What to expect from Twitter's third-quarter earnings report

What to expect from Twitter's third-quarter earnings report - http://bit.ly/1PUyFtJ

Shake Shack is quietly building a global restaurant empire

Shake Shack is quietly building a global restaurant empire - http://bit.ly/1O7Mgyu

The Challenge to Support Our Wounded Veterans is Still On

Do you know anyone who has fought for our country and was hurt in the line of duty? Maybe you don't know that person but you want to help him or her anyway. The people who fight for our freedom and keep us safe from enemies are true heroes.  

Fantasy heroes like Superman, Batman and the Incredible Hulk are great for television and movies, but my heroes are these men and women who fight for our country.

One of my dear friends from high school has a husband who was deployed to Iraq over ten years ago. He left behind his bride along with brand new twin baby girls. I remember how devastated my friend was because she had just given birth to not one but two babies AND her husband was thousands of miles away with hardly any communication. I could not even fathom what she was going through at the time. My friend’s husband came home after his first tour completely safe and unharmed but that all changed when he went on his second tour.

Bill was in a small town in Iraq, evacuating civilians from their homes when he was attacked by a man with a knife. Bill was stabbed in the chest, stomach and eyes and saved by another soldier. He was medically tended to and flown back home to his wife and kids but between the injuries he sustained and PTSD he suffered from, Bill's wife started to feel helpless. She had two young children, a wounded husband, no car due to lack of income and a house and bills to pay for. She started to crumble. That is when the Wounded Warrior Project stepped in. The Wounded Warrior Project provided my friend and “Bill” with a minivan for their family and also helped them financially. It took so much stress from my friend’s shoulders and allowed her and “Bill” to see the light at the end of the tunnel. At that point I had never heard of the Wounded Warrior Project but began to really look into the organization after they helped my friend and her family. I read about such amazing stories and decided I needed to help.

This year I have a charity, ‘Alex Figliolia Jr. 20 K for Veterans Day Donation Match in Support of Wounded Veterans.’ All donations will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. For every dollar that is donated I, Alex Figliolia Jr will match up to $20,000. That means there is a chance of $40,000 being donated to this amazing charity. If you would like to help please visit the following link and donate today. There is no donation too big or too small. Please find it in your hearts to help soldiers and their families in need and click the link to give back to the people who help keep our country free.

www.alexfiglioliajr.com

Thank you for your support.

Have I Got a #VeteransDay Bargain For You

Veterans Day for too many has become a day off from work and an opportunity to get a great bargain on a car or retail purchase instead of a day to honor the men and women who fought and continue to fight valiantly to protect our freedom.

Parade routes - as few and far between as them might be - have become shorter due to municipal budget constraints and attendance is abysmal.

What type of reflection is it on our society that more people can be found watching #DancingWithTheStars than lining up along a parade route to say thank you to our veterans?

How does it look to other countries that more people can be found clicking "like" on Facebook than making their way to the ballot booth to cast their vote in a free and open election for any position?

Freedom is the greatest right that an American citizen has, yet it is often taken for granted as something that will always be available without effort.

That concept might be the single most dangerous thought in the heads of Americans today.

I recently had an opportunity to participate in a discussion with someone who told me that we spend too much money on the military.  This person felt that we should cut that budget expense and instead fund more social programs.  My response was that if there was only $20 left in the US Treasury, that $20 should be spent on the military.

I could see the shock on my friend's face as my words settled on his brain so I went on to explain, "Social Security, No Child Left Behind, Foreign Aide are all wonderful things when you have a free and magnanimous country.  But when you have many enemies all lined up against a country because they are threatened by democracy and the freedoms that come with it, the only way to protect those freedoms is by having a strong military and that military isn't free.

It took a while for my friend to understand what I was saying, but soon enough he came around to my way of thinking.  I then shared with him some crazy statistics about warriors returning home wounded and without jobs.  I told him that my stomach churns every time I hear about a veteran who is being denied quality healthcare or aide after s/he put their lives on the line for our freedom.  That is why I am supporting the Wounded Warrior Project and am asking people to donate $20 through this special link  Alexfiglioliajr20kforveteransday For every dollar donated between now and December 11th, I will match it dollar for dollar.

Think about it - we get to save hundreds of dollars on purchases of cars, furniture, clothing and other retail items during these big "Veterans Day Sales Blow Outs" why not take a $20 from those savings and turn it into $40 by donating to the #WoundedWarriorProject today?

You can also donate on my website www.alexfiglioliajr.com

Alex Figliolia Jr. 20k for Veteran's Day Donation Challenge in Support of Wounded Warrior Project

Everyone who knows me knows that I support our military unconditionally.  Everyday men and women from all walks of life, put on a uniform and head out into hostile territory, facing unknown dangers and risking their lives so that you and I can enjoy our freedom.

Back home, regular citizens update their Facebook profiles, Tweet at each other, connect on LinkedIn, Instagram and various other social media sites, from their home, office and yes, even their cars, never giving a thought to the thousands of military men and women who are miles away protecting our freedom to do fill the internet with blather.

November 11th is Veterans' Day - a day when we recognize the men and women who have served and still serve our country.  It is a day off for many.  A day of retails sales and promotions. A day of parades and jubilee.  It is our opportunity to say, "thank you" and give back.

For me it is the kick off day of a fundraiser challenge to support wounded veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project.  As such, I am seeking 1000 people to donate $20 each directly to the Wounded Warrior Project through the link below. For every donation made I will match it dollar for dollar up to $20,000.00.

If you can't donate $20 then donate any amount you like and I will still match it.  If you want to donate more, even better.  Every dollar raised through this event will go to wounded veterans.

Please donate today and share the link with everyone you know.

Donate to Wounded Warrior Project  If you need more information about who I am and why I am doing this just visit my website at www.alexfiglioliajr.com

What to Look for When Buying a Motorcycle

Choosing the right motorcycle can be a bit intimidating and exciting at the same time. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a bike is your level of riding experience and how you intend to use your bike.

Like an automobile, a motorcycle is a large investment so you want a bike that fits your needs and one you feel comfortable navigating.

Your physical size is an important factor to consider when selecting your bike. Just because a bike looks attractive to you, it doesn't mean that it is the right fit for you.  If a bike is too tall or too heavy for you to hold up it can put you at risk for an accident.  It is best to choose a bike that is comfortable to ride.  Once you are sure that it fits your stature you can customize it to suit your personality.

It is also important to consider how you will be using your bike.  Will you be driving cross-country, taking extended trips or just riding locally? Will you ride alone or will you carry a passenger? What types of roads will you be travelling over - streets, open road, highways, off roads? Every bike is built to perform in certain conditions so having this information ahead of time will help you decide which features are important for your bike.

There are many different types of bikes on the market today:

·       Cruisers

·       Sports/Racing Bikes

·       Touring Bikes

·       Standard/Naked Bike

·       Dual Purpose Bikes

The standard/naked bike is a bike that puts the rider in a straight upright position and is ideal for city street riding.  This bike is perfect for daily commuters. 

If you’re looking for a more relaxed ride, the cruiser is the bike for you. 

A touring motorcycle is comfortable for long distances. Their large engines allows the rider to travel many miles without stopping. Touring bikes are pretty heavy and allow you to easily transport belongings without discomfort when riding.  

Now we move on to the sport bike, which is the most popular bike on the market. A sports bike is basically a racing bike. It is built for speed and flexibility and puts the rider in a forward leaning position.  In my opinion, these bikes are meant for experience riders only.

Lastly, there is the dual-purpose bike. This bike is probably the most adaptable motorcycle. Dual Purpose bikes can manage any terrain, dirt and open road. 

With so many bike options to choose from today, a smart buyer will invest the time necessary to do the research so that s/he doesn't spend money unwisely.

Visit www.gothamsi.com for a complete line of Indian and Victory Motorcycles.  While you are there, check out the SlingShot pictured above.

New York Waterways Are Great For Fishing

Fishing is a great sport so long as it is done responsibly. Whenever Alex Figliolia Jr. has time on his hands, he and his family grab a boat and some fishing rods then get out on the open water.  When you tell New York City residents that you enjoy fishing as a pastime, many of them laugh.  They can't believe that you can actually catch fish in New York. In fact, New York has over 50,000 miles of waterways and has purchased the rights to fish on over 1,300 miles of streams.  That's an eye opening statistic for most New York City residents.  On those rivers and streams you can enjoy both conventional fishing (casting a rod into the water and waiting for a bite) and fly fishing which requires waders, skill and an abundance of patience.  If you choose to fly fish it is best to do some research and hire a guide.  You should also be in good shape because to find the best fish you must travel over some pretty rugged terrain.

The season for fishing is basically from May to December with spring and fall being the best seasons to catch most fish. 

Fishing in New York is a great experience due to the wide variety of fish in the various waterways. Fishing is a natural extension of boating (although not everyone who fishes boats and visa versa). The feeling of stationing your boat in the middle of the open water, relaxing while casting a line is one of the most peaceful feelings ever.  What you hook once you cast your line can vary depending on where you are fishing.  There are over 300 species of fish living in New York waterways. Fluke, Pike, Bass and Sturgeon are common along the Hudson River.  So next time a New Yorker tells you that he or she is going fishing, don't be surprised - instead grab a rod an join them.