James L. Paris's Blog, page 47
February 13, 2018
In Search Of The Next Bitcoin
On this episode Jim discusses his favorite Bitcoin competitor, Ripple XRP. After buying an unlimited movie pass, Jim shares his experience actually using it, how to get a free share of stock through a promotion with a new mobile app, and the social media explodes after a church places a $735 order at Outback Steakhouse and leaves no tip.
February 5, 2018
Unlimited Movie Tickets For $9.95 Per Month?
With great skepticism I decided to take the plunge and buy a MoviePass.
ChristianMoney.com first wrote about the MoviePass in 2012 when the cost was $25 to $40 monthly based on where you lived. The cost has come down now to just $9.95 per month, which is really hard to believe. I had all the questions everyone does - How can they make money doing this? How many theaters would really accept the MoviePass? Does it only apply to older movies and not new releases? Is it really unlimited?
I received my MoviePass last week and made plans to kick the tires and see three movies over the weekend. Friday it would be The Commuter with Liam Neeson, Hostiles with Christian Bale on Saturday, and then on Sunday The Showman with Hugh Jackman. A great lineup of moves, but I had every expectation that this MoviePass deal was going to fall flat - but it worked exactly as advertised.
I had no trouble finding a participating theater. In fact, the theater in my small town of Palm Coast, Florida accepts the card.
No problem at all using the card (and the associated mobile app). I selected the movie I wanted to see on the app and clicked the 'check in' button. Next, I simply walked up to the box office and presented my card and I was given a ticket. A single ticket here in Palm Coast is $10.75, so I was already in the black on this deal after just my first free ticket!
I even tried it at a different theater up the road in St. Augustine, and again it worked perfectly.
All in all, everything went exactly as planned. I received tickets for all three movies using my MoviePass.
I do not like using coupons due to the hassle and drama that is many times involved, and I hate to be 'that guy' that is holding up the checkout lane for everyone else. So, I wondered if I would have to deal with this kind of a headache using the MoviePass. Surprisingly, the box office employees were very familiar with the program, and it took me no longer to get my ticket than anyone else in line.
I still don't know how the MoviePass makes money on this deal. An article I read last week suggested that they may be able to monetize the card through advertising promotions and marketing agreements with the movie industry. There may also be a data mining value, selling information about what movies members attend. Like with many things, there will be some percentage of people that buy a pass and don't use it all that often.
Is it truly unlimited? The only limit is one movie per day. Another article I read suggested that there actually is a limit, a so called 'invisible limit.' Apparently, you can be canceled if you use the card too much, but I guess you don't find out until after you have crossed that line.
My wife is even more skeptical than I am, but she has seen me cash in on some incredible deals over the years, so she can't help but have an open mind. Now, after my weekend of unlimited movies, she wants a MoviePass of her own.
Helping you make the most of God���s money!
James L. Paris
Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio
January 29, 2018
The Day The Earth Stands Still
The secret effort behind official disclosure is revealed at last! What if the modern push for official disclosure concerning ETI and UFOs is actually an ancient effort? What if this conspiracy can be traced back to the old gods fallen elohim who rebelled against their Creator long ago? What if they re planning one final attempt to take control of our planet? Are they evil, or are they benevolent beings offering their assistance? And if they are returning, is it possible to pinpoint the exact date of official disclosure?
Popular Investing App, Robinhood, To Add Bitcoin And Ethereum
On this episode Jim discusses the significance of the popular Robinhood app adding no fee Bitcoin and Ethereum trading. Also, a woman is kicked off her flight while trying to travel to see her dying mother. Joy Villa wears pro life dress to Grammys, should you ditch your car and use ride sharing instead? And a once every 150 year super lunar eclipse to take place this week.
January 24, 2018
With The Healthcare Mandate Gone, What Happens To Obamacare Now?
Dr. Elaina George joins Jim Paris Live to discuss alternatives to traditional health insurance. Included in the discussion was medical tourism, cash only doctors and surgical centers, medical sharing plans, discounted prescription drugs, the strategic use of supplemental coverage like AFLAC, catastrophic health insurance policies, and how to save thousands by comparison shopping online to get the best price on virtually any medical procedure.
Was There A Second Person Involved In Planning The Las Vegas Shooting Massacre?
On this episode, Jim discusses the latest breaking news on the Las Vegas shooting. Why was Stephen Paddock's brother arrested just 26 days later and what is the strange connection between both of their computers? Jim discusses his recent trip to Texas to speak about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, why are Americans retiring to Ecuador?, where it is unsafe to travel in the Caribbean, and the latest bizarre cruise ship death.
January 22, 2018
Americans Are Getting A Pay Raise!
Most Americans are aware that Congress recently passed a major tax cut, but most are not familiar with the details on how it will affect them personally. In a nutshell, the so called 'standard deduction' has been almost doubled. This means that the standard deduction will be $24,000 for married taxpayers and $12,000 for single taxpayers. As a result of these changes, many (but not all) Americans will have an overall lower tax bill. To adjust for this tax cut, the IRS is sending out new tax tables to employers and requiring that they be implemented by no later than February 15th. Approximately 75 percent of Americans take the standard deduction (and this will increase in light of the increase in the deduction going forward).
Using the information that you have previously provided your employer's payroll office, your new payroll will be calculated and result in a net increase of the take home amount. A typical taxpayer can expect a 3 to 4 percent increase in take home pay. While a bigger take home paycheck sounds like good news, this is all based on estimates using a 'one size fits all approach' that may leave many taxpayers owing money to the IRS next year.
Why many people should review their W-4 withholding and likely get professional advice
The W-4 form is possibly one of the most confusing documents that an employee will have to deal with when starting a new job. With very little guidance provided, you are asked to select a number of allowances, and on that basis the amount of money withheld from your paycheck for taxes will be determined. Many people mistakenly believe that the word allowance is synonymous with 'dependents' and they answer accordingly. Allowances are simply a way of determining how much of your pay is withheld using some very oversimplified guidelines. The most obvious guideline for your withholding should be your most recent tax return (assuming your financial picture has not changed).
The ideal situation is to have just the right amount of taxes withheld so that you don't end up owing the IRS and that you don't get a large refund. Perhaps for those that have problems with saving money a big refund is a forced savings plan, but in reality it is an interest free loan you are giving the IRS for the year.
James L. Paris
In order to understand how the doubling of the standard deduction will affect you, you first have to understand what the standard deduction is. It is made available as an alternative to taking itemized deductions. It is the government's way of giving you a flat amount to take right off the top of your income rather than requiring you to gather together all of those receipts and 'itemize.' While the increased standard deduction will make things easier, many people will lose a lot of deductions under the new law. This is why it may be possible that on a case by case basis some people should not automatically have their withholding reduced on February 15th.
To make matters worse, the IRS has a calculator to help taxpayers but it is not available yet! So, once the 2018 IRS withholding calculator is online you will find it at this link.
Bottom Line
ChrstianMoney.com's overall assessment of the new tax law is favorable. We believe, as planned, most middle class taxpayers will see an overall reduction in income taxes. We recommend, however, that taxpayers with historically significant itemized deductions have a tax professional review their 2018 witholding. What probably makes sense for most people is to wait until receiving their first paycheck with the increase and take that paycheck stub to be reviewed (along with your most recent tax return) to be sure you are on track to have enough taxes withheld.
Helping you make the most of God���s money!
James L. Paris
Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio
January 21, 2018
Jim Paris Discusses Bitcoin, Ripple XRP, And Cryptocurrency On National Broadcast
Jim appears on the nationally syndicated Point Of View Radio Show to discuss a wide array of topics related to cryptocurrency. Jim discusses Bitcoin, Ripple, Ethereum, and fields a number of questions from listeners on how to get started in the world of cryptocurrency.
January 9, 2018
This Cryptocurrency Is About To Eclipse Bitcoin
On this episode Jim discusses his recent vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and how he was caught up in the massive east coast blizzard. Also, what cryptocurrency he believes is about to eclipse Bitcoin and take the number one spot. Is President Trump making matters worse by tweeting so much in defense of the allegations in the new Michael Wolff book? And Chris Christie says he almost became president.
The JFK Files - What Did We Learn?
JFK assassination researcher and author, James Di Eugenio, joins Jim Paris Live to discuss what new information was revealed in the release of the JFK files. Why don't we still have all of the files? Why are the files that were released so redacted? What could the government still be hiding? Was there a smoking gun? And what will be in the remaining documents to be released in April?
