There are so many people who dream about working from home and being their own boss these days. Just roll out of bed and drink their coffee while pondering through e-mails. There would be no commute, no one to distract you, and your focus will be impeccable. Not quite as easy as you might dream about. Being solely in charge of yourself and your time is not as easy as you might think. The over confidence and surprise of unexpected issues can cause great stress and confusion. There is also the problem of being able to self-motivate with out the pressure of a boss on your back. Many people find themselves more distracted and less productive when left to their own demise. When you work from home you are responsible for managing your own time. To organize yourself better and get more done try the following tips to successful time management as your own boss.
1. Make sure you have a separate work area in your home. This does not mean that you have to have a complete office in a private room. Just make sure you have a desk and all your accessories in a corner of one room. This will be your defined work area and everything you need should be in reach.
2. Learn how you work best. You really need to find the best place in your home that will make you the most productive. Make sure you are comfortable but not distracted by outside influences.
3. Be mentally ready to take on specific tasks. Make sure to plan your workday to fit your energy level. Be realistic on what you can accomplish. If you are a morning person then do the hardest things in the morning hours. Make sure to value your personal commitments these will give the breaks you will need to clear your head and get energized. <
4. Make sure you have the time to accomplish tasks by setting specific business time hours. Most people just figure that because you are at home you are available. This is not true. Interruptions are the biggest problems with the self-employed. Make sure the people know when you are to be working and not to call, IM, or e-mails you. Put the hours you are available to and from on your web site to allow customers to know when you will be there physically. Also let friends and anyone not business related know that during this time frame you will not be available for social calls.
Realize that this way of working takes a lot of negotiating, planning, and prioritizing. No matter what you do you will get that personal call or drop in while you are trying to work. You will also get that business call or e-mail after your specified hours. It happens to everyone. Don't stress out. Take the emergency approach. If this is a personal or business emergency deal with it immediately. If it is something that can wait till an appropriate time then let the person know.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
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Monday, December 5, 2011
Technology Produces an Ultimate Cloth with Many Uses
From the dawn of human history, we have taken the materials at hand and created textiles out of them. From fur and wool to cotton and sisal, we have crafted textiles out of animals and plants. Over the past half-century, synthetic materials like nylon, acrylic, and polyester have added to our textile repertoire. But perhaps our most astounding technological leap in fiber technology is our ability to make fibers ultra thin. These so-called microfibers make up the ultimate cloth and have paved the way for applications as diverse as apparel, sports equipment, and cleaning.
In fact, when it comes to effective cleaning, mircofiber has few peers. Because the fibers are so thin (about 1/200 the width of human hair), they can be spun in such a way as to leave spaces between the fibers. These spaces, in turn, create a surface that can lift and trap dust, dirt, and moisture. The particles are trapped there until the mirafiber is washed. These characteristics are in stark contrast to those of ordinary fibers, which simply push around dirt and dust, leaving a residue on surfaces.
This ultimate cloth uses water as a lubricant to emulsify dirt and oil; in fact, the cloth can generally absorb about seven times its weight in water. The spaces that allow for the absorption of water also make the cloths dry out more quickly. Similarly, because the fibers are so thin and there are so many of them woven together, they can almost be guaranteed to last up to five years.
When it comes to cleaning, these mirafiber cloths are safe for virtually any surface. Around the house, they can be used on windows, mirrors, glass, ceramic, tile, and stainless steel. They can also be used to clean vehicles' windshields, chrome, and auto bodies. Because they can be used on Lexan, Eisanglass, plastic, and fiberglass, this ultimate cloth comes in handy for motorcycles, boats, and RVs. Best of all, the microfiber technology means that they will leave surfaces streak free, and that the cloths are washable and bleachable.
Today, this ultimate cloth is manufactured in a variety of different applications. In addition to cleaning cloths, you can find mini sizes for cleaning glasses and small electronics; string mops for tile, laminate, and hardwood flooring; dusting mitts for blinds, ceiling fans, and small items; and even pillow covers for travel size pillows that are helpful to those with allergies.
Because the cloths work beautifully using only water, they are being embraced by those who wish to reduce their impact on the earth by avoiding chemically based products and paper towels for cleaning. Their eco-friendliness extends to people with environmental sensitivities, who may have an adverse reaction to conventional cleaning products.
Textile technology continues to evolve, but the ultimate cloth may have already been invented.
In fact, when it comes to effective cleaning, mircofiber has few peers. Because the fibers are so thin (about 1/200 the width of human hair), they can be spun in such a way as to leave spaces between the fibers. These spaces, in turn, create a surface that can lift and trap dust, dirt, and moisture. The particles are trapped there until the mirafiber is washed. These characteristics are in stark contrast to those of ordinary fibers, which simply push around dirt and dust, leaving a residue on surfaces.
This ultimate cloth uses water as a lubricant to emulsify dirt and oil; in fact, the cloth can generally absorb about seven times its weight in water. The spaces that allow for the absorption of water also make the cloths dry out more quickly. Similarly, because the fibers are so thin and there are so many of them woven together, they can almost be guaranteed to last up to five years.
When it comes to cleaning, these mirafiber cloths are safe for virtually any surface. Around the house, they can be used on windows, mirrors, glass, ceramic, tile, and stainless steel. They can also be used to clean vehicles' windshields, chrome, and auto bodies. Because they can be used on Lexan, Eisanglass, plastic, and fiberglass, this ultimate cloth comes in handy for motorcycles, boats, and RVs. Best of all, the microfiber technology means that they will leave surfaces streak free, and that the cloths are washable and bleachable.
Today, this ultimate cloth is manufactured in a variety of different applications. In addition to cleaning cloths, you can find mini sizes for cleaning glasses and small electronics; string mops for tile, laminate, and hardwood flooring; dusting mitts for blinds, ceiling fans, and small items; and even pillow covers for travel size pillows that are helpful to those with allergies.
Because the cloths work beautifully using only water, they are being embraced by those who wish to reduce their impact on the earth by avoiding chemically based products and paper towels for cleaning. Their eco-friendliness extends to people with environmental sensitivities, who may have an adverse reaction to conventional cleaning products.
Textile technology continues to evolve, but the ultimate cloth may have already been invented.
How The Financial Markets Can Grow More Than Just Your Bank Account
The financial markets provide us with the opportunity to grow in ways that most people probably do not even think about. We all know of the gains in wealth to be had buying and selling stock, bonds, commodities, currencies, and other instruments. One need not look far to find stories about the riches to be had. Successful traders, investors and portfolio managers like George Soros, Peter Lynch, and Warren Buffet have become household names. What is less commonly talked about is the personal development which takes place along the way.
Trading and investing, like any worthwhile pursuits, provide more rewards than just the obvious accomplishments. To paraphrase the old saying, the destination is not always as important as the path taken to get there and the things seen along the way. While it is true that the expansion of one's portfolio is what ultimately indicates success or failure in the markets, how those gains are achieved can provide outstanding opportunities to learn important lessons about ourselves with far reaching value. These lessons reach across all areas of our lives.
Playing to Your Strengths
We all have our strengths and weaknesses and a kind of structure in which we operate based on the demands on our time, education, experience and an array of other factors. In the markets we need to make assessments about these things to help us decide what to trade, the timeframe in which to operate, and how to make our trading and investing decisions. Why? Because it is unlikely that we will achieve our objectives if we do not honestly judge ourselves and how best we can operate. For example, I am unlikely to be a good day trader if I cannot dedicate my days to watching the markets for long stretches and frequently buying and selling. I must either choose another course or alter my schedule to accommodate the demands of being a day trader.
It is the same in the rest of life. We must constantly consider our personal inventory and life situation. They dictate what we can do and how we can do it. That said, these are not static things. Just as I noted above that I could alter my schedule to allow for day trading, so too can we change things to expand our options. Education, in all its forms, is part of that equation. So too is seeking out new experiences, meeting new people, and even consciously changing our attitude toward things. If a goal is important enough, there are things we can do to make achieving it possible. Part of that is knowing what we have to work with and how to most efficiently apply it. The other part is knowing how to open up new avenues.
Knowing Who to Listen To
In the markets there is a vast array of information available. It comes in every form imaginable, from data released by the government to commentary by analysts to tips from Uncle Joe. Some of this information is useful to us. Some is not. A great deal of what came out in the aftermath of the stock markets collapsing in 2000 and after was the number of conflicts of interest those who provided "expert" opinions had. These people did not have the interests of those they spoke to about this stock or that at heart, but rather their own and/or their firm's. Many, many people listened to these pundits to their detriment. Clearly, a hugely important element of successful trading is knowing what information is of value and which sources can be trusted, and what should be taken with a grain of salt.
The same holds true in all other areas of our life. All of us are constantly provided with information and advice. Some is solicited. Much is not. Before we can decide whether to make use of it all we must be able to assess the veracity of the source. Some people are trustworthy and wise. We can depend on what they say. Others do not have our best interests in mind. We must carefully consider what they say and the motivations behind it, before deciding whether it is worthwhile or should be ignored all together. Being able to effectively judge the input we receive from sources such as our family, friends, and peers is a priceless skill.
Being Disciplined
Success in the markets is achieved by doing what we know is the right thing to do. The single biggest reason people fail to consistently produce the returns they seek is that they fail to maintain a disciplined approach. Sound familiar? It is the same as anything else we do. Want to lose weight? You must be disciplined about diet and exercise. Want to learn how to play guitar? You must exercise the discipline required to practice the hours required to attain the skill.
Understanding Why You Fail, Knowing How to Succeed
Perhaps the single greatest thing about trading and investing in a meaningful fashion is that it provides a fantastic opportunity to see what you do which causes you to fail and what leads to success. The conscientious trader/investor has a plan and thereby a way to make evaluations. Whether things go to plan and profits accrue, or they do not go well, he or she knows why and what needs to be done going forward.
Achievement in life requires that one follow a similar course. No matter the objective or pursuit, we must understand what it takes to succeed and have ways we can judge whether we are doing those things or not. To do otherwise is to act in a random fashion, never sure if we are doing what is right and necessary.
These are just some of the valuable life lessons that trading and investing can provide. There are plenty more as worthwhile, to go along with the more commonly thought of value in understanding how the markets can be used to improve your financial well-being. And these lessons need not come at great expense either since modern trading and investing can be done with very small amounts of money – even none at all in the case of demo accounts. All the more reason to make the markets a source of both financial and personal growth.
Trading and investing, like any worthwhile pursuits, provide more rewards than just the obvious accomplishments. To paraphrase the old saying, the destination is not always as important as the path taken to get there and the things seen along the way. While it is true that the expansion of one's portfolio is what ultimately indicates success or failure in the markets, how those gains are achieved can provide outstanding opportunities to learn important lessons about ourselves with far reaching value. These lessons reach across all areas of our lives.
Playing to Your Strengths
We all have our strengths and weaknesses and a kind of structure in which we operate based on the demands on our time, education, experience and an array of other factors. In the markets we need to make assessments about these things to help us decide what to trade, the timeframe in which to operate, and how to make our trading and investing decisions. Why? Because it is unlikely that we will achieve our objectives if we do not honestly judge ourselves and how best we can operate. For example, I am unlikely to be a good day trader if I cannot dedicate my days to watching the markets for long stretches and frequently buying and selling. I must either choose another course or alter my schedule to accommodate the demands of being a day trader.
It is the same in the rest of life. We must constantly consider our personal inventory and life situation. They dictate what we can do and how we can do it. That said, these are not static things. Just as I noted above that I could alter my schedule to allow for day trading, so too can we change things to expand our options. Education, in all its forms, is part of that equation. So too is seeking out new experiences, meeting new people, and even consciously changing our attitude toward things. If a goal is important enough, there are things we can do to make achieving it possible. Part of that is knowing what we have to work with and how to most efficiently apply it. The other part is knowing how to open up new avenues.
Knowing Who to Listen To
In the markets there is a vast array of information available. It comes in every form imaginable, from data released by the government to commentary by analysts to tips from Uncle Joe. Some of this information is useful to us. Some is not. A great deal of what came out in the aftermath of the stock markets collapsing in 2000 and after was the number of conflicts of interest those who provided "expert" opinions had. These people did not have the interests of those they spoke to about this stock or that at heart, but rather their own and/or their firm's. Many, many people listened to these pundits to their detriment. Clearly, a hugely important element of successful trading is knowing what information is of value and which sources can be trusted, and what should be taken with a grain of salt.
The same holds true in all other areas of our life. All of us are constantly provided with information and advice. Some is solicited. Much is not. Before we can decide whether to make use of it all we must be able to assess the veracity of the source. Some people are trustworthy and wise. We can depend on what they say. Others do not have our best interests in mind. We must carefully consider what they say and the motivations behind it, before deciding whether it is worthwhile or should be ignored all together. Being able to effectively judge the input we receive from sources such as our family, friends, and peers is a priceless skill.
Being Disciplined
Success in the markets is achieved by doing what we know is the right thing to do. The single biggest reason people fail to consistently produce the returns they seek is that they fail to maintain a disciplined approach. Sound familiar? It is the same as anything else we do. Want to lose weight? You must be disciplined about diet and exercise. Want to learn how to play guitar? You must exercise the discipline required to practice the hours required to attain the skill.
Understanding Why You Fail, Knowing How to Succeed
Perhaps the single greatest thing about trading and investing in a meaningful fashion is that it provides a fantastic opportunity to see what you do which causes you to fail and what leads to success. The conscientious trader/investor has a plan and thereby a way to make evaluations. Whether things go to plan and profits accrue, or they do not go well, he or she knows why and what needs to be done going forward.
Achievement in life requires that one follow a similar course. No matter the objective or pursuit, we must understand what it takes to succeed and have ways we can judge whether we are doing those things or not. To do otherwise is to act in a random fashion, never sure if we are doing what is right and necessary.
These are just some of the valuable life lessons that trading and investing can provide. There are plenty more as worthwhile, to go along with the more commonly thought of value in understanding how the markets can be used to improve your financial well-being. And these lessons need not come at great expense either since modern trading and investing can be done with very small amounts of money – even none at all in the case of demo accounts. All the more reason to make the markets a source of both financial and personal growth.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Money Making Idea - Building A Successful You
Okay, this is the first thing you should remember.YOU are the absolute most important factor for building your success to make money, whether your business is online or offline. This is a making money opportunity for everyone to consider.
I have personally researched successful and unsuccessful people throughout my history of resources and nearly all successful people have important factors in common. The same thing goes for unsuccessful people too. It's all about your business attitude (confidence/competance), business plan, and well-being.
First of all, you must be willing to take action to change your life factors, without depending on others to take care of it for you, or waiting for that special miracle that will most likely NEVER happen. Most every successful person is willing to take action right away. Most unsuccessful people are almost clueless of what to do and often have a "book of excuses" or only wish that they could be successful without making the sacrifice.
That brings us to our first important factor... laziness and unwillingness to succeed. Laziness does not necessarily determine your failure. There are PLENTY of people who are extremely lazy that still have the drive to take it upon themselves and take action to improve their life. Most of the time, the reason is so they could stay just as lazy and still make plenty of money. Hey, whatever gives you the motivation, right? But, don't confuse laziness with unwillingness. Often times, success is generated from being at the right place at the right time. But, I wouldn't wait around to find out if that's the case or not.
Success is brought by sincere ambition, with the unwillingness to fail. But, don't keep poking at a dead horse hoping that it will kick back. There must be a strong business plan and it must be carefully thought out. BE COMPETANT and careful on what business you are plunging yourself into, before you sink to the bottom with it. Make sure you have a backup plan, even though you shouldn't need it if your business plan has truly been researched appropriately.
The wrong attitude will not make a business work, I'm here to tell you. Most unsuccessful people will have bad attitudes brought on by personal friends/family, employment, lack of strive to succeed, or for whatever reason. Don't let this take your success away from your future. Everyone is entitled to their fair share of success, but must be willing to make the change. Many will feel that there is not enough time, with everything going on in life, or they just aren't smart enough to do so. That brings us to the next step.
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION is the key resource to any business and is absolutely the most valuable commodity that can be obtained. Now, in the "old days" before the internet was accessible, information was very difficult and inconvenient to reach. Now there are no excuses. We have the internet. The whole world is at YOUR fingertips and it's up to you to find it, in the comfort of your own home of course.
Time does play an important role in research, as it does often take much time to find whatever it is you're looking for. But, it's not enough of an excuse to fail. It's up to you to make today and tomorrow count! Opportunity doesn't always knock on everyone's door, so get out there and FIND IT YOURSELF. Find out what works for others and do the research to see if that's what you're looking for. It's MUCH easier to make money than you may think, and I'm not talking about $20 or $50 dollars an hour. I'm speaking of 20, 50, 100 grand a month residual income. In other words, your business works for you, instead of the other way around.
Another important factor that cannot be overlooked is your health. Take care of yourself and yourself may take better care of you. Many things can be sacrificed to bring your success, but sacrificing your health should not be an option. Your success will not be as meaningful and fulfilling, if you can't enjoy it!
So, remember that your steps are to:
Realize that you are in control of your future success to take action now.
Mild laziness is acceptable as long as you are willing to take the necessary steps to further your growth.
Do your research and get the required information to make your business work.
Maintain good health so you can enjoy your future!
But, until next time, please take care and have a wonderful time!
I have personally researched successful and unsuccessful people throughout my history of resources and nearly all successful people have important factors in common. The same thing goes for unsuccessful people too. It's all about your business attitude (confidence/competance), business plan, and well-being.
First of all, you must be willing to take action to change your life factors, without depending on others to take care of it for you, or waiting for that special miracle that will most likely NEVER happen. Most every successful person is willing to take action right away. Most unsuccessful people are almost clueless of what to do and often have a "book of excuses" or only wish that they could be successful without making the sacrifice.
That brings us to our first important factor... laziness and unwillingness to succeed. Laziness does not necessarily determine your failure. There are PLENTY of people who are extremely lazy that still have the drive to take it upon themselves and take action to improve their life. Most of the time, the reason is so they could stay just as lazy and still make plenty of money. Hey, whatever gives you the motivation, right? But, don't confuse laziness with unwillingness. Often times, success is generated from being at the right place at the right time. But, I wouldn't wait around to find out if that's the case or not.
Success is brought by sincere ambition, with the unwillingness to fail. But, don't keep poking at a dead horse hoping that it will kick back. There must be a strong business plan and it must be carefully thought out. BE COMPETANT and careful on what business you are plunging yourself into, before you sink to the bottom with it. Make sure you have a backup plan, even though you shouldn't need it if your business plan has truly been researched appropriately.
The wrong attitude will not make a business work, I'm here to tell you. Most unsuccessful people will have bad attitudes brought on by personal friends/family, employment, lack of strive to succeed, or for whatever reason. Don't let this take your success away from your future. Everyone is entitled to their fair share of success, but must be willing to make the change. Many will feel that there is not enough time, with everything going on in life, or they just aren't smart enough to do so. That brings us to the next step.
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION is the key resource to any business and is absolutely the most valuable commodity that can be obtained. Now, in the "old days" before the internet was accessible, information was very difficult and inconvenient to reach. Now there are no excuses. We have the internet. The whole world is at YOUR fingertips and it's up to you to find it, in the comfort of your own home of course.
Time does play an important role in research, as it does often take much time to find whatever it is you're looking for. But, it's not enough of an excuse to fail. It's up to you to make today and tomorrow count! Opportunity doesn't always knock on everyone's door, so get out there and FIND IT YOURSELF. Find out what works for others and do the research to see if that's what you're looking for. It's MUCH easier to make money than you may think, and I'm not talking about $20 or $50 dollars an hour. I'm speaking of 20, 50, 100 grand a month residual income. In other words, your business works for you, instead of the other way around.
Another important factor that cannot be overlooked is your health. Take care of yourself and yourself may take better care of you. Many things can be sacrificed to bring your success, but sacrificing your health should not be an option. Your success will not be as meaningful and fulfilling, if you can't enjoy it!
So, remember that your steps are to:
Realize that you are in control of your future success to take action now.
Mild laziness is acceptable as long as you are willing to take the necessary steps to further your growth.
Do your research and get the required information to make your business work.
Maintain good health so you can enjoy your future!
But, until next time, please take care and have a wonderful time!
Want To Be Wealthy? Don't Stop Dreaming!
If I asked 100 people if they would like to be rich, I'm sure at least 98 of them would answer yes. Their answer might range from, "maybe if the conditions were right" to "YES, and make it fast!"
Most people think of the wealthy as being reserved and probably a bit cautious. The thinking goes that if the millionaire wasn't very cautious with how he spends his money, he wouldn't have a million dollars left.
But a closer look at who gets wealthy gives a far different picture. You see, at the very core of American business is a deep enthusiasm. People who get rich tend to be people who can make the most of the American business system. And those people tend to be gung-ho, enthusiastic, and more than eager to charge straight ahead. If you say, "I've got a way to make a lot of money, do you want to start tomorrow?" Most will reply, "Let's start NOW!"
One European marketing guru got it right when he said, "American business likes to jump in and take chances. In France they'll sit on a good idea until it's time has passed. Americans can't wait to get going." And I would certainly say that attitude toward business applies to everyone in North America, whether they be in the U.S. or not.
Here are several ways to light your own fire and get your business future on its way:
1. When you see a business opportunity, let your enthusiasm grow. Rather than thinking of all the ways the business might fail, spend time thinking ONLY of the ways it could succeed and succeed BIG.<
2. Listen to those around you, but don't let your friends, family, and people at work talk you out of an idea you really believe in. Scientific studies show it's very hard to keep your beliefs solid when two or more people gang up on you. Keep in that in mind. If you start to see the downside of your business after talking to others, go back to step one and get yourself fired up again.
3. KEEP yourself fired up. It's not enough just to get excited at the start. You've got to get up every morning reminding yourself just how cool your business really is.
4. Try to surround yourself with people who see things as you do. That's a great way to keep your resolve and pump up your vision. That may sound a little self-centered, but it's THE way top corporate leaders get things done in the CEO's office. You can use that method even if you're one person working from your kitchen table.
America is number one in business worldwide because we aren't afraid to dream. We aren't afraid to be enthusiastic. And that immense, American enthusiasm is our greatest asset in our never ending quest for wealth and financial security.
Most people think of the wealthy as being reserved and probably a bit cautious. The thinking goes that if the millionaire wasn't very cautious with how he spends his money, he wouldn't have a million dollars left.
But a closer look at who gets wealthy gives a far different picture. You see, at the very core of American business is a deep enthusiasm. People who get rich tend to be people who can make the most of the American business system. And those people tend to be gung-ho, enthusiastic, and more than eager to charge straight ahead. If you say, "I've got a way to make a lot of money, do you want to start tomorrow?" Most will reply, "Let's start NOW!"
One European marketing guru got it right when he said, "American business likes to jump in and take chances. In France they'll sit on a good idea until it's time has passed. Americans can't wait to get going." And I would certainly say that attitude toward business applies to everyone in North America, whether they be in the U.S. or not.
Here are several ways to light your own fire and get your business future on its way:
1. When you see a business opportunity, let your enthusiasm grow. Rather than thinking of all the ways the business might fail, spend time thinking ONLY of the ways it could succeed and succeed BIG.<
2. Listen to those around you, but don't let your friends, family, and people at work talk you out of an idea you really believe in. Scientific studies show it's very hard to keep your beliefs solid when two or more people gang up on you. Keep in that in mind. If you start to see the downside of your business after talking to others, go back to step one and get yourself fired up again.
3. KEEP yourself fired up. It's not enough just to get excited at the start. You've got to get up every morning reminding yourself just how cool your business really is.
4. Try to surround yourself with people who see things as you do. That's a great way to keep your resolve and pump up your vision. That may sound a little self-centered, but it's THE way top corporate leaders get things done in the CEO's office. You can use that method even if you're one person working from your kitchen table.
America is number one in business worldwide because we aren't afraid to dream. We aren't afraid to be enthusiastic. And that immense, American enthusiasm is our greatest asset in our never ending quest for wealth and financial security.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Little Known Facts
Little known facts can be just interesting. Here are some of those: A typical lightning bolt is two to four inches wide and two miles long; A month that starts with a Sunday will have a Friday the 13th in it; Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21; Close to 50% of all bank robberies take place on Friday.
Do you know the furthest point on Earth from the center? It's the peak of Mount Chimborazo, in Ecuador, near the Equator. The Earth bulges at the equator, making Mount Chimborazo even further out there than Everest.
Then there are the little known facts that are funny. These include, for example, silly laws that are still on the books. Here are some of those: By law, people in Vermont must take at least one bath a week; In Oklahoma, dogs need a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate on private property in groups of three or more; In Roanoke, VA, it's against the law to advertise on tombstones; It's illegal to put coins in your ears in Hawaii.
"Odor Judger" is an actual job title, and job description. So do you want to smell armpits all day to help make effective deodorants? I'm not sure why somebody other than some strange fetishist would want this job.
Useful Little Known Facts
Little known does not mean not useful. There are many things most people don't know that can be extremely useful. A few of these follow.
When an item can't be removed from your credit report, you have the right to add a 100-word explanation to it, permanently. All who receive the report will see your explanation. If, for example, you had an argument with a doctor over a charge, you can explain the details.
You can get free x-rays. Some dental schools will x-ray your mouth for free, if you have the patience to sit there while the instructor coaches the student through the process. You then get your x-rays to take to the dentist.
Thre are still towns with nice houses you can buy for less than $30,000. As of January, 2006, these include Altoona, Pennsylvania, Anaconda Montana, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Independence, Kansas. More are listed on the web site: Houses Under Fifty Thousand .com.
Buy two separate plane tickets to save hundreds. It cost $1750 to fly round trip from Traverse City, Michigan to Quito, Ecuador. That was the cheapest fare we found on any website. However, it was only $299 round-trip to Miami, and $405 round-trip from Miami to Quito. $704 total! Save over $1000 by buying two separate tickets.
You can't fold a dollar bill in half eight times, doubling it each time. In fact, try it even with a large piece of paper. It can't be done. You can win a bar bet with this fact, so I'll classify this one among the interesting, funny AND useful little known facts.
Do you know the furthest point on Earth from the center? It's the peak of Mount Chimborazo, in Ecuador, near the Equator. The Earth bulges at the equator, making Mount Chimborazo even further out there than Everest.
Then there are the little known facts that are funny. These include, for example, silly laws that are still on the books. Here are some of those: By law, people in Vermont must take at least one bath a week; In Oklahoma, dogs need a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate on private property in groups of three or more; In Roanoke, VA, it's against the law to advertise on tombstones; It's illegal to put coins in your ears in Hawaii.
"Odor Judger" is an actual job title, and job description. So do you want to smell armpits all day to help make effective deodorants? I'm not sure why somebody other than some strange fetishist would want this job.
Useful Little Known Facts
Little known does not mean not useful. There are many things most people don't know that can be extremely useful. A few of these follow.
When an item can't be removed from your credit report, you have the right to add a 100-word explanation to it, permanently. All who receive the report will see your explanation. If, for example, you had an argument with a doctor over a charge, you can explain the details.
You can get free x-rays. Some dental schools will x-ray your mouth for free, if you have the patience to sit there while the instructor coaches the student through the process. You then get your x-rays to take to the dentist.
Thre are still towns with nice houses you can buy for less than $30,000. As of January, 2006, these include Altoona, Pennsylvania, Anaconda Montana, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Independence, Kansas. More are listed on the web site: Houses Under Fifty Thousand .com.
Buy two separate plane tickets to save hundreds. It cost $1750 to fly round trip from Traverse City, Michigan to Quito, Ecuador. That was the cheapest fare we found on any website. However, it was only $299 round-trip to Miami, and $405 round-trip from Miami to Quito. $704 total! Save over $1000 by buying two separate tickets.
You can't fold a dollar bill in half eight times, doubling it each time. In fact, try it even with a large piece of paper. It can't be done. You can win a bar bet with this fact, so I'll classify this one among the interesting, funny AND useful little known facts.
Finding Targeted MLM Leads
The objective of multi-level marketing (MLM) is to sell the product or service and to encourage the client to become an independent distributor, who then sells the service or product as well. Leads are vital for any business to grow, and in order for the business owner to have the greatest success, the leads must be curious enough in the business opportunity to have expressed an interest. The prospects that have expressed an interest in becoming distributors are known as Targeted MLM Leads.
To find targeted MLM leads, business owners must first have ample knowledge of their target market. Are they self-starters? Do they have the commitment necessary to be part of a network? Business owners must also understand the product or service, the company mission statement, and its goals and objectives well enough to offer a good sales presentation. Delivering a presentation, however compelling, to someone that has not shown interest in the product, service, or business opportunity is a waste of time and resources.
Business owners can acquire targeted MLM leads from various sources. The most convenient sources are the companies that compile and sell lead lists. The business owner, however, should be careful when choosing a lead list source, as some may be fraudulent. Some targeted MLM leads are identified through telephone interviews or direct mail response. Business owners can also obtain targeted leads from promotional give-away programs that have high traffic. Usually a person will fill out a simple survey to claim the promotional item, and the business owner can then use the survey to assess whether he or she will be a quality lead.
To find targeted MLM leads, business owners must first have ample knowledge of their target market. Are they self-starters? Do they have the commitment necessary to be part of a network? Business owners must also understand the product or service, the company mission statement, and its goals and objectives well enough to offer a good sales presentation. Delivering a presentation, however compelling, to someone that has not shown interest in the product, service, or business opportunity is a waste of time and resources.
Business owners can acquire targeted MLM leads from various sources. The most convenient sources are the companies that compile and sell lead lists. The business owner, however, should be careful when choosing a lead list source, as some may be fraudulent. Some targeted MLM leads are identified through telephone interviews or direct mail response. Business owners can also obtain targeted leads from promotional give-away programs that have high traffic. Usually a person will fill out a simple survey to claim the promotional item, and the business owner can then use the survey to assess whether he or she will be a quality lead.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Get Rich Quick
How often do we receive this message each day in our email or blasted to us over the airwaves? Too many to count and so much so that we become numb to the message.
Here is exactly how to get rich quick. Count your blessings. What? You have no blessings? Oops! Think again! Everyone can find some blessings if they but look more closely.
Love:
The love of your family and friends and your love of humanity. Perhaps you find 'love' a strange word to use so you do not call it 'love' per se; perhaps you call it a deep sense of wishing the very best for those closest to you; and an abiding positive wish for all the best of life for them. This feeling, that many call 'love' is the fountain from which all other blessings flow.
Your job, vocation or profession:
Even though there may be days you dread the clamor of the alarm clock, and you drag yourself out of bed to face another day of problems to solve and people that try your patience it is after all a blessing.
Many people do not have even a job, much less a vocation or profession. Look beyond the rude people and problems and see them as an opportunity to make a difference in some way. You may not change those rude people into mild mannered, genteel people but you can change you and how you react to them. This is your opportunity to practice patience and tolerance and perhaps these people will recognize this seed and plant it within themselves.
"Day by day in every way I am getting better and better." This quote was made famous by the French hypnotist Emile Coue'. This is a wonderful quote to keep in mind when you find yourself slipping into a morass of negative thinking. Our minds are more powerful than we give them credit for being. It is truly amazing that our subconscious mind will grab on to just one negative thought and refuse to let it go, whereas it may take several times (or several hundred) positive thoughts to reprogram that thought, but it will happen with perseverance.
So, the next time you are feeling low self-esteem and getting ready to throw yourself a pity-party, or are overwhelmed with your bills, just remember: Get Rich Quick! Count Your Blessings!
Here is exactly how to get rich quick. Count your blessings. What? You have no blessings? Oops! Think again! Everyone can find some blessings if they but look more closely.
Love:
The love of your family and friends and your love of humanity. Perhaps you find 'love' a strange word to use so you do not call it 'love' per se; perhaps you call it a deep sense of wishing the very best for those closest to you; and an abiding positive wish for all the best of life for them. This feeling, that many call 'love' is the fountain from which all other blessings flow.
Your job, vocation or profession:
Even though there may be days you dread the clamor of the alarm clock, and you drag yourself out of bed to face another day of problems to solve and people that try your patience it is after all a blessing.
Many people do not have even a job, much less a vocation or profession. Look beyond the rude people and problems and see them as an opportunity to make a difference in some way. You may not change those rude people into mild mannered, genteel people but you can change you and how you react to them. This is your opportunity to practice patience and tolerance and perhaps these people will recognize this seed and plant it within themselves.
"Day by day in every way I am getting better and better." This quote was made famous by the French hypnotist Emile Coue'. This is a wonderful quote to keep in mind when you find yourself slipping into a morass of negative thinking. Our minds are more powerful than we give them credit for being. It is truly amazing that our subconscious mind will grab on to just one negative thought and refuse to let it go, whereas it may take several times (or several hundred) positive thoughts to reprogram that thought, but it will happen with perseverance.
So, the next time you are feeling low self-esteem and getting ready to throw yourself a pity-party, or are overwhelmed with your bills, just remember: Get Rich Quick! Count Your Blessings!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
How to Get Exactly What You Want
J. Paul Getty was quoted for his formula for success: "Rise early, work hard, strike oil." I'm a huge supporter of the practice of rising early (and if you're not, you probably should be). But regardless of when you wake up, the other two actions in this formula are "work hard," and "strike oil."
When I first ran across this quote ten years ago, I had to laugh, because it looked like Getty was saying you have to work hard and hope to get lucky. But a decade later, I can see the more relevant meaning, and I'm about to share with you why Getty's concept, perhaps more than anything else you might ever read, could be what gets you everything you want for the rest of your life.
It's all about your expectations
In short, it all comes down to your personal expectation as to whether or not you're going to strike oil. That's it. That's where it all starts. I can say this because that's how reality works - you're not going to get anything if you don't work hard to achieve it. But you're not going to work hard in the first place unless you have a strong enough expectation that you'll be successful (or at least be successful at learning from the experience).
This is just how life works. Your motivation to take action, and to follow through until the job is done, is directly proportional to your belief that you will succeed. (Side note: In some cases, the belief in success isn't even necessary - instead, you might be motivated by the fact your action will serve a higher cause, such as a 'failed' protest sparking a larger public awareness down the road).
If you break this concept down to the simplest parts, what you have is this: When you believe strongly enough that you will succeed at something, success is practically guaranteed - not because your belief creates the result, but because you don't give up taking action on a massive level until you get what you want.
When you believe that success is inevitable, you are able to put aside the idea that "failure," in the conventional sense, is a bad thing. Instead, it's just a specific attempt that you can learn from. Another life lesson to be accepted and consumed, not feared.
When you believe that success is going to be the end result of you never giving up, then you are going to attack your objective with a greater energy, a greater passion, a greater work ethic. You're going to be excited about what you're doing, because you know that it matters. You know that whatever it is you're doing, it's adding value that will eventually translate into the result you want.
That unwavering belief lets you focus your thoughts on questions like "How can I … ?" rather than "Why can't I … ?" The perspective of certainty gives you the ability to see obstacles as not these things that stand in your way, but instead as challenges that fuel your growth.
I've paid my dues
I experienced this myself as a ten year old kid in Brooklyn, New York. A horrible turn of events led to my mother getting murdered, my father going to prison for life, and me ending up all but homeless until I was taken in by a relative who was both an alcoholic and a drug user.
Years later, after I escaped the constant surroundings of drugs and violence, people remarked to me how surprised they were that I had avoided getting involved in drugs, alcohol, or any of the gang activity that was so pervasive during those years. Rather than any of that, I pretty much was a straight-A student who stayed out of (too much) trouble.
I always found it a bit humorous that while some people believed it was a solid foundation of strength that kept me on the straight and narrow, the thing that really kept me safe was that I didn't really accept the idea that I could get involved in any of those things in the first place. I just didn't know any better - I thought I was supposed to avoid them!
I just didn't see it as possible or reasonable for me, so I never thought about it. Those things were problems "other people" got involved in, but not me. In fact, I viewed the daily challenges I faced as tests that were there to make me stronger, so one day my life could make some kind of difference. And poof - that's exactly what happened. :
The point of all this is that all of my actions were driven by a firm belief that I would succeed eventually. That I would get through it all and come out okay on the other side. That I would strike oil. And it's no different than the mindset you have to adopt to make any of your goals/dreams/objectives a reality.
There's an old saying, "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?" While it sounds good on the surface (and it is, don't get me wrong), it's not perfect. Sure you could say what you would attempt if you knew you couldn't fail, but that doesn't help you when your brain is shouting, "Hey dummy, you're probably going to fail, don't you realize that?" The original question is a good start, but it needs to be taken a step further.
Instead of wishful thinking about what "could" happen, I've found a better question is more along the lines of "What will you attempt knowing that you will ultimately succeed, despite all the 'failures' that are sure to come along the way?
Because, face it, life is going to throw some pretty rough stuff over to you. You're going to have a lot more "go wrong" than you'd ever hoped for. But striking oil is about drilling deeper, even if you hit a few rocks along the way. In fact, the expectation is that you have to do a lot of drilling before you tap into that pocket of oil.
So let's talk about setting expectations. An expectation, in it's most literal sense, is a certainty that a specific result will occur.
If you've got a major goal that want to achieve, you need to have at least five things straightened out before you can really attack it full force.
#1 - You have to have the expectation that you, specifically you, can achieve this goal.
This one is a biggie. People typically have a lot easier time believing something is "possible" than believing it's "possible for them." They don't fully believe that they will be capable of achieving a goal because they are missing something - the time, the talent, the resources, whatever. They have an unwritten expectation that they will not be one of the people who "has what it takes."
That's a load of garbage. If you believe that, even just a little bit, then it's going to seriously damage your ability to take action. You're never going to give 100% and stick with it until the job is done. If this is you, you need to fix this first. (Stay tuned for an upcoming article on how to do just that. I'll link to it here when it's ready).
#2 - You have to have the expectation that you will close the resource gap, no matter how wide it is.
This one is also a biggie. It's easy to look at a large goal and feel like the distance between it and you is too wide. After all, how can you compete with the biggest successes in the world, who are already established? You can find out how by studying the people who do it every day, like skinny, broke college kid Michael Dell who took on IBM and Hewlett-Packard (and is still winning). If you're reading this years from now, a hundred other stories just like his will have come and gone.
You have to, have to, have to believe any resource gap can be closed. A lack of time, money, manpower, connections … it all doesn't matter, because there's a number of creative solutions out there that you're going to come up with to overcome all that.
If you don't believe the resource gap can be closed, it won't, because you won't take full-out action to make it happen. But if you have the expectation that it will eventually be resolved, guess what's going to happen. (Again, stay tuned for an upcoming article on how to do just that. I'll link to it here when it's ready).
#3 - You have to have the expectation that you will find a solution to every problem that will inevitably come your way. Every one.
You can't guarantee a problem-free life. But you can guarantee that you see a 'problem' as an opportunity, so rather than being drained by the challenge, you are energized. Chew on this and decide how you're going to make this shift in thinking. (In the meantime, bookmark this post and check back later to find a link to an upcoming article on how to do this.)
#4 - You have to have the expectation that every action you take matters. Every damn one.
This is critical. When you think taking action won't matter in the long run, you simply won't do it. But when you recognize that action accumulates - that the pyramids are built brick by brick, and every one matters, you'll be willing to take action even when you don't feel like it and your heart's not in it.
Remember, everything you matters. If you don't think it does, then you need to make that shift as well. Stay tuned for an article on that.
#5 - You have to believe that you can accelerate the process of getting to your objective.
This one's my favorite. As you improve the discipline of following through and taking action on a consistent basis, you'll want to find new forms of leverage to make the journey to completion a lot shorter. This is what "Million Dollar Leverage" is all about.
By holding onto the firm expectation that you can find ways of leveraging all your resources, you'll be subconsciously looking for ways to make that happen, and as a result you'll find a lot more of them. And that will get you to your goal faster. Much faster.
So, I hope I've sold you on the power of expectation to get what you want - to strike oil, whatever that means to you. If not, then read this article again and again until it sinks in. And then put your expectations to the test and get them correctly aligned. It's a bit of work, but if you do it you'll start seeing better results than you've ever seen before in a lot less time than you might imagine (unless your expectation is to see results right away :).
So get a pen an paper and get your expectations put in writing so you can drill them into your brain and use them to your advantage. Do it now - you'll thank yourself for it.
When I first ran across this quote ten years ago, I had to laugh, because it looked like Getty was saying you have to work hard and hope to get lucky. But a decade later, I can see the more relevant meaning, and I'm about to share with you why Getty's concept, perhaps more than anything else you might ever read, could be what gets you everything you want for the rest of your life.
It's all about your expectations
In short, it all comes down to your personal expectation as to whether or not you're going to strike oil. That's it. That's where it all starts. I can say this because that's how reality works - you're not going to get anything if you don't work hard to achieve it. But you're not going to work hard in the first place unless you have a strong enough expectation that you'll be successful (or at least be successful at learning from the experience).
This is just how life works. Your motivation to take action, and to follow through until the job is done, is directly proportional to your belief that you will succeed. (Side note: In some cases, the belief in success isn't even necessary - instead, you might be motivated by the fact your action will serve a higher cause, such as a 'failed' protest sparking a larger public awareness down the road).
If you break this concept down to the simplest parts, what you have is this: When you believe strongly enough that you will succeed at something, success is practically guaranteed - not because your belief creates the result, but because you don't give up taking action on a massive level until you get what you want.
When you believe that success is inevitable, you are able to put aside the idea that "failure," in the conventional sense, is a bad thing. Instead, it's just a specific attempt that you can learn from. Another life lesson to be accepted and consumed, not feared.
When you believe that success is going to be the end result of you never giving up, then you are going to attack your objective with a greater energy, a greater passion, a greater work ethic. You're going to be excited about what you're doing, because you know that it matters. You know that whatever it is you're doing, it's adding value that will eventually translate into the result you want.
That unwavering belief lets you focus your thoughts on questions like "How can I … ?" rather than "Why can't I … ?" The perspective of certainty gives you the ability to see obstacles as not these things that stand in your way, but instead as challenges that fuel your growth.
I've paid my dues
I experienced this myself as a ten year old kid in Brooklyn, New York. A horrible turn of events led to my mother getting murdered, my father going to prison for life, and me ending up all but homeless until I was taken in by a relative who was both an alcoholic and a drug user.
Years later, after I escaped the constant surroundings of drugs and violence, people remarked to me how surprised they were that I had avoided getting involved in drugs, alcohol, or any of the gang activity that was so pervasive during those years. Rather than any of that, I pretty much was a straight-A student who stayed out of (too much) trouble.
I always found it a bit humorous that while some people believed it was a solid foundation of strength that kept me on the straight and narrow, the thing that really kept me safe was that I didn't really accept the idea that I could get involved in any of those things in the first place. I just didn't know any better - I thought I was supposed to avoid them!
I just didn't see it as possible or reasonable for me, so I never thought about it. Those things were problems "other people" got involved in, but not me. In fact, I viewed the daily challenges I faced as tests that were there to make me stronger, so one day my life could make some kind of difference. And poof - that's exactly what happened. :
The point of all this is that all of my actions were driven by a firm belief that I would succeed eventually. That I would get through it all and come out okay on the other side. That I would strike oil. And it's no different than the mindset you have to adopt to make any of your goals/dreams/objectives a reality.
There's an old saying, "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?" While it sounds good on the surface (and it is, don't get me wrong), it's not perfect. Sure you could say what you would attempt if you knew you couldn't fail, but that doesn't help you when your brain is shouting, "Hey dummy, you're probably going to fail, don't you realize that?" The original question is a good start, but it needs to be taken a step further.
Instead of wishful thinking about what "could" happen, I've found a better question is more along the lines of "What will you attempt knowing that you will ultimately succeed, despite all the 'failures' that are sure to come along the way?
Because, face it, life is going to throw some pretty rough stuff over to you. You're going to have a lot more "go wrong" than you'd ever hoped for. But striking oil is about drilling deeper, even if you hit a few rocks along the way. In fact, the expectation is that you have to do a lot of drilling before you tap into that pocket of oil.
So let's talk about setting expectations. An expectation, in it's most literal sense, is a certainty that a specific result will occur.
If you've got a major goal that want to achieve, you need to have at least five things straightened out before you can really attack it full force.
#1 - You have to have the expectation that you, specifically you, can achieve this goal.
This one is a biggie. People typically have a lot easier time believing something is "possible" than believing it's "possible for them." They don't fully believe that they will be capable of achieving a goal because they are missing something - the time, the talent, the resources, whatever. They have an unwritten expectation that they will not be one of the people who "has what it takes."
That's a load of garbage. If you believe that, even just a little bit, then it's going to seriously damage your ability to take action. You're never going to give 100% and stick with it until the job is done. If this is you, you need to fix this first. (Stay tuned for an upcoming article on how to do just that. I'll link to it here when it's ready).
#2 - You have to have the expectation that you will close the resource gap, no matter how wide it is.
This one is also a biggie. It's easy to look at a large goal and feel like the distance between it and you is too wide. After all, how can you compete with the biggest successes in the world, who are already established? You can find out how by studying the people who do it every day, like skinny, broke college kid Michael Dell who took on IBM and Hewlett-Packard (and is still winning). If you're reading this years from now, a hundred other stories just like his will have come and gone.
You have to, have to, have to believe any resource gap can be closed. A lack of time, money, manpower, connections … it all doesn't matter, because there's a number of creative solutions out there that you're going to come up with to overcome all that.
If you don't believe the resource gap can be closed, it won't, because you won't take full-out action to make it happen. But if you have the expectation that it will eventually be resolved, guess what's going to happen. (Again, stay tuned for an upcoming article on how to do just that. I'll link to it here when it's ready).
#3 - You have to have the expectation that you will find a solution to every problem that will inevitably come your way. Every one.
You can't guarantee a problem-free life. But you can guarantee that you see a 'problem' as an opportunity, so rather than being drained by the challenge, you are energized. Chew on this and decide how you're going to make this shift in thinking. (In the meantime, bookmark this post and check back later to find a link to an upcoming article on how to do this.)
#4 - You have to have the expectation that every action you take matters. Every damn one.
This is critical. When you think taking action won't matter in the long run, you simply won't do it. But when you recognize that action accumulates - that the pyramids are built brick by brick, and every one matters, you'll be willing to take action even when you don't feel like it and your heart's not in it.
Remember, everything you matters. If you don't think it does, then you need to make that shift as well. Stay tuned for an article on that.
#5 - You have to believe that you can accelerate the process of getting to your objective.
This one's my favorite. As you improve the discipline of following through and taking action on a consistent basis, you'll want to find new forms of leverage to make the journey to completion a lot shorter. This is what "Million Dollar Leverage" is all about.
By holding onto the firm expectation that you can find ways of leveraging all your resources, you'll be subconsciously looking for ways to make that happen, and as a result you'll find a lot more of them. And that will get you to your goal faster. Much faster.
So, I hope I've sold you on the power of expectation to get what you want - to strike oil, whatever that means to you. If not, then read this article again and again until it sinks in. And then put your expectations to the test and get them correctly aligned. It's a bit of work, but if you do it you'll start seeing better results than you've ever seen before in a lot less time than you might imagine (unless your expectation is to see results right away :).
So get a pen an paper and get your expectations put in writing so you can drill them into your brain and use them to your advantage. Do it now - you'll thank yourself for it.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Mortgage Refinancing: how it can help you
When people talk about refinancing their mortgage, they are usually talking about swapping their old mortgage at a high interest rate with a new mortgage at a lower interest rate. With rates lower on 15 and 30 year fixed rate mortgages by around a whole half a percent, many families have been taking advantage of rate refinancing. A half of a percent, or 50 basis points(.50), may not sound too significant, but when compounded out over a year, or many years for that matter, you can be looking at a savings of several thousand dollars or several tens of thousands of dollars. So you many want to inquire with you loan holder about refinancing if current rates are lower than the rate that is on your loan documentation.
Refinancing can also be used to do what is known as cash out refinancing. With this type of financial transaction, you need to have access to equity in your home. As an example, if you owe $100,000 on a $300,000 mortgage, you have $200,000 of equity. You can take out $200,000, pay off the remaining $100,000, and the use the remaining money for whatever you like, such as home repairs or additions. Whether or not you'll be able to take out a full $200,000 depends on the institution that you do business with.
In some instances you may be able to eliminate your private mortgage insurance premiums by refinancing. If when you took out a loan for your home, you were not able to come up with a twenty percent down payment, you could currently be paying private mortgage insurance(PMI). However, if the equity in your home is now more than that twenty percent, you should ask your loan holder if upon refinancing the PMI will be eliminated. <
People also refinance to get out of an adjustable rate mortgage(ARM) and into a fixed rate mortgage. Often times one opts for an ARM when rates are low and look good, but the future of rates is uncertain. Now, that fixed rates are relatively low, it may be advantageous to switch into a fixed rate mortgage if you want to know exactly what you will need to pay each month for the life of your loan. One can also attempt to refinance the length of their loan to save money on interest payments in the long term. If a family has a 40 year mortgage,and their incomes have risen in recent years, it may be beneficial to refinance into a 30 year mortgage to pay less interest over the life of a loan.
Another very interesting way to use a home equity loan is to consolidate credit card debt and make credit card interest a tax deduction for yourself. You can potentially save yourself a lot of headaches if you use your home equity to help alleviate the pain caused by credit cards. But, you should consults a financial professional to see if this is a reality for your situation.
Refinancing can also be used to do what is known as cash out refinancing. With this type of financial transaction, you need to have access to equity in your home. As an example, if you owe $100,000 on a $300,000 mortgage, you have $200,000 of equity. You can take out $200,000, pay off the remaining $100,000, and the use the remaining money for whatever you like, such as home repairs or additions. Whether or not you'll be able to take out a full $200,000 depends on the institution that you do business with.
In some instances you may be able to eliminate your private mortgage insurance premiums by refinancing. If when you took out a loan for your home, you were not able to come up with a twenty percent down payment, you could currently be paying private mortgage insurance(PMI). However, if the equity in your home is now more than that twenty percent, you should ask your loan holder if upon refinancing the PMI will be eliminated. <
People also refinance to get out of an adjustable rate mortgage(ARM) and into a fixed rate mortgage. Often times one opts for an ARM when rates are low and look good, but the future of rates is uncertain. Now, that fixed rates are relatively low, it may be advantageous to switch into a fixed rate mortgage if you want to know exactly what you will need to pay each month for the life of your loan. One can also attempt to refinance the length of their loan to save money on interest payments in the long term. If a family has a 40 year mortgage,and their incomes have risen in recent years, it may be beneficial to refinance into a 30 year mortgage to pay less interest over the life of a loan.
Another very interesting way to use a home equity loan is to consolidate credit card debt and make credit card interest a tax deduction for yourself. You can potentially save yourself a lot of headaches if you use your home equity to help alleviate the pain caused by credit cards. But, you should consults a financial professional to see if this is a reality for your situation.
Banks vs. Owner Financing
It can often be difficult to obtain a loan from banks, which is why owner financing is becoming very popular among home and real estate buyers. Among the many perks of owner financing, the seller often accepts a low down payment whereas banks often charge 20% or more. In addition, many owner financed properties can be obtained without a credit check. This is especially beneficial for anyone who has a few blemishes on his/her credit report, which may cause banks to charge a higher than normal interest rates. An individual, or real estate developer, who is in the business of providing owner financing will likely extend financing to anyone who agrees to keep the payments current.
In recent years, the internet has become a hub for owner financing properties while also providing plenty of lending opportunities for anyone who wishes to apply for a loan from banks. Currently, a lot of the major internet auction sites have a category that is specifically designed for buying and selling real estate. These categories are more often used for owner financing options related to land purchases, but buyers will find a few homes sprinkled in now and then. From a mountainous retreat to a tropical island paradise, there is owner financing for land in these and other areas
Customers who wish to apply for loans from banks will find a variety of resources online, including eloan.com and lendingtree.com. These sites offer a customer the ability to have banks competing for their business. According to these sites, offers may begin arriving within hours. Not everyone will be approved, however, as there are a number of deciding factors that banks look at when deciding to extend credit. Among them, the customers credit history, debt to income ratio, ability to repay the loan and the presence of regular income.
Loans that are obtained through banks will require documentation, which may include previous 2-3 years of tax returns, current pay stubs and/or proof of employment. If they own land, individuals who are interested in buying or building a home will find that they have more success with banks. The reason is because the land will become partial collateral for the loan and, if the buyer defaults, banks will foreclose on both the house and the land. In addition, many land owners do not have to come up with the money for a down payment as the equity in their land will serve as the down payment.
In recent years, the internet has become a hub for owner financing properties while also providing plenty of lending opportunities for anyone who wishes to apply for a loan from banks. Currently, a lot of the major internet auction sites have a category that is specifically designed for buying and selling real estate. These categories are more often used for owner financing options related to land purchases, but buyers will find a few homes sprinkled in now and then. From a mountainous retreat to a tropical island paradise, there is owner financing for land in these and other areas
Customers who wish to apply for loans from banks will find a variety of resources online, including eloan.com and lendingtree.com. These sites offer a customer the ability to have banks competing for their business. According to these sites, offers may begin arriving within hours. Not everyone will be approved, however, as there are a number of deciding factors that banks look at when deciding to extend credit. Among them, the customers credit history, debt to income ratio, ability to repay the loan and the presence of regular income.
Loans that are obtained through banks will require documentation, which may include previous 2-3 years of tax returns, current pay stubs and/or proof of employment. If they own land, individuals who are interested in buying or building a home will find that they have more success with banks. The reason is because the land will become partial collateral for the loan and, if the buyer defaults, banks will foreclose on both the house and the land. In addition, many land owners do not have to come up with the money for a down payment as the equity in their land will serve as the down payment.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
7 Quick Cash Fixes To Recover From A Money Emergency
When you are desperate to raise emergency funds, it usually doesn't take very long for you to realize who really cares about you, who is truly a friend ... be they family or not.
Here are a few emergency budgeting tips:
Budgeting Tip #1: The first thing you want to do is prioritize to get back on track very quickly. If that means letting your credit card bill go for a bit, so be it. As soon as you realize that you have a money emergency, contact your credit card issuers and request reduced interest rates and payments. Not only one, both!
Budgeting Tip #2: For your car payment, call the creditor and request a payment extension. Perhaps you hate payment extensions, because they require a fee and you still have to make the payment at the end of the contract. In this case, a payment extension can allow a little breathing room to help you recover during your money emergency. Expect that you will likely have to pay a fee (usually about ¼ - 1/3 the car payment amount) for the extension. Freeing up the money you need today is your first and only goal at this point.
Budgeting Tip #3: Check to see if your mortgage holder will allow an extension for a nominal fee. Do this today!
Budgeting Tip #4: Another quick fix, is to host an on the spot yard sale. You don't have too much time for planning, so do a quick survey of your personal belongings. Come up with clothes that no longer fit, but that are in good condition, knick-knacks, dishes, and books as well as stuff you bought but no longer use. Throw it all together, quickly. Put some notices up the same day at laundry mats and grocery stores around town, and remember to place a sign at the end of your driveway. You can make a quick $300 this way with very little time and effort.
Budgeting Tip #5: If you have a larger item to sell, call into the local radio stations to see if they have a "call in swap show" on the weekends. This is a very popular way to quickly convert gently used and more expensive items to fast cash.
Budgeting Tip #6: Another quick option is with utility and telephone bills. If you aren't already on a budget plan, ask that the current bill (plus any previous balance you owe) be set up for a budget plan. Expect to pay a down payment (usually ¼ of the bill) and that all future bills (while on the back payment budget plan) must be kept current. The nice thing about it ... it's usually interest free, and can give you some much-needed breathing space for a month. You must be sure though that you maintain the regular utility payments AND the budget payments in the coming month.
Budgeting Tip #7: Check with your family church regarding emergency help. Local churches can be one of the best places to find out what's available in the community to help those in need, or in times of emergency. Check with your local church, first.
Getting Fast Cash through Borrowing
If you are absolutely, positively, in a bind, a real cash emergency, and you have exhausted all of the above, then consider borrowing. First, ask your family, then your local bank.
As a last resort, you may want to consider what's known as a "Payday Loan." These types of borrowing stores can be useful when all else fails.
Here are a few emergency budgeting tips:
Budgeting Tip #1: The first thing you want to do is prioritize to get back on track very quickly. If that means letting your credit card bill go for a bit, so be it. As soon as you realize that you have a money emergency, contact your credit card issuers and request reduced interest rates and payments. Not only one, both!
Budgeting Tip #2: For your car payment, call the creditor and request a payment extension. Perhaps you hate payment extensions, because they require a fee and you still have to make the payment at the end of the contract. In this case, a payment extension can allow a little breathing room to help you recover during your money emergency. Expect that you will likely have to pay a fee (usually about ¼ - 1/3 the car payment amount) for the extension. Freeing up the money you need today is your first and only goal at this point.
Budgeting Tip #3: Check to see if your mortgage holder will allow an extension for a nominal fee. Do this today!
Budgeting Tip #4: Another quick fix, is to host an on the spot yard sale. You don't have too much time for planning, so do a quick survey of your personal belongings. Come up with clothes that no longer fit, but that are in good condition, knick-knacks, dishes, and books as well as stuff you bought but no longer use. Throw it all together, quickly. Put some notices up the same day at laundry mats and grocery stores around town, and remember to place a sign at the end of your driveway. You can make a quick $300 this way with very little time and effort.
Budgeting Tip #5: If you have a larger item to sell, call into the local radio stations to see if they have a "call in swap show" on the weekends. This is a very popular way to quickly convert gently used and more expensive items to fast cash.
Budgeting Tip #6: Another quick option is with utility and telephone bills. If you aren't already on a budget plan, ask that the current bill (plus any previous balance you owe) be set up for a budget plan. Expect to pay a down payment (usually ¼ of the bill) and that all future bills (while on the back payment budget plan) must be kept current. The nice thing about it ... it's usually interest free, and can give you some much-needed breathing space for a month. You must be sure though that you maintain the regular utility payments AND the budget payments in the coming month.
Budgeting Tip #7: Check with your family church regarding emergency help. Local churches can be one of the best places to find out what's available in the community to help those in need, or in times of emergency. Check with your local church, first.
Getting Fast Cash through Borrowing
If you are absolutely, positively, in a bind, a real cash emergency, and you have exhausted all of the above, then consider borrowing. First, ask your family, then your local bank.
As a last resort, you may want to consider what's known as a "Payday Loan." These types of borrowing stores can be useful when all else fails.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
What Should I Consider When Buying Discount Sunglasses?
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You have to look good in your sunglasses. There is no question about that. After all, they sit right in the middle of your face! And while they are on, your sunglasses are probably the first thing that somebody else notices on your face. But of course, to look good in a pair of sunglasses, you don't need to go out and spend a bundle on them. From a simple trip to a pharmacy, department store or superstore, to a quick search online, it's easy to see that you can find yourself an eye-catching pair of sunglasses at a reasonable price.
But looks aren't everything! Sunglasses serve an important purpose, besides shading your eyes and complementing your good looks. They guard your eyes and your vision from the dangerous ultraviolet, or UV, rays of the sun. Just as these UV rays can cause sunburn, sunspots, and skin cancer on the rest of your body, these harmful UV rays can also damage your eyes.
One type of UV light in particular UVBs can cause temporary blindness with a condition called photokeratitis, or snow blindness. Photokeratitis occurs when your cornea gets burned by the Ultraviolet B rays. The damage and pain can last up to 2 days. Long-term exposure to UV rays can also be responsible for macular degeneration, cataracts, or skin cancer around the eyelids if your eyes are not protected outdoors. <
Sunglasses are meant to protect your eyes from these harmful effects of the sun. But not all discount brand sunglasses do the trick. It is important to consider whether or not a pair of sunglasses can adequately block out UV rays. Check the labels on the sunglasses before you buy them. All sunglasses should block out 99-100% of UV rays.
In addition to protecting your eyes and filtering out UV rays, sunglasses should also reduce glare and be comfortable to wear. Sunglasses containing polarized lenses are especially great for reducing glare, and are popular with outdoorsman for activities like fishing and boating. The color of your sunglasses lens may also reduce glare. Brown, Amber, Yellow and Red lenses reduce more glare than other lens tints.
Nothing is finer than being outside on a sunny spring or summer day, soaking up the rays, playing in the water, or having a family picnic. So just remember to wear adequate clothes, sunscreen and your sunglasses. One last thing to consider before buying your discount sunglasses; they may be worth your while because when you lose them, it won't hurt your wallet so much!
You have to look good in your sunglasses. There is no question about that. After all, they sit right in the middle of your face! And while they are on, your sunglasses are probably the first thing that somebody else notices on your face. But of course, to look good in a pair of sunglasses, you don't need to go out and spend a bundle on them. From a simple trip to a pharmacy, department store or superstore, to a quick search online, it's easy to see that you can find yourself an eye-catching pair of sunglasses at a reasonable price.
But looks aren't everything! Sunglasses serve an important purpose, besides shading your eyes and complementing your good looks. They guard your eyes and your vision from the dangerous ultraviolet, or UV, rays of the sun. Just as these UV rays can cause sunburn, sunspots, and skin cancer on the rest of your body, these harmful UV rays can also damage your eyes.
One type of UV light in particular UVBs can cause temporary blindness with a condition called photokeratitis, or snow blindness. Photokeratitis occurs when your cornea gets burned by the Ultraviolet B rays. The damage and pain can last up to 2 days. Long-term exposure to UV rays can also be responsible for macular degeneration, cataracts, or skin cancer around the eyelids if your eyes are not protected outdoors. <
Sunglasses are meant to protect your eyes from these harmful effects of the sun. But not all discount brand sunglasses do the trick. It is important to consider whether or not a pair of sunglasses can adequately block out UV rays. Check the labels on the sunglasses before you buy them. All sunglasses should block out 99-100% of UV rays.
In addition to protecting your eyes and filtering out UV rays, sunglasses should also reduce glare and be comfortable to wear. Sunglasses containing polarized lenses are especially great for reducing glare, and are popular with outdoorsman for activities like fishing and boating. The color of your sunglasses lens may also reduce glare. Brown, Amber, Yellow and Red lenses reduce more glare than other lens tints.
Nothing is finer than being outside on a sunny spring or summer day, soaking up the rays, playing in the water, or having a family picnic. So just remember to wear adequate clothes, sunscreen and your sunglasses. One last thing to consider before buying your discount sunglasses; they may be worth your while because when you lose them, it won't hurt your wallet so much!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
International Money Transfer
International Money transfer is an essential part of your international move and/or business, which, if handled correctly can boost your bottom line or settling funds dramatically. Anybody looking to move overseas, send money to family or conduct business with an overseas company will need to purchase or transact in the destination currency. In order to complete any property acquisition ahead of your move or just simply transfer your existing assets over to your new country, the method you choose will make a big difference.
In today's volatile currency markets, a small change in the currency rates, coupled with the high commission charged by most banks can make an enormous difference in the net currency amount received when converting your currency, you are placing what is possibly your life savings into someone else's hands. Depending on the size of transaction, this could make a tangible difference of several thousand dollars; money you may prefer to put towards starting your new life! This can leave you exposed to the market fluctuations and could give you a handsome boost to your funds or put a big hole in your budget.
To start with you have several choices how you move your money:
1. Use your normal Bank and accept the charges and the fact that you may not be talking to an expert when you discuss the transfer.
2. Use a specialist international currency transfer company
3. Use a normal money transfer agent (again accept the charges)
4. Buy a huge amount of traveler's cheques or take cash (not recommended)!!!
Lets discuss each one with a bit more detail:
Possibly the most important piece of advice I was given when emigrating was that the high street banks were not the best people to entrust with your money transfer overseas. How do you know that the bank teller has any idea what you are talking about (not being belittling but it probably isn't an everyday service)? They charge commissions, transfer fees and then to cap it all off they give a reduced exchange rate.
Essentially, the high street money transfer agencies are similar to the banks. They may know more about the transactions but will hit you with commissions, charges and not the best rates.
Travellers cheques and cash speak for themselves – don't do it! They are easily lost/stolen, some countries only allow a limited amount of cash to be carried into the country and in the case of travelers cheques, you may have to pay to buy them and then to cash them in. Just plain don't do it!!!!<
Last, but not least, it's the international currency transfer companies. I had no idea that international currency transfer specialists even existed, never mind the exceptional services on offer.
Naturally, securing the very best rate of exchange becomes all important. There are several money transfer companies that offer an alternative to the banks – in fact "alternative" is too weak, they outclass the banks by a mile! When we first heard about the services on offer it really did seem to be too good to be true and we were very skeptical. We thoroughly researched the major high street banks in the UK and the rates they were offering (adding the fees and commissions!) and then compared to the service we were offered. Again, there had to be a catch.
The transfer company had no commissions, transfer fees and also gave a rate that was close to 3 cents to the pound better than the banks. All the funds would be transferred electronically to the bank account of our choice normally within 2 working days. We were even offered a choice of payment methods which included direct debits/debit cards/electronic wire transfers and the ability to "book" a rate in advance for a small deposit and then pay the balance prior to the contracted transfer date.
We had to find out how these people could offer such a service so quite bluntly asked. The answer was very simple. This was a dedicated, specialist company that dealt on the Forex markets in large volumes – this meant that there would be a low profit margin on each individual deal but the overall volume made it worth while. Because they are a specialist company, they could pass on the savings to their customers and the use of modern, electronic transfers ensured the costs were low with no need to pass them on to us! A true Win-Win situation.
The other added bonus is that these people are dedicated foreign exchange experts who research the markets and accurately forecast the trends and can advise action accordingly. If it makes sense to "book" a rate for settlement up to 2 years ahead then that will be recommended – you pay a deposit and commit to the deal and then they buy the currency at the agreed rate of the day. They hold the currency on your behalf and then at the agreed date you pay the balance and the money is transferred. This protects you against fluctuations and allows you to budget accurately.
Paid Surveys Online, Make Money By Working At Home!
What would you do with……
• An extra $200each month? Pay a bill?
• An extra $500 each month? Pay cash (instead of credit!) for things you have been wanting?
• $ 1,000??? Now you can dream a little here……
This kind of extra "fun money" is definitely within your reach!
You can make these amounts each and every month right where you are sitting now, in your own home. All that is required is to fill out simple, quick, Paid Online Surveys.
You have no doubt filled out some sort of survey before. Did you get paid for it though? Take another look at dollar figures above.
So think about it, filling out paid online surveys at home, on your own computer. You do the surveys YOU choose, do them when you want to. No boss and no deadlines.
The paid survey company we work with are currently paying between:
• $10 and $95 per online survey! (Up to $95 /hr. !)
• $25 to $75 per hour to shop, eat, or see a movie !
• $10 to $35 per hour just to drive your car!
The obvious question is ….Why would some company pay me to do these things????
- It costs companies a small fortune to develop, launch, and advertise new products! If they hire people (employees) to test the products or try them out, the results are not always reliable and unbiased.
- Gathering YOUR valued opinions and paying you, even at the rates above, are just what these companies want. They can reach many different types (all ages, sexes, etc.) of consumers faster. For them it is all about direct access.
Is there a catch?
NO! These are legitimate businesses that need to know what you honestly think about their product before they go into large scale production and distribution. They need consumers opinions in order to make informed marketing and advertising decisions They are more than happy to pay for this service.
There is no free lunch! You will have to work, but how hard is completely up to you. Most surveys take 20 minutes, some a little longer, but they pay you for it too.
A few tips as you continue on….
• You could get your name enlisted in as many companies as possible. This will take some research in order to find the best ones with decent paying surveys. There are many to sift through, we did the same thing.
• Or you can make your life easier and look to an organization that has a database of 250 to 450 companies in their network that offer paid online surveys.
• Registration in an organization like this will carry a minimal cost of $25 to $35, but you benefit from the quick access, ongoing support, updates, and bonuses.
• We recommend you register, then choose the companies whose surveys appeal to you, and register with them individually.
• No further payment is required at this point, and in a flash you will be receiving surveys in your inbox!
Avoiding scams…..
• Unfortunately, there are paid survey companies that are unreliable, have no customer support, and just collect fees from ambitious newcomers.
• Learn to recognize these paid survey scam sites. These are full of outdated directories, lame resources, useless phone numbers, and dead-end email addresses.
• One sure sign of a rip-off is the lack of any guarantee whatsoever.
After extensive research, there is one paid survey company that we found, and highly recommend. They offer an unconditional, 60 day, money back guarantee. They have outstanding customer service and support. They are constantly updating their survey database and offer a special $25 sign up survey for new members! They offer the best resources for making real money doing paid surveys online!
Tourism Is Back In Full Swing In Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is back, better than ever! Over a hundred Mexico resorts have reopened and the state tourism minister predicts Cancun will draw as many visitors in 2006 as it did two years ago. And the travel deals are great! If you haven't been, now may be the best time to take a vacation to Cancun.
Since Hurricane Wilma hit in late October, the clean up has been moving fast. In fact, commercial and charter flights are back on regular schedules and many of the Cancun hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, golf courses and clubs have reopened. Even the ancient Mayan sites of Tulum and Coba are open and looking better than ever. In an effort to repair the beaches, engineers have been working around the clock building the equivalent of two American football fields of beach a day by collecting the displaced sand, from 22 miles off shore, onto two ships and re-depositing it back in it's original location.
The hotels and shops in Cancun continue to deliver exceptional, very personalized and attentive service. Clearly, Cancun wants everyone to come on back!
Additional Notes about the Restoration
Beach Restoration Project Moving Forward: A $17 million beach restoration project, funded by the Mexican government, is currently underway. The project, which is expected to take about eight months to complete, will restore and augment beaches along the 7 1/2-mile stretch between Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc.
It's a Divers Paradise: Divers are enjoying less crowds, great conditions and personalized service now that those areas have re-opened.
Expedia.com Helping Get the Word Out: Expedia is working closely with travel industry partners in Cancun to create more awareness about the region as well as setting up smart business practices for local merchants that will keep more money in the local communities.
New jobs: Cancun has added 10,000 new jobs since the Hurricane
Its time to go to Cancun
So, when you make travel plans this year, don't forget about Mexico's number one vacation destination. Cancun has received a real facelift with remodeled shopping centers, new hotels and restored beaches. The government, business owners and local people look forward your arrival.
Democrats Search For Platform; Find It In FDR's Basement
The Democratic Party, sensing electoral weakness in the war-ravaged Republican Party, began an intensive search for a platform that might lead to a rejuvenation of their own habitually unfocused and widely unattractive party.
Apparently, they have finally grown alert to the inadequate support provided by the random planking that has been delivered to them by various political strategists – usually, they now see, not deeply resonating and indubitably ethical ideas, but hardly more than sound bytes based on evanescent hot topics. Now, they long for an entire foursquare platform but, so far as is detectable, have yet to arrive at one.
Desperate to grasp the new grail, a leading member of the party found himself inspired to make a pilgrimage to the home of the legendary Democrat, FDR, in Hyde Park, New York, there the better to meditate toward a new vision.
While strolling the grounds, he happened to notice a bent and weathered gardener, who was intently spading in a flower patch and engaged him in a conversation, which turned to how long the aged son of the sun had been employed at the estate.
The gardener, affable in the suspect way many oldsters are, confided that he had been tending the tulips and other resplendent blooms for so many years he actually knew FDR. Then, having answered his interrogator, asked, "And, may I ask, what brings you here?"
The wandering wonderer confessed, "I came to find a Democratic platform."
The wizened gardener suddenly grew much more animated, and effused, "I know where the platform is."
"You do?" asked the surprised politico.
"Sure do," the gardener confirmed.
"Mind showing it to me?" the somewhat skeptical Democratic replied.
"My pleasure."
He led the curious visitor to the basement of the historic home. In a far reach of it, he pointed to a white canvas, which he reverently lifted away to reveal nothing other than a speaker's platform.
The gardener, placing an affectionate hand on the still polished oak, averred, "I saw FDR himself speak from this platform."
"Really?" the impressed Democrat replied. "Say, do you mind if I stand on it?"
"Go right ahead," the gardener replied.
Then the congressman in quest of wisdom mounted the platform and consulted his inspiration. Suddenly, the elusive grail he had sought dropped from an unseen height in the ceiling-works of his mind right onto the floor of it with a startling bang. What the Democratic Party had to do was what FDR did. Build a platform made out of good, solid oak, instead of one made out of the usual Formica – something real and convincing, instead of a trifle easily perceived by any conning voter as a contrived and dismissible fake.
Now, enlivened by his inspiration and being a bit of a historian, he found his mind wandering back to The New Deal. He considered FDR's oak-solid programs for rejuvenating the economy and rebuilding the middle class. Could, he wondered, the sentiments behind those now seemingly outmoded denotations be reinterpreted for today, even given our comparatively cynical and rapacious mindsets?
Then, like a pile of lumber cascading onto his contemplative brow, the new Democratic Platform came to him. We ought to build it, one plank at a time, he advised himself, with the issues that the generally strapped and somewhat befuddled middle-class American is actually concerned about. And, tempting as the prospect might be to many of our members, we shouldn't, if we want to get elected, tack on any wood that's bound to look out of place to a lot of Americans. We should just stick with the mighty oak.
Inspirited with his remarkable new vision, he thanked the gardener with a handshake so enthusiastic it cramped the fellow's spaying prowess for a few minutes. Then he bolted out of the basement and bounded onto the first flight back to Washington.
While dreaming of electoral victories fluttering down on the party like confetti, he considered how he might convince the majority of his party of his vision. Given their welcome but often self-defeating diversity, was there any possibility of unity? Realizing he had a daunting deal of work ahead for himself, he let out the sort of sigh that is so unexpectedly audible it always startles the one who perpetrates it.
A passing stewardess happened to hear his exhalation, and asked, "Are you OK?"
"Yes, I just wish my party was."
"What party?" the stewardess asked. "Maybe I can help. I'm only a stewardess part-time."
"Really?" he asked.
"Yes, my husband and I both have to work to make ends meet. And this job doesn't pay enough. It's not very secure, either. I'm sure you know, the airline is in bankruptcy."
"I heard about that," he admitted.
"Yes, it's a shame," she herself sighed, and then turned to bright-eyed affirmation. "So I started my own business."
"What kind of business?" he inquired.
"Just what you need," she advised him, putting her hand on his shoulder and smiling as engagingly as she could manage. "I'm a party planner."
New Rules For Buy To Let Landlords
A tightening of regulations regarding the letting of larger properties containing three or more storeys, converted into smaller self contained residential units, came into force at the beginning of April 2006. Further information on the Licence for Multiple Occupation is available on www.propertylicensing.gov.uk, but here are the basic facts:
The licences will be issued by the Local Authority after an inspection regarding room arrangements and sizes, facilities included and fire and safety regulations. The landlord will also have to satisfy the Local Authority that acceptable arrangements have been made for the management of the properties. The costs of these licences are expected to be around £100 per each tenant and will be renewable every 5 years.
It's felt that the tighter regulations may help genuine landlords wishing to enter the market, by assuring mortgage lenders that these properties are to be converted and managed in such a way that they could be favourably considered as suitable for buy to let mortgages.
Unscrupulous landlords may be less than happy with the new rules, which carry a fine of up to £20,000 if they don't conform!
Typically the property we're referring to would be student accommodation. If you live in or near a University town you'll be aware of the huge demand for such accommodation.
Here are a further two rules designed to protect tenants in multiply occupied properties:
· Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
· Housing Health and Safety Rating System
First, TDS - This regulation comes into force in October 2006 and is being introduced as an amendment to the Housing Act 2004.
It has been found that a source of contention between landlords and tenants is the refundable deposit situation. Some landlords are less than scrupulous and on the other hand, some tenants are slightly less than perfect! As soon as TDS comes in, all refundable deposits will be held in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme. A scheme administrator, acting as a neutral "referee", will hold the deposit. At the end of the tenancy the administrator will pay back the deposit to the tenant if all has gone well on both sides. If there are any adjustments to be made, they should be agreed at this time and then the administrator should be informed of the situation. Payment should be made by the administrator within 10 days of this notification.<
If it is impossible to reach an agreement and it proves necessary for either party to obtain a final court order deciding the proportion of the deposit to be paid to either party, then the administrator holds the deposit until this stage is reached and will then pay out the money accordingly.
When an administrator returns a deposit, interest must be added. The decision on the rate will be announced by the Government. Any balance of interest will be retained by the administrator and may be used to fund the running of the scheme.
Secondly, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System – If a tenant is concerned that the condition of the property is affecting their health, they can call in inspectors to make a judgment on this. These inspectors will have the power to demand any repairs which they think are necessary. The fine for landlords not complying with these conditions will be up to £5,000.
Obviously, there will be a cost to landlords in complying with these new rules and this will have to be recouped. Not all landlords will have the means to carry out the work and in the short term some of the properties in really poor condition may close. The end result, though, should be a better standard of accommodation and a fairer deal overall, making it more tempting for shrewd investors to enter this type of market via a buy to let mortgage!
The licences will be issued by the Local Authority after an inspection regarding room arrangements and sizes, facilities included and fire and safety regulations. The landlord will also have to satisfy the Local Authority that acceptable arrangements have been made for the management of the properties. The costs of these licences are expected to be around £100 per each tenant and will be renewable every 5 years.
It's felt that the tighter regulations may help genuine landlords wishing to enter the market, by assuring mortgage lenders that these properties are to be converted and managed in such a way that they could be favourably considered as suitable for buy to let mortgages.
Unscrupulous landlords may be less than happy with the new rules, which carry a fine of up to £20,000 if they don't conform!
Typically the property we're referring to would be student accommodation. If you live in or near a University town you'll be aware of the huge demand for such accommodation.
Here are a further two rules designed to protect tenants in multiply occupied properties:
· Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
· Housing Health and Safety Rating System
First, TDS - This regulation comes into force in October 2006 and is being introduced as an amendment to the Housing Act 2004.
It has been found that a source of contention between landlords and tenants is the refundable deposit situation. Some landlords are less than scrupulous and on the other hand, some tenants are slightly less than perfect! As soon as TDS comes in, all refundable deposits will be held in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme. A scheme administrator, acting as a neutral "referee", will hold the deposit. At the end of the tenancy the administrator will pay back the deposit to the tenant if all has gone well on both sides. If there are any adjustments to be made, they should be agreed at this time and then the administrator should be informed of the situation. Payment should be made by the administrator within 10 days of this notification.<
If it is impossible to reach an agreement and it proves necessary for either party to obtain a final court order deciding the proportion of the deposit to be paid to either party, then the administrator holds the deposit until this stage is reached and will then pay out the money accordingly.
When an administrator returns a deposit, interest must be added. The decision on the rate will be announced by the Government. Any balance of interest will be retained by the administrator and may be used to fund the running of the scheme.
Secondly, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System – If a tenant is concerned that the condition of the property is affecting their health, they can call in inspectors to make a judgment on this. These inspectors will have the power to demand any repairs which they think are necessary. The fine for landlords not complying with these conditions will be up to £5,000.
Obviously, there will be a cost to landlords in complying with these new rules and this will have to be recouped. Not all landlords will have the means to carry out the work and in the short term some of the properties in really poor condition may close. The end result, though, should be a better standard of accommodation and a fairer deal overall, making it more tempting for shrewd investors to enter this type of market via a buy to let mortgage!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bad Ways To Save Money
There are ways to save money that you just shouldn't use. Don't try these at home.
Finding new ways to save money on almost anything you buy is almost like getting a raise. Maybe it's even better. When you save twenty dollars on a coat you get to keep the whole twenty dollars. When you make twenty dollars more on your paycheck, you lose five dollars or more of it to taxes.
Finding ways to save money can go too far, though. In a recent newsletter on how to save money, one contributor suggested getting free flowers for weddings by picking up the leftover flowers at a cemetery. She didn't say how you can tell which are "leftovers."
I thought I was cheap! The following are gleaned from real suggestions on ways to save money sent in to "frugality" websites and newsletters. Some cheapskates don't seem to notice that an extra hour at work might put them further ahead than many hours of penny-pinching.
Ways To Save Money - Don't Try These At Home
A mother confessed that she makes her kids stuff their pockets with the free ketchup, salt and other condiment packets every time they were in a fast food restaurant. Oh, if only that were all, but no. She has the kids squeeze the contents of the packets into regular jars of ketchup and mustard too. She says she hasn't bought these condiments in years. Pride is found in strange places.
One creative penny pincher found a way to save money on car washes. He washes his entire car using the squeegee at the gas station. Hmm... I wonder if he takes the toilet paper rolls home from their rest rooms too.
Would you like a free umbrella? One man suggests getting one at the lost and found department of any large public library. You just tell them you lost a black umbrella. They will almost certainly have several, from which you can pick the best one and claim it as your own. What if they have no black umbrellas? I guess we'll have to wait for this guy to publish a "lost umbrella color frequency chart," in order to know which color to try for the next day.
Several contributors to these newsletters know how to save on their long distance phone bills. The most common suggestion is to call people long-distance when you know they won't be home, and leave a message for them. Then they pay for it when they return your call. I suppose if your timing is off, and they answer when you call, you can quickly hang up on them and try again later.
I don't recommend any of these as ways to even the most frugal person. Apart from the ethical issues with some of them, they can be lumped in along with washing and re-using plastic wrap - a time wasting frugality. On the other hand, they are fun to read, and I suppose we could view such measures as cheap entertainment as well. Perhaps you can turn off the lights to save money on electricity and tell the kids it's a game of hide-and-seek, or train your dog to beg from the neighbors so you don't have to feed him.
I wonder how many people actually pay for magazines and newsletters that tell us ways to save money? Do these magazines advise that readers go to the library to read them, or stand reading them in the aisle at the bookstore for a hour? Those are some sure ways to save money.
Finding new ways to save money on almost anything you buy is almost like getting a raise. Maybe it's even better. When you save twenty dollars on a coat you get to keep the whole twenty dollars. When you make twenty dollars more on your paycheck, you lose five dollars or more of it to taxes.
Finding ways to save money can go too far, though. In a recent newsletter on how to save money, one contributor suggested getting free flowers for weddings by picking up the leftover flowers at a cemetery. She didn't say how you can tell which are "leftovers."
I thought I was cheap! The following are gleaned from real suggestions on ways to save money sent in to "frugality" websites and newsletters. Some cheapskates don't seem to notice that an extra hour at work might put them further ahead than many hours of penny-pinching.
Ways To Save Money - Don't Try These At Home
A mother confessed that she makes her kids stuff their pockets with the free ketchup, salt and other condiment packets every time they were in a fast food restaurant. Oh, if only that were all, but no. She has the kids squeeze the contents of the packets into regular jars of ketchup and mustard too. She says she hasn't bought these condiments in years. Pride is found in strange places.
One creative penny pincher found a way to save money on car washes. He washes his entire car using the squeegee at the gas station. Hmm... I wonder if he takes the toilet paper rolls home from their rest rooms too.
Would you like a free umbrella? One man suggests getting one at the lost and found department of any large public library. You just tell them you lost a black umbrella. They will almost certainly have several, from which you can pick the best one and claim it as your own. What if they have no black umbrellas? I guess we'll have to wait for this guy to publish a "lost umbrella color frequency chart," in order to know which color to try for the next day.
Several contributors to these newsletters know how to save on their long distance phone bills. The most common suggestion is to call people long-distance when you know they won't be home, and leave a message for them. Then they pay for it when they return your call. I suppose if your timing is off, and they answer when you call, you can quickly hang up on them and try again later.
I don't recommend any of these as ways to even the most frugal person. Apart from the ethical issues with some of them, they can be lumped in along with washing and re-using plastic wrap - a time wasting frugality. On the other hand, they are fun to read, and I suppose we could view such measures as cheap entertainment as well. Perhaps you can turn off the lights to save money on electricity and tell the kids it's a game of hide-and-seek, or train your dog to beg from the neighbors so you don't have to feed him.
I wonder how many people actually pay for magazines and newsletters that tell us ways to save money? Do these magazines advise that readers go to the library to read them, or stand reading them in the aisle at the bookstore for a hour? Those are some sure ways to save money.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Avoid Financial Disaster with Good Planning
You never know when financial disaster - job loss, illness or natural catastrophe - will happen. But you can take a few simple steps to be prepared, just in case.
It's tough to get by financially in today's fast-paced life. With mortgages, car notes and massive amounts of credit card debt, most people struggle to get by from month to month. With most people doing what they can just to pay their bills, few people are prepared for the unlikely event of a financial disaster. They come in many forms; a storm like Hurricane Katrina, a loss of job, or a sudden illness can break anyone who isn't prepared for an unexpected interruption in their financial life. But it isn't all that difficult to make preparations that will help you in times of a money crisis. All it takes is a bit of planning ahead of time.
Here are a few things that will help you be prepared for the unexpected:
Get an ATM/Debit card - You may not regularly use cash or have a need for a debit card, but there are some circumstances where it may be necessary. People from New Orleans who were temporarily displaced by Hurricane Katrina would have benefited from having access to cash even while away from home. If you don't use one regularly, get one anyway and keep it in a safe place.
Sign up for direct deposit - With direct deposit, you will know that your paycheck will be in your bank account even if you cannot, for whatever reason, physically get to your bank. This will help you in the event of illness or natural disaster that may have your local bank temporarily closed.
Sign up for online bill paying - You can pay bills even if you aren't at home via the Internet. You don't have to use the service, but it may come in handy at a time when you least expect it.
Save some emergency cash - Financial experts recommend that you save at least three months' worth of financial expenses. That's difficult, but every little bit can help. Try to cut back on a few unnecessary items, such as that tall latte you buy every day. It adds up, and you never know when you may need to access that emergency cash.
Set up a home equity line of credit - Unlike a home equity loan, which provides you with a lump sum of cash right away, a home equity line of credit provides you with cash that you can use a little at a time, and only when you need it. If you don't actually take any money out, you don't have monthly payments. But if an emergency strikes, you'll have cash available. This can be particularly helpful if you find yourself out of work for a short period of time. Your bank won't lend you money when you are out of work, so plan ahead of time and the money will be ready when you are.
A little bit of planning can go a long way when a financial emergency strikes. If you plan for it now, you will have fewer worries later.
It's tough to get by financially in today's fast-paced life. With mortgages, car notes and massive amounts of credit card debt, most people struggle to get by from month to month. With most people doing what they can just to pay their bills, few people are prepared for the unlikely event of a financial disaster. They come in many forms; a storm like Hurricane Katrina, a loss of job, or a sudden illness can break anyone who isn't prepared for an unexpected interruption in their financial life. But it isn't all that difficult to make preparations that will help you in times of a money crisis. All it takes is a bit of planning ahead of time.
Here are a few things that will help you be prepared for the unexpected:
Get an ATM/Debit card - You may not regularly use cash or have a need for a debit card, but there are some circumstances where it may be necessary. People from New Orleans who were temporarily displaced by Hurricane Katrina would have benefited from having access to cash even while away from home. If you don't use one regularly, get one anyway and keep it in a safe place.
Sign up for direct deposit - With direct deposit, you will know that your paycheck will be in your bank account even if you cannot, for whatever reason, physically get to your bank. This will help you in the event of illness or natural disaster that may have your local bank temporarily closed.
Sign up for online bill paying - You can pay bills even if you aren't at home via the Internet. You don't have to use the service, but it may come in handy at a time when you least expect it.
Save some emergency cash - Financial experts recommend that you save at least three months' worth of financial expenses. That's difficult, but every little bit can help. Try to cut back on a few unnecessary items, such as that tall latte you buy every day. It adds up, and you never know when you may need to access that emergency cash.
Set up a home equity line of credit - Unlike a home equity loan, which provides you with a lump sum of cash right away, a home equity line of credit provides you with cash that you can use a little at a time, and only when you need it. If you don't actually take any money out, you don't have monthly payments. But if an emergency strikes, you'll have cash available. This can be particularly helpful if you find yourself out of work for a short period of time. Your bank won't lend you money when you are out of work, so plan ahead of time and the money will be ready when you are.
A little bit of planning can go a long way when a financial emergency strikes. If you plan for it now, you will have fewer worries later.
Are You Financially Prepared For An Emergency?
A little planning now can help you handle a natural disaster or other emergency.
Many Americans have focused on their need to be prepared in case of an emergency. Very few, however, consider financial preparedness in their plans. From keeping an evacuation box with important documents to setting up an account with emergency funds, preparing now can be the difference between financial security and financial crisis.
These simple tips from financial experts at Union Bank of California can help anyone prepare financially for a natural disaster:
• Conduct a Household Inventory
Create a household inventory for items of significant value and locate originals of important financial and family documents. Store original documents in waterproof bags in a safe deposit box or durable "evacuation box" and photocopies in a safe place. Use a CD to back up key documents on your computer. If practical, store copies with friends or relatives who live outside the area.
• Know Your Insurance Policies
Understand what types of losses your renters or homeowners insurance covers. Ask your insurance agent or financial planner about additional coverage for floods, earthquakes, home offices and big-ticket items. Keep copies of your policies in a safe place along with your other important papers.
• Keep Cash Accessible
Keep at least $300 in cash at home in a place where you can get to it quickly in case of a sudden evacuation. The money should be in small denominations for easier use.
• Create and Maintain a List of Emergency Contacts
Keep a list of important emergency contacts, including direct family members, doctors, medical facilities, numbers for your bank, insurance agent and company, lawyer and financial planner/advisor. Credit card 1-800 numbers can help you quickly retrieve account information.
• Keep an Emergency Savings Account
This account should be separate from any other account and contain enough money to cover at least three to six months of living expenses.
"We've learned from the aftermath of recent natural disasters that financial preparedness is not always top of mind," said Union Bank's Executive Vice President Ronald Kendrick. "Follow these guidelines to ensure you and your family are protected financially."
Many Americans have focused on their need to be prepared in case of an emergency. Very few, however, consider financial preparedness in their plans. From keeping an evacuation box with important documents to setting up an account with emergency funds, preparing now can be the difference between financial security and financial crisis.
These simple tips from financial experts at Union Bank of California can help anyone prepare financially for a natural disaster:
• Conduct a Household Inventory
Create a household inventory for items of significant value and locate originals of important financial and family documents. Store original documents in waterproof bags in a safe deposit box or durable "evacuation box" and photocopies in a safe place. Use a CD to back up key documents on your computer. If practical, store copies with friends or relatives who live outside the area.
• Know Your Insurance Policies
Understand what types of losses your renters or homeowners insurance covers. Ask your insurance agent or financial planner about additional coverage for floods, earthquakes, home offices and big-ticket items. Keep copies of your policies in a safe place along with your other important papers.
• Keep Cash Accessible
Keep at least $300 in cash at home in a place where you can get to it quickly in case of a sudden evacuation. The money should be in small denominations for easier use.
• Create and Maintain a List of Emergency Contacts
Keep a list of important emergency contacts, including direct family members, doctors, medical facilities, numbers for your bank, insurance agent and company, lawyer and financial planner/advisor. Credit card 1-800 numbers can help you quickly retrieve account information.
• Keep an Emergency Savings Account
This account should be separate from any other account and contain enough money to cover at least three to six months of living expenses.
"We've learned from the aftermath of recent natural disasters that financial preparedness is not always top of mind," said Union Bank's Executive Vice President Ronald Kendrick. "Follow these guidelines to ensure you and your family are protected financially."
A Money Saving Exercise
Want to get more for your money? Try this simple money saving exercise.
There is a simple money saving exercise that everyone should do at least once in their lives. It is ultimately one of the best ways to save money, because it is not about pinching pennies, but about discovering what you really want and getting it. It is so simple you may hesitate to try it. Just try it. Here it is:
List everything that you have spent money on, are currently spending money on, or might spend money on.
Don't just read this and think of a few things. Take the time to actually write it all down. Review your bank statements if you have to, in order to remember and include everything.
Now go through the list, and carefully consider each item. Take the most time on the big items - past, present and future possibilities. If your timeshare on the beach is worth half what you paid, costs $1,000 per year in expenses, and is rarely used, you need to learn from that - not to punish yourself, but to have a richer life.
If you think honestly about the number of times you will use that Recreational Vehicle, and the cost, it may be $250 for each day of use. That's okay if that is worth it to you, but maybe you really would enjoy $100 hotels more. Or maybe you can rent an RV for less overall cost, thus freeing up money for other important goals.
You see, saving money isn't about sacrifice. We all are aware of the scrooges in life that pinch their pennies, bank the savings, and then do nothing with it. The point should be to save money in one area of life so you can use it in ways that make your whole life richer.
Suppose you notice you're spending $8 per month on subscriptions to magazine you don't read, or on insurance for a motorcycle you almost never ride? Cancel the subscriptions or sell the motorcycle, and what have you lost? Is it a big deal? What will that $8 get you instead?
- Bank it for ten years, and use the $1200 to take a second honeymoon.
- Use it to pay for a day off work once a year, to spend with the kids.
- Invest it, to have an extra $50 per month during your retirement years.
- Buy six good books a year, to learn something new.
- Make banana splits for the family once a month.
- Give $100 per year to a worthy cause.
$8 per month can do a lot if used wisely. Imagine what you could do if you stopped wasting $200 per month. That's why it is so important to discover what you really want - and what you don't want. This is one of the most intelligent ways to save money.
There is a simple money saving exercise that everyone should do at least once in their lives. It is ultimately one of the best ways to save money, because it is not about pinching pennies, but about discovering what you really want and getting it. It is so simple you may hesitate to try it. Just try it. Here it is:
List everything that you have spent money on, are currently spending money on, or might spend money on.
Don't just read this and think of a few things. Take the time to actually write it all down. Review your bank statements if you have to, in order to remember and include everything.
Now go through the list, and carefully consider each item. Take the most time on the big items - past, present and future possibilities. If your timeshare on the beach is worth half what you paid, costs $1,000 per year in expenses, and is rarely used, you need to learn from that - not to punish yourself, but to have a richer life.
If you think honestly about the number of times you will use that Recreational Vehicle, and the cost, it may be $250 for each day of use. That's okay if that is worth it to you, but maybe you really would enjoy $100 hotels more. Or maybe you can rent an RV for less overall cost, thus freeing up money for other important goals.
You see, saving money isn't about sacrifice. We all are aware of the scrooges in life that pinch their pennies, bank the savings, and then do nothing with it. The point should be to save money in one area of life so you can use it in ways that make your whole life richer.
Suppose you notice you're spending $8 per month on subscriptions to magazine you don't read, or on insurance for a motorcycle you almost never ride? Cancel the subscriptions or sell the motorcycle, and what have you lost? Is it a big deal? What will that $8 get you instead?
- Bank it for ten years, and use the $1200 to take a second honeymoon.
- Use it to pay for a day off work once a year, to spend with the kids.
- Invest it, to have an extra $50 per month during your retirement years.
- Buy six good books a year, to learn something new.
- Make banana splits for the family once a month.
- Give $100 per year to a worthy cause.
$8 per month can do a lot if used wisely. Imagine what you could do if you stopped wasting $200 per month. That's why it is so important to discover what you really want - and what you don't want. This is one of the most intelligent ways to save money.
10 Tips To Improved Personal Budgeting
Money, according to a classical definition, is what money does. And truth, as they say, is like a rubber band.
Clip coupons. This is the single most important rule of personal budgeting. Why? Simply because a few minutes spent clipping coupons could end up saving you multiple dollars in the checkout line.
Buy in bulk. If your favorite products are on sale, buying in bulk may cost you more at present but could end up saving you a lot in the future. Some good examples are items that do not have an expiration date, such as soap, shampoo, toiletries and other household items. Canned foods, which carry a long expiration date, are also ideal for buying in bulk.
Saving your change can be a great help in your quest for personal budgeting. You would be surprised how quickly change can add up and, even if it’s $50 or $100 per month, your coins can add up to some serious cash. Many people discard their coins or simply toss them around without thought, but saving them in a bowl or dish will help a great deal when it comes to personal budgeting.
Put a portion of each paycheck into a savings count each week or month. Whether it’s a few dollars or several hundred, always make sure that you are putting aside some amount of money into a savings account. If possible, deposit 10-20% from each paycheck.
Avoid impulse shopping. This type of buying is what ultimately leads to buyer’s remorse. In order to avoid it, think about what you want to shop for and make sure that you avoid any last minute additions unless they are absolutely necessary or you can afford them without being in a crunch.
Shop the sale racks. Everyone enjoys sprucing up their wardrobe now and then so, when it comes time to add a few new pieces of apparel, stop by the sale rack for big savings. There’s nothing wrong with keeping a few extra dollars in your pocket, which can be later be used for life’s little essentials.
Avoid using high-interest credit cards unless you can repay them within six months. Otherwise, you are more likely to get swallowed up with interest and end up paying for the original purchase several times over.
If you do use a credit card for purchases, try to use one with an introductory APR or a regularly low interest rate. This could end up saving you big bucks every month and also in the future, which is one of the most important rules to personal budgeting.
Request free samples. Everything from skin lotions and shampoo to dog treats and household products are up for grabs to all who ask. In addition, many manufacturers offer free samples of new product releases directly through their own website.
If you find yourself in increasing credit card debt, call the creditor and request to be placed on a hardship program. This type of program allows for lower interest and smaller payments for a specified amount of time. Depending on the creditor, it can be in effect for several months or until the balance is paid in full. This method will not only help your immediate personal budgeting, but will also give you additional financial freedom in the future when the debt is paid in full.
Clip coupons. This is the single most important rule of personal budgeting. Why? Simply because a few minutes spent clipping coupons could end up saving you multiple dollars in the checkout line.
Buy in bulk. If your favorite products are on sale, buying in bulk may cost you more at present but could end up saving you a lot in the future. Some good examples are items that do not have an expiration date, such as soap, shampoo, toiletries and other household items. Canned foods, which carry a long expiration date, are also ideal for buying in bulk.
Saving your change can be a great help in your quest for personal budgeting. You would be surprised how quickly change can add up and, even if it’s $50 or $100 per month, your coins can add up to some serious cash. Many people discard their coins or simply toss them around without thought, but saving them in a bowl or dish will help a great deal when it comes to personal budgeting.
Put a portion of each paycheck into a savings count each week or month. Whether it’s a few dollars or several hundred, always make sure that you are putting aside some amount of money into a savings account. If possible, deposit 10-20% from each paycheck.
Avoid impulse shopping. This type of buying is what ultimately leads to buyer’s remorse. In order to avoid it, think about what you want to shop for and make sure that you avoid any last minute additions unless they are absolutely necessary or you can afford them without being in a crunch.
Shop the sale racks. Everyone enjoys sprucing up their wardrobe now and then so, when it comes time to add a few new pieces of apparel, stop by the sale rack for big savings. There’s nothing wrong with keeping a few extra dollars in your pocket, which can be later be used for life’s little essentials.
Avoid using high-interest credit cards unless you can repay them within six months. Otherwise, you are more likely to get swallowed up with interest and end up paying for the original purchase several times over.
If you do use a credit card for purchases, try to use one with an introductory APR or a regularly low interest rate. This could end up saving you big bucks every month and also in the future, which is one of the most important rules to personal budgeting.
Request free samples. Everything from skin lotions and shampoo to dog treats and household products are up for grabs to all who ask. In addition, many manufacturers offer free samples of new product releases directly through their own website.
If you find yourself in increasing credit card debt, call the creditor and request to be placed on a hardship program. This type of program allows for lower interest and smaller payments for a specified amount of time. Depending on the creditor, it can be in effect for several months or until the balance is paid in full. This method will not only help your immediate personal budgeting, but will also give you additional financial freedom in the future when the debt is paid in full.
8 Money Myths
8 Myths about money that harm our financial lives.
I grew up on a farm in Nebraska. My family had always worked hard for their money, and as a result, I always equated working hard with making money, with no idea that my beliefs could not have been further from truth. As I educated myself on human behavior and financial strategies, I learned that it’s actually the people who make their money work hard for them, rather than the people who work hard for their money, who end up with more of it. Since creating my millionaire-making program, I’ve learned that I was not alone. There are many people who shared this same myth.
Much like our views about many things -- people, relationships, food, and health to name a few -- our beliefs came from our parents, our teachers, and other adults in our lives. And it goes back even further, beyond them, back to the circumstances through which they lived, or what they learned from their parents, what their parents learned from their parents, and so on. These beliefs are ingrained, and because they’re usually subconscious, the cycles are continuous -- until someone breaks them. You can break the cycle. Beliefs about money are many and varied, but in my research, I’ve discovered that there are a few that predominate.
Money is scarce. Several of us have parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, an era that rooted an entire generation in a scarcity mindset. These people passed onto their children the idea that money was in short supply and that when it did surface, spending had to be limited and saving was imperative. If any of the following ever crossed your mind—"A penny saved is a penny earned," "Don’t dip into savings," or "We can’t afford it" -- then you have this perspective and rainy days loom ominously. Money doesn’t grow on trees. These threats create a fearful relationship with money.
Money is evil, dirty, or bad. Several of us have parents or grandparents who believe that the road to bad places is lined with green. They’ve only ever seen the drawbacks of the rat race, the downside of the money chase, and the audacity and indulgence of those with too much money. Some even believe that wealthy people are bad people. Novels and films often highlight the idea that it’s the crooked ones who make the money. The meek shall inherit the earth. Such prophecies create a hands-off relationship with money.
Money comes monthly. The most common way to make a living is to be employed, either with a company or as a skilled professional, with a weekly wage or an annual salary. Historically, this provided the safe, sure thing required by heads of households. Yet, that level of risk was usually balanced with an equal level of reward -- low and low. For most, even those who do very well, working for a company or as a skilled professional is a constrained opportunity. Except for the outrageous exceptions, the average CEO of the average company making six figures a year will still experience only a small increase in salary during his or her lifetime. Slow and steady wins the race. Such fables create a cautious relationship to money.
Money is not for me. Some people feel that they don’t deserve to be wealthy or that there is only so much of the millionaire pie to go around. Creating wealth and financial freedom is available to everyone. It is our right to be wealthy, and my hope is that people take their space and know they deserve it. By making money, you are not taking it from someone else; this isn’t Bonnie and Clyde Go to the Bank. By making money, you create a greater capacity to contribute, and it’s your duty to do this. Better them than me. Such adages create a defeated relationship to money.
Money is a man thing. There was a time that men made and managed the household money. That time was not so long ago, and some of you may have grown up with such conditioning. Though there are gender tendencies, for example, men tend to carry more money in their pocket than women and are more likely to invest than women, the reasons behind this are not genetic; they are realities falsely fabricated from years of conditioning. Women and men need to understand that money knows no gender. One of my programs that really resonates with up and coming wealth builders is "Wealth Diva: A Man Is Not a Plan." This is a must-do seminar for every man and woman, and the daughters and sons they love. Let him bring home the bacon. Such perceptions create an apathetic relationship to money.
Money is good medicine. For some people, retail therapy goes a long way; there’s no difficulty a new blouse can’t cure. At the moment, we live in a culture of consumerism, and many of us use money to fill the unsatisfying holes in our lives. Some people grew up with a sense of entitlement about money, assuming their parents or a trust fund would always pay for everything, and in the process, they became careless about what they had. This is a vicious and unproductive cycle. The new car gets old, the closet fills up with clothes, and the toys pile up in the playroom. This is notto say there aren’t wonderful things to buy and spend our money on; after all, money should be fun. But as with overeating, too much spending on the wrong things can get any of us feeling sluggish and sad. Shop till you drop. Such bombarding messages create a disrespectful or nonchalant relationship to money.
Money is always a menace. For too many of us, money was always a problem. Bills were a hassle, keeping up with the Joneses was exhausting, entrepreneurs were considered nuts, and one’s station in life was, well, stationary. And getting rich would be worse. Money can be such a burden, not to mention all that paperwork and responsibility. These views of money create a perspective that money is actually a problem, not a solution. It’s hard enough just to survive, let alone thrive. Such pessimism creates a negative relationship to money.
Money talk is taboo. Many of us have been brought up to believe that conversations about money are in bad taste. Money and financial success, and failures, are considered personal subjects that shouldn’t be discussed and certainly shouldn’t be taught. Few of us asked our parents how much money they made, and even now, there are people who don’t know their spouse’s salaries. The results have unintended consequences and have created a world where very few people are having real conversations about money and finances, the very conversations they need to learn and succeed. These things are not discussed in polite society, dear. Such a scolding creates an ignorant relationship to money.
In each of these examples, it’s clear that unless your parents made a conscious choice to think and act differently, they conditioned you to have the same mindset as them. If you make a decision to break this cycle, you will have the opportunity to teach your children to have more productive beliefs about, and a more profitable relationship to,money. As you come to understand the beliefs you hold, you will work to change them. Through the action steps in this process, and with the help of mentors and respected friends, you will change your behavior. By sharing your desire for new beliefs and asking your mentors and respected friends to help you spot the subconscious limitations you may be putting on yourself, you will teach your brain to follow your behavior. Begin now by restating your beliefs. For example, if you’ve discovered that you hold any of the above examples as beliefs, you will
1. Change "money is scarce" to "money is abundant" and support a courageous relationship to money.
2. Change "money is evil, dirty, or bad" to "money is good and acceptable" and create a hands-on relationship to money.
3. Change "money comes monthly" to "money comes from a range of sources" and create an opportunistic relationship to money.
4. Change "money is not for me" to "who better than me for money to come to" and create an empowered relationship to money.
5. Change "money is a man thing" to "I can and will know about and understand money," and create a thoughtful relationship to money.
6. Change "money is good medicine" to "money is a tool to help make my life better" and create a respectful and concerned relationship to money.
7. Change "money is a menace" to "money is a solution" and create a positive relationship to money.
8. Change "money talk is taboo" to "money talk is vital" and create a knowledgeable relationship to money.
You can see how much better it is to be courageous, hands-on, opportunistic, empowered, thoughtful, respectful and concerned, positive, and knowledgeable than to be fearful, hands-off, cautious, defeated, apathetic, disrespectful and nonchalant, negative, and ignorant. The choice is yours and it looks like you’re well on your way. You’ve already taken a huge step by deciding to actually take the first step. By making the decision to start right now, you have created the opportunity to raise your financial consciousness and change your life.
I grew up on a farm in Nebraska. My family had always worked hard for their money, and as a result, I always equated working hard with making money, with no idea that my beliefs could not have been further from truth. As I educated myself on human behavior and financial strategies, I learned that it’s actually the people who make their money work hard for them, rather than the people who work hard for their money, who end up with more of it. Since creating my millionaire-making program, I’ve learned that I was not alone. There are many people who shared this same myth.
Much like our views about many things -- people, relationships, food, and health to name a few -- our beliefs came from our parents, our teachers, and other adults in our lives. And it goes back even further, beyond them, back to the circumstances through which they lived, or what they learned from their parents, what their parents learned from their parents, and so on. These beliefs are ingrained, and because they’re usually subconscious, the cycles are continuous -- until someone breaks them. You can break the cycle. Beliefs about money are many and varied, but in my research, I’ve discovered that there are a few that predominate.
Money is scarce. Several of us have parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, an era that rooted an entire generation in a scarcity mindset. These people passed onto their children the idea that money was in short supply and that when it did surface, spending had to be limited and saving was imperative. If any of the following ever crossed your mind—"A penny saved is a penny earned," "Don’t dip into savings," or "We can’t afford it" -- then you have this perspective and rainy days loom ominously. Money doesn’t grow on trees. These threats create a fearful relationship with money.
Money is evil, dirty, or bad. Several of us have parents or grandparents who believe that the road to bad places is lined with green. They’ve only ever seen the drawbacks of the rat race, the downside of the money chase, and the audacity and indulgence of those with too much money. Some even believe that wealthy people are bad people. Novels and films often highlight the idea that it’s the crooked ones who make the money. The meek shall inherit the earth. Such prophecies create a hands-off relationship with money.
Money comes monthly. The most common way to make a living is to be employed, either with a company or as a skilled professional, with a weekly wage or an annual salary. Historically, this provided the safe, sure thing required by heads of households. Yet, that level of risk was usually balanced with an equal level of reward -- low and low. For most, even those who do very well, working for a company or as a skilled professional is a constrained opportunity. Except for the outrageous exceptions, the average CEO of the average company making six figures a year will still experience only a small increase in salary during his or her lifetime. Slow and steady wins the race. Such fables create a cautious relationship to money.
Money is not for me. Some people feel that they don’t deserve to be wealthy or that there is only so much of the millionaire pie to go around. Creating wealth and financial freedom is available to everyone. It is our right to be wealthy, and my hope is that people take their space and know they deserve it. By making money, you are not taking it from someone else; this isn’t Bonnie and Clyde Go to the Bank. By making money, you create a greater capacity to contribute, and it’s your duty to do this. Better them than me. Such adages create a defeated relationship to money.
Money is a man thing. There was a time that men made and managed the household money. That time was not so long ago, and some of you may have grown up with such conditioning. Though there are gender tendencies, for example, men tend to carry more money in their pocket than women and are more likely to invest than women, the reasons behind this are not genetic; they are realities falsely fabricated from years of conditioning. Women and men need to understand that money knows no gender. One of my programs that really resonates with up and coming wealth builders is "Wealth Diva: A Man Is Not a Plan." This is a must-do seminar for every man and woman, and the daughters and sons they love. Let him bring home the bacon. Such perceptions create an apathetic relationship to money.
Money is good medicine. For some people, retail therapy goes a long way; there’s no difficulty a new blouse can’t cure. At the moment, we live in a culture of consumerism, and many of us use money to fill the unsatisfying holes in our lives. Some people grew up with a sense of entitlement about money, assuming their parents or a trust fund would always pay for everything, and in the process, they became careless about what they had. This is a vicious and unproductive cycle. The new car gets old, the closet fills up with clothes, and the toys pile up in the playroom. This is notto say there aren’t wonderful things to buy and spend our money on; after all, money should be fun. But as with overeating, too much spending on the wrong things can get any of us feeling sluggish and sad. Shop till you drop. Such bombarding messages create a disrespectful or nonchalant relationship to money.
Money is always a menace. For too many of us, money was always a problem. Bills were a hassle, keeping up with the Joneses was exhausting, entrepreneurs were considered nuts, and one’s station in life was, well, stationary. And getting rich would be worse. Money can be such a burden, not to mention all that paperwork and responsibility. These views of money create a perspective that money is actually a problem, not a solution. It’s hard enough just to survive, let alone thrive. Such pessimism creates a negative relationship to money.
Money talk is taboo. Many of us have been brought up to believe that conversations about money are in bad taste. Money and financial success, and failures, are considered personal subjects that shouldn’t be discussed and certainly shouldn’t be taught. Few of us asked our parents how much money they made, and even now, there are people who don’t know their spouse’s salaries. The results have unintended consequences and have created a world where very few people are having real conversations about money and finances, the very conversations they need to learn and succeed. These things are not discussed in polite society, dear. Such a scolding creates an ignorant relationship to money.
In each of these examples, it’s clear that unless your parents made a conscious choice to think and act differently, they conditioned you to have the same mindset as them. If you make a decision to break this cycle, you will have the opportunity to teach your children to have more productive beliefs about, and a more profitable relationship to,money. As you come to understand the beliefs you hold, you will work to change them. Through the action steps in this process, and with the help of mentors and respected friends, you will change your behavior. By sharing your desire for new beliefs and asking your mentors and respected friends to help you spot the subconscious limitations you may be putting on yourself, you will teach your brain to follow your behavior. Begin now by restating your beliefs. For example, if you’ve discovered that you hold any of the above examples as beliefs, you will
1. Change "money is scarce" to "money is abundant" and support a courageous relationship to money.
2. Change "money is evil, dirty, or bad" to "money is good and acceptable" and create a hands-on relationship to money.
3. Change "money comes monthly" to "money comes from a range of sources" and create an opportunistic relationship to money.
4. Change "money is not for me" to "who better than me for money to come to" and create an empowered relationship to money.
5. Change "money is a man thing" to "I can and will know about and understand money," and create a thoughtful relationship to money.
6. Change "money is good medicine" to "money is a tool to help make my life better" and create a respectful and concerned relationship to money.
7. Change "money is a menace" to "money is a solution" and create a positive relationship to money.
8. Change "money talk is taboo" to "money talk is vital" and create a knowledgeable relationship to money.
You can see how much better it is to be courageous, hands-on, opportunistic, empowered, thoughtful, respectful and concerned, positive, and knowledgeable than to be fearful, hands-off, cautious, defeated, apathetic, disrespectful and nonchalant, negative, and ignorant. The choice is yours and it looks like you’re well on your way. You’ve already taken a huge step by deciding to actually take the first step. By making the decision to start right now, you have created the opportunity to raise your financial consciousness and change your life.
5 Easy Ways To Cut Your Household Expenses
Are you shocked when seeing your household expenditures every month? The expenses seem to increase every month. If you are in this situation, try these 5 recommendations before your extra paid money will accumulate to a significant amount!
1. Recycle those junk letters.
Each month, you will probably received a dozen or more letters from direct mailing companies in your mailbox. Some of these letters are printed on one side only. Collect these letters and combined them into a writing pad. You can also used them to print draft documents. Besides saving money, you are also saving a lot of trees.
2. Install water saving kit in your toilet cistern.
When flushing the toilet, the amount of water used is usually more than is required. By installing a water saving kit in the cistern, the amount of water saved can be as much as three gallons per month.
3. Use the fan
Whenever possible, use the fan. The air conditioner is a major contributor to your utility bill. By using the fan, not only are you saving on your utility bill, you are also building up your body's tolerance to heat. Your chances of getting heat exhaustion or heat stroke during the hot summer season are greatly reduced.
4. Do not throw away that old bar of soap yet.
As your wash your hands with soap on a daily basis, the bar will become smaller and smaller until it is almost unusable. Instead of throwing it away, simply stick the old bar of soap onto the new one. Just make sure both of them are wet when sticking them together.
5. Cut the tube of toothpaste into half.
When you can no longer squeeze out any toothpaste from the tube, just cut it in-half. There is some more toothpaste left that can last you for a couple of days if you have a large family. If you live alone or with your spouse only, the extra toothpaste can last up to five days or even more.
Start cultivating these useful habits today and make them a part of your daily life. You will be pleasantly pleased when you notice your household expense start to decline bit by bit as time goes on.
1. Recycle those junk letters.
Each month, you will probably received a dozen or more letters from direct mailing companies in your mailbox. Some of these letters are printed on one side only. Collect these letters and combined them into a writing pad. You can also used them to print draft documents. Besides saving money, you are also saving a lot of trees.
2. Install water saving kit in your toilet cistern.
When flushing the toilet, the amount of water used is usually more than is required. By installing a water saving kit in the cistern, the amount of water saved can be as much as three gallons per month.
3. Use the fan
Whenever possible, use the fan. The air conditioner is a major contributor to your utility bill. By using the fan, not only are you saving on your utility bill, you are also building up your body's tolerance to heat. Your chances of getting heat exhaustion or heat stroke during the hot summer season are greatly reduced.
4. Do not throw away that old bar of soap yet.
As your wash your hands with soap on a daily basis, the bar will become smaller and smaller until it is almost unusable. Instead of throwing it away, simply stick the old bar of soap onto the new one. Just make sure both of them are wet when sticking them together.
5. Cut the tube of toothpaste into half.
When you can no longer squeeze out any toothpaste from the tube, just cut it in-half. There is some more toothpaste left that can last you for a couple of days if you have a large family. If you live alone or with your spouse only, the extra toothpaste can last up to five days or even more.
Start cultivating these useful habits today and make them a part of your daily life. You will be pleasantly pleased when you notice your household expense start to decline bit by bit as time goes on.
4 Money-Saving Tips For Every Homeowner
Losing weight. Finding a new job. Spending more time with the family. A new year means setting new goals. Why not make saving money one of them?
If you're a homeowner, there are many ways you can cut costs and still live comfortably. The following tips will help lead you to financial success.
* First, set a budget. Figure out exactly how much you spend on the upkeep of your home. Compare each month's expenses with the previous month's to get a better idea of how much to budget for each necessity. Then, see what costs you can cut. Once you set a budget, stick to it.
* Save energy. You might be losing a substantial amount of energy dollars during the winter and summer because of air leaks. By caulking, sealing and weather-stripping all cracks and openings, you can save 10 percent or more on your energy bill.
Also, look into replacing older appliances with newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. Your light bulbs can make a difference, too. Fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.
* Refinance. Shop around to see if you can replace your existing home loan with one that has a lower interest rate. You can easily save hundreds of dollars each month by refinancing your home.
* Purchase a home warranty. Most homeowners don't account for possible repairs in their annual budget. There is a 68 percent likelihood of a home system or appliance failure in a given year. The average replacement cost of one of these systems or appliances is $1,085. A home warranty is your best defense against unexpected and costly repairs to your home's appliances and mechanical systems.
If you're a homeowner, there are many ways you can cut costs and still live comfortably. The following tips will help lead you to financial success.
* First, set a budget. Figure out exactly how much you spend on the upkeep of your home. Compare each month's expenses with the previous month's to get a better idea of how much to budget for each necessity. Then, see what costs you can cut. Once you set a budget, stick to it.
* Save energy. You might be losing a substantial amount of energy dollars during the winter and summer because of air leaks. By caulking, sealing and weather-stripping all cracks and openings, you can save 10 percent or more on your energy bill.
Also, look into replacing older appliances with newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. Your light bulbs can make a difference, too. Fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.
* Refinance. Shop around to see if you can replace your existing home loan with one that has a lower interest rate. You can easily save hundreds of dollars each month by refinancing your home.
* Purchase a home warranty. Most homeowners don't account for possible repairs in their annual budget. There is a 68 percent likelihood of a home system or appliance failure in a given year. The average replacement cost of one of these systems or appliances is $1,085. A home warranty is your best defense against unexpected and costly repairs to your home's appliances and mechanical systems.
3 Things You Must Have to Make Lots of Money Fast
You can literally become a money sucking magnet and be among those who can brag of making money fast. These principles are easy to follow and very effective, granted that you follow them.
Where ever you are presently in your life you can begin to make large amounts of money very fast if you understand a few simple principles. Despite what anyone may tell you these principles of generating money fast do work.
These principles are not difficult but in order to understand them you must process them. You must take the time to give them some thought, until the thought becomes a part of your very being.
How to make money fast is one of the hot topics on everyone’s mind. Most people will tell you that claims of making fast money is a hokes. Those are the very people who believe that only hard work and struggle can create money. However despite the hard work, the concept of fast money is still not part of the equation. After all if you are working very hard you are unlikely to be making the sort of fast money that you would dream of.
I can tell you from first hand experience that fast money does not come through hard work. If you are marketing your business or interested in accumulating more money struggling will only kill your changes of getting money in a fast and easily way.
The First Step
The first think you need in order to make fast money is to have a clear goal. How much do you want? You would be so surprise at how many people want more money but don’t have a clear idea as to how much they want.
Without a clear goal your desire is just a wish, it is not concrete. Be specific about how much money you want and by when you would like to have it.
The Second Step
The very next step is to take inspired action. Inspired action comes from the universe as a nudge. It’s the perfect idea, job or business that will help you in getting your goal accomplished.
It makes no sense trying to do something that your neighbor or your coworker tried. What is an ideal opportunity to make fast money for them may not be ideal for you. Besides your goals are unique and the opportunities that are rightfully aligned for you are rightfully suited for you to reach your goal in the time that you desire.
The Third Step
The third most powerful step is to have a clear and bright vision of your goal. This is where most people fail. Most people get caught up in fear and worry that their goal will not be able to materialize and spend lots of wasted time holding back on their actions.
How many times have you been offered a great idea which you may have promised to do but allowed your fears to get in the way?
You must be able to hold your vision in such a way as to feed it with your own personal powerful intention that your vision will materializes money a lot faster than usual.
Many people who understand the power of holding a clear vision have gone on to make money very fast again and again. Those are the ones who deeply understood the precise way. With a little time and your deep desire you can literally suck money to you faster.
Over the years I can honestly say that I have tested all these theories and without fail they work in generating money faster than if I did not practice these methods.
Where ever you are presently in your life you can begin to make large amounts of money very fast if you understand a few simple principles. Despite what anyone may tell you these principles of generating money fast do work.
These principles are not difficult but in order to understand them you must process them. You must take the time to give them some thought, until the thought becomes a part of your very being.
How to make money fast is one of the hot topics on everyone’s mind. Most people will tell you that claims of making fast money is a hokes. Those are the very people who believe that only hard work and struggle can create money. However despite the hard work, the concept of fast money is still not part of the equation. After all if you are working very hard you are unlikely to be making the sort of fast money that you would dream of.
I can tell you from first hand experience that fast money does not come through hard work. If you are marketing your business or interested in accumulating more money struggling will only kill your changes of getting money in a fast and easily way.
The First Step
The first think you need in order to make fast money is to have a clear goal. How much do you want? You would be so surprise at how many people want more money but don’t have a clear idea as to how much they want.
Without a clear goal your desire is just a wish, it is not concrete. Be specific about how much money you want and by when you would like to have it.
The Second Step
The very next step is to take inspired action. Inspired action comes from the universe as a nudge. It’s the perfect idea, job or business that will help you in getting your goal accomplished.
It makes no sense trying to do something that your neighbor or your coworker tried. What is an ideal opportunity to make fast money for them may not be ideal for you. Besides your goals are unique and the opportunities that are rightfully aligned for you are rightfully suited for you to reach your goal in the time that you desire.
The Third Step
The third most powerful step is to have a clear and bright vision of your goal. This is where most people fail. Most people get caught up in fear and worry that their goal will not be able to materialize and spend lots of wasted time holding back on their actions.
How many times have you been offered a great idea which you may have promised to do but allowed your fears to get in the way?
You must be able to hold your vision in such a way as to feed it with your own personal powerful intention that your vision will materializes money a lot faster than usual.
Many people who understand the power of holding a clear vision have gone on to make money very fast again and again. Those are the ones who deeply understood the precise way. With a little time and your deep desire you can literally suck money to you faster.
Over the years I can honestly say that I have tested all these theories and without fail they work in generating money faster than if I did not practice these methods.
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