Listen to this great podcast from NPR on how not paying attention can lead to memory loss. Evidence shows that stimulating brain activity in social settings, in person and online, can help evade forgetfulness.
ARIZONA MAN CONVICTED IN MOBILE HOME SCAM
Mar. 25, 2011 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) By, Rich Lord
Jason P. Unangst persuaded people to invest nearly $3 million in his plan to buy repossessed mobile homes and sell them to hurricane-ravaged areas — but never purchased so much as a single double-wide.
On Thursday, the Arizona man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh to transporting property taken by fraud and money laundering.
Mr. Unangst confirmed to U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab that he ran JPU Enterprises Inc., portrayed to investors as a firm that had an inside track with a finance company that was foreclosing on mobile homes.
Internal Revenue Service Special Agent Kevin Petrulak said that Mr. Unangst and collaborators “expressed to investors that they could buy mobile homes for pennies on the dollar,” and promised 30 percent to 100 percent returns in just 60 to 180 days.
Read more here.
2011 AGING IN AMERICA CONFERENCE
The nations largest gathering of professionals from the fields of aging, health care and education will take place from April 26-April 30, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The conference will offer more than 600 educational sessions, renowned keynote speakers, exhibit hall and special events. Topics will range from consumer habits and retirement planning to lifelong learning and care management.
See full details of the event here: 2011 Aging in America
AUTHORIZED IRS e-file PROVIDERS
Tax professionals and companies who are accepted into the electronic filing program with the IRS are called “Authorized IRS e-file Providers”. When preparing your 2010 tax return online, you will be given a self-selected PIN number to use as an electronic signature. After signing and submitting your return, the IRS system will automatically check for errors and missing information. If your return cannot be processed for any reason, it will be sent back to the online provider you used. You will be notified by email if there was a problem with the information.
Within 48 hours of electronically sending your return to the IRS, they will send out an acknowledgment of receipt. This is your proof of filing and should be printed out and kept with your tax records. If you are due a refund, you can expect to receive it within three weeks. Refunds are returned even faster with Direct Deposit, which you can select during the filing process. If you owe the IRS money, you are responsible for payment by April 15th, 2011. With the convenience of the internet, individuals can file State and Federal income returns depending on the state you live in.
Be sure the Authorized IRS e-file Provider logo appears on the homepage of the electronic filing company you use.
PLANNING TO RETIRE IN MEXICO?
Written by Joy Hepp, Mexico expert for Fromer’s Guides
So, you’ve worked hard and you’re ready to make your dream of retiring in Mexico a reality. Where do you start? As a travel writer with experience venturing through all of Mexico’s diverse regions, I’m often approached by friends of friends or even complete strangers with questions about retiring in Mexico.
The answer is, it depends. Will you be living on a shoestring budget? Are you willing to go off the beaten path? Do you want to be close to a McDonalds just in case you get a hankering for a burger and fries? So, I’ve divided my advice into three categories that I hope will narrow down some choices for you when evaluating the cost of living. Everyone has their own version of the Mexico dream. Which one will yours be?
