0 Balance Transfer Cards, What are they and How do they Work?
by Daniel Major
0 balance transfer cards are extremely popular as they offer a means to
actually save money by simply transferring your credit card balance or
balances, to the credit card provider making the offer, well at least for
a period of time anyway.
If you take into consideration the current state of the economy, it is
somewhat surprising that the number of people who have large credit card
balances increases year on year and this trend shows no sign of slowing
down in the future. Unfortunately, many of these people are paying high
interest repayments for the privilege of having this debt so it is
understandable that 0 balance transfer cards are highly sought after. If
you listen to the statistics often cited by the media and political
figures the average APR of a US credit card is around 15 percent and the
average debt for a US credit card holder is $8000. This figure is very
misleading as most US households probably owe 25 percent or less of this
figure; a more realistic statement would be to say 5 percent of credit
card users have credit debt of $8000 or greater which is a far more
accurate assessment of this situation.
5 percent of credit card holders still adds-up to a large number of
people that have a high combined credit card balance all of whom would
benefit greatly from the use of 0 balance transfer cards.
Although emphasis is generally placed upon the size of a debt it must be
stated that the size of a debt is irrespective; $1000 of debt is as
difficult to deal with for someone with no money as $10000 of debt is and
as a result the benefits of zero interest balance transfer credit cards
are there for all to use.
How do 0 balance transfer cards work?
Quite simply, credit card companies need customers in order to make money
therefore, to entice new customers from their competitors; they offer 0
percent interest balance transfer deals. These deals usually run for a
fixed period of time, usually between 6 to 18 months and offer zero
interest on balances that are transferred over from other cards, and may
even cover purchases made during the same period.
The removal of the interest element of the repayment benefits the card
user as monthly interest makes up quite a large chunk of the monthly
repayment saving the user a considerable amount of money for the period
of the deal.
If it seems too good to be true it usually is, 0 balance transfer cards
are no exception.
Obviously, credit card companies are in business to make profit and for
them to totally eliminate their 'pot of gold' would be nothing short of
business suicide so there are certain methods they use to make money.
The first method of recouping some lost revenue is by charging for the
balance transfer. Usually, a charge of 3 percent for the balance to be
transferred is incurred. If you are transferring a large amount you
should be cautious as 3 percent could be a substantial amount of money
although many companies do put a cap or a ceiling on this charge. It is
advisable, therefore, that before signing up for any deal, that this is
checked out properly.
Another method that is used is to impose a very high APR upon purchases,
in this situation it may be wise to have a secondary card that is
designed to benefit the shoppers amongst us and use this solely for that
purpose, this will avoid any unpleasant hikes in your bills.
Conclusion
0 balance transfer cards are a fantastic way to reduce your monthly
outgoings for a fixed period of time but it is also advisable to maintain
the same levels of repayments that were made before the transfer
therefore reducing your debt quicker.
Always check the terms of the card, an ideal card deal will run for at
least 12 months, have few costs for the transfer process, apply to
purchases made during the offer period and have an OK APR when the deal
is over which is very important.
Unfortunately, these deals are generally only available to people with a
good credit history so check before applying.
And finally; credit card companies have become wise to the 'card jumper'.
When these deals first began many people used to jump from one card
issuer to the next and as a result card issuers were losing out on
revenue left, right and center.
Your credit history is scrutinized for the tell-tale patterns of this
type of behavior and you will be declined more often than approved if you
are seen to be jumping, which doesn't do your credit score any good, so
make sure you sign up for a good deal.
Finding good 0 balance transfer cards that offer a deal is one of the
best steps towards gaining control over your finances but for a method of
debt elimination that has a more long term effect in the battle against
debt visit www.creditcardconsolidationloanssite.com
here you will find
links to information about methods of debt elimination so good that they
could have you debt free in as little as three years.
www.debtconsolidationinformationonline.com
Contact the Author
Daniel Major
More Details about 0 balance transfer cards
here.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saving money in hard economic times with free coupon codes
Saving money in hard economic times with free coupon codes
by Gen Wright
The market can be bearish, or it can be bullish. When the market is
bullish, everybody is happy. There are no lack of well paying jobs, and
with money in the pocket, one can do what the heart desires. But it is
during bearish times that most people are having trouble coping.
For starters, people worry about their jobs. In an economic downturn,
many businesses are adversely affected. This is especially true for big
corporations. Chances are, when times are good, companies start to expand
by bringing more employees on-board. Sometimes, this happens due to
foolish business executives, who never plan for the downturn, which will
surely come.
Unfortunately, this happens all the time. Often, the victims are the ones
who are asked to leave the company. Without jobs, financial commitments
start creeping up slowly. If finances are not properly managed and
savings are used up, the position that the victim is in is certainly an
uncomfortable one.
However, there are various measures that everyone can adopt to help save
money. It's important for one to take an active (as oppose to passive)
stand here to help tide through the bad times. In hard economic times, it
is always wise to adopt a more prudent and active approach when making
any purchase.
An active approach means that one should be actively seeking out the best
deals. A prudent approach means that one should buy only what one needs,
and not spending unnecessarily. In fact, prudent spending habits should
be adopted at all times, regardless of whether economic times are good or
bad. During good times, a person with more prudent spending habits can
fatten up his or her bank account. When the downturn comes, this very
same person is in a better position to tide through the hard times.
One surefire way of saving is to always seek out free coupon codes. Free
coupon codes are easily available on the Internet. Many retailers
actively promote their products and services through many different
online channels. For example, they may join online discount aggregators,
whose sole function is to list promotions from merchants.
Using free coupon codes allow you to save lots of money. You may get to
enjoy free shipping, free gifts, and other great discounts. That means
you will always get more and spend less when you use coupon codes.
There are coupon codes available for almost every type of product you can
think of. Health products, books, electronics, MP3 players, food, gifts,
insurance, and so on.
If you think about it, as consumers, we all need different products at
different times of our lives. So it's definitely great that such discount
coupons are easily available for such a wide range of products.
Don't underestimate the substantial savings you can get from using these
coupon codes. It's a simple act of copying and pasting some code before
making a payment using your credit card. But if each act can save you 50
dollars, think about how much savings you would enjoy if you use 10 or
more coupons a month. That will amount to at least 500 dollars savings
each month.
You can use the money you save to pay off bills, mortgages, or simply
keep them in the bank.
For immediate access to Free Shipping Coupons
and Free Coupon Codes, please visit our
website.
Contact the Author
Gen Wright
by Gen Wright
The market can be bearish, or it can be bullish. When the market is
bullish, everybody is happy. There are no lack of well paying jobs, and
with money in the pocket, one can do what the heart desires. But it is
during bearish times that most people are having trouble coping.
For starters, people worry about their jobs. In an economic downturn,
many businesses are adversely affected. This is especially true for big
corporations. Chances are, when times are good, companies start to expand
by bringing more employees on-board. Sometimes, this happens due to
foolish business executives, who never plan for the downturn, which will
surely come.
Unfortunately, this happens all the time. Often, the victims are the ones
who are asked to leave the company. Without jobs, financial commitments
start creeping up slowly. If finances are not properly managed and
savings are used up, the position that the victim is in is certainly an
uncomfortable one.
However, there are various measures that everyone can adopt to help save
money. It's important for one to take an active (as oppose to passive)
stand here to help tide through the bad times. In hard economic times, it
is always wise to adopt a more prudent and active approach when making
any purchase.
An active approach means that one should be actively seeking out the best
deals. A prudent approach means that one should buy only what one needs,
and not spending unnecessarily. In fact, prudent spending habits should
be adopted at all times, regardless of whether economic times are good or
bad. During good times, a person with more prudent spending habits can
fatten up his or her bank account. When the downturn comes, this very
same person is in a better position to tide through the hard times.
One surefire way of saving is to always seek out free coupon codes. Free
coupon codes are easily available on the Internet. Many retailers
actively promote their products and services through many different
online channels. For example, they may join online discount aggregators,
whose sole function is to list promotions from merchants.
Using free coupon codes allow you to save lots of money. You may get to
enjoy free shipping, free gifts, and other great discounts. That means
you will always get more and spend less when you use coupon codes.
There are coupon codes available for almost every type of product you can
think of. Health products, books, electronics, MP3 players, food, gifts,
insurance, and so on.
If you think about it, as consumers, we all need different products at
different times of our lives. So it's definitely great that such discount
coupons are easily available for such a wide range of products.
Don't underestimate the substantial savings you can get from using these
coupon codes. It's a simple act of copying and pasting some code before
making a payment using your credit card. But if each act can save you 50
dollars, think about how much savings you would enjoy if you use 10 or
more coupons a month. That will amount to at least 500 dollars savings
each month.
You can use the money you save to pay off bills, mortgages, or simply
keep them in the bank.
For immediate access to Free Shipping Coupons
and Free Coupon Codes, please visit our
website.
Contact the Author
Gen Wright
Friday, August 7, 2009
Ten Steps To Building A Good Credit History
Ten Steps To Building A Good Credit History
by: Drahcir Semaj
Are you thinking of buying a house? Do you want to buy a new car to
replace that old wreck? Trying to get insurance on you home, auto, or
life? In each of these situations, what’s on your credit report will
determine if you can get a loan or insurance and what rates you’ll have
to pay.
If you’re trying to build or repair your credit history, you have a
daunting but not impossible task in front of you. Lots of people have
been where you are and today they have good credit. With time,
discipline, hard work, and by taking the proper steps, you’ll be able to
build a good credit history too.
To build or rebuild your credit history you need to take certain steps:
Develop a budget and live by it. Whether your building credit for the
first time or rebuilding credit, you need to know how much money you have
coming in each month and how you’re spending it.
Start by listing your income from all sources. Next list all fixed
expenses (rent, mortgage, car payments…). Finally list all of your
variable expenses (entertainment, recreation, clothing…) no matter how
small they are. Writing down and tracking your expenses will help you to
understand your spending patterns and you’ll be able to see where you can
save money by making lifestyle changes.
Open a checking account and use it responsibly. Lenders want to know that
you have a relationship with a financial institution and that you have a
checking account available to pay your bills. Don’t overdraw your bank
account; in addition to possible damaging your credit record, you’ll be
charged fees.
Pay your current bills on-time and pay them in full. Paying your bill
on-time puts positive information on your credit record. Late payments or
missed payments count against you.
Review your credit report annually. Contact Equifax, Experian, and Trans
Union to get copies of your credit report. You should get a copy of your
credit report from all three reporting agencies because some creditors
don’t report to all three agencies. If you’re a member of a credit union,
check to see if your credit union offers discounted credit report
ordering for its members.
Fix any errors on your credit report. If you find errors on your credit
report, contact the credit reporting agency and the creditor (in writing)
to get the errors fixed. Check your credit report to make sure that
negative information like late payments, delinquencies, liens, and
judgments against you have been removed after 7 years; bankruptcies
should be removed after ten years.
For more information on how to dispute errors on your credit report,
visit the Federal Trade Commission website at:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/crdtdis.htm.
Apply for a credit card. If you’re rebuilding your credit history,
consider applying for a secured credit card. To get a secured credit
card, you’ll need to deposit funds with the credit card issuer and your
credit limit is usually equal to the amount you deposit. A secured card
can be used the same way as an unsecured card and your timely payments
will help to improve your credit history.
Apply for a department store or gasoline card. These cards are usually
easier to get than major credit cards and they come with smaller credit
limits.
Establish an account at a credit union and take a loan out on it. This is
a secured loan. You’ll have to pay interest on the loan, but if your
payments are reported to the credit bureaus, the small interest fees will
be worth the positive information that is added to your credit record.
Don’t max out your credit cards. Maxing out your credit cards can hurt
your credit score. Try not to use more than 30% of the credit you have
available to you. Part of your credit score measures the amount of credit
that your have available to you and how much you’re using. The more
credit you’re using, the more negative impact on your credit score.
If you get into trouble with your credit, get help. Don’t wait until
creditors send your accounts to debt collectors. If you can’t make a
payment contact the creditor and make arrangements to make the payment.
If you feel that you’re over your head in debt get help from a debt
counselor.
You can contact Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union at:
Equifax: http://www.equifax.com/
Experian: http://www.experian.com/
Trans Union: http://www.tuc.com/
About The Author
Drahcir Semaj is a freelance writer. You can contact him at
drahcir@drahcirsemaj.com . Or visit his
website at http://www.drahcirsemaj.com
by: Drahcir Semaj
Are you thinking of buying a house? Do you want to buy a new car to
replace that old wreck? Trying to get insurance on you home, auto, or
life? In each of these situations, what’s on your credit report will
determine if you can get a loan or insurance and what rates you’ll have
to pay.
If you’re trying to build or repair your credit history, you have a
daunting but not impossible task in front of you. Lots of people have
been where you are and today they have good credit. With time,
discipline, hard work, and by taking the proper steps, you’ll be able to
build a good credit history too.
To build or rebuild your credit history you need to take certain steps:
Develop a budget and live by it. Whether your building credit for the
first time or rebuilding credit, you need to know how much money you have
coming in each month and how you’re spending it.
Start by listing your income from all sources. Next list all fixed
expenses (rent, mortgage, car payments…). Finally list all of your
variable expenses (entertainment, recreation, clothing…) no matter how
small they are. Writing down and tracking your expenses will help you to
understand your spending patterns and you’ll be able to see where you can
save money by making lifestyle changes.
Open a checking account and use it responsibly. Lenders want to know that
you have a relationship with a financial institution and that you have a
checking account available to pay your bills. Don’t overdraw your bank
account; in addition to possible damaging your credit record, you’ll be
charged fees.
Pay your current bills on-time and pay them in full. Paying your bill
on-time puts positive information on your credit record. Late payments or
missed payments count against you.
Review your credit report annually. Contact Equifax, Experian, and Trans
Union to get copies of your credit report. You should get a copy of your
credit report from all three reporting agencies because some creditors
don’t report to all three agencies. If you’re a member of a credit union,
check to see if your credit union offers discounted credit report
ordering for its members.
Fix any errors on your credit report. If you find errors on your credit
report, contact the credit reporting agency and the creditor (in writing)
to get the errors fixed. Check your credit report to make sure that
negative information like late payments, delinquencies, liens, and
judgments against you have been removed after 7 years; bankruptcies
should be removed after ten years.
For more information on how to dispute errors on your credit report,
visit the Federal Trade Commission website at:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/crdtdis.htm.
Apply for a credit card. If you’re rebuilding your credit history,
consider applying for a secured credit card. To get a secured credit
card, you’ll need to deposit funds with the credit card issuer and your
credit limit is usually equal to the amount you deposit. A secured card
can be used the same way as an unsecured card and your timely payments
will help to improve your credit history.
Apply for a department store or gasoline card. These cards are usually
easier to get than major credit cards and they come with smaller credit
limits.
Establish an account at a credit union and take a loan out on it. This is
a secured loan. You’ll have to pay interest on the loan, but if your
payments are reported to the credit bureaus, the small interest fees will
be worth the positive information that is added to your credit record.
Don’t max out your credit cards. Maxing out your credit cards can hurt
your credit score. Try not to use more than 30% of the credit you have
available to you. Part of your credit score measures the amount of credit
that your have available to you and how much you’re using. The more
credit you’re using, the more negative impact on your credit score.
If you get into trouble with your credit, get help. Don’t wait until
creditors send your accounts to debt collectors. If you can’t make a
payment contact the creditor and make arrangements to make the payment.
If you feel that you’re over your head in debt get help from a debt
counselor.
You can contact Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union at:
Equifax: http://www.equifax.com/
Experian: http://www.experian.com/
Trans Union: http://www.tuc.com/
About The Author
Drahcir Semaj is a freelance writer. You can contact him at
drahcir@drahcirsemaj.com . Or visit his
website at http://www.drahcirsemaj.com
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What Paper or Computer Files Should You Keep?
What Paper or Computer Files Should You Keep?
by: Judy Cullins
As business people we must deal with a great deal of paper and
information from email and the net every day. You need to know however,
that according to the "Pareto Time Management Rule," only 20% of all
paper and information is important. That leaves 80% that is not
important. It's just another decision to make as to whether this
information makes your life better or not.
Does this shock you? It did me at first, but now I subscribe to this
motto and let go of all paper and information that doesn't serve me. It's
my new mantra. If the information is important I make sure it gets
filed--either in paper files or on my computer. More and more I don't use
paper files and have learned how to make new folders of important people
or specific information I need to keep track of.
If you are a stacker, slinger, or stuffer, you can now expand your power
by keeping only what is important to you.
How to File these Important Pieces
If in a paper file organize them alphabetically and vertically and put a
complete name at the top of the manila file folder. Categorize the kinds
of files too: one for household information, another for the teleclasses
and speaking engagements, another for coaching clients, and another for
promotion Online and off.
In a computer word folder organize information alphabetically too. "My
documents" includes these and many more, but with this technique you will
always know where to find the important information because it's
organized and categorized in folders Examples include: articles to
submit, contacts influential, ClickBank, promotion campaigns by month and
of course folders for books in word and PDF. These folders are the
lifeblood of any business.
Make sure you keep only information that supports your best life. With
that 20% make sure you file it so you can find it in less than two
minutes!
Judy Cullins c. 2004 All Rights Reserved
About The Author
Judy Cullins: 20-year author, speaker, book coach
Helps entrepreneurs manifest their book and web dreams
eBk: "Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Your Book Online"
http://www.bookcoaching.com
To receive FREE "The Book Coach Says..."
or Business Tip of the Month go to
http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml
Judy@bookcoaching.com
Orders: 866/200-9743
by: Judy Cullins
As business people we must deal with a great deal of paper and
information from email and the net every day. You need to know however,
that according to the "Pareto Time Management Rule," only 20% of all
paper and information is important. That leaves 80% that is not
important. It's just another decision to make as to whether this
information makes your life better or not.
Does this shock you? It did me at first, but now I subscribe to this
motto and let go of all paper and information that doesn't serve me. It's
my new mantra. If the information is important I make sure it gets
filed--either in paper files or on my computer. More and more I don't use
paper files and have learned how to make new folders of important people
or specific information I need to keep track of.
If you are a stacker, slinger, or stuffer, you can now expand your power
by keeping only what is important to you.
How to File these Important Pieces
If in a paper file organize them alphabetically and vertically and put a
complete name at the top of the manila file folder. Categorize the kinds
of files too: one for household information, another for the teleclasses
and speaking engagements, another for coaching clients, and another for
promotion Online and off.
In a computer word folder organize information alphabetically too. "My
documents" includes these and many more, but with this technique you will
always know where to find the important information because it's
organized and categorized in folders Examples include: articles to
submit, contacts influential, ClickBank, promotion campaigns by month and
of course folders for books in word and PDF. These folders are the
lifeblood of any business.
Make sure you keep only information that supports your best life. With
that 20% make sure you file it so you can find it in less than two
minutes!
Judy Cullins c. 2004 All Rights Reserved
About The Author
Judy Cullins: 20-year author, speaker, book coach
Helps entrepreneurs manifest their book and web dreams
eBk: "Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Your Book Online"
http://www.bookcoaching.com
To receive FREE "The Book Coach Says..."
or Business Tip of the Month go to
http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml
Judy@bookcoaching.com
Orders: 866/200-9743
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 4
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 4
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #9 You must set short-term goals and long-term goals.
If you don't know where you are going, how do you expect to get there?
It's simple but powerful logic. When you have a target sitting out there
somewhere in the future, a target which is your goal, it can almost act
like a magnet that pulls you toward it.
Setting solid goals which are attainable, yet still a challenge, have
proved time and time again to be one of the most powerful methods of
achieving wealth and success ever developed. It has been demonstrated in
corporate training schemes. It has been used successfully again and again
by countless individuals. Setting both short term goals and long-term
goals has the effect of focusing your mind like a laser beam. It pulls
you along toward higher and better things. It gives solidity to what you
are trying to accomplish, and thus makes that which you want more real
and likely to come into your life.
As you have probably heard, it is best to write your short- term and
long-term goals down on paper and then post them somewhere in your
workplace and home. The first thing you should do every morning is look
over your goal list, and then put together your Top 10 to do list which
will move you toward your goal. The last thing you should do every
evening is review your short-term and long-term goals, and tell yourself
as you go to sleep that you are going to do everything in your power to
make those goals a reality in your life. Amazing Money Tip #10 Invest
your money and make it work at multiplying itself. Saving money in a
savings account is important as we said above, but the 2.3 percent
interest rates most banks give you is not even enough to keep pace with
inflation.
You must do more than save your money -- you must invest it. That means
financial vehicles with super-high rates of return, such as mutual funds
and stocks, or the more risky commodity markets.
A $5,000 investment in commodities can return you 10 times that amount --
$50,000 --in just a few weeks, although you could easily lose it as well.
Invest your savings into a long term certificate (CD). You can often get
one with an interest rate up 4.5-5%. They are 100% safe, and still give
you a much better return than normal savings accounts.
The bottom line is, you should take a portion of your savings and put it
in a high interest or high risk investment plans. That's the way to
really get ahead. Amazing Money Tip #11 Have fun! Yes, this tip
easily makes my list because it is so essential to your success. The
great writer Ray Bradbury once said in an interview: "If you are not
having fun, you might as well forget it. Do everything you do with joy
and you'll be successful." You need to be having fun to stay positive,
and you need to stay positive to make money. So come on! Get out their:
laugh, clap your hands, live! Have a blast and rake in the cash! The
world is waiting for you!
I hope you have learned many new ways to save your hard- earned money,
and enjoy your day-to-day life more. Remember, nothing discussed in this
4 part series is anything that you can't do. If you put this information
to good use, it is guaranteed that you will benefit from it.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
mailto:palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Palyn Peterson publishes the acclaimed Advanced Internet Marketing News.
A professional newsletter with a refreshing perspective and a strong
focus on no-cost techniques. http://FutureInternetMarketing.com. FREE Tips, Tricks, Tools,
Resources, eBooks, and More!
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #9 You must set short-term goals and long-term goals.
If you don't know where you are going, how do you expect to get there?
It's simple but powerful logic. When you have a target sitting out there
somewhere in the future, a target which is your goal, it can almost act
like a magnet that pulls you toward it.
Setting solid goals which are attainable, yet still a challenge, have
proved time and time again to be one of the most powerful methods of
achieving wealth and success ever developed. It has been demonstrated in
corporate training schemes. It has been used successfully again and again
by countless individuals. Setting both short term goals and long-term
goals has the effect of focusing your mind like a laser beam. It pulls
you along toward higher and better things. It gives solidity to what you
are trying to accomplish, and thus makes that which you want more real
and likely to come into your life.
As you have probably heard, it is best to write your short- term and
long-term goals down on paper and then post them somewhere in your
workplace and home. The first thing you should do every morning is look
over your goal list, and then put together your Top 10 to do list which
will move you toward your goal. The last thing you should do every
evening is review your short-term and long-term goals, and tell yourself
as you go to sleep that you are going to do everything in your power to
make those goals a reality in your life. Amazing Money Tip #10 Invest
your money and make it work at multiplying itself. Saving money in a
savings account is important as we said above, but the 2.3 percent
interest rates most banks give you is not even enough to keep pace with
inflation.
You must do more than save your money -- you must invest it. That means
financial vehicles with super-high rates of return, such as mutual funds
and stocks, or the more risky commodity markets.
A $5,000 investment in commodities can return you 10 times that amount --
$50,000 --in just a few weeks, although you could easily lose it as well.
Invest your savings into a long term certificate (CD). You can often get
one with an interest rate up 4.5-5%. They are 100% safe, and still give
you a much better return than normal savings accounts.
The bottom line is, you should take a portion of your savings and put it
in a high interest or high risk investment plans. That's the way to
really get ahead. Amazing Money Tip #11 Have fun! Yes, this tip
easily makes my list because it is so essential to your success. The
great writer Ray Bradbury once said in an interview: "If you are not
having fun, you might as well forget it. Do everything you do with joy
and you'll be successful." You need to be having fun to stay positive,
and you need to stay positive to make money. So come on! Get out their:
laugh, clap your hands, live! Have a blast and rake in the cash! The
world is waiting for you!
I hope you have learned many new ways to save your hard- earned money,
and enjoy your day-to-day life more. Remember, nothing discussed in this
4 part series is anything that you can't do. If you put this information
to good use, it is guaranteed that you will benefit from it.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
mailto:palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Palyn Peterson publishes the acclaimed Advanced Internet Marketing News.
A professional newsletter with a refreshing perspective and a strong
focus on no-cost techniques. http://FutureInternetMarketing.com. FREE Tips, Tricks, Tools,
Resources, eBooks, and More!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 3
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 3
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #6
Do what you love and the money will follow. I think there's a book by
that title. At any rate, it's true. One of the primary reasons that many
people live paycheck to paycheck, and are broke despite working very hard
at their jobs, is the fact that they hate what they do.
If you hate your job, you will not have a positive attitude toward money.
You will associate money with that dreadful sound of the alarm clock
every morning. Once you tie up your source of wealth and income with
drudgery, that's exactly what the majority of your life will become:
drudgery.
Starting today, you should begin planning your escape. The first thing
you should ask yourself is: "If money were no object, what would I be
doing? What do I like to do most for fun, and is it possible that I could
get paid for it?"
Sound ludicrous? It's not. In fact, if your work is not also your play,
you are fighting against yourself. You will eventually burn out and hate
the world. On the other hand, if you get up every day being exciting,
positive and looking forward to what you are going to be doing - and
making money at it - you will automatically move toward doing more and
more of what you love, and making more and more money at it. If your
dream job means starting your own business, don't let that stop you
either! It is much easier than most people think. Look in to it, it could
literally change your life.
Amazing Money Tip #7
You must get organized. Being a tidy, efficient person has more influence
on how much money you make more than you can ever imagine.
If you want to have a lot of money, you can't afford to be a slob. Think
about it. Let's say you are at your desk trying to get some work done.
You need to find the stapler, but because your office is such a pit, you
spend 15 minutes looking for it. You've just spent 15 unproductive
minutes. Next you may need to locate a file, and that takes you 20
minutes of sifting through paper. Another 20 minutes down the tube. By
the end of the day, you may easily burn up two or three hours doing
something as trivial as looking for things. The same goes for any kind of
job you might have. If you are an auto mechanic, how much time do you
spend trying to find a nine-sixteenth wrench, when you could have it at
your fingertips.
It's disorganized people who are always saying at the end of the day: "I
seem to work so hard but get very little done!" Of course! You spent the
entire day looking for the Scotch tape!
The fact is, time is money. The more time you spend unproductively, the
less time you are earning money. Clean up your office. Organize your tool
shed. Get your bookwork organized. Think of every minute saved as a buck
in your pocket.
Amazing Money Tip #8
Make your own daily top 10 list. Speaking of getting organized, you
should sit down every morning with your cup of coffee and list the top 10
things you would like to get done that day. Then organize them in
priority of importance. Start at item #1 and go down the list as fast as
you can.
Make no doubt about it - this is a powerful way to get work done. It will
put hoards of cash in your pocket. The reason is that making money is all
about movement - forward movement. As the famous novelist Ayn Rand told
us, in a capitalist society the most important things a person can do is
move forward every day!
Having a top ten list will ensure that you accomplish something every
day. You may not get through the whole list every day, nor should you
necessarily try. Just do your best. At the end of the day, you should be
able to look at your list with pride, examine the scratched off items and
say: "That's what I got done today! I did something to better my life and
create wealth!"
Again, this method has been used by a majority of the most wealthy and
successful people in history. Shouldn't you join the club?
The next of the 11 best money saving ideas of all time will be discussed
in part 4. Until then, take note of what you have learned so far and put
this information to good use. Read and reread this article; I bet you
will notice a difference sooner than you think.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
mailto:palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Palyn Peterson publishes the acclaimed Advanced Internet Marketing News.
A professional newsletter with a refreshing perspective and a strong
focus on no-cost techniques. http://FutureInternetMarketing.com. FREE Tips, Tricks, Tools,
Resources, eBooks, and More!
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #6
Do what you love and the money will follow. I think there's a book by
that title. At any rate, it's true. One of the primary reasons that many
people live paycheck to paycheck, and are broke despite working very hard
at their jobs, is the fact that they hate what they do.
If you hate your job, you will not have a positive attitude toward money.
You will associate money with that dreadful sound of the alarm clock
every morning. Once you tie up your source of wealth and income with
drudgery, that's exactly what the majority of your life will become:
drudgery.
Starting today, you should begin planning your escape. The first thing
you should ask yourself is: "If money were no object, what would I be
doing? What do I like to do most for fun, and is it possible that I could
get paid for it?"
Sound ludicrous? It's not. In fact, if your work is not also your play,
you are fighting against yourself. You will eventually burn out and hate
the world. On the other hand, if you get up every day being exciting,
positive and looking forward to what you are going to be doing - and
making money at it - you will automatically move toward doing more and
more of what you love, and making more and more money at it. If your
dream job means starting your own business, don't let that stop you
either! It is much easier than most people think. Look in to it, it could
literally change your life.
Amazing Money Tip #7
You must get organized. Being a tidy, efficient person has more influence
on how much money you make more than you can ever imagine.
If you want to have a lot of money, you can't afford to be a slob. Think
about it. Let's say you are at your desk trying to get some work done.
You need to find the stapler, but because your office is such a pit, you
spend 15 minutes looking for it. You've just spent 15 unproductive
minutes. Next you may need to locate a file, and that takes you 20
minutes of sifting through paper. Another 20 minutes down the tube. By
the end of the day, you may easily burn up two or three hours doing
something as trivial as looking for things. The same goes for any kind of
job you might have. If you are an auto mechanic, how much time do you
spend trying to find a nine-sixteenth wrench, when you could have it at
your fingertips.
It's disorganized people who are always saying at the end of the day: "I
seem to work so hard but get very little done!" Of course! You spent the
entire day looking for the Scotch tape!
The fact is, time is money. The more time you spend unproductively, the
less time you are earning money. Clean up your office. Organize your tool
shed. Get your bookwork organized. Think of every minute saved as a buck
in your pocket.
Amazing Money Tip #8
Make your own daily top 10 list. Speaking of getting organized, you
should sit down every morning with your cup of coffee and list the top 10
things you would like to get done that day. Then organize them in
priority of importance. Start at item #1 and go down the list as fast as
you can.
Make no doubt about it - this is a powerful way to get work done. It will
put hoards of cash in your pocket. The reason is that making money is all
about movement - forward movement. As the famous novelist Ayn Rand told
us, in a capitalist society the most important things a person can do is
move forward every day!
Having a top ten list will ensure that you accomplish something every
day. You may not get through the whole list every day, nor should you
necessarily try. Just do your best. At the end of the day, you should be
able to look at your list with pride, examine the scratched off items and
say: "That's what I got done today! I did something to better my life and
create wealth!"
Again, this method has been used by a majority of the most wealthy and
successful people in history. Shouldn't you join the club?
The next of the 11 best money saving ideas of all time will be discussed
in part 4. Until then, take note of what you have learned so far and put
this information to good use. Read and reread this article; I bet you
will notice a difference sooner than you think.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
mailto:palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Palyn Peterson publishes the acclaimed Advanced Internet Marketing News.
A professional newsletter with a refreshing perspective and a strong
focus on no-cost techniques. http://FutureInternetMarketing.com. FREE Tips, Tricks, Tools,
Resources, eBooks, and More!
Monday, August 3, 2009
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 2
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 2
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #4
Ben Franklin said it long ago: "A penny saved is a penny earned." Yes,
it's still true, and still one of the most powerful money-making tips in
all history.
Implied within Franklin's famous statement is the difficulty of saving.
It's tough to save and easy to spend! You know that! That's why every
penny saved truly is earned - because it takes so much effort to hold on
to that cash! But if you can do it, it will work magic in your life.
Having a savings account will de-stress your life. Imagine being ahead of
your bills, rather than behind. When you are ahead of your bills, you
entire life comes under your control. You sleep better at night. Your
mind is freer to come up with new ways to make more money and save more.
Saving is contagious - once you let it get started!
Here are some tips to help you save:
1. Don't settle for interest checking. Have a separate savings account
that can't be as easily accessed as a checking account.
2. Keep your savings in another bank - one that's off your regular
route, or perhaps even in another town. That way you won't be tempted
to dip into it every time you visit the bank to make a checking
deposit.
3. Buy short-term savings bonds, which have 6-month to one- year
maturity dates. That way you will get a higher rate, while at the same
time keeping your money close in case of real emergencies.
4. If you can, open the account under two names and require that both
signatures be required to make a withdrawal. Two people can debate
each withdrawal and keep each other in line.
5. When you get your paycheck, immediately put a minimum of 5% in your
savings account. After just a year, you'll be surprised by how much
you have actually saved and feel great about it.
Amazing Money Tip #5
Visualize wealth and abundance everyday. Am I actually suggesting that
you practice some sort of airy-fairy mysticism that will make you into a
"money magnet"? Maybe yes, maybe no. Call it what you will - a mind game,
mysticism, New Age ga-ga -- but the solid fact is that behind every
wealthy man and woman is a positive attitude toward money. Here's a quick
demonstration:
(1) Person One with a negative money attitude has daily thoughts which go
this way: "Jeez! $20 bucks is hard to come by! I seem to work so hard and
get so little for it. Money just slips through my fingers. It's amazing
how much money you have to earn to just get by these days. I'm never
going to be able to afford that new car on my limited salary, but this
job is still the best thing going for me right now. It's easy for some
people to make a lot of money, but I'm not one of those people ..." and
on and on.
(2) Person Two with a positive money attitude has daily thoughts which go
this way: "You know, I bet if I work my butt off I can get a raise next
month, and then I'll take half of the extra money I make and toss it in a
savings account. There must be a 100 other ways I can bring in some extra
cash. Money is not all that hard to earn if you work hard, watch your
spending and save a little at a time. There's enough wealth for everybody
in this country, and I can easily get my share, and more ..." and on and
on.
Okay. Which person do you think will have a better chance of success? You
don't need to be a Rhodes Scholar to see how Person One is dragging
himself down with his thoughts, and how Person Two is giving himself a
fighting chance.
Look at it this way: It costs nothing one way or the other to have either
negative or positive thoughts. So why not have positive thoughts?
There have been many studies done on the thought patterns and the frames
of mind of some of the richest, most successful people in the world. The
one thing they all had in common was a positive attitude toward money and
their ability to earn it.
The next of the 11 best money saving ideas of all time will be discussed
in part 3. Until then, take note of what you have learned so far and put
this information to good use. Read and reread this article; I bet you
will notice a difference sooner than you think.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
mailto:palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Sign up for Palyn Peterson's FREE 13 day intensive email course and
discover the 16 necessary basics and 8 advanced internet marketing
techniques. You'll also receive a free $gift$.
http://FutureInternetMarketing.com/guide.htm
palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #4
Ben Franklin said it long ago: "A penny saved is a penny earned." Yes,
it's still true, and still one of the most powerful money-making tips in
all history.
Implied within Franklin's famous statement is the difficulty of saving.
It's tough to save and easy to spend! You know that! That's why every
penny saved truly is earned - because it takes so much effort to hold on
to that cash! But if you can do it, it will work magic in your life.
Having a savings account will de-stress your life. Imagine being ahead of
your bills, rather than behind. When you are ahead of your bills, you
entire life comes under your control. You sleep better at night. Your
mind is freer to come up with new ways to make more money and save more.
Saving is contagious - once you let it get started!
Here are some tips to help you save:
1. Don't settle for interest checking. Have a separate savings account
that can't be as easily accessed as a checking account.
2. Keep your savings in another bank - one that's off your regular
route, or perhaps even in another town. That way you won't be tempted
to dip into it every time you visit the bank to make a checking
deposit.
3. Buy short-term savings bonds, which have 6-month to one- year
maturity dates. That way you will get a higher rate, while at the same
time keeping your money close in case of real emergencies.
4. If you can, open the account under two names and require that both
signatures be required to make a withdrawal. Two people can debate
each withdrawal and keep each other in line.
5. When you get your paycheck, immediately put a minimum of 5% in your
savings account. After just a year, you'll be surprised by how much
you have actually saved and feel great about it.
Amazing Money Tip #5
Visualize wealth and abundance everyday. Am I actually suggesting that
you practice some sort of airy-fairy mysticism that will make you into a
"money magnet"? Maybe yes, maybe no. Call it what you will - a mind game,
mysticism, New Age ga-ga -- but the solid fact is that behind every
wealthy man and woman is a positive attitude toward money. Here's a quick
demonstration:
(1) Person One with a negative money attitude has daily thoughts which go
this way: "Jeez! $20 bucks is hard to come by! I seem to work so hard and
get so little for it. Money just slips through my fingers. It's amazing
how much money you have to earn to just get by these days. I'm never
going to be able to afford that new car on my limited salary, but this
job is still the best thing going for me right now. It's easy for some
people to make a lot of money, but I'm not one of those people ..." and
on and on.
(2) Person Two with a positive money attitude has daily thoughts which go
this way: "You know, I bet if I work my butt off I can get a raise next
month, and then I'll take half of the extra money I make and toss it in a
savings account. There must be a 100 other ways I can bring in some extra
cash. Money is not all that hard to earn if you work hard, watch your
spending and save a little at a time. There's enough wealth for everybody
in this country, and I can easily get my share, and more ..." and on and
on.
Okay. Which person do you think will have a better chance of success? You
don't need to be a Rhodes Scholar to see how Person One is dragging
himself down with his thoughts, and how Person Two is giving himself a
fighting chance.
Look at it this way: It costs nothing one way or the other to have either
negative or positive thoughts. So why not have positive thoughts?
There have been many studies done on the thought patterns and the frames
of mind of some of the richest, most successful people in the world. The
one thing they all had in common was a positive attitude toward money and
their ability to earn it.
The next of the 11 best money saving ideas of all time will be discussed
in part 3. Until then, take note of what you have learned so far and put
this information to good use. Read and reread this article; I bet you
will notice a difference sooner than you think.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
mailto:palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Sign up for Palyn Peterson's FREE 13 day intensive email course and
discover the 16 necessary basics and 8 advanced internet marketing
techniques. You'll also receive a free $gift$.
http://FutureInternetMarketing.com/guide.htm
palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 1
The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 1
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #1:
The great scientist Albert Einstein once said, "It takes a genius to see
the obvious." What he meant by that is that sometimes the simplest things
in life are the most powerful ... but because they are so simple, we tend
to ignore them, and not let them work for us.
One of the simplest but most powerful money making ideas is this: keep a
daily log of everything you spend. Go to the dollar store and buy a
little notebook and carry it with you wherever you go. Write down every
penny - every single penny - you spend. It's as simple as that.
If you do this, you will find something magic happening in your financial
life in just a few weeks.
There is something incredibly powerful about writing down all your
expenditures. It makes the flow of money through your life more real and
exact. It shows you simply and clearly just where you are spending your
money, on what and why. Once you know that, it becomes much easier to
control your spending.
Many people who have taken up this practice have not only learned
something about themselves which they never knew before, but they are
often astounded.
For example, a person could realized through examining their notebook
that they actually spent nearly $2,000 throughout the year on diet soft
drinks, snacks and candy bars! Since their job only brings in $25,000 per
year, they realized that 8% of their entire income was being frittered
away on something entirely frivolous. The person gave up the snacks and
drinks, and found they had enough money to go on vacation the following
year. If you had the choice between snacks or a much needed vacation,
which would you choose?
The point is, it was their daily expense log that helped achieve the
insight and clarity they needed to get control of their finances. That's
what a simple spending record will do for you - it will give you control
over your spending, and thus your financial life. There may be nothing
but a 75-cent notebook and a ballpoint pen between your life of financial
struggle and financial freedom.
Amazing Money Tip #2:
Stop deficit spending! We all know how much trouble Uncle Sam has been
creating spending more money than our country takes in. It's called
deficit spending. Well, don't fool yourself. The same rules apply to you.
Using those evil little plastic cards may be the "American Way," but it's
a darn poor way.
Today, the average credit card holder is carrying $8,000 in plastic debt!
Spending yourself into debt with a credit card is unbelievably easy, as
many of you already know. The reason is psychological. When you give that
clerk a credit card, it's just not the same as handing over a stack of
green dollar bills. Would you as readily hand over a fistful of ten
dollar bills as flip a credit card across a counter? Probably not.
Credit cards put you in the hole and keep you there. Even for people with
good incomes, paying your credit card debt down to zero is amazingly
difficult. And make no bones about it, credit card debt will sap your
financial strength just as readily as an open vein will deplete your
physical body of its very life force. Using a credit card by choice can
quickly turn to using it for need. Once you get to that point, you are
already in trouble.
There is no secret to freeing yourself from the credit card game. You
must take out a pair of scissors today, cut your cards in half, and begin
paying them back, slowly but surely. Be sure to always pay more than the
minimum amount due, even if it is just $10 more. Once you stop adding to
the debt, even small payments will eventually add up. You can get out of
debt if you are patient and disciplined. Once your cards are history, you
must adopt a strict pay-as- you go policy. Instead of buying now and
paying later, save now and buy when you have the full amount.
Once again, this is not rocket science, but stopping credit- oriented
consuming is one of the most powerful financial tools available to anyone
today. Why not pick up this tool and use it?
Amazing Money Tip #3:
Sell your junk. That's right, it's high past time for a major yard sale.
Search through your house or apartment for every single item you don't
need, and could sell at a flea market or yard sale.
Take an inventory. The truth is, most people are astounded by what they
own - and how much money they have tied up in useless stuff. Why let it
collect dust in your attic while it could collect interest in a savings
account.
You could easily be $500, $1,000 ... even $3,000 richer by the end of the
week. As an added bonus, you'd have your place cleaned up, and you will
have a fresh feeling of starting over. A garage sale is an excellent way
to not only clean out your house, but it often gives a psychological
boost that helps people get control of their life and money.
The next of the 11 best money saving ideas of all time will be discussed
in part 2. Until then, take note of what you have learned so far and put
this information to good use. Read and reread this article; I bet you
will notice a difference sooner than you think.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Get the very same internet marketing techniques that many "guru's" are
asking you $200 for -- FREE. Discover 24 necessary techniques. You'll
also receive a free $gift$.
http://FutureInternetMarketing.com/guide.htm
palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
by: Palyn Peterson
At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy,
no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate
is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely
new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not,
it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own
life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I
urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life!
Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you
add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned
money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that
anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #1:
The great scientist Albert Einstein once said, "It takes a genius to see
the obvious." What he meant by that is that sometimes the simplest things
in life are the most powerful ... but because they are so simple, we tend
to ignore them, and not let them work for us.
One of the simplest but most powerful money making ideas is this: keep a
daily log of everything you spend. Go to the dollar store and buy a
little notebook and carry it with you wherever you go. Write down every
penny - every single penny - you spend. It's as simple as that.
If you do this, you will find something magic happening in your financial
life in just a few weeks.
There is something incredibly powerful about writing down all your
expenditures. It makes the flow of money through your life more real and
exact. It shows you simply and clearly just where you are spending your
money, on what and why. Once you know that, it becomes much easier to
control your spending.
Many people who have taken up this practice have not only learned
something about themselves which they never knew before, but they are
often astounded.
For example, a person could realized through examining their notebook
that they actually spent nearly $2,000 throughout the year on diet soft
drinks, snacks and candy bars! Since their job only brings in $25,000 per
year, they realized that 8% of their entire income was being frittered
away on something entirely frivolous. The person gave up the snacks and
drinks, and found they had enough money to go on vacation the following
year. If you had the choice between snacks or a much needed vacation,
which would you choose?
The point is, it was their daily expense log that helped achieve the
insight and clarity they needed to get control of their finances. That's
what a simple spending record will do for you - it will give you control
over your spending, and thus your financial life. There may be nothing
but a 75-cent notebook and a ballpoint pen between your life of financial
struggle and financial freedom.
Amazing Money Tip #2:
Stop deficit spending! We all know how much trouble Uncle Sam has been
creating spending more money than our country takes in. It's called
deficit spending. Well, don't fool yourself. The same rules apply to you.
Using those evil little plastic cards may be the "American Way," but it's
a darn poor way.
Today, the average credit card holder is carrying $8,000 in plastic debt!
Spending yourself into debt with a credit card is unbelievably easy, as
many of you already know. The reason is psychological. When you give that
clerk a credit card, it's just not the same as handing over a stack of
green dollar bills. Would you as readily hand over a fistful of ten
dollar bills as flip a credit card across a counter? Probably not.
Credit cards put you in the hole and keep you there. Even for people with
good incomes, paying your credit card debt down to zero is amazingly
difficult. And make no bones about it, credit card debt will sap your
financial strength just as readily as an open vein will deplete your
physical body of its very life force. Using a credit card by choice can
quickly turn to using it for need. Once you get to that point, you are
already in trouble.
There is no secret to freeing yourself from the credit card game. You
must take out a pair of scissors today, cut your cards in half, and begin
paying them back, slowly but surely. Be sure to always pay more than the
minimum amount due, even if it is just $10 more. Once you stop adding to
the debt, even small payments will eventually add up. You can get out of
debt if you are patient and disciplined. Once your cards are history, you
must adopt a strict pay-as- you go policy. Instead of buying now and
paying later, save now and buy when you have the full amount.
Once again, this is not rocket science, but stopping credit- oriented
consuming is one of the most powerful financial tools available to anyone
today. Why not pick up this tool and use it?
Amazing Money Tip #3:
Sell your junk. That's right, it's high past time for a major yard sale.
Search through your house or apartment for every single item you don't
need, and could sell at a flea market or yard sale.
Take an inventory. The truth is, most people are astounded by what they
own - and how much money they have tied up in useless stuff. Why let it
collect dust in your attic while it could collect interest in a savings
account.
You could easily be $500, $1,000 ... even $3,000 richer by the end of the
week. As an added bonus, you'd have your place cleaned up, and you will
have a fresh feeling of starting over. A garage sale is an excellent way
to not only clean out your house, but it often gives a psychological
boost that helps people get control of their life and money.
The next of the 11 best money saving ideas of all time will be discussed
in part 2. Until then, take note of what you have learned so far and put
this information to good use. Read and reread this article; I bet you
will notice a difference sooner than you think.
Copyright © by Palyn Peterson
palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
About The Author
Get the very same internet marketing techniques that many "guru's" are
asking you $200 for -- FREE. Discover 24 necessary techniques. You'll
also receive a free $gift$.
http://FutureInternetMarketing.com/guide.htm
palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume
Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume
by: Stacey Agin Murray
Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent college grad,
your resume is the 'key' to opening the doors of employment. It is an
employer's first impression of you and believe it or not, many hiring
officials spend less than thirty seconds reviewing it. With only fleeting
moments to make a first impression, it is imperative that your resume be
organized.
Polish your shoes, practice your handshake, and take note of some tips
for creating an organized resume that will catch the eye of even the most
weary of HR associates:
* Start by sitting down with your old resume and a timer. Give yourself
fifteen seconds to read it. How far did you get? Were you able to read
the whole page? Besides 'getting your foot in the door,' your goal is
to create a resume that can be scanned top to bottom in less than 30
seconds. It must be organized to punctuate your strengths and highlight
your employment-related achievements. Next, give yourself another
fifteen seconds but this time skim your resume as if you were the
person doing the hiring. What parts stood out? Was it a bold or italic
phrase? Was it a tabbed column of words or a dollar sign? Think about
what words or sections jumped out at you, circle them in red, and use
them within the body of your new resume. For another opinion, take a
fresh copy and ask a friend or family member to do the same.
* On scrap paper, create a chart and write all of your past jobs across
the top of the page. Below each job title list at least 2-4
duties/accomplishments relating to the position. Analyze each of those
and ask yourself: Does this achievement have any relevance to the job
I'm now pursuing? Will the reader of my resume be impressed by the
money I've saved the company/the body of work I created/the skills I've
acquired? If your answer is yes, the next step is to prioritize those
duties and/or accomplishments.
For example, let's say you are an administrative assistant listing
relevant duties and achievements from your last job. This is your
newly-brainstormed, non-prioritized list:
* answered phone calls
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
Now, take a moment to prioritize your list. Which description should be
listed first? Which of the four will quickly catch the reader's eye?
Depending upon the type of job you're applying for, if you saved your
former company any money or increased their productivity in any way, that
fact should be listed first.
Now read the list:
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* answered phone calls
Always position your strongest achievement first. Either they'll be
impressed and move on or think 'Wow!' and continue reading directly
below. An eye-catching first statement will positively affect every
statement listed beneath it so choose wisely.
* Use Bulleted Lists. As opposed to a sea of text, a bulleted list
focuses the eye to a specific area on the page. They are often used to
highlight your accomplishments instead of hiding them within bulky
paragraphs.
Example:
Saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors. Created and color-coded filing system to support
VP of Sales. Coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements. Answered phone
calls vs.
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* answered phone calls
Remember, one of your goals is to make reading your resume as easy as
possible. The reader's eye will dart straight to the bullet and focus on
what is written to it's immediate right. If you want to hold the reader's
attention, use 'action words' (verbs) next to a bullet (see example
above). Employing strong action words will assist the reader in
visualizing you carrying out those tasks for their company.
To an HR official, an organized resume can be interpreted as the sign of
an organized person. An organized person has the potential to have an
organized desktop, organized file cabinets and organized work habits.
These are skills and qualities that employers desire in an employee. If
you can present a company/organization with an organized resume it will
put you one step ahead of your less organized competition.
BONUS TIP:
* Do not make 100 copies of your resume until at least one other person
has reviewed it for errors and inconsistencies. Five minutes of
'editorial prevention' can mean the difference between getting an
interview or getting a rejection letter.
About The Author
Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized
Artistry, LLC, transforms 'mess' into 'masterpiece' with patience,
organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For more articles and to get
your FREE e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living' visit
http://www.organizedartistry.com
stacey@organizedartistry.com
by: Stacey Agin Murray
Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent college grad,
your resume is the 'key' to opening the doors of employment. It is an
employer's first impression of you and believe it or not, many hiring
officials spend less than thirty seconds reviewing it. With only fleeting
moments to make a first impression, it is imperative that your resume be
organized.
Polish your shoes, practice your handshake, and take note of some tips
for creating an organized resume that will catch the eye of even the most
weary of HR associates:
* Start by sitting down with your old resume and a timer. Give yourself
fifteen seconds to read it. How far did you get? Were you able to read
the whole page? Besides 'getting your foot in the door,' your goal is
to create a resume that can be scanned top to bottom in less than 30
seconds. It must be organized to punctuate your strengths and highlight
your employment-related achievements. Next, give yourself another
fifteen seconds but this time skim your resume as if you were the
person doing the hiring. What parts stood out? Was it a bold or italic
phrase? Was it a tabbed column of words or a dollar sign? Think about
what words or sections jumped out at you, circle them in red, and use
them within the body of your new resume. For another opinion, take a
fresh copy and ask a friend or family member to do the same.
* On scrap paper, create a chart and write all of your past jobs across
the top of the page. Below each job title list at least 2-4
duties/accomplishments relating to the position. Analyze each of those
and ask yourself: Does this achievement have any relevance to the job
I'm now pursuing? Will the reader of my resume be impressed by the
money I've saved the company/the body of work I created/the skills I've
acquired? If your answer is yes, the next step is to prioritize those
duties and/or accomplishments.
For example, let's say you are an administrative assistant listing
relevant duties and achievements from your last job. This is your
newly-brainstormed, non-prioritized list:
* answered phone calls
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
Now, take a moment to prioritize your list. Which description should be
listed first? Which of the four will quickly catch the reader's eye?
Depending upon the type of job you're applying for, if you saved your
former company any money or increased their productivity in any way, that
fact should be listed first.
Now read the list:
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* answered phone calls
Always position your strongest achievement first. Either they'll be
impressed and move on or think 'Wow!' and continue reading directly
below. An eye-catching first statement will positively affect every
statement listed beneath it so choose wisely.
* Use Bulleted Lists. As opposed to a sea of text, a bulleted list
focuses the eye to a specific area on the page. They are often used to
highlight your accomplishments instead of hiding them within bulky
paragraphs.
Example:
Saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors. Created and color-coded filing system to support
VP of Sales. Coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements. Answered phone
calls vs.
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* answered phone calls
Remember, one of your goals is to make reading your resume as easy as
possible. The reader's eye will dart straight to the bullet and focus on
what is written to it's immediate right. If you want to hold the reader's
attention, use 'action words' (verbs) next to a bullet (see example
above). Employing strong action words will assist the reader in
visualizing you carrying out those tasks for their company.
To an HR official, an organized resume can be interpreted as the sign of
an organized person. An organized person has the potential to have an
organized desktop, organized file cabinets and organized work habits.
These are skills and qualities that employers desire in an employee. If
you can present a company/organization with an organized resume it will
put you one step ahead of your less organized competition.
BONUS TIP:
* Do not make 100 copies of your resume until at least one other person
has reviewed it for errors and inconsistencies. Five minutes of
'editorial prevention' can mean the difference between getting an
interview or getting a rejection letter.
About The Author
Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized
Artistry, LLC, transforms 'mess' into 'masterpiece' with patience,
organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For more articles and to get
your FREE e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living' visit
http://www.organizedartistry.com
stacey@organizedartistry.com
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