February 2009 Articles (112)

Haiku 090228

Straining to hear and capture the words of the man with the black beret.

Added by Steve Hand on February 28, 2009 at 9:24am — 2 Comments

For many, tax cuts in the stimulus will be offset by hikes at the state level

Record revenue shortfalls give the states little choice but to increase levies. California will probably raise sales taxes and gas taxes and pass a 2.5% income tax surcharge. New York is eyeing new taxes on services. Florida, Arkansas, and Virginia may raise cigarette taxes. Missouri is considering levies on pro sports tickets, while North Carolina may tax golf greens fees.

For additional information related to tax preparation or to obtain a free tax organizer, contact Hewitt… Read More

Added by Laurice Hewitt: Tax Accountant on February 28, 2009 at 9:03am — No Comments

Top Ten Facts about Taking Early Distributions from Retirement Plans

If you took an early distribution from your retirement plan, here are some things you need to know:

1. Payments you receive from your Individual Retirement Arrangement before you reach age 59 ½ are generally considered early or premature distributions.

2. Early distributions are usually subject to an additional 10 percent tax.

3. Early distributions must also be reported to the IRS.

4. Distributions you rollover to another IRA or qualified retirement… Read More

Added by Laurice Hewitt: Tax Accountant on February 28, 2009 at 12:45am — 1 Comment

Haiku 090227

"No man can succeed in a line of endeavor which he does not like."
~~Napoleon Hill

Added by Steve Hand on February 27, 2009 at 5:11pm — No Comments

What's Your Theme Song For Today?

The sun is out today in the Raleigh metro area. If you know me well, then you know I can only go about 2 days without sunshine before I start to eat paste and climb the walls.

Today, there is a special skip in my step. The sun is beaming. I'm working from home. I'm waiting (ever so impatiently) for my website to be finished with its new look. And IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!

Most people know that Friday is my "Sharpen The Saw" day. If you are a 7 Habits follower,… Read More

Added by Olalah ~ Marketing Strategy Pro on February 27, 2009 at 11:55am — 4 Comments

Come Fly with Me

2-27-09 Apex, NC-- If you could get a minute of Sully's time and ask him what a pilot has to be focused on as he or she flies the big bird, he would most probably tell you these three things...

Course

Speed

Altitude

Selling is much like piloting.

Every month you must be on course. On your way to work, as you hit the pillow, as you drive around. Be on course. Know where you are heading. Have a plan every day.

Speed is a critical variable as… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on February 27, 2009 at 9:56am — No Comments

Spiritual Message of the Day about Tolerance

Tolerance: As the world came into being, so did tolerance. It may be the most amazing thing about our world--that it can carry on ever so loosely tied, enduring so perfectly in its imperfection.

Without tolerance, the sages say, our world could not stand. A world of perfection-a world that follows precisely every dictate from Above-is not a world. It is a fetus that has never left its womb, for it presents nothing of its own. A real world is one… Read More

Added by Debby Bruck Homeopath on February 26, 2009 at 12:14pm — No Comments

Ziplocked

I have to tell you that I have sold since birth, when I first faked a cry for food on the birthing table...

Remember, that the economy is awesome when you have a customer in front of you... That is the message for the sales troops. This ain't rocket science. I call our mess the four zips. Zip confidence. Zip spending. Zip courage, and the killer one, zipped mouths... We just take this socio-political/economic crap news and let neophytes control everything and learn on the… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on February 26, 2009 at 11:28am — No Comments

PUT THE FUN IN FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZING; GAME ON!

Draw any card from a deck of playing cards. Your number might be 4. Go into any room of your home and do four things related to cleaning. For example, in your bathroom you might do these four tasks (keep count!): ONE: Put the caps on opened containers, such as toothpaste, shampoo, shave cream, medication; TWO: Pick up things, such as clothes, towels, brushes, hair dryer; THREE: Spray and wipe things clean, such as the toilet bowl, sink, tub, counters; FOUR: Empty the trash can.

Then,… Read More

Added by Geralin Thomas on February 26, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

Haiku 090226

"The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village..."
~~Bill Gates

Added by Steve Hand on February 26, 2009 at 1:54am — No Comments

Haiku 090225

"A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age."
~~William Shakespeare

Added by Steve Hand on February 26, 2009 at 1:53am — No Comments

Haiku 090224

"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
~~Albert Einstein

Added by Steve Hand on February 26, 2009 at 1:52am — No Comments

Haiku 090223

"The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly."
~~Abraham Lincoln

Added by Steve Hand on February 26, 2009 at 1:50am — No Comments

When Fire Hits Close To Home

My last two blog posts, on http://www.protectitnow.blogspot.com, have been about fire safety. I felt that this topic needed to be revisited because so much is lost because it is simply overlooked or forgotten. On yesterday I was blessed to speak to a group of middle school children about my profession as a life safety specialist. The purpose of the program was to encourage children to see the possibilities that awaited them and to instill practical applications they could use to… Read More

Added by Jim McNeely on February 25, 2009 at 3:32pm — No Comments

You Can Dig This!

2-25-09 Apex, NC... It is the end of the month. For the customer this is a no brainer. The deals get a little edge on them at month-end. And the edge is to the customer. The big problem for salespeople today is getting these customers in and getting them to buy or lease. Today let's focus on getting them in.

"Man, I have NO traffic!" Yep. Hear it all the time. Try the TRIO METHOD...Business cards, a great attitude, and a HUGE SMILE get you customers who are not in your owner/… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on February 25, 2009 at 9:43am — 1 Comment

Final Friday Forum

There are many signs of Success for ones business that have nothing to do with money. For me it really is the Great Relationships the inSide919 Network itself is making.

This week has been a really special one for me.

We now have a closer fundraising relationship with the Eastern North Carolina Food bank (actually with 200 Food Banks across the US) through a relationship I recently made via an inSider.

AND, we've been invited to partner with Dancing Elephants on… Read More

Added by Pat Howlett on February 25, 2009 at 8:00am — 4 Comments

Long Handled Spoons and a Bowl of Stew

A wise and holy man wondered as he fell asleep what heaven and hell were like? As he slipped deeper and deeper into sleep he began to dream. He stood in a hallway where he was met by an angel. The angel told him that his wish was granted and he would see both heaven and hell. The angel motioned the holy man to follow him down the long hall. They came to a door that led to a flight of steps that went both up and down. The angel walked with hastily down numerous flights of stairs until they came… Read More

Added by Jim McNeely on February 24, 2009 at 3:02pm — 1 Comment

Can GM be a Paczki?

2-24-09 Apex, NC... At one time, what was good for General Motors was good for America. It dominated the global automotive industry. Heck at the time, Volkswagen was the only foreign competition. And Beetles were few and far between.

Big and dominating... Just like the Paczki is today. Paczki? Yes...everything has its day and today is Paczki Day. All throughout the Midwest, and especially in Detroit the Paczki(pronounced PUUN-SKI)is a BIG FAT donut stuffed with prune, lemon,… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on February 24, 2009 at 1:35pm — No Comments

KIDS’ KEEPSAKES AND MEMENTOS

One of my very favorite products for containing kids' keepsakes is the School Years Memento Keeper from the Family-Facts line of products. It’s perfect for keeping papers, school photos and a limited number of keepsakes nicely organized in a book-like format (12×12 hardcover). It retails for around $25.00 through… Read More

Added by Geralin Thomas on February 24, 2009 at 11:28am — No Comments

Tips for buying health insurance when you are between jobs

When you are between Jobs

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE!

6 Tips to ensure you get the best deal

1. Understand insurance terminology

Deductible - Amount of medical expenses you pay before your insurance covers you. Annual deductibles are more desirable than per incident.

Coinsurance – After the deductible there is a percentage the insurance company must pay and you must pay. For example, if your plan is an 80/20 this means the insurance company must pay 80%… Read More

Added by Wanda Stephens on February 23, 2009 at 6:18pm — No Comments