Business-plan

I would like to thank the Academy, my mother, my father, my teachers, my girl scout leader, my psychoanalyst, my minister, my co-workers, and everyone I have ever brushed a shoulder with in my entire life! But most of all I want to thank Rosemary Thornton for writing the book The Houses That Sears Built!

Ms.Thornton's book about everything you ever wanted to know about Sears catalog homes is the Holy Grail for anyone interested in a special piece of Americana. As a woodworking artist, I replicate historical homes and buildings into functional birdhouses. The Sears homes seemed like an interesting project, so I needed to do some research. Ms.Thornton's book seemed like the logical place to start. Little did I know that the research was going to be so much FUN!!!

The Houses That Sears Built not only gives you a practical and orderly reference to all the different models of homes that Sears offered during it's "hay day," it also offers up a light hearted look at our American way of life. It's the Grapes of Wrath on the sunny side. It's the Donald Trump copy cat story of Richard Sears without the annoying hair!!!

Just as Richard Sears offered a needed product to the everyday working family man, Rosemary Thornton's writing offers today's reader a much needed look at a simpler way of life. There is a real bonus to this book. Besides getting an accurate and factual account of The Houses That Sears Built, Rosemary Thornton's writing has taught me and told me a wonderful "tell me again" story.

This book chronicles the story (and the stories behind the story) of how Richard Sears got rich by bringing the opportunity of home ownership to others in and through the good and the bad times of the early 20th century beginning in 1915. Sears helped to fulfill the "American dream" for thousands of people who otherwise wouldn't have a home by marketing do-it-yourself homes through his catalog and how he created a market for his other catalog merchandise through the people who bought his homes.

The quality of these homes was second-to-none. Everything was pre-cut and fit together perfectly. All one had to do is follow the directions and blueprints which were supplied with each home. Each piece was numbered. The attention to detail was astounding because the reputation of the Sears company and the Sears home was precious!

The book further chronicles a different era in America when there was much more pride in quality and home ownership than there is today. Even with the technology that we are "blessed" with, I don't see our current society as having the vision that Sears and the other Empire Builders of America had. In those days, these people made a way out of no way. They found a way to get things done. By contrast, in today's society, all we do is complain and people with vision are suspect. The Sears catalog home adventure was the right thing to do at that time. Today, it would never take off.

And there was trust in those early days. Today, one has to beg the bank for the privilege of paying them mortgage interest. Sears would finance their homes and all they asked was one question that would be considered financial: "What is your vocation?" Or, to put it another way, what do you do for a living? They didn't care about how much you made or your Social Security Number.

This new 2004 edition of The Houses That Sears Built updates Ms. Thornton's previous effort with a lot of new information that will bring the reader up to date with her ongoing research. But above all, the underlying purpose of the book is to help you and me to find these gems in our respective communities. Ms. Thornton is working on another book and video to assist us in that endeavor.

The only thing lacking in the book that I could see is an index. Other than that minor shortcoming, I highly recommend the book as must reading for students of Americana or those who are fascinated by the lore of the catalog. It is a fascinating story that just "grows" on you. Beware! Reading this book will "hook" you into finding Sears homes!!! Have a lot of fun doing it.

Gentlemen:
I saw Mr. Trippon on CNBC News on January 22, 2004 and was so impressed with his knowledge of the subject and his answeres to the two persons who called in with questions regarding finance that I bought his book.
After reading it I was very satisfied that finally someone wrote a book that I was able to comprehend what was written in an intellegent way that anyone could understand a book without being a rocket scientest. The information is extremely well written and easy to comprehend. Anyone who is not familiare with finance, wills, trust' and retirement necessity's should read it.
Sincerely,
Carol Ann
Mesa, AZ

This book taught me more about money than anything I have ever read in my 20 years of investing! It gave me a practical action plan for my money and my retirement which I have successfully implemented. I think it is a "must read" for anyone who wants to have money.

The author, Trippon, is a money manager and CPA for some of America's wealthiest people. Trippon's real gift to his readers is that he can explain complicated financial issues in terms that non-financial types, like me, can understand. It is very well written and well organized.

The book covers the techniques real millionaires use to build and hold onto their wealth. I would have paid anything to have had this information five years ago! The key to the book is what Trippon calls the "four pillars of wealth" that millionaires use "stay rich". The author goes through the specific habits and techniques millionaires use to:

1. Create and Grow Wealth
2. Protect and Preserve their Wealth
3. Legally pay the absolute minimum in taxes
4. Avoid the loss of your estate due illness and estate taxes

What I really love about this book is that unlike most money books I have read, Trippon's book is not about theory. It gives the reader specific action steps to follow and also provides interesting case studies of Trippon's millionaire clients. It seems to me that most financial books on the market are written by "self-proclaimed gurus" with no real financial experience. Trippon is the real deal. I also love the author's website where he has a free newsletter and gifts for his readers which he calls "graduates."

Trippon also "blows the whistle" on financial scams and rip offs that seem to be everywhere these days. He also tells the reader how to check on their stock broker's background for free with a government internet database, and how not get overcharged with commissions. I suspect Trippon will be getting "hate mail" from disgruntled stock brokers who do not want the rest of us to know their tricks.

Every page delivers something of substance, no filler like a lot of the other financial planning books out there. Jim presents case studies that dissect financial strategies of real millionaires to make Stay Rich Forever an invaluable resource - if you want to be successful, follow in the footsteps of successful people!

Well done, well written. Worth your time.

Wanting tips on setting up a business plan I purchased this book hoping to glean a few useful pointers. After reviewing for few minutes this badly reproduced (on a poor quality copier; yes really) pages and forms I was disappointed. It has many forms that appear to have been produced prior to the computer age, which is humorous in that with the purchase of this "book" you are on the author's mailing list for updates. One has to wonder what the "updates" would include. As for the text it's self, I have seen better-organized and more comprehensive reports from high school students. Instead of purchasing this book, spend a few hours on the web researching the subjects of interest. It will have been time better spent and money not wasted.

This book is written for the horseowner desiring to create a business plan for his or her horse operation. It will assist any horseowner or professional in covering all of the various aspects of a horse business. The book is very useful in covering all the areas that might be audited by the IRS. A properly completed plan will be suitable for use with financing horse operations or seeking investors. There are helpful forms and samples of business plans provided. The Author.