Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Read This Before the Market Crashes in 2008
Conservative Retirement Investing in Turbulent Times ---- James K. Boyd 1/11/08
Merrill takes $14.1 billion write-down
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merrill Lynch & Co Inc (MER.N) on Thursday said it took a $14.1 billion write-down and adjustments in the fourth quarter as bad subprime mortgage bets forced the brokerage to sell pieces of the company to foreign investors to raise capital. Analysts expected Merrill's write-down to land anywhere from $10 billion to $15 billion. For the year, Merrill's subprime mortgage-related losses totaled nearly $23 billion.
Merrill reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $9.8 billion, or $12.01 a share, the largest in the company's history. The world's largest brokerage turned a profit of $2.3 billion, or $2.41 a share, in the year-ago period.
The results eclipse the $2.3 billion loss in the third quarter when Merrill recorded an $8.4 billion write-down.
In a statement, Chief Executive John Thain called the results "clearly unacceptable." But in the past month, Merrill has fortified its balance sheet with nearly $13 billion in capital infusions from U.S. and Asian investors. 1/17/08 [smart people can lose a lot of money] (Reporting by Tim McLaughlin, editing by Mark Porter)
Retirement investing is important. Most of us need to avoid Costly errors and yet obtain reasonable returns. It is difficult to cut through the hype in today’s mega-watt mutual fund advertising. Merrill Lynch has lost billions of dollars. [just one of many financial businesses that are in over their heads] Most funds underperform the S&P 500. In my research for my own retirement here are some ideas for low risk, modest returns in today’s volatile market.
· Maximize FDIC Insurance Coverage by funding a variety of Bank accounts. The coverage is capped at $100,000 per person for individual savings or checking accounts – But the FDIC also insures up to $100,000 per person in joint accounts. In addition it insures retirement accounts for up to $250,000 and trust accounts for an additional $100,000 per qualified beneficiary. So a married couple could have separate individual accounts, a joint saving account, separate retirement accounts and two trust accounts – each naming the other spouse as beneficiary – and be covered by FDIC insurance up to $1.1 million. And that’s just at one bank. This procedure can be repeated at as many FDIC insured institutions as your assets permit. Note: Changing how your name as listed on accounts does not give you more coverage. David Barr, spokesman, FDIC, Washington DC. Bottom Line Personal January 15, 2008
Top-yielding certificates of deposit----Good web site to find best rates: www.bankrate.com
High Yield Rates ( 1 yr IRA CD )
California 1st National Bank, Irvine, rate 4.60%
[this is just one of many banks that you can choose from]
· Listed below are some unusually strong and stable stock and bond funds with generally low standard deviations and low expenses with modest to above average returns. [all funds have at least a 10 year track record and are no load]
Fidelity Balanced (FBALX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 18---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 0.60%
10 years *Standard Deviation 9.72
*The standard deviation is the amount of swing in performance that an investment can be expected to have from year to year. The standard deviation is an investment’s “average variation from the average return.”
The higher the standard deviation, the greater the volatility, and therefore
the greater the risk. The Truth about Money, Ric Edelman
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 19---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.20%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.44
Vanguard Balanced Index (VBINX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 11---Number of Years Down: 4
Total Expense Ratio: 0.20%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.84
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate (VWEHX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 26---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 0.26%
10 year Standard Deviation 4.39
Fidelity Puritan (FPURX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 47---Number of Years Down:13
Total Expense Ratio: 0.59%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.74
Vanguard Wellesley Income (VWINX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 32---Number of Years Down: 5
Total Expense Ratio: 0.25%
10 year Standard Deviation 5.25
Franklin Income Adv (FRIAX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 8---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.48%
10 year Standard Deviation 7.98
Vanguard Interm-Term Tax-Ex (VWITX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 24---Number of Years Down: 6
Total Expense Ratio: 0.17%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.24
Dodge & Cox Income (DODIX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 16---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.44%
10 year Standard Deviation 2.93
T. Rowe Price Equity Income (PRFDX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 20---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.69%
10 year Standard Deviation 12.88
T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (PRWCX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 20---Number of Years Down:1
Total Expense Ratio: 0.73%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.45
T. Rowe Price CA Tax-Free Bond (PRXCX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 18---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 0.51%
10 year Standard Deviation 4.07
American Century Equity Income Inv (TWEIX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 11---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.97%
10 year Standard Deviation 10.55
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income (VASIX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 13---Number of Years Down: 0
Total Expense ratio: 0.24%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.76
Vanguard STAR (VGSTX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 19---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense ratio: 0.32%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.95
Vanguard Wellington (VWELX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 61---Number of Years Down:17
Total Expense Ratio: 0.30%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.76
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Ex (VWSTX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 30---Number of Years Down: 0
Total Expense Ratio: 0.16%
10 year Standard Deviation 0.76
Barclays Global Investors LP Retire I (STLAX) Blended Target Fund
Number of Years Up: 12---Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 0.78%
10 year Standard Deviation 4.12
Barclays Global Investors LP 2010 I (STLBX) Blended Target Fund
Number of Years Up: 11---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.77%
10 year Standard Deviation 6.77
Fidelity Freedom 2010 (FFFCX) Blended Target Fund
Number of Years Up: 9---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.68
10 year Standard Deviation 8.47
Homestead Value (HOVLX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 15 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.71%
10 year Standard Deviation 13.62
Mairs & Power Growth (MPGFX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 37 Number of Years Down: 12
Total Expense Ratio: 0.69%
10 year Standard Deviation 12.38
DWS High Yield Tax Free S (SHYTX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 18 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.73%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.17
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt (VWAHX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 23 Number of Years Down: 6
Total Expense Ratio: 0.17%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.58
USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate-Term (USATX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 23 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.56%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.17
Fidelity U.S. Bond Index (FBIDX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 15 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.31%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.47
American Century Equity Income Inv (TWEIX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 11 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio:0.97%
10 year Standard Deviation 10.55
CGM Focus (CGMFX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 9 Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 1.02%
10 year Standard Deviation 28.64
Manning & Napier Pro-Blend ExtndTerm A (MNBAX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 13 Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 1.14%
10 year Standard Deviation 10.22
Meridian Growth (MERDX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 21 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.84%
10 year Standard Deviation 16.41
Meridian Value (MVALX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 12 Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 1.08%
10 year Standard Deviation 14.55
Madison Mosaic Mid-Cap (GTSGX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 19 Number of Years Down: 5
Total Expense Ratio: 1.25%
10 year Standard Deviation 13.59
Northern Small Cap Value (NOSGX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 10 Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 1.00%
10 year Standard Deviation 17.75
Pennsylvania Mutual Inv (PENNX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 30 Number of Years Down: 6
Total Expense Ratio: 0.87%
10 year Standard Deviation 14.83
Tamarack Micro Cap Value S (TMVSX) Stock fund
Number of Years Up: 15 Number of Years Down: 5
Total Expense Ratio: 1.07%
10 year Standard Deviation 15.04
*Standard Deviation 1994-2003
U.S. Government Securities Funds 3.6
Municipal Bond Funds 4.4
Corporate Bond Funds (High Yield) 7.8
Balanced Funds 10.4
Stock Funds 16.6
International Stock Funds 19.1
Warning
*The standard deviation is the amount of swing in performance that an investment can be expected to have from year to year. The standard deviation is an investment’s “average variation from the average return.” The higher the standard deviation, the greater the volatility, and therefore the greater the risk. The Truth about Money, Ric Edelman
Two Large Money Market Funds:
VANGUARD MONEY MARKET RESERVES (VMMXX)
7-Day Yield: 4.55%
Assets: 89.94B
Total Expense Ratio: 0.17
FIDELITY CASH RESERVES (FDRXX)
7-Day Yield: 4.69%
Assets: 112.67B
Total Expense Ratio: 0.45
Merrill takes $14.1 billion write-down
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merrill Lynch & Co Inc (MER.N) on Thursday said it took a $14.1 billion write-down and adjustments in the fourth quarter as bad subprime mortgage bets forced the brokerage to sell pieces of the company to foreign investors to raise capital. Analysts expected Merrill's write-down to land anywhere from $10 billion to $15 billion. For the year, Merrill's subprime mortgage-related losses totaled nearly $23 billion.
Merrill reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $9.8 billion, or $12.01 a share, the largest in the company's history. The world's largest brokerage turned a profit of $2.3 billion, or $2.41 a share, in the year-ago period.
The results eclipse the $2.3 billion loss in the third quarter when Merrill recorded an $8.4 billion write-down.
In a statement, Chief Executive John Thain called the results "clearly unacceptable." But in the past month, Merrill has fortified its balance sheet with nearly $13 billion in capital infusions from U.S. and Asian investors. 1/17/08 [smart people can lose a lot of money] (Reporting by Tim McLaughlin, editing by Mark Porter)
Retirement investing is important. Most of us need to avoid Costly errors and yet obtain reasonable returns. It is difficult to cut through the hype in today’s mega-watt mutual fund advertising. Merrill Lynch has lost billions of dollars. [just one of many financial businesses that are in over their heads] Most funds underperform the S&P 500. In my research for my own retirement here are some ideas for low risk, modest returns in today’s volatile market.
· Maximize FDIC Insurance Coverage by funding a variety of Bank accounts. The coverage is capped at $100,000 per person for individual savings or checking accounts – But the FDIC also insures up to $100,000 per person in joint accounts. In addition it insures retirement accounts for up to $250,000 and trust accounts for an additional $100,000 per qualified beneficiary. So a married couple could have separate individual accounts, a joint saving account, separate retirement accounts and two trust accounts – each naming the other spouse as beneficiary – and be covered by FDIC insurance up to $1.1 million. And that’s just at one bank. This procedure can be repeated at as many FDIC insured institutions as your assets permit. Note: Changing how your name as listed on accounts does not give you more coverage. David Barr, spokesman, FDIC, Washington DC. Bottom Line Personal January 15, 2008
Top-yielding certificates of deposit----Good web site to find best rates: www.bankrate.com
High Yield Rates ( 1 yr IRA CD )
California 1st National Bank, Irvine, rate 4.60%
[this is just one of many banks that you can choose from]
· Listed below are some unusually strong and stable stock and bond funds with generally low standard deviations and low expenses with modest to above average returns. [all funds have at least a 10 year track record and are no load]
Fidelity Balanced (FBALX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 18---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 0.60%
10 years *Standard Deviation 9.72
*The standard deviation is the amount of swing in performance that an investment can be expected to have from year to year. The standard deviation is an investment’s “average variation from the average return.”
The higher the standard deviation, the greater the volatility, and therefore
the greater the risk. The Truth about Money, Ric Edelman
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 19---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.20%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.44
Vanguard Balanced Index (VBINX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 11---Number of Years Down: 4
Total Expense Ratio: 0.20%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.84
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate (VWEHX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 26---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 0.26%
10 year Standard Deviation 4.39
Fidelity Puritan (FPURX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 47---Number of Years Down:13
Total Expense Ratio: 0.59%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.74
Vanguard Wellesley Income (VWINX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 32---Number of Years Down: 5
Total Expense Ratio: 0.25%
10 year Standard Deviation 5.25
Franklin Income Adv (FRIAX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 8---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.48%
10 year Standard Deviation 7.98
Vanguard Interm-Term Tax-Ex (VWITX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 24---Number of Years Down: 6
Total Expense Ratio: 0.17%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.24
Dodge & Cox Income (DODIX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 16---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.44%
10 year Standard Deviation 2.93
T. Rowe Price Equity Income (PRFDX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 20---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.69%
10 year Standard Deviation 12.88
T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (PRWCX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 20---Number of Years Down:1
Total Expense Ratio: 0.73%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.45
T. Rowe Price CA Tax-Free Bond (PRXCX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 18---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 0.51%
10 year Standard Deviation 4.07
American Century Equity Income Inv (TWEIX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 11---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.97%
10 year Standard Deviation 10.55
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income (VASIX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 13---Number of Years Down: 0
Total Expense ratio: 0.24%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.76
Vanguard STAR (VGSTX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 19---Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense ratio: 0.32%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.95
Vanguard Wellington (VWELX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 61---Number of Years Down:17
Total Expense Ratio: 0.30%
10 year Standard Deviation 8.76
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Ex (VWSTX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 30---Number of Years Down: 0
Total Expense Ratio: 0.16%
10 year Standard Deviation 0.76
Barclays Global Investors LP Retire I (STLAX) Blended Target Fund
Number of Years Up: 12---Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 0.78%
10 year Standard Deviation 4.12
Barclays Global Investors LP 2010 I (STLBX) Blended Target Fund
Number of Years Up: 11---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.77%
10 year Standard Deviation 6.77
Fidelity Freedom 2010 (FFFCX) Blended Target Fund
Number of Years Up: 9---Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.68
10 year Standard Deviation 8.47
Homestead Value (HOVLX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 15 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.71%
10 year Standard Deviation 13.62
Mairs & Power Growth (MPGFX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 37 Number of Years Down: 12
Total Expense Ratio: 0.69%
10 year Standard Deviation 12.38
DWS High Yield Tax Free S (SHYTX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 18 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.73%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.17
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt (VWAHX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 23 Number of Years Down: 6
Total Expense Ratio: 0.17%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.58
USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate-Term (USATX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 23 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.56%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.17
Fidelity U.S. Bond Index (FBIDX) Bond Fund
Number of Years Up: 15 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.31%
10 year Standard Deviation 3.47
American Century Equity Income Inv (TWEIX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 11 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio:0.97%
10 year Standard Deviation 10.55
CGM Focus (CGMFX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 9 Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 1.02%
10 year Standard Deviation 28.64
Manning & Napier Pro-Blend ExtndTerm A (MNBAX) Blended Fund
Number of Years Up: 13 Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 1.14%
10 year Standard Deviation 10.22
Meridian Growth (MERDX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 21 Number of Years Down: 2
Total Expense Ratio: 0.84%
10 year Standard Deviation 16.41
Meridian Value (MVALX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 12 Number of Years Down: 1
Total Expense Ratio: 1.08%
10 year Standard Deviation 14.55
Madison Mosaic Mid-Cap (GTSGX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 19 Number of Years Down: 5
Total Expense Ratio: 1.25%
10 year Standard Deviation 13.59
Northern Small Cap Value (NOSGX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 10 Number of Years Down: 3
Total Expense Ratio: 1.00%
10 year Standard Deviation 17.75
Pennsylvania Mutual Inv (PENNX) Stock Fund
Number of Years Up: 30 Number of Years Down: 6
Total Expense Ratio: 0.87%
10 year Standard Deviation 14.83
Tamarack Micro Cap Value S (TMVSX) Stock fund
Number of Years Up: 15 Number of Years Down: 5
Total Expense Ratio: 1.07%
10 year Standard Deviation 15.04
*Standard Deviation 1994-2003
U.S. Government Securities Funds 3.6
Municipal Bond Funds 4.4
Corporate Bond Funds (High Yield) 7.8
Balanced Funds 10.4
Stock Funds 16.6
International Stock Funds 19.1
Warning
*The standard deviation is the amount of swing in performance that an investment can be expected to have from year to year. The standard deviation is an investment’s “average variation from the average return.” The higher the standard deviation, the greater the volatility, and therefore the greater the risk. The Truth about Money, Ric Edelman
Two Large Money Market Funds:
VANGUARD MONEY MARKET RESERVES (VMMXX)
7-Day Yield: 4.55%
Assets: 89.94B
Total Expense Ratio: 0.17
FIDELITY CASH RESERVES (FDRXX)
7-Day Yield: 4.69%
Assets: 112.67B
Total Expense Ratio: 0.45
Saturday, February 9, 2008
A Special Kind of Courage
adapted from: Brian Tracy
There are several different aspects of courage. Perhaps the most important is the courage to endure, to persist, to "hang in there" in the face of doubt, uncertainty and criticism from others or your own self-doubts.
Practice Patience in Adversity
This is called "courageous patience," the willingness and the ability to "stay the course" in the face of uncertainty, doubt and often criticism from many quarters.
Stay the Course
In my experience, there is a critical time period between the launching of a new venture or facing a big challenge and the results that come from that opportunity. During this hiatus, this waiting period, many people lose their nerve. They cannot stand the suspense of not knowing, of possible failure. They break and run in battle, they quake and quit in business or in life.
The True Leader
But the true leader is the person who can stand firm, who refuses to consider the possibility of failure. The turning points of many key moments in human history have been the resolution, or lack thereof, of one person. Courageous patience is the acid test of leadership.
To encourage others, to instill confidence in them, to help them to perform at their best requires first of all that you lead by example.
You probably already know that the most successful people have incredible levels of self-confidence and courage. They've accomplished great levels of success and happiness in their lives and seem to be unstoppable in everything that they do.
The fact is, that when you develop unshakable self-confidence and courage your whole world will change for the better.
There are several different aspects of courage. Perhaps the most important is the courage to endure, to persist, to "hang in there" in the face of doubt, uncertainty and criticism from others or your own self-doubts.
Practice Patience in Adversity
This is called "courageous patience," the willingness and the ability to "stay the course" in the face of uncertainty, doubt and often criticism from many quarters.
Stay the Course
In my experience, there is a critical time period between the launching of a new venture or facing a big challenge and the results that come from that opportunity. During this hiatus, this waiting period, many people lose their nerve. They cannot stand the suspense of not knowing, of possible failure. They break and run in battle, they quake and quit in business or in life.
The True Leader
But the true leader is the person who can stand firm, who refuses to consider the possibility of failure. The turning points of many key moments in human history have been the resolution, or lack thereof, of one person. Courageous patience is the acid test of leadership.
To encourage others, to instill confidence in them, to help them to perform at their best requires first of all that you lead by example.
You probably already know that the most successful people have incredible levels of self-confidence and courage. They've accomplished great levels of success and happiness in their lives and seem to be unstoppable in everything that they do.
The fact is, that when you develop unshakable self-confidence and courage your whole world will change for the better.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Treat Addiction Like Diabetes
Researchers Tell Docs to Treat Addiction Like Diabetes, Other Conditions
http://www.jointogether.org/news/features/2000/researchers-tell-docs-to-like.html
· There are effective intervention treatment program for addiction and diabetes
· Diabetes and addiction can be controlled if not cured
· Addiction and diabetes have a strong genetic component
· Personal responsibility plays a strong role in the developing of the disease and/or success in treatment
· Stress level and inactivity are behavior related risk factors
· 40 – 60 % of drug dependent individuals resume drug use within a year of treatment, more than 70% of diabetics fail to adhere to dietary or behavioral recommendations
· In addition to education and counseling medications have been developed in recent years that have been proven effective in treating addiction and diabetes
· Addiction and diabetes are chronic disorders that cause long term biological changes, successful treatment requires more than treating the acute condition, with detoxification and short-term counseling
· Relapse is not a sign of treatment failure, it signals a need to perhaps adapt medical monitoring and behavioral strategies
"No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future."--Hugh B Brown, Conference April 1969
President David O. Mckay, Conference Report, October 1961, First Day—Morning Meeting, p.9
To the Church in all the world the message of the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the other General Authorities is: Be true and loyal to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." (Psalm 31:24.)
Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p.582
Shape up. I say that to myself constantly. Shape up. Stand a little taller. Be a little better, a little stronger, a little more thoughtful, a little humbler, a little more prayerful, that you may be worthy of the guidance of the Lord and of His wonderful blessings. (Smithfield/Logan Utah Regional Conference, priesthood leadership session, April 20, 1996.)
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. Helaman 5:12
Elder Marion D. Hanks, A Loving, Communicating God, Ensign (CR), November 1992, p.63
“To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.”
http://www.jointogether.org/news/features/2000/researchers-tell-docs-to-like.html
· There are effective intervention treatment program for addiction and diabetes
· Diabetes and addiction can be controlled if not cured
· Addiction and diabetes have a strong genetic component
· Personal responsibility plays a strong role in the developing of the disease and/or success in treatment
· Stress level and inactivity are behavior related risk factors
· 40 – 60 % of drug dependent individuals resume drug use within a year of treatment, more than 70% of diabetics fail to adhere to dietary or behavioral recommendations
· In addition to education and counseling medications have been developed in recent years that have been proven effective in treating addiction and diabetes
· Addiction and diabetes are chronic disorders that cause long term biological changes, successful treatment requires more than treating the acute condition, with detoxification and short-term counseling
· Relapse is not a sign of treatment failure, it signals a need to perhaps adapt medical monitoring and behavioral strategies
"No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future."--Hugh B Brown, Conference April 1969
President David O. Mckay, Conference Report, October 1961, First Day—Morning Meeting, p.9
To the Church in all the world the message of the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the other General Authorities is: Be true and loyal to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." (Psalm 31:24.)
Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p.582
Shape up. I say that to myself constantly. Shape up. Stand a little taller. Be a little better, a little stronger, a little more thoughtful, a little humbler, a little more prayerful, that you may be worthy of the guidance of the Lord and of His wonderful blessings. (Smithfield/Logan Utah Regional Conference, priesthood leadership session, April 20, 1996.)
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. Helaman 5:12
Elder Marion D. Hanks, A Loving, Communicating God, Ensign (CR), November 1992, p.63
“To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.”
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Best Jobs for Retirees
Best Jobs for Retirees
1. Nursing
2. Health Care Technician
3. Health Care Administration (Non-Medical)
4. Teaching Aide
5. Contract & Temporary Professional
6. Merchandise and Grocery Retail
7. Specialty Retail
8. Accounting and Finance – Tax preparation
9. Banking and Lending
10.Driver-Car, Bus, light Truck
11. Customer Service Rep
12. Nonprofit services, Delivery and Administration
13. Insurance and Financial services
14.Home care and personal aide
15. Hospitality and Food Staff services
16. Office clerical and administration
17.Self-employed
18.Franchise Business owner
19.Small Business – employee general duties
20.Federal, State, Municipal government
http://www.forbes.com/
1. Nursing
2. Health Care Technician
3. Health Care Administration (Non-Medical)
4. Teaching Aide
5. Contract & Temporary Professional
6. Merchandise and Grocery Retail
7. Specialty Retail
8. Accounting and Finance – Tax preparation
9. Banking and Lending
10.Driver-Car, Bus, light Truck
11. Customer Service Rep
12. Nonprofit services, Delivery and Administration
13. Insurance and Financial services
14.Home care and personal aide
15. Hospitality and Food Staff services
16. Office clerical and administration
17.Self-employed
18.Franchise Business owner
19.Small Business – employee general duties
20.Federal, State, Municipal government
http://www.forbes.com/
Monday, January 14, 2008
Only Two Choices
The Two Choices We Face
Each of us has two distinct choices to make about what we will do with our lives. The first choice we can make is to be less than we have the capacity to be. To earn less. To have less. To read less and think less. To try less and discipline ourselves less. These are the choices that lead to an empty life. These are the choices that, once made, lead to a life of constant apprehension instead of a life of wondrous anticipation.
And the second choice? To do it all! To become all that we can possibly be. To read every book that we possibly can. To earn as much as we possibly can. To give and share as much as we possibly can. To strive and produce and accomplish as much as we possibly can. All of us have the choice.
To do or not to do. To be or not to be. To be all or to be less or to be nothing at all.
Like the tree, it would be a worthy challenge for us all to stretch upward and outward to the full measure of our capabilities. Why not do all that we can, every moment that we can, the best that we can, for as long as we can?
Our ultimate life objective should be to create as much as our talent and ability and desire will permit. To settle for doing less than we could do is to fail in this worthiest of undertakings.
Results are the best measurement of human progress. Not conversation. Not explanation. Not justification. Results! And if our results are less than our potential suggests that they should be, then we must strive to become more today than we were the day before. The greatest rewards are always reserved for those who bring great value to themselves and the world around them as a result of who and what they have become.
To Your Success
Jim Rohn
Each of us has two distinct choices to make about what we will do with our lives. The first choice we can make is to be less than we have the capacity to be. To earn less. To have less. To read less and think less. To try less and discipline ourselves less. These are the choices that lead to an empty life. These are the choices that, once made, lead to a life of constant apprehension instead of a life of wondrous anticipation.
And the second choice? To do it all! To become all that we can possibly be. To read every book that we possibly can. To earn as much as we possibly can. To give and share as much as we possibly can. To strive and produce and accomplish as much as we possibly can. All of us have the choice.
To do or not to do. To be or not to be. To be all or to be less or to be nothing at all.
Like the tree, it would be a worthy challenge for us all to stretch upward and outward to the full measure of our capabilities. Why not do all that we can, every moment that we can, the best that we can, for as long as we can?
Our ultimate life objective should be to create as much as our talent and ability and desire will permit. To settle for doing less than we could do is to fail in this worthiest of undertakings.
Results are the best measurement of human progress. Not conversation. Not explanation. Not justification. Results! And if our results are less than our potential suggests that they should be, then we must strive to become more today than we were the day before. The greatest rewards are always reserved for those who bring great value to themselves and the world around them as a result of who and what they have become.
To Your Success
Jim Rohn
Social Security Benefits in Retirement
Just a few years' more work can have a significant impact on your retirement income. You can continue adding to your 401(k) or other retirement plan, which reduces your current taxes and lets those investments continue to grow. Working longer also means you'll have to rely on your savings for fewer years.
A job can also boost your Social Security benefits. Although you can collect as early as age 62, your Social Security checks will be about 25% smaller -- for the rest of your life -- than if you wait till your normal retirement age. And if you continue to work and collect Social Security before your normal retirement age, you will lose $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn over $13,560 in 2008.
Once you reach your regular retirement age -- which is 65 and 10 months for those born in 1942, who turned 65 in 2007 -- you can collect full Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn by working. The normal retirement age increases to 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954, and rises gradually to 67 for people born later. www.kiplinger.com
A job can also boost your Social Security benefits. Although you can collect as early as age 62, your Social Security checks will be about 25% smaller -- for the rest of your life -- than if you wait till your normal retirement age. And if you continue to work and collect Social Security before your normal retirement age, you will lose $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn over $13,560 in 2008.
Once you reach your regular retirement age -- which is 65 and 10 months for those born in 1942, who turned 65 in 2007 -- you can collect full Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn by working. The normal retirement age increases to 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954, and rises gradually to 67 for people born later. www.kiplinger.com
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