Those who are (for all tax purposes) self-employed, fall into two categories: those who work for a marketing or sales organization (MLM, Real Estate, Insurance, Sales) as 10-99 contractors; and those who run a small business out of their home without any business license or business entity protection.

There is nothing illegal about these scenarios. The IRS is quite happy to allow people to operate a “business” without setting up a legal business entity. This is because the IRS will make more in taxes on that business income.

10-99 contractors have a great opportunity to pay less in taxes than any other group of people in society, but 85% pay more than 4 times what is necessary. Companies are finding it increasingly more convenient to hire 10-99 contractors in place of employees. It saves companies both money and hassle.

The government tries to collect approximately 15% in taxes from everyone. This covers Social Security, Medicare, and Federal Income Taxes. In addition to these taxes, 10-99 contractors and other self-employed business owners are charged a 15.3% SELF-EMPLOYMENT tax. That makes for a total of over 30% in taxes. That is far too much to spend. What can we do about this?

Creating a business entity such as an LLC or S-Corporation will eliminate that self-employment tax and create a situation to maximize deductions available to businesses only. 10-99 contractors have nothing to lose and everything to gain by setting up a business to pass their taxes through. It doesn’t take much time, energy, or effort. Most CPAs, accountants, and attorneys charge between $500 and $800 for the initial setup cost. JP Squared Consulting offers businesses residing in Utah this service for only $100.

Contact JP Squared Consulting at www.jpsquaredinc.com and click on the link for New Entities.

Jacob S. Paulsen

Jacob is a Network Marketing Professional in addition to being a successful business owner. Currently a Regional Director with Agel Enterprises, Jacob has built an organization of 12,000+ people over 30 countries around the world. Jacob’s other business ventures include a private security company, a promotional apparel business, and a small cash-flow consulting firm. Get more articles like this by following Jacob’s Marketing Blog.

The Importance of Re-Alignment

by Jacob S. Paulsen

Not to long ago someone explained to me how the auto-pilot system of an airplane functions. I have always been under the impression that the auto-pilot maintained all the system controls at a specified position keeping the plane going straight. I was mistaken. It seems that if a plane were to maintain constant controls such as speed it would eventually go off course because the elements working on and with the plane are not constant. The wind, pressure, air density, etc are always changing. For this reason the auto-pilot program is nothing more than a "constant correctional, re-alignment system." Every second as the plane moves against gravity and the elements the auto-pilot system makes adjustments in the controls in order to maintain the correct course.

In our spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and professional lives we are also beat upon by the elements. If we continue to maintain the same course by doing the exact same things all the time we will over time be beat off course by the elements of the world. We must each create an auto-pilot program which in effect is a lifelong "constant correctional, re-alignment system." A series of rituals and habits that help us re-commit, re-align, and re-focus ourselves on our own goals.

Here are a series of ideas that I would suggest can help each of us stay on the straight and narrow path leading to our goals.

1. Reflect on the past. When we remember the lessons we have learned in the past it tends to strengthen our commitment to the future. The key to reflecting on the past is in record keeping. We must first keep a record of the now so we will have something to reflect on later. Traditionally we tend to think of record keeping in the form of a written journal. While I believe in the importance of keeping a written journal I have tried to teach the importance of all types of records. Picture albums, home videos, blogs, school projects, emails, family newsletters and many other forms of record keeping can play an important role in keeping track of the past if organized in such a way that allows for it to be reviewed in the future. In addition to keeping the record we must also reflect upon it. I know many people who keep a separate journal just for more emotional and special events. This facilitates future reflection upon the events that shape our lives.
2. Plan for the future. The greatest reason why most fail to reach their goals is because of the lack of a plan of action. Reaching your goals will never come any closer to reality until you establish the necessary steps required to achieve them. On a very regular basis you need to sit down and look at where you are in relation to your goals. You need to set weekly, and daily action steps that will take you closer. I recommend a strong weekly planning session in which you plan for the following week's activities. Such a planning session if done correctly should last at least an hour. Short daily planning sessions will also help you stay on track during the week.
3. Participate in regular renewal activities. Search out activities that remind you why you are doing what you are doing. Religious worship tends to help you re-align with your deepest purpose. Company & industry conventions and parties help you remember the best practices in your business. Seminars, vacations, business trips, and other events that break up routine always help you "wake up" from the elements that have been dragging you off course.

After you have decided on your purpose & goals, and have committed yourself to success, remember to consistently put yourself in an auto pilot program of constant recommitment. While rituals are important they can bring you down if you don’t search out ways of bringing yourself back to the center line.

Jacob S. Paulsen

www.jacobspaulsen.com

Jacob is a Network Marketing Professional in addition to being a successful business owner. Currently a Regional Director with Agel Enterprises, Jacob has built an organization of 12,000+ people over 32 countries around the world. Jacob's other business ventures include a private security company, a promotional apparel business, and a small cash-flow consulting firm. Get more articles like this by following Jacob's Marketing Blog.

Owning Your Own Business Is the Path to Freedom

What do you want? Most of America is satisfied with the 40 by 40 plan, which is 40 hours per week for 40 years. In choosing a career, you see, we pick between two different factors: freedom and security. At first these two are opposites. If you choose security you will never achieve true freedom. If you choose freedom you will likely begin with no security at all and only achieve it after time. That is why the first decision you must make is Freedom; freedom over your time, your resources, and your property both material and intellectual.

As long as you trade your time for money you cannot achieve freedom. Some people argue that being paid salary or being self-employed doesn’t constitute trading time for money but I disagree. Ask yourself this question: If you don’t do any work for the next two weeks would your paychecks still arrive? If you answer no than you are still trading your time for money. The only way to stop this cycle is to own your own business system. See the Diagram:

Owning your own business system provides an opportunity for freedom because by employing others in a predictable pattern of activities you can achieve greater results than you could alone. If you get paid on the efforts of other people you begin to have leverage, and leverage is the key to financial freedom. Kiyosaki’s diagram shows us that only in the “B” & “I” quadrant can you achieve big results. You must make the conscious decision to move to the “B” quadrant and become the owner of a duplicable business system that doesn’t require your daily involvement.

Notice I said a business system that doesn’t require your daily involvement. Having your own business isn’t enough. Most business owners in reality only own a job. You must create or buy a business system that doesn’t require you coming into work every day, every week, every month, or even every year. This may not be possible during the first 6 months to a year of your business but it must be the end goal and your system must allow for it.

Only by making the conscious decision to desire freedom, own your own business, and create a true leverage based business system can you achieve your goals.

Jacob S. Paulsen

www.jacobspaulsen.com

 Jacob Paulsen is a Network Marketing Professional in addition to being a great business owner. To subscribe to Jacob's articles about Marketing & Personal development please visit his blog. To learn more about the fastest growing Innovator in the industry check out Agel!

5. Let Money Work For You. Now that you have began to build your emergency fund and have paid off any credit card debt you will begin to have excess cash-flow. This "excess" cash-flow can now be channeled towards investing. How much? No less than 5% of your monthly income should be put toward investments and after your rainy day fund is built and your credit card debt is gone you should be contributing between 10-15% of your income every month toward investments. Where & What? You need to purchase assets. Assets are investments that put money back into your pocket. Your job is to find assets that will increase your monthly cash-flow and bring you closer to financial freedom. If you are wondering which investments are safe, the answer is that only the investments you are totally familiar with and comfortable with are safe. The risk of the investment is based on your own knowledge of it.
6. Multiple Streams of Income. No one source of income in this world is 100% solid. You could loose your job or main source of income at any time and it therefor becomes necessary to have a back up stream of income. It also goes to reason that the only way to come closer to financial freedom is to work harder at your current job or to get a second income source. I am an advocate for owning your own business instead of getting a second job. Only by owning your own business are you creating leverage and potential residual income which is the base of true financial freedom. Look for opportunities or ideas that will allow you to build a side-income. Don't be afraid to invest some cash and some time into the success of a side business since it may become your greatest asset.
7. Automate Your Finances. The reason a lot of people don't achieve their financial goals is due to a lack of discipline. Even after you begin to track your finances and set goals it can take a lot of work and discipline to carry them out. Learn to automate everything possible about your money to guarantee achieving your goals. If you can set up an automatic transfer from your checking each month to your rainy day fund, or a auto-pay on all your bills do it. Take human error out of the picture as much as possible to ensure achieving your goals.
8. Educate Yourself. The last key to your own wealth is education. In order to be worth more you must first become more and in your financial stewardship this can only be done by increasing your financial education. Read business and investing books. Study the industry of your side-business and seek out advice from successful people in your family and in your industry. Learn everything you can about different investment strategies such as stocks, bonds, real estate, hard money, etc. Attend local seminars about wealth building and investing. Teach what you learn to all those around you.

1. Track Your Finances. This is the first step because it makes everything else possible. What is measured can be improved and studies have shown that even corporate executives who look at financial statements everyday tend not to know their own financial situation. You must know where your money comes from and where it goes, what assets and liabilities you own, and how your current performance lines up with your financial goals. Very few people have the accountant like skills necessary to do it themselves and so to those I recommend hiring someone to do their book-keeping. In my home state Utah I highly recommend JP²Consulting. Once you have a handle on your own finances the true work can begin.
2. Have a Cash-Flow Budget. This is a two sided coin. First you need a budget which is a simple idea of where you want your money to go. How much do you want/expect to spend each month in dining, gasoline, groceries, etc. Second is to work on your cash-flow. How much is left over each month? How much do you spend vs bring in? This is called your Profit vs Loss in the business world and knowing that number should be your life. The other part of your cash-flow is your  Assets vs Liabilites/Expenses. This number will show how close you are to retirement. Assets are things that bring you income without any work on your part. Liabilities and Expenses are everything that take your money away from you. Once your assets bring in enough each month to cover all your expenses and liabilities you can stop working your day job and retire. Making that number positive is your number one goal. To start working on your cash-flow now download this sheet from JP².
3. Create a Rainy Day Fund. Before you begin investing your money into assets or toys your number one priority is to put some cash away into a 100% liquid account with the highest interest rate return possible. MMA, or money market accounts offer the best solution. In this account you need to have enough cash to cover a minimum of 3 months of expenses and liabilites. Get this account filled as quickly as possible. You shouldn't be sleeping well at night if you don't have this cash set aside. Once you hit the 3 month goal continue to contribute a little each month until you reach at least the one year mark. As your expenses go up in the future you need to make on going adjustments to this fund. One year may seem extreme but this cash fund is vital to your long term financial stability and success. 
4. Use Credit Cards like Debit Cards. Credit Cards were designed to hurt you. If used properly however they will bring you more freedom and success. Credit card debt is never, never, never acceptable. The interest rates are way to high to justify carrying any balance at all. Many people will tell you that it is necessary to carry a balance in order to build credit but that is a only myth. If you think of a credit card the same way you do a debit card you can win the game. Never charge your card unless the cash is already in the account to cover the charge. By paying off your card each month you will slowly build strong credit over time. Also if you get a good rewards card you can accumulate points and cash back rewards that will put extra in your pocket.

1. Experienced Management. It takes more than a couple of rookies to really have huge success in this industry. You have to have a team of executives that have massive experience and success in the industry. They have to know how to ship product on time, pay on time, open international markets, and create a profitable payplan.
2. Financial Backing. Companies fail most of the time because they are under managed and under capitalized. In our industry the under capitalized is the bigger killer. It takes big money to create a product line, open markets, and attract the big leaders that we talked about in number one. Some companies may have enough money to survive those first few years until they are profitable but you are looking for a company that has the big money necessary to go global, attract leadership, and launch products.
3. Global Vision. If you really want to have massive financial success logic dictates that you need to go international. More market share means more money and the earlier in the company that international markets open the better. This can create an international frenzy when other markets also have a ground floor international opportunity. This is so super rare that I have only seen it happen once or twice.
4. Product Line. For most people they think this is the only factor. While it is super important it isn’t alone. There are many “sub-factors” to the product line that determine it’s long term success.
1. First to Market. Copy-Cat products will never make Billion Status. Pepsi will never be bigger than Coke, Wendy’s will never surpass McDonalds and the Microsoft Zune will never beat out the IPod. First to Market worldwide products are a must.
2. Universal Appeal. This is about Target Market. Can children & seniors use the product? Is it limited to one per household? Will it sell in every international market?
3. Consumable. Repeat Business is important so the product has to be consumable.
4. Marketability. Can you give out samples, show results? Is the product tangible to the person looking at the business? Can they understand it inside of a 5 minute presentation?
5. Comp. Plan. Can you be profitable quickly? Do you have strong incentive to help others be successful? Is there a such thing as a bad position?
6. Training/Coaching & Duplication. You can have all the perfect factors in place but if you don’t have training and support than what difference does it make? It is necessary for a company to attract BIG Field Leadership from other companies. These big leaders who have a track record of success not only have to be a part of the organization but they need to create simple systems of duplication. The success in this industry is in duplication. How easy is it for anyone to do it? Big leaders create training and action programs that are duplicable and follow-able for anyone.

• Imagine buying a franchise. 
• Now imagine that your franchise could sell it's product in every country around the world.
• Now imagine that your franchise had no employees at all.
• Now imagine that your franchise didn't handle any customer service at all.
• Now imagine that the complete upfront cost of your franchise is only between $500 to $1500 one time.
• Now imagine that the ongoing overhead expense of your franchise is only between $100 to $300 each month.
• Now imagine that you got a cut out of the prodution of every other franchise the company sells. 
• Now imagine that you could stop working anytime after only your first 6 months to a year and not only would you continue to get a check but it continues to get bigger each month even without you.
• Now what you have is a Network Marketing Business.

• All you need is a computer with an Internet connection of any kind.
• You can use it to provide live, online support for your existing customers and website visitors.
• Perform live onling training sessions for your team.
• Clean interface. Extremely easy to use! Just click the link and you're in!
• Rich, quality sound. All you need is a headset and speakers!
• Text chat for your guests without a microphone!
• Private text chat conversations on the side of the main presentation!
• Keyboard commands for visually impaired users!
• Synchronized web browsing allows you to push web pages for 1000's of viewers to see.
• Superior white board features!
• Supports IFRAMES in html web pages.
• 100% Internet based - no phone line or teleconference needed.
• Recording feature - archive your meetings and post them on the web! (not included with free rooms)
• Unlimited monthly web conferencing!
• Customize the look and feel of your room.
• Live customer support - just when you need it!

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Stephen R. Covey is a genius without question but this book is still very applicable even 25 years after it was written. It seems like every time I read it a different habit really sticks out to me.
• Rich Dad Poor Dad. Robert Kiyosaki is an amazing author in addition to being an investing genius. This number one best seller teaches the basic principles of business & money that I believe govern our financial world. He does a great job of teaching these principles along with telling a personal story.
• 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. John Maxwell is a great teacher. In this book he outlines the governing principles that dictate leadership. By mastering these laws you begin to lead, like it or not:)
• Who Took My Money. Robert Kiyosaki does it again for me. Here he continues the Rich Dad story and teaches the basic principles in regards to cash flow and investing. An absolute must.
• Think & Grow Rich. Napolean Hill sacrificed many years of his life to put together this book of governing principles. He interviewed the most influencial and richest people in America and this is what he learned.

• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• The Greatest Salesman in the World - Og Mandino
• 1776 - David McCullough
• Good to Great - Jim Collins
• Speed of Trust - Stephen M. R. Covey
• Raving Fans - Ken Blanchard

Mac VS PC

* Easier: Once you are accustomed I think the mac is easier
* Safer: Anyone who knows anything would concur that the Mac is safer from viruses and crashes
* Customizable: Thought mac is very easy to customize I think the PC is still more customizable because there is a lot more freeware (free software) out there for PCs.
* Software: Once again the PC wins. Developers make their programs for PCs first and macs second. There is just more out there for PCs. On a sidenote you can get a windows terminal on your mac to run pc programs.

Iphone VS Windows Mobile - Thinking of getting a iphone or a smartphone?

* Easier: If you use a PC that a windows mobile smartphone will be easier. Works the same like with a start menu etc.
* Business Use: Windows Mobile wins again. Iphone can convert word & excell files but they are read only. Windows Mobile can edit and save word, excell, and powerpoint files. Also the Iphone has a haphazard sync possibility with outlook but its really not that good.
* Trendy: Here is where the Iphone shines. It just looks cool.
* Music/Video: Windows Mobile comes with windows media which plays music and video very well. But since anymore most of us use itunes and not windows media the Iphone is easier to use and comes with a lot more built in memory to hold more songs and movies.
* Keyboard/Input: Though all the Iphone users I know defend the touch screen keyboard to the death I just can't believe that its easier/quicker/more accurate than a full sized keyboard available on many windows mobile phones.
* Availability: Windows mobile is a common platform that every cell phone carrier will have. Iphones are only made for Cingular. Though you can unlock them for other GSM carriers (T-mobile) you could never use them on TDMA/PCS carriers (Verizon, Cricket, Sprint, Nextel, etc).
* Customizablitiy: Once again there is so much more software out there for windows mobile because it is a pc platform. Iphones come with more cool stuff stock, but the windows mobile can do so much more
* Summary: Show me something that an Iphone can do that my Windows Mobile can't and I'll switch :)

IPod VS ??? OK honestly though there are some knock-offs on the market I've never given any of them any consideration.

Jacob Paulsen
www.ageljacob.com
wwweb.vereconference.com

skype: jacob.paulsen




18. InstantBuzz/TrafficSwarm
I have been experimenting with Instant Buzz and TrafficSwarm for over a week now. For those of you who are unfamiliar with these programs they are both designed to drive additional "Free" traffic to your marketing website.

Instant Buzz installs a toolbar in your browser (available for both firefox and IE) that displays one line text only ads from other Instant Buzz users. Each time a new ad is displayed you earn credits. For each credit you earn one of your ads will be displayed on the tool bar of another Instant Buzz user. The bonus to this program is clearly that it is free. The big downside is that it doesn't really drive any traffic. Though your ad will have thousands of "views" within a week the click ration is very low. In my first week of use my ads have been displayed over 5000 times and I haven't had a single click yet. But hey, its free I guess.

Traffic Swarm provides you with your own user page where 5-6 ads of other Traffic Swarm users are displayed. Unlike Instant Buzz the only real way to generate significant credits is to click on the ads of other users. The obvious plus side is that you might actually have some people clicking on your ads in order to earn their own credits and just maybe if your site is compelling enough they might spend more than the required 20 seconds on it before moving on. The downside is that it takes some time and work to build up your own credits as you browse through the ads of others. Once again the program is free so if you want to play with it in your spare time and build up a bunch of credits you might see a result. So far in one week my ad has been clicked on aout 40 times but I haven't seen any sales from it.

I've found there are bazillions of other "free" traffic driving services out there, of which most are being advertized on the two services above. As far as I can tell these are the two more popular services and because they offer a free account it could hurt to try, but don't hope for big money!

Jacob Paulsen
www.ageljacob.com
wwweb.vereconference.com
skype: jacob.paulsen