Counting Cash Calms Down Your Nerves

Counting money from time to time reconciles the imperfections of the world.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota offered the first group of volunteers to count 80 hundred-dollar bills. They offered the second group to count pieces of plain paper, as if to test their hands’ agility. After this, the volunteers were asked to play a ball game. Each of them played with three computer programs, but did not know this, and believed to be playing with real people. Scientists have set up the programs so that they “ignored” the player. In such conditions, the player began to experience psychological distress. The participants who had counted the money before the game felt less discomfort, and generally felt better than those who had counted paper.

In another experiment, participants had to dip their hands in a container of hot water, and the people who had counted banknotes held their hands in the hot water much longer than those who counted paper. According to the scientists, touching banknotes enhances self-esteem and confidence, makes the person feel less pain. By the way, previous studies had shown that money made people smarter and improved sleep.

Losing Weight Together Is More Efficient

Experts from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston are sure that nutrition adjustment through collective programs can become a safe and efficient way to fight obesity.

Overweight and obese people lose more pounds, according to specialists. This conclusion was made after watching one of the online services helping to lose weight. The people who organized the social network for those losing weight dropped an average of 4.5 pounds 6 months before the experiment. Moreover, the best results were achieved by those who used all three tools of control: real-time meetings with weight loss companions, mobile applications and online services.

Out of the 292 study participants, those who used the popular service were 11 times more likely to achieve the threshold of 5 percent weight loss compared to those who lost weight independently. The mark of 5%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, can significantly reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, as well as blood sugar levels. Overall, among the 147 people who took part in the experiment, the maximum weight loss was 8.6 kg (19 lb).

Corporate Income Tax

 Corporate Income Tax
Tax policy issues relating to corporate income tax are numerous and complex, but particularly relevant for developing countries are the issues of multiple rates based on sectoral differentiation and the incoherent design of the depreciation system. Developing countries are more prone to having multiple rates along sectoral lines (including the complete exemption from tax of certain sectors, especially the parastatal sector) than industrial countries, possibly as a legacy of past economic regimes that emphasized the state's role in resource allocation. Such practices, however, are clearly detrimental to the proper functioning of market forces (that is, the sectoral allocation of resources is distorted by differences in tax rates). They are indefensible if a government's commitment to a market economy is real. Unifying multiple corporate income tax rates should thus be a priority.
Allowable depreciation of physical assets for tax purposes is an important structural element in determining the cost of capital and the profitability of investment. The most common shortcomings found in the depreciation systems in developing countries include too many asset categories and depreciation rates, excessively low depreciation rates, and a structure of depreciation rates that is not in accordance with the relative obsolescence rates of different asset categories. Rectifying these shortcomings should also receive a high priority in tax policy deliberations in these countries.
In restructuring their depreciation systems, developing countries could well benefit from certain guidelines:

    Classifying assets into three or four categories should be more than sufficient—for example, grouping assets that last a long time, such as buildings, at one end, and fast-depreciating assets, such as computers, at the other with one or two categories of machinery and equipment in between.
    Only one depreciation rate should be assigned to each category.
    Depreciation rates should generally be set higher than the actual physical lives of the underlying assets to compensate for the lack of a comprehensive inflation-compensating mechanism in most tax systems.
    On administrative grounds, the declining-balance method should be preferred to the straight-line method. The declining-balance method allows the pooling of all assets in the same asset category and automatically accounts for capital gains and losses from asset disposals, thus substantially simplifying bookkeeping requirements.

Composition of Tax Revenue

Composition of Tax Revenue
Turning to the composition of tax revenue, we find ourselves in an area of conflicting theories. The issues involve the taxation of income relative to that of consumption and under consumption, the taxation of imports versus the taxation of domestic consumption. Both efficiency (whether the tax enhances or diminishes the overall welfare of those who are taxed) and equity (whether the tax is fair to everybody) are central to the analysis.
The conventional belief that taxing income entails a higher welfare (efficiency) cost than taxing consumption is based in part on the fact that income tax, which contains elements of both a labor tax and a capital tax, reduces the taxpayer's ability to save. Doubt has been cast on this belief, however, by considerations of the crucial role of the length of the taxpayer's planning horizon and the cost of human and physical capital accumulation. The upshot of these theoretical considerations renders the relative welfare costs of the two taxes (income and consumption) uncertain.
Another concern in the choice between taxing income and taxing consumption involves their relative impact on equity. Taxing consumption has traditionally been thought to be inherently more regressive (that is, harder on the poor than the rich) than taxing income. Doubt has been cast on this belief as well. Theoretical and practical considerations suggest that the equity concerns about the traditional form of taxing consumption are probably overstated and that, for developing countries, attempts to address these concerns by such initiatives as graduated consumption taxes would be ineffective and administratively impractical.
With regard to taxes on imports, lowering these taxes will lead to more competition from foreign enterprises. While reducing protection of domestic industries from this foreign competition is an inevitable consequence, or even the objective, of a trade liberalization program, reduced budgetary revenue would be an unwelcome by-product of the program. Feasible compensatory revenue measures under the circumstances almost always involve increasing domestic consumption taxes. Rarely would increasing income taxes be considered a viable option on the grounds of both policy (because of their perceived negative impact on investment) and administration (because their revenue yield is less certain and less timely than that from consumption tax changes).
Data from industrial and developing countries show that the ratio of income to consumption taxes in industrial countries has consistently remained more than double the ratio in developing countries. (That is, compared with developing countries, industrial countries derive proportionally twice as much revenue from income tax than from consumption tax.) The data also reveal a notable difference in the ratio of corporate income tax to personal income tax. Industrial countries raise about four times as much from personal income tax than from corporate income tax. Differences between the two country groups in wage income, in the sophistication of the tax administration, and in the political power of the richest segment of the population are the primary contributors to this disparity. On the other hand, revenue from trade taxes is significantly higher in developing countries than in industrial countries.
While it is difficult to draw clear-cut normative policy prescriptions from international comparisons as regards the income-consumption tax mix, a compelling implication revealed by the comparison is that economic development tends to lead to a relative shift in the composition of revenue from consumption to personal income taxes. At any given point of time, however, the important tax policy issue for developing countries is not so much to determine the optimal tax mix as to spell out clearly the objectives to be achieved by any contemplated shift in the mix, to assess the economic consequences (for efficiency and equity) of such a shift, and to implement compensatory measures if the poor are made worse off by the shift.

7 Eyelid Skin Care Tips

The skin around the eyes is the first to tell our age and lifestyle. Therefore, this delicate area requires correct and systematic care.

1. You’ll need more than one cream

Speaking of eye skin, we often face three major challenges: swollen eyes, dark circles and wrinkles. But, as practice shows, it is difficult to find the one product that would equally treat these problems. You have to use at least two products: one – for a morning ritual, the second – for the evening.

2. The right approach to skincare

Eye skin products should be applied on the perfectly cleansed skin. This means that the surface should be free of even the traces of a cleanser – its greasy or oily texture may become a barrier for the cream active components to penetrate.

3. Take more care
Apply the cream not from time to time, but every day. Only regular care will help to achieve the desired result.

4. Application technique

Regardless of whether it is a cream or gel, apply a small amount of it (size of a rice grain is enough) on the index finger and then with lightly patting (not rubbing) movements spread it on the upper eyelid in the direction from the nose to the temple, and on the bottom eyelid – in the opposite direction.

5. Avoid eyelid areas

The skin is the most delicate and sensitive there. If you do not want to wake up with red-rimmed and swollen eyelids, do not apply the cream close to the edge of the ciliary and on the mobile eyelid.

6. Oil ban

If the eye shadows do not last on the eyelids and even the most resistant eyeliner spreads, try to avoid oil-based products for eye skin care. In the morning, use a light moisturizer or gel that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy film.

7. Ensure skin protection

Anti-aging cosmetics is good, but wrinkles show up much later, if you protect your skin from the negative effects of ultraviolet rays. On a sunny day, always wear sunglasses (even if it is not the high season) and do not ignore SPF-products for eye skin care.

How Often Do People Fall in Love?

An opinion poll has been conducted in London to find out how often people fall in love. 2,000 people have been interviewed for this purpose.

It turned out that true love comes on average twice in one’s life. At the same time, alas, a person experiences an unreturned feeling at least once.

It was also found that each 20th person had his/her heart broken by the beloved. And one in every seven people lives with another person without love. By the way, 73% of those who do not feel warm feelings to their partner say they have to live with this person after losing their true love. In addition, 46% of the respondents are in a relationship, but continue to search for their only one and are willing to abandon the existing relationship if they find him/her.

17% said they had already met their right person, but continued the relationship with others.

Moreover, the survey found that men were more focused on a committed relationship than women, and they tended to be loyal to their partner and stay devoted to her. Thus, 37% of men said they would keep the relationship for the sake of the moral comfort of their partner.

Personal Income Tax

Personal Income Tax
Any discussion of personal income tax in developing countries must start with the observation that this tax has yielded relatively little revenue in most of these countries and that the number of individuals subject to this tax (especially at the highest marginal rate) is small. The rate structure of the personal income tax is the most visible policy instrument available to most governments in developing countries to underscore their commitment to social justice and hence to gain political support for their policies. Countries frequently attach great importance to maintaining some degree of nominal progressivity in this tax by applying many rate brackets, and they are reluctant to adopt reforms that will reduce the number of these brackets.
More often than not, however, the effectiveness of rate progressivity is severely undercut by high personal exemptions and the plethora of other exemptions and deductions that benefit those with high incomes (for example, the exemption of capital gains from tax, generous deductions for medical and educational expenses, the low taxation of financial income). Tax relief through deductions is particularly egregious because these deductions typically increase in the higher tax brackets. Experience compellingly suggests that effective rate progressivity could be improved by reducing the degree of nominal rate progressivity and the number of brackets and reducing exemptions and deductions. Indeed, any reasonable equity objective would require no more than a few nominal rate brackets in the personal income tax structure. If political constraints prevent a meaningful restructuring of rates, a substantial improvement in equity could still be achieved by replacing deductions with tax credits, which could deliver the same benefits to taxpayers in all tax brackets.
The effectiveness of a high marginal tax rate is also much reduced by its often being applied at such high levels of income (expressed in shares of per capita GDP) that little income is subject to these rates. In some developing countries, a taxpayer's income must be hundreds of times the per capita income before it enters the highest rate bracket.
Moreover, in some countries the top marginal personal income tax rate exceeds the corporate income tax by a significant margin, providing strong incentives for taxpayers to choose the corporate form of doing business for purely tax reasons. Professionals and small entrepreneurs can easily siphon off profits through expense deductions over time and escape the highest personal income tax permanently. A tax delayed is a tax evaded. Good tax policy, therefore, ensures that the top marginal personal income tax rate does not differ materially from the corporate income tax rate.
In addition to the problem of exemptions and deductions tending to narrow the tax base and to negate effective progressivity, the personal income tax structure in many developing countries is riddled with serious violations of the two basic principles of good tax policy: symmetry and inclusiveness. (It goes without saying, of course, that tax policy should also be guided by the general principles of neutrality, equity, and simplicity.) The symmetry principle refers to the identical treatment for tax purposes of gains and losses of any given source of income. If the gains are taxable, then the losses should be deductible. The inclusiveness principle relates to capturing an income stream in the tax net at some point along the path of that stream. For example, if a payment is exempt from tax for a payee, then it should not be a deductible expense for the payer. Violating these principles generally leads to distortions and inequities.
The tax treatment of financial income is problematic in all countries. Two issues dealing with the taxation of interest and dividends in developing countries are relevant:

    In many developing countries, interest income, if taxed at all, is taxed as a final withholding tax at a rate substantially below both the top marginal personal and corporate income tax rate. For taxpayers with mainly wage income, this is an acceptable compromise between theoretical correctness and practical feasibility. For those with business income, however, the low tax rate on interest income coupled with full deductibility of interest expenditure implies that significant tax savings could be realized through fairly straightforward arbitrage transactions. Hence it is important to target carefully the application of final withholding on interest income: final withholding should not be applied if the taxpayer has business income.
    The tax treatment of dividends raises the well-known double taxation issue. For administrative simplicity, most developing countries would be well advised either to exempt dividends from the personal income tax altogether, or to tax them at a relatively low rate, perhaps through a final withholding tax at the same rate as that imposed on interest income.

Tax Incentives

Tax Incentives
While granting tax incentives to promote investment is common in countries around the world, evidence suggests that their effectiveness in attracting incremental investments—above and beyond the level that would have been reached had no incentives been granted—is often questionable. As tax incentives can be abused by existing enterprises disguised as new ones through nominal reorganization, their revenue costs can be high. Moreover, foreign investors, the primary target of most tax incentives, base their decision to enter a country on a whole host of factors (such as natural resources, political stability, transparent regulatory systems, infrastructure, a skilled workforce), of which tax incentives are frequently far from being the most important one. Tax incentives could also be of questionable value to a foreign investor because the true beneficiary of the incentives may not be the investor, but rather the treasury of his home country. This can come about when any income spared from taxation in the host country is taxed by the investor's home country.
Tax incentives can be justified if they address some form of market failure, most notably those involving externalities (economic consequences beyond the specific beneficiary of the tax incentive). For example, incentives targeted to promote high-technology industries that promise to confer significant positive externalities on the rest of the economy are usually legitimate. By far the most compelling case for granting targeted incentives is for meeting regional development needs of these countries. Nevertheless, not all incentives are equally suited for achieving such objectives and some are less cost-effective than others. Unfortunately, the most prevalent forms of incentives found in developing countries tend to be the least meritorious.

7 Reasons to Date a Guy If He's Not the One

Of course, it would be wonderful if only princes invited you out on a date. Alas, there are not enough princes for everyone. You will not say ‘no’ to all the admirers because of it, will you? We have several reasons why you should say “yes” even when you have strong doubts.

1. In the end, you can truly fall in love with him

If people fell in love at first sight, the planet would have less than half the couples. Give the guy at least an hour, it will be enough to get attracted. Well, if this doesn’t happen – you can always run away.

2. Inside, he could be the one

Maybe he’s not handsome, but the way he moves, talks, watches and listens! This cannot be understood from the first seconds.

3. He can become your friend

Well, maybe he’s not the one, but it could be nice to talk about books and movies with him. In the future, you can become friends.

4. This can be your worst rendezvous

How can you live without this experience! What is more, you will be able to retell the story to all of your friends, laugh and wonder.

5. Look for a date as pastime

If you do not have any specific plans for the evening, why not have fun and meet a man? In addition, you can discover a new good restaurant.

6. Opportunity to practice flirting

You can experiment and try out all seduction tricks on your new acquaintance.

7. You can learn something new

He may take you out to a museum or theater, or even to the exhibition, which has long been attended by all of your friends. Maybe you won’t want to see the guy any more, but you’ll have a subject for conversation in the circle of friends.

Get Fair, Fresh and Fabulous Skin

Homemade Recipes For a Lighter Complexion

Fresh, fair and dewy skin is the dream of every woman. But our harsh climate, high pollution and harmful chemicals in fairness creams leave our skin dark, pigmented and rough.

A quick and inexpensive way to acquire a lighter complexion is to use natural bleaching agents mentioned below. Apply them regularly and be the fairest of all!

• Make a paste by mixing papaya, honey, milk, and milk powder. Apply on face and leave for a few minutes and wash. Your face will look fairer.

• Cut lime in slices and rub on the face slowly 2-3 times. Leave for about 5 minutes, and then rinse with cold water. Repeat 3-4 times a week.

• Make a paste by mixing a pinch of cinnamon powder in ½ teaspoon honey. Apply on the face every night.

• Mix honey with equal amount of almond oil. Apply on the face every night.

• Apply milk with cotton pad on face. Let it dry for a few minutes then rinse with warm water.

• Make a paste of honey, milk, yogurt and ground sesame seeds in equal proportions and apply on face and whole body.

• Apply a paste of whole wheat flour with vinegar to remove freckles and dark spots.

• Mix well lime juice, honey, and egg white. Apply to face and let it dry for a few minutes then wash with warm water. It will make your skin soft and smooth.

• Mix aloe vera gel, honey and egg yolk. Apply to face and let it dry for a few minutes then wash with warm water.

• Make a paste by mixing 1 tablespoon honey with 2 tablespoon powdered almonds and ½ teaspoon lemon juice. Rub on the face then wash with warm water. This eliminates the brown spots on the face.