Change…in employment, in direction, in investment. Controlling your financial future today may impact your lifestyle tomorrow. Entrust specializes in all self-directed retirement plans that offer complete control to help manage your financial future. Increase your retirement dollars with any investments you know and understand!

Need to learn more? Attend one of our continuing education workshops, subscribe to our newsletters, join our blog and visit our site at www.theentrustgroup.com to learn how you can take control today!

A recent survey from Wachovia Bank shows we women must start to take control of our financial future NOW. The third annual fitness survey of 2008 along with Richard Day research and the U.S. census bureau show that only 30% of women track and manage retirement assets compared to 58% of men. 17% of women make investment decisions compared to 49% of men. Why? What are we afraid of?

I want to challenge everyone who is reading this blog to start today and get control of your financial life. I am not a financial guru. I am someone who has won and lost with investing but is still in total control of my finances and has a financial retirement plan. You’ve got to start somewhere. If it is just a little seed money, grow that seed corn because no one else will!

I am challenging you not to be dependent on your husband or partner or your children or anyone else! Please, listen to Lisa….if I can do, this so can you!!! Not sure where to start? Email me and I can suggest some publications or people to help you get started. Today, we celebrate Independence Day. But are we truly independent? Think about it!

Have a happy 4th!

Global growth is becoming a popular investment option for IRA owners looking to capitalize on markets outside of the U.S.

I recently attended an investor meeting where the speaker discussed international investments. If this is of interest to you, here were her top three choices of areas she recommends to her clients for investment.

South Africa. As a leading supplier of gold, platinum, coal and diamonds to more than 80 countries around the world, South Africa is rich in mineral resources.

Commodities. Your IRA can invest in oil, gold, silver, water rights, wind, and more! To learn how to do this type of investing within your retirement plan visit The Entrust Group to get more information.
Commodities act as a hedge against inflation and a safe haven during times of political uncertainty, as well as a buffer to the declining dollar.

Asian Real Estate. In China and in India, millions of people are migrating to cities for employment opportunities driving up the demand for new housing and increasing prices on existing properties. If this interests you, consider a U.S. based REIT (real estate investment trust) that has an Asian exposure.

With all of the bad news in our economy, your cash does not need to sit idle. Don’t forget to research and feel comfortable with an investment before you buy. Never let others talk you out of your money!

Attention Investors! I will be presenting at the NoteWorthy Convention (October 2-5) in Las Vegas, Nevada! Wise Women has made special arrangements for you to attend this valuable convention at a reduced price -click here for registration form. Hope to see you there!

Whether you invest with your self-directed IRA or personal funds, tax lien certificates can make sense for slow and steady growth in your portfolio. Tax liens are booming in states where homeowners are missing mortgage payments.

What is a tax lien certificate?
Counties have a responsibility to provide police, fire, schools and other services to their citizens. These services are paid by property taxes from homeowners. When a homeowner does not pay their property tax, they become delinquent and a lien is put on their property. The delinquent lien is sold at auction in order to raise the funds needed to pay police, fire, etc. Some counties auction off delinquent taxes at face value through a lottery system while others do a bid for lien system.

My story:
In the 90s, I bought tax lien certificates in Wyoming where the interest rate the first year was 18% which was paid upon redemption of the tax certificate that the homeowner or lender paid off. With little competition and a lottery system of ping pong ball selection, buying these were easy. The most important thing I had to know was what I was buying! I did not want any hazardous waste or condemned property. Once, I paid a local resident in bagels from NY to provide me the research to determine if I wanted the property or not.

Then word got out and competition for these babies got fierce, especially with interest rates falling and house prices rising…the banks became competitors and bought their own liens for obvious reasons.

Now, with the real estate mess we are in, tax liens are on the rise. Chances are if a person did not make their mortgage payments they will probably not be paying their property taxes either.

Rules of the road if you are interest in buying tax liens:
1. Know the rules where you are buying. Whether the auction is live or online, how are these advertised, are they in a tax lien state or a tax deed state?

2. What is the redemption period (how long do you have hold the certificate) before you sue for the deed and get the property?

3. Understand that tax liens take precedence over mortgages. This is why lenders may come in and buy tax liens. The only thing senior to a tax lien is an IRS lien.

These make ideal investments in a self-directed IRA as you can invest few dollars for a nice return. For more on how to buy tax liens in your IRA visit www.theentrustgroup.com.

Remember the Beverly Hillbillies? The TV show where Jed Clampett struck oil? With oil prices continuing to rise, many investors are looking to invest their IRA in oil and gas related investments. There are several companies offering this as an opportunity for the self-directed IRA investor. Before you invest, make sure you do your due diligence like you would on any other investment.

Research the company.
- How long have they been in business?
- Who owns the operation?
- What are the costs to the company to drill for oil?
- What is the average return on the investment and for how long?

If you have never invested in a private placement or a limited partnership, seek professional advice before you do so. And finally, if you decide oil and gas makes sense to your portfolio, start with the shortest term possible with the bare minimum that the companies requires for investment. You too can strike oil…in your IRA that is! The Entrust Group (www.theentrustgroup.com) can provide more information on investing in a private placement with a self-directed IRA.

A study conducted by the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) indicates that women have financial disadvantages in retirement. Part of the reason for this, according to the study, is that women spend 13 fewer years in the workforce than men. Fewer years of employment lead to lower Social Security benefits. Worse still, the average woman who reaches age 65 can expect to live to age 85, about 4 years longer than a man.

We must contribute the maximum amount allowable to our IRA or 401(k) plan, whichever you are eligible for. Remember, if you are a woman outside of the work force you may be eligible for a spousal IRA which can be funded by a working husband.

Next you need to thoroughly understand how to accumulate wealth in this account. By educating yourself on your investment options with your IRA or 401(k), what you can and cannot do within the plan, and knowing how much money you need to save for your retirement will get you started in the right direction.

Consider having some of these dollars invested in a truly self-directed IRA where you select the investment and have options in your control. Entrust can help you if you elect to diversify into a self-directed retirement account. www.theentrustgroup.com contains plenty of information to help you get started.

No matter which way you invest, you have to realize getting to easy street is no easy matter. Take control of your financial future now while you still have options.

Doesn’t 2010 seem like a long way off? It’s not if you are a wise woman planning your tax strategy. 2010 is the year of the Roth for all.

Under current tax rules, you can convert a traditional IRA (tax deferred) to a Roth IRA (tax-free IRA) only if your modified adjusted gross income is no more than $100,000 a year. However, starting in 2010, there is no income limit for conversions of your traditional IRA into a Roth. And, you get to spread your tax payments over two years. By converting your traditional retirement funds to a Roth gives you the ability to make contributions in the future that will grow tax free. Any profits coming back into the Roth from your savvy, self-directed investments comes back tax free as well!

Plan now to take advantage of the 2010 provision and Grow Rich tax free! For more information on the 2010 Roth Provision, visit www.theentrustgroup.com.

1. Won’t be able to maintain standard of living
2. Will outlive money after retirement
3. House will lose value (for many, this is their only asset)
4. Won’t be able to pay medical or health care costs
5. Concerned they or a spouse will lose their job over the next 12 months

What can you do to insulate yourself from these worries? Open an IRA or a 401(k) today. Put as much away as you can afford, and invest the money, don’t just leave it sitting there in an account. For more information on alternative ways to invest your IRA or 401(k), log onto www.theentrustgroup.com. As the nations largest third party administrator, Entrust can help you manage your financial future with investments you understand and control.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
‘If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.’

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
‘You better pray that will come out of the carpet.’

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
‘If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!’

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
‘ Because I said so, that’s why.’

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
‘If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.’

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
‘Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.’

7. My mother taught me IRONY
‘Keep crying, a nd I’ll give you something to cry about.’

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
‘Shut your mouth and eat your supper.’

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
‘Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!’

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
‘You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.’

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
‘This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.’

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
‘If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!’

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
‘I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.’

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
‘Stop acting like your father!’

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
‘There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.’

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
‘Just wait until we get home.’

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
‘You are going to get it when you get home!’

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
‘If you do n’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.’

19. My mother taught me ESP.
‘Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?’

20. My mother taught me HUMOR .
‘When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.’

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
‘If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.’

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
‘You’re just like your father.’

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
‘Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?’

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
‘When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.’

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
‘One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.’