Street Speculator

The SPEC’s found a website geared toward the UNHAPPY CONSUMER. BadServiceZipCodes.com is a website site that allows its visitors to spread the word about unsatisfactory service received from various business sectors and even government agencies.

The focus of this site is local service. We would imagine that is why the ZipCode is highlighted. The site also has a feature where you select “up-to-5″ ZipCodes and have an alert forwarded to your email address whenever an alert is submitted to the site for that/those particular ZipCodes.

The most fascinating feature of this website is the “State Assistance” pages. There is a page for each state in the union (50). On each page is the name, address, phone number(s), and other contact information for agencies regulating specific industries and professions (Ex. Doctors, Lawyers, Contractors, Banks, Credit Card companies, Hotels, Retail Stores, Internet companies, etc….). This is especially helpful for those without the financial means to hire an attorney in today’s economic times.

You can also login using your Facebook ID, and then subsequently share your submitted complaint with your Facebook friends.

For advertisers, this site provides an ad model not familiar to the internet. They use EXCLUSIVE ad placement. That is correct. There is no CPC (Cost-per-Click), CPM (Cost-per-Measurement), etc… The price of ad placement is equal to or lower than the typical internet ad models. But this EXCLUSIVITY should provide any advertiser a great platform of exposure.

The SPEC’s recommend the site as a good resource for consumers. If you are “TIRED OF THE BS”, then go to BadServiceZipCodes.com.

The predictions and calculations have finally been released. The U.S. government today released a report stating that the Social Security Trust fund will be depleted by the year 2037. Subtract 65 from 2037 and you get 1972.

It doesn’t take a math genius to see that those born in the year 1972 and beyond will more than likely have no Social Security benefits to depend on. There has always been random speculation as to when this program would bankrupt itself, but today we finally have a “concrete” date.

This announcement may spark fear in many. However, let this fear drive you and not act as a hindrance.

Now more than ever is the time to get your financial house in order. Put off all of the plans for big-ticket item purchases (Homes, Cars, Vacations, etc…). Also, save and invest like a madman (or woman). You must become frugal as well.

Plan of Action:

1. Get out of Debt (Start with your small balances 1st). Don’t go back in!!

2. Put away at least 15% of your earned income or more if possible.

3. Take as many “legal” deductions as possible (Tax Planning).

4. Ignore April the 15th, you want your immediately & not once a year.

5. Pay off your mortgage. Tax writeoffs for interest paid on DEBT is Dumb Accounting.

The above principles are very basic. More will definitely need to be done. This is just a message to prepare you as to what lies ahead.

SPEC’s

Some members of the SPEC’s live in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia was voted by Forbes magazine as the “Best State for Business” for two years in a row, ‘06 and ‘07. If you are a business I would imagine this is great news and an incentive to become an entrepreneur.

However as a citizen, Virginia represents an example of Government gone TAX Mad! Look at how Virginia taxes its citizens:

1. Payroll Tax

2. Sales Tax

3. April 15th (Tax Deadline Date)

Like the SPEC’s, doesn’t this seem like a bit of overkill? Hell, it surprised many people when Governor Kaine stated that the state would have significant budget shortfalls in the near future. It didn’t seem either possible or plausible at the time of his statement.

Maybe the state spends too much, just like its Federal counterparts and U.S. consumers. The revenue comes in and immediately exits.

Just another reason to get rid of politicians, OR REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME IN SESSION!!!
SPEC’s

The SPEC’s just reviewed the movie I.O.U.S.A. featuring former Comptroller General of the United States, David Walker.

In a nutshell, Mr Walker outlines the debt levels of the government and how it will continue to grow with the current spending patterns of the federal government. The debt level of the Fed (You and I) is in the trillions, growing daily, where we pay around $500,000,000 daily in interest only.

We will not further analyze the picture, but you definitely need to rent and more importantly analyze this movie.

However, as we move into mid ‘09, we have a plan to get you out of debt, stay out of debt, and rely on Capital Reserves. Disclaimer: All members of StreetSpeculators are following these principles.

2009 SPEC’s Fiscal Plan

1. Pay off credit cards– close the accounts

2. Put into a savings account the $amounts of the previous credit card limits, save, save, save

3. Once you have saved the $amount of your previous credit card limits, continue this saving pattern

4. Mobile and Landline Phone Service (Choose One, cancel the other)

5. Pay off “Non-Returnable” debt (Car Notes, Student Loans)

6. Stock Market Investing (Buy what YOU know), give your money to “NO” Money Managers. (Remember: Bernard Madoff)

7. Do not lease cars. Buy, Pay-off, & Maintain

8. Pay off any debt encumbering your home (Mortgage, Deed of Trust, etc…)

9. Don’t go into debt for TAX Write-Offs (The absolute dumbest piece of financial advice I had ever heard)

10. FIRE YOUR ACCOUNTANT if their goal is for you to get a Tax Refund. You want your money now, not once a year.

11. Make sure everyone in your home is being productive (or Working)

12. Don’t be manipulated into giving money by Religious figures!!

Hope this helps. If you have anything additional to add, please inform us.

SPECS’s

It will happen, trust us. Don’t be surprised if you start to see public service announcements followed by new legislation at the state and federal levels of government.

The reason? The recent flooding activity that is keeping certain cities in Washington State very busy. News outlets state that the flooding is the result of warm temperatures and heavy rains, both of which melted snow that formed over the Cascade Mountains.

Question: What’s the Global Warming and Insurance Industry correlation? MONEY

Looking at photos and videos of the water damage, you can further SPECULATE that the insurance industry will have millions of dollars in claims coming due. When disasters like this occur, the industry moves and very swiftly.

These events in Washington state can easily happen in another part of the country, especially those in mountainous areas. The insurance industry is not in the business of loosing money. Their mission is to invest well and HOPE a claim never produces.

Why do you think seat-belt laws are in place? Your state and local government does not care that much about your well-being. They were probably lobbied by the insurance industry to make driving without a seat-belt a crime or some kind of municipal violation. THINK ABOUT IT? Who stands to loose the most if people don’t wear seat-belts and are in accidents? INSURANCE COMPANIES. Why? Your hospital bill (Medical expenses covered by insurance) will PROBABLY be much cheaper for a seat-belt wearer (Low probability of injury) than would people who don’t.  Just SPECULATING, but probably some truth in this.

Global Warming and flooding are no different. Water damage is extremely harmful. The usual damage includes affects items that have to be replaced instead of repaired. If replaced, the insurance companies pay a higher premium. This is because items put under an insurance policy are given a value to the company by the owner. And you know we usually put a higher value on an insured item than what it is actually worth. Plus, the value we place on the item determines the premium we pay the insurance company.

If another flooding incident similar to this occurs within the next month (Don’t forget we are in still officially in the Winter season), watch for new “Global Warming Public Service Announcements” and a renewed call to invest in alternative methods of energy.