
Title : General Washington's Christmas Farewell: A Mount Vernon Homecoming, 1783
Author : Stanley Weintraub
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Goin' South......
Don't be put-off by the cheesy title of this book. Yes...it's obviously a marketing ploy meant to tie in to the holiday season. In any case, Mr. Weintraub has crafted an interesting book. We follow Washington from West Point to Mount Vernon, as he tries to get home for Christmas. Most notably, he stops in New York City, Philadelphia, and Annapolis. In NYC he says farewell to his officers. He also puzzles his subordinates by going to visit a bookseller who is a known Tory sympathizer. (Unknown to Washington's underlings, the man was part of the commander-in-chief's network of spies who kept the general informed of the goings-on during the 1776-1783 British occupation of Manhattan.) In Philadelphia, amongst other things, Washington orders some new spectacles from the noted scientist David Rittenhouse. In Annapolis, Washington returns his commission to Congress, thus making formal his resignation from public service and return to private life. The book is only about 175 pages and can easily be read in a day or two. However, Mr. Weintraub manges to provide a lot of information. Some of it is interesting on a "serious" level - for example, we see Washington at the start of the journey insisting that his departure from public life will be permanent. He made several speeches on the way home, and he constantly stressed that Congress needed strong legislative powers so that it could hold the bickering colonies together. By the time he reached Annapolis, Washington had come to the conclusion that it was going to be an extremely difficult process to turn a loose confederation, which no longer had the "glue" of battling a common enemy, into a true nation. Washington was not being an egomaniac, just realistic, when he came to understand that he was the only person who could be a unifying force. Therefore, when he gave the speech in Annapolis in which he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief he changed the language so as to leave the door open for a later return to public service, if such a thing proved to be necessary...which it did. Washington was remarkably unambitious for someone who was held in such awe. He was, indeed, the man who could have been king. (In his own day, everyone wanted to touch him, as though he were holy. Many years later, people had relics - as though he were a saint. Lincoln had a splinter of Washington's coffin contained in a gold ring he wore. President McKinley had several strands of the great helmsman's hair.) Americans owe Washington an eternal debt that he turned his back on dictatorship. On the lighter side of this book, we see Washington the man - sans wig, so to speak. We see him losing his temper, his pride in his dancing ability, his love of fine wine, etc. We also get to hear about his expense account, where it seems as though he put down every possible item, down to the last pound, shilling, and pence. (He even included tips he had given out to people who had waited on him.) I especially enjoyed the little personal touches that Mr. Weintraub saw fit to include - such as letting us know that the 6'4" Washington slept in a 6'6" bed. The author also tells us about the time that Washington fired a Mount Vernon gardener for getting drunk. Then, when the man expressed remorse and wanted his job back, Washington agreed...but he made the man sign a contract specifying that he could only be in his cups at certain times of the year. For example, he was allowed 4 days of drunkenness at Christmas! The book, on rare occasions, becomes tedious when Mr. Weintraub gives us excerpts from speeches delivered by sundry parties during the various "farewell" dinners. But, for the great majority of the time, this book will hold your interest with its nice balance between the public and the private Washington.

Title : Get a Life: You Don't Need a Million to Retire Well (Get a Life: You Don't Need a Million to Retire Well)
Author : Ralph E. Warner
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : One of the best all round books on retirement planning!
As a Certified Financial Planner, I recommend this book to many of my clients who are seriously planning their retirements. Warner has done a great job putting things in the proper perspective with a book that is an "easy read". While adequate money is important to a satisfactory retirement (and helping clients build a satisfactory net worth is how I make my living), I do find, as has Warner, that there are more important things such as health, friends, and a purpose (i.e., reasons to get up in the morning) when it comes to planning out one's retirement. I frequently ask clients what they plan to do when they retire. When they say "go fishing" or "play golf", I then ask them what they plan to do the second week/month/year. And I keep asking the question until they realize that its a serious one. Warner takes it further with discussion and clear examples. In short, a must read for anyone approaching retirement.

Title : The 401(k) Millionaire: How I Started with Nothing and Made a Million and You Can, Too
Author : Knute Iwaszko
Rating : 3 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Interesting, easy read but not relevant to UK
An interesting book with a very 'easy to read' style. However, the book is very much designed for savings and investments in the USA and is of LITTLE RELEVANCE to UK employees.

Title : You've Earned It, Don't Lose It: Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make When You Retire
Author : Suze Orman
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Excellent book
People spend their entire lifetimes working to amass wealth, but forget about protecting it. I bump into people every day who still think a will is enough---ENT! I also recommend Financial Self Defense and More Wealth without Risk by Givens. Suze's book is newer, but Givens offers techniques that work well with the information in this book.

Title : The 401(k) Millionaire: How I Started with Nothing and Made a Million and You Can, Too
Author : Knute Iwaszko
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Changing my ways in 1999!
I never saved much because I didn't believe my small savings could make any difference and I never knew what to do with my money. Read this book to learn why saving is key and time (and compound interest!) are your best friends. The book also suggests money allocation strategies as you get nearer to your goals.

Title : Rich Dad's Prophecy
Author : Sharon L. Lechter
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Beware 2016! -- Good Financial Education for New Investors
Before commenting on the book's message and argument, let me discuss its communications style. There is a great on-going debate about whether the details that Mr. Kiyosaki presents about himself and his "Rich" and his "Poor" (and biological) Dad are literally true. I don't know, and I don't intend to try to find out. For my purposes, I treat the communications style of this book as a fable to help teach a lesson. I do evaluate the accuracy of the lesson itself in these comments.
If you've read some of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad books before, the main new information in this book is an explanation of why stock market investing with pension money is a dangerous way to grow your "wealth." In addition to being at risk from con men, thieves, incompetents, brokerage houses and market volatility, you face the ticking time bomb of a growing number of U. S. investors being legally required to liquidate their holdings beginning at age 70 1/2. As the Baby Boom generation turns 70 1/2 beginning in 2016, the selling moves from being a trickle into being a torrent that overwhelms new funds into the market at some point . . . followed by an inevitable collapse in stock values. If you want a more detailed, confirming discussion of this issue, the book, What If Boomers Can't Retire?, is a good choice. Harry S. Dent, Jr.'s demographic books also look at this issue.
If you already believe in the messages of the earlier books, you could skip this one . . . especially if you have already decided to avoid or minimize stock-market investments.
If you have read none of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series, I suggest that you start with Rich Dad, Poor Dad before tackling this one. You'll understand this book better if you do.
The other problem with traditional defined contribution pension investing (usually by 401-k plans), of course, is that a pension fund contribution takes lots of cash out of your pocket (unless the employer matching is very generous -- way more than 2:1) to put some money into the retirement account. So you face the possibility of being much poorer in cash flow while you save for retirement investing and poorer when you cash out of the investment after you pay the taxes on what you take back in what could be smaller values. Imagine if you had had to start withdrawing from your pension fund in 1929. That's one nice illustration that I enjoyed in the book. Possibly, the same could occur after 2016. Who knows?
The second half of the book advises you on how to build a financial ark against hard times by relying on building cash-generating businesses and investments (such as rental properties) after you achieve your financial education (which you didn't learn in school, even if you got a business degree from most schools). You are encouraged to start small and develop various kinds of control over your emotions, advisors and actions. It's all sound advice. My only complaint is that people who are going to start making real estate investments and building cash-generating businesses need a lot more information than is here. I graded the book down one star, accordingly.
The first half of the book could have been shortened up quite a bit, but for those who are unaware of the demographic time bomb's potential effect on their investments, it may help to get the story in small doses.
The surprise for a lot of people in this book is going to be that what they hear every day from best-selling "authorities" about the "right rules" of retirement investing could easily turn out to be wrong for them.
After you absorb and begin to apply these lessons, I suggest that you think about where in your life the conventional wisdom led you down the wrong path. Where else could that be happening to you now?
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Title : Sell Up and Sail: Taking the Ulysses Option (Sailmate S.)
Author : Bill Cooper
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Very good - in parts.
My wife and I are the ideal audience for a book such as this - we are planning to do just what the title says: Sell up and sail.
We both found the writing to be witty and entertaining and certainly learned a good deal from the book. We both felt that the chapters written by Bill were excellent: the work of an experienced, knowledgeable and sensible man.
Unfortunately, we also agreed that the chapters written by Laurel were, at best, space fillers. We also had some trouble taking a lot of her 'advice' seriously. Certainly, to suggest that SEVEN saucepans are a minimum requirement onboard a sailing yacht seems nonsense: we have enjoyed many years of married life (with 3 children) and cannot ever remember needing (or even owning) seven saucepans.
Having said that, we believe that the book is worth the price: for Bill's input alone, and would recommend it to the discerning reader who is able to differentiate between the logic written by Bill and the more unrealistic 'advice' often offered by Laurel.
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Jackaman Smith & Mulley | Solicitors... has prevented employees from making claims for unfair dismissal and redundancy. ... This should not affect employees' rights to choose early retirement. ...
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Oxford Employment Law Practice (II) " Oxford Employment Law News " Blog ...... Railways & Transport Safety Bill, the Retirement Income Reform Bill and the ... The EAT ruled that compensation for unfair dismissal (unlike damages for common ...
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The Scottish Parliament: - Publication Scheme11.2 Retirement on age grounds. 11.3 Dismissal for inefficiency. 11.4 Early retirement or severance ... in terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme ...
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NATFHE Courses - Handling Redundancy and Early RetirementHandling Redundancy and Early Retirement. A two day ... to define redundancy, early retirement and voluntary severance ... unfair dismissal and compensation ...
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Knapton v ECC Card Clothing Ltd... two aspects of compensation for unfair dismissal: the early receipt of pension ... early pension or to leave the pension untouched until retirement age. ...
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CIPD - Redundancyoffer early retirement to volunteers (subject to age discrimination issues) ... A dismissal may also be a normal (ie not automatic) unfair dismissal if there is ...
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Acas - Advice leaflet - Age and the workplace: a guide for individualsUpper age limits on unfair dismissal and redundancy have been removed. ... If you harass someone you may also be ordered to pay compensation. ...
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UNISON Scotland Unfair Dismissal Briefing No 56Examples include voluntary redundancy and early retirement. ... There will be new minimum compensation for employees dismissed in breach of the ...
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REDUNDANCY: HR Bullets - Simplifying employment law for you... result in an unfair dismissal claim, with potential compensation of up to £60,000. ... volunteers or voluntary early retirement (volunteers will still ...
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Age Discrimination: 5 Steps To Knowing When An Employee is Unfairly ...... 6 weeks 1 day was up I received my compensation payment the following day. ... of "early retirement" which essentially involves ... Dismissal Is Unfair ...
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Acas - Advice leaflet - The right to apply for flexible working, A ...The remedies and compensation which an arbitrator can award are the same as ... Small firm exemption removed for 'automatically unfair dismissal' ...
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Dismissal... to award for unfair dismissal are re-instatement, re-engagement or compensation. ... of compensation you can recover and what you can be compensated for. ...
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Age discrimination at workRetirement and age discrimination. Job applications and age discrimination. Unfair dismissal ... dismissal will count as unfair and you might get compensation. ...
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The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999Written reason for dismissal. Retirement documents. Tupe letter to employee. Dismissal 2 ... the consumer to receive compensation of an equivalent amount from ...
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Divorce Source: DIVISION OF EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFITS UPON DIVORCE... purpose are compensation for a service rendered at the time of early retirement. ... result would encourage not only unfair dealing but also outright fraud. ...
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The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006Duty to consider working beyond retirement. 48. ... (ii) by way of compensation for the loss of income or benefits he would or might ...
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Civil Service Appeal Board Annual Report 2002/2003dismissal and early retirement; ... dismissal appeals) or under the inefficiency terms ... compensation by the Board for unfair dismissal and on condition that ...
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Summary of Information Released by HMRC under the Freedom of ...7.1.2 Appeals against early retirement and the non-payment of compensation to ... grounds that a disciplinary dismissal was unfair. ...
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Gizbert awarded £99,000 compensation | Media | MediaGuardian... Richard Gizbert has been awarded £98,781 in his unfair dismissal case. By Stephen Brook. ... the wages he expected from ABC up until retirement at ...
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The Employers Forum on AgeNew processes required to manage retirement for everyone. No upper age limits on unfair dismissal ... For example, enhanced early retirement will be possible ...
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Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2006/2007this struck me as unfair, the more so when I. took into ... early retirement terms as being available with. the consent of the Principal Employer and the ...
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Final notice: Guardian Assurance plc and Guardian Linked Life Assurance ...about how consumers could seek compensation if they felt they were in any way ... therefore aware very early on of the impact on customers of the introduction of the ...
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Age DiscriminationRetirement becomes a potentially fair reason for dismissal under S.98 Employment ... Where a dismissal is found to be unfair an Employment Tribunal can award up to 4 ...
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Employment Rights Act 1996 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn legal cases since the early 1980s, some judges have placed a restrictive ... The way to enforce a claim for unfair dismissal is at an employment tribunal. ...
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Media | Gizbert awarded £99,000 compensation... Richard Gizbert has been awarded £98,781 in his unfair dismissal case. ... claiming compensation for the wages he expected from ABC up until retirement at ...
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UCEA/ECU Age Discrimination Working Group Guidance Age Discrimination ...Retirement - unfair dismissal and age discrimination ... benefit scheme (such as USS, TPS or LGPS) before the early retirement pivot age' are ...
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Age discrimination at workmonths before retirement. ... don't consider your request, your dismissal will count as unfair and you might. get compensation. ...
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Redundancy Advice / Unfair Dismissal Help - Armchair Advice... advice and resources for those dealing with Redundancy or Unfair / Constructive Dismissal. ... early retirement with compensation and they were replaced in the ...
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Age Discrimination: Definition from Answers.com... of privileges as well as other unfair treatment of employees on the basis of ... But the early retirement benefits can only be offered if participation in the ...
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Unfair Dismissal: essential facts... redundancy, expiry of a fixed term contract or early retirement), except where: ... intended to claim financial compensation rather than invoke a grievance;and ...
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Case studies and white papers from HR Zone's document library... and managers deal with conflict at an early stage in way that is both effective and sustainable. ... their workers approaching traditional retirement age. ...
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British Employment Law Advice -- Featuring a National Network Of ...... person, or giving them compulsory early retirement, for ... Compensation for discrimination. Unfair treatment by unions. Complaints against union treatment ...
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Legal News Archive - Norrbom Vinding UKEmployee awarded compensation for unfair dismissal during maternity leave. 11-02-2008 ... Summary dismissal for leaving work early not justified. 12-04-2007 ...
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Age discriminationdismissal - retirement - occupational pensions ... Unfair dismissal. Vibration White finger. Work from home. Working Time Regulations ...
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6.1 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS POLICYworker's compensation payments and their normal salary by electing to ... School Board, if they elect to take early retirement as defined above. ...
compensation dismissal early retirement unfair online resources.
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