Archive for January 28th, 2009

 

For Those With No 401K, Social Security Is Critical

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

The very first Social Security check was sent through the mail in 1940 even though President Roosevelt had signed the Social Security Act into law, 5 years earlier. Ever since, many American retirees, especially those without a 401 retirement plan, have been grateful to receive that monthly financial safety net as they entered their retirement years. It’s difficult to believe that Social Security has been with us for sixty plus years.

In the original incarnation of the bill, Social Security benefits were only to be paid to the primary worker. But, before the bill went live, additional benefits for the spouse and children were added.

Quite a few folks erroneously think that the Social Security system is equivalent to an investment annuity, in which you send money to the government. They will then invest it and give you the resulting income in monthly payments for the rest of your life. In fact, however, the system is closer to a government welfare program. The collection of payroll taxes , which finances the Social Security program, is managed under the authorization of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, better known as FICA. FICA is like the enforcement arm of the system. It ensures that every worker “contributes” his or her fair share to the government pool.

Whenever a new generation of workers comes along, they assume the obligation of caring for the previous generation’s retirees. The sum of money that you eventually receive from the government has only a slight relationship to the amount of money that was withheld from your check over the years. From the very beginning, the system has collected over 9 trillion dollars from contributors and paid them out to recipients.

 

Maverick MoneyMakers Club: Is this the One?

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

Can You Get Over the “Money Makers” Title?

I don’t write reviews often. But the Maverick Money Makers “money-making opportunity” made me pick up my pen.

For starters, the title sounds a little cheap. I know “maverick” is a popular term now, but come on. And anything with “moneymakers” in it has to make you wonder. In fact, I usually run in the opposite direction any time I see the terms “money making” or “opportunity.”

The odd part is, this program … is actually really good. It has a lot more going for it than most systems, because rather than being about ONE way of doing things, it is an ongoing EDUCATION program in techniques, tactics, and methods of creating income online.

Creating income online is getting a lot harder than it used to be. The “Wild West” days of throwing up a small site, littering it with Adsense ads, and making a killing are over.

Heavyweight professional marketers are moving from their direct mail campaigns offline to the internet, where leads are infinitely cheaper, and they can crush the little guys and rake it in.

What does that mean for YOU if you want to be successful marketing on the internet?

To Make Money Online NOW You’d Better Be a Knowledgeable “Shark”

Sharks cruise the ocean with a single-minded purpose — dinner. If you want to survive online, you’d better be JUST as focused and efficient in your preparation, and execution, of your own wealth-building strategies. MaverickMoneyMakers.com is a private monthly “club” which members can access 24/7 for training materials, ideas, and new niche markets. The breadth of information is mind-blowing … yet it is clearly organized. You can see why originator Mack Michaels made so much money himself.

Most of the material is presented in very clear video format. This is a real strength, because videos are easy to make and put up, and Mack Michaels (the founder) is a self-made online millionaire who has plenty to say, and who seems genuine in his interest in helping you learn what you need to know to prosper.

A second strength is that he presents techniques in a detailed enough fashion that you can understand and adapt them … but he also gives you enough leeway in implementation that there are many ways for you to apply them … you are not trapped by “one system” or technique, like so many opportunities.

What are MaverickMoneyMaker’s Pros & Cons?

I have written a more detailed Maverick Money Makers review here. Most of the cons deal with your personal learning style, and whether you are serious about creating internet cash, or just playing around with it. Maverick Money Makers IS a serious program, and requires a monthly membership fee.

You need to be ok learning mostly through video, and be prepared to spend some time building a set of internet skills that will serve you in the various markets Mack teaches about. However, if you are finally ready to actually DO something, get trained, and stay trained (hey, every 18 months the internet “shifts,” and you’d BETTER be ready with new techniques and tactics!) … then Maverick Money Makers is by far the most comprehensive and usable training site I have encountered.

If you are a newbie, Mack Michaels has some starter materials, and he does not talk down to you. In fact, he has a clear understanding that many beginners have more time than money, and he shares methods best suited for those who are cash-challenged.

On the other hand, if you already know the internet basics, you can jump to the more advanced videos, and start grabbing techniques off the “top shelf” that you can leverage into a substantial income … but without all the mumbo-jumbo that usually surrounds it.
Maverick Money Makers is a serious wealth creation training club — Give it a closer look if you plan to be a serious marketer in the coming year.