Corb7 International August 7, 2019 Newsletter

International Business

Feature

Tax Reform & Punitive Taxes

by Jeffrey H. Corbett

In 1988, the Rolling Stones explained why they left England to Washington Post writer, Richard Harrington, for his article entitled “Stone Free.”   “In 1971, we were forced to decide courtesy of the British government – live in England and (because of high taxes) not be able to afford another set of guitar strings or move and keep the band together.  Hence, the album “Exile on Main Street”.

The subject of tax reform, reporting and compliance is a business news item appearing daily in worldwide financial journals.   A recent trail balloon – the idea of punitive tax reform – has been slipped into this age-old debate.  Somehow the idea of punishing the successful business person with unreasonable high tax has gained traction.  We readily acknowledge the obligation to report and pay a fair amount of tax, but nevertheless, we think this approach is not only morally reprehensible but economically senseless. Below we offer a video published by Dan Mitchell of the Cato Institute.  Mr. Mitchel has impressed us for years with his no-nonsense approach to tax and international business. Even if you reside outside of the United States, we think you will find his thoughts insightful.  We hope you enjoy.

International Business

Business Tools

How to Hone Your Time Management Skills!

Ours is a busy society where everyone is moving from place to place quite rapidly, whether at school, home or work. As a result, many people may feel that there simply are not enough hours in the day to get it all done.

Quite often people delay certain tasks until the late hours of the night as a way to catch up. But that can be detrimental to health. The National Institute of Health warns that lack of adequate sleep can affect mood, adversely affect relationships, increase anxiety, and possibly contribute to depression. Inadequate sleep is also associated with increased risk of high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease.

Rather than tapping into precious hours of shut-eye, men and women can learn how to manage their time better so they complete more tasks during the day, leaving more time to relax and sleep at night. Effective time management begins with these strategies.

1. Set priorities. Begin by setting priorities. This involves making a list of all the tasks that need to be completed, and then putting them in order of most essential to least essential. Once you understand where to first devote your attention, address items on the list in order of their priority.

2. Develop goals. Goals do not have to be far-off ideas for the future. They can be easily reached today. Simple goals such as, “I want to remove all nonessential paperwork from my desk” can be tackled quickly and without much effort. Goals give a person something to work toward and are important ways to steer you in the right direction. Without goals, you may wander aimlessly. Accomplishing goals of all shapes and sizes gives a feeling of accomplishment.

3. Avoid distractions. Distractions can pull attention away from important tasks at hand. Distractions can be phone calls, text alerts, personal issues, people in the room, and many other things. Figure out how you work best and minimize distractions so that you can fully focus on your priorities.

4. Stop multitasking. Unfortunately, multitasking is not the key to getting more things done. In fact, it could actually be hurting performance. Research conducted at Stanford University discovered that multitasking is less productive than doing a single thing at a time. You simply cannot put full effort into multiple things at once – and something will be short-changed if you try.

5. Write things down. Keeping information floating around your mind is ineffective and can lead to stress. Put things down on paper or make digital notes to keep track of what needs to get done. Set your targets and break each task down to manageable pieces. Physically cross items off your list as they are completed.

Time management is a skill that can be learned with practice and focusing on elements of success.

International Business

Business Psychology

In Search of Sleep

Sleep is critical to our ability to perform.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, certain foods may help people fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly while others may compromise a person’s ability to enjoy a restful night’s sleep. In lieu of white bread, refined pastas and sugar-laden baked goods, all of which can reduce serotonin levels, the NSF recommends whole grains. The buildup of serotonin in the brain during periods of wakefulness can contribute to the onset of sleep later in the day. If serotonin levels in their brains are disturbed, then people may experience difficulty falling asleep. The NSF also recommends almonds and walnuts, which contain melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycles. In addition, foods that are high in lean protein that contain the amino acid tryptophan also may increase the production of serotonin, potentially contributing to a restful night’s sleep.

Lifestyle

Executive Fitness

The Relationship Between Exercise and Cancer!

Exercise benefits the body in myriad ways. Studies have shown that routine exercise can help people effectively maintain healthy weights, sleep better at night and have more energy throughout the day. But exercise also may play a role in preventing one of the world’s most deadly diseases.

The World Health Organization notes that cancer is annually responsible for about one in six deaths across the globe, making it the second leading cause of death in the world. Many of those deaths can be prevented by employing some simple yet effective strategies, such as avoiding tobacco products and applying sunscreen before going out in the sun. And while researchers aren’t exactly sure why, the National Cancer Institute notes that substantial evidence suggests high levels of physical activity are linked to lower risks of several cancers.

The relationship between exercise and cancer risk is complicated. The NCI notes that nearly all of the evidence that links physical activity to cancer risk comes from observational studies. In such studies, individuals report on their physical activity and are then followed for years to see if and when they are diagnosed with cancer. While such studies are no doubt valuable, they cannot definitively establish that physical inactivity causes cancer or that physical activity prevents cancer. All they can do is establish a link between physical activity and lower cancer risk.

As mysterious as the relationship between exercise and cancer can seem, researchers can theorize about the connection between the two. For example, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute notes that scientists have recently begun probing the connections between exercise, the immune system and cancer risk. Such research is rooted in the notion that exercise can reduce inflammation, an acute or chronic response by the immune system that can contribute to cancer risk.

The NCI also notes that the many biological effects of exercise on the body might shed light on the potential link between routine physical activity and a lower cancer risk. For example, the NCI says exercise lowers levels of certain hormones, such as insulin and estrogen, that have been linked to cancer development and progression. Exercise also has been linked to improved immune system function, and a stronger immune system is more capable of fighting various conditions and diseases, including cancer.

The relationship between routine exercise and cancer remains a mystery in many ways. But the potential for exercise to lower cancer risk is yet another reason for people of all ages to embrace physically active lifestyles.

Lifestyle

Spirits & Cuisine

Amazing Facts About Honey

Honey is perhaps best known for its sweet taste. But beneath that sweetness is a complex, healthy food.

Bees produce honey from the pollen of plants through a complex enzymatic process, turning it into the beloved golden nectar.

Many properties make honey a unique food that is not just tasty, but also quite healthy. Here are some facts about honey that might get you buzzing.

· When stored in an airtight container, honey can last indefinitely. The substance is naturally acidic and low in moisture, which means it is an inhospitable environment for bacteria. There are small amounts of hydrogen peroxide in honey as well, inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. (Source: Tin Roof Teas)

· Honey has antibacterial properties, so it has been relied on as a health food and topical treatment. Burns, cuts, infections, stomach ailments, and more have been treated with honey. (Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information)

· Honey is the only food source produced by an insect that humans eat. (Source: Peace Bee Farmer)

· Mead is a fermented beverage that is made from honey. It has a storied history as a beverage of choice in many different cultures. (Source: Hidden Legend Winery)

· Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life. This includes enzymes, vitamins and minerals. It also contains pinocembrin, a unique antioxidant associated with improved brain function. (Source: Sirhowy Valley Honey)

· A honey bee produces roughly 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey over the course of its life. Bees are not the only insect to make honey, however. The honey wasp, native to Mexico, also can produce honey. (Sources: Golden Blossom Honey and Inverse)

· Honey will take on the flavor of the nectar from which it was made. This nectar also will affect the color and the consistency of the honey. (Source: National Honey Board)

Honey has a sweet and rich history. At times honey has been referred to as “the nectar of the gods,” and it is still enjoyed for pleasure and medicinal reasons today.

Lifestyle

 Lifestyle & Travel

End of Summer & Travel Savings

The end of summer is marked by mixed feelings. Come the end of summer, vacations may be coming to an end as children ready themselves for a new school year. But shoppers know the end of summer is an ideal time to find great deals on an array of items.

Although back-to-school sales flood the marketplace this time of year, plenty of other sales take place in the final weeks of summer – and consumers can save substantial amounts of money if they know where to look.

Outdoor furniture

As stores clear out their seasonal items, shoppers can score big deals on patio sets and other outdoor furniture. Retailers need to make room for snowblowers, rakes, shovels, and holiday merchandise, so shoppers are bound to find discounted tables, chairs, fire pits, umbrellas, and chaise lounges. Individuals can use this opportunity to update worn-out patio furniture and other seasonal items they can store over the winter.

Camping/hiking equipment

Only the most devoted campers camp out when the temperatures begin to dip, so consumers can use this opportunity to grab camping equipment before it’s gone for another season. Tents, flashlights, cooking gear, backpacks, outdoor recreational items, such as kayaks or fishing tackle, water bladders, and heaters may be available at steep discounts.

Grills

Backyard barbecues are a staple of summer. If your barbecue or outdoor cooking equipment experienced heavy use throughout the summer, now is a great time to shop sales on grills and outdoor cooking gear.

Travel

Consumer Reports says that prices tend to drop on airfare, hotels and theme parks after Labor Day. Deals on luggage also can be had once summer travel season ends. Tuesdays are a great day to book airline tickets because they tend to be cheaper on Tuesday than other days of the week. Travelers can use this information to their advantage, booking trips to destinations that have super weather throughout the fall, such as Hawaii or the Mediterranean. Caribbean destinations also are good choices, though travelers should consider travel insurance to protect against hurricane-related cancellations.

Vehicles

Many dealerships tend to begin discounting cars when new models begin to debut in August and September. The longer a dealership holds on to a vehicle, the more money it tends to lose. Prospective car buyers may be able to negotiate a good deal this time of year, ultimately walking away with a brand new vehicle with a solid warranty. It’s not unheard of to receive a discount of 15 percent or more on previous year models.

Spa treatments

Many spas have begun discounting massages and facials at the end of summer, according to the International Spa Association. Shoppers can use this opportunity to try out new spas and save some money in the process.

In addition to these discounts, bathing suits, summer clothing, lawn and garden equipment, and pool/spa items may be discounted come the fall.

Business Services

Business Acquisitions

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Swiss Trust Companies are not banks but come as close as you can get without actually being a licensed Swiss bank. Thus, many of the authorities and advantages a bank provides become available to ownership without a large capital requirement and with much lower ongoing costs. Vintage Swiss Trust Companies bestow enormous advantages upon its owner due to its history and date of incorporation, which include the opportunity for profit & asset protection.

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