I love skiing as much as anybody. I get from the sport the adrenaline rush that I may not exactly be able to get from other sports. There's something about gliding on skis and challenging the snow that at once excites and soothes me, and which gives me a sense of personal freedom. Competing, to me, is beside the point; what matters is the glorious winning feeling of sliding downhill, being led by a white mountain, by nature, wherever that may be, and dancing to keep my face or leg from slamming into trees. Skiing is risky, yes, but it is also plenty of fun. And, with Liftopia.com coupon codes, I get to have more fun than I ought to.
Liftopia.com is such a blessing. You see, I am rather frugal, so it frustrated me that my urge to ski sometimes had to be held off by budgetary constraints. I mean, a one-day lift ticket at a Colorado resort can set me back as much as a hundred bucks! However, when I recently stumbled upon Liftopia.com as well as a bunch of sports and outdoors coupon codes, I immediately knew that this was about to change, that finance would no longer play as big a factor as regards my skiing calendar. "Ski more," the company's slogan goes, "pay less." And on that promise, Liftopia.com has indeed delivered.
Liftopia.com is an online marketplace where you will find discount lift tickets - and coupon codes - to the top alpine resorts across the country. The deals here are really great, and Liftopia.com is able to offer them through partnerships with ski resorts who want people to ski or ride more often. Some of my favorite ski resorts are already featured on the website; the rest, I am sure, will follow, as the site keeps growing and more ski resort partnerships are being forged. Liftopia.com is great in the sense that it seems to understand my skiing needs, as well as that of others; the company works to help out not only its resort partners, but also the people like me who want to get out on the hill more often and grow the skiing industry.
The list of regions for booking lift tickets through Liftopia.com is already extensive. Let's see: there's Colorado, Lake Tahoe, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana/Wyoming/Idaho, New England, New Mexico, New York/New Jersey, Poconos, Quebec, Southern California, Utah, West Virginia, Western Canada/Alaska, and Wisconsin. So basically that allows me to ski all over the United States - and at discounted tickets of up to 70 percent off, too! If I am not sure where to go, Liftopia.com also provides profiles and reviews on resorts, skiers' tips, and useful details on the trail conditions and number of lifts available.
With Liftopia.com coupon codes, I no longer worry too much about the prices of lift tickets, or the ridiculous costs of lodging and travel. Even the larger, more expensive resorts will no longer have such a washout for me. Thanks to Liftopia.com, I am free to ski more - and, of course, pay less.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Is The Spending Budget Preventing You From Obtaining, Then Home Mortgages Is The Greatest Solution
A great property regarding his or her own, it's a passion as well as went after imagine numerous people globally. Several have got ideas on their own model as well as design regarding the house where they would like to live gladly once and for all. To get a definite spot to constructor your home as well as to find the dream home or even residential smooth is a tough method. If you have picked out 1, is always that number of your own property reasonably priced affordable? This can be a major issue. Many people think it is too difficult to meet their particular hope of getting a home of their own. The economic conditions in numerous nations features battled as well as the expense living is actually climbing over and above imagination. Although this would definitely not difficulties an individual with getting or creating the house luckily these days have many choices to remove some sort of mortgage to meet your current desires.
Before planning on how you can get a mortgage pennsylvania you really oneself proficient to several conditions inside choosing credit to your function. Where you get a loan, how to get, what are conditions and terms, the payment plan and most importantly the interest prices tend to be complicated problems. Currently you can find finance institutions everywhere across the planet are working skillfully to compliment your desperate folks in addition to agencies with various forms of mortgage amenities. These people vary from one another by the way these people function in addition to mortgage rates they feature. The prices, lower price plus the settlement schedule made available from quite a few organizations usually are desirable and affordable.
So when you're thinking about buying your home as well as ripped of your liking as well as your funds are tugging you again by purchasing the home, better choice is try to find financial institutions giving distinctive service with allowing home loan. Key bank groups and financial assistance companies work special departments for this purpose. Fundamentally it's vital that you choose an institution who are able to deal with housing financing assistance throughout your own shopping process of your home. Virtually all loans from home are generally long term documents regarding 12-15 * Twenty-five years. The principle elements you need to identify before applying with regard to houses mortgage loan are definitely the skills from the corporation you are going to approach. This payment agenda and also the rates of interest they are going to present and above all the particular transparency connected with loan treatment.
If you have a property of ones own and also you want to create a gorgeous property which you have created in accordance with your current taste, you then really should be developing a ample finances to do it. In any other case which means that your aspirations could trouble your current monetary stability. This is how a lot mortgage business sustains an individual. They feature real estate loans up against the basic safety of your dwelling. Different corporations have adaptable mortgage rates which fit your spending budget and capacities regarding repayment can be obtained currently. Many of the mortgage companies present Forty five in order to 62 percentage of the home importance as amount borrowed. The particular loan repayment period and also cost schedule in addition can vary in line with the energy along with productivity from the mortgage company you're getting close for houses or perhaps task financial loans.
Many corporations managing with this recorded possesses on the net improvements and also unique websites regarding their particular way of operation are for sale to any body who's serious about choosing home or perhaps undertaking lending options. Your current mortgage rates Pennsylvania will change coming from one another. So to decide on a better monetary firm in addition to adequately comprehending the procedures in addition to features upon delivering financial products is the central action before applying for lending options.
Visit for more information about refinance home Pennsylvania, get a mortgage Maryland, home loan Pennsylvania, home mortgage Maryland, mortgage fha Maryland, mortgage brokers Virginia, home mortgage washington dc.
Before planning on how you can get a mortgage pennsylvania you really oneself proficient to several conditions inside choosing credit to your function. Where you get a loan, how to get, what are conditions and terms, the payment plan and most importantly the interest prices tend to be complicated problems. Currently you can find finance institutions everywhere across the planet are working skillfully to compliment your desperate folks in addition to agencies with various forms of mortgage amenities. These people vary from one another by the way these people function in addition to mortgage rates they feature. The prices, lower price plus the settlement schedule made available from quite a few organizations usually are desirable and affordable.
So when you're thinking about buying your home as well as ripped of your liking as well as your funds are tugging you again by purchasing the home, better choice is try to find financial institutions giving distinctive service with allowing home loan. Key bank groups and financial assistance companies work special departments for this purpose. Fundamentally it's vital that you choose an institution who are able to deal with housing financing assistance throughout your own shopping process of your home. Virtually all loans from home are generally long term documents regarding 12-15 * Twenty-five years. The principle elements you need to identify before applying with regard to houses mortgage loan are definitely the skills from the corporation you are going to approach. This payment agenda and also the rates of interest they are going to present and above all the particular transparency connected with loan treatment.
If you have a property of ones own and also you want to create a gorgeous property which you have created in accordance with your current taste, you then really should be developing a ample finances to do it. In any other case which means that your aspirations could trouble your current monetary stability. This is how a lot mortgage business sustains an individual. They feature real estate loans up against the basic safety of your dwelling. Different corporations have adaptable mortgage rates which fit your spending budget and capacities regarding repayment can be obtained currently. Many of the mortgage companies present Forty five in order to 62 percentage of the home importance as amount borrowed. The particular loan repayment period and also cost schedule in addition can vary in line with the energy along with productivity from the mortgage company you're getting close for houses or perhaps task financial loans.
Many corporations managing with this recorded possesses on the net improvements and also unique websites regarding their particular way of operation are for sale to any body who's serious about choosing home or perhaps undertaking lending options. Your current mortgage rates Pennsylvania will change coming from one another. So to decide on a better monetary firm in addition to adequately comprehending the procedures in addition to features upon delivering financial products is the central action before applying for lending options.
Visit for more information about refinance home Pennsylvania, get a mortgage Maryland, home loan Pennsylvania, home mortgage Maryland, mortgage fha Maryland, mortgage brokers Virginia, home mortgage washington dc.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Would You Rather Be James Bond Or The Most Interesting Man In The World?
Many of us identify with the larger-than-life image of James Bond played by Sean Connery. He's a man's man, attracts women with ease, and can defend himself when needed (or wipe out armies of adversaries whenever he wishes).
Although I insist that I'm way beyond hero worship, in my secret heart-of-hearts I sometimes dream of having the qualities I imagine are part of the James Bond mystique. Although the image is one of charisma, health, and wealth, the reality for men is often quite different. The James Bond films are based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond (code designation "007") appearing in novels by Ian Fleming, a real life "James Bond," who was a Navel intelligence officer during World War II.
Unlike the fictional character in his novels, Fleming, like many men who went to war, later suffered PTSD. In 1961 Fleming, a heavy smoker and heavy drinker, had a heart attack and three years later, at age 56, had another heart attack and died on his son Caspar's 12th birthday in 1964. Eleven years later, Casper committed suicide with a drug overdose and was buried with his father.
Another image of the modern man is portrayed in Dos Equis beer commercials as "the most interesting man in the world."
"The most interesting man in the world" is a distinguished older gentleman, played by actor, Jonathan Goldsmith, who is shown through film clips of deliberately varying quality to have led an extremely eventful and colorful life, packed with over-the-top heroism and adventure. There are generally two types of ads: one features the man in a bar environment giving advice or opinions about various subjects, and the other features a narrator describing the man's distinguishing, but quirky background. Some examples include:
"If he punched you in the face, you would have to fight off the strong urge to thank him."
"He lives vicariously through himself."
"He once taught a German shepherd to bark in Spanish."
"His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards."
"Bulls flat out refuse to fight him."
"They say he once found the fountain of youth but didn't drink from it, because he wasn't thirsty."
"He can speak French in Russian."
"He's been known to cure narcolepsy, just by walking into a room."
"He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels."
"Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number."
"He is The most interesting man in the world."As one blogger commented, "It takes serious balls to claim you're the most interesting man in the world, but the current Dos Equis spokes-character is trying his darndest."
As one blogger commented, "It takes serious balls to claim you're the most interesting man in the world, but the current Dos Equis spokes-character is trying his darndest." Interestingly, Goldsmith, the real man behind the ad, first established himself as an actor in Western films, appearing in over 25 films in that genre. In the 1976 film The Shootist, Goldsmith played a villain who was shot between the eyes by hero John Wayne, who fired blood capsules from a special pellet gun at pointblank range into Goldsmith's face for seven painful takes.
Rather than trying to emulate the "most interesting man" character, we may do better by following in the footsteps of the real-life person. According to his bio Goldsmith enjoys wine tasting, and he has been quoted saying, "I actually don't drink beer at all. In fact I usually spend my nights reading a book, not partying with women."
If you were picking a role model, who would it be? If you were raising a son, who would you like him to become? If you were going to live happily ever after, who would you want to be with?
Although I insist that I'm way beyond hero worship, in my secret heart-of-hearts I sometimes dream of having the qualities I imagine are part of the James Bond mystique. Although the image is one of charisma, health, and wealth, the reality for men is often quite different. The James Bond films are based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond (code designation "007") appearing in novels by Ian Fleming, a real life "James Bond," who was a Navel intelligence officer during World War II.
Unlike the fictional character in his novels, Fleming, like many men who went to war, later suffered PTSD. In 1961 Fleming, a heavy smoker and heavy drinker, had a heart attack and three years later, at age 56, had another heart attack and died on his son Caspar's 12th birthday in 1964. Eleven years later, Casper committed suicide with a drug overdose and was buried with his father.
Another image of the modern man is portrayed in Dos Equis beer commercials as "the most interesting man in the world."
"The most interesting man in the world" is a distinguished older gentleman, played by actor, Jonathan Goldsmith, who is shown through film clips of deliberately varying quality to have led an extremely eventful and colorful life, packed with over-the-top heroism and adventure. There are generally two types of ads: one features the man in a bar environment giving advice or opinions about various subjects, and the other features a narrator describing the man's distinguishing, but quirky background. Some examples include:
"If he punched you in the face, you would have to fight off the strong urge to thank him."
"He lives vicariously through himself."
"He once taught a German shepherd to bark in Spanish."
"His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards."
"Bulls flat out refuse to fight him."
"They say he once found the fountain of youth but didn't drink from it, because he wasn't thirsty."
"He can speak French in Russian."
"He's been known to cure narcolepsy, just by walking into a room."
"He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels."
"Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number."
"He is The most interesting man in the world."As one blogger commented, "It takes serious balls to claim you're the most interesting man in the world, but the current Dos Equis spokes-character is trying his darndest."
As one blogger commented, "It takes serious balls to claim you're the most interesting man in the world, but the current Dos Equis spokes-character is trying his darndest." Interestingly, Goldsmith, the real man behind the ad, first established himself as an actor in Western films, appearing in over 25 films in that genre. In the 1976 film The Shootist, Goldsmith played a villain who was shot between the eyes by hero John Wayne, who fired blood capsules from a special pellet gun at pointblank range into Goldsmith's face for seven painful takes.
Rather than trying to emulate the "most interesting man" character, we may do better by following in the footsteps of the real-life person. According to his bio Goldsmith enjoys wine tasting, and he has been quoted saying, "I actually don't drink beer at all. In fact I usually spend my nights reading a book, not partying with women."
If you were picking a role model, who would it be? If you were raising a son, who would you like him to become? If you were going to live happily ever after, who would you want to be with?
Friday, October 5, 2012
How U.S. Expatriates Can Avoid the 13 Most Common Expat Tax Traps
While the expat experience can be an exciting an exhilarating adventure, there is no greater frustration and disappointment than having the IRS ruin your experience by auditing your tax return while away, calculating additional taxes due, penalizing and charging you interest during the process, and even perhaps suggesting jail time for your mistakes.
That's why it is so important to avoid these 13 common expat tax traps.
1. Foreign earned income exclusion. Many expats believe that because their foreign earned income is below the exclusion limit they do not need to file a return. The exclusion can only be taken by filing a return and completing Form 2555. If this is not done timely, the expat will NOT be able to use the exclusion.
2. Foreign bank accounts. An Expat opens a foreign bank account and does not file treasury form TD.90-22.1. Any US citizen with a financial interest in or who can sign on a foreign bank account with a value of more than ,000 must file this form.
3. Foreign tax credit. Expats may also be entitled to a foreign tax credit by filing Form 1116. However, a foreign tax credit may not be taken on foreign earned income excluded from tax. If not all earnings are excluded from foreign tax, a calculation can be made to take a credit on your US tax return for taxes paid on non excluded foreign income.
4. Inexperienced local tax professional. The expat lets his local tax professional continue to prepare his tax return. Many expats work statewide with their local tax professional for many, many years before going abroad. These relationships usually have a long history of trust and competency. Once you've found someone you trust to understand your unique financial situation, it is difficult to switch. However, properly completing an expat return is simply uncharted territory for most local tax professionals. You do both yourself and them a disservice by forcing them to make this stretch into such a complicated arena. As you operate at a new tax and financial level, you are simply going to need a greater scope of service than is typically provided by a local firm.
5. Dependency on the IRS The expat relies exclusively on the IRS for help. While the IRS provides Publication 54 to explain Form 2555 and Form 2555EZ, it does not provide all the tax situations an expat is likely to experience and neither does it instruct on the proper application of the tax code for unusual situations that the expat typically finds themselves.
6. Do it yourself. The expat prepares his own return. Most expats are extremely intelligent. Because they are so smart, some believe that they can figure out their own tax return. It is important to realize that the tax laws are always changing. Without being constantly connected to the professional aspect of the tax world, it is just too easy to put your trust in outdated information.
7. State tax obligations. There are a few states that do not comply with the U.S. foreign income tax exclusion. The expat should make sure he/she does not owe state income tax on his foreign earned income. Failure to understand your state's perspective of the foreign income tax exclusion can substantially affect your tax picture.
8. Inability to locate tax documents. Expats do not keep important tax documents in a central location organized in a way to be used to fight the IRS if they are audited. What do you do with your critical documents while you are away? Expats need to have a secure, online document storage capacity that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Your information should be organized by year and contain key source documentation, your completed return and any correspondence with the IRS. In addition, you should have a series of permanent files that document your service abroad and other elements of their financial world.
9. Dependency exemptions. Expats do not always take all the exemptions to which they are entitled. Expats may have dependents that do not have social security numbers and incorrectly believe that without a social security number, they cannot take a dependency exemption.
10. Hidden overseas accounts. Hiding money overseas to escape paying tax on the earnings is not a valid tax option -- it is fraud! Remember, fraud has no statute of limitations. Penalties and interest can build to twice as much as the original tax. If the IRS wants to make a point, there can be jail time.
11. Foreign housing exclusion. Remember, you cannot take both the foreign housing exclusion and the foreign tax credit. So which one should you take? The eligible housing cost amount is the individual's total housing expenses for the year (limited to 30 percent of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount), less the base housing amount (16% of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount).
The excluded amount cannot exceed either the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year or their actual housing expenses. The deducted amount also cannot exceed the individual's actual housing expenses, nor can it exceed the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year reduced by both the individual's excluded foreign earned income and the excluded housing amount. Whereas, the foreign tax credit generally can be taken dollar for dollar of foreign taxes paid.
12. Form 1040NR. US Citizens do not file Form 1040NR. This form is for nonresident aliens. Nonresident aliens are aliens who do not meet either the IRS's green card test (i.e. a lawful permanent resident) or the substantial presence test. These tests are discussed further in IRS Publication 519.
13. No big financial picture. The expat believes that he needs help only with his tax return. Perhaps the biggest mistake that expats make is going it alone. It's important to have a guide when you are in uncharted territory. There is so more to managing your financial world than just preparing an accurate and correct tax return. You also need to manage your expat experience. Make sure you avoid these common tax mistakes all expats are tempted to make when they try to navigate their expat experience without a professional to properly guide them.
Copyright (c) 2009 Nick Hodges
That's why it is so important to avoid these 13 common expat tax traps.
1. Foreign earned income exclusion. Many expats believe that because their foreign earned income is below the exclusion limit they do not need to file a return. The exclusion can only be taken by filing a return and completing Form 2555. If this is not done timely, the expat will NOT be able to use the exclusion.
2. Foreign bank accounts. An Expat opens a foreign bank account and does not file treasury form TD.90-22.1. Any US citizen with a financial interest in or who can sign on a foreign bank account with a value of more than ,000 must file this form.
3. Foreign tax credit. Expats may also be entitled to a foreign tax credit by filing Form 1116. However, a foreign tax credit may not be taken on foreign earned income excluded from tax. If not all earnings are excluded from foreign tax, a calculation can be made to take a credit on your US tax return for taxes paid on non excluded foreign income.
4. Inexperienced local tax professional. The expat lets his local tax professional continue to prepare his tax return. Many expats work statewide with their local tax professional for many, many years before going abroad. These relationships usually have a long history of trust and competency. Once you've found someone you trust to understand your unique financial situation, it is difficult to switch. However, properly completing an expat return is simply uncharted territory for most local tax professionals. You do both yourself and them a disservice by forcing them to make this stretch into such a complicated arena. As you operate at a new tax and financial level, you are simply going to need a greater scope of service than is typically provided by a local firm.
5. Dependency on the IRS The expat relies exclusively on the IRS for help. While the IRS provides Publication 54 to explain Form 2555 and Form 2555EZ, it does not provide all the tax situations an expat is likely to experience and neither does it instruct on the proper application of the tax code for unusual situations that the expat typically finds themselves.
6. Do it yourself. The expat prepares his own return. Most expats are extremely intelligent. Because they are so smart, some believe that they can figure out their own tax return. It is important to realize that the tax laws are always changing. Without being constantly connected to the professional aspect of the tax world, it is just too easy to put your trust in outdated information.
7. State tax obligations. There are a few states that do not comply with the U.S. foreign income tax exclusion. The expat should make sure he/she does not owe state income tax on his foreign earned income. Failure to understand your state's perspective of the foreign income tax exclusion can substantially affect your tax picture.
8. Inability to locate tax documents. Expats do not keep important tax documents in a central location organized in a way to be used to fight the IRS if they are audited. What do you do with your critical documents while you are away? Expats need to have a secure, online document storage capacity that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Your information should be organized by year and contain key source documentation, your completed return and any correspondence with the IRS. In addition, you should have a series of permanent files that document your service abroad and other elements of their financial world.
9. Dependency exemptions. Expats do not always take all the exemptions to which they are entitled. Expats may have dependents that do not have social security numbers and incorrectly believe that without a social security number, they cannot take a dependency exemption.
10. Hidden overseas accounts. Hiding money overseas to escape paying tax on the earnings is not a valid tax option -- it is fraud! Remember, fraud has no statute of limitations. Penalties and interest can build to twice as much as the original tax. If the IRS wants to make a point, there can be jail time.
11. Foreign housing exclusion. Remember, you cannot take both the foreign housing exclusion and the foreign tax credit. So which one should you take? The eligible housing cost amount is the individual's total housing expenses for the year (limited to 30 percent of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount), less the base housing amount (16% of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount).
The excluded amount cannot exceed either the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year or their actual housing expenses. The deducted amount also cannot exceed the individual's actual housing expenses, nor can it exceed the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year reduced by both the individual's excluded foreign earned income and the excluded housing amount. Whereas, the foreign tax credit generally can be taken dollar for dollar of foreign taxes paid.
12. Form 1040NR. US Citizens do not file Form 1040NR. This form is for nonresident aliens. Nonresident aliens are aliens who do not meet either the IRS's green card test (i.e. a lawful permanent resident) or the substantial presence test. These tests are discussed further in IRS Publication 519.
13. No big financial picture. The expat believes that he needs help only with his tax return. Perhaps the biggest mistake that expats make is going it alone. It's important to have a guide when you are in uncharted territory. There is so more to managing your financial world than just preparing an accurate and correct tax return. You also need to manage your expat experience. Make sure you avoid these common tax mistakes all expats are tempted to make when they try to navigate their expat experience without a professional to properly guide them.
Copyright (c) 2009 Nick Hodges
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