of-pocket medical expenses. All Americans, regardless of income, would be allowed to establish MSAs -- tax-preferred accounts for paying such expenses. Ryan's plan would allow workers under 55 the choice of investing more than one-third of their current Social Security taxes in personal retirement accounts similar to the Thrift Savings Plan long available to, and immensely popular with, federal employees. This investment would be inheritable property, guaranteeing that individuals will never lose the ability to dispose every dollar they put into these accounts. Ryan would raise the retirement age. If, when Congress created Social Security in 1935, it had indexed the retirement age (then 65) to life expectancy, today the age would be in the mid-70s. The system was never intended to do what it is doing -- subsidizing retirements that extend from one-third to one-half of retirees' adult lives. Compare Ryan's lucid map to the Democrats' impenetrable labyrinth of health care legislation. Republicans are frequently criticized as "the party of no." But because most new ideas are injurious, rejection is an important function in politics. It is, however, insufficient. Fortunately, Ryan, assisted by Republican representatives Devin Nunes of California and Jeb Hensarling of Texas, has become a think tank, refuting the idea that Republicans lack ideas. more

Resolved Question: Why are some members of the tea party movement attacking President Obama on the bases of taxes?

Yes President Obama is letting the Bush tax cuts for people making over $250,000 a year expire but President Obama's stimulus bill had $282 billion in tax cuts. (if President Obama has increased taxes please post which piece of legislation it was) Individual Tax Cuts: 1. "Making Work Pay" Tax Credit (Sec. 1001, Page 195). In tax years 2009 and 2010, the Making Work Pay provision will provide a refundable tax credit of 6.2 percent of earned income up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married taxpayers filing joint returns. 2. Increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (Sec. 1002, Page 198). Go to the stimulus bill for all the details, but it essentially expands this benefit for the working poor. 3. Increased Eligibility for the Refundable Portion of Child Credit (Sec. 1003, Page 199). In 2009 and 2010, families who don’t earn enough to pay income tax would be eligible to claim the $1,000 child credit. 4. "American Opportunity" Education Tax Credit (Sec. 1004, Page 199). Increases the Hope Scholarship Credit to $2,500. 5. Refundable First-time Home Buyer Credit. (Sec. 1006, Page 202). This extended and increased the first-time home buyer tax credit from $7,500 to $8,000. 6. Temporary Suspension of Taxation of Unemployment Benefits (Sec. 1007, Page 203). This exempts from taxable gross income the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits. 7. Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Improvements to Existing Homes (Sec. 1121, Page 208). This provides up to a $1,500 tax credit for qualified energy efficiency improvements. 8. Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases (Sec. 1008, Page 203). This allows people to write off state and local sales taxes related to the purchase of a new vehicle costing up to $49,500. 9. Premium Credits for COBRA Continuation Coverage for Unemployed Workers (Sec. 6432, Page 348) 10. Economic Recovery Credits to Recipients of Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement and Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits (Sec. 2201, Page 336). This was a $250 payment for senior citizens, disabled veterans and disabled people living on Social Security benefits. 11. Computers as Qualified Education Expenses in 529 Education Plans (Sec. 1005, Page 202). This allows college students to write off the expense of computers and software, provided it's for educational purpose and not for games. 12. Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (Sec. 1141, Page 212). Allows purchasers of plug-in electric vehicles to write off up to $5,000 of their purchase (depending on the power of the battery). 13. Tax Parity for Transit Benefits (sec. 1151, Page 219). This relates to an increased exclusion amount for commuter transit benefits and transit passes. 14. Health Coverage Tax Credit Expansion (Sec. 1899, Page 309). Small Business Tax Cuts: 1. Extension of Enhanced Small Business Expensing (Sec. 1202, Page 221). This is a temporary increase in limitations on expensing some depreciable business assets. 2. 5-Year Carryback of Net Operating Losses for Small Businesses (Sec. 1211, Page 221). 3. Extension of Bonus Depreciation (Sec. 1201, Page 220). This extends by a year election to accelerate the AMT and Research Credits in lieu of bonus depreciation. 4. Exclusion of 75% of Small Business Capital Gains from Taxes (Sec. 1241, Page 228). 5. Temporary Small Business Estimated Tax Payment Relief (Sec. 1212, Page 222). 6. Temporary Reduction of S Corporation Built-In Gains Holding Period from 10 Years to 7 Years (Sec. 1251, Page 228). Other Business Tax Cuts: 1. Advanced Energy Investment Credit (Sec. 1302, Page 231). This relates to properties designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as those that produce energy from the sun, wind, geothermal deposits, fuel cells, microturbines, or an energy storage system for use with electric or hybrid-electric vehicles. 2. Tax Credits for Alternative Refueling Property (Sec. 1123, Page 211). This is a temporary increase for alternative fuel vehicle refueling businesses. 3. Work Opportunity Tax Credits for Hiring Unemployed Veterans and Disconnected Youth (Sec. 1221, Page 223). This is a tax credit to provide incentive to businesses to hire unemployed veterans and "disconnected youth." That latter term is defined, in part, as young adults "not readily employable by reason of lacking a sufficient number of basic skills." 4. Delayed Recognition of Certain Cancellation of Debt Income (Sec. 1231, Page 224). 5. Election to Accelerate Recognition of Historic AMT/R&D Credits (Sec. 1201, Page 220).American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to fact check me if you want to http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.txt.pdf more

Resolved Question: Any opinions on Acadiana in Washington, DC?

Suppose you have to establish a new company. Suggest in which item or items company should deal. How much sale of the item is required in order to reach at break even point depending on the suggested price of item, production capacity, fixed and variable cost associated with the item? Businesses have to plan for the future. Since equipment breaks down or wears out, business owners have to have the money to replace the equipment. In addition, money might be set aside for retirement benefits for their employees. Suggest if the company need to set aside the lump sum of money that will collect interest or company should purchase annuities. Support your suggestion with argument. more

Voting Question: Suggest in which item or items company should deal. How much sale of the item is required in order to reach a?

Voting Question: Suppose you have to establish a new company. Suggest in which item or items company should deal. How much sale?

Resolved Question: Want a good answer, it relates to the Business Mathematics and Statistics?

Resolved Question: Suppose you have to establish a new company.?

Resolved Question: Should I go into ROTC, or try to be a musician?

I'm having a vocational dilemma. College is drawing closer, faster. I was thinking about joining ROTC, because the military is a good deal. Also, I respect the hell out of the military, and I can retire at 40 with excellent retirement benefits. In college, I plan to get a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Pre-Law. The thing is though, my passion is music. One day, I did hope to go to the Musicians Institute and see how that panned out. What should I do? I've worked out a couple scenarios. I do ROTC, take the 4 years in college to hopefully get the rock star bug out of my system by gigging and whatnot, and enjoy my military career. Don't do ROTC, try to pay for college AND Musicians Institute (which isn't cheap), try to become a professional, and join the military before I'm too old assuming I am unsuccessful? Go through ROTC and serve my required years, then go to LA to try and be a musician, but miss out on the military's excellent retirement benefits. Serve my military career gigging in bars and clubs and hope that fulfills my desire to make music. Or avoid the military all-together, while trying to be a musician? Or just go to law school or get a normal job with my degrees? Just as a P.S., when I say rockstar, I was being facetious. All I meant was be a pro musician like a studio musician or something. I don't care if I don't make alot of money, as long as I can support myself. I know this all sounds kind of silly... but I've been losing sleep over this. I'd really appreciate any kind of help I could get. Maybe I should get an appointment with a therapist even? ThanksI appreciate the answers, but is there any more? more

Voting Question: How much to charge for professional Dog Walking?

I am planning on starting a dog walking Business. I'm 17, and I am going into Business with my 19 year old sister. We want to run it as a Professional Business. Do we need to be licensed? The town we live in is a retirement town, so there are many wealthy senior citizens with dogs. How much do you think we should charge? I was thinking 7/half hour, 12/hour. Does that sounds reasonable? Any other tips?haha, yeah Im in Sweden, but only for a year. I've lived in the US my whole life :) Thanks for the awesome answers so far! more

Resolved Question: Would it be good idea to start a business Planning wedding receptions not the weddings but the receptions?

And also retirement parties.......We don`t really want to do the weddings just the reception like contract different caterers and bands etc. more

Resolved Question: What is the ein number or federal ID # for Wystar Retirement ( which is a part of Wachovia)?

The link to them is below: https://retirementservices.wystar.com/Online/Financial/Business/Service?action=planworksLogin I need the EIN number and can not seem to get it or find it. I know they are a part of Wachovia and used to be called Allegient Plan Works....any help would be great! more

Resolved Question: Why do people not see the big picture of government waste of our tax dollars and do something about it?

All government, president, congress, senate, and all the way down the line, there is hugh waste of our tax dollars. Why do congressmen, and senate need to stay in a 4000 dollar a night hotel, when a typical hotel would do just as well, be flown on government jets, when they could pay for their own airline tickets, host parties, which they should be responsible for, take friends along, which should not be allowed unless they are footing the bill for them, stating its business when it's really a vacation. like the government having their own premier retirement, and health plan, and think about this, our government gave out stemulus checks to all big businesses, and think about how many of those there are in the us, now think about that they gave just one 750 BILLION dollars ( GM Motor company) which they used, or should I say wasted 500 BILLION paying themselves along with bonuses, then used the remaining 250 Billion to pay lawyers and lobbist, then they had the nerve to come back and ask, almost demand more money. So think about this, if our government could give just one company, just ONE, 750 Billion dollars, then why could they not help US the people they are suppose to be working for. Think about this, there are 308 million people in the U.S. say 150 million are head of household, owning or renting, our government could have given all 150 million people 100 THOUSAND dollars and only spent 15 billion dollars, but they did nothing to help us at all, but gave trillions and trillions of dollars to big businesses, So who do you think our government is really interested in helping, themselves, and big business, and NOT the people they were elected to serve and protect. If we the people would stand up and say enough is enough, and put a stop to this needless spending at our expense, and refuse to allow this any longer, then, just maybe then we would have our nation back where it belongs, in the hands of the people like it was suppose to be all along like our constitution reads, WE the People create this government by the people for the people, not by the government for the government, so when is enough enough ? more

Voting Question: Accumulating Money- Joseph read a lot about people who are success-oriented.?

1. He decided to test the numbers by seeing how much money he would accumulate by a retirement age of 65 if he put one paycheck away at the end of each year. Right now that would mean depositing 1,000 at year end for the next 35 years. Assuming he makes one yearly deposit of $1000 at 5% compounded annually, how much interest would he earn? Joseph was surprised at how large the sum would be and then realized that he would be able to put more money away in future years because most likely, his salary would go up. He also thought that he could invest the money over the long term at a higher interest rate, so he redid the calculations with $1,500 annual year end deposit at 8% for 35 years. What was his result? 3. Joseph was amazed at how much he could save in this manner and decided to design a detailed savings plan based on projected yearly increases. He realized that he could not start depositing $1,500 now, but that he would have able to deposit more than that in the future. If he were able to deposit $1,000 at the end of each yr for the next 5 yrs at 5% at 8% compounded annually, $1,500 at the end of yrs 6-10 at 8% compounded annually, and $2,000 at the end of the years 11 -35 at 5% compounded annually, how much would he accumulate at the end of 35 yrs? Assume that any balances from earlier depositing periods would continue to earn the same rate of annual interest. Use the table for future value of annuities. 4. By how much does the result differ from the amount calculated above for $1,500 deposited for 35 years? What accounts for the difference? 5. If Joseph decided that he wanted to have $300,000 accumulated in 30 years by making an annual payment at the end of each year that would earn 12% compounded annually, what would his sinking fund payment be? Reference Book is Business Math --Pearson Custom Publishing more

Voting Question: On the unemployment line - need financial advice?

Need advice - Should I sell or retirement? Help - Sell? Or Retirement or What? Maybe there are some people who went through a divorce who can help me. I have two grade school kids. I went through a divorce that ruined my credit when my husband left for another woman. He is a high powered lawyer and I couldn't afford one so he is paying minimum child support, less than the mortgage. I then lost my job. I have looked for another one for 7 months. I am over 45 and over educated so I can't even get a job at Sears. I need some financial planning advice. I have a home worth $250,000. The mortgage balance is $120,000. An apartment with two bedrooms in my area is $500 per month more than mortgage. I can't get an apartment because of my credit and no job. I have $50,000 in my retirement account. Question: Should I take out my retirement? It would help me pay the mortgage and expenese for three years. I would have to hope that I have a job or some business by then where I have income. I could sell the house but then where would I live? Maybe there are solutions that I do not see. I can't see. I have condidered suicide. I really need some guidance here. more

Resolved Question: Need advice - Should I sell or retirement?

Help - Sell? Or Retirement or What? Maybe there are some people who went through a divorce who can help me. I have two grade school kids. I went through a divorce that ruined my credit when my husband left for another woman. He is a high powered lawyer and I couldn't afford one so he is paying minimum child support, less than the mortgage. I then lost my job. I have looked for another one for 7 months. I am over 45 and over educated so I can't even get a job at Sears. I need some financial planning advice. I have a home worth $250,000. The mortgage balance is $120,000. An apartment with two bedrooms in my area is $500 per month more than mortgage. I can't get an apartment because of my credit and no job. I have $50,000 in my retirement account. Question: Should I take out my retirement? It would help me pay the mortgage and expenese for three years. I would have to hope that I have a job or some business by then where I have income. I could sell the house but then where would I live? Maybe there are solutions that I do not see. I can't see. I have condidered suicide. I really need some guidance here. more

Voting Question: Help - Sell? Or Retirement or What?

I went through a divorce that ruined my credit when my husband left for another woman. He is a high powered lawyer and I couldn't afford one so he is paying minimum child support, less than the mortgage. I then lost my job. I have looked for another one for 7 months. I am over 45 and over educated so I can't even get a job at Sears. I need some financial planning advice. I have a home worth $250,000. The mortgage balance is $120,000. An apartment with two bedrooms in my area is $500 per month more than mortgage. I can't get an apartment because of my credit and no job. I have $50,000 in my retirement account. Question: Should I take out my retirement? It would help me pay the mortgage and expenese for three years. I would have to hope that I have a job or some business by then where I have income. I could sell the house but then where would I live? Maybe there are solutions that I do not see. I can't see. I have condidered suicide. I really need some guidance here. more

Resolved Question: What are your thoughts on the Insurance from the Health Care Bill?

First. I have seen people make the arguments between vehicle and health care insurance mandatory debates and how some may or may not be rediculous. I see health insurance should be mandatory for everyone to buy and not be declined cause that is making some people be ADULTS. Yes, I agree the prices are too high and need to come down and that not everyone could afford it and some are denied it cause of health issues. I also see people go to the ER and complain when they get a medical bill cause they refuse to purchase the health insurance that they could have. Hospitals are a business whether you like it or not. The Hospital needs an income to pay the salary of the people that take care of the patients(YOU). If they are not on a salary then they need to be put on a government salary and retirement plan. The prices of medical costs have gone up cause of people skipping town on their medical bills!!!!!! Why else do you think they charge so much?? It is also for the legal insurance with the law suit happiness of people in our society. So my question is : Is the mandatory insurance (right, wrong, or indifferent) making some people grow up and be more responsible adults???I am not a supporter of the Insurance being issued by the government. I do think that some people have their priorities mixed up in what they should and should not pay for or balance for in their budget. more

Resolved Question: Peter Mandelson may contest next London mayor election, would you vote for him?

"Lord Mandelson recently sketched out possible retirement plans to live on a farm, but Labour insiders have become gripped by rumours that the business secretary may throw his hat in the ring for the 2012 mayoral election in London if the Tories win the general election." http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/dec/20/peter-mandelson-london-mayor-2012 more

Resolved Question: If I own a company with 1 employee and want to start a savings account?

If I work as a Business owner and have remaining (net) profits left, can I put this money into a savings account or a retirement type of plan, that way I can earn interest and not pay the remaining balance? Is this illegal? more

Resolved Question: Need Help With Setting Up a Flexible Personal Budget?

Hello everyone, I'm Mike - I'm 20 years old. I am setting up a personal budget worksheet but need some help with itemizing my savings to be a reasonable amount. I currently bring in $34,155 a year gross -- and $2,469.25 a month NET. My current monthly expenses are shown below and I need some help filling in the blanks... Thanks Rent - $750/month Water - $30/month Light - $60/month Food - $200/month Directv - $80/month Renters Ins. - $30/month Clothes - $100/month I have $1,219.25 at the end of each month left over after general expenses -- you will see I don't have cell phone, telephone, car insurance, and fuel.. that's one benefit, company vehicle etc etc. General Savings - $XXX.XX/month House Savings - $XXX.XX/month (plan to buy a house in 5 years.. thinking $375-$500) IRA/401k/Retirement - $XXX.XX/month (I do plan to retire and pass my business down some day :) ) Savings for school - $XXX.XX/month (Since high school graduation I have been focusing on the growth of my company, but taking classes that are pertinent to my business, obtaining all certifications, licenses, attending many training seminars, studying to become a state certified horticulturist etc etc. since there is not a school locally for a horticulture degree, I have researched and found a very well known school's curriculum and I have purchased the books off of amazon.com for a very good price, so I have been studying that for the knowledge..... my plan is in approximately a year to pursue a degree in business on top of working...ughh) Vacation - $XXX.XX (thinking $100??) Now ofcourse I expect in 2-3 years to be bringing in approximately 40-50k a year and can then be a lot more flexible with spending, but I am a firm believer in starting early especially with saving. more

Voting Question: WHat do you think about this? Just curious...?

I got this in my email. Just wanted to see what you guys thought about this. I especially want to see what liberals (who support bailouts) think. Of course, i believe this is way too easy to be carried out. It would never happen. But it is truly quite interesting. Below the line is the exact email I got.... ~~~~~~~~ This is from an article that appeared in the St. Petersburg Times Sunday. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the economy?” And I think this guy nailed it! Dear Mr. President: Please find below my suggestion for fixing America’s economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan: There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations: 1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed. (new employees need to be paid less, and expect basic benefits) 2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed. (sale tax, registration fee goes back to govt, auto insurance industry gets a boost) 3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed. (real estate tax and capital gains tax on all house sales, if any goes back to govt) It can’t get any easier than that! ----------------------------------------------------------------- If still more money is needed, 1. Stop 100% aid & trade with any unfriendly country, (90% of the UN) 2. Roll back and postpone the recent pay increase of all members of Congress 3. Fire any government official who does not pay their taxes, or breaks the law. 4. Visit and verify eligibility of every medicaid welfare recipient, at least twice a year using portable biometric equipment. 5. Inspect and audit records of all doctors who do bill Medicaid / Medicare 6. Inspect and audit ALL tax exempt organizations, cancel tax exempt status of any organization that fails, or refuses audit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What are your thoughts on this? If we are gonna go about bailing our way through this mess....this would be ideally more logical. I am, however, against the careless bailouts being brought forward 100% , but I wanted to see liberals believe about this. I sent this to my liberal friend and she thought it was genius. Thoughts? more

Resolved Question: is this good of what i wrote so far (the blanks i am writing still, this is a research paper for english )?

Accounting Not everyone knows what career choice they would like when they are young. I on the other hand, am pretty sure I know. I want to be an accountant. To many people, this job may be the most tedious ever, but to me it is interesting. There are a lot of jobs out there that are target to help a certain group of people. Accounting is not just targeted at one group, but is capable of helping the entire world. Planning ahead is very important to me. I grew up in house where both of my parents were not very successful. My dad went into the army after he finished high school. My mom did not finish high school and is now taking care of old ladies. They tell me and my siblings to go to college so we can get a good job, settle into a house and then make a family. As I was growing up my interests became different all the time, I finally realized that through everything I have always been good at math and it is quite interesting to me, and accounting fits my interests so it is the perfect job for me. Body paragraph 1 I believe that accounting as a good career choice for me because the basic qualifictations that are required to be an accountant I have. Such as doing basic math like, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and possibly division. To do this job I should also have a good memory, which I have. The reason I would need a good memory is because I need to remember what accounts increase on the debit side, and what accounts decrease on the credit side. I also need to be able to take full responsibility of everything I do. Why? Well because in accounting there are certain steps that I have to take in order to reach the end and If I do not do them in the order they belong then others are going to have a difficult time doing their job. I am learning in my accounting class that in accounting I have to start from the beginning and work till the end. body paragraph 2 In order to be an accountant I need to get atleast a bachelor’s degree either in accounting or a related field such as: a certified public accountant, a system accountant, or a tax accountant. Some jobs may require a master’s degree in business administration. Having the certification or license to be an accountant will certainly give you and advantage for obtaining a job. body paragraph 3 body paragraph 4 Body paragraph 5 Accountants have a wide range in salaries because of the size of firms, the location of the firms, and the level of education. If you have up to one year in experience you are able to make any where from $28,250 to $45,000. With one to three years you can make 33,000 to 52,000, senior accountants make anywhere between 40,750 to 69,750. Financial managers are one of the top employees of accounting and they can make anywhere from 48,000 to 90,000 dollars. Finally the top employees of accounting firms make any where from 64,750 to 200,750. Getting my bachelors degree in accounting will start me off with 43,269 a year, and If I were to get my masters degree I could start with 46,251 which is a good start. The benefits that come with this job are amazing, I would most likely get paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, profit sharing, and retirement plans. If you have any special skiils you can make double or triple the top salary range. body paragraph 6 body paragraph 7 body paragraph 8 conclusionBody paragraph 4 Many of the activities done in accounting firms all across the world probably do most of the same tasks. In the accounting class I am taking right now we are learning exactly what real accountants do. I think that the job is quite simple but many think it is tough. The basics are keeping track of businesses money, writing check, and making sure that everything adds up correctly. It could be really simple or it could be really tough depending on if I am capable of remembering what accounts do what and being able to know how to add and subtract. I would also need to know how to take full responsibility for the things I do, because if I do something wrong my colleagues could be penalized for it. With being an accountant comes the responsibility of making sure that the nation’s firms are being run correctly, making sure that the public records are accurate and kept that way, and that taxes are paid on time. This is a really tough job because a lot of people during this tBody paragraph 4 Many of the activities done in accounting firms all across the world probably do most of the same tasks. In the accounting class I am taking right now we are learning exactly what real accountants do. I think that the job is quite simple but many think it is tough. The basics are keeping track of businesses money, writing check, and making sure that everything adds up correctly. It could be really simple or it could be really tough depending on if I am capable of remembering what accounts do what and being able to know how to add and subtract. I would also need to know how to take full responsibility for the things I do, because if I do something wrong my colleagues could be penalized for it. With being an accountant comes the responsibility of making sure that the nation’s firms are being run correctly, making sure that the public records are accurate and kept that way, and that taxes are paid on time. This is a really tough job because a lot of people during this tBody paragraph 7 In an accounting firm I would be working in an office either for a business, a private accounting firm, or for the government. I would be working at least forty hours a week, occasionally working fifty. In between the months of January and mid April I will be working many overtime hours due to taxes being due.body paragraph 8 Depending on what type of an accountant I become I may need to travel. If I become an accountant for a public accounting firm or a government agency I may need to travel a lot, because I will need to be able to see all the clients I have. I also may need to provide audit at branches of an accounting firm. more

Resolved Question: Pro HealthCare please help me?

Ok for one of my social studies classes I have to write a debate to be pro healthcare im not really pro i dont know anything , here it is: Pro Health Care Reform There has been so much buzz about health care recently and as you may know Obama is the leader of it, we are here today to convince you to be pro health care First we have two true stories about people who's problems could have been fixed by health care: The first is about a woman named Lori Hitchcock. Lori is currently self-employed and trying to start a business, but she has hepatitis C, she cannot find an insurance company that will cover her. The second is about a man who lost his health coverage in the middle of chemotherapy because the insurance company discovered that he had gallstones, which he hadn't known about when he applied for his policy. Because his treatment was delayed, he died. This is happening to more and more people every day, so that is why we need to pass health care reform know. There are four main ways the reform will provide more stability and security to every American. 1.If people don't have health insurance, the reform will give them a choice of high-quality, affordable coverage for people and there families. This will be high quality coverage that will stay with users if they move, change jobs, or lose there job. 2.Reform will finally bring sky high healthcare cost under control, which means real savings for families, businesses and our government. 3.The reform will make Medicare more efficient, so the government will be able to ensure that more tax dollars go directly to caring for seniors, instead of just putting the money into the insurance's pocketbooks. 4.The Health Care plan will also reduce the amount our seniors pay for their prescription drugs. Some of the statistics of Health Insurance are: 1.nearly 50 million Americans don't have health insurance 2.25 million are under insured 3.that number has grown nearly 60% over the past four years 4.the amount people pay for health insurance increased 30% from 2001 to 2005 5.the income only increased 3% 6. almost 50% of personal bankruptcies are due to medical expenses 7.25% of people choose employment based on better health benefits 8.it cost an estimated $635,000to cover healthcare cost in retirement 9.insurance cost are outpacing income by 8 folds 10.the cost of healthcare causes bankruptcy every 30 seconds 11.1/3 of the U.S. Population has no insurance 12.health insurance is the fastest growing expense cost component for employers 13.health insurance premiums have grown four times faster than wages If we maintain the rate , we will continue to see 14,000 Americans lose there health insurance every day Premiums will continue to skyrocket our deficit will continue to grow insurance companies will continue to profit by discriminating against sick people The presidents plan is to create a government-sponsored health insurance program that would be an for all Americans Millions of people who don't get insurance through their employer try to get insurance on their own and are turned down because they have a pre-existing condition. (show map of health insurance coverage status) The health care reform will preserve the employer-based health care system, meaning an estimated 200 million Americans will continue to get their coverage through their employers It will also allow people to choose their own doctors and hospitals Health care reform will not give the government the power to make life or death decisions for anyone Health care reform will help ensure doctors are paid fairly so they will continue to treat Medicare patients The health care reform will help lower prescription drug costs for people in the Medicare Part D coverage gap so they can better afford the drugs they need The health care reform will also strengthen the financial status of the Medicare program The president and congress have committed to producing legislation that will be paid for so it won't saddle our children and grandchildren with debt If we do nothing the share of your income spent on health care will nearly double in the seven years IN THE END In the end. When one in three Americans say someone in their family skipped pills, postponed or cut back on needed medical care due to the cost; when countless bankruptcies are related to medical expenses; when the number of uninsured approaches 50 million; when government spending on health programs rises so rapidly that it jeopardizes other priorities; and when employers struggle to pay for the cost of health care, the fact is we can't afford not to fix health care. ok thats it please comment and keep in mind i have to debate about it, and yes i did make it myself, please help by giving ways to improve or tell me the weaknesses too. THANKS!!!!! more

Resolved Question: In desperate need of financial literacy homework help?

Ok so I have been trying to do these problems for a couple hours now, and I still can't figure them out. Please help and give as much detail in your answers as possible so I can understand it. Thank you! Herman and Grace Rohrbach are in their mid-thirties. They are reasonably well off financially insofar as Grace's mother has established a trust fund to educate their two children. The Rohrbachs lead rather simple lives and have no desires for lavish spending. However, they do face one major financial challenge: how to have sufficient resources in their retirement years. Herman owns his own camera shop and Grace has no employment income, although she often works in Herman's store. The Rohrbachs have accumulated around $50,000 in savings, which is invested in a bond mutual fund, currently earning 5 percent after taxes. They have no other savings programs, either personal or through the business. If Herman retired today, his only income would be Social Security, which he estimates to be $18,000 annually. He would sell the business immediately prior to retirement. He has no idea what it will be worth then, but he believes he could get $100,000 for it today. To live a comfortable retirement, the Rohrbachs think they need an annual income comparable to their current one, which is $60,000 after income taxes. The Rohrbachs clearly need help to determine if they need to increase their annual savings to meet their retirement goal. Finally, the Rohrbachs will live off Social Security and interest from accumulated savings available at retirement. They will not touch any principal in their savings accounts, preferring instead to leave that money to their children. Retirement is planned in 30 years. 1. Social Security is indexed to inflation. IF the inflation rate is 3 percent over the next 30 years, how much Social Security income will the Rohrbachs receive? How much will their income (currently 60,000) be at that time, assuming it grows at the 3 percent rate? How much, then, will be the shortfall -- the difference between the two? 2. How much will be in the bond fund at retirement, assuming that it continues to earn 5 percent? 3. Herman has a very good location for his camera shop and can renew the lease indefinitely into the future. Suppose that its value increases by 10 percent annually over the next 30 years. How much will it then be worth? 4. Combine your answers to questions 2 and 3. The total represents an amount available to the Rohrbachs at the beginning of retirement. Now assume that they sell the camera shop and put the proceeds into the bond fund, and the fund continues to earn 5 percent during their retirement years. Are these annual earnings sufficiently high to meet the income shortfall determined in question 1? Your answer should be "no." Determine how much they must invest each year to accumulate a sufficient amount, which can also be deposited into a bond fund. Assume they earn 12 percent on these annual (end-of-year) investments.Thanks buz that's helped, but i still don't understand how to finish number four. I got all of the answers correct up until that point. Could anyone give extra help? Thanks a bunch! more

Resolved Question: I need help understanding what this company does?

I have a job interview tomorrow for an internship and I have been reading over this a lot in the past couple of days, I still don't think that I could explain what they do if asked in an interview. Could someone please explain this in terms that a non business major can grasp: "We are a progressive, team- oriented legal/pension consulting firm of 30+ employees. We concentrate in the design and administration of qualified retirement plans for closely held businesses. We are a tax law consulting firm that designs, administers and consults on qualified retirement plans. The firm works with business owners, accountants and investment advisors who want to maximize plan contributions for owners, family members and select employees.We have developed an IRS-approved plan that goes far beyond the traditional 401(k) contribution. The plan is adaptable to business changes and meets all government non-discrimination requirements." more

Resolved Question: can i withdraw from my soc. sec or pension plan?

I need some money to execute a short term business with great returns but don't have the funds - banks are not lending money. How can one draw money from their retirement savings - social security or pension plan or Medicare savings...(the ROI should cover any fees and leave good profit in my pocket). Any other suggestions are welcome as long as I don't have to be a 680+ credit score. Thanks for your inputs. more

Resolved Question: Why the rush for a healthcare plan..?

I'm just curious about this sudden rush for this something, anything..after all these years.The Obama administration wants to take billions of dollars out of the Medicare program -from seniors & those w/disabilities- in order to finance this; Secondly, they want to cut the payments to Medicare doctors & specialist who treat them -the result of that will surely be that more of these fine professionals will simply cease taking Medicare patients altogether. Thirdly, a government system will put all or most insurance companies out of business. Fourthly, whatever happened to government setting price controls on Pharmaceuticals so that Americans don't have to pay the highest price in the world for their drugs? It is a fact that we pay more for them than ANY other country in the world for drugs -what happened? What happened is that the Obama admin made 'a deal' w/the Pharmaceutical Industry so that they would 'embrace' their healthcare plan -no matter what, in exchange for the government not asking to bargain for lower prices. There are many Americans perhaps 10yrs or more so before retirement losing their jobs, or simply not being hired because there are younger people willing to work for a lot less -where do these people go for healthcare? I think it's far better for the government to work in INCREMENTAL stages for a healthcare system, seeking a broad consensus for the nation -not a few ultra-Liberal political hacks & some of their looniest ideas brought to fruition, at the taxpayer's expense. As well, I think everyone surely knows that a National Healthcare Systerm will assure illegal-aliens, people who don't belong here in the first place -a new program to leach off of- costing the taxpayer even more as their numbers keep exploding -if denied it, they will take it to the courts & it will be tied up in legal battle for years. These are all good reason against a government-run healtplan & NOT to rush anything into place; YES we need healthcare reform, I disagree that we need a government-run system for EVERYBODY.'Sweet Emotion' -I think it's quite obvious that you don't know what you're talking about -but that wouldn't be a first for a Liberal.. more

Resolved Question: Would I live a sad life if I don't plan on having friends or a girlfriend?

The only thing that matters to me at this point is money. Even as a child I coveted money. Money seemed to be the answer to my problems coming from a poor family with both parents being divorced and me not having alot of things as a child, and also having to miss out on most things children get. So I was motivated to get good grades and get a degree from a top school. That is why I have no time to go partying and making friends and have never had a friend. I usually stick to myself and barely ever talk at all. After graduating with all my schooling intact I plan on working 10 hours a day keeping a business on the side so that I can enjoy retirement as a mutli millionaire. I've already lived a life of no friends, no girl friend, and no money, so wouldn't I be happy with a life of at least money? I lack most social skills to even make friends so shouldn't I use the one thing I've been given as a gift, my brain? more

Resolved Question: This is a question to all college students...?

What business's are located within a 1/2 mile from your college/university. OR what type of business/store/restaurant/etc would you frequent if it was located close to your school? I am looking for data on what would be a successful business/franchise. Please be specific with your answers and name as many as possible. Thank you SO much! It has been such a long time since I have been that age and I want to rent out space as part of my retirement plan. more

Resolved Question: I plan to be a virgin for life?

Why do people act like it's so difficult? Really all you need to be is socially inactive and just avoid most women. Besides being sexually active will only hinder my life long dream of becoming a millionaire. So if I concentrate 24/7 on my studies throughout college and business school, then in my career work 10 hours a day without any vacation until I finally become a millionaire and then enjoying my riches in my retirement. How can I then be thinking about a sex life? more

Resolved Question: 2 things: IS it ever too early to "plan" your future(deets) and do you like these names?

Ok here is my life plan: finish school Go to college of my choice Get married Have a child Get OUR first house start a stable career Have another child or two (I want them two or three years apart. I want ATLEAST 1 boy and 1 girl) start my own business and live life until retirement I guess ha ha, I never get this far.. (: Ok, do do you like these names: Boys--- Paulo Alexander Mathew Gordon Ryan Bailey Girls-- Isabella Ranee Rachel Storm Alexanderia Emily more

Resolved Question: Are you aware that under Obamacare you likely will NOT be able to keep your private plan as he said?

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/health_care_reform_obama.fortune/ 4. Freedom to keep your existing plan This is the freedom that the President keeps emphasizing. Yet the bills appear to say otherwise. It's worth diving into the weeds -- the territory where most pundits and politicians don't seem to have ventured. The legislation divides the insured into two main groups, and those two groups are treated differently with respect to their current plans. The first are employees covered by the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974. ERISA regulates companies that are self-insured, meaning they pay claims out of their cash flow, and don't have real insurance. Those are the GEs (GE, Fortune 500) and Time Warners (TWX, Fortune 500) and most other big companies. The House bill states that employees covered by ERISA plans are "grandfathered." Under ERISA, the plans can do pretty much what they want -- they're exempt from standard packages and community rating and can reward employees for healthy lifestyles even in restrictive states. But read on. The bill gives ERISA employers a five-year grace period when they can keep offering plans free from the restrictions of the "qualified" policies offered on the exchanges. But after five years, they would have to offer only approved plans, with the myriad rules we've already discussed. So for Americans in large corporations, "keeping your own plan" has a strict deadline. In five years, like it or not, you'll get dumped into the exchange. As we'll see, it could happen a lot earlier. The outlook is worse for the second group. It encompasses employees who aren't under ERISA but get actual insurance either on their own or through small businesses. After the legislation passes, all insurers that offer a wide range of plans to these employees will be forced to offer only "qualified" plans to new customers, via the exchanges. The employees who got their coverage before the law goes into effect can keep their plans, but once again, there's a catch. If the plan changes in any way -- by altering co-pays, deductibles, or even switching coverage for this or that drug -- the employee must drop out and shop through the exchange. Since these plans generally change their policies every year, it's likely that millions of employees will lose their plans in 12 months. more

Resolved Question: What do you think of my letter to President Obama?

Dear President Obama: I'm planning to move my family and extended family into Mexico for my health, and I would like to ask you to assist me. We're planning to simply walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico , and we'll need your help to make a few arrangements. We plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Calderon, that I'm on my way over? Please let him know that I will be expecting the following: 1. Free medical care for my entire family. 2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not. 3. Please print all Mexican government forms in English. 4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers. 5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history. 6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school. 7. Please plan to feed my grandkids at school for both breakfast and lunch. 8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services. 9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico , but, I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws. 10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer 11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put US. flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals. 12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start. 13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say a critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy. 14. I want to receive free food stamps. 15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies. 16. I'll need Income tax credits so although I don't pay Mexican Taxes, I'll receive money from the government. 17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Gov't pays $ 4,500 to help me buy a new car. 18. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement. I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all his people who come to the U.S. from Mexico . I am sure that President Calderon won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely. Thank you so much for your kind help. You the man!!! Joe American Cincinnati, OH more

Resolved Question: Do you think the Obama WH is trying to nudge citizens into doing preferred behavior?

Basically instead of writing legislation that gives people the option to opt in, you instead write the legislation so that people are in by default and must opt out. This seems to imply that the govt. knows better what's best for the people than the people themselves. The "default" would be for all the stupid people not smart enough to opt in on their own. Do you think this is a good way to write legislation?? http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20091028/us_time/08599193278900 The classic example of the power of the default is the opt-out 401(k) savings plan. In a 2001 study, only 36% of the participants signed up for a retirement savings plan when they had to opt in - even though their employers were matching their contributions. Free money, and only 36% took it! But when participants were automatically signed up for the same plan but given the chance to opt out, 86% of them stuck with it. Scholars have found similar status-quo results with organ donations. If we have to sign up, very few of us become organ donors. If we have to opt out, most of us remain organ donors. Similarly, when our electronic gadgets come with the energy-saving auto-power-down function enabled, we're cool with that; if we have to enable it ourselves, we rarely bother. (See 10 players in health-care reform.) This kind of behavior doesn't fit into neoclassical economic models, which assume that human beings are rational agents who act in their own best interests. In the real world, human beings are human beings. Sometimes we're too dumb to know our own best interests. Sometimes we're too lazy to slog through the forms to figure out our own best interests. Often we're conformists; we assume the default must be the default because that's what most people do, and we're desperate not to be social deviants. These insights are at the core of the challenge to traditional neoclassicism posed by behavioral economics, which has burst into prominence in the Obama Administration. Budget director Peter Orszag is so obsessed with defaults that he used to bring a copy of that 401(k) study to all his meetings; chief regulator Cass Sunstein co-authored a book called Nudge that's all about defaults and other noncoercive policies that can promote desired behaviors. The Administration has pushed one nudge after another, from simplified financial-aid forms after studies showed they could increase college-attendance rates to automatic savings plans for small businesses. It even doled out our payroll-tax cuts in the stimulus bill by decreasing our weekly withholding rather than cutting us big lump-sum checks, because the research suggested we'd be less likely to notice it and more likely to spend it.guru............Don't you see a difference between educated individuals and a mass of drones?? more

Resolved Question: Young Marriage vs. Work - please help?

So I am 25 years old and so is my husband. We have been married for almost two months now. My husband has his own business and he is very well off financially for now. The business that he has can fail anytime. He thinks that he has a couple years of life left in it, and then he would need to find something different or go and work for someone else. For that reaosn he is in school full time right now getting his Masters as a fallback plan. Our schedule is very tough. He goes to work from 9-6 and then he has class every week night from 6:30 until 10. So we eat dinner, talk for a bit and go to bed. Recently, he started working weekends. By weekends I mean during the day, so he is still home after 6 and we can go out then, etc. We just never get to do day stuff on those weekends or wake up together nad lay in bed. Weekends are the only time that we really ahve with each other, although it still includes errands, homework etc. So I can't wait till the weekend. He explains to me that typically if he needs to come into work on those weekends its because he stands to make thousands of dollars, especially now during holiday season. So his quote is "I want to milk this thing for as long as I can because I dont know how long it will be there fr, with people losing jobs". We live in a very nice house, drive very ncie cars, and have a very nice lifestyle. I am perfectly fine having what we have now or even less, but he is a more ambitious one already thinking of sending kids to college, our retirement etc. It really bothers me that we are not on the same page. I talk to him about it almost every single day and he is getting sick of it. He claims that he is the one who gets up at 7 in the morning and comes back at 10 at night and he is not complaining. But I, who have much more free time, nag him to death instead of being supportive. So recently, in the middle of a fight he asked me...do you want me to miss those opportunities on the weekends when we are talking about thousands of dollars, and some pocket change so that we can go to a movie or something? I don't know what to respond...what is right...but I do know that I am feeling neglected and that I miss him. Would I be unreasonable for telling him to miss those opportunities sometimes? more

Resolved Question: Best IRA to put my money?

I am recently married and business is going OK. I want to save some for the future. What is the best retirement plan? Is there a good tax-free IRA? Thanks! more

Resolved Question: anyone good with economics?

1. What is the opportunity cost of a decision? (1 point) the series of alternative decisions that could have been made the best possible way the question could have been decided the different ways that a different person might have made the decision the most desirable alternative given up for the decision 2. What is the purpose of competition? (1 point) to act as a regulating force in the marketplace to cause producers to attempt to put each other out of business to cause buyers to have to be careful about spending their money to act as a motivating force behind the free market 3. What incentive motivates a manufacturer to sell a product? (1 point) making profits on sales putting others out of business pleasing the consumer popularity of the product 4. All of the following are types of decisions that can be made at the margin EXCEPT (1 point) whether to grow beans or corn on a large farm. whether or not to hire 100 new workers. whether to leave early in the morning or late in the day for a trip. whether or not to go on a vacation. 5. Which of the following is a critical rule for determining whether something is a public good? (1 point) The benefit to each individual who uses the facility is greater than the cost. The benefits of the facility are greater for the society than for the individuals using it. The total benefits to society are greater than the total cost. The total cost is small for each individual taxpayer. 6. What best describes the role of government in a free enterprise system? (1 point) Control business activities. Decide what companies will be formed and then allow the managers to run them. Allow individuals to operate their businesses in ways they think will maximize their profits. Require companies to disclose information to consumers. 7. The government of a country must make a decision between increasing military spending and subsidizing wheat farmers. This kind of decision is a (1 point) guns or butter issue. decision at the margin. global trade-off. basic economic decision. 8. What is one benefit provided by Social Security? (1 point) medical care for the indigent cash transfers to workers injured on the job compensation for all who lose jobs retirement income for the elderly 9. The resources used to make all goods and services are the (1 point) production possibilities. factors of production. production trade-offs. opportunity costs. 10. What is positive externality? (1 point) a way to generate trade that will benefit people who are from other countries an economic side effect that generates unexpected benefits a cash flow that will benefit both the government and the businesses who interact with it an extra payment to welfare recipients 11. What is a factory building an example of? (1 point) human capital physical capital an economic trade-off technology 12. Which of the following is NOT a key economic question? (1 point) What goods and services should be produced? How should these goods and services be produced? Who consumes these goods and services? How should it be ensured that goods and services are paid for? 13. Production possibilities frontiers curve when they are charted on a graph because they show (1 point) the underutilization of resources. the maximum output of goods and services. the increasing costs resulting in increasingly less output. the technological level of the economy's productivity. 14. Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a centrally planned economy? (1 point) The central government owns all land and capital. The central government makes all economic decisions. Each collective or factory sets its own goals. Each person is assigned a job. 15. Which of the following is NOT an example of a public good? (1 point) shopping malls national parks highways municipal libraries 16. What does the process of specialization do for an economy? (1 point) It makes it more efficient. It eliminates unemployment. It fosters competition. It makes it easier to control. 17. What is the function of an economic system? (1 point) to make sure all people have equal access to goods to produce and distribute goods and services to give all producers the same access to consumers to make sure people are paid for their labor 18. What is the struggle among various producers for the consumer's business called? (1 point) socialism competition incentive self-regulation 19. Why does even a free market economy need some government intervention? (1 point) to provide for things that the marketplace does not address to ensure that the government has the freedom to tax as necessary to make sure that the government can fulfill its needs for military personnel so that the government has some control over factory resources 20. Who decided what the farmers would produce on Soviet collectives? (1 point) the farmers the military the governmenif you know any answers, that will help. thankyou more

Voting Question: Is it worth it to get your CPA license if you only plan on using it PT?

I work for Costco Wholesale in Financial Accounting as an analyst for one our departments. I look at individual orders all the way to the department P&L's and gross margin numbers. I like what I do and the pay isn't bad. I know I can make more elsewhere, but I've been with the company for 18 yrs and at the age of 40 I'm a little scared to leave. Mind you, I have no kids nor am I married. Condo owner with little to no debt minus the mortgage. I meet all the requirements to take the exam and am seriously thinking about it in the next 1-3 years. I plan on taking the Becker Review. The classes are conveniently located less than 10 minutes from where I live. Here is my dilemma. I'm not sure I want to quit Costco and I know for a fact I do not want to move up into management (quite honestly, a CPA license would be total overkill at Costco). I was thinking that if I did get my license I could get something going on a part time basis. My question is....just how feasible is this? I mean, I know I could find some work during tax season, but if that's all that I'm going to be able to do, why get the license. I'm wondering if there is someone out there who is a part time CPA? :) I can slowly see myself weening off the Costco tit (so to speak) and developing my own side business and having it turn into something on a more full time basis, but this isn't something I would want to do until close to retirement age. It's too scarey for me to leave that security I have at Costco (6 weeks vacation, great benefits and the NOT low man on the totem pole). Guess I'm looking for words of encouragement or to see if there is anyone else out there who thinks this is a feasible plan :) more

Resolved Question: Speaking with reality in mind, what is it REALLY going to take to fix our government?

We are all really good at pointing out the flaws within our system, and within our nation. But has anyone really truly thought about what its going to take to clean up this mess when we have single handedly given the government more power than we held for ourselves? The US government owns our big business. In a trickle down path they own our jobs, and even our cars. They supply funding for our people movers (planes trains and buses) They own our retirement. They own our homes (they bought the banks, remember?) They can tax us for existing, and invent new ways yearly. They control what we eat, how we eat, and what we grow (anyone paying attention to the new legislation planning to monitor even something as benign as a home garden?) We're looking at handing over our health care as well. What freedom does that leave? The freedom to dislike it. But have we considered what it really might take to fix it? Because I really dont know how it could ever be fixed? The system of representation for the people is broken- we can only elect those who are pre-chosen, for one thing. So how? more