UBS to Cut Jobs, Push Back Profit Target

My latest ReportLinker article on Swiss banking and the effects of the European sovereign debt crisis on investment banking.

LINK

Long-term Migraine Relief

I've seen so many gurus talk about how medicine isn't necessary for headache relief. While medicine is not always the most helpful, it is necessary from time to time. I have found that the most effective way to relieve a migraine headache is by mixing both natural and medical options and creating a spa-like zone for immediate and long-lasting recovery.

Headaches form due to stress on the body and mind. So alleviating one of these causes is sometimes not enough. First let's start with the body. The most simple and effective recovery step is to pop a pill... but not just any pill. Some headache medicines can be detrimental to your health; so read the back to make sure you find one that is suitable to your health needs. As I am young and have little to no pre-existing health issues, I have tried almost all of these headache medicines at one time or another. The two that I personally have found to be the most helpful are Tylenol Rapid Release and Aleve.

Once you take medicine to heal from the inside-out, it is time to heal the area from the outside-in. Some people use acupuncture, but since I have an aversion to needles, I have found EFT to be a good alternative. EFT is a method of pain relief that uses finger tapping motions across specific points on the body to ease tension. EFT uses self-affirmations to help ease inner turmoil that could be triggering tension as well. EFT can also be used for weight loss, determination, and improving self-image.

Here is a video I have found using EFT. She tells you the basics but I'd recommend tapping several times in each spot shown in the video and repeating until you are completely relaxed. Don't focus on what you're doing, focus on relaxing the muscles in your face.

How to Get Rid of a *MIGRAINE* Headache Using EFT Technique -

If you are at work or out of your home, you can stop here and just take deep breaths and focus on relaxing your body and mind as you work. Frequent meditation helps to develop the skill of relaxing in hectic atmospheres. During a lunch break or any break, try to go outside within nature or in a quiet room to meditate and do EFT alone.

If you are at home, I'd recommend taking the next step in immediate and long-term healing: the soul. Mental stress causes headaches just as often, if not more often, than physical stresses.

Start by creating a spa-like atmosphere. Dim the lights, close the blinds, fluff up your pillow and lay down on your back. Play the video below on repeat, listening to the music to help you relax. Take a wet rag and cover the top part of your face with it. As you let the cool air hit the rag, use EFT and repeat the affirmation stated in the above video.

After you repeat it a few times you will notice that the "I have a migraine at level 7" will become "I have a migraine at level 3" and eventually you'll begin simply saying "I have a migraine". Once you get to that stage, tap through one last cycle and stop. Breathe in deeply and focus on your facial muscles. Feel your head relaxing, feel your brow, your ears, your mouth, your tongue all falling deeply. Feel your shoulders and arms fall into the bed. Do this all the way down to your fingers and toes.



Just sit there in your relaxed state, thinking of nothing but how relaxed you are and how this is your time for you. Every once in a while you just need some time for you, a time to rejuvenate your body and mind. To prevent further headaches, spend some time in solitude reading, listening to peaceful music or to birds chirping outside. Lay in the grass or a hammock, play with your pets, or sing and dance when you're all alone.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men." -Willy Wonka

Industry Reports: China

My new Industry Reports are available on ReportLinker!
... and it's on China!


VW introduces Kai Li Electric Vehicle to the Chinese Market: Link
Daily Chinese Steel Output Reaches Record in April: Link
Foreign Bank Mutual Funds Are No Match for China's Big Four: Link
China's Inflationary Pressure Begins to Ease: Link
Is China's Trade Surplus Rebalancing?: Link

Industry Report: Airplanes and Airports

My latest industry articles for ReportLinker are now available!
... about the airplane industry!

About Airports
Austrialia's "Airport of the Future" Trials Begins: Link
US May Reduce Security Checks for Low-Risk Passengers: Link
US Air Travel: Will Passengers Pay for Security Checks?: Link

Commentary: While writing these articles I couldn't help but think to myself "What were all these security procedures all about?" Now body scanning will be traded for an increase in other privacy violations using RFID chips. These chips are more of a security risk for the country and for individuals.

About Airplane Engines
Pratt and Whitney, GE Aviation To Launch New Turboprop Engines: Link
Nextant Aerospace Announces Engine FAA Certification: Link

Government Intervention and The Online Poker Industry

Just as Full Tilt Poker reached a new partnership, Full Tilt, Poker Stars, and Absolute Poker web sites are all down! If you don't believe me, try clicking here. Nope, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. These domains have been taken over by the United States government. It doesn't stop there. The executive officers have been arrested and threatened with 30 years in prison if indicted!

What happened? Our story begins in 2006 during the Bush regime. That year the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was among the many controversial bills passed through Congress and signed into law. Bush stated that the Freedom of Information Act would not ensure the release of the UIGEA documents because of "national security" concerns. Seriously?!! Ever since then some lawmakers, especially Barney Frank and Ron Paul, have been trying to revoke the UIGEA. Internet poker pros became fearful of the possibility that their means of cash flow could be shut down. Well, thankfully no case could be proven against the giants of online poker and all appeared to be safe... until now.

A case has now been brought by a Manhattan attorney against the online poker giants for supposedly "tricking" banks into accepting money for "illegal gambling" and "bank fraud". These are some pretty serious charges if they are true. But considering the fact that online poker is in itself now "illegal" means that all these new charges could be built on that fact alone. The banning of online poker is even more ridiculous than the prohibition of alcohol because online poker is an investment and an asset, not an expense. Now ESPN is considering scrapping its poker coverage involving Poker Stars and Full Tilt players. I wonder what will happen to the hit TV show High Stakes Poker now that it has partnered with Poker Stars?

Why is online poker so dangerous that it has to be illegal in the US? Ever since the turn of the century, poker (and especially online poker) has skyrocketed in popularity with stars like Daniel Negreanu, Tom "Durrr" Dwan, and Phil Ivey as spokespeople. TV programs have emerged that show the Average Joe winning against these poker pros. Online poker sites facilitate the money transaction between poker players wishing to become wealthy pros themselves. One by one these new internet players have popped up on the radar. More and more Americans began forming their own poker dreams and monetary ambitions. If a person invests in learning the basics in poker like poker hands, poker psychology, reading body language, pot odds, outs and percentages, and how to bluff effectively, then that person can make money as a grinder (a relatively safe poker player), a reader (someone who bets on what they think others have as opposed to their own hand), or a gambler (someone who bets based their hand instead even if the odds are stacked against them). Although gamblers win more money in the short run, they can lose it just as easily. Most online poker pros fall in that category. There are a growing number of grinders who MAKE A LIVING through ONLINE POKER. These players are the ones who will lose the from this new controversy. I think poker grinders are the real risk to the US government, or rather, to the non-federal Federal Reserve. Financial independence is not profitable for debt investors, especially the Fed who makes a profit from printing debt.

What options are there for online poker players? Well, if you are a poker player who can read your opponents well, you will probably do well in live cash games and live tournaments. For those who have never played live and do not yet have the bank roll to try, you are safe... for now. If you already have an account with Ultimate Bet (UB) or Absolute Poker (AP), your cash account has not been closed. You can continue to play for money even though you are an American; however, they will not allow you to withdraw or start a new account due to the massive uncertainty. I think after all this mess, online play will continue in America and the sites that are temporarily not allowing US players will once again pursue American clients. Until then, Carbon Poker is allowing US players to start new accounts. I'm sure there are others who are too.

There is no way the government can win this case. If they do, that will be the end of online poker and maybe eventually an end to all forms of "gambling". Where is the line drawn? Online wager transfer could include, in theory, online horse racing, fantasy sports, and lotteries. This is protectionism at its very worst! As a result of this law, the US government is in conflict with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Now Europe is considering doing the same to American companies. Wow, what a great way to get out of a global recession... by limiting global trade and commerce! This is why taxing them (also known as a tariff) is a bad idea: it will cause retaliation against American companies from any, and all, industries. Casinos based in other countries do not (and should not) pay American taxes, nor do Las Vegas casinos pay foreign taxes. So why should Full Tilt or Poker Stars who also have American customers? Online casinos are NOT FROM AMERICA, but they DO pay taxes... in their HOME COUNTRY. Americans who win the lottery, the slot machines, or a poker game all have to pay taxes on their winnings... so why should the Fed care? Some individuals fail to report their winnings but that should not be an excuse to close down the whole online poker industry. Instead those who lied should be the ones held accountable. Shouldn't individuals have the right to choose how they invest their money? Hell, I think investing in poker (once you know the basics) is safer than investing in retirement and long-term stocks. As you can tell, I am steaming. But don't try to steal my pot, the government doesn't like competition.

New Free Program to Increase Your Financial Literacy

It's that time again! I have a brand new program that will be posted on Seek2ruth next month. I do not yet have a date planned, but I will update Seek2ruthers once I have all the details. It will be called How to Manage Your Money and will take place over seven days. I already have the topics chosen:

1. Assets and Liabilities

2. Diversification

3. Tax Savings
   

4. Decreasing Debt

5. Saving for the Future

6. Wealthy Mindset

7. Finance 101

Unlike my last free program, this program will include activities to improve your financial literacy. In total the program will include e-books, activity worksheets, videos, links to resources, and recommended reading. This program has been requested for some time now and I am happy to finally announce it. I will update you soon as possible as to the progress of the program.

Rating Professional Networks + 2 Handy Tools

(Yes this image is from Scooter's Nessaja) ;P

I spent the day checking out professional sites for those who need a job... because I need a job. I stumbled across a few really handy sites and have decided to give a rating for each site. I applied to all of them and played around with their features. I hope this helps in your job search.


LinkedIn
This is THE professional network to use. Your professors, past employers, coworkers, and friends are all there. There's so much to do there... it's almost like having a business Facebook.
I give this site:


Vault
I have to admit that this site LOOKS impressive; however, substance comes at a cost. This site has a lot of resources but minimal tools to make your internet resume stand out. In order to add any cool features to your profile, you have to upgrade. For that, and the limited spaces available for the experience section, I give this site:


Jobster
Pros and cons of using this site. Cons are very few but include: confusing tabs and ugly site graphics. Most importantly, you can't add groups and companies to follow. The pros outweigh most of the cons though. You have the most options for your profile out of any other site, including Linkedin. You can add video resumes, portfolios, links, and answers to typical interview questions (which no other site has). Overall it's a really, really good site. This is why I give it:


uBoast
Although Uboast is also not very pretty, it is very thorough. It allows for video resumes, portfolios, links, and favorite quotes. It has more networking options than Jobster but isn't as handy for those trying to hire you. I give it:


MyWorkster
MyWorkster is the most like a social network. It even has the chat bar on the bottom. You can search for people just like you. You can add video, music, image, and text files to your portfolio. The profile looks professional too. My only complaints are that there are no groups on MyWorkster and that there are no interview questions. Overall I give this site:


VisualCV
VisualCV is visually appealing and allows for graphs, text, photos, and videos. It is the least social of all the professional networks. It is easy to use and the profile graphics are simplified as to appeal to most employers. Overall, this deserves:


ResumeTube
This isn't a social professional network. This is an online video resume site. As it is not like the above sites I will not rate it. It is just a handy tool that I thought I'd pass on.

CareerTV
This is not a place to put your video resume. It's a site full of advice. I highly recommend this site.

Good luck on the job search!