Sunday, July 29, 2012

Becoming A Millionaire From Your Basement

Millionaire from your basement.

Finally the secret to being a millionaire from your basement is out. In these financially trying times you can still be on your way to becoming a millionaire.

I found a way to becoming a millionaire in 24 months. I stumbled upon it by accident really. I was financially strapped and obviously was a little desperate, so I started reading a lot of finance books on how to make money in either a down or an up economy. Some were good and some were rubbish, they had titles like, the millionaire within you, release your inner millionaire, Finding your inner millionaire, Is there a millionaire in you? Finally I read books on the best way to financial freedom, written by respected finance authors like Robert Kiyosaki and Jacques Maglioli.

But my life changed when I stumbled across a man called Frank Black, who introduced me to the world of Penny shares.

Penny shares are the best way to build an empire worth millions by starting out with just a few Rands/Dollars in your bank account. Last year my investment portfolio made a 335% return in just 8 months; which means an investment of just million or R1 million would have turned into $ 3.35 million or R3.35 million in just 8 months.
Or even an initial investment of just 00 or R1000 could've made you ,350 or R3,350. I know it's hard to believe but it's true. I am on my way to becoming a millionaire thanks to this system.

A lot of millionaires have known about this secret for years but now through the work of Frank Black and his Red Hot Penny Shares company, this secret is also available to us as well.

The premise behind Penny shares is this, rather than buy expensive shares that will increase just a little bit over a short period of time, You buy very cheap shares say at R1.00 a share, when this goes up to R2.00 a share you are a little bit closer to becoming that millionaire, because your investment has doubled.

The best thing about Red Hot Penny Shares is that Frank Black does all the research for you, so you never have to pick losers. And he tells you when to sell a company that is failing to produce adequate financial returns for you, before it starts to fall apart.

But I told you that you can become a millionaire from your basement, so what you do is simply go to the Std bank online share trading website or forex.com. You register to use their trading software and you simply buy whatever frank Black tells you to buy. By using an online trading program you eliminate the high costs of using a broker.

For those of you outside of South Africa you can still access his Red Hot Penny shares issue for the US market as well. If you are in neither country you can still access his publication online and trade the potentially lucrative stocks in the south African market using forex.com

To access frank Black's Red Hot Penny shares issue go to fleetstreetpublications.com
Then you will be on your way to becoming a millionaire right in your basement.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Advantages of a Home Equity Line of Credit

In the mid 1990s, home equity loans became hugely popular and once they did, it wasn't long before home equity lines of credit weren't too far behind. These lines of credit differed from the loans because they offer small amounts of money over a longer period of time to be used for whatever you need, whenever you need it.

They became popular because of certain advantages they have in comparison to other mechanisms for consumers to borrow money, specifically credit cards or personal loans. The benefits of home equity lines of credit are mainly centered around taxes and your interest rate.

Today, this form of revolving credit is still widely popular, and for many of the same reasons as they were when the HELOC boom first started.

Advantages of Home Equity Lines of Credit

(1) Tax deductibility
You can deduct the interest you pay on the home equity line of credit. There are certain conditions that apply that usually pertain to the maximum amount of the line of credit and deductibility. The interest on credit cards or for a car loan is not tax deductible. Usually you can deduct the interest you pay on your home equity line of credit up to 0,000 of the amount you borrowed. But, that 0,000 amount can be increased if you use the additional money for improvements to your home. For more details talk to your bank or tax professional.

(2) Lower interest rate
Home equity lines of credit usually offer lower interest rates than traditional credit cards and car loans. The reason for the lower rate is that the credit is based by your asset, your home. Since it is a secured loan, whereas credit debt is unsecured, they can offer lower interest rates. This rate is usually below the Prime rate.

(3) Safety net
Home equity lines of credit offer a safety net for home owners. Since they are like credit cards in that they are credit available to you for whatever purpose you deem fit, it is accessible to you if a major purchase or emergency arises. And once you've been approved for your home equity line of credit, you'll be fully prepared when that emergency does rise. No waiting for the paperwork to go through on a second mortgage, or waiting for that credit card to arrive in the mail. Because you've set yourself up ahead of time with a home equity line of credit, you're ready for whatever life has to throw your way.
There are certain necessities in life: food/water, shelter and to pay taxes. Food and water do not offer tax deductibility and applying for a loan to pay for them won't either. But your shelter, your home, can. Remember to always try to make your money stretch and work for you. One way to do that is to take advantage of the many benefits that come with a home equity line of credit all of which let you borrow money at a much lower rate and save you more money over any other type of loan!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

A Mortgage Refinance Primer

There are two common situations which lead people to consider refinancing their mortgage. One is to save money by taking advantage of lower interest rates. The other is to manage an unwieldy debt repayment situation. If you are currently looking out to refinance your existing mortgage here are some important points you should consider very carefully.

Debt management is a prime reason for refinancing. If you find yourself wrestling around with the same repayment issues every month, then it may be a good idea to get a loan on your mortgage by refinancing it. Use the loan to pay off all your smaller debts. This leaves you with just a single loan repayment every month. Do choose a repayment scheme which you know you can handle easily.

If you're keen on saving money by reducing the interest burden of your current mortgage, then getting a fresh financing scheme may help you save a sizable sum of money. This works if your current mortgage is linked with the variable market rate, the current interest rate is very high and the market trend shows no inclination of climbing down. You can save a lot of money by opting out of your current mortgage and getting it refinanced. The secret is to get a fixed-rate loan with a reasonable interest rate.

Don't get carried away with the idea that refinancing is advisable for all situations, or that it will benefit you at all. There are many situations when refinancing can cost you heavily.

Many a time, refinancing companies fail to mention what the actual cost of refinancing is. You may think you have hit upon the perfect plan which will save you at least ,000 over the next 10 years. Only, you find that you have to pay brokerage fees of 00, a foreclosure penalty of 00, and some other fees amounting to 00 to initiate the refinance! So instead of saving ,000 you actually end up losing (in a manner of speaking) 0! Even if you don't end up 'losing' money the amount of saving may be so low as to be negligible, in which case the whole refinance exercise is pointless and best avoided.

Refinancing your mortgage is a serious financial decision. Therefore you should perform a due diligence market survey before taking up a refinance option. Find out the various plans and schemes offered by various companies in your locality and online. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of these schemes and tabulate your results for easy analysis.

You may not know it, but refinancing may impose certain penalties on you. The previous financier holding your mortgage may impose a penalty to release the mortgage. This could be heavy if you have not anticipated it. The mortgage broker can exact a fee called origination fees or simply as 'points', which could severely affect your savings. Take all these penalties and payments into consideration when computing your expected savings.

Refinancing will be beneficial for you if you are able to save more than you spend on all the fees and penalties involved in refinancing. One very important factor that you must consider is whether there are chances of your moving out before the refinanced mortgage expires. If there are good chances of your moving out soon, then, far from saving you money, the refinance is going to cost you a packet!

Refinancing your mortgage is a good way to save money by opting for a lower interest rate regimen. It is also a good way of consolidating your debts. But that is not be construed as a clean chit for every situation. Refinance has to be debated on a case by case basis according to the particulars of the situation. So what works for Bob may not work for Bill. The most important thing is to perform an exhaustive market survey before going in for refinance. Be very careful in computing the refinancing costs. Ask other people who have taken this route about their experiences and seek their advice. Be wary of hidden charges. These surprise charges may make the difference between saving ,000 and paying out 0!

Monday, July 23, 2012

How To Benefit From Small Business Debt Relief

We utilize various programs and strategies to aid them in dissolving their debt in the quickest, safest, and most efficient method possible. We also analyze the risk factor. We structure our programs to drastically minimize the risk that is inevitable with all debt elimination programs.

We offer our clients much more than a debt settlement company does. The vast majority of debt negotiation companies simply settle your debts on your behalf with your creditors- nothing more.

On the other hand, we provide free services to significantly help to minimize the risks that are involved in negotiating with your creditors.

First, we offer a free, no-risk 10 day trial service. During our free trial, we negotiate with your creditors on your behalf to lower your interest rates. Also, we research to see if you have any old debts that you are not legally liable to repay. If, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied, you simply walk away. No commitments. No contracts.

Next, we provide a comprehensive credit repair service to all our clients. This is a 5 service that is absolutely free!

Also, we offer free attorney consultation (a maximum of five sessions) in case one or more of your creditors makes any threats.

Last, we provide a written guarantee that our clients' creditors will settle for an average of 50% or more for all of the debts they attempt to negotiate.

Our services are competitively priced- and include the above free services!

Joseph Hernandez CEO Debt Free Solutions www.debtfreesolutions.mobi (800) 668-8090

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Subprime Auto Loan Lenders

If you have bad credit and need transportation, you may consider going to a subprime auto loan lender. These businesses are sometimes called Buy and Pay Here auto lots. Yes, there indeed are lenders who are willing to grant auto loans to folks who have made some bad financial moves. These are useful to many folks, but could prove disastrous to others.

Watch Those Interest Rates

Subprime auto loan lenders are not known for low interest rates. They impose these rates because they are lending to folks who have a bad record of paying off debts and this cuts their losses if a buyer defaults. Others will enjoy much lower interest rates because they have good credit. There is some pain for every gain. Consider that with your subprime auto loan you are getting wheels, that you are being provided a chance to improve your credit , and (hopefully) learning some better spending habits.

Playing the Car Dealer Game

Things can be get a little tricky with subprime auto loan lenders. The dealer is going to throw in a free GPS system for your new (to you) set of wheels. Do not think the dealer being Mister Nice Guy. If you default on a payment, by as little as a few days, the dealer knows where the vehicle is and will not hesitate to grab it. It is almost as if they expect you to default; would be happy if you did. And, that may be the case.

Avoid Vehicle Repossession

Once a payment is missed, even if only by a short time, the subprime auto loan lender will start looking for the car. They will still have you on the hook for a loan, and after they grab back the car, they can put it up for sale again. Of course, this varies from state to state, but it is a serious mistake on your part and will be a two-part blast to you. You will lose your wheels, and no one, NO ONE, will make a subprime auto loan to you for the long foreseeable future. Your credit rating will become the lowest of the low.

Make Sure You Have a No-Fail Financial Plan

Obtaining a subprime auto loan is not really that bad. Be sure you have the capacity to make your payments in full every time they come due. And, do not forget, you cannot predict the future. If something disastrous happens, like losing a job or unexpected medical expenses, the subprime auto loan lender does not want to hear it. Your car is gone with the results mentioned above. Be sure you can make that payment no matter what catastrophe may arise. This is truly one time when it is better to be safe than sorry. Have a financial plan in mind and stick to it, including provisions for just plain bad luck.

Subprime Auto Loans Not So Bad

Actually, getting a subprime auto loan is rather easy. Often, you can go online, fill out an application (might take you a couple of minutes), and go down to the lot and pick out your car. You will need a down payment of some sort, but the dealer will work with you. Tags, title, and insurance costs are due at the time of purchase and may be required in addition to the down payment and the loan.

So, gather the bucks for the down payment and other initial costs, formulate a fool-proof repayment plan, fill out your subprime auto loan application, get your wheels, and make your payments on time. You will be able to get around while you improve your credit scores. Good luck.

Friday, July 20, 2012

When Debt Settlement Consultants Can Solve Your Debt Problems

The most frustrating thing about being in debt is not the worry that comes with the pressure of repaying debts, but working out how to afford the repayments. Often, a salary seems to be enough to cover everything, but somehow vital dollars get sucked away to other things. When creditors come calling, there is a way to alleviate the pressure, however - debt settlement consultants.

There is a major difference between debt settlement and bankruptcy, but the problem is that most people seem to want to negotiate their settlements deals on their own. This does not always help the situation, and hiring professional debt clearance services is the surest way to secure the best possible terms.

Of course, seeking debt settlement through a company of professionals does mean paying service charges, but in the long run this can be a deal. But what are the signs that warn it is time to secure these services from.

What is Debt Settlement?

First of, it is important to understand what exactly debt settlement consultants should be able to do, and why the process they help to negotiate in is an alternative to bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is seen as the last option for someone with debts, with consequences including an inability to secure financing for as long as 2 years.

Settling debts has less severe consequences, with a share of the debt actually paid to creditors. These can range from 10-15% right up to 50-60%, but your negotiating skills will decide on the share of the debt to be paid. This is where getting a professional debt clearance service can be so beneficial.

It is a bit like representing yourself in a court of law - the chances of getting the best outcome is less than if an experienced lawyer is hired. But it is equally important that money is not wasted on the consultant. When it comes to debt settlement, the best terms can save thousands.

Signs A Professional Is Needed

The first clear sign is that your budgeting seems to make no real difference. No matter what is done, the debts continue to mount and the situation to get worse, and your total monthly expenses are higher than income. By getting debt settlement consultants in, they can take a more strict view of what needs to be done.

Another sign is that little headway is being made in negotiations with creditors. Meeting people who want to get as much money as possible out of your pocket. After all, they want to recover as much as they possibly can. But a professional debt clearance service can play hardball with creditors and hammer them down to the lowest possible percentage.

A third sign is a shortage of knowledge on the rights borrowers have, as well as the terms and legal conditions that come into play. Creditors are likely to take advantage of inexperience. However, a professional brings experience to the table when negotiating debt settlement terms.

A fourth is the need to stay on track once a decision is made. The temptation to break a strict budget and eat out, or maybe do a little shopping, can be too much to resist after 2 or 3 months of denying yourself such luxuries. A debt settlement consultant is able to set strict terms, ensure your debts are cleared and that no money gets wasted.

Of course, the choice to pursue your own terms and conditions is within your rights. However, without sufficient knowledge of the industry and your own rights, the chances of getting a good deal is highly unlikely. Hiring a professional debt clearance service can help to make huge savings on debt repayments, and the debt settlement agreement can be a success.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Your Ultimate Guide to Baby Developmental Toys

If you are going to attend a baby shower or have your own baby soon, you should consider buying baby developmental toys. Developmental toys for babies are anything that aids in your baby's development whether it is development of his motor skills, mental skills, and senses. Aside from helping them in their physical and mental development, these toys are also very fun and enjoyable. Your baby can have fun and at the same time learn new things for his development.
It is important not just to buy only one kind of developmental toy for your babies since these toys usually address only a single or a couple of developmental skills. You can buy several types of developmental toys and your baby will not get tired of playing with them. It is not enough to buy baby developmental toys. It is even more important to buy the right ones. Buying the right toys will ensure that your baby's needs are met. To help you choose the right developmental toys for babies, here are some things that you should know.
These toys come in different kinds. There are crib toys like rattle and hanging toys, stacking toys, shape sorters, books for babies, building blocks, and so on. These toys address different skills. For instance, baby books help babies recognize everyday objects such as milk, pants, bicycle, and so on. With your help, these books will help the baby learn how to name objects around him. Stacking toys and shape sorters help develop their problem solving skills and eye and hand coordination. They can play with other babies with these toys which can also help develop their social skills.
You have to know your baby's needs according to his age or skills. For instance, most one-year-olds can already sit by themselves. You can buy building blocks or shape sorters to babies who belong in this age group. For babies who still stay in the crib for long periods of time, you can give them crib mobiles or rattles to develop their sense of sight or hearing. Buying age-appropriate toys will ensure that your baby's needs are addressed. This will also prevent them from feeling bored if you buy toys that are too simple or frustrated if you buy too complicated toys for their age.
Make sure that the toys are safe. If you are going to buy plush or dolls, make sure that there are no small attached parts like eyes or strings like ribbons. Your baby might accidentally swallow the small parts or he might get choked with the ribbons or loose thread. The material used for making the toys should also be safe. Choose something that is hypoallergenic or non-toxic. You do not want your baby to get poisoned or develop rashes after playing with low quality toys.
You have to consider these things when buying baby developmental toys to ensure that your baby will not only enjoy but also help them develop their mental and physical skills. These are great gift ideas for your young ones on their birthday or this coming Christmas.

Monday, July 16, 2012

How Debt Settlement Programs And Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Differ

When the pressure of debt gets too much to handle effectively, there are solutions out there. The only real question is which to choose. The best options are constructive repayment agreements, and the two most common are debt settlement programs and a bankruptcy agreement under the terms of Chapter 13.

The two are quite similar in principle, with their core reasons being to facilitate the repayments of debts, either in full or in part. The result is to lift the burden of debt off the debtor. But which is the best option to choose? Is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan going to damage a credit reputation? Or is a settlement program the right way forward?

These are just some of the issues to consider, and while old bankruptcy options were taken advantage of, creditors are now better protected. Clearing debts effectively comes down to two key choices, both of which can see debts cleared with just 30% to 50% of the sum repaid, to so which is actually better?

Debt Settlement

There are some great advantages to adopting a debt settlement program to ease the financial burden, not least the fact that what is paid to clear the debt is lowered. But when compared to the alternative bankruptcy, there are some negatives. For example, settlement is more expensive, costing up to ,000 in service fees.

The greater expense comes down to the fact that debt settlement companies charge a fee based on the size of the debt involved, so a larger debt will mean a higher fee. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a fixed rate. Also, the term of a settlement is usually 3-4 years, which means payments can be larger.

But perhaps the biggest negative is that the creditor is in control when it comes to negotiations. This is because the agreement is a voluntary agreement, so the debtor has every right to reject proposals. Sometimes clearing debts effectively means holding out for better terms, but the creditor car pull the plug at any time and seek legal action instead.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

When it comes to fees, bankruptcy is actually a lot less expensive than a debt settlement program. The reason is partly down to the fact that practically no negotiations are needed, just to have the necessary paperwork prepared and legal representation. So, expect costs of between ,500 and ,000.

The term of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy agreement has recently been extended to a maximum of 5 years, so the task of clearing debts constructively is greatly improved. Principally, the monthly repayments are lowered thanks to the longer term.

With a court taking on the case, neither party can act independently. So, creditors cannot take legal action once the Chapter 13 process has begun. For the most part, the plan leading to clearing debts effectively, and once the final ruling is made, it cannot be repealed.

The After Effects

But how does the eventual ruling actually affect the debtor? Through a debt settlement program, the creditor will get at least a share of the money owed to them. However, the credit record will state that the debt was paid through a settlement plan and the credit score will be lowered significantly. The good news is that credit worthiness can be regained after just 2 years.

With a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan, the decision goes on the credit report and stays there for as long as 10 years, severely damaging the credit score. Also, when any bankruptcy ruling is made, the records are made available publicly, so people have access to relevant records. So, clearing debts effectively can have its price.

Clason's "The Richest Man in Babylon" Reveals the Fastest Way to Become Financially Savvy - Part 1

Copyright 2007 Ed Bagley

George Clason's book "The Richest Man in Babylon" reveals the fastest way to become financially savvy. It works today because money is governed today by the same laws that controlled it when prosperous men thronged the streets of Babylon 6,000 years ago.

Here is a synopsis of The Richest Man in Babylon and the important financial lessons it teaches:

A self-employed chariot builder becomes discouraged when, after years of hard work, he realizes that he will never become rich. He labors hard to build the finest chariots in the land, soft-heartedly hoping that some day the Gods will recognize his worthy deeds, and bestow upon him great prosperity.

He now realizes that the Gods could give a care about the work on his excellent chariots. He longs to be a man of means, and have the lifestyle of the richest man in Babylon, who was a childhood friend.

He confers with his best friend, a musician, who reminds him that it is not enough to have a fat wallet, as a man's wealth is not in the wallet he carries, because a fat wallet quickly empties if there be no golden stream to refill it.

The chariot builder decides to confront the richest man in Babylon, who he knew in his youth, and learn how he became so rich.

The chariot builder shares his lament with the richest man in Babylon, knowing that both he and the richest man in Babylon were once equal, played the same games in childhood, studied under the same masters, had equal talent and ability, and worked just as hard; now he works just as hard but his childhood companion has become the richest man in Babylon, while he still struggles.

The rich man replies, "If you have not acquired more than a bare existence in the years since we were youths, it is because you either have failed to learn the laws that govern the building of wealth, or else you do not observe them."

The richest man then explains that he had learned how to become rich from a moneylender, for whom he had provided a service in exchange for the moneylender's secret to success.

The moneylender said, "I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep, and so will you."

The money lender tells the rich man, who was then a scribe in the hall of records, to set aside one-tenth of all he earns as his portion to keep.

A year later the young scribe comes back to the moneylender, who asks him if he has kept a tenth of all he earned.

When the scribe replies yes, the moneylender asks him what he has done with it.

The scribe says he has given it to a bricklayer who was going to foreign lands to buy jewels, which he and the bricklayer would sell for profit when he returned. The scribe ends up with nothing, as the bricklayer is sold worthless glass rather than fine jewels.

"Every fool must learn", says the money lender, "but why trust the knowledge of a bricklayer about jewels? Your savings are gone," continues the moneylender, "you have jerked up your wealth-tree by the roots. But plant another. Try again. And, this time, if you would have advice about jewels, go to the jewel merchant."

Another year passes, and again the scribe goes to the money lender, to tell him that he had saved one-tenth and given it to a shield maker to buy bronze, and each fourth month the shield maker pays him rental.

"That is good," says the moneylender, "And what did you do with the rental?" "I had a great feast and bought a beautiful scarlet tunic," replies the scribe.

"You squander your savings," admonishes the moneylender. "How do you expect your savings to work for you, and generate more savings to work for you? Get yourself an army of golden slaves to work for you, then many a rich banquet you may enjoy without regret."

Two years later the scribe again goes to the money lender, to tell him that he still saves one-tenth, invests it more wisely and now continues to do so. "Each time I loaned money to the shield maker, I loaned back also the rental he had paid me. Therefore not only did my capital increase, but its earnings likewise increased."

"You have learned your lessons well," says the moneylender.

"You first learned to live upon less than you could earn. Next you learned to seek advice from those who were competent through their own experience to give it. And, lastly, you have learned how to put money to work for you.

"You have taught yourself how to acquire money, how to keep it, and how to use your money to prosper. You are now competent for a responsible position."

The scribe goes on to become the richest man in Babylon.

It was apparent that no one could do for the scribe what the scribe had done for himself. Each man has to work out his own understanding of what needs to be done, and then prepare himself to take advantage of the opportunity to succeed in a big way.

The moral to the story The Richest Man in Babylon teaches this lesson: Proper preparation is the key to our success.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

The Greed Gene: How Excessive Greed Can Bleed Your Business and Ruin Your Life

The Buddhists believe that greed is the primary obstacle to enlightenment. I've come to the conclusion there is a greed gene. There simply can be no other explanation. Greed is the evolutionary consequence of the 'hoarding instinct'; a dynamic in the social evolution of greedy humans. In the very old days those that hoarded for the winter did not starve as readily as those that did not. This hoarding instinct is a species trait even though most of us don't face daily starvation.

My friend Jerry was smart and very ambitious. I had known him through work at another company and Jerry asked me if I could take a look at his start up venture. A quick assessment showed that the business model was OK but as usual the devil is in the details of execution. And all the finer points that go with it.

After our initial meeting Jerry pointed to his array of cubicles and said this was his future fortune. He wanted to build a 12 story 20,000 square foot house with the middle stories used as a showroom for all his vintage cars; sort of a Jay Leno copycat.

To launch this, he was using his own start up money and was pursuing venture capital. This is a common strategy but Jerry thought his model was so good he could do an end run and not abide by all the usual and customary venture capital rules. What intrigued Jerry the most was he could raise and use someone else's capital to drive his own company. Or at least that was how Jerry saw it.

Jerry showed me his proposal through a venture capital broker and it turned out the guy really wasn't a broker per se. He was a scam artist and a lot like greedy Jerry. Jerry got his initial investors to pony up more cash to funnel to the broker who kept stringing Jerry along.

'Funding and riches are right around the corner' the broker would always say. Right. Greedy Jerry wanted to believe it so much that he ended up convincing himself. But it didn't happen.

At some point the smoke screen finally blew away and the ugly truth was seen in the raw. Jerry had exploited his employees and cut costs wherever he could so he could stretch the cash flow out until the injection of the first round venture capital funding his broker promised would soon be in the bank. It never came.

Three months after I had seen Jerry he called to tell me the gig was up. He had lost everything and was going through a painful bankruptcy. He didn't say if his cutesy wife was part of that too and I didn't ask.

Patricia was a hardworking business woman that had built a successful company with her ex-husband whom I had gotten to know while working on a start up project. As part of the divorce settlement, she got one of the companies. Patricia asked me to look at her books and do some projections for a rapid expansion into six southwestern states.

At first I thought it might be her resentment of her ex's new flame; a 'hottie' in today's vernacular. But later I determined that Patricia's problem wasn't so much emotional baggage from a failed marriage but a matter of her own uncontrolled greed. This greed obviously had contributed to the break up of her marriage.

Patricia is one of those people that feel they never actually get what they truly deserve. They are always coming up on the short end of the stick. Justice was needed and business was the great equalizer. And the fastest way to get something was to take it. And for Patricia, the easiest and fastest place to take it from was her own company.

As I got to working on the growth strategy I came to realize that growth would be impossible. There were big problems in the Riverside and San Diego offices and the regional manager in Sacramento just walked off the job one night. All fingers were pointing to Patricia.

When I brought this to her attention she asked me to sit down and she started going over all the ways her ex screwed her over and how she had to make the necessary adjustments. Some of this involved a remake of her and the company's image and that is why she bought the Lexus instead of paying the payroll taxes.

She then admitted she was a bit overdrawn and had gone through the entire credit line. Would I please help her and go to San Diego and Sacramento and talk to the creditors? She had no money but would give me a nice share of the company in due time. Maybe two percent over a ten year period. Two percent of what? I respectfully declined.

I lost track of Patricia. Jerry called me several months later and wanted to sell me some sort of MLM utility bill plan. What is odd is that both Patricia and Jerry were very bright and had a lot of skills and capabilities. They had a vision and the drive.

But like the tight fisted stock they carried down with the ship, their dreams sputtered before having a chance to develop. Their greed doomed them from the start. From miscalculating employee loyalty to over optimistic projections it was one white lie after another as they continually convinced themselves all was well. In retrospect it wasn't any one of the little lies that did them in; it was the accumulation.

A lesson for us all in there somewhere, no?

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Fishing Tackle: Daiwa Exceler 2500s Reel Evaluation

There are numerous reasons why I love fishing. However I'm enthusiastic about preserving UK fisheries in addition to the environment. The fees and taxes that anglers pay for fishing licences and permits help to finance conservation and education initiatives across the country. One other reason for my passionate quest for wily fish like pike and carp is that, if you ponder it, angling is a vital tool for managing fisheries by means of setting fishing seasons plus reducing how many fish anglers may take. Finally, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that angling is a remarkable sport that I can never get enough of. There's almost nothing better than stalking and capturing a prize specimen. To become a triumphant fisherman, you'll want the most efficient fishing tackle within your budget. Listed below is some information pertaining to one of my personal favourite reels, the Daiwa Exceler 2500S spinning reel.

Major Attributes of the Daiwa Exceler 2500S Reel

The Exceler category of reels made by Daiwa is a product line that offers unrivalled performance in a number of angling locations. Be it a serene stream or a large, chilly lake, I find the 2500S to be remarkably versatile, notably because it works wonderfully for many species of fish, like salmon and barbel, and also the pike and carp I've stated previously. For 2011, Daiwa has broadened the sizes obtainable in this collection, but I consider the 2500S to be a superb overall selection. Some of the reel's important features include the precision moulded body and rotor that provide outstanding toughness as well as increased performance. This reel will cost you an affordable 61.99.

More Details on the Daiwa Exceler 2500S Reel

One of the features I specifically love is that the ratio is below 5:1. When coupled with a wider ABS2 spool, there's an abundance of the celebrated power conversion the Exceler line is recognized for. The reel additionally comes with DigiGear2, a precision system that provides a perfect blending between the marine bronze pinion gear and the extra resilient, surface treated alloy drive gear. DigiGear gives me ideal durability, speed and power -- features that are extremely crucial to me. The 2500S will hold 190 metres of 6 pound test line. It weighs 10.3 ounces and comes with a 4.7 to 1 retrieve ratio.

Final Thoughts on the Exceler 2500S Reel

This particular reel offers an exceptional feature identified as AirBail, which is basically a tubular stainless steel bail which resists both corrosion and deformation. One other distinctive feature Daiwa has added to this reel is Twist Buster 2, a cutting-edge system that drastically reduces the line twist difficulties many fishermen endure with spinning reels during line retrieval. Daiwa conducted tests of Twist Buster 2 which resulted in up to a line twist reduction of as much as 90%. Quite amazing!

If you're considering enhanced fishing tackle such as a reasonably priced, good quality spinning reel, I highly suggest that you give the Daiwa Exceler 2500S reel a serious look. I gladly rate it at 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Truth About A Bankruptcy Auto Loan

The truth about a bankruptcy auto loan is that it may be easier to obtain than you think. After a bankruptcy someone may find the need to get an auto loan and many feel this is a near impossible task. This is not necessarily true.

Currently, many people are finding no other way out of their financial debts except to file bankruptcy to wipe the debt slate clean. This debt may include a car with payments that are simply too expensive to pay in addition to keeping up with their other financial obligations.

Thus, some are deciding to let the vehicle go back to the bank during the bankruptcy process. Here arises the need for a new bankruptcy auto loan.

So, the question may be where do I go to get such a car loan? The truth is that there are many dealerships or auto consultants who offer special financing for those that find themselves in the position of needing a bankruptcy auto loan.

Not every dealership offers special financing and not everyone who does will be the same. It may be a good idea to check with relatives, friends and neighbors who may have had a similar experience.

If not, check on line for local car dealerships or auto consultants who have an entire department devoted to helping those that have recently filed bankruptcy.

Auto Consultants have become an excellent source for a bankruptcy auto loan. This is because you will get personal service for your specific auto loan needs. auto consultants work for you and will do their very best to get you into a quality vehicle you can afford.

This personal service will include treating you the same as if you had perfect credit. Bankruptcy can leave you with the feeling of despair and you have most likely already been through enough stress.

An auto consultant understands that bankruptcy happens to good people and they will do all they can to help you toward rebuilding your financial future through a bankruptcy auto loan.

In addition to great service, auto consultants have great resources to find you a quality used car. You will get the added comfort in the safety inspections an auto consultant uses to assure the quality of the cars they sell. Along with the thorough inspection, the broker will run a Carfax report to ensure the car has had no previous damage such as accidents or flooding.

The consultant will also help you get your financing in place for your new car.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

7 Tips For Handling Stress In Challenging Times

errThere are some wonderful life tips in the writing of Robin Sharma who penned "The Monk who Sold His Ferrari." Just recently I was reading another of his works and came across some very sound advice on handling the stress of modern living, but more particularly, how we are all going to have to confront the changes being caused by "The Great Global Financial Crisis".

It seems at every turn I meet someone who is starting to feel the effects of this craziness. So, with credit to Robin for the inspiration, here are 7 steps to help you master the stress that will surely come in the next few months...

1. Reframe the negative as positive. Stress is essentially a matter of perception. While giving a presentation to a group of 100 prospects might strike fear in the heart of one sales professional, it will be viewed as a superb business opportunity to another. When a stressor appears, ask yourself: "is there a better way of interpreting this situation?" or "will this really matter 3 years from now?"

Remember, all setbacks offer growth lessons and all failure is essential to success.

2. Continuously grow. The best way to manage change is to keep on growing. The pace of change in our world will only increase so accept and embrace it. Make the decision to become a change master and begin to see yourself as a lifelong student. Read for 30 minutes a day, go to training seminars and listen to educational and motivational audio in your car.

By expanding your own professional knowledge base you will not only thrive on the change that you will inevitably face, you will be in a position to add greater value to your organization.

3. Focus on the worthy. With all the demands on your time, you simply cannot do everything. Or as Confucius noted so many years ago: "The man who chases two rabbits catches neither."

Peak performers have a clear sense of the activities that are worthy of their time and those that contribute little to their professional and personal missions. Focusing on the worthy is the golden key to time management and life fulfilment.

As management guru Peter Drucker observed: "There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all."

4. Plan your time. If you don't make the time to schedule your priorities in your daily planner, someone else's priorities will get scheduled into your daily planner. Set aside 30 minutes every Sunday night for your weekly planning session and ask yourself this very powerful question: "What goals do I need to accomplish in the next 7 days for me to feel this week was a success?"

Note these small but essential goals down and schedule a time for their achievement into your daily organizer. If you don't act on life, life will act on you. Get control of your time and make your weeks count.

5. Work smarter, not harder. Tear yourself away from the outdated mindset that says "to be more productive, you must work harder." In these pressure filled times, that's a recipe for disaster. Adopt a new, more enlightened way to manage yourself and understand that the key to increased effectiveness is to work smarter. Stop focusing on the time spent behind your office desk and, instead, begin concentrating on getting results.

6. Manage your environment. We live in an increasingly negative world. To master stress and maintain high levels of enthusiasm, meticulously guard they information you expose yourself to. Ruthlessly assess the nature of your environment to ensure that you are surrounding yourself with the best influences available. Associate with positive people. Make your office an oasis of excellence and inspiration. Make your car a mobile learning centre through audio and energizing messages. Avoid anything that detracts from the clear, focused mindset you know will lead you to success.

As Gandhi said: "I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet."

7. Make time for yourself. Have the wisdom to understand that success on the outside truly begins within. Carve out time every week to commune with nature or listen to beautiful music or get a relaxing massage.

Discover the renewing power of visualization and meditation and ensure that you find a few minutes during your busy week to enjoy a little silence. Time invested in revitalizing your self is never a waste of time.

Begin to manage yourself better. Get to know yourself and craft a serious action plan for personal development. You will quickly meet with higher levels of success and feel far less stress.

As Churchill said: "The price of greatness is responsibility."

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Credit Card Debt Consolidation Relieves Cardholder Burden

Being in debt up to your eyeballs with credit card companies can leave you feeling like you have nowhere to turn. Oftentimes, a cardholder will have such a large amount of accumulated credit card debt that they are actually using the bulk of their income that comes in each month in order to pay just the minimum monthly payments that are charged by the credit card companies.

This can lead to even more credit card use, and thus begins a cycle of buy now, pay much, much later. The problem with this arises in that credit card companies oftentimes charge borrowers up to 19.99% or more interest on their existing balances. What this really translates to is that you will need literally decades to pay off the credit card debt that you owe, and that you will be paying a ton of extra money for the pleasure of paying over a long period of time.

Free Yourself From Burden of Debt

Many credit card holders are simply stuck in a rut when it comes to the usage patterns that they have for their credit cards. It is so easy, convenient, and hassle free to charge purchases. And with the cost of living at an all time high, many credit cardholders have become dependent upon their credit cards in order to meet the everyday expenses that they have for themselves and their families. But the credit card bill adds up fast, and so does the interest that is stacked upon what you owe your credit card company. Debt consolidation is the answer to becoming debt free and having more money in your wallet during the month to pay for things that you need without using high interest credit to do so.

How Consolidation Of Credit Card Debt Works

Consolidation of your multiple credit card accounts is simple. You will choose a lender that you feel offers good rates and the payment plan that you can live with. Your lender will pay off the balances on your credit cards, effectively causing them to balance out at zero. You will make a monthly payment to your consolidation company in lieu of paying multiple credit card companies.

The best part of credit card consolidation is that instead of making many payments that usually do not even encompass the interest that is owed on your credit card accounts; you will pay just one payment with a lower interest rate that will be actually cutting down the total amount you owe every month. This allows you to see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to becoming debt free, and you will find that you are able to pay your debts off much faster and at a cheaper rate.

Choosing A Debt Consolidation Company

There are many debt consolidation companies doing business out there. Be careful to select one that has a proven track record to avoid any possible scams. A good debt consolidation company can offer you a great rate of interest on your credit card debt consolidation and a payment plan that works with your income.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Capitalisation Rate In Real Estate And How To Calculate It

Capitalisation rate is the percentage figure used to find out the current value of a property based on a figure of future net operating income. When divided with the capitalization rate, the net operating income of a real estate property will provide the approximate market value of the property.

When determining the capitalization rate of a property, the rates applied to real estate properties of the same nature sold most recently is used. When determining the capitalization rate, the sales value of an asset sold most recently is divided by the income it generates decisions. This provides a more objective way of valuing real estate properties which can be used not only by the seller but also by the buyer alike. It will assist the seller get the right piece for his investment while the buyer prospective buyer will use it to make informed decisions as to whether or not the value of the property is properly estimated.
This acts as a good base for estimating the value of income generating real estate properties when buying or selling. By looking at the sales price and income of other related properties located in similar environment, you can come up with an acceptable capitalization rate that will enable you determine the value of your asset based on the current income.

Determining the capitalization rate need not be an arduous task. You can start by collecting the statistics of recently sold properties in similar or the same locations as your property. The chosen property should correspond with that of your property. You need to determine with high degree of accuracy the net realizable rentals by the owners of the property. For instance, you can take the net rental income realized by the owners to be 000.Get the sale price of the asset and divide the net income by the sales price. This will give you the capitalization rate. If in this case the property was sold at 0000,you have it divide by the net income of 000,the resulting figure will be 0.33.Then convert this figure to percentage points by multiplying it by 100.This will give you a capitalization rate of 3 percent.

Capitalisation rate have become a great help to the owners of property owners who have the intention of selling them. Without capitalisation rate, it would be hard to value real estate assets. Many people would be deceived to accept lower prices by the buyers of the same properties. Since you will use other properties that are independent from yours when working out the capitalization rate, you will be assured of a better return when you finally decide to dispose your property. The determination of this rate need not be a headache. The procedure is quite simple. Get the net income of a real estate property sold in recent times and divide it with the sales value. Then you convert the figure obtained to percentage form. This figure will aid you in working out the real market value of your asset.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

How To Purge Your Bankruptcy Records And Start Again On Clean Slates

How To Purge Your Bankruptcy Records And Start Again On Clean Slates

According to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, entries in the bankruptcy records shall remain on the record for ten years. Yes, it takes that long before your bankruptcy records are removed so it is very important that you stay out of bankruptcy if you can. Remember that credits check the entries in the bankruptcy records when doing credit investigation and if your prospective creditors found out about your bankruptcy records, they may not be so open about the idea of granting you a loan. Financial institutions do not like giving loans to people with poor credit history. Fortunately, your bankruptcy records do have an expiry date and if you are good at paying your obligations, you may not have to wait for 10 years before you can get rid of your bankruptcy records. To help you improve credit ratings, here are some tips for you.

Pay Your Loans On Time And Live Within Your Means

Paying your outstanding loans on time will help improve your credit scores. If you pay your financial obligations on time for a few years, many financial institutions are willing to turn a blind eye on your bankruptcy records. Yes, these financial institutions will probably not grant you big loans at once but once you gain their trust, you will eventually get a good credit line from these companies. To the key here is to improve your credit scores and make sure that you do not do anything to spoke your creditors. To make sure that you meet all your financial obligations on time, live within your means. Learn to stick to your budget. You will not get into some serious financial troubles if you do to not overstretch your resources.

Be Proactive In Purging Your Bankruptcy Records

Credit reporting agencies are not obliged to purge your bankruptcy records at once after the lapse of ten years. If you want to clean your records, you need to be proactive. Instead of just waiting for credits reporting agencies to remove your bankruptcy records from your credit report, make copies of your discharge notification and draft a letter informing the credit reporting agencies that your bankruptcy records have been formally purged. Send your letter together with a copy of your discharge notification to the major credit reporting agencies in the country. Give the credit reporting agencies a call a few days after sending them copies of your discharge notification to check if they have received your discharge notification and check if they have removed your bankruptcy records from your credit report.

Essential Information For Equipment Leasing And Finance

Are you planning for to get equipment finance for your business?This article presents essential information for businesses that plan to apply for equipment lease financing. Read carefully, follow the details given below and avoid unnecessary complications.

Equipment Leasing is opposed to straight financing. It is an alternative financing method to acquire needed business equipment. In real essence, you only pay for the depreciation of the equipment over a given time frame. At the end of the lease you either purchase the depreciated asset or trade it for a new lease and new equipment. It allows a company to hold on to valuable cash capital and use the profits the equipment generates to pay for itself over time with added tax advantages.

What is a typical business mind-set? It will always say that equipment leasing is for companies that are short of capital. However, research would indicate that even the largest of companies use leasing finance to guarantee fixed costs and access essential equipment. Along with this you also get either corporate or personal guarantees. A corporate guarantee means that if the lease goes into default, the leasing company can take possession of the equipment and liquidate it to settle the lease balance. A personal guarantee is identical to a corporate guarantee except a person's property may be used to satisfy the lease balance.

With regard to leasing payments and purchase, the monthly payments are lower. At the end of the lease term, a single payment is due that equals several months of combined payments. On the other hand, a lease purchase is financing the equipment by any other name. It allows the business to deduct the lease payments from taxes as a business expense. Also equipment depreciation can be used as a tax deduction.

In many cases it may possible to lease any type of equipment without the need for a deposit or extra security. Few of the benefits that you will be enjoying with equipment finance is that no funding is required, payment terms will be flexible and transaction speed is great,most popular being is cost.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Foreclosed homes

Types of foreclosed homes
When it comes to investing in foreclosed homes, it is necessary for a buyer to have extensive know-how about the type of foreclosures (websites for realtors). Smart buyers always have their list of foreclosed homes because this data can make the buyer aware of the latest market trends and may also help the buyer to use the knowledge and trends to one's advantage (realtor websites). This is especially important when the buyer is new to the real estate business (cheap websites for realtors) because a good list gives an idea of the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of foreclosures (Real estate websites, Marketing Tools for biz brokers).
Home Auctions:
Home auctions offer government and bank foreclosed homes to the market (real estate agents website, biz brokers templates). Government foreclosed homes are first auctioned to owner-occupiers (websites for Spanish real estate agents), and if the house doesn't sell, a second round of auction is held wherein the offer is made to the entire market (single property websites, Biz4Sale). These auctions are announced through advertisements (IDX web sites, bilingual real estate websites).
Government foreclosures:
Government foreclosures come with a government-secured financing (idx search, real estate). These may be judicial or non-judicial (websites in espanol). Government foreclosed homes are best for first time buyers (IDX web sites), who belong to a middle or low-income backgrounds (realtor sites, websites for business brokers). The advantage of government foreclosed homes (agent websites in Spanish, single property marketing) is that they can still be sold out even if the owner is unable to pay the taxes which are levied on the property (websites for Spanish real estate agents), or if the owner is unable to meet the requirements of the foreclosure (bilingual websites for real estate agents, Spanish websites for real estate agents).
Bank-owned foreclosures:
When there are mortgage defaults on part of the buyers (real estate agent websites in espanol), the banks take back the homes to their custody (real estate brokers websites in Spanish). These homes are often sold at concessions because of the pressure on the banks to sell off these homes (real estate broker websites in espanol) as quickly as possible. Bank foreclosed homes come with a pest certification as well as a title insurance which new buyers can benefit from (websites for business brokers, Marketing Tools for biz brokers, Biz4Sale,websites for home owners, market your single property, single property marketing, biz brokers templates).

Monday, July 2, 2012

The Requirements Of A Cfa Course.

This could be a CFA, a CFP or even a CPA. The difference among these is more than that of a single alphabet. A CFA is Chartered Financial Analyst who focuses more on analysis. A CFP is a Certified Financial Planner whose job is to devise the best possible plan for meeting your monetary needs. And, a CPA is a Certified Pubic Accountant who concern mostly with the accounting matters.

Chartered Financial Analysts Exam is perhaps the most coveted and also one of the most difficult to clear finance exams. If you are deciding to take a focussed course in Finance which has an undoubted and unmatched international recognition, then the CFA course is the best course to tread. The CFAs are normally compared with the other finance graduates from the top business schools the world over but when it comes to occupying the top managerial positions globally, the CFAs have a clear tilt of balance in their favour. So, how do the candidates get initiated into this coveted exam?

For doing the CFA course, there are three requirements as outlined below:

1. A Degree from a university or any other institute or college as accredited by the CFA institute. Candidates in the final year of the Degree or equivalent course can also apply.

2. 48 months of qualified, professional experience in a financial decision-making process.

3. Passing each of the three examinations given below:

a. Level 1: This includes an introduction to asset valuation, portfolio management and financial reporting and analysis. There is no negative marking in this multiple choice type exam.

b. Level 2: This level focuses on the asset valuation methods. This is an item set, meaning, a vignetted with a set of selected questions. This exam does carry negative marking.

c. Level 3: This CFA exam focuses on the portfolio management involving management of equity, fixed income instruments, derivatives and other investment and risk covering avenues. This exam has short-answer type questions in one section and an item set in another section. Item set section carries negative marking.

Each of the exams takes place on a single day and in two, three-hour sessions. The result of the exam is not specifically stated, but rather a pass or fail result is declared. If someone wants to judge how he or she fared in the exam, there are comparative percentages provided. So, the overall picture is not established in clear, absolute terms but is quite hazy.

Ethics are stressed all through the scheme of the CFA course. These are very important part and parcel of this program. The Board does have detailed guidelines on the verification process to be completed for all the candidates who have passes the course. Even after the completion of the course, there is a need to ensure that CFAs maintain very high level of integrity and advice and operate within the parameters of legality. These also ensure to make the people compliant with its guidelines on ethical practices and conduct.

One Cent Online Auctions

Auction takes place in online recently. Mostly, for all major products including electronics, garments, gadgets etc are sold in the auction basis. During online auction, the bidders can start even from one cent to bid the products. Rather than selling products by hiring a place for rent and opening a showroom, it is comparatively better to sell the products for-online auction. Generally auction period will be mentioned which may be for 2days, 1 week or even more than month. Till the stipulated time, bidding can be done.

The products with its picture and details will be available in some of the popular websites like ebay.com, yahoo.com, deals2buy.com etc and made them to bid. The products are set with the target price where they can be sold only after attaining the target. The bidders can bid at with their own opinion of amount even for-cent.

To participate in online auction and for bidding, registration has to be done in the website where the bidding can be done. Since, bidders can bid from any part of the world, registration will be strict. To avoid confusion on who has bid the product, details like name, address, mode of payment, contact number etc are asked while registration. In case if mode of payment is selected as credit card, the card details have to be given while registration itself. All those details have to be furnished correctly.

After registration, the website will send a unique code number to the bidders. Using that code number, bidding process can be done. Online auction is common for all the people. If a bidder bids for a particular product and also if the bidding target matches with the price that is mentioned in the website, automatically the product ownership is transferred. The products company or manufacturer views the bidders details and collect the payment in online by prior in sending information through email or invoice sent directly to the mentioned address and after the payment issued from the bidder, the shipment is done and invoice number details will be sent. The product will reach the person with in a week from the date of payment.

If the target didn't matches with the product's original price after the closing date of bidding time, then either the bidding time will be extended or the bidding process will be closed by informing to all bidders that the target has not been obtained to the original price. Hence online auction basis of buying products is an easy way to buy products which saves time.