USPS Drives Global Warming?

h/t Dean

I might not have found the info I was looking for to explain the unseasonally long rain we are having in the Reno area, but receiving this in my inbox did make me chuckle!

Washoe County Green Team

Interesting. Washoe County has a team of professionals to work on the government side of building a sustainable green community. They have an excellent flier listing the statistics for their recycling programs. It is a lot of information in a single 2 page document but is great to know they are tracking the difference made in protecting the environment as well as the money saved! It also includes a list of phone numbers for residential recycling so it is a keeper.

Even more interesting is their Strategic Plan. Displaying an easy to read chart, showing annually how they are doing as far as reaching their goals. Example: Affordable Housing in 2007-2008 was at a past due stage. Really? You will readily admit to the public that all isn't perfect? I respect that kind of openess. But they even go a step farther by having an online comment section as well. Not being afraid to solicit opinions is pretty brazen and cool. Not something you see everyday in local government!

Time to Sell & Look at Renting?

I would love nothing more than to sell my house. But in this economy, it can be really hard to even imagine when prices have fallen so low.

We put our 20% down, didn't take out 2nd mortgages and we're still underwater. But I did explore changing my strategy. When considering how the rich get rich, I realize right now is the time to jump into real estate investing. Not just investing but a full blown rental business.

I share my thoughts on this at our Outdoor Living Blog. Feel free to disagree!

Moving to Save Money?

Nevada has low tax burden and high per capita income

Nevada does not charge income tax. Did you know Nevada has a Constitutional ban against income tax?

From the State of Nevada website

Article 10.1.9.  No income tax shall be levied upon the wages or personal income of natural persons.

The State of Nevada also has a great PDF document summing up this info.....

Nevada Department of Taxation

January 26, 2009

No Nevada Income Tax

The Nevada Department of Taxation receives an enormous number of inquiries regarding issues relating to Federal Income tax. The State of Nevada does not participate in the administration of Federal Income Tax nor does it levy a State personal, business or corporate income tax. The Nevada Department of Taxation does not require informational copies of Nevada residents’ Federal Income Tax forms. Federal Income Tax inquiries should be directed to the official IRS website at www.irs.gov.

That is the entire document. If you don't believe it, you can read it here

Short, sweet and to the point. Yep, thats definitely Nevada for you!

Tax Burden for Nevada is ranked 49th with a low 6.6%, only beat by Alaska

The national average is 9.7% This information is based off of how much taxes do residents pay in their own state and excludes tourist tax revenue from residents of other states. This is not based on tax collection but strictly tax burden to live in that state. 

California is ranked 6th at 10.5%, New Jersey is ranked 1st at 11.8%

And Nevada ranks 7th for highest Income Per Capita at $49,371

Our tourism keeps us affordable and desirable!

Taxes are important considerations when looking to make a move. For your business, for your family, Nevada is an affordable place to be.