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WHY EVERY COLLEGE FRESHMAN SHOULD START A ROTH IRA

2009-08-05T09:18:00.003-04:00

At no time since the Great Depression have college students worried more about money. Tuition continues to rise, financing sources continue to contract. So why should a student worry about finding money for, of all things, retirement?

Because even a few dollars a week put toward a Roth IRA can reap enormous benefits over the 40-50 years of a career lifetime that today’s average college student will complete after graduation. Take the example of an 18-year-old who contributes $5,000 each year of school until she graduates. Assume that $20,000 grows at 7.5 percent a year until age 65 – that would mean more than a half million dollars from that initial four-year investment without adding another dime.

Consider what would happen if she added more.

There are a few considerations before a student starts to accumulate funds for the IRA. First, students should try and avoid or extinguish as much debt – particularly high-rate credit card debt – as possible. Then, it’s time to establish an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses to make sure that a student can continue to afford the basics at school if an unexpected problem occurs.

Certainly $5,000 a year sounds like an enormous amount of outside money for today’s student to gather, but it’s not impossible. Here’s some information about Roth IRAs and ideas for students to find the money to fund them.

The basics of Roth IRAs: It’s good to start with describing the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA and why Roth’s might be a better choice for the average student. Traditional IRAs allow investors to save money tax-deferred with deductible contributions until they’re ready to begin withdrawals anytime between age 59 ½ and 70 ½. Roth IRAs don’t allow tax-deductible contributions, but they allow tax-free withdrawal of funds with no mandatory distribution age and allow these assets to pass to heirs tax-free as well. If someone leaves their savings in the Roth for at least five years and waits until they're 59 1/2 to take withdrawals, they'll never pay taxes on the gains. For someone in their late teens and early 20s, that offers the potential for significant earnings over decades with great tax consequences later.

Getting started is easy: Some banks, brokerages and mutual fund companies will let an investor open a Roth IRA for as little as $50 and $25 a month afterward. It’s a good idea to check around for the lowest minimum amounts that can get a student in the game so they can plan to increase those contributions as their income goes up over time. Also, some institutions offer cash bonuses for starting an account. Go with the best deal and start by putting that bonus right into the account.

It’s wise to get advice first: Every student’s financial situation is different. One of the best gifts a student can get is an early visit – accompanied by their parents – to a financial advisor such as a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. A planner trained in working with students can certainly talk about this IRA idea, but also provide a broader viewpoint on a student’s overall goals and challenges. While starting an early IRA is a great idea for everyone, students may also need to know how to find scholarships and grants and smart ideas for borrowing to stay in school. A good planner is a one-stop source of advice for all those issues unique to the student’s situation.

Plan to invest a set percentage from the student’s vacation, part-time or work/study paychecks: People who save in excess of 10 percent of their earnings are much better positioned for retirement than anyone else. Remarkably few people set that goal. One of the benefits of the IRA idea is it gets students committing early to the 10 percent figure every time they deposit a paycheck. It’s a habit that will help them build a good life.

Get relatives to contribute: If a student regularly gets gifts of money from relatives, it might not be a bad idea to mention the IRA idea to those relatives. Adults like to help kids who are smart with money, and if the student can commit to this savings plan rather than blowing it at the mall, they might feel considerably better about the money they give away. At a minimum, the student should earmark a set amount of “found” money like birthday and holiday gift money toward a Roth IRA in excess of the 10 percent figure.

Wayne B. Zussman, MBA, CFP(r)
Triton Wealth Management
116 S. Piney Rd, Ste. 204
Chester MD 21619
866-880-7500
http://www.tritonwm.com/

August 2009 — This column is produced by the Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community, and is provided by Wayne B. Zussman, CFP® of Triton Wealth Management, a member of the FPA.

2009-07-29T16:55:00.003-04:00

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Commitment Fitness Celebrates Release of BodyPump 69!

2009-03-16T22:06:00.009-04:00

Please join us for a party to celebrate the release of the fantastic group fitness series - Les Mills' Body Pump 69! New songs, moves, workouts! Click HERE for some info on Body Pump 69.

Where: Commitment Fitness, 123 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, MD 21617

When: Saturday, March 21st beginning at 9:30AM

What’s Up: We’ll be unveiling the new Body Pump 69 classes, making yummy Hawaiian Ices at our new outdoor family play area and there will be a moon bounce all day provided by Tents 4 Rent of Centreville!

Call 443.262.9994 to reserve your space NOW! Or stop by between 8AM and 6PM for a tour.

Commitment Fitness.....a way of life!

Maximize Year End Charitable Donations

2008-12-20T08:21:00.001-05:00

There’s a special sinking feeling as you approach December 31 and realize you have not done any tax planning whatsoever. That includes big issues like end-of-the-year investment decisions, and the smaller ones – like that stuff you no longer use piling up in the basement.
Charitable giving is an important part of tax planning at yearend, so let’s look at the cash and noncash aspects of giving. It makes sense to contact a tax expert or financial planner to talk about what giving makes sense for you:
You have to itemize: Only individual taxpayers who itemize their deductions on Schedule A can claim a deduction for charitable contributions. This deduction is not available to people who choose the standard deduction, including anyone who files a short form (1040A or 1040EZ).
Get out the checkbook: Uncle Sam likes a record. To deduct any charitable donation of money, a taxpayer must have a bank record or a written communication from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution – and it definitely helps to have both. Bank records mean canceled checks, bank or credit union statements and credit card statements. Bank or credit union statements should show the name of the charity and the date and amount paid. Credit card statements should show the name of the charity and the transaction posting date. For payroll deductions, the taxpayer should retain a pay stub, Form W-2 wage statement or other document furnished by the employer showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity. If you remember the IRS being satisfied with personal bank registers or scribbled notes to document the donation, they’re not anymore.
There are charities, and then there are charities: You need to make sure that organizations are qualified to make tax-deductible contributions to. IRS Publication 78, available online and at many public libraries, lists most organizations that are qualified to receive deductible contributions, but there’s an online version too. Just go to IRS.gov and type in “Search for Charities.” One key exception -- it’s important to note that churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations, even though they often are not listed in Publication 78.
Giving away property: If you give away property, including clothing and household items, get a receipt that includes a description of the donated property. If a donation is left at a charity’s unattended drop site, keep a written record of the donation that includes a description of the property and its condition. For any kind of vehicle, boat or airplane, the deduction is now limited to the gross proceeds from its sale. This rule applies if the claimed value of the vehicle is more than $500. Form 1098-C, or a similar statement, must be provided to the donor by the organization and attached to the donor’s tax return.
You can’t deduct junk: Under a provision of the 2006 Pension Protection Act, contributions of physical items must be in  good used condition or better to qualify for a deduction. That means that you can’t deduct ripped or discolored clothing or appliances that don’t work. If you donate noncash property that is valued at more than $500, you need to report to the IRS how and when you acquired the property and your cost basis. You must file Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, for all donations of property valued at more than $500.
Use that digital camera: If you’re ever audited, it helps to have photographs or video of these items, and obviously, demand a detailed receipt.
Learn rules about giving away appreciated securities: This is where a financial planner or tax expert would come in handy. When you donate stocks or mutual fund shares you have held for more than one year, generally you may deduct the stocks’ current fair market value. Additionally, you avoid paying capital gains taxes on the appreciated value.

Wayne Zussman
Triton Wealth Managment
www.tritonwm.com

Managing Business Debt

2008-11-07T16:40:00.001-05:00

Managing Business Debt

As a small business owner you may be facing tough financial challenges in the coming years. You may be concerned about the economy and your business debt. First take a look and your immediate and projected cash flow. If your expenses are outpacing your income you may want to look at some parts of your business and where you make be able to save some money. First, see how drastic you challenge is including the cash flow disparagy and how much your financial situation varies from prior years. Next, see what can you cut back on, that may not affect your day to day operations. Items such as; printed materials for inner office memos, etc, billing, paper checks, etc. What frivolous expenses can you cut back on, office supplies; monthly contracts i.e., on items leased such as printers and website contracts. These savings can be in the thousands of dollars.

Next take a look at your phone system, how many lines do you have, are they all necessary, and shop out new phone services that may save on long distance and local calls or voice over IP’s. Can you combine faxes and phones, share lines and change your internet service provider or trade off for less speed.

Don’t be afraid to contact all vendors and renegotiate terms or see what they have to offer you. Remember it is in their best interest to keep you on as a customer, in these economically challenging times. They need you and your money just as much as any business need customers and money. Call your phone carriers, ISP, credit cards and other vendors, shop for better rates and terms. Try to get rid of all high interest credit cards and payments. Get rid of magazine and other unnecessary subscriptions and memberships in organizations that aren’t immediately benefiting your business.

Make sure you are working with a good CPA that can advise you on what to do throughout the year to benefit from good business practices to ensure that you don’t get behind in taxes and you are taking all write offs you are entitled to for your business.

Look at the location from where you are operating your business. Ask yourself, can you go to a smaller office, change location, and reduce square footage, share space with another company or even work from home. Check all of your business insurance and look for where you can cut back as well. Review all of your benefits such as health insurance, look into higher deductibles.

You should review all employees to make sure you have no dead weight. Such as employees that don’t directly make you money. Do you have any redundant staff positions; are you over paying in the current market? This includes your salary. Is it time to cut back your income from what you were making during the better years? Next review where you can cut back on employee benefits, retirement and health insurance. Don’t run your business into the ground due to pride or loyalty, if your business goes under not only your remaining employees will lose out, but you could spend years paying off debt or being forced into bankruptcy. Don’t be afraid to sit down with your employees and tell them about the decisions you have to make to ensure you are protecting their jobs.

In the long run you may not need to cut out just one major expense but benefit more from many smaller cut backs which could add up. Also see if any of your services or products, you could actually raise rates on, even a minimal amount can add up over a year.

This is where the person in the big chair, you, has to make some tough decisions. If you get through this you will come out stronger on the other end and be one of the survivors in your industry poised for a comeback when the economy does rebound.

"Where Website Development & Video Production Come Together"Stephen Showalter started a local business and built it up to a national company that he sold in 1995. During this time he developed strategies for a national company brand and developed a national training company that included marketing strategies.

Do not reproduce any parts of this article without the express written consent from WebVidco.
Copyright 2008

Stephen Showalter
WebVidco
www.webvidco.com
www.showmehowvideos.com
www.mediazog.com

Marketing Your Business Green

2008-10-01T17:38:00.000-04:00

Marketing Your Business Green,
Website Development and Video Production

Marketing Your Business Green;
Today you can hardly turn on the television or open a magazine and not read about “Being Green”. In business green can mean, green, as in money. We are currently producing a video series on green building and it is astonishing how much we are personally learning during the production, we are also realizing what we can do to contribute to the stewardship of our planet.One of the fastest growing business segments today is anything regarding green, and that is a growing industry within itself. What does that mean to the everyday small business owner? It gives us all an opportunity to look into how we can run our businesses more efficiently, economically and that can affect our bottom line as well as give us a marketing tool. In this green revolution you will hear the term “carbon footprint”. A carbon footprint is attributed to the amount of CO2 we use from the burning of fossil fuels for heating, hot water as well as the fuel used for our transportation. Our carbon footprint is also impacted from CO2 emissions from consumables including products that make their way to the landfill. There are several websites where you can calculate your carbon footprint and follow their suggestions to lowering it. Ultimately you are trying to achieve a zero carbon footprint.Being green also means using renewable resources as well as healthier products for you, your employees and customers. Some individuals are experiencing allergies and chemical sensitivities to various chemicals and products. So when remodeling your building or the use everyday cleaning products, care and some education should be taken with use of certain products.So as a small business owner here are a few inexpensive steps we can take to help reduce the impact.

1. Energy: Many areas have renewable energy options such as solar and wind. These can supplement or be your primary source for hot water, heat and even electricity depending on your location and building orientation. Currently supplementing hot water for domestic use or heat is the most economical choice. When possible connect all of your electronics to power strips that can be turned off by switch or simply unplug the components. Even electronics that are powered down can use electricity. This is referred to as, phantom electricity loads. Change all of your incandescent light bulbs to CF (compact fluorescent) type. As LED light fixtures become more readily available they use considerably less electricity and can last for decades. Any appliances you purchase for your business look for the highest energy star rating available. Also try free lighting when possible, the sun. There are excellent methods from light tubes to proper layout of windows and doors. Maintain your heating, cooling and hot water systems for optimum use. You could promote your greener business on your website, marketing materials and exterior signs. I recently saw a large sign in front of a building promoting 100% wind powered energy.

2. Water: Conserve water, use low flow fixtures and dual flush toilets. There are also some improved methods for water deliver using a manifold system (using home runs) that cuts down on wasted hot water running through the system waiting to heat up. Controlling water runoff from storm water can help prevent fertilizers and silt form going our streams and waterways. Installing rain barrels and even a rain garden help dramatically help reduce this runoff. Be aware of what is going down the drain into the sewer or septic systems. Be sure you are not only in local compliance but try to reduce the impact of chemicals, solid waste and unrestricted water consumption.

3. Transportation: Try using public transportation when possible. For your own vehicle or fleet, look into alternative energy options or at least the highest mpg ratings available. Currently hybrids, electrical and even hydrogen cars are coming to market. Set up delivery or sales routes for all right hand turns when possible. Mapping out your route can save time and fuel=money. Also try phones calls or video conference calls when possible. Instead of flying there are several good conference video options available for your computer. The options are from free downloads to high definition plans that run through your large screen tv. I used to travel 4 times a year for a board meeting of a national trade association which could have easily been done by video conference which could have saved time, money and CO2. Put a vehicle wrap on your car for an inexpensive marketing tool for your business and promote the energy savings or consciousness of your business.

4. 4 Day Week: Many companies are turning to a 4 day workweek and flex hours so the employee can miss rush hour congestion. This will vary with your industry but being create can help. Some builders are even trying to reduce their carbon footprint by building the house quicker to reduce the number of site visits by the subcontractors.

5. Insulation: Improve the insulation qualities of the building you are in for walls ceiling and attic. Also update areas of the building envelope that allow heat to escape, such as wall penetrations, windows and doors. Insulate you water heater and water lines for heat loss and condensation on the cold water lines. Currently there are companies that specialize in energy audits for your building and advise you how to make improvements. Let visitors know what you have done with a plaque or document stating what you have done.

6. Chemicals: When possible look into organic cleaners and low or no voc products. This can include cleaners, carpet, cabinetry and paints. This can create a healthier environment for employees and customers.

7. Paper: We are all inundated with paper whether it is client tracking, reports, marketing materials or bill collection or payments. Depending on your business many of these paper intensive tasks can be performed online. Paying and collecting bills online can also save in postage and physical file organizing and storage. Your website is one of the least expensive marketing portals to your customer when it is properly utilized. You can even create offsite storage of important documents through an FTP server. This can be a paid service or with your own hosting company. Try setting up an email campaign newsletter to stay in touch with clients, instead of printed materials. Let customers know this is your way of contributing to green marketing and a greener business that is not just to save you time and money.

8. Consumables: When possible use locally produced or manufactured products. Getting products delivered from half way around the world impacts the carbon footprint of those products getting to your front door. This is also good for the local businesses and the local economy. Try to use products in season so as not to encourage shipping from across the country for items such as fruits and vegetables. In a restaurant you could market a green menu. Including printing on renewable resources or recycled paper; but be sure to put that on the menu.

9. Comply: Be sure that you in compliance with all local and nation environmental regulations. There are now business, states, organizations where you can get your business listed as a green business. There are even green business standards you can look into. This is an excellent business opportunity to get recognition for showing environmental responsibility, to conserve energy and natural resources. You should also be the innovator, develop and implement procedures to ensure your business and employees practice these initiatives. You can help set an example for your employees, competitors and your communities. How about creating an award through local business affiliations for the greenest business award?

10. Reduce Reuse Recycle: Set up recycling for you and your employees. Try to reduce your waste which will save you money, try to reuse boxes, packing materials, and reverse sides of printed paper (cut up for notes pads). For retailers get rid of plastic bags, offer reusable bags (this is a great marketing tool) print your company on shopping bags for giveaways. Try to stay away from plastic bottles, have reusable water sources. Recycle all electronics, cell phones, computers (etc.) and printer cartridges. Try to request recycled products when available such as plastics and paper. How about having a newspaper interview you about what you are doing to run your business greener or do a press release about being green?

Many people talk about payback periods for investing in vehicles and systems for the building. Well that seems to change month to month depending on the price of fuel. There is also an emotional impact knowing we are taking control of our business, home, our future and planet for our children.

Remember Reduce, Reuse, RecycleStephen Showalter, President WebVidco

Check out upcoming videos at:http://www.showmehowvideos.com
Remember Reduce, Reuse, RecycleStephen Showalter, President WebVidco

http://www.webvidco.com/
http://www.showmehowvideos.com/
http://mediazog.com/

"Where Website Development & Video Production Come Together"
Stephen Showalter started a local business and built it up to a national company that he sold in 1995. During this time he developed strategies for a national company brand and developed a national training company that included marketing strategies.all rights reserved do not reprint without written permission from webvidco

Search Engine Optimization Basics

2008-10-01T17:26:00.000-04:00

WebVidco, Website Development and Video Production

Search Engine Optimization Basics
Improving your Search Engine OptimizationWebVidco SEO ServicesI would like to discuss some of the basic methods for generating and increasing traffic to your website. You have probably heard the term search engines, but there are also terms such as, indexing, spiders, robots and many other functions that assist the search engines.

The major search engines also use special algorithms to look at text and text relevancy. They want to see that the text in your Meta tags and description and head tags are relevant to your website. For example don’t list all 50 states in your meta tags hoping the search engines will be routed to you if one of the states comes up. Also don’t put invisible text buried in the background, the search engines have caught on to this as well.

Many search engines can see this as search engine spamming and will drop you, so be relevant.Try not to use special spaces or characters in your head title or meta, those can be detrimental to the search engine. Be careful with expensive guarantees from companies that promise high rankings. When someone promises you #1 placement what are they promising? Are they promising that your company will come up #1, are they promising that your company with an industry term will come up #1, also by country, by state? You should routinely check your own search engine rankings through each search engine not just one.

You should enter specific key words and then try broader terms, see where you really some up. You should also submit your website to the major search engines such as goggle, msn, yahoo and ask. It is not a bad idea to submit to some of the mid level search engines, try www.addme.com for example. Be wary of purchasing software that guarantees submission to hundreds and even thousands of search engines. By optimizing your website properly for specific key words you can take advantage of one of the least expensive marketing tools in our lifetime, the internet.

1. Email Links: The first method and one of the simplest methods to get people clicking to your website is free, by including the link in your email signature. In your e-mail simply put links to your website URL’s in your signature. Hopefully this will encourage click through to your website. Try adding a reason, something of interest for people to want to click through.

2. Banner Links:The second way to generate traffic is with a banner link exchange program. Just enter banner link exchange in your search engine and thousands or programs will come up. You simply enter you banner code and put that banner link on your site. Try to keep with a link that would compliment your website and not detract or confuse the message in your site. I recommend all external links open new browsers so as not to take the user away from your website by accident. This is an easy way to get started.

3. Title / Head Tag:The third method for optimizing your website is to make sure you have a title in the Explorer bar at the top of the website. This is one of the first things search engines look for. Each page should have a title reflecting the most important group of words for the search engines, followed by the page title. Ie Real Estate Annapolis Maryland and for each page after Real Estate Annapolis Maryland, Property Search.

4. Incoming Links:The fourth technique for generating traffic to your website is to get your website linked on as many other websites as possible. So take a look at other websites you can have reciprocal links with as well as ones that would benefit from having your content on their site. Writing articles for other to post on their site with links back to your website. Your articles may be picked up from your blog or URL Be sure to copyright all material to insure your name and URL link stays with the article. Be sure to submit your articles to some of the ezine directories online. Just do a search for ezine directories and many will come up on the search engines. Also, contact friends and do reciprocal links including if they are in the same industry in another part of the country. Also by joining trade associations your website can have incoming links from your listing on their site. Check out several business registers or online listings. Many will let you post your website for free. Try to have internal links from one key word to another page on your site. Understand outgoing links help the sites you are linking to, the text may help you on your site, but you want incoming links.

5. Blogs and Podcasts:The fifth technique for generating “free” traffic to your website is blogging. Blogs have become a popular forum for people to get out their message and also links. You can create a free blog account at http://www.blogger.com. Setting up an account is easy and free. Use your blog to discuss topic, industries about your product or service. Then use pingomatic.com or pingoat.com. These two websites will let other blogging services know that you have updated your sites. On your blog, promote links to your websites and e-mail. Keep your content updated or the blog may drop you. Take this a step further and create a podcast or video podcast, submit to RSS feeds. Make the content timely and informative. Put your videos on You Tube, video are coming up higher on the research engines. Create your own online tv show and interview people, have informative content. Be sure to submit to RSS feeds, it got you to this article!

6. Relevant Content/Header Tags:The sixth technique is you content, content, content! Your content and meta data should all be relevant to your site otherwise the search engines may wee you attempting to spam them. Your title and meta description should reflect if possible word for word in the text somewhere in the body. The search engines like relevant content that is updated and kept fresh. Neglected websites have historically fallen from higher rankings. Make sure your meta tags are relevant, many search engines don’t like misleading meta tags, for example don’t list all 50 states. Most important are meta descriptions, come up with a short concise description of your business, product or services. Your meta description is what I call your elevator speech. Make sure you do all of this for each webpage. Name all of the photos, images and videos something relevant to your industry or market. For example a photo called George or Image is not very relevant, better would be home inspector or house, again something relevant to your market. It is said text is key, have relevant and timely articles, keep them updated and newsworthy. Let you r website become the source for free information and people will visit your site. Also use header tags to help index the sites for the search engines, these are in the HTML code and are an H1, or H2 etc., inside <>. This indexes the titles, subtitles and so on.

7. Site Maps: The seventh and newer and very important method is to create a site map of your website a general one and a Google Site Map. This will map out your site and help get it updated to the search engines on a regular basis. There are other types of site maps such as ROR, Text and HTML site maps all should be part of your arsenal for the search engines.

8. Pay Per Clicks:The eight method to consider for SEO is pay per clicks on Google, Yahoo (Overture) and others. This involves setting up a pay per account a setting fees you are willing to pay for certain words and phrases. This can get your name up quickly but become costly. If you do this set limits on your daily or monthly budget or you could end up owing thousands of dollars. Also there is no way to verify who is clicking through and you may have hundreds or thousands of dollars in fraudulent click throughs. This can be a useful tool but take precautions when using this service.

9. Affiliate Links:The ninth method for generating traffic and sales to your website is with affiliate links. This is where you place your product or service on websites that act as brokers such as click bank and commission junction. These can be costly to offer you product as what many called a “publisher”. You can also get software a create affiliate links on your own from your website. Affiliate links are basically encoded links, which provide the end user, or” advertiser”, a unique link of your ULR “banner”. A product or service and they put that code on their website. If a click through generates a sale you would pay them a commission that you would set ahead of time. This is like having your own sales force that you only pay if a sale is generated.

10. Press Releases:The tenth is to do press releases. You can email local and national newspapers, radio and television your press release. But now there are free online press releases. Again they will many times allow a link back to your website.Here is an excellent video on Search Engine Optimization Show Me How Videos www.showmehowvideos.com.For help with improving your search engine optimization please feel free to Contact Us for help. We offer consulting services as well as help our clients manage their websites to help improve their traffic and status.Search engines are the roads to your websites but there are various vehicles to get there.Check out upcoming videos at: http://www.showmehowvideos.com/

Remember Reduce, Reuse, RecycleStephen Showalter, President WebVidco http://www.showmehowvideos.com

http://www.mediazog.com