IF YOU EVER LIVED IN NJ......

New Jersey is a peninsula.Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire easternseaboard, from Maine to Florida.New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified asmetropolitan areas.New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana, Cuba.New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the US.New Jersey has the highest cost of living.New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred toas the "Diner Capital of the World."New Jersey is home to the original Mystery Pork Parts Club(no, not Spam): Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.Home to the less mysterious but the best Italian hot dogs and Italiansausage w/peppers and onions.North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world,with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square mile radius.New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride by inventorJohn P. Holland .New Jersey has 50+ resort cities & towns; some of the nation's mostfamous: Asbury Park, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, LongBranch, Cape May.New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline forwater quality control than any other seaboard state in the entirecountry.New Jersey is a leading technology & industrial state and is the largestchemical producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals.Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production(and here you thought Massachusetts?)Here's to New Jersey - the toast of the country! In 1642, the firstbrewery in America, opened in Hoboken.New Jersey rocks! The famous Les Paul invented the first solid bodyelectric guitar in Mahwah, in 1940.New Jersey is a major seaport state with the largest seaport in theUS,located in Elizabeth. Nearly 80 percent of what our nation importscomes through Elizabeth Seaport first.New Jersey is home to one of the nation's busiest airports(in Newark), Liberty International.George Washington slept here. Several important Revolutionary Warbattles were fought on New Jersey soil, led by General GeorgeWashington.The light bulb, phonograph (record player), and motion pictureprojector, were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park, NJ,laboratory.We also boast the first town ever lit by incandescent bulbs.The first seaplane was built in Keyport , NJ.The first airmail (to Chicago) was started from Keyport, NJ.The first phonograph records were made in Camden, NJNew Jersey was home to the Miss America Pageant held inAtlantic City.The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets on itsplaying board after the actual streets in Atlantic City.And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world,not to mention salt water taffy.New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside ofthe Middle East countries.The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey, in theWatchung MountainsNew Jersey has the tallest water-tower in the world. (Union, NJ!!!)New Jersey had the first medical center, in Jersey CityThe Pulaski Skyway, from Jersey City to Newark, was the first skywayhighway.NJ built the first tunnel under a river, the Hudson (The Holland Tunnel).The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ, which is also thebirthplace of Frank Sinatra.The first intercollegiate football game was played in New Brunswick in1889 (Rutgers College played Princeton).The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ,(but they're all gone now!).New Jersey is home to both of "NEW YORK'S" pro football teams!The first radio station and broadcast was in Paterson, NJ.The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ, by Maj. ThomasArmstrong.All New Jersey natives: Sal Martorano, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen,
Bon Jovi, Jason Alexander, Queen Latifah, Susan Sarandon,Connie Francis, Shaq, Judy Blume, Aaron Burr, Joan Robertson, Ken Kross,Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, Budd Abbott, Lou Costello, Alan Ginsberg,Norman Mailer, Marilynn McCoo, Flip Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, ZackBraff Whitney Houston, Eddie Money, Linda McElroy, Eileen Donnelly,
Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Walt Whitman, Jerry Lewis, Tom Cruise,
Joyce Kilmer, Bruce Willis, Caesar Romero, Lauren Hill, Ice-T, Nick Adams,
Nathan Lane, Sandra Dee, Danny DeVito, Richard Conti, Joe Pesci,
Joe Piscopo, Joe DePasquale, Robert Blake, John Forsythe, Meryl Streep,
Loretta Swit , Norman Lloyd, Paul Simon, Jerry Herman , Gorden McCrae,
Kevin Spacey, John Travolta, Phyllis Newman, Anne Morrow Lindbergh,
Eva Marie Saint, Elisabeth Shue, Zebulon Pike, James Fennimore Cooper,
Admiral Wm.Halsey,Jr.,Norman Schwarzkopf, Dave Thomas (Wendy's),William Carlos Williams, Ray Liotta, Robert Wuhl, Bob Reyers, PaulRobeson, Ernie Kovacs, Joseph Macchia, Kelly Ripa, and, of course,Francis Albert Sinatra and "Uncle Floyd" Vivino.The Great Falls in Paterson, on the Passaic River, is the 2nd highestwaterfall on the East Coast of the US. You know you're from Jersey when . .. You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges." You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags. A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter. You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven. You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk at 3 A.M. You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.. At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and You know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from. You know what a "jug handle" is. You know t hat Wawa is a convenience store. You know that the state isn't all farmland. You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the shore--and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." And when you are there, you're not "at the shore"; you are "down the shore." You know how to properly negotiate a circle.. You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving. You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (try . . Mexico . . . York ..! . . Hampshire-- doesn't work, does it?). You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich. You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege. You don't think "What exit?" is very funny. You know that people from the 609 area code are "a little different." Yes they are! You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton--that's for out-of-staters. The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar. You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls. You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers. Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony. You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos opening credits. You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall. You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from South Jersey go to Wildwood. It can be no other way. You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in either North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey. You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state. You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Channel, Bamberger's and Orbach's. You also remember Palisades Amusement Park. You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries. You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February. And finally . . You NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER pump your own gas.

Like nowhere else.

ExplanationFor Conservatism

FATHER/DAUGHTER A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be very liberal, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth. She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch conservative, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his. One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school. Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying. Her father listened and then asked, “How is your friend Audrey doing?” She replied, “Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.” Her wise father asked his daughter, “Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.” The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, “That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!” The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, “Welcome to the conservative side of the fence.” If anyone has a better explanation of the difference between conservative and liberal or progressive or neocon I'm all ears.

VERY Helpful Do you know the difference between http and https?

Do you know the difference between http and https? Don't know how many of you are aware of this difference, but it is worthsending to any that do not. The main difference between http:// and https:// is.... It's all aboutkeeping you secure!! HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol... The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure". If you visit a website orwebpage, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely beginwith the following: http://. This means that the website is talking to yourbrowser using the regular unsecured language. In other words, it is possiblefor someone to "eavesdrop" on your computer's conversation with the website.If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information yousend to that site. This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an http://website! But if the web address begins with https://, that basically means yourcomputer is talking to the website in a secure code that no one caneavesdrop on. You understand why this is so important, right? If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you shouldautomatically look to see if the web address begins with https://. If it doesn't, you should NEVER enter sensitive information....such as acredit card number.
PASS IT ON (You may save someone a lot of grief).

The Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Hardwood Floors

The Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Hardwood Floors

home repair cost - dont get ripped off!!!

Found this awesome site that offered something very valuable to you and your buyers!
Compliments of http://www.homeinspectorlocator.com


Home repair, dont get ripped off!

Install conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles $1.25 - $2 / sq. ft.
Strip and re-shingle with conventional shingles $2 - $3 / sq. ft
Strip and re-roof with cedar shingles $5 - $7 per sq. ft.
Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof $4 - $6 / sq. ft.
Strip and replace single-ply membrane $4 - 6 / sq. ft.
Reflash typical chimney $300 - $500
Reflash typical skylight $300 - $500
Rebuild typical chimney above roof line $100-$200 / lin. ft.
Repoint typical chimney above roof line $20-$30 / row
Exterior Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts $3 - $5 / lin. ft.
Soffits - Fascias - Repointing - Water Proofing
Install aluminum soffits and fascia $8 - $12 / lin. ft
Install aluminum or vinyl siding $3 - $4.50 / sq. ft.
Repoint exterior wall (soft mortar) $3 - 4.50 / sq. ft
Repoint exterior wall (hard mortar) $6 - $8 / sq. ft.
Parge foundation walls $3 - $4 / sq. ft.
Damp proof foundation walls and install weeping tile $60-$120 / lin. ft.
Garages - Decks - Retaining Walls - Foundation
Install a deck $12- $20 / sq. ft.
Rebuild exterior basement stairwell $3500 - $5000
Build detached garage(single) $8000 and up
Build detached garage (double) $12000 and up
Build retaining wall (wood) $20 - $25 /sq. ft.
Build retaining wall (concrete) $30 - $40 / sq. ft.
Structure Underpin one corner of house $3500 and up
Underpin or add foundations $300 + /lin. ft.
Lower basement floor by underpinning and/or bench footings $150-$300 / lin. ft.
Replace deteriorating sill beam with concrete $60 and up/ lin. ft.
Install basement support post with proper foundation $200 - $400
Perform chemical treatment for termites $500 and up
Repair minor crack in poured concrete foundation $400 - $800
Electric Repairs - Upgrades
Electrical Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps $1200-1800
Upgrade electrical service to 200 amps $1500 - $2000
Install new circuit breaker panel $500 - $700
Add 120 volt circuit $150 - $250
Add 240 volt circuit $250 - $350
Add conventional receptacle $75 - $150
Replace conventional receptacle with ground fault circuit receptacle $60 - $90
Rewire electrical outlet with reversed polarity
(assuming electrician already there) $5 - $10 ea.
Install conventional alarm system fire- burg $1000 and up
Heating Systems - Air Conditioning
Heating install mid-efficiency forced-air furnace $1700 - $2500
Install high-efficiency forced-air furnace $2500 - $3500
Install drum-type humidifier $200 - $300
Install electronic air filter $500 - $800
Install mid-efficiency boiler $2500 - $4000
Install high-efficiency boiler $5000 - $9000
Rebuild firepot (refractory) on boiler $500 - $800
Install circulating pump $400 - $600
Install chimney liner $300 - $700
Install set-back thermostat $100 - $300
Remove oil tank from basement $200 - $400
Remove abandoned underground oil tank $3500 and up
Replace radiator valve $75 - $150
Add electric baseboard heater $150 - $250
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (cape) $8000 - $10000
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (two story) $15000 - $20000
Clean ductwork $250 and up
Cooling/Heat Pumps Add central air conditioning on existing forced-air system $2000-$3000
Add heat pump to forced-air system $3000-$4000
Replace heat pump or air conditioning compressor $800 - $1400
Install independent air conditioning system $8000 - $15000
Insulation
Insulation Insulate open attic to modern standards $1 - $1.50 / sq. ft.
Blow insulation into flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavity $2 - $3.50 /sq. ft.
Improve attic ventilation $40 - $50 per vent
Plumbing
Plumbing Replace galvanized piping with copper (2 story with one bathroom) $2000 - $2500
Replace water line to house $1500 - $3500
Replace toilet $300 and up
Replace basin $200 and up
Replace bathtub, including ceramic tile $1500 and up
Install whirlpool bath $3000 and up
Retile bathtub enclosure $800 - $1200
Replace leaking shower stall pan $1000 - $1600
Rebuild tile shower stall $1500 - $2500
Replace laundry tubs $250 - $500
Remodel four-piece bathroom completely $6000 and up
Connect waste plumbing system to municipal sewers $3000 and up
Install submersible pump $800 and up
Install suction or jet pump $400 - $600
Install modest basement bathroom $4000 and up
Carpentry - Finish Work
Sand and refinish hardwood floors $1.50 - $3 /sq. ft.
Interior add drywall over plaster $1.50-$2.50 /sq. ft
Install replacement windows $200 - $400 ea
Install storm windows $75 - $200 ea.
Install skylight $500 and up
Remodel kitchen completely $8000 and up
Painting (trim only) $1500 - $2500
Painting (trim and wall surfaces) $3000 and up
Fireplaces - Stoves
Repoint chimney (2 story) $700 and up
Convert coal-burning fireplace to wood-burning unit $800 and up
Install masonry fireplace (if flue already roughed - in ) $2000 and up
Install zero-clearance fireplace (including chimney) $2500 and up
Install glass doors on fireplace $300 and up
Install gas Incert into existing fireplace $2500 and up

Cleaning Techniques

How many of these did YOU know about?
A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide aknife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. (Hmmmmmm..)
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Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

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For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: Get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (Wish I had known this for the last 40 years!).

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To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.

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Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).

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Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops. (Like store receipt BLUE!) Rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

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Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throwaway rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'' this way!

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Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! (Now, where to put the body?) LOL

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Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

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Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.

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Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

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Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3hours prior to burning.

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To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add theflowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirtand leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

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To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bringto a boil on stove top.

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Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

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Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

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When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

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Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

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Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for futureuse in casseroles and sauces ... LEFT OVER WINE, who writes this stuff

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To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

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Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line.. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

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Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

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When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting totweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, andthen pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

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Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer... Clean a toilet.Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China.

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Clean a vase.To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

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Polish jewelry.Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

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Clean a thermos bottle.Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

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Unclog a drain.Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar.. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

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Do your friends a favor. Pass this timely (and some not-so-timely)information! I just did. Makes you wonder about ingesting Alka Seltzer, doesn't it?

Is Our FinancialFuture Bleek????

http://news.goldseek.com/InternationalForecaster/1276702085.php

International Forecaster June 2010 (#5) - Gold, Silver, Economy + MoreBy: Bob Chapman, The International Forecaster
-- Posted Wednesday, 16 June 2010 Digg This Article
Share this article Source: GoldSeek.com
The following are some snippets from the most recent issue of the International Forecaster. For the full 26 page issue, please see subscription information below.
US MARKETS
Were it not for the Federal Reserves purchase of Treasury and Agency bonds the US would already be unable to raise funds to service debt and issue new debt, and it would already have descended into national bankruptcy. It is no wonder the Fed does not want to be audited. Through various artifices the Fed has been purchasing US treasury paper. No one knows how much, because when asked the Fed says it is a state secret. That is what all Americans love. A country run in secrecy. A privately owned corporation operating under the cover of secrecy, and protected by a Treasury Department, that is under the control of the Fed’s owners. How is that for an incestuous relationship?

Government is desperately searching for more revenue to cover its massive deficit spending and to service existing mandatory programs. Taxes are being increased; some 19 new taxes, in the recently passed medical reform legislation. Unfortunately this isn’t enough. Of course, there is never enough.

As a result, as we pointed out recently, government has been eying retirement plans as a source of funding. The arm-twisting has been going on for some six months to make managers of retirement funds to purchase US Treasuries and Agency bonds. This is to provide a delaying action as the dollar begins to play second fiddle to gold as the only real currency. In addition, foreign central governments, which own well over $3 trillion of these debt instruments, hope that the US is serious about protecting the functioning of government. Accessing retirement plans will be an integral part of extending solvency to buy more time for Wall Street, banking and government. Of course there is nothing our purchased Congress won’t pass to stay in office.

Thus it has been decided behind the scenes to eventually confiscate the $15 trillion in private retirement funds. The only thing those who control government haven’t quite figured out yet is exactly how to confiscate what little wealth you have left. These plans were in construction in the early 1990s with funding from the Rockefellers. In 1991, plans were presented to create a mandatory pension system to be funded by a one-time 15% tax on retirement assets and a continuing tax of 15% on retirement income. Those plans had to be put on the shelf, because they were not politically acceptable at the time and passage was not possible. Today there are more aggressive plans in the works and if we do not unseat most of the incumbents in November’s election you will see passage of such legislation over the next two years.

Tax revenues are plunging due to high unemployment and the justification is there to present such legislation, as government spending reaches unbelievable levels. New methods, no matter how unpalatable have to be found to feed this devouring money monster.

In 2007 ideas were submitted to a congressional subcommittee by Thresa Ghilarducci who was director for the far, far, left at the New School for Social Research. Her idea, of course, was to make sure retirement would be available for millions who never bothered to save a cent and her solution was to confiscate the assets of those who did save. A program that would have made Marx and Lenin very happy. Her plan was to tax workers of 5% of their gross income. The eventual payout would be based on government’s bogus CPI, which has been screwing retirees under COLA for the past 30 years. As any intelligent person knows the government is already broke and can never pay off its debt, thus the funds would be used to pay down existing debt. That would go for any plan the government puts together. Since then we have seen other approaches, such as mandatory plans, voluntary plans, but they all end up stealing your retirement. As we said last week now is the time to start phasing out of these plans, such as IRAs. In order to overcome the tax and possible penalties you might phase out over 2 or 3 years. If you have any questions contact us and we will try to be of assistance.

There could be legislation to end further tax deductions in effect ending all plans for the future in order to being in immediate tax revenues, or a voluntary plan where a percentage of your plan could be traded for a government annuity, which would not be worth the paper it is written on. It is coming no matter what form it takes. The people who control government know this has to be done to keep the economy afloat. This is just another form of fascist nationalization. It may be sold to Americans’ as bonds lose their AAA status, or an attack on the Fed or the Treasury, or another war, or a complete economic collapse. It could be a false flag event, or World War III. Take your pick, but it is coming. The brainwashed public in worry and fear can be convinced of anything. These events could spark a move to add taxes or penalties justified by such events. Those in plans they cannot exit are just plain screwed, unless they quit their jobs, take the funds and buy gold and silver related assets.

Discussions are in progress to relieve you of your wealth. They have already destroyed the real estate market. The stock market will be next to fall followed by bonds. You have to begin exiting now before the rules become more onerous. In fact, such events will force workers to jump at the chance for a worthless government program. Fortunately you will already be out and into gold and silver assets. If you do not begin your exit now you will be plundered by government. We might add that in the process of the stock and bond market falling there will be a consolidation and nationalization of banks, so immediately exit CDs. Those lower values in stocks and bonds will lower the value of cash value life insurance policies and annuities, which also should be terminated while you still have time to do so. Whether we like it or not, this is to be a total takedown. If you think moving assets offshore, forget it, unless you are willing to live in that new country and become a citizen. The US has agreements with many countries already to access the assets of US citizens. Why do you think the number of Americans renouncing citizenship is growing in leaps and bounds? There are some savvy people who are able to escape and are doing so. Now is the time to act. He who hesitates is lost.

The foregoing events lead us to other manifestations of trouble, real trouble. For the past four years all currencies have fallen versus gold and silver. The US dollar has been falling for 11 years versus gold and silver. What gold is telling you is that the US, UK and European financial systems are on the way to collapse. The cover-up cannot go on and all the players know that. They are all living in the theater of the absurd. What politicians in all these countries are doing is what they are being told to do. If they do not do what they are told they will never hold public office or be a bureaucrat again. If what they do is serious enough they will be liquidated. What is happening financially, fiscally and monetarily is unnatural. There is absolutely no way the system can be fixed. If these politicians and their handlers believe this they are doomed. They have pulled this hundreds of times and each time they have been unsuccessful. This time will be a disaster for the Illuminists due to the Internet and talk radio. This time they will escape nothing. We live in a decadent, immoral financial system that has to fall. In this sort of environment only gold and silver can protect your assets.

It wasn’t too long ago we lived under socialism; today it is fascism. Those socialist states have built on massive borrowing to bring about a now broken state. Like Europe, which is dead, America will soon be just as dead. The only changes we will see after a total collapse. What is good about that is that the illuminists will lose and we will win. Then come the civil and criminal trails to convict and relieve these people of their wealth and lives. The reign of the parasites will be over. Those controlling our president, Congress and the Fed want to bring America down to the socialist European model. Worse yet, all the players believe they are above the law, that is banking, Wall Street, transnational conglomerates and, of course, our government servants. Fortunately, we have taken a bit of their arrogance away over the past couple of years. Recent comments by a number of Illuminists have led us to believe we have them on the run. That is not enough. They are going to fight back with everything they have and we must be ready for the challenge. The battle is just now being undertaken finally.

My friends have too much time!!!!

A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see from her nameplate that her name is Patricia Whack."Miss Whack, I'd like to get a $30,000 loan to take a holiday."Patty looks at the frog in disbelief and asks his name. The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that it's okay, he knows the bank manager.Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral.The frog says, "Sure. I have this," and produces a tiny porcelain elephant, about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed.Very confused, Patty explains that she'll have to consult with the bank manager and disappears into a back office.She finds the manager and says, "There's a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000, and he wants to use this as collateral."She holds up the tiny pink elephant. "I mean, what in the world is this?"The bank manager looks back at her and says..."It's a knickknack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan, His old man's a Rolling Stone."

Is this how you feel about your morgage payments???

Maybe its time to sell! Give us a call for a free property evaluation

Transaction Brokers!!!!! vs Full Service Brokers (written by Audrey Dooley)

Transaction Brokers!!!!! vs Full Service Brokers

We would like to explain the difference of the above two brokers. At the moment there is an outfit actually, many outfits that encourage you the homeowner to list your home for a certain fee (paid up front) in order for your details to be posted on the Multiple Listing Service of your area. This practice is so out of touch with the realities of sales that it is a shame that using a transaction broker you the seller are hoodwinked into thinking you have the same chance of selling as your neighbor that listed with a full service broker.Selling your home is a very complicated thing!!!First, you would hope that everyone looking at your home is actually being represented by an agent, if not just for the fact of qualifying that buyer. The agent showing the home will have already spoken to the listing agent and got some feedback as to how motivated you the seller are. The full service agent can talk to the buyer, spend some time with the buyer and ask questions of the buyer so as to determine if you the seller will ever get to the closing table with this buyer. Using a full service broker cuts out all the time wasters, the bargain hunters,the low ballers and the buyers that can tie you up for weeks with an uncertain contract, with uncertain terms. What about the deposit? Who is going to hold the money and who is going to walk through the inspections with the buyer and negotiate or broker the repair list. Research has proven that most buyers begin their search on the internet but the majority of buyers end their search and use a Realtor for their offer and purchase. The full service Realtor can ensure that the seller is getting fair market value, not by using towns assessments but under contract prices and recent sales. The full service Realtor can also prepare the buyer for unseen problems/help and negotiate certain items for repair and ensure that repairs are completed before closing/or obtain a fair credit at closing.Afte you have seen a home in your desired neghborhood, WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CALL, A REALTOR OF COURSE!!!

Staging or making enemies????

I am an artist at heart. So I'm more drawn to "decorating" rather then staging. However, I understand and have been professionally taught how to reach a homes maximum potential for price and sale by staging appropriately. And I must admit that I am amazing at it. You can say anything bad about me that you want as I tell others in a joking way -but you can never say I'm not fabulous cook, artist and I can really, really, really stage a home....

Thanks to shows like HGTV, many sellers are now aware of the concept and its important to know that it originated in California- and if you are selling there, you wouldn't consider not staging(both selling and staging go hand in hand).

What makes me good at staging? First and foremost I am an artist. My hobbies are painting , sculpting, refinishing furniture and creating. It actually goes as far back as my days as a dorm student at Niagara University. An artist needs to wake and surround herself to beauty. So needless to say I had a challenge as a broke college student. But I met that challenge with desire and creativity. I would "garbage shop"(rummage through people's garbage), paint, recreate and next thing I knew people were actually offering to buy my recreations.

Fortunately I have created a great lifestyle now and can actually buy my art and furniture at my discretion, but I have to admit I love to estate sale shop (Kottage to Castle-NJ a great find!) and find "pet projects" although my husband gets quite upset when I buy anything "used" or damaged". My reply is beauty is in the eye of the beholder - my eyes....and I can make anything beautiful. Which brings me back to the point of this blog.

Staging is NOT about decorating. I just staged a home this past Saturday. Because it requires me to remove emotional items from the owners eye it becomes challenging. I'm not there to insult your taste in design. As a matter of fact the home that I staged this Saturday did not need to be decorated and if they were selling it with furnishings, we could have left it as is. The point of staging is to create a visual palette for others to imagine the placement of their own furnishings. We are selling a house, not a home and its square footage. Do do so we need to "empty" all unnecessary items. And this scares many folks. I try to convince them that this just gives them a head start on the packing process, but regardless its personal to see someone attack their style and belongings and hard on the stager many times.

So now I've taken on a new job. Virtual staging. Id like to say its easier, but its not. Graphic design requires time and patience. To make a photo "perfectly enhanced" you are talking hours of labor. But I've gotten it to where I can highlight and draw attention within a reasonable time. You can see some examples at http://njtopbroker.com/virtualstaging.html. But unless I'm being paid by the hour rather then doing this in good faith and as a courtesy , you wont see perfection - but you will see results; and that's what this is all about!

A few tips on staging yourself....

remove anything that insinuates illness (diabetes reminders on kitchen fridge e.g., needle boxes) - people insinuate this as a taboo or actually feel guilty about taking a home from a sick person

remove religious items - another taboo to some unfortunately

remove any and all signs of pets

empty all surface and clear corners- this makes rooms look larger

remove dying, dead and artificial plants

find focal points of each room and highlight them by removing competing objects

In closing as boring as this may sound - Keep it plain, boring and bland. Many buyers don't have imaginations so we need to create a bland surrounding to help them out. Your style will only compete with their intentions!

For your kids...Good Stuff, written by a teacher (friend)

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it! Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both. Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity. Rule 6: If you mess up,it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them. Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room. Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life. Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time. Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs. Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one. If you agree, pass it on. If you can read this -Thank a teacher!

Hello My Friends!!!!! HAPPY SPRING

When a realtor thinks of spring - two words come to mind. BUY, and SELL. This is the hottest time of the year for real estate transactions for several reasons. Timing - enough time to seek the perfect home and register children for schools in September, Weather- its far more comfortable unloading boxes in sunshine rather then snow. Lord knows we got enough this year here in New Jersey. Statistically speaking your chances during this time of getting the highest amount for your home exists as a seller and as a buyer the options for selection are greatly improved. It couldn't be worded better " Now is the time, Now is the BEST time".

On another note I would like to add that we have now added a new dimension to our marketing strategy called "virtual staging". Although we highly recommend reality staging, and of course offer it to our clients free of charge, we also understand that some people prefer not to do so. In this case- our computers accessing adobe photoshop recreate pictures of your home clutter free. We pride ourselves on going that extra mile to make your real estate transactions a great experience.

Hopefully as well, your reading this newsletter in time to quickly find that perfect home and go under contract by the end of April to take advantage of the tax and first home buyer incentives that I've discussed prior in the past letters. Call me any time to discuss this further in detail.

Enjoy this fabulous weather,the upcoming Holidays, the sunshine and all that Spring has to offer. I myself am off to a parade with my Springer spaniel and cocker- they too enjoy the sunshine!Love, Peace & Sunshine,

James & Christine Madalone

The James Madalone Realty Group
(908)963-8470/(908)754-1587
http://www.njtopbroker.com/
http://www.jamesmadalone.com/

Universal Health Care - interesting stats !

Investor's Business Daily" article provided very interesting statistics from a survey by the United Nations International Health Organization.
Percentage of men and women who survived a cancer five years after diagnosis:U.S. 65 % England 46%Canada 42%Percentage of patients diagnosed with diabetes who received treatment within six months:U.S. 93%England 15%Canada 43%Percentage of seniors needing hip replacement who received it within six months:U.S. 90%England 15%Canada 43%Percentage referred to a medical specialist who see one within one month:U.S. 77%England 40%Canada 43%Number of MRI scanners (a prime diagnostic tool) per million people:U.S. 71England 14Canada 18Percentage of seniors (65+), with low income, who say they are in "excellent health":U.S. 12%England 2%Canada 6%I don't know about you, but I don't want "Universal Healthcare" comparable to England or Canada .
Moreover, it was Sen. Harry Reid who said, "Elderly Americans must learn to accept the inconveniences of old age."He is "elderly" himself but be sure to remember his health insurance is different from yours as Congress has their own high-end coverage! He will never have to learn to accept "inconveniences

Feng Shui -Finding true happiness......

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much. NINE... Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

LET AUDREY ASSIST IN YOUR NJ PURCHASE

AUDREY DOOLEY - REAL ESTATE BROKER/SPECIALISTAudrey has had alot of experience in relocating people from all walks of life. For over 20 years Audrey has helped executives from such companies as ATT,Verizon,Pharmacia,Merck,Schering,Chub find apartments,condos and homes for their employees. Audrey is a certified relocation agent and has helped hundreds of people settle into the state or the country!While moving and accepting a new job most of you will be totally overwhelmed with the daunting task of not only fitting in with your new environment at work, meeting new people,impressing the boss with possible long hours initially but to also find a neighborhood, a safe environment to come home to, an affordable place to rent or buy and not have to worry if you are making the right decision. Thats where Audrey comes in.Audrey will find out what your budget is and run with it. She will drive around neighborhoods, look into affordable and competitive condos, homes,and scout out great places for you to buy or rent. It is a full time job keeping up with the inventory especially in Somerset, Union,Hunterdon Counties where the living is not cheap and the availability not large Audrey is the expert in finding the right place and the right time for the busy,pre-occupied executive.There is a huge turnover here 40 mins from Manhatten, with various train lines,express bus routes,park and rides to the city, if you are looking for real estate the very best thing (and the best kept secret) is to get hold of a Realtor that knows the area, one that not only knows whats on line but also knows all the for sale by owners so she can give you a fast,complete analysis of the task at hand so you the consumer can make the most educated decision on your housing needs.Call AUDREY DOOLEY - SHE WILL TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY (908) 334-4664