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- The Confusion Over Credit Inquiries - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2009 from Krista ScruggsWhen you seek out new credit, you automatically give the potential creditor permission to request a copy of your credit profile. As the creditor does so, a credit inquiry is notated on your credit file. There is some confusion over credit inquiries, their effects on the overall credit rating, ...
Views: 953(1 vote) - Are You a Good Candidate for a Streamline FHA Refinance? - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2009 from Krista ScruggsIf you are in the market for a refinance, you have undoubtedly heard about the various loans that are currently offered by lenders. There are adjustable rate mortgages, those that feature balloon payments, loans which offer substantial cash-out options, and of course also the loans that change ...
Views: 1209(1 vote) - Uncover What You Really Believe About Money - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2009 from Mikelann ValterraSometimes it feels like we work so hard to make money—and then we subtly sabotage ourselves. Maybe we overspend, or we just don’t make enough in the first place– our work efforts become inconsistent, or we just drop the ball on something. And then we blame ourselves! So what is this really ...
Views: 763(1 vote) - The New Normal Doesn't Include Whining - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2009 from lisa mcleodWelcome to the new normal. Your 401(k) has tanked, your job is hanging by a thread, and purchases you once considered routine are now major life decisions. Many have suggested the current economic challenges are causing us to rethink our values. That may be true, but I'm also still ...
Views: 839(1 vote) - Want Good Credit? - Beyond the Basics (Part 2 of 2) - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2009 from Kathy Jo PollackIn the previous article we got the first three fundamental steps out of the way: 1. Getting established with a financial institution 2. Checking/correcting credit reports 3. Establishing a budget. Now we are ready for credit! Below you will find key points and a continuation of my ...
Views: 2418(5 votes) - Use Your Prosperity Consciousness to Make Money - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Matthew FerryProsperity is often associated with money. The more money you have, the more prosperous you become. This has become a common belief that is false. Most of our lives, we have been taught by the our instinct and society to be "go-getters"; meaning, we have been taught to always grab the ...
Views: 2374(3 votes) - *** Pre-Retirement 401k & Asset Allocation Advice - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I plan on retiring in 15 years (at age 60) and currently have 85% of my money in stocks. I’ve been maxing out my 401(K) since I was 21, and in the last year, I have seen some frightening drops in my funds. Should I be making any kind of changes to prevent more losses? Larry, Texas ...
Views: 1978(18 votes) - Want Good Credit? - Back to Basics (Part 1 of 2) - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Kathy Jo PollackA question that seems to be surfacing a lot lately is how to build good credit . Some people that I talk with have experienced financial difficulties in the past and are now trying to rebuild their personal credit. Others are new to credit, especially young people, and are building credit for ...
Views: 2814(5 votes) - 7 Financial Blind Spots - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Peter RichonAs a general disclaimer, the tax code is complex, everyone’s situation is a little different, therefore, please do not take any action on strategies discussed without first consulting with an expert about your individual situation. The information contained in this article is believed to be ...
Views: 1683(8 votes) - Are You Ready To Take Control of YOUR Financial Future? - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2009 from Lisa Moren BrommaDo you think is it too soon to begin planning for the tax changes in 2010 or think about how it will impact your retirement account? Absolutely not. “Now is the time to start to plan to take advantage of future tax-free funds”, says Hubert Bromma, CEO of the Entrust Group, the nation’s ...
Views: 1576(1 vote) - Worried About Your Variable Life Insurance Policy in a Volatile Market? Consider a Fully Guaranteed Universal Life Policy - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2009 from Michael KortzOctober 2008 may go down as one of the stormiest months in stock market history—and holders of variable life insurance policies are certainly feeling the pinch. “I see people who are literally losing sleep because they’re worrying about their variable life insurance policies,” says Michael ...
Views: 1663 - Health Insurance: The Marketplace is Everchanging - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2009 from Michael KortzThe insurance marketplace is ever changing, and this constant change has highlighted the importance of the professional insurance agent. Individuals and small businesses need help sorting through their coverage options. Insurance agents educate their clients, advising them how to manage their ...
Views: 1426 - Protect Your Savings from Their Biggest Threat - You! - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2009 from Faizan KhuhroLet’s say you want to keep the kids out of the cookie jar. Do you lecture them on the importance of a well-rounded diet and describe for them how they need to work on their self-control? Well, you could do that, and once that failed you’d probably learn to just put the cookie jar on the top ...
Views: 605 - Personal Finance Planning Strategies - Why You Should Treat Your Household Like a Business - by Submitted on Aug 09, 2009 from Christopher MusicDo you treat your household like a business? Maybe you feel that treating your business like a business is quite enough. But think about it for a minute. As someone who owns a small business or a professional practice, you know there are some fundamental ways to operate that group activity so ...
Views: 666 - Stock Market Crash Impacts Variable Life Insurance Polices - by Submitted on Aug 07, 2009 from Michael KortzMore than just your portfolio will feel the pinch of the recent stock market crash. Your variable life insurance policy may also be in danger of taking a downward spiral. Variable life insurance policies have experienced increased popularity - currently accounting for 40 percent of life ...
Views: 1974 - Seven Myths Concerning Credit Card Usage That Can Affect Your Ability To Obtain A Mortgage - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2009 from David LeachIt has been my privilege to work with hundreds of people over the many years I have been involved in the real estate and mortgage business. My experience and expertise have helped them buy their dream home when they thought their circumstances would prevent it. It has been a joy to help so many. ...
Views: 4077(3 votes) - 4 Ways to Use Leverage to Build Your Wealth - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2009 from Michael YardneyHave you ever wondered why it's easier for people who have money to make more of it? I mean, why is it that the second and the third million are so much easier to earn than the first million? Do you want to know what the biggest difference is between how the wealthy people build wealth and ...
Views: 9719(17 votes) - Using an Offer In Compromise to Settle Tax Debt - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Matt RobinsonUnderstanding an offer in compromise is important if you have IRS tax debt. This is a process in which you pay a fraction of your total liability as agreed upon with the IRS. You are not able to decide on an offer in compromise on your own. You have to apply for this, and from there your offer ...
Views: 979(3 votes) - Enough is Enough: How Just Enough Money Thinking Blocks The Law of Attraction - by Submitted on Aug 03, 2009 from Lisa BrooksHave you ever thought: Please, if I can just make enough money this month to get by, or let my business grow just enough to get this goal accomplished? You believe in the law of attraction and things happen in such a way that your needs are met, but could it be that the enough mind set is ...
Views: 731 - Investing Tips for Beginners - by Submitted on Aug 03, 2009 from A DawnIn order to make it less intimidating to start investing, we are going to explore three popular and successful types of investments - stocks, mutual funds, and real estate – so that you can determine which ones work for you and how to take the next step. First, you will need to decide how ...
Views: 1330(1 vote) - Credit Repair FAQ's - by Submitted on Jul 30, 2009 from Steve De la RosaHere are some basics facts and tips on consumer credit repair and why you should look into having it repaired. "What is a credit report, and why is it important?" A consumer credit report is a factual record of your credit activities. It reports all your credit accounts and outstanding ...
Views: 1809(2 votes) - Caveat Emptor – Let the “seller” beware - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2009 from Andrew RogersonIf you own a business and receive an unsolicited offer to buy your business please be careful. If your business is currently for sale be even more cautious. There are con artists that have developed a clever process of taking your business from you and leaving you not only with absolutely ...
Views: 1705 - I May Be A Complete Idiot But I've Never Lost $645 Million Every Day For An Entire Quarter - by Submitted on Jul 27, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsI have bought low and sold lower. I have bought high and sold low. I never have bought low and sold high and frankly, if I did the shock would probably kill me. I have built businesses, blown up businesses, learned from failure and still hope to learn from success. However, one thing I've ...
Views: 498 - *** The Phased Retirement Alternative - by Submitted on Jul 27, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I’m turning 60 next year. While I don’t want to continue working full-time anymore, I don’t have the desire (or nest egg) to retire completely. What do you suggest? Doris, PA Answer: Doris, how about a phased retirement? Instead of working 40 hours per week, talk with your ...
Views: 1465(22 votes) - How to Save Money Using Debit Cards - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2009 from Theodore HendersonDid you know that using a debit card instead of a credit card can help you save money? If you are old enough to remember when debit cards didn’t exist you probably recall being at the grocery store with a cart full of food and household products and realizing that you had way overshot your ...
Views: 1457 - A Simple Lesson in Investment Education - by Submitted on Jul 24, 2009 from Elle WoodA girlfriend would never steer you wrong, would she? And in these troubling economic times, you want to be extra careful with your financial resources, so you need to work with people you trust, right? Well, trusting a girlfriend to be your financial coach, no matter how successful she may seem, ...
Views: 855 - *** Protecting Your IRA Before Retirement - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: This stock market is nuts! How am I supposed to protect my IRA from losing money when I’ve only got three years until I retire? Joan, NY Answer: Joan, as I mentioned in my last post, a few years before retiring you should begin to accumulate an amount of money that's equivalent to ...
Views: 1299(4 votes) - Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Part 1 - What is it and Could it Affect How Much You Pay in Taxes? - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Thomas QuinlinAre you affected by the alternative minimum tax? Or worried you might be? You have reason to be concerned. Few of the government's changes to the tax system have had a more adverse effect or have caused as much anger and frustration as the alternative minimum tax (AMT). But you don't have to be ...
Views: 920 - Living on Pretax Dollars in a Post Tax World, Part Two - Maximize Legitimate Tax Deductions - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Thomas QuinlinCould you use more tax deductions? How about a lot more tax deductions? Read on to find out what it takes to maximize your tax savings -- legitimately -- so you too can live on pretax dollars in a post-tax world. The first step you'll have to take is start a business. Your business is ...
Views: 771 - Filing Bankruptcy Can Be an Opportunity - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsI have several friends who suffer pretty badly from the current economic collapse. Some of them lost their homes, some got laid off, most of them were faced with the necessity of filing bankruptcy. When I listen to their stories there is sadness, fear and confusion in what they are saying, and ...
Views: 885(3 votes) - 6 easy ways to teach children about money - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Daniel BrittonTeaching children from an early age how to save and budget in a fun and educational way, can lay the foundations for sound money management later in life. Most would agree, that the earlier children are introduced to a foreign language, the quicker they are able to pick it up. The same can be ...
Views: 1646(9 votes) - Where is the Degree in Money Management Offered in School? - by Submitted on Jul 21, 2009 from SCOTT LIFERThere is no doubt the two most monumental days of a parent’s life are when their kids go off to kindergarten and when they graduate from college. All parents raise their children wanting them to succeed in life no matter their chosen path or discipline. They aspire for them to have more, make ...
Views: 1335(3 votes) - Save $ - Make $ - Make A Difference - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2009 from Jerome Saint JohnIn these hard economic times people are having a very difficult time finding employment. Jobs for youth are pretty much nonexistent. A very large number of people are graduating from High School and College directly into unemployment. Entry level and fast food service jobs are filled and most ...
Views: 810 - Purpose - Driven Financial Planning - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2009 from Beth SassoToday's financial climate is filled with moments of instability, confusion, and panic. Suddenly people are being forced to reassess their budgets and sometimes choose between raiding their 401K's or learning to make adjustments in their lifestyle. The ability to make wise financial decisions is ...
Views: 2640(3 votes) - Living Tax Free - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Jeff ReynoldsSince the 1920's personal income tax has been steadily rising in most western countries, as their citizens slowly yet surely move further down the road to serfdom. Based on OECD statistics (2006) the average income tax paid throughout OECD countries by a worker on the average wage is about ...
Views: 1854(1 vote) - Building Your Wealth: How to Pay for Your Lifestyle without Credit Cards (Part 2 of 2) - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2009 from Christopher MusicHow can you afford the lifestyle you want to live? Read on to discover how to pay for your lifestyle without going into debt -- by getting the most out of what you're making now. After all, there are really two parts to the equation: how much income you bring in, and how you spend what you ...
Views: 652 - It's Time to Mind Your Own Business - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2009 from Lillian LiDo you feel like you're constantly rushing around, almost running in circles, never to get anything done? You rush to work after dropping the kids at daycare, rush home to figure out what to make for dinner. Then it's time to stretch your paycheck and get your mortgage, car payment, and tuition ...
Views: 1751(1 vote) - Be Your Own Financial Controller - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2009 from Lillian LiAnything in life worthwhile requires some education and practice. Rather than handing over your hard earned money to a financial "expert", take the time to learn financial terms and trends on your own. Take control of your own financial destiny by learning what works for you and your personality ...
Views: 1351(1 vote) - Truth About Money - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from Ataur RehmaanWhen a famous bank robber was asked, why did you rob the bank? His answer was well there is where the money is. He was wrong on several points. - No1. Banks are not the source of money - No2. You must attain your money in an honest way. By the way, let me quickly share one more myth. ...
Views: 775(3 votes) - Top 10 Questions That Will Transform Your Finances - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from Tracy PhaupA lot of people are really struggling with rising costs and shrinking pay checks. If you're one of the people caught up in that struggle, here are the Top 10 Questions you can ask that will Transform Your Finances. 1. What could I do to raise the money I need for that? The ...
Views: 867(3 votes) - *** Are the Markets & My 401(k) Heading for Another Freefall? - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from Bill LoseyDear Bill: I’m 60 years old, divorced, and was forced into early retirement two weeks ago. My 401(k) is still down 25% from its all-time high and I’m real nervous. Now that I don’t have a paycheck and since I won’t become eligible for Social Security for two more years, I have to live on ...
Views: 1397(2 votes) - $885 Billion and Sustainable Prosperity - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from Karen MonroyThink of a coin. It seems to have a paradoxical nature to it: two sides, either heads or tails—or it can be viewed as a circle, 360 degrees. What if we were to look at the economic situation, not from heads or tails, but from the circle perspective—a perspective that has no sides? The tenor ...
Views: 1457(16 votes) - Would It Be Okay If You Stopped Worrying About Money? - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from Karen MonroyI know that sounds like a strange question. However, we sometimes get in awful habits and the thoughts take over. If we are not vigilant, the worry thoughts think themselves—again and again. Are you thinking, "Well, who wouldn't like to stop worrying about money? Duh!" Is that thought ...
Views: 1447(17 votes) - What My Old House Can Teach Us About the Economy - by Submitted on Jul 12, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsMy house is old. Not old compared to my friend’s house in England that was built in the 1600’s, but old for Los Angeles. My house was built in 1927. Much of the house we have restored and kept just as it was in the 20’s. We have the original built-in ironing board complete with built-in swinging ...
Views: 746 - When Can a Special Diet be Tax Deductible in the U.S.? (A Little-Known Must-Read for Everyone in the USA!) - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsDid you know that many of your medical expenses are tax deductible? That's right! The government will actually reward you for taking proper care of yourself. And with April 15 right around the corner, now is the time to get your records in order so that you can maximize your health-related ...
Views: 1405(2 votes) - Save Money by Slowing Down! - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsWant to save money? I have a lot of ideas about how to save money and you guessed it, they are heavily inspired by living in the DR. I see people every day living on very little, so I thought and thought, and found a commonality... SLOW DOWN!! On general terms, the pace in North America ...
Views: 1028(2 votes) - Moving On After Bankruptcy - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2009 from Menno SpijkstraWhen talking about bankruptcy, people tend to avoid that very situation. They wouldn’t want to entertain that idea very on their mind. Even in the midst of a big financial crisis in their lives, bankruptcy is the least option. They would rather think about other means just not to get bankrupt. ...
Views: 2711(2 votes) - How to Save Like a Dirt-Poor College Student: 9 Tips - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsThe recession is hitting all of us hard. In the spirit of this week's theme on saving money and living frugal, it's time to think scrappy and resourceful like an unemployed college student. Here are nine tips to relive those frantically frugal undergrad days--but with an adult twist. ("Adult" in ...
Views: 990(1 vote) - Building Your Wealth - How to Pay For Your Lifestyle Without Credit Cards (Part 1 of 2) - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2009 from Christopher MusicCan you afford your lifestyle? How much income does it really take to live the way you want and what can you do about paying for it? First of all, what is a "lifestyle"? Well, it's the quality of your living and working environment: the house you live in, the clothes you wear, the food you ...
Views: 702(1 vote) - Spiritual Practice of Spending and Saving Money - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsWhen we are walking the spiritual path, we learn to get the most out of what ever experiences we have. Right now manyt of us need to spend less money than we were spending a year ago. While this can be difficult, we have the opportunity to look at our lives and see what is most important to ...
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