Article Presented by:
Daniel Lamaute
For many people the quickest way for them to access an emergency loan quickly is to tap their credit cards, or their retirement account. But these methods have their drawbacks. Credit cards generally carry high double digit interest rates and wicked fees. On the other hand, early withdrawals from an IRA or 401K can trigger tax and penalties of up to 45% of the money withdrawn.
While it is best not to touch retirement savings prematurely, if you have to tap your retirement account a 401K loan may be the most sensible method. The advantage of a 401K loan as opposed to a withdrawal is that a loan does not necessarily generate the taxes and penalties frequently associated with early withdrawals. Loans from a 401K can go as high as $50,000 per borrower.
The majority of employers offer 401K loans in their plans. However, individuals who do not have a job with a 401K loan option may qualify to set up their own Self-Employed 401K for any kind of business (new or old, part-time or full-time) and borrow from that 401K. They can start their 401K by rolling over or transferring funds from an existing IRA or 401K from a previous employer into their new Self-Employed 401K.
A Self-Employed 401K loan is quick to obtain because it comes out of the 401K account. The loan interest is fixed at prime rate for the duration of the loan. Typically the loan must be repaid in equal installments over no more than five-years. The loan payments, interest and principal, go back to the borrower's 401K account.
A 401K loan is free of tax and tax penalty as long as the loan is paid back according to IRS guidelines. Otherwise, the unpaid loan balance is treated as a withdrawal.
The Self-Employed 401K is a valuable retirement savings tool for any business that employs only owners, or owners and their spouses, including C corp, S corp, partnerships, and even sole proprietors working from home. The Self-Employed 401K is not for owners with employees or planning to hire employees.
About the Author:
Visit http://www.InvestSafe.com to learn more about the Self-Employed 401K and its loan feature. You may request online a loan brochure and a free kit that contains a Self-Employed 401K application and mutual fund prospectus.
Contact: Daniel Lamaute
Lamaute Capital, Inc.
http://www.InvestSafe.com
Alexandria, VA 22314
202-726-1662
Member NASD/SIPC
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
Top Tips When Buying Sports Tickets
Article Presented by:
Bret Robson
Buying sports tickets for major events, if not done right, can make the difference between having a good or bad time. Here are some of the pitfalls to watch out for when buying your tickets for several of the most popular sporting events in the UK.
The Ryder Cup
Always a fiercely fought competition, this bi-annual battle between the USA and Europe is always guaranteed to make ticket-locating a tough task. Some would say you have more chance finding a needle in a Belfry bunker.
Tickets for the Ryder Cup are sold from official outlets for all levels of admission, and access to the grandstands is not usually pre-allocated, but available on a first-come-first-served basis.
One way to ensure entry is to volunteer to work during the event. There are always positions available each time the tournament is played, and applications can be made directly through the official site.
Whatever you do, don't try sneaking onto the course. Security at this event is top-notch and you'll find yourself in jail until the first Judge becomes available on Monday morning.
Wimbledon
Tickets for Wimbledon are not easy to get unless you are willing to pay upwards of two grand for a Debenture, but there are ways to ensure entry to the Centre Court short of being adopted by the Royal Family or Cliff Richard.
Because standard tickets are only released on the actual day of play, internet purchasing is often quite tough unless you want to gamble. But if you are prepared to, there is one excellent way of guaranteeing entry to a specific court.
And that is to queue from midnight the night before. We've all laughed at them lining up seven hours ahead to get their hands on tickets to see Agassi or Henman, but in reality, they know something about the system that works every time.
Early morning, a steward will guide the queue towards the gates where you will be asked what court you want. Depending on your answer, you will be given a colored wristband guaranteeing your ticket for a seat for the day. At the ticket booth you can put your sleeping bag away, and your ticket will be exchanged for the wristband for a fraction of what the All England Lawn Tennis Club charge a year in advance.
The FA Cup Final
The jewel in English football crown, this match is watched by 400 million people in 200 countries, a statistic that reinforces its popularity, and thus, the degree of difficulty involved in getting hold of a match ticket. Even with 71,200 general admission seats and 8,800 corporate and other seating, the chances of getting a ticket - with your club or not - are limited.
Most allocations are split down the middle between each club. This is your first opportunity, as many of these tickets go to supporters clubs before ending up on the Internet for greatly inflated prices. Watch out for forgeries though - you won't get your money back and you will pay over the asking price.
The remaining tickets go to other member clubs, the press, players, and sponsors, and it is here it could be possible to get hold of a ticket providing you know somebody who works in the stadium or an associated sponsor company.
Your only other alternative is to offer your services as a ball boy/girl, but if you are a 40-year old pot-bellied Chelsea fan, you might be a little easy to spot!
British Grand Prix
Tickets for the world famous Formula One racing track at Silverstone are thankfully much easer to bag, though none of them come cheap. Official tickets start at around £100 for the three-day package, or £40 for a day ticket.
Buying early is really your only option as Silverstone is one of the most sought after, and fast-booking events on the UK sporting calendar.
You could of course try an auction site, but another way of bagging tickets is to convince your boss to take important clients out for the day. Hospitality packages start at around £900, for which you'll get a gourmet meal, champagne, and the best view of Lewis Hamilton racing around the Copse. Any clients you take along will remember you and your company forever.
The Six Nations Championship
Most tickets for rugby internationals are dealt with by the individual bodies from each of the countries involved, so being a member of a rugby club puts you at the head of the queue. It also means you can buy tickets from any of the unions no matter whom you support or where you are from.
But what if you don't play or support rugby?
The one thing to remember about rugby is that supporters are generally quite friendly, hence the non-segregation policy in all of the stadia. This international jolliness has helped pushed ticket touts out of the picture, but not genuine sellers.
Most people offering tickets on the street before a game are usually only trying to recoup their money, not tout, so it is at this point you may be able to get hold of a ticket for equal to or less than face value.
About the Author:
This article was written by Bret Robson for Viagogo.co.uk, a leading European ticket hub. Viagogo connects buyers and sellers of tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets and more. Viagogo also guarantees all the transactions, so if you are looking for tickets online, Viagogo is the place to go!
Bret Robson
Buying sports tickets for major events, if not done right, can make the difference between having a good or bad time. Here are some of the pitfalls to watch out for when buying your tickets for several of the most popular sporting events in the UK.
The Ryder Cup
Always a fiercely fought competition, this bi-annual battle between the USA and Europe is always guaranteed to make ticket-locating a tough task. Some would say you have more chance finding a needle in a Belfry bunker.
Tickets for the Ryder Cup are sold from official outlets for all levels of admission, and access to the grandstands is not usually pre-allocated, but available on a first-come-first-served basis.
One way to ensure entry is to volunteer to work during the event. There are always positions available each time the tournament is played, and applications can be made directly through the official site.
Whatever you do, don't try sneaking onto the course. Security at this event is top-notch and you'll find yourself in jail until the first Judge becomes available on Monday morning.
Wimbledon
Tickets for Wimbledon are not easy to get unless you are willing to pay upwards of two grand for a Debenture, but there are ways to ensure entry to the Centre Court short of being adopted by the Royal Family or Cliff Richard.
Because standard tickets are only released on the actual day of play, internet purchasing is often quite tough unless you want to gamble. But if you are prepared to, there is one excellent way of guaranteeing entry to a specific court.
And that is to queue from midnight the night before. We've all laughed at them lining up seven hours ahead to get their hands on tickets to see Agassi or Henman, but in reality, they know something about the system that works every time.
Early morning, a steward will guide the queue towards the gates where you will be asked what court you want. Depending on your answer, you will be given a colored wristband guaranteeing your ticket for a seat for the day. At the ticket booth you can put your sleeping bag away, and your ticket will be exchanged for the wristband for a fraction of what the All England Lawn Tennis Club charge a year in advance.
The FA Cup Final
The jewel in English football crown, this match is watched by 400 million people in 200 countries, a statistic that reinforces its popularity, and thus, the degree of difficulty involved in getting hold of a match ticket. Even with 71,200 general admission seats and 8,800 corporate and other seating, the chances of getting a ticket - with your club or not - are limited.
Most allocations are split down the middle between each club. This is your first opportunity, as many of these tickets go to supporters clubs before ending up on the Internet for greatly inflated prices. Watch out for forgeries though - you won't get your money back and you will pay over the asking price.
The remaining tickets go to other member clubs, the press, players, and sponsors, and it is here it could be possible to get hold of a ticket providing you know somebody who works in the stadium or an associated sponsor company.
Your only other alternative is to offer your services as a ball boy/girl, but if you are a 40-year old pot-bellied Chelsea fan, you might be a little easy to spot!
British Grand Prix
Tickets for the world famous Formula One racing track at Silverstone are thankfully much easer to bag, though none of them come cheap. Official tickets start at around £100 for the three-day package, or £40 for a day ticket.
Buying early is really your only option as Silverstone is one of the most sought after, and fast-booking events on the UK sporting calendar.
You could of course try an auction site, but another way of bagging tickets is to convince your boss to take important clients out for the day. Hospitality packages start at around £900, for which you'll get a gourmet meal, champagne, and the best view of Lewis Hamilton racing around the Copse. Any clients you take along will remember you and your company forever.
The Six Nations Championship
Most tickets for rugby internationals are dealt with by the individual bodies from each of the countries involved, so being a member of a rugby club puts you at the head of the queue. It also means you can buy tickets from any of the unions no matter whom you support or where you are from.
But what if you don't play or support rugby?
The one thing to remember about rugby is that supporters are generally quite friendly, hence the non-segregation policy in all of the stadia. This international jolliness has helped pushed ticket touts out of the picture, but not genuine sellers.
Most people offering tickets on the street before a game are usually only trying to recoup their money, not tout, so it is at this point you may be able to get hold of a ticket for equal to or less than face value.
About the Author:
This article was written by Bret Robson for Viagogo.co.uk, a leading European ticket hub. Viagogo connects buyers and sellers of tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets and more. Viagogo also guarantees all the transactions, so if you are looking for tickets online, Viagogo is the place to go!
Planning A London Weekend Theatre Trip
Article Presented by:
Bret Robson
A trip to London with your loved one or group of friends to see a London theatre show is one of the best ways to spend a short weekend break. The glitz and glamour of the West End, a great meal, a nice hotel, a wonderful theatre experience - what better way is there to relax and have fun?
To make your trip as enjoyable as possible, here are a few top tips on how to get the best from your trip to a London West End show.
Getting to London
The first thing you need to ensure is that you can get to London on the date you want, and that there are tickets available for the theatre on the date you wish. There would be no point in booking a train or flight only to discover the evening performance of Chicago was sold out three weeks earlier.
There are numerous ways of getting to London from all parts of the UK and London has 18 mainline train stations, 6 national and international airports, and several national bus stations. Take your pick, but bear in mind that travel pricing is more competitive now than it has ever been, so book early and chop around to ensure you get the best deal. Discounts for booking online is often a good way of saving money further.
Theatre Tickets
Booking online or by telephone is really the only way to go about this if you want to ensure you get the best theatre tickets in advance for the show of your choice.
There are numerous websites that provide this service, but make sure when you do book up, you know where you are sitting before you pay. Often the online companies are allocated seats in certain sections so you could end up with a restricted view or at the rear of the stalls without realising it. Make sure you have a map of the theatre handy and book by telephone to eliminate these problems.
Remember, www.viagogo.co.uk can sort you out with tickets for almost any West End show you desire.
Hotels
There are literally hundreds of hotels at all levels of comfort and price in and around London, so be wary you don't end up in a hole in the ground when you thought you were booking a weekend in the lap of luxury.
Obviously, large chains like the Hilton will be able to offer you top-notch accommodation, but for those of us without limitless pots of cash, how can we ensure we book a decent hotel without too much cost?
Again, booking online through reputable agencies is advisable to ensure your booking goes through securely and you have a wide selection to choose from. Word of mouth in the hotel business is something never to be overlooked, so ask your friends before you book if there is anywhere they could recommend - hotels love nothing more than having new guests as the result of a recommendation.
Eating Out
It is said that Greater London has more eateries within its boundary than there are in the whole of the UK put together. Competition in the food industry has never been hotter and it is now possible to enjoy a wonderful meal for much less than you could ten years ago.
There are all kinds of culinary treats for you to choose from in London; everything from Japanese to Moroccan, Turkish to Greek, or Chinese to a traditional British slap-up meal - and they all want your business.
Many restaurants, particularly in and around the vicinity of the West End, offer special pre-theatre menus, where you can take advantage of the many offers they have on set meals. So treat yourself to that special meal, get dressed up and enjoy some cocktails before or after meal - or both - then enjoy your West End show fully satisfied.
Traveling in London
Getting about London is easier than most people imagine, in fact, the only people who really complain about it are the commuters who have to travel through it each rush hour.
London has around 19,000 registered taxis, making your trip to the theatre generally inexpensive given the cost that taking your own car would incur in congestion and parking charges.
By far the easiest and most convenient forms of transport in London are the Tube and bus services. Both of these are cheap and run regularly to most parts of the city centre until late at night, and both are generally quite safe for the theatre go-er to travel on. The West End itself has numerous Tube stations, all within walking distance of most of the theatres.
If you concentrate on these five tips, you can be sure that your weekend theatre trip to London will go down a treat, and you'll want to be back to do it all again very soon.
About the Author:
This article was written by Bret Robson for Viagogo.co.uk, a leading European ticket hub. Viagogo connects buyers and sellers of tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets and more. Viagogo also guarantees all the transactions, so if you are looking for tickets online, Viagogo is the place to go!
Bret Robson
A trip to London with your loved one or group of friends to see a London theatre show is one of the best ways to spend a short weekend break. The glitz and glamour of the West End, a great meal, a nice hotel, a wonderful theatre experience - what better way is there to relax and have fun?
To make your trip as enjoyable as possible, here are a few top tips on how to get the best from your trip to a London West End show.
Getting to London
The first thing you need to ensure is that you can get to London on the date you want, and that there are tickets available for the theatre on the date you wish. There would be no point in booking a train or flight only to discover the evening performance of Chicago was sold out three weeks earlier.
There are numerous ways of getting to London from all parts of the UK and London has 18 mainline train stations, 6 national and international airports, and several national bus stations. Take your pick, but bear in mind that travel pricing is more competitive now than it has ever been, so book early and chop around to ensure you get the best deal. Discounts for booking online is often a good way of saving money further.
Theatre Tickets
Booking online or by telephone is really the only way to go about this if you want to ensure you get the best theatre tickets in advance for the show of your choice.
There are numerous websites that provide this service, but make sure when you do book up, you know where you are sitting before you pay. Often the online companies are allocated seats in certain sections so you could end up with a restricted view or at the rear of the stalls without realising it. Make sure you have a map of the theatre handy and book by telephone to eliminate these problems.
Remember, www.viagogo.co.uk can sort you out with tickets for almost any West End show you desire.
Hotels
There are literally hundreds of hotels at all levels of comfort and price in and around London, so be wary you don't end up in a hole in the ground when you thought you were booking a weekend in the lap of luxury.
Obviously, large chains like the Hilton will be able to offer you top-notch accommodation, but for those of us without limitless pots of cash, how can we ensure we book a decent hotel without too much cost?
Again, booking online through reputable agencies is advisable to ensure your booking goes through securely and you have a wide selection to choose from. Word of mouth in the hotel business is something never to be overlooked, so ask your friends before you book if there is anywhere they could recommend - hotels love nothing more than having new guests as the result of a recommendation.
Eating Out
It is said that Greater London has more eateries within its boundary than there are in the whole of the UK put together. Competition in the food industry has never been hotter and it is now possible to enjoy a wonderful meal for much less than you could ten years ago.
There are all kinds of culinary treats for you to choose from in London; everything from Japanese to Moroccan, Turkish to Greek, or Chinese to a traditional British slap-up meal - and they all want your business.
Many restaurants, particularly in and around the vicinity of the West End, offer special pre-theatre menus, where you can take advantage of the many offers they have on set meals. So treat yourself to that special meal, get dressed up and enjoy some cocktails before or after meal - or both - then enjoy your West End show fully satisfied.
Traveling in London
Getting about London is easier than most people imagine, in fact, the only people who really complain about it are the commuters who have to travel through it each rush hour.
London has around 19,000 registered taxis, making your trip to the theatre generally inexpensive given the cost that taking your own car would incur in congestion and parking charges.
By far the easiest and most convenient forms of transport in London are the Tube and bus services. Both of these are cheap and run regularly to most parts of the city centre until late at night, and both are generally quite safe for the theatre go-er to travel on. The West End itself has numerous Tube stations, all within walking distance of most of the theatres.
If you concentrate on these five tips, you can be sure that your weekend theatre trip to London will go down a treat, and you'll want to be back to do it all again very soon.
About the Author:
This article was written by Bret Robson for Viagogo.co.uk, a leading European ticket hub. Viagogo connects buyers and sellers of tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets and more. Viagogo also guarantees all the transactions, so if you are looking for tickets online, Viagogo is the place to go!
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