The Financial Times reported that Robert Shiller, Professor of Economics at Yale University, predicted that there was a very real possibility that the US would be plunged into a Japan-style slump, with house prices declining for years.

Professor Shiller, co-founder of the respected S&P Case/Shiller house-price index, said: “American real estate values have already lost around $1 trillion [£503 billion]. That could easily increase threefold over the next few years. This is a much bigger (more…)

I read a fantastic article by Jeff Jarvis. He posed the question, “What if a plane flight were networked and became a social experience with its own economy?” Jarvis then describes the “Social Flight” where no marketing is required, but rather simply serving–connecting and organizing the customers the airline already has…

The airlines could let the consumer trade and barter their frequent flyer miles with each other–adding value to their $300 billion frequent flyer miles currency. The consumer could also (more…)

Contractors, subcontractors and workers must pay taxes on income received for all work which includes work done in exchange for goods & services in a barter exchange, even if a Form 1099 or W-2 is (more…)

Western Sizzlin Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: WSZL) today announced that it has commenced an exchange offer for all outstanding shares of (barter company) ITEX Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: ITEX). The exchange ratio for the offer is .06623 shares of Western common stock for each outstanding share of ITEX common stock. Following completion of the exchange offer, Western intends to consummate a second-step merger in which each remaining share of ITEX common stock would be converted into (more…)

Zillow.com has launched “EZ Ads” among other features to attract user-generated content to its real estate site, increase visitation, and generate revenue. Zillow’s do-it-yourself ad capability allows anyone to create an ad and then (more…)

Good news from the IRS for 2008, especially given a slowing economy which will see the need for more “hustling & effort”…Beginning January 1 the standard mileage rates (deductions) for the business use of a car, van, or panel trucks will rise from the current 48.5 cents per mile to (more…)

Where do you fit in, compared to the way most Americans are thinking, when it comes to your top New Year’s resolutions? Take a few moments to see what others are focused on…

Here’s the list, I bet your goals are quite close to (more…)

Do you receive a “reward” or some form of compensation when you buy from your suppliers? Probably not. But here’s an example of what’s being done in some sectors of the marketplace. (And this technique doesn’t have to be limited to super huge deals.)

Sun Microsystems had worked out a barter agreement with Ancor Communications, a supplier of Internet storage switches. Ancor says the equity relationship was designed to cement a strategic tie and generate $100 million in additional sales, in return Sun would receive up to 1.5 million warrants.

Here’s how the deal was (more…)

Real estate veteran Jack Peckham is featured in Dinald Trump’s newest book, “The Best Real Estate Advce I Ever Received.”

Peckham’s advice to Trump centered around his belief that the industry’s mantra of “Location, Location, Location” is no longer the key, as it once was. Rather, Peckham explained to Trump, the real estate industry’s new mantra has been replaced (more…)

It’s no secret, networking and face-to-face socializing is crucial to our success in life, i.e. it’s not what you know, but who you know. So having the right contacts can make all the difference when it comes to not only finding a better job, but also in finding the funding for a new business venture, or getting a JV partner or even to accomplish the more mundane chores in life.

So, it makes sense to get comfortable in your networking endeavors. You should make a point to (more…)