Retirement party ideas - a simple guide to retirement party planning

Planning a fun and memorable retirement party can seem like a huge chore if you don’t have a game plan for the party already in place. To help get you on your way, we’ve created a basic guideline that is intended to make your job easier and spark your creativity. For organizational purposes, the guideline is broken down into seven major categories:

Venue

Selecting the right venue for a retirement party plays a critical role in determining how much time and effort you will have to put into planning the party. In general, parties held in the workplace demand more planning time and effort because they require you to supply your own food and beverages, decorations, and other party supplies. A restaurant can be an easy venue option for many reasons. To name a few, holding the party at a restaurant minimizes your setup and cleanup times, it eliminates the need for food shopping and preparation, and it reduces the need for party decorations. If holding the party at a restaurant isn’t an option, consider where exactly in your workplace you want to hold the party. The kitchen or break room isn’t always the best option!

Day and Time

Choose a day and time for the party when everyone will be in the office and will not be in a rush to get back to work or their home immediately after. We recommend hosting the party on a Thursday afternoon during work hours (4 to 5 p. m. works well). By holding the party during work hours, you will get a far better turnout.

Theme

Choosing a theme for a retirement party is not essential, but it can add an extra element of fun to the occasion, especially if you are holding the party at your workplace. In choosing a theme, consider where the person might be moving after retiring or if they have a favorite hobby that they will be pursuing in their retirement. For example, if the person is moving to Hawaii, you could throw and island-themed party. If they love to play golf, that could be a theme as well. If the person has a noteworthy trait, you can also make that a theme for the party (i. e. if they always wear blue shirts to work, you could inform the guests to wear blue shirts).

Decorations

Decorations for the party can be simple as long as they are creative. If you choose not to have a theme for the party, you can always hang framed portraits or pictures of the person that is retiring. If the person who is retiring has a good sense of humor, you can doctor the images in Adobe Photoshop to get a rise out of the guests.

Food and Beverage

Serve hors d'oeuvres and drinks to stay within budget and keep the preparations manageable. If you are holding the party in a restaurant, make sure to prearrange which hors d'oeuvres will be served. If the person retiring has a favorite food or beverage, serve it if it fits in with your theme. Be sure to consult your company’s alcohol policy if you plan to serve any alcoholic beverages.

Activities

Party activities should be fun but not overwhelming. Your guests will want to chat and have the opportunity to give their best to the person who is retiring. Slideshows and roasts are two popular retirement party activities. A slide show can either be played in the background during the party, or it can be narrated with a story. A video roast can be another good option. To organize the video roast, send out an email to the person’s friends and colleagues asking them for stories that you can videotape. Employ a funny and well-liked person to serve as the roast master. The roast master can introduce the video with a funny story and also conclude the roast with a few upbeat, witty remarks.

Invitations

Invitations for the party can be done in a number of easy ways: send an email, post flyers in the office, and place formal invitations in work mailboxes. A reminder email is always helpful the morning of the party to ensure maximum attendance.

Dice games basics

The young and the old relish it, it governs the game with its different numbers, and it declares the winner who bags the business - ‘Dice’, the most significant element of a game. Dice is the life of each dice game but players hardly throw any attention to it. This article will be a talk about ‘dice’, its history, its types, dice games and little of their strategies.

A Delve into the Past

Numerous other things like fruits, nuts and stones etc. were used as a dice before the latter was made. The Greeks and the Romans had bones to play the dice games. The invention of dice came about around 6000 B. C. While several others believe that dice was born around 2000 B. C. Initially throwing of dice had different dimensions. People used to attach supernatural powers and other deities to the outcome of the dice. It is deemed that the Romans were the foremost users of the dice. The tradition later passed on to the French, Europeans and Chinese.

Variety of Dice

• There are different types dice that are commonly used. The Standard Dice is that which is most often made up of plastic, at times of wood, stone and glass. This dice has indentations that make it lighter on the sides and due to which the dice favors high numbers.

• The Perfect Casino Dice is handmade and involves wonderful accuracy. Almost all of these dice are transparent red and are set in a right handed format. The holes of this dice are filled with a weighted substance after drilled.

• Crooked Dice are according to their name. They are cooked up in such a manner to make the odds assist the player who is deceitful. Elements like lead, gold and platinum etc. are the added as adulterants to the dice that make it a heavy one. The extra weight of the dice cats as a preventive measure against the crooked dice.

• The dice that functions by changing weight distribution within the dice is known as the Tapping dice. Within the dice there is a mercury chamber or wire with a weight that ratchets up and down the wire. The outside of the dice can also be tampered with.

Apart from the variety of dice, there are various ways to throw dice and set the stage to throw it. Qualified players invent new ways to throw dice and make money. At times the cheats are detected while many a times he goes escapes to victory.

When the Dice Rolls

• Dice games are universal. Innumerable games have imparted an inevitable existence to dice. One of the most common dice games is the game of Chuck-a-Luck. The dice are put in an hour glass like cage. The cage is turned up and down and the dice are made to fall on the table after bets are placed on them. The number combinations establish the winner.

• The Over and Under Seven Game is a game that uses two dice. The players wager over the outcome of the dice that will it be plus seven or less than seven or seven itself. Depending upon this, there are different strategies to carry the game ahead.

• One of the games that involve usage of three dice is the Grand Hazard. The waging is based on forecasting whether the total for three dice will be 10 or less and 11 or higher.

Besides these there are several other dice games that include huge money making business.

The charisma of dice can turn millionaires to beggars and vice-a-versa. It is upon the player to manipulate the outcome or get maneuvered by it.

How to find used cars at the bargain prices

No matter what you’re planning to buy the key to shopping for the best deal is to do your research first, especially for cars. With the amount of cash you’re going to shell out you have to be sure you get what you want without regrets. Buying new cars can be a little easier, but both new and used vehicles have their difficulties.

The first thing that you should do is get an idea of what kind of vehicle you want and be realistic. I know you want the Hummer but is it within your means? Is there only you to please or do you have a family that this car purchase will impact? You will definitely be happier with a little less car and money left to do things with; bottoming out the wallet is not worth the big ticket vehicle. You can get a decent car that’s affordable and practical.

Once you get through that reality try to narrow it down to a couple of different models to make your research easier and more focused. Once you have done this you can start by keeping an eye on your local classifieds and see what kind of prices the models you picked are going for.

Quite often you can find great deals in your local classifieds and depending on the seller’s situation you may be able to get a quality vehicle at a price well below retail. More often than not people get a big surprise when they try to trade their car and want to get more than the dealer will give them. These people will usually try to sell privately to get a price a little closer to what they had in mind, which in many cases is still a bargain.

There are also some great sites that help you understand the real book value of a used car. I really like Edmunds. com not only do they have used car values, but they really do a great job reviewing cars. You can also do some checking online at other great sites like Kelley Blue Book at kbb. com and NADA. com.

One of my favorite methods is to use eBay. With eBay not only can you open a free account but then you can go to eBay Motors and pick out vehicles of your choice that are being auctioned and put them in a watch list. I have done this many times not only to buy a vehicle, but also to get a good idea what I should get if I sell mine. Online Auctions like this can be a great way to find good deals. You get to check out the vehicles, which usually have pictures and shop right from the comfort of your own home. Try to find auctions with no reserve, these types of auctions don’t have a minimum price before they will sell and you may well be able to buy a vehicle at a great discount.

I know several people that once they realized how easy and cheap it is to buy cars on eBay, they made a very profitable career out of buying and selling cars. Public Car Auctions are held in many areas and you don’t have to be a dealer to attend. Many times these auctions have cars that have been repossessed from local banks, credit unions and Government seized car auctions and they have no desire to keep them.

It’s not uncommon to find very expensive cars in great shape that go for ridiculous prices if you spend a little time shopping. You’ll find that some people will go nuts on new cars and expensive houses but once their fortunes change and they can’t keep up the payments, they’re property is seized and auctioned off. Many of these auctions have no reserve and can start at 95% off retail prices. Two really good online Government auction sites are SeizeCars. com and ICarFinder. com.

Another key recommendation I have is to make use of a great system known as CarFax. com. The information they offer is crucial in that they have information on all major repairs done on vehicles through information compiled from insurance claims and repair facilities. Once you see a car you like you can run it through CarFax. com and find out if you’re getting a lemon or a gem.

You can also check with local rental car companies that may be reducing last year’s fleet. Be careful with this as there seems to be a 50% chance to get that car that others have been kicking around without care. No having said that, the other half of the time you can get a good deal on a fairly new car with low mileage.

Some might suggest going to check out some dealer auctions, but it has been my experience that in many cases the vehicles end up going higher than they should. Dealers will pay the higher price because they know they can mark it up and hard sell someone to buy it.

The secret to real savings on your mortgage is a good mortgage strategy

If you are looking at buying a home or refinancing your existing home, you have probably been having a lot of conversations about interest rates. If you enjoy talking about interest rates, fine, go ahead. It's like talking about the weather: it won't make any difference, but it gives you something to talk about.

The simple truth is that the variance in interest rates from one lending institution to another is so small that it will not make a big difference in the total cost of your mortgage.

As a matter of fact, the difference is only about .06%, which is a saving of $41.12 per year on a $100,000 mortgage.

With all the emphasis lately on credit scores and credit ratings, it is surprising that a lot of people still believe that shopping around for the best rate will make a big difference. Credit scores are based on a consumer's credit worthiness: whether you pay your bills on time, if you have ever defaulted on a loan, whether other lenders have been willing to lend to you, etc. A credit score of 500 will mean you are not a good risk, and a credit score of 700 will mean you are a better risk. Lenders set their rates for a consumer based on this score. That's all there is to it. So apart from a few points difference, all the banks are going to quote the same rate for a person with a score of 650. Lets' look at that interest rate savings of $41.12 per year. If you look around for more than 6 hours, you are paying yourself only $6.85 per hour for your time.

The only way to have a real savings on your mortgage is to have an overall mortgage strategy. There are many types of mortgages being offered, and the combinations of benchmark rate used, terms of payment and duration of loan can have a great overall impact on the loan over time. This is what is more important to look at. Finding the mortgage expert who will discuss more than just the interest rate, but instead will understand the economic markets and examine your financial situation and longer term plans will achieve much more savings on your mortgage. Choosing the right mortgage strategy can save you tens of thousands of dollars, as compared to the $40 cited above that can be saved on a lower interest rate.

How can you find out the best strategy? Working with a mortgage consultant who understands the economic markets, who works closely with you, who understands your needs and particular circumstances, and who combines this knowledge and information with the best rates available is the secret to finding the right mortgage strategy. Understanding this concept can save you tens of thousands of dollars in home loan costs, rather than tens of dollars.

Not convinced? You can get more details and understand how this phenomenon can be true by reading more articles on our website.

Electric pallet stackers

Large containers are often crated in such a fashion that standard pallet jacks cannot lift them. Large containers of unique dimensions likewise are difficult to manipulate with even the sturdiest of pallet jacks. Standard hydraulic pumping mechanisms, even if strong enough to lift a heavy load, place too much strain on the human frame to operate safely over long periods of time. Pallet stackers & servers solve this problem by providing a material-handling tool with heavy load capacity, powerful lift, and ergonomic maneuverability. Each of the three major pallet server & stacker lines is designed to be used when a fork truck is not available.

The largest of the three electric pallet stacker server lines, the pallet master stacker, can easily handle pallets, skids, and crates that are built both with and without understructure. For receiving operations that intake supplies from multiple manufacturers—all of whom package products in different way—the pallet master stacker provides an all in one tool that can unload multiple trucks and varying sizes of supplies. The standard unit has a maximum load capacity of 4,000 pounds and 60 inches of raided height, this ergonomic pallet server is a truly versatile tool that excels in a variety of applications. Workers can operate the unit with a fingertip rocker switch control. No manual exertion is required to lift even the largest and most cumbersome of loads. The forks measure 36 inches long to anticipate virtually any size pallet or crate that one might need to move and feature a load center within 18 inches of each fork. This helps to balance and distribute weight to ensure that regardless of load size or build it the pallet server can hold it firmly in place. This electric pallet stacker works very well on a variety of floor surfaces also. Two 8 inches by 2 inches phenolic swivel casters guide the wheels and ensure mobility over occasional spots of debris or rough concrete in older warehouses. Easy Rack can install an optional remote or on-board battery charger by client request. A charge indicator also can be installed in DC units.

For lighter loads, use the smaller version of the pallet stacker master, the Counter-Balanced Pallet Stacker. It is ideal for moving pallets and skids from one workstation to another. The horizontal load center is balanced at 18 inches, and its adjustable forks range from 8 inches to 28 inches in length. This pallet server is provided in three different power options. Choose from 12 Volt DC power, 115 Volt AC power, or Air/Oil power. The Counter-Balanced Pallet Master is very easy to move around on its 8 inches by 3 inches phenolic casters. It is even easier to control. A push button pendant attached to the unit on an 8 foot coil cord allows workers to maneuver the unit either at close distance or while standing back several feet. This feature is especially useful when moving pallets down stacked aisles where it may be too cramped for the employee to physically walk and maneuver the pallet server at the same time.

The Counter-Balanced Pallet Stacker functions just like its name suggests. In addition to being able to move small loads from one place to another without the need of an oversized fork truck, it also allows for workers to access the load from three different sides of the pallet server. In the front, the end is open, and this enables the forks to be next to the workstation for easy loading and unloading. The unit includes a standard 12 Volt DC power lift with an on-board charger, and it includes a counterbalance as well. Push buttons on the power unit make it easy for workers to raise and lower the lift. Easy Rack can also provide an optional hand control on coil cord if requested. The Counter-Balanced Pallet Stacker also features superior security by means of a key operated ON/OFF control built into the power unit.

3 reasons to form a legal entity structuring your e-biz the smart way

Like many other E-Biz owners, you may not feel inclined to structure your online business as a legal entity. Maybe you argue that your business is too small or that you only sell on eBay. Or perhaps you feel the process is too expensive. But the real question isn’t the size of your business, or how much it’s worth. The real question is, how much can you afford to lose?

Personal Asset Protection

When you’re operating as a sole proprietor, the law views you and your business as inextricably linked. Explains attorney Patrick O’Neill, CEO of IncorporateABusiness. com, “One of the biggest benefits of incorporating or forming an LLC is that your business becomes, in a legal sense, a completely separate entity from you and any other shareholders.” So in the unfortunate event that your business is sued, a judgment against your business doesn’t extend to your assets, other than those invested in the business. Similarly, your business’ creditors can only come after company assets – your house, life savings, and stamp collection remain safely out of reach.

Image Enhancement

Besides putting a virtual firewall around your personal property, you’re also strengthening your business’ image. This is especially important, because as a small E-Biz owner, you’re already at a disadvantage:

• First, as a small, unknown business, you have to work hard to create credibility with your customers. Unlike a well-known chain store, you must convince shoppers that you can consistently provide top-quality products and first-rate customer service.

• Second, when you sell online, you lack a physical storefront where shoppers can walk around and get a sense of the kind of operation you run, and whether they feel comfortable purchasing from you.

Seeing XYZ Business, Inc. goes a lot further towards reassuring potential buyers that you’ve been verified, than a generic XYZ Business. The same is true for other organizations with which you do business. Wholesale suppliers and loan officers, for example, are more likely to take you seriously. Even the IRS is less apt to audit a home business that’s an established formal entity – they believe the odds are much higher that the owner isn’t just looking for illegitimate tax deductions.

Tax Flexibility

LLCs and S-corporations were both developed with small businesses in mind, and both eliminate the double taxation of a traditional corporation. A C-corp is taxed on its earning as if it were an actual person. Post-tax profits pass through to shareholders, who must include them in their reported taxable income. For Coca-cola, this might be bearable; but for a small eBay business, double taxation can be a crushing burden. An LLC or an S-corp, on the other hand, allow you to be taxed as a partnership, so you’re not paying taxes at entity-level. You’re only required to fill out an information return for your business, and the profits and deductions pass through proportionally to the shareholders.

• An LLC is much easier to form than a corporation, and the compliance formalities are less stringent. The operating agreement can be as flexible as you choose to make it.

• An S-corp is basically a small business corporation, or a corporation that’s taxed as a partnership. It is generally less adaptable than an LLC in income distribution and imposes greater ownership restrictions.

For the entrepreneur, forming a legal entity presents a tremendous value proposition. “You’re taking preventative measures in protecting yourself and proactive measures in creating greater credibility,” advises O’Neill. “So you’re helping yourself on the front and back ends.”

The rousing history of microprocessors

The single biggest improvement in the history of the computer could be the development of the first microprocessor. This little chip allows a mind boggling amount of processing power to be packed into a very small space. Space is one of the biggest limiting factors in actually assembling a computer at a reasonable price. By being able to pack more and more processing power into a smaller area, the strength of modern computing is able to expand exponentially through advanced chip development.

The first microprocessor chip was invented by Intel back in November of 1971. This little chip was crucial to new development. Integrated circuit technology had opened the door for advanced computing that was only limited by the amount of chips that could put together.

This chip, the 4004, made the crucial development step of managing to pack all of the computer's "brain" into one part. This small microprocessor contained the full power of the central processing unit while also providing for the computer's basic memory and the control methods for incoming and outgoing data. This progress was simply amazing when one considers that the company was just a little start up by two engineers.

This chip was actually the development of a rather normal contract assignment for Intel. They received one of their first jobs to design twelve different computer chips for Busicom, a small Japanese company. They wanted designs for chips that would provide for keyboard scanning functionality, controlling the display on the monitor and the printer and just about anything else that their brand of calculator hoped to do. There was just one big issue that they had to overcome.

They needed the money but faced an interesting issue. They lacked the sheer manpower necessary to actually design twelve chips in the time frame. So, their engineers figured out a way to build one chip that was able to do every single function. Busicom liked the idea and decided to fund the project. Time passed and a new chip that had more power than any of the old computers was developed.

Ironically, they decided to buy back the design from Busicom, which subsequently went bankrupt, leaving them completely in control of the new technological breakthrough in electronic parts. The sky was the limit from this point onward. This basic technological idea has been applied time and time again to give us electronics capable of amazing power and ability.

The average calculator now has more processing power than was required to plan the first missions to the moon. The shrinking of this technological power has worked perfectly alongside the development of many other electronic parts to make everyday life just a little bit easier for everyone. In just the time span of about 40 years, we have advanced to computers that are almost able to mimic true human intelligence.

These advancements in micro processing have improved all of our lives in ways that we may not even realize. The power of a computer is now literally at our fingertips.