James offers experience, insight and wit for business and property solutions. We look first to long term stability with growth. Tax benefits and privacy are essential in each transaction.
Other contributions include unique perspectives on global political, social and economic issues.
don’t many of us wish to have learned this early lesson…
a friend of mine recently explained his first lesson in business. his grandfather helped him get the plan started…a saving account and chewing gum in 1950
after small jobs he saved up a total of $5. with this money grandpa showed him how to buy gum in bulk packages…ten for twenty cents. he sold individual packs for 5-cents to grade school friends.
real estate followed. now sixty years later, he owns $115,000,000 of debt free property, wears jeans and drives a diesel pickup.
can parents (grand-) teach this lesson today?
in 1859 there was a popular town called Virgina City Nevada. it became known as the comstock lode, the richest silver mines ever found. men swarmed from everywhere to exploit fast and easy money. then it was played out..
in 2001 there was a popular town called Real Estate. it became known as the subprime lode, one of the richest mines ever found. men & women everywhere exploited fast and easy money. then it was played out…
our memories of abundance are pleasurable. we ‘want’ it to return…when? unconsciously we’re unable to let go. yet it’s the only way to get in front of ourselves. it’s over. find something new…
Ron Paul Rejects Trump the Chump-Moderated Debate http://t.co/Lc3DMNUK (via @ABC) - I’d vote RPaul & JHunstman in a NY second!
real estate and sailboats - have you ever been on a sailboat? have you ever invested in real estate? they’re… http://t.co/GFFGevLS
have you ever been on a sailboat? have you ever invested in real estate? they’re similar.
at this time we have much uncertainty in the markets. nobody knows which way is which. this leads to indecision and fear. our human psyche prefers a solid direction and momentum, leading to a confident course of action.
on a sailboat there are doldrums and periods without wind. sails flap in the breeze without direction so there’s no action, no movement. some use the term ‘luffing’ during these periods.
the alternative in either real estate or sailing is to use power. this is like negative cash flow or diesel fuel. so until the wind or market picks up, neither the sailboat nor real estate will move much without power.
yet over the long term we know better. new, safe investments in real estate are those that break even today. the only exception to negative cash flow is paying principal down. maybe you buy from someone who has run out of power. which course do you go when the wind returns?
recent news stories indicate that data storage is growing between 20-50% annually. do you honestly think that your life events are excluded from this public data in any way?
we hear about browsing cookies, shopping habits, spam mail, etc. some of it we like such as domino’s pizza ads because our previous order is in their database. other more subtle solicitications from credit card activities are less recognizable yet all part of this data storage avalanche.
we get annoyed and feel helpless at this loss of privacy. since it erodes with every single new transaction, let’s step back. one hundred percent privacy is unattainable. yet we can have ‘selective’ privacy. what is most important to you…an email account or your financial assets? rather than frustration trying to stop a locomotive, think about how do you ‘manage’ data reality.
in this context, break the link between the ‘public you’ and your valuable assets. you might think a corporation or llc…nope. they’re public, expensive, time consuming and require ongoing paperwork. what to do? use a private trust. A living trust (carefully named) and certainly land trusts, personal property trusts and business trusts. you now have ‘selective’ privacy.
SOS - Today I was able to get a lot done in between various global and domestic crises as reported by the… http://t.co/gS1VjUUT
Today I was able to get a lot done in between various global and domestic crises as reported by the news. Started to wonder where is the good news about daily life? This neuroses is making the world paranoid.
Each expert talks about this or that statistic as a significant barometer of the present and/or future. So I sorta stepped back to take another look at how to remain sane on this roller coaster. Best perspective I can see is stay 10 miles high up looking down. You know it’s a mess down there. You get to miss out on the details and know it’ll work its way out in the next few years. It always does.
For thousand of years, people get themselves into messes and then get out. Only to start all over again! I’m almost laughing its so crazy and fascinating. Nothing will save us from ourselves.
Why Software Is Eating the World http://t.co/QOKrkwL via @WSJ - the clear solution to jobs is not complaints, it’s education
This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly - a macro view of the world economy - http://t.co/sEE9EdR via @amazon
WSJ.com - Roubini Warns of Global Recession Risk http://t.co/sal8O0w - high level macro view - world economy at ‘stall’ speed
there is so much in the news about computer worms and viruses that destroy and steal. this singular purpose is simple penis envy.
meanwhile, the rest of the world is busy with creative solutions for data storage, useful applications for productivity and how to meet growing demand of customers. their mental energy and focus is forward looking - upbeat and positive.
except they must divert some of this productive energy to fend off lazy thieves that steal. these hackers are quite simply jealous bullies. despite high intelligence, they feel inferior so act out destructive superiority - whether they admit it or not.
like cockroaches for thousands of years, we’ll never get rid of hackers. accept them as part of life and do lock your car door. yet our computer world has life enhancing benefits that will always prevail over those with envy.
there seems to be the idea that we can ‘get our jobs back’ in america. both the unemployed and politicians refuse to accept evolutionary change. it is difficult.
i’ve encountered many painful growth periods in life and with perspective now see there is no ‘get it back’ once it’s gone. it’s truly fantasy to think otherwise. as a nation and as individuals we must accept the future and re-learn what the world wants to buy at any given price.
once upon a time modern transportation was horse and buggy. that is how everyone got around. think of the stable owners, workers, feed stores, vets, carriage builders, maintenance, etc. one day an evolutionary model t rolled down the street. how many horse people ‘got their jobs back?”
As technology moves us faster and quicker enhancing efficiency, competition is fierce. This means you have to be bigger, badder, faster than the guy on your tail.
What if you could stop this insane hamster wheel race? You might find a higher quality of life and improved relations with your fellow man. You might even learn how to communicate, or connect.
You still need customers, vendors, sales and growth. Stop, and slowly turn 180 degrees. Find the hardest and most difficult way to reach out. Skip the easy & quick email - invest precious time to compose a real letter, sign it with ink, then lick an envelope and stamp it. Does that clearly demonstrate, “you’re important to me?”
Did you ever cold call a prospective client? Oh no, we must have an appointment because everybody is busy. Yet we all have those momentary pauses during the day. Your knock on the door and persistence will prevail.
You might have competitive services or products in the marketplace. Setting yourself apart, and actually relating to the other guy creates your own monopoly.
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