tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22489993512000609002024-02-19T09:12:44.801-08:00Unlimited Net WorthGrow your wealth to new levelsKevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-49616442303355316912018-07-19T21:27:00.001-07:002018-07-19T21:27:52.953-07:00How to Invest Money for Beginners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YFpGMPE3E9Q/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YFpGMPE3E9Q?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Everything you need to know about getting started with investing. Find out why you shouldn't leave your money in cash, learn how and where to invest, and find out when to invest.<br />
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Since I started investing 15 years ago, I've been able to increase my net worth by 43% a year and I've gotten to the point where my investments earn more than my salary. In this video, I share how I personally invest and how I've gotten these returns.<br />
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I'll walk you through the reasons why to invest. Next, I cover how the market has performed over the past 115 years. Then I tell you where to invest your money. Lastly, I cover when to invest and how much you should invest.<br />
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I hope you find this video valuable. If you do, please feel free to share, comment, like, and subscribe.Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636695 -122.9775178 47.9487495 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-84952626275730583312017-03-26T23:32:00.002-07:002017-03-26T23:41:30.222-07:00How I became a millionaire & things I learned along the way<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpZpK099uxKbZENdSMafxhCCJ0f0AbsJYvhIdTfJhpuXiLpo8UVJm0BFHVQeQ9QMp6NHJ6FqJK_5Z2NenVNZRIuQUsgCXkpSnHB3Znucx1SsdXf1NYgy9kX-KhBwIuqGO0ERNwDpoGCHH/s1600/millionaire1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpZpK099uxKbZENdSMafxhCCJ0f0AbsJYvhIdTfJhpuXiLpo8UVJm0BFHVQeQ9QMp6NHJ6FqJK_5Z2NenVNZRIuQUsgCXkpSnHB3Znucx1SsdXf1NYgy9kX-KhBwIuqGO0ERNwDpoGCHH/s640/millionaire1.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My net worth from 2002 through 2017</td></tr>
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Something remarkable happened to me on January 24, 2017. When I looked at my assets, like my bank balance, my condo, my investments, and subtracted my liabilities, like my student loans and mortgage, my net worth came out to $1,000,378.46. I was officially a millionaire at 33 years old.<br />
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I first started tracking my net worth in 2002 during my freshman year at the University of Michigan. At the time, my net worth was only $5,279.59! I was very proud of having close to $6K to my name. Little did I know that 15 years later this number would be 200 times greater. With $6K, I could buy just about anything I needed (I wasn’t even thinking about a car or a house at the time!). I kept the money in a checking account that was paying a stingy 1.5% or so. Sadly, this rate wasn’t even enough to cover inflation!</div>
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Making it to this milestone has been a long journey and I’ve learned many things along the way. Perhaps the most important first-step I took was graduating from college. For example, <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=77">according to the National Center for Education Statistics</a>, in 2014 the median earnings of young adults with a bachelor's degree ($49,900) were 66% higher than the median earnings of young adult high school completers ($30,000). </div>
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Sure, there are many examples of highly successfully people who never graduate from college, like Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, and go on to earn tremendous amounts of money. However, these are outliers rather than the norm.</div>
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Although I received an excellent education at the University of Michigan and I received a scholarship, attending Michigan was very expensive as an out-of-state student. At the time, tuition cost close to $30K/year. With inflation, tuition costs closer to $40K/year now. My wife on the other hand, attended the University of Washington as an in-state student. With her scholarships, she earned money attending college. Talk about a good deal!</div>
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At the end of high school and throughout college, I ran a web hosting company called eMegaWeb.com. At its peak, the business boasted 120 customers located around the globe with three hosting resellers representing hundreds more. Although I was a young college student taking on substantial debt, my web hosting business covered some of these expenses, allowing my net worth to grow somewhat.</div>
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Once I reached my junior year in 2005, my net worth crossed $22K, representing a 43% annualized gain since I started tracking in 2002. Of course, achieving an impressive annualized gain with such a small base to start with is quite easy. Throughout Warren Buffett’s investing career, he achieved a 20% annual return with much larger sums.</div>
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In my junior year, I enrolled in the business school at Michigan. One of the most impactful classes was Introduction to Finance. I remember reading about financial markets and learning all about historical market returns. I learned that large cap stocks had historically returned about 10% a year and that small cap companies on average had earned close to 12% a year over the past 80 years. My 1.5% return for my checking account wasn’t looking so good anymore.</div>
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When I returned home during the summer, I researched different index fund companies and I ended up opening an account with Fidelity. They offered a collection of attractive index funds and some of my family members had accounts with Fidelity already.</div>
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I put my money into two different index funds, one that tracks the S&P 500 and another that tracks small company stocks with the goal of replicating the 10% and 12% returns that I learned about in my finance textbook. If you’re deciding where to invest, the following post has <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/10/deciding-where-to-invest-your-401k.html">excellent tips</a> (of course they’re excellent, they’re on Unlimited Net Worth!). Both charged minimal fees and by opening an account, I was well on my way to accelerating my net worth growth.</div>
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My investments are still mostly the same, with the addition of some Microsoft stock, international index funds, and a few other individual stocks, like Berkshire Hathaway.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stock investment allocation</td></tr>
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Between my junior and senior years in college, I interned at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. This helped propel my net worth. Microsoft luckily pays interns, unlike some other companies out there. My net worth climbed to $47K by the time I graduated from college in 2006. At this point, I had achieved a whopping 55% annual gain since I started tracking in 2002.</div>
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My internship at Microsoft went well and I decided to return full-time after graduation in 2006. Microsoft offered me a starting salary of about $66K per year or about $80K in <a href="http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=66000&year1=2006&year2=2015">today’s dollars (2017)</a>. New employees starting today at Microsoft make much more than that. Either way, this served as a good anchor to kick off my career.</div>
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Once I started working, I had much less time but my net worth grew rapidly. By 2007, I was up to $82K, or a 58% annualized gain since I started tracking in 2002. Everything was going well, until 2008 hit.</div>
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In 2008, things took a turn for the worst. The financial bubble burst and my net worth took a huge hit. Adding to my woes, I purchased a <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/08/you-wont-believe-what-my-realtor-sent-me.html">condominium in Seattle</a> and it immediately started losing value. I now know what it feels like to catch a falling knife.</div>
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My investments were plunging and my condominium was bleeding value. From 2007 to 2008, my net worth declined 1% for the year, despite plowing more money into investments.</div>
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One lesson I learned is that buying a house is usually a poor investment decision. You need a roof over your head, but don’t expect to make fantastic returns. I bought my condo in 2008 for $327K and today it’s worth $423K. That’s almost a $100K return, which appears great on the surface, except when you look at the annual return. The annual return works out to right around 3%, or the rate of inflation. Remember that the long-term historical return of the market is around 10%. By investing in the market, I could have made an additional 7% per year beyond what I made investing in my condo, or an additional $278K.</div>
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From my finance classes, I knew that fluctuations in the market were commonplace and that over the long-run <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/09/the-secret-to-investing-at-optimal-time.html">things would settle down</a>. Luckily, the good times came roaring back. The market rebounded by 2012. Throughout this lull, I plowed more money into the market at greatly reduced rates. As Warren Buffett says, whether you’re buying socks or stocks, you want to buy quality merchandise when it’s marked down.</div>
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When things swung back up, my investments registered healthy returns. By 2012, my net worth reached $277K, returning 48% on an annualized basis since I started tracking in 2002. I was doing relatively well with $277K after 6 years in the work force.</div>
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At this point, I started reading <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/p/links.html">several excellent books</a>. These have influenced my investing strategies greatly.</div>
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In “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” I learned the importance of investing in assets instead of spending on liabilities. For example, instead of buying the latest gadgets or buying a new car every few years, I would be better off buying ownership stakes in businesses by buying stock. I’d much rather have my money work for me than me work for my money.</div>
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In “The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life,” I learned how you can make your money work for you. Once you have money, it becomes easier and easier to make more money, just like how a snowball grows when you roll it. As I’ve invested more money, my investment returns grow more and more each year. Last year alone, my net worth increased by $230K. In only 3 months in 2017, my net worth has already increased by $73K. Most of that increase came from investments.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYgmfBfohzlhaSW1FHQUXltEeKFXfc49XJbStVnQ_fMD2crqoqSV-IVYCJlUtczsvdtJmoDfEWHt17o2WRt72evCLrpOuCDkYX7v36tCxmGuxw-dfqOfxpZunZDuFcg7hJufDf2yZJE_F/s1600/millionaire3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYgmfBfohzlhaSW1FHQUXltEeKFXfc49XJbStVnQ_fMD2crqoqSV-IVYCJlUtczsvdtJmoDfEWHt17o2WRt72evCLrpOuCDkYX7v36tCxmGuxw-dfqOfxpZunZDuFcg7hJufDf2yZJE_F/s640/millionaire3.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual net worth $ gain, 2017 is through March</td></tr>
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As my net worth grows, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain the high growth rates that I saw earlier in my career. With only a few thousand dollars, it’s easy to double your money. Once you have hundreds of thousands, doubling your money becomes much more difficult. Over time, I’ve seen my net worth growth percentage decline. In 2016, I achieved a 31% net worth gain, compared to over 100% in 2005 and 2006. Of course, making 31% on a much larger sum is better than a higher percentage on a very small sum.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ3Kt96dp0j_ohUIJ7plBqNRJz2gDoZiWLA84hLpYaUE5QkiXFYPupGgv6dFQaQTHickzbAsRi0vgTOS6CHxA-pQ5yj2fSiUvIqDgCN2fKThOvNIhTQ0j2GlI0ahPBd4-hrUKOKUnjkqj/s1600/millionaire4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ3Kt96dp0j_ohUIJ7plBqNRJz2gDoZiWLA84hLpYaUE5QkiXFYPupGgv6dFQaQTHickzbAsRi0vgTOS6CHxA-pQ5yj2fSiUvIqDgCN2fKThOvNIhTQ0j2GlI0ahPBd4-hrUKOKUnjkqj/s640/millionaire4.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual net worth % gain, 2017 is through March</td></tr>
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When I was young, I frequently played computer games like “Sim City” and “Transport Tycoon.” These games taught me a valuable lesson. As you build out an empire, each piece of the empire makes money for you. In “Sim City”, as you build out the city, each additional resident, business, or industry brings in additional tax revenue. As the city becomes larger, raising funds becomes much easier. </div>
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Similarly, in “Transport Tycoon,” you start out with a loan to build your first transport line. As it starts running, a very small amount of money starts trickling in to invest into additional lines. Existing lines continue earning revenue while each additional line adds even more revenue. Once I had 5 – 10 transport lines in place, it becomes much easier to build more lines as you have a solid base of revenue coming in.</div>
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Like with these games, investing is very similar. Each dollar invested earns money each year. Each subsequent dollar earned and invested earns even more. It becomes much more apparent how your money starts working for you once you have more invested. With over a million dollars now, my investments return about 10% a year or $100K. In a few short years, my investment returns will exceed my salary.</div>
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As a millionaire, I feel more financially secure, but my lifestyle won’t change. Over time I’ve learned the importance of spending on things that truly matter. A new car, a big house, new gadgets, etc. don’t carry importance for me. I’d rather spend money on experiences, such as a trip with my wife, or no longer needing to work at all, which I talk about in my <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2015/11/the-perpetual-money-generator.html">perpetual money generator post</a>.</div>
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Every time I make a purchase, one thing that I consider is the opportunity cost. For example, I could buy a Tesla for $70K. I would have a very nice car, but if I had invested that same amount in the market, I could earn about $7K/year and have it grow each year. I’d rather have a perpetual income stream than a car that loses value over time.</div>
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With a large net worth also comes responsibility. For now, I'm letting my net worth grow larger and larger through investing, but someday I’ll be confronted with what to do with it all. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are two great examples showing how they’re using their wealth for the betterment of the world. Their actions are commendable and I’d like to one day contribute in a similar way.</div>
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I’ve also learned many other things along the way. You can read more about what I’ve learned below:</div>
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<li>If you’d also like to become a millionaire, see how long it will take to get there with the <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/12/net-worth-growth-calculator.html">Net Worth Growth Calculator</a>.</li>
<li>Not sure where to invest? Read the following article on <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/10/deciding-where-to-invest-your-401k.html">the best investments</a>.</li>
<li>One of the best ways to grow a large net worth is to <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2017/02/invest-81k-per-year-with-much-of-it.html">minimize your tax bill</a>.</li>
<li>Learn about how you can <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2015/11/the-perpetual-money-generator.html">make your money work for you</a> so you never need to work again.</li>
<li>Can a pay raise be a bad thing? <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2015/11/can-pay-raise-be-bad-thing-absolutely.html">Yes, find out why</a>.</li>
<li>Already a millionaire? Learn <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/06/how-to-become-billionaire-without.html">how to become a billionaire</a>.</li>
</ul>
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Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636695 -122.9775178 47.9487495 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-35409220056336734002017-02-25T15:02:00.001-08:002019-04-07T17:52:06.193-07:00Invest $81K per year -- with much of it sheltered from taxes<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find out how to invest $81K a year, with much of it sheltered from taxes</td></tr>
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When I first started working, I knew about my company’s 401K
and I also took advantage of a Roth IRA, but beyond that I didn’t do much else.
Little did I know, the government offers many generous ways to save and invest
money in a way that minimizes your tax bill. </div>
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Every year when I file my taxes, I’m reminded about how much
of my income goes towards running the government. A little over 25% of my total
income goes towards income taxes, social security taxes, Medicare, and other
programs.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Over time, I’ve picked up several strategies that have
allowed me to amass a large net worth while either paying no taxes on my gains
or only paying taxes when I finally withdraw my investments.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looking back, I wish someone had told me about all of these
strategies when I first started working so I could have implemented them earlier.
I wanted to share these <b>5 steps</b> that
I’ve learned so you too can take advantage of these strategies. If there are
any others that you know, please share them in the comments.</div>
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As a note, I wrote this short guide for people who work for
companies and have access to programs like a 401K. Even if you don’t work for a
company, this content can still be relevant. For instance, if you work for the
government, you’ll have access to a Thrift Savings Plan, which is equivalent to
a 401K. Additionally, this article is for people who live and work in the
United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Step 1: Max out your 401K</span></span><o:p></o:p></h2>
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As a first step, you should absolutely max out your 401K.
You can contribute up to $18K/year and you should contribute the full amount.
The company I work for is quite generous and they match 50% of your
contributions and vesting is immediate. This serves as an incentive to max out my
contribution. The earlier I max out in the year, the sooner I have access to
the $9K matching. I contribute all of the money pre-tax, so I only pay taxes
when I eventually withdraw the money.</div>
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<li>Amount invested: $27K (includes $9K matching)</li>
<li>Total invested: $27K</li>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Step 2: Max out your Roth IRA</span></span><o:p></o:p></h2>
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If you make less than $116K, you can contribute $5.5K directly
into a Roth IRA. You pay taxes up front and you never have to pay taxes again
on any of the growth. If you make more than $116K, you can contribute $5.5K to
a traditional IRA and then convert it into a Roth IRA. It’s a backdoor way to
skirt around the income restrictions allowing you to still contribute the full
amount to your Roth IRA.</div>
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<li>Amount invested: $5.5K</li>
<li>Total invested: $27K + $5.5K = $32.5K</li>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Step 3: Max out your after-tax 401K and convert to a Roth-IRA</span></span><o:p></o:p></h2>
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Once you’ve maxed out your Roth IRA, contribute $20K to your
401K after-tax. Once you max this out, roll it over to your Roth IRA. This
allows you to funnel another $20K into a Roth IRA. Once in a Roth IRA, you
never have to pay taxes on any of the gains.</div>
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<li>Amount invested: $20K</li>
<li>Total invested: $27K + $5.5K + $20K = $52.5K</li>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Step 4: Max out your health savings account (HSA)</span></span><o:p></o:p></h2>
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Once you max out your after-tax 401K contributions,
contribute $3.4K to your health savings account. This is untaxed money that you
can use towards healthcare expenses. Once you’re in your 60s, you can use this
for healthcare, or <b><i>anything else</i></b>. If you decide to use the money for
non-healthcare expenses, it’s just like a traditional IRA where you pay taxes
on it when you withdraw.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Amount invested: $3.4K</li>
<li>Total invested: $27K + $5.5K + $20K + $3.4K = $55.9K</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Step 5: Max out your employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)</span></span><o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many companies offer employees a stock purchase plan. This
allows you to save another $25K or 15% of your income, and depending on the
company, you’ll get an instant discount on company stock. My company offers a
10% discount on stock. I typically sell the company stock immediately after the
offering period and invest it elsewhere. You can read this <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2015/07/boost-your-investment-returns-with-espp.html">article</a>
on the merits of investing in an ESPP. Although an ESPP is not protected from
taxes, the discount on stock is an immediate return.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Amount invested: $25K</li>
<li>Total invested: $27K + $5.5K + $20K + $3.4K + $25K = $80.9K</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">You’re all set</span></span><o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you take advantage of all of these strategies, your net
worth will skyrocket in no time. Now that you know what accounts to put your
money into, where should you invest it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/10/deciding-where-to-invest-your-401k.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Deciding
where to invest your 401K</a></li>
<li> <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/09/the-secret-to-investing-at-optimal-time.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">When
to invest – can you time the market?</a></li>
</ul>
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Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636695 -122.9775178 47.9487495 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-89153304251880852612015-11-26T22:10:00.002-08:002015-11-26T22:10:33.457-08:00Worst investing advice ever!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSnUSR6nJYfe0NAwnTHA4Yt1Xd8cRGQDXrRTs0Y5Aj97kj1UWf0Nebx-xbtpofMpcDa3bWoY54K_rnux7oLXp619p4b3totK5qwFY2qmd4xop6LXBrk27uYqKHdnuv4bAzFQxx4qeMqLk/s1600/worst+investing+advice+ever.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The top ten worst investing advice ever." border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSnUSR6nJYfe0NAwnTHA4Yt1Xd8cRGQDXrRTs0Y5Aj97kj1UWf0Nebx-xbtpofMpcDa3bWoY54K_rnux7oLXp619p4b3totK5qwFY2qmd4xop6LXBrk27uYqKHdnuv4bAzFQxx4qeMqLk/s640/worst+investing+advice+ever.png" title="Worst investing advice ever!" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top ten worst investing advice ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These days, everyone is an investor and thinks they know more than a thing or two about the market. There isn’t a class you can take in school on how to appropriately manage your finances or clear guidance on when to invest in a 401k, SMA, IRA, CD, ETF, IPO or use a CPA.<br />
<br />
It feels at times like you need an adviser for your financial adviser! Because of all this confusion around the acronyms of investing, there has been an embarrassing amount of misguided investment guidance to try to simplify investing to the everyday man.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I’ve pulled out 10 of the worst pieces of advice I’ve seen on the internet for your amusement!<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>It’s never a bad time to invest in gold</b>: Gold is the most popular precious metal used as an investment. It’s always nice to be able to physically see your investment, like with a house or art since it feels tangible rather than numbers on a screen. But with this ownership means you also have to pay for storage and insurance. Even worse, the capital gains on gold are 28% versus the ordinary capital gains rate of 15%. My favorite example from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_as_an_investment">Wikipedia</a> outlines golds high volatility rate compared to stocks and bonds: …”while a dollar invested in bonds in 1801 would be worth nearly a thousand dollars by 1998, a dollar invested in stocks that same year would be worth more than half a million dollars in real terms. Meanwhile, a dollar invested in gold in 1801 would by 1998 be worth just 78 cents.” I will stick to investing in stocks and my only gold investment will be my wedding ring.</li>
<li><b>You don’t want to be the richest man in the graveyard</b>. While I agree with the sentiment of this quote, it sends the wrong message that validates people into thinking they should spend their money now (YOLO!) rather than save it in a miserly Grinch-like fashion to the end. There is nothing selfish in saving for retirement and ensuring you have planned your affairs so you don’t outlive your savings. Per his <a href="http://givingpledge.org/">Giving Pledge</a>, Warren Buffet pledged to give 99% of his wealth to charity on or before his death. His logic for waiting until his death to pledge the full amount is that he can make the most of his money during his lifetime to ensure the largest donation. It’s wonderful we have people like Warren who are the richest man in the graveyard and have a plan for their finances.</li>
<li><b>It’s better to buy things now since money may have no value</b> and at least you will have your things. The ones saying this are also the ones who say there will be a Zombie apocalypse and you would be better off buying a new car than investing in a future non-existent stock market. The resale values of discarded merchandise are never what you hope they are and I’ve sent too many items to Goodwill because of poor impulsive purchases. It’s better to save now and earn more money off your money than purchase an item that will not bring you any further value.</li>
<li><b>Buy stocks in companies whose products and services you like.</b> I like a lot of things that most white girls like, like pizza, shoes and yoga pants, but that doesn’t mean I am going to invest in stock in Dominos, Zappos and Lululemon. Just because I like an individual product doesn’t mean the company as a whole is a solid investment or I know anything about the company’s financials. You need to invest in the whole market and not just one small segment that you think you know because you live near a Dominos that seems to be popular.</li>
<li><b>Cash is king:</b> Some advisers recommend keeping some assets in fixed investments, like bonds and cash. This is because of the flexibility and stability in knowing that you can never lose the investment. This reminds me of the old Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30. A wise man was going away and gave his 3 servants talents. The first two doubled their talents upon his return. The 3rd servant was scared of his master and hid the talent in the ground and returned it to the man upon his return. The 3rd servant was rejected and cursed by the master for not returning a value on the investment. Investing in cash is much like this strategy of putting your money in a hole and pulling it out when it is needed- even the Bible tells you it is wrong! You literally lose money by this strategy due to inflation.</li>
<li><b>The housing market always goes up!</b> This quote is often accompanied by a homeowner’s heartwarming story that they bought their home 30 years ago for $100K and now it is worth 5x as much! It seems like such a great investment since you have to live somewhere anyways and it’s like a forced investment strategy by paying your mortgage. Plus, the tax incentives. Well, owning a house is no longer the American dream. Foreclosure rates are at their highest and the real estate market is volatile. Imagine the “great investment” that homeowner made if they bought their home in Detroit or New Orleans 30 years ago? Housing has an annualized appreciation rate of just 2% while the average annualized growth rate of the S&P 500 is 10%. Where would you rather put your money?</li>
<li><b>Invest when the market is hot!</b> If everyone is saying the market is hot, then it most certainly is not the right time to invest as you’ve already missed out on much of the gains. Investing is a long term strategy and you shouldn’t pull your money in or out due to the expected daily ups and downs of the market. Sadly, you can’t time the market.</li>
<li><b>I have a great stock you need to buy (hint, hint).</b> If your barber/friend/coworker or taxi driver tells you to invest in a stock since they have some tip it’s going to be a winner, don’t take the bait! The only way he really knows a new stock is going to go up drastically tomorrow is if he has insider information, which is very much illegal and not a great idea unless you want to become new friends with the SEC.</li>
<li><b>You are too young to worry about retirement.</b> This is akin to saying “don’t worry about the future”. Rather I would like to retire young and invest in my freedom from a 9-5 job by investing aggressively. And the magic of compounding interest inside a tax-free Roth IRA makes investing young the very best option for saving for retirement. </li>
<li><b>Fancy stock brokers and advisers will save you money!</b> The tradition to clap at the close of the US stock exchanges everyday recognizes a job well done by all at the market. If the market went down or up, the applause always sounds because the stock brokers always made their money. These brokers make their cut at every sale regardless of if the sale did well or poorly for the client. Spending more on a financial advisor or stock broker is unnecessary and will just cut away at your bottom line. Invest instead in low cost strategies like index funds that return similar to the overall market without taking away an unnecessary 2%. Where are all the client’s yachts?</li>
</ol>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-58008811907052841842015-11-18T23:19:00.003-08:002015-11-21T22:02:16.978-08:00The Perpetual Money Generator<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEkTogY5J_yNjWDbbkcsHHRIu-aKYTxB_YReXDBKSDhKBcoOSWw_As0i-vEiOaKsL63qxeSrdqsrIEf_bzddVuUNLeFor-Jac0uV3p2el33fSt8vZ_ulXyDP_zBtdnMRm1nREVDvfHKh4/s1600/Money+Machine.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Perpetual Money Generator Machine" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEkTogY5J_yNjWDbbkcsHHRIu-aKYTxB_YReXDBKSDhKBcoOSWw_As0i-vEiOaKsL63qxeSrdqsrIEf_bzddVuUNLeFor-Jac0uV3p2el33fSt8vZ_ulXyDP_zBtdnMRm1nREVDvfHKh4/s640/Money+Machine.PNG" title="Perpetual Money Generator Machine" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perpetual money generator in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What if I told you that there exists a machine that could generate never-ending wealth? Even as you grow older, this machine would continue spitting out more and more money. You could go on vacations, buy groceries, shop for new outfits, yet you’d still have enough money that you would never need to devote a moment worrying about these purchases. Most importantly, you would never need to worry about running out of money again. Talk about some peace of mind!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Even though this machine sounds too good to be true, it does actually exist. Anyone can “buy” the machine and take advantage of it.<br />
<br />
Most retirements calculators assume that as you grow old, you’ll slowly but surely start to deplete your retirement savings. What if instead, you never depleted your retirement savings but they continue to grow, and grow, and grow? You would create generational wealth. Well then, where do I get it and how can I use it?<br />
<br />
With enough money invested, you too can have a perpetual money generator. Once you have enough money invested, your money will grow at a faster clip than your expenses, generating perpetual money and wealth.<br />
<br />
Let’s make a few assumptions and run through an example. When you invest in stocks, you typically earn about 10% per year if you’re in an S&P 500 index fund. Inflation, or the gradual increase in the cost of the stuff you buy, goes up by a little over 3% per year.<br />
<br />
For the perpetual money generator to work, your investments need to grow at a faster rate than the rate of inflation. Once your investments achieve this point, you can sit back and relax because the perpetual money generator is in motion.<br />
<br />
Imagine you have $1 million invested and your expenses total $40K per year. In the first year, you’ll earn $100K from your investments (remember, you’re earning 10% per year). Your living costs total $40K per year and the cost of inflation is about $32.5K, leaving you with $1.027 million at the end of the first year. You’re about $27K better off than the previous year. Here’s the bad news. Your net worth grew by only 2.78%, which is less than the rate of inflation at 3%.<br />
<br />
This means that over time, your living costs and inflation continue to chip away at your net worth because inflation is greater, ultimately leaving you with nothing. With $1 million, you’ll be able to live about 66 years before you run out of funds. For most people, this would be good enough, but we’re interested in never worrying about money again.<br />
<br />
Now imagine you have $2 million invested and your expenses continue to total $40K per year. You’re a frugal one! Now your investments grow by $200K at the end of the first year. With your living costs and inflation, you’re left with almost $2.1 million at the end of the year, or close to a 5% growth rate. This exceeds the 3% inflation rate. At this point, you’re the proud owner of a perpetual money generator.<br />
<br />
The rate of growth continues to increase year after year without slowing down. After 66 years, you’re not even close to losing money. In fact, you’re now at $71 million dollars, your net worth is growing by 6% per year, which is double the rate of inflation growth. Even as you continue to spend money, your money will continue to grow.<br />
<br />
The key to the perpetual money generator is that you need to keep your costs in check. If you have consistent costs (and you don’t greatly expand your spending habits as you become richer), the perpetual money generator can be yours.<br />
<br />
Using the table below, you can see the approximate amount needed to own a perpetual money generator. As a caveat, you’ll likely want more than the total below to give you a margin of safety and to limit your risk.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="GridTable1LightAccent1" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: 72.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #95B3D7 1.5pt; border: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #95B3D7 1.5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 153; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 153; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Annual
Living Costs<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #95B3D7 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-top: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #95B3D7 1.5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 153; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 153; mso-border-left-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Money needed to own a perpetual money generator<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>$30,000<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal">
$1.00 million</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>$40,000<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal">
$1.30 million</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>$50,000<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal">
$1.60 million</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>$60,000<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal">
$1.90 million</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>$70,000<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #B8CCE4 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #B8CCE4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal">
$2.20 million</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you can see, the higher your living expenses, the more money you need to have a perpetual money generator. For every $10K increase in your annual living expenses, you'll need an additional $300K invested. Here’s to the perpetual money generator and to creating generational wealth!Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-65115564799639110152015-11-15T01:37:00.000-08:002015-11-15T01:53:39.904-08:00Former military homes at Fort Lawton in Seattle’s Discovery Park stand to net developer over $10 million profit<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FNaSnb5-pA1E3vgAMj8x20J8pOueeeB6qqrs6Bkz_cY5j8szJiOmuqBWQ-1bBhbb3nUdowLX26TPikm9ZxXWIiCi6yGr2FLpf1BrNwT-Qiq3So_K2g3tv8kObrlenXsyMfkDYfEuedpN/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FNaSnb5-pA1E3vgAMj8x20J8pOueeeB6qqrs6Bkz_cY5j8szJiOmuqBWQ-1bBhbb3nUdowLX26TPikm9ZxXWIiCi6yGr2FLpf1BrNwT-Qiq3So_K2g3tv8kObrlenXsyMfkDYfEuedpN/s640/IMG_1594.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Home in Montana Circle</td></tr>
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In February 2015, the US Navy and a subsidiary of Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises sold the historic homes at Fort Lawton for <a href="http://risepropertiestrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Rise-Fact-Sheet.pdf">$10.5 million to Rise Properties Trust</a>, a Canadian based firm that invests in Seattle area real estate.<br />
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Fort Lawton, a collection of 26 homes spread across 14 buildings, sits in the Magnolia neighborhood in the middle of the scenic <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/discovery.htm">Discovery Park</a>, Seattle’s largest park with 534 acres and boasting views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. The 26 homes sit in two distinct areas, one referred to as Montana Circle and the other as Officer’s Row. Homes in Montana Circle offer 2,000 sq. ft., while homes in Officer’s Row have 4,000 - 6,600 sq. ft.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle and Officer's Row in Discovery Park</td></tr>
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According to the <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2012/09/11/seattle-listing-offers-homes-fit-for-an-officer/">Wall Street Journal</a>, they anticipated bidding for the 26 homes to start at $15 million in 2012, with estimates ranging from $14 – $23 million. Ultimately, Rise Properties Trust snatched up the entire property for $10.5 million in February 2015, well below the expected starting bid price.<br />
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When Rise purchased the property, many of the homes were in disrepair and in need of substantial renovations. Rise is investing an additional $200K on average in each home in Montana Circle and $400,000 in Officer’s Row on construction, for a total of around $7.8 million. This brings Rise’s total investment to $18.3 million on the property, once they complete all renovations.<br />
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With an average sales price of $850K for Montana Circle and an estimated sales price of $1.5 million for Officer’s Row, Rise will see revenue of over $30 million. Rise stands to earn close to $12 million after removing the costs to purchase the property and renovate the homes. With sales, marketing, admin, taxes, <a href="http://ownfortlawton.com/team-1/">salaries</a>, and other fees, their profit will likely be lower, potentially around $6 - $10 million. At the end of the day, an $18 million investment in February 2015 for a potential $10 million return by September 2016 is quite impressive.<br />
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On Rise’s web site, they call out a 17.38% annual return (since Jan 24, 2012) since the inception of their fund, which is slightly better than the market as a whole. These homes will certainly contribute to continuing this rate of return. Like with any investment, there is risk for Rise, such as a slower housing market. They deserve to be compensated for taking on the risk and they appear to have a fairly strong margin of safety.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome sales center</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Home in Montana Circle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle homes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJcDk32Iq6crKIe1THSg1r109A5cAqATKQ5Kq3TK0YLZJHLBQjL1lkqVb_cKm1f9XWvAXGj4_zquZJ1lT_SvyWZ2LLRriq8mFAtGQWnJIKrlF2d9PFnqt2E_K9BEktgvQ9HE7tXnvcBVd/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJcDk32Iq6crKIe1THSg1r109A5cAqATKQ5Kq3TK0YLZJHLBQjL1lkqVb_cKm1f9XWvAXGj4_zquZJ1lT_SvyWZ2LLRriq8mFAtGQWnJIKrlF2d9PFnqt2E_K9BEktgvQ9HE7tXnvcBVd/s320/IMG_1598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of Montana Circle home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wjqgL3_v57HlkwuGoOlMLGALenGm0Sa_bCYvktGjJt5cD4SK8lpJuV2B3uApiLLOHTQtE5DkCeg6Jf7Uz_sPmtie2SDlvwP37L7YNamStIwIrR5wg1fBUNlCTpfJ2ZpGb4l1m3qVbKlH/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wjqgL3_v57HlkwuGoOlMLGALenGm0Sa_bCYvktGjJt5cD4SK8lpJuV2B3uApiLLOHTQtE5DkCeg6Jf7Uz_sPmtie2SDlvwP37L7YNamStIwIrR5wg1fBUNlCTpfJ2ZpGb4l1m3qVbKlH/s320/IMG_1599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle dining room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWW-OOK4rF89ccVdNDuQ2GEMmPRIB3ZpXarUG62IbYsSqXDSNYj2s4DuD4WfJzEqlEJoOeAFQ7_t5I3IvMezIKtGSj1Q76HluyG5Avpt4Q6SmgPLu9AkPyyfNtoBlDRqf-4lnvsdFjJ46/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWW-OOK4rF89ccVdNDuQ2GEMmPRIB3ZpXarUG62IbYsSqXDSNYj2s4DuD4WfJzEqlEJoOeAFQ7_t5I3IvMezIKtGSj1Q76HluyG5Avpt4Q6SmgPLu9AkPyyfNtoBlDRqf-4lnvsdFjJ46/s320/IMG_1600.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle dining room</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK47N0CpQl-vT8IKop3h5j1Y6FBztHlc3rBCGlpScfCM91Cvpd0iI612NxIZp5lNEdJ34jYPjaiV5L3VOD1TbTC8EAWF1itHrNC3_6JMKvfem7PGNksYl-1o29J8cukNzEX9E-OIl_pi5C/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK47N0CpQl-vT8IKop3h5j1Y6FBztHlc3rBCGlpScfCM91Cvpd0iI612NxIZp5lNEdJ34jYPjaiV5L3VOD1TbTC8EAWF1itHrNC3_6JMKvfem7PGNksYl-1o29J8cukNzEX9E-OIl_pi5C/s320/IMG_1602.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle basement</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcJjt2BHV4bvrO-my1bc0-cCSCUHK9BzhNzsaHDb4qSmLu9E-q7jnDn2ddtvbP7KNDPJbzZU9zWwNQDbEHSNYC5bxNCdJGsu5Zmf7j0lWnRC7keAF9_9Gex5vUKM8R1mxi-oHkUqJxEMn/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcJjt2BHV4bvrO-my1bc0-cCSCUHK9BzhNzsaHDb4qSmLu9E-q7jnDn2ddtvbP7KNDPJbzZU9zWwNQDbEHSNYC5bxNCdJGsu5Zmf7j0lWnRC7keAF9_9Gex5vUKM8R1mxi-oHkUqJxEMn/s320/IMG_1603.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle tankless water heater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBWv579a5wkIUtamqCWn-_DL6dw69fVUxwutnWwTmjh9zxjMU1ahU634CGo6CEBp_sEApm7mWCQSOxw7jjGFtPf6-jUjIhWvkBnI0xIBsHp0E9HefAxc32Bi8z06bLdMouH12f2OYneXr/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBWv579a5wkIUtamqCWn-_DL6dw69fVUxwutnWwTmjh9zxjMU1ahU634CGo6CEBp_sEApm7mWCQSOxw7jjGFtPf6-jUjIhWvkBnI0xIBsHp0E9HefAxc32Bi8z06bLdMouH12f2OYneXr/s320/IMG_1604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle basement bathroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42cdV0tM8irtIwtDGu2aDese2B86tFOcs9dXxtVrSXRK-NTYxMOC6Cus73aq0Sab0HX5614YgVDfhX1jJuPcjGOKaLlNiWYrL0YesHVj2BfNnMFvRX5Rl1YZ87mtZ4P8RXMrk-smQsrbP/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42cdV0tM8irtIwtDGu2aDese2B86tFOcs9dXxtVrSXRK-NTYxMOC6Cus73aq0Sab0HX5614YgVDfhX1jJuPcjGOKaLlNiWYrL0YesHVj2BfNnMFvRX5Rl1YZ87mtZ4P8RXMrk-smQsrbP/s320/IMG_1605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle garage interior</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcXsLUdRduF3RWHhd99OUmXyS1iwhqLHpWtffSrMMZCQCMKIUJU6D9oM3cUFcIsAmKSJ9rDCihmY6BpH5GM9ZFnUNZVqiP7l0dPWE1sykooZCaLCjj11aGvtNGQv6k-V864pBth2PsMrG/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcXsLUdRduF3RWHhd99OUmXyS1iwhqLHpWtffSrMMZCQCMKIUJU6D9oM3cUFcIsAmKSJ9rDCihmY6BpH5GM9ZFnUNZVqiP7l0dPWE1sykooZCaLCjj11aGvtNGQv6k-V864pBth2PsMrG/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle stairway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheDVgFsXJ0w-KBCpmXEtaM02rdzIAc2W0YjF1De7EVqoje6jfsJx_vrJW03zQSRaLgCLTkg7-A66MaKJQ9lilRVUqJZmDOS_ztiK7Bq1W94vc-apXvlFutAbeNsJGQP9yBSM2qSC7K3dX/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheDVgFsXJ0w-KBCpmXEtaM02rdzIAc2W0YjF1De7EVqoje6jfsJx_vrJW03zQSRaLgCLTkg7-A66MaKJQ9lilRVUqJZmDOS_ztiK7Bq1W94vc-apXvlFutAbeNsJGQP9yBSM2qSC7K3dX/s320/IMG_1607.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle upstairs hallway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZknzHjtoKLNRT074yzoc4lMmVhykgWcE0WuZEBEmHjX6hrcsKJKyBMXUQbx8OHtNCPj8rA9mGsncj8nw8IEz6X6apC7gENxLx7zx_PXE7v1PTqdRbmoujSB5F9c-m-Lj-SL9zNxT2i0a/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZknzHjtoKLNRT074yzoc4lMmVhykgWcE0WuZEBEmHjX6hrcsKJKyBMXUQbx8OHtNCPj8rA9mGsncj8nw8IEz6X6apC7gENxLx7zx_PXE7v1PTqdRbmoujSB5F9c-m-Lj-SL9zNxT2i0a/s320/IMG_1608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Circle bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLBEmFNyY9VvxkHhI4N249_N37q7zO30KzdklWz7dJu5Y9_E1GKp9QMy-JVkHFRPMrbsQLg5L8MSMdhyphenhyphen6ByhBiP2PjJKQbWjf8FOUkwzq2KLv8sng9LDG0_UFKmMPE1nIjYkFi1yhVRut/s1600/IMG_1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLBEmFNyY9VvxkHhI4N249_N37q7zO30KzdklWz7dJu5Y9_E1GKp9QMy-JVkHFRPMrbsQLg5L8MSMdhyphenhyphen6ByhBiP2PjJKQbWjf8FOUkwzq2KLv8sng9LDG0_UFKmMPE1nIjYkFi1yhVRut/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle driveway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqch-Ua_88xU9NN2jR1tp9Yy7J1V63T7Sq3qnXLJ4toCmhNEJrjiyMunEdpWsgUVqtg-CL4i3Eg9c4llK-Ek2ItaHw81WNUWpxVxXl0xzUiI8GVDuZOodDVl5X8vYjIt0gbUkNOAvGwm7E/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqch-Ua_88xU9NN2jR1tp9Yy7J1V63T7Sq3qnXLJ4toCmhNEJrjiyMunEdpWsgUVqtg-CL4i3Eg9c4llK-Ek2ItaHw81WNUWpxVxXl0xzUiI8GVDuZOodDVl5X8vYjIt0gbUkNOAvGwm7E/s320/IMG_1610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle bedroom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQG7anxsL-gqldoIcjMZQ9j0asnapw7Gs4duetgJhcZ30p2j9KlQZMaYTrBhKBHAfbXAaWvT9lTOZK5TWcYdI18dsCD9yX2BpfWnHyRf2RNyZvgMx45oWcheXy6M3_E1zRxOGJlrL2HSe/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQG7anxsL-gqldoIcjMZQ9j0asnapw7Gs4duetgJhcZ30p2j9KlQZMaYTrBhKBHAfbXAaWvT9lTOZK5TWcYdI18dsCD9yX2BpfWnHyRf2RNyZvgMx45oWcheXy6M3_E1zRxOGJlrL2HSe/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle patio</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHKebB9NtAp7Sr8XnoAuGxcFf4mhBzndmac0dhoaBnHo3_rgvRlJ7s8VnNfclmtjnlDG264lbUrEagngwlcv9k4la2oopZvVgtAwQizHQ9sduyJMO7BP9MDfoUN67YttwaXZXTcGqWW4o/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHKebB9NtAp7Sr8XnoAuGxcFf4mhBzndmac0dhoaBnHo3_rgvRlJ7s8VnNfclmtjnlDG264lbUrEagngwlcv9k4la2oopZvVgtAwQizHQ9sduyJMO7BP9MDfoUN67YttwaXZXTcGqWW4o/s320/IMG_1612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle bedroom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENOIMYIclc6y6USVl5QhZE-nNgjC7FeZq_YtS10pNmcmFOITCk14ZjSM9wI-_T92BJUbGwP0gGy40uFkOARpr5pTGbd-QbK0J06pIp-V40LkW0_OBOTCkWG_BDHrDFfdt8EhHkTfrh70C/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENOIMYIclc6y6USVl5QhZE-nNgjC7FeZq_YtS10pNmcmFOITCk14ZjSM9wI-_T92BJUbGwP0gGy40uFkOARpr5pTGbd-QbK0J06pIp-V40LkW0_OBOTCkWG_BDHrDFfdt8EhHkTfrh70C/s320/IMG_1613.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle master bedroom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCMTONn8AYU_zzuhpnu3poUDiheRWR40KQnU8-cTed51RRKQ4HXIpvwA0b8OCd1U-Qn7gDjxJufRr2mEUyL3YeiIsdQh1U0FYV1igxYmGIKWV9WgTMcJMXzKxzEpcTvQm-hNBoXQGr7-z/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCMTONn8AYU_zzuhpnu3poUDiheRWR40KQnU8-cTed51RRKQ4HXIpvwA0b8OCd1U-Qn7gDjxJufRr2mEUyL3YeiIsdQh1U0FYV1igxYmGIKWV9WgTMcJMXzKxzEpcTvQm-hNBoXQGr7-z/s320/IMG_1614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JWpU6iykLWkK5KNGyqJyhHZwQLWC_zcMdTAq0rYbPhdS4mF7GG4hh4ABvV1ViL1NCOxSC8lzqittm9r1_4VErhcOAl2OE3FC1EZKCpQ-XIDyXIjhZD0bWpYfcnAGrxuE9tmPvs_K6sx6/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JWpU6iykLWkK5KNGyqJyhHZwQLWC_zcMdTAq0rYbPhdS4mF7GG4hh4ABvV1ViL1NCOxSC8lzqittm9r1_4VErhcOAl2OE3FC1EZKCpQ-XIDyXIjhZD0bWpYfcnAGrxuE9tmPvs_K6sx6/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle master bedroom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GRh8EzzirFuXLcbCBDrYyM6anTOTEA_NfALtS6Oqi9u83ux_VwEmDTFPYALuyzDKqvVd3BQqYmQe2QZlX0FWzr8FVZPsEIPJkJxszV7FizmvAEQZsw4fXSeqYDQNX5wBHcJuLYfZh5US/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GRh8EzzirFuXLcbCBDrYyM6anTOTEA_NfALtS6Oqi9u83ux_VwEmDTFPYALuyzDKqvVd3BQqYmQe2QZlX0FWzr8FVZPsEIPJkJxszV7FizmvAEQZsw4fXSeqYDQNX5wBHcJuLYfZh5US/s320/IMG_1616.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle living room and kitchen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWszoy1WFwawzr6WBRqxQ0Mw9xfIJdMXKKazAvRIs-Pd7zTdV4N9JTMns7LbnvRWpaRwu9gLdOLgmqeeRsSpbHyY-4j7vgKDoFmU-R0UTs0tJx58cXpkSZ_S6fBX-aBWGQlqlv5MtthwxP/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWszoy1WFwawzr6WBRqxQ0Mw9xfIJdMXKKazAvRIs-Pd7zTdV4N9JTMns7LbnvRWpaRwu9gLdOLgmqeeRsSpbHyY-4j7vgKDoFmU-R0UTs0tJx58cXpkSZ_S6fBX-aBWGQlqlv5MtthwxP/s320/IMG_1617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle front stairwell</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixRb5yP7px0Aoy9EE841ZhubqYAlstdfA7P4zEJjHGCXQkbjYxcf1_GSxKGL5DT9MJXmvFFlZMWVzs-bnDaanYv5JUYu6GbLEZqmQCHJjVbzDZ8RU1SUNOVkQcjKiI0paolIdJm6_T8Kw/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixRb5yP7px0Aoy9EE841ZhubqYAlstdfA7P4zEJjHGCXQkbjYxcf1_GSxKGL5DT9MJXmvFFlZMWVzs-bnDaanYv5JUYu6GbLEZqmQCHJjVbzDZ8RU1SUNOVkQcjKiI0paolIdJm6_T8Kw/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9JNwwsFd7N1EjjihxgzcLiob6wEH9Pu30ZTlTUfHtOxUDhBhfNbhuXrHZNL3POYZ__qeIc-oarvzW9m9ilAqi5xRz4Xtq_7T4AF-NDK4GgbbQX8tTyrPqKafsIusy6hsY7QAkM_U7PpN/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9JNwwsFd7N1EjjihxgzcLiob6wEH9Pu30ZTlTUfHtOxUDhBhfNbhuXrHZNL3POYZ__qeIc-oarvzW9m9ilAqi5xRz4Xtq_7T4AF-NDK4GgbbQX8tTyrPqKafsIusy6hsY7QAkM_U7PpN/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWN8snS-efAfxsGwnJrmsyYr7IUqpsIZjQU49llt-g6pF1DFVU-wCiT0RhgvDukQGCdzezIfj_8ZaRlcqzAquOcSdf32Q5JKxqlCddvL_XKJsMNA9SFO9HG_uAoPXhwJePcfbY46NVedd/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWN8snS-efAfxsGwnJrmsyYr7IUqpsIZjQU49llt-g6pF1DFVU-wCiT0RhgvDukQGCdzezIfj_8ZaRlcqzAquOcSdf32Q5JKxqlCddvL_XKJsMNA9SFO9HG_uAoPXhwJePcfbY46NVedd/s320/IMG_1620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEWnpBVP_mTRBnoRZq8czCCbdAM0apXa9FVibFzZDbq_2HRzeoDzAOBeoDQ5SgbEvVjcBcS3ddqdvlf50l45mhxcTMPu17XEfZsGUx9VoCvDc2EofzyDlc3WNMVn5YoMi_7Sk6Hy5T3DY/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEWnpBVP_mTRBnoRZq8czCCbdAM0apXa9FVibFzZDbq_2HRzeoDzAOBeoDQ5SgbEvVjcBcS3ddqdvlf50l45mhxcTMPu17XEfZsGUx9VoCvDc2EofzyDlc3WNMVn5YoMi_7Sk6Hy5T3DY/s320/IMG_1621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle carport under construction</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UTSGjsiJTCNKOs0zldA4MBQNBMUhKMlo1Go_3GVMCAb5_dSuW16UDi7IAsB9S3B-XD2Y5j_vyMxMzsLRvdvXQrZnC_XEnCMxVR3RPrsglPkja2HOy4b7741CpJh0Pr31tUTdWzmGuPgY/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UTSGjsiJTCNKOs0zldA4MBQNBMUhKMlo1Go_3GVMCAb5_dSuW16UDi7IAsB9S3B-XD2Y5j_vyMxMzsLRvdvXQrZnC_XEnCMxVR3RPrsglPkja2HOy4b7741CpJh0Pr31tUTdWzmGuPgY/s320/IMG_1622.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle duplex with garage</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OfCdJ2dWHE4oPV_dHYnAQGMzdqZ-rIXT1G66XXNLo9jyioBSfIxWCYGc2tdTtQcvhpdT2y494EB5Hx0Vfb_m6V9SKDP0oxmhyphenhyphengqQayixW3K3OFlt7L7QLgeHA4NDZnuEjvmeOrm3eh7v/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OfCdJ2dWHE4oPV_dHYnAQGMzdqZ-rIXT1G66XXNLo9jyioBSfIxWCYGc2tdTtQcvhpdT2y494EB5Hx0Vfb_m6V9SKDP0oxmhyphenhyphengqQayixW3K3OFlt7L7QLgeHA4NDZnuEjvmeOrm3eh7v/s320/IMG_1623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officer's Row home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBewWekDujmILryrgeqFZMHaID6z6M1NhMNmoV2cEz7f1YjjHMs8bpPsx-b4GWTVVTCACyFv_poQjHFq8POo1rhfNp8oh26-xuYwixgGIfcJuv9_9SK-DFTLkEkMTCP8ziLkIzTmOTuAT/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBewWekDujmILryrgeqFZMHaID6z6M1NhMNmoV2cEz7f1YjjHMs8bpPsx-b4GWTVVTCACyFv_poQjHFq8POo1rhfNp8oh26-xuYwixgGIfcJuv9_9SK-DFTLkEkMTCP8ziLkIzTmOTuAT/s320/IMG_1624.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwmoPd29P5yLZOZ3SHNPjeOvbTeOT9BwVjoAsV59tiiRS9nqMdDsQJZ4qzFXPuIql5aSWaZD7grKjQKzyIyTFdCdVPwMXlBzRPxkObKog-l0KyzvY_6FFSo39ABTX_Bhkuyvx4-4VMR9I/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwmoPd29P5yLZOZ3SHNPjeOvbTeOT9BwVjoAsV59tiiRS9nqMdDsQJZ4qzFXPuIql5aSWaZD7grKjQKzyIyTFdCdVPwMXlBzRPxkObKog-l0KyzvY_6FFSo39ABTX_Bhkuyvx4-4VMR9I/s320/IMG_1625.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle home with garage</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJhvLfbMEH7M_evIU11js9Tc5KuFy0cyQYuCFkFHDQbQoY49hSFZa1qdIQE4_FssnzFjgvTmnlKXgGqil1DMZLec3Ksoan3Oc0_8B7mb0qtUyS30Wgz_uuPW0rKu7WELicu8YUBL-F654/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJhvLfbMEH7M_evIU11js9Tc5KuFy0cyQYuCFkFHDQbQoY49hSFZa1qdIQE4_FssnzFjgvTmnlKXgGqil1DMZLec3Ksoan3Oc0_8B7mb0qtUyS30Wgz_uuPW0rKu7WELicu8YUBL-F654/s320/IMG_1626.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkVR0ixcJkO6dcZ2xeg_OoZm4Vl6bkucfto2hiXrio7809qCR704l35cXTcXWwlQCrw9sOjG3ucbvW9GlxZPtUF-A5E9CHsi8rG9QI2SJQ1KK5DLmLB7CP781OrARv4qLu9abdvAUp7oS/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkVR0ixcJkO6dcZ2xeg_OoZm4Vl6bkucfto2hiXrio7809qCR704l35cXTcXWwlQCrw9sOjG3ucbvW9GlxZPtUF-A5E9CHsi8rG9QI2SJQ1KK5DLmLB7CP781OrARv4qLu9abdvAUp7oS/s320/IMG_1627.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Montana Circle under construction</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBmqy064TqiQymXW2uqmkyPhJv3yczwI0YjOAJH6BxK-TdzeZuu4oxUYaTvejNUZvNoifP6sOnnEFjtg_PbIljdWAnJTnDXJVP8eCOs_Q2QN7NPA4vawVWUxrcgf_Jo036KfzrdC-6q9x/s1600/IMG_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBmqy064TqiQymXW2uqmkyPhJv3yczwI0YjOAJH6BxK-TdzeZuu4oxUYaTvejNUZvNoifP6sOnnEFjtg_PbIljdWAnJTnDXJVP8eCOs_Q2QN7NPA4vawVWUxrcgf_Jo036KfzrdC-6q9x/s320/IMG_1628.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officer's Circle home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Links:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ownfortlawton.com/">Own Fort Lawton</a></li>
<li><a href="http://old.seattletimes.com/html/realestate/2027164317_fortlawtonhomesforsalexml.html">Seattle Times Fort Lawton Coverage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/Fort-Lawton-land-homes-hit-the-market-3863200.php">Seattle PI Fort Lawton Coverage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2012/09/11/seattle-listing-offers-homes-fit-for-an-officer/">Wall Street Journal Fort Lawton Coverage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://risepropertiestrust.com/">Rise Properties Trust</a></li>
</ul>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comDiscovery Park, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199, USA47.6612969 -122.4178057000000347.657625900000006 -122.42284820000003 47.6649679 -122.41276320000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-92150625307991374932015-11-14T13:02:00.000-08:002015-11-14T13:03:43.039-08:00Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmxybChDvJ_5xmVA6Xor2zMz4AHqA8mXtzhzdZCC4r7TpLX0NJ2DwCy-uch16fk78OKEx33yl85V6bIDFxzcfjoQ4z6Q7Aa2qKfrykaI1NpI7WhGOveczucXC6KrHdwe4vCCFykIE1ixK/s1600/Safeway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmxybChDvJ_5xmVA6Xor2zMz4AHqA8mXtzhzdZCC4r7TpLX0NJ2DwCy-uch16fk78OKEx33yl85V6bIDFxzcfjoQ4z6Q7Aa2qKfrykaI1NpI7WhGOveczucXC6KrHdwe4vCCFykIE1ixK/s640/Safeway.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Safeway is one of the largest American supermarket chains with revenue over $36 billion (2013) and 2,200 locations. Saveway, in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle, WA is not one of those many locations.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The Saveway Market, not to be mistaken with Safeway, has only one location and specializes in groceries, alcohol, fried food, and other random things you would expect at a 7-11. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/saveway-market-seattle">Saveway Market on Yelp</a> comes in at 4.5 stars, beating out most Safeway stores.<br />
<br />
In the US, at least business owners are sensible enough to modify the name slightly. In other countries, like the Dominican Republic, you can easily find several eager entrepreneurs establishing local branches of Walmart and Costco within a short distance of one another. The selection isn’t quite as big in the US, but the owners make up for it with personalized and attentive service.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_uLHq-MAT8ZWGcHpKrJrWXrBb8g2dyta3dg-n6fFCKU14EFya9xdsnc32lrqCR4lnxF-8nx-arZ0A5CqYez8e2BW8xQISCTBmaSiScwk2a01BRxcfzjLja63nE0f9yg7i9T59PzBiEb0/s1600/DSCN0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_uLHq-MAT8ZWGcHpKrJrWXrBb8g2dyta3dg-n6fFCKU14EFya9xdsnc32lrqCR4lnxF-8nx-arZ0A5CqYez8e2BW8xQISCTBmaSiScwk2a01BRxcfzjLja63nE0f9yg7i9T59PzBiEb0/s400/DSCN0898.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Punta Cana Costco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ij0M0Avv6kL2fL3e6MUlKljvTZM-MRF8C8RW0vlsrNIaJwfbCgDeiWd_qrhQsIdsoHbuKZ5A3vbnb_ow8pjCJHc42dXdxQsSchfjxL3uFn2RzkHf-CydELQm1Tqj_Flxj2RaibKI1EMd/s1600/DSCN0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ij0M0Avv6kL2fL3e6MUlKljvTZM-MRF8C8RW0vlsrNIaJwfbCgDeiWd_qrhQsIdsoHbuKZ5A3vbnb_ow8pjCJHc42dXdxQsSchfjxL3uFn2RzkHf-CydELQm1Tqj_Flxj2RaibKI1EMd/s400/DSCN0785.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collection of brand name stores along the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTcZRL1X0Hi00go-p6FUDy9FqSGRk1nXV-xcH4wi3D3z-IZhFZP64BmrkV8G9YJ1GGWDSYIsU1ndW7qFLTwg_WZ23g26SriYDCO0m2dKPuw7gdcreXIFuUkdQG4E41WmtPHH_9_QaX5DU/s1600/DSCN0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTcZRL1X0Hi00go-p6FUDy9FqSGRk1nXV-xcH4wi3D3z-IZhFZP64BmrkV8G9YJ1GGWDSYIsU1ndW7qFLTwg_WZ23g26SriYDCO0m2dKPuw7gdcreXIFuUkdQG4E41WmtPHH_9_QaX5DU/s400/DSCN0897.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sprawling Punta Cana Walmart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Apple encountered similar problems in China. With only 26 official Apple stores in China, you can <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/pda/2011/jul/21/fake-apple-store">find hundreds of Apple</a> stores across all tiers of cities. Many employees believed they were working officially for Apple.<br />
<br />
With success comes imitation. Maybe there will be other <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/">Unlimited Net Worth</a> sites popping up soon enough?Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-2043500201634316842015-11-12T22:25:00.000-08:002015-11-19T14:30:31.781-08:00Can a pay raise be a bad thing? Absolutely… and here’s how to evaluate your raise.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLeUfCOxali2VD_HZsrB-Ow59L5arh5imPdZLZLo1z3hDCpYCu_kF2P-leornJ4pbtNboGTau4TSOetFO7XPI-z8uvwaaDw3KBIVzMOrWLZQ5Ykno-8W08-fNyWSyOT1gfEzantDovCUg/s1600/Pay+Raise.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pay Raise - Just Ahead" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLeUfCOxali2VD_HZsrB-Ow59L5arh5imPdZLZLo1z3hDCpYCu_kF2P-leornJ4pbtNboGTau4TSOetFO7XPI-z8uvwaaDw3KBIVzMOrWLZQ5Ykno-8W08-fNyWSyOT1gfEzantDovCUg/s640/Pay+Raise.PNG" title="Pay Raise - Just Ahead" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Every year, many employees receive a pay raise or a “merit” increase. Some are even so unlucky as to receive no raise at all. Receiving a raise at first glance appears to be a wonderful thing. You’re bringing home a bigger paycheck, allowing you to buy more of what you want, or to save more for retirement. What could possibly be bad about that?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>At closer inspection, a raise can actually be a bad thing. Imagine that your income is $40,000 per year and your living expenses are $30,000 per year, netting you $10,000 per year. Next year, you receive a 2% raise, increasing your income to $40,800. You can’t wait to receive that extra $800 each year. That’s a brand new TV right there!<br />
<br />
Before you get too excited, unfortunately there is a little problem with that measly 2% raise. Historical inflation tends to settle right around 3.32%. Inflation is the gradual increase in the price level of goods and services, meaning that over time, each dollar buys fewer goods and services.<br />
<br />
This means that the 2% raise is actually a 1.32% pay decrease! Although your income is now higher at $40,800, your expenses have increased to $30,996. This means that your expenses increased by $996 while your income grew by only $800, making you $196 worse off each year!<br />
<br />
The next time you receive a raise, check how it compares to the inflation rate. You’ll probably find that the raise is actually right in line with inflation, meaning that you’re actually no better or worse off than in the previous year. If you receive no raise at all, you’re actually making 3.32% less than you did last year. Saying that your pay hasn’t changed is actually deceptive way of decreasing pay.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, for a business, an owner can slip through a pay decrease by raising salaries by less than inflation or by claiming there will be no raise for the year. It’s a sly way of cutting pay without raising eyebrows, and sadly, most employees likely wouldn’t notice the difference.<br />
<br />
By checking the inflation rate and comparing it to your raise, you’ll be in a better position to decide whether it’s something to celebrate or not.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-10542705302541072982015-07-05T19:20:00.001-07:002015-11-12T22:38:19.527-08:00Boost your investment returns with an ESPP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl-i5UhseGusJL54y-3Jjfp3IeGJHOTSha0SSFsiy2Ameg8y5uN2ufVbTAOCMdpvJM2qqswH8C4h5w8QkXmxdbZpqRxmCH4gn8j0-DGKilzfca0sFwGMqI6ubFrEc5gvun4dtZ0d428pF/s1600/take+off.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl-i5UhseGusJL54y-3Jjfp3IeGJHOTSha0SSFsiy2Ameg8y5uN2ufVbTAOCMdpvJM2qqswH8C4h5w8QkXmxdbZpqRxmCH4gn8j0-DGKilzfca0sFwGMqI6ubFrEc5gvun4dtZ0d428pF/s640/take+off.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participating in your company's ESPP plan offers to boost your retirement savings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Very few things in life are certain and investment returns are no exception. Whenever I find an opportunity for practically free returns, I like to jump at the opportunity, whether it’s <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/04/easy-loophole-to-win-money-at-casinos.html">taking free money from casinos</a>, <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/05/9-best-cash-back-credit-cards.html">earning cash back on credit cards</a>, or making use of an ESPP.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you work for a medium to large sized corporation, chances are that your company offers an ESPP, or an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. If you’re not already investing cash into your ESPP, you absolutely should do so right away.</div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<br />
For the longest time, I avoided contributing money to my company’s ESPP. I came up with excuses, like:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>I didn’t want to invest too much in my company. I was already highly dependent on my company for my salary, so I didn’t want to increase my risk more by having much of my investments concentrated in the same company.</li>
<li>The primary intent of the ESPP is to encourage employees to own company stock, which makes employees more vested in a company’s success. I felt bad selling stock immediately on the purchase date.</li>
<li>Rather than investing in the ESPP, I could invest that same money into the S&P 500, which would earn me 10% per year on average.</li>
<li>I could skip out on all the tax paperwork involved in buying and selling stock from the ESPP plan.</li>
<li>I didn’t run through the numbers to see how good of a deal it was.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
At my wife’s insistence, I ran through the numbers to re-evaluate the plan. All I can say is that I wish I had done so earlier! To that, my wife said, “Was I right, or was I right?” There was only one answer to that question.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An ESPP plan typically offers a 10% – 15% discount on the company’s stock. You’ll need to contribute money throughout an offering period, which usually runs for 3-months. At the end of the offering period, you’ll have accumulated funds that your plan uses to purchase stock at a discount.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For example, let’s say you contribute 15% of your salary to your ESPP and your salary is $100K per year. During a three-month offering period, you’ll be able to contribute $3,750 to your ESPP. If a company’s stock is trading at $100 per share at the end of the offering period, you can pick up the stock for only $90 per share at a 10% discount. This means that your $3,750 is now worth $4,167 for a gain of $417, assuming you were to sell on the purchase date.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you sell right on the purchase date, you lock in the return and your acumen just earned you a whopping 11.11% return over just three months. Over the long run, <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/09/the-secret-to-investing-at-optimal-time.html">stock markets return on average 10% a year</a>. This means that you just beat the long-term yearly average in only three months! At an annualized rate, assuming the investment grows at the same rate throughout the year, you would have earned a 52% annual return! Try finding a return like that somewhere else.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bravo if you’re already contributing to your ESPP. If you’re not already contributing, don’t delay and get started right away. By doing so, you’ll avoid having to answer the inevitable question that I had to answer... “was I right, or was I right?”</div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-16043607541252252902014-10-05T01:15:00.000-07:002014-10-05T12:10:18.173-07:00Popular Celebrity Net Worth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_lvQCcXof33D2_71eVRqofGkRRflPhuekVZgYn37JDWkM9bjTfogi4DkQOoUdDwGDg5KvqolvRyWA4dMQphbIh3NKnnp9TtXsL4Ljmu4WT8RIh1Kl2U7_cFndcwrTJNA0HcmsPitJ8fw/s1600/celebrities.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Celebrity Net Worth" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_lvQCcXof33D2_71eVRqofGkRRflPhuekVZgYn37JDWkM9bjTfogi4DkQOoUdDwGDg5KvqolvRyWA4dMQphbIh3NKnnp9TtXsL4Ljmu4WT8RIh1Kl2U7_cFndcwrTJNA0HcmsPitJ8fw/s1600/celebrities.PNG" height="256" title="Celebrity Net Worth" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrity Net Worth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Successful careers in sports, acting, singing, or business can lead to tremendous amounts of wealth and celebrity status.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Although jobs in the medical field typically pay the highest median salaries out of any profession as discussed in the <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/05/highest-and-lowest-paying-jobs.html">highest and lowest paying jobs post</a>, the potential upside is much greater as a celebrity.<br />
<br />
<b>Making it to the top is close to impossible</b><br />
Making it to the top in sports, acting, singing, or business requires persistence, talent, and lots of hard work. Even with all of these, the likelihood of landing a spot is slim to none. For example, there are only:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>500 Chief Executive Officers - 1 CEO for each Fortune 500 company.</li>
<li>150 NBA starters - 5 starters on each of the NBA's 30 teams.</li>
<li>32 NFL quarterbacks - 1 starting quarterback on each of the NFL's 32 teams.</li>
<li>30 lead actors - 1 to 2 leading actors for the 15 to 20 big budget movies released each year with production budgets over $100 million.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Once you make it to the top of these professions, life can be very good. Given how few people make it, those at the top can command outsized compensation, helping them qualify as part of the top 1% of earners in the world.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Popular Celebrity Net Worth</b></div>
<div>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableLightShadingAccent1" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 423px;">
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<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Name<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Net Worth Estimate (USD)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b>Year<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_cent">50 Cent</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$270 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyonc%C3%A9">Beyoncé</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$300 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates">Bill Gates</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$81.3 billion<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Jeter">Derek Jeter</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$125 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2011<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Dre">Dr Dre</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$780 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_(rapper)">Drake</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$25 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2012<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_DeGeneres">Ellen DeGeneres</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$285 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eminem">Eminem</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$160 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Mayweather,_Jr.">Floyd Mayweather</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$295 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Clooney">George Clooney</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$180 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay-Z">Jay Z</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$520 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Lawrence">Jennifer Lawrence</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$40 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Belfort">Jordan Belfort</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$-100 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Bieber">Justin Bieber</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$200 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanye_West">Kanye West</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$90 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2012<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine,_Duchess_of_Cambridge">Kate Middleton</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$1 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katy_Perry">Katy Perry</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$110 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Kardashian">Kim Kardashian</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$65 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James">LeBron James</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$270 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil_Wayne">Lil Wayne</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$135 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Lemonis">Marcus Lemonis</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$50 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan">Michael Jordan</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$1 billion<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miley_Cyrus">Miley Cyrus</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$120 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2012<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey">Oprah Winfrey</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$3 billion<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Walker">Paul Walker</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$25 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_William,_Duke_of_Cambridge">Prince William</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$40 million<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rihanna">Rihanna</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$120 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Downey,_Jr.">Robert Downey, Jr.</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$170 million<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td nowrap="" style="border: none; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift">Taylor Swift</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$200 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 29; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 126.9pt;" valign="top" width="169"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiz_Khalifa">Wiz Khalifa</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal">
$25 million<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.15pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
2014<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: <a href="http://www.celebritynetworth.com/">Celebrity
Net Worth</a>, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/">Forbes</a>, <a href="http://www.freebase.com/">Freebase</a>, <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/">Wikipedia</a></span></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-34325238988259531102014-09-28T00:59:00.005-07:002014-09-28T01:11:28.476-07:00Do you ride the elevator or take the stairs?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveDWpZy_WxWDQp6CNhWcxV0Ex0KSzXlGO-qDe_HbkEE8EnOrm0Rr00hYrCQ2ja3vvoZKgDSmK-PLqOmBlZb5kodSx6QJHX03j_VLY0MAYdFYXiB0efBnQ7dBLGhuuy6vmDCBA6b-geYUN/s1600/elevator+vs+stairs.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Elevator vs. stairs" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveDWpZy_WxWDQp6CNhWcxV0Ex0KSzXlGO-qDe_HbkEE8EnOrm0Rr00hYrCQ2ja3vvoZKgDSmK-PLqOmBlZb5kodSx6QJHX03j_VLY0MAYdFYXiB0efBnQ7dBLGhuuy6vmDCBA6b-geYUN/s1600/elevator+vs+stairs.PNG" height="425" title="Elevator vs. stairs" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevator vs. stairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I work in a 13-story building in Bellevue, WA called <a href="http://www.thebravern.com/">the Bravern</a> and my office is on the 10<sup>th</sup> floor. Rather than taking the
elevator, I take the stairs every morning. Each floor has approximately 20
steps, meaning that I climb about 200 steps every morning on the way to my desk
and another 200 steps down in the evening. Not only does this healthy routine get
my heart pumping in the morning, but it also helps wake me up. In a sense, it’s
my coffee in the morning that gets me going. This also helps me accumulate physical
activity throughout the day.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
Given the positive benefits, I sometimes wonder why so many
people opt against taking the stairs and instead ride the elevator. Taking the
stairs up 10 floors might be extreme, but I see many people take the elevator
up just one floor or even two floors. In fact, a building I worked in in the
past had a healthcare company called <a href="http://www.ghc.org/">Group Health</a> on the second floor. I
routinely saw their employees take the elevator up just one floor. These people
work for a health care company that promotes good health and yet they chose the
elevator each day.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A <a href="http://www.usca.edu/news&events/stairs_elevator_5.2007.htm">University
of South Carolina study</a> found that people prefer the elevator to the stairs due to perceived speed benefits. While it’s true that elevators come out ahead for
multiple floor journeys exceeding 2 - 3 floors, for 1 - 2 floor journeys, the
stairs win out easily. The study found that the elevator takes about twice as
long primarily for 1-floor trips due to needing to wait for the elevator to
arrive to begin the trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from the perceived speed benefits, design also has a
strong influence on the elevator vs. stair decision. In most buildings, elevators
are typically the centerpiece of elegant building lobbies, with pleasant
lighting and agreeable music playing in the background. Stairs on the other
hand tend to be more difficult to find and are not prominent features in most
lobbies. Elevator interiors feature carpeting, sometimes have screens showing
the weather or news headlines, and the music continues to play. Stairwells are
narrow and look unfinished with exposed concrete and steel. In some buildings,
stairwells are inaccessible due to security concerns and are for emergency use
only. Ironically, I’m a member of <a href="http://www.24hourfitness.com/">24 Hour Fitness</a> and the stairwell doors are
locked, forcing the use of the elevator to reach the gym to work out.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
An important aspect of net worth is your health. Poor health
leads to increased medical costs, which reduces your net worth. Good health
ensures that you’ll be around to enjoy the net worth that you worked so hard to
build. To encourage physical activity, new buildings should incorporate increased prominence for stairs compared to elevators. In the
meantime, I’ll be taking the stairs. What will you choose?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-31051214239986895462014-09-27T22:33:00.003-07:002014-09-27T22:45:28.034-07:00Ridiculous Ways to Save Money #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWEHAWPjp8VuP8NyUKMmy7rogIwOngiJWErdPlZHP632S3SqMmvq5K2Wu-i7rONa7eZEUw5QgvNW8PcAg5Yy8GYKT8wKUfoE8wmkenVot2mXW0Ex1O-qvoqG0Kl5ncGJqb_SfjWw_ArrG/s1600/RidiculousMoneySavingTips.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ridiculous money saving tips" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWEHAWPjp8VuP8NyUKMmy7rogIwOngiJWErdPlZHP632S3SqMmvq5K2Wu-i7rONa7eZEUw5QgvNW8PcAg5Yy8GYKT8wKUfoE8wmkenVot2mXW0Ex1O-qvoqG0Kl5ncGJqb_SfjWw_ArrG/s1600/RidiculousMoneySavingTips.png" height="152" title="Ridiculous money saving tips" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Making money is hard, which is why saving money should be a priority. Here are another five ridiculous money saving
tips to get you on the path to saving!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Camp out instead of
staying at a hotel</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Motel 6 may be cheap, but camping is even cheaper. Five to six nights at a campsite is the
equivalent of one night at a cheap hotel. Campsites typically offer shared bathrooms and showers. Even better, drive to a remote location and pitch your tent for free- just be careful to stay away from private property and keep your food away from bears. A night under the stars sure beats an old dingy hotel room any night.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYYGuVgIwhvnPPC7l7P-WcaNBo0TDYQ7t_F8aCCleoAhgYudKJU9ISOdRg-5W1dh6pxI5-34NFXdK1imFO1cRC4QafIQKTpNC51k5seBanGfBn9i-3d3UGY8fQVOHcd8GF82uS3SPCB7-/s1600/DSCN0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYYGuVgIwhvnPPC7l7P-WcaNBo0TDYQ7t_F8aCCleoAhgYudKJU9ISOdRg-5W1dh6pxI5-34NFXdK1imFO1cRC4QafIQKTpNC51k5seBanGfBn9i-3d3UGY8fQVOHcd8GF82uS3SPCB7-/s1600/DSCN0551.JPG" height="240" title="Camping out is cheaper than a hotel" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Harvest rainwater for your garden plants</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why would anyone pay to use tap water to water plants when a
downspout can provide you with free rainwater for your garden all year round? Not only does diverting the rainwater keep it
from pooling near your house foundation, but provides you with a free source to
keep your plants green all summer long.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bk44cSo5J8raChtNaJMZdPhjEbJwCFXsNjdeBXYXRYsBdsJRnSBeHtvyC0kRwb9ef2tueKkOnocPNicqJdyyiQ2EnbSzsuZdvm4pxf2WZ_UL9ZNzOV-_gDBDfMtgTbvcV5V1mhsOelRj/s1600/DSC_4231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bk44cSo5J8raChtNaJMZdPhjEbJwCFXsNjdeBXYXRYsBdsJRnSBeHtvyC0kRwb9ef2tueKkOnocPNicqJdyyiQ2EnbSzsuZdvm4pxf2WZ_UL9ZNzOV-_gDBDfMtgTbvcV5V1mhsOelRj/s1600/DSC_4231.JPG" height="320" title="Harvest rainwater" width="211" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Conveniently forget who lent you money</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forgetting about debt is one of the quickest ways to eliminate said debt, especially if the debt is not from a financial institution that can ruin your credit score. For example, when a debt collector calls you, they probably only paid pennies on the dollar to collect on your debt and have no legitimate recourse. However, if Tony shows up at your door with a bat, you might want to reconsider. It's also in your best interest to avoid this strategy with friends and family for obvious reasons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Re-use Ziploc bags</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ziploc bags are great for storing sandwiches and other foods. Instead of throwing away the Ziploc bag after one use, consider washing out the Ziploc and re-using it again in the future. After a quick rinse, the Ziploc will look like new. Re-using Ziploc bags is not only friendly on your wallet, but eliminates waste.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fyEXS2oaj8AAYVUNfpX87EURWwDPrW7hc7DpIx7MN4JEEogmozTR7E5oVFThKybC6DjZQXXEPSw0oXETMZ9pJKtccAoIHSRZG8boHF_EZI9LQPz1alJ3MGrPMdqc4vi8G12cvHCkJuhr/s1600/DSC_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fyEXS2oaj8AAYVUNfpX87EURWwDPrW7hc7DpIx7MN4JEEogmozTR7E5oVFThKybC6DjZQXXEPSw0oXETMZ9pJKtccAoIHSRZG8boHF_EZI9LQPz1alJ3MGrPMdqc4vi8G12cvHCkJuhr/s1600/DSC_4379.JPG" height="320" title="Re-use Ziploc bags" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Dry and re-use paper towels</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the spirit of re-using, consider re-using paper towels. If you're only wiping up water or something else that isn't overly messy, you can dry out the paper tower and use it again in the future. Once a paper towel dries out, you'll find its absorption ability is just like new.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxluUkMBogMrWFFdcm4KXp0RnB1YmWZ4VwFMASv1bkW31u3R7_PyT3zvOiCFP1kWqbAZZ8ApKSuUqd7utUTYRQqmlHJeIGW9v60KBadCmRWQWEr0Gsw6NCJiZZyJjWsxwjkEbqCJgTWZtx/s1600/DSC_4380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxluUkMBogMrWFFdcm4KXp0RnB1YmWZ4VwFMASv1bkW31u3R7_PyT3zvOiCFP1kWqbAZZ8ApKSuUqd7utUTYRQqmlHJeIGW9v60KBadCmRWQWEr0Gsw6NCJiZZyJjWsxwjkEbqCJgTWZtx/s1600/DSC_4380.JPG" height="219" title="Re-use paper towels" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/05/ridiculous-ways-to-save-money-2.html">ridiculous ways to save money #2</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-61723252037962723682014-09-22T21:25:00.002-07:002014-09-23T09:34:41.089-07:00Celebrating 20 years in business... for the last 3 years<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkI9LZBaCk14EerCld494RZRgOmMZ9ODJlZcPvkRAkkWJ092zgYxM5dSIPZHbLIpsk7o9xiwdkB4xsP2dv1c1vHbzrGERL0VcHHPpNhlw1RHlPQZwKv8AVdlVzvgDKffl-inZtOAJaPtc0/s1600/WP_20140907_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkI9LZBaCk14EerCld494RZRgOmMZ9ODJlZcPvkRAkkWJ092zgYxM5dSIPZHbLIpsk7o9xiwdkB4xsP2dv1c1vHbzrGERL0VcHHPpNhlw1RHlPQZwKv8AVdlVzvgDKffl-inZtOAJaPtc0/s1600/WP_20140907_002.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Uptown China Restaurant celebrates 20 years in business</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The restaurant business is notorious for rapid openings and just as rapid closings. TV shows like <a href="http://www.fox.com/kitchennightmares/">Kitchen Nightmares</a> and <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/restaurant-impossible.html">Restaurant Impossible</a> show us time and time again the difficulties of keeping a restaurant afloat. It's no wonder then that the <a href="http://uptown-china.com/">Uptown China Restaurant</a> in the Queen Anne Neighborhood of Seattle has made a big deal out of its 20 year celebration, one which it has been celebrating for the last 3 years as of 9/2014.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Given that most businesses fail in the first few years, it's quite an accomplishment to make it to the 20 year mark. The Uptown China Restaurant simply knows no stopping. As such, a celebration is certainly in store and perhaps even overdue, although it's debatable whether 3 years is an ample amount of time for such a big milestone. Maybe keeping the banners up for another few years is the right approach. If Uptown China sticks with the banners until at least 2042, they can simply add "another" to the text to make it "Celebrating Another 20 Years" as a testament to their longevity.<br />
<br />
To be fair, it just sounds so much cleaner saying 20 instead of 22, and with age, you always round down anyway. The banners add a festive flair and elegance that most certainly entices eager diners to try the delicious <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/uptown-china-restaurant-seattle?start=40">Yelp 3.5 rated dishes</a>. With quotes such as "their General Tso's is made with REAL CHICKEN" according to Rachel and "They have the best hot and sour soup" according to Angelo Q, Uptown China sets the bar pole vaulting high. Only few restaurants serve up real chicken and being the best at anything with so many thousands of restaurants in the world is next to impossible to beat. Yet our lovely Uptown China restaurant achieved these fabulous accomplishments.<br />
<br />
With such respectable comments, it'll be any day now that Michelin and Zagat come to review this fine establishment. Here's to another 20 years of the Uptown China Restaurant, an establishment that I will certainly never visit!Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comQueen Anne, Seattle, WA, USA47.6323268 -122.356864147.5895293 -122.4375451 47.6751243 -122.2761831tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-80730521051900336102014-09-21T19:18:00.001-07:002015-11-14T22:33:53.921-08:00The secret to investing at the optimal time (hint: the best time is now)<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS85ceVdkMIltOOBzGNEOFn-KLW6zw9AvqKLPhTernHwB7Nx63t_OTNzUtveEtnkHyAlSIJonp8SbiNAt-z0XntBncVZqGKh9u7UNzCLLD_FRs7nuYuISRhkfDnRCQNdkuCSdyHFnsbkDo/s1600/monkey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A market timing strategy that even a monkey can do" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS85ceVdkMIltOOBzGNEOFn-KLW6zw9AvqKLPhTernHwB7Nx63t_OTNzUtveEtnkHyAlSIJonp8SbiNAt-z0XntBncVZqGKh9u7UNzCLLD_FRs7nuYuISRhkfDnRCQNdkuCSdyHFnsbkDo/s640/monkey.png" title="A market timing strategy that even a monkey can do" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A market timing strategy that even a monkey can do</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An old adage in investing is to buy low and to sell high. It seems so simple that even a monkey could
do it. Unfortunately, if it really were that simple, most of us would not be
working anymore. All sorts of books promise to teach you how to time
the market. One titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470389753/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=4968400742&ref=pd_sl_8zs1udeygp_p">Market
Timing for Dummies</a> promises to teach you how to “use a wide away of
market-timing tools” to help you “make money in any market”. Despite the complexity of timing the market, one simple strategy will help you come out ahead all the time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The difficulty of
timing the market<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the last 13 years alone, we’ve experienced two crashes,
one caused by the dot com bubble bursting in 2001 and another caused by the
sub-prime housing crisis in 2008. Selling immediately before these crashes and
then repurchasing your investments at the trough would have been extremely
profitable. Yet, timing the rise and
fall is close to impossible. Several analysts predicted for years that the
sub-prime mortgage industry would collapse and yet prices continued to rise despite the dire predictions. No one was able to predict when the fateful fall
would actually happen.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Well then, when
should I invest my money?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The secret to investing in the market is to <u>invest right now,
always</u>. Whether you have a lump sum or only a little bit of cash, you should invest right away if you have
money on hand. Over the long-term, the market has
always increased in value. In the chart below, you can see the performance of
the Dow Jones Industrial Average over 114 years from 1900 through the present day (9/21/2014).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6S5tT2QFDnLOLpeLvW1RjLjxnTuTctKJTssywjvs1AszkAnu3JFOV_r6QgGoCA5IDy7lHkCbY3VyqiEiiDDwvi25ZIMUcOZudJ8u_wJUDVE0WEXOHJg3xoJ1h8exWd0q8_wP5D1kRIAX/s1600/stocks+over+time.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dow Jones Industrial Average performance from 1900 to 2014" border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6S5tT2QFDnLOLpeLvW1RjLjxnTuTctKJTssywjvs1AszkAnu3JFOV_r6QgGoCA5IDy7lHkCbY3VyqiEiiDDwvi25ZIMUcOZudJ8u_wJUDVE0WEXOHJg3xoJ1h8exWd0q8_wP5D1kRIAX/s1600/stocks+over+time.png" title="Dow Jones Industrial Average performance from 1900 to 2014" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dow Jones Industrial Average performance from 1900 to 2014 from <a href="http://stockcharts.com/">stockcharts.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are high points and very low points over the years in the market, but the
direction has always been up over the long-term (or an approximately 10% compound
annual growth rate per year). Even if you invested money immediately before the
Great Depression in October 1929 or during the Great Depression, today you would still be far
ahead of where you started. Given that over the long-term the market goes up, you
tend to be better off investing today than you are investing tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Not sure where to invest? Read the post on <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/10/deciding-where-to-invest-your-401k.html">deciding where to invest your 401k</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-29500508782646953942014-09-20T22:06:00.000-07:002015-11-15T11:33:56.828-08:00Sleepless in Seattle houseboat fetches over $2 million<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwCU1dlgAAkZYeLCoLxM1F1k7ofj3_T5Z0A6QZTCTgAqY8IMjSymPqF4mYtXFAz71WzYlzz95VczVx_rZ3Pmt-vMpgrq8Hetgh7VuER9CLI4aLpKWRkNDFuIZJ7f9PQWPju0DBEIVw3Jb/s1600/DSCN0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tom Hanks's houseboat in Sleepless in Seattle" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwCU1dlgAAkZYeLCoLxM1F1k7ofj3_T5Z0A6QZTCTgAqY8IMjSymPqF4mYtXFAz71WzYlzz95VczVx_rZ3Pmt-vMpgrq8Hetgh7VuER9CLI4aLpKWRkNDFuIZJ7f9PQWPju0DBEIVw3Jb/s1600/DSCN0640.JPG" title="Tom Hanks's houseboat in Sleepless in Seattle" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepless in Seattle houseboat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Floating near the west shore of Lake union is 2460 Westlake Ave North, better known as Sam Baldwin's houseboat in the 1993 romantic comedy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepless_in_Seattle">Sleepless in Seattle</a>, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The home recently went on the market and offered the rare possibility to own a piece of Hollywood history. The previous owner held onto the property for over 21 years before looking to cash out.<br />
<br />
On a recent afternoon, I decided to kayak to the home to see it up close. The houseboat is one of the largest on Lake Union with over 2,200 sq. ft of space and features unobstructed views of the water and the Seattle skyline. Directly out front, a steady stream of paddle boarders, kayakers, and boats cruise by for a glimpse of the famous home. During the busy summer tourist season, <a href="http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/">Ride the Ducks</a> tours join the procession. The buzz of propeller engines from <a href="http://www.kenmoreair.com/">Kenmore Air</a> seaplanes, which ferry passengers between Seattle, the San Juan Islands, Victoria Island, and other cities around the pacific northwest, occasionally interrupt the calming sound of the waves.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I was unable to see the house inside when I visited since viewings were tightly controlled. With an open house, who wouldn't want to visit? Having a famous house attracts not only potential buyers but also throngs of avid fans of the film. I was able to cruise around the exterior, which appeared just like I remembered in the movie.<br />
<br />
According to the <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2014/09/houseboat-from-sleepless-in-seattle-sells-for-more.html?ana=e_sea_bn_exclusive&u=tN%2FTqWjBu+ZCJbG+vtll1w09cdcf89&t=1410229807&page=2">Puget Sound Business Journal</a>, the home recently sold for over $2 million to a tech executive in the Seattle area to use as a vacation home. A house warming party with a viewing of Sleepless in Seattle seems like a great idea.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02BKK5mI7HL6pZyMhfncllBJKMGJehguXOD-iBJ0kyREIqdS7y-GVVAvjn_F5dx3qLCpPq-ylZsgHn0wzj07AqFxU5v0uml-M_DVxnnTaONOTAquuC8ijMFYuGVITj4wKsm7fWqBDX3gp/s1600/DSCN0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02BKK5mI7HL6pZyMhfncllBJKMGJehguXOD-iBJ0kyREIqdS7y-GVVAvjn_F5dx3qLCpPq-ylZsgHn0wzj07AqFxU5v0uml-M_DVxnnTaONOTAquuC8ijMFYuGVITj4wKsm7fWqBDX3gp/s1600/DSCN0642.JPG" title="Sleepless in Seattle houseboat" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOvWZ0BM0OHV5ljzrorI0KGyF0Ssf6bgmb_Yasu9kXaiEICTD-ZtfZJ-2IGwARHt_HvK5U4EpK8IqmoQfSbqaQWc6fLfPqlm0ChzmGAbbSeQya3m2V3zhudzaA3JYhwLQDIjuY9a9WxIJ/s1600/DSCN0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOvWZ0BM0OHV5ljzrorI0KGyF0Ssf6bgmb_Yasu9kXaiEICTD-ZtfZJ-2IGwARHt_HvK5U4EpK8IqmoQfSbqaQWc6fLfPqlm0ChzmGAbbSeQya3m2V3zhudzaA3JYhwLQDIjuY9a9WxIJ/s1600/DSCN0636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Seattle skyline from the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYFBMcuENDfHKfFR5RVjsj8Tf5RMXj7fl9MLSeSd_MqusDXKZ9AxCyJeehbexZxScd6Ka4mYxl6ozQNybZ-mnpYfv7hEvYzxcXxmUi9EStKkOMp-ttaohlJoj_SH3DrNxikZa3g8dyyu-/s1600/DSC_4583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYFBMcuENDfHKfFR5RVjsj8Tf5RMXj7fl9MLSeSd_MqusDXKZ9AxCyJeehbexZxScd6Ka4mYxl6ozQNybZ-mnpYfv7hEvYzxcXxmUi9EStKkOMp-ttaohlJoj_SH3DrNxikZa3g8dyyu-/s320/DSC_4583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">View of the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXxFEcdzxKDexKEGIBs0mRB4-wrVYeng-bMtZay71iCX1PE4ugvrbQ37mq2ri8BAfjxL2dRDS0A5Zql4W7xp5-xL8AaJZCjGz_7cdBKp_GVe4w73hTH_eObPS0IqFfS8w_4jM5QILqTet/s1600/houseboat.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXxFEcdzxKDexKEGIBs0mRB4-wrVYeng-bMtZay71iCX1PE4ugvrbQ37mq2ri8BAfjxL2dRDS0A5Zql4W7xp5-xL8AaJZCjGz_7cdBKp_GVe4w73hTH_eObPS0IqFfS8w_4jM5QILqTet/s1600/houseboat.PNG" title="Map of Sleepless in Seattle houseboat" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sleepless in Seattle houseboat floats near the western shore of Lake Union in Seattle, WA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-40590974816079857682014-08-24T23:11:00.004-07:002015-12-13T01:08:09.981-08:00Was Seattle’s Great Wheel a great investment or a colossal blunder?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFmnY7CNccFJyc2uvNJeAlCE3t_CBVOQ2NCMsqNHTf4RAVB-o7r_jXK6Ru_sZW7jSMajP4QpsOFsm9PbqjcEiOce4pPnjFh6ulPfF8D7vQ1-iniMYpt9EkKr5IB9s-VeKWpT9zOy4KB4t/s1600/DSC_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Seattle Great Wheel" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFmnY7CNccFJyc2uvNJeAlCE3t_CBVOQ2NCMsqNHTf4RAVB-o7r_jXK6Ru_sZW7jSMajP4QpsOFsm9PbqjcEiOce4pPnjFh6ulPfF8D7vQ1-iniMYpt9EkKr5IB9s-VeKWpT9zOy4KB4t/s1600/DSC_0889.JPG" title="Seattle Great Wheel" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seattle's Great Wheel at Pier 57</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rising 175 feet over Elliot Bay, <a href="http://seattlegreatwheel.com/">Seattle’s Great Wheel</a> occupies
a dominant spot on the ever-changing Seattle skyline. Since opening at Pier 57 in June 2012, the
Great Wheel has secured a spot as one of the most popular tourist destinations
in Seattle by promising a fun ride with spectacular views of the city, the Puget
Sound, and beyond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A Ferris wheel renaissance
begins</b><br />
Ever since the <a href="http://www.londoneye.com/">London Eye</a> debuted to huge success in 2000; countless other
cities throughout the United States and the world have raced to build Ferris
wheels. The London Eye kicked off a
Ferris wheel construction renaissance, with over 35 other Ferris wheels launching
around the world. Several Ferris wheels
have cropped up in the United States, including the <a href="https://www.caesars.com/thelinq/high-roller.html">High Roller in Las
Vegas</a>, the <a href="http://nationalharbor.com/capitalwheel">Capital Wheel
in Maryland</a>, the <a href="http://islandinpigeonforge.com/great-smoky-mountain-wheel/">Great Smokey
Mountain Wheel in Tennessee</a>, and the <a href="http://myrtlebeachskywheel.com/">SkyWheel at Myrtle Beach</a> in just the
last three years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A Ferris wheel comes
to Seattle<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It came as no surprise that in 2012 the Griffith family proposed
the construction of a Ferris wheel at <a href="http://www.minerslanding.com/">Miner’s Landing on Pier 57</a>, their family
property and a heavily trafficked tourist area in Seattle. At a construction cost of $20 million, the
Great Wheel is a relative bargain compared to some other Ferris wheels around
the world, with costs reaching into the hundreds of millions to build the
largest Ferris wheels. At 175 feet, the
Seattle Great Wheel is only the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ferris_wheels">56<sup>th</sup>
largest Ferris wheel</a> in the world as of 2014. Despite its limited stature on the world
stage, the Great Wheel has become an icon on the Seattle waterfront. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Evaluating the soundness
of building the Great Wheel<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was it a sound financial decision to build a Ferris wheel when
so many other cities are rushing to build Ferris wheels? The Griffith family originally projected
450,000 to 500,000 riders per year in its 42 gondolas with eight seats each,
which is reasonable considering that the Space Needle, another Seattle icon and
attraction, draws over one million visitors per year. Additionally, with a plethora of cruise ships
departing to Alaska from Seattle each week, Seattle is flush with tourists
during the summer months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With adult ticket prices reaching $13, senior tickets at $11,
and youth tickets at $9 per ride, the Great Wheel makes approximately $11.66
revenue per rider, assuming a normal distribution of the population rides the
Great Wheel. With 500,000 riders a year,
the Great Wheel stands to earn close to $6 million per year or close to $30
million over 5 years. At first glance,
this seems like a home run investment. However, with interest, staff, electricity, maintenance, taxes, etc., the
Great Wheel is most likely only breaking even on the $20 million investment after
five years in operation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The verdict</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though the Great Wheel itself may not be hugely
profitable, the Ferris wheel attracts countless tourists to Miner’s Landing,
another Griffith property. With the ride
lasting only 15 minutes, riders are sure to spend time dining and spending cash
around the waterfront area before and after the ride, increasing the incomes of adjacent properties. With roadway construction occurring in the
area, the wheel serves as a reminder that the waterfront is open for business. At the end of the day, the construction of
the Great Wheel was most likely a great investment that is not only enriching
the business owners but also bringing prestige to Seattle and increasing the beauty
of its skyline.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSERNh4XD6RJv-_8JKXeJC-enKxB2jFkUDQ2i8vrBmbK5Qz6aDtGRk6ezWdFy6YAorCEGE10O5hbxWvdf0yBT8bg6V_wOhVPbSId4uYpUy-jaVmP6vXbBRSjRpB7d5059d8fJMRd6fDaf/s1600/DSC_3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seattle Great Wheel" border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSERNh4XD6RJv-_8JKXeJC-enKxB2jFkUDQ2i8vrBmbK5Qz6aDtGRk6ezWdFy6YAorCEGE10O5hbxWvdf0yBT8bg6V_wOhVPbSId4uYpUy-jaVmP6vXbBRSjRpB7d5059d8fJMRd6fDaf/s1600/DSC_3781.JPG" title="Seattle Great Wheel" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_FHUm3FkqrscFGzLP6ipVzM7s9ZjaS_IDwfYEM6iO_rnW2vwKq7ENDr5WyF-b0eE95aDE3AYaPb3ukwr6dkZ0yuRCSRXB3ca0yqILRlx3iMnZ_9-VCjbvPzb0tn89knfwemKrR3auDg1/s1600/DSC_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seattle Great Wheel" border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_FHUm3FkqrscFGzLP6ipVzM7s9ZjaS_IDwfYEM6iO_rnW2vwKq7ENDr5WyF-b0eE95aDE3AYaPb3ukwr6dkZ0yuRCSRXB3ca0yqILRlx3iMnZ_9-VCjbvPzb0tn89knfwemKrR3auDg1/s1600/DSC_4344.JPG" title="Seattle Great Wheel" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG8TvJ-iUP-H4WDw8ox2fmUlGLmYy9zsDFEARxeI9y-1x8VDF_b8lJ1S_TVzfTErbvaemO97KP0ZBq8rhN5imx4i4TWSdEeTfsFMCKV07w0Q3HVVplTaDJ3QtVQLg6Khqdscz0DP5ottD/s1600/DJI_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seattle Great Wheel at night" border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG8TvJ-iUP-H4WDw8ox2fmUlGLmYy9zsDFEARxeI9y-1x8VDF_b8lJ1S_TVzfTErbvaemO97KP0ZBq8rhN5imx4i4TWSdEeTfsFMCKV07w0Q3HVVplTaDJ3QtVQLg6Khqdscz0DP5ottD/s200/DJI_0020.JPG" title="Seattle Great Wheel at night" width="200" /></a></div>
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Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-41916455934294421632014-08-02T15:40:00.000-07:002014-08-02T15:40:15.810-07:00You won’t believe what my realtor sent me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7q3P_3KLujwqY2Tf_QsdP3LOvYju-53oKbEUR3l9yr_AP-47bKn6DLrwkiPLSJNHadJq4UIf_2Ypoh5QkCv0U2czDUeJU-HGgvtXi-8G4RdNv-dkAPaSGGm-oFnsvRku7CHfXlUX9m88/s1600/Roger+note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7q3P_3KLujwqY2Tf_QsdP3LOvYju-53oKbEUR3l9yr_AP-47bKn6DLrwkiPLSJNHadJq4UIf_2Ypoh5QkCv0U2czDUeJU-HGgvtXi-8G4RdNv-dkAPaSGGm-oFnsvRku7CHfXlUX9m88/s1600/Roger+note.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin - congratulations! You have been in your condo for six years as of June 30! Just closed on a unit in the other stack for less than you paid. Crazy market! Did the building next door take away your view? Hope all is well. Congrats! Roger.</td></tr>
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In 2014, I celebrated six years in my condominium in the
Belltown neighborhood of Seattle. I
purchased my condo in June 2008 for $327,000, not long after the US entered a severe recession
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_recession_of_2007-2009">due
to the bursting of the housing bubble in mid-2007</a>. At the time, I thought it was an ideal time
to buy since housing prices had already started plummeting and the US government
offered a first time home buyer credit, which would make the purchase price more affordable. Although housing prices had started to decline, I knew that historically inflation adjusted housing prices had <a href="http://www.jparsons.net/housingbubble/">climbed steadily since at least 1970</a> and housing seemed like a safe investment. I also figured that rents were only slightly less than a monthly mortgage payment, so I would be better off buying.</div>
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Little did I know, I ended up catching a falling knife. Housing prices continued to decline after my purchase. By 2011, my condo value was $234,000, a loss of $93,000 in equity, or close to 30% of the original purchase price.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jparsons.net/housingbubble/">http://www.jparsons.net/housingbubble/</a></td></tr>
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Adding insult to injury, in June 2012 a construction project kicked off next door across the alley that wiped out my view of Elliot Bay. I knew there was always the possibility of losing my view since there was an underdeveloped lot next door, but it didn't truly hit me until the construction reached my floor.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New construction next door from my living room, which eliminated my view of Elliot Bay</td></tr>
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The construction eventually wrapped up in 2013 and housing
prices had started to recover, especially with Amazon growing and investing
heavily in the Seattle area. By 2014, my
condo value reached $325,000 based on sales of similar properties in the area, or about $2,000 less than I paid for it originally. I’m still technically down substantially if you factor in inflation, although renting over the same period would have cost me well in
excess of that.</div>
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Needless to say, I'm still a little bitter about buying the condo. Over the years, my realtor has always sent me mail to stay top of my mind in case I decide to buy or sell again in the future. Smart move on his part, however, his most recent note celebrating 6 years in my condo hit two of my main pains: </div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Kevin - congratulations! You have been in your condo for six years as of June 30! Just closed on a unit in the other stack for less than you paid. Crazy market! Did the building next door take away your view? Hope all is well. Congrats! Roger.</span></blockquote>
Yeah Roger, I bet another unit in the complex sold for less, and yes, I did lose my view. Thanks for reminding me! I'm sure we'll work together again in the future...Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-72332029986652424452014-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:002016-10-08T13:57:28.644-07:00How to become a billionaire without founding a company or inheriting your wealth<div>
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At <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/">Unlimited Net Worth</a>, I aim high and am serious about growing wealth. Rather than simply aiming to become a millionaire, my ultimate goal is to become a billionaire in United States dollars (it would be cheating to use some other high inflation currencies, like the Zimbabwe dollar, where you can obtain a $100 billion note easily). Why aim so high? In high cost cities like New York or San Francisco, one million simply doesn’t go as far as it used to. </div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">Becoming a billionaire is no small feat</span></o:p></div>
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There are currently only 1,645 billionaires on the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/11/#tab:overall">2014 Forbes list</a> with a staggering combined wealth of $6.4 trillion. Approximately 66% of the list was self-made, 13% achieved their wealth through inheritance, and 21% through a mixture of the two. The odds of being on the list are infinitesimal at 0.0000002%.<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">It’s within reason</span></o:p></div>
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Through persistence, dedication, and lots and lots of time, it’s definitely within reason. Of course, the quickest path to finding a spot on the list is to found a company and to achieve a large payday with an initial public offering. Alternatively, if you have a relative with billions stashed away, you might be in luck with a large inheritance, although you should probably visit again and send a card to stay in their good graces. Unfortunately, only very few companies ever reach an IPO and most people don’t have a rich relative. You might think I’m crazy, but it’s still very doable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Easy as 1-2-3</span></div>
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To become a billionaire, you’ll need a relatively high paying job. Ideally, you’ll want to make at least $100,000 per year and to increase that amount each year through merit increases at work. In fact, any job on the <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/05/highest-and-lowest-paying-jobs.html">top 20</a> highest paying jobs will work. Even if you're earning below $100,000, if you're watching your expenses like a hawk and increasing your earnings each year, you can still make it. I work as a “computer and information systems manager” and I still think it’s within reason.</div>
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Next, you’re going to need to invest like crazy. Start out by contributing $45,000 per year and grow this contribution by 5% each year. This might seem extremely aggressive, but if you’re earning over $100,000 per year, this still gives you plenty of money to enjoy life. The 5% growth in your contribution should come from raises at work. Invest all of the money in low-cost index funds, like the <a href="https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/315911206">Fidelity Spartan 500 Index</a>. Index funds that track the broader economy have historically returned 10% per year. With inflation (which averages 3.38% per year), your true purchasing power increases 6.62% per year.</div>
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Let’s say for instance that you’re 21 and you have a net worth of $0. If you contribute $45,000 in year 1, by year 2, you will start with $49,500. The additional $4,500 comes from stock market growth. By the time you’re 30, you would have close to $800,000, which is still very far away from one billion. At this point, the stock market growth on your investments will likely exceed your contribution. This disparity will only increase with time.</div>
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By the time you’re 40, your net worth would grow to $3.5 million. At this rate, it feels like we’ll never make it there. Don't despair... due to compounding growth, you really start to make progress as time passes. Compound growth is growth upon growth. For example, if you have $100 and it grows by 10%, you will have $110 after year 1 (a $10 gain). At the end of year 2, you will have $121 (an $11 gain, $1 more than the previous year). Over time, the compounding growth is phenomenal. By the time you’re 60 years old (close to the typical retirement age), you’ll have over $64 million, followed by $682 million at age 90, and you'll finally reach billionaire status at age 94, or 73 years from today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">You've made it!</span></o:p></div>
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Although technically you’ll be a billionaire, in today’s dollars you’ll really only have about $89 million due to inflation. Over time, the value of money goes down and a billion simply won’t be what a billion is today. Nevertheless, you’ll still be part of an exclusive club of billionaires, but it’ll be slightly more crowded than it is today. And seriously, you'll have far more money than you'll know what to do with.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">See for yourself</span></o:p></div>
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By the time I’m 99, and hopefully I actually live that long, I will have over $1 billion USD. Do you think that you'll become a billionaire? Try our <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/12/net-worth-growth-calculator.html#more">net worth growth calculator</a> to find out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlygWtzf2I6Wk-TphMgnwhU-sEme8TKbQbufULfvMGMxaYqT_IKtTg5zD5noKYKktSdGHGH2kAT1a7jcmKYGpceL4k-9jMVaX61Giza__LkTXmUbGyPEQLdJnUXxR-BrOXKIUwX-kcI0G/s1600/DSC_3133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlygWtzf2I6Wk-TphMgnwhU-sEme8TKbQbufULfvMGMxaYqT_IKtTg5zD5noKYKktSdGHGH2kAT1a7jcmKYGpceL4k-9jMVaX61Giza__LkTXmUbGyPEQLdJnUXxR-BrOXKIUwX-kcI0G/s1600/DSC_3133.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
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Me in front of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blairsden_(house)">Blairsden</a> mansion. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Ledyard_Blair">Clinton Ledyard Blair</a> was one of the richest people in the world in the early 1900s, with a net worth of approximately $42 billion in today's dollars.</div>
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Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-30068036454911174352014-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:002014-06-04T08:00:05.172-07:00Do you hate junk mail and telemarketers? How to hit them where it hurts.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID7WWm4cYUol9aSKg-o13BVUtP9T7BSBFnUpFMm1BqK171n7UU3xfIVfR7_880CykDiGrsAhdxaJKImTxICiExNGXfjrGvdkByOwTzVstVftjO7ExKsljoo6kBCP4_U725bGQp-7a17mm/s1600/DSC_3255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID7WWm4cYUol9aSKg-o13BVUtP9T7BSBFnUpFMm1BqK171n7UU3xfIVfR7_880CykDiGrsAhdxaJKImTxICiExNGXfjrGvdkByOwTzVstVftjO7ExKsljoo6kBCP4_U725bGQp-7a17mm/s1600/DSC_3255.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Junk mail</span><br />
Although junk mail has subsided somewhat in recent years as retailers have shifted to email and other digital forms of marketing, it’s still an annoyance and a waste of paper. In the same spirit as with telemarketers, increase the cost of their campaign by sending back the return envelopes empty. They’ll have to pay for receiving the envelope and you’ll do your part to support the United States Postal Service.<br />
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Hate those telemarketing calls that you receive on your land line or cell phone? They tend to come at the most inconvenient times, such as sitting down for dinner or chatting with friends. See how long you can keep them on the line. Time is money for telemarketers. The longer you can keep them talking, the higher their telemarketing campaign will cost them.<br />
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By increasing the cost of these marketing campaigns, companies will re-evaluate the effectiveness and think twice before engaging in annoying and unsolicited forms of marketing.Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-48448939482486635652014-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:002015-12-19T12:21:15.186-08:00Double your 401K contribution limit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKAWebamzX6P_tgp8vK5Z_dJXmv3RzpXJYUzF4VMTijCC97NduLJM_Vx-Pg5RYTfho3VCvoEmoYUdgMnZBAazA9bT1-2QrbbCRNtpO1o3pyndvdGG7dn9gkAWxAKgzOrr_aZwd3DTSDVQ/s1600/contributionLimit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Double your 401K annual contribution to $36K per year" border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKAWebamzX6P_tgp8vK5Z_dJXmv3RzpXJYUzF4VMTijCC97NduLJM_Vx-Pg5RYTfho3VCvoEmoYUdgMnZBAazA9bT1-2QrbbCRNtpO1o3pyndvdGG7dn9gkAWxAKgzOrr_aZwd3DTSDVQ/s640/contributionLimit.png" title="Double your 401K annual contribution to $36K per year" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/Plan-Participant,-Employee/Retirement-Topics-401k-and-Profit-Sharing-Plan-Contribution-Limits">IRS limits employee 401K contributions to $18K/year</a>. If you work in corporate America, your company likely offers you the ability to contribute to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/401(k)">401K plan</a>. If you’re already contributing, you’re off to a great start. If you’re maxing out your 401K plan by contributing $18K a year and you’re not sure what to do with the rest of your income, there is now a new way to double your contribution to $36K/year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">401K options available today</span></div>
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In most 401K plans, you have the option to contribute either pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) dollars to a 401K: </div>
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<li>Pre-tax means that you pay no taxes today but you receive a tax bill when you withdraw your money years down the road.</li>
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Both offer advantages and disadvantages. Either option is better than investing outside of a 401K.</div>
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In the past, the IRS limited contributions to $18K/year. Once you reached the limit, you had to figure out where else to invest your income. At <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/">Unlimited Net Worth</a>, we like maxing out savings, so why stop at $18K/year and instead double that to $36K/year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Double your 401K contribution</span></div>
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Once you max your 401K for the year by contributing $18K, you can continue to contribute even more. In fact, you can contribute another $18K on top of the original $18K. Whoa, so how does that work? </div>
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Some companies have recently allowed employees to contribute up to $18K after-tax dollars in addition to the original $18K 401K contribution. With the $18K after tax dollars, you can call your investment company to convert this into post-tax (Roth) dollars.</div>
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With the money invested in Roth, you’ll never have to pay taxes on this money again. This effectively allows you to save an additional $18K/year for a total of $36K/year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My strategy</span></div>
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Over the past few years, I’ve been maxing out my 401K with $18K/year. I invest all this money using the pre-tax option. I have now started contributing another $18K into my after tax 401K. I call my brokerage firm, once every 3-months to convert my after tax dollars into the Roth option.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPKZ_WrmWLXL-Uhzo8rubag0DjwkcnR6CV2XIC_wFlTNGB7P1ymScKyORDOW6uGR6epwne6myw41YqPBH57FyQ1pZRt-wJ0cwsc_CV0o1zx8aRGWxYHyI5IKL31calT7pRsST21H83W7C/s1600/Double401K.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPKZ_WrmWLXL-Uhzo8rubag0DjwkcnR6CV2XIC_wFlTNGB7P1ymScKyORDOW6uGR6epwne6myw41YqPBH57FyQ1pZRt-wJ0cwsc_CV0o1zx8aRGWxYHyI5IKL31calT7pRsST21H83W7C/s640/Double401K.PNG" title="Roth in plan conversion" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">401K account demonstrating a Roth in-plan conversion</td></tr>
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By splitting my money between Roth and pre-tax, I’m hedging my bets between the two options. Depending on my circumstances when I retire, I’ll be able to tap either my Roth or my pre-tax funds, depending on which one is more advantageous.</div>
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If you’re really into saving, once you max out on the $36K yearly contribution, you can continue to invest outside of your 401K. You won’t save on taxes, but you’re still better off with the money invested. Happy investing!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As a note, the $36K/year limit only applies to your contributions. Your employer can contribute or match beyond this amount.</span></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-85739713683961696072014-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:002014-06-02T17:47:27.389-07:00Are you stepping enough each day? Too few steps could cost you.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqrQt0kTrzK1wYH7dhoiUy_5NUN9SSFOjjYTAoFAhGMyCwf_bzXNsel02fLIMsN4BVject1Er90w8CKdtepsU8voHNOBdC0axpVw3hXJWoXoH-HS3jZiffAUNpW_i8Xb3-QsX1StiyHRT/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqrQt0kTrzK1wYH7dhoiUy_5NUN9SSFOjjYTAoFAhGMyCwf_bzXNsel02fLIMsN4BVject1Er90w8CKdtepsU8voHNOBdC0axpVw3hXJWoXoH-HS3jZiffAUNpW_i8Xb3-QsX1StiyHRT/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The FitBit Flex</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most of us wake up in the morning, walk to the kitchen to prepare coffee or breakfast, get in the car, drive to work or school, sit down at our desks, walk to lunch, return to our desks, drive home, prepare dinner, and sit down at the television before going to bed. Think about your day and how much you walk around. If you’re lucky, you might clock 4,000 to 5,000 steps a day with this routine. Many of our modern conveniences reduce the need to be active, and we’re paying a heavy toll. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E">Disney movie WALL-E</a> drove this point home.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There’s more to net worth than just money</span><br />
As a pure definition, <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/12/learn-how-to-track-your-net-worth.html">net worth</a> is just about the value of your assets less your liabilities, but I’ve always believed that building a large net worth and living a healthy lifestyle are closely related. When you live an unhealthy lifestyle, such as when you smoke, drink excessively, exercise infrequently, or make poor dietary decisions, you’ll lack the energy and the drive to work hard and to succeed. Unhealthy lifestyles can ultimately serve as a big drain on your net worth due to lost productivity and high medical costs. Plus, what good is a large net worth if you’re not going to be around to enjoy it? The famous saying “you don’t want to be the richest person in the graveyard” comes to mind.<br />
<br />
With <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/">Unlimited Net Worth</a>, rather than only talking about how to invest, make smart financial decisions, or how best to save money, I also like to write about products, recipes, and other healthy lifestyle choices that enable you to grow your net worth and to enjoy it as long as possible.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The FitBit and an oncoming wave of smart wearable fitness devices</span><br />
I recently received the <a href="http://www.fitbit.com/">FitBit</a> Flex as a gift in early January and I’ve used it ever since. It was timely coming in right after overindulging during the holiday season. The FitBit is a smart wearable device that tracks your daily activity and other facets of your life. There are several similar devices on the market, like the <a href="http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/fuelband-se/pid-924485/pgid-924484?cp=usns_kw_AL!1778!3!38752247462!e!!g!nike%20fuel%20band!c">Nike Fuel Band</a>, that serve a similar function. It’s changed my life by making me become more active and concerned about my health.<br />
<br />
The FitBit melds together old and new technology to create an engineering marvel that not only keeps track of your activity, but motivates you to do more. The FitBit tracks your steps, just like pedometers have done for decades; however, the FitBit added syncing technology and web services to bring the old stodgy pedometer forward to the 21st century.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Taking the FitBit for a spin</span><br />
My particular Flex came with two wrist bands, one smaller and one larger to fit different wrist sizes. The Flex also comes with a small electronic device that serves as the heart and brain. The device tracks my steps, distance covered, active minutes, calories burned, and sleep each day. When I first wore my FitBit, I noticed that it synced automatically with my computer and phone, giving me up-to-date information on the aforementioned areas. You can set goals for these different areas or you can use the default FitBit goal.<br />
Desk jobs and steps don’t go hand-in-hand<br />
<br />
I decided to go ahead with the default, which encourages 10,000 steps a day and 30 active minutes. I always thought of myself as a relatively active person and that this would be easy to achieve. Boy was I in for a surprise. My desk job is a poor match for logging steps and I clocked 6,000 steps on the first day, well short of my 10,000 step goal.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHVyMAUztQfZKYwz1vTH7-KFzfld2grAywSeUrQzCdLrVoam5eD_9a51TXj2hDIQK57pMuaX1oZSEwYxvaDYup0H38_ns0EzfyyJYryZeVuivgA4Ar5AVzNUjb7Dag1tkBOzKHmyDK_AR/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHVyMAUztQfZKYwz1vTH7-KFzfld2grAywSeUrQzCdLrVoam5eD_9a51TXj2hDIQK57pMuaX1oZSEwYxvaDYup0H38_ns0EzfyyJYryZeVuivgA4Ar5AVzNUjb7Dag1tkBOzKHmyDK_AR/s1600/Capture.PNG" height="499" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thee FitBit.com dashboard. I need to walk a lot today to hit my goal!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Changing my lifestyle and feeling better</span><br />
This realization that I was walking so little each day encouraged me to add more active time into my lifestyle. Now when I return home from work, I walk for 20-30 minutes to make sure I exceed my 10,000 step goal. I’ve also incorporated more activity into my daily routine. When I need to return a book or movie to the library, rather than driving or riding the bus, I walk instead. Similarly, when I commute home from work on the bus, rather than connecting and taking a second bus the rest of the way, I walk.<br />
<br />
As a result, not only have I noticed increased stamina, but I also feel more energetic. When I hit 10,000 steps, the FitBit vibrates and flashes, indicating that I’ve reached my goal. I look forward to this each day and it serves as motivation to hit my goal.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rich web experience at FitBit.com</span><br />
The device also syncs with my computer. When I log on to FitBit.com, the site presents rich historical information on how many steps I’ve taken over the past week, month, and year. Additionally, I can compare how I’m performing against friends on a leader board by connecting to Facebook. This added some friendly competition into my fitness goals, serving as additional motivation. Plus, as I hit different milestones, such as my first 500 miles or first day with over 10,000 steps, I receive different badges celebrating the achievement.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Where do I get one?</span><br />
The FitBit Flex runs for a one-time fee of around $99 from retailers such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.walmart.com/">Walmart</a>, and others. FitBit offers premium services, which cost extra each month, allowing you to compare your progress against a larger segment of the population (i.e. you’re in the 80th percentile of steps each day or your sleep duration each night is in the 50th percentile). Overall, I’ve become more active and have recommended the Fitbit to friends and family as a way to promote a healthier lifestyle.<br />
<br />
Are you using a similar fitness tracking device? Share your thoughts/comments below.Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-39066741282987040162014-05-20T08:00:00.000-07:002014-05-20T08:00:01.158-07:009 best cash back credit cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLD6o6d1h9oKYcs2bzgllGqxqPCwE8vNaG_7mQAbL0dpmGvfe7-1nnq2S_QesFloBIiWSQKJFQMiazwvS1MIUl-AMtbTXj-8icyAEtKUNhaJHuG5QhZMCKTRZL0MQgHDMkCDZJFdivKBF/s1600/Credit-cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLD6o6d1h9oKYcs2bzgllGqxqPCwE8vNaG_7mQAbL0dpmGvfe7-1nnq2S_QesFloBIiWSQKJFQMiazwvS1MIUl-AMtbTXj-8icyAEtKUNhaJHuG5QhZMCKTRZL0MQgHDMkCDZJFdivKBF/s1600/Credit-cards.jpg" height="328" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 best cash back credit cards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When you shop with your credit card, you can earn cash back
for your purchases. I personally prefer
cash back credit cards since I can use the cash for whatever I want vs. a
rewards card that forces you to use it in specific categories (i.e. travel). I use the <a href="https://www.fidelity.com/cash-management/american-express-cards">Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express Card</a>, which offers 2% flat cash back on all purchases
with no annual fee. The chart below
contains the 9 best cash back credit cards.
I haven’t included Annual Percentage Rates (APR) below since you should always pay off your
credit card in full each month and that should not be a factor in choosing a
card.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Credit card<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 2.25pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Cash back<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 2.25pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Annual fee<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 2.25pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sign up bonus<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 2.25pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">How much cash back must accumulate before you
can redeem<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://www.fidelity.com/cash-management/american-express-cards">Fidelity® Investment Rewards American Express® Card</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
2% Cash Back
on all purchases<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
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No<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
$50<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://creditcards.chase.com/freedom?jp_cmp=cc/freedom/off/na/multiple">Chase Freedom</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
5% back on rotating
categories each quarter ($1,500 cap)<br />
1% after you
hit the cap and for purchases outside of categories.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
$100 after
spending $500 in first three months<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
$20<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/">Discover it</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
5% back on rotating
categories each quarter ($1,500 cap)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1% after you
hit the cap and for purchases outside of categories.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
$50<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/blue-cash-everyday">Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
3% Cash Back
at Supermarkets ($6,000 cap)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2% at Gas
Stations & Department Stores<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1% after you
hit the cap and for purchases outside of categories.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
$50 after
spending $1,000 in first three months<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
$25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/blue-cash-preferred">Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
6% Cash Back
at Supermarkets ($6,000 cap)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3% at Gas
Stations & Department Stores<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1% after you
hit the cap and for purchases outside of categories.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
$75<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
$150 after
spending $1,000 in first three months<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
$25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/detail.do?ID=citi-dividend-visa-card">Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa®</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
5% back on rotating
categories each quarter ($6,000 cap)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1% for
purchases outside of categories ($6,000 total cap)<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
$100 after
spending $500 in first three months<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
$50<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://promo.bankofamerica.com/ccsearchlp7/?method=PS&code=VAB4GM&channel=s&cm_mmc=Cons-CC-_-Google-PS-_-bank%20americard%20cash%20rewards-_-BankAmericard%20Cash%20Rewards%20Card%20Exact">Bank AmeriCard Cash Rewards</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
3% Cash Back
on Gas (1,500 cap for gas and grocery stores purchases)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2% on Grocery
Store Purchases (1,500 cap for gas and grocery stores purchases)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1% on
Everything Else<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
$100 after
spending $500 in first three months<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
No minimum<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/quicksilver-cash-rewards/">Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
1.5% on
Everything <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 45.0pt;" valign="top" width="60"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
$100 after
spending $500 in first three months<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
No minimum<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-top: none; border: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/cash-plus-signature.html">U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div class="MsoNormal">
5% Cash Back
in Two Categories of Your Choice ($2,000 cap)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2% in Another
Category<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1% on
Everything Else<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
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No<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal">
No<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal">
No minimum<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.6062095 -122.3320708 47.6062095 -122.3320708tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-48704668292065538652014-05-19T08:00:00.000-07:002014-05-19T08:00:08.703-07:00The art of negotiation and tips to becoming a better negotiator<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFZ_jdOD1dn-UNWTfZPGWxj-5BYvMvhYN3zeNqrpkYJZn-whjGJJVg4cotUaqzE0kybn59CIW7Cb87wEMmeRU4DowI8IZNKXD1QjCAIiigA7b4LmYHFKThs0WT9NfkOcjKcCO3fv40EPQ/s1600/DSC_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Parasailing in Cancun, Mexico" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFZ_jdOD1dn-UNWTfZPGWxj-5BYvMvhYN3zeNqrpkYJZn-whjGJJVg4cotUaqzE0kybn59CIW7Cb87wEMmeRU4DowI8IZNKXD1QjCAIiigA7b4LmYHFKThs0WT9NfkOcjKcCO3fv40EPQ/s1600/DSC_0738.JPG" height="422" title="Parasailing in Cancun, Mexico" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Negotiating the price of para-sailing in Mexico made for a very reasonably priced adventure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Throughout your life, you’ll likely be involved in thousands
of negotiations. In fact, you probably
negotiate at least a few times each day of your life. Whether you’re negotiating with your
significant other about what movie to watch, deciding what restaurant to eat at
with your friends, or haggling over a good price to pay for a used car, you’re
negotiating whether you know it or not.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are certain techniques that you can use that can make
you a more effective negotiator. The
goal of using these techniques is not to somehow gain the upper hand in a
negotiation, but rather to find out what you value and what the other party
values, and to find a solution or deal that satisfies both parties. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Understand the values
of both parties in the negotiation</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Before entering a negotiation, it’s a good practice to run
through what you value and what you think the other party values. During the negotiation, it’s OK to even ask
the party what they value so you can more effectively negotiate. The more information you have, the better the
negotiation will proceed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For example, let’s say you’re a recruiter at a company and
you’re seeking to hire a very strong candidate for the job. There are many things the candidate might
value, including salary, vacation length, medical benefits, the project they’ll
be working on, the manager, teammates, etc.
If the candidate values working on high profile projects the most, the
discussion should focus on how you''ll align their position with a high
profile and exciting project. The other
values are not as important and shouldn’t be the focus of the negotiation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Information is
valuable</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The more information you have in a negotiation,
the better prepared you’ll be to negotiate effectively. For example, if you’re heading to a used car
dealership to buy a car, knowing the value of a similar car in <a href="http://www.kbb.com/">Kelly Blue Book</a>
gives you a ballpark of what a similar make and model car costs. Regardless of how much the salesperson
attempts to talk up the value of the car, you’ll have a firm grasp of the fair
market value.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Another example is if you’re buying a wedding ring. With wedding rings, jewelers typically markup
rings by over 100%. If you research
similar carat, color, cut, and clarity at other jewelers and online jewelers,
you’ll be in a better position to demand a lower price.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Determine your
opening offer, your maximum offer, and your target</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Before entering into a negotiation, it’s valuable to write
down an opening offer, a maximum offer, and your target price. This allows you to determine the value rationally
without letting emotions interfere with your negotiating. For instance, if you’re in the market for a
new house that is selling for $300,000, you might place an opening offer at $270,000,
a maximum offer at $310,000, and a target of $290,000. This provides a rule set that allows you to negotiate
rationally without letting emotions drive up the price on a house you love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be willing to walk
away</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The ability to walk away in a negotiation is extremely
powerful. Recently when I was in Cancun,
Mexico, I negotiated the price for para-sailing. The para-sailing salesperson originally called out
a price of $180 for two people for a short ride. Other para-sailing outfits had offered
significantly less, so I knew this price was completely unreasonable. At that point, I said I wanted to para-sail
but I considered the price completely unreasonable, and I started to walk away. The salesperson ran back and offered a significantly
lower price. With that, he brought the
price down to a more reasonable level, kicking off our negotiations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Framing the offer</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Being able to frame an offer is extremely powerful. In 1994, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald's_Restaurants">Stella Liebeck sued McDonald’s</a> for
spilling hot coffee on her lap and burning herself. Ultimately, she won $2.7 million in punitive
damages and the case became one of the most famous examples of frivolous
lawsuits. The award seems completely
unreasonable considering that Stella spilled her own coffee on her lap. However, the lawyers framed the award like
this:</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>McDonald’s served coffee at 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit, which
is excessively hot. This temperature burns
skin after 2 to 7 seconds of exposure.</li>
<li>Stella spent 8 days hospitalized to undergo skin grafting
and experienced two years of medical treatment, costing her over $20,000.</li>
<li>$2.7 million is the revenue for only one day of coffee sales at
McDonald’s.</li>
</ul>
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With this framing, the award suddenly seems a lot more
reasonable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seal the deal</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Once you successfully understand the values of the other
negotiating party and you’re satisfied that you have both exchanged fair value,
it’s time to seal the deal. Do you have any great negotiating experiences? Share them in the comments below.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-61511786587061229262014-05-16T08:00:00.001-07:002014-09-27T22:34:21.075-07:00Ridiculous Ways to Save Money #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWEHAWPjp8VuP8NyUKMmy7rogIwOngiJWErdPlZHP632S3SqMmvq5K2Wu-i7rONa7eZEUw5QgvNW8PcAg5Yy8GYKT8wKUfoE8wmkenVot2mXW0Ex1O-qvoqG0Kl5ncGJqb_SfjWw_ArrG/s1600/RidiculousMoneySavingTips.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWEHAWPjp8VuP8NyUKMmy7rogIwOngiJWErdPlZHP632S3SqMmvq5K2Wu-i7rONa7eZEUw5QgvNW8PcAg5Yy8GYKT8wKUfoE8wmkenVot2mXW0Ex1O-qvoqG0Kl5ncGJqb_SfjWw_ArrG/s1600/RidiculousMoneySavingTips.png" height="152" width="640" /></a></div>
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Did you already implement all of our <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/10/ridiculous-way-to-save-money.html#more">ridiculous money saving tips</a> #1? Don’t despair, here's a fresh list to keep you saving money like nobody’s business:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Unplug electronics when not in use<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leaving your household appliances and electronics, like desktop computers, TVs, cable TV boxes, and toasters plugged in when not in use is a serious drain on your cash. Even though they’re turned off, they’re still costing you money. The Department of Energy estimates that 5% – 10% of energy goes towards these devices.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0_YZWuKWl5lUYSuglT5Or5XactzyZDFM9S7mmymy4k-VvEe8OTaA5UiVoAL_6VcPpBApMrGQbE-_mOYdDZdELc0I46Iel9WeChWI6lqh0s5cxfLXsJwDQfRH0FL25PGxnviYj3uD01cF/s1600/DSC_3091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0_YZWuKWl5lUYSuglT5Or5XactzyZDFM9S7mmymy4k-VvEe8OTaA5UiVoAL_6VcPpBApMrGQbE-_mOYdDZdELc0I46Iel9WeChWI6lqh0s5cxfLXsJwDQfRH0FL25PGxnviYj3uD01cF/s1600/DSC_3091.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Use plastic bags from the store as trash bags</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Why would you ever buy trash bags again when you can simply re-use plastic bags from the store? Not only is it environmentally friendly to re-use, but free is a lot better than anything that costs money.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEc5e6-iALSQ-1j5MfhskToI5_23xFgqHvfdWFy6j0Gwo6fktjOi5rDWVAkCst7jrpeomghyphenhyphenRvr4m-323jsV52-_MtLrjX5wymKc1jq31_Pd9JSMb-vRbYg4N6Ne7Rhq3O8JeHM3ey_94/s1600/DSC_3090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEc5e6-iALSQ-1j5MfhskToI5_23xFgqHvfdWFy6j0Gwo6fktjOi5rDWVAkCst7jrpeomghyphenhyphenRvr4m-323jsV52-_MtLrjX5wymKc1jq31_Pd9JSMb-vRbYg4N6Ne7Rhq3O8JeHM3ey_94/s1600/DSC_3090.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Re-use floss for a day or two</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s no reason you can’t use floss and then rinse it off and use it for at least one more day. Although the <a href="http://www.ada.org/en/">American Dental Association</a> (ADA) advises against it since the floss may fray, lose its effectiveness, and distribute bacteria to your mouth, it’s worth it if you’re in a pinch to save some cents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF9j7LNxevRCHnFXRlA3ZHNd2ToyRxcd0xy0wmUXPsV2DvofilttL6oStBfBRjuSKZAdufdJ4PXoqOVcutPBzKevEw1ikHrfguItyaiv0l6gA6XADG3_l0gR1xiQ1PQ6zRoS8_wknrB3M/s1600/DSC_3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF9j7LNxevRCHnFXRlA3ZHNd2ToyRxcd0xy0wmUXPsV2DvofilttL6oStBfBRjuSKZAdufdJ4PXoqOVcutPBzKevEw1ikHrfguItyaiv0l6gA6XADG3_l0gR1xiQ1PQ6zRoS8_wknrB3M/s1600/DSC_3085.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Open the shades and turn the lights off</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As summer approaches and the days become longer, open the shades and use the natural light from the sun to light up your room. Not only will you find the natural sun light very pleasant, you’ll be happy to see that your light bulbs aren’t contributing to your electric bill.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu8KopKHDzip-TDtGlxRjasMg-t_yH1NYEDr6inrO68nJoZeljk4Tvd4TSsCk4DuZ6X6inGktk9ZSo3PBh3lF_N22gp8NfH4Hxw984ztI5jJD9BxqODyIdw8CRYbKqyk7Gi5IYcSvGRk_/s1600/DSC_3094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu8KopKHDzip-TDtGlxRjasMg-t_yH1NYEDr6inrO68nJoZeljk4Tvd4TSsCk4DuZ6X6inGktk9ZSo3PBh3lF_N22gp8NfH4Hxw984ztI5jJD9BxqODyIdw8CRYbKqyk7Gi5IYcSvGRk_/s1600/DSC_3094.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Turn off your water heater when you go on trips</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you’re on a trip, you’re not going to be using your hot water heater, so you might as well turn it off. When you return, switch it back on and it’ll heat the water swiftly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD8wqXniPsVFQTbVWcrbM5kuJRKs4RgirO5z_tuBjvrVglfTxV2VByI5T63VIYUapKfAqZ0MrWN9-5OU3I639sqb-sWKP-wuOL6kbG4zYyKkvoGkQiemXi-ZmodZTzZVG-Gr_HO3C-QPX/s1600/DSC_3092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD8wqXniPsVFQTbVWcrbM5kuJRKs4RgirO5z_tuBjvrVglfTxV2VByI5T63VIYUapKfAqZ0MrWN9-5OU3I639sqb-sWKP-wuOL6kbG4zYyKkvoGkQiemXi-ZmodZTzZVG-Gr_HO3C-QPX/s1600/DSC_3092.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Do you have any other clever and ridiculous ways to save some cash? Add them as comments and we’ll feature them in a future post!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">See <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2013/10/ridiculous-way-to-save-money.html">ridiculous ways to save money #1</a> or <a href="http://www.unlimitednetworth.com/2014/09/ridiculous-ways-to-save-money-3.html">ridiculous ways to save money #3</a>.</span></div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.6062095 -122.3320708 47.6062095 -122.3320708tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248999351200060900.post-80536228887378797232014-05-15T08:00:00.000-07:002014-05-15T09:10:20.221-07:00Highest and lowest paying jobs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yTOBDdkgJSsZwrMb2_Dr67zMu1i8NdhzWeLV3ufZuUAyRLfAEzS1Mfbji-huC1Ol9SEUqRtnV9ONFThcuWC5BbpQjmBzdxjArX5D3adI4a0NV385zuTDhqsoqt90rfAYxvc-tg4eAd9P/s1600/workers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yTOBDdkgJSsZwrMb2_Dr67zMu1i8NdhzWeLV3ufZuUAyRLfAEzS1Mfbji-huC1Ol9SEUqRtnV9ONFThcuWC5BbpQjmBzdxjArX5D3adI4a0NV385zuTDhqsoqt90rfAYxvc-tg4eAd9P/s1600/workers.png" height="474" title="Construction workers erecting a crane" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction workers erecting a crane. Construction worker median pay was $41,000 in 2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Growing up, one of the toughest decisions is to figure out what job to eventually pursue. The job should align with your interests and passions, and ideally, should compensate you well. All jobs are essential for the economy to function, but some jobs simply pay much better than others.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Highest paying jobs</span><br />
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The top ten highest paying jobs are all in the medical field with salaries well over $187,000/year. These jobs include surgeons, dentists, physicians, internists, anesthesiologists, orthodontists, psychiatrists, etc. Not surprisingly, health care is one of the fastest growing expenditures for all income levels according to the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>. Although the salary is sky high, it's not a walk in the park to land a job in the field. To enter the medical profession requires years of training including a doctoral or professional degree and additional training before practicing. Not only will you give up years of your life, you'll also be saddled with substantial debt. However, there's a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. Once you start practicing, the compensation is staggering.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chief executives come in at number eleven with a median salary of $168,140/year, followed by several more medical professions. Engineers, air traffic controllers, information system managers, and marketing managers round out the top twenty positions.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 494px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2669; mso-width-source: userset; width: 55pt;" width="73"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 10825; mso-width-source: userset; width: 222pt;" width="296"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 4571; mso-width-source: userset; width: 94pt;" width="125"></col> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td height="20" style="background-color: #4f81bd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none; width: 55pt;" width="73">Position</td> <td style="background-color: #4f81bd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; text-underline-style: none; width: 222pt;" width="296">Job</td> <td style="background-color: #4f81bd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; text-underline-style: none; width: 94pt;" width="125">2012 Median Pay</td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">1</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Oral and maxillofacial surgeons</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #63be7b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 187,200 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">2</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Physicians and surgeons, all other</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #63be7b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 187,200 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">3</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Surgeons</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #63be7b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 187,200 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">4</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Obstetricians and gynecologists</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #63be7b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 187,200 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">5</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Internists, general</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #63be7b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 187,200 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">6</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Anesthesiologists</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #63be7b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 187,200 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">7</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Orthodontists</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #63be7b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 187,200 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">8</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Psychiatrists</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #83c982; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 173,330 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">9</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Family and general practitioners</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #86c983; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 172,020 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">10</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Prosthodontists</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #8dcc84; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 169,130 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">11</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Chief executives</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #8fcc85; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 168,140 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">12</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Dentists, all other specialists</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #aed68b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 154,990 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">13</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Pediatricians, general</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #aed68b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 154,650 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">14</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Nurse anesthetists</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #bddb8f; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 148,160 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">15</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Dentists, general</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #c4dd90; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 145,240 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">16</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Petroleum engineers</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #e7e897; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 130,280 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">17</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Architectural and engineering managers</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #f3ec9a; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 124,870 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">18</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Air traffic controllers</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #f8ed9b; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 122,530 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none none solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">19</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Computer and information systems managers</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #fcee9c; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 120,950 </span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-left-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none solid solid; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; height: 15pt; text-underline-style: none;">20</td> <td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;">Marketing managers</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #ffef9c; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-right-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-top-color: rgb(79, 129, 189); border-top-width: 0.5pt; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-underline-style: none;"><span style="display: inline-block;"> 119,480 </span></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.bls.gov/ooh/highest-paying.htm">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lowest paying jobs</span><br />
On the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/ooh/occupation-finder.htm?pay=Less+than+%2425%2C000&education=&training=&newjobs=&growth=&submit=GO">bottom</a> of the list, you'll find all sorts of jobs including bakers, bartenders, cashiers, fast food workers, drivers, cooks, roofers, security guards, retail sales persons, waiters, etc. who earn less than $25,000/year, a salary that is hardly livable. Regardless of how hard you save at this income level, building a substantial net worth is extremely challenging.<br />
<br />
<div>
Interested in learning more? See the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm">fastest growing occupations</a> or the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/ooh/most-new-jobs.htm">fields with the most new jobs</a>.</div>
</div>
Kevin Stratverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08954953647930235987noreply@blogger.comSeattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636815 -122.9775178 47.9487375 -121.68662379999999