Fred Harteis News Articles - Wal-Mart's Black Friday deals uncovered

Fred Harteis News Articles -  Wal-Mart is setting deep Black Friday doorbuster deals on high-definition TVs, DVD players, home computers and toys, according to a copy of the retailer's ad obtained by CNNMoney.com.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, already signaled its intention to be very price aggressive over the November-December gift-buying period by being be the first out of the gate to chop prices on toys and electronics.

On Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, its deals get even lower.

And here's what to expect: A 42-inch Plasma HDTV for $998 (one per customer); Compaq Presario PC media and entertainment center for $398 (minimum 15 per store and one per customer); Kodak EasyShare C633 digital camera and printer dock bundle for $189.74; Barbie Fashion Fever dolls priced at $5 each and movie DVDs priced between $1.88 and $3.44 each.

The ad showed these special discounts will be available to shoppers on Nov. 24 from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Typically Wal-Mart and other retailers debut the eagerly awaited day-after-Thanksgiving specials a few days in advance, but the information appears to have been leaked to a few Web sites such as Gottadeal.com.

Wal-Mart officials said they weren't aware that the ad was leaked.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Linda Blakley said the retailer will unveil its Black Friday deals Nov. 20. "We want customers to know that they should stay tuned. We're not done yet," she said.

Brad Olson, the founder of Gottadeal.com, a Web site that markets itself as one of many "official Black Friday deals site," told CNN/Money that Wal-Mart's ad was sent anonymously to him. Besides Wal-Mart, the site has also posted Black Friday deals from 16 other retailers, including Kmart, Best Buy and Circuit City.

Another Web site - dealtaker.com - also obtained the Wal-Mart ad anonymously this morning, said the site's founder Neal Rapoport.

While some smaller merchants have leaked their Black Friday ads to his Web site in the past, Rapoport said he doesn't suspect bigger retailers like Wal-Mart would deliberately want to lose the element of surprise two weeks before Black Friday.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis:  Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis Business News – Salary Secrets and Myths

Fred Harteis Business News  - Your pay doesn't necessarily reflect performance and seniority

While fair and equitable pay may be your company's aim, the goal post keeps shifting.

Managers will pay what the market demands to get the right candidate. So in a tight job market the starting salary of a new hire at your level may come close to or even match yours, despite your seniority and institutional knowledge.

What you should do: Keep abreast of the going rate for people with your experience and education, especially if you were hired in a down market.

If you notice a discrepancy, said Dallas-based compensation consultant Rebecca Elkins, tell your boss, "I'm aware of this and am wondering what can be done to bring me up to market?"

There's more raise where that came from - When it comes to merit increases, your boss has discretion about how much she gives you, so long as the average raise she gives doesn't exceed a certain target, say 3.5 percent. So she might award the top performer 5 percent, but below-average employees only 2 percent. But there might be more money available than your manager lets on.

What you should do: The day of your review is not the time to negotiate a higher raise since your manager has already gotten approval for the increase he's budgeted. Your campaigning should start months before. "You have to sell yourself all year round. Don't be shy about telling your manager, 'Hey, I did this,'" Elkins said.

When you're told they can't pay you more now, budget may not be the issue

If you ask for more money and your boss says the budget is too tight now -- ask him what it will take for you to reach your desired pay level, said Minneapolis-based compensation consultant Jim Fox. If you don't get a clear or encouraging answer, it could mean one of several things:

• Your boss doesn't think you're worth that much money in your current position.
• He doesn't have the authority to make that decision or doesn't want to take on the challenge of getting you up to the next pay level.
• Or, you're already paid at the top of the company's scale for your position.

What you should do: Consider whether you want to continue working in that position at that company, Fox said.

Your pay is all about you

Thanks to a fear of lawsuits and dissension in the ranks, companies usually employ a systematic process, complete with outside paid consultants, to determine compensation.  What you should do: Ask what salary surveys they use to assess the going rate for your position and which competitors' pay scales they use as a point of comparison.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Top 10 year-end tax tips

Fred Harteis News Articles - Despite the year's end looming, your tax fate is not yet sealed - there are still some chances to optimize your tax filing and save some money, says the nation's largest state accountant group.

1. Live energy efficient

The government is keen towards those who build green. If you're going to make your home more energy efficient within the next two years, you can get up to $500 in tax credits. If you're going to build a home that uses 50 percent less in heating and cooling costs than other homes, you can get up to $2,000 in tax credits if it is completed after August 8, 2005.

2. Do a tax projection

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), that vestige of the tax system passed in 1970, was meant to target only high income individuals who were subject to many exemptions. But as incomes rise, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that soon one in five taxpayers will be forced to pay it. To figure out if you'll be hit, do a full tax projection and you'll be able to see whether you should pick up the pace of deductions - or defer them. (The Alternative Minimum Tax: What you should know)

3. Figure out your income and deductions

The most basic year-end move is to adjust the timing of income and deductions, says the NYSSCPA. If your income is expected to come in high, you can delay some of it until the next calendar year to save taxes. You can also accelerate payment of deductible expenses like job hunting costs or dues of professional organizations.

4. Postpone that bonus

If you know you've got a bonus coming, look into having your boss postpone the big check until January. You can't defer the bonus being taxed by simply not depositing the check until later. The NYSSCPA says if you expect you're going to be forced to pay the AMT this year, consider accelerating the current year's income to mitigate the negative aspects of the tax.

5. Sock away some for retirement

A great way to put money away for the future is a deductible Individual Retirement Account (IRA). A conventional IRA will defer taxes as your investments grow, while a Roth IRA is actually tax-free. You have until April 15 to open an IRA and make a deductible contribution for the prior year. And if you have a 401K plan at work, put in as much as you're allowed to.

6. Pay off those deductible expenses before year's end

If you pay off your state taxes or property taxes early, that accelerates your federal deductions. You can make an extra mortgage payment (the interest is deductible), or go for that dental work or surgery before year's end.

7. Give it to charity

If you give cash to a charity, you can deduct it for the current year. If you give property, you are usually allowed to deduct the full market value. For more expensive donations, look into getting an appraisal to determine the fair value of your property.

8. Give gifts to children

If you give that gift to children or other relatives before the year is out, make sure to have that check clear by December 31st. Gifts up to $12,000 per person need not be reported.

9. Offset your capital gains

Take a long look at your investment portfolio to determine whether you should sell some losers before year's end to offset your capital gains this year. Capital losses are put together with capital gains, but are also deductible against up to $3,000 in income a year.

10. Marriage helps

Even if you get hitched at 11:59 p.m. on December 31st, the government considers you married for the whole year. Look at your new spouse's income, or lack thereof, when doing your tax projections. Many of the calculations the IRS makes are based on the taxpayer's marital status.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Fight Cellphone Spam

Fred Harteis News Articles - "STRONG BUY ALERT!!" "The end of oil?" "New patent unveiled!"

You expect to get irritating messages like this in your email's in-box — but now they're headed to your cellphone as well.

 The reason? More people are giving up their landlines in favor of cellphones, which means those numbers are appearing on more order and contact forms — and are available for spying eyes to pick up and use for unwanted texts and calls.

Cellphone spam isn't just grating — it's also expensive. If you don't subscribe to your carrier's text message plan, you can easily pay 10 cents for each incoming text, solicited or not. And those incoming telemarketing calls can waste precious minutes.

So what can you do to keep your cellphone spam free? Here are seven strategies:

Add your name to the list

The FTC's National Do Not Call Registry, that is. Despite a rash of urban-myth emails, there's no national telemarketing directory for cellphone numbers — and no plans to create one. "It's illegal for a telemarketer to contact consumers' cellphones using an automated dialing machine," notes Joe Farren, a spokesman for CTIA-The Wireless Association. Still, the occasional call does get through, so it's worth taking 30 seconds to sign up, which protects your number for five years.

Safeguard your number

Even though your cell number is unlisted, it's still in company databases and other places (like your MySpace page or Craigslist ad) for unscrupulous types to harvest. But just because you're required to give a number doesn't mean it has to your cellphone number. Protect yourself by using one of the free services that offer disposable numbers. These services let you create an alternative number that automatically forwards calls to voicemail.

Download with care

Two bucks seems like a small price to pay to have your phone shout out the Super Mario Brothers theme. But when you download content to your phone, you may be unwittingly offering up your number to companies that will later spam you, warns Farren. So make sure you're downloading only from legitimate companies. Read the fine print to ensure that your number won't be passed along to third parties.

Contact your service provider

"Cellphone companies are very interested in this problem," says Leslie Flint, a legal research assistant for the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a consumer advocate. But they aren't psychic. Until you complain, your service provider has no way of knowing you're receiving spam texts or annoying calls. If you ask, your provider will usually refund the charges for spam texts, or even block a certain number. T-Mobile, for example, lets subscribers determine settings online, filtering out unrecognized addresses or blocking incoming texts altogether.

Notifying your provider may also aid the larger problem of cellphone spam. Earlier this year, Verizon Wireless won a $10,000 judgment against Passport Holidays LLC, a Florida-based travel company that sent more than 100,000 spam texts.

Take your complaint up the chain

Talking to your cellphone-service provider is a good start, but there are other agencies to notify as well. Your best bet is the Federal Communications Commission, which enforces the CAN-SPAM Act. If you're receiving stock-related spam, file a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers, both of which have departments to investigate spam texts.

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - Most lucrative degrees for college grads

Fred Harteis News Articles - Employers continue to boost starting salaries for the Class of 2006, which is enjoying the strongest job market in four years, according to a recent survey.

The biggest beneficiaries are graduates who majored in information sciences and systems: they are taking home 7.5 percent more than they did last year, according to the Fall 2006 edition of Salary Survey, a quarterly report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Employers have made a strong effort to attract college seniors and new grads through on-campus recruiting, career fairs, information sessions, and intern and co-op recruiting, according to NACE.

Top 50: Companies with most entry-level jobs for grads

"These salary increases combined with the results of a recent poll of Salary Survey participants indicate that 2005-06 has been the best job market in the past four years," said NACE executive director Marilyn Mackes in a statement.

According to the survey, majors that have seen some of the biggest increases in average starting salaries are:

Information sciences and systems: Up 7.5 percent to $47,182

Economics/finance: Up 6.2 percent to $44,588

Civil engineering: Up 5.3 percent to $46,084

Chemical engineering: Up 4.9 percent to $56,269

Accounting: Up 4.6 percent to $44,928

Business administration/management: Up 4.2 percent to $41,155

History: Up 4.2 percent to $33,071

For others, modest increases, some declines

Other majors also experienced slightly higher entry-level offers, but the increases from last year's offers didn't outpace inflation.

Mechanical engineering: Up 3.3 percent to $51,732

Electrical engineering: Up 2.9 percent to $53,500

Psychology: Up 1 percent to $30,369

Computer science: Up 0.3 percent to $50,744

Political science and government: Up 0.3 percent to $33,094

And in a few cases, starting offers actually declined. This was true for a few of the liberal arts majors, which only saw a 0.2 percent increase overall as a category.

English: Down 0.2 percent to $31,385

Sociology: Down 0.9 percent to $31,096

Source: Cnn.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis News Articles - America's Drunk on Credit

Fred Harteis News Articles - Listen up, America: You're drunk on credit, and you need help.

According to the latest figures from the Federal Reserve, consumer credit, otherwise known as non-mortgage loans to individuals, rose in June by $10.3 billion to $2.19 trillion. Revolving debt, like credit cards, accounted for $6.65 billion, or roughly 65%, of the increase.

This is wonderful news for those in the credit business. Consider American Express, which recently reported a 14% gain in revenue from card usage. It also issued more than 2 million new cards through partners Citigroup and Bank of America, which also sport thriving credit card businesses.

But none of that is good for consumers. You carry a special burden. You probably owe far more than the American average of $6,250 in debt. And you're paying big interest on what you owe, most likely more than the 13.14% average for credit cards that the Fed reported in May.

What you need is action. Reducing debt will improve your buying power and your margin of safety should an emergency occur. Here are three easy ways to get started:

Rank your debts by highest obligation. You'll want to spend any excess moola paying off the debt that charges you the most interest.

Call about better rates. Credit issuers hate losing regular payers. They'll often cut your rate to keep you on the leash. Humor these bloodsuckers till your balance is zero, and then drop them like a bad habit.

Research balance-transfer deals. Some creditors are intractable; get rid of them with a good balance-transfer deal. You can find several excellent options at Cardratings.com.

Just these three steps will put you on the path to financial freedom. And there's much more you can do, too. For other tips on keeping more of what you have, consider Motley Fool GreenLight. Our new money-management service has everything you to need to help you live richly -- from how to make your credit profile look beautiful, to the best banks for your bucks, to how to dress up your fund portfolio for a luxurious retirement. Learn more today!

Source: Aol.com

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Harteis Business Insights: Movie and Music Phones

by Fred Harteis

If you yet haven’t watched video, movie clips or listened to audio on your wireless phone or other device, it is coming.  The young adult audience is the most likely market.  According to IDC From a technological point of view, a compelling video and audio experience over wireless networks and devices has arrived. IDC predicts that by 2009, over 30 million US wireless subscribers will be consuming commercial video/TV content and services over their wireless devices.

Like any new idea, there will be challenges. Some of the major challenges facing the commercial video and television marketplace will come from a content availability, network and handset capability. This combination is likely to keep penetration/use levels relatively low. However, IDC anticipates that annual revenue will still top the $3 billion mark within the next four years.  It’s definitely a growth industry.

About columnist Fred Harteis

Information: Fred Harteis, owns Harteis International and serves on the Independent Business Owner Association International (IBOAI) board. A background in construction and agri-business laid Harteis’ business foundation.  Under Fred’s leadership and vision, Harties businesses like Harteis Associates have grown exponentially. 

© 2006 provided to Fred Harteis blog by Esource News.

Harteis  – Quick Business Quote

Fred Harteis – It is important to get your goals down on paper to make them a priority.

People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine.

Brian Tracy

Brain Tracy - Motivational Coach and Author

Famous for : Being a best selling self help author of more than 40 books, many audio programs, coaching and training programs, and for his public speaking engagements worldwide.

Tracy details : Born - Canada Lives - San Diego, USA

Fred Harteis and Linda Harteis are members of the IBOAI

Trade Association Facts:

IBOAI, the official trade association of Business Owners (Ibo’s), serves and protects the business interests of independent business owners. Association leadership includes Greg Duncan,   Don Wilson, Billy Florence, Jody Victor.

About Diamond leadership: Billy Florence leads Team DCI International and founded Billy Florence’ Equad News . Fred Harteis owns Harteis International.  Randy Haugen and Don Wilson lead Legacy Business Group. Jody Victor is founder of Markerman Productions.

Ron Puryear WWDB and Greg Duncan lead WWDB World Wide Dream Builders.

Jerry Harteis leads Harteis Associates.

 © provided to Fred Harteis web blog by Esource Business News                                    

Harteis Business Series : Small Business Facts

by Fred Harteis

Exactly how big is small business? The number of small businesses in the United States depends on our definition of the term.  If we use the broadest definition provided by the IRS and say it is everyone who files a tax return with business income includes the number would be over 24 million.  Did you know that about half that number work in their businesses part-time. 

According to Wells Fargo/NFIB seven out of 10 small-business owners start their business with less than $20,000.  Don’t have $20 thousand? Don’t worry.   Inc. Magazine reports that 14 percent of their list of the 500 fastest growing companies in the United States started with less than $1,000.

Biznet Small Business by the Numbers

•
                                             Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms.

•
                                             Employ half of all private sector employees.

•
                                             Pay 44.3 percent of total U.S. private
                                             payroll.

• Have generated 60
                                             to 80 percent of net new jobs annually over the past decade.

Source: Small Business Administration www.sba.gov

Columnist: Fred Harteis is president of Harteis International

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

Fred Harteis : Quality Thinking Required By Quality Leaders

Fred Harteis, “One of the people John Maxwell credits for mentoring him in the area of realistic thinking is his brother Larry. Experience is not the best teacher, examined experience offers us the opportunity to learn.  Laurel and Hardy characters did little thinking. It’s good for a laugh but not for learning.”

“Neither Laurel nor Hardy had any bad thoughts.  Matter of fact, they had no thoughts at all.” – Larry Maxwell

Fred Harteis and Linda Harteis are members of IBOAI

IBOAI, the official trade association of Quixtar IBO’s serves and protects the business interests of independent business owners leadership includes Greg Duncan,   Don Wilson, Billy Florence, Jody Victor.

Billy Florence leads Team Dream Chasers (DCI) .   Billy Florence owns Equad News www.e-quadnews.com. Fred Harteis owns Harties International.

Greg Duncan lead WWDB World Wide Dream Builders.

Key words: Jody Victor Billy Florence, Fred Harteis, Greg Duncan, Don Wilson Quixtar

© 2006 Esource News reprint permission to Fred Harteis web blog 

Fred Harteis: Favorite Leadership Quote

Fred Harteis Leadership Quote – Leading people can be very difficult. This quote by Eisenhower gives some great perspective on leadership.

Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.

~ Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight Eisenhower Thirty-Fourth President:

1953-1961 Born: October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas Died: March 28, 1969 in Washington D.C.

Fred Harteis and Linda Harteis are members of the IBOAI

Trade Association Facts:

About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.

 © provided to this web blog by Esource Business News.                                               

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