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Maine, Tell ME About The Sales, Income Tax FAQ.

Take A Swing, Crack At Learning More On Maine Income And Sales Tax Rates.

What does Maine charge for personal income and sales tax questions come up frequently.

Calls, emails and in person visits in our Maine real estate office prick the subject of “what is the individual tax burden of living in Maine”?

It’s a pretty big retirement, relocation, moving consideration to get the low down, A-Z on how deep in the pocket the tax considerations are going to dig. Because as a person retires on a fixed income, knowing all the colored items, the size of each on their personal money outlay pie chart is critical.

So here goes. Maine has a 5% sales tax. And 31.5 cent per gallon tax on gasoline, two dollar tax on cigarettes. The personal income tax rate in Maine is between 2.5 and 8 percent. Maine, any state has to have revenue to keep the doors of government open to do everything from repair roads, bridges, to providing public safety. And everything in between.

Maine is a large state with less people.

And individual families that live here embrace a simple all around approach to day to day living. Conservative, frugal, value received before hard earned dollars are spent thinking happens through out life in Maine. Do I need it or just want it talks with the guy or gal in the mirror mornings. And if it is needed, how to get the best deal with a business like approach of careful study before forking over the stack of green dead presidents.

The same “easy does it” when opening the wallet wide and “ahhhhh, yes or no” sputtered, uttered.

Taught to the kids which makes them an asset when they leave the nest and go out in to the work world. The same hard work ethic and careful spending impulse control a lesson the rest of the country could take a page from and apply.

And besides tax burden living in Maine, questions on health care facilities for ailments the retiring, relocating are bringing with them to Vacationland. You move to Maine not to make more money, but to get more from the funds you do have. To enjoy the natural, healthier quality of life here.

Maine FAQ Questions About Relocation, Retirement, Moving Video

More Maine individual tax revenue services information. What forms, regulations currently apply. To help with lingering questions as you may be toying with a new state to relocate, retire to like Maine. Come for a day, stay a lifetime. Find your place in the space of Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty

June 7, 2012
True Mainers, Not Looking The Part But Still Wearing The Price Tags.

Paddling Your Own Boat, Raft, Canoe, Kayak In Maine.

You are in an open jeep with friends in the wilderness of Northern Maine.

With a pair of Old Town red and green canoes strapped to the top rack. A bumper hitch insulated container box packed with ice. Loaded with home made goodies to munch on. As you dine outside with one big fresh air, exercise induced appetite. Where the setting always provides an open picnic table with one jaw dropping incredible Maine view.

Two Maine moose so far and three deer, one black bear mom with a cub spotted.

You are in a neighborhood where the natives are all four legged, furry, not so social. On the dusty trail leading to today’s adventure. In the unspoiled outdoors of “T” this, “R” that unorganized territories of the Pine Tree State.

Where the owner of the large, hundreds of thousands of acres of timberland sends the property tax annual check directly to Augusta. Lacking any local muncipality to mail it to like the rest of the state.

Then something odd comes into view, your field of vision.

Conversation in the jeep stops. As you slow, gawk and wonder. A top of the line, flame red, heavily optioned BMW sedan is sitting along side of the roadway. Parked, empty, not what you expected to be smack dab in the middle of the heavily wooded pathway you find yourself on today.

That looks so out of place in this terrain that begs for something with higher ground clearance. Mud flaps, heavier, multi ply knobby tires that are not so low profile, aerobicised, painfully skinny. And needing a four wheel drive lever to throw into gear. Shoved forward when you go as far as you can go powered by two wheel drive. To do a 180 degree about face. To head back to civilization when the day is done. While there is still daylight.

Rather than making a desperate call to the Warden’s service to start the search for the name on the Beemer’s registration in the rich “Corinthian leather” dash glove compartment.

The lone out of its element, awkwardly parked car out of place. Not in it’s normal element in the bright lights, big city. Near the swanky, way overpriced snarky dealership that deals out the German imported highly engineered vehicles. More designed for an autobahn highway inspired by Hitler. Not the dirt trails with massive mud puddles that you hope have a solid bottom as your “ford”, “portage” them in Maine’s willywags.

Climb In, Hang On, Maine White Water Rafting Video

My youngest son is leading white water rafting trips in The Fork’s area of Maine this summer.

Before he goes back to Colorado for his senior year of college this fall. And he says he sees lots of folks that have been to LL Bean. Brand new, state of the art camping, hiking, rafting items. Many still with price stickers, just unwrapped before he decides where to put the party of paddlers in the big raft for today’s adventure down the Dead, the Kennebec River.

One yellow helmeted newbie rafter raises his hand when asked are there any questions. After the safety rigamore verbage that is much like the stewardess that holds up the belt, shows you how to work the latch. And what to do with the seat cushion if over water. How to slide on the air mask if it should suddenly appear, be dangling in front of your tray that hopefully you left in the upright position.

The nervous rafter asks are we going to get any water spray?

If he is large sized, he is going up front. If all the weight is in the back of the raft, tail drag is not doing to help navigate the boat around the rock hazards to deliver the passengers in tact to the eddy out for lunch on the river.

And yes sir, you are going to get some spray. Very wet to give all that new expensive gear that transforms you in to a white water rafter enthusiast, afficionado overnight to end up totally soaked. Walls, sheets of water are going to hit the larger guys, gals in the front of the raft. It is a given. Paddle hard until instructed to reach down for the short rope. And you hear the yell to “hang on”. And to remember if you are catapulted, swepted off and out of the boat, to keep your legs up so they don’t get broken.

Maine, the real natives don’t have all the price tags, latest high tech equipment but enjoy the state year round. Not just a weekend, a string of days called a vacation taken just annually. Get to Maine for a day, end up staying a lifetime. Find your place in the space of Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

June 6, 2012
Maine, Experience Her Without A Motor, Bike Pedaling.

Bikes, River Boat Travel, Anything But Just Cars Big In Places Like Amsterdam.

When you travel, the prominence of bikes as a mode of transportation is evident.

You and I groan about the price of gas as it spikes up, dips down below four dollars. In other areas try six to eight dollars a gallon in a country not so flush with cash, resources as the United States.

US gas prices have nose dived to the lowest level in 90 days at the time of the hunt and peck process of this morning’s blog post. The U.S. average regular gasoline pump price of $3.59 a gallon yesterday is down 35 cents from the 2012 high of $3.94 on April 4, according to AAA, the largest U.S. motoring group.

My average commute to work is 32 feet from home to the job as a Maine real estate broker.

It is handy to have the family home parked in the same door yard where the property listings are peddled. And with the Internet, our “office” is shifting to more and more on line, not fixed based positioned.

But back to bikes… and how they are gaining popularity in Maine.

Before you stratch your head thinking what about use in the winter and if they make studded snow tires for bikes, Maine does have three other seasons.

With a little better planning in the mornings, riding your bike to work in Maine that is 97% small rural town living just makes sense. Health wise, in the pocket book you sit on or the purse your carry. And environmentally. As the demand for gas continues to weaken, the dependence on it will lead to lower prices at the pump too.

As a kid in the country of Maine, houses next door were not “reach out and touch” close.

Getting to town to mow lawns for spending money. To hit an afternoon movie matinee, to the park for little league practice or visit with school friends was a big deal.

I remember a potato picking earned 3 speed, gold banana bike with a leopard patterned long seat and the feeling of pride as I tooled in to the parking lot of Lambert School. It was neat to be riding around the downtown. Being trusted by parents to bike in to town a whole new experience setting.

Biking Maine’s Acadia Carriage Trails Video.

Biking in Maine is growing in popularity. As a more conscious population thinking preventative health care measures becomes way much more aware. But besides recreational pleasure riding, saving some gas money and feeling better all the way around make biking a win win situation. Since 1992, the Biking Coalition Of Maine has worked hard to steadily improve the healthy habit in Vacationland.

Have ordered a bike hitch rack and not taking a banana bike out on the open road.

But exploring Maine’s many byways pedaling. Without need for a motor is an excellent consideration to add to your leisure time options list as you explore Maine. Find your place in the space of Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

June 5, 2012
Maine | Cooking Up Something Special From The Inside Out.

Maine Vacations, Get Cooking Outdoors To See What’s Up Deep Down Inside.

For years I thought outdoor BBQ food on a grill meant meat with a tinge of lighter starter fluid hydrocarbons.

Because before gas grills that we simply dial in, push an igniter button and “whoosh”, it was rip open a bag. Dump out a dose of charcoal briquettes.

With the three burner pretty swanky gas grill cooking stations, extra side “rings of fire” to steam the corn or clams, we’re cooking with gas now baby cakes.

Coal from charcoal took a little prep time and my Dad, the grillmaster growing up was not known for patience, or the necessary planning. Time was always a factor. Too little of it. The bed of glowing coals were already picture perfect ready for action AFTER the food had already been charbroiled, flipped, whisked off on to the platter. Before “let’s eat” was announced as the dinner bell triangle sounded.

Plus some of it hastens back to the 24 years of eating at 5pm sharp from farm schedules. So you could get back to the Maine potato fields during the critical planting, cultivating, spraying, harvest cycle around the anything but predictable weather. It was the nature of the situation to grin and bear it.

Sealing in the natural juices with a sizzle of searing so the specially prepared cut of meat does not become shoe leather dry and tough.

Spraying the meat slowly cooking with water, vinegar and other secret ingredient spices, seasoning. It makes me think of what we do daily. With what’s cooking inside of us. And how before you sear in what is in your heart, thoughts removing the junk with a little housekeeping every day is in order. So you and I can travel light. Filled with the good stuff. Joy, contentment, gratitude, peace, love.

To let go of the past hurts, mistakes, fears, insecurities. To remove not bury and pile on more junk for the trunk. To leave space for the hopes, dreams for the future. And so you can live in the moment, today which is the here and now all important. It requires time in our private spiritual gardens, for surrender.

What’s cooking inside you?

Does the world see a pretty together, sharp outside and think more of the same layers extend within, going deep? Not without daily work, exercise of all your falculties to maintain that sense of peace, inner joy. That’s where Maine comes in. Not to just working on the outside in, but the inside out approach to being your personal best. The total new you. So you have a crystal clear visible to all transparent inside and out. Have real genuine purpose, are an asset to others around you with the hidden talent array that all of us can prepare. Marinade in our own unique way, to develop, and cook slowly to create something beautiful, worthwhile for others. You find the little things that irritated, frustrated don’t have that power any more. You smile, take it all in stride with a new way of looking at things. As you start to conquer “stinking thinking“.

The natural outdoor beauty, the hardworking down to Earth, caring people of Maine make a tag team combination second to none.

Work on you, to be your personal best where there is not wall to wall people. No pushing or shoving. Where everyone is not chasing the dollar and thinking it is all about me. It is not. It’s about others and relationships are the most important goal to strive to protect, preserve, maintain to keep healthy and vibrant.

Get outdoors, get to Maine. And we’re not talking trying to make one long holiday weekend, a lone week’s vacation be the yearly vitamin to do the job either. Get to Maine as quick, as often as you can. Come for a day, stay a lifte time finding your place in the space of Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

June 4, 2012
Maine, The Setting Leads To Personal Enrichment.

How To Avoid Stinking Thinking, To Capture Your Thougts The Four Sons Learned From My Mom.

Develop what you already have deep inside but locked up, if not worked on daily.

Sounds like wise enough advice right? Maintenance of your inner workings to maximize the experience during the short time on Earth. Like lifting the hood on the car, truck, SUV you drive to check the fluid levels. Adjust the richness, leaness of the fuel and air that make the wheels go round and round.

But unfortunately people get comfortable or lazy or prideful blind.

Or just drift like a rudderless boat in the wind, breeze at the time. To and fro and maybe adding frustration to wishing things around you were better. When looking inside for adjustment is the key. But blaming others is the default mode of choice. Think about it, approach it differently. Happiness, contentment is an inside job requiring surrender.

Mom called it “stinking thinking”.

Everything you do is thought about first. Like putting an order in to the kitchen after studying the menu options. The way you behave is motivated by a belief. Your attitude prompts, kicks you in to gear for the action you decide to take.

How you think determines the way you feel. We are a selfish bunch, out to set the world on fire. Seeking fame and fortune until wisdom, maturity is developed to show what really matters most in life. Others.

If you and I think only of our own needs we become talented at receiving, collecting.

But bankrupt in the department of giving to others. It is better to give than receive. But until, unless you do it on a regular basis, it is easy to get one raised eyebrow on that advice from folks not in the habit of serving others. Scratching their head in a competitive society that promotes number one. It’s all about you.

My oldest son had a girlfriend who’s Dad made the most exquisite hand weaved pack baskets. And as the daughter lamented, his “lungs are full of sawdust”. From decades of perfecting the craft of preparing the brown, white ash and other wood materials for the delicate craft of the soon becoming lost art of basket weaving. The girlfriend selflessly gave Alex the best, last basket her Dad will ever make. Whoa.

Letting go of something made for you out of love by someone older, feeble and not able to replicate it. Something you don’t trot in to Walmart and pluck off the shelf to red lazer scan on the way out the automatic doors. I pointed out to my son that act of giving shows you how dedicated, how much she thinks about you to give up a possession hand made by someone she loves, her Dad. The act shows what you mean to her son.

The “giving away something held dearly” attitude also helps you and I travel light too.

Not to get in to the materialism rut treadmill so many around us are on because of highly effective advertising. Or because the momentary ritual of purchasing something gives fleeting feelings of well being that wear off. Hankering something’s power weakens when you possess it. As the Red Hot Chilli Peppers sing “give it away, give it away now”. It creates as One Eskimo puts to song an “Amazing” feeling to form our time as one in a relationship.

Love life. More. Study how you are wired and why. Inside focus not outside so you don’t go backwards. For life changing so you don’t stand still frozen, stagnant. Get on your knees. Not just once a week or a handful of holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Count your blessings. The heart of the matter is deep down in places not many are allowed to see inside. Maybe even areas we ourselves don’t visit often, are strangers to. So the spiritual inner personal garden gets no weed, feed, love and attention.

Maine is the place to visit often. To reach deep natural spots in Vacationland to arrive at special areas within yourself at the same time. Free of clutter, not wall to wall people and loaded with wildlife, scenery of woods, fields, waterfront of all kinds. Maine, find the space, your place.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

June 3, 2012
District 7810 Rotary Club Conference In Houlton ME.

Maine And New Brunswick Rotary Clubs Make Up District 7810.

Rotary clubs world wide do so much good for mankind. Locally in Maine, or in third world counties, the purpose of serving in Rotary is the same.

The four way test is a great benchmark to lead your daily life. Here are some inspiration essays on the four way test.

The District 7810 Rotary Conference is underway this weekend in Houlton Maine. The location due to the District Governor Leigh Cummings and wife Sandy living in the Shiretown of Aroostook County, Houlton ME.

Last night the Rotary conference kicked off with a concert in the park by McGill’s Band.

Where as a surprise to the director Joe Fagnant, the director of the band was given, presented by the Houlton Rotary Club with a Paul Harris Fellow award. A Paul Harris Fellow award recipient is humbled for being honored, to be recognized for his or her community efforts of “service above self” for others. Here is the McGill’s Band Summer 2012 in the park schedule.

The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do.

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I am proud to be a member of the Rotary International organization and all the neat programs the club has caused to happen in my area and beyond around the planet. This list of projects, events of the Houlton Maine Rotary club show you why membership is so important to me. Have been a member since 1980. Do you belong to a Rotary Club in your area? Consider joining if you don’t. And if you do, I am preaching to the choir on how much more you get back for what you put in.

Maine, it’s about others, service, appreciating all we are lucky for that not everyone else enjoys.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

June 2, 2012