| He has learned to sell in lot of languages... |
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Real Life "Slumdog Millionaire" - Amazing Street Kid from India
Posted on 20:08 by Unknown
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Are We Heading For A Depression?
Posted on 20:28 by Unknown
Yesterday, I came across a very interesting blog called MikeKane2008. It was started in January of last year, and ended in December.
The author, Mike Kane, is basically one of those who feels we are on the verge of a serious depression. Like James Sloman, he feels that the global derivative bubble reached around $1 quadrillion at its peak. This is $1,000 trillion - which means (according to Sloman) that the bailouts are "like trying to put out a fire with a teaspoon of water."
It's interesting because he also thinks like I do - that bailing out the banks is a waste of time and money. Something must be done about the debt that is at the bottom of this mess.
Mike's solution, however, is radical. He quotes from the Bible, Deuteronomy 15: 1-11
At the end of every seventh year, cancel all debts. This is the procedure: Everyone who has lent money to a neighbor writes it off. You must not press your neighbor or his brother for payment: All-Debts-Are-Canceled—God say so...
Mike thinks the only solution to prevent a chaotic collapse is for ALL debt in the world to be forgiven, to give the global economy a fresh start.
My solution was requiring as many mortgages in danger of failure to be refinanced into longer terms - as much as 50, 60, or even 100 years - to make payments affordable.
Chances are, most of these long term mortgages will end up being paid off sometime in the next 20 years anyway.
As far as depressions go, I'm still cautiously optimistic that we will avoid one, but I am not as confident as I was maybe a few weeks ago. For now, I just want to hunker down, hold on to my job, and stick with my Stock Trading Riches system, because it wins through defense and feeds off down markets.
The author, Mike Kane, is basically one of those who feels we are on the verge of a serious depression. Like James Sloman, he feels that the global derivative bubble reached around $1 quadrillion at its peak. This is $1,000 trillion - which means (according to Sloman) that the bailouts are "like trying to put out a fire with a teaspoon of water."
It's interesting because he also thinks like I do - that bailing out the banks is a waste of time and money. Something must be done about the debt that is at the bottom of this mess.
Mike's solution, however, is radical. He quotes from the Bible, Deuteronomy 15: 1-11
At the end of every seventh year, cancel all debts. This is the procedure: Everyone who has lent money to a neighbor writes it off. You must not press your neighbor or his brother for payment: All-Debts-Are-Canceled—God say so...
Mike thinks the only solution to prevent a chaotic collapse is for ALL debt in the world to be forgiven, to give the global economy a fresh start.
My solution was requiring as many mortgages in danger of failure to be refinanced into longer terms - as much as 50, 60, or even 100 years - to make payments affordable.
Chances are, most of these long term mortgages will end up being paid off sometime in the next 20 years anyway.
As far as depressions go, I'm still cautiously optimistic that we will avoid one, but I am not as confident as I was maybe a few weeks ago. For now, I just want to hunker down, hold on to my job, and stick with my Stock Trading Riches system, because it wins through defense and feeds off down markets.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Wayne Allen Root's Economic Stimulus Plan
Posted on 20:19 by Unknown
Robert Ringer included a guest post from Wayne Allen Root, last year's Libertarian vice presidential candidate.
The post highlights what Root would do about the economy:
1. One year income tax vacation for all Americans.
2. Phasing out capital gains taxes over a 5 year holding period.
3. No taxes on capital gains, interest, and dividends for Americans over 55.
4. A business tax cut.
5. No taxes on the sale of one's principal residence.
6. $7500 tax credit for employers who hire a worker.
7. After the tax vacation, institute a reverse flat tax.
The post highlights what Root would do about the economy:
1. One year income tax vacation for all Americans.
2. Phasing out capital gains taxes over a 5 year holding period.
3. No taxes on capital gains, interest, and dividends for Americans over 55.
4. A business tax cut.
5. No taxes on the sale of one's principal residence.
6. $7500 tax credit for employers who hire a worker.
7. After the tax vacation, institute a reverse flat tax.
Global Guerrillas
Posted on 15:26 by Unknown
Interesting blog about "Networked tribes, systems disruption, and the emerging bazaar of violence. Resilient Communities, decentralized platforms, and self-organizing futures".
Here's How to Do Viral Marketing...
Posted on 08:24 by Unknown
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Copy Writing for Landing Pages and Websites
Posted on 15:54 by Unknown
Web marketing expert David Meerman Scott says that you have to remember that "Buyers don't care about your products, they care about themselves and their problems."
So you have to write for them, not for you.
So you have to write for them, not for you.
Simple, Elegant Solution to the Mortgage Crisis?
Posted on 09:17 by Unknown
So far, throwing billions of dollars at major banks like Citigroup does not seem to be working.
This is because mortgages are continuing to default, causing the bank's mortgage backed derivatives to deteriorate further.
I wonder if we can't solve this problem elegantly, without spending any more money.
Why can't the government stop foreclosures by requiring the banks to rework mortgages with variable terms?
A variable-rate mortgage is where the rates change, depending on the interest rate.
Instead, why can't the banks work with individual homeowners and simply change the terms until they reduce the monthly payment to something the homeowner can afford?
For example, change the term from 30 years to 40, 50, 60. Heck, even go out to 100 year mortgages in some cases, if needed.
You could argue that the homeowner would not live long enough to pay off a 100 year mortgage, but the point is this would be a mathematical abstraction to keep the homeowner in the house, and stabilize the mortgages underlying the derivatives.
Chances are, these long term mortgages, like all mortgages, will end up getting paid off within 20 years when the owners refinance or move.
This is because mortgages are continuing to default, causing the bank's mortgage backed derivatives to deteriorate further.
I wonder if we can't solve this problem elegantly, without spending any more money.
Why can't the government stop foreclosures by requiring the banks to rework mortgages with variable terms?
A variable-rate mortgage is where the rates change, depending on the interest rate.
Instead, why can't the banks work with individual homeowners and simply change the terms until they reduce the monthly payment to something the homeowner can afford?
For example, change the term from 30 years to 40, 50, 60. Heck, even go out to 100 year mortgages in some cases, if needed.
You could argue that the homeowner would not live long enough to pay off a 100 year mortgage, but the point is this would be a mathematical abstraction to keep the homeowner in the house, and stabilize the mortgages underlying the derivatives.
Chances are, these long term mortgages, like all mortgages, will end up getting paid off within 20 years when the owners refinance or move.
How To Understand The Stimulus Bill
Posted on 07:50 by Unknown
| Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?" the professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you." The student agreed. at the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool. They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, "First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can." The student did as he was instructed. The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told. The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool. The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?" The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper. The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough. However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student finally replied, "All we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been truly productive action!" The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, "Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill." |
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Bollywood Dancing is the New Fitness Craze
Posted on 08:23 by Unknown
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Interview with of Leo Babauta of Zenhabits.net
Posted on 14:20 by Unknown
Zenhabits.net is one of the top 100 blogs. It's filled with great advice about simplicity, frugality, success, etc.
A blog called New-Web-Business.com did an enlightening interview with Babauta about his success.
Some highlights:
1. When he gets stressed, he remembers to focus on one thing at a time.
2. "The Secret" can work because, if you really believe in something, want it, and visualize it, you can achieve it. But the next key is action. "There is no cosmic force - you have to take action.
3. Secrets to success in blogging are great content, interacting with readers through comments and emails, and writing guest articles on other blogs.
4. Reduce writer's block by always having a list of ideas for articles.
A blog called New-Web-Business.com did an enlightening interview with Babauta about his success.
Some highlights:
1. When he gets stressed, he remembers to focus on one thing at a time.
2. "The Secret" can work because, if you really believe in something, want it, and visualize it, you can achieve it. But the next key is action. "There is no cosmic force - you have to take action.
3. Secrets to success in blogging are great content, interacting with readers through comments and emails, and writing guest articles on other blogs.
4. Reduce writer's block by always having a list of ideas for articles.
Value of A Small Passive Income Stream
Posted on 12:43 by Unknown
Monevator is a motivational blog for armchair investors.
It has a good article on Why a little passive income from a side project is worth a lot more than you think.
If your project "only" makes you $5 a day, that is $1,865 per year. But, at an
interest rate of 3%, this is like having more than $60,000 in the bank!
If you create a "set it and forget it" project, and it only trickles in a little bit of money, don't be discouraged. Just work on setting up more of them.
It has a good article on Why a little passive income from a side project is worth a lot more than you think.
If your project "only" makes you $5 a day, that is $1,865 per year. But, at an
interest rate of 3%, this is like having more than $60,000 in the bank!
If you create a "set it and forget it" project, and it only trickles in a little bit of money, don't be discouraged. Just work on setting up more of them.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Automakers are Also Learning That Less is More
Posted on 21:13 by Unknown
I saw an article on Yahoo today that U.S. automakers are starting to learn another lesson from the Japanese - offer less options.
The article mentions that:
A buyer of the 2008 Ford Fusion could choose from the various models and extra features available and come up with 2,600 combinations. For the 2010 version due in showrooms this summer, the number drops to 104.
By comparison, the two best selling cars, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, just offer a total of 15 versions between them.
The Japanese automakers, especially Honda, work to keep things simple - it keeps costs down, doesn't confuse the customer, and allows them to spend less time in the dealership.
The article mentions that:
A buyer of the 2008 Ford Fusion could choose from the various models and extra features available and come up with 2,600 combinations. For the 2010 version due in showrooms this summer, the number drops to 104.
By comparison, the two best selling cars, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, just offer a total of 15 versions between them.
The Japanese automakers, especially Honda, work to keep things simple - it keeps costs down, doesn't confuse the customer, and allows them to spend less time in the dealership.
Marketing Value of a Publicist
Posted on 21:06 by Unknown
A couple of weeks ago, the Chicago Tribune had an interview with Gilbert Gottfried.
He is the comedian with the screeching voice from the "Problem Child" movies who plays the Aflac Duck and played Iago the parrot on Disney's "Aladdin".
Anyway, since I'm into internet marketing these days, the part of the interview I
found most interesting was that the Tribune writer said that Gottfried was in town to
do some comedy clubs and his publicist mailed them, asking if they wanted to chat with him over lunch.
It shows that even stars need to keep marketing and working the press.
He is the comedian with the screeching voice from the "Problem Child" movies who plays the Aflac Duck and played Iago the parrot on Disney's "Aladdin".
Anyway, since I'm into internet marketing these days, the part of the interview I
found most interesting was that the Tribune writer said that Gottfried was in town to
do some comedy clubs and his publicist mailed them, asking if they wanted to chat with him over lunch.
It shows that even stars need to keep marketing and working the press.
Monday, 9 February 2009
Changes to My Blog and Business Model
Posted on 13:13 by Unknown
If this is not your first visit to my blog, you might have noticed some changes:
1. The blog has been renamed from "My Simple Trading System" to Praveen Puri (my name).
2. There are fewer links and no Adsense.
3. I've adopted a one column, minimalist design.
4. There is tighter coupling with my simplicity blog and Stock Trading Riches website.
These blog changes coincide with a change to my business model.
Originally, I started my unix and trading blogs as a hobby/micro business, monetized through Adsense. I then started adding affiliate offers and sponsored ads and posts. I starting making good money.
Then, I thought I would "rinse and repeat" to scale my business - creating more sites monetized by Adsense and affiliate products.
However, I found that doing this did not fulfilled me. It felt like an internet marketing "commodity" business.
Instead, I saw that my readers were really responding to my messages on success (business, personal, financial) through Taoist principles, simplicity and minimalism.
I eventually wrote my Stock Trading Riches book, which describes the successful investment system I built around my values.
Readers really responded to it. Even though my Adsense and affiliate earnings had increased since I first started blogging, I found my book royalties greatly exceeding them.
I realized that, not only did my book make more money, I felt more satisfaction from this income source. It felt like I was making a unique, value-added contribution - rather than simply competing with other info marketers to sell the same products.
So, I have decided, at least for now, to turn away from Adsense and most affiliate products.
Instead, I want to build a real personally branded, internet-based business around my writings and experiences with success and happiness through Taoism, minimalism, and simplicity.
I plan to create more products about achieving success through my simplicity and minimalist philosophy.
Of course, I feel uneasy about switching models, because I'm going outside my comfort zone. But, I feel like I'm making the right decision.
1. The blog has been renamed from "My Simple Trading System" to Praveen Puri (my name).
2. There are fewer links and no Adsense.
3. I've adopted a one column, minimalist design.
4. There is tighter coupling with my simplicity blog and Stock Trading Riches website.
These blog changes coincide with a change to my business model.
Originally, I started my unix and trading blogs as a hobby/micro business, monetized through Adsense. I then started adding affiliate offers and sponsored ads and posts. I starting making good money.
Then, I thought I would "rinse and repeat" to scale my business - creating more sites monetized by Adsense and affiliate products.
However, I found that doing this did not fulfilled me. It felt like an internet marketing "commodity" business.
Instead, I saw that my readers were really responding to my messages on success (business, personal, financial) through Taoist principles, simplicity and minimalism.
I eventually wrote my Stock Trading Riches book, which describes the successful investment system I built around my values.
Readers really responded to it. Even though my Adsense and affiliate earnings had increased since I first started blogging, I found my book royalties greatly exceeding them.
I realized that, not only did my book make more money, I felt more satisfaction from this income source. It felt like I was making a unique, value-added contribution - rather than simply competing with other info marketers to sell the same products.
So, I have decided, at least for now, to turn away from Adsense and most affiliate products.
Instead, I want to build a real personally branded, internet-based business around my writings and experiences with success and happiness through Taoism, minimalism, and simplicity.
I plan to create more products about achieving success through my simplicity and minimalist philosophy.
Of course, I feel uneasy about switching models, because I'm going outside my comfort zone. But, I feel like I'm making the right decision.
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