Betterment

Betterment offers new investors with a minimal amount of capital to invest, the opportunity to invest in an ETF and treasury bonds. Investors can start with as little as a $10 investment and get to choose how their investment is allocated between the ETF and bonds. Dividends are automatically invested back into the account, which gives compounding growth to the account. Betterment charges no commissions but they do charge an account fee based on the amount of investment.

Good Instruction

Good instruction from Oswald chambers this morning.

in reference to: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (view on Google Sidewiki)

Fulfilled Prohecy

I see the fullfillment of Jesus' words as I read this passage. Here I am half way around the globe, living in a different culture reading about a Jewish womam pouring perfume on Jewish man prior to His crucifixion 2000 years after the fact. Jesus spoke the truth, He is the truth, the way and the life. Know Him!

in reference to:

"Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11"For you always have (M)the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12"For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it (N)to prepare Me for burial. 13"Truly I say to you, (O)wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.""
- Matthew 26 - Passage Lookup - New American Standard Bible - BibleGateway.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Description of the Life of Faith

In todays devotional, Oswald gives a godd description of the life of faith. Todays excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest is well worth reading.

in reference to: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (view on Google Sidewiki)

Wisdom from Dave Ramsey

I like the advice that Dave Ramsey gives. As one who knows what it is like to live under a great amount of debt. Take Dave's advice and get out of debt and stay out.

in reference to: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/04/26/dont-debt/ (view on Google Sidewiki)

Good News from Fed?

Is keeping the short-term interest rates low good news? Some investors seemed to thing so as the DOW rose for the second straight day.

in reference to: Home - FoxBusiness.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

He Just Don't Get It

It seems that Obama just don't get it, we need to delve into the oil here in America and off our shores. Why can't he understand that if we would use the oil here in USA, we would not be held hostage to OPEC nations. Maybe, he dosen't care, maybe not allowing us to tap into our own resources is a way to push the green agenda.

in reference to: Obama: No 'silver bullet' on gas prices - UPI.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Buying a Second Home with IRA Funds

IRA holders who have yet to reach retirement age may have questions about how they can use their pre-retirement IRA funds. Are you allowed to buy a second mortgage with IRA money pre-retirement age could be a question some might ask? The answer to this question is yes they may, however, not without paying a penalty. Any real estate purchased with IRA funds excluding a special first time home buyer distribution cannot be purchard with funds from an IRA account without incurring a penalty.

First Time Home Provision

The first-time home provision allows the holder of an IRA to take a penalty-free distribution to go towards the purchase of a first-time home for themselves or other family members. The distribution is limited to no more than $10,000 during the lifetime of each spouse and is exempt from the IRA pre-59.5 distribution penalty. This distribution can go towards the purchase of an existing home or towards a new home construction. The distribution must be applied towards new home purchase or new home construction within 120 days of the distribution. The IRS classifies first-time home buyers as those who have not held interest in a principle residence for two years prior to the buying a new home. A principle residence, in addition to a house, includes mobile homes, houseboats or owning holdings in a cooperative housing entity.

Additional Restrictions

In addition to not being able to personally own any property purchased with you IRA funds without incurring a penalty, there are other restrictions that apply. These restrictions include limitations on who an IRA account holder may purchase real estate from with their IRA account. These limitations state that an IRA holder may not purchase real estate that is owed by anyone within their immediate family without paying a penalty. However, IRA account holders may purchase property from siblings penalty-free, since the restrictions only apply to lineal descent as long as the property will not be used for a second home.

Other Options

While the answer to the question, are you allowed to buy a second home with IRA money pre-retirement age is that you can, but not without paying a penalty. You may still make other real estate investments with IRA funds without paying a penalty. In order to invest in real estate from an IRA, you need to find an IRA custodian that deals in real estate investments. The custodian will purchase real estate for you with your IRA funds. The fees and services differ among different custodians; so you should research the different custodians online to find one that meets your investment needs. Additionally, if you are purchasing real estate with your IRA account, you will need to make sure that you have liquid funds available in your IRA account. The liquid funds in your account are for expenses resulting from the real estate holdings in your account. Likewise, any revenue generated from your real estate holdings will go back into your IRA account. Should there ever not be enough liquid funds available in your account to cover expenses from your real estate holdings, the property will have to be sold and you will be subject to taxes and early withdrawal penalties.

Invsestopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/06/buildhome.asp

The Entrust Group: http://www.theentrustgroup.com/elc/knowledge/article/14/62/

Buy Vacation Condos: http://www.buyvacationcondos.com/Real-Estate-IRA

New Investing Opportunity

Just ran into a new investing service that will pay you $25 dollars for investing with them. It is Betterment and they take your money and invest it for you in ETFs and bonds at one low fee. I feel it is well looking into, go to Betterment.com.

Employment Opportunities

Looking for a job, why not try Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. It is not a walk in the park and you may not get rich, but what the heck, its a job. Let me rephrase that, it is a career.

in reference to: Cracker Barrel Jobs, Employment in Goodlettsville, TN 37070 | Indeed.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Arbys

Arbys is offering a little comfort food for customers on Friday the 15th, a day scarier than Friday the 13th "Tax Day" Yikes!

in reference to: Free curly fries at Arby’s April 15 | Atlanta Business Chronicle (view on Google Sidewiki)

Investing

While dividend investing may not be as exciting as buying and selling, capturing those big gains, at times it can be safer. But as with any investment, there are risks involved.

in reference to: Dividend Investing - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

My Solar Backup Review - Turning Sunrays into Savings | My Solar Backup Review

My Solar Backup Review - Turning Sunrays into Savings My Solar Backup Review

I saw a commercial for this solar powered generator on Fox News, during the commercial break of Glen Beck's show. How convenient to advertise something that could help prepare for a major crisis during a show that is constantly warning of a meltdown of society as we know it. I can't afford one now, but I put one of these generators on my wishlist. If it is a quality product and does what they say it will do, the Solar Backup Generator could be very beneficial.

SunTrust the 11th largest U.S. bank | Atlanta Business Chronicle

SunTrust the 11th largest U.S. bank Atlanta Business Chronicle

I did not realize that Suntrust was the 11th largest bank in the U. S. In my hometown of Blue Ridge, Georgia Suntrust is the smallest bank. The largest bank in Blue Ridge, Ga is United Community Bank, which in my opinion is the best bank in town when it comes to customer service.

iGoogle

iGoogle

Do you have an iGoogle Page? You should try one, they are awesome.

Net 10 Review

For those who are looking for a great pay as you go plan and phone, check out this offer from Net 10. I have been using Net 10 since December and have gotten excellent service so far. Check out this deal from Net 10 before it expires March 31, 2011.

in reference to: Great Net 10 Offer - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Why Don't We Drill for Our Own Oil

Maybe I am a little ignorant and unlearned, but I have a hard time understanding why we do not drill for own oil in Alaska and offshore as well. Why does some of those in power insist on keeping the United States dependent on foriegn oil? There is a mystery here and I am afraid of what the answer may be.

in reference to: Obama: Drill, Brazil, Drill! (view on Google Sidewiki)

Spring Time poem

I wrote a little poem about spring. its not much but sort of captures the magic of a spring night.

in reference to: Spring Night - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

What is Your Goal in Life?

Oswald Chambers points out the most important goal to have in life, that is to live a life that is well pleasing to our creator. The only way we can do that is believing is His only begotten Son who died for our sins and arose from the grave so that we could have a right relationship with our Heavenly Father.

in reference to: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (view on Google Sidewiki)

Live the Message

What leaps out at me from today's excerpt from "My Utmost for His Highest" is that believers should live the message of Christ. Believe it or not that is what I taught in bible study last night. Coincidence? No, I believe God is reminding me that if we are going to be a light in this world of darkness we have to life the life.

in reference to: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (view on Google Sidewiki)

Romantic Gift Ideas

Even though Valentines Day has come anf gone, it is never too late to by that someone special a gift to show them how much you care. Check out this collection of romantic gift ideas.

in reference to: Romantic Gift Ideas (view on Google Sidewiki)

Is Pornography harmful

Here is an article that describes the problems caused by pornography.

in reference to: Can Pornography Hurt a Marriage (view on Google Sidewiki)