Top Places to Relocate Outside of the United States

by Tyler on April 16, 2013

In our current economic and political climate, many Americans are worried for the future of our country. The looming specters of aggressive government regulation, currency instability, and economic crisis have led many to think carefully about their futures.

If worst comes to worst in the United States, the best option may be to find a new home in a country that respects private property and personal freedom. Fortunately, there still exists a number of potential places to relocate around the globe.

Singapore

For those interested in experiencing a new culture, Singapore is excellent option. Cost of living is higher in Singapore compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, but still competitive with the United States. The tiny nation is urban, but only a short flight or drive away from some of the world’s most beautiful beaches in the world in Thailand and Indonesia. Best of all, Singapore is an entrepreneur’s paradise.

Singapore earned second place in the Heritage Foundation’s rankings for economic freedom, meaning that the country respect’s the autonomy of the private sector and keeps taxes low. In fact, several American business leaders have moved to Singapore in recent years to lessen their tax liability.

Switzerland

Long famous for its lax banking regulation, Switzerland is one of the world’s best options for people seeking personal freedom. The country is among the most politically and economically stable in the world.

The Swiss currency is incredibly strong thanks to sound monetary policy, and the government’s general philosophy emphasizes staying out of private citizens’ business. Switzerland is also well known for its neutrality in international relations. Barring some truly incredible changes, the Swiss won’t be fighting any wars anytime soon.

Mexico

Moving to Mexico is an attractive option for many Americans, especially those who enjoy sunshine and weekends on the beach. The drug-related violence that dominates the news is largely confined in a few areas in the northern portion of the country. Most of the Pacific coast and the Yucatan are relatively free of crime and violence, and the country as a whole is generally politically stable.

Mexico’s longstanding ties with and proximity to the United States make travel across the border fairly cheap and easy. Cost of living in Mexico is much lower than in the United States, and, at least in urban areas, it’s fairly easy to get by without speaking much Spanish. That said, running a business can be difficult in Mexico.

Government corruption and strict land ownership rules make doing business difficult. However, the political climate may be improving with recent elections. Mexico remains an acceptable option for people who want to stay in close proximity to the United States.

Australia

If Texas were a country, its closest ally would likely be Australia. The massive island nation has the lowest population density of any industrialized country, with open spaces and lots of ranches. The Australians are an independent, resourceful, and self-reliant people who share many cultural values with the United States.

Like the United States, Australia is a nation of colonists who came to the country seeking personal freedom. That ethic is still visible in Australia’s social and economic policies, which emphasize personal responsibility and a belief in the private sector. The Australian dollar trades almost even with the U.S. dollar, but cost of living is generally a bit higher than in America.

Chile

Since the Pinochet regime of the 1980s, Chile has boasted the least regulated (and fastest-growing) economy in South America. Chile is still a developing country, but it’s far more advanced than most of its neighbors. Government regulation of business in Chile is minimal and the country desires economic expansion above all else. The coastline is beautiful, the climate is temperate, and the culture is surprisingly European for Spanish-speaking nation.

Although there is a leftist undercurrent in Chilean politics, the country is ranked as among the most economically free in the world by the Heritage Foundation.

Most experts like to reassure us that it’s unlikely the United States will face a true economic or political catastrophe in the near future, but there is enough risk to justify planning ahead. For Americans who believe in personal and economic freedom, there are still good options for places to relocate internationally.


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Unconventional Ways to Pay for College

by Tyler on April 14, 2013

In this changing economy, it is very beneficial to obtain a college degree.  Having a college degree will help you secure that great paying career you have always wanted. However, college is not cheap.

Most students are left with thousands of dollars of debt when they graduate college. Having so much loan debt will give you less disposable income and prevent you from purchasing a home right away.  Instead of taking out student loans, consider these unconventional ways to pay for college.

Join the Military

Joining the military will not just teach you discipline; it will also help pay your college tuition.  If you enlist in the military, you will not have to worry about having any student loan debt after college.  However, you should know that joining the military is a big commitment.  If you can’t stick it out, you should not enlist.

Work At Your College

Consider working at your college to receive a discount on your tuition.  Many colleges will offer free or low-cost tuition to students who work at the school.  For example, you can work in your college’s library or career center.  You could also consider tutoring other students who need additional help.

Ask Your Employer for Help
If you are currently employed, you should ask your employer to help you pay for college. Many employers actually offer tuition assistance, but they do not advertise it.  If you ask your employer about tuition assistance, you might be able to get up to 50 percent of your tuition paid for.
Take Your Core Classes at a Community College
You can save a lot of money on tuition costs by taking your core classes at a community college.  For the first two years, take your general requirements, such as English, math and political science, at a nearby community college.  Then, you can transfer to a more prestigious college.

As you can see, it is possible to pay for college without getting stuck with mounds of debt.  If you pay for your college tuition in an unconventional way, you can avoid debt and use your money for other things.


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Smart Investment Strategies in the Wake of Bad News

by Tyler on April 12, 2013

If there’s one thing the nightly news proves, it’s that bad things are bound to happen. Financial crisis, natural disasters, political scandals and corporate malfeasance are, regrettably, a part of life. In today’s globalized economy, bad news halfway around the world can cause rippling impacts around the world.

As a result, many investors hit the panic button every time a newsflash shows up on the television screen. But for smart investors, bad news isn’t necessarily bad.  With a little research and a keen eye, tragic events can also represent opportunity. Smart investors can use several strategies to maximize returns in tough circumstances.

Consider Countercyclical Assets

The first strategy to invest in countercyclical assets. A countercyclical asset is a holding that tends to perform better in a down economy. It sounds counter-intuitive, but many companies and industries actually expand when the rest of the economy suffers. A good example is the education sector. As companies go out of business and lay off workers, many people look for opportunities to expand their skill sets.

That’s one reason that many for-profit education companies saw their stock prices increase during the most recent recession. Precious metals like gold and silver can behave in the same way, since many investors flock to gold when they are concerned about currency instability. With a solid understanding of business cycles, investors can earn profits even in terrible economic circumstances.

Predict Demand After Natural Disasters

A second strategy, especially useful in the wake of natural disasters, is to ask what people are likely to need in the near future. In the aftermath of hurricanes, for example, regional demand for construction supplies tends to rise dramatically. People need to rebuild their homes, stores and offices. As insurance companies pay out claims, consumers buy concrete, lumber, and labor.

Natural disasters also encourage consumers in other areas to improve their own disaster preparedness. For example, when a major tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, consumers in Oklahoma started buying storm shelters. A smart investor can take advantage of the jump in demand for these goods and services.

Look Towards Cheaper, Quality Alternatives After Bad Economic News

A third strategy for investing after bad news is to look for companies offering cheaper alternatives to common products. When times are tough, people often try to cut costs in any way they can. Often, that means opting for a slightly inferior product than they might have otherwise purchased. Consumer electronics and automobile sales provide evidence for this idea. Luxury cars often lose market share in recessions, while cheap and reliable brands pick up steam.

Consumers often cannot delay buying a new car when their old one breaks down, but they can opt to buy a cheaper car. Clever investors can anticipate these changing consumer trends and reap the rewards.

Many investors think that a bad economy is a bad economy, and tend to pull out of the market altogether. The problem with that strategy is that it exposes investors to inflation risks. Savings accounts are safe, but the interest rates on even the most generous accounts can’t keep up with rising prices. A better investment strategy is to find the hidden opportunities created by bad news.


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The Great Gatsby Market, According to Cramer

by Tyler on February 19, 2013

As a member of the middle class, I can say unequivocally that it is getting harder and harder to keep up with this treadmill called working for a living.  That is, someone is at the controls making the treadmill (money printing) go faster and faster, and the harder I work, the further I fall behind.  And so it goes in the land of the currently free.

It’s hard not to feel squeezed.  In January, Uncle Sam took a 2% bite out of our paycheck.  Around that same time gas prices started to climb, and have now for 32 days straight to a national average of $3.72 a gallon.

The cost of food continues to climb, as does trips to the doctor and prescription refills and kids clothing and our power bill and the water bill.  The list goes on and on.

About the only thing not going up is our income.  Can’t blame our employers.  After all, they have to worry about Obamacare and sequestration and the fiscal cliff, that interestingly no one wants to talk about now, but was in hysterics over just two months ago.

Everything seems upside down.

Jim Cramer:  ”The is the ‘Great Gatsby’ Market”

I usually find myself arguing with Cramer, but it’s hard to argue this one.  It seems crazy that the Dow has crossed 14,000 again in the face of all this negative news.  Or maybe it doesn’t, when you consider what the 14,000 represents.  It’s like a big bag of my kids’ monopoly money scattered across the board.  But hey, when the banker has unlimited supply, and is willing to hand it out, it seems dumb not to play, right?

So we, the average consumer, watch our savings continue to erode thanks to inflation and feel an anxiety deep in the pit of our stomachs that we should be invested in the market.  Despite everything in our head telling us to stay on the sidelines, we can’t ignore that gut feeling.  We invest.  We get wiped out.  Rinse and repeat.

Maybe this time it’s different.  After all, nothing seems logical any more.  Just last week a Walmart report was leaked indicating sales there are the worst they’ve been in seven years.  During the Great Recession of 2008, Walmart and Dollar Tree did pretty well, since they were the only place people could afford to shop.  If we are to believe last week’s reports, people don’t even have money to shop there.  Sure, Walmart took the news on the chin, as did a few others in the retail space, but after a long holiday weekend the Dow is roaring again.

Michael Kors or Dollar Tree?

In a nasty economy, where do you think the big money is placing their bets.  If you said Dollar Tree you’d be wrong; logical, but wrong.  No, apparently high-end luxury retail is the place to be, because you know, when I can’t afford to fill my truck up the first stop I make is Nordstrom, or I hop on the Michael Kors website and order a $125 Polo Knit shirt.  Sure.

But Cramer wasn’t referring to people like me, or you.  Most people shopping at these high-end retailers didn’t feel the 2% decrease in their pay, because many don’t pay payroll taxes.  Sure, they pay their fair share of capital gains taxes, and taxes on investment income, but they are used to that annual hit (although it will likely steadily increase over the years).  They also don’t feel the increase in gas prices, because it represents a very minute, fractional increase to their overall spending.  So for now they can afford to keep buying Luis Vuitton purses and expensive suits.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge the wealthy.  I’m glad money is being spent somewhere.  It’s when the wealthy stop spending their money that we really have to worry.


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The 158 Guns Banned Under Feinstein’s Assault Weapons Ban of 2013

by Tyler on January 24, 2013

Senator Feinstein made good on last month’s promise to propose a new, enhanced “assault weapons” ban in the senate.  On Thursday morning, the senator, along with a parade of other politicians, law enforcement officials, and victims of various gun crimes, made their way to the podium to show support for stricter gun control laws in the form of the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.”

While the new legislation is fairly broad in terms of what types of weapons may be affected, included is a proposed ban on 150 very specific models of firearms.

I’ve taken what was essentially a screenshot of the list of banned firearms and listed them below.

Rifles

All AK types, including the following:

  • AK, AK47, AK47S, AK-74, AKM, AKS,
  • ARM
  • MAK90
  • MISR NHM90
  • NHM91
  • Rock River Arms LAR-47 SA85 SA93
  • Vector Arms AK-47
  • VEPR WASR-10, and WUM
  • IZHMASH Saiga AK
  • MAADI AK47 and ARM
  • Norinco 56S, 56S2, 84S, 86S
  • Poly Technologies AK47 and AKS

All AR types, including the following:

  • AR-10,  AR-15
  • Armalite M15 22LR Carbine
  • Armalite M15-T
  • Barrett REC7
  • Beretta AR-70
  • Bushmaster ACR
  • Bushmaster Carbon 15
  • Bushmaster MOE series
  • Bushmster XM15
  • Colt Match Target Rifles
  • Doublestar AR rifles
  • DPMS Tactical Rifles
  • Heckler & Koch MR556
  • Olympic Arms
  • Remington R-15 rifles
  • Rock River Arms LAR-15
  • Sig Sauer SIG516 rifles
  • Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles
  • Stag Arms AR rifles
  • Sturm, Ruger & Co. SR556 rifles
  • Barrett M107A1
  • Barrett M82A1
  • Beretta CX4 Storm
  • Calico Liberty Series
  • CETME Sporter
  • Daweoo K-1, K-2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100, AR 110C
  • Fabrique Nationale/FN Herstal FAL, LAR, 22 FNC, 308 Match, L1A1 Sporter, PS90, SCAR, FS2000
  • Feather Industries AT-9
  • Galil Model AR and Model ARM
  • Hi-Point Carbine
  • HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, HK-PSG-1, HK-USC
  • Kel-Tec Sub-2000, SU-16, RFB
  • SIG AMT
  • SIG PE-57
  • Sig Sauer SG 550, Sig Sauer SG 551
  • Springfield Armory SAR-48
  • Steyr AUG
  • Sturm, Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Rifle M-14/20CF

All Thompson rifles, including the following:

  • Thompson M1SB
  • Thompson  1100D
  •  Thompson T150D
  •  Thompson T1B
  •  Thompson T1B100D
  •  Thompson T1B50D
  •  Thompson T1BSB
  •  Thompson T1-C
  •  Thompson T1D
  •  Thompson T1SB
  •  Thompson T5
  •  Thompson T5100D
  •  Thompson TM1
  •  Thompson TM1C
  • UMAREX UZI Rifle
  • UZI Mini Carbine
  • UZI Model A Carbine
  • UZI Model B Carbine
  • Valmet M62S, M71S, M78
  • Vector Arms UZI Type
  • Weaver Arms Nighthawk
  • Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine

Pistols

All AK-47 types, including the following:

  • Centurion 39 AK pistol
  • Draco AK-47 pistol
  • HCR AK-47 pistol
  • IO Inc. Hellpup AK-47 pistol
  • Krinkov pistol
  • Mini Draco AK-47 pistol
  • Yugo Krebs Krink pistol

All AR-15 types, including the following:

  • American Spirit AR-15 pistol
  • Bushmaster Carbon 15 pistol
  • DoubleStar Corporation AR pistol
  • DPMS AR-15 pistol
  • Olympic Arms AR-15 pistol
  • Rock River Arms LAR 15 pistol
  • Calico Liberty pistols
  • DSA SA58 PKP FAL pistol
  • Encom MP-9, MP-45
  • Heckler & Koch model SP-89 pistol
  • Intratec AB-10, TEC-22 Scorpion, TEC-9 TEC-DC9 Kel-Tec PLR 16 pistol

The following MAC types:

  • MAC-10
  • MAC11
  • Masterpiece Arms MPA A930 Mini Pistol
  • MPA460 Pistol
  • MPA Tactical Pistol
  • MPA Mini Tactical Pistol
  • Military Armament Corp. Ingram M-11
  • Velocity Arms VMAC
  • Sig Sauer P556 pistol
  • Sites Spectre

All Thompson tyles, including the following:

  • Thompson TA510D
  • Thompson TA5

All UZI types, including:

  • Micro-UZI

Shotguns

  • Franchi LAW-12 and SPAS 12

All IZHMAS Saiga 12 types, including the following:

  • IZHMASH Saiga 12
  • IZHMASH Saiga 12S
  • IZHMASH Saiga 12S EXP-01
  • IZHMASH Saiga 12K
  • IZHMASH Saiga 12K-030
  •  IZHMASH Saiga 12K-040 Taktika
  • Streetsweeper
  • Striker 12

Belt-fed semiautomatic firearms:  All belt-fed semiautomatic firearms including TNW M2HB

Source:  Feinstein calls for banning more than 150 types of firearms during dramatic press conference (@The Daily Caller)


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