Paying Off Credit Card DebtHa, hubby’s buddy didn’t want the money we owed him! When hubby passed the money to him, he pushed it back saying it’s small matter.
Hubby did stuff the money into his buddy’s pocket, but it was returned with a stern warning. As a result, hubby had to keep the money away.
How nice if every buddy was like this! ^.^
I have been trying out my buddy’s advice of not thinking about money and making money all the time. So far so good.
Of course, it’s impossible not to think of money and making money. But at least, I don’t think of it most of the time like I used to.
Whenever the thought of money and making money comes into my mind, I leave it to Lord Jesus or I bury myself in more mesothelioma prognosis facts and statistics.
Or I watch TV shows online.
Along with plastic surgeons, diet gurus and personal trainers, professionals suggest adding a financial advisor to your list of beauty experts.
According to a survey by www.health.com, financial worries cause more stress to women than their appearance or weight ! They consider getting into debt the dumbest money move they’ve ever made.
Yet ironically, when asked by, “If you found US$100 and didn’t need to pay off a bill or cover necessities, what would you do with it ?”. There was only a one percent difference between women who said they’d save it and those who said they’d spend !
I used this Cotton Money Belt and Passport Holder
This Cotton Money Belt was so lightweight and comfortable that I often forgot I had it on and would periodically check to see if it was still in place. Once I put it on, I never had to readjust it. It never came loose on its own.
It is not the most glamourous Cotton Money Belt and Passport Holder–in army green cotton–but it serves its function very well. If you’re looking for something fancy then keep looking, but if you want a money belt that is simple and not bulky then this one will get the job done.
A reverse mortgage is often seen as a last resort if the homeowner needs cash and there are no other options. In a reverse mortgage, the home is used as collateral to get cash.
Age is an advantage when applying for a reverse mortgage. Borrowers must be at least age 62, and the older the homeowner is, the more money he or she would qualify for. For example, a 78-year-old borrower would qualify for a larger loan than a 62-year-old.
Here are the advantages of a Reverse Mortgage:
* Homeowners can pull needed cash from the equity of the home, without incurring monthly expenses.
* Lenders cannot force homeowners to sell the property to pay back the loan.
* A reverse mortgage guarantees that the homeowner can stay on the property for as long as he or she lives, even if the outstanding loan and interest grow to exceed the value property’s value.
A reverse mortgage can cost thousands more than a conventional mortgage. So, it’s important to calculate the cost of a reverse mortgage against what you would gain, because once you enter a reverse mortgage agreement, the mortgage company essentially owns your home.
Get sound advice. Discuss your plans of ca reverse mortgages or california reverse mortgages with legal and financial advisors who specialize in your area such as California, and family members before making a decision.
Find competitive reverse mortgages in California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado at AmeriTek Mortgage.com.
Because home ownership is often a person’s most valuable asset, getting a reverse mortgage is essentially the same as spending the money you’d expect to leave to your heirs.
Be sure that the older homeowner is thinking clearly when making this decision (no dementia or symptoms of Alzheimer’s), because having a sudden influx of cash can be a heady experience and it would be a shame to waste it or become the victim of a scam.
Money can give you a sense of freedom. With money, you can buy your own clothes, perhaps have your own phone, maybe get a car. But debt can pile up fast.
One way to avoid debt is to have a budget. Yes, budgeting can help to avoid debt.
Basically, a budget is a plan for how to spend your money. When you make a budget, you list what your expenses are. First, list what you’re spending money on every month. A health club membership? Internet service provider? A pager, maybe a cellular phone? How much was your dry cleaning bill? All these go on the list. You’ll need to estimate in most cases.
Now add it all up.
Next, look at how much money is coming in, from your job or other sources, and add that. You should have two figures now. If the incoming is larger then the outgoing, congratulate yourself. You’re in the black! If you’re like most people, though, you have more going out than you do coming in, particularly because you guessed on a lot of things.
The next step is to take a good hard look at the items you listed. You’re going to make two lists from the first–wants and needs. It’s important to remember that this is your budget, and nobody can tell you how to make it. That’s part of the fun.
But I NEED that!
Your “needs” list should include any fixed bills you have such as transportation, school-related expenses and clothing. Your “wants” list will be more entertainment oriented. The idea is to make a budget you can live with. It can get depressing looking at those hard cold numbers. Debt is even worse, though.
Say it’s payday. You’re sitting at your desk with a pile of bills, your paycheck, and a calculator in front of you, and the final sum you get (after checking your numbers a few times) depresses you.
Not only will you have to turn down the date you have on Saturday night, but you won’t be able to buy that new pair of shoes you’re drooling over and your car insurance is due. And you’re supposed to be saving for college.
It seems like there are so many places for your paycheck to go, it can make you regret you’re even getting one. Almost.
Budgeting means gaining control.
Balancing your budget means figuring out where you can economize. Know where to buy things at lower-than-retail prices. Check out your local used CD and book stores, almost every town has at least one and larger cities have lots. Think about buying clothes at thrift stores, consignment shops, or discount stores. You can find good deals if you look for them. A pair of Gap khakis can cost as little as $3.50 at the Salvation Army.
Don’t let the process get you down. It may seem like you’ll never have enough money for all the things you want and you’ll waste away alone, badly dressed and eating macaroni and cheese every night. But chances are pretty good that won’t happen. Get a handle on your finances now and you’ll make sure of it.
As with any financial arrangement, there are benefits and drawbacks to structured settlements. Anyone with a serious injury who requires long-term medical care who is considering such a transaction should become familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of a structured settlement before entering into any sort of agreement.
The advantages of a structured settlement over a lump sum payout are numerous:
1. Structured settlements are tax free. As of 1982, structured settlements are tax free, both at the local and Federal level. Lump sum payments can be tax free, but the investment income generated by them is not. If you have concerns about taxes or having to keep up with tax matters caused by interest or investment income, then a structured settlement might be best for you.
2. Structured settlements provide additional security. Many people who suddenly obtain large amounts of money, such as those obtained in a lump-sum payment as a result of a personal injury or accident, may suddenly find the world knocking at their door, as long-lost poor relatives, salesmen and con men are always interested in people who are suddenly flush with cash. Read more »
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.”
So you’re looking for tips on how to start saving money, cutting expenses, and getting out of debt. If you’re looking for inspiration and advice about saving money, getting out of debt, being a good steward of your money, read on.
Saving money is the game now if you really want to bank on a good future for you and your family. This is one definite way to ensure that you make yourself able and ready for whatever big plans you have ahead, be it getting a new house, buying a car, sending a kid to college or even a grand vacation.
Unlike investing, saving money on purchases doesn’t require any specialized training and is an easy way for anyone to stretch their budget a little farther. There are many ways to save money. It can range from setting aside a portion of your monthly paycheck or avoiding the little temptations for you to spend. Make it your goal.
Start at Your Own Home. Saving money should be part of your way of life to make it most effective. It is best that the effort to save be shared by everyone in the family.
Little Efforts. Do not drive if you really don’t have to. If you can, just take a walk or take the bus. Riding the bike can also be very good for your body. Have a car pool with friends or neighbors. You can also suggest doing errands together like doing the grocery store.
Avoid the Little Temptations That May Come Your Way. It is naturally fine to reward yourself after a hard work every now and then, but do stay away from splurging. Cut back on your expenses.
Use Less and Save Energy. Electricity – Turn off appliances that are not used. Turn the TV off if the show is not worth it. Close the refrigerator after getting what you need. Use lower wattage bulb for rooms that do not need much lighting. These will definitely add more data to your savings!
Water – Check for any leaks in your pipes. Always make sure that the faucet is not dripping. Avoid long showers. Use a glass when brushing your teeth instead of leaving the faucet on.
Phone – Choose a provider that has savings plans especially for long-distance calls.
Gas – Have your car tuned up so you can save on gas. Get membership benefits also from stations. Fill up the tank when the prices go low. You can also do a research on gas saving cars if you have to purchase a new one. Turn off the air conditioning. If there is no need for that, simply keep the windows open. Enjoy the ride and the cool wind.
You may not realize this before, but your household’s basic utilities can actually be your key to saving more money. This has a two-way benefit. You get to save some dollars for your family. You also contribute in addressing the energy crisis.
The secret to saving money is to make it a priority, and that is done ONLY when you get some healthy anger or fear and then focus that emotion on your personal decisions.
Saving money and financial management is very crucial in one’s life.
Money is very important in order to survive in this world but only a few people know how to manage their household budget properly.
Many people have a hard time saving money even if it is for their own good.
Most of the time, you may be motivated to save money but there are times when temptations come your way and before you know it, you have already spent the amount that was supposed to be added to your savings account.
Here are some helpful tips on how you can avoid temptations and be able to save money:
Try Hard to Avoid Things That Keep You From Saving. If you are fond of buying shoes even if you don’t really need them, try very hard to stay away from them. Keep yourself away from shoe stores so that you will not be tempted to buy one.
When Going to Grocery Stores. Always bring the exact amount and bring with you a grocery list. If you have limited money in your pocket when in grocery stores, you will be forced to buy only those important things that you need.
Preparing a grocery list will also help you get organized and will help you in deciding the things that need to be prioritized.
Go to the Malls Only When Needed. Do not go shopping if you do not need anything important to buy. Window-shopping will only tempt you to buy the dress you saw in the boutique even if you don’t really need it.
Do not Bring With You Your Credit Cards All the Time. Having a credit card in your pocket will only tempt you to buy things that are not necessary. This will also help you lower your balances and have a good credit score.
You May Want to Save Money in the Bank or Invest in Time Deposits. You will not be tempted to get money from the bank every time you need cash, if they are placed in a time deposit account.
You May Also Want to Consider Consulting a Financial Advisor. There are a lot of programs that offer these services for free. They may be able to help you and give you advice on how you can avoid temptations and save more money.