craig ranch gazette
C raig R anch News for the Residents of Craig Ranch
Gazette
FINANCIAL FOCUS
Fully Fund Your IRA - All at Once or Throughout the Year Millions of Americans invest in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) - and with good reason. An IRA is a great way to save for retirement, and it’s available to anyone with earned income. Yet, many people don’t fully fund their IRAs each year. That could be a costly mistake - so do whatever you can to avoid it. Before we get to the funding issue, let’s examine the key benefits of an IRA: • Tax advantages - When you invest in a traditional IRA, your earnings can potentially grow on a tax-deferred basis, which means your money can grow faster than if it were placed in an investment on which you pay taxes every year. And depending on your income level, some of your contributions may be tax deductible. If you have a Roth IRA, your contributions aren't deductible, but your earnings can potentially grow totally tax-free, provided you've had your account for at least five years and you don't start taking withdrawals until you reach 59-1/2. • Wide choice of investments - You can fund your traditional or Roth IRA with just about any investment vehicle available, including stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit and Treasury bills. You can even choose an investment mix that reflects your long-term goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Clearly, it's a smart move to contribute the full amount to your IRA every year. So, why don't more people do it? One reason is that many investors may become intimidated by the IRA's contribution Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
limits. You can invest up to $4,000 to your IRA for 2007, or $5,000 if you're 50 or older. For the 2008 tax year, the IRA contribution limit rises to $5,000, or $6,000 for those 50 or older. Whether it's $4,000, $5,000 or $6,000, these limits can look imposing, especially if you think you have to pay the money all at once - and pay it around tax time. Of course, if you can afford to fund your IRA all at once, it may be to your advantage to do so, because the earlier in the year you have your IRA funded, the more time it has to potentially grow. But if you can't write a check for $5,000 in January, why not divide the amount into 12 monthly payments of $416.00? That amount may also pose a challenge to your monthly cash flow, but it's probably far more manageable than writing that big one-time check. Making regular investments into your IRA may also offer "strategic" advantages. While your monthly payments can't guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market, they may be able to help you overcome some of the volatility of the financial markets. How? Suppose your $416.00 monthly IRA investment goes to buy stocks. When stock prices are low, that $416.00 will buy more shares, and when prices are high, it will buy fewer shares. Be sure that you consider your ability to continue investing through periods of low price levels. If you haven't fully funded your IRA for 2007, you've got until the tax-filing deadline, which is April 15, 2008. After that, if you've got the money to fund your IRA for 2008, do it as soon as you can, or do it throughout the year. Just get it done. Someday, you may be glad you did.
April 2008 Volume 1, Issue 1
Welcome to the Craig Ranch Gazette A newsletter for Craig Ranch residents by Craig Ranch residents. The Craig Ranch Gazette is a new monthly newsletter mailed to all Craig Ranch residents. Each newsletter will be filled with valuable information about the community, local area activities, school information and more. If you are involved with a school group, play group, scouts, sports activity, social group, etc. and would like to submit an article for the newsletter you can do so online at www.PEELinc.com or you can email it
[email protected]. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, special celebrations, birthday announcements and military service are also welcome. Our goal is to keep you informed!
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Craig Ranch Gazette - April 2008
craig ranch gazette Newsletter Information Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc.......................... www.PEELinc.com, 512-989-8905 Article
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Please support the businesses that advertise in the Craig Ranch Gazette. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Craig Ranch residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 888-687-6444 or advertising@PEELinc. com. The advertising deadline is the 20th of each month for the following month's newsletter. At no time will any source be allowed to use the Craig Ranch Gazette contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from the Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc..
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Support the Troops The North Texas Blue Star Mothers Lone Star Chapter is an official sanctioned organization of Mothers of deployed Service Men and Women. The members of our group are volunteers with the purpose of supporting our service men and women and act as a support group for each other. We accomplish this by adopting local deployed service men and women and sending them a care package each quarter. We are reaching out to our community in support of much needed supplies. If you can or would like to help with some donations, please contact Paula Runey of 7404 Scout at 469-3616245. Below you will find a few items that are much appreciated and needed by our troops. Thank you and God Bless! • New or recent Books and Magazines • Toiletries (pads, tampons, shampoo, baby wipes, disposable razors, tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, mouth wash, lotion, baby powder) • Clothing (socks, boxer shorts, etc.) • Travel Size Games (playing cards, dominos, UNO, etc.) • Snacks/Food- non perishable items (soup cups, chips, little Debbie snacks, tuna packs, crackers, beef jerky, etc.)
Printing & Publishing Publishing community newsletters since 1991 We currently publish newsletters for the following subdivisions:
-- Dallas & Fort Worth -Brook Meadows Craig Ranch Eldorado HOA Estates of Russell Creek Hunter’s Glen Timarron Waterford Park Woodland Hills
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craig ranch gazette Landscape - April 2008
Submitted by Ron Kerwin Frost possibilities are gone. It is time to get outside and plant those Sales Tax on ANY labor or materials for your property. As with most flowers and vegetables. Everybody that enjoys yard work loves this things in life, you can choose to hire a company that operates legally, month. The temperatures are moderate, the sun feels warm on your a Company with insurance or take your chances, save a few bucks, face, the grass has turned green again, & the bulbs are blooming. It and hire a Company that is not established, with little to lose if there just smells like spring outside. Avoid the big crowds at the nurseries are problems and no insurance if there is a major problem. It is up to by shopping after work some evening. The weekend warriors will you to roll the dice or play it safe. be out in force and long lines in the garden centers inevitable. You may be facing new things in your lawns and gardens and How careful do you need to be when selecting Contractors to work have questions. A great source for answers is the Texas Cooperative on your property or your home? Do you trust the Company to be on Extension Office in downtown Ft Worth. your property and not take your belongings? If you know they are The office is staffed with volunteer Tarrant County Master Gardeners. an established Company that is easy to find, you know they have a They have available to them the recourses of Texas A&M. They have lot to lose if there is anything taken. They will be wasting a lot of volumes of publications ranging in subject matter from a to z (you advertising money and their reputation if not trustworthy and reliable. would be surprised). They will be happy to send you these publications Equipment can throw objects for quite a distance and at great speed. at no charge. You can reach them at 817-884-1944. If, God forbid, a neighbor or passerby is hurt by the workers on your When you begin cutting your lawn grass, remember you want to cut property, who will get sued? Will the injured party sue the Contractor, it frequently enough to just remove 1/3 of the blade with each cut. If or you?? If the Contractor has insurance, it will be them. If they do you let it get too long between cuttings, you will actually do damage not have insurance, it could be you. The company working without to the grass. Make sure you have sharp mower blades to get the best insurance, without training, without earned credentials, and not paying look and do as little damage as possible to the grass blades. Be safety taxes to the Government or the State can provide a cheaper service conscious when working outside. The weed eater and mower will without doubt. In 2002, the State of Texas got into the Landscape throw objects a long distance and at a high speeds. If people come business. Companies operating legally have to charge you State around, it is best to just stop and wait for them to pass.
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craig ranch gazette The Scoop on Baby Products and Possible Toxins You may not have known exactly how to pronounce it, but chemicals called phthalates (“thah-lates”) have sparked concerned conversations among many moms and dads of young tots in recent years. Parents and scientists alike wonder whether and how kids might be affected by exposure to these modern manmade chemicals — used in everything from cosmetics to household products, from toys to pacifiers, from PVC pipes to plastic food containers. Now, a new study suggests that some common baby products many parents regularly use — and trust as safe — could contain these chemicals that may be toxic to infants’ developing endocrine and reproductive systems. Researchers tested the urine of 163 babies (2 to 28 months old) to find out how much, if any, phthalates infants may be absorbing through their skin from common baby products. What their research revealed: All of the babies had at least one type of phthalate in their urine at “measurable levels,” and 80% had “measurable amounts” of at least seven types of phthalates (which are used to produce fragrances and soften plastics and rubber). Using baby lotions, shampoos, and powder within the past 24 hours significantly upped infants’ levels of certain phthalates — especially in babies under 8 months old, who are at increased risk because their body systems are still developing. And youngsters whose moms said they used baby products more often also had higher levels. The researchers acknowledge that children may be exposed to phthalates from a wide variety of sources. And although they say absorbing the chemicals through the skin could be “a major route of exposure,” the scientists point out that babies and toddlers also could come into contact with phthalates through the air and dust they breathe (as they crawl around on the floor) and by what they put in their mouths (from food products that could leach the chemicals, to toys and teethers they might suck or chew on). However, the researchers found that some things did not seem to have much effect on babies’ phthalate levels: diaper creams, baby wipes, and how often babies used plastic toys and pacifiers that could contain phthalates. What This Means to You Although it’s unclear whether or how the phthalates in the products used in this study are causing harm, parents may want to avoid using baby care products until scientists can say, for sure, that they are safe. The fact remains that limited studies have been done on the effects of phthalates on young children. That’s why the researchers in this study admit that they don’t know if or how, exactly, childhood exposure to phthalates affects development later.
What previous studies have suggested is that phthalates may: • be toxic to the development of the reproductive organs of animals — and possibly male fetuses • affect grown men's reproductive function • change hormone levels in unborn and breastfed babies So, some health officials are taking measures to limit young children's exposure to phthalates. For instance, the European Union banned the use of six phthalate softeners used to make certain toys and child-care products that babies and young kids might put in their mouths. And California is banning phthalates used in the same kinds of kid-used items. But what's a puzzled parent to do when shopping in the baby aisles at the grocery store or pharmacy? Unfortunately, you can't just pick up a product to find out if it contains phthalates by looking at the label — manufacturers in the United States aren't required to disclose phthalate contents on product packaging. Still, here are some ways to reduce exposure to these and some other potentially toxic chemicals in your home: • Limit the use of lotions and powders with babies and young children — only use them when the doctor says it's necessary. • Try to choose products that are "phthalate-free" (although the study points out that "the safety of these alternatives has yet to be established"). • Skip the fancy-smelling stuff. Buy unscented (or "fragrancefree") items instead, especially for infants. • Don't bathe your baby every day — two or three times a week will suffice (bathing more often can dry infants' skin). And mild soap, mild shampoo, and water will do the trick. • Try to use glass and/or stainless steel instead of plastic food containers and plastic kids' cups. You can opt for tempered glass, which won't break as easily. If you have questions or concerns about any products you're using (or have used) at home, talk to your doctor for advice and recommendations on how to get more info. Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE
Craig Ranch Gazette - April 2008
Date reviewed: February 2008 Source: "Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure," Pediatrics, February 2008.
This information was provided by KidsHealth, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this one, visit www.KidsHealth.org or www.TeensHealth.org. ©1995-2006. The Nemours Foundation Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
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Craig Ranch Gazette - April 2008
craig ranch gazette Teenage Job Seekers
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with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear Doe, John...................... 15..........•.......... •.........•....................111-11113x3 box only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.
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Attention Teenagers
The Teenage Job Seekers listing service is offered free of charge to all Craig Ranch teenagers seeking work. Submit your name and information to
[email protected] by the 15th of the month!
Classified Ads
Personal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Craig Ranch residents, limit 30 words, please e-mail
[email protected]. Business classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $50, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales Office at 888-687-6444 or
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© 2006. Feature Exchange
* Solution at www.peelinc.com
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craig ranch gazette Alternatives to Lawn Expense By Dale Bulla
For a long time now, most American landscaping has focused on maintaining a manicured green lawn. This requires a lot of water and fertilizer. Native trees, shrub masses, ground covers, prairie or meadow patches, wildflower beds, and attractively mulched areas are better environmental choices for people and for wildlife. Below are some more reasons to consider reducing your lawn and the expense that goes with it. If you are fed up with lawn maintenance, here are some alternatives to consider… • native species of ground cover instead of grass • native trees and/or shrub masses • water garden or pond • rock garden
• mulched paths • native annual or perennial beds • meadow or prairie patch • hedgerow • organic vegetable garden • butterfly or hummingbird garden Remember if Buffalo Grass is used instead of regular turf grass, no additional water is required after it is established. When it gets dry, it goes dormant, when it rains it greens up. It only grows about six inches high so mowing is not necessary. If you must water, the city recommends water every 45 days for Buffalo Grass to stay green. Mowing can increase weed infestation so hand weeding is recommended if you cut your Buffalo Grass.
The Craig Ranch Gazette is a private publication published by Peel, Inc. It is not sanctioned by any homeowners association or organization, nor is it subject to the approval of any homeowners association or organization, nor is it intended, nor implied to replace any publication that may be published by or on behalf of any homeowners association or organization. At no time will any source be allowed to use The Craig Ranch Gazette contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc.
7E #HALLENGE 7HAT 9OU 0AY &OR %LECTRICITY )F 3PARK0OWER"ANK ISNT YOUR CURRENT ELECTRICITY PROVIDERx CHANCES ARE YOUgRE PAYING TOO MUCH )M 4EXAS %NERGY !NALYST !LAN ,AMMEY -AYBE YOUVE HEARD ME ON THE RADIO TALKING ABOUT THE MARKET FORCES THAT DRIVE ENERGY PRICES )M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT YOURE NOT STUCK PAYING THOSE HIGH PRICES TO BIG ELECTRIC COMPANIES ANYMORE 3TOP IT 7HY PAY MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO 4HOSE DAYS ARE OVER 7HY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO WITH AN ELECTRIC PROVIDER THAT CHARGES YOU MORE WHEN YOU CAN GO TO WWWSPARKPOWERBANKCOM AND PAY FAR LESS FOR THE SAME ELECTRICITY -AKE SENSE 3IGN UP ON LINE TODAY 0LEASE CHOOSE .EWSLETTER !D AS YOUR REFERRAL ON THE 3PARK0OWER"ANKCOM WEBSITE Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
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