The Oracle Turns 80.

by Natalie Pace.

Should you invest in Berkshire Hathaway while it’s trading at a 3-year low?

Warren Buffet

Warren Buffett was born on August 30, 1930 and began investing at the age of 12. Eighty years later, his company, Berkshire Hathaway, is one of the largest companies on Wall Street, at $147 billion. Warren Buffett is one of the most influential men of the century, and, at least up until now, is considered to be one of the most successful investors of all time, averaging a 20% annualized return since 1965.

It’s hard to imagine the Oracle of Omaha slowing down, but reigning over Wall Street for five decades buys a place in history (and surely a monument in Omaha, Nebraska), not eternal life. At the age of 80, Buffett is still the man primarily responsible for the investment decisions at Berkshire Hathaway, as well as CEO of the corporation, and investors who haven’t noticed his age in the past, should take note now. The financial storms that have flattened Wall Street are centered in the core business of Berkshire Hathaway, which could elevate the heart rate of even a normally unflappable, Snickers-loving CEO.

Despite his "Aw Shucks" plain-talking pretense of staying small town, and despite basing his company out of Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett is about as connected – even royal -- as an American can get. He was there to invest in (help) Goldman Sachs when they needed dough to shore up their balance sheets. He underwrites many of the state and city municipal bonds in the U.S. He was an advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s gubernatorial bid. His bridge-paying buddy is Bill Gates. And his annual meeting is a festival for shareholders, who pay a princely price of admission -- $95,000 for one Class A share and $3,111 for one Class B share (as of 7.29.09).

But at 80, can the Oracle of Omaha still read the cards on Wall Street? Can a kingdom of investors (there are over 1.55 million shares outstanding) really rely upon the continued health and sagacity of an elderly, hands-on kingpin?

Upon reading the annual letter from Buffett, published in February of 2009, there is no doubt that Buffett is still sharp, plain speaking and bullish on America. However, the Devil is in the details. The foundation of the Berkshire Hathaway legacy is no longer resting upon the rock of Warren Buffett. It is now a part of the slip sliding sand that eroded our nation’s banks, insurance companies and homebuilders.

Sure, you can point to the symptoms – the boom/bust cycle of subprime loans and the DOT COM before that. But the fundamental root of our nation’s problems has been and continues to be the unaddressed American reality that so many of our Baby Boomers are retiring and were promised a free ride. This is one of the biggest reasons why our airlines have been in a cycle of bankruptcy for a decade, why our auto manufacturers are bankrupt and why the premium Blue Chip Index became the Bailout Index. The older the company, the more pension problems it is likely to have.

Berkshire Hathaway's net earnings for the first quarter of 2009 was a loss of $1.5 billion, as opposed to earnings of $940 million a year ago. By March 31, 2009, cash and cash equivalents were down to $25.539 billion, from $44.329 billion at the beginning of the year. The biggest drains on cash flow were insurance and financial products.

Why isn’t this a Wall Street headline? Financial news reporters value having Warren Buffett on their shows and available for commentary. Fact checkers have been furloughed for the summer. It is only the rogue journalist who dares to question the reign of the emperor or wonder whether he (or at least his investments) might be naked, or, dare I say, over-exposed. Insurance, financial products, media, municipal bonds, banks, airlines and housing are the worst industries of the past two years in the U.S., and Buffett’s exposure in these areas is substantial.

Municipal Bonds
City, state and other local entities come to Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Company ("BHAC") as an insurer of their tax-exempt bonds. At the end of 2007, all of the major players in this insurance division had fallen into big trouble, increasing BHAC’s exposure. In Buffett’s own words (from his February 27, 2009 Letter to Shareholders), "The pension liabilities I talked about in last year’s report will be a huge contributor to [city and state municipality] woes. Many cities and states were surely horrified when they inspected the status of their funding at yearend 2008. The gap between assets and a realistic actuarial valuation of present liabilities is simply staggering."

Financial Products
Berkshire Hathaway owns $37.1 billion in derivative contracts. According to Warren Buffett, all of four indices would have to go to zero in order for Berkshire Hathaway to lose that full amount. If all indices fell 25% from the value at the inception of the contract, Berkshire Hathaway would "owe about $9 billion," payable between 2019 and 2028.

In addition to this exposure, Berkshire Hathaway owns 13% of American Express, 4.3% of U.S. Bancorp and 7.2% of Wells Fargo. American Express’ earnings are off 21% from last year, and the net income is less than half. U.S. Bancorp (USB) and Wells Fargo (WFC) report that they are much healthier than their peers, but financials continue to be the most volatile industry on Wall Street, with the greatest share price declines when investor sentiment heads south. The second quarter rebound in financials should help the 2^nd quarter earnings of Berkshire Hathaway, however, which should be announced with the next two weeks.

Media
Buffett owns 18.4% of Washington Post Company. With the migration of content out of print and to the online portals, the ability to charge for content has been wiped out. Former news stalwarts, like the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, have sold a piece or all of themselves to stay in business. Almost all of the major media corporations have fired or furloughed some of their finest writers, trimmed back investigative news budgets, are accepting content from bloggers on their sites and are operating with a far leaner staff. The net loss for the first quarter of 2009 at Washington Post Company was $19.5 million ($2.04 loss per share), down from net income of $39.3 million ($4.08 per share) in the first quarter of last year.

Housing
Clayton Homes, Wimbledon Properties and Southern Energy Homes. Clayton Homes is a manufactured homes provider, at a time when home building is at a standstill and has been all year. Revenues in the first quarter of 2009 from manufactured housing and finance activities (Clayton Homes) declined $90 million (11%) from 2008, while earnings were off by 63%, at $42 million, compared to $115 million in 2008, according to the Berkshire Hathaway 1^st quarter 2009 earnings report.

Vanity Holdings: Net Jets
Revenues of NetJets in 2009 also declined significantly. According to the Berkshire Hathaway earnings report, "The decrease in revenues and pre-tax earnings reflects the negative impact of the global recession on substantially all of Berkshire’s other service businesses and in particular, NetJets’ fractional ownership business which reported a pre-tax loss of $96 million, as compared to pre-tax earnings of $45 million in 2008."

Warren Buffett’s answer to the challenges of the times is an invitation to his fan base to buy insurance from him, which is couched as an exclusive opportunity, more than a desperate appeal. In a special message, Warren Buffett encouraged people to save money by insuring their autos with GEICO, to buy their gifts at Borsheim’s and to purchase an annuity through Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company.

What the Buffett followers may not realize, however, is that’s the easiest way for Buffett to raise capital. "Insurance float" accounts for $60 billion – over half – of the assets of Berkshire Hathaway. This money doesn’t technically belong to the company, but, in Buffett’s words, "we hold and invest for our own benefit. In fact, we were paid $2.8 billion to hold our float during 2008." That doesn’t appear to be the returns destined for 2009, however.

When the markets were returning 9% every year on average, Buffett was able to more than double that return, with a 20% annualized return for investors since 1965. In 2008, the S&P500 lost 37% of its value, whereas Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ lost only 10%. However, much of that share price float or buoyancy, during this recession, is based directly upon Buffett’s reputation, rather than a solid analysis of the business, losses and exposure. If the underlying risks of the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio become a headline -- and with the cash negative operations being posted by the company, this is a possibility -- investors could begin to lose faith in their guru.

Be aware, however, that as long as Buffett is willing to comment to gushing fan/journalists on-air, the spotlights will be on the man and genius – not on a company that is heavily invested in and exposed to the most vulnerable industries and municipalities that have been and continue to implode in America. Because of the media’s maniacal fascination with the Oracle of Omaha (and his truly spectacular track record), Berkshire Hathaway is a very risky "short." Additionally, the federal government has proven itself to be willing to bail out insurance companies and allow financial services organizations to slide billions in losses off of the books.

Now, before the storm, the prudent investor is wise to consider the shift of the winds. Carefully consider any existing investments in Berkshire Hathaway and tiptoe lightly, opting for 1000 times the research you would normally do, before wading into a new investment with the world’s most admired capitalist.

As for Buffett’s invitation to purchase an annuity, when insurance companies are being bailed out (hmmm... So you’re more solid than your insurance company), making sure that your nest egg is insured is critical. Annuities are not FDIC insured, whereas many bank accounts and IRAs. Read and understand the fine print of the bailout plan before you open the account. AIG, Lehman Bros., Bear Stearns, General Motors, most of our airlines, Citigroup, Bank of America, et al. are all bankrupt and/or bailed out. Berkshire is not on that list, but the exposures that the business has to these same industries make the company more vulnerable than is being reported.

Full Disclosure: I own put positions in American Express and Wells Fargo. I do not own positions in any other companies mentioned in this article.

About Natalie Pace:
Natalie Pace, is the author of Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is, a featured teacher in the movie, Spiritual Liberation, and CEO of one of the most respected, independently owned financial news corporations in the U.S. She has been ranked as a #1 stock picker from TipsTraders.com and has partnered content with Forbes.com, Sohu.com, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and more.  She has appeared on Fox News, Good Morning America, CNBC, Time Magazine, More Magazine, USA Today, NPR and national radio shows. For more information please visit, http://www.nataliepace.com.

Beware of Fake Check Scams.

Investor Alert by FINRA.org.

We are issuing this Alert to warn the public about "mystery shopper" and "modeling" scams using checks that appear to be from legitimate companies—including FINRA.

In each of these scams, you are sent an authentic-looking check. In many instances, the name of a real company appears on the check as well as real account and routing numbers. You are instructed to deposit the check in your bank account and then transfer a portion of the money to someone else. Days later, your bank informs you that the check was counterfeit and that you are liable for the amount withdrawn, usually several thousand dollars. You’ve been scammed.

We are aware that fraudsters behind some of these scams have created fake FINRA and "NASD Regulations" [sic] checks. (NASD Regulation was a subsidiary of FINRA's predecessor, NASD.) Because it can be very difficult to tell a real check from a counterfeit one, we are urging consumers to be cautious if someone they don't know asks them to cash a check and then transfer the money.

This Alert describes two fake check scams that we’ve identified, offers tips on avoiding these types of frauds, and tells you where to turn for help if you are a victim of one of these scams.

Mystery Shopping Scam
Fraudsters lure victims by posting ads for mystery shoppers in job classifieds, such as on the popular Web site Craigslist (www.craigslist.org). When victims respond to the ads, they are led to believe that they have been hired as mystery shoppers to evaluate the services of money transfer companies, such as MoneyGram. Victims are then sent checks that appear to be from legitimate companies—including FINRA—and instructed to deposit the checks in their bank accounts, then withdraw most of the money and wire it to someone else—often a purported fellow mystery shopper. Victims are told to keep several hundred dollars of the money as payment. When the checks are later discovered to be phony, the banks reverse the deposit and the victims are left liable for the money withdrawn, usually several thousand dollars.

Modeling Scam
Typically this scam starts out with a victim responding to an online posting—or the victim may have posted information online, such as with a modeling clearing house. Either way, the victim eventually gets "hired" by the fraudsters to model and receives an email with instructions. Similar to the mystery shopping scam, the victim then receives a legitimate looking check and is told to cash the check, wire some portion of the proceeds to a third party—such as a "supervising crew"—and keep the remainder as payment.

How can I protect myself?
To avoid fake check scams, follow these tips:

* Don’t "keep the change." No legitimate company will overpay you and ask that you wire the difference back to the company or to some third party. Be extremely wary of any offer—in any context—to accept a check or money order in an amount greater than you are owed.

* Call the company directly to verify the check. Remember that some fake checks will have a legitimate company’s actual account number with the correct bank routing number. Call the company directly to verify the check, using a telephone number you obtain on your own from directory assistance. Do not use any telephone number that appears on the check or in any instructions you receive. For FINRA checks, call (301) 590-6500.

*Know the hallmarks of fraud. Fake check scams typically have a number of red flags, such as:

*Typos: Watch out for online postings or emails that are riddled with typos and poor grammar.

*Mismatched names: Compare the name of the person or company posting the opportunity with the name on the check you receive—and beware if they don’t match.

*Pressure to act quickly: Be aware that it can take 10 days or even more for your bank to determine that a check is counterfeit. Don’t wire or transfer funds until you have verified with your bank that the check has cleared—even if the bank allows you to withdraw the money sooner.

Where to Turn for Help
FINRA urges victims of fake check scams to contact one of the following organizations right away:
* Your local police
* The Internet Crime Complaint Center (a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center)
* The U.S. Postal Inspections Service (if the check arrived by U.S. mail)

Resources
* American Bankers Association Education Foundation, How To Protect Yourself Against Cashier's Check Fraud.
*FTC Consumer Alert, The Secrets of Mystery Shopping Revealed (January 2009).
* Internet Crime Complaint Center, Work-at-Home Scams (February 2009).
* National Consumers League, FakeChecks.org

They Broke It. We bought It.

by Paul Woods, President, CEO and CIO, Odyssey Advisors LLC.

Paul Woods, President, CIO & CEO, Odyssey Advisors LLC.

According to Obama’s Chief of Staff, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste, and what I mean by that is it's an opportunity to do things you didn't think you could do before." On the top of the list of things our ruling class didn’t think they could get away with before is making direct investments in private companies. This started with George Bush and has expanded under the Obama administration.

In the last few months, taxpayers became investors in Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac, AIG, and an assortment of the country’s worst managed commercial and investment banks. Aside from inept management, what these have in common is enough foresight to contribute generously to both political parties and build up the equivalent of a rainy day fund. When that rainy day came, they were rewarded with a bailout instead of bankruptcy and taxpayers ended up with a portfolio of broken companies.

In the second quarter, Chrysler and General Motors were added to the taxpayer portfolio as both companies fit the required profile. Going into reorganization, GM bondholders were owed $27 billion while the UAW was owed $20 billion. Coming out, the UAW will receive a 50% recovery of their debt in cash and a 39% stake in the new company while bondholders will receive no cash and a 10% stake. Care to take a wild guess which side contributed generously to the Obama campaign?

Management of the new Government Motors will consist of political appointees and union members, which might be the only way to make investors nostalgic for the previous management. Keeping the UAW involved only postpones the inevitable, as unions have a long tradition of killing their hosts in the private sector. However, combustion engine technology is now living on borrowed time. Electricity is the fuel of the future and a new type of car probably requires a new type of carmaker. Brands like Pontiac and Oldsmobile will disappear, but they will be replaced by Tesla, Fisker, Aptera, and many others you haven’t heard of yet.

In the second quarter of 2009, good things came in the smallest packages, growth nosed out value in a photo finish at the end of the quarter, and large company stocks were the segment to avoid. For reference, here’s the stock market segment scorecard for the second quarter of 2009:

Source: Telmet Orion

Within these market segments, financials, clean energy, and REITs were the best performers. Clean energy got a boost from higher oil prices and the likelihood of more spending in this area, while financials and REITS may have just been a dead cat bounce. Equity investors were also betting on a recovery as economically sensitive industries outperformed the more stable segments of the economy. For reference, here’s the stock market index and industry group scorecard for the second quarter of 2009:

Source: Telmet Orion

In the bond market, interest rates continued to rise and we started to see money moving out of Treasury bonds as yield spreads in Government agencies and corporates narrowed. Treasury yields peaked early in June and then declined a bit on announced plans by the Federal Reserve to purchase more debt. Toward the end of the quarter, traders began to believe that the central bank will do whatever necessary to keep borrowing costs low, and the odds of higher interest rates by the end of the year declined from 55% to 44% according to the pricing of futures on the Chicago Board of Trade. However, with borrowing increasing and major lenders like China and Russia indicating a reduced appetite for more Treasury bonds, it’s hard to see interest rates going anywhere but up over the longer term. Because rates on U.S. Treasuries are at low levels, we believe there is greater value in U.S. Government Agencies, FDIC insured certificates of deposit, municipals of the highest quality, and selective corporates outside of the financial and insurance sectors.

Current Yield	3/31/09	6/30/09	% Change
90 day Treasury Bills	0.21%	0.20%	-4.76%
5 Year Treasury Notes	1.67%	2.53%	51.50%
10 Year Treasury Notes	2.71%	3.51%	29.52%

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

About the best that can be said of the economy is it probably won’t get much worse. The recent government-spending spree is likely to be paid for by taxes on health care benefits, a massive new tax on energy under the guise of cap & trade, and higher taxes on incomes that will probably lead to an extended period of high unemployment and poor economic growth. However, while earnings expectations continue to come down, corporate profits will face much easier comparisons in the second half of 2009, particularly in the fourth quarter. We expect earnings to bottom by the end of the year and to be higher in 2010, which could lend continued support to stock prices. Besides, with microscopic yields on money market funds and continued uncertainties about where we’ll find enough lenders to finance the massive increase in Treasury debt, stocks are finally starting to look like the least bad of the investment alternatives.

About Paul Woods
Paul Woods is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer of Odyssey Advisors. He has over 35 years of experience in the investment management and research analysis of common stocks. He manages the Odyssey Clean Energy Portfolio. Paul has done a great deal of independent research on clean energy and has written multiple articles on various segments of this industry.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable however Odyssey Advisors LLC does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. Securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors.

Copyright © 2009 by Odyssey Advisors LLC.

Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask First.

by Natalie Pace.

8 Ways to Survive the Crash of the U.S. Economy.

Are you making your bank, insurance company and credit card company rich? Wouldn’t you rather be increasing your own bottom line and balance sheet?

Photo by: Stacie Isabella Turk. Ribbonhead.com. (c) 2008.

Banks, insurance companies and credit card companies were in trouble in 2007, so the government stepped in to bail them out. Essentially, since the "government" is funded by your tax dollars, you are the savior of your bank.

But, banks, insurance companies and credit card companies have a strange way of thanking their heroes. Instead of working with you to secure a mortgage payment you can afford (which is why most of the foreclosures are occurring), many banks are foreclosing on the property, harassing the owner and/or letting the foreclosure sit in limbo for months on end. In truth, since the bulk of the loan is interest (not principal), there is a lot of room for the bank to see upsides over the long term, even while working with you for the next few years. But many are choosing to be aggressive and mean-spirited toward their customers (even though they wooed you into the loans in the first place). Meanwhile, the top revenue source these days is overdraft fees, up to $35 per occurrence.

Credit card companies are slashing credit lines, changing terms, increasing the interest and harassing even their best customers. Premium clients are now seeing their credit ratings suffer – through no fault of their own.

Insurance companies are downplaying their exposures – AIG’s losses would have wiped out the annuity/nest eggs of countless Americans – while being trigger-happy to cancel your policy or change the terms at the first sign of a late payment.

Instead of being grateful for the bailout from taxpayers, the banking industry has declared war on their customers, in the name of shoring up a healthier balance sheet, with practices that make it easy to understand why usury is a major sin in most religions. Overdraft fees, fees for transferring your own money between your own accounts online and more are making the average price of a bank account hundreds, and sometimes even thousands of dollars for distressed Americans, many of whom are behind on their mortgage payments already and struggling to find solutions.

It is time to realize that the U.S. economy has not yet recovered. The second wave of banking problems may be buried in the “massaged” accounting of earnings statements that claim stellar earnings, slide billions in losses off the books, refuse to account for the billions in abandoned real estate, etc. (FYI: This is what the telecommunications industry did in the early 2000s, before the scandals of Global Crossing, Worldcom, et al. The telecoms found a way to keep phantom earnings on the books that weren’t ever going to be collected, mostly in the form of overcharges that they were slow to credit.)

Whether the economy is starting to recover (as the pundits and politicians are trying to convince us) or not, the smart American will immediately secure their own oxygen mask to avoid a complete crash of their personal fiscal livelihood. Below are eight things you can do to ensure that you are in a position to get rich first – ahead of your bank, insurance company or credit card company.

1. Give yourself a raise. The first thing you must do each month is to put money into a tax-protected retirement account. Did you ever wonder how O.J. Simpson could play golf and have a mansion in Florida when he owed $33 million to the Goldman family? It was because he had pensions and retirement plans, which cannot be seized by people claiming that you owe them dough. Contribute at least 10% of whatever income you make (including unemployment income) to your own IRA, 401(k), health savings account, etc. Secure as many tax protected accounts as it takes, including health savings accounts, SEP/ROTH/Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s and more! Write this check FIRST, before you pay bills.
   
   
2. Cash is King. Check the holdings in your stock portfolio. Make sure you have at least a percent equal to your age SAFE and liquid in your stock portfolios. Add an additional 10-20% safe because we are in a recession. Safe and liquid investments include Treasury Bills, which can be purchased through TreasuryDirect.gov, FDIC insured Certificates of Deposit and even highly rated Treasury Bill funds. Bonds are risky these days because formerly high rated bonds (like the auto manufacturers) are getting paid off on pennies on the dollar and municipalities are not able to balance their budgets.
   
   
3. Build assets. Even during a recession, there are areas of the market that will do well. So, make sure that you have researched and invested in some hot industries. If you are taking your profits at least once a year, chances are that you are outperforming the S&P500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average. Read Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is for tips on proper stock diversification, Modern Portfolio Theory, annual rebalancing strategies and other market maneuvers designed to make you money! If a retired schoolteacher can earn back 15% of her nest egg in just a few months in 2009, imagine what you can do!

If you want to jumpstart your learning (and have new strategies to employ for the rest of your life), come to the October 8-10, 2009 Get Rich and Green Retreat in Santa Monica, CA. You can get $600 off the price, if you register NOW before August 15, 2009. Get more info at the Get Rich and Green banner ad on the home page at NataliePace.com.

4. Build Up Reserves. Cash gives you options, even if your credit rating is slashed, so be sure that you are depositing money into your IRA, even before you pay off your debt. (Your retirement plan is a part of your assets!) Your ability to put a 20% down payment on a house is more important than anything, and the best way to pay down debt (and get better terms) is to have increased income and assets. No matter how much your debtors hound you, your time and focus must be invested in creating more assets and income, so that the debt is a smaller portion of your life. If you focus on the debt, you’ll be paying it off forever – making the credit card company rich, while keeping yourself poor, in the bargain. Since the credit card companies have been slashing credit lines, credit ratings are a complete fluke these days any way. You could be the best risk on the planet, but if your lines of credit have been slashed, your reputation has been sullied, through no fault of your own. One of the best ways to build up reserves is going to be through the tax-protected retirement account (#1 on this list).
   
   
5. Health Savings Account, not Health Insurance. Create your own insurance plan with a Health Savings Account. It’s probably more solid than the insurance company’s plan any way! How? The health savings account operates similar to a retirement account in that it’s tax protected and part of your financial freedom strategy and asset base. If you need the money for an illness, it’s there. If you don’t, it’s still yours (not the insurance company’s). And in the meantime, you get to invest the money for potential gains, instead of throwing money away each month on insurance premiums.

What are the benefits to having your own health savings account? Your own plan is not going to be lost if you switch jobs or cannot pay your monthly premiums. Additionally, this builds up your "reserves," as well as your asset base, all of which will help you to keep and grow your wealth, instead of making the insurance companies rich on your medical premiums. Ask your broker about how to open up a health savings account. Once you do this, you can perhaps purchase catastrophic medical insurance (which is much cheaper) and focus on staying healthy. All of this is an investment in you that will never go away.

6. Partner Up. In a recession, everyone is under pressure. It is the perfect time to look at a competitor and say, "Hey. Why don’t we partner up to reduce costs, innovate and position ourselves to come out of the downturn as the leader of the pack?!" Microsoft is doing that with Yahoo. Nonprofit organizations might save themselves from the dried up funding sources by combining and reducing some of their basic operational costs and teaming up to get contributions from their donors. Now, more than ever, think partner, instead of competitor.
   
   
7. Hang on to as much as you can. Whether it is convincing your aging parents that your guesthouse is better than the nursing home, or convincing your bank to modify your loan, call in help and hang on to as much of your healthy assets as you can. Write letters. Create income. Leverage. Partner up. Modify your home loan AND rent out your second home (if you can). Get creative about solving your issues. Be willing to give up something to hang onto the best of what you own, whether it is that spare room or some of the revenues or the spare time that your receptionist can use answers the phones for another business.
   
   
8. Get into a low-interest, fixed, assumable loan. You can read up more on this from my article in the June 2009 ezine (Vol. 6, Issue 6), but, in an environment when interest rates are still the lowest they have been in a century, the low-interest, fixed, assumable loan could be the best investment of the next five years. Why? If you wish to sell your home or building or business in 3-7 years and interest rates have doubled, your assumable, low-interest, fixed loan could make it the most attractive investment on the block! The cost of purchase will be reduced significantly if the buyer can assume your low-interest loan, instead of one at twice the cost from the bank.

At this time, don’t allow your time to be consumed by the calls of aggressive bill collectors. Don’t complain about the actions of your bank, insurance company and/or credit card company. Be pre-emptive. Make sure that your income, your focus, your work ethic and your intelligence are all serving to make YOU RICH (not them). I am not saying to ignore your obligations. You must work with the banks, credit card companies and insurance companies to come up with a reasonable solution for any money that you owe, in a monthly plan that you can actually commit to for the next two years.

You can do this. You can look out for yourself, knowing that a healthy, wealthy you can better afford to be honorable to the debts you owe and to create a wonderful future for yourself, for your family and for our world.

About Natalie Pace:
Natalie Pace, is the author of Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is, a featured teacher in the movie, Spiritual Liberation, and CEO of one of the most respected, independently owned financial news corporations in the U.S. She has been ranked as a #1 stock picker from TipsTraders.com and has partnered content with Forbes.com, Sohu.com, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and more.  She has appeared on Fox News, Good Morning America, CNBC, Time Magazine, More Magazine, USA Today, NPR and national radio shows. For more information please visit, http://www.nataliepace.com.

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Career Reflections: 14 Commandments for Getting Ahead.

by Alexa Brandt.

During my four years at the national women’s organization Step Up Women’s Network, I had the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the brightest women executives in the country. Upon departing the organization to pursue my MBA, I am eager to share 14 commandments that have helped me get ahead in my career. I hope these tips will provide you with fuel for your professional advancement.

1. Dream jobs do exist. Understand your gifts and search long and hard until you find a role that puts them to good use. I speak from experience and will always be grateful for the phenomenal opportunity I was granted to play a small role in building Step Up Women’s Network into one of the most sought-after women’s networks in the nation.
   
   
2. Be an active community member – it pays. Find your cause, organization, or community group and get involved. Inevitably you will feel more connected, learn new skills, and build lasting relationships. Get started at www.idealist.org. Once you find your organization, make friends with the staff and members of the board of directors. These individuals hold the keys to the best volunteer roles and event invitations.
   
   
3. Have a great business idea? Secure your web presence by purchasing the domain name for $10 a year at www.godaddy.com (I personally own seven). Build a free website at www.yola.com.
   
   
4. Get connected. Every Friday go through your email inbox and send LinkedIn and Facebook requests to each new contact you have communicated with that week. Learn great insights on developing relationships by subscribing to expert Keith Ferazzi’s newsletter.
   
   
5. A little graphic design can go a long way. Find a talented graphic designer who understands your vision and use them for everything from business cards to party invitations. Make it affordable by using a graphic design auction site like http://99designs.com/.
   
   
6. When in doubt, smile and wear a stylish outfit. A fierce combination of the two has the ability to open many doors.
   
   
7. Learn how to use catchy language that sticks. Read Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath. It changed the way I wordsmith and as a result more and more people are able to quickly understand my vision, ideas, and goals.
   
   
8. Never underestimate the power of a hand written thank you note. Purchase very affordable personal stationary with easy to use templates at vistaprint.com. Send thank you notes out frequently when deserved (both to individuals and their bosses!).
   
   
9. Stay informed. Find media that speaks to you and subscribe. Some of my favorite e-newsletters and magazines are Trend Central, TED, Ode Magazine, The Week, PINK Magazine, and Fast Company.  
     
10. People, even the Fortune 500 bigwigs, are very accessible. Challenge yourself to reach out to at least five people who impress or intrigue you each year. Request an informational interview or simply 15 minutes of their time by phone. You will be surprised by how many people invite you into their offices and lives when you express sincere interest in their work.
    
    
11. Ask for what you want and need. Be clear, be bold and be direct. People want to help other people so let your network know how they can help you. Three kind and generous women who helped me when I asked are my business school recommenders - Danielle Carrig, Jane Wurwand and Lisa Hochberg.
    
    
12. Icebreaker games are the fastest way to build camaraderie quickly among strangers. In my reign as the "Ice Breaker Queen" at Step Up I came to realize that even those individuals who initially resist participation are always thankful and appreciative for the camaraderie that results in the end. Click here for some icebreaker game ideas.
    
    
13. Celebrate and share your successes. My favorite way to recap after an event in the office is by having a "Compliment Fest." It’s simple: One by one, each team member is recognized for everything s/he did well by each of the other team members. It enables everyone to have a voice and create a positive platform to discuss the event (even if everything about the event was not positive). Ask colleagues to send their compliments to you over email so you have a record of the positive feedback. Use it when it is time for a review. On an annual basis send out a well crafted email to your network highlighting professional updates and impressive career accomplishments.
    
    
14. Pay tribute to those who have who have supported you and stepped up on your behalf. I am both saddened and thankful that my list of supporters is too long to include in this article. Let’s just say that if we have collaborated together, I am eternally grateful that our paths have crossed and hope they stay entwined for many miles to come.  

Alexa Brandt

About Alexa Brandt:
Alexa Brandt flexed her philanthropic muscles as a Senior Program Manager at Step Up Women’s Network from 2005-2009. Her next stop is Babson College to pursue an MBA (don’t worry – she already printed new branded stationary for all of her thank you notes). Connect with Alexa on Facebook.

Broken Hearts and Broken Down Chariots in the Eternal City.

by Natalie Pace.

An Interview with the legendary film star, Tony Curtis.

Tony Curtis was born Bernard Schwartz, but many, like legendary director Stanley Kubrick, considered him the embodiment of royalty. He became Antoninus, in Kubrick’s Roman epic Spartacus. He hobnobbed in the highest social circles. He married beautiful women (five to be exact) and fathered gifted children (including Jamie Lee Curtis).

So, when I ran into Mr. Curtis in a hotel in Rome, Italy, and he greeted me with that mirthful, more rags than royal, New York accent, I felt some sort of simpatico or calling or curiosity that could not be ignored. This was not adoration or infatuation. Just the lazy wonderment that can only happen when you are in Rome, with eyes and heart wide open at all the monuments and how well they’ve held up. Mr. Curtis, one of the last remaining Rat Pack rascals, was still holding up. I was curious to see how well.

When I called Tony Curtis for this interview, later that afternoon, I hadn’t seen Spartacus since I was a teenager and could barely remember what his role in the movie was. Some Like It Hot was the film he’s most famous for these days – that and being the father of Jamie Lee Curtis. All of this was before my day, really, and quite outside my aesthetic interests. So why bother with the interview? It was just the feeling that running into him there in Rome -- after running into him a decade earlier in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace -- was important, or at minimum, odd enough to be explored. My interview request was nothing more than just wandering down a path to see where it would lead before I hit a stop sign or a cliff. Here’s how the scene played out.

I was squeezed into the world’s tiniest elevator, on my third day in Rome, thinking, "Rome is definitely not a place for someone in a wheelchair." The elevator door opened and there was a crew of people getting ready to heave a man from one standard American-sized wheelchair into one small enough to fit into the elevator. I was startled how reality matched my previous thought and whispered, "Wow. Isn’t that synchronistic!" to myself as I walked past the entourage.

Right at that moment, I hear a voice, saying, "Ciao Bella!" I immediately recognized the voice – from my past or from a movie, I couldn’t tell which. I looked into his face and saw that, through the ruins of age, past the highways of broken vessels, there was a legendary film star, one of the most desirable men of his day -- Tony Curtis. And buried in the mirth of his smile and the lilt of his greeting was still the wild child, albeit in an old man’s body. I sang back to him, "Buon giorno!" and skipped out the door on my way to the Vatican, but the meeting itself kept replaying in my brain all day.

Just a few years earlier, I’d run into the same man in the same way – at a hotel elevator – but that time it was in Las Vegas! At Caesar’s Palace circa 2000, Tony Curtis was a strong, healthy, though aging man with a beautiful, tall, much younger woman with long blonde hair on his arm. He looked rich and happy. She looked statuesque and expensive. Perhaps it was the desire to know whether she had stuck with him through the journey – the curiosity about the love affair – that lead me to call the hotel room of Tony Curtis and request an interview.

I do not know why the Gods choose to slam our chariots into one another – in Roma, Italy and in Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. I don’t know if this man is a decent person or a good father. People on the street still can’t get over that he left Vivien Leigh. I can’t even remember if he is a decent actor.

But I do not question the Gods. And, in retrospect, the poetry that emerged from the lips of one of the greatest cinema stars in history was well worth the bravery it took to call him on the phone and trust what might unfold.

Now if these questions sound ridiculous, it is because this interview was impromptu, unprepared and rushed. I was told, by one of his handlers and then later by his wife (I didn’t know if she’s the same woman from a decade ago), that if I wanted to do an interview, it must be done right then and there, and he only had five minutes. There was no time to prepare. Not even five minutes to scan his filmography, which meant I could only name two out of more than 140 films that he’d starred in.

"Don’t worry, honey," Tony assured me. "This is the interview you really want. Everyone already knows my films any way. This will be something more."

Ok, I said to myself. Why not trust him? I’ve already made an ass of myself and know I’ve got five minutes to kill. Thankfully, he doesn’t remember running into me in either elevator and I’ll probably never see him again, so I won’t have to face up to being the author of this nonsense!

And the moment that I let go of all of the self-judgment, that’s when the magic began.

Natalie: What’s your favorite movie that you’ve starred in?
Tony Curtis: I really can’t say. The movies were built around the culture and what was happening in the world at the time. Each is important in its own way.

Do you think movies are key to helping humanity understand their world and perhaps even transform the times?
They are simply important to the individual who sees them. I did love stories. Gangster stories. Guy meets girl. Guy gets the girl.

How do the Italians feel about your films? Are you popular here in Italy?
I was very popular in Rome for what I represent to the Roman audience, which is freedom. The Romans loved the impudence, the joy, the pleasure and the pain of life. Romans won’t be chastised for these things.

What would you tell Americans about the magic of Rome, of what it feels like to stand in 2000 year-old ruins?
I feel that I represent part of them. The ruins that I see, feel and sense here, now, in this moment of my time on Earth. The statues are broken down and seeking renovation. We all are. We are a product of the time we live in. I, like these ruins, have the strength and joy of being simply who I am.

With no regrets? No apologies or unfulfilled dreams?
If I failed in projecting anything, that is my fame. My fame is what I’ve contributed with my failures and my successes. I am like granite, broken, abused and refreshed by what has happened. My broken heart. My chariot that doesn’t work. I am all of these things.

Whatever Tony Curtis did on or off screen, in and out of over 140 films and five marriages, and whatever I have done on or off the screen of my own life, I am and we all are, "broken, abused and refreshed by what has happened."

You can learn more about the legacy of this famous film star at his website, TonyCurtis.com. Tony Curtis is considered Hollywood royalty, a true rags to riches story, and his autographed memoir American Prince, is available for the royally reduced price of just $40.

Tony Curtis has a nonprofit organization devoted to the rescue and care of abandoned horses that are destined for the slaughter house (and Verona, Italy, no doubt), called Shiloh Horse Sanctuary, which he runs with his wife, Jill Curtis, who is one and the same beautiful, statuesque blonde, who was on his arm a decade ago in Las Vegas.

From a career at the facade throne of la-la land, to the overseer of Shiloh Horse just north of Sin City, Tony Curtis now presides over the very real and noble task of helping stallions pass to greener pastures. But wait: that’s not all.

Tony is now enjoying a successful second career as a fine artist. Since at least the early 1960s, Curtis has had a second career as a painter, assemblage creator, and sketcher. His work can command more than $50,000 a canvas now and it is on this he now focuses rather than movies. "I still make movies but I'm not that interested any more. I paint all the time." Tony's paintings are featured in galleries all around the world, including in Las Vegas, Carmel, Maui, Whistler, London, Paris, and New York. In 2007 his painting The Red Table went on display at the Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan.

If you want something truly special from Tony Curtis, you can buy a piece of his artwork. It’s unfortunate that more movie maniacs don’t realize this. But, you, dear online reader, must pass this on. That yes, a signed, numbered, personally painted and autographed litho of Americana is available from the American Prince himself, and at prices that should make the recession-weary wallet sing.

Tony has painted and autographed some of the hottest posters from his films, including "Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Houdini and more. Be sure to take the time to view the Fine Art & Giclees, Pens, Posters & Inks and Photo Giclees on his website.

L’Arena in Verona, Italy.

Placido Celebrates 2000 in Verona on July 24, 2009.

by Natalie Pace.

Placido Domingo put Los Angeles Opera on the world stage when he became General Director in 2000. His heart and his start, however, lie in the Ancient Roman stones of the Arena in Verona, Italy. There he made his Italian opera debut, which launched his career as the most celebrated tenor of our day.

On July 24, 2009, Placido Domingo returned to Verona to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his first time onstage in Italy, which occurred at the ancient Verona amphitheatre. On that sultry summer evening, Domingo’s masterful renditions of Verdi’s Otello, Alfano’s Cyrano de Bergerac and Bizet’s Carmen circled across the 25,000 seats of the Arena of the open-air arena and soared over the cobble-stone streets where Romeo and Juliet first fatefully crossed paths more than six hundred years ago.

The history of the Arena is almost as magnificent as the stars of Opera, like Domingo, who have made their Italian debut on its stage. (Maria Callas and Renee Fleming are among the prestigious list of opera stars to sing in L’Arena). 2000 years ago, within the third decade of the first century, L’Arena di Verona, was built by the Romans. It is the 3^rd largest stadium in Italy, after the Coliseum (in Rome) and the amphitheatre (in Capua). And, of course, for literature lovers, Verona is the city of star-crossed love of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, whose home is now a museum there.

On the first night of Placido Domingo’s Italian debut in the summer of 1969, in Turandot, his thoughts, as he gazed up at the moon were that just a few months before, a man had landed there for the first time. Today, just 40 years later, rovers have explored Mars and the Hubble telescope has snapped photos of the rings of Saturn and the birth of stars. It is this kind of stunning, seamless coexistence of time and space that is possible only in an arena of this nature – outdoor, immense, open-air and Roman – the only one of its kind in use in the world today.

When 25,000 people filled the seats to celebrate with Domingo under the stars of a July 24, 2009 Verona night, they co-created another unforgettable experience -- the coming together of masterful artistry, art aficionados, architecture and a few blessed seat cushions. This celebration was truly worthy of the Gods, with a stage so expansive that the artists can get lost from the music, if they are not careful. According to Placido Domingo, in an interview with Francesca Zardini, "When the space is so big, everything is more difficult… You absolutely must anticipate, if not, you risk having the sound arrive with a slight delay."

For those who could not afford the price of admission, the arias, as well as the roar of the crowds, resounded throughout the streets of Verona. This was the trip of a lifetime and one that the Domingo-phile should not have missed! If you wish to hop a jet immediately, you can still experience Placido Domingo conducting George Bizet’s Carmen, with direction and stage design by Franco Zeffirelli at the Arena. Aida, Turandot, Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Tosca are also staged at the Arena this summer. Go to Arena.IT for the summer schedule.

Los Angeles shares our beloved maestro and treasure Placido Domingo with Verona (and Washington D.C.). Beyond the challenges of this moment, the "economic crisis" and unemployment, we can experience something with greater depth and meaning. We can step into and support a tradition that spans two millennia in the making – a once in a lifetime experience that could make all of those inane trips to the water cooler worth it. Opera in a 2000-year old coliseum.

Whatever our fiscal problems are, which appear to strangle our potential, much less our ability to enjoy life, these enduring monuments, our awe of the glory and achievement of our ancestors and of exquisite art and architecture, demand a certain reverence and acknowledgement and support. And as we step up to experience something deep, memorable and lasting and to drink in the ages under the stars -- 40 years for Placido Domingo, 96 years of opera at L’Arena in Verona, 2000 years for the Arena itself -- we create a more incredible life for ourselves, and for the world – now and forever, far beyond what is buried beneath our daily routines and small lives.

One important night in Verona -- July 24, 2009 – was perhaps one of the most golden moments in the history of humanity. One artist, whose lungs filled a stadium that spans centuries, radiated so brightly that even the Gods in the heavens were twinkling the stars for an encore. At the age of 68, Placido Domingo has won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, numerous honorary doctorates and much more. He still enjoys excellent health and an amazing voice, but don’t wait for the 50^th anniversary! Be sure to see him whenever and wherever you possibly can.

Tickets for the opera at L’Arena can be purchased online at the Arena website, at Arena.IT, or you can go to Verona and buy them directly at the box office. Be adventureous. It’s worth it. With a stadium that seats 25,000, don’t worry, even if you risk it and buy the ticket there, you’ll most likely get in!

About Natalie Pace:
Natalie Pace, is the author of Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is, a featured teacher in the movie, Spiritual Liberation, and CEO of one of the most respected, independently owned financial news corporations in the U.S. She has been ranked as a #1 stock picker from TipsTraders.com and has partnered content with Forbes.com, Sohu.com, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and more.  She has appeared on Fox News, Good Morning America, CNBC, Time Magazine, More Magazine, USA Today, NPR and national radio shows. For more information please visit, http://www.nataliepace.com/.

10 Tips for Traveling to Italy.

by Natalie Pace

You must do this now! The country is amazing! It is my personal viewpoint that once every decade, at least, you should go on an amazing adventure that lasts for at least 21 days. This is good for the soul because it vaults you out of your status quo and puts you in the midst of other possibilities. No matter what happens when you return, you are a changed person, capable of dreaming much larger, living much more deeply and happier to boot!

Italy definitely qualifies as a place to visit on one of those once-in-a-lifetime vacations. No doubt, that is why Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise chose to marry in Italy (and stay at the Hassler Hotel, while in Rome). George Clooney and Brad Pitt opted for the elegance of Hotel Di Russie, in the Piazza del Popolo, while filming Ocean’s Twelve.

St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square, Vatican City (at night)   View of the Piazza del Popolo from the Popolo suite at Hotel di Russie   View of the pool and Vatican City from the Rome Cavalieri (a Waldorf-Astoria hotel).   The Spanish Steps, Rome, Itay. The Hassler Hotel is at the top of the Spanish Steps!

What to do First: Allow for at least 4 days in Rome first before any other city in the country. Don’t just book a "tour." Rome is a walking city and getting to the monuments is VERY easy to do on your own. If you do go with your own flow, then you can spend time on the things that most interest you, on your own clock, instead of kowtowing to the clock of the masses and the tour buses. Capri! Don’t forget the island that inspired an entire fashion trend when you are planning the cities you’ll visit! This is located off the coast of Napoli. You can book your hotel in advance and then catch the ferry boat from Napoli to get there. Taxis: If you must take a cab, negotiate the amount with the driver BEFORE you get in the car, especially if you are catching a cab at the airport. If the cab does not have a meter, don’t get in the car. If the meter is running before you get in, refuse to get in and wait for the next cab. Don’t argue because if the cab driver is dishonest s/he will just lie and tell you some lame excuse why it costs more. (It’s in the evening. You’re near a gas station. Blah Blah Blah.) Just take the next cab and avoid the confrontation. Hotels: Whatever star of hotel you are booking, in general, expect it to be one star lower. 5-star hotels like the Hassler, Excalibur, Hotel di Russie, Rome Cavalieri, etc., are outstanding 5-star hotels, worthy of the rating, and high priced and are the exception to the rule. I have stayed in other 5-star hotels (in great neighborhoods) in Rome that were good, but had much smaller rooms and inferior facilities to what you’d expect from that level of ranking. 4-stars equal 3. 3 equal 2. 2 are like a hostel. In general, rooms are much smaller. Beds feel like cement. Showers are tiny and your knees may hit the wall when you sit down. The good news about Italy, however, is that in every 4-star and above hotel, you get a bidet! Expedia, Priceline and other discount prices: In the summer of 2009, when I went to Italy, I found Expedia to be the best value. Often times, the Expedia price was 30% lower than the price quoted by the hotel! I wouldn’t use Priceline’s Name Your Own Price (which I love using in the U.S.) because the variance on the type of hotel you might end up in is too great. It’s quite important to read the Traveler’s Opinions of the hotels when picking which one to try out. Without exception, I found the opinions to be right on the money, clearly outlining the pros and cons of the location, staff, rooms, breakfast and more. The best tip I can give you is that you want to stay in the heart of the city (near one of the landmarks). This will save you tons on cabs and blisters and make it easier to find great places to eat – some bargain and some splurge, when you desire. Cabs can be VERY expensive, so location is really key. Water: You can drink the water in the hotel rooms and in the public fountains. (You’ll see a lot of locals refreshing themselves in the public fountains with the cool, clean water.) No Montezuma’s Revenge! You can eat the fruit and salad, and other things that are uncooked and washed, as well, without a problem. Packing: Take old underwear and socks and throw them away when they get dirty! That way you create space in your luggage for new clothes, while not having to lug around dirty laundry. In fact, I’d take the smallest amount of clothes possible, along with one pair of walking shoes and a pair of dress up shoes, with the goal of filling up the suitcase with new clothes for the year. Some of the best shopping in the world is in Italy. When you think of the top designers, most are Italian! Great shoes. Great clothes. Shopping delights! Trains: The trains are efficient, relatively inexpensive and run on time. Be sure to buy your tickets from the window, however, as there are rules to traveling that most foreign tourists are not savvy to. You run the risk of fines on the train if you haven’t stamped things properly after buying them in the self-service area. There are also more pick pockets and beggars waiting to prey on tourists near the self-service ticketing area. Single Women: Be careful. The Latin Lovers tend to be more aggressive than most American women are accustomed to. Avoid any man who says, "I could teach you a little Italian," with a gloating grin on his face. Don’t talk to to drunk guys or accept drinks (or any gift) from men you are not interested in. Just say, "Scusi. Non vorrei parlare adesso." (Sorry. I don’t wish to talk right now.) If you are hot, get very good at this phrase, travel in a pack with friends and walk away fast when approached. I was dressed like a nun and am older than I care to admit, and even I had problems. Imagine what you will encounter! Cars: Rome and Verona are walking cities. It’s much easier to travel between your major destinations by train, walk everywhere and take cabs only when absolutely necessary than it is to rent a car. Parking looks to be quite difficult in all of the Italian cities I’ve been in, and I wouldn’t want to try and drive the way the locals drive!

Tips for Traveling to Roma.

by Natalie Pace.

The Eternal City is one of the wonders of our great world, and the Italian people are some of the finest architects, chefs, clothes designers and reportedly even lovers. So what are you waiting for!

Airport Transportation: Arrange for your transportation to your hotel in advance. Some hotels offer a shuttle. Others have their own limo service. If you’re young and lightweight and adventuresome, you can take the train into the city and then walk to your destination. Avoid the taxi drivers that circle the airport as some tend to be the dishonest and predatory. Unfortunately, this is the area of complaint heard most often from travelers to Italy – the bandito cab drivers. It’s not too difficult to take the train into the city, and then catch the Metro or a cab when you closer to town (saves you about 40 Euro). If you have a lot of bags (and please don’t; there is superior shopping in Italy!), the limo service from the hotel is probably the best option. Some hotels provide shuttle service. Most don’t. Must Sees and Dos: Keep this list handy and be sure that you do them all! 1) a church service at the Pantheon – the oldest building still in use in the world; 2) gelato at Giolitti; 3) the Grotto, the Cupola, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (located at the Vatican Museum). Hint: This realistically means TWO DAYS in Vatican City to do it all; 4) Trevi Fountain; 5) Piazza del Popolo; 6) Caffé Grecco and the John Keats Museum (located near the Spanish Steps); 7) a glass of wine with a friend on the Spanish Steps; 8) shoe shopping at Giuseppe Zanetti; 9) cocktails at the Emporer’s Terrace, located at the Intercontinental Hotel de la Ville, above the Spanish Steps; 10) piano bar at the Hassler Hotel; 11) Secret Garden at the Hotel di Russie; 12) Fichi al Prosecco y Basilico at Rampa Ristorante (beneath the Spanish Steps) (this is fresh figs, without skin, swimming in semi-sweet wine and slightly scented with basil); 13) Rome Cavalieri for sunset (beware of the royally priced food and drink, which accompany the outstanding view of the entire city!); 14) one full day for a leisurely stroll through the Colosseum, Palantine, Via Sacra and the Forum and a great meal close by. The Pantheon: Go to Mass at the Pantheon! This is the oldest structure that is still in use. CLOTHING ALERT! No short shorts and no sleeveless shirts, if you want to attend mass. It is worth an hour of your time to attend a service in this sacred place. Vatican: Also, if you are in Rome on a Wednesday, find out if the Pope is speaking in St. Peter’s Plaza. CLOTHING ALERT! No short shorts and no sleeveless shirts are allowed inside the Vatican or the Vatican Museum. Both men and women must be dressed appropriately or you will be denied entry. It’s a pain to get to the Vatican and then to walk all the way around the walls to the Vatican Museum. You don’t want to show up sweaty and out of breath and then be turned away! Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. It takes about three hours to walk through the museum to the Sistine Chapel, and unless you are handicapped or royalty, there is no way to bypass the many chapels you pass through before you finally arrive at the Sistine Chapel. (If you have someone handicapped with you, be sure to alert the museum staff and get a lift directly to the Sistine Chapel.) Each of the countless chapels before the most holy one, is marvelous in its own rite and you’ll want to allow enough time to enjoy them. Allow at least four hours to do the Museum right. It’s best to go right when it opens to avoid the crowds. The Sistine Chapel is a sacred place. No talking is allowed, and if you were ever to say a prayer, this would be the place to do it. I’d allow 30 minutes for prayer/meditation/contemplation and art gazing while inside. There is a seating area along the walls of the Chapel. Remember: No short shorts and no sleeveless shirts are allowed inside the Sistine Chapel (or the Vatican Museum). Giolitti for Gelato! Located between Palazzo Montecitorio and the Pantheon you’ll find Rome’s most famous gelato bar. Inside, you can pre-pay for gelato, cappuccino, other delicacies and even snacks. If you want sit down service outside, you have to pay double the price, but that could be worth it on a hot Roman day! Otherwise, do what the locals do and eat your cup or cone outside while standing up. Be careful, Roman law says that people are not supposed to eat near monuments, so don’t plan on taking your cone into the Pantheon or near any other monument. Spanish Steps: Grab a bottle of wine and a tramezzino (sandwich) at a local "bar" in the evening and sit on the Spanish Steps! You’ll hear troubadours and see the locals enjoying one another’s company. Trevi Fountain: Ahhh Awe! Be sure to make a wish and throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain. And the Trevi Fountain Café is a delightful place for a doppio macchiato, spraymute aranchia (fresh orange juice) and chocolate croissant. If you are just in the mood for a pick me up, take it at the bar and be amazed at the low cost. As with all Italian cafes, you pay more to eat at the table. The monument at the fountain is spectacular and the horses on either side represent the calm and wild/unrestrained nature of the sea. Shopping! Rome should be the annual shopping spree. Buy new clothes in the best designer mecca in the world. Armani, Valentino, Giuseppe Zanetti (the most beautiful shoes in the world) Ferragamo and more! Many of the shops are located at the bottom of the Spanish Steps, near Piazza di Popolo, on Via Condotti. Restaurants: Check out Otella alla Concordia, located at Via della Croce, 81. This trattoria specializes in fresh fish and is delectable, at reasonable prices. Local gourmands hang here. Savvy travelers are sent here. (I ran into a Treasury Department official during the G8 Summit at this restaurant.) For something special closer to the Vatican, check out a family ristorante, I Vespri Siciliani. This is another place that specializes in fish. The pesto gnocchi di la casa is to die for (with mussels and clams)! The view at Rome Cavalieri, at the top of the hill above the Vatican, is stunning. The restaurants there are staggeringly expensive, and even though one is Michelin rated, honestly, it’s hard to imagine that it tastes better than the family restaurant just down the hill (I Vespri Siciliani). The cheapest thing on the menu at Rome Cavalieri is American coffee for 8 euros. Burgers cost $22 euro. But the view is the best in Roma (and then you can head down the hill for an amazing meal at I Vespri Siciliani). Ristorante Alla Rampa near the Spanish Steps is reasonably priced with quite good food as well. This is where you’ll find the amazing Italian dessert – fresh figs in wine! (Fichi al Prosecco y Basilico). Piazza di Popolo: You must read David St. John’s poetry before visiting the Piazza di Popolo. Then, when you are dining at Rosati, you’ll have a visceral understanding of the romance of Rome! His best poems, in my view, are "Radio Eros" and "Last Night with Rafaela." Go on Amazon.com to buy some books to take with you! Montecitorio: You can tour the Camera dei deputati, which is like the U.S. House of Representatives on certain days. My tour was in Italian and so I didn’t understand half of it, but the inside of the Palace is quite amazing nonetheless. Everything in Italy is based in the Arts. Political leaders get their busts in marble. Beautiful sculptures stare out along the halls. Draperies and paintings grace the walls. Ornate gilding and fine carpentry garnish the woodwork. The Italians are amazing architects, artists, chefs, carpenters, sculptors and more. Fine crafting and exquisite details with an emphasis on staying power (no Latin lover pun intended) underlie every monument, cuisine and even its national religion!

Rome's Colosseum at night.   Trevi Fountain   Pantheon   Pope John XXIII (mummified) at rest in St. Peter's Basilica   View of St. Peter's Basilica from the Cupola   View of St. Peter's Square from atop the Cupola

Tips for Traveling to Verona.

by Natalie Pace.

In my view, Verona is easily as important as Rome, and far more key than Venice or one of the other popular destinations in Italy. Three days in Verona should do it, but you could easily fall in love with the city, where the Roman traditions have not been completely washed clean from the basilicas. You’ll likely see a sarcophagus in the churches, paintings, basilicas and piazzas devoted to St. Mary Maddalena. You can view Roman cash hordes from the time of the Goth invasions, and much more! Verona is a bit hard to get to, in that you have to connect in Bologna or Florence, but well worth the trouble! Make sure that your concierge prints out the train schedule so that you are assured that you have time to make your train connection.

1. Lodging: Gabbia D’Oro is the nicest hotel in town, and is located strategically in the historic center of the city. 12 Apostles Restaurant, one of the most memorable dining experiences in the world, is right around the corner, as are quite a large number of eating options. Juliet’s home is right down the block, as are L’Arena and the town square. So most of everything you’ll want to see and do in Verona is walking distance from the Gabbia D’Oro.

I found B4’s Leon d’Oro to be a nice 4-star hotel (based upon Italian, not American standards) with excellent service. This hotel is near the train station, about a 20-minute walk, or 7-9 cab Euro ride, from the center of Verona. The hotel offers a shuttle service to the Opera. Italian hotels tend to be less comfortable than American hotels: Beds are hard. Rooms are small. Bidet is a delightful staple.

L'Arena in Verona. 2000 year old colosseum seats 25,000. Stages opera every summer!

2. Celebrate 2000 Years! Celebrate 96 years of Opera at the world’s 3^rd largest Roman arena, L’Arena di Verona. This outdoor amphitheater is over 2000 years old. You cannot imagine the imprint that watching opera under the stars in a 2000-year-old arena with 25,000 people makes upon your life. It’s such a divine moment, you think if you reach out your hand, you’ll touch an angel.

Statue of Juliet (without her Romeo)

3. 12 Apostles Restaurant: Have dinner at Dodici Apostoli in Verona – one of the finest restaurants and cuisine in the world. Ask for a tour of the catacombs that date back to the Roman Empire (2000+ years ago), a history of the restaurant (and how it got its name) and view the vintage wines honoring VIP celebrities and guests who have visited the restaurant. This restaurant has been in the same family for over 300 years and has an impressive wine collection. The food is fresh and divine. This is the meal of a lifetime, so if you have a special reason you are going to Rome, this may be the place to celebrate your anniversary, birthday, graduation, etc.

4. Juliet Capulet: Tour Juliet’s home in Verona. As the locals are happy to share with you, the Capulets and Montagues are families of Verona, who have been rivals since the 13^th century, when Romeo and Juliet lived, loved and shared their tragic lives (and deaths). Shakespeare made the story famous, but it was a story being told for over 100 years (and lived countless years before that) before it was immortalized with the bard’s lyrics.

5. Osteria Le Vecete. The best tiramisu ever! The food at this quaint little café is award-winning. Few tourists know about it, but the locals love it! All of the desserts are made in-house and are not to be missed. The strawberry torta was so orgasmic that the proprietor had to beg me to try the tiramisu, which was so light and delicious I wanted to lick the plate (but didn’t). The buffalo cheese was the lightest/creamiest/yummiest I’ve ever tasted, and accompanied by plump, fresh tomatoes, arugula and prosciutto makes a light meal, with plenty of room for dessert.

Castle San Pietro

6. Castel San Pietro. Castel San Pietro is the castle that has dominated the city of Verona, high above the river, since before the Roman Empire. It is now an Austrian edifice, that is run down, in disarray and largely unused. However, this mountain stronghold has been a strategic lookout since the Iron Age and is where the city of Verona was birthed! Archaeological Iron Age artifacts predate the Roman days. During Roman times, the sacred fort area was a temple. The Roman Temple was then converted to a Church for St. Peter, with a castrum (ick), sometime before the 8^th century. In 1801, the French destroyed the castle, including the church and fortress. The Austrians came between 1852 and 1858. Today, the Veronese officials are deciding the fate of what is likely to become a museum, according to local reports. The view of Verona from this peak is well worth the climb up many, many stairs!

7. Local Cuisine: Cavallo – horse meat – is a popular dish in Verona. If you see a horse insignia or the words Cavallo or Cavallito in the name of a dish or prominently displayed at the restaurant be forewarned. This is not a Ferrari symbol, indicating that this is the highest qualify of all of the eateries! Many local cafés and restaurants have cavallo on the menu. There are usually plenty of other choices, and you can always ask for them to substitute horse meat for another protein source.

8. The Veronese Temper: In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare emphasizes the hot temper of Mercutio – the loud-mouthed, aggressive Veronese who was always quick to draw his sword and prompted the battles between Romeo and Tivolt. The battle scenes take place in the sultry, mind-melting heat of summer. And I believe every word of the story after visiting Verona in July! I asked for a local bartender to recount the change for me (when I thought he’d short-changed me) and he sneered as if he’d rather behead me! The shuttle driver spent the entire trip (there AND back) blasting his horn at everyone and squeezing cabs off the road, which culminated in him almost clocking a hotel guest who had parked (temporarily) in his spot. Just be aware of this.

9. Beware of Predators: It’s tough to be both a smiling, happy, stress-free traveler and a savvy, conscious person in charge of your wallet at the same time. It seems almost sacrilegious to tell you how important it is to visit Italy – particularly Rome and Verona – and then warn you of liars, bandits and pick pockets. But, this is a relatively poor part of Italy, with a large migratory population of gypsy types, who get employed for some of the least desirable and lower pay positions. You must be on your guard, but at the same time, if you question someone, they are liable to curse and yell at you. And if you are being ripped off, you’re going to be lied to by the thief, and possibly even by his/her accomplice, who might also be employed by the hotel/restaurant/etc. So, it’s a no-win situation in a lot of cases. As an example: at the Opera, the cushion boy tried to con more dough from me by saying that my cushion voucher expired yesterday. (His superior came along and corrected the matter, but didn’t even chastise the extortionist.) A cab driver pulled up with 7 Euro already tolled on the meter, and lied, saying, it was an evening surcharge. When you believe that your price is being gouged, it’s best to just move on and hope that the next taxi driver or cushion boy is honest. (And for every liar/bandit/pick pocket, there are ninety-five honest people truly!

Top 10 Things You Must Do In Your Lifetime (While in Italy).

by Natalie Pace

"The Thinker" by Rodin (in the Vatican museum).

Okay, okay. You have all of the travel tips. So, now, here are just a few of my favorite things. I spent almost a month in Italy with the sole mandate to experience the life, learn a little bit of the language, do things that I wouldn’t normally do, stay clean and happy and eat too much. So, here are the experiences over that month that rank the highest on my list of lifetime experiences.

Funny: Oftentimes, someone at the next table would see me enjoying my adventures so much that I’d hear them say, "I’ll have what she’s having!" Yes, these are truly orgasmic, and what’s even better is that now you have the list, you’ll be sure to make your Italian trip even more memorable.

1. Fichi al prosecco e basilico at Ristorante Alla Rampa in Roma (near the Spanish Steps). This is a fresh dessert, only available in summer time. What a perfect, chill-out compliment to top off a hot, Roman night! The figs are nude and swimming in the cold, semi-sweet wine, with only a hint of the basil. Melt in your mouth delicious with a little buzz to drink in.

2. Listen to Mario Torosantucci play piano at the Hassler Hotel. Signoro Torosantucci is actually a reasonably well-known Italian film composer, as have been a lot of Hassler pianists! Ask him to perform your favorite song. Chances are he knows it – if it has Rome or Italy in the title, or was sung or composed by an Italian.

3. Grappa at Hotel di Russie at midnight for the awesome snacks they serve you and a view of the Secret Garden at night. I was told that grappa is a good late night drink because it helps the digestion. It definitely worked! This is an "acquired" taste that is very high in alcohol content. The Hotel di Russie snacks and scenery is fit for a King and Queen, and has hosted quite a few over the decades.

4. Meditate for one hour at the Sistine Chapel. Chill out. You can do this. No, you can’t do this as part of a freaking tour group. So, get up, lazy ass, and go early. Buy your own damn ticket. Take four hours to walk through the 9000 chapels that precede the final destination. Actually check out the artwork in those rooms, in detail. And then, once you get to the Sistine Chapel. Find a seat. Chill out. Calm down. Ignore all the sweaty, stinky, noisy people around you and meditate! For one hour!

5. Climb the Cupola at St. Peter’s Basilica. This climb up is at least 322 steps of stinky, sweaty, claustrophobic, heart-attack, head-banging (on the sides of the sloping staircase) second-guessing. (Why am I doing this again?) But once you actually make it to the top, and squeeze past the other red-faced adventurers, you’ll find the best views in Rome! You’ll need a glass of wine, three bottles of water and some excellent pasta carbonara afterward and will feel that you have earned every calorie!

6. Glass of wine at the Emporer’s Terrace at the Intercontinental Hotel de la Ville at the top of the Spanish Steps. This hotel is not as swanky as others with 5-star status, and it’s rooms, elevators and amenities are definitely inferior to the Hassler, Hotel di Russie, Excalibur, Rome Cavalieri, etc. But the Emporer’s Terrace Bar, on the 6^th floor of the de la Ville Hotel, is one of more spectacular views in the city – one that the other hotels brag about. I was sent to the de la Ville by one of the staff at the Hotel di Russie!

St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square, Vatican City (at night)

7. Vatican City at night. Check out these photos! The Vatican City at night is almost empty and magical. Do this! If possible, put on your sneakers and walk there and back. Take your time while you’re there to enjoy this sacred space all by yourself! It’s an unbelievable view/experience/walk, and one that few travelers to Rome take advantage of.

8. Go to Verona. I know I’ve already given you a lot of tips on Verona, but there just aren’t enough to give! Verona is off the beaten path. There are no direct routes by train there. The cafes serve horse meat. It’s renowned for its people having a hot temper (read Romeo and Juliet if you haven’t already). And yet, here is where you will find the shift from paganism to Christianity in its purest form. The temples still have sarcophaguses. Mary Magdalena carries a palm frond (the sign of a martyr) and is always crowned with a halo (the sign of a saint). There were hordes of coins found when the Emperors were trying to fend off foreign attacks from the Huns. There are moments captured in time in Verona, where history changed hands and the victors DID NOT erase the past. (You won’t find many paintings of Saint Mary Magdalena in the Vatican Museum and NONE in St. Peter’s Basilica.) For any history or literature buff, anyone who cares about the divine feminine and women’s studies, anyone who studies war and the Roman Empire, Verona is one of the most magical, raw and historically important places on the planet.

9. And did I mention what an extraordinary meal you’ll have at Dodici Apostoli (12 Apostles), where you can tour the Roman catacombs (over 2000 years old), while hearing of the family history of owning the restaurant (over 300 years), while checking out the signature wine bottles for the distinguished guests (from Maria Callas to Henry Winkler). Of course, with a name like 12 Apostles, the traveler might assume that the restaurant, which dates back to Roman times, might have hosted Christian icons. Whether you are a Catholic, a pagan or a jokester, you’ll appreciate the true origin of the name!

NASDAQ Is Up 21% On the Year!

by Natalie Pace.

Includes my Hot News on Cool Stocks List.

July 29, 2009

General Stock Market Performance

Photo by: Stacie Isabella Turk. Ribbonhead.com. (c) 2008.

Hot News on Cool Stocks Highlights!
Look at the gains of NASDAQ! 21% on the year (compared to a flat Dow Jones Industrial Average)
80% of the positions listed below (in 2008 & 2009) are in the money. Woo hoo!
464% gains on U.S. Gold

TipsTraders ranked me #11, above over 830 A-list pundits, in 2008.

Wall Street Lows on March 9, 2009:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 6547
NASDAQ Composite Index: 1269
S&P 500 Index: 677

Market Update:
President Obama is declaring that the end of the recession may be near, but from my travels in the U.S. and abroad, if the recession is ending, it’s something that only the geniuses on Wall Street (the ones that created the financial meltdown and helped billions in unrealized losses disappear) understand.

In Florida, I discovered that some banks (and Wells Fargo was mentioned specifically) have homeowners who have stopped making payments and have vacated their homes for months on end, but the bank has not yet completed the official foreclosure process. This keeps the condo association in limbo and on the line for homeowner’s dues, which in turn hurts the cities, when the association can’t pay for water, garbage services, etc. The homeowner’s associations have begun filing liens against the banks in order to force them to foreclose and get tens of thousands of dollars of unpaid homeowners dues caught up.

In California, Florida and in Nevada, I personally know homeowners who had managed to squeeze by for the last year, but, after sucking their assets dry, were now ready to stop paying the loan payments on some of their real estate, come what may to the property. Perhaps I’m only visiting the distressed states, but in California, Florida, Nevada, New York and Arizona, everyone knows someone who is out of work, who had been gainfully employed for most of their lives. (We all know a few people who are unemployable; I’m talking about people who are assets to employers and love their job.) And everyone knows someone in these states who is in trouble with their credit cards, with their business, with their salary cuts and/or mortgage.

Even with the summer market rally, so many investors have still lost one-third or more of their nest egg over the past two years. In fact, when I think about it, everyone I know feels panicked about their finances and their near-term prospects, and all have trimmed back to unsustainable cuts in their lifestyle. By unsustainable, I mean some are homeless and living with friends. Others are jobless and barely hanging on. Others are giving back their homes. Everyone is downsizing. Some have even turned to shady industries or are susceptible to easy money scams, like the Earn Money From Home scams that FINRA warns about in this ezine.

The only area where I know people who feel rich and are excited about their business prospects is Silicon Valley! This might explain why NASDAQ is doing so much better than the legacy corporations that are concentrated in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The Internet is here to stay and e-commerce is ingrained in the world’s banking system. The younger corporations that are concentrated on the Pacific Rim of the U.S. and traded on NASDAQ for the most part are the most profitable, debt-free and exciting in our nation.

The advance GDP growth report, released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on the 31st of July, says that the economy only contracted by 1%. This would be fantastic news, if you really believed the numbers. I find it hard to believe that the banks are as healthy as they are saying, given the continued levels of foreclosures and the newer distress of the commercial property owners. We’ve seen this kind of mess in the past -- specifically with telecommunications, and the implosions of Global Crossing and World Com. The telecom companies were reporting profits, by not realizing losses and by carrying “revenue” that they had no hope of collecting. In this way, they looked healthy on paper, when they were in fact dangling on the precipice of disaster. The entire economy is being fueled by printing more paper money, by the government trying to “stimulate” business and consumers into buying again. Billions of dollars of losses have magically disappeared, without all of the losses being “realized.” This feels like a story (not reality) that we’re experiencing, and I encourage you to trust what you see personally and feel, more than what you hear and read. Remember that the 4th quarter 2007 GDP report that sunk the economy (the first time) was 0.6% in January 2008. At the time, a lot of people didn’t take notice because it wasn’t that bad and it wasn’t negative. I alerted people that 0.6% smelled like an accounting trick to me and called it a recession from the moment the report was released. Economists, in October of 2008, finally confirmed that the recession began in that quarter.

We do know, from the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting in June that the Chairman Ben Bernanke and his team of economists "judged that market conditions remained fragile." Still, the FOMC staff revised upward its outlook for economic activity during the remainder of 2009 and for 2010. According to the minutes, "Participants generally agreed that the information received since the April meeting indicated that the economic contraction was slowing and that the decline in activity could cease before long."

Things could start looking better simply because the dramatic declines were already over a year old, and less dramatic falloffs look better by comparison. This is similar to a devastating earthquake, with aftershocks of lesser, but still damaging magnitude. It’s more prudent to start rebuilding once the ground stops shaking, and then, it would be best to start with earthquake-proof edifices.

That is not the case of what is happening, however. The same corporations that would be out of business are still in business and run, for the most part, by the same people who were at the reins on the road to ruin. Instead of figuring out how to promote health and productivity, the national agenda has switched to handouts, bailouts and socialization. Instead of honoring time-proven bankruptcy courts, the government is making unilateral decisions that have more to do with political contributions than legal rights.

Banks, insurance companies and auto manufacturers have been nationalized without any real explanation as to what happens to the hundreds of billions of debt owed to bondholders, who happen to be regular folk (not Aristocrats), like firemen and teachers. Politicians are threatening to tax business people and community leaders at 60%. And a good deal of this scenario is completely toxic to sustainable economic gardens that flourish under the green thumb of freedom, free markets and the weeding out process that naturally occurs when you allow bad seeds to falter and bad business to fail.

While in Italy, I managed to run into a few department officials from foreign countries. One, off the record, told me that he and his team were fearful that the United States was entering a period of "Japan-like" stagnation. Interesting, because that was the centerpiece of one of my first interviews with Dr. Gary Becker, back in 2006. (See Vol. 3, issue 3 of the archived ezines for the article, "Are GM, Delphi and Delta the Beginning of Japan-like Stagnation for the U.S.?") There is a case to be made that we’re actually ten years deep into our own period of stagnation. Yes, there have been booms and busts, but they were fueled by free, easy money, not fiscal health, and the net-sum gain is that the markets were actually lower at the end of 2008 than they were in 1998.

Regardless of the mind-numbing financial rhetoric, the political jockeying and conflicting analysis, we can feed our minds and nurture our nest eggs with a strategy that works great in bull and bear markets. Investors over the last seven years have made great gains using Modern Portfolio Theory, annual rebalancing and hot industries through my easy as a pie chart strategies. Buy and hold doesn’t work in a slow growth economy that is fueled by boom and bust cycles, which is the simple story of the U.S. since 1999. So register now for my new Get Rich and Green Investing Retreat in Santa Monica, California October 8-10, 2009. If you register in the early bird registration period (now through August 15, 2009), you receive $600 off the normal price! So, call 866.476.7442 or email Info@NataliePace.com NOW to register!

Here is what a few prior attendees report on their gains since attending.
"Since attending the Nov and Feb retreat, I've made gains in LDK of 124%, SPWRA 30%, and STP 64%.  That's a profit of $15,000 in three months.  My broker managed to lose $100K in a year.  I need to learn to manage my own finances at this age of 66 years and semiretirement." Rita

"My stock account is up 55% since your workshop in the fall of 2008. You rock!" Jeff, options trading guru

"I made enough money my first week to pay for my trip, Thanks!"

Randall, November 2008 Natalie Pace Retreat Attendee

Click Here To Register Now Santa Monica, CA Why Get Smart About Your Money Now? While you were asleep at the wheel your money was out carousing with chronies, funding the Bailout Index, tobacco companies, big oil, insurance and Fannie Mae. And you wonder why you lost so much money. Get rich and green. Not only can you get rich, but you can use your investment dollars to fuel clean energy, fuel-efficient cars, natural health cures and all sorts of products, goods and services that make up a more beautiful world. Instead of the Bailout Index. Instead of AIG. And If That Weren't Enough, Come Because: Natalie saved Bill and Nilo’s nest egg in February 2008 — all of it — using a pie chart that she drew on a napkin. Yes, it is that easy, but you must know the formula. Natalie mentored the Green Goddess Investment Club, a group of money newbie actresses, to earn almost 40% gains in their first trade in 2008 and to cash in 150% gains in 2009 — during a time that the markets lost almost 50% of its value. Why learn from Natalie? -- Up to 85% of the positions featured in her monthly Hot News on Cool Stocks list in 2008 and 2009 were winning investments. -- She’s been ranked #1 stock picker, above 850 A-list pundits by TipsTraders.com -- She’s the only financial pundit with an enthusiastic recommendation from a Nobel Prize winning economist -- November retreat attendees report making back the price of their retreat within one week! -- TD AMERITRADE Chairman Joe Moglia endorses her new book   Testimonials “Nobody cares more about your money than you do. Natalie does a terrific job of explaining how and why you should be taking more responsibility for your own financial well being.” - Joe Moglia, Chairman, TD AMERITRADE "Natalie takes the mystery and confusion out of personal finance and liberates you from the myth that Wall Street smarts are the monopoly of professional brokers. Whether your current financial means are modest or substantial, her time-tested, hands-on, interactive and intuitive methods of successful investing will assist you in dissolving your money obstacles." - Michael Bernard Beckwith, founder of Agape International Spiritual Center “Natalie Pace's sound strategies, helped me avert a huge loss on my 401k plan. Moving my money to a safe place saved me thousands when the market plummeted.” - Nilo Bolden, Law Firm Administrator "I have made enough money my fist week to pay for my trip, Thanks!" Randall, November 2008 Natalie Pace Retreat Attendee   WHERE AND HOW MUCH: Early Bird Pricing (now through August 15, 2009) $1,595 per person $2,795 per couple Last Minute Pricing (after September 15, 2009) $1,995 per person $3,300 per couple PLEASE NOTE: Lodging, food, transportation, parking, etc. are not included in the retreat price. THIS RETREAT IS AN INTIMATE, EXCLUSIVE EVENT. All 3 days are taught hands-on by Natalie Pace. Early birds receive FREE gifts valued at over $1,600 - a premium subscription upgrade (valid through the end of the year) AND a 21-day wealth consciousness coaching call series. 10 minutes each day add up to a new habit of attracting prosperity and abundance in all you do. Every cent you own and every moment you spend is always an investment. Ambrose Hotel 1255 20th Street (at Arizona Ave.) Santa Monica, CA 90404 877-AMBROSE (toll-free phone number) Call 866.476.7442 or email info@NataliePace.com to reserve your seat now. You will come away with: a nest egg blueprint that works for the rest of your life a get rich plan that will shift you out of basic needs and survival and New habits to start living your dream come true right here and now Click Here To Register Now

Track Record of our Reporting
While the markets have fallen in 2008, the Hot News and Cooling Off lists below have a winning track record – in bear and bull market years. 76 positions listed below – 80% -- have delivered impressive gains over the past two years, even while the Dow Jones Industrial Average is trading lower than it was ten years ago! Only nineteen of our listings went in the opposite direction of the reporting, which is quite impressive given the horrible market drop of 2008-2009. Additionally, in 2008, nineteen out of 27 companies that were featured in our monthly articles and stock report cards posted strong gains. That is also a 77% winning track record! (We are really coming up with the winning 7s this year.)

See the article, "New Year. New You. New Nest Egg," in Vol. 6, issue 1, for the chart and more details.

Yes, many, but not all, of our top performers in 2008 and 2009 are shorts, which is why we added options training to the retreat. Remember that the trading portfolio should be equal to your experience, and should not be part of your nest egg. (The nest egg is money you earn while you sleep, not while you day-trade.) If you’re new, you should be using education or fun money, not your nest egg, to learn on. Take your profits early and often in this volatile, down-trending year.

3 out of 6 Company of the Year selections more than doubled.  My 2003, 2004 and 2007 Companies of the Year posted up to 9000% gains (Taser), up to 690% gains (Opsware) and up to 215% gains (Suntech Power Holdings), respectively, before we took them off of the list.  MySpace, my 2006 Company of the Year, was a large part of News Corp’s success with shareholders that year.   So three out of six are superperformers, and one (Myspace) performed well above the market. That’s the kind of record that puts you on top on Wall Street.  (I launched my first publication on 11.15.02, and featured the first Company of the Year on 1.1.03.)

TipsTraders.com continues to list me as a Highly Recommended Stock Picker, with their independent ranking system, where I’ve repeatedly occupied the #1 position and have consistently scored at the top of their 830 A-list pundits. I scored a #11 ranking for 2008. Some of my best picks include: Google (GOOG) +545%, Opsware (OPSW) +690%, Rio Tinto (RTP) +145%, Sohu (SOHU) +150%, Suntech Power Holdings (STP) +107%, Taser (TASR) up to 9000% gains. Some of the best picks in 2008 were put options – on the Cooling Off list. Look there for details on the incredible gains options investors enjoyed on Wells Fargo, Fortress Investment Group, Sears Holding, Fannie Mae, Toll Brothers, KB Home, Novastar Financial and more there.

Market Movers:
The Federal Open Market Committee and Monetary Policy
The Fed funds rate continues to be "0 to ¼ percent." In the 6.24.09 meeting minutes, the Federal Reserve Board further elaborated on the reasoning behind the rock bottom rates, writing: "Most participants saw the economy as still quite weak and vulnerable to further adverse shocks… Participants generally noted that the improvement in market conditions was in part due to ongoing support from various government programs and that underlying financial conditions remained fragile." The minutes quotes the participants as acknowledging that, "The future path of the federal funds rate would depend on the Committee's evolving expectations for the economy, but for now, members thought it most likely that the federal funds rate would need to be maintained at an exceptionally low level for an extended period."

That is Fed-speak for "We are doing everything to stimulate the economy, which should work eventually, but the situation is still rough, folks." Deflation was no longer much of a concern, but inflation continues to be a big question mark going forward, once the economy starts to recover.

The Milken Institute estimates that the bailout to date has already cost the taxpayer $9.9 trillion.

The next FOMC meeting takes place on August 11-12, 2009.

Final GDP growth rates for 2Q 2009 were a decline of -1%. The economy contracted at –5.5% in the 1Q 2009 and -6.3% in the 4th quarter of 2008.

Advance GDP growth estimates for 2Q 2009 were released on July 31, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. ET. These release days tend to be very active on Wall Street. Negative GDP tends to cause sell-offs in the stock markets. Robust GDP growth reports spark rallies. Since the advance estimates were so dismal, it’s hard to imagine a big downside surprise. For more BEA release dates, go to the BEA.gov website and be sure to visit the NataliePace.com calendar section often.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITES AND INFORMATION:
1. FOMC Information: Interested in reading the minutes of the June 23-24, 2009 FOMC meeting for yourself? You can. The official Federal Reserve document is available online. Click on FOMC, or go to FederalReserve.gov to read!

The tentative FOMC meeting schedule for the 2009 calendar is: August 11-12, 2009 (Tuesday-Wednesday), September 22-23, 2009 (Tuesday-Wednesday), November 3-4, 2009 (Tuesday-Wednesday), December 15-16, 2009 (Tuesday-Wednesday), January 26-27, 2010 (Tuesday-Wednesday), March 16 (Tuesday), April 27-28 (Tuesday-Wednesday), June 22-23 (Tuesday-Wednesday), August 10 (Tuesday), September 21 (Tuesday), November 2-3 (Tuesday-Wednesday), December 14 (Tuesday), January 25-26, 2011 (Tuesday-Wednesday).

2. Calendar Section: Conferences, Online Chats and more: Check out the Calendar section of NataliePace.com regularly. There are many wonderful opportunities to chat one-on-one with millionaire money managers, life coaches, economists, respected money gurus, real estate veterans and CEOs! Be sure to check out the dates of the mid-month Hot News on Cool Stocks Update and the publication date of our next ezine. Get more information on how to best use our articles in the FAQs article, located under the Investor Edu link on the home page of NataliePace.com.

Don’t missue the Pace and Prosperity Show with Natalie Pace on BlogTalkRadio.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET). Get log-in instructions on the Sharing Wisdom bulletin board. This is a Q&A format, where you can Twitter in your questions. Be sure to write down your most pressing questions now, and become a friend to Natalie Pace on Twitter at Twitter.com/NataliePace, so that you can Tweet on the show.

3. Survey Results: Each month we have three new surveys so that we can stay in touch with your needs and desires. Cast your vote on our survey page!

4. Euro interest rates: ECB rates are at 1.00% (main refinancing), 1.75% (marginal lending) and 0.25% (deposit facility). The next meeting and interest rate announcement is scheduled for August 6, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. CET. (September 3, 2009 after that.)

Hot Stocks List
Investors who "never pay retail," note that the BOLD highlighted stocks are trading at their 52-week lows or near the price featured in NataliePace.com’s article. This may be a good buying opportunity. (If the stocks are not highlighted, then in our estimation, this is not a good time to buy. Reasons are explained in the news commentary.) The companies that are listed below which are not highlighted may not be in a good buying range, but they appear to be poised to continue performing well (if you have already purchased them). There are never any guarantees in life, and all stocks are risk-based investments. Consult your certified financial planner before making any changes to your investment strategy. And remember that these "Stocks on Steroids" are not intended to be part of your nest egg strategy at all – not even for "pros." If you’ve never traded individual stocks before, this is your "fun" or "education" money. You should not stake your future on anything that you don’t have mastery over.

Hot News List (highlighted).  Be sure that you are buying low.
None

Profit-Taking (Take your profits early and often):
KCI Concepts (KCI) +49%
LDK (LDK) +224%
New Zealand Dollar Currency ETF (BNZ) +22%
U.S. Gold (UXG) +564%

DELETIONS (Take your profits early and often):
Conergy 7.20.09
Emcore (EMKR) 6.1.09
Ener1 (HEV) 6.1.09

HOT NEWS on COOL STOCKS LIST

Recently Deleted Companies 2008/2009:
Echelon +20%, GE, +13% and +18%, Google, +15% and +31%, Johnson & Johnson +10%, LDK Solar +18%, Microsoft +12%, Satcon +13%, Suntech +35%, Trina Solar +22%, World Water & Solar +22%. Genentech (8.1.08) +40%. Altair (deleted on 8.7.08) posted gains of +3% and +57%. Zoltek (deleted on 8.18.08) lost 30% before being removed. LDK Solar was deleted on 9.2.08 with 46% and 29% profits. U.S. Gold profit taking on 11.6.08 amounted to 72% gains. Conergy gains of 51% were taken on 11.7.08. American Superconductor posted 50% gains between 12.1 and 1.14.09. MEMC Electronics (WFR) had 21% gains between 12.1 and 12.15.08. STP had gains of 69% between 12.1.08 and 1.2.09. SQM profits 20% on 1.14.09. WWAT was deleted on 2.1.09 with -62% losses. On 2.15.09, AMSC had gains of 65%, MEMC Electronics 26%, Sociedad de Quimica y Minera 48% and U.S. Gold 432%. Citigroup gains of 42% on 3.15.09. Genentech was deleted on 3.15.09 with gains of 29%. OSI Pharmaceuticals was deleted on 3.15.09 with 7% gains. Rio Tinto was deleted on 3.27.09 with gains of 67%. On 3.27.09, the following companies were in the money: ALTI (+48%), AMSC (+51%), eBay (+24%), GE (+40%), HOKU (+38%), LDK (+46%), MEMC (+44%), PBW (+35%), SATC (+42%), SQM (+76%), STP (+211%), TSL (+207%), U.S. Gold (+456%) and WBK (+25%). Profit-taking 4.13.09: ALTI +209%, AMSC +70%, HOKU +32%, LDK +64%, PBW +42%, SQM +42%, UXG+418%. Deleted 4.13.09: eBay, +45%, Eurox -11%, GE +47% & -56%, Google +9%, Maxwell +25%, MEMC Electronics -33% & +49%, Microsoft +24%, SATC +67%. STP +262% & -64%, TSL +216% & -67%, Westpack +42% & -22%. Deleted 5.4.09: FMC Corp. with 19% gains. PZD with losses of -39%. SPWRA with 19% gains. TREMX with 50% losses. WSDT with losses of -59%. Deteled 5.15.09: SQM with gains of 38% and 62%. Deleted 5.31.09: EMKR with losses of 13% and 88% and Melco with losses of 8%. Ener1 with gains of 11% and 17%. Deleted 7.20.09: Conergy with losses of -52-98%.

Recently Deleted from the Hot News list:
Conergy (CEYHF) 7.20.09
Emcore (EMKR) 6.1.09
Ener1 (HEV) 6.1.09
Melco Crown (6.1.09)

Stocks to Watch
Some of these are great companies that we’re thinking of adding to the Hot List and some are stinkers we’re thinking of adding to the Cooling Off List. Read carefully to identify which is which!  

Note that right now most of our favorite companies are on the Watch List, anticipating continued weakening of the stock market, and share prices.

Recent Additions:
None

Recent Deletions:
None

Cooling Off Stocks List (may be Poised for a Decline in Share Price).
Note: The companies listed in bold have recently been added to this cooling off list and/or may be currently poised for a decline in value. Investors who have them in their portfolio should read the recent news and consider whether it is time to sell and take profits, dump losses, short the position and/or simply weather the storms, while keeping the company in their long-term portfolio. At any rate, always consult your certified financial partner before making adjustments to your portfolio. (Again, note that the stocks on this chart are expected to go DOWN in price.)

Highlighted Companies (Cooling Off List):
American Express (AXP)
Apple (APPL)
Applied Materials (AMAT)
Baidu (BIDU)
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
Capital One (COF)
Intel (INTC)
Medtronic (MDT)
Sears Holding Company (SHLD)
Taubman Centers REIT (TCO)
Time Warner (TWX)
Wells Fargo (WFC)

DELETIONS:
None

Recently Deleted in 2008/2009:
Fannie Mae was deleted on 2.11.08 after losing -50% and -56% of its share price value, and then again on 7.1.08, after losing another -40%. (Both puts more than doubled.) Novastar Financial (NFI) was deleted on 6.2.08 with -95% share price implosion. Sears Holding Corp. was deleted on 7.1.08 with 64% gains on the put option. Wells Fargo was deleted on 7.1.08 with 83% gains on the put. Apple was deleted on 8.1.08 with 35% gains on the put. The Google put, deleted on 8.1.08, was another great performer, with over 50% gains. First Solar had gains of over 32-34%. Mentor was deleted on 9.30.08 with 75% gains on the put option (-17% on the share price); Medicis was deleted with gains of over 37% on the share price (down direction). Boston Properties, Las Vegas Sands and Macerich were deleted on 10.9.08 with gains of 16-30%, 66% and 28-42% respectively. Wells Fargo was deleted on 11.6.08 with 35-50% gains on the put and again on 12.1.08 for 50-70% gains. American Express posted 35% gains in just 30 days, between 2.1.09 and 3.2.09.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER (PLEASE READ):
Please note: NataliePace.com does not act or operate like a broker. We report on financial news, and are one of the most trusted independently owned and operated financial news corporations in the U.S. This article is intended to educate and inform individual investors, and, thus, to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. The publicly traded companies mentioned in this article are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies.

Investors should NOT be using the Hot News on Cool Stocks list or the Cooling Off list to trade their nest eggs. Your retirement plan should reflect a long, safe strategy, which has been designed with the assistance of a financial professional who is familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge and patience.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable however NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. Securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors.

NataliePace.com Calendar:

Don’t Miss the Weekly Pace and Prosperity Show on BlogTalkRadio.com. Discover your prosperity horoscope for the week and ask any question you like about stocks, the U.S. economy, bonds, T-bills and real estate. We have the news and info you need!

The NataliePace.com Calendar section features conferences, teleconferences, retreats, educational opportunities, cultural events, galas, market events and online chats with executives and VIPs. Stay plugged in! We add online chats, article updates, teleconferences, etc. as they are booked, so be sure to visit the calendar section early and often.  Below is only a partial listing of what’s happening this month.

See below for just a few of the amazing educational and networking opportunities that world-class organizations are offering for you. To access links to the event website and registration, go to the Calendar section at NataliePace.com.

Natalie Pace on BlogTalkRadio with Host Shaun Daily
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
9:00AM through 9:30AM PT
Pace and Prosperity to you! What’s hot? Is the recovery for real? What’s the best investment when stocks, bonds, T-bills, CDs, real estate, et al. are all flat or down? Log on at BlogTalkRadio.com/NataliePace to access online or get the call-in phone number.

eWomen Network International Conference, Dallas, TX
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
Attend the largest 4-day women's conference and expo in North America with CEO Sandra Yancey. Access new customers, expand your business resources and hear Mimi Donaldson share her tips on Negotiating for Dummies.

FOMC Meeting
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
The Federal Reserve Board governors meet to create some magic for business, consumers and the Federal government to bring us back to a thriving, Capitalist economy.

Natalie Pace on BlogTalkRadio with Host Shaun Daily
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
9:00AM through 9:30AM PT
Pace and Prosperity to you! What’s hot? Is the recovery for real? What’s the best investment when stocks, bonds, T-bills, CDs, real estate, et al. are all flat or down? Log on at BlogTalkRadio.com/NataliePace to access online or get the call-in phone number.

Natalie Pace on BlogTalkRadio with Host Shaun Daily
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
9:00AM through 9:30AM PT
Pace and Prosperity to you! What’s hot? Is the recovery for real? What’s the best investment when stocks, bonds, T-bills, CDs, real estate, et al. are all flat or down? Log on at BlogTalkRadio.com/NataliePace to access online or get the call-in phone number.

Natalie Pace on BlogTalkRadio with Host Shaun Daily
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
9:00AM through 9:30AM PT
Pace and Prosperity to you! What’s hot? Is the recovery for real? What’s the best investment when stocks, bonds, T-bills, CDs, real estate, et al. are all flat or down? Log on at BlogTalkRadio.com/NataliePace to access online or get the call-in phone number.

The Elixir of Love, Los Angeles Opera
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
7:30PM through 11:00PM
By Gaetano Donizetti. Giuseppe Filianoti stars as the lovesick Nemorino in search of a magic potion to capture the heart of Adina, performed by Nino Machaidze in her U.S. debut. Executive director is the Maestro Placido Domingo!

FOMC Meeting
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
The Federal Reserve Board governors meet to stimulate the economy.

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is by Natalie Pace

NOTICE: NataliePace.com is NOT a stock brokerage service, and does not operate or act as one.