Archive for December, 2007

The Spender VS The Planner Comments Off

Jane, 28, is an events executive who earns $48,000 a year and is a spender. Gary, 35, is an IT analyst who earns $56,000 a year, but is a planner. They have no children.

Monthly Expenditure

Mortgage $600

Bills $800

Entertainment $1,200

Debts $30,000

Shopping $2,000 (Jane); $1,000 (Gary)

Savings $200 (Jane’s monthly savings policy); $1,100 (Gary)

Jane Says “I’ve always been pampered by my parents, who provided for all my wants. I believe money is earned to be spent. I think it’s okay to reward myself with designer clothes and accessories because I work hard at my job. Money is not everything in life, so I might as well use it to make myself happy.”

Gary Says “I hate being in debt, so I would like to clear it as soon as possible. After that, i would like to pursue a Master’s degree. But Jane’s spending means I have to contribute more to the household expenses and cut back on our savings.”

Expert’s Advice “The most urgent task for Jane and Gary now is to repay the $30,000 debt. The couple should decide how long they want to take to clear the amount. A good time frame is two years, so the couple have to make a monthly payment of $1,250. So they may need to cut down on their entertainment expenses.”

Buy Unique Gifts: Franklin Covey Planner Binder Kit For Palm V Series (Black) 1

After researching on different unique gift ideas, I have come to believe that a unique gift would have the following characteristics: significant and meaningful to the person receiving the gift; personalized and unique; brings surprises to the person; beautiful and have artistic value; affordable but looks expensive.

Franklin produces a wide variety of binders by size, price, function and a broad array of materials; Franklin has the binder you want.

This is a good combination. I just moved to a palm and found it hard to move from complete paper to the palm.

Now I can keep up with note taking and enter them later. This also has slots for credit cards and paper. It a great item for a business professional.

I’ll admit the use of the palm is supposed to lessen or negate the paper amount. There is still use for paper, I never lose my notes.

All binders manufactured by Franklin feature quality, durability and excellent design. Franklin binders protect your Palm from dust and scratches.

Buy Books Online: Talk Your Way Out Of Credit Card Debt!: Phone Calls To Banks That Saved More Than $43,000 In Interest Charges & Fees Comments Off

Although it can seem impossible, there are ways out of credit card debt, and if you want it to happen then you can begin getting out of debt today.

There are a bunch of ways and systems that people use to get out of credit card debt. I highly recommend Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt to anyone who carries a balance on his or her credit cards or anyone who wants to gain skill in negotiating with a credit card bank to reduce interest rates or eliminate fees.

Learning how to talk your way out of credit card debt is the quickest, easiest, and most efficient way to start saving money!

It’s true! You can call your credit card banks to negotiate a better interest rate and have fees waived!

However, it may not be as easy as picking up the phone and asking. That’s because bank representatives are trained to deter you from pursuing the deals you deserve. Overcoming their tactics can be difficult when you don’t know what to expect.

Scott Bilker, author of Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt, and creator of DebtSmart.com, has spent 10+ years making banks compete for his business.

Now, he’s sharing his personal phone calls to banks that saved more than $43,000 for himself, his family, and friends! These 52 phone calls, out of the hundreds he has made, demonstrate exactly what worked, what didn’t, and why. In each call transcript, for anonymity, banks have been renamed as dog breeds and their reps as bugs.

In this book you will discover proven negotiation strategies, and build your confidence, while learning how to:

1. Get annual fees waived;

2. Lower your current interest rates;

3. Shop for the best credit card deals;

4. Get late-payment, overlimit, and cash-advance fees waived;

5. Compare loan options and calculate savings;

6. Dispute charges and get all your refunds;

7. Negotiate account settlements; and much more!

Ways To Control Your Holiday Spending Habits Comments Off

Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, not of outrageous spending. It is very easy to get caught up in the holiday season, but you really need to be realistic about your spending habits this time of year.

Christmas spending doesn’t have to mean an increase in your debt load. Don’t fall for those buy it now and pay for it later options as you could find you still owe money for Christmas gifts in the spring the following year.

With some planning and saving, you can avoid using your credit cards at all for holiday shopping. This is important because you won’t have to pay for interest on the items you have purchased. You also will have those credit cards available in the event that any type of emergency situation comes up in the future. Read more »

Buy Books Online: 12 Steps To Eliminate Debt Forever!: Become Debt Free Using Your Current Income By Changing Your Mind, Habits, & Spending Comments Off

I like this book because it is full of practical and simple steps anyone can take to realize their dream of being debt-free.

You will learn proven results that will teach you how to look beyond your current situation, and see a vision to get debt free for yourself.

There are few easier steps to take in order to eliminate debt forever.

“If I could do it,” Sharman says, “I know tons of other people out there can too — equipped with the right information and the strategies found in 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever.

The fact that Sharman and her husband have already paid off their mortgage is evidence enough that she has earned the right to speak on this subject.

Clear, concise, and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to be free from debt.

Financial freedom is available to everyone. Financial freedom isn’t based on who we know or how much money we make. It is a result of a change in our thoughts and habits regarding our hard-earned money.

Living debt free is not just for the rich and famous! In 1995, Sharman and her husband got a vision to pay off all their debt, including their mortgage, in five years.

After accomplishing that monumental goal in 1999, she was inspired to reach out and help others who are struggling financially and living paycheck to paycheck.

Catch the vision. Live debt free! Living debt free is a lifestyle and philosophy that anyone can choose to implement in his or her current situation using his or her current income.

Sharman lives what she teaches! The simple changes her book recommends translate into dramatic life-changing freedom for those willing to take on the challenge.

How To Save Money For Tuition Fees Comments Off

Unlike most purchases, a college education appreciates in value instead of depreciating. Despite college cost increases, a college education remains an affordable choice for most families.

With tuition fees climbing up yearly, it is better to have a sound financial plan so that it would not be difficult for you to send your kids off to college when they grow up. Aside from the cash that you have saved yourself, here are the top 3 sources that can help you get your kids through college:

1. Scholarship grants
2. Part-time jobs
3. Financial aids

These are good alternative sources for your children to start off on their college education.

But as a parent, you would not want to fall in those long lines for financial aid or let your child work himself to death just to have money for tuition and other expenses. Read more »

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