When you think of the top 1 percent of all income earners in American households, how much do you think this group rakes in? Millions? Tens of millions? What about the top 10 percent or even top 20 percent?

You might be surprised to learn that the top 20 percent of income earners bring in a household income of just over $100,000. The top 10 percent of earners have a household income of more than $148,687. To be considered in the top 1 percent, household income is at least $521,411.

My friend Alexander Green of The Oxford Club brings these figures to his readers’ attention in “How to Know if You’re Rich.” I’ve known Alex for years. He is a great source of inspiration for me and for many investors with his uplifting, holistic articles that relate to both health and wealth. If you aren’t already a fan, I encourage you to check out his prolific writings at oxfordclub.com.

Earning enough income to be in the top 1, 10 or 20 percent is no small accomplishment, but chances are good that many people you know, and may not think of as rich, fall into the top 1, 10 or 20 percent.

Contrast these income statistics with the picture often painted in the media that the wealthiest Americans aren’t paying their fair share. According to the Tax Foundation, the top 1 percent of households collectively pay more in taxes than all of the tax-paying households in the bottom 90 percent.

Take a look at how much this has changed over the past few decades. In 1980, the bottom 90 percent of taxpayers paid about half of the taxes. The top 1 percent contributed about 20 percent.

Now, the top 1 percent pays more than the bottom 90 percent. Perhaps this is more than their fair share?

Here’s the line chart from the Tax Foundation showing how the income tax share for each category has changed since 1980. For the majority of years, the share of the bottom 90 percent fell while the share of the top 1 percent rose.

Even though many of today’s tax policies punish the top-earning households, there are still tax advantages for hard-working Americans who make saving and investing a priority in their lives.

A great new year’s resolution is to make sure less of your money is going to the government and more money is working for you in your investments. One way to keep this resolution is to maximize your contributions to tax-advantaged investment vehicles such as an individual retirement plans, a 401(k) or SEP for the self-employed, all of which offer tremendous tax benefits.

You may be surprised to see how annual deferral limits have increased over the past few years. Take a look at our new 2014 tax rate guide, which is a great resource giving you a quick look at tax brackets, deferral limits for retirement plans, and alternative minimum tax exemptions.

To make it easier to have the discipline to set money aside, try an automatic plan that invests a fixed amount at regular intervals, such as U.S. Global Investors’ ABC Investment Plan.

No matter how much you earn, wealth is determined by how much you keep. Alex says wealth isn’t necessarily determined by an income figure. Instead, real wealth is determined by looking at your balance sheet. Here’s his formula:

Maximize your income (by upgrading your education or job skills). Minimize your outgo (by living beneath your means). Religiously save the difference. (Easier said than done.) And follow proven investment principles.”

What matters most is being grateful for what you have. I’m a big believer that wealth is not a number or an amount, it’s an attitude and the umbilical cord to attitude is gratitude.

To read more on the Domestic Equity Market, Economy and Bond Market, Gold Market, Energy and Natural Resources Market, Emerging Markets & Leaders and Laggards go HERE and scroll down below “What Does It Take to Be in the Top 1 Percent?  Not As Much As You Think”

Vaccine uptake research is showing more people are opting out of the seasonal flu shot and shifting towards alternative medicine. The natural health flu frenzy has left many confused with what remedies are best to take both proactively and reactively to combat a cold or flu. Whether you get the flu shot or not, certain natural therapies can help boost immunity and lessen your chances of contracting a cold or flu. With the colder months fast approaching, I will share with you four naturally-sourced remedies that have clinically-proven effectiveness in proactive and reactive defense against colds and the flu.

Trust your gut

Have you heard that your gut holds about 80 per cent of your immune system? Probiotics are key in supporting that aspect of immunity. You can’t get enough probiotics from diet alone so reach for proven probiotics, such as Bio-K, which contains 50 billion live bacteria per dose. Probiotics are particularly important if you’ve just taken antibiotics since these medications kill off the both the bad bacteria and good bacteria in your gut.

The D in cold and flu defense

For those living in northern latitudes, lack of direct sunlight decreases the amount of Vitamin D received in the winter months. Ask your doctor to test your blood serum levels of 25-0H Vitamin D and consider supplementing with extra if you’re low. This vitamin is crucial to the development of infection fighting immune cells in the body. In one study, long-term vitamin D supplementation for three years significantly reduced flu and cold symptoms and in another Japanese study of Vitamin D in children, researchers found that daily supplementation during the winter months significantly reduced the amount of times the children developed the flu. Further to this, there are many consumer-friendly forms of Vitamin D on the market such as a chewable, chocolate-flavoured formula by Jamieson.

Echinacea – all natural, all powerful

Prevention and treatment research suggests the use of a properly-formulated Echinacea means fewer colds, reduced duration of cold symptoms, and less reliance on synthetic pain relievers. One such formula is Echinacea purpurea found in products like Echinaforce. This blend has been proven to shorten the severity and duration of colds and flu symptoms as well as reduce the chances of catching a cold or flu virus by keeping the immune system functioning at peak efficiency even during times when it might be compromised by stress, lack of sleep or even vigorous physical activity. Echinacea has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties but unlike other herbs, it won’t overstimulate the immune system and it is safe to take all the way through cold and flu season.

Garlic – smelly but effective

If you do have a diagnosed bacterial infection, garlic is a powerful all-natural antibiotic solution. Keeping in mind that antibiotics don’t kill viruses, recent studies have detailed the significant antibacterial activity of garlic and its ability to fight off colds. When fresh garlic is cut or crushed, a sulphur compound called alliin combines with an enzyme called allinase. A chemical reaction starts and the first compound that is formed is allicin which is responsible for the anti-infection properties of garlic. Research has proven that stabilized allicin, found in brands such as Allimax, delivers the strong infection fighting properties of garlic.

The holidays are a hectic time which can be stressful for many. Using these natural remedies will boost your immune system and allow you to focus on more important things like shopping for gifts and spending time with family!

Bryce Wylde is an alternative health expert based on of Toronto. He specializes in homeopathy, clinical nutrition, supplementation, and botanical medicine whose focus is routed within functional medicine.

– See more at: http://www.vancouverlifestyles.com/#sthash.gH3zzCqo.dpuf