Basics Of Investing

Update on Haiti Relief Effort - Help for Orphans International

2010-01-27T18:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and New Friends,

This is my personal update that I want to share with you today. If you didn't read my email from 2 days ago it is at the bottom of this one.

Help for Orphans International has a volunteer named Jonathan on the ground in Haiti right now. He is a pilot, personally using his own plane. I hear directly from Jonathan everyday.

He said there is a BIG need for morphine here in the hospitals (or at least oral narcotics). They are doing amputations without it. That might be the single most important item to distribute now. Apparently there are quantities in Port Au Prince but the army has taken over and distribution is very slow. Pass the word.

As I mentioned before, Jonathan has this knowledge because he has the only small aircraft on the ground in Haiti right now, which is shuttling in supplies and help. Due to his tireless efforts he has been able to bring medical personnel, supplies, food, water and medication directly to the people who need it most. It is because of the money we raise that enables him to continue to pay for fuel and supplies.

I want you to think about this for a minute. Can you imagine if your child, your brother, or your grandchild was in severe pain for days on end, with no medical care? Can you imagine your child losing ALL the family they have ever known and left to fend for themselves on the streets, surrounded by decomposing bodies? This is the situation for so many in Haiti.

These children need our help. I realize I may be sounding very dramatic here but this is the honest truth. I need every one of you to understand and pass on how severely help is needed there. Most of us, if not all, take for granted the food and water we have at our disposal. So many lives are being lost in Haiti – today - because they are lacking the simple essentials.

So, please, give whatever you can. A few dollars from everyone reading this will make a huge difference. Give up the Starbucks for just one week.

Text "support orphans" to 20222 to give $5 on your cell bill.

To make a larger contribution go to www.helpfororphans.org and click “Donate now" and most of all PLEASE spread the word to EVERYONE you know!

See our Press release released early this morning: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/01/prweb3505184.htm

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!

Love,

Josie Dobin

917.704.2131 mobile

Help for Orphans International

YouTube Video

How To Help Haiti

2010-01-24T18:30:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I am urging you to please read this message and respond accordingly and then to please forward this on to all your contacts.

As you may know, I am fortunate to be working for Help for Orphans International, a charity founded by Sarah Ehrlich four years ago. She has done a lot of work helping orphans in Kenya and is now solely focused on helping the orphans affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

I don't like to spread bad news but we have a volunteer from our organization who's been on the ground there since over a week ago. Words cannot describe the devastation that he has described to me. Imagine a little child losing ALL their family, wounded, no place to live and with little food/water. This is TRULY the situation.

Sarah and myself are going to Haiti in the next few days to raise awareness and to strategize HOW we are most effectively going to help. We will also be purchasing food/formula/diapers in the Dominican Republic to bring to the most hard hit areas.

Our volunteer there named Jonathan flew his 4 seater aircraft 2000 miles from Sag Harbor, NY and is shuttling back and forth between neighboring areas bringing supplies and medical personnel to the most desperate areas. Today he texted me that he was enroute to bring saws and morphine to a medical unit there.

The only way we can keep him doing this is to continue to send him funds.

Do NOT think that they have ENOUGH help because they don't. What we are doing IS making a difference! Jonathan says that he has the only small aircraft shuttling that he has seen. Additionally, because his aircraft is so small he has been cleared to land at Port au Prince airport.

We can NOT continue to do what we're doing without more donations! There's just NO way! Sadly, the surrounding areas have taken advantage of this tragedy and the cost of fuel and food etc.. has skyrocketed! All your donations are 100% tax deductible and you can know that we are actually USING your money RIGHT NOW to make a difference! Anything helps!

Here's how to donate:

1. Click this now Help For Orphans, then select "donate now" on the top left navigation.

2. Text 20222 from you cell phone and type "support orphans" and you will be charged $5 on your next cell phone bill.

3. Call me at 917.704.2131.

More about us:

Help For Orphans

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you would like to be kept updated PLEASE email me directly and I will add you to our list!

Love,

Josie Dobin

Don't let this opportunity pass you by…

2010-01-09T04:34:00.000-08:00

The webinar with my former fund manager friend last Wednesday was a huge success.

The good news is that you can watch the recording.

Click here to access the replay:

Exchange Traded Index Funds

Since this is just his free stuff, imagine how good his one year mentorship program is. Let me tell you, it is life changing. I finished the course last night and will never look at the markets the same way. Wow what an eye opener.

You owe it to yourself, and your portfolio, to watch this webinar, at least once (more if you have time).

Our host really did do trades as large as $50 million before he left the world of money management and he shares a little of his story and some insider tips, but most of the hour is spent on pure trading content.

I like to share good content with my subscribers and this one is well worth it.

Thanks,

Ave Ramel

P.S. The 1 year mentorship program closes for most of the rest of the year this Sunday night so check it out today.

P.P.S. Spend just an hour listening and go improve your trading immediately.

Click here to access the replay: Exchange Traded Funds

Only a few spaces left for the 1 year ETF mentorship program

2010-01-08T04:33:00.000-08:00

Maybe you haven't listened to the recording yet?

Click here to get access to it:

Exchange Traded Index Funds

Here's the cheat sheet of what's covered in the webinar:

- Two simple tricks that instantly remove 95% of your emotions in trading.

(Since we know fear and greed are the number one killers of traders, this info could improve your trading Now).

- A little known position sizing trick that can double your returns, regardless of what market or system you trade.

- Why money managers who only risk 1-2% per trade still make great returns.

- How some hedge funds hunt stops and a simple trick to avoid being trapped.

- Why trading is not a "zero sum game" and what this means for the average trader.

- How to make strong profits using the daily charts and trading only 10 minutes per night.

- One of his profit target strategies. He has 4 in total and gives one away.

- How Jim Rogers, Warren Buffett, and others became great traders and investors.

- What the "gurus" selling hype trading courses are hiding from you AND

- Six easy ways to spot a counterfeit "trading teacher" from a mile away.

- How to not be vague with your entries and stops like when others say: "Buy a few cents, ticks, or pips above ___."

- A little known, no cost, scanner tool that can help you right now.

- He also gives you an excel sheet that does ALL the math for you so you can easily see the optimal position size and risk vs. reward ratio on all trades.

- A list of the 7 highest dividend paying ETFs.

All that in an hour? It certainly isn’t a waste of time!

This guy really knows his stuff. He should after placing trades as large as $50 million before he retired from money management. He shares a little of his story, but most of the hour is spent teaching you how to trade better.

I like to share valuable free info with my subscribers and this one defiantly fits-the-bill.

Click here to register for the recording:

Exchange Traded Funds

See you there,

Cheers,

Ave Ramel

P.S. Even if you listened in the first time, don't miss this chance to replay this valuable free webinar.

Almost sold out! Watch the webinar recording asap

2010-01-07T04:32:00.000-08:00

The webinar last night with my friend the former money manager was 'sold out'! He gave us more powerful trading content than most paid courses. And, because the webinar was filled to capacity we are posting the recording.

Here's the link to register for the webinar replay.

Exchange Traded Index Funds

One of the things he taught us is called the "Law of Association"; which states that in 5 years you will become like the people you hang out with and the books you read and the courses you study.

The bottom line is that if you want to learn to trade big, or profitably and consistently, you need to be around someone who does. Someone like our webinar instructor who used to trade $50 million at a time.

Here's a short list of only some of the highlights:

- A little known position sizing trick that can double your returns regardless of what market or system you trade.

- Two simple tricks that instantly remove 95% of your emotions in trading. As all traders know the emotions of fear and greed are the number one enemies of traders; beat them and you win.

- How some hedge funds hunt stops and a simple trick to avoid being a victim. Yes hedge funds, brokers and other individuals (not the "market") really do hunt stops.

- Why money managers only risk 1-2% per trade and still make great returns.

- Why trading is not a "zero sum game" and what this really means for the average trader.

- How to make strong profits using the daily charts and trading only 10 minutes per night.

- How Warren Buffett, Jim Rogers and others became great traders and investors.

- What the "gurus" selling hype trading courses are hiding from you and six easy ways to spot a counterfeit "trading teacher" from a mile away.

- One of his profit target strategies. (He has 4 proprietary tactics and gives us one, no charge).

- How to not be vague with your entries and stops like when others who say, "Buy a few cents, ticks, or pips above ___."

- A little known, no cost, scanner tool that can help you trade profitably, right now.

- A complementary excel sheet that does ALL the math for you so you can easily see the optimal position size and risk vs. reward ratio on all trades.

- Why ETFs are the best instrument to trade.

- Much more.

I promise it won't be a waste of your time. My friend really did do trades as large as 50 million before he left the world of money management. He did share a little of his story, but most of the hour is spent on the subjects above. As you know I like to share good content with my subscribers and this is one of them.

Click here to get the webinar replay:

Exchange Traded Funds

See you there,

Cheers,

Ave Ramel

P.S. The $1,997 bonus day trade course might already be gone!

Tonight: Trade Secrets of a Multi-Million Dollar Guru

2010-01-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

Wow! I just finished reading the power points for Wednesday's webinar with my friend the ex-fund manager.

And, I've got to say, that in all my years in the trading business, this is the most content rich webinar I have ever seen. No hype, only hard core trading truths that not everyone is going to like.

Things like the fact that he and his hedge fund buddies used to hunt stops. Now he's teaching "civilians" how to make money off those hedge hunters.

If you are new to trading, this hour could save you thousands of dollars over the school of hard knocks.

Those who don't get information like this risk having their whole investment account being wiped out, before they've really had a chance to trade.

Don't miss out - Click here to register for this Free ETF and Money Management Seminar.

Exchange Traded Index Funds

For trading veterans I can guarantee you that the advanced position sizing tip is a golden nugget you'll use for increasing profits and decreasing risks in the years to come. This one tip could double your profits regardless of what your entry system is. The one tip alone can turn any average system into a winning system.

We'll cover:

- How to maximize your winners.

- Why most traders have it backwards when it comes to risk.

- How to eliminate 95% of trading stress and emotion.

- Why most traders have it backwards when it comes to winning percentages.

- Even how to become a professional money manager and raise millions, if you so desire.

That last one really surprised me. Because I know that if you really want to make millions in trading the fastest way is to use leverage with other peoples' money, when you are ready.

There are so many reasons to attend this F.R.E.E webinar Wednesday at 9pm EST. I honestly believe you're missing the boat if you don't take advantage of this opportunity. It won't be a waste of your time! I love sharing high quality content with my subscribers and this is going to be one of the best.

Our host has worked trades as large as $50 million during his money management career. He will share a little of his story, but most of the hour will be spent teaching you how to improve your trading.

See you then,

Exchange Traded Funds

Cheers,

Ave Ramel

P.S. That's right, $50 million advice, f.r.e.e, and a chance to win a free 1 year mentorship with a professional trader just by showing up.

*** Pay attention while our guest explains how you can make more profits with less risk trading the markets.

The Big Boys Are Working Against You - And I Can Prove It!

2010-01-04T04:28:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had that feeling ... after you were stopped out and the market went back in your original direction, that a bank or large fund had hunted your stop and stolen your shares?

Well, that's because it's true!

My guest on our Wednesday night webinar, a former big fund manager, used to do just that. In small markets like penny stocks his firm could do it all by themselves.

In larger more liquid markets they would team up with other hedge funds. He says even some banks would do it.

So what can you do about it? Learn to either stay out of the market when the hedge funds are hunting stops, or profit from it.

We'll talk about how to survive the hedge fund hunters during his complementary webinar Wednesday at 9pm EST.

Go ahead and reserve your slot now - with over 217,000 invitations and only 500 spaces, you'll need to register and opt in early to get on the webinar.

Click here to register:

Exchange Traded Index Funds

In addition to the long list of topics I listed in yesterday's email, he will also be discussing:

- How some hedge funds hunt stops and a simple trick to avoid getting caught, most of the time. Yes, hedge funds, brokers and other individuals (not the "market") really do hunt your stops.

- One of his four proprietary profit target strategies. He'll just give you this valuable tip for listening in Wednesday.

- How to avoid being vague with your entries and stops (like those "gurus" who say, "Buy a few cents, ticks, or pips above ___.")

- A little known, no cost, scanner tool that can help you improve your trades, now.

- A complementary excel sheet that does ALL the math for you. You'll be able to easily see the optimal position size and risk vs. reward ratio on all your trades.

I promise it won't be a waste of your time. My trader friend really did do trades as large as $50 million before he left the world of money management. He will explain how he learned these tricks-of-the-trade, but most of the hour will be spent on teaching you how to be a better trader. I like to share useful content with my subscribers and this is a big chance to do just that.

Click here to register for your free seat at the Wednesday night webinar.

Exchange Traded Funds

Hope to see you there,

Cheers,

Ave Ramel

P.P.S. Don't place another stop before you hear how the hedge funds are gunning for your profits!

P.P.P.S. In only 1 hour, you'll be handed years of hard won experience from a big time trader (who's willing to spill the beans). Plus his 1 year mentorship offer will be unavailable after Friday December 4th. He is the type of teacher who likes to support his new students and doesn't need to keep selling courses.

How The Pros Make More Money With Less Risk

2010-01-02T04:26:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday, January 6th at 9pm EST, join me for a free session with an ex $50 Million dollar fund manager when he reveals the secrets professional money managers use to:

- Risk 1-2% per trade and still make great returns.

- Instantly remove 95% of your trading emotions (as you know, fear and greed are the successful traders' enemy) with two simple tricks.

- He'll also show you how to reduce risk using his unique position sizing technique.

- A combination of a percentage risk stop and a technical stop.

- Plus an advanced tip using this concept that can instantly double your returns regardless of what system or markets you trade.

- He explains why trading is not a "zero sum game" and what this really means for you.

- How you can make profitable trades in only 10 minutes per night.

- Plus how Warren Buffett, Jim Rogers and others became great traders and investors.

- And, what the "gurus" selling hype trading courses are hiding from you and an easy way to spot a counterfeit "trading teacher" from a mile away.

- Much more.

Sound like a good use of an hour of your time? I hope so… in fact, since this invitation is going out to over 237,454 people and we've only got 500 seats, I'm sure it's going to "sell out" even though it is f.r.e.e.

So, if you think you can make it, go ahead and click here to reserve your spot.

Exchange Traded Index Funds

He will share a little of his story, but most of the hour will be spent showing you how to improve your trades. I like to share valuable information with my subscribers and this is a great opportunity to learn from a pro – for f.r.e.e.

He told me the other day that he could take even an average breakeven system and turn it into a profitable one by changing the money management and position sizing of the trades.

Now, what if you do that, on top of having a great system? You get long term consistent results; that's what.

To hear it straight from the expert, go ahead and click here to register.

Exchange Traded Funds

I look forward to seeing with you Wednesday night,

Cheers,

Ave Ramel

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that everyone who joins us gets a f.r.e.e bonus just for attending.

A Scientific Breakthrough

2010-01-01T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hi,

At last, have finished the First VitaPlus Tour that will answer

a lot of your questions about this scientific breakthrough in

Health, Wellness, and Beauty.

You may now proceed to: First VitaPlus

The First VitaPlus Tour answers the ff:

- Five Power Vegetables

- Five Little Things You Should Know About First VitaPlus

- Prevention and Maintenance of Diseases

- Availability and Product Sizes

Cheers,

Ave Ramel

***Trust in the Lord with all your heart***

How The Rich are Debt-Free

2009-12-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

Hi,

===========================================

Crisis ???

The Rich are debt-free and do really have

a lot of options in life.

If you want to be rich, you must know

- what kind of income to work hard for,

- how to keep it, and

- how to protect it from loss.

That is the key to great wealth.

Discover this kind of income in:

Rich Dad Cashflow

===========================================

Cheers,

Board Games | Year 2012 End of the World

Gold hits record near $1,200/oz as dollar slips

2009-12-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

LONDON (Reuters) – Gold hit record highs at $1,198.70 an ounce in Europe on Tuesday as the dollar weakened against a basket of currencies in the wake of policy comments from the Bank of Japan, adding to strong investment demand for the metal.

Buyers have been cheered by the strength of gold's recovery after a correction to below $1,140 an ounce late last week, which was met by strong fund buying, traders said.

Spot gold was bid at $1,194.80 an ounce at 0921 GMT, against $1,179.10 late on Monday.

U.S. gold futures for February delivery on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange were up $14.10 at $1.196.40 an ounce, having earlier hit a record $1,200.50.

Reporting by Jan Harvey

Think Like Warren Buffett

2009-11-27T08:45:00.000-08:00

Back in 1999, Robert G. Hagstrom wrote a book about the legendary investor Warren Buffett, entitled "The Warren Buffett Portfolio". What's so great about the book, and what makes it different from the countless other books and articles written about the "Oracle of Omaha" is that it offers the reader valuable insight into how Buffett actually thinks about investments. In other words, the book delves into the psychological mindset that has made Buffett so fabulously wealthy. (For more on Warren Buffett and his current holdings, check out Coattail Investor.)

Although investors could benefit from reading the entire book, we've selected a bite-sized sampling of the tips and suggestions regarding the investor mindset and ways that an investor can improve their stock selection that will help you get inside Buffett's head.

1. Think of Stocks as a Business

Many investors think of stocks and the stock market in general as nothing more than little pieces of paper being traded back and forth among investors, which might help prevent investors from becoming too emotional over a given position but it doesn't necessarily allow them to make the best possible investment decisions.

That's why Buffett has stated he believes stockholders should think of themselves as "part owners" of the business in which they are investing. By thinking that way, both Hagstrom and Buffett argue that investors will tend to avoid making off-the-cuff investment decisions, and become more focused on the longer term. Furthermore, longer-term "owners" also tend to analyze situations in greater detail and then put a great eal of thought into buy and sell decisions. Hagstrom says this increased thought and analysis tends to lead to improved investment returns.

2. Increase the Size of Your Investment

While it rarely - if ever - makes sense for investors to "put all of their eggs in one basket," putting all your eggs in too many baskets may not be a good thing either. Buffett contends that over-diversification can hamper returns as much as a lack of diversification. That's why he doesn't invest in mutual funds. It's also why he prefers to make significant investments in just a handful of companies.

Buffett is a firm believer that an investor must first do his or her homework before investing in any security. But after that due diligence process is completed, an investor should feel comfortable enough to dedicate a sizable portion of assets to that stock. They should also feel comfortable in winnowing down their overall investment portfolio to a handful of good companies with excellent growth prospects.

Buffett's stance on taking time to properly allocate your funds is furthered with his comment that it's not just about the best company, but how you feel about the company. If the best business you own presents the least financial risk and has the most favorable long-term prospects, why would you put money into your 20th favorite business rather than add money to the top choices?

3. Reduce Portfolio Turnover

Rapidly trading in and out of stocks can potentially make an individual a lot of money, but according to Buffett this trader is actually hampering his or her investment returns. That's because portfolio turnover increases the amount of taxes that must be paid on capital gains and boosts the total amount of commission dollars that must be paid in a given year.

The "Oracle" contends that what makes sense in business also makes sense in stocks: An investor should ordinarily hold a small piece of an outstanding business with the same tenacity that an owner would exhibit if he owned all of that business.

Investors must think long term. By having that mindset, they can avoid paying huge commission fees and lofty short-term capital gains taxes. They'll also be more apt to ride out any short-term fluctuations in the business, and to ultimately reap the rewards of increased earnings and/or dividends over time.

4. Develop Alternative Benchmarks

While stock prices may be the ultimate barometer of the success or failure of a given investment choice, Buffett does not focus on this metric. Instead, he analyzes and pores over the underlying economics of a given business or group of businesses. If a company is doing what it takes to grow itself on a profitable basis, then the share price will ultimately take care of itself.

Successful investors must look at the companies they own and study their true earnings potential. If the fundamentals are solid and the company is enhancing shareholder value by generating consistent bottom-line growth, the share price, in the long term, should reflect that.

5. Learn to Think in Probabilities

Bridge is a card game in which the most successful players are able to judge mathematical probabilities to beat their opponents. Perhaps not surprisingly, Buffett loves and actively plays the game, and he takes the strategies beyond the game into the investing world.

Buffett suggests that investors focus on the economics of the companies they own (in other words the underlying businesses), and then try to weigh the probability that certain events will or will not transpire, much like a Bridge player checking the probabilities of his opponents' hands. He adds that by focusing on the economic aspect of the equation and not the stock price, an investor will be more accurate in his or her ability to judge probability.

Thinking in probabilities has its advantages. For example, an investor that ponders the probability that a company will report a certain rate of earnings growth over a period of five or 10 years is much more apt to ride out short-term fluctuations in the share price. By extension, this means that his investment returns are likely to be superior and that he will also realize fewer transaction and/or capital gains costs.

6. Recognize the Psychological Aspects of Investing

Very simply, this means that individuals must understand that there is a psychological mindset that the successful investor tends to have. More specifically, the successful investor will focus on probabilities and economic issues and let decisions be ruled by rational, as opposed to emotional, thinking.

More than anything, investors' own emotions can be their worst enemy. Buffett contends that the key to overcoming emotions is being able to "retain your belief in the real fundamentals of the business and to not get too concerned about the stock market."

Investors should realize that there is a certain psychological mindset that they should have if they want to be successful and try to implement that mindset.

7. Ignore Market Forecasts

There is an old saying that the Dow "climbs a wall of worry". In other words, in spite of the negativity in the marketplace, and those who perpetually contend that a recession is "just around the corner", the markets have fared quite well over time. Therefore, doomsayers should be ignored.

On the other side of the coin, there are just as many eternal optimists who argue that the stock market is headed perpetually higher. These should be ignored as well.

In all this confusion, Buffett suggests that investors should focus their efforts of isolating and investing in shares that are not currently being accurately valued by the market. The logic here is that as the stock market begins to realize the company's intrinsic value(through higher prices and greater demand), the investor will stand to make a lot of money.

8. Wait for the Fat Pitch

Hagstrom's book uses the model of legendary baseball player Ted Williams as an example of a wise investor. Williams would wait for a specific pitch (in an area of the plate where he knew he had a high probability of making contact with the ball) before swinging. It is said that this discipline enabled Williams to have a higher lifetime batting average than the average player.

Buffett, in the same way, suggests that all investors act as if they owned a lifetime decision card with only 20 investment choice punches in it. The logic is that this should prevent them from making mediocre investment choices and hopefully, by extension, enhance the overall returns of their respective portfolios.

Bottom Line

"The Warren Buffett Portfolio" is a timeless book that offers valuable insight into the psychological mindset of the legendary investor Warren Buffett. Of course, if learning how to invest like Warren Buffett were as easy as reading a book, everyone would be rich! But if you take that time and effort to implement some of Buffett's proven strategies, you could be on your way to better stock selection and greater returns.

by Glenn Curtis, Investopedia.com

Investors ask Goldman to be less greedy

2009-11-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

ZURICH (Reuters) – Big shareholders at Goldman Sachs have asked the U.S. bank, on track to deliver $20 billion in bonuses, to pass more profit to investors after it quadrupled quarterly net profit, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Although investors are not pushing for a huge cut, they feel Goldman, which received $10 billion of taxpayer help during the credit crisis, should better reward them for this year's rebound, the paper said, quoting people familiar with the situation.

A year after the implosion of former U.S. bank giant Lehman Brothers, there is concern among regulators and politicians that bankers' bonuses are climbing back to pre-crisis level and shareholder rights' lobbies have called for closer scrutiny of pay.

"This is particularly of psychological importance because it is self-imposed and not government-imposed. We have to try to all move toward the same approach to maintain the talent pool," Lutz Raettig, Morgan Stanley's chairman in Germany, said when asked about investor action at Goldman.

Reacting to public outrage to bankers' greed and fat-cat pay checks in the run-up to the crisis, the Group of 20 nations agreed on guidelines for bankers' pay that would put the focus more on long-term performance rather than short-term gains.

The U.S. bank has repaid the government cash it received, but its robust performance this year is pushing investors to ask for higher returns. Goldman generated net income in excess of $3 billion in the third quarter.

The shareholders are also concerned about a change in the company's financial statements that increased the firm's total headcount by adding temporary employees and consultants, the Wall Street Journal said.

Due to the change, it looked like Goldman employees are on pace to earn $717,000 per person in 2009, the Journal said.

The United States in June appointed "pay czar" Kenneth Feinberg to review pay at some of America's biggest companies.

Regulators in European countries such as Britain, France and Switzerland are already taking steps to introduce new rules on bankers' compensation. Some banks, like Swiss lender Credit Suisse, moved fast to adapt their pay structure to fit with the new international guidelines.

But Swiss-based investment fund Ethos, which has a keen interest in corporate governance practice, says the key to changing compensation schemes is empowering shareholders.

Ethos and eight Swiss pension funds are planning to repeat this year initiatives they undertook in the aftermath of the crisis to force large companies to accept a "say on pay" by shareholders.

The Wall Street Journal quoted a Goldman spokesman saying shareholders "have historically been more focused on the absolute return on equity and on book value per share growth" than per-share earnings.

Goldman could not be immediately reached for comment outside regular U.S. business hours.

(Writing by Lisa Jucca and Supantha Mukherjee, Additional reporting by Eva Kuehnen in Frankfurt; Editing by David Cowell)

Countries Billionaires Could Buy

2009-11-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

These American moguls could buy some of the world's economies.

Castles in France. Islands in the Caribbean. Private jets. With a collective $1.27 trillion at their disposal, the members of The Forbes 400 could buy almost anything.

How about a country? A quick glance at the CIA Fact Book suggests the individual fortunes of many Forbes 400 members are as big as some of the world's economies.

Bill Gates, America's richest man with a net worth of $50 billion, has a personal balance sheet larger than the gross domestic product (GDP) of 140 countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Bolivia and Uruguay. The Microsoft (MSFT) visionary's nest egg is just short of the GDP of Tanzania and Burma.

Warren Buffett, who lost $10 billion in the past 12 months and is this year's Forbes 400 biggest dollar loser, still has a fortune the size of North Korea's economy at $40 billion. (The Oracle of Omaha probably would steer clear of that investment, though.)

One Forbes 400 member does actually run a small chunk of a state in an official capacity: Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While he is busy serving as the chief executive of New York City and grappling with its sluggish economy, his own personal balance sheet--amassed through financial information services and media company Bloomberg LP--equals the value of all the goods and services produced in South Africa's Republic of Zambia's ($17.5 billion).

Some say that land developer Donald Bren, whose assets throughout the vicinity of Orange County, Calif., include 475 office buildings, 115 apartment communities, 41 retail centers, resort properties and new housing, runs Orange County--he certainly owns most of it. And with a net worth of $12 billion, he could, in theory, buy Haiti's economy, too.

Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson's $9 billion net worth is akin to the Bahamas' GDP ($9 billion). Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay (EBAY), the world's biggest auction marketplace, could theoretically control Somalia's market with his $5.5 billion fortune.

George Lucas, the famed Hollywood director behind the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises and ILM, the world's most bankable special effects shop, has a $3 billion fortune, making him worth as much as the GDP of Guyana.

Hedge fund founder David Shaw's $2.5 billion net worth parallels Belize's marketplace.

Investor John Paulson amassed much of his fortune by exploiting the real estate bubble and shorting the subprime market in 2007. Today he has a net worth of $6.8 billion--the equivalent of Montenegro's gross domestic product.

Although Eli Broad's fortune suffered because of AIG's (AIG) collapse last fall--he's lost $1.3 billion in the last 12 months--he still has a bank account that rivals Barbados' economy ($5.4 billion).

Forbes 400 members with net worths just under $1 billion still possess fortunes that could operate the economies of significant fractions of the globe. Gary Magness, who owns water rights in Colorado through his ranch holdings, has a net worth of $990 million, which barely exceeds Vanuatu's GDP ($988.5 million).

If this year's three poorest Forbes 400 members were to combine their wealth (a combined $2.9 billion), their amassed fortune would be worth more than the workings of Belize's entire economy.

by Keren Blankfeld, Forbes

Buffett's big bet: $34B on 2nd-largest railroad

2009-11-19T05:45:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (AP) -- The biggest name in investing is making what he calls an "all-in wager" on the U.S. economy -- $34 billion to own a railroad that hauls everything from corn to cars across the country.

The acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the nation's second-largest railroad, would be the biggest ever for Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway investment company.

It's a natural fit for the Oracle of Omaha, a city with a special place in railroad history. It was the starting point for the westward push of the transcontinental railroad. Today, Omaha is the headquarters of Union Pacific, and Burlington Northern trains rumble through.

In a statement, Buffett, whose investing decisions are carefully scrutinized by the world of finance, voiced confidence in the railroad industry.

"Most important of all, however, it's an all-in wager on the economic future of the United States. I love these bets," he said Tuesday.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. already owns a 22 percent stake in Burlington Northern and would buy up the rest under the deal, for a total value of $34 billion. It still needs approval from Burlington shareholders and antitrust regulators, both expected early next year.

Burlington Northern is the biggest hauler of corn and coal for electricity, making it an indicator of the country's economic health. It also carries everyday items such as refrigerators, clothing and TVs from Western ports like Los Angeles and Seattle.

Berkshire will pay $100 a share in cash and stock for the rest of the company, more than a 30 percent premium on the Monday closing price of Burlington Northern shares. Shareholders will have the option of a $100 cash payment per share or common stock in Berkshire.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. stock shot up $20.93, or 27 percent, to $97 on Tuesday. Stock in other rail companies rose as well. Berkshire owns a 2 percent stake in Union Pacific's stock and a less-than-1 percent stake in Norfolk Southern.

Buffett has said he realized a few years late that railroads were an appealing investment. As diesel prices rise, shipping by rail instead of truck becomes more attractive, and it would be extremely difficult for a competitor to build a new railroad.

"They do it in a cost-effective way and extraordinarily environmentally friendly way," Buffett told CNBC on Tuesday. "I basically believe this country will prosper and you'll have more people moving more goods 10 and 20 and 30 years from now, and the rails should benefit. It's a bet on the country, basically."

Burlington Northern made about 31 percent of its money last quarter from shipments of consumer products from the West to major hubs like St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago.

Its next most important segment was coal, followed by industrial products like farm equipment, lumber and chemicals. It also hauls corn, wheat and soybeans, much of it exported to China. Burlington Northern serves more of the nation's major grain-producing regions than any other railroad.

Burlington Northern also hauls trains full of retail merchandise imported from Asia and imported cars from manufacturers like Toyota and Honda.

Burlington itself, however, is among the least optimistic of the major railroads about the pace of economic recovery. Last week it said third-quarter profit dropped 30 percent from a year earlier; people resisted buying retail goods and industrial production struggled.

Coal shipments to power plants have fallen off sharply because of lower electricity demand. Burlington Northern hauls enough coal to power one out of every 10 homes in the U.S.

Still, the coal hauled by Burlington Northern is mined from places like the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana and is lower in sulfur than the coal in the eastern U.S., making it cleaner and in higher demand these days.

An average Burlington Northern train hauls as much freight as 280 trucks. Rails are also favored by some shippers because they can carry things that can't travel on highways, like hazardous chemicals. Buffett's Berkshire already owns major utilities that rely on coal through its MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. Analysts say he is looking for an investment that will reap rewards many years into the future, and isn't so concerned about immediate gains.

The billionaire is "buying at the trough -- things aren't going to get much worse. He's getting in at a good time," said Art Hatfield, an analyst with investment firm Morgan Keegan.

Hatfield said he believes Buffett went for Burlington Northern in part because of its strong management team and because Burlington Northern has been more aggressive than its peers in developing new technology, making it more profitable.

Major railroads have been able to slash costs during the recession by cutting jobs, parking railcars, improving train speeds and making other moves that improved efficiency.

Before this, Berkshire's biggest acquisition was the $16 billion stock purchase of reinsurance giant General Re, announced in 1998. Last fall, he plowed $5 billion into Goldman Sachs, in a vote of confidence in the financial system.

By Samantha Bomkamp, AP Transportation Writer

GMA 7 Video Reveals The # 1 Source of Income Today

2009-06-25T18:24:00.001-07:00

I really would like to help your ever present need of money
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The video clip is in Tagalog. Sorry po!
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to really understand.

Proceed now to http://www.aredconsult.com/free-video

Making Business Easier With Autoresponders

2009-06-05T20:53:00.001-07:00

The Internet is a great place for business these days. There are

hundreds of thousands of companies on the Internet, eagerly

anticipating your business. With most companies dealing with

hundreds and hundreds of customers on a daily basis, some

wonder how they do it.

When you break down the basics, you'll see that most use

autoresponders - very nifty tools that can help you with a variety

of tasks.

Also referred to as mailbots, email and on demand, and automatic

email, these tools can help you put your business on autopilot and

spend more time doing other things.

Autoresponders are great to have, as they are designed to

automatically respond to any email they receive with an instant

response. In the online world of business, an autoresponder can

do a lot for your company.

By using one of these programs, you won't have to spend

countless hours answering emails again. You can feel free to do

other things and always know that your customers have access to

the information they need anytime they want it.

Autoresponders are easy to set up and easy to use, which is great

news for anyone who isn't technical with the Internet.

Autoresponders can be great to use, although they can also be a

hazard as well.

I have prepared for you 25 great articles that will guide you all

about autoresponders.

Proceed now to Follow Up Autoresponder

Web frenzy over T-shirt

2009-05-26T01:43:00.001-07:00

Something strange happened this week in Amazon.com's apparel section.

For a day or two, a black T-shirt featuring an image of three wolves baying at a full moon claimed the top slot at the online store's clothing bestseller list,, beating out the usual, unremarkable mix of Levi's 505 regular-fit jeans, Crocs clogs and Adidas running shoes.

Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt, Available in Various Sizes

And really, why wouldn't you buy the shirt, which is priced from $7.65 to $17.93, depending on your size? Just read the long and growing list of customer testimonials promising earth-shattering experiences or psychedelic vision quests upon purchase.

"I bought this shirt and instantly old girlfriends started calling me again," wrote one reviewer."My doctor says the cancer has gone into remission," wrote another. "

Thanks for changing my life!"The shirt's page at Amazon.com had quietly existed for years without much comment, but after a snarky link from CollegeHumor.com, the "Three Wolf Moon" shirt suddenly sprouted hundreds of five-star ratings.

Reviewers have dreamed up epics about its powers, weaving fantasies involving everything from the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland to the pop group Duran Duran.

As the joke caught on and got passed around the Web, Photoshopped spoofs of the shirt started appearing online -- featuring corgi puppies, spiders or haddock instead of the now-famous wolves.

CollegeHumor.com, a comedy site started in 1999 by a couple of high school friends who grew up together in Timonium, Md., also claimed victory this week for rigging an online poll run by the state of Nebraska to select a new license-plate design.

The site urged its readers to vote for what it deemed the most boring design available to Nebraska drivers. That gray-and-white plate won.Officials in Nebraska said they monitored Web traffic to screen out visitors coming directly from the humor site, but CollegeHumor.com was still, credibly, claiming the joke a success this week.

"Together we pranked the entire automobile-owning population of Nebraska," wrote a CollegeHumor.com editor, in a Wednesday posting. "Congratulations."

This type of online rabble-rousing appears to be catching on more than ever over the past year, said Tim Hwang, the organizer of ROFLCon, a convention dedicated to celebrating Internet memes.

After all, another Web-based prank crossed over into the real world just last month when a 21-year-old college student, known by the online moniker "m00t," sailed to the top of Time's "most influential person" list in an online poll, beating out the likes of President Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

Gathering nearly 17 million votes, the world's "most influential" person is the founder of another jokey Web culture site, 4chan.org, whose proprietor is known offline by the name Christopher Poole. If you don't get why the shirt, and its reviews, are so funny, don't worry.

CollegeHumor.com co-founder Josh Abramson said it's a case where the shirt is so uncool that it's cool."A lot of things that become popular on the Web are based around just being ironic and being an inside joke," Abramson said.

"This resonates with a geeky, hip crowd that is very Web-savvy. When something resonates with that circle, crazy things can happen."Abramson said his team had considered licensing the wolf shirt for sale.

CollegeHumor.com, which had 7 million unique Web visitors last month, also has an online store that sells T-shirts with ironic catchphrases and designs, called BustedTees.com. But it appears that the site may have been a bit slow to catch on to its own meme.

"We're kicking ourselves that we didn't," he said.The New Hampshire company that makes the "Three Wolf Moon" shirt said that it doesn't generally mind being the butt of this joke."You have to be able to laugh at yourself," said Michael McGloin, a partner and art director at the Mountain, who added that he finds some of the reviews to be "freaking hilarious."

The company certainly doesn't mind the shirt's recent uptick in sales: "Three Wolf Moon" is sold out, and the Mountain has started printing up a fresh batch.

It seems that the wolf theme was growing in popularity even before the Internet hipsters descended, McGloin said."Wolf shirts are super hot right now," he said. "It's the year of the wolf, I guess."

Click now to Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt, Available in Various Sizes

By Mike Musgrove, Washington Post Staff Writer

Summer Online Class: Internet Home Business Program

2009-04-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hi,

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Summer Class Online Training

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By simply inquiring and filling up our online form, you will
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Blog Money Guide

An Authoritative Guide to
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=============================================

The Internet Home Business Program

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Or earning income from it by taking up your own internet business.

It is a refinement of at least 9 years of internet marketing
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The Aredconsult Strategy is designed to "level the playing field"
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They are your overwhelming competition if you're really serious
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This is on top of at least half-million people per month who are
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Earning income from the Internet/Web is really lucrative, if you
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"The Philippines - A Country of CEO-Entrepreneurs"

How to make 2009 your richest year EVER!

2009-01-15T02:30:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Did you know that online spending is predicted to INCREASE by 14% this year?

So despite what you're hearing about the current economy, this is still an EXCELLENT time to start or grow your Internet business!

And I've arranged to get you some FREE help doing it...

You've probably heard of Derek Gehl, right?

He's the Internet marketing guru that's made over $100 MILLION in online sales as head of the Internet Marketing Center.

Derek's been hard at work, researching and identifying the BIGGEST online trends for 2009, and coming up with strategies that ANYONE can use to take advantage of these trends to make more money online this year than ever.

And now he's turned all of his research, predictions, and strategies into a two-hour online presentation and he's given me permission to give you unrestricted access to the whole thing for FREE!

But I know first-hand that, due to the time-sensitive nature of this information, Derek's only going to make it available for a short time, so if you want to find out how to not just survive in 2009, but actually THRIVE, you need to check it our right away:

http://www.internetmarketing.com/2009-goals/789606

Best wishes for 2009,

Ave Ramel

FREE "recession-busting" video

2008-12-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Will you act during the economic downturn, or simply REACT?

Don't let fear of the recession guide your goal setting plans for
2009. This is a BIG mistake...!

Fear is an emotional response, only good for short-term survival.

When you're in "fight or flight" mode, you're not thinking clearly
about the path you're running... You're just RUNNING!

So your efforts lack strategy, planning, and insight.

I want you to do more than just survive 2009.

Internet shopping is predicted to hit $145.1 Billion in the coming
year, a significant 14% increase -- despite the recession!

Consumers will be spending more time at home, using their
computers for everything from bargain hunting and product
research to upgrading skills.

Studies show this shift is ALREADY well underway...!

I don't want the Big "R" to stop you from pursuing exciting
personal, financial, and business goals in 2009, so I've arranged to
get you exclusive VIP access to an important video that Internet
marketing guru Derek Gehl just put up on his site.

Derek's been successfully selling on the Internet for over a decade
now, and he's brought in over $100 MILLION in sales …

… so he's by far the BEST person to advise you about how to
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When you watch his FREE Goal Setting Video, you'll discover
how you can make 2009 your richest year yet:

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Wishing you health, wealth, and happiness in 2009!

Ave Ramel

P.S. Derek's also going to be hosting a FREE Webinar in the first week of January to help everyone kick-off their New Year's goals with a bang.

You can register for it here:
http://goal-setting-video.blogspot.com/

***Trust in the Lord with all your heart***

Lot For Sale at P3,000 in Imus, Cavite

2008-10-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Location: Gardenville Subdivision
Carsadang Bago, Brgy. Pagasa
Imus, Cavite

- Already livable subdivision, with 200 residents
- For as low as P180,000 per 60 sq.m. lot.
- Paved roads, with PLDT, Internet, cable lines
- 30% downpayment, 6 months to pay without interest
- Balance payable in 5 years
- House and lot option

Grand Open House: Saturday, November 8, 2008

Only 50 lots available so contact now:

Group Sales Manager,
Ave Ramel

For Online Reservation:
CLICK HERE www.aredconsult.com/real-estate/gardenville

Investing for Retirement

2008-09-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

However, saving for retirement isn't what it used to be with the increase in cost of living and the instability of social security. You have to invest for your retirement, as opposed to saving for it!

Let's start by taking a look at the retirement plan offered by your company. Once upon a time, these plans were quite sound. However, after the Enron upset and all that followed, people aren't as secure in their company retirement plans anymore. If you choose not to invest in your company's retirement plan, you do have other options.

First, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. You do not have to state to anybody that the returns on these investments are to be used for retirement. Just simply let your money grow overtime, and when certain investments reach their maturity, reinvest them and continue to let your money grow.

You can also open an Individual Retirement Account {IRA}. IRA's are quite popular because the money is not taxed until you withdraw the funds. You may also be able to deduct your IRA contributions from the taxes that you owe. An IRA can be opened at most banks.

A ROTH IRA is a newer type of retirement account. With a Roth, you pay taxes on the money that you are investing in your account, but when you cash out, no federal taxes are owed. Roth IRA's can also be opened at a financial institution.

Proceed now Investing for Retirement

Investment Strategy

2008-07-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

If you are new to investments, work closely with a financial planner before making any investments.

They will help you develop an investment strategy that will not only fall within the bounds of your risk tolerance and your investment style, but will also help you achieve your financial goals.

Read more Investment Strategy at http://www.aredconsult.com/investing-basics/investment-strategy.htm

Long Term Investments For The Future

2008-07-03T03:29:00.000-07:00

Stocks are another vehicle for long term investments.

Shares of stocks are essentially shares of ownership in the company you are investing in.

When the company does well financially, the value of your stock rises.

However, if a company is doing poorly, your stock value drops. Stocks, of course, are even riskier than Mutual funds.

Read more Long Term Investments For The Future at http://www.aredconsult.com/investing-basics/long-term-investments-future.htm