Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS1cvomcDfs

05-08-2012 01:54 When it was over, Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer of all time, slipped away, sliding over the lane dividers as onlookers trained their attention on the final leg of the 4x100 medley relay. Phelps' final lap, one in which he regained the lead, buoyed the Americans back in front. He lifted himself onto the pool deck, and eyed Nathan Adrian, the American anchor, closing toward the finish wall. Phelps never looked back, instead hugging and high-fiving his other two teammates as his gilded age came to a close on Saturday. Phelps, 27, finished his competitive racing career with more Olympic gold medals (18) than wunderkind Missy Franklin has years lived (17). PHOTOS: DAY 8 AT THE LONDON GAMES He burnished his brilliant resume, replete with an Olympic-record 22 medals and engraved his legacy with strokes of genius, ensuring the afterglow would shine for years following his official retirement. His final moment in the natatorium was spent with Bob Bowman, his coach the last 15 years. The two men embraced as an oupouring of applause showered them. "I love you," Bowman said. "We did it," Phelps replied. "I know we did," Bowman said. These Olympic Games were eight days of chlorine and tears for Phelps. He failed to medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the outset, recovered to claim two gold medals as an individual and leveled the ledger with rival Ryan Lochte with a convincing win in the 200 IM. By the end, he refused to pick nits with his form, foregoing the regular ...

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Micheal Phelps Talks Retirement 2012 Olympics - Video

(MoneyWatch) The classic image of new retirees making a bee-line to Florida or the Sun Belt to live out their lives is sun-drenched comfort is increasingly a thing of the past.

Among U.S. workers age 55 and older, almost two-thirds -- 62 percent -- think that when they retire they will continue to live in their current state of residence, according to a survey by the Pulte Group, parent of Del Webb, a builder of adult retirement communities. That's up 20 percent from a similar survey taken just two years ago.

One important reason for this shift is the redefinition of retirement, as more and more Americans move away from the traditional definition of "all play and no work" during their retirement years to start second careers or continuing to work in some manner. In fact, 50 percent of the respondents to Del Webb's survey report that they work part-time or are starting new businesses or careers. As a result, the builder is establishing more communities outside the Sun Belt states and close to metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Detroit, and parts of the Northeast.

The survey also shows that 43 percent of respondents plan to retire and stay in the same city where they currently live; only 35 percent plan to retire and move to a different state. Just 32 percent want to live within 20 miles of their children or grandchildren upon retirement, again underlining many retirees' interest in continuing to work.

How to choose the best place to retire Calculate retirement costs with a new online tool Retirement planning outside the box: Move out of the suburbs

"In looking at our previous studies, we found that there's a group who do not want to leave their family, friends, and all the familiar surroundings," says Deborah Meyer, senior vice president of Pulte Group.

When you visualize a new Del Webb community, forget about the image of people golfing and playing tennis in Arizona. Instead, think of retirees taking classes on such diverse topics as computers or yoga, and enjoying healthy living habits, travel, and group activities with friends.

All of this makes sense to me. My wife and I now live in a townhouse community that's located one county north of Los Angeles, although it doesn't specifically target the age 55-plus crowd. The cost of living is less than metropolitan L.A., due to reduced property and sales taxes, lower car and homeowner insurance costs, and the reduced cost of goods and services. We're still close to family, friends, and our professional connections in the cities where we lived and worked for many years, but now we have a lap pool and a gym, along with participating in a neighborhood emergency preparedness group, a book club, and many other social activities. When we travel, we just lock the doors and drive away. (And as I write this, I can hear somebody else mowing the lawn outside my house!)

The one concern I have with this type of community is what happens when we all get a lot older. Our community -- and the Del Webb communities -- target the active adult crowd. But once we get into our 80s and 90s, we may not be able to fully use and appreciate the recreational facilities; in fact, my wife and I have noticed that neighbors tend to move away when they reach these older ages. And will there be enough younger active adults who are willing to buy our homes when we want to move?

This concern isn't holding us back from enjoying ourselves now, but it's something I'll keep my eyes on in the years to come.

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Boomer retirement housing preferences shifting

retirement

To say the least, retirement planning is becoming a tricky -- even sticky -- situation. The economy is teetering on the edge of financial instability, and low returns are making it tough on the savings of would-be retirees. Those who are seeking financial peace might have to try and take another piece of the pie.

To get a better idea of where retirees stand, we asked Sharon A. DeVaney, Ph.D. and professor emeritus at Purdue University, for her insight. DeVaney taught undergraduate classes in the financial planning program, and graduate courses in family economics and consumer behavior at Purdue University. Retired, she is now the editor of the Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal for Wiley.

Is it financially smart to set a retirement date when retirement planning?

It is all right to set a target date, but a person should be flexible. For example, your health or job situation might change, and you should adjust accordingly. Also, you should investigate what working longer and delaying retirement will mean in terms of your Social Security benefits. I recommend working until your normal retirement age (67 or later) or until age 70. The latter will allow you to collect the maximum Social Security benefit that will be available to you.

What is the ideal amount needed to retire presently?

It depends on how long you expect to live, what lifestyle you have in mind and your resources. What do you think the amount needed will be in 25 years? The same answer applies for retirement 25 years from now.

Do you have any tips for the retiree who wants to travel during retirement and still remain financially stable?

Establish a budget, carefully research the places you want to visit, learn about health care in other countries, and make a plan for how you will manage your health care. Learn about home exchanges, etc. Perhaps there are part-time jobs that you could do in other countries.

When pre-retirement expense planning, what are a few ways to lessen your monthly costs and save more money for your retirement?

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Retirement planning for financial peace

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

New disclosure requirements by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) have pulled back the curtain on fees paid to service providers by retirement plans.

The level of detail in these disclosures is giving many retirement plans a Wizard of Oz moment similar to Dorothys dog pulling back the Wizards curtain to reveal some surprising truths, said Dan Esch Managing Director of DCAdvisors, a Minneapolis-based retirement plan consulting firm.

What plan sponsors and their retirement committees do with these new insights will be carefully watched by the DOL. An inadequate response could lead to financial penalties or even threaten the qualified status of the retirement plan itself.

In a white paper entitled New Disclosure Requirements Pull Back the Curtain on Retirement Plan Fees, DCAdvisors argues the new service provider fee disclosures give retirement plans a valuable tool to match fee structure and service provider relationships to industry best practices while benchmarking fees to determine reasonableness. The paper also describes a methodical five-step approach retirement plan committees can follow and mitigate fiduciary risk:

Under DOL Reg 408(b)(2) service providers, including investment managers, recordkeepers, advisors, trustees and consultants are required to disclose an unprecedented level of detail in what they charge directly as well as indirect revenue received from revenue sharing arrangements.

The stakes are huge. An estimated sixty million workers and retirees hold retirement savings across more than 460,000 employer sponsored 401(k) plans with approximately $3.4 trillion in assets. At the same time, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined that more than half of all 401(k) plan sponsors were either unaware or misinformed about the fees they or their plan participants were paying on this massive asset pool.

About DCAdvisors:

Since inception in 1994, DCAdvisors has focused on the retirement plan industry. Acting as a fiduciary partner to plan sponsors and retirement committees, we provide strategic advice and expertise related to plan design, investment selection, and plan governance.

To find out more, please visit http://www.DCAdvisors.com

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Retirement Plans Respond to Their “Wizard of Oz” Moment as New Disclosure Requirement Pulls Back the Curtain on Fees

I find it depressing to look at the balances in my retirement savings plans, as I did the other day. For all the years of socking away money in my nest egg, there doesn't seem to be much to show for it.

But I'm in good company. The median balance in 401(k)s and IRAs for households approaching retirement is $120,000, according to an analysis by Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, of the Federal Reserve's recently released 2010 Survey of Consumer Finances. That's roughly the same amount as in 2007, and it would provide a mere $575 in monthly income, assuming a couple purchase a joint-and-survivor annuity.

Retirement savers probably won't have much to cheer about anytime soon, not with economic growth decelerating in the U.S. and Europe mired in a seemingly endless debt crisis. Little wonder boomers are realizing that they need to focus on practical ways to earn a paycheck well into the traditional retirement years. Even part-time earnings will allow them to postpone tapping savings and let the money compound longer.

[More from Kiplinger.com: 5 Great U.S. Cities for Retirees]

Still, I think the spending side of the retirement equation, a critical part of any savvy retirement plan, gets short shrift. With the day of retirement reckoning not all that far off, fiftysomethings need to realistically review their spending habits.

The financial reward of spending less is striking. Steven Sass, associate director at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, offers this example: Say you're 55 years old, and you plan on retiring in ten years. If you save an extra $1,000 a year, you'll have $10,000 plus investment earnings(in today's dollars). So, if your savings earned 4% above inflation -- you'd have about $12,500 (in today's dollars) at retirement. You could then withdraw about $500 a year in retirement, assuming you choose to spend 4% a year above inflation.

Here's the thing: The real return from this strategy comes from cutting spending to enable the extra savings. When you retire, you'll have actually improved your household finances by $1,500 a year: $1,000 in additional accumulated savings plus $500 in income. "As you approach retirement, and it's clearly too late to significantly add to your retirement savings by saving more, moving to a more sustainable standard of living has a much greater effect," says Sass. "The two effects of saving more and spending less could significantly improve your finances."

An emphasis on greater thrift doesn't have to mean living cheaply -- far from it. Instead, thrift or frugality should push us to match our money with our values. In History of the Thrift Movement in America, a 1920 book by Simon William Straus, Straus argues that thrift includes both saving and spending wisely.

"It is the thrift that recognizes the that finer things of life must be encouraged," he writes. "The skilled workman, the artist, the musician, the landscape gardener, the designer of beautiful furniture, the members of the professions -- all those, in fact, who, through the devotion of their abilities, contribute to the real betterment of mankind, must be given support through our judicious expenditures."

[More from Kiplinger.com: 6 Great Part-Time Jobs for Retirees]

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Want More Money in Retirement? Spend Less

GLENWOOD, Ill., Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Landauer, Inc. (LDR), a recognized leader in personal and environmental radiation measurement and monitoring, outsourced medical physics services and high quality medical consumable accessories, today reported financial results for its fiscal 2012 third quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Highlights

"We are pleased with our third quarter results, which demonstrated continued progress against our key strategic initiatives," stated Bill Saxelby, President and CEO of Landauer. "We executed on our initiatives with the military and emergency response markets as we made our first substantial Radwatch system shipment and received additional orders for the system during the quarter. The Medical Physics segment continued to build momentum with another profitable quarter, and we successfully went live with our new ERP platform in early July."

Saxelby continued, "The current market opportunities provide Landauer with attractive prospects to grow and expand our business, and our year to date results continue to support achievement of our full year guidance."

Third Fiscal Quarter Financial Overview and Business Segment Results

Revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2012 were $39.2 million, an increase of $10.0 million, or 34.5 percent compared with revenues of $29.2 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2011. The Radiation Measurement segment contributed an increase of $3.1 million, the Medical Physics segment contributed an increase of $2.8 million and the new Medical Products segment increased revenues by $4.2 million. Excluding revenue from the acquired businesses during the year, as compared with the prior year quarter, revenue increased 12.7 percent. Revenue in the quarter included $1.8 million of Radwatch System sales, primarily to the National Guard. Consolidated revenue in the quarter was negatively affected $1.1 million by currency fluctuation, as compared with the prior year period, principally due to weakness in the Euro against the U.S. dollar.

Gross margins were 55.7 percent for the third fiscal quarter of 2012, compared with 58.6 percent for the third fiscal quarter of 2011. The decrease in gross margin rate was primarily due to the Radiation Measurement segment increase of lower margin equipment sales in the third fiscal quarter of 2012, as compared to the prior year period, inclusive of sales to the military and emergency response markets. This includes the impact of Radwatch System sales that are at a lower overall margin rate than those generated in our traditional Radiation Measurement business.

Total operating expenses for the third fiscal quarter of 2012 were $12.6 million, an increase of $3.4 million, or 36.2 percent, compared with operating expenses of $9.2 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2011. The operating expense increase was partially due to $1.5 million associated with acquired companies purchased subsequent to the prior year's comparable quarter, $0.4 million due to timing of the recording of incentive compensation expenses associated with improved operating performance in fiscal 2012 versus fiscal 2011, investment in research and development in support of military and first responder initiatives, investment in customer facing organizations, and expenses related to the company's IT systems initiative. For the third fiscal quarter of 2012, total operating expenses before $0.3 million of non-recurring acquisition expenses, $0.6 million of IT platform enhancement related expenses, and $0.7 million of non-cash stock based compensation expenses were $11.0 million or 28.1 percent of total revenues. This compares with the $8.4 million, or 28.9 percent of total revenues, reported for the third fiscal quarter of 2011, before $0.3 million of IT platform enhancement related expenses, and $0.5 million of non-cash stock based compensation expenses.

Operating income for the third fiscal quarter of 2012 was $9.2 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 18.1 percent compared with operating income of $7.8 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2011. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by an increase of $0.5 million in the Medical Physics segment, and the addition of the Medical Products segment which contributed $1.9 million in operating income, partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in the Radiation Measurement segment. Operating income, adjusted for non-recurring acquisition expenses, IT platform enhancement related expenses, and non-cash stock based compensation expenses, for the third fiscal quarter of 2012 was $10.8 million, a 25.1 percent increase compared with adjusted operating income on a relative basis of $8.7 million for the third fiscal quarter of 2011. Consolidated operating income in the quarter was negatively affected $0.3 million by currency fluctuation, as compared with the prior year period, principally due to weakness in the Euro and the Real against the U.S. dollar.

Interest expense in the quarter increased $1.1 million associated with borrowings to acquire IZI in the first fiscal quarter of 2012.

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Landauer, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Results

Picking the best mouse is a personal decision, but there are some stand-out models that are more likely than others to be recommended. This week were taking a look at five of the best desktop mice.

Photo by Erik Charlton.

The Performance Mouse MX ($129.995 RRP in Australia) is Logitechs flagship non-gaming mouse. The MX Revolution, its immediate predecessor, and the MX1000 before that all share the same basic features and design, but the Performance Mouse MX was the first to roll them all into a neat and tidy package. The MX sports a Darkfield sensor on the bottom that can track on reflective and glass surfaces, a thumb-switch that activates Expose in Mac OS X and an Expose-like app in Windows that Logitech ships with the mouse, a charging system that lets you use the mouse while its charging, a long-lived battery, and a tiny Unifying Receiver thats designed to just be left in a USB port. Its pricey, but its the mouse of choice for most of us at Lifehacker HQ because its so comfortable and has the right number of buttons.

The MX 518 ($79.95 RRP in Australia) is a model that stands out on its own. Many gamers consider the MX 518 the peak of Logitechs gaming mice, and while Logitech has been trying to push it aside in favour of the Logitech G400, the MX 518s incredible popularity keeps it on store shelves in a number of places. Its 1800dpi sensor has been outmoded by newer models, but its on-the-fly resolution switching and completely smooth design have earned it a cult following. Its not going to win on features, but I cant count the number of gamers especially FPS fans who just prefer the feel of the MX 518 over the newer G series. Grab it while you can.

The G500 ($149.95 RRP in Australia) descended from the G5 (which descended from the MX 518, mind you) and the G700 ($159.95 RRP in Australia) descended from the G7 (itself a wireless version of the G5). Still, the G500 and G700 feature Darkfield-enabled laser sensors with switchable resolution up to 5700dpi. The G500 is wired, and the G700 can be used wired while charging or completely wirelessly. Both models feature programmable buttons and on-the-fly dpi switching. They also come with a weight tray and an array of small weights so you can tune the heaviness of the mouse. The G700 sports a few extra programmable buttons on the surface, as well as large and smooth feet that glide across your desk.

The Razer Naga ($109.95 RRP in Australia) turned heads at first because it seemed to have a ridiculous number of buttons on the side. But it caught on quickly with MMO fans and productivity nuts alike. Both groups adore the dozen-plus programmable buttons on the side of the mouse that can be programmed to in-game macros or complex actions in almost any application. The Naga also features interchangeable side panels for a comfortable grip and a 5600dpi laser sensor with switchable resolutions. If the Naga isnt enough for you, you can always pick up the Naga Epic ($179.95 RRP in Australia), a wireless version with a slightly altered grip, or the Naga Hex ($109.95 RRP in Australia), which is a version of the Naga with its side buttons arranged in a hexagonal pattern designed for multiplayer online battle arenas.

If youre looking for a mouse that you can completely customise and tweak to fit your specific hand, the Cyborg R.A.T. line (prices vary) is for you. Each model gives you some control over how the mouse is shaped, with a number of dials and toggles that let you extend a thumb-rest and change the overall length of the mouse. It sports a set of weights that you can use to change the heft of the mouse, and a precision laser (variable dpi based on the model you buy) sensor with switchable dpi settings built in. The mouse ships with interchangeable palm rests and grips, programmable buttons and programmable mouse-wide settings that you can switch with the touch of a button. It may look scary at first glance, but its an incredibly powerful and customisable mouse.

Honourable mentions this week go out to the Logitech MX1000, which is no longer widely available. If you want an experience like the MX1000, pick up the Performance MX or MX Revolution the two mice that came out directly after the MX1000. Also worth noting is the Razer DeathAdder, which many of you praised for its affordability, comfort and availability in both left-handed and right-handed models. Trackball fans weighed in with support for the Logitech Wireless Trackball M570, perhaps the best if not one of the few richly featured trackballs still widely available.

Have something to say about one of the contenders? Want to make the case for your personal favourite? Have your say in the comments below.

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Five Best Desktop Mice

Vernon Hills, Ill. (PRWEB) August 06, 2012

A new series of Techne Prime Thermal Cyclers from Cole-Parmer expands options for lab professionals. Also known as PCR machines or PCR thermal cyclers, these units are used to amplify DNA segments through the polymerase chain reaction process. They employ the Peltier effect, a chosen method for the most trusted thermal cyclers on the market. Their heated lids prevent condensation in samples. Additionally, their colorful touch screen operation enables quick setup and easy programming with intuitive software.

Choose from this reliable and robust selection of thermal cycling options based on specific lab needs: The 3 Prime Base Thermal Cyclers offer a small, space-saving footprint and versatile interchangeable block format. Ideal for research and educational laboratories. The 3 Prime X Thermal Cyclers include the same features as the base unit plus expanded sample capacity. Design flexibility allows these units to be upgraded to include gradient cycling capabilities.

The 3 Prime G Thermal Cyclers build on the features of the X-series with thermal gradient. Their 48-well block format offers eight columns for annealing temperature optimization and six rows for optimizing reagents. The Prime Large-Format Thermal Cyclers supply high throughput and maximum flexibility when processing a large number of samples in parallel. Instantly visualize your experiment status in real time via the graphical display. Available with thermal gradient from 30 to 80C.

For more information, call 800-323-4340 or visit ColeParmer.com/19385.

Cole-Parmer has been a leading global source of laboratory and industrial fluid handling products, instrumentation, equipment, and supplies since 1955. Our product lines, including popular brand names such as Masterflex, Oakton, and more, are sold through company-owned customer channel outlets and a strong network of international dealers. We also feature an ISO-17025-accredited metrology lab for instrument calibration and repair. Cole-Parmer responds with excellence to customer needs, and offers application expertise and technical support. For more information, contact Cole-Parmer, 625 East Bunker Court, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. In the US, call 800-323-4340. International customers, call 847-549-7600. Visit us at http://www.coleparmer.com.

Link:
All New! Techne® 3 Prime Personal and Prime Large-Format Thermal Cyclers from Cole-Parmer

Indonesia's ( IDX , quote ) largest producer of home and personal care products, Unilever Indonesia is reporting robust revenue growth following an increase in spending on market research and successful advertising campaigns.

The subsidiary of Anglo-Dutch conglomerate Unilever ( UL , quote ), Unilever Indonesia is reporting the firm's revenue hit $1.2 billion during the first half of 2012, an increase of 17% over the same period last year. Net income reached $247 million during the first half of the year, up 13% year-over-year.

"The growth in revenue was the result of innovation of our products, both home and personal care as well as food and ice cream segments," Unilever director Sancoyo Antarikso told the Jakarta Post .

With Unilever's 27 brands of home and personal care products ubiquitousthroughout the archipelago, Indonesians are quite familiar with the company's wares. For many, they are the only name-brand option. For Indonesians who were already loyal Unilever customers, an advertising campaign that encouraged customers to use Unilever body lotion up to three times a day further boosted sales.

According to Andrew Argado of PT eTrading Securities, Unilever's performance was unsurprising. "It is in line with the expectation of growth between 15% to 20%. The company has a large presence, therefore, a 16% increase in the range is okay as it means trillions of rupiah," Andrew said.

Unilever's growth in its home and personal care products however, which comprised 73% of its Indonesian sales last year, may be plateauing .

"I think the company also sees that the home and personal care business has entered the maturity point. Population growth, advertising and an increase in selling prices will drive this segment's growth," Andrew said.

Consequently, Unilever may expand its food and beverage business in Indonesia as it looks to continue to grow. Ahead of Eid celebrations later this month to mark the end of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to buy more food and beverage products for family festivities.

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Unilever: personal care products driving Indonesian growth

South Melbourne, Victoria (PRWEB) August 06, 2012

The team at Revolution Personal Training Studio in Melbourne announced today that they will offer a free fitness bootcamp for local residents who are looking to get fit in and have fun.

"We specialize in group personal training and weve decided to offer a free bootcamp every Saturday starting next week, said Luke Scott, managing director for Revolution Personal Training. The best thing about it is that any money donated will go toward a different charity each month."

Scott explained that the company provides studio personal training in a boutique setting within its South Melbourne personal training studio as well as group personal training and corporate fitness programs.

Our Group Personal Training is a great way for you to get involved at a lower cost with an effective and fun workout, Scott stressed.

The managing director explained that what makes the free fitness bootcamp so different from all of the other bootcamps, gyms and fitness places in Australia is that its training center where the free bootcamp will be held is not a gym at all.

Therefore we are set up perfectly for personal training and small group personal training sessions, Scott stressed. Our studio is only attended by people working with a personal trainer at all times.

This free bootcamp will benefit everyone who participates in it, and the groups are always small with a maximum of 10 participants being allowed at a time, said Scott. This ensures you never get lost in a crowd and will always be working hard. There is a great social atmosphere about each session with everyone pushing each other along to help them achieve their best. You will need to book yourself into the session however to ensure numbers are kept to a maximum of 10.

For more information about Revolution Personal Training, please visit: http://www.revolutionpersonaltraining.com.au/services/group-personal-training and http://www.revolutionpersonaltraining.com.au/services/mobile-personal-training

About Revolution Personal Training

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Revolution Personal Training Studio to Offer a Free Fitness Bootcamp