Get Out of Debt the Smart Way
No matter how much money we make every year, Americans statistically carry a higher debt to income ratio then 25 years ago. Experts like Suze Orman and others offer simple, everyday solutions to try and manage your debt on a daily, monthly, yearly and long -term basis.
Some basic steps include:
· Pay off high income rate credit cards. If you do not have the cash on hand, try and move the balances over to lower rate or fixed rate card.
· Always pay more than the minimum payment every month. This will help eliminate The endless cycle of just putting money towards the interest and not lowering the principal balance
· NEVER make a late payment. The majority of companies now allow you to make payments online free of charge. You also can set up reoccurring monthly payments so that you know that you will never be late again.
· Monitor your credit scores. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you (upon request) to one free credit report every 12 months. These can be obtained online at the following sites:
1. www.transunion.com
2. www.experian.com
3. www.equifax.com
· Be sure to dispute any information on each report that is incorrect, out of date or accounts that do not belong to you
· Try to stay well below your credit limits. In other words, if you have $10,000 of credit available, it is wise to use the 80/20 ratio and keep 80% of your credit available.
· Try to have 3 months income saved in case of emergencies
· Banks such as www.ING.com. Currently are offering interest rates for savings accounts with no minimum balance between 4-6%, well above the national average.
· If you find that you are in over your head look to non-profit companies like www.acc.net to help manage your debt and possibly work with your creditors to lower interest rates and payment and help get you back on track.
· Finally and most importantly, if you can’t pay cash DON’T BUY IT
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
More Work at Home Scams
Paid Surveys-Fact or Fiction?
Today I spent 3 hours looking at and registering for online surreys. I found a fellow blogger’s website titled “How To Avoid Work At Home Scams” that promised me the key to websites where I could make money without getting fleeced.
After scrolling through the offers like “camera dollars” which this woman claimed her friend has made thousands on just from having a digital camera, I was intrigued. I own and know how to operate a digital camera. I decided to check it out, Lo and behold, the site asked me to buy their software that would teach me how to take pictures like a professional then give me some tips on how to sell them online. I didn’t bite.
The next one that looked promising was a long list of paid surveys. The thing that impressed me is that she had them listed with a direct link to their website. Each website described what they offered ranging from sweepstakes entries to anywhere from $1.00-$80.00 per survey.
I choose the three that were directly offering money as opposed to prizes or a chance to win a dream vacation or a sweepstakes entry.
http://www.vindale.com/
http://www.survey4profit.com/
http://www.surveyteam.com/
So I clicked, and I clicked. And I entered my name and my email address and set up accounts and passwords. None of the one’s that I selected asked me for any money up front. Within minutes the survey offers started “pouring in” like promised.
Now for the fine print. Each link that promised me $15.00, $30.00 or a free product took me to another site where I had to sign up for a credit card offer, a book of the month club, monthly movies online or any other fee based monthly offer in order to receive my payment. Furthermore, each “free” survey wanted me to enter my credit card information for “verification purposes.”
The net -net of my research?
All of these “free” sites cost me three hours in research, an inbox full of spam and junk mail offers and no actual money. Although the above mentioned sites offered money for your time and participation, the bottom line is that the money can only be earned by spending money and they are yet another phishing site wanting your information. So the bottom line is to be just as careful of the sites that tell you “ How to avoid work at home scams” because they often are offering programs that are the biggest scams.
Today I spent 3 hours looking at and registering for online surreys. I found a fellow blogger’s website titled “How To Avoid Work At Home Scams” that promised me the key to websites where I could make money without getting fleeced.
After scrolling through the offers like “camera dollars” which this woman claimed her friend has made thousands on just from having a digital camera, I was intrigued. I own and know how to operate a digital camera. I decided to check it out, Lo and behold, the site asked me to buy their software that would teach me how to take pictures like a professional then give me some tips on how to sell them online. I didn’t bite.
The next one that looked promising was a long list of paid surveys. The thing that impressed me is that she had them listed with a direct link to their website. Each website described what they offered ranging from sweepstakes entries to anywhere from $1.00-$80.00 per survey.
I choose the three that were directly offering money as opposed to prizes or a chance to win a dream vacation or a sweepstakes entry.
http://www.vindale.com/
http://www.survey4profit.com/
http://www.surveyteam.com/
So I clicked, and I clicked. And I entered my name and my email address and set up accounts and passwords. None of the one’s that I selected asked me for any money up front. Within minutes the survey offers started “pouring in” like promised.
Now for the fine print. Each link that promised me $15.00, $30.00 or a free product took me to another site where I had to sign up for a credit card offer, a book of the month club, monthly movies online or any other fee based monthly offer in order to receive my payment. Furthermore, each “free” survey wanted me to enter my credit card information for “verification purposes.”
The net -net of my research?
All of these “free” sites cost me three hours in research, an inbox full of spam and junk mail offers and no actual money. Although the above mentioned sites offered money for your time and participation, the bottom line is that the money can only be earned by spending money and they are yet another phishing site wanting your information. So the bottom line is to be just as careful of the sites that tell you “ How to avoid work at home scams” because they often are offering programs that are the biggest scams.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
No More Employees
From my experience as an owner of a manufacturing company for fifteen plus years, I believe I can show you some of the advantages of operating a home based business and keeping it simple. One really big advantage is that you don’t have to hire and manage any employees.
Good employees are great and very necessary when you are building a conventional business and want to grow, but the process of hiring and maintaining a number of people can be not only time consuming but very nerve racking. You need to constantly hire, supervise, encourage, and discipline your staff. The time involved in this can keep your doing many of the other duties that are necessary to bring money in the door such as sales and marketing. How great it is to find a home based business that has a set program where you can join, get great help and guidance and not have to hire employees.
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
Monday, May 7, 2007
Work From Home Scams
Watch out for these Work From Home Scams
So many people these days are looking for that perfect work from home opportunity. Unfortunately, for every legitimate home based business opportunity out there, there are just as many shady internet businesses that you can operate from home.
If you're asking "how do I know if an online job is a scam?" our first advise is - if it sounds to good to be true it usually is. No legitimate work at home business will make financial guarantees & they wouldn't call it "work" if actual work wasn't involved. Think before you click. Next you should be sure to read the fine print.
Home Typist Scam
Recently, I answered an ad on Craig’s List for a part time typist. What came to me was an email instructing me to send $10.00 to a paypal account then I would receive a “training manual” explaining how I could essentially set up ad’s scamming other people out of $10.00. Bottom-line, not legitimate and no typing involved.
Online Survey Scam
Another ad promised that you could make $300-$500 a week by completing online survey’s. An email inquiry brought a response with 7 links and a message “I highly encourage you to sign up for all 7!”
Well guess what? Each site was a promotional advertisement asking you to go to OTHER sites and complete a set number of product trials/tests and/or credit card offers in order to be entered into a sweepstakes. In the fine print they also stated that each additional site “could potentially add spyware to your computer to track which sites you visit”. If you are familiar with spyware, that is NOT something that you want on your pc. After opening 2 of these sites I had to spend 3 hours running full system scams on my computer as well as ad are program removal and system clean up’s.
Envelope Stuffing Work From Home Scam
A third site asked if I wanted to make BIG BUCKS by stuffing envelopes from home. I sent my information spelling my first name incorrectly. Lo and behold, in just a few short hours my junk mailbox was filled with spam from other companies addressed to that name. So in essence, that “offer” was simply a phishing site created to get you to enter your email address so they could rent it to other companies.
Work From Home That Is Not A Scam
The bottom line is, be careful what sites you look at and open as well as what you are signing up for. Work from home is not a scam, it is a growing trend. However while there are quite a few legitimate home business opportunities out there, their are just as many get rich quick scams.
Remember ... Think before you Click!
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
So many people these days are looking for that perfect work from home opportunity. Unfortunately, for every legitimate home based business opportunity out there, there are just as many shady internet businesses that you can operate from home.
If you're asking "how do I know if an online job is a scam?" our first advise is - if it sounds to good to be true it usually is. No legitimate work at home business will make financial guarantees & they wouldn't call it "work" if actual work wasn't involved. Think before you click. Next you should be sure to read the fine print.
Home Typist Scam
Recently, I answered an ad on Craig’s List for a part time typist. What came to me was an email instructing me to send $10.00 to a paypal account then I would receive a “training manual” explaining how I could essentially set up ad’s scamming other people out of $10.00. Bottom-line, not legitimate and no typing involved.
Online Survey Scam
Another ad promised that you could make $300-$500 a week by completing online survey’s. An email inquiry brought a response with 7 links and a message “I highly encourage you to sign up for all 7!”
Well guess what? Each site was a promotional advertisement asking you to go to OTHER sites and complete a set number of product trials/tests and/or credit card offers in order to be entered into a sweepstakes. In the fine print they also stated that each additional site “could potentially add spyware to your computer to track which sites you visit”. If you are familiar with spyware, that is NOT something that you want on your pc. After opening 2 of these sites I had to spend 3 hours running full system scams on my computer as well as ad are program removal and system clean up’s.
Envelope Stuffing Work From Home Scam
A third site asked if I wanted to make BIG BUCKS by stuffing envelopes from home. I sent my information spelling my first name incorrectly. Lo and behold, in just a few short hours my junk mailbox was filled with spam from other companies addressed to that name. So in essence, that “offer” was simply a phishing site created to get you to enter your email address so they could rent it to other companies.
Work From Home That Is Not A Scam
The bottom line is, be careful what sites you look at and open as well as what you are signing up for. Work from home is not a scam, it is a growing trend. However while there are quite a few legitimate home business opportunities out there, their are just as many get rich quick scams.
Remember ... Think before you Click!
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
Thursday, May 3, 2007
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The Baby Boomer generation is becoming the "retirement generation." Some boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) have already retired, however most are still working. And wondering can you afford to retire.
The federal government's social security web site states that retirees will need about 70% of their pre-retirement income to maintain the same lifestyle. Check the Social Security benefits calculator to see what your estimated Social Security benefits will be. You will probably realize that you better have an impressive retirement and investment portfolio.
Do you have a retirement portfolio of $500,000?
A $500,000 retirement portfolio averages out to $46,000 a year. Stan Hinden, in the September, 2006, AARP Bulletin reports that more than half of workers 55 and over state they've saved less than $50,000 for retirement.
Reasons you might not be prepared for retirement?
People change jobs. Unfortunately, changing jobs frequently means we've missed out on becoming fully vested in some of our employers' 401K plans. Our payouts or rollovers have been tiny or nonexistent
Unexpected Expenses. Large medical expenses for ourselves, our children, or our elderly parents can be real retirement-wreckers.
Divorce. Splitting a relationship often means splitting retirement savings.
College. To cover the rising cost of our children's college educations, many borrowed from our 401Ks to finance ever-escalating college costs.
Child-care / Elder-care. Dropping out fo the workforce altogether or for a period of time to care for elderly parents, children or grandchildren.
Living Pay-check-to-Pay-check. Some have worked hard and budgeted carefully, but have never had much of anything left over to save.
Reduced Retirement Benefits. A recent trend is for major companies to reduce retirement benefits to workers. Those workers had stayed with jobs and believed that the company would be there for them in their retirement years. Cuts in post-retirement health insurance are the most unpredictable.
What to do to address your retirement plan issues?
Our recommendation is to focus on building up your retirement nest egg, NOW!
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
How to Make A Career Change
Second Career ... How to make a career change to a Home Based Business
Making a career change can be both scary and exciting. For many, the fear of the unknown or the fear of doing something alone stops them from taking some risk. We have found that the key to successfully making a career change is to NOT be alone, to have guidance, support and mentorship.
Find a Company where you are not alone. You want to associate yourself with a company that will help you make a career change with plenty of coaching through all phases of the processes; training, mentorship, and business and marketing guidance as needed.
Have more free time The idea is to find a home based business opportunity that will enable you to have more free time … the training and first months can all be part time as well! You can make your career change as slowly or quickly as you wish.
Transition into the second career For those looking for a low risk solution and are willing to work hard, you can begin the home based business while continuing your existing job. However if you are determined and financially motivated, you will be quitting your job sooner rather than later. You may find that you will make more in the first few months of your part time career than you could in an entire year of your full time job.
Look for a company that will provide you with a wealth of information and consultations during the decision process. Then get people that are available during the home training period. And once you are ready, they will mentor you through the start-up of your new home-based business.
Recently an acquaintance and I were having dinner and she shared with me her frustration at her job. After almost 12 years working for non-profits, she felt that she was experiencing career burnout and becoming disenchanted with her career choice.
For many years she enjoyed the challenge and rewards that came with helping others in need. Now, as a young parent wanting to pay for private schools for her daughter’s as well as numerous extra curricular activities, she was in a position where she wanted to make more money and be able to provide some of the nicer things in life for her family.
More importantly, she had lost the excitement that she once had for her job. Having worked in various parts of the system including special events, marketing and program management, she felt that she was ready for a change but not wanting to go back to school. How then, she asked me, could she make a career change without reinventing the wheel or going back to school and spending more time and money? Since I myself was once in a similar situatuion, I now could offer support as a second career mentor. by explaining to her a home business opportunity .
So look for and find a Second Career, Once you have mastered it, take the time to mentor someone else and teach them what you have learned. In this way you will find not only financial freedom but true peace and prosperity.
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
Making a career change can be both scary and exciting. For many, the fear of the unknown or the fear of doing something alone stops them from taking some risk. We have found that the key to successfully making a career change is to NOT be alone, to have guidance, support and mentorship.
Find a Company where you are not alone. You want to associate yourself with a company that will help you make a career change with plenty of coaching through all phases of the processes; training, mentorship, and business and marketing guidance as needed.
Have more free time The idea is to find a home based business opportunity that will enable you to have more free time … the training and first months can all be part time as well! You can make your career change as slowly or quickly as you wish.
Transition into the second career For those looking for a low risk solution and are willing to work hard, you can begin the home based business while continuing your existing job. However if you are determined and financially motivated, you will be quitting your job sooner rather than later. You may find that you will make more in the first few months of your part time career than you could in an entire year of your full time job.
Look for a company that will provide you with a wealth of information and consultations during the decision process. Then get people that are available during the home training period. And once you are ready, they will mentor you through the start-up of your new home-based business.
Recently an acquaintance and I were having dinner and she shared with me her frustration at her job. After almost 12 years working for non-profits, she felt that she was experiencing career burnout and becoming disenchanted with her career choice.
For many years she enjoyed the challenge and rewards that came with helping others in need. Now, as a young parent wanting to pay for private schools for her daughter’s as well as numerous extra curricular activities, she was in a position where she wanted to make more money and be able to provide some of the nicer things in life for her family.
More importantly, she had lost the excitement that she once had for her job. Having worked in various parts of the system including special events, marketing and program management, she felt that she was ready for a change but not wanting to go back to school. How then, she asked me, could she make a career change without reinventing the wheel or going back to school and spending more time and money? Since I myself was once in a similar situatuion, I now could offer support as a second career mentor. by explaining to her a home business opportunity .
So look for and find a Second Career, Once you have mastered it, take the time to mentor someone else and teach them what you have learned. In this way you will find not only financial freedom but true peace and prosperity.
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
Five steps to make a Career Change!
If you are frustrated at your job, are feeling career burnout or have become disenchanted with your career choice, you might be looking for a career change. You can make the change to your job or career in five simple steps:
1) The Opportunity
Learn about a home based business opportunity. Contact the company to schedule a phone appointment and find out how you can begin to make your dreams come true!.
2) Make the Decision
A home based business is simple, easy to implement with minimal initial investment. It is your secret to financial freedom but not magic, you must make the decision and commit to the simple business model.
3) Time Commitment
Part of the beauty of the right home based business model is that most entrepreneurs in this business only work part time and most new comers only need to work part time as well. You really need to commit to 20 hours a week, and this is often easy to accomplish before quitting your job.
4) Begin the Transition
You should not be alone. Find a company that will mentor you during the transition with coaching and marketing guidance.
5) Quit your current job / career
Many have found that they can make more money within the first few months than they had made in an entire year. The decision to quit your current job or career will be easy.
Again, take the time to learn about an opportunity that can easily change your life!
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
1) The Opportunity
Learn about a home based business opportunity. Contact the company to schedule a phone appointment and find out how you can begin to make your dreams come true!.
2) Make the Decision
A home based business is simple, easy to implement with minimal initial investment. It is your secret to financial freedom but not magic, you must make the decision and commit to the simple business model.
3) Time Commitment
Part of the beauty of the right home based business model is that most entrepreneurs in this business only work part time and most new comers only need to work part time as well. You really need to commit to 20 hours a week, and this is often easy to accomplish before quitting your job.
4) Begin the Transition
You should not be alone. Find a company that will mentor you during the transition with coaching and marketing guidance.
5) Quit your current job / career
Many have found that they can make more money within the first few months than they had made in an entire year. The decision to quit your current job or career will be easy.
Again, take the time to learn about an opportunity that can easily change your life!
Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com
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