Why Should You Become an Entrepreneur?

By Ken Cobb

Starting your own business can be one of the best decisions you ever make. It can also be one of the most daunting. The pleasures and joys of running your own business can far exceed the small successes one might hope to experience working for another, but the stresses can be greater too. Still one can’t truly know until they are in the position of making a sale, that will directly affect their financial future, how truly freeing it can be to walk that tightrope. The future can be unlimited, which is more than can be said for most jobs.

Life as an entrepreneur is one of hard work, discipline, determination, and perseverance. But it can also be one of almost unqualified happiness. Here’s why... One of the main things that attracts many people to entrepreneurship and the founding of a home based business is the freedom to make one’s own schedule. If this sounds like something you would like to have control over, you should think about becoming an entrepreneur. It doesn’t necessarily mean less work–put that out of your mind before you ever take the first steps. People who begin their own home business with the idea that they will work fewer hours are usually very disappointed. A home business–if it is to succeed–takes more work, not less, than your previous day job. But the freedom to work your own hours is definitely there. There will be no boss telling you to be at work on time. There’s no dress code. There’s no morning commute. If the kids have to go to a doctor’s appointment or you want to go to the grocery store in the middle of the day, you’re free to do so. For many, this sense of freedom is what having a home business is all about.

Did I say freedom? Let's take it to another level! What about the control that goes hand in hand with freedom? Think about the control you will gain over your own destiny! Success or failure will be entirely in up to you. If you feel like you should be making more money, go out and get it any way you can. The only thing limiting you will be your own wit and determination. There won’t be a boss telling you that the coffers are closed, and yes, you’ve been doing a great job, but shucks, we just can’t afford to give you a raise right now. Five years from now, with the right idea and an enormous amount of work, you could be a millionaire! Is there any hope of achieving that dream at your current job?

One of the primary attractions to opening one’s own home business is the chance to take a talent or a favorite activity and turn it into a living. Do you enjoy creating web pages? Making graphic art? Making crafts? Designing T-shirts? Whatever you like to do, chances are there’s someone out there who might like to pay you for it. The chance for you to take your passions and turn it into a living is something most people would kill for but you don’t have to kill anyone, you just have to have the guts and the self confidence to go out and do it!

Ken Cobb is the founder and CEO of Next Level Enterprises, LLC an industry leader in home business Internet Marketing, Consulting and CRM Solutions.

For more information: info@NextLevelEnterprises.com

Are Baby Boomers Healthier Than Their Parents?

By Joseph Wilson

When it comes to baby boomer health, the individuals who are inching
their way towards retirement or have already stopped working are
displaying a disturbing trend showcasing poorer health than their
parents. Evidence suggests that the status of baby boomer health
paints the picture of health conscious, youthful looking people with
varying health concerns despite their increased knowledge of fitness,
diet, and physical conditioning.

Today, many surveys on baby boomers have revealed that they too view
their vitality as less than their parents possessed at the same age.
On the whole, as this particular generation ages, a higher incidence
of health problems concerning mobility has also been reported. Baby
boomers face a higher risk of encountering difficulty climbing a
flight of stairs, completing their daily routines, or getting out of a
sitting position with ease. Chronic health issues, such as
hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes are also glaring concerns
pertaining to the health of a baby boomer.

A distressing trend is growing where baby boomers are surpassing the
medical concerns of older generations. Despite the advancements in
medicine and science, increased knowledge of alternative medical
treatments, and easier access to information regarding health topics,
the progression of unhealthy trends are seriously hampering the
longevity of baby boomers.

One of the worst offenders is found in the rise in obesity, as 2/3 of
Americans are overweight, which adds to the weakening of joints,
muscles, and bones. The extra weight causes cholesterol levels and
blood pressure to skyrocket. An assortment of life-threatening health
problems also come into play. Ironically, the gym memberships that
baby boomers subscribe to don't even match the physical activity of
their parents (or even their grandparents) because their daily
routines are often confined to desk duty or involve constant travel by
car.

The typical picture of a baby boomer is often seen as an educated
individual full of health and vigor, yet not all people in the
generation attended college and not everyone follows a healthy
lifestyle. The higher levels of stress that older generations tended
not to face also contributes to the poor or failing health of a baby
boomer, as job security, unemployment, social security woes, increased
health care, the war, and busy schedules all have a more profound
effect.

The health of baby boomers differs from older generations because many
people are working two jobs, lacking sufficient sleep, facing unstable
life factors, take less time to relax, and have fewer social outlets.
On the other hand, life expectancy rates have continued to rise over
the years and disability rates are experiencing a steady drop.
Illnesses are receiving early diagnosis and treatment, as boomers are
also able to gain better control of conditions, such as heart disease
and diabetes.

In some cases, baby boomers will enter retirement healthier in certain
areas of medical concerns than their parents. For example, it is
proven that they are less likely to indulge in tobacco products, but
will still face a new crop of health concerns. A rise in dental,
hearing, and vision problems has been discovered. Now, baby boomers
are usually susceptible to obesity, Alzheimer's disease, chronic
health conditions, issues with drugs and alcohol, psychiatric
problems, and experience more pain.

Sadly, the health of a baby boomer is declining and this only means
more problems for society on a whole, as rising health care costs
reflect the elevated need for medical attention. Overall, despite
medical advancements, effective treatments, and better medical
education, the parents of baby boomers managed to stay more active,
face less health issues, and enter their golden years with fewer
problems than their children.

Joseph Wilson is a writer and baby boomer who enjoys providing advice
and tips on a wide variety of topics including baby boomer health and
baby boomer retirement planning

Retirement Financial Planning and Retirement Ideas

By Anthony J Smith

Too soon we get old, and too late we get smart is the old Yiddish
proverb. This applies to most people as they do retirement planning.
Retirement ideas range from imagining yourself living in a life of
luxury, playing golf, taking 9 month vacations, and enjoying life,
down to living in a retirement community where your basic needs are
taken care of. Failing to plan for your retirement can have very
negative consequences on the quality of your retired life.

To do proper retirement financial planning, you should start early –
that's the "too late smart" part of the proverb. You're getting older
every day – are you getting smarter? Fortunately, there are retirement
books that can help you with this. One of the most important is
"401(k) Basics" by Motley Fool publishing. It will steer you into how
to make the most of a company 401(k) plan, while taking an
unsentimental retirement view – telling you that there is no fast road
to riches, only steady, regular savings and investing will help ensure
you against retirement losses.

Your retirement benefits should contain a mix of growth funds early
on, wealth preservation funds and income generation tools as you age –
this can be found online through a number of retirement calculators,
and will help you plan the day when you can send your company your
retirement letters and say "I'll be on the golf course!" Most
retirement calculators are driven by an investing rule called the Rule
of 72 – take 72 and divide it by your rate of return in points (for
example, getting 6% on a savings account or CD) and that will tell you
how many years it takes for your investment to double. In this case,
72 divided by 6 is 12, meaning that sitting an investment down in a 6%
account means it will double in 12 years.

Remember that slow and steady contributions win the day; you can't
rush this later in life. Start early, invest everything you can afford
to, and know that your money is working for you in the long term. If
you're eligible for a 401(k) program, you should take it – it benefits
you in multiple ways, from employee matching (which doubles your
investment) to being take out of your paycheck before taxes (which is
fundamentally giving you a 20-35% increase in the net investment from
doing it in post-tax income) to tax deferral on the interest it
accrues. A 401(k) is by far and away the best retirement investment
vehicle possible.

One thing you should not count on is Social Security; due to changing
demographics, we're going to be disbursing more from Social Security
than it takes in in about 5 to 10 years, and the fund will literally
run out at the current rate of contributions in thirty years. Presume
that you're on your own and plan accordingly.

For further ideas on retirement, check out the advice at
http://retirementinformation4u.com.

Anthony Smith is a 1978 graduate of the Ohio State School of Business.
Read all Anthony's articles on Health Insurance at:
http://healthinsuranceinfo4u.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_J_Smith

Retirement Planning For Baby Boomer's: Three Reasons to Plan Even If You Don't Want to Retire

By David Skill

Many Baby Boomers love their work and can't imagine ever giving up
their career. Others are making great money and would not retire
because they would be sacrificing too much financially. DO NOT use
either as an excuse not to plan for retirement.

Regardless of how you feel about your career, how much money you're
making or if you think you would be bored in retirement; you need to
determine how much wealth you need to retire. It is your duty to the
rest of your family to try and achieve financial independence. Here
are three reasons why:

Circumstances Change: You may love your boss, your company, make great
money and work in a hot industry. Remember, everything goes through
cycles. In a few years your industry may be in a vicious down cycle
and you may find yourself without work. Maybe it has never happened to
you, but it happens all the time. Remember the high-flying housing
market? Remember what happened in Telecommunications in 2001?

Accident or Illness: You aren't bullet-proof anymore. You could have
an accident that makes it physically impossible to continue working at
the job you love. An illness like cancer could change your job
situation overnight.

Attitudes Change: Sometimes people change their attitudes about what
they are doing. Maybe a spouse gets ill, children leave home, or you
just get tired of being on airplanes every week.

One of the basic tenets of planning for anything is being prepared to
implement plan 'B' in case plan 'A' fails. You owe it to yourself and
other family members to plan for a day you are not working any longer.
Determine how much money it takes to retire. Execute your plan to make
sure you achieve wealth and independence. Once you have it, continue
to do what you want to do. If change is forced on you, maybe you will
realize you are still capable of being bullet-proof after all...good
luck.

David Skill, a 'Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor' has created
an easy retirement system that enables conscientious baby boomers to
determine how much money they need to retire. David asks all the vital
questions, uses common language and plenty of examples so the
participant builds confidence their money will last through retirement
and they will not burden their children. Check out >>>>>>>>>
http://babyboomerseasyretirement.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Skill

Supplemental Income for Retirement Plans

By Nathalie Fiset

When you were working, you made sure you saved a particular amount in
order for you to be set for retirement. Therefore, it only makes sense
that the supplemental retirement plan you acquire consider the
flexible aspect of the retirement income including the Social Security
and the Master Retirement Plan.

As a paying customer, what must you do in order to maximize the
savings accumulation and get the most of your benefits during your
retirement?

The key to knowing what to do regarding this delicate matter is "information.

It is very important that you learn everything there is to be learned
before you make decisions and do any action. You must ensure that you
have enough income and your benefits are flexible to accommodate the
purchases you make or the activities you do during your retirement.

We suggest that you gather all information of your employer-offered
retirement benefits at the BYU Benefits Office, TIAA-CREF or the DMBA.
After illuminating yourself with all there is you need to know, then
you are confident enough to make an informed decision.

In your retirement, you will have to be concerned about financial
challenges. Do not be daunted by this. The more anxious you are of
this matter, the graver the problem will become. If you are retired
and your money is limited, you are not sure where you will get your
next paycheck just in case an emergency arises. Therefore, in choosing
the income plan retirement and supplemental benefits, you have to be
the wisest that you can get in your lifetime.

Here are some concerns you should turn your attention to:

1. The number of years that you will be needing your income. Studies
show that Americans live longer every year.

2. Inflation can become a problem to retirees. The costs of services
and goods will double during your retirement. The main concern you
should have is the healthcare costs.

3. Stated in American law, after reaching your 70th year, you are
required to withdraw a specific amount from the tax-deferred funds you
have been incurring every year since your retirement. This is
associated to the TIAA-CREF funds that reduces the savings you have
accumulated and disrupts your investments.

But the good part about this retirement phase is that you have all the
time in the world to invest. In fact, this is what most retirees do
when they find themselves in that phase. Since they do not have to go
to work, they concentrate and focus on their investments.

Here are some main investment objectives that will help you reach your
financial goal:

1. You must prioritize security above anything else. There are options
that you can select upon making investment choices which allow you to
protect your savings just in case there is the need to get some form
of income during your retirement.

2. You must consider the flexibility of the retirement plan and the
supplementary benefits. Go for the ones that do not lock in during the
fixed pay-out rates.

3. You must protect yourself from inflation. Make sure that the funds
you obtain are free from interest and cannot be offset by the
inflation rate.

By seeking the assistance of the TIAA-CREF or the DMBAA, you will be
able to have the following options during your retirement:

1. Status Quo
Your funds will keep on earning interest. You can structure your
investments in such a way that your accumulated funds are protected
from inflation 2. Turning investments over to financial planners
You will pay for the management fees and the load charges if you
decide to roll your savins to another account. 3. Withdrawals
These minimize taxation. 20% is withheld for your taxes. Make sure to
check on the plan withdrawal restrictions. 4. Systematic Withdrawals
TIAA-CREF gives you the option to set up a fixed and regularized
withdrawal process. You may choose among monthly, quarterly or
annually. 5. Annuity Income
Your retirement plan must provide you with monthly income depending on
the life expectancy of your preference. Annuity income is an option
you must take advantage of.

For more complete information on retirement please go to:
http://www.accessibleretirement.com/Income-Plan-Retirement-Supplemental.html
http://www.accessibleretirement.com
http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset

Roth IRA Investing Basics - Financial Planning and Wealth Building for Your Retirement

By Kelly Lucas

A Roth IRA is an Individual Retirement savings Account best known for
providing tax free earnings growth and tax free retirement
distributions. Individuals can contribute up to $4000 a year ($5000 if
50 and older) from after-tax dollars, and in return may receive tax
free retirement income, provided all rules are met.

KEY POINT: In order to receive tax free retirement distributions:

1) you must be 59 1/2

AND

2) your Roth IRA must be at least 5 years old.

Hint: A Roth IRA is not an advisable investment option if you plan to
retire within the next 5 years.

Roth vs Traditional: What makes the Roth IRA different from a Traditional IRA?

KEY DIFFERENCES:

Roth IRA: Pay Taxes Now, Not Later:The Roth IRA is Tax-Exempt
--meaning retirement income is tax free.

Contributions come from After-Tax dollars (not deductible)

Retirement Distributions are Not Taxed (when rules are met)

IRA Investment Earnings Grow Tax Free

No required Distributions (you never have to use the money)

Has Income Restrictions

No Age Restrictions (can make contributions at any age)

The Traditional IRA is Tax-Deferred = Pay taxes later

Contributions come from Pre-Tax dollars (tax deductible)

Retirement Distributions are Taxed at a future Tax Rate (when
distributions are taken)

IRA Investment Earnings Grow Tax Deferred

Required to Take Distributions by age 701/2

Has age restrictions (Can no longer contribute after age 701/2)

No Income Restrictions

2007 Roth IRA Contributions

How Much Can I Contribute to my Roth IRA?

In general, the maximum amount an individual can contribute to a Roth
IRA is $4000 ($5000 if age 50 or older) in a single year. The specific
time frame for making 2007 contributions is from January 1, 2007 to
April 15, 2008.

You can contribute up to 100% of your earned income or $4000 ($5000 if
50 or older), whichever is less, MINUS any other IRA contributions you
made the same year.

For instance, if you made $58,000 in 2007 and contributed $3000 to
your other IRAs (excluding any employer sponsored plans), you are now
eligible to contribute only $1000 to a Roth IRA.

Or let's say you only made $2400 in 2007. You can only contribute
$2400 to your Roth IRA, provided you made no other IRA contributions
in 2007.

Earned income: is any compensation you received for providing a
service or product. It does not include investment income from
interest, dividends, or capital gains.

HINT: Alimony that is taxable is also included in calculating earned income.

2007 Income Limits

The income guidelines for contributing to a Roth IRA are as follows:

1. To be eligible for making the maximum contribution of $4000, your
modified AGI cannot exceed $99,000 if you are single, or $156,000 if
married and filing jointly.

2. Your contribution is reduced if your modified AGI falls between
$99,000 and 114,000 for singles, and between $156,000 and $166,000 if
married filing jointly.

3. If filing married with a separate return AND lived together for any
part of the year, the income restriction is severely limited. The full
contribution is permitted if your income is zero dollars. A partial
contribution is permitted if your income falls between Zero and
$10,000.

Establishing a Roth IRA

Anyone can open a Roth IRA and the process is very simple. Banks,
Insurance Companies, On line Brokers, and other financial firms
typically offer Roth IRAs in addition to other types of IRAs. When
opening an IRA you will need to designate it as a Roth IRA. . (For
more info, see "How to Set Up An IRA: A Step by Step Guide") You can
also rollover or convert your Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA.

Tax Implications: Planning for the future

There are basically two schools of thought regarding IRAs and tax
consequences. The first school of thought says the traditional IRA is
the way to go because when you retire you will have less income to be
taxed, thus a greater tax savings. The second school of thought says
hey, we don't have a crystal ball to know what the future tax rates
will be, but we do know they will be higher than they are now. These
people find the Roth IRA to be the most attractive choice because
paying taxes today may mean saving a bundle of taxes later, when you
can least afford it.

Then there are folks who realize the world is not black and white and
will seek a mixed bag of Traditional and Roth IRAs to round out the
tax consequences in retirement. It really comes down to individual
circumstances and personal goals.

The Roth 401k

In conclusion, let us give thanks to the late former Senator from
Delaware, William V Roth. He pushed for the creation of the Roth IRA
and finally in 1998 it made its first appearance. And, you guessed it,
the Roth IRA has now evolved into a 401k, which was first introduced
in 2006. The Roth 401k is sure to gain popularity just as the Roth IRA
did when it was first introduced.

Author Kelly Lucas, is a successful Freelance Writer with a specialty
in writing web copy and content utilizing the most advanced and up to
date optimization techniques. Her first book is expected to be
released and available for purchase in early 2008: "A Web Content
Style Guide: Web Content Optimization"

www.WebContentWritingServices.com

Find out more about Kelly's Writing Services and Web Promotion
Services. Consultations are always free and prices are the most
affordable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Lucas

Where IS the Ideal Place To Retire?

By Charlotte Demontigny

As I headed out to East Hampton (my first mini-vacation since I
retired last September), I began to wonder what it would be like to
have enough money to comfortably afford a small home in East Hampton.
Of course, there is no such thing - but back in the days when I
planned my vacations here every year, I enjoyed the antique shops,
book stores, fabulous cuisine, and the peace and serenity this
wonderful place offered.

Over ten years have passed and I have noticed a change in my
surroundings. Now all of East Hampton and its surrounding villages
have become the home of the rich and famous….well, in some cases, not
so famous.

As I drove into my favorite vacationing spot, I felt an immediate calm
cover me like a warm blanket and it felt good to be home again. Even
though my days spent here were not as long as they used to be,
nonetheless, the room was the same; the patio was the same, but the
landscape had changed somewhat. Although impeccably manicured, the
lawn and the trees didn't invite the species of birds I remembered,
nor did the squirrels seek as many chances to come out into the open
as much as they had before. Even the family of bunnies never showed
their cute faces. As I sat on my veranda and looked out at the beauty
of nature, it all seemed too familiar and offered nothing new, nor did
it bring me solace as it once did.

What was missing? Perhaps I had outgrown this tiny town or perhaps it
had outgrown me. I thought about ideal places to retire and I suppose
if one could afford it, this would be the ideal place. More than that,
however, I thought about other places I had been in my life and
wondered if I could take that step and retire to another city,
country, or island.

Most of the places I had been were just as expensive to live in, while
there were other places which could afford me the opportunity to live
comfortably and continue to participate in those areas of my life that
are important such as reading, writing, music, and nature.

In researching the many ideal places to retire, I found college towns
to be quite within my means. Quaint towns where neighbors actually
greet each other, participate in community affairs, and take advantage
of university classes as well as other activities which not only
enhance but enrich one's life. Coming from a suburb in a big city, one
could very easily get lost if one wanted to. In college towns,
however, I suppose you can hide, but not for long. The student life,
the rich history of the city, or the close knit community is not only
enticing but offers a glimpse into what can be and not what one merely
settles for.

As I left East Hampton, I knew I would not return. I drove slowly
through the town with all of the expensive shops and restaurants,
antique stores, and specialty stores and thought while this is a nice
place to visit – it is not the ideal place to retire.

As we grow older, (retirement is not mutually exclusive to age), it
seems we should look for an ideal place to retire that feels like
home, where we have no qualms about meeting new people or becoming
interested in new things. Home is wherever you are; all of you – mind,
body, and soul.

So for all future retirees who are thinking of relocating to an ideal
place to retire, keep looking for that one place that when you arrive
– you too feel the calm of a warm blanket cover you on a winter's day.
No whistles; no brass bands, just the comfort and serenity you feel as
you settle into your ideal place to retire. Then you will instantly
know you are home.

Charlotte Demontigny
Web Master
Ideal Places to Retire - Inexpensive to Exotic

http://www.ideal-places-to-retire.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Demontigny