Posted by MARC WINKELMAN on Mon, Jul 11, 2011 @ 02:31 PM
Recent statistics show nearly 1 in 10 able bodied Americans are unemployed (14,800,000 people).
Additional statistics show that another 6,000,000 workers are “under-employed” having accepted jobs that are overqualified for as they cannot find a job that matches their skills.
US Gross National Product is limping at just about 1.3% so job growth is not happening. Let’s add some more troubling news.
Last month China dropped nearly all of its holding for US Treasury bills. Our largest creditor has lost confidence in the US economy and its ability to pay our T-Bill obligations.
What does this mean?
- Our economy is stagnant and with the magnitude of uncertainty and lacking confidence for an economic turnaround, THOSE JOBS ARE NOT COMING BACK.
- With the high unemployment and underemployment, THOSE WAGES AND SALARIES ARE NOT COMING BACK so you will not find the level of compensation you used to have.
- For those who are employed be thankful and recognize this, WAGES AND SALARIES ARE NOT GOING TO INCREASE. With the ample supply of labor and resulting depressed compensation, DON’T EXPECT A RAISE ANYTIME SOON.
- With China dumping its holding of US T-Bills, this will require the United States to pay higher rates of interest in T-Bills to attract buyers. A 1% increase in the interest rate would increase our cost of borrowing by as much as 25%. We can’t afford the interest on our current debt let alone see it go up 25% overnight! THIS WILL HAMPER ANY RECOVERY OF THE ECONOMY if not put us in default. THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO GO UP and you will feel this more directly as INFLATION pinches your home budgets even more.
What is this NEW ECONOMY and why you can no longer afford to be the OLD YOU?
Here is the new reality. Whether you are unemployed, under-employed, or employed, the ability to meet your budgets at home will be pinched. As far as your dreams and plans for vacations, cars, braces and college for the kids, and retirement are all unlikely to become realities. They will remain just that, a dream. Unless…
- You immediately recognize the dire straits we are in.
- Decide to take action for yourself and your family.
- Choose the right course of action for yourself.
What needs to be the NEW YOU?
- You need to become an entrepreneur either part time or full time. This will require that you take the hours of the day and make the most of each as YOU CREATE AN ADDITIONAL INCOME FOR YOURSELF!
- You must gain for yourself a trade, craft, skill, or hobby that generates that additional income.
- That trade must be easy to learn, little to nothing to get started, and produce a tangible benefit that attracts buyers to you.
An invitation…
I invite you to seriously consider Granicrete International as that avenue for the new you. Since 2006, our successful model for equipping 1000's of independent installers has made dreams come true. With just a couple days of our hands-on training you too can bring both financial benefit to yourself while doing the same for consumers from your stunning hand-crafted floors and countertops.
No experience is needed. No artistic background is required. We will show you the way toward success.
Marc Winkelman - CEO (Chief Encouraging Officer)
Posted by MARC WINKELMAN on Wed, Jun 29, 2011 @ 12:19 PM
"We hold these t
ruths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness..."
This declaration made by the founding fathers placed each of them, their families, and their relatives in immediate harm's way to be killed for treason. Placing their signatures upon that document was a sentence to death. Each knew that their lives and that for the colonies would never be the same and war was certain. Ultimate sacrifice would be required of all. It was not until 1783 before the Revolutionary War stopped with the American victory.
July 4th is a day of celebration for the USA. In observing it, remember the determination behind the Declaration of Independence and that this great country was founded on Godly principles that would require committing everything one had financially and including one's own life, to stand up for what we believe.
These principles are alive today as the USA fights for these same beliefs for the benefit of others who cannot fight on their own for themselves. No doubt that such is controversial as wars and battles are horrific. Nobody wants war as nobody wants the loss of life. But such is also said to be worthy...
"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends". Jesus ... John 15:13
We forget that the USA had friends that came to our aid during the Revolutionary War, and they did not have to. France, Spain, and the Netherlands assisted us with great risks and losses for themselves. Give thanks to them and give thanks to all who fight for freedom whether they fight for themselves or for the sake of others.
Freedom is precious. That is why the price for freedom is so expensive. It is why great people of principle will risk all for their believe in its worth.
To the contrary, once you lose the belief that the principle of freedom is worth the sacrifice, you are giving up your independence as you become slaves to the principles of those who have forgotten what this great country was founded upon. Those who say we can't afford the financial costs in fighting for freedom nor will we accept the likely loss of life as the ultimate cost have forgotten and are abandoning the foundational principles of our great country.
We at Granicrete wish you a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!
Posted by MARC WINKELMAN on Thu, Jun 09, 2011 @ 11:08 AM
Floor Texture, be it manufactured tile, natural stone, hardwoods,or polymer modified overlays, are to enhance the appearance of your floors. But appearance is only one point of consideration when it comes to selecting flooring.
Other important aspects for choosing your floor coating include functionality, durability, and maintenance requirements. Before you "fall in love" with something you see, you must consider these unforeseen factors. Here are some questions to ask in helping you make the best flooring selection.
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Will my floor be prone to water? If so, hardwood is not your best choice, nor is a slick surface that leads to slips and falls.
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Will my floor have high traffic and wear? If so, a floor with too much texture may be difficult to keep clean. Also consider your choice of colors. Colors that are too dark or too light will show dirt and dust both in the finish and in the grout lines.
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As for ease of floor care and maintenance... don't be a slave to your floors! With today's flooring choices, if you are having to continually wax and polish your floors, then you are a slave to old technology. Such maintenance costs for time and materials needs to be factored into the "true" price of the flooring you select, particularly if your flooring is for commercial use.
These three questions alone show that selecting a floor texture requires good attention and thought. To learn more about making the right flooring choice, contact Granicrete International or one of our professionals near you.
Posted by MARC WINKELMAN on Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 04:17 PM
Buyer Beware: Sticker Shock from Concrete Countertops
Like most other consumers, did you have sticker shock when you received your quote for a concrete countertop? Choosing a countertop maker that uses outdated traditional "bulky" concrete methods will do that to you.
Granicrete International has revolutionized concrete countertops with their proven process that lowers the price as much as 60% and provides you with a vast choice of custom colors and styles.
How?
WE HAVE ELIMINATED DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL COSTS: Our high-performance, super-strength concrete material may be applied directly to your existing countertop surface or to fiberboard for a new countertop surface.
WE SIGNFICANTLY REDUCED "BULKY" MATERIAL COSTS: Concrete countertops at typically 2"-3" thick and still have cracks. Our high-tech concrete is less than 1/8". Do you remember those old bulky computers and monitors and how expensive they were? Computers today can be smaller than a deck of cards, yield superior performance, and cost significantly less than they used to. The same now holds true for Granicrete's concrete countertops.
WE ELIMINATED THE FAILURE RISKS BUILT INTO PRICING: Traditional concrete countertops makers must pad quotes to factor in waste and loss costs from the concrete cracking during fabricating, in transport, and when installing. Granicrete's method has eliminated these contingencies.
To learn more about Granicrete's concrete countertop system as a consumer or to become an installer, click below...
Posted by MARC WINKELMAN on Mon, Apr 11, 2011 @ 10:17 PM
Ellis Island was the landing point for over 12 million immigrants in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s who sought the "American Dream." The museum there tells their stories. Can you imagine leaving your homeland, likely never to return, to come to an unknown land? To leave relatives and loved ones behin
d to come to a land so foreign, of different language and customs… to come without a job in hand, and only the clothes on your back… why would you risk everything for the unknown? The reason was summed up in one word?
OPPORTUNITY!
That opportunity was their inspiration - an inspiration so strong that they worked through the abundant risks and hardships to gain a better life. One story at the museum read, “I came to America expecting to find the streets paved with gold. When I arrived I found that there were very few streets and they were dirt. I also found that I was expected to pave them.”
For most of the 1st and 2nd generations of these immigrants, they learned that the streets were not gold, and they worked and lived under great hardship and sacrifice in order to pave the way for their children and grandchildren. These pioneers lived with a hope that although life may not be great for themselves, the lived with a hope that in their own hard working efforts a better future for their children and their children’s children would be paved.
The American Dream seams to be diminishing these days. Just look at the news headlines and fill in the blanks:
Unemployment reaches...
Foreclosures reaching...
The government deficit is...
Bankruptcy has...
Home values continue to plummet as...
How is your hope?
If you have lost some or all of your confidence in the American Dream, simply request some good news and get the rest of the Ellis Island story. Click below...
