2MERRILL

THE CREDIT CRISIS

The short and simple story of the credit crisis is a great video illustration of what lead to the financial meltdown of the credit markets. 

FORMULA FOR LONG LIFE - Shigeaki Hinohara

97 Yr Old Physician's formula for life reported by  Judit Kawaguchi of the Japan Times is a good read for retirees. See what the good doctor says about retirement, it supports our case to have the UN extend the retirement age beyond the ridiculously low tiers of 60 and 62.  The good doctor says: "There is no need to ever retire, but if one must, it should be a lot later than 65."

SAVING AND INVESTMENT TIPS - FROM THE GOVERNMENT

Check out these saving and investment tips from the US government's SEC Office of Investor Education and Advocacy.  If you have any questions, do not contact the US Treasury Department, Financial Management Service, or the writer of this message.  This message is purely for educational and informational purposes.  Here are some highlights which you should have already received in the mail from the IRS:

MUTUAL FUNDS MAKE SENSE FOR ORDINARY INVESTORS

Jon Stewart spotlight on CNBC is a is a good read .  It is so interesting that the experts did not see the market downturn coming.  But those who manage your money blame the market that your portfolio is down because the market is down.  But when the market is up they take credit for "themselves" and fail to give credit to the market, and the investors are so blind-sighted to notice it because the portfolio manager highlights the returns as his individual capability and not that of the market. For instance, if the market is up 12% and your expert-managed portfolio is 13%, that is one-percent credit to the expert and not 13%.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK)

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) referred to as CIMA is the equivalent of a Master's Degree in the UK. CIMA differs very much from the traditional accountant (Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA or FCCA)). To get a glimpse of the strategic and planning emphasis please read about management accounting here and elsewhere on the web.