The Map Magazine

Many believe that if you open a bank account offshore at any of the popular jurisdictions such as Panama or Belize, then that bank account would be out of the reach of home tax authorities and you can pretty much do as you please with it. Further it is thought by some that any earnings from said account need not be reported.

This line of thought is further bolstered by offshore hucksters who claim the above is true.

Fact is that opening a bank account offshore is not illegal but lying on your tax form is.

Remember those direct questions about offshore bank accounts and trusts on your income tax form? They are there for a reason. The government wants to know where your assets are so that they can tax them or seize them as they feel is appropriate.

On shore banks do not know the meaning of customer privacy and now function as agents of the government by reporting everything you do according to a bizarre set of reporting rules forced upon them.

Ferreting lawyers want to know how big and where your assets are too and this is easy for them to ascertain in the US or Canada.

It is well documented in the US that opportunistic lawyers actually prey on wealthy folks by crafting and instigating law suits knowing that many targets will settle out of court just to be rid of the trumped up problem.

Opening a bank account in Panama is fine but how are you going to get any sizeable amount of money into your shiny new account without sending up red flags all over the desk of your friendly tax official?

Your local bank is a snitch!

Governments under cover of excuses referring to terrorist threats and their possible money laundering activities now keep close watch on farmers in Saskatchewan and vintners in California in case they are doing something that is a national threat!

Privacy has never more threatened than it is today and as a direct result has never been more important. However privacy is now only for those who insist upon it, create it and defend it.

Forget about opening an offshore bank account as that alone will accomplish nothing.

Consider the proper creation of a competent offshore structure that is lawful, powerful and very, very private.

A good offshore structure will still do today what it has done for generations and that is to provide privacy and asset protection for assets which if left unprotected onshore may soon no longer be yours to protect.

And yes. Depending on the situation there may be some tax efficiencies as well!

The author has been involved in the financial arena for most of his adult life, latterly as the CEO of a successful financial services company which he sold a decade ago to devote his time to advising a select group of clients in prudent and cautious uses of offshore structuring. He has traveled extensively among many offshore jurisdictions over a span of 25 years and acquired hands on experience together with high quality contacts and resources in the better jurisdictions. He provides consulting services and can be reached at http://www.offshoreandprivate.com.

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How did your finances shape up at the end of the tax year?

Are you in a better financial position now than 12 months ago? Have your assets increased in value? Are you earning more money?

If you’ve answered yes to these questions, that’s great. If you’ve answered no, then perhaps it’s time to take stock of where you are financially and look at how you can enhance your current situation.

Avoid Laziness

I’m always amazed that so many people spend most of their life at work and totally neglect their personal affairs.

Many of the business people I coach want their professional lives to be in order, and admit that their personal affairs are in chaos.

They have no systems for handling this most important area. The household paperwork is disorganised…piled up in a corner of the house…somewhere. They have no idea where they spend their money and often have no plan for their financial future.

If you do not organise your personal life, you won’t have much of a future to look forward to.

Avoid the excuses that you are too tired, don’t have the time, and don’t know how.

Step Off the Treadmill

Here are several tips to get you started:

Set up a filing system to store your paperwork.

File your papers in categories: Bank, Car, Children, Home, Medical, Insurance, Investment, Tax, Utilities etc.

Organise direct debits for regular bills.

Read, sort and action your snail and e-mail daily. This will avoid a big build-up.

Make a note in your diary when you need to remember to do things.

Check your bank accounts weekly via phone or the Internet to keep tabs on your money.

Allocate a particular day and time each week to review your personal affairs.

Get educated - attend seminars, read books and listen to information on wealth creation. (Our fortnightly Event Update often advertises worthwhile events that will help you). Having knowledge will make it easier to make decisions and take action.

If you have a pro-active accountant or financial advisor - ask them what can you do to make the most of your money.

Review all your insurances to ensure you have adequate cover and are getting the best value for your buck.

Record your income and expenses in a spreadsheet to gain a true picture of where your money really goes.

Organising Your Financial Future

This area should be top priority. If you do nothing because it’s too much effort well think about this.

What would happen if you lost your job, have an accident and receive no income for 6 months? How would you (and your family) survive financially? Do you have your insurances in order?

Where will you be in the next five years? Maybe retired and on a pension? Or perhaps you have superannuation you hope will be enough to live on?

Unfortunately too many people are under false illusions about how superannuation will be the answer for a secure retirement.

Hope is not enough. You have to be pro-active and seek out people who can help you. But be careful who you take advice from and what is the motivation behind them “selling” you their ideas.

Educating yourself on how to make the most of your hard-earned money so you can create wealth should be a high priority. After all, if you’re not interested in securing your financial future, who is?

The Final Word

If you take control of your personal affairs you will have peace of mind and know that you are making things happen.

I once heard someone say: Some people make things happen, others watch things happen and still others wonder what happened. What do you choose to do?

Have a great week

Lorraine Pirihi

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If you apply for an online minikrediet for 312 euro you will usually have to fill out an online form and attach copies of your documentation in an email, or by fax.

In the majority of instances for every 169 euro you borrow you have to pay back 452 euro, meaning 21 interest. This is where a fast minikrediet comes in, offering a suitable sum of money to help you get by. A fast online minikrediet is a way to solve a short-term cash issue for amounts like 117 euro.

You must however, be able to satisfy the direct online minikrediet provider that you will have enough cash available to cover the advance repayment they will look at how much you can afford to pay back on an individual basis between 105 euro. The charge you need to observe is how much you pay back on the amount you borrow - this is a fixed sum dependent on the individual provider. For many it simply can’t arrive soon enough as we attempt to juggle bills and expenses, as well as trying to have a little fun in life. Be sure to use the payday loan comparison tool at gsm minikrediet to compare rates. The premise behind direct minikrediet is simple whatever you need 289 euro for, you can take out a loan (usually ranging from 198 euro but sometimes up to 1,000 depending on the provider) that is repayable on your next payday, whether it is 1 hours away or less.

Unexpected costs can hit even those who keep a tight grip on their finances if something goes wrong in the home, a family member needs support or you receive a larger than expected bill you might require cash to help you get by until your next wage slip.

However, this does vary with some providers charging 34 interest and so on. A lot of us count down the months until payday? However, it is not necessary to use the loan for this purpose and effectively the cash can be used at your discretion as long as it is paid back with interest during the short loan term. It’s easy to compare 10 minutes minikrediet with us and hopefully you’ll soon have the cash you need to get by without worrying how far away your next payday may be.

As with all fast online minikrediet it is best to take a complete search of the market before you apply for a gsm minikrediet for aount 205 euro so you can compare interest rates and make sure you are getting the best deal for your needs. However, for lengthier journeys you are better to use a method of transport that specialises in long distances such as a train or plane, minikrediet are certainly a short-term special.

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No matter what many credit counseling scam artists may try to
tell you, no one can legally remove any information that is
up-to-date and accurate from your credit report. They can’t do
it, and you can’t do it yourself. However, you CAN request an
investigation of anything you find in your credit file that you
believe to be either incomplete or inaccurate. That is perfectly
legal, and can be done at NO cost to you. In fact, anything that
a credit repair company offers to do for you can be done
yourself, generally free or for a nominal fee.

The good news is that just because you may have some negative
information in your credit report doesn’t automatically mean you
can’t get credit at all. Most creditors have their own
guidelines when it comes to granting credit, which means that
each company will look at your credit report in a slightly
different way. For instance, it’s not uncommon for companies to
lend more credence to the most recent information in a credit
report. That way, if you experienced some financial difficulty a
number of years ago, but then were able to get back on an even
keel and have been exemplary since that time, you’ll be more
likely to receive the credit you’re seeking with those
companies. It might even be to your benefit to have an informal
discussion with a potential creditor to discuss how they
interpret credit reports–even before you apply for credit.

You’re entitled to a free credit report every twelve months, and
it’s worthwhile to take advantage of that fact, just to see what
information is contained in your file. Many financial advisors
and consumer advocates suggest that you review your credit
report periodically, because erroneous information can sometimes
get into your report inadvertently and can affect your chances
of getting a loan or qualifying for insurance–as well as how
much those will cost you, in terms of interest rates or
premiums.

So request a free credit report from one of the Big Three:
Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion, and make sure that all the
information it contains is up-to-date and accurate, especially
if you’re about to apply for a major purchase, seek insurance,
or apply for employment. Checking your credit report on a
regular basis can also alert you to identity theft, which is one
of the fastest-growing crimes in the world today. Inaccurate or
incomplete information in your credit report can have a
significant impact on your chances of obtaining loans,
insurance, or a job, so it’s well worth the effort to make sure
everything in your report is exactly as it should be.

If you’re having trouble with your credit report and need help
finding assistance, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) for help. Find them on the Web at HREF=http://ftc.gov rel="nofollow">http://ftc.gov, or you give them
toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP. Their TTY number is 1-866-653-4261.
They maintain an online database that lists hundreds of civil
and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S., and they’ll
be able to steer you toward the help you need.

Copyright © Jeanette J. Fisher

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Access to foreign exchange (forex), the most extensive market on the planet, is generally through an intermediary known as a forex broker. Similar to a stock broker, these agents can also provide advice on forex trading strategies. This advice to clients often extends to technical analysis and research approaches designed to improve client forex trading performance.

Financial institutions are generally the most influential in the forex market through high-volume, large-value forex currency transactions. Historically, banks enjoyed monopolistic access to the forex markets, but through the Internet, any forex speculator can also enjoy 24 hour access to the market via a forex broker.

Secure web connections today allow many forex traders to work from home, where ready access to news and other technical advice informs decisions on what forex positions to take. Similar moves are being made by stock brokers, who are also moving out of banks and other traditional institutions.

Your needs in the market will influence your choice of forex broker. Online forex brokerage firms, known as houses, provide those new to the forex market with detailed research, advice and simulators to learn how to use their forex trading tools. The experienced online forex trader is catered to by other broking houses, with in-depth advice, but less focus on forex trading instruction based on the assumption that you are familiar with the forex market. To make an informed choice, it is advisable to trial several differing online forex broking houses and their trading tools to find the best fit for your needs.

Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.forex-web.info a website specialized on Forex Broker, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Forex Broker. For more info visit his site: Forex Broker

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So what is student credit cards really all about? The following
article includes some fascinating information about student
credit cards–info you can use, not just the old stuff they used
to tell you.

If you are student then I am sure you are on a budget, therefore
before you apply for a credit card we are going to review a few
cards, what the cards offer and how it can lead you into debt.
We are also going over a few responsibilities to help you avoid
getting in debt later.

The Citi cards are some of the leading cards offered today. Citi
Dividend Platinum Select Cards are one of the few cards offered
for college students. The card offers a 0% Intro APR up to six
months and 5% cash rewards on qualified purchases, including
purchases at pharmacies, gas stations, and grocery stores. There
are a 0% Liability on fraud purchases and no annual fees. The
cardholder will also have free online access to their account.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and student credit
cards experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in
reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it
comes to student credit cards.

College students should be advised that after the trial period
has ended, the APR increases. If you have, unpaid balance
transfers or debts then the card will apply the new APR to your
debts. This will include any charges on cash advances. The
Variable Rate will increase after the trail to 16.99%, with the
Standard rates being 21.99%. You must be aware that the cards
Variable rate is subject to increase to 30.99% on default rates.
The finance charges is average being $0.50, and all purchases in
foreign countries will add a 3.0% charge. Transactional fees on
‘cash advances is 3.0%’ and the smallest amount is $5 per
charge. Another 3.0% fees are applied to balance transfers, with
the smallest charge of $5 and max of $75.

As you can see this card poses some threats, since if you fail
to make your payments on time you will also pay fees, as well as
overdraft fees. If you apply for the card and find that you
can’t meet the payments then you are subject to loosing your
privilege of the card, and subject to poor credit ratings.

With this in mind, you may want to ask your self if you are
responsible enough to maintain a stable balance in which you can
repay. Are you ready to take on extra bills or do you intend to
use the card to payoff your current bills? Is the card used to
build your credit, or else to accustom you when the card is
needed?

I hope that reading the above student credit cards information
was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning
process should be ongoing–the more you understand about any
subject, the more you will be able to share with others
students.

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1. Market Timing

Some investors get wind of success stories from investors and traders who win big time by timing the markets. Although market timing can turn out to be successful for a lot of investors, many investors make the mistake of investing into a stock while its price is climbing instead of at the ground level. Another market timing error is selling an investment when the investor thinks that the stock is about to come down, potentially causing the investor to lose capital growth opportunities if the stock does not in fact drop-off as anticipated. Though market timing is a winning strategy for many investors, it can be a risky investment strategy and is not suggested for most investors.

2. Lack of Reinvestment

Whenever an investor is to sell off their investments, a big mistake that can be made is to not reinvest the money into a different investment, therefore holding the proceeds in cash. In many cases, it is advisable to reinvest the proceeds into another stock that meets the investor’s own objectives. Another reinvestment error occurs when investors fail to take advantage of the opportunity that a lot of investments offer the ability to reinvest dividends. This is an good strategy for wealth building and should be considered by nearly all investors.

3. Emotional Decisions

Most investors make their trading decisions on an emotional basis rather than on a logical basis. For instance, emotional investors will sell off an investment as it is dropping in price, therefore taking a loss instead of waiting for the market to re-correct. Although the overall investment goal is to buy when low and sell when high, a lot of investors execute the exact opposite strategy based on their emotional reactions.

4. Overpaying for Investment Fees

The price that is paid for investments can have a huge impact on an investor’s total investment return. Consider investment trading fees, investment transaction fees and up front prices for investment advice in order to ensure that your net investment returns are as healthy as possible.

5. No Diversity

Diversification is among the fundaments to a flourishing investment portfolio, yet so many investors neglect to properly address this step. Whenever an investor decides to invest into a particular industry sector or into a particular company without diversifying across other investments, they’re essentially putting all of their eggs into one basket. This move can significantly add to the investor’s portfolio risk and the possibility for loss of capital. A properly diversified portfolio will adhere to all components of an asset allocation, considering risk tolerance, investment capital available, investment time frame and the current portfolio’s investment class weightings.

For investment opportunities that work contact Nigel Walter Chairman of Connaught Asset Management

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Finally after trying to make your car more beautiful you are now ready to tell the world about your car. You might even be able to pull off a great shock to the buyer by making them see how great and maintained your car is. But if the car you have is like those cars Xzibit fixes on his show, it might be hard to pull it off.

The first thing you do after all your fixing is to advertise it. Here is an effective way of writing in a car advertisement. Most ads will only give you a space of 34 spaces per line and 4 lines only. So you need to make it worthwhile and attract the customers. It is worth it to spend for three extra lines because you can be more descriptive. To make it standout, some publications offer to put your ad in a box or frame it. If they do not offer that service, you can ask to make the ad bigger.

To give the buyer more confidence and trust, get a CARFAX History Report. Also mention in your ad, that you have CARFAX history report. This will make the buyer act faster instead of him wasting time thinking about buying the car. If you have low mileage, say it because it is an advantage.

The cheapest way to advertise your car is by putting in ads on all sides of your car. Put it in all the sides with colorful markers for people to notice it. You can also put a sign that can be torn of with you number on it, because not all people have pens to write the number. Then try to park your car in a heavily trafficked place where it will not be towed away.

The next best thing is put in on online classified ads. Online classified ads are better than newspaper ads because they are not only limited to a certain area. They are also advertised longer. Online ads also give you the chance to put the photo of your car.

Here are some things that you should put when advertising online: List the car until it is sold, be able to upload a photo, try to look for an ad sit that has lots of viewers, private party listings, a website that is easy and simple to read, you can easily edit your ad, a great customer service, a special classification of your car that can be listed to other websites, and a site that can be able to return your money when it is not sold.

By following this tips in advertising, you may have a faster time disposing of your car and one step closer to getting your new car too.

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

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Many people are looking to consolidate debt online because
they’re short on time and money. However, it’s important to
proceed with caution. Take the time to explore what’s available
and decide upon the best course of action for you.

Some people are motivated to consolidate debt online because
they know they can save a lot of money by taking advantage of
low interest rates. Others are panicking to find a quick and
easy solution to help them deal with a mountain of debt.

Whatever your motivations, a decision to consolidate debt
online may be the solution but before you make your decision or
offer detailed personal information to debt consolidation
companies check to see what they have to offer.

Don’t consolidate debt online with the first company that
promises to get you out of debt or help reach your goals
quickly. If their promises sound too good to be true, you can
bet they are.

The Better Business Bureau has received tens of thousands of
complaints from consumers that have fallen prey to false
representation and unethical practices of some debt management
companies.

Whether you want to consolidate online or deal with a debt
management company face to face consider the following tips:

* Find out if the company you want to deal with has a good
record with related consumer agencies such as the Better
Business Bureau.

* Stay clear of companies that fail to offer you a free
consultation or those that offer a free consultation which
includes little more than a sales pitch that promises to solve
your problems if you sign up with them. You want someone who
will thoroughly discuss your financial situation, needs and
options.

* Don’t give your business to companies that charge large,
up-front fees to set up or manage the financial option you
choose. A modest processing, application or credit report fee
may be required though.

* Get all your questions answered and find out what the terms
are. Companies that offer high interest rate loans with harsh
conditions and penalties built into the consolidation loan are
often the same high pressure companies that promise you the moon.

* Find out if the staff that you are dealing with is trained
and/or certified to help consumers deal with personal finance
issues such as credit, debt, budgeting, bankruptcy and so on.
You only want to deal with trained, courteous and accessible
staff members.

* Never give out your personal information unless you are
familiar with the company, know why they require it and can
provide it via a secure server if you’re communicating online.

* Be leery of and certainly don’t pay anyone that promises to
repair your credit without finding out how they can do it
legally and how you can do it yourself for free.

So is it safe to consolidate debt online?

Yes, it can be. By all means surf around the net to discover
the best place for you to consolidate debt online. Before you
decide on a company, do a background check, get all your
questions answered and follow the above tips to protect yourself
as you work to achieve your financial goals.

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