Father’s Day is June 17, and it can be a bit of a perplexing task for me to find the perfect gifts for my dad and brothers.
When I asked Pops what he wanted for Father’s Day, he said, “Oh, nothing.” Of course, “nothing” does not work for me. It’s not in my nature to give “nothing” on this kind of day.
According to the Library of Congress, the first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1914, but a holiday celebrating fathers did not become official until 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson declared that the third Sunday in June would be Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon made this proclamation permanent in 1972.
To continue in that spirit of national recognition for the greatness of dads, I have put together some gift-giving ideas for four styles of dads.
The epicurean
The way to a man’s heart is arguably through his stomach, so a gift of fine dining makes sense.
In last week’s Red Plum flier, I found a $4 off coupon for two dinners at Red Lobster, which is one of my father and mother’s favorite restaurants. Therefore, I will treat both of them to a relaxing dinner when I visit Colorado later this summer. (I also “liked” Red Lobster on Facebook for more news and a special offers from the restaurant chain.)
My brother, Matthew, is a fantastic chef, and I am always looking for recipes that will appeal to both him and his 3-year-old son, Orin. I went online to Amazon.com and found Ian Knauer’s “The Farm: Rustic Recipes for a Year of Incredible Food,” which has garnered accolades from some of the top chefs in the nation. A former cook in the Gourmet test kitchen, Knauer is well-known for recipes making the best of seasonal produce. His inspiration? The Pennsylvania farm that has been in his family since the 18th century.
I have no doubt the Brick Chicken with Corn and Basil Salad, for instance, will satiate the taste buds of my brother and my adorable nephew — who has quite the sophisticated palette for his young age.
Barnes and Noble, Books & Co., Target, HomeGoods, just to mention a few retailers, also have cookbooks worthy of the dad who likes to don a chef’s apron.
If your budget is limited, then definitely check out Cold Stone Creamery and its sweet deals just in time for Father’s Day. The ice-cream parlor has just introduced its Retro Classics, including a classic root beer float and hot fudge sundae. (Go online to www.Cold StoneCreamery.com for the location nearest you.)
The dapper dad
No matter what station in life a man might be at, he most likely wants to dress smartly and be well-groomed.
Therefore, I am happy to report almost every men’s apparel store is offering some kind of shopping incentive for Father’s Day. Target, Old Navy, Kmart and Gap stores, for example, have some great casual collections, and Macy’s is doling out some fab ideas for Father’s Day presents in the attire arena.
Don’t forget: Some men enjoy a little pampering, too. At Von Maur, the upscale department store, Jack Black body-care collections are being promoted.
Sporty dad
For the golfers on my shopping list, I found a really cool accessory: the Golf Towel with Germ Shield. The dual-sided design gives Dad two towels in one: the golf side is for his clubs and equipment; while the skin side is for him. The Germ Shield layer is sandwiched between two luxurious layers of 100 percent pure cotton terry to create a protective barrier between his skin and the dirt, chemicals and fertilizers used on golf courses. Visit TowelMate.com to order.
Men’s health and fitness magazines, too, make splendid gifts. For more ideas, visit discount magazine subscription sites such as www.SpeedyMags.com.
The gadget geek
I perused the Apple.com site and was thrilled to read about the sheer awesomeness of the iPad with Retina display. (OK, I admit I am a geek.) If you order an iPad or an iPad2 from the Apple site, you will receive not only free shipping but also free engraving on the tablets, which start from $499.
For the music aficionado on your Father’s Day list, check out Beats by Dr. Dre “high-definition” headphones. They aren’t cheap (from $199), but most any serious music lover or musician will no doubt be eternally grateful for this gift. I found the headphones available online at Walmart and www.Amazon.com.
Power tools, Shop-Vacs, grills, high-definition TVs, DVD collections, at such stores as Lowe’s, Best Buy, HHGregg and Sears, also would be welcome in the workshops and offices of men who tinker around. (Consider gift cards to take the guesswork out of deciding what dad might enjoy this holiday.)
Of course, if your budget is limited, your dad will understand — and appreciate — a phone call, a handmade card, a hug or any heartfelt gesture. Some things truly are priceless.
Robin McMacken is a writer, designer and National Academy of Sports Medicine and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America-certified personal trainer. Follow her on Twitter at Robin_McMacken.
MIDAS: Infrastructure fund builds up to 9pc returns - This is Money
By Joanne Hart
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When share prices are volatile and savings rates are low, it can be hard for investors to know where to put their money. International Public Partnerships, an infrastructure fund, provides an attractive option, offering generous dividends and predictable growth in an uncertain world.
The group is also raising 180million on the stock market, offering new shareholders an opportunity to buy stock at an attractive price.
Listed on the stock market in 2006 and registered in Guernsey, International Public Partnerships (INPP) is invested in more than 100 projects in the UK and abroad, including schools, hospitals, court houses and electricity cables.
Star attraction: David Beckham visits the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, which was built by INPP
Over the past five and a half years, the company has delivered a total return to shareholders (combining the increase in the share price and dividends paid) of 54 per cent – about ten per cent a year.
Looking ahead, the fund aims to deliver annual dividend growth of 5.25 per cent and total returns to investors of eight to nine per cent a year.
Most quoted infrastructure funds become involved in projects once they are up and running. INPP often becomes involved at a much earlier stage.
By the end of 2011, 26 per cent of its portfolio was under construction, which means INPP is responsible for ensuring that they are completed on time and on budget.
This makes the fund a bit more risky than its peers, but it also means that the potential rewards are higher because, if projects go according to plan, their value increases substantially once they are completed.
At this stage, INPP takes responsibility for managing them – a task that can range from cutting the grass outside a school to cleaning the court house lavatories or fixing a hospital roof.
So far, the group has done well, not just in Britain but in countries including Germany and Australia. In October last year, for example, the Queen opened the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne after its construction had been successfully managed by INPP.
And last week, INPP opened a railway tunnel beneath Brussels airport, a five-year project completed on time and on budget.
In Britain, public-private partnerships have come under increasing scrutiny. Questions have been raised about whether these projects provide value for money to the taxpayer or are just a convenient way for private sector companies to get rich quick.
INPP tries to achieve a balance – delivering returns to investors but also ensuring that it provides a reasonable service to its public sector paymasters.
One of the buildings it manages, for example, belongs to Revenue & Customs. Under the original agreement between the Government and INPP, the fund was providing a full-time receptionist for the building.
Visitors were few and far between, so INPP suggested that the Revenue use one of its less busy employees instead, saving more than 20,000 in the process.
Similar examples abound and chief executive Giles Frost ensures that the fund makes cost savings wherever it can.
Frost is also expanding the business. Last year INPP invested in a variety of new projects, including Liverpool Central Library, underwater cables to link offshore windfarms off the Cumbrian and Essex coasts to the mainland and a secure psychiatric hospital in Sydney.
In each case, the group is paid in essentially the same way. An initial contract is signed with the government, which agrees to pay INPP a fixed annual fee for 25 to 40 years, in return for which INPP will manage the construction of a project or its maintenance, or both.
The long-term nature of these contracts means shareholders can have a pretty good idea of what the future will bring, particularly as INPP’s fees are not dependent on how much the facilities are used.
Some analysts have expressed concern about future growth in the infrastructure sector, but INPP had one of its busiest years ever in 2011.
And a number of exciting opportunities have emerged this year – so much so that Frost is now looking for an extra 180 million from investors via a fundraising at 116.25p a share.
The money will largely be used to fund three substantial new investments – another underwater cable project off the Lancashire coast, a number of schools and a German ministry of education building in Berlin.
Midas verdict: The fundraising closes on Friday and INPP shares will probably drift towards 116.25p between now and then. The stock was above 120p before the fundraising was announced. It is currently 117p, but will almost certainly gain ground in the coming weeks so now is a good time to buy. The group has already said that it will pay a 6p dividend in 2012, putting the stock on a yield of more than five per cent. For investors in search of a decent income and some capital appreciation, INPP is a solid, long-term bet.
Traded on: Main market Ticker: INPP Contact: 01481 716 000 or internationalpublicpartnerships.com
Get Money for Your Gold and Learn the Jewelry Trade with “Gold Profit Formula,” Says Online Article - YAHOO!
The latest AbsoluteWealth.com article said “You can get money from your gold using the innovative full-scale training system.”
Austin, TX (PRWEB) June 09, 2012
The most recent AbsoluteWealth.com article asked, “When you’re looking to get money for your gold, you probably go to a pawn shop or “Cash for Gold” dealer, right?” It then explained that those businesses are cheating people out of almost twice the money they typically end up offering? That’s more than a little upsetting to people who don’t realize it, said the article.The opportunity to turn the tables on those businesses and start a personal one is a real possibility. The article said it’s achievable by learning the techniques shared in “Gold Profit Formula,” Absolute Wealth’s latest training program. The “Gold Profit Formula” shows ordinary people how to become a gold and precious metal dealer and access the extraordinary profits.
The article said that sometimes profits this high instill feelings of deceit and dishonesty, a scam if there ever was one. But in reality, that’s the way the gold world works. Businesses who give only 40 or 50 cents on the dollar for gold are following typical protocol; they’re just trying to benefit their company, said the article. The “Gold Profit Formula” teaches people how to spot the value in jewelry, coins, and even scrap metal. All the while, they’ll be making cash offers that are fair for the customer and still make them money.
Dealers know how to make money with gold by directly selling it to refiners, who send them cash back based on the current price of the metal. Prices constantly change, but as they creep towards an all-time high, the article said sellers are increasingly happy with their transactions. And the dealer will reap the benefits.
But personal jewelers will be competing with big businesses for customers and profits, said the article. That’s why Absolute Wealth is including an additional three-part training course on starting a business. That way, entrepreneurs can initialize their goals, set forth their marketing tactics, and truly begin to establish themselves as a reputable businessperson. Only then will potential customers take them seriously and be willing to bring them their gold, said the article.
Absolute Wealth is an expert team of real investors and advisors devoted to identifying winning strategies for exceptional returns. Members subscribe to the Independent Wealth Alliance for professional investment analysis and recommendations on the latest trends and progressions. For more information and subscription instructions, visit AbsoluteWealth.com.
There are clear economic reasons why gold buying stores, pawn shops, and TV gold dealers can’t compete with personal dealers, said the article. The “Gold Profit Formula” will show how to get money for your gold and start a profitable business in the process.
Paul Norwine
AW Research Publishing, LLC
512-892-3022
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