The Hamptons: The United States’ Most Exclusive Beachside Enclave

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Nestled on the eastern tip of Long Island’s South Fork, the Hamptons is a collection of seaside communities that have become synonymous with luxury, affluence, and exclusivity. This string of charming towns and villages has long been the summer playground for the elite residents of New York City, offering long stretches of pristine beaches, picturesque farmland, and a backdrop of 18th-century shingle buildings and opulent estates concealed behind towering boxwood hedges. In this article, we will delve into what makes the Hamptons the most expensive beachside town in the United States, exploring its history, allure, and attractions.

A Historical Perspective

To understand the allure of the Hamptons, one must appreciate its rich history. Originally settled in the 17th century, the area was a quiet agricultural community before transforming into a prestigious summer retreat for the upper echelons of New York City in the late 19th century. The presence of grand estates and elegant summer homes began to define the region’s character. Over time, the Hamptons evolved into an enclave for the wealthy and influential, solidifying its reputation as a coveted destination.

The Hamptons’ Unique Charm

The Hamptons boasts a unique charm that draws visitors from around the world. Its picturesque landscapes, characterised by pristine beaches, rolling farmlands, and quaint villages, create a captivating contrast. This mix of natural beauty and historic architecture contributes to the area’s timeless appeal.

The Beaches

Stretching along the South Fork coastline, the Hamptons offer some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. Whether you prefer the family-friendly atmosphere of Main Beach in East Hampton or the serene seclusion of Wainscott Beach, there is a shoreline to suit every taste. The allure of the Hamptons’ beaches lies not only in their beauty but also in the exclusivity they offer.

Real Estate Extravaganza

One of the key factors that make the Hamptons the most expensive beachside town in the United States is its real estate market. The area is home to some of the most opulent properties in the country, with sprawling estates, historic mansions, and modern architectural marvels dotting the landscape. These homes often come with price tags in the tens of millions, and they attract the world’s wealthiest individuals seeking a piece of Hamptons paradise.

Cultural Attractions

Beyond its natural beauty and luxurious real estate, the Hamptons also boasts a vibrant cultural scene. The area is home to numerous art galleries, museums, and cultural events that cater to diverse tastes. The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill and the Guild Hall in East Hampton are just a couple of the cultural gems that enrich the Hamptons’ social and artistic fabric.

Dining and Shopping

East Hampton, in particular, stands out as a culinary and shopping haven. High-end restaurants offer exquisite dining experiences, while designer boutiques and upscale shops line the streets. The blend of fine dining and luxury shopping only adds to the Hamptons’ appeal as a destination for the affluent.

The Allure of East Hampton

East Hampton, in particular, stands as the crown jewel of the Hamptons. Its charming village atmosphere, picturesque beaches, and upscale amenities have earned it a reputation as the epicentre of luxury living. The village is home to iconic establishments such as the Maidstone Inn and the American Hotel, both of which epitomise the Hamptons’ refined hospitality.

Environmental Conservation

Amidst the opulence, the Hamptons have also been proactive in environmental conservation. Preserving the region’s natural beauty is paramount, and various initiatives aim to protect the pristine beaches, wetlands, and farmlands that make the Hamptons so alluring.

The Hamptons as a Global Destination

While the Hamptons is often associated with New York’s elite, its reputation extends far beyond American shores. International visitors flock to this coastal haven, attracted by its unique blend of sophistication and natural beauty. Its global appeal makes it a sought-after destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Hamptons, located on Long Island’s South Fork, holds the title of the United States’ most expensive beachside town for good reason. Its rich history, picturesque landscapes, opulent real estate, cultural attractions, and vibrant culinary scene all contribute to its unmatched allure. Whether you seek a summer retreat or simply wish to indulge in luxury and beauty, the Hamptons stands as a testament to the American dream of exclusivity and refinement by the sea.

Glass Box Modernises the Private Stock Offering Process

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An initial public offering (IPO) refers to the process of offering shares of a private corporation to the public in a new stock issuance. Companies must meet requirements by exchanges and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to hold an IPO.

MCAPMediaWire – TODAY, the GLASS BOX companies have unveiled the first of its kind digital stock offering platform.

The Glass Box platform offers both private and public companies the ability to:

  1. develop fully compliant securities offerings in a digital format,
  2. qualify investors to participate in those offerings,
  3. accept and track subscriptions in those offerings,
  4. apply to have securities included in those offerings electronically registered (so they can appear on investor brokerage statements), and
  5. seamlessly broadcast those offerings to each company’s existing network of investors, the Glass Box network of investors, and accredited investors across the internet via integrated press and social media campaigns.

With the Glass Box Offering Portal System, it is now possible for companies to complete in just a few days what has historically taken a matter of months.

“We are thrilled to be bringing to market a platform that can help emerging companies take full advantage of modern securities laws, and more efficiently raise capital,” said President and Founder of Glass Box Law, Steve Gribben.

“Only since the passage of the Jumpstart Our Businesses Act in 2015, has it been possible for private securities offerings targeted toward accredited investors to be broadly advertised.  And prior to the development of Glass Box platform, there really wasn’t a true turn-key solution that could help issuers fully capitalise on this rule change.”

Glass Box expects to give today’s most innovative companies direct access to capital from individual accredited investors, family offices, venture funds, and other institutions that may have otherwise been beyond their reach.

About Glass Box: Located in Irvine, California, the Glass Box companies bring together a unique suite of services to help both public and private companies raise capital and maintain investor communications.

Glass Box Law (glassboxlaw.com) – As a licensed law firm, Glass Box Law assists issuers in the development of legally compliant digital stock offerings.

Glass Box Agency (glassboxagency.com) – As a digital advertising agency focused on investor relations, Glass Box Agency helps both private and public companies to expand brand exposure and communicate with investors in the public market.

Glass Box MKT (glassboxmkt.com) – As a digital marketplace for emerging companies seeking to raise capital, Glass Box MKT makes it possible to access qualified investors across the internet at large.

To learn more about how the Glass Box companies can be of services, please view our offering or contact Glass Box at info@glassboxlaw.com.

Press Contact:

Glass Box Agency
18201 Von Karman Ave.
Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 878-3740
info@glassboxagency.com

The 5 Rules of Money Management for Small Businesses

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Small businesses are corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships which have fewer employees and/or less annual revenue than a regular-sized business or corporation.

Individuals must know how to manage their money to become rich so you also need to know how to manage your business money to be successful.

Just like an individual, your business also needs to pay for the cost to survive. How to spend money effectively without getting caught in debt or going into debt?

Individuals must know how to manage their money to become rich so you also need to know how to manage your business money to be successful. With businesses, you will have to work with employees, suppliers, tax authorities. How to work with them, you always take advantage of the money you spend.

Here are 5 rules to help you manage money for your small business:

1. Minimise The Cost Of Life

If you are managing your own small business for the first time, the above principle is extremely important in the first few years. Calculate how much money you need to cover your monthly living and withdraw the right amount of income from your business. With the remaining profit, invest back into the company. Let that money serve growth.

It will be exciting to make money from a business, but many new business owners use it on expensive vacations or homes. Resist those impulses. Wait until the business has gone through a few years, then you can start taking those profits to enjoy yourself.

2. Do Not Hire Employee Early

In a fledgling business, the biggest expense, by far, is employee salaries. As the business gets busier and you seem to be overloaded, it’s time to hire a new employee right away. However, make sure it is essential.

Never hire staff until you need them. Always ask your current staff to work hard to make sure they work to the best of their ability.

3. Strategic Use “Jit”

JIT is an abbreviation of “Just In Time”. This is a strategy to reduce the cost of loans and inventory in all business forms.

For example, if you estimate you need to cover your expenses for next year, there’s no need to borrow the entire amount at once. Because if you do that, you’ll have to pay interest on the entire amount when you don’t use it up until the end of the year.

Instead, you will borrow that estimated amount in the first 2 months of the following year. Then borrowed it again for the next 3 months. Following this rule, you will reduce the total amount of interest payable to the bank. So that money will increase and you save a large amount of money after a long time.

4. Agreement With Supplier

When dealing with external contractors or suppliers, such as delivery services, food delivery, electricity, security services, do not hesitate to negotiate contract terms. Choosing a provider that allows you to pay after 30 days of receipt of service bills instead of paying immediately.

That grace period allows you to better manage your money and organise your bills in order of priority. Many peers always allow this but need to be willing to ask when they want to pay immediately.

Year: Do Not Pay Money To Wage Payments

State tax law requires business owners to deduct an amount in addition to employee salaries such as Social Insurance, Health Insurance, Union Funds and Unemployment Insurance for each payment period. Businesses will have a certain extension period before they have to submit this fund report. As a business owner, it’s important to keep those funds separate from other funds. Don’t use this money to invest or cover daily expenses.

Instead, put the money in a separate account that you cannot touch. This will help you avoid spending money that you don’t have to. It’s a good habit to keep your business free from violations at the end of every month. State fines will not tolerate such cases. Nowadays there are a number of maintenance planning training and maintenance planning courses were available online from that you can get more ideas for maintaining your business easily.

Trade War with China is impacting Natural Stone Prices

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Natural stones are formed in nature with no human’s interference. If a stone is identified as natural, this means that it has not been treated, enhanced, or altered. These gemstones are mined, cut, faceted and finally polished.

The Trump administration has announced this year that the United States will impose a tariff on a massive amount of imported goods from China.

Many of these goods fall into the home improvement category in the American market. Things like stone tile, natural stone slabs, hard surfaces and there is no telling on how high the retail price will go for American consumers as the tariffs continue to stay in place.

This all comes at a time when China has very lax laws on who and how natural stone can be mined, China has a large amount of undeveloped land with natural stone able to be harvested and they are able to meet the growing demand of natural stone seen in American consumers.

One of the largest questions is how much the price of natural stone countertops will rise within the next year. One particular stone concern is granite, and how much it will cost to purchase and install depending on what project you’re working on.

For most questions the answer is to purchase now because the cost of granite is only expected to rise. Using this useful reference, currently, prices for granite countertops start at around $35 per square foot installed, and can go well beyond $100 per square foot for exotic and rare materials.

With trade negotiations continuing as they are now it has been projected that the price per square foot of granite is expected to increase to over $200 per square foot by early 2020.

When purchasing your stone, it is also important to research the seller. Big box retailers that provide countertops won’t be as detail oriented as their local counterparts mainly due to the lack of knowledge of the staff that will be assisting you.

This is because a big box store has a higher turnover of staff and less of a risk to damage their reputation. Also a large retailer will typically have a more limited selection of stone and a more rigid outline of their services, typically a price is set and adhered to in a large retailer.

A local fabricator, more often than not, will negotiate pricing, accommodate specific requests, and handle customers with a higher degree of quality solely based on the fact that they are trying to compete with not only other local business but the large retailers as well.

It would be advantageous to look into your local options and weigh them against large retail stores, depending on what you’re looking to have done one might be more beneficial than the other!

Knowing what you’re paying for will also be beneficial as the price of the stone increases with the tariffs. There are a lot of factors that make up the final price of your countertop including, the cut-outs, edging, backsplash, finish, and colour of the stone.

By limiting the extra details you’re able to keep the overall price lower. The type of sink you install has an effect of the type of cut-out which then has a price on the slab. Edging the counter will have an effect on the final bill as well because the more decorative the final edge look the higher the cost per foot will be! Some styles can rise as high as $10/foot.

Choosing to have a matching stone backsplash obviously will heighten the price of your stone bill, but there are other ways to design a backsplash if this puts your costs too high. Tile is a great alternative or a shorter four or five-inch backsplash can help protect your walls against stains.

The colour of the actual stone can also play a factor in pricing as blue granite is often more expensive than other colours and marble with a more intricate or unique pattern can fetch a higher price.

These are all things that, regardless of the trade war with China, will affect your final budget and should be considered!

These tariffs are not expected to go away anytime soon so if you’re planning a renovation or are in the middle of one currently and have yet to purchase your counters, do it! Having a plan of attack and being in the right place to order them will save you money before the end of the year as natural stone prices continue to rise.

Removing your old counters as a DIY project might be a good idea as well in order to save even more in a pinch. There are many ways to try to circumvent these price increases and DIY-ing as much as possible is one of them, don’t hesitate to consult a professional but remember that most home jobs can be done with a little research!

Lower Taxes Without Renouncing Your Citizenship

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Citizenship is a relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection. Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognise persons as its citizens, and the conditions under which that status will be withdrawn.

Being born in the United States comes with many privileges. But it also comes with many responsibilities. According to Fortunly’s insightful infographic, the United States is one of two countries in the world that implement citizenship-based taxation.

The only other one is the northeast African nation of Eritrea.

Interestingly enough, America’s citizenship-based tax system doesn’t only affect its natural-born citizens. Foreigners may also be held liable for income tax if they meet the country’s residency requirements.

Spending too much vacation time is a common reason why non-Americans might need to hand over some cash to Uncle Sam. But, there are legal ways to beat America’s citizenship-based income taxation system.

The most obvious way is to renounce your United States citizenship. But this is a major decision that could lead to dramatic consequences.

An alternative to such a drastic measure is filing for tax exemptions. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is a viable option for American professionals who intend to make a living outside of any United States territory.

With the FEIE, a portion of a citizen’s total active income can be excluded up to a certain limit, which changes every year. To increase the excludable amount, a foreign housing credit can be added into the equation.

When it comes to income from passive activities like stock trading, the United States considers them taxable as usual. However, there are ways to classify passive incomes as active in order to render them partly excludable.

In addition, using an offshore company to run a business may provide an income-tax reduction. This move can legally separate an American-citizen owner and a business entity for tax purposes.

Pursuing every allowable avenue to minimise citizenship-based income tax liabilities is more practical than unpatriotic.