THE MICHIGAN CITIZEN APRIL 19 - 25,1987 1 a d By Jame athan d Robert . T ylor Last week e began our dis- cu ion of Bl c Economic enda de igned to increa the level of wealth among Ameri­ can Blac . The point of de­ parture for the proposed Black Economic enda was the fol­ lowing: Poverty in general and the lack of high levels of wealth among tho Black who are not poor constitute the greatest contributing factor to all the problems facing Blacks in Americatoda If you are to become full citizens in this rich nation and end the degrading cycle of con­ stantly having to beg others for job and fair treatment, we mu launch an economic development program which m es Blacks wealthier both as individuals and as a group. Last week we listed the fIT t two points of the Black Eco­ nomic Agenda as these: - The Gro th And Develop- ment of Bl c Bu· u Be Th Priority! Jobs are not enough. In order to generate wealth in America you must be in busine . -BJ c Wealth Build· Oub u Be Formed And Become The Chief Vehicle For R . . The oney ecessary To De- elop And Expand B Bu . ne . These clubs with mem­ bership ranging in size from 50 to 35 will do everything from sponsor money-making events to borrow as a group in order to raise money. This week, we would like to continv-: F· oney-Rai . g ctivity Of A Bl Wealth Buildin Club u Be To Sponsor A Well Publicized eco o Financial Seminar. This series of seminars will serve three purpo s. First, it will make money for the club. Remem­ ber, a seminar which draws just 500 people paying $25 each to attend will raise $ 12,500 for the wealth building group or person. Secondly, the financial semi­ nars will serve to educate the Blac public. Solid fmancial and wealth building information is badly needed in most Black communities. Further, the sue­ ce of the wealth building club will be limited if the com­ munity or city in which it is operating does not see what it is attempting to do as capable of success. Third, the fmancial minars will give the club a lot of p blic exposure. Remember, the more exposure you have • po the more opportunities com your way. -The im Of The Money- Raising ctiviti I To Buy n Exi ting Income-Producin Busine. The wealth building clubs want to get into business. In order to increa your chances of succe stay away from start-up situations. You stand a much better chance of success if you acquire a business which already has customers and income rolling into the door. Even if that business is not yet profitable, it is generally a better ri than starting from scratch. As indicated in a previous column, one of the first wealth building clubs we helped form was in Hartford, Connecticut just six months ago. Today, that club owns its first restau­ rant. It was paid for in cash! er In other word d n't y u dare y it can't be d ne! -During Their Fir t Three Year Of Operation mall Bu .­ ne Should Be E empted From P yin Federal od Loc I T e. This is where our politi­ cal leaders can play a major role. The first three years are generally the most critical. This is when success or failure is determined. The federal and local governments should be encouraged to help by simply lifting the tax burden during this crucial period. Fore more information on how to form a wealth building club and sponsor success financial seminars write to Law­ Tay Inc., P.O. Box 54041 ashington DC 20032. The Black Wealth Building Guide is available for 19.95. Are municipal securites a good investment? from o income oriented investor con- ider maximizing their fter tax return a their primary objective. It i preci ly thi re n that le ds many inve or to the municipal curitie market. an inve tment, municipal bond, or munis, are a very u ful income producing vehicle. en-th usand dollars invested at 7 percent for fifteen ye r ould yield veri-hundred dol­ l rs in tax-free income annually. Over the life of the bond this THE MICHIGAN CITIZEN WANTS YOUR EWS BLOCK CLUB NEWS CIVIC GROUPS SOCIAL CLUBS REUNIONS WEDDINGS ENGAGEMENTS NEW BUSINESS BUSINESS GROWTH GRADUATIONS COMPANY COMING VACATION RETIREMENTS e CALLUS NOW 1-800-445-N EWS would add up to ten-thousand five-hundred dollars in tax-free income. In order to receive comparable return in a taxable investment, a taxpayer in the 38 precent bracket would need 11.2 percent return in order to keep seven-hundred dollars fter paying Federal income taxes. Put another way, sixteen­ thousand eight-hundred dollars in taxable income is needed over a fifteen year period in order for an investor in a 38 percent tax bracket to earn ten-thousand five-hundred dol­ lars to spend after paying taxes. There are veral types of munis available. Let's look at three examples- General Obligation Bond are tax-free investments in which the principal and interest pay­ ments are secured by the full faith and credit of the issuer (i.e., tate, county, etc.). These bonds are usually accom­ panied by the issuer's unlimited or limited taxing power. Therefore, the issuer is able to raise taxes or re-allocate exist­ ing tax revenues in order to pay bond interest and principal. Special tax bonds are bonds secured by a special tax or series of taxes such as a gasoline tax or utility franchise tax. The bonds are backed solely by the revenues received from the taxes mentioned in the bond offering. Finally, one of the more popular bond issues are revenue bond. These bonds are issued to finance specific projects. The revenue from tho pro­ jects is used to make the interest and principal payments. Typi­ cally, revenue bonds are issued to finance hospitals, power plants low-cost housing, waste water wer treatment facilities, etc. There are three ways to invest in municipal securities. Tax-free bond may be pur­ chased in denominations of five-thousand dollars. This allows a direct investment in a specific project. Another way to invest in municipal curities is through a unit trust. A unit trust consists of a port­ folio of bonds put together to provide a fixed income tream over a predetermined period of time, usually be­ tween twelve and thirty years. Bonds in a trust are not traded (actively bought and sold). Once placed in the trust they will only be removed if their credit worthine decreases sisni- HOW CAN BLACKS BUILD GREATER WEALTH?· ficantly. Unit trusts are avail­ able in increments of one­ thousand dollars and are a very liquid investment. The third option is the municipal bond fund. Bond funds are portfolios of tax-free bonds professionally managed in order to miximize portfolio income and to take advantage of move­ ments in the bond market. They provide in estors with the ability to receive income month­ ly or to reinvest principal interest and capital gains back into the fund. Bond funds have small minimum investment requirements usually five­ hun red dollars and are very liquid. Their continuous management allows the investor 2:00 P.M. MERCHANTS HALL Fairplain Piau Ber. Cnty. Oem. Party to achieve a better than average total return. Although the new tax bill proposals reduce the maximum tax bracket to 28 percent beginning January 1, 19 the appeal of receiving a high rate of return without having to pay Federal income taxes on the income will continue to attract informed inve tors to this lucrative market: � \ \ I ',It 'I r : -. )ldllt'llll lit' You can learn how to build greater wealth as an individual or as part of a group by subscribing to the nation's only monthly Black wealth building newsletter: MERCHANTS HALL Fairplain Plaza Young Dem�4th C.D.D.C. .3 .M. MERCHANTS HALL Fairplain Plaza Exec. Comm-4th C.D.D.C. ATTIE E. RODDY Licensed Sales Representative LIFE AND HEALTH I SURA CE Medicare & Disability Service • 1924 M-139 South Benton Harbor, Mich. 49022 616/927-1397 Busin ss 616/925-9825 Residenc "SUCCESS NEWS" Each mo�th you will discover the latest methods for raising money quickty: repairing your credit in just 90 days; loan sources for starting your own business; latest motivational techniques; news from the National Association of Wealth Bu ild ing Clubs and much more. Subscribe today! Just $22.50 for 15 monthly issues. Write to Law-Tay, Inc., P.O. Box 54041, Washington, D.C. 20032. 6:30 �M. MERCHANTS HALL Fairplain Plaza 4th Congo Dist. Oem. Comm. SATURDAYS 6:30 P.M. MERCHANTS HALL Fairplain Plaza Exec. Comm. B.C.D.P. SUNDAYS