| OCR Text |
Show The Beaver Press - January 6, 2011 - Page 2 THE BEAVER PRESS USPS 074 - 400 Published every Thursday in Beaver, Utah by The Beaver Press Second Class Postage Paid Beaver, Utah 84713 Marlow L. Draper Sue Draper Publisher/Editor Business Manager SUBSCRIPTION RATES In Beaver County* Be&ver County Senior Citizen Outside Beaver County. $17.00 $15.00 $20.00 Postmaster please send change of address to: The Beaver Press, Box 351, Beaver Utah 84713 bpress@xmissfon.com Phone: 435-438-2891 Five questions you need to ask about IRAs (ARA) - Even if you're far from retiring, it's never too early fo start planning for it. But as you may quickly leam, it can be ' more challenging than you think. It can be difficult to know what opportunities are best for you when it comes to saving for your retirement. When considering retirement savings opportunities it is easy to overlook the traditional IRA. Many individuals assume they are not eligible to make contributions to a traditional IRA, presumably confusing the rules regarding eligibility to contribute with the more commonly noted rules regarding the deductibility from income for contributions. Rob Fishbein, a vice president and corporate counsel in Prudential's Tax Department, answers these frequently asked questions about IRAs: Q: Who is eligible to contribute? A: The surprising answer for some people is that if you earn income and are younger than 70 1/2 you can contribute to a traditional IRA, regardless of income level and regardtess of whether you or your spouse are covered by a work-sponsored retirement account - such as a 401 (k) plan. Q: How much can ) contribute? A: Most individuals have the option in 2010 and 2011 of contributing $5,000 to a traditional IRA, or $6,000 if you are age 50 or older, and enjoying tax deferred earnings. This is a powerful savings opportunity that should be used to the maximum extent possible. Q: How can an IRA impact my tax liability? People often confuse the efiaibility rules with the deductibility rules. Whether you can deduct the contribution from income depends on whether you or your spouse are covered by a retirement plan at work. If neither of you are covered by a plan then you can take a deduction for an IRA contribution no matter what you earn. If both of you are covered by a plan, or if only the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a plan, then for 2010 you can still take a deduction if you make less than $89,000. But you lose eligibility to take a deduction if you jointly make $109,000 or more. Similar rules with different income limits apply for single taxpayers or where the spouse making the contribution is not covered by a plan, Q: Why should I make the maximum contribution each year? A: Even if you are not eligible to deduct your contribution to a tradftional IRA, the traditional IRA offers a way to grow your savings for retirement on a taxdeferred basis, since income earried is only subject to income tax when distributed. Second, you can convert the traditional IRA to a Roth IRA because the income limits that previously were in place for Roth conversions have been eliminated. This means that even if you make too much income to contribute to a Roth IRA directly, you can do so indirectly and enjoy tax-free earnings after the date of conversion. Q; How can I get started? A: The first call to make should be to your financial planner or . tax adviser to review your per-, sonal circumstances and to make sure that starting or contributing to a traditional. IRA makes sense for you. Fax: 435-438-8804 I've Never Had A Bad Day By Daris Howard (With permission from Dr. Garth Waddoups) One of my colleagues at the university where I work, Dr. Garth Waddoups, is one of the most positive people I know. One day he shared the reason with the professors and the students. He started by asking if anyone had had a bad day. Many students said they had. He informed us that he had never had a bad day. He then went on to explain why. Dr. Waddoups, besides teaching animal science, is a practicing vet. One day an immigrant family of parents, children, and grandparents all brought in a scruffy white and black dog. Dr. Waddoups said "You have never seen such an emaciated mess in all your life. He had one red, swollen eye and what looked to be a large dirt clod on his head. His coat was dirty and unkempt, and he was very gaunt." One small child spoke English, and interpreted for an older woman. "We want you to fix Cholo." Dr. Waddoups was shocked. "You want him fixed?" "Yes," the old woman said. "He's broken." He.realized that by "fixed" they meant healed. The woman went on to say that they had put Cholo to sleep a week earlier. Dr. Waddoups was concerned that he.had done it and something had gone wrong. But the family assured him that was not the case. This time the mother, in broken English, began to explain. "A week ago, Cholo ran into the road and was hit by a car. It didn't kill him, but he was badly hurt. His eyeball was popped out and his skull was fractured. We could see his brain! We knew he could not live, and so my husband's friend took him into the desert and put him to sleep." Dr. Waddoups asked, "How She answered that he had shot Cholo five times. Dr. Waddoups commented, "He must not have been a very good shot." "Oh no," came the reply, "Cholo was dead, and we buried him in a shallow grave* Dn Waddoups was becoming more perplexed at this bizarre story and asked how the dog got home. The woman answered, "An hour ago the phone rang, and my husband's boss said 'Your dog is out here, and he doesn't look very good. You better come and get him/ We tried to explain that it could not be our dog, that he had been dead for a week. But he said he was sure it was our dog, and that we had better come down. It was Cholo, and so here we are." Dr. Waddoups was still not sure what they wanted, and asked, "So you want us to put him to sleep?" The mother became anxious,' and began to shake her head. "No! Not Cholo is a good dog! After all of this, he came home to us! We want you to fix him." Dr. Waddoups said that Choio truly had had a bad day. In fact, Cholo set a new standard for bad days. He had been hit by a car, had his skulf fractured, and his eyeball popped out of its socket. He had been taken out into the desert, away from his family, and shot five' times. Then, to end this bad day, he was buried alive. Even though it didn't end up being too much of a problem to heal Cholo, Dr. Waddoups said, "With Cholo as my standard, I would submit that I have never really had a bad day." As I thought about what Dr. Waddoups shared with us, I thought about how I sometimes complain and feel sorry for myself. But I resolved that through this next year and from now on, whenever I do, I will choose a different thought. I will think, This Is a good day because I am not Cholo the dog." Survey says: Americans love their phones, but wireless providers need work (ARA) - Most of us love our wireless phones. The companies that provide our wireless service, however... well, not so much, according to a new survey. While most American cell phone users are happy with their phones, they have plenty of gripes with their wireless providers. Respondents to a survey by U.S. Cellular cited among their top complaints the need to repeatedly sign contracts whenever they upgrade to a new phone, waiting out a twoyear contract to get a new phone, overages and the big bills that come with them, and early termination fees. And while it would seem that with so many cellular companies in the marketplace, competition would inspire them to differentiate themselves, Americans generally perceive carriers to be pretty much all the same when it comes to the type of service plans and customer service they provide. "Mobile devices have become ubiquitous worldwide," says Mary Dillon, president and CEO of U.S. Cellular. "Yet there's a definite love-hate element to our relationship with our phones and service providers. And cell phone companies haven't been doing a very good job of responding to demand with products and services people really want and can use, our survey shows." Among the other enlightening (if not surprising) results of the survey: * 90 percent said wireless providers should earn a customer's loyalty, not require it by forcing them to sign a contract; * 87 percent think they shouldn't have to sign a service contract to stay with their current wireless provider; * 80 percent want wireless providers to do something about overage fees and the hefty bills they cause; and * 75 percent believe that free cell phones are a lure that traps you into required contracts and early termination fees. T h e wireless service industry should begin acting on these insights to offer customers the kind of wireless experience they feel will serve them best," Dillon says. Among the changes customers say they would welcome are: * Eliminating repeated contracts. U.S. Cellular has launched a product that features "One and Done" contracts. After their first contract expires, customers need never sign another with the earner. * Initiate robust rewards programs with points that never expire and allow you to get a new phone as early as every 10 toll months. * Institute overage protection, caps and forgiveness to protect customers from shockingly high bills. * Offer a phone replacement plan that replaces or provides a similar handset for customers whose phones are damaged or malfunction - even if the phone is no longer under warranty. * Reward customers for setting up auto pay and paperless billing by offering a percentage off their monthly wireless bills. "Our survey and deep customer research revealed such strong customer sentiment regarding the ways wireless providers could improve service, that we decided to launch The Belief Prdject, which is designed to specifically address customer's concerns and provide them with the changes in service they desire," Dillon says. T h e Belief Project is an array of industry-first initiatives that emphasize a human relationship with customers, rather than a contractual one. Customers want to stay with their wireless provider not because they have to but because they want to." To leam more about wireless service innovations, log on to www.USCellular.com. Ask A Specialist: How Can I Make My New Year's Resolutions Stick? LOGAN. UT - (Answer by: Lou Mueller, Utah State University Extension family and consumer sciences agent, San Juan County) In a research study of 1,000 people, 98 percent said they were unable to keep resolutions. If your commitment to your 2011 New Year's resolutions Is already crumbling, don't give up. To achieve success, review, revise and recommit to your goals. First, review your choices. You may be expecting too much of yourself if you have several goals requiring major change. Instead, revise your list to include no more than one or two reasonable goals, Then recommit by following a few simple strategies that have been successful for others. Research shows that implementing a combination of any four of the following tactics can help you follow through. • Create an environment that will help you achieve your goal. If you resolve to cut spending, leave credit cards home or consider canceling all but one, and stay away from shopping malls and shopping websites. If your goal is to lose weight* stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid .fast^ foods, which can contribute significantly to obesity. • Identify motivation. Make sure your motives align with your values. What matters most to you? Perhaps a resolution to do a kind deed daily for someone or to spend more time with family and friends is more meaningful to you than a physical appearance goal. • Increase your skills. If your resolution is to save money, then gain expertise by learning more about budgeting and personal finance. If your goal is weight loss, join a health spa, get a personal trainer or find a walking buddy with similar goals. v • Enlist the help of others. Get reinforcement from family, friends and colleagues. They can boost your confidence when willpower starts to slip. Stay away from social situations and people who may not be supportive. Two resolutions that make the top ten list every year include "stop smoking" and "stop drinking." If you are working on either of these, this tip is particularly important. Avoid people and places that might weaken your resolve. • Reward yourself. Measure milestones and be sure to celebrate even small steps toward success. Before giving up on your New Year's resolutions, pick four of these strategies and get back in the game. You can still achieve your goals. ' When Moms Take Care Of Their Cars, They Take Care Of Their Families Four Ways To Stretch Your Dollar In 2011 j ' (ARA) - The beginning of a new year is a great time to do some self assessment and fig* ure out how you can make the next year even better than the last. It's also a logical time to (ARA) - For moms, their take a look at your family's budautomobile is quite possibly the get and figure out how you can most important component In make your money go even furtheir daily lives from taking the ' ther next year. kids to school, doctor's appointSince youil soon be digging ments, soccer practice and then into your financial records In off to run the millions of errands order to file your taxes, why not on their "to-do" list. take a little extra time to set a With all of these activities budget and identify some areas swirling around in their schedwhere you and your family can ules, becoming a savvy automosave a few dollars? Here are tive consumer may not be at the four simple ways to get more for top of most moms' priority list. less this year: To help them be better informed, * Take an Inventory of monthly Kim Danger, savings expert, expenses. It's always a good mother of two and author of idea to take a look at your regu"Instant Bargains," has collabolar expenses at least once a rated with automotive expert year to see if there's someRicardo Rodriguez-Long and where you could be saving. Uniroyal Tire in the creation of a Maybe you are no longer bound new e-book to help moms by a cell phone contract and become empowered owners could get a better deal elsewhen It comes to their cars and where. Or perhaps ifs time to tires. The "Mommy's Guide to reevaluate insurance options. It Cars & Tires" e-book features could also be something as simthe best tips on automotive ple as evaluating how often you maintenance, car safety and dine out or stop for a gourmet emergencies on the road. It Is coffee and changing your habits available for free download at to save a few dollars by cutting www.UniroyalTires.com. back. Mothering your tires * Let the coupons do the work. "When driving, your tires While clipping coupons might are the only thing between you seem like a thing of the past, Ifs and the road," advises Danger. easier than ever to save using As moms carry around precious coupons. Coupons can be cargo, ft is important to make sure these tire tips are followed found in traditional places like to keep everyone safe: the newspaper, as well as * Next time you park your car, online, often from the manufactake a moment to inspect your turer's website. Another place to tires for cuts, slashes and irreglook is right on the packaging of ularities. It could save you from your favorite products. For a potential blowout or changing instance, where available in cera tire on the roadside. tain retail store locations. * Eighty-five percent of drivers Procter & Gamble Is currently fail to properly check tire presoffering coupons for other P&G sure, according to a recent surbrands within specially marked vey by the Rubber products from Crest, Pampers, Manufacturers Association. d a y and Charmin, among others - with coupon values up to Keeping therighttire pressure is $80 in savings when they are alt easy to do and a key compoused. nent in tire longevity and safety. * Save by using the Internet. By * Be sure to rotate your tires at .everyjsther oft char©© (app/pxf, ._ .signtng.up for'e^maTriewsletters" Ynately every 6,000 miles) to '""from'fnanufecturers. and local businesses you can access help balance tread wear. special offers that you might not Be car seat savvy be able to find elsewhere. For Busy moms often become example, you can sign up for the taxi driver for their families. regular notification of promoMaking sure the kids are safely tions for products you use every and securely fastened-in is cruday at www. pge verydaysolucial. Be smart about the type of car seat your child is sitting in by tions.com. Following businesses on Facebook and Twitter can following these guidelines: also help alert you to special * If you are in the market for a offers. car seat, buy it new. Avoid buy* Develop a grocery shopping ing a seat without knowing its routine. Plan weekly meals and history. shop accordingly. If possible, * Take the time to get your car find out what items are on sale seat inspected by a* Child each week at your grocer before Passenger Safety Technician. making the list, so you can take * Check the National Highway full advantage of the sales. Traffic Safety Administration's Stock up on nonperishable rating for your car seat. items when they are on sale. Emergencies are no joke With a few changes to your With more vehicles on the shopping and spending habits, road than ever before, it is you may find yourself with a essential to be prepared for healthy chunk of extra cash next emergencies. Having the knowlyear that you can either stick edge to act quickly and correctly can help keep your children . Into savings or spend on something special as a reward to your safe. Here are some important family. rules to follow: * Have an updated emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. * During a tire blowout, dont panic. Slightly increase your speed and keep steering stable to maintain the vehicle's forward motion. Then, slow down and move to the emergency lane when possible. * If you have power locks, keep an escape hammer in your car A tree planted In the middle of in case you are Involved in a a flower bed will add height and water-related accident and your Interest to the plantings below ft vehicle becomes submerged. For the latest information about Unfroyal Tires, visit www.UnfroyalTires.com and find Uniroyal on Facebook at www.facebook.cofTV\infroyanire. Artichokes are actually flower buds. A baker's dozen refers to thirteen Items not twelve. .The term may have originated from a custom among bakers to add an extra piece of bread In case a dozen did not meet the required weight : ••* Pound cake Is a dense rich cake originally made with one pound each of flour, butter, sugar • Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely Insane evtaey night of our lives. —William Dement *** |
