In olden days, about 10 years ago, before internet, consumers would have to fill in applications for credit cards, loans, mortgages and so on by hand. It’s hard to believe now, but this lengthy process was norm, with requests for extra documentation and references going backwards and forwards, until finally application was accepted or rejected. These days with advent of Internet an application can validated, accepted and a credit card or loan offered with minutes.

The availability of credit card comparison engines has revolutionised way people look for credit cards. It means that when comparing credit cards a consumer can make very quick and meaningful comparisons very quickly. Consequently, they can compare credit cards pertinent to their needs and identify best card for them. It means that for things like balance transfers, best available product can be found with relative ease.

Credit cards can be compared accurately using typical APR or Annual Percentage Rate. Credit card companies are required to produce a typical APR figure under new regulations. It is an attempt to standardise way a card can be promoted and to reduce scope for misleading headline rates of interest. Credit card companies are required to include things like interest charges, penalties, annual fees and so on, in their calculation. It is first thing to look for when comparing cards as it is rate that balances will revert to when offers like 0% interest credit cards and 0% balance transfers expire.

Are you looking for investment money? I HAVE money to invest. I run a Venture Capital Club [http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/globalvillageinvestmentclubwelcome/] whose members want to invest in your company, if you’ll play by rules. I'll come back to our investment in your company in a few moments.

If you're planning to go public, do it from offshore. I'll repeat that. If you're planning to go public, do it from offshore.

Why do it from offshore?

#1, It's cheaper.

#2, You increase your chances of actually have your company’s shares trade from 50/50 to 90/10.

#3, You are now set to do business in Global Village.

#4, You will legally decrease your taxes enormously.

Let me give you some hard facts.

If you go public in US via an IPO, you will spend, out of pocket, between $1,500,000 and $2,225,000. It takes an average of 18 months to get an "Effective Letter" so that you can begin trading. The odds of seeing your company's shares trade are about even, i.e., 50/50. If they don't trade, merchant bankers and brokerage houses will walk away from you. If you DO trade, but poorly, merchant bankers and brokerage houses will walk away from you. If you company trades, your underwriter will want at least 18% of your IPO funds. The traditional going public formula works well for Market Professionals, but not as well for your company and public.

If you go public in US via a reverse merger, it will cost you less to begin with and you will be trading. In end, however, it will cost probably $5,000,000 and you’ll sacrifice future of your company. Why do I say that? Because you'll have to spend a lot of money buying out shares owned by previous insiders. They'll be selling those shares into your best efforts to raise your share price. Then you'll have to spend another fortune supporting those shares and finding other buyers for them. The obligation to find buyers for your public company’s float is never ending. It’s primary reasons public companies go private. Reverse mergers are fastest way to go broke ever invented.

Another hard fact: 98% of all companies which go public on Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board are out of business in five years or less. That's 98%. Those are kinds of lousy odds you get playing slots in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. If you desire to run your business as a gamble, it's a perfect way to go. You may have fun. Your insiders may pocket some of public’s money. But, your company is likely to go broke.

Not a pretty picture is it?

There is only one good reason to go public. You’ll use your publicly traded shares to buy cash producing assets and build a hundred million-dollar company. I'll repeat that. You must use your shares as money to buy cash-producing assets.