November OverHall IT! Issue
NOVEMBER, 2000
Vol. 1, Issue 11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Table of Contents:
1. Welcome Message
2. OverHalling and Balance
3. Tip of the Month
4. Guest Article
5. Events
6. Computer Corner
7. Ask the OverHaller
8. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
9. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Welcome Message
For those of you that celebrated Thanksgiving, I hope
you had a GREAT one!
We traveled out to Long Island, NY, visited a wonderful
friend and then took a ferry ride to CT and drove up to
Massachusetts to be with family. Although I suffered
with a cold, great food and conversation were had by all.
Okay, ready to start "OverHalling"?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Does Your Life Include a RIPE Plan?—Planning Tips
for Retirement, Investing, Protection, and Estate
Planning – Part 4 (Estate)
by: Janet L. Hall
As a little girl, I grew up in Palm Beach County, FLA, not in the rich, elite
section, but in the very small town of Palm Springs. I recall very clearly
taking drives along A1A into the town of Palm Beach while relatives and friends
pointed, ooh’d, and awed at the various estates and mansions. And so I grew up
believing an estate was something ONLY the rich owned. It wasn’t until
recently, four years ago to be exact, that someone started talking to me about
estate planning, pointing out to me why and how they were implementing their
plan. I looked at this person and said, very innocently, "I know you own
two houses, but you don’t own a mansion! Why would you need to do such a
thing?" My eyes and my mind were awakened to something I would NEVER have
thought of looking into until that day.
Maybe you have thought the same as I did, Estate Planning is for the rich and
famous. NOT TRUE! Everyone needs to do estate planning, because let me tell you
something, the state in which you live, the federal government, and the IRS have
plans already in place for how to distribute and tax your stuff! I’m talking
about your property, possessions, and even your children. (For those that live
outside the US, please check with your local government and attorney for their
plans for your stuff!)
By you not taking the time to plan for what happens to your stuff, your family
and heirs only gain more suffering and heartache after you’re gone or become
incapacitated. You need to take control of your stuff NOW!
Do you know the repercussions your family and heirs might have to endure if you
haven’t planned? The anguish, inconvenience, and possible financial burdens
they might have to face because you didn’t plan?
Yes, Estate Planning takes time and effort. It can be emotional and trying. BUT
you will be able to leave this world (or if you become incapacitated) knowing
you did the best for your family and heirs. That they will be able to celebrate
your life or mourn your departure without the legal and financial hassles if you
have planned.
Can you imagine the state deciding who should care for your children?
Can you imagine your family trying to scrap together money to keep the place
they’ve called home?
Can you imagine your business being sold off, leaving your family without
income?
One aspect of Estate Planning is to allow you to take advantage of gift and
trust laws so that you may be able to pass on more of your assets tax-free to
your family and heirs. You aren’t cheating the government; you’re cheating
your loved ones if you don’t plan!
Another aspect of Estate Planning is to give control to someone you trust if you
should become incapacitated.
As of this year, 2000, the Estate tax-exemption level is currently $675,000;
however, this is said to be increasing yearly.
Why do Estate Planning?
~~ To distribute your assets
~~ To eliminate or reduce federal and state estate taxes
~~ To avoid unnecessary high costs in legal fees and taxes to your heirs
~~ To pass on tax-free the maximum allowed assets (these figures seem to be
changing yearly)
~~ To make sure things get handled the way YOU want them to be handled
What is taxable?
Many of the items that are taxable can include: Life Insurance, IRA and other
Retirement benefits, Investments, Bank Accounts, Personal Property,
Collectibles, your business, your home, and other real estate.
What do I need?
Some of the things you will want to look into, research, and ask about are:
~~ Durable Powers of Attorney – this document transfers authority to another
TRUSTED person to manage your finances.
~~ Health Care Powers of Attorney – this document gives someone legal
authority to act on your behalf with regard to your health care.
~~ Living Will – this document will provide instructions as to the type of
medical treatment that you prefer.
~~ Will – a document in which you can name an executor to oversee the
settlement of your estate, outline what and how you want your assets and
property distributed, and name a guardian to care for your children.
~~ REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST with Power of Attorney - I urge you to get this!
Unlike having a will or no will, you skip probate, it’s more flexible, you
have maximum control, you maintain privacy, and you save time in passing on your
stuff. This document transfers your assets from you to the name of your trust.
You still retain your rights and control the assets but you LEGALLY do not OWN
anything. If you become incapacitated, coma, Alzheimer’s disease, or die, the
court CAN NOT take control of your assets if you don’t have any. With this
trust, married people can split their holdings into two separate trusts and then
double the amount that is free of estate taxes. This arrangement makes it
unnecessary to have a Will; however, you will want to have a Pour Over Will.
~~ Pour Over Will – this document deals with everything that you might have
forgotten to put in your trusts and those assets should * pour over * into the
trusts.
Estate Planning can cover, but not limited to, wills, trusts, insurance, estate
taxes, gifts, gift taxes, and income.
You will need to form a team of reliable, dependable, and competent people in
the following areas:
~~ Estate Planning Attorney
~~ Life Insurance Underwriter
~~ CPA
~~ Development Officer
~~ Financial Planner
~~ Captain-This is YOU. You are the Captain of the team; it’s what YOU want to
be done, your wishes. Your team is there to help you make the best choices for
your life and your families.
Don’t let this list of people scare you. A good financial planner and some
attorneys are set up to perform many of these functions. Ask around, get
recommendations.
PARENT TIP: Your parent’s plan may affect your plan! If you don’t know what
they have planned, then discussing this with them might be the most difficult
thing you’ll have to do in estate planning. Many older parents downright
refuse to talk to their children about such matters. Talking of such things
might conjure up in their minds that you’re after their money, that it’s
none of your business, or you’ll find out when we’re gone. Speak to them
calmly and clearly and let them know what YOU are trying to do, that you are
taking control of YOUR finances, that you are getting all your ducks in a row
and how THEIR ducks might affect yours. Share your plan with them and show them
what you are trying to accomplish. Hopefully if they have a plan, they will
share with you, and if they don'’ have a plan, maybe they will learn something
from you and get one of their own.
CHILDREN TIP: Don’t forget to also talk to your children, if they are of an
age that you can discuss these matters with them. Maybe you already have grown
children and grandchildren and you may be able to contribute in some unique and
different ways to them.
RELOCATION TIP: Property transfer laws differ from state to state. Review your
estate plan when you move or retire to a different location.
Birth, death, marriage, divorce, inheritance, purchase or sale of assets are
many reasons why you should review your plan when you have these or other
lifestyle changes. If you don’t have any changes, a review of every three to
five years is advisable.
Congratulations! After you have your Estate Plan in place, your financial area
should now be "OverHalled" and Balanced. Now it’s just a matter of
maintaining this area of your life to keep it this way. Don’t forget to
schedule routine reviews of your net worth (http://www.overhall.com/april00.htm
),
budget (http://www.overhall.com/may00.htm
),
retirement plan (http://wwwoverhall.com/aug00.htm
),
investments (http://www.overhall.com/sept00.htm
),
protection plan (http://www.overhall.com/oct00.htm
), and your
estate plan (http://www.overhall.com/nov00.htm
) any time you have a lifestyle change.
Next month We have five areas in our life left to "OverHall" and
Balance; Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Professional, and Family. Which area
would you like to work on next? Let me hear from you, soon!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ALERT READER, Henry Faint, a
Florida Independent Representative for
Primercia Financial Services, http://www.pfsnet.com
sent us this comment about last issue’s article:
"Please realize ALL life companies sell
term but the consumer HAS to ask for it.
I would like to know why you would only look at CASH value life
insurance. Do you not know that Consumer reports will not even rate these
policies anymore as they are a rip-off for most people. TERM life is less
expensive and is PURE insurance. You don't get a savings vehicle with you car
insurance do you? Why would you allow a company to not credit you for your money
for the first 2 years and then give you a bad rate of return on the moneys that
they do credit to your CASH VALUES. And with most of the whole life policies
there is a set of boxes option a or option b and although the customer never
remembers checking option a it seems to get checked it is the option that gives
you the customer either the cash value or the face value whichever is greater
the other option gives you both the cash value and the face value. and yes there
is and extra cost for the later because the insurance company does not get to
keep the money."
Thanks Henry for your input. As I explained to Henry, I research and include all
that I can in my articles, but remember, it is up to you to continue the
research and find out what is right for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. OverHall IT! Tip of the Month
by Janet L. Hall
For those of you that receive holiday cards…
Get an 8x10 piece of cardboard or paper, stapler or tape. Whenever you receive a
holiday card, carefully rip off or cut off the return address label from the
sender. Staple or tape to your 8x10. Now you’ve got next years card list ready
and in one place. Store this with your cards or holiday decorations.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
GIFT Certificates are now available for OverHall Products
at http://www.overhall.com/gifts.htm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
4. A little Something to Add to Your Estate Planning
By: Janet L. Hall
I remember when my mother-in-law died, how we spent not hours, but days looking
through paperwork, trying to locate important documents. Some documents were
needed to bury her along side her husband in a military cemetery. Trying to
locate and call all the various utility companies that serviced her home, the
credit card companies, the paperboy, and her local post office. Phone numbers of
friends and relatives. On and on we looked.
Whether you start your estate planning now or later, I do have one thing I’d
like to talk to you about that you can take care of NOW, with little effort.
If you are the person in your home that keeps track of the bills, various
account numbers, phone numbers, schedule home maintenance, and the keeper of ALL
incoming home documents and important papers, I’d like to invite you to look
at a particular page at my site (web address to follow), please keep reading.
Here you will find the first booklet I developed for the home manager to leave
behind if something should happen to them. Better yet, I even tell you how to
make your own!
Many times it is the little and simple things that we forget about, the everyday
things that are so easy for us but a nightmare to others…
"When my grandmother suddenly fell and wound up in a nursing home, my mom
had no idea where her important papers were, where she kept her checkbook, or
even who she called to come mow her lawn!"
You—or your loved ones—can instantly find every important paper you need,
should you ever have an accident or unexpected change in circumstances. You just
need one central place to put all this information at your fingertips!
Sure, you can make your own notebook if you want. You can take the time to
alphabetize your list of WHO’s again and again as you add new contacts. You
can wrack your brain trying to make sure your WHEN section includes every
maintenance item you can think of. You can spend months adding different
important documents to your WHERE section, as you think of them.
Or you can super-charge your organizing process—and give yourself peace of
mind now—by ordering my best-selling "Little Red WHO, WHEN and WHERE
Booklet." Modestly priced at $5.55 (I’ve seen similar books sell for $59
and up, they just happened to be put in a leather case)
Each section in this handy booklet includes helpful tips that are designed
specifically to show you:
~~ Who to include on your WHO list—and who not to include.
~~ The best time of year to get a variety of common services performed so you
save time and money.
~~ How and where to file your important home and personal documents.
This booklet makes a great and loving gift anytime of the year. A gift that will
last a lifetime and beyond. If you celebrate the holidays and are looking for
something different to stuff into a stocking, this is IT!
Whether you own your home or rent; are in a relationship or not; are young or
old: the "Little Red WHO, WHEN and WHERE Booklet" will save you and
your loved ones time and energy.
Don’t leave your family or loved ones scurrying around, looking for important
information they need access to if something should happen to you.
Get The little Red WHO, WHEN, and WHERE Booklet for your peace of mind and
theirs! Make it a part of your Estate Planning. Check it out at http://www.overhall.com/wwwh1.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. OverHall Events
LOOK and SEE—We might be coming to your town!
Paula Langguth Ryan and I are kicking off our 3-week winter 2001 tour
(OverHall Your Life for More Space, Time and Money
& Break the Debt Cycle—For Good!) on January 29
and will be speaking in the following towns:
Feb. 4, 2001 (1:30-4:30 PM)
Christ Unity Church
105 McBrien Rd.
Chattanooga, TN
Feb. 6, 2001 (6-9 PM)
Unity Center of Fletcher
2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Feb. 7, 2001 (6-9 PM)
Unity of Greenville
37 E. Hillcrest Drive
Greenville, SC 29223
Feb. 9, 2001 (6:30-9:30 PM)
Unity of Charlotte
1000 E. Woodlawn Rd.
Charlotte, NC
Feb. 10, 2001 (10 AM-1 PM)
Unity in Greensboro
6026 Inman Road
Greensboro, NC 27410
Feb. 11, 2001 (1:30-4:30 PM)
Unity Church of Durham
2604-H Carver Street
Durham, NC 27705
Feb. 13, 2001 (6-9 PM)
Unity Church of Cary
222 E. Chatham, Suite A-6
Cary, NC 27511
Feb. 15, 2001 (6:30-9:30 PM)
Unity in Greensboro
6026 Inman Road
Greensboro, NC 27410
Feb. 18, 2001 (1-4 PM)
Unity of Roanoke Valley
3300 Green Ridge Road, NW
Roanoke, VA 24019
If you know of any organizations, spiritual groups,
associations or corporations that might like to
host a seminar in these cities, please have them
contact us at 800-687-3040, 800-507-9244, or
janet@overhall.com for booking
information.
Would you like to host a house seminar? If you’re interested, please call us
before Jan. 15.
If you would like to attend, please call or email us for
more details and to reserve your spot!.
To get these seminars on audiotape, give us a jingle!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUDIO Organizing Tapes now on SALE! Prices slashed!
http://www.overhall.com/Tapes.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6. Computer Corner
EEK! A Mouse on My Desk? A Wizard in My Window!
What is this STUFF?
By: Janet L. Hall
I sometimes forget, as many of you might, that not everyone I talk or write to
is as knowledge as I am using a computer or the Internet. Now I’m not claiming
to be an expert, but I do have a lot of experience.
My computer experience started long before PC’s were on every desk or the
Internet. At first I was a key card operator. I typed information onto a long
card, a Holerith. Some of you might remember these cards in your phone or
utility bill. DO NOT BEND, FOLD, STAPLE, or PUNCH!
I went from punching cards to teaching a software program, ALL-IN-1. Then for
almost eight years I didn’t go near a computer. A mouse, what’s that?
Windows, Instant Messaging, Internet, Browser – I didn’t have a clue!!
However because of the limited knowledge I had acquired, I soon found myself
able to figure out and maneuver my way around a computer and the Internet.
You are probably wondering why I’m telling you all this.
Well, last year when I was at a conference, I heard many of the attendees
asking, "Do I really need a web site or email for my business? I don’t
even know what a browser is, let alone HTML code!"
Not everyone has the experience that you or I might. Everyday thousands of
people are turning on a computer for the first time or getting on the Internet
for the first time. Or worse, fed up and frustrated because they don’t have
any help. So here in the Computer Corner I’d like to start a new series
starting with definitions and then taking you step-by-step through the world of
owning and creating a web site.
Ready?
Address-Location of a file or Web Page. On the Internet, also know as the URL.
Backup-Save your computer information on your hard drive that you save to
another form of media.
Boot-To start up your computer
Browser-Sometimes called a Web Browser. This is the software program you use to
move around the Internet, such as Internet Explorer, Netscape.
Cache-Temporary storage area for Windows and Internet places recently used
files, or pages visited.
Case Sensitive-The difference between upper case letters and lower case letters,
such as JANET or janet.
CD-ROM-Computer Disc Read-Only Memory. High capacity storage. Also known as a
CD.
CD-ROM Drive-Hardware device needed to use a CD. Can be internal or external.
Click-Press and release the left or right side of your mouse.
Clipboard-Temporary stored information that you’ve Cut or Copied from a
program, file, or document that you might want to paste into another program,
file, or document.
Command Prompt-symbol that looks like C:\ or A:\. A place where you might need
to type instructions – commands.
CPU-Central Processing Unit, Chip in your computer that’s responsible for
executing program instructions.
Cursor-Little blinking line on your computer screen that shows you where you are
or where your next letter will appear when you type.
Default-predicted setting, such as whenever you create a document, the font and
font size are always the same setting unless you change it.
Defragmentation-Process of rewriting files to adjacent sections of a hard disk.
Parts of files can become fragmented – spread over different areas of your
hard disk (drive) which causes slower disk speed.
Dial-Up Network-A way to connect to the Internet through a modem and telephone
lines.
Disk Drive-Hardware where your files are stored, typically labeled C:\ or (C:).
Download-Copy files from one computer to another, such as download a file or
program from the Internet to your computer.
Driver-Software to control hardware, such as a print driver.
DVD (Digital Video Disk)-High-capacity compact disc that can store data. Must
have a DVD disc drive or player.
E-Mail-Electronic messages sent over the Internet or a network.
Favorite-Link to a favorite Web page you have saved the address to. Think of
this as a shortcut to pages you like to visit often but don’t want to remember
or type the address in each time you want to visit.
Home Page-Introductory or *main * page of a Web site.
HTML-Hypertext Markup Language is a language used to create Web pages. Sometimes
referred to as HTML Code.
Icon-Picture representing a program, or other items, such as the icon on your
desktop of MY Computer.
Internet-Worldwide network of computers
Internet Service Provider (ISP)-Company that provides you with Internet access
using your modem or other * connecting *device, such as DSL.
Link-Text, usually blue, or a picture you can click on to go (move or jump) from
one location to another.
Log On-Identifying yourself to gain access to a computer or a Web site, usually
requiring you to type in your user name and a password.
Menu-List of commands or options that appear at the top of most windows.
Menu bar-Bar at top of screen that contains command buttons File, Edit, View,
etc.
Modem-Hardware to transmit data from one computer to another using a phone line.
Mouse-Hand Hardware
Mouse Pointer-Sometimes referred to as Pointer. An icon, usually an arrow that
appears on your screen and is controlled by the mouse. Move your pointer to
click on a menu, link, icon, etc.
Network-Two or more connected computers that are used to share resources.
Reboot-To restart your computer without shutting down completely.
Right-Click-The right button on a mouse when clicked will display a shortcut
menu.
Search Engine-Tool that searches the Web for information you are looking for.
Shortcut-Icon that links to a file, folder, or program.
Shut Down-Command that lets your computer know you are about to turn it off.
Taskbar-Tool to navigate and open programs. Usually located at the bottom of
your screen. Contains the Start button and other icons.
Toolbar-Set of buttons you can click on to perform tasks.
Universal Serial Bus-USB. Hardware for external device connections.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)-address, usually starts with http://
Window-Portion of screen that displays what you are looking at or what you have
open.
Wizard-Tool or instructions that will walk you through a task.
World Wide Web (Web)-Graphical multimedia portion of the Internet.
I couldn’t possibly list all computer definitions in this article but I hope
this small list will help you understand some of the terms and abbreviations
that are second nature to some of us. <g> (that means grin! But that’s
another lesson).
They are many places on the Internet where you can find computer dictionaries,
but don’t forget you can click on Help at the top of your screen and click on
Index and type in a definition or term you are looking for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Ask the OverHaller
Every month I faithfully go out and buy cards to send to friends and relatives
for special occasions BUT then I forget where I put them. Either the cards don’t
get sent or I end up running out and spending more money on cards that I know I
already have! Any suggestions?
--D.B.
I’ve seen this happen over and over again to many new clients. The best thing
to do is put them in a tickler file. A tickler file is a dated filing system
1-31 and you can also have Jan. – Dec. When you return home with your cards,
simply drop the cards into the date or month that you need to send the card out.
Before you file away, if you have time, why not address, stamp, and sign the
cards. Don’t forget to look in your tickler daily!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you gotten your * tickle * for the day? Check out
The secret organizing tool that ALL SUCCESSFUL
PEOPLE have at their fingertips at
http://www.overhall.com/tickler_file.htm
8. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~ I just got wonderful news from my real estate agent in
Florida. They found land on my property.
–Milton Berle
~~ My friends are my estate.
–Emily Dickinson
He that hath a trade hath an estate; he that hath a calling hath an office of
profit and honor.
–Benjamin Franklin
He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul’s estate.
–Henry David Thoreau
~~ If you have a joke, quote, or anecdote that would fit
well into OverHall IT!, please feel free to email it to me.
mailto:janet@overhall.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
Computer Glossaries:
http://support.dell.com/docs/dta/enrgymgr/00000014.htm
http://www.cybermillennium.com/glossary.htm
http://www.netdictionary.com/html/index.html
The Idea Café, Small Business Online has every legal business form and tips
that your business might need, FREE!
http://www.ideacafe.com/aaarun/legal.html
If you have a site that covers home-based work issues
or news, let me know and I'll try and post it here!
Organizer Link of the Month:
Diane Hatcher in South Florida (they need all the help they can get in FLA!) is
the owner of Timesavers Services in Cooper City, Florida. Diane specializes in
organizing offices, desks, filing systems, individuals and seminars for groups
of employees. http://www.timesaversusa.com
If you're an organizer and you'd like to be
considered for the link of the month, please contact
me!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATION or WEBSITE
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I have many articles available for reprint in your
publication, company newsletter, website, etc. You may
use articles written by me that you see in OverHall IT!
Back issues can be viewed at
http://www.overhall.com/issues_and_articles.htm
All you have to do is print the article in its entirety along
with my by line, and complete contact information at the
end of each article.
I would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy too.
Thanks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's it for this month! Hope to see some of you at our
upcoming events!
Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall
Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author
http://www.overhall.com
"If your current systems aren't working for you...
get an "OverHall"!"
Janet L. Hall is the owner of OverHall Consulting, which
is based out of Southern Maryland and can be
reached at 800-687-3040 or 410-586-9440, or e-mail her
at mailto:janet@overhall.com
Janet can
"OverHall" your office, home, and computer clutter and
can prepare a customized speech or seminar for your next
event.
Copyright (c) 2000 by OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to
reproduce, copy, or distribute OverHall IT! or any
articles by Janet L. Hall so long as article(s) is kept
intact, this copyright notice, and full information about
the author is attached.
ISSN pending.
|
