2015 A New Year

Jan. 7, 2015

Scholar of the Week - Daysia McSweeney

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New Year with

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The Deal

By Jason Alderman

Resetting Your Life for Retirement The phrase “downsizing for retirement” is popular with Baby Boomers, the youngest of whom turned 50 last year. It sparks a conversation about transition, which may include buying fewer new things; selling, gifting or donating possessions that are no longer needed; and relocating to smaller quarters to create a more comfortable and affordable retirement.

If you’ve diligently saved and planned for retirement, most experts say you should do this “final approach” three to five years before your planned retirement date. If your retirement finances aren’t as stable, it’s smarter to start the transition as early as possible while time is on your side.

The Demand Institute, a nonprofit think tank founded by business research giants Nielsen and The Conference Board, reported last October (http://www.demandinstitute. org) that if the 2008 crash and its effect on employment, investments and housing prices had not happened, the typical Boomer household would have a net worth roughly 2.5 times what it is today. This is all the more reason for many Americans to review and possibly “reset” their retirement clocks. Here are some suggestions to help you figure out

Letter To The Editor

where you are on the pre-retirement spectrum and some changes you might consider: Get a retirement checkup. Spend some time with a financial, tax, and/or estate advisor to evaluate your current strategies and set – or reset – a reasonable retirement savings goal and date. Consult friends and family for reliable experts first and for other qualified professionals and check online with your state CPA society, the Association for Financial Counseling Planning and Education, or the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

See if moving makes sense. Great retirement destinations offer more than great weather, inexpensive housing, and an affordable tax environment. Consider whether you want to be near family, a thriving arts community, or superior health facilities. Where do you start? You’ve probably seen popular lists of retirement communities in leading magazines, and they supply good food for thought. National agencies like the Council for Community and Economic Research (https://www.c2er.org) produce an annual cost of living index for over 300 U.S. urban areas.

Get realistic property continues on page 4

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Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

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Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs

While researching social work online one day, Daysia McSweeney found a website with numerous different stories.

The inspiring stories of people in the field of social work inspired Daysia to go into the field herself. She said she ha s wanted to be a social worker since she was a freshman in high school. Unlike other people, once she gets to college, she does not think this dream career choice will change. “I just like to help people a lot and I just took an interest in social work,” Daysia said.

Daysia McSweeney of

Richmond Community High School GPA: 4.02 College of Interest: Clark Atlanta University Major Community Service: Teacher Assistant, Student Tutor Strong Interests: Social Work, working with children Favorite Activity: Reading, dancing, listening to music and shopping

“During Spring Break me and my friends took a trip down there and I really liked the campus,” Daysia said. She also recently had the opportunity to hear a recruiter from North Carolina A & T speak where he relayed all of the numerous opportunities for gaining experience in the field of social work. Daysia said she hopes to gain experience through internships and also wants to get a masters in the field.

Daysia loves to read, shop, dance, and listen to music. “I wouldn’t say I’m shy, but I’m not really While she just wants to be in the outspoken, I like to be more social work field, Daysia said she is reserved,” she said. “But I think I’m drawn to working with children. “I really goofy and a know it all kind even wanted to work with abused of.” With a 4.02 GPA, as a senior at and battered children or children Richmond Community High School, ™ k e e with behavioral problems,” she Daysia is also involved in different of the W said. She also would be interested organizations. She is a member of in becoming a child protective the German Club, the book club, the services investigator. Daysia is National Honor Society, and Future already gaining experience working with children through Business Leaders of America. Her other achievements volunteer work. She volunteers as a Teacher Assistant include making the honor roll numerous times, being on at As We Grow Learning Center. Here she helps clean, the Scholar Roll, and having perfect attendance. In addition distribute food, read to the children, and help them with to academic, volunteer and community activities, Daysia their assignments. She has also served as a summer tutor for holds a part time job at a local Kroger. middle school students at Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal.

Daysia’s mother is who she said influences her to succeed In order to further her education and gain experience the most in life. “I see her work hard every day and as a social worker, Daysia said she would love to go to a sometimes she has two or three jobs at a time and I just Historically Black College or University in the South. Her want to aspire to be like her,” Daysia said. “She motivates me top choice of schools is Clark Atlanta University in Georgia. to do more and want to succeed.”

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ViewPoints

A whole year in front of you…

By Dr. T

Here we are again…at the beginning of a brand new year. Twelve whole months ahead of us is a daunting prospect indeed. What are we going to do with all that time? Most people tend to make resolutions that quickly fall to the wayside or large emphatic propositions that completely and utterly fail not long into the New Year.

There are those who would rather take the more pessimistic or realistic stance that January is just another month. It follows December but holds no real significant distinction except as an arbitrary measurement that designates December as the end and January as the beginning of a calendar year. And there is much controversy around the calendar year as to its various renditions namely the Lunar Calendar, the Roman With the end of 2014, many of us begin to take stock and assess Calendar, or the Egyptian and Gregorian Calendars to acknowledge what we actually accomplished in the year that just passed us by. We just a few. Time is something, however, that marches on no matter become reflective and nostalgic, as we sometimes have to face the how you choose to measure it. We observe this as a universal truth as disappointment, disillusionment and discouragement of what we did we watch babies grow into toddlers, youths grow into teenagers, and as or did not do in the year we just finished. For some, there was so much baby boomers grow into retirees. Hope is a feeling of expectation and a pain, suffering, and loss that they couldn’t get to the New Year fast desire for a certain thing to happen. As we move from 2014 to 2015, we enough. The year 2014 was literally the worst year of their lives. For can have hope - a chance moment to redirect ourselves, to re-envision Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. some, it was a pretty good year full of new and emerging relationships, our possibilities and re-frame some of our goals and aspirations. No business ventures, or possibility. And, for others, it was completely Founder and Artistic Director matter how small or simple our wishes and desires may be, we all inconsequential, because literally nothing changed; they remained in The Conciliation Project and should embrace the opportunity to take stock of ourselves in this Associate Professor limbo - no better, no worse. fleeting moment and make some type of change or set some plan in Virginia Commonwealth University motion that our next year might be better than our last one. One The thing about the New Year is that there is the possibility that we DrT@Margins2theCenter.com small intentional step towards a positive change in your life could set can all hit the reset button. We have an opportunity to take personal www.theconciliationproject.org you up for tremendous success as we begin a new year. What do you responsibility over our own lives and change something that needs have to lose? Make the most out of the window of opportunity that to be changed. We can, if even for a moment, hope for the best, believe that change is has opened…you have a whole year in front of you. possible, or give way to our rising expectation that things will be better this year. There is a small window through which we can allow our imagination to re-envision something Up Next Week: Let Freedom Ring… better, something more than we are in the present, and look forward to what might be possible in the future.

From Resetting page 2

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll When we talk about vacations, we usually think of lots of sun on a beach, or maybe a cruise. However, there are great winter vacations. Trips to spots where winter weather reigns are reportedly where it’s at. Envision a cold wintery resort blanket in snow. Brrr!!!!!

What’s your Take? Do you have a favorite winter getaway?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

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Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

valuations. Even in a rising economy and recovering housing market, many homeowners need a reality check about real estate prices. The same likely goes for other valuables like antiques, jewelry, and art. For real estate, get a broker valuation and do online backup checks with property transfer listings over the last year or two in your area.

As for valuables, check appropriate markets (from professional dealers to eBay) to sell, gift, or donate those items and get tax and/or estate advice before all transactions.

Clarify your tax picture. If you make a huge profit on your home, you may owe taxes on the sale. Current IRS rules allow most couples to exclude up to $500,000 in home sale gains from their taxable income and singles to exclude up to $250,000. Check with your tax advisor and consult IRS Publication 523 (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-523,Selling-Your-Home-1), “Selling Your Home.”

Also, keep local property taxes and city and state taxes in mind if you’re considering an out-of-state move.

Decide what you plan to do post-retirement.

Retirees may have at least 20 to 30 years of lifespan to fill post-retirement. If you’re hoping to keep working, start a business, or transition permanently into travel or leisure activities, these future goals have to align with your current retirement plan.

Bottom line: Everyone should set a “final approach” for retirement. That means reviewing your investments, lifestyle goals, and the possibility of a post-retirement career so you can adjust your money behavior to match.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Civic Beat

Life Reimagined Survey Indicates Money Can Buy Happiness According to a survey conducted by Life Reimagined, in association with Luntz Global, Life Reimagined Takes Action financial security tops the list of changes that would increase one’s happiness. With the Just in time for the New Year, Life Reimagined offers new, free tools and content, New Year in sight, Life Reimagined conducted an online survey developed by Life Reimagined Institute’s thought leaders, focused Practicality plays a to determine the priorities of Americans, ages 40-59. Though the on making and keeping resolutions. According to Dr. Christine majority of the 1,000 respondents defined their self-worth by their lead role in achieving Whelan, professor of sociology, author and Life Reimagined family and relationships, the results emphasized the importance of expert, the reason so many people fail to keep their resolutions is life’s goals and New money and a successful career to a person’s overall happiness. because they are making the wrong ones. With the platform’s two Year’s resolutions; Life newest programs, Whelan takes a two-step approach, first with * Financial security tops the list of changes that would most in Focus,” which invites users to ask why they want to Reimagined launches “Resolutions increase happiness (39%), and is the most commonly cited make a change and ensures that goals are based on one’s values and obstacle to prioritizing things that would make people happier priorities, not outside influences. Whelan’s second program tackles tools to help (33%). the next step - now that users know the right resolutions to make, * When given a choice, 71% of respondents prefer extra money to extra time in the day.

“Complete Your Goal With Self Control,” shares best methods for harnessing the self* In reflecting on their choices to date, the one thing 21% of respondents wish they had control necessary to commit to those resolutions and bring about positive change. done differently is make smarter financial decisions. Furthermore, 12% wish they had pursued a career path with more financial security.

Knowing that financial woes are top-of-mind as the Life Reimagined community reassesses its “life budgets,” leading financial expert Jean Chatzky offers advice on the best ways to successfully transition their careers after having already established What is a Life Budget? themselves in a specific field. As the keynote speaker at multiple Reimagine Work The primary goal of the Life Reimagined study was to understand people’s current and events across the country, Jean shared insights into how to be fiscally responsible when ideal “Life Budgets” - how they allocate their time, energy and passion across various changing jobs or launching a business. For areas of their lives. People were able to identify those who were not able to see her presentation one “budget” that was their reality and another in person, she shares her best tips on how that was their preference, bringing to light the to budget for your next big career move on differences between what we want and what LifeReimagined.org in a signature article, we do. Unsurprisingly, one’s aspirations do not “Money is the Answer. What’s the Question?” always match reality, and this is primarily a result of the pursuit of financial security.

While 69% of survey participants responded saying they were satisfied with what they “This is often the time of year when we start had accomplished in life, the discrepancies to reflect on our lives and see that what we are between respondents’ actual and ideal “life doing and what we want to be doing are two budgets” indicate that the Life Reimagined different things,” says Emilio Pardo, Executive community overall would like to make changes Vice President at AARP and President of Life to improve their happiness. The central idea Reimagined. “Our goal is to give practical and of Life Reimagined is the belief that small useful advice to help make changes - one small steps are necessary to bring about change step at a time. The holidays and a new year can no matter how easy or difficult, big or small be overwhelming, and we are here to help.” they may seem. With targeted programs and content developed, based on the knowledge The study showed several examples of the gleaned from this survey and years of research differences between current priorities and ideal and experience coming from the Institute, Life Reimagined continues to uphold its ones: commitment to delivering a one-of-a-kind online experience aimed at guiding people * Out of nine designated categories, the average person aged 40-59, budgets 21% of through life transitions and helping them discover new possibilities. their time, energy, and passion to their job or career. * However, the preference is only 12%, ranking below significant other (23%) and Full survey results are available on LifeReimagined.aarp.org/media-kit. children (18%), and tying with health and wellness (12%). * In contrast, when asked how one derives self-worth, 71% responded family and close friends, while only 29% indicated that their job defined their self-worth. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

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2015 New Yea Helping Others Volunteer More

Food pantries, soup kitchens, or your local children’s hospital.

These are only a few of the local organizations in your area that are actively seeking more volunteer help.

Your New Year’s resolution to become more active in volunteering opportunities could make a world of difference to someone else – even if you can only afford to give a couple of hours per week. If you’ve been considering becoming a volunteer, what better time than now to begin?

It’s Easy

Organizations know you are busy with your job, family and hobbies. That’s why most of them make it extremely easy to join their group. You can usually apply online with a few simple clicks. Once you submit your email address and other contact information, you will become part of the group’s mailing list, helping you remain apprised of events, gatherings, and volunteer needs.

It is Needed

Here is a list of five volunteering opportunities you can join today. Research local efforts and reach out to find out how you can help.

• Disaster volunteers, providing food, shelter and support to those in need • Blood drive volunteers, supporting local blood drives by registering donors and answering questions • Nurse volunteers, lending their expertise in times of disaster and conflict • Digital Volunteers, helping organizations raise money online and promoting social media accounts • Reading volunteers, interacting with children to provide and promote consistent reading

It Can Help You Too!

One of the best aspects of volunteering is that it positively impacts everyone involved – even the one performing the [6]

Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

act. A 2013 study by the UnitedHealth Group found that volunteering is linked with increased levels of happiness and decreased depression. This means that while you’re focused on making others feel better through your volunteering, you could gain similar benefits.

Money Get Debt Under Control

Are you feeling a bit underwater when it comes to all of the payments you owe?

Credit cards, cars and mortgages can add up to be your largest expense on a monthly basis. The interest that is tacked on to each can feel like an insurmountable amount to pay off.

Create a Budget

The most effective budgeting practice you can put into place is simply getting back to the basics. Make a list of everything you need to make it through each month. Housing, food and health care should top the list, depending on your personal situation.

Now take a look at the unnecessary spending you do every month. Eating in restaurants, buying music and other forms of entertainment are great places to start when looking at spending items that you can cut from your budget, if even for a couple of months until you pay down other bills.

Mortgage Challenges

Most lenders are willing to work with you if they believe you’re coming to them with a genuine goal of improving your situation. Some lenders may even reduce or suspend your payments for a short time, with the agreement of you paying additional amounts toward the past due total when your financial outlook improves.

Other lenders may agree to extend the loan’s repayment period to reduce the monthly debt. Ask whether additional fees would be assessed for these changes, and calculate how much they total in the long term to help make your decision.

Housing Counseling

Housing counseling agencies can be a valuable resource in helping you overcome your debt challenges. Some agencies limit their counseling services to homeowners with FHA mortgages, but many offer free help to any homeowner struggling to keep up with payments.

Call your local office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the housing authority in your state for help in finding a legitimate housing counseling agency near you.

Employment Get a New Job

When it comes to our jobs, we in North America simply aren’t satisfied with our positions.

Research from staffing firm Right Management has found that only 19 percent of employed workers from the United States and Canada are satisfied with their jobs.

This means that more than 80 percent of people are spending up to 40 hours per week in a position they aren’t enjoying. Life is too short. If you fall within this large subset of the North American population, ask yourself why, and then ask yourself why not. Make 2015 the year you do something about it.

ar Resolutions Where to Look

There is an expansive list of online resources and job boards that post vacancies and opportunities, no matter your field or specialization. You can search for jobs by looking for specific titles, or even by general industry names that may include many different opportunities.

Most job boards will provide you the opportunity to post an updated version of your resume or video portfolio, depending on what your industry calls for. There also are many online companies available that will take care of the posting for you, for a monthly fee. These posting services can help you post to numerous employment boards, email lists, and other digital avenues to maximize your document’s exposure.

Network

Even with all of the digital advances made over the past decade or so, good old-fashioned networking is still the best way to land a new job, according to a recent study. The research, uncovered by the Manpower Group, revealed that 41 percent of American jobseekers say they earned their most recent position through networking with other professionals.

This fact supports the conventional wisdom that it is never good to leave a position or engagement on negative terms. You always want to keep positive references in your career history, because you never know when you may need one for a new position.

Once you decide the route you want your new career path to take, reach out to past employers, peers, or mentors for information on opportunities. Send out a personalized email

to a past connection or schedule a meeting over coffee to pick their brains on possible leads they may have in your area of interest.

• Oceania, 570,000 • Africa, 350,000

Travel Safety

Travel Take a Vacation

With the economy improving and discretionary spending up, the tourism industry is seeing big increases in Americans seeking some much-needed vacation time.

Making vacation travel more of a priority is a popular New Year’s resolution, especially given the fact that many Americans are working more weekly hours than at any time in our country’s history.

Imagine yourself escaping to the white sands of the Caribbean, the beautiful Irish countryside, or on an exciting safari adventure in Africa. If you prefer to stay domestic, explore the endless California coastline or New York’s bustling Times Square.

Whatever map location you sink your push pin into, check first with your local travel agencies to get an idea of pricing and package deals. Travel professionals also can give you a heads-up on optimal times to travel to specific locations.

Top 10 destinations

According to the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, international travel is burgeoning.

Below are the eight most popular overseas destinations for American travelers from 2013, along with the number of U.S. citizens who traveled there.

• Europe, 11.4 million • Caribbean, 6.5 million • Asia, 4.3 million • Central America, 2.4 million • South America, 1.7 million • Middle East, 1.5 million

Especially if travel is new to you, there are some important things to remember to ensure your safety. Vacation safety starts at home. Be sure to activate your alarm, keep your shades in their normal location and arrange for someone to pick up your mail.

When out and about on vacation, don’t display your jewelry, cameras, or other expensive items that may be attractive to thieves. Also be sure to check and learn maps before you venture out to give you a sense of where you are and where you should avoid traveling.

Personal Finance Records

Maybe you’d like to save a specific amount of money in 2015 for a new car or down payment for a home. Perhaps you simply want to earn more and are considering taking on side work to achieve a little more financial freedom.

Whatever your goal, it will be helpful to break it down over the course of months or even weeks. Marking your progress often rather than every few months or so will keep your focus sharp and focused on how much work you need to perform to actually see your financial dreams turn into savings.

Create a detailed finance spreadsheet and keep it open on your computer’s task bar, if possible for the entire year. Every time you sit down to work, surf the Internet or pay a bill, you will see the spreadsheet icon and be reminded of the progress you have made and still need to make.

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Funding

FUNdraising Good Times Will 2015 be the year your nonprofit is highlighted in news stories and feature pieces?

Will those who could benefit from the work of your organization read about you in the newspaper, see a story on TV, or listen to an interview on the radio? The media could “somehow” find out about your organization and decide to cover it. Or you could dedicate time and resources to cultivating media. Here are four things to consider when engaging the media in 2015.

1. Meet with the editorial board of your local paper. If you are looking for TV or radio exposure, meet with the station’s management. To secure this meeting, call the editor or station manager and request a time to meet. If your organization has a marketing person on staff, he or she should secure the meeting. If you don’t, ask a member of the board who has marketing experience or a relationship with the media to make the call. If you are without this resource, the executive director should request the meeting.

2. During the meeting make the case for your organization, share your impact, and your plans for the coming year. Ask about their guidelines for how to share news about your nonprofit. Request assistance in creating awareness for your organization, its programs and events. Ask for their criteria when covering an organization such as yours. Who should you contact? How much lead time is required? What constitutes a good news story and what types of feature stories are they looking for? Be prepared to honestly answer questions they may ask of you, especially those that may be uncomfortable.

3. Bring your media kit. Your kit should contain your case for support, annual report, program highlights, testimonials, and an annotated board list. It should also include a calendar of upcoming events such as fundraisers, lecture series, performances, receptions, and visits by people of note. As appropriate, include a list of the businesses and organizations you partner with, and any honors and awards.

4. Be prepared. The executive director, board chair, top development person, and top marketing person should attend the meeting. All should be prepared. Create an agenda and determine what role each person will play.

5. Follow up. Keep your media contacts apprised of key staff changes and promotions, new board members, and upcoming events. If you have expertise on a topic in the news, let them know you are available as a resource. Invite reporters to visit your organization to learn more.

Building media relationships takes time. You have to build a relationship with the media same as you would with a potential donor or board member. Get organized and integrate media relations into your work plan. Build a partnership that creates awareness and provides accountability.

Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

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Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

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Travel

Five Places to Travel in 2015 Predicted to Give the Best Bang for Your Buck

Looking to get more out of your vacation dollar? Before booking, take a cue from the experts.

Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Thailand. Royal Caribbean International is even moving its newest ship, “Quantum of the Seas,” to Shanghai. As cruise lines compete to fill their cabins, expect to see more deals.

Each year, Travelzoo predicts where American travelers are likely to find the best bang for their buck. Last year, they correctly forecast how European river cruises would offer tremendous value in 2014. This year, they are highlighting five new destinations, including Texas Hill Country.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has long appealed to American travelers: no U.S. passports are required to visit, English is spoken, and the U.S. dollar is accepted. Thanks to new routes and increased services from airports around the U.S. in recent months (from JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines), flights to Puerto Rico are now among the cheapest in the Caribbean. Travelzoo anticipates this trend will continue in 2015.

“Our 2015 prediction offers an eclectic mix of destinations, but all have a common theme: increased infrastructure and competition, which means deals, deals, deals for the American traveler,” says Gabe Saglie, senior editor for Travelzoo.

From Asia’s tantalizing cities to the vibrant colors of Rio de Janeiro, here is where Travelzoo says Americans can score a terrific deal in the coming year:

Texas Hill Country

The downtown landscapes of Austin and San Antonio are transforming at light-speed as visitors, businesses, and new residents continue to flock to the two cities. To meet this demand, nearly a half-dozen new hotels are set to open in 2015, including properties from JW Marriott, Kimpton, and Westin.

Brazil

Brazil had a great year in 2014 when hosting the World Cup, and the country has more to look forward to when it hosts the 2016 Olympics. All that investment in infrastructure will put pressure on domestic travel

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StatePoint

Dubai

companies to entice international travelers to the region.

Expect to see some great discounts on hotels -- including 400 new properties that will be operational before the olympics. Travelers from Florida can also take advantage of the increased competition generated from new airline routes to Brazil.

Cruising Asia

China might not seem like an obvious choice for cruising, but Shanghai has poured serious money into cruising infrastructure, including the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, which can handle the world’s largest ships. As a result, cruise lines are adding new ships and itineraries throughout Asia, including China, Indonesia,

Despite a huge hotel expansion to support the upcoming World Expo in 2020, Dubai experienced its lowest occupancy rate in 18 years this past summer. Lots of space to fill equates to discounted hotel rooms. Add to this the fact that Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport is gearing up for a $32 billion expansion over the next decade, and it could mean 2015 is the right time to get ahead of the crowds.

For more information and deals to Travelzoo’s 2015 Wow Deal Destinations, visit www.Travelzoo.com/ Destinations/wow2015 If the experts have it right again this year, Americans will be able to save a small fortune on travel to once-in-alifetime destinations in 2015.

Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

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Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

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Choose a Gold Buyer In the past few years, interest in gold has increased sharply. A growing number of Americans are rummaging through their house looking for broken gold jewelry. Selling gold necklaces, rings and other items has become a common way to get quick cash.

Whether economic times are good or bad, people often use precious metals to shelter their money. But this popular trend has been accompanied by less scrupulous experts who lack experience in determining the proper value of these items. Many pieces of jewelry might be worth more than their gold content or melt value. Anyone can make a mistake, but fly-by-night operators will often offer far less than the melt value of the gold in these items. They are counting on your lack of knowledge.

Infomercials have also flooded the airwaves with ploys offering “immediate cash for your unwanted gold.” But mailing gold in flimsy prepaid envelopes to these dealers is the same as dropping cash into the mail.

Always exercise caution when selling gold. While many buyers are honest and reputable, finding them requires research.

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selling your unwanted gold.

First, do some research to determine the gold content of an item.

Remember that gold is soft, so it must be alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. Jewelry usually has an inscription identifying the purity of its gold content. For instance, 24-karat gold contains 99.9 percent gold. It is measured in terms of a troy ounce, equal to about 1.097 avoirdupois ounces, the kind of ounce we use in measuring butter, flour and body weight.

One troy ounce of 14-karat gold contains 14/24th troy ounce of the pure metal.

Next, take your gold items to reputable jewelers in your area for their opinion. A jeweler may charge a small fee for this service.

It is the best way to establish the gold content when the piece lacks markings. Take it to more than one jeweler to verify the findings.

The Better Business Bureau and the Internet are valuable sources of information about gold buyers. Poor dealers usually leave a pile of complaints from disgruntled sellers whom they’ve allegedly cheated. Do not deal with these companies.

Also, if a gold buyer operates from their home or business unrelated to precious metals, be careful. They probably don’t have enough experience to provide an accurate evaluation of your items.

It pays to use a local business. If you must mail your gold items, insure the package and use registered mail available at the United States Postal Service. You could use a shipper that offers package tracking and delivery verification. Do not trust someone you don’t know and have never met.

Learn as much as you can before visiting a gold dealer. Information is your ally. There are reputable gold buyers doing business today, and they will pay you for the true value of your piece. Doing the proper research and taking precautions will help you find the best people doing business today.

Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

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Urban Views Weekly | January 7, 2015

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