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 on a recent Hilton Head rental vacation. It held my passport, money and credit cards. The two compartments, one small and one larger, were just enough room to hold a passport and some money.

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.”