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	<title>Official Geezer Guide &#187; senior income</title>
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		<title>Amazon FBA is The Perfect Online Business for Seniors</title>
		<link>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/08/amazon-fba-is-the-perfect-online-business-for-seniors/</link>
		<comments>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/08/amazon-fba-is-the-perfect-online-business-for-seniors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:13:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Amazon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[amazon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[amazon fba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Make Extra Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior income]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/?p=688</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Learn How To Sell on Amazon According to Comscore Amazon is now the number one shopping destination on the web with over 20-million visitors a month.  eBay is a distant second with 15-million. If you are not selling on Amazon you are missing a huge market.  But Amazon works differently than eBay and some training [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/03/amazon-may-be-the-perfect-place-for-retired-folks-to-make-extra-money/' rel='bookmark' title='Amazon May be The Perfect Place for Retired Folks to Make Extra Money'>Amazon May be The Perfect Place for Retired Folks to Make Extra Money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/09/can-scanlister-help-seniors-make-money-selling-used-books/' rel='bookmark' title='Can ScanLister Help Seniors Make Money Selling Used Books?'>Can ScanLister Help Seniors Make Money Selling Used Books?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/10/are-you-still-waiting-to-start-your-internet-business-from-home/' rel='bookmark' title='Are You Still Waiting To Start Your Internet Business From Home?'>Are You Still Waiting To Start Your Internet Business From Home?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Learn How To Sell on Amazon</h2>
<p>According to Comscore Amazon is now the number one shopping destination on the web with over 20-million visitors a month.  eBay is a distant second with 15-million. If you are not selling on Amazon you are missing a huge market.  But Amazon works differently than eBay and some training is in order. The <a href="http://tinyurl.com/4szwnor">Proven Amazon Course</a> is your ticket to that training &#8211;and the price has just been <strong>reduced by $100</strong>.</p>
<p>This is a very temporary price cut.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://tinyurl.com/4szwnor">Proven Amazon Course</a> has easily been our most successful training course to date.  Its called the “proven” course because it really works.  And, it comes with a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied for any reason.</p>
<h2>Why is Amazon FBA the Perfect Online Business Opportunity for Seniors?</h2>
<p>The trouble with a normal online business whether it be selling on eBay, or from a website or from Amazon is all the hassle of packing and shipping.  Well Amazon FBA fixes that. FBA stands for Fulfillment By Amazon. With FBA you send your merchandise to Amazon.  Amazon sells it for you, collects the money and ships it for you.  Then they send you a check.</p>
<p>I recently attended the annual Amazon sellers conference in Seattle and I have to tell you that about 35% of the sellers who were there were fellow seniors.  One fellow was 72 and in a wheelchair.  He has a $10,000 a month Amazon business using FBA.</p>
<h2>Here are some great reasons to learn how to sell on Amazon:</h2>
<p>o  Mashable.com recently reported that one in five people were on Amazon.com in the month of June 2011. Amazon is the MOST shopped website ever.</p>
<p>o  You can send virtually ANY item with a barcode on it to Amazon and they’ll list, sell and ship it for you…and send you a check every two weeks. You can even put barcodes on your own stuff and send it to them.</p>
<p>o  You can visit the “discount” aisle (or closeout section of a website) of virtually any chain store (Wal-mart, Target, Big Lots, Meijer, Toys-R-Us etc.)  and find profitable (200-300% is easy) inventory. Box it all up in one box, and send it to Amazon. They do the rest.<br />
For example:  Just last week I found Rachel Ray Cooler Totes at Costco for $11.95 each.  No one had them on Amazon.  I bought a dozen and sold all of them for $39 each.  I also found Cars2 Sticker sets for kids for $9.90 at Costco and am getting $24.95 for them on Amazon &#8211;and Amazon is doing all the work.</p>
<h2>Why is our training so good?</h2>
<p>o  We include videos, eBooks to read and tons of step by step screenshots to show you how it all works.  And there is a forum where you can get help from experts:  A handful of world class experts monitor the forum to assist students as they build an Amazon biz and make it as hands free as possible.</p>
<p>These incredible experts are people like Chris Green, Bob Willey, Suzanne Wells, Skip McGrath (me), Julie Anna Schultz, Nathan Holmquist, Steve Lindhorst, JB Malik, and Stephanie Inge.  These are THE Amazon selling POWER PLAYERS and they are hanging out with hundreds of excited Amazon sellers on the discussion forums of the  <a href="http://tinyurl.com/4szwnor">Proven Amazon Course</a>.</p>
<p>o  The training we’ve put together is by far the best you’ll find on the subject and has been endorsed and promoted by nearly EVERY major expert in the Amazon selling arena.</p>
<p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/4szwnor">Proven Amazon Course</a></p>
<p>This highly discounted price will not last long. So don’t wait.</p>
<p>++++++++++++++++</p>
<p>We also have a UK Version of the Proven Amazon Course.  <a href="http://www.skipmcgrath.co.uk/proven-amazon-course-uk.php">Click here for the UK Version</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/03/amazon-may-be-the-perfect-place-for-retired-folks-to-make-extra-money/' rel='bookmark' title='Amazon May be The Perfect Place for Retired Folks to Make Extra Money'>Amazon May be The Perfect Place for Retired Folks to Make Extra Money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/09/can-scanlister-help-seniors-make-money-selling-used-books/' rel='bookmark' title='Can ScanLister Help Seniors Make Money Selling Used Books?'>Can ScanLister Help Seniors Make Money Selling Used Books?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/10/are-you-still-waiting-to-start-your-internet-business-from-home/' rel='bookmark' title='Are You Still Waiting To Start Your Internet Business From Home?'>Are You Still Waiting To Start Your Internet Business From Home?</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>When Will Washington Stop Lying To Us?</title>
		<link>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/07/when-will-washington-stop-lying-to-us/</link>
		<comments>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/07/when-will-washington-stop-lying-to-us/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:44:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Current Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget debate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[default]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[save debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social security running out]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/?p=665</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[That is not a political question. Both parties are lying to the people about the budget deficit and the debt cieling. Big Lie Number 1:  If we don&#8217;t pass the debt ceiling we will go into default Default has nothing to do with the debt ceiling.  The government would only default if they could not [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/05/washington-is-lying-to-us-about-inflation/' rel='bookmark' title='Washington Is Lying To Us About Inflation'>Washington Is Lying To Us About Inflation</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/07/are-social-security-medicare-cuts-on-the-table/' rel='bookmark' title='Are Social Security &amp; Medicare Cuts on The Table?'>Are Social Security &amp; Medicare Cuts on The Table?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/01/the-real-state-of-the-union/' rel='bookmark' title='The Real State of The Union'>The Real State of The Union</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>That is not a political question. Both parties are lying to the people about the budget deficit and the debt cieling.</p>
<h2>Big Lie Number 1:  If we don&#8217;t pass the debt ceiling we will go into default</h2>
<p>Default has nothing to do with the debt ceiling.  The government would only default if they could not make interest payments on our debt in the form of treasury bonds and bills.  Here is the math:</p>
<ul>
<li>The government spends about $295 billion per month</li>
<li>The government takes in approximately $200 Billion in taxes every month</li>
<li>This leaves a monthly deficit of $95 billion per month</li>
<li>Interest payment on the debt is about $20 billion per moth</li>
<li>Social Security runs another $50 Billion per month and Medicare about $55 Billion</li>
<li>So far we are up to $125 Billion &#8211; and we still have $75 billion to work with.</li>
<li>Defense spending is about $50 &#8211;but could be cut by $10 if we only paid for the essentials</li>
<li>Then what is left would have to run the rest of the government.</li>
</ul>
<p>So there is no default unless we decide not to pay the $20 billion per month on interest. If a politician says you won&#8217;t get your social security check he (or she) is lying. There is plenty of money to pay social security.  Of course if the president though it was more important to pay for the EPA, Agricultural subsidies to farmers, The National Endowment for the Arts or National Public Radio &#8211;then he could make the choice to do that instead of sending us our social security checks.  But if he did that I suspect seniors would march on Washington by the millions.</p>
<p>Yes, a lot of programs would be cut, employees furloughed and probably the parks and museums would close.  But interest on the debt would be paid, social security checks would go out, soldiers and sailors would be paid, doctors would be paid by Medicare and the country would probably run just fine.  So forget about default. Stress and inconvenience &#8211; yes. Default &#8211; No.</p>
<h2>Big Lie Number 2:  Both parties are coming up with plans to cut spending</h2>
<p>This is an even bigger lie.  Both parties claim to have plans to cut the deficit to offset the increase in the debt ceiling. That is total bull!  When you look at both party&#8217;s plans there are no real cuts in spending &#8211;they are only cuts in the estimate of how much the deficit will grow. Currently the government projects the deficit will grow about $10 Trillion over the next ten years (that estimate is on the low side as some economists predict it will grow over $15 Trillion).</p>
<p>But when President Obama, Harry Reid or John Baynor speak about cuts they are talking about letting the deficit grow less.  So if a $2 Trillion cut is announced as part of a deal, that meant the deficit will only grow to $8 Trillion instead of $10 Trillion.  That is Washington&#8217;s idea of a cut.</p>
<p>Where are the real cuts?  Between the last two censuses (2000 &#8211; 2010) the population of the United States grew slightly less than 7%. During that same period the number of US Government employees grew 19% and state government employment was up over 16%.  So, bottom line, the government is growing much faster than the population.</p>
<h2>Big Lie Number 3:  If we raise taxes on oil companies, corporate jet owners and millionaires it will balance the budget.</h2>
<p>This one is really cute.  Lets take them one at a time:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Oil companies</strong> &#8211; When the Politicians talk about special breaks for oil companies they are speaking about the &#8220;depletion allowance.&#8221;  This is a tax break to compensate the oil companies since they are losing their reserves as they pump. The allowance was put in place to give them an incentive to explore and drill new well to replace the oil that is depleted.  If that deduction were taken away from the oil companies the total taxes collected over the next ten years would amount to about $40 billion.  That&#8217;s over ten years.  But our deficit just this year is over $1 Trillion.</li>
<li><strong>Corporate jets</strong> &#8211; A few years ago when we were trying to recover from the recession that hit after 9/11, the congress passed and the president signed a bill that allowed corporate jet owners to accelerate their depreciation deduction.  The reason for this was the corporate jet industry was in the toilet and unemployment in that industry was running over 25%.
<p>The deductions worked.  The corporate jet industry is now healthy and currently employs over 700,000 people between the manufacturers, sales, maintenance, fixed base operators, pilots and so on.  So here we are in the middle of a recession and the president wants to raise a tax that will put people in the industry out of work.  He wants to stick it to millionaires jet owners but in the process he will hit factory workers, pilots, food service, sales people and maintenance personnel.  And worse &#8211; the total taxes saved will amount to less than $9 Billion over the next ten years.</li>
<li><strong>Millionaires</strong> &#8211; The president keeps mentioning millionaires and billionaires paying more taxes.  Well taxes are taken from income &#8211;not wealth.  Most true millionaires and certainly billionaires actually make very little money from earned income.  The number of people who make over $1 million in income in a given year is less than ten thousand.
<p>You could raise the tax rate to 90% on all of those people and you would only take in an additional $10 to $12 billion a year.  Besides, these are the people who invest in companies, create jobs and buy things that employ people.  So with a recession on, lets hit them where it hurts &#8211; Right!</p>
<p>Remember the annual deficit for just this year is over $1 Trillion. If you add all three of these tax increases up, you get $25 billion is increased revenue. Even if you taxed everyone who made over $200,000 a year at 90% you would only bring in another $60 to $70 billion.</li>
</ul>
<p>So now you know what is going on.  It doesn&#8217;t matter if you are a Independent, a Democrat or a Republican we are all being lied to by both parties.  The one thing Washington won&#8217;t do is actually cut actual spending.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++ADVERTISEMENT+++++++++++</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Seniors &#8211; supplement your retirement income with an easy in-home business anyone can start.  <a href="http://www.make-money-gold.com/" target="_blank">How To Make Money Buying and Selling Gold</a> shows you the easy steps to make up to $1000 week working very part time.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">+</p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/05/washington-is-lying-to-us-about-inflation/' rel='bookmark' title='Washington Is Lying To Us About Inflation'>Washington Is Lying To Us About Inflation</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/07/are-social-security-medicare-cuts-on-the-table/' rel='bookmark' title='Are Social Security &amp; Medicare Cuts on The Table?'>Are Social Security &amp; Medicare Cuts on The Table?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/01/the-real-state-of-the-union/' rel='bookmark' title='The Real State of The Union'>The Real State of The Union</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Are Social Security &amp; Medicare Cuts on The Table?</title>
		<link>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/07/are-social-security-medicare-cuts-on-the-table/</link>
		<comments>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/07/are-social-security-medicare-cuts-on-the-table/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:48:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health & Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medicare cuts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social security cuts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/?p=659</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The debate in Washington over raising the debt limit has highlighted something that most of us (and the folks in Washington DC) have known for a long time.  There is simply not enough money in the world that can pay all the future bills of Medicare, Social Security and Medicade &#8211;Let alone Obamacare that will [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/05/will-social-security-last-through-your-retirement-will-your-benefits-be-reduced/' rel='bookmark' title='Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?'>Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/10/four-reasons-social-security-is-completely-flawed/' rel='bookmark' title='Four Reasons Social Security Is Completely Flawed'>Four Reasons Social Security Is Completely Flawed</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/01/what-to-do-if-social-security-doesnt-last-through-your-retirement/' rel='bookmark' title='What to do if Social Security Doesn&#039;t Last Through Your Retirement'>What to do if Social Security Doesn&#039;t Last Through Your Retirement</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The debate in Washington over raising the debt limit has highlighted something that most of us (and the folks in Washington DC) have known for a long time.  There is simply not enough money in the world that can pay all the future bills of Medicare, Social Security and Medicade &#8211;Let alone Obamacare that will add another Trillion Dollars in unfunded liabilities over the next ten years.</p>
<p>I can&#8217;t remember who did it, but one of those Washington think tanks did a study where they calculated that you could raise the tax rate to 90% on every single American &#8211;rich, poor and middle class, and you would still not have enough money coming in to pay for all of the entitlement spending at current and projected levels.  So yes.  Social Security and Medicare too will have to be cut.  And the cuts will have to be deep.</p>
<p>Here is what the cuts will probably look like.  They will consist of some or all of these steps. (Note: I am not suggesting we should do these things &#8211;just saying this is what the folks in Washington are considering).</p>
<h2>Social Security Cuts</h2>
<ul>
<li>Raise the retirement age to 68 now and later to 70.</li>
<li>Eliminate early retirement at age 62</li>
<li>Adjust inflation indexing downward</li>
<li>Extend the tax rules on retirees earning over $14,000 a year to age 70. (Each $2.00 of income you make over $14,000 a year, reduces your payment by $1.00).</li>
<li>Some type of means test based on total retirement income from all sources (dividends, other retirement plans, military retirement and withdrawals from IRAs and 401Ks.  Those with a total retirement income over a certain level (the betting is $30,000) would receive a reduced payout.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Medicare Cuts</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Justice Department will set up a special Medicare/Medicaid fraud unit with a goal to reduce fraud by $100 billion per year  (about 1/3rd of the current estimated fraud).</li>
<li>The Government will hire an outside auditing firm to audit Medicare claims to prevent fraud and general misuse.</li>
<li>A deductible system will be introduced based on retirees total income from all sources.  Those whose only income is SSI would be left alone. Those whom have additional sources of income would have to pay a deductible and perhaps even co-pays based on the size of their income.</li>
<li>Institute medical review panels to limit care to end of life situations</li>
<li>Allow Medicare to negotiate rates with drug companies and medical supply companies as is now done by the Veterans Administration.  This one step alone will save $70 Billion/year.</li>
</ul>
<p>All of these steps combined could reduce SSI and Medicare payments by about $500 Billion per year by 2015.  That will still leave a shortfall, but it will be more manageable and could be covered by a combination of economic growth and increased taxes.</p>
<p>I would love to hear your comments.  How would you fix the problem of a $5 Trillion shortfall over the next 15 years?  Please use the comment form below.</p>
<h3>Note &#8211; All comments have to be approved so they will not show up instantly. I only kill comments that are either spam or contain objectionable material so feel free to vent &#8211;but I would really like to hear some positive ideas.</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">+++++++++++++++++++++</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Need extra income. This is the perfect business for seniors &#8211; <a href="http://mcgrrrrr.mcgrrrrr.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_blank">Make Money Buying and Selling Gold</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">+++++++++++++++++++++</p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/05/will-social-security-last-through-your-retirement-will-your-benefits-be-reduced/' rel='bookmark' title='Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?'>Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/10/four-reasons-social-security-is-completely-flawed/' rel='bookmark' title='Four Reasons Social Security Is Completely Flawed'>Four Reasons Social Security Is Completely Flawed</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/01/what-to-do-if-social-security-doesnt-last-through-your-retirement/' rel='bookmark' title='What to do if Social Security Doesn&#039;t Last Through Your Retirement'>What to do if Social Security Doesn&#039;t Last Through Your Retirement</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Three Shocking Events That Will Rock Our Finances</title>
		<link>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/02/three-shocking-events-that-will-rock-our-finances/</link>
		<comments>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/02/three-shocking-events-that-will-rock-our-finances/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:04:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Current Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[save debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seniors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/?p=555</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s post is a guest article by Money &#38; Markets owner, Martin Weiss. These events will have huge impacts on senior&#8217;s savings, investments and the value of the dollar over the coming weeks and months. See below for information about subscribing to his newsletter Three Shocking Events by Martin Weiss With each passing day, new [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/04/rising-interest-rates-right-around-the-corner/' rel='bookmark' title='Rising Interest Rates Right Around the Corner!'>Rising Interest Rates Right Around the Corner!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/01/up-to-200-banks-could-fail-in-2010/' rel='bookmark' title='UP to 200 Banks Could Fail in 2010'>UP to 200 Banks Could Fail in 2010</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today&#8217;s post is a guest article by Money &amp; Markets owner, Martin Weiss. These events will have huge impacts on senior&#8217;s savings, investments and the value of the dollar over the coming weeks and months.</p>
<p>See below for information about subscribing to his newsletter</p>
<h2>Three Shocking Events by Martin Weiss</h2>
<p>With each passing day, new shocking events drive us closer to the next phase of this debt crisis.</p>
<h2>EVENT #1: In New York, where the city is facing a $2.4 billion budget deficit, it’s getting nasty.</h2>
<p>Mayor Bloomberg has called for cancelling holiday bonuses for police and firefighters — and the unions are mad as hell.</p>
<p>In fact, just this past week, the presidents of the two unions vowed to fight Bloomberg’s budget-cutting plan tooth and nail, accusing the Mayor of spreading false information in an attempt to steal their members’ money.</p>
<p>At their press conference on the cuts, the union heads used the words “liar,” “lie” and “lying” at least 23 times when referring to the mayor.</p>
<h2>EVENT #2: A few miles away in New Jersey, the state is reeling from last week’s Standard &amp; Poor’s’ bond downgrade.</h2>
<p>The S&amp;P cited the fact that the state’s pension system has $54 billion LESS than it needs to meet future obligations. But now, the lowered credit rating makes a bad situation worse by forcing New Jersey to pay higher interest rates to borrow money.</p>
<p>At a public forum in Union City last Wednesday, Governor Chris Christie said the Democrats, who control the Legislature, had compared him to Chicken Little. “The sky,” he said, citing S&amp;P’s downgrade, “started to fall in today.”</p>
<h2>EVENT #3: In Washington DC, Congress and the White House are once again proving their gross incompetence when it comes to dealing with the crisis:</h2>
<p>First, the new Republican Speaker of the House — Representative John Boehner — called for budget cuts of $100 billion.</p>
<p>Then, Republicans slashed that target to about $50 billion even before they won the House.</p>
<p>Now, the Republicans are attempting to cut the budget by a mere $32 billion.</p>
<p>But it’s clear that even that paltry figure — an amount equal to just two one-hundredths (.02 percent) of the $1.5 trillion projected deficit for 2011 — can’t be passed because of opposition from the Democrats in the Senate and the White House.</p>
<p>Make no mistake: This nationwide meltdown of government debt is now inevitable. If our leaders have proven anything, it’s that they are still unwilling and unable to take the government debt crisis seriously.</p>
<p>As a result, a massive implosion of debt at all levels of government — from the smallest townships and counties, to many of our largest counties and states, and even to the federal government itself — is rushing towards us like a runaway freight train.</p>
<p>When it hits in the weeks and months ahead, it will crush the bond market and drive interest rates through the roof.</p>
<p>Our mission is to make sure you’re prepared. More than that: Our duty is to give you the investment recommendations you need to protect your portfolio and your retirement — and to actually grow your wealth even while millions of investors lose theirs.</p>
<p>So be sure to stay safe and pay close attention to our issues in the days ahead.</p>
<p>Good luck and God bless!</p>
<p>Martin</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Note &#8211; The situation in event #3 has changed since Martin penned this a few days ago.  The Republicans in Congress have agreed to a $60 cut in the current budget year. But it is unlikely the Democrats led Senate will go along with those cuts.</p>
<p>This investment news is brought to you by Money and Markets. Money and Markets is a free daily investment newsletter from Martin D. Weiss and Weiss Research analysts offering the latest investing news and financial insights for the stock market, including tips and advice on investing in gold, energy and oil. Dr. Weiss is a leader in the fields of investing, interest rates, financial safety and economic forecasting. To view archives or subscribe, visit <a href="http://www.moneyandmarkets.com">http://www.moneyandmarkets.com</a>.</p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2011/01/are-you-prepared-for-state-and-city-pension-failures/' rel='bookmark' title='Are You Prepared for State and City Pension Failures?'>Are You Prepared for State and City Pension Failures?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/04/rising-interest-rates-right-around-the-corner/' rel='bookmark' title='Rising Interest Rates Right Around the Corner!'>Rising Interest Rates Right Around the Corner!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/01/up-to-200-banks-could-fail-in-2010/' rel='bookmark' title='UP to 200 Banks Could Fail in 2010'>UP to 200 Banks Could Fail in 2010</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Are You Prepared for State and City Pension Failures?</title>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:34:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Current Events]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/?p=536</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are retired &#8211;or about to retire from a state or city government, your pension is at risk.  Here is a great article by Nilus Mattive, author of Dividend Superstars Newsletter. Dead ahead: State and city pension FAILURES! Nilus Mattive Last week The New York Times dropped a bombshell, reporting that “policy makers are [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/05/will-social-security-last-through-your-retirement-will-your-benefits-be-reduced/' rel='bookmark' title='Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?'>Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/10/just-how-many-taxes-are-there/' rel='bookmark' title='Just How Many Taxes Are There?'>Just How Many Taxes Are There?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are retired &#8211;or about to retire from a state or city government, your pension is at risk.  Here is a great article by Nilus Mattive, author of Dividend Superstars Newsletter.</p>
<h2>Dead ahead: State and city pension FAILURES!</h2>
<h2>Nilus Mattive</h2>
<p>Last week The New York Times dropped a bombshell, reporting that “policy makers are working behind the scenes to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts, including the pensions they have promised to retired public workers.”</p>
<p>This is truly huge news, with far-reaching consequences. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you’ve been reading my columns …</p>
<p>Back in July, I explained how state pension funds around the country had essentially blown their fiduciary responsibilities to retirees and their broader constituencies.</p>
<p>Specifically, I wrote:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">“They have been consistently underestimating how much money they’ll need down the line. In essence they are pretending that inflation doesn’t exist …</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">“Second, despite the major losses they actually experienced in their portfolios, they are acting as if those losses haven’t completely happened yet. Instead, they are basically just figuring that things will turn around if they wait long enough …</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">“And interestingly enough, when these same investors were winning big a few years ago, they put off contributing more of their current earnings into their accounts … essentially letting their profits carry the day, or even borrowing money from their accounts!</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">“Even today, with their balances way off what they should be, they are failing to contribute to their accounts. Some are even playing ‘shell games,’ by moving money around to make it look like they’re in better shape than they really are.</p>
<p>Then, this past September, I discussed some of the specific state pension plans at risk of imminent failure, along with arguments and steps legislators were employing to wiggle out of past promises.</p>
<p>Now, you’ll get no argument from me that many employee organizations expected — nay, demanded — far too much every time they went to the negotiating table. Yet I still place most of the blame for this impending crisis on career politicians.</p>
<p>Like coddling parents who never say “no” to their children, they were willing to promise anything to get elected and then to stay in office …</p>
<p>They were happy to ignore budgets and dole out money that wasn’t even in the kitty yet …</p>
<p>And they stubbornly put off pending problems, acting as if the piper would never show up asking for payment.</p>
<p>From capitol to capitol, it was just one big game of musical chairs. Now the needle has careened off the record with one last deafening screech.</p>
<p>Worse, the States Are Just One Facet of</p>
<h2>This Massive National Pension Crisis!</h2>
<p>Similar pension problems are emerging among U.S. cities, too — where local governments can already declare bankruptcy and, in some cases, hang pensioners out to dry.</p>
<p>And even in places where constitutions currently protect pensions, mounting problems at the state level may ultimately unravel — or at least sharply impact — retirement benefits at the local level.</p>
<p>Just take a look at the latest headlines and you’ll see just how widespread the problems are …</p>
<p>In New York City, pension costs have more than quadrupled in the past decade, from $1.5 billion in 2001 to $7 billion this year! That’s why Mayor Bloomberg recently echoed Governor Cuomo’s state-level battle to rein in pension costs, threatening huge layoffs unless unions accept drastic retirement reforms.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, lawmakers currently owe retirees about $1 billion more than they have socked away. And as this story explains, it’s a real mess.</p>
<p>Just some of the highlights:</p>
<p>* “[There are] policies that allow some workers to retire with pensions of up to 90 percent of their three highest years’ salary, guaranteed 3 percent annual increases, lifetime health coverage at negligible cost and other benefits far beyond those found in most private and public retirement plans.”</p>
<p>* “From 2000 to 2009, investment earnings failed in half of the years to meet an 8 percent [return] goal.”</p>
<p>* To solve the problems, “trustees are considering proposals to raise retirement ages, lower annual cost-of-living adjustments, shift a greater share of health costs to retirees and alter pension calculation formulas.”</p>
<p>Look, we’ve already seen this movie with corporate pension problems over the last decade. Countless plans failed … countless more were shuttered for current employees … and a whole mess of people lost important benefits there were counting on.</p>
<p>Plus, as I’ve noted in the past, the government’s backup insurance plan for these failed private plans is itself underfunded by many billions.</p>
<p>With these same issues appearing in cities and states from one coast to the other, a lot of folks have been asking if Washington will step in.</p>
<p>Well, if that New York Times article is any indication, the answer is yes — Washington may step in to LET state and local governments renege on at least some of the benefits they owe retirees!</p>
<p>It’s not like Uncle Sam really has a choice. In addition to owing private pensioners more than what’s in the kitty, there’s also that pesky issue of massive shortfalls in the Social Security program.</p>
<h2>So What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?</h2>
<p>It doesn’t matter if you’re a government worker or just a regular citizen … this national pension crisis is going to affect you — directly or indirectly.</p>
<p>It may mean a sharp decrease in your retirement benefits. Or it could reduce the public services available in your city or town. And it will almost definitely lead to higher taxes.</p>
<p>So I suggest you get as much information as you can on the rapidly developing state and local debt crises striking our nation … and learn how to hedge against these problems with new investments that are now available.</p>
<p>In addition, I consider it absolutely critical that build up your own income-generating portfolio as quickly as possible, preferably in tax-sheltered accounts.</p>
<p>I’m helping my own dad do this right now, because we recognize that his state pension is no more guaranteed than anyone else’s.</p>
<p>As the latest headlines demonstrate, past promises to retirees are no longer sacred and benefits are no longer guaranteed. So if you’ve been putting off your personal protection plan, please make it your first priority in 2011.</p>
<p>Best wishes,</p>
<p>Nilus</p>
<p>This investment news is brought to you by Money and Markets. Money and Markets is a free daily investment newsletter from Martin D. Weiss and Weiss Research analysts offering the latest investing news and financial insights for the stock market, including tips and advice on investing in gold, energy and oil. Dr. Weiss is a leader in the fields of investing, interest rates, financial safety and economic forecasting. To view archives or subscribe, visit <a href="http://www.moneyandmarkets.com">http://www.moneyandmarkets.com</a>.</p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/08/the-perils-of-tapping-a-401k-early/' rel='bookmark' title='The Perils of Tapping a 401(k) Early'>The Perils of Tapping a 401(k) Early</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/05/will-social-security-last-through-your-retirement-will-your-benefits-be-reduced/' rel='bookmark' title='Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?'>Will Social Security Last Through Your Retirement? Will Your Benefits be Reduced?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/10/just-how-many-taxes-are-there/' rel='bookmark' title='Just How Many Taxes Are There?'>Just How Many Taxes Are There?</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Perils of Tapping a 401(k) Early</title>
		<link>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/08/the-perils-of-tapping-a-401k-early/</link>
		<comments>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/08/the-perils-of-tapping-a-401k-early/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:07:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[by Nilus Mattive 08-24-10 Fidelity just released a new report and it’s pretty depressing. The upshot? A record number of Americans are making hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) retirement plans. Worse yet, the number of U.S. workers borrowing from their plans is also at a 10-year high! I’ll get to why this is so disheartening [...]


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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>by <a title="Posts by Nilus Mattive" href="http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/topic/experts/nilus-mattive">Nilus Mattive</a> 08-24-10</p>
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<p>Fidelity just released a new report and it’s pretty depressing.</p>
<p>The upshot? A record number of Americans are making hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) retirement plans. Worse yet, the number of U.S. workers borrowing from their plans is also at a 10-year high!</p>
<p>I’ll get to why this is so disheartening in a moment. But first …</p>
<p><strong>A Quick Look at the Ways to</strong> <strong>Remove Money from a 401(k) Plan </strong></p>
<p>The 401(k) plan is the most ubiquitous retirement account in the United States, and for good reason: Any money employees contribute is not counted for income tax purposes. Instead, it’s taxed — along with investment earnings — upon withdrawal.</p>
<p>So how and when can money come out of a 401(k) plan?</p>
<p><strong><em>The first way is upon retirement,</em></strong> which is defined by the tax code as the contributor reaching age 59 ½. At that point and beyond, any money that comes out of a 401(k) plan is simply taxed as regular income.</p>
<p><strong><em>The second way is through separation of employment. </em></strong>In this case, the contributor has four choices, which boil down to:</p>
<ol>
<li>Leaving the money where it is</li>
<li>Rolling it over into a new employer’s plan</li>
<li>Rolling it into an Individual Retirement Account</li>
<li>Withdrawing it.</li>
</ol>
<p>When done correctly, the first three options don’t result in any taxes or penalties. However, the fourth option <em>DOES </em>(unless the employee also happens to meet the conditions for retirement discussed above).</p>
<p>In short, money that comes out of a 401(k) plan before the contributor reaches age 59 ½ results in both regular income taxes being due but <em>ALSO </em>a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty.</p>
<p><strong><em>The third way is through what is known as a “hardship withdrawal.” </em></strong>While they’re not required to do so, most 401(k) plans allow contributors to remove money under certain circumstances — including medical expenses, the purchase of a principal residence, tuition and related educational costs, and funeral expenses.</p>
<p>Individual plans have some leeway in how they specifically define “hardship” and what particular events can trigger withdrawals, but the IRS does provide the following guidelines:</p>
<blockquote><p>“For a distribution from a 401(k) plan to be on account of hardship, it must be made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need of the employee and the amount must be necessary to satisfy the financial need. The need of the employee includes the need of the employee’s spouse or dependent.</p>
<p>“Under the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the need of the employee also may include the need of the employee’s non-spouse, non-dependent beneficiary.</p>
<p>“A distribution is not considered necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need of an employee if the employee has other resources available to meet the need, including assets of the employee’s spouse and minor children. Whether other resources are available is determined based on facts and circumstances.”</p></blockquote>
<p>In a few specific cases — such as death, permanent disability, or termination of service after age 55 — the IRS will not impose the 10 percent early penalty on these withdrawals. But in most other cases it will.</p>
<p>Worse, employees will also be required to pay ordinary income taxes on the amount removed.</p>
<p>And they will most likely be barred from contributing any new money to any employer retirement plan for at least the following six months!</p>
<p><strong><em>The fourth way to remove money — temporarily — from a 401(k) is through a loan. </em></strong>Many plans will also allow participants to take out loans from their 401(k) accounts.</p>
<p>Generally, these loans have five-year terms — unless it’s for a primary residence — and carry fixed interest rates. Repayments must be made in regular installments, and everything goes back into the 401(k).</p>
<p><strong>Now, Here’s Why I Find All the Current </strong> <strong>Borrowing and Withdrawing So Troubling …</strong></p>
<p>Obviously, a lot of Americans have hit rough patches lately … and other sources of credit remain in short demand … which is why hardship withdrawals are at an all-time high.</p>
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<td><strong><em>Borrowing from a retirement account now could leave you struggling down the line …</em></strong></td>
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<p>But with so many people nearing retirement already grossly underfunded, watching even more money flow out of their accounts is going to prove catastrophic down the line.</p>
<p>And since most of those withdrawals are getting hit with not just regular taxes but also the additional 10 percent penalty, we’re talking about a lot of nest egg money getting vaporized before it even goes toward their immediate needs!</p>
<p>Oh, and get this — Fidelity said 45 percent of the people who took a hardship loan last year took <em>ANOTHER ONE</em> this year!</p>
<p>What about all the 401(k) <em>borrowing </em>going on?</p>
<p>Well, on the surface it’s better to take a loan than an outright withdrawal because taxes and penalties aren’t assessed.</p>
<p>Still, there are a couple of things I find problematic:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>#1.</strong> Unlike hardship withdrawals, there are no hard-and-fast rules on loans. So there’s no guarantee that this money is truly being borrowed for dire circumstances. People could simply be tapping their future retirements in the same way that they tapped their home equity a few years ago.</p>
<p><strong>#2. </strong>While it’s true that this money should ultimately be repaid, and at least the interest will go back to into the retirement account, it essentially means that very little <em>new</em> money will be contributed. The end result will be a lower final balance and the loss of the very tax advantages that make 401(k)s attractive in the first place.</p></blockquote>
<p>Look, if you’re absolutely stuck right now, then you’ve got to do what’s necessary. But in my opinion, you should avoid 401(k) hardship withdrawals at all costs … and think long and hard before you consider borrowing against your future retirement.</p>
<p>After all, the other typical sources of retirement income are looking shakier than they ever have before … and the folks tapping their 401(k)s may find themselves completely out of options in their golden years.</p>
<p>Best wishes,</p>
<p>Nilus</p>
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade" /><!----></p>
<div>
<p><strong>About <em>Money and Markets</em> </strong></p>
<blockquote><p>This investment news is brought to you by <em>Money and Markets</em>. <em>Money and Markets</em> is a free daily investment newsletter from Martin D. Weiss and Weiss Research analysts offering the latest investing news and financial insights for the stock market, including tips and advice on investing in gold, energy and oil. Dr. Weiss is a leader in the fields of investing, interest rates, financial safety and economic forecasting. To view archives or subscribe, visit <a href="http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/">http://www.moneyandmarkets.com</a>.</p></blockquote>
</div>
<p><em>© 2010 by Weiss Research, Inc. All rights reserved.</em></p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2010/04/five-ways-to-cut-expenses-and-save-money/' rel='bookmark' title='FIVE WAYS TO CUT EXPENSES AND SAVE MONEY'>FIVE WAYS TO CUT EXPENSES AND SAVE MONEY</a></li>
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		<title>Can ScanLister Help Seniors Make Money Selling Used Books?</title>
		<link>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/09/can-scanlister-help-seniors-make-money-selling-used-books/</link>
		<comments>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/09/can-scanlister-help-seniors-make-money-selling-used-books/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:27:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[I have often felt that selling used books on eBay, Amazon and the Internet was one of the best home business opportunity for seniors or really anyone who wants to make money online without a lot of risk and upfront cost. In my first book in the Official Geezer Guide series on starting an online [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have often felt that selling used books on eBay, Amazon and the Internet was one of the best home business opportunity for seniors or really anyone who wants to make money online without a lot of risk and upfront cost.</p>
<p>In my first book in the Official Geezer Guide series on <a href="http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/products/online-home-business.php">starting an online business</a>, I wrote about the used book business extensively. Because unlike the current generation, we seniors grew up reading and loving books and we seniors are now the fastest growing online market for all goods and services &#8211;but books in particular.</p>
<p>The used book business is a $6 Billion a year business and the online portion of that is now at almost 50% and growing every month.  Used books also do well when the economy is challenged as it is today because people still want to read, but they have to save money when they do it.</p>
<p>Last year I wrote a book on my main website, How To Make Money Selling Used Books on eBay, Amazon and The Internet.  I recently updated the book and added new bonus materials. How To Make Money Selling Used Books&#8230;.is still one of the best-selling eBooks on the web and may soon surpass the Complete eBay Marketing System as my personal best-selling book of all time. The reason is simple:  It works!  I get tons of email from readers telling me about their successes.  In most cases the email are from people who are using online used book sales to generate extra money &#8211;but I also get email from folks who are making substantial amounts of money each month.</p>
<p>One of the markets I covered in <a href="http://www.skipmcgrath.com/products/sell-used-books-ebay-amazon.php">How To Make Money Selling Used Books&#8230;</a>was eBay&#8217;s Half.com, which is a fixed price site where you can sell books, movies and music.  Last week I discovered a great new selling tool called <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=14668&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=21160&quot; target=&quot;ejejcsingle">ScanLister</a>.  There are three parts to ScanLister:</p>
<ol>
<li>A small Scanning device that plugs into the USB port on your computer.</li>
<li>Scanning software that reads the scanned info and instantly creates a listing (with photo) that you upload to Half.com with the click of a mouse</li>
<li>An excellent training manual by a woman that consistently earns over $4000 a month on Half.com. Not all books and products sell well on Half.com, but she knows the ones that do and tells you where and how to find them.</li>
</ol>
<p>I recommended ScanLister in my monthly newsletter at www.SkipMcGrath.com. Within a few days I Started getting email from my readers thanking me for the recommendation. One, who is a fairly experienced book seller said she was thrilled and thinks that ScanLister will save her hours a day and allow her to make money from a lot of otherwise slow-moving books and tons of DVDs she has sitting around the house.  Another person wrote that ScanLister paid for itself within 5 days.</p>
<p>So if you know nothing about books and would like to learn about this great low-cost, low-risk business, check out my training manual, <a href="http://www.skipmcgrath.com/products/sell-used-books-ebay-amazon.php">How To Make Money Selling Used Books Online</a> and once you are set up and running, <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=14668&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=21160&quot; target=&quot;ejejcsingle">check out ScanLister</a>.</p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/06/using-twitter-to-make-extra-money-from-home/' rel='bookmark' title='Using Twitter To Make Extra Money From Home'>Using Twitter To Make Extra Money From Home</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/05/big-bucks-flips-on-ebay/' rel='bookmark' title='Big Bucks Flips on eBay'>Big Bucks Flips on eBay</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/04/can-seniors-really-make-extra-money-with-affiliate-marketing/' rel='bookmark' title='Can Seniors Really Make Extra Money With Affiliate Marketing?'>Can Seniors Really Make Extra Money With Affiliate Marketing?</a></li>
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		<title>Falling Income by Seniors Driving More Towards Reverse Mortgages</title>
		<link>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/06/falling-income-by-seniors-driving-more-towards-reverse-mortgages/</link>
		<comments>http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/06/falling-income-by-seniors-driving-more-towards-reverse-mortgages/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:23:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Skip McGrath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reverse mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior income]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/?p=95</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Reverse mortgages can be a blessing or a pit depending on your situation. As the markets have cratered wiping out senior&#8217;s savings, these mortgages are selling fast &#8211;but you should approach them with caution. Today&#8217;s Wall Street Journal has probably one of the best articles I have seen about reverse mortgages. Besides the news that [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/05/falling-more-slowly-is-still-falling/' rel='bookmark' title='Falling More Slowly is Still Falling'>Falling More Slowly is Still Falling</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/04/the-official-geezer-guide-blog-is-now-live/' rel='bookmark' title='The Official Geezer Guide Blog is Now Live'>The Official Geezer Guide Blog is Now Live</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/04/can-seniors-really-make-extra-money-with-affiliate-marketing/' rel='bookmark' title='Can Seniors Really Make Extra Money With Affiliate Marketing?'>Can Seniors Really Make Extra Money With Affiliate Marketing?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Reverse mortgages can be a blessing or a pit depending on your situation. As the markets have cratered wiping out senior&#8217;s savings, these mortgages are selling fast &#8211;but you should approach them with caution.</p>
<p>Today&#8217;s Wall Street Journal has probably one of the best articles I have seen about reverse mortgages. Besides the news that reverse mortgage applications are rising as senior incomes fall, the article gives an excellent overview of how these mortgages work and the various pros and cons.</p>
<p>Here is the link: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124459828244500783.html">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124459828244500783.html</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/products/online-home-business.php" target="_self">Learn How to Make Extra Money Working from Home:<br />
The Official Geezer Guide to Starting an Online Business</a></p>


<p>Related posts:</p><ol><li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/05/falling-more-slowly-is-still-falling/' rel='bookmark' title='Falling More Slowly is Still Falling'>Falling More Slowly is Still Falling</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/04/the-official-geezer-guide-blog-is-now-live/' rel='bookmark' title='The Official Geezer Guide Blog is Now Live'>The Official Geezer Guide Blog is Now Live</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.officialgeezerguide.com/blog/2009/04/can-seniors-really-make-extra-money-with-affiliate-marketing/' rel='bookmark' title='Can Seniors Really Make Extra Money With Affiliate Marketing?'>Can Seniors Really Make Extra Money With Affiliate Marketing?</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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