Real Estate and All That Jazz: September 2009

Creating Wealth: Investing for Dummies

(First in a 4 Part Series)

San Diego is a great place to live and imany investors have had unsurpassed success in finding good tenants in San Diego. Rentals are in high demand in most every part of this county and you can be assured that "bread and butter" units will be at the forefront of desirable properties to buy or sell. I specialize in small to mid-sized investment properties and many of my clients are novices who have done extremely well by following my investment advice.Why do investors buy income property as opposed to stocks? What are the benefits of owning real estate?There are 3 main reasons people buy Real Estate.

 Cash Flow, Tax Shelter/Depreciation, Appreciation

 What is Cash Flow?

 

This is the cash left over at the end of the year when all debt, taxes and management fees have been paid. This is the money you can spend on vacations, a new car or that new kitchen you have always wanted. This takes into consideration the expenses of owning property but is not limited to: debt relief, property taxes,vacancy rate, insurance, utilities, maintenance, advertising, repairs and legal fees. Is cash flow a necessary component of a performing real estate asset? No it isn't. You may be wondering then why would I bother to invest all my money in an asset that produces no income? Glad that you asked! Depending upon your specific financial goals and earnings, cash flow may just be a burden for you. If you pay Uncle Sam 28% of every dollar you make, why would you want to earn more dollars? The key to building wealth is not by earning as much money as possible but by keeping as much money as possible. Why work harder to make more money if all you are going to do is fork it over to Uncle Sam? So defining cash flow as your primary (and only) investment objective is a short-sighted approach to real estate investing and you just might miss out on some "diamonds in the rough"....to say nothing of putting yourself in a financially disadvantageous position. There are some great investments that may even lose money before taxes the frst year or 2 or even longer!

Then what should you be looking for?

Stay tuned for part 2

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If you think ice-cream is the most wonderful of all foods known to mankind, then read on. I am constantly trying to find an alternative to this creamy, cool and refreshing "hot day" treat sans the fat and calories in San Diego. Most frozen confections don't come close................drum roll.................ta daaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh....until I found frozen yogurt at The Yogurt Barn in Lakeside, just outside of San Diego metro in East County.

Located at 9840 Channel Rd, close to the 67 and Lakeside Center, this family owned and operated business is a little gem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decorated in "country" style, the interior has about half a dozen tables. The walls are decorated with photos from the local Lakeside 4-H Club and you can eat your yogurt while staring at the winners of the “best pig” contest or first prize winner in “barrel racing” at the Lakeside Rodeo and even a photo of Miss Lakeside.

 

    4H Board at The Yogurt Barn

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 Colorful Decor in the Yogurt Barn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                       Comfy Seating

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 10 frozen yogurt flavors change daily and my favorites are Kahlua and Cream and Butter Brickle. (see below)

 

 

What I love about this yogurt is the creamy, smooth texture. Many frozen yogurts can be “icey” or “grainy” but this one tops them all in texture and flavor. There are also lots of great toppings.

 

Many healthy- choice toppings

 

The portions are huge so watch out! Come on down to Yogurt Barn in Lakeside, San Diego County, CA.

Hours Sunday-Thursday 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday             11:00 am-10:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

  Time to make the yogurt________

 

 

 

 

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Healthy Dessert...or the Lazy Man's Breakfast for House Guests in San Diego, CA

 

The beauty of living in San Diego,CA is that my neighbor's banana tree hangs over my fence and I can pick fresh bananas whenever I want. Great climate in San Diego CA, healthy eating!

I hate cooking in the morning. There is nothing that irritates me more than fiddling around with pots and pans at 7 a.m. But when you have house guests, I always feel like I need to place more than a cup of coffee and a piece of fruit on the breakfast table.

 Volia! Bake a banana bread, put it on the counter with butter and jelly, and instant healthy gourmet treat. (I have to give kudos to my friend Susan whose idea this was, while I was lamenting my "oh no.... breakfast for house guests:" routine.  She promptly suggested what she does for her guests.)

I am always on the lookout for recipes where I can substitute flour with ground rolled oats. (rolled oats I buy in bulk, and grind in a coffee bean grinder.) You are now getting much more fiber and less carbs from an otherwise empty calorie-laden food.

The following recipe is exceptionally healthy and great for diabetics (although it has a little bit of sugar in it). Did I also say how easy this was to make? Everyone loves a slice of this for breakfast.

 ½ c. brown sugar

8 tbsp unsalted butter

2 large eggs

3 ripe bananas

1 tbsp. Soymilk (or regular milk)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup of ground rolled oats

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

 Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9X5X3 inch loaf pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl mash bananas with a fork. Mix in milk and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan and cool completely before slicing.

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Marcella June's Coffee Lounge

An 'Urban Oasis' in San Diego

 

 

Located at 5410 El Cajon Blvd (corner of 54^th St.) in the College Area, Marcella June's Coffee Lounge is an interesting and unique coffee spot.

 

 

 

           Tastefully Decorated coffee lounge for quiet conversations.

 

                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decor is in a soothing palette with nice furnishings and a lot of space. This cafe venue lends itself to a business meeting or just quiet conversations with friends.

 

 

 

 Owner David Zaloudek making my Red Espresso Tea

 

 

In addition to all the usual coffee drinks, owner David told me that they are the only coffee lounge in the area to offer “Red Espresso Tea”. Yes, you heard it right.....Espresso 'tea'. Grown in South Africa, this unusual tea is prepared like an espresso drink, complete with milky foam. I couldn't resist. Since I like my coffee with a bit of sweetness, I let David suggest a “hint of vanilla flavoring”. All I can say is WOW..this was really good! It tasted like tea, but had the zippiness and intensity of espresso, with a distinct tea flavor. You gotta try one. 

Come on down, bring your laptop and spend some time at Marcella June's. www.marcellajune.com

 

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