Another One Bites the Dust

High flying music producer Scott Torch has been arrested for Grand Theft Auto for failing to return his Bentley GT. This incident follows the recent foreclosure of his $10 million mansion on an island off of Miami Beach.

At the end of the lease, Torch did not returned the car as agreed, but gave it to rapper Lil Kim. The car was eventually tracked down at her place in NJ.

Yet another example of money wasted on a fast lifestyle. In a 2006 Rolling Stone article titled "Scott Torch's Outrageous Fortune", Torch described his posh lifestyle and claimed to have a net worth of $70 million already. His career encompassed delivering hits for the likes of Beyonce, Dr. Dre, Lil Kim, Justin Timberlake, Fat Joe, Chris Brown and 50 cents. The notable holdings that the article mentioned were a bevy of luxury cars, a $20 million yacht, as well as wearing $3.5 million worth of jewelry in one outing.

Scott Torch is apparently in rehab at this time, by the way.

Source

"You're About to Get Paid, Now What?" Part II

STICK TO THE PLAN
Having a successful plan starts with one’s lifestyle. As the saying goes “It’s not how much you make, but how much you get to keep”. With that said, your lifestyle determines how much you have left to actually fund the plan: savings, investments, insurance, etc…This is why it is primordial that an appropriate budget be set up from the get-go. Unfortunately, the age-old conflict of Indulgence vs. Excess is still current. Clients need to be realistic in their budget expectations. It is okay to indulge here and there, but living a lifestyle of excess is a one-way ticket to perdition. Very few people can afford to burn $250,000 a month in cash consistently, but many try. The majority of it is usually spent on non-critical items. The only solution is to know and understand the plan. A good attitude involves knowing what the goal is, what is expected of you, but mostly knowing your weaknesses so you can recognize the triggers and avoid them. If being depressed makes you want to splurge in boutiques, notify someone before it is too late. Adopting such a strategy will ensure that the plan is implemented and maintained.

WHAT ABOUT PLAN B, C AND D?
Very few careers last forever, so one should have a backup plan at all times. If you prefer a voluntary exit strategy or retirement, you first need to define what shape it will take and what exactly it will entail. You also need to figure out a road-map to get there and over which time frame. A few people successfully managed to retire at the top of their game on their own terms, but very few that announce it actually follow through. For everyone else, I suggest setting up an ICE Plan (In Case Of Emergency) for when those checks stop coming. The key here is to figure out what else motivates you. Is it teaching or coaching your former profession? Is it something else in the industry or field? Or is it exiting the field altogether? Options in that case range from starting an unrelated business to going back to school. Do your research about those endeavors during your career and talk to people that went that route already. Whatever it may be, you should never be caught unprepared whenever your career ends.

GIVE BACK
To whom much is given, much is required. I believed that whenever a great blessing has been bestowed upon you, your responsibility is to share some of it. On top of the moral aspect of giving, there are tax benefits associated with charitable donations. You can give outright personally, via your business entity or through a non-profit you set up. Please consult with a professional to structure such donations. Again, it truly makes sense to reach back to the least fortunate. Not only do you get a sense of accomplishment, but you also achieve spiritual balance and spread good karma that is sure to come back your way. I always share my personal philosophy on the matter with new clients: Those who give are always provided for. I could give you countless personal examples, but confidentiality prevents me from doing so. Just know that it works!

“You're About to Get Paid, Now What?” Part I

This is from a presentation I made at SESAC in June 2008

Every creative person has success in mind and usually with success comes money. It is a difficult transition to make when the big checks start coming in, and below is a road-map for people in that situation. Keep in mind that this is just my humble perspective.

GET A GOOD FINANCIAL TEAM
Why do you need a team? A good team provides peace of mind, and helps you prosper. You can focus on what you do best, which is creating or performing, without having to worry about paying the bills or the type of investments you need. I usually encourage people to get their money’s worth, as you get what you pay for. Having a cousin or a sibling handling money is a recipe for disaster, unless they are already proficient in that field. To those that claim to be able to do it themselves, I offer the “crazier of the two” analogy and that usually shuts them up. It goes as follows: Seems like of one us is crazy. Either I am crazy for having studied all these years and obtained these credentials when someone with no training can do my job, or you are crazy for thinking you can do as well as I without my training and experience. Which on of the two do you think makes sense? A good team has to be a good fit as you should feel comfortable dealing with and talking to them. Condescendence has no place in this field regardless of a client’s educational level or social background, but many stuffy traditional firms do not seem to get it. A fit also means the competencies of the firm you are considering. A CPA should not be doing your estate planning and an insurance agent should not be doing your taxes. Finally, one needs to assess how good that team is. This involves checking references, verifying credentials and talking to people they do business with. This is called due diligence, and many people tend to skip that step.

BE ACCOUNTABLE
Once one has a team in place, the hard part begins. I push my clients to get educated and become familiar with the various terminologies (such as Assets, Liabilities, Bonds, CDs, Stocks, etc…), how they’re being charged for products (commission or fee?), and other things such as their tax brackets and various rules. The more one knows, the better decisions they can make for themselves. It is also important to know the details. This means actually reading your statements to know where you stand financially and showing up to appointments; when there, please stay awake and be involved. I have seen it all from yawning and texting away during financial meetings, but the only one losing out is the client. All the other parties only need to point to that meeting in case anything goes wrong and say “but he/she was there!”, thus declining responsibility. Which leads me to my next point: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is your money so shame has no place in there. Questions such as “why this”? “How does it work”? “How long does it take to reach my goals”? These are pertinent questions which will help you remain accountable.

To be continued...

4 Levels: Where do you stand?

Great words to live by, especially in today's economy. Below are the 4 levels of wealth and what they mean, per an online source.

First Level of Wealth - Financial Stability

The first level of wealth is known as financial stability. Financial stability is achieved when you have accumulated enough liquid assets to cover your current expenses for a minimum of six months. You should have also bought life and health insurance to protect you and your family's lifestyle should you be permanently disabled or passed away suddenly. Spend at least 5 minutes to compute your current level of wealth to find out how long you can sustain your current lifestyle without working. This is calculated by taking your total liquid assets divided by your monthly expenses less your current passive income. If you have not achieved financial stability, you would need to do the following:

1. You must aim to clear off your outstanding debts to minimize the negative cash assets that are taking a cut off your monthly salary.

2. Save at least 10-20% of your monthly income. This is on top of any mandatory saving plans such as 401K. You should save up at least 3 times your monthly salary before thinking about investing your savings. This is to make sure that you have sufficient cashflow to handle emergencies.

3. Book an appointment with a financial advisor to have a consultation on what kind of life insurance policy is more suitable for you. This is to cover you and your family in the event that you cannot continue working due to disabilities or any other unfortunate events.

Second Level of Wealth - Additional Passive Income

The second level wealth will be achieved when you accumulate passive income to sustain your most basic expenses. This means that you can choose not to work and yet have enough money to pay off your mortgage, daily food and transportation allowance as well as interest for all your loans and your insurance premiums. Any income that you gained from working will be channeled entirely into investment.

Third Level of Wealth - Financial Freedom

The third level of wealth would be achieving financial freedom. This means that you can sustain your CURRENT lifestyle without working again. You have accumulated enough passive income to sustain your current lifestyle indefinitely.

Fourth Level of Wealth - Financial Abundance

The fourth level of wealth would be attained when you have enough passive income to sustain your DESIRED lifestyle without working indefinitely. The amount of time that you take to achieve financial abundance from financial freedom depends how the gap between your current lifestyle from your desired lifestyle.

As you can see, to achieve higher level of financial wealth, it is very important to save a portion of your income and channel it into generating passive income. I am pretty sure most people are working hard to achieve or maintain level 1. Let's just keep the other levels in mind for that glorious day when the Global economy improves.

Enjoy!

Source

Warmed-Over Myths of Black Wealth

Newsflash from CNBC's NEWBOs: If you're black and can't rap or play ball, forget about making it in America.
By Alfred Edmond, Jr. - February 27, 2009

It’s 2009 and a black man is President of the United States of America. So why is CNBC still programming like it’s 1989 and the only way black Americans can hope to achieve wealth is via a sports contract or a record deal? CNBC’s NEWBOs: The Rise of America’s New Black Overclass, a special which aired last night, is wrong on so many levels. But its biggest disservice is that it is based on two stereotypical myths about black wealth that are just not supported by the facts:
The best–and even the only–avenue to real wealth for black Americans are through sports and entertainment. The majority of the “NEWBOs” featured on the program hit, run and jump for a living (the NFL’s Terrell Owens, Major League Baseball’s Torii Hunter and the NBA’s LeBron James) or perform on stage and recordings (Cash Money Records co-partner and rapper Bryan “Baby” Williams, contemporary gospel artist Kirk Franklin). An exception is RLJ Development CEO and billionaire Robert L. Johnson—the only subject featured who can make a credible claim to being “uber-wealthy.” Of course, he made his fortune by creating and marketing a cable channel featuring black people singing, dancing and rapping. (Oh, and unless you’re Oprah Winfrey, black women need not apply—apparently there are no female NEWBOs.)
Black athletes and entertainers are among the richest black Americans and among the nation’s wealthiest Americans. The problem with this is that NEWBOs primarily focuses on the gross income of the subjects. However, the real measure of wealth is not gross income, but net worth—a person’s assets minus their liabilities. (Black Enterprise readers are familiar with the net worth tables accompanying our monthly Wealth for Life profiles.) Lee Hawkins, the host/interviewer of NEWBOs and a Wall Street Journal reporter who’s authored a forthcoming book about this group, goes to great pains to hype the fact that “black athletes in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball and the 20 highest paid hip-hop entrepreneurs” earn a combined total of $4.5 billion dollars. He quickly moves past the fact that this is the combined income of more than 1,000 people, and never mentions that the combined net worth—the real wealth—of this group would be a small fraction of that total. Athletes and entertainers earn good money—but they don’t even come close to being uber-wealthy, the term Hawkins repeatedly uses without ever defining what he actually means when he says it.
Aren’t these the stereotypes and false messages we’ve spent much of the past 40 years trying to deprogram from American thinking, and black American thinking in particular? In the age of Obama, why are we still telling each other—and worse, our children—that our best chance to become wealthy in America is through sports and entertainment? Especially when anyone who understands wealth and the American economy, as CNBC and Hawkins surely do, knows that is not true? Ken Fisher’s book The Ten Roads to Riches: The Way The Wealthy Got There (And How You Can Too!), correctly identifies sports and entertainment as the most difficult way to achieve serious wealth, with the longest odds. The primary reasons to pursue a career in sports or entertainment is because you are good at it, and you like to do it—not because you have more than a prayer of ending up with Bob Johnson money. There are no athletes or entertainers on the most recent Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans. (You needed a net worth of at least $1.3 billion to make the most recent list. Their combined net worth? $1.57 trillion.) I’ve personally come to suspect that black people are intentionally steered toward sports and entertainment to keep us away from the real sources of wealth in America.
Forget the fact that, as a television interviewer, Hawkins is a great newspaper journalist. Forget that there is nothing remotely new about a tiny percentage of black people from poor backgrounds suddenly achieving fame and fortune in sports and entertainment, often fulfilling the role of financial saviors for entire extended families. Forget the fact that there is nothing unusual about most of these NEWBOs being under the age of 40: sports and entertainment are youth-oriented industries—it’s extremely rare for a recording artist or athlete to maintain his or her earning power past the age of 35. (By the way, Bob Johnson is 62.) And don’t even get me started on the poor taste, if not outright insensitivity, of Hawkins focusing—as millions of Americans struggle through a devastating economic crisis—on how his subjects spend their money. (How many black kids could be put through college on the half-million dollars Cash Money’s Williams told Hawkins that his grill is worth? Williams has the right to spend his money as he pleases. But what’s the point of Hawkins celebrating it? Why is it that when wealthy whites are interviewed, the focus is on how they made their money, but wealthy blacks are usually stereotypically profiled as profligate spenders? When did CNBC start airing MTV Cribs?)
To be fair, to really identify the wealthiest black Americans would take a lot of digging—after all, truly wealthy black people, (including many of the corporate CEOs, Wall Street executives and owners of Black Enterprise 100s companies featured in Black Enterprise) are not eager to draw attention to their wealth. They’re quite happy to let Baby Williams and Terrell Owens get all the attention—and aggravation—that comes when people realize you’re earning big money. But isn’t that the kind of thorough, hard-hitting, uncompromising financial reporting CNBC is supposed to be known for?
NEWBOs is of the kind of check-the-box, toss-the-reporting-standards programming that black Americans have come to expect—and too often, regret—starting around the King Holiday in January through the month of February. To me, it feels like the show was created to serve two purposes: as a barely disguised infomercial for Hawkins’ book and a quick and easy way to for CNBC to offer programming for Black History Month (whew—made it with two days to spare!).
Sorry CNBC—that’s not good enough. And no using the flack you’re going to get, and deservedly so, for lowering the CNBC bar with NEWBOs as an excuse to do no programming about black people at all.

Jewelry in a portfolio Part II

The second and most important problem they face is the issue of self-control. I see artists go back again and again to the same jewelers that have no problem extending them a short term credit. I guess jewelers are the new dealers. A jeweler called one day complaining about the $200,000 a client owed him, and then finished the conversation by saying “tell him I have his $50,000 chain ready for pick up”. Now if that’s not some enabler for you, I don’t know what is. Ask any business manager and they’ll tell you that it is a constant battle to keep clients out of those stores. Unfortunately, the jewelers and their lending practices make it hard to succeed. You know you have a real problem when you’re worth a couple of millions and your jewelry portfolio represents half of your net worth (true story). Not stocks, bonds or real estate, but a collection of chains, people! The main reason we fight for restrain is that people end up with an unbalanced level of jewelry in their portfolio. Having too much jewelry takes away from money that could be invested in income producing investments like real estate or stocks. True, diamonds do not lose value, but collecting them leaves money on the table.

As I stated earlier, investing in jewelry is not a bad move if done right. Real wealthy individuals do so by buying pieces that are clearly authenticated, having them appraised before the purchase and focusing on the quality of the stones. However, most hip hop celebrities are not ready for all that and do not shop at Cartier or Boucheron. I am not a big fan of jewelry myself, but my advice to current and future buyers would be:
· One, to pay more attention to the products they’re buying. For the money being spent, they need to be more careful.
· Secondly, they need to make sure they don’t just buy jewelry and nothing else. I have yet to see a pendant pay dividends.
· Finally, they need to invest in some classic pieces if they can’t stay out of the stores. The ones that do it right do like Jay-Z or Sean “Puffy” Combs and focus on limited edition timepieces. They are expensive but their exclusivity make them a sure bet for future appreciation, unlike a typical chain or pendant. Even better, they do look just as good! If you’re not into watches, buy your legal spouse (emphasis on legal) some pieces from major jewelry houses to even-out the quality of your portfolio. Take my advice: they resell way better in times of crisis.

Jewelry in a portfolio Part I

Nowadays, flashing expensive jewelry is a pre-requisite for every hip-hop artist or athlete. I have seen purchases ranging from a couple of thousands to several hundred thousands of dollars. It was actually one of the most feared invoices I could receive, similar to opening your cell phone bill when you know you’ve spent way too much time during peak time. The reality is, when done wisely, purchasing jewelry can be a good and alternative way to invest. Unfortunately, most rappers and ballers I know tend to over-do it.

Purchasing jewelry is part of the bragging mentality prevalent in hip-hop nowadays. However, it would be too simplistic to limit it to a desire to impress others. Let’s admit it: it sure feels good to wear a nice, glimmering piece of jewelry showcasing what your hard work allowed you to purchase. It’s even empowering to be able to splurge on an item equivalent to a down-payment on a small house.
Unfortunately, a lot of up and coming or even established celebrities go at it all wrong. The thing is, being able to afford the expensive pieces does not make one an expert. I remember a client who would spend tens of thousands on pieces for himself and his entourage, and have them shipped overnight to our office. Lo and behold, most of those pieces came in with loose stones or misaligned ones. Do you think he cared? More often than not, he would keep the pieces instead of having to wait for a lengthy readjustment of the stones.

Which leads me to the first pitfall: quality. Not unlike my client mentioned above, most of those celebrities care more about size, custom design and number of diamonds than the actual quality of the finished product. A poorly designed piece of jewelry is only worth the value of the precious metal or stones it contains, which is exactly what they can expect to resell for in times of needs. Add to that the fact that black celebrities usually like ultra-customized pieces, and the resell value is even lower. I don’t blame people for not wanting to walk around with a pendant spelling someone else’s name or crew affiliation, because you best believe they’ll look crazy. Let’s not even get started on the quality of the diamonds themselves, as I have yet to hear a client throw a tantrum based on the lack of “clarity” of the stones they received. My point is, quality is an underlying issue that most clients take lightly since appearance trumps reality when it comes to jewelry: as long as they know it’s real diamond, it cost a lot, and people can tell it’s real, the rest doesn’t really matter.

Millionaire ranks shrink

According to a survey by the Spectrem Group, the number of US millionaire households dropped 27% in 2008 to level not seen since 2003. There are now 6.7 million people with a net worth exceeding $1 million, down from 9.2 million a year ago. The number of penta-millionaires ($5 million and up) fell 28% to 840,000 nationwide. This is mostly due to the widespread losses among the various asset classes available to millionaires, with stocks, real estate and hedge funds recording lower or even negative returns. Similar losses are apparent among the mass affluent, where a 28% drop in the number of household worth $500,000 or more (excluding their primary residence) now stands at 11.3 million as opposed to 15.7 million in 2007.

From my experience, I can safely infer that the drop in the number of African American millionaires is even more pronounced. This is due to our propensity to invest in limited asset classes and our lack of access to sophisticated alternative forms of investments (i.e hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, commodities, art, antiques, etc...). Many recent black millionaires I have encountered reached that level through real estate investments, and we know how that sector turned out.

It is now a time for us to rethink our relationship with money and our approach to safeguarding it. I tend to come back to alternative investments (alternative being the key word here) as they provide a way for one to diversify a portfolio. When the stock market is up 10-12%, hedge funds typically return twice as much, even after fees. And when the stock market lost 40% over the past year, hedge funds were down only half as much on average. Using a financial formula called the rule of 72, a $1 million dollar investment in an alternative product doubles in value over 3 and 1/2 years at 20%, while it takes 7 years to reach the same result at 10% in the stock market. You do the math!

Most people shy away from that which they do not understand, but that is not an excuse. As a group, we need to get more educated about our options and take advantage of the greater returns that are out there, besides those provided by stocks, bonds or cash.

Family, Friends & Money: Part II

When it comes to friends, things can become tricky depending on the relationship. True friends should not expect a bailout, but we all know better than that. Depending on the level of friendship, you may just let them indirectly benefit from your possessions: inviting them to your vacation on a chartered boat or jet, occasionally taking them along when shopping, etc. I coined the term “Contingent enjoyment” to define this situation. True friends would not expect you to take care of them.

In terms of practical implementation of the tactics above, there are a variety of strategies. On top of helping relatives (and even friends) achieve financial independence, some type of assistance can be given to lighten their loads. It ranges from buying them a car, covering their car note, paying their mortgage, or giving them an allowance. From my experience, it consists in setting up corporations and initiating those payments from there in order to take advantage of the additional deductions. For allowances, said relative or friend can be put on payroll, thus deducting the taxes immediately. When it comes to loans, I believe one should never loan out more than what they are willing to forgive. That way, in case on non-repayment, there is a lower chance of resentment as one did not financially extends themselves overboard. A promissory note should be signed, so as to clearly define the repayment terms of the loan. It will protect both parties and also show that you mean business. It is up to you to enforce it, but I can assure you that psychologically, they work wonders on the discipline of the person that owes the money. The right strategies will benefit both parties and ensure that money does not become an issue between an affluent individual and the people around them.

As we can see, issues of money are definitely going to arise as individuals tend to feel entitled to your riches or can act downright ungrateful. The key is to set the right parameters from the get-go and to avoid becoming an ATM. Once the right systems are in place, there exists little room for misunderstanding and your financial well-being is protected. You have worked hard for your success and you understandably want to share the fruits of that labor with your loved ones. However, that sharing should not necessarily include cash.

Family, Friends & Money: Part I

Being financially successful in a visible manner comes with consequences. A direct consequence is having people automatically looking to you for money: relatives, friends, acquaintances. It is a great privilege to be able to help your loved ones, but there’s a fine line between doing so and outright supporting them. Issues such as entitlement, lack of gratitude and downright betrayal are a byproduct of people around you making their own assumptions about your hard earned money. Handling such problems can be tricky. How one addresses the expectations from the get-go and the type of strategies used can definitely make a difference.

We all have heard stories of the affluent being blackmailed or taken advantage of by people around them for the sole purpose of extorting money from them. That is nothing new. I can, for example, point to the football player who paid cash for his father’s house and added his brother to the deed just in case. The brother refinanced the house without telling the client or the dad (to the tune of $200,000), spent all the money and started to default on the loan. The athlete had to come to the rescue and bail him out. I can also mention the entertainer whose mother called at the beginning of the year asking for $10,000 although he had just given her $100,000 for Christmas. Upon further review, I realized she had actually received a total $400,000 in cash during that previous year. Mind you, her mortgage and car notes were being paid by the client. Examples such as above suggest a certain entitlement and lack of gratitude from these family members. The athlete’s brother was not happy enough to live mortgage-free, he had to tap into some equity since, as he put it “it’s my house and I can do whatever I want with it”. The entertainer’s mother started living like “she” was a celebrity. Of course the clients feel betrayed and used, but that is only the tip of the iceberg as I did not even get into the constant requests for loans and outright gifts of various nature (need for a car, down-payments on houses, etc…) from friends and acquaintances.In our communities, one person making it is a sign of hope for the entire family. Although it is true, it does not absolve the other family members from their financial responsibilities altogether. The key is to nip things in the bud and establish expectations early on. As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”. The idea is to let family know that you will use your new-found wealth to assist them in getting on the path to self-sufficiency, and even let them enjoy your material possessions. However, you will expect them to sustain that effort and only come to you for legitimate emergencies. I know it is easier said than done, but it is a must. Not doing so will jeopardize your wealth building effort and indirectly affect your relatives in the long-run as well. What good is it to the family if you end up broke? As with the airline oxygen mask, take care of yourself first before helping the person next to you. Giving out cash randomly, ATM-style, is not the way to go. Instead, paying for one’s college tuition, helping them start or buy a business, even giving them a job is the solution.

...To be continued

Ultra Spotlight: PREMIER ART

Introducing Ultra Spotlight! This segment will feature individuals, companies and products of interest to the African American affluent community. Our first spotlight inductee is Onaje Henderson with Premier Art LLC. We hope you will enjoy this feature and walk away with additional and valuable insight about its subject matter.

1. Please tell us about yourself and your company?
My name is Onaje M. Henderson. I am Managing Partner of Premier Art LLC. Premier Art, LLC manages and represents a roster of acclaimed African American visual artists. A partnership comprising of myself and my brother, Omari Henderson, the company markets its artists’ works through innovative consumer enrichment programs and events, as well as by providing corporate, individual and municipal client consulting.

Our approach is grounded in understanding each client’s priorities, desires, parameters, and budget. With this technique, we are able to effectively consult with both new and seasoned collectors.

2. I am a great fan of your Art-tasting concept. Tell us about it and explain how you came up with that idea.
An ‘Art Tasting’ is an event designed to educate art enthusiasts and collectors on valuing art in an intimate setting with friends and family. The purpose is to have guests connect with an artist (or group of artists) and have an informal, non-intimidating discussion about Fine Art. An Art Tasting can be utilized for corporate excursions, dinner parties, house warmings, and private social functions.
The Premier Art ‘Art Tasting’ idea initially came from noticing that there were very few young collectors. We realized that young professionals, who had the disposable income, were not investing in art. It was not because of a lack of interest in the subject, but more often than not, they were simply unaware. The art tasting concept was developed initially to serve this group. It has since grown to educate all age groups and can be adjusted for any setting, from a dinner party to a corporate lunch and learn.

3. What is your definition of affluence?
The basic definition of affluence is having an abundant supply of a particular resource. I think the definition of affluence when speaking monetarily is a bit different. There are a number of consumers in the market place who have enough money to purchase whatever they wish. To have the ability to not only purchase goods and services, but to also understand the what and why of your investment equals affluence.

4. Art is usually perceived as a playground for the wealthy. How do you think your product fits in an affluent lifestyle?
The beauty of fine art is that it can fit the lifestyle of anyone. Our client base ranges from the middle class to the extremely wealthy. It is an investment that can hold both an intrinsic value as well as be a sound investment for your long term portfolio. Because art never depreciates in value, it is something that can be passed down for generations and continue to grow in its significance to a particular as well as in its value.

5. Why is it that so many of us shy away from Art as collectibles? Is it a lack of awareness or just a lack of interest?
It is definitely a lack of awareness. Like yachting and polo, art collecting has long been considered a rarified realm inhabited solely by deep-pocketed connoisseurs speaking an impenetrable vocabulary. Potential collectors believe they are priced out of the market to buy and collect art. Moreover, the prospect of visiting a gallery intimidates many.

Realizing that these misperceptions were barriers to purchase, we redefined the art experience in a manner that has broadened the audience and market for buying and collecting original art.

6. In these tough economic times, what advice can you give affluent individuals?
It is important to understand that there are a number of ways to diversify your portfolio, and art is definitely one. Collecting has both a financial and an intrinsic value. When investing in art, it is important to realize that artwork will outlive generations, so the investment can definitely be considered long term. The best way to begin a collection initially is to buy what you like and understand what you are purchasing.

7. In your eyes, does the price of a product/service always indicate its quality (as it pertains to your field)? If not, what should people be paying attention to?
No. We always tell people to buy what you like, but that also comes with some responsibility. When “buying what you like” you should also be sure that you are buying from a reputable, established art business or artist. You should also ask for a Provenance and slide or CD that contains the image of the piece. The Provenance is the birth certificate of the painting. It tells you when it was completed, the materials used, the Artist, and each location that it has been displayed. Along with the slide or CD, the Provenance can be placed in a safety deposit box (or other secure area) so that you have a record of the purchase.

8. As it relates to your experience, what is the biggest mistake that black people make when first coming into some money?
Many new to wealth tend to make the mistake of not investing and do very little research if any in ways to grow their wealth. Art is an asset that always appreciates in value. We have many first time clients who will go out and spend millions on material goods that do nothing but depreciate in value and then when purchasing a piece of art, they want to negotiate the price of the artwork, or simply do not understand the value in the work.

9. Any advice addressing that problem?
A major fix to the problem comes in the area of education. Many of us who can afford to collect, do not because we just don’t understand the importance or value that could come from building a collection. This is where events like the ‘Art Tasting’ come into play.

10. Time to answer the Ultra Quizz:
a. What is your favorite vacation spot?
Turks and Caicos

b. What is the top luxury item on your wish list right now?
Charles White original

c. Who would you like to work with the most?
Everyone who is interested or could become interested in art collecting. Barack Obama

d. When it comes to your money, anything you'd like to do better?
Make More!

e. Describe your current living quarters in 5 words: Modern and Full of Art

Thanks again Onaje for your insight, and we really appreciate your taking the time to educate us all about your company and services.

Please visit Premier Art at: www.premierart.net

Ultra Tidbits

*The contents of Michael Jackson NeverLand ranch (now rebaptized Sycamore Valley Ranch) are set to be auctioned off in April at a four-day public auction in Beverly Hills, CA. Over 2000 items itemized in a $500 catalog will be for sale. The items are priced to sell, but should still bring a bounty as they range from the mondaine (books and sequined jackets) to the more elaborate (marble and gold statues, the property's iron gates). This brings new meaning to the term "garage sale". However, on a more serious note, this is another illustration of the value of hidden wealth that affluents individuals may have accumulated during these past gilded years. One person's trash is another person's treasure, so check your garages!

*For the domestic jet-setters and Atlanta locals, there is a luxury getaway available locally: Villa Oceane. Off of Peachtree Rd and one block from the Buckhead Ritz-Carlton, this penthouse is available for $10k a month. It has been used for locations shoots but is now up for rent. Features include a roof-top infinity hedge pool, a four car garage and white marble floors throughout. I can envision this as a more affordable option for celebrities in town for a couple of weeks or more (recording sessions, filimg, vacation, etc...). It beats a presidential suite for such prolongued stays and it saves money.

*In these challenging times, and despite calls for restraints, certain luxury brands are bucking the trend. Maybach is unveiling a top of the line version of its luxury cars, dubbed the Zeppelin. Priced at over $600,000, I am not sure there will be a rush to purchase this version despite uber-luxurious amenities. The car goes on sale in March for a September 2009 delivery date.

Moral Capital Preservation

Given the recent news about a certain celebrity and their domestic violence issues, we think it is time we address the ramifications of such actions. Yes, celebrities and high profile individuals mostly shy away from the “role model” title, but they cannot escape it. Indeed, to whom much is given, much is required. Unfortunately, the financial repercussions are damaging to the celebrity and their entourage.

Direct costs associated with a PR blunder are usually related to the celebrity’s earnings. NFL player Michael Vick had to forego the last few years of a 7-year contract worth over $100 million, and was asked to repay a $20 million sign-in bonus. New York Giants Plaxico Buress suffered similar sanctions on a $25 million 4-year contract. Lost endorsements, appearance fees and future revenue add to the tally. Besides the obvious direct costs associated with a major PR blunder (loss of endorsement, firing from the team, cancellation of shows, etc.) there are hidden indirect costs that can be even more damaging.

Typically, in such cases, the publicity machine goes into over-drive and such work does not come cheap. If there are legal implications, the hourly bill is usually stiff as well. With top lawyers commanding hourly rates in the hundreds of dollars, the legal bill can be in the high six or even seven figures. A little know fact is that even existing loans can be called, as was the case with Michael Vick when two banks asked for immediate repayment in full of two loans. The loans (totaling $1.1 million and $2.2 million respectively) were called due to “an adverse change in his employment which could affect the borrower's ability to repay the note." Such costs have a trickle-down effect affecting others such as a mother whose mortgage was covered, the friends that were employed by the celebrity or even the ex-wife due to the inability to keep up with child support payments.

When it comes to African Americans, celebrities are usually the first ones in their families to come into such wealth. There is no readily available hand-book telling them how to handle it and showing them the cost of their bad choices. In addition to Tax and Estate planning, Investments, Insurance and Retirement, it is time to add one more category to the typical financial planning spectrum: Moral Capital preservation. It affect a person’s current and future earnings, as well as their freedom in some cases. Our brothers and sisters disregard this component of their wealth, but we can only try to help with this blog.

Fractional Equations

Fractional ownership has always been a way for the affluent to enjoy certain luxuries without the financial burden of outright ownership. Many of the current fractional ownership programs target products that people use from time to time, which doesn't justify the year-round costs associated with maintaining such items. Therefore, fractional ownership was mostly limited to vacation homes and private jets.

However, as luxury became democratized fractional ownership became a way for the mass affluent to afford luxury products in quantities that they could barely afford individually. Case in point, "Bag Borrow or Steal", an online membership community where members can rent luxury items (handbags, jewelry, sunglasses and watches) at affordable rates. It allows members to enjoy all those products without overstuffing their closets.

Individuals with more money have another fractional option: Art. Initially the playground of the Very High Net Worth and above, ownership of works of arts from old masters and modern artists is now within their reach thanks to companies such as Untitled Partners. They offer fractional ownership of Art on a rotational basis to small groups of affluent investors. The groups collectively own the pieces and keep them on a rotating 3 month basis from a calendar they agree upon. Premier Art here in Atlanta is the leading African American company offering such services and even more, when it comes to African American Art.

At an even higher level of wealth, individuals also became prudent in their spending, but new fractional ownership categories surfaced. Synchrony, based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, offers yacht fractional ownership to the tune of $4.8 million for 5 years ownership in a $20 million yacht (starting rate). "For six weeks a year, Synchrony yacht owners can access any yacht in the company's luxury fleet while maintaining a vested interest in one specific boat" without having to worry about maintenance costs.

These fractional options allow people to keep living the lifestyle they are used to in a less frivolous manner and with more financial acumen.

The Affluent Hierarchy Series

Announcing the Affluent Hierarchy Series...

When dealing with an ailment, it is said that knowing is half the battle. When it comes to money matters, many people usually misunderstand their true level of wealth, which typically leads to overspending in various areas and ultimately to financial distress. This series will address the various levels of wealth that are widely accepted within the luxury market as well as which prudent purchases are clearly within their reach. Please understand that this is not a cut and dry process, and we will tread carefully and to the best of our abilities. This series is intended as a roadmap for the affluent, to be used as a tool to truly assess one's financial stability.

The first thing to know about being affluent is of course HOW affluent. The typical benchmark is investable assets, meaning the amount of money you have invested or available. In other words, should you stop making money tomorrow, your investable assets are whatever you can depend on from that point forward. Categories are as follow:

*Mass affluents: Investable assets between $200k and $1 million US (Upscale individuals with substantial earnings but little assets)

*High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI): Investable assets between $1 million and $10 million US.

*Very High Net Worth Individuals (VHNWI): Investable assets between $10 million and $30 million US

*Ultra Hign Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI): Investable assets over $30 million (with the rich getting richer, that segment also includes the super rich with assets over $100 million, Billionaires and Multi-Billionaires)

We will use those levels as the basis of the discussion for our series.

A small World Indeed

Online social networking is a fairly recent phenomenon, and many options abound from LinkedIn to Facebook. However, the affluent and High Net Worth community has been enjoying the same kind of experience via "SmallWorld", a private, invitation only club of 250,000 members worldwide. Founded in 2004, the network is mainly about lifestyle, society, celebrity and features members such as Naomi Campbell, Ivanka Trump, Tiger Woods and Paris Hilton.

Although SmallWorld share similar features with Facebook (profiles, an event calendar, private messaging), the similarities stop there.

Small Word members can list multiple cities as their location of residence (which is very jet-set like). They can purchase or sell luxury items on the site, and the kicker is that only certain members can invite other people to join. Once invited, an individual has to be approved by five other members to be admitted, as a way to verify wealth levels.

As is always the case when it comes to the very rich and affluent, we can safely assume that things have to take on another dimension. Can you imagine the status updates??? I.e "So and so is on his way to the Oscars" or better yet "I am about to fly commercial, pray for me!!!!"

The rules are very strict however, and networking with too many celebrities or aggressively selling products to members is cause for cancellation of one's account. Administrators closely monitor the site to enforce the rules forbidding one to “annoy, harass or unreasonably disturb members, or try to connect to members with whom you have no previous contact".

Maybe some of those rules should apply to Facebook. Just Maybe...

What Recession???

For the affluent Kamikaze, here it comes: word is Tom Ford unveiled a new pair of jeans priced at $990. That would get you a special type of Japanese denim, silk lined pockets and 18 karats gold plated front buttons. The interesting thing is that they come in generic boot cut or straight leg style, nothing special. At least with the current price of Gold, you can always melt the buttons when times get hard.

I mention it because some people I know are already raving about how cool it is, and how they could impress their friends with it. I am all for exclusivity and opulence or what have you. I am sure many fashionistas will go for this and enjoy the feeling of superiority confered by wearing such a pricey item. However, in this day and age I really think restraint is the name of the game. I have mixed feelings about this. What do you think: Yes? No? Maybe?

Derek Blanks

Photographer Derek Blanks hosted his website launch party last Friday at 595 North in Atlanta. That man is a G.E.N.I.U.S. He's worked with the best in black entertainment and many more are lining up to grace his portfolio. Derek is bound for great success and we wish him well. A few personalities were in the place, including Nene Leaks, Antonia Carter (Lil Wayne's ex wife), VIP Designer Darcy Harris and a few others.

Congratulations to Derek and you can preview his work at http://www.dblanks.com/.

Purchasing Real Estate Part II

Besides figuring out what to purchase and when, the most important factor is how to pay for it. As each of those properties is usually mortgaged, the financial commitment should be commensurate with the time spent there. I speak from experience as I worked with a person who spent close to 2 million dollars on a residence, never spent one night in it, and 12 months later decided to spend 3 millions dollars on a pied-a-terre in a different city. It took us a few days to realize that they also intended to keep the first residence. As this anecdote reveals, the numbers themselves need to make sense. It may be acceptable to have a million-dollar primary residence and secondary residence, but the same would not apply to a vacation home or a gift to a relative. Even with a 20% down payment, a multi-million dollar property costs about $4 to $5,000 a month per million. When the mortgage payments start compounding, the clients may not realize that their liabilities can easily range in the tens of thousands monthly. The key is that payments need to be sustainable past the peak of one’s career. $40,000 a month may be manageable now, but not so much 6-7 years down the road once the income stream has considerably dwindled.

Caution should be used when getting in the realm of a multi-property portfolio as serious long-term planning should be undertaken and properties incrementally added as the financial situation of the individual is solidified. In other words, the real estate holdings should not represent an excessive percentage of an individual’s Assets. Best practices include substantial down payments (20-25%) and aggressive paydowns or payoffs whenever possible. Such actions actually reduce the mortgage payments, and create savings in the form of accumulated equity. That equity can be tapped in the form of an equity line of credit even if one is not needed. Experience proved that it is better to obtain credit when things are going well. Banks hesitate to give loans to people already in distress.

The truth of the matter is, Real Estate is still the most tangible investment one can make, but it is also the most emotional one. Each purchase should be approached in a level-headed manner and with the help of a professional.

Purchasing Real Estate Part I

In this age of MTV cribs and other celebrity oriented shows, the general public is more aware than ever of the lavish residential accommodations where their favorite entertainers reside. While purchasing a showcase primary residence is usually publicized, many additional purchases and their purposes elude the average person. As with everything else, there are pitfalls to avoid and best practices to observe. While the amount of money at stake amplifies the cost of the mistakes, it also magnifies the value of the rewards.

Just to be fair, we need to acknowledge that at this level of wealth, a real estate purchase is a less stressful endeavor. Besides the obvious need for a primary residence, an entertainer makes those purchases for a variety of reasons: secondary residences, vacation homes, investment properties or even a gift for a relative.
The nomadic nature of an entertainer’s life leads the majority of them to own various properties, whether on both coasts or in various cities where they split their times (i.e NYC and their hometown in Alabama for example). From my experience, such polarizing cities include New York, Los Angeles, Miami or Atlanta, based on the prevalence of enough power players of a specific industry (Film, music) to warrant their presence in that city. The purchase of a vacation homes is made in order to provide a pied-a-terre in locations where the celebrity makes recurring trips to relax or escape (i.e South Beach, Cabos, Aspen, etc…). When it comes to investments, those purchases arise from a good opportunity that presents itself or from an active pursuit of such opportunities, in which case the entertainer does it out of passion. They either want to flip those properties, or add them to their portfolio for appreciation purposes or even combine them with their existing property to increase the value of the compound-like property it will form. Finally, celebrities purchase properties for their parents, siblings and sometimes un-related parties (yes, the other woman too). This is usually done to upgrade the living conditions of the people mentioned and let them share in the wealth.

Depending on the location, different types of properties are available on the market to meet the aforementioned purposes. It is therefore important to match the right type of accommodation to each specific situation. In general, mini-mansions, sprawling condos or penthouse units are considered for secondary homes. This is necessary because the whole family or entourage makes trips to the second home which features the same type of amenities as the primary residence. The vacation home is usually adapted to the location and therefore varies in size: a condo in south beach, a villa in Cabos or a cottage in Aspen. However these are general guidelines and not everybody should adhere to those. A recent trend is to go the condo-hotel route with luxury providers such as Four Seasons or W Hotels for example. The investment properties are usually big ticket items where the fact that the previous owner was a celebrity may increase the re-sale value. Someone out there is wiling to pay a premium for the privilege of living in Usher’s former house, trust me. They are usually single family units in a neighborhood where the entertainer themselves live in or would want to live in. Family members usually get whatever is appropriate for them, from a townhome to a house or a condo, although rarely of the same caliber or neighborhood as the celebrity.

To be continued...

Ultra Tidbits

*Edgerin James, a running back for the AZ Cardinals decided to reward himself while in Tampa for Superbowl XLIII: he purchased a brand new Lamborghini (Galardo, I think), and paid CASH. I'm sure his accountant wasn't happy. Asked if he rented it, he allegedly said " I only rent tents and bouncehouses". Way to go buddy!

*Kelly Rowland from Destiny's child just dropped the selling price of her Miami Beach condo at the Bath Club by $500K. It's a clear sign of the distressed real estate market down there and that she is serious about unloading it, not necessarily an indication that she's going broke as several sources mentioned. She's Europe bound, so that makes sense.

*A new W hotel opened recently in Buckhead here in Atlanta, and although we missed the opening party, we had the opportunity to spend a couple of nights there. Great location for shopping or business, and even though the decor looks puzzling at first, its eclectic mix works in the end. It exudes a sense of bohemian/Georgian chic that is a departure from the contemporary flair of the Midtown location. The service is as always top-notch, and the Whatever/Whenever service truly delivered. The rooftop lounge is typical a la Randy Gerber. Check this property out.

*According to Forbes, the top 400 richest Americans collectively paid a measly 17% in income taxes in 2006 ($18 billions out of $105 billions). It turns out, most of their income (63% or $66 billions) comes in the form of capital gains which is taxed at a 15% versus 35% for the top rate on ordinary incomes. Compare that to the affluents in the top 5% (Gross Income of $153,500 or more) who pay an average of 21% in taxes. They make more money and pay less taxes: so much for the tax cuts for the wealthy!!!! As you can see, there is an incentive to accumulate appreciating assets that you can depend upon over the long-term. Not only does it provide you with a stream of income later on, it in effect lowers your tax rate. Have you filed your taxes yet???

A new management approach for the Affluent

Family offices are teams of professionals, including tax specialists, administrative staff and lawyers, who service the wealth management and lifestyle needs of a specific wealthy family. The typical wealth requirement to launch one is $100 million and up.
For that reasons, Multi-Family offices were created to service the needs of several affluent individuals under the same roof. At that level, the minimum requirement stands at $20 million and up, per family.

Just recently, yet another model was developed. They are structured as Financial Intermediary Offices (FIOs) providing similar services to Affluent family below the $20 million range, and starting as low as $2 to $3million in assets. They coordinate everything from estate planning to helping transport yachts and horses around the country. Typical services consist in having someone acting as a trusted adviser that pays bills, hires domestic help, works on pre-nuptials or divorces, manages assets, moves assets, works out mortgages, shops for insurance to make sure you're getting the best deal. They operate using an open-architecture model, allowing them to work with your existing advisers or to readily refer professionals from their network. These Intermediary Offices have managed to provide High Net-Worth families with comprehensive financial management and lifestyle services while offering the confidentiality available from larger multi-family offices. While all the benefits of FIOs are not yet evident, families who participate find they have most of the advantages of dedicated offices.

These FIOs are using partnerships with concierge services companies and the use of technology to streamline operations and thus offer competitive pricing without sacrificing quality. For example, our firm here in Atlanta uses a technology platform with a dedicated client page where their financial information is updated overnight, and featuring an online safety vault (i.e. an online safe-deposit box), as well as various add-ons such as calendar alerts for important meetings, up-to-date net-worth statements, and collaborative tools allowing other accountants, attorneys and investment advisors to upload relevant information available to the clients. The page is also conveniently PDA accessible from Palm, Blackberrys and the likes, keeping the information at the clients’ fingertips wherever they may be.


So far, here is what we have observed:

· Participating families have access to a wide network of professionals under the coordination of a centralized intermediary.
· They benefit from a menu of services that are not collectively offered anywhere else.
· Families participate in the cost savings and the benefits of group purchasing power.
· These families find they maintain more direct family control over financial matters thanks to the overall centralization.
· They have the assurance of confidentiality in the management of financial and personal affairs.
· They have the satisfaction of affiliating with an organization whose size is better aligned with the attention required by their family.


Value Added by Financial Intermediary Office Concept

· Financial quarterback supported by specialists in each field
· Teams of qualified professionals who can collaborate
· Continuity of service if quarterback leaves
· Elimination of the need for a personal assistant in certain cases
· Better risk management policies and procedures
· More comprehensive information systems
· Relationship pricing for inter-disciplinary services
· Reduction of overlaps and redundancy in advisory practices

FIOs are mostly fee-based in order to maintain their impartiality and refrain from selling you products. The reality is that a person with $5 million in assets may very well have a busier lifestyle than one with $20 million. FIOs thus operate with client activity volume in mind, which is ultimately a fairer assessment. Under a percentage model, the $20 million client is charged a higher fee just for being wealthier. I strongly encourage you to take a look at this model, especially in an era where the Bernie Maddoffs of the world abound. Having an added layer of oversight will definitely help you sleep better at night.

Missed opportunity

While surfing the Forbes Magazine webpage, I came across a feature covering some of the richest people Americans never heard of. This gentleman here is from Nigeria and his bio is as follows, I quote:

"Aliko Dangote
Net worth: $3.3 billion
Residence: Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria's first billionaire hit the jackpot when his sugar-production company listed on the Nigerian stock exchange last year. Meanwhile, proposed initial public offerings of his flour and cement companies have stalled. Began career as a trader at 21 with a loan from his uncle; built his Dangote Group into conglomerate with interests in sugar, flour milling, salt processing, cement manufacturing, textiles, real estate, haulage and oil and gas. Closely linked to Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo".

Forbes

Strangely enough, this man is NOT the richest one in Africa. Thanks to globalization, affluent households of are sprouting all over Africa, and several hundred thousands of them have net-worths exceeding a million dollars. Many of them visit the US frequently as they may have children enrolled in universities here, own real estate, etc.... US-based luxury marketers generally ignore this population and they are an under-served segment.

European companies have been feasting on this well-kept secret for years, so it is time for US companies to join the fray.

Just something to think about...

Traveling Pretty Part II

Once at their destination, the entertainers may or may not need to hit the town. When traveling for business, a car service or a limousine company is usually called in to chauffeur the celebrity around. This is usually done in a “charter” mode, meaning that the car and drivers are at the celebrity’s service for hours on end (8 or more). Again, the cost of this service increases when there is an entourage in tow, which creates a need for additional charters. At a cost of $80 per hour and per vehicles, a typical invoice can reach $2000 or $3000 by the end of the trip. The problem is that the clients are usually invoiced later, which leads them to over-indulge. I remember this client who asked us to hold off payment to a reputable limousine company as they were still extending him credit despite his outstanding balance. We had to pull the plug once the bill reached $20,000 within a span of 2 months and force the client to address the issue and authorize payment.
However, if traveling for personal purposes or even while on vacation, an entertainer may decide to rent out a luxury vehicle for the length of the stay. I am talking Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maseratti from specialized shops in LA, Miami or NYC or whatever hot spot they are visiting. This can be an exhilarating and exciting option, for about the same cost as the charter (about $1000 and more per day). Unfortunately, the worse offenders rarely stop at one car as the entourage often get their own as well, resulting in a higher bill than expected. In a world of excess and opulence, I have become accustomed to rental bills higher than the price of a small car.

When it comes to accommodation, entertainers know only one word: luxury. Having experienced those types of hotels thanks to my association with my clients, I can understand the addictive nature of a luxury hotel. It is a world where well known luxury brands such as Four Seasons®, St Regis® and Ritz-Carlton® are as familiar to its members as Mandarin Oriental®, Mondrian®, Parker Meridien® and W®. For all their hard work, entertainers deserve such pampering and the perks associated with those hotels. It offers them well needed privacy and the opportunity to rub shoulders with their peers. As with everything, some clients tend to overdo it. Keep in mind that the starting rate for such hotels is over $300 a night for a standard room. It would be too easy if most clients wanted a room, but they all want a suite. We are talking at least $700 a night or more in some hotels and even several thousands in others. So after a few days in such hotels, factoring in incidentals and the additional rooms for the entourage, we are talking $10,000 or more per stay. If things were not bad enough, some hotels are now catering to the ultra-wealthy. Such a hotel in a major city in the Southeast offers suites starting at $2500. This is where I draw the line for entry-level and mid-level entertainers: proceed at your own risks. A 7 day stay at this hotel came up to over $20,000 for an entertainer and his girlfriend. That included a $2500 room service bill. And it was in a regular suite. A 5 minutes drive from his primary residence. He checked himself out immediately after being notified of his tab.

It is an established fact that traveling in style is a costly endeavor. I would thus discourage anyone from traveling for no other reason than to get away and with a big entourage, or at least limit such behavior. My cost saving suggestions would be as follows:
Plan ahead for those business related trips as they are usually scheduled far in advance for the most part.
Have someone keep an eye on the entourage’s incidentals to reduce waste (I have seen an entourage incur $400 each in incidentals for a one night stay)
Be aware of one’s league in the wealth spectrum as ultra-luxurious items should only be reserved for the ultra-rich
In closing, I do not suggest avoiding all those perks because they are the fruits of an artist’s labor, but it is easy getting caught up. It’s easier said than done, but balance is key! Then again, this is why they hire a business manager after all.

Traveling Pretty Part I

Traveling is an important aspect of a working entertainer’s life as their presence is solicited for performances and appearances all over the United States and abroad. This constant jet-setting raises logistical and financial challenges, which are further compounded by the size of the entertainer’s traveling party while on the road. In actuality, as their level of sophistication increases, so does the nature of their requests and the cost associated with them. After all, living in the lap of luxury at home obviously translates to the same needs while away from home: from how to get there, what to be driven in once they get there and where to stay while there. The challenge lies in returning home with their wallets intact.

An active entertainer has several transportation options ranging from a charter bus to commercial air travel and even the holly grail of travel, private aircraft. The chartered bus option is well suited for touring musicians as it allows flexibility in scheduling, especially for those overnight drives to the next city. A top of the line bus provides a rolling palace for the artist and his/her entourage from one city to the next. Dollar for dollar, the bus option is the most affordable for a traveling group. The cost of fuel, the driver and the bus rental can come up to at least $2000 per trip.
Flying commercial (First class, of course) works well for specific trips domestically and internationally. The entourage can follow in coach if needs be. This is the most common option, but it lacks privacy and offers very little in terms of flexibility: one is constrained by the airlines’ schedules. This option tends to be costly when there is a lack of planning as a same day purchase usually doubles the price of a ticket. For example, a regular first class seat from NYC to LA may cost $700 in advance and jump up to $1800 for a same day purchase. In an industry where last minute decisions are common, I am sad to admit that the same day option is typical. If there is a situation where a business trip requires the same day purchase, one can dismiss the extra money spent as a cost of business. However, when it comes to the entourage or the groupies, such largesse can become deadly over time.
Speaking of deadly, the private jet option fits the bill as only deep pocketed entertainers or athletes should consider this option. We all know of sports teams chartering or owning big jets as they tend to travel extensively and with a big group. Unfortunately, a few individuals use that option for personal purposes. In that case, a single trip from Miami to NYC in a 10-seat Gulfstream IV can come up to over $20,000 each way, as one has to pay the hourly fees for the leg of the trip when the plane is empty (either while flying to meet the client, or returning to its original destination after the trip). Less expensive options are available with smaller jets, but from my experience the Gulfstream is the aircraft of choice.

to be continued...

CHANGING THE LUXURY GAME

The incredible amount of wealth that evaporated in this economy is even affecting the higher echelons of wealth. Granted most ultra affluent Blacks still have plenty of money left despite losses in the market, and can easily ride the wave for the next couple of years. However, the game is changing when it comes to luxury spending.

We have to recognize that we are coming down from an unprecedented explosion in wealth levels, a new Gilded Age. Luxury brands had to reach down to capture those millions of aspirational African American dollars by offering entry-level items (such as wallets, key-chains and sunglasses) and ratchet up the exclusivity factor via one-of- a kind pieces in the tens of thousands (try a $200,000 Gucci trunk). Now that the entry-level segment is in essence priced-out, those that are left standing really are the truly affluent. Professional and affluent African American women represented a good share of the buyers of luxury/designer purses and shoes. The same went for luxury automobiles. The good news is that this recession is across the board and no single ethnic group is left out.

Regardless of one’s situation, the days of “affluenza” or conspicuous consumption are over. For the ones on shaky grounds, their money has to be allocated to more important expenses such as mortgage payments, car notes and credit card payments. They are now forced to watch their discretionary spending due to the economic uncertainty. As a community, some of us even have to provide for struggling relatives now. For those who are comfortably wealthy, the reduction in spending comes from a certain guilt associated with their status; a mild case of “survivor guilt”, if you will. They resort to discreet spending so as not to appear inappropriate in such hard times for relatives or others around them: “… there is no need to throw it in the face of someone shopping at Wal-Mart by showing off the new Louis Vuitton bag."

A suggestion for the affluent is to focus on luxury staples, items that transcend trends and can last over time. A classic Chanel suit can last a woman for years and so does a classic custom-suit by Zegna for a man. Ditto a classic Burberry trench coat or a Rolex watch. Such pieces can be accessorized with less expensive accessories over time, but their apparent quality and timeless appeal will usually overshadow the rest. This idea can be expanded to automobiles, jewelry and luxury services: practicality and quality trumps quantity.

On another note, all is not lost for the aspirational buyer. Luxury brands are beginning to feel the pinch and are “quietly” featuring-in store sales discount approaching 70-80%.That rarely happened on such a wide-spread scale before. The reality for that industry is that many brands may not be around in the next 5 years (20-30%) and competition is fierce. I would encourage all of you then to shop “wisely” this time around and stack up on those staples mentioned above. They can be blended in with clever finds from Marshalls or TJ-Maxx.

As you can see, the days of extravagant spending are now gone, but retailers and buyers have to adapt accordingly. Adopting the right outlook and a disciplined approach will guarantee that you can still maintain a healthy shopping regimen without breaking the bank or alienating your spouse.

source

The Danger of Cash Requests Part II

However, cash requests are also made for a variety of benign reasons. The funniest ones I can remember had to do with the celebrities themselves or other people in their entourage. It ranges from this performer needing tens of thousands of dollars handy at all times, kept in a backpack by one of his boys, just so he knew he had it around. There is also this generous young man who had a habit of giving $5,000 in cash to some of his conquests, as a parting gift. All these quirks arise out of the knowledge that they can be accommodated. Some people collect expensive wines, others splurge on expensive suits, activities that do not necessarily create value but please whoever partakes in them. The hip-hop celebrities just do it with cash. It should be said that the same rules do not apply to the rich. Having this much money leaves room for fun. Unfortunately, these amounts add up and can wreak havoc on the finances of these celebrities intent on living the good life. We are talking hundred of thousands a year in cash, sometimes millions when it comes to the worst offenders. The problem lies in knowing one’s limitations, especially on such a slippery slope. This is where an advisor should ring the alarm when needed. All this money spent seems like a waste, and it is to a certain extent. What most outsiders do not know is that more often than not, the money for the cash request has to be disbursed from the celebrity’s business entity. In that case, taxes have to be deducted from or are due on the disbursement. At a 45% tax rate (for simplification), it means that the net to the client would represent 55% of the withdrawal. In other words, for $10,000 in cash given to the client, $18,180 has to be disbursed and $8,180k is paid or due to the IRS. It is worth repeating: for every dollar spent, $1.81 has to be taken out and 81 cents have to be paid to the government. This is my main reason for denouncing such practices. However, I can only assume that these practices are here to stay. Although they may provide an outlet for the perpetrators to let out some steam, I believe that cash requests are to be used with moderation. That way, more money can be appropriately invested or socked away to prepare for rainy days (no pun intended). The less cash a client sees, the less he/she is bound to spend. Some people can truly afford these eccentricities, but unfortunately many copycats try and follow at their own risk. These are the ones that get indicted for tax evasion down the road. I hope you celebrity hopefuls take note.