The Fortune That Lies Hidden In Your Salary - Discover it - Make Money At Home.
There's a fortune hiding in everyone's salary or pay check but most people can't find it.
With the average person spending countless hours in front of a TV screen to be entertained and blot out the JOB (Just Over Broke) syndrome, small wonder that making money from home is not a priority for most people.
A salary check gives you that rich feeling; but is that money yours?
Or just a loan until next week, when you have to do the same thing all over again...
The average person spends more than they earn, hence the National Debt figures. But not many people realize that their pay check is a great way to propel themselves forward, into earning more than they spend.
It's called; make money at home and thousands of people are doing just that... making a second income, which will eventually replace and exceed their current income.
It is a fact that as a single person, you can't work thousands of hours per week. But your Boss does it every week. It's called leverage. He pays you a sum of money for doing a set amount of work. That output is worth more than he actually pays you. He is leveraging upon your efforts to make himself rich.
So, why not make your own money, while working at home? And leveraging other people's efforts...
To make money at home, all you need is a computer, some investment capital and the right business. You also need determination, integrity and patience.
Replacing your income is a gradual process but the main elements for success mean a change in your lifestyle and some self sacrifices. Those changes do not normally have to be drastic, just measured. If you sit down and calculate how much money is wasted every month on things that are non-essential to your well being, or superfluous to your requirements, you would soon find the finance is easily available.
Many people have worries about their job security, so doesn't it make sense to develop another income source, while you are still earning and well able to finance that business through start-up?
Wouldn't it be nice to quit your job, instead of waiting for a redundancy notice? Do you realize how hard it is to start something, when your salary stops coming in?
Doing something right now, that enhances your future lifestyle, is the right way forward. Just thinking about it will never get you started and leaving it too late could have devastating effects for you and your family.
Most people do not realise that time is the most important factor in building that second income stream. You can't throw money at it, to make it successful. You have to build it yourself. Call it Insurance ... Of the very best kind.
About the Author
Michael A Fowler, M.B.A. is the editor of the Internet's premier work at home resource: Work from Home Journal.
An Online Trainer, Mentor and Coach, Michael has been helping people to succeed online since 1998.
http://www.the-mba-way.com | Goldcard43@aol.com
debt 411
http://debt411.blogspot.com/atom.xml - Debt elimination programs and informative articles that give you the knowledge to correct your own credit and credit report.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Store Card Versus Credit Card - Which Should You Choose? by Craig Brown
Store cards and credit cards have their advantages and disadvantages, but which is best for you. In this article we point out some basics to help you take control of your spending.
Store Cards
Do you have a store card? How many do you have? Do you know how much you are spending on each?
Store cards are a great idea if you use them properly, but they can cause huge amounts of personal financial damage if you don't take control.
When you are offered a store card here a few things to bear in mind:
1. Get very clear on what the offer is exactly. Most stores will offer a card with a promotional deal - say 10% off any purchases that day and for the next week. So what exactly is the offer and how long does it last?
2. Sometimes store cards are heavily pushed during a sale. Again, what's the offer - for example, do you get 10% off sale items too?
3. What are the privileges you get as a store card holder? Do you get a discount every time you shop? Do you get reward points of some kind? Do you get special preview events for new ranges? And what are the details - how many points, how many previews a year?
4. How much credit are they offering you? And can you handle it - or will it make you feel like a kid in a candy store?
5. What are the repayment terms exactly? What's the minimum repayment? What's the APR - during the offer period and after the offer period?
6. Are you bothered? It's easy to take up what seems like a great offer with no effort on your part. But remember you would probably have bought the things you are buying even if there was no store card being waved in your face. Do you really want another piece of plastic, another debt?
7. Can you get the things you want cheaper elsewhere anyway? Most things you usually can do.
8. Can you pay for the things you want using your credit card? Credit cards usually have a much lower APR than store cards - so unless you can afford to make repayments in full, you could well lose in interest payments what you gain in special offers.
Credit Cards
The same kind of questions can be asked about credit cards:
How many do you have? Do you know what you're spending? Are you in control? What are the special offers - low interest, 0% balance transfers, etc? What's the credit limit and can you handle it? What are the repayment terms, including APR?
The major differences from a store card are that you can use a credit card almost anywhere, and that the APR is usually a lot lower. It's also a lot easier to control your spending if it's all on one card.
So when you've weighed up both kinds of card, what should you do? Here's a couple of ideas:
1. For general use, have just one credit card. Keep the credit limits low and in control.
2. If you are offered a store card and there's an unbeatable opening offer on your purchase, take it. Then, if you can't pay off the debt in one go, use your credit card to pay it off so that you at least get lower interest charges. Next, when your shiny new plastic card arrives, cut it up! Seriously. If you don't destroy it you (or someone in your family) will spend on it and the debt spiral will continue.
For information on credit cards check out the American Credit Cards Guide: http://www.americancreditcardsguide.com
About the Author
Craig Brown
Store Cards
Do you have a store card? How many do you have? Do you know how much you are spending on each?
Store cards are a great idea if you use them properly, but they can cause huge amounts of personal financial damage if you don't take control.
When you are offered a store card here a few things to bear in mind:
1. Get very clear on what the offer is exactly. Most stores will offer a card with a promotional deal - say 10% off any purchases that day and for the next week. So what exactly is the offer and how long does it last?
2. Sometimes store cards are heavily pushed during a sale. Again, what's the offer - for example, do you get 10% off sale items too?
3. What are the privileges you get as a store card holder? Do you get a discount every time you shop? Do you get reward points of some kind? Do you get special preview events for new ranges? And what are the details - how many points, how many previews a year?
4. How much credit are they offering you? And can you handle it - or will it make you feel like a kid in a candy store?
5. What are the repayment terms exactly? What's the minimum repayment? What's the APR - during the offer period and after the offer period?
6. Are you bothered? It's easy to take up what seems like a great offer with no effort on your part. But remember you would probably have bought the things you are buying even if there was no store card being waved in your face. Do you really want another piece of plastic, another debt?
7. Can you get the things you want cheaper elsewhere anyway? Most things you usually can do.
8. Can you pay for the things you want using your credit card? Credit cards usually have a much lower APR than store cards - so unless you can afford to make repayments in full, you could well lose in interest payments what you gain in special offers.
Credit Cards
The same kind of questions can be asked about credit cards:
How many do you have? Do you know what you're spending? Are you in control? What are the special offers - low interest, 0% balance transfers, etc? What's the credit limit and can you handle it? What are the repayment terms, including APR?
The major differences from a store card are that you can use a credit card almost anywhere, and that the APR is usually a lot lower. It's also a lot easier to control your spending if it's all on one card.
So when you've weighed up both kinds of card, what should you do? Here's a couple of ideas:
1. For general use, have just one credit card. Keep the credit limits low and in control.
2. If you are offered a store card and there's an unbeatable opening offer on your purchase, take it. Then, if you can't pay off the debt in one go, use your credit card to pay it off so that you at least get lower interest charges. Next, when your shiny new plastic card arrives, cut it up! Seriously. If you don't destroy it you (or someone in your family) will spend on it and the debt spiral will continue.
For information on credit cards check out the American Credit Cards Guide: http://www.americancreditcardsguide.com
About the Author
Craig Brown
How to get a mortgage even if you have a bad credit rating by Mandy Parsons
If you are having trouble getting a mortgage, you need to remember one thing:- Persistence. If you give up trying, you will NEVER get that mortgage. It's also worth noting that there are a great many variables that determine whether a lender will approve you for a loan. SOme of these variables are outside your control (criminal record, CCJs, Bankruptcy, Previous foreclosures etc) while others can be influenced by you in order to improve your chances of a mortgage approval.
Some lenders specialize in 'sub prime' loans -loans to customers with less than perfect credit histories. These are the lenders you should be targeting. Sometimes, they have a set time limit from a foreclosure or bankruptcy before they will approve you for a mortgage (often between 24 and 36 months). Sometimes they don't, and you can be approved for a loan the same day you are discharged from bankruptcy. Obviously, they charge higher interest rates to reflect the greater risk that you now represent, but hey! No loan, or a slightly more expensive loan?!
Ultimately, we here at www.mortgagedown.com think that what determines whether or not your mortgage is approved is your 'credit score'. Anything over '600' and most lenders will happily approve your loan, no matter what little 'stains' there are on your record. The process of creating your credit score is mostly automatic these days, and this is what you need to understand in order to bask in the glory of a 600 plus credit score when applying for a mortgage.
So how do you make sure your credit score is above the 600 level so you can get 100% financing? First off, stay RIGHT away from so called 'credit repair' agencies. They will often do more harm than good, and you will be handing over your cash for absolutely nothing or worse. What you can do is try and ensure your record is as 'clean' as possible. First step, obviously, is to check your credit rating for any inaccuracies. You have a statutory right to see what financial information any company holds =bout you, and this includes your credit rating. Ensure paid off charges are shown accurately as paid off - this is the biggest reason for bad credit scores when the record is in fact pretty clean. Every past charge that your have since paid off should be checked, and once you have done this, you can demand a letter of confirmation that the account is now fully paid up. You can, in fact, cause severe problems for any credit agency not reflecting the true state of your credit affairs.
If your target loan company needs proof the charges have been paid off, you can ask for the same from your other lenders - for a small fee (sub $100 usually) they will provide notarized letters confirming your account is now paid off and closed. This will reflect well in your credit score within 2 or 3 working days. Next, credit specialits at www.mortgagedown.com advise that you pay off as much as you can on any credit cards or other loans outstanding. Obviously, the less outstanding debt you have, the better your credit score will be in terms of going for a new mortgage. In fact, if you 'max out' credit lines or cards, this will reflect VERY badly on your credit score.
Finally, be careful not to approach too many lenders in too short a time period. Repeated attempts to get credit can themselves lower credit scores. Remember that even if you score less than 600, it is still possible to get that mortgage, but you may need to 'shop around' a little, and you will almost certainly pay an extra fee or higher interest as a penalty. Beware of companies claiming that 'if they can't get you the loan, you can't get one period' because ultimately, whether or not you get a loan is down to you!
About the Author
Mandy is the resident credit rating expert at www.mortgagedown.com
Some lenders specialize in 'sub prime' loans -loans to customers with less than perfect credit histories. These are the lenders you should be targeting. Sometimes, they have a set time limit from a foreclosure or bankruptcy before they will approve you for a mortgage (often between 24 and 36 months). Sometimes they don't, and you can be approved for a loan the same day you are discharged from bankruptcy. Obviously, they charge higher interest rates to reflect the greater risk that you now represent, but hey! No loan, or a slightly more expensive loan?!
Ultimately, we here at www.mortgagedown.com think that what determines whether or not your mortgage is approved is your 'credit score'. Anything over '600' and most lenders will happily approve your loan, no matter what little 'stains' there are on your record. The process of creating your credit score is mostly automatic these days, and this is what you need to understand in order to bask in the glory of a 600 plus credit score when applying for a mortgage.
So how do you make sure your credit score is above the 600 level so you can get 100% financing? First off, stay RIGHT away from so called 'credit repair' agencies. They will often do more harm than good, and you will be handing over your cash for absolutely nothing or worse. What you can do is try and ensure your record is as 'clean' as possible. First step, obviously, is to check your credit rating for any inaccuracies. You have a statutory right to see what financial information any company holds =bout you, and this includes your credit rating. Ensure paid off charges are shown accurately as paid off - this is the biggest reason for bad credit scores when the record is in fact pretty clean. Every past charge that your have since paid off should be checked, and once you have done this, you can demand a letter of confirmation that the account is now fully paid up. You can, in fact, cause severe problems for any credit agency not reflecting the true state of your credit affairs.
If your target loan company needs proof the charges have been paid off, you can ask for the same from your other lenders - for a small fee (sub $100 usually) they will provide notarized letters confirming your account is now paid off and closed. This will reflect well in your credit score within 2 or 3 working days. Next, credit specialits at www.mortgagedown.com advise that you pay off as much as you can on any credit cards or other loans outstanding. Obviously, the less outstanding debt you have, the better your credit score will be in terms of going for a new mortgage. In fact, if you 'max out' credit lines or cards, this will reflect VERY badly on your credit score.
Finally, be careful not to approach too many lenders in too short a time period. Repeated attempts to get credit can themselves lower credit scores. Remember that even if you score less than 600, it is still possible to get that mortgage, but you may need to 'shop around' a little, and you will almost certainly pay an extra fee or higher interest as a penalty. Beware of companies claiming that 'if they can't get you the loan, you can't get one period' because ultimately, whether or not you get a loan is down to you!
About the Author
Mandy is the resident credit rating expert at www.mortgagedown.com
Three Keys For Getting Out Of Debt by Seth Lutnick
Getting out of debt gives you a euphoric feeling, it's absolutely liberating. It's a feeling you want with all your heart. The good news is, with the three principles outlined in this article, you can turn yourself in the direction of financial independence and take control of your future. That euphoric feeling will coming around sooner than you think.
Before we get started, let's get started. You read that correctly. The hardest part of any project is often just getting started. There are 101 reasons for procrastination, ranging from fear of success to fear of failure. We can get overwhelmed by the scope of large tasks. It's too much, it's daunting, and we get daunted.
So here is the Pre-1 A step that will get you started: set yourself up. You don't have to start making calculations, you don't have to start working out budgets, you just have to take a piece of paper, a calculator or a software program, and sit yourself down at a table. Once you're there, going forward becomes easy. So many big things in our lives take literally 10 minutes, but we invest them with far too much worry and therefore never get to them. Just getting set up isn't that threatening, so we can do that. And once we've gotten set up, we've created the momentum to carry us to the fulfillment of our goals.
OK, now let's look at the three principles.
Principal number 1: Know Everything.
You've heard the saying, "knowledge is power." It is especially true in getting out of debt. You have to know exactly how much money you earn, how much money you spend, how much money you owe. It is simple mathematics, and the more detail you have, the more control you have.
Gaining knowledge activates the brain. Our brains work very much like a computer. When you give a computer a task to complete, the computer keeps on working at it until it gets done. So, too, when we give our brains a job, they can perform amazing feats. By knowing every detail of your finances, you will be giving your brain the job of finding a solution to your situation. It seems like it happens automatically. Stay on top of the details of your situation, and you'll find the answers coming almost by themselves.
Principal number 2: Spend Importantly.
Great people don't fear failure. They actually appreciate it as a great teacher, so they can improve in the future. Most of the time our debt is a result of a failure of our spending systems. We either do not pay attention to how much we spend, or we just lose control of it. Let's face it, credit cards are a very mixed blessing. Most often, we spend huge amounts on things that are neither necessary nor important. Let's look at this in more detail.
There are three types of spending we do. First, there are necessities, such as groceries, medical costs, clothing and shelter and so forth. The second type is for those things that are important, but not essential. They might include piano lessons, membership at a gym, dinner at a restaurant with your family, and other similar expenses. The third type are those things that are neither important, nor essential. These are luxuries, plain and simple: a Caribbean cruise, a TV set the size of a small skyscraper, the fanciest sports car, at the casino... you get the picture. Notice which category is usually the most expensive. Yes, the third type. By eliminating spending in this area, at least until you are solvent, you will help yourselves greatly.
I will add that it is a good idea to give some money to charity, whatever little amount you can afford. It may not make sense at first glance, but giving charity does something very important. It gives you a proper perspective on the value of money. Even if you give just a few dollars, you will come to view money as something to be used for important purposes, not to be squandered on unnecessary things.
Principal number 3: Make It Easy for Yourself.
Just as getting set up is the easiest way to get started on any object, making smart rules for how you spend is the easiest way to control your spending. The main culprit here is temptation. If spending is too easy, temptation has a lot power over us. If we make it harder to spend, temptation will fade away.
For example, if I left my credit cards at home, and only had a few dollars in my wallet, I would not be tempted in the least to buy that beautiful new suit in the window. I wouldn't even miss it! Similarly, when I have three credit cards, and two of them are within my spending limits, temptation is much greater than if I only had one credit card and I was already at my limit.
Making it easy for yourself means keeping yourself as far away from temptation to overspend as possible. Effective diets happen in the supermarket. If you don't buy those oversized cookies, you won't have them and you won't be tempted by them. That's why you should never go shopping when you're hungry. Make rules that will keep you from spending on anything that is beyond your budget. Use only cash for essentials, close down superfluous credit card accounts. Make it easy to stay the course.
Putting It Together
As you proceed in your journey towards solvency, make sure that you stick to these three principles. Constantly review your progress and keep "knowing everything." This will allow you to create and implement a surefire plan for getting out of debt for good. Good luck!
About the Author
Seth Lutnick is, in addition to being a recording artist and concert performer, a personal consultant with expertise in project planning. Visit www.getitdone.biz for a fully detailed plan of How to Get Out of Debt, and ideas and resources for personal action planning.
Before we get started, let's get started. You read that correctly. The hardest part of any project is often just getting started. There are 101 reasons for procrastination, ranging from fear of success to fear of failure. We can get overwhelmed by the scope of large tasks. It's too much, it's daunting, and we get daunted.
So here is the Pre-1 A step that will get you started: set yourself up. You don't have to start making calculations, you don't have to start working out budgets, you just have to take a piece of paper, a calculator or a software program, and sit yourself down at a table. Once you're there, going forward becomes easy. So many big things in our lives take literally 10 minutes, but we invest them with far too much worry and therefore never get to them. Just getting set up isn't that threatening, so we can do that. And once we've gotten set up, we've created the momentum to carry us to the fulfillment of our goals.
OK, now let's look at the three principles.
Principal number 1: Know Everything.
You've heard the saying, "knowledge is power." It is especially true in getting out of debt. You have to know exactly how much money you earn, how much money you spend, how much money you owe. It is simple mathematics, and the more detail you have, the more control you have.
Gaining knowledge activates the brain. Our brains work very much like a computer. When you give a computer a task to complete, the computer keeps on working at it until it gets done. So, too, when we give our brains a job, they can perform amazing feats. By knowing every detail of your finances, you will be giving your brain the job of finding a solution to your situation. It seems like it happens automatically. Stay on top of the details of your situation, and you'll find the answers coming almost by themselves.
Principal number 2: Spend Importantly.
Great people don't fear failure. They actually appreciate it as a great teacher, so they can improve in the future. Most of the time our debt is a result of a failure of our spending systems. We either do not pay attention to how much we spend, or we just lose control of it. Let's face it, credit cards are a very mixed blessing. Most often, we spend huge amounts on things that are neither necessary nor important. Let's look at this in more detail.
There are three types of spending we do. First, there are necessities, such as groceries, medical costs, clothing and shelter and so forth. The second type is for those things that are important, but not essential. They might include piano lessons, membership at a gym, dinner at a restaurant with your family, and other similar expenses. The third type are those things that are neither important, nor essential. These are luxuries, plain and simple: a Caribbean cruise, a TV set the size of a small skyscraper, the fanciest sports car, at the casino... you get the picture. Notice which category is usually the most expensive. Yes, the third type. By eliminating spending in this area, at least until you are solvent, you will help yourselves greatly.
I will add that it is a good idea to give some money to charity, whatever little amount you can afford. It may not make sense at first glance, but giving charity does something very important. It gives you a proper perspective on the value of money. Even if you give just a few dollars, you will come to view money as something to be used for important purposes, not to be squandered on unnecessary things.
Principal number 3: Make It Easy for Yourself.
Just as getting set up is the easiest way to get started on any object, making smart rules for how you spend is the easiest way to control your spending. The main culprit here is temptation. If spending is too easy, temptation has a lot power over us. If we make it harder to spend, temptation will fade away.
For example, if I left my credit cards at home, and only had a few dollars in my wallet, I would not be tempted in the least to buy that beautiful new suit in the window. I wouldn't even miss it! Similarly, when I have three credit cards, and two of them are within my spending limits, temptation is much greater than if I only had one credit card and I was already at my limit.
Making it easy for yourself means keeping yourself as far away from temptation to overspend as possible. Effective diets happen in the supermarket. If you don't buy those oversized cookies, you won't have them and you won't be tempted by them. That's why you should never go shopping when you're hungry. Make rules that will keep you from spending on anything that is beyond your budget. Use only cash for essentials, close down superfluous credit card accounts. Make it easy to stay the course.
Putting It Together
As you proceed in your journey towards solvency, make sure that you stick to these three principles. Constantly review your progress and keep "knowing everything." This will allow you to create and implement a surefire plan for getting out of debt for good. Good luck!
About the Author
Seth Lutnick is, in addition to being a recording artist and concert performer, a personal consultant with expertise in project planning. Visit www.getitdone.biz for a fully detailed plan of How to Get Out of Debt, and ideas and resources for personal action planning.
Coaches, Do You Make These 7 Deadly Cash Flow Mistakes in Your Practice? by Caroline Jordan MBA
Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important function. Avoid these seven deadly mistakes to make sure you aren't creating cash flow problems in your coaching practice.
1. Using the "Fly By The Seat of Your Pants" Accounting Method.
When tax time rolls around do you find yourself pawing through piles of paper on your desk looking for credit card receipts from your business trip? Or are you upside down digging under the seat of your car trying to figure out where all your gas receipts are? Are you wondering if that coffee stained piece of paper is an invoice from a supplier? Do you have a vague feeling that someone, somewhere owes you money but, you just can't remember who it is? If so, you're probably guilty of operating with the "Fly By the Seat of Your Pants" accounting method.
Using this accounting method has a tremendous impact on your business's cash flow. Unless you have a system to track your business finances, you'll always be operating in the dark and in danger of imitating George of the Jungle as he slams into a tree.
2. Not Knowing What the Numbers Are All About.
Once you have a real honest to goodness useful accounting system, that's where the real fun starts. You've got a bunch of numbers but what in the world do you do with them?
Understanding what the numbers mean is crucial to your cash flow. Are sales trending up or down? Are expenses rising faster than sales? Is one coaching package more profitable or better selling than another? How many clients do you need to meet expenses each month? Can you take a paycheck this month? The answers all lie in the numbers.
3. Mismanaging Credit: I Owe You, You Owe Me.
There are two ways to mismanage credit in small business:
1. Granting credit without wise credit policies 2. Using credit with no plan of how to pay the bill.
Both have a huge impact on your cash flow and are often closely related. Here's a scenario to demonstrate that point. You have two opportunities: you can work on a big project for a corporate client or you can take on several small clients. You might think the big client is the way to go but how long will it take you to get paid? Often, large companies take their time paying--sometimes 60 or 90 days, sometimes longer. You may find that you've tied up a tremendous amount of your time with no cash flow to pay your bills. The smaller clients could provide you with more immediate cash flow without tying up all your time.
And it's easy when times get tough to pull out your credit card to cover your current expenses. But doing this with no plan of how you'll pay the bill gets many small business owners in hot water fast.
4. Ignoring the relationship between Receivables and Payables.
Do your Receivables and Payables "play nice" with each other? In a perfect world your receivables (what customers owe you) would be paid just in time for you to pay your payables (what you owe your vendors). But, if you're a small business owner you know Rule #1 is "Stuff Happens". The customer you thought would pay his bill this week, doesn't. So the bills you thought you could pay this week, don't get paid.
Are your Payables in balance with you Receivables? If what you owe to others is far more than what is owed to you, then, Houston, you have a problem.
And it's not just the balance that's important, it's the quality as well. If your receivables are as old as your Aunt Tilly, chances are good you'll never see the cash.
5. Focusing on profit instead of cash flow.
Ahh, Profit. The ultimate goal of every business. Or is it? Did you know that many businesses that fail are operating at a profit? How can that be? For the small business, cash flow is the ultimate goal. No cash flow. No business. Period. What's the difference? Mostly the difference is in the decision making process. "If I take on this big job, it will earn me a huge profit, but if I take on five smaller jobs, I'll have cash to pay my bills." Yes, you want to be profitable but every decision has to be measured against the effect it will have on cash flow.
6. Forgetting your debt to society.
Some bills are easy to forget. Bills like insurance, payroll taxes, estimated taxes. They sort of sit out there, almost off the radar screen. They don't have to be paid right away. It's easy to forget them until BAM! they're due and they're due right now. And you better have the money to pay them or you're in hot water. Then, cash flow problems result as you rob Peter to pay Paul. It can take months or even years to recover.
7. Spending your company's future on a speed boat.
Haven't you always wanted a speed boat? Or a fancy car? Or an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas? It might be tempting to try to pass your personal purchases off as tax deductible business expenses. But, it's a bad idea for two reasons.
The folks who work at the IRS are over-worked but they're not stupid. The last thing you need is an audit. An audit that could reveal your transgressions and could result in an unexpected tax bill plus penalties and interest. Again, huge cash flow headache!
Here's the other reason it's a bad idea. Are you spending your company's future on frivolous or unnecessary expenses? Small businesses operate close to the edge. Unless you have a reserve to see you through the tough times, you're always in danger of being on the wrong side of that edge. You've got to take care of the goose that lays the golden eggs first. Then, you can pay yourself a properly taxed bonus and buy all the toys you want.
About the Author
Caroline Jordan, MBA is a small business consultant and creator of Cash Flow Master, a Fast Track, No Holds Barred, Crash Course in Small Business Cash Flow. For more Cash Flow tips and techniques visit http://www.TheJordanResult.com/mastering.html
1. Using the "Fly By The Seat of Your Pants" Accounting Method.
When tax time rolls around do you find yourself pawing through piles of paper on your desk looking for credit card receipts from your business trip? Or are you upside down digging under the seat of your car trying to figure out where all your gas receipts are? Are you wondering if that coffee stained piece of paper is an invoice from a supplier? Do you have a vague feeling that someone, somewhere owes you money but, you just can't remember who it is? If so, you're probably guilty of operating with the "Fly By the Seat of Your Pants" accounting method.
Using this accounting method has a tremendous impact on your business's cash flow. Unless you have a system to track your business finances, you'll always be operating in the dark and in danger of imitating George of the Jungle as he slams into a tree.
2. Not Knowing What the Numbers Are All About.
Once you have a real honest to goodness useful accounting system, that's where the real fun starts. You've got a bunch of numbers but what in the world do you do with them?
Understanding what the numbers mean is crucial to your cash flow. Are sales trending up or down? Are expenses rising faster than sales? Is one coaching package more profitable or better selling than another? How many clients do you need to meet expenses each month? Can you take a paycheck this month? The answers all lie in the numbers.
3. Mismanaging Credit: I Owe You, You Owe Me.
There are two ways to mismanage credit in small business:
1. Granting credit without wise credit policies 2. Using credit with no plan of how to pay the bill.
Both have a huge impact on your cash flow and are often closely related. Here's a scenario to demonstrate that point. You have two opportunities: you can work on a big project for a corporate client or you can take on several small clients. You might think the big client is the way to go but how long will it take you to get paid? Often, large companies take their time paying--sometimes 60 or 90 days, sometimes longer. You may find that you've tied up a tremendous amount of your time with no cash flow to pay your bills. The smaller clients could provide you with more immediate cash flow without tying up all your time.
And it's easy when times get tough to pull out your credit card to cover your current expenses. But doing this with no plan of how you'll pay the bill gets many small business owners in hot water fast.
4. Ignoring the relationship between Receivables and Payables.
Do your Receivables and Payables "play nice" with each other? In a perfect world your receivables (what customers owe you) would be paid just in time for you to pay your payables (what you owe your vendors). But, if you're a small business owner you know Rule #1 is "Stuff Happens". The customer you thought would pay his bill this week, doesn't. So the bills you thought you could pay this week, don't get paid.
Are your Payables in balance with you Receivables? If what you owe to others is far more than what is owed to you, then, Houston, you have a problem.
And it's not just the balance that's important, it's the quality as well. If your receivables are as old as your Aunt Tilly, chances are good you'll never see the cash.
5. Focusing on profit instead of cash flow.
Ahh, Profit. The ultimate goal of every business. Or is it? Did you know that many businesses that fail are operating at a profit? How can that be? For the small business, cash flow is the ultimate goal. No cash flow. No business. Period. What's the difference? Mostly the difference is in the decision making process. "If I take on this big job, it will earn me a huge profit, but if I take on five smaller jobs, I'll have cash to pay my bills." Yes, you want to be profitable but every decision has to be measured against the effect it will have on cash flow.
6. Forgetting your debt to society.
Some bills are easy to forget. Bills like insurance, payroll taxes, estimated taxes. They sort of sit out there, almost off the radar screen. They don't have to be paid right away. It's easy to forget them until BAM! they're due and they're due right now. And you better have the money to pay them or you're in hot water. Then, cash flow problems result as you rob Peter to pay Paul. It can take months or even years to recover.
7. Spending your company's future on a speed boat.
Haven't you always wanted a speed boat? Or a fancy car? Or an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas? It might be tempting to try to pass your personal purchases off as tax deductible business expenses. But, it's a bad idea for two reasons.
The folks who work at the IRS are over-worked but they're not stupid. The last thing you need is an audit. An audit that could reveal your transgressions and could result in an unexpected tax bill plus penalties and interest. Again, huge cash flow headache!
Here's the other reason it's a bad idea. Are you spending your company's future on frivolous or unnecessary expenses? Small businesses operate close to the edge. Unless you have a reserve to see you through the tough times, you're always in danger of being on the wrong side of that edge. You've got to take care of the goose that lays the golden eggs first. Then, you can pay yourself a properly taxed bonus and buy all the toys you want.
About the Author
Caroline Jordan, MBA is a small business consultant and creator of Cash Flow Master, a Fast Track, No Holds Barred, Crash Course in Small Business Cash Flow. For more Cash Flow tips and techniques visit http://www.TheJordanResult.com/mastering.html
Thursday, September 08, 2005
What You Need to Know About Debt Consolidation by Bill Thompson
Debt consolidation is often a last resort for people who are in extreme debt and trying to avoid bankruptcy. Many people who are not in danger of bankruptcy, but have debt on high interest credit cards may also choose to consolidate their debt. Debt consolidation is defined as the process of organizing loans and debts into one low-interest loan that can be paid off regularly. Consolidating debt can help someone avoid bankruptcy, and help them manage their money more wisely. Debt consolidation is also convenient because it becomes easier to keep track of debt and one is only required to pay off one loan rather than several debts. In order to consolidate one’s debt, collateral must be given. The collateral is usually the home, or a vehicle.
Central to debt consolidation is a debt consolidation company. It is important to choose the best company to fit your financial needs. As is common in any financial sphere, there are reputable companies, and companies that use underhanded methods to gain more money from the customer. Most debt consolidation companies do use honorable methods, but it is still important to know what some underhanded companies will do.
1. Some companies will wait until you are backed into a corner. If you know you are headed for financial trouble and wish to consolidate your debt, make sure your company starts working on it right away. Some companies will delay in debt consolidation so that the customer gets in more debt and therefore has to pay the company more money in the long run as well as short term. A customer who has to consolidate debt or else face bankruptcy can be forced to pay extremely high refinancing fees or debt consolidation fees.
2. Some companies will also charge exceptionally high debt consolidation fees to people who have high interest loans. Sometimes these fees can be extremely close to, or at the state maximum for mortgage fees. It is important to know how much companies are able to charge you, and compare that to what a company is offering. The lowest price is generally the best idea. Always be on the look out for unnaturally high fees because some companies will attempt to scam you.
3. Last, and certainly not least, you should be aware of companies practicing “predatory lending.” Predatory lending is a practice by some unscrupulous companies to allow their customers to become so in debt that no other company will help them. This is a way that a company can control you and make sure to make significant financial gains from your misfortune. Any debt consolidation service that attempts to control you is not a good service.
The decision to consolidate one’s debt is a very important decision. It is important to understand this fact when looking for a company. Knowing how companies will try to make extra money at your expense is imperative to having a successful debt consolidation experience. Choose the best company and you will notice a positive outcome. Debt consolidation is a wise option for people with nowhere else to turn, but it must be a well-thought-out, educated decision.
About the Author
Bill Thompson is interested in a variety of financial topics, but focuses on debt consolidation.
Central to debt consolidation is a debt consolidation company. It is important to choose the best company to fit your financial needs. As is common in any financial sphere, there are reputable companies, and companies that use underhanded methods to gain more money from the customer. Most debt consolidation companies do use honorable methods, but it is still important to know what some underhanded companies will do.
1. Some companies will wait until you are backed into a corner. If you know you are headed for financial trouble and wish to consolidate your debt, make sure your company starts working on it right away. Some companies will delay in debt consolidation so that the customer gets in more debt and therefore has to pay the company more money in the long run as well as short term. A customer who has to consolidate debt or else face bankruptcy can be forced to pay extremely high refinancing fees or debt consolidation fees.
2. Some companies will also charge exceptionally high debt consolidation fees to people who have high interest loans. Sometimes these fees can be extremely close to, or at the state maximum for mortgage fees. It is important to know how much companies are able to charge you, and compare that to what a company is offering. The lowest price is generally the best idea. Always be on the look out for unnaturally high fees because some companies will attempt to scam you.
3. Last, and certainly not least, you should be aware of companies practicing “predatory lending.” Predatory lending is a practice by some unscrupulous companies to allow their customers to become so in debt that no other company will help them. This is a way that a company can control you and make sure to make significant financial gains from your misfortune. Any debt consolidation service that attempts to control you is not a good service.
The decision to consolidate one’s debt is a very important decision. It is important to understand this fact when looking for a company. Knowing how companies will try to make extra money at your expense is imperative to having a successful debt consolidation experience. Choose the best company and you will notice a positive outcome. Debt consolidation is a wise option for people with nowhere else to turn, but it must be a well-thought-out, educated decision.
About the Author
Bill Thompson is interested in a variety of financial topics, but focuses on debt consolidation.
Many People Have Realized the Convenience and Benefits of Online Personal Loans by Beth Pardue
The Internet has provided a whole new dimension to obtaining a personal loan. Before lending companies were available on the World Wide Web, people were limited with their loan options and from where they could get a loan. Now there are endless financial resources available to people, no matter what their credit situation may be. With so many sources to lenders available online, you can often find loan deals that beat out the interest rates and loan terms you can find at local banks and credit unions.
Online personal loan options have also made it easier for those who have tarnished credit to get a loan. Consumers can search the web to find numerous lenders willing to grant loans to people with bad credit. There are other financial tools available online that can even help get your credit back into shape. You can find debt counseling and credit monitoring services as well as many free tips to help with improving your credit score like the ones available at http://www.free-debt-consultation.com
Even though the Internet has made the personal loan process much more user friendly, the requirements to obtain a loan are still the same. You still must fill out a loan application and go through the approval process. However, the online approval process is usually much faster than the traditional loan approval turnaround time. With many online lenders you will know right away if you are approved or not.
As with any loan, you want to make sure that your credit history meets the requirements of the online loan offer. Even though it is fast and easy to apply for online loans, you want to try to keep your applications to a minimum. Filling out numerous loan applications in a short time span can be detrimental to your credit score.
It’s no wonder why so many people are catching on to the convenience of getting their loans online. With the large variety of personal loans available online, you may never have to take the time to drive to your bank for a loan ever again. More than likely, you can find any type of personal loan online that is available anywhere else. Mortgage loans, auto loans (new and used), refinance loans, debt consolidations and payday loans are just a few of the most common personal loans you can find on the Internet. Visit http://www.easy-approval-personal-loans.com to learn about some of your online personal loan options.
————————-
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the authors bio paragraph at the bottom of this article is included, the article is published “as is” (unedited) and all URL’s are made active hyperlinks with no syntax changes.
————————-
About the Author
This article was written by Beth Pardue who has over 10 years of experience in the financial industry assisting clients with assorted financial needs. To learn more about your personal loan options or to apply for a personal loan online please visit: http://www.easy-approval-personal-loans.com
Online personal loan options have also made it easier for those who have tarnished credit to get a loan. Consumers can search the web to find numerous lenders willing to grant loans to people with bad credit. There are other financial tools available online that can even help get your credit back into shape. You can find debt counseling and credit monitoring services as well as many free tips to help with improving your credit score like the ones available at http://www.free-debt-consultation.com
Even though the Internet has made the personal loan process much more user friendly, the requirements to obtain a loan are still the same. You still must fill out a loan application and go through the approval process. However, the online approval process is usually much faster than the traditional loan approval turnaround time. With many online lenders you will know right away if you are approved or not.
As with any loan, you want to make sure that your credit history meets the requirements of the online loan offer. Even though it is fast and easy to apply for online loans, you want to try to keep your applications to a minimum. Filling out numerous loan applications in a short time span can be detrimental to your credit score.
It’s no wonder why so many people are catching on to the convenience of getting their loans online. With the large variety of personal loans available online, you may never have to take the time to drive to your bank for a loan ever again. More than likely, you can find any type of personal loan online that is available anywhere else. Mortgage loans, auto loans (new and used), refinance loans, debt consolidations and payday loans are just a few of the most common personal loans you can find on the Internet. Visit http://www.easy-approval-personal-loans.com to learn about some of your online personal loan options.
————————-
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the authors bio paragraph at the bottom of this article is included, the article is published “as is” (unedited) and all URL’s are made active hyperlinks with no syntax changes.
————————-
About the Author
This article was written by Beth Pardue who has over 10 years of experience in the financial industry assisting clients with assorted financial needs. To learn more about your personal loan options or to apply for a personal loan online please visit: http://www.easy-approval-personal-loans.com
Monday, August 15, 2005
Pray off your debts - in 10 days or less by Elisha Goodman
It will all be clear in a minute, but first I have to ask you...
How would you like to be debt-free in 10 days or less?
Do you ever have those days where you just don't feel like getting out of bed?
Where you feel discouraged, that your christian journey is too long, too hard, and that maybe, just maybe, this whole thing of praying and expecting answers is like the
land of OZ and it only exists in stories?
Do you ever feel like you're all alone and you just can't do it, that maybe you won't ever be able to see the answers to your prayers?
Do you ever just wonder why you try?
Doreen, one of my readers says yes, she does.
In fact this morning she woke up and just really DID NOT want to get to work.
She didn't feel like thanking God.
She didn't feel like getting out of bed.
She didn't feel like praying at all.
She started asking herself all those ugly little doubtful questions...
Then she stopped and said, "This isn't like me. This feels crappy - I do NOT like this one bit!"
So she popped open her Bible and she just started flipping through.
Before long the Holy Spirit was answering her own questions...
No she's not alone.
Of course she can do it.
Yes she deserves to be debt-free because that's where God wants her to be.
Who is she?
She's a child of the Most High God, the possessor of the heavens and the earth.
And who are you ?
You're a joint heir with Christ, who is the first born among many brethren!
Do you deserve to be debt-free? Do you deserve all the success and prosperity you desire?
YES YOU DO!
Now I know you get discouraged too - we all get discouraged - and that's why I started this email like this.
We all have those days where we just don't seem to get it together... and it feels like things will never change.
But the truth of the matter is, we have important things to do in the world - for the LORD.
YOU have important things to do in the world... that's why GOD brought you here.
To help us along the journey, God so graciously gave us His immortal Word. It works for all times and all seasons. For all peoples.
And more - He gave us His Holy Spirit ... to comfort us, help us, teach us, direct us!!!
When you feel like you are the Lone Ranger out against the world, you grab the Holy Scriptures for its words of inspiration from our father and you see the example of others who've been there before.
As soon as you open it Joseph, David, Hannah, Sarah, Jabez, Mary, Elizabeth, and dozens of others - ordinary men and women in the bible - are standing there
screaming and yelling, cheering you on, giving you the encouragement and support you need to carry on.
It's a very powerful feeling to be able to pick it up and flip through just a few pages and remember why we're alive and what we're here to do. Remember that we're here for a divine purpose, that we can fulfil it, that we HAVE to fulfil it... all by His grace and power.
You see the saints that have gone ahead of us - David, Joseph, Esther, Hannah, Abraham, plus the angels and all the others are cheering us on every minute according to the book of Hebrews 11-12.
I compiled these prayers to help get you out of debt. I'm constantly amazed at the testimonies of those who actually follow the instructions and pray the prayers.
I'm going to be offering them as an e-course in seven installments shortly.
Meanwhile, accept this 1st installment - and if you do the prayer WELL - you'll soon have an occasion to testify that God indeed still answers prayers.
When you pray these prayers well,
* You'll know you that God wants you out of debt... into abundance.
* You'll recognize divine opportunities when the Holy Spirit presents them to you.
* You'll know WHEN to take rapid action and WHEN to hold your peace.
* You'll know that God has the resources to back up ALL the promises He has ever made.
For your 1st installment, click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
Please accept this gift and know that GOD has already given His angels charge... to get you out of debt and into abundance!
You will succeed in Jesus' name
P.S. Others have succeeded against all odds.
It's NOW your turn!
Click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
About the Author
Prayer coach Elisha Goodman helps busy people rapidly get results - through prayer. Learn more about his two golden key secrets that get prayers answered at: http://www.firesprings.com. Check out his ebook packed with tips and strategies on how to attract a car, house, spouse or anything else you desire through prayer - almost everytime you pray at http://www.firesprings.com/prayer.htm
How would you like to be debt-free in 10 days or less?
Do you ever have those days where you just don't feel like getting out of bed?
Where you feel discouraged, that your christian journey is too long, too hard, and that maybe, just maybe, this whole thing of praying and expecting answers is like the
land of OZ and it only exists in stories?
Do you ever feel like you're all alone and you just can't do it, that maybe you won't ever be able to see the answers to your prayers?
Do you ever just wonder why you try?
Doreen, one of my readers says yes, she does.
In fact this morning she woke up and just really DID NOT want to get to work.
She didn't feel like thanking God.
She didn't feel like getting out of bed.
She didn't feel like praying at all.
She started asking herself all those ugly little doubtful questions...
Then she stopped and said, "This isn't like me. This feels crappy - I do NOT like this one bit!"
So she popped open her Bible and she just started flipping through.
Before long the Holy Spirit was answering her own questions...
No she's not alone.
Of course she can do it.
Yes she deserves to be debt-free because that's where God wants her to be.
Who is she?
She's a child of the Most High God, the possessor of the heavens and the earth.
And who are you ?
You're a joint heir with Christ, who is the first born among many brethren!
Do you deserve to be debt-free? Do you deserve all the success and prosperity you desire?
YES YOU DO!
Now I know you get discouraged too - we all get discouraged - and that's why I started this email like this.
We all have those days where we just don't seem to get it together... and it feels like things will never change.
But the truth of the matter is, we have important things to do in the world - for the LORD.
YOU have important things to do in the world... that's why GOD brought you here.
To help us along the journey, God so graciously gave us His immortal Word. It works for all times and all seasons. For all peoples.
And more - He gave us His Holy Spirit ... to comfort us, help us, teach us, direct us!!!
When you feel like you are the Lone Ranger out against the world, you grab the Holy Scriptures for its words of inspiration from our father and you see the example of others who've been there before.
As soon as you open it Joseph, David, Hannah, Sarah, Jabez, Mary, Elizabeth, and dozens of others - ordinary men and women in the bible - are standing there
screaming and yelling, cheering you on, giving you the encouragement and support you need to carry on.
It's a very powerful feeling to be able to pick it up and flip through just a few pages and remember why we're alive and what we're here to do. Remember that we're here for a divine purpose, that we can fulfil it, that we HAVE to fulfil it... all by His grace and power.
You see the saints that have gone ahead of us - David, Joseph, Esther, Hannah, Abraham, plus the angels and all the others are cheering us on every minute according to the book of Hebrews 11-12.
I compiled these prayers to help get you out of debt. I'm constantly amazed at the testimonies of those who actually follow the instructions and pray the prayers.
I'm going to be offering them as an e-course in seven installments shortly.
Meanwhile, accept this 1st installment - and if you do the prayer WELL - you'll soon have an occasion to testify that God indeed still answers prayers.
When you pray these prayers well,
* You'll know you that God wants you out of debt... into abundance.
* You'll recognize divine opportunities when the Holy Spirit presents them to you.
* You'll know WHEN to take rapid action and WHEN to hold your peace.
* You'll know that God has the resources to back up ALL the promises He has ever made.
For your 1st installment, click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
Please accept this gift and know that GOD has already given His angels charge... to get you out of debt and into abundance!
You will succeed in Jesus' name
P.S. Others have succeeded against all odds.
It's NOW your turn!
Click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
About the Author
Prayer coach Elisha Goodman helps busy people rapidly get results - through prayer. Learn more about his two golden key secrets that get prayers answered at: http://www.firesprings.com. Check out his ebook packed with tips and strategies on how to attract a car, house, spouse or anything else you desire through prayer - almost everytime you pray at http://www.firesprings.com/prayer.htm
Overconsumption: America's Guiding Principle by Virginia Bola, PsyD
America is a nation based on the principle of over-consumption. We entered a pristine new world bursting with natural resources, long-drained from the old countries we had left. We plundered the hidden wealth of gold, and silver, and oil. We hunted the great herds of bison close to extinction. We dammed the great rivers, bridged the bays, polluted the seacoasts, and instantly felled tress that had taken centuries to mature.
And when we had done, we looked around the world with our voracious appetite, to see what else we could get our hands on. We consume the rest of the world's natural wealth with a terrifying, rapacious attitude: oil, natural gas, timber, steel, rubber, production goods, textiles, automobiles. A major portion of the earth's resources flow into the ever-open maw of the United States.
Can we ever change direction and find a balance between development and conservation?
Diminishing our consumption is going to be painful. It means giving up our spacious SUVs for hybrids. It means adjusting our thermostats to save energy when we would rather be comfortable. It means giving up our luscious steaks and burgers for beans, and rice, and vegetables.
We don't deal well with pain (just check out the analgesic aisle at your local drugstore). We don't deal well with discomfort (that's why we love our central heating and air conditioning). We don't deal well with deprivation (that's why we carry trillions of dollars in consumer debt). We don't deal well with moderation (that's why we're obese).
Can any culture, entrenched in its traditions and beliefs, make a concerted decision to change directions?
It can. Look at the changes wrought by the Reformation, the Renaissance, the age of exploration, the industrial revolution. African culture was forever changed by colonization, India transformed under the Raj, and the great civilizations of South America absorbed and redirected by Spain and Portugal.
America has a choice: it can transform itself through its own deliberate efforts or wait for outside forces (the depletion of oil, the greenhouse effect, the rise of anarchy in starving countries, the development and transmission of ever more virulent diseases) to mandate such a change.
To manage, control, and contain such change, we need to take, individually and collectively, critical actions now.
1.Conservation.
The government is charged with managing our natural resources and enormous tracts of rich land and forests. We may pressure our representatives to protect our environment but we abdicate our personal responsibility when we rely solely on government action.
As individuals, we can take steps, usually uncomfortable and often painful, to clean up our private environment. We can trade in our gas guzzlers for small, efficient, compacts. We can recycle our containers and packages and refuse to buy anything that contains Styrofoam or other non-biodegradable materials. We can pick up the litter that clogs our highways and rivers and beaches. We can adjust the temperature in our homes and offices. We can cut our food consumption in half to allow more food for the rest of the world. We can limit ourselves to two children per couple to reduce the population explosion that threatens not only the environment but our future lifestyle. We can direct our money and our business into companies that focus on green power, efficiency, and "smaller is better" planning. We can learn to live in less space and reward contractors who build smaller, earth-friendly homes instead of wasteful mansions. WE can learn to live in harmony with our neighbors by turning off our boomboxes and incessant cellular telephones to create quiet pools of serenity.
2.Reduced Demand.
The world of commerce exists to meet the demands of consumers, that is how companies make money. To keep making more and more money, new demands must be created. That demand is cleverly generated by the advertising gurus and marketers who have created a throw-away society where everything must be constantly replaced and products just a year or two old are considered outdated and useless.
As individuals, we can fight this money-producing yet ultimately destructive current. We can keep our cars until they wear out. We can update our electronic dfevices instead of replacing them. We can go back to actually repairing things - shoes, appliances, clothes, jewelry, buildings -instead of merely throwing them away into the ever-growing refiuse dumps and oceans and replacing them. WE can develop an attitude that gives social status and personal reinforcement to those who elect NOT to keep up with the Joneses. We can impart social stigmatism to those who exhibit conspicuous consumption and disregard for the environmental rights of all. And we can set self-imposed limits on ourselves by electing not to grab everything we want and learn to focus on what we need.
3.Balance.
We are all familiar with the concept of pork barrel politics. It is an extension of our personal beliefs that we're entitled to something, even at the expense of others who want the same thing. We would all love regulations that control the actions of others that annoy us: "They should outlaw that . . . There oughta be a law . . . Why doesn't somebody stop them? . . ." However, when a law is proposed against something we enjoy, we fight tooth and nail to retain our rights and privileges.
For example, a non-golfer can make a very convincing argument that courses and country clubs are an unconscionable waste of valuable land, used only by the few who can afford to belong, which could be must more efficiently utilized for affordable housing or public parks. An avid golfer would be aghast at the thought of no more rolling greens peppered with little cups.
It's the old "not in MY backyard" way of thinking. Let's build more prisons, but not here. Let's create safe houses for the homeless and mentally ill, just not on my block. Let's build more airports to ease the congestion, but don't take off over my house. Let's build a super dump for our contaminated garbage, but not in my state.
We are willing to go along with almost anything as long as it doesn't infringe on our personal territory. We can develop a more balanced view when we realize that everything is everyone's territory. We share the same planet, the same finite resources, the same wants and needs.
When we move into such a collective mode, we can abandon our long-held territoriality and start to make collective decisions about what is most effective and logical for the most people.
The demand to share the pie equally usually comes from those who have no pie. If the person who already has the largest piece on their plate decides to put it back and share evenly with all, the meal, and the world, can be transformed.
About the Author
Virginia Bola is a licensed clinical psychologist with deep interests in Social Psychology and politics. She has performed therapeutic services for more than 20 years and has studied the effects of cultural forces and employment on the individual. The author of an interactive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://drvirginiabola.blogspot.com
And when we had done, we looked around the world with our voracious appetite, to see what else we could get our hands on. We consume the rest of the world's natural wealth with a terrifying, rapacious attitude: oil, natural gas, timber, steel, rubber, production goods, textiles, automobiles. A major portion of the earth's resources flow into the ever-open maw of the United States.
Can we ever change direction and find a balance between development and conservation?
Diminishing our consumption is going to be painful. It means giving up our spacious SUVs for hybrids. It means adjusting our thermostats to save energy when we would rather be comfortable. It means giving up our luscious steaks and burgers for beans, and rice, and vegetables.
We don't deal well with pain (just check out the analgesic aisle at your local drugstore). We don't deal well with discomfort (that's why we love our central heating and air conditioning). We don't deal well with deprivation (that's why we carry trillions of dollars in consumer debt). We don't deal well with moderation (that's why we're obese).
Can any culture, entrenched in its traditions and beliefs, make a concerted decision to change directions?
It can. Look at the changes wrought by the Reformation, the Renaissance, the age of exploration, the industrial revolution. African culture was forever changed by colonization, India transformed under the Raj, and the great civilizations of South America absorbed and redirected by Spain and Portugal.
America has a choice: it can transform itself through its own deliberate efforts or wait for outside forces (the depletion of oil, the greenhouse effect, the rise of anarchy in starving countries, the development and transmission of ever more virulent diseases) to mandate such a change.
To manage, control, and contain such change, we need to take, individually and collectively, critical actions now.
1.Conservation.
The government is charged with managing our natural resources and enormous tracts of rich land and forests. We may pressure our representatives to protect our environment but we abdicate our personal responsibility when we rely solely on government action.
As individuals, we can take steps, usually uncomfortable and often painful, to clean up our private environment. We can trade in our gas guzzlers for small, efficient, compacts. We can recycle our containers and packages and refuse to buy anything that contains Styrofoam or other non-biodegradable materials. We can pick up the litter that clogs our highways and rivers and beaches. We can adjust the temperature in our homes and offices. We can cut our food consumption in half to allow more food for the rest of the world. We can limit ourselves to two children per couple to reduce the population explosion that threatens not only the environment but our future lifestyle. We can direct our money and our business into companies that focus on green power, efficiency, and "smaller is better" planning. We can learn to live in less space and reward contractors who build smaller, earth-friendly homes instead of wasteful mansions. WE can learn to live in harmony with our neighbors by turning off our boomboxes and incessant cellular telephones to create quiet pools of serenity.
2.Reduced Demand.
The world of commerce exists to meet the demands of consumers, that is how companies make money. To keep making more and more money, new demands must be created. That demand is cleverly generated by the advertising gurus and marketers who have created a throw-away society where everything must be constantly replaced and products just a year or two old are considered outdated and useless.
As individuals, we can fight this money-producing yet ultimately destructive current. We can keep our cars until they wear out. We can update our electronic dfevices instead of replacing them. We can go back to actually repairing things - shoes, appliances, clothes, jewelry, buildings -instead of merely throwing them away into the ever-growing refiuse dumps and oceans and replacing them. WE can develop an attitude that gives social status and personal reinforcement to those who elect NOT to keep up with the Joneses. We can impart social stigmatism to those who exhibit conspicuous consumption and disregard for the environmental rights of all. And we can set self-imposed limits on ourselves by electing not to grab everything we want and learn to focus on what we need.
3.Balance.
We are all familiar with the concept of pork barrel politics. It is an extension of our personal beliefs that we're entitled to something, even at the expense of others who want the same thing. We would all love regulations that control the actions of others that annoy us: "They should outlaw that . . . There oughta be a law . . . Why doesn't somebody stop them? . . ." However, when a law is proposed against something we enjoy, we fight tooth and nail to retain our rights and privileges.
For example, a non-golfer can make a very convincing argument that courses and country clubs are an unconscionable waste of valuable land, used only by the few who can afford to belong, which could be must more efficiently utilized for affordable housing or public parks. An avid golfer would be aghast at the thought of no more rolling greens peppered with little cups.
It's the old "not in MY backyard" way of thinking. Let's build more prisons, but not here. Let's create safe houses for the homeless and mentally ill, just not on my block. Let's build more airports to ease the congestion, but don't take off over my house. Let's build a super dump for our contaminated garbage, but not in my state.
We are willing to go along with almost anything as long as it doesn't infringe on our personal territory. We can develop a more balanced view when we realize that everything is everyone's territory. We share the same planet, the same finite resources, the same wants and needs.
When we move into such a collective mode, we can abandon our long-held territoriality and start to make collective decisions about what is most effective and logical for the most people.
The demand to share the pie equally usually comes from those who have no pie. If the person who already has the largest piece on their plate decides to put it back and share evenly with all, the meal, and the world, can be transformed.
About the Author
Virginia Bola is a licensed clinical psychologist with deep interests in Social Psychology and politics. She has performed therapeutic services for more than 20 years and has studied the effects of cultural forces and employment on the individual. The author of an interactive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://drvirginiabola.blogspot.com
Pray off your debts - in 10 days or less by Elisha Goodman
It will all be clear in a minute, but first I have to ask you...
How would you like to be debt-free in 10 days or less?
Do you ever have those days where you just don't feel like getting out of bed?
Where you feel discouraged, that your christian journey is too long, too hard, and that maybe, just maybe, this whole thing of praying and expecting answers is like the
land of OZ and it only exists in stories?
Do you ever feel like you're all alone and you just can't do it, that maybe you won't ever be able to see the answers to your prayers?
Do you ever just wonder why you try?
Doreen, one of my readers says yes, she does.
In fact this morning she woke up and just really DID NOT want to get to work.
She didn't feel like thanking God.
She didn't feel like getting out of bed.
She didn't feel like praying at all.
She started asking herself all those ugly little doubtful questions...
Then she stopped and said, "This isn't like me. This feels crappy - I do NOT like this one bit!"
So she popped open her Bible and she just started flipping through.
Before long the Holy Spirit was answering her own questions...
No she's not alone.
Of course she can do it.
Yes she deserves to be debt-free because that's where God wants her to be.
Who is she?
She's a child of the Most High God, the possessor of the heavens and the earth.
And who are you ?
You're a joint heir with Christ, who is the first born among many brethren!
Do you deserve to be debt-free? Do you deserve all the success and prosperity you desire?
YES YOU DO!
Now I know you get discouraged too - we all get discouraged - and that's why I started this email like this.
We all have those days where we just don't seem to get it together... and it feels like things will never change.
But the truth of the matter is, we have important things to do in the world - for the LORD.
YOU have important things to do in the world... that's why GOD brought you here.
To help us along the journey, God so graciously gave us His immortal Word. It works for all times and all seasons. For all peoples.
And more - He gave us His Holy Spirit ... to comfort us, help us, teach us, direct us!!!
When you feel like you are the Lone Ranger out against the world, you grab the Holy Scriptures for its words of inspiration from our father and you see the example of others who've been there before.
As soon as you open it Joseph, David, Hannah, Sarah, Jabez, Mary, Elizabeth, and dozens of others - ordinary men and women in the bible - are standing there
screaming and yelling, cheering you on, giving you the encouragement and support you need to carry on.
It's a very powerful feeling to be able to pick it up and flip through just a few pages and remember why we're alive and what we're here to do. Remember that we're here for a divine purpose, that we can fulfil it, that we HAVE to fulfil it... all by His grace and power.
You see the saints that have gone ahead of us - David, Joseph, Esther, Hannah, Abraham, plus the angels and all the others are cheering us on every minute according to the book of Hebrews 11-12.
I compiled these prayers to help get you out of debt. I'm constantly amazed at the testimonies of those who actually follow the instructions and pray the prayers.
I'm going to be offering them as an e-course in seven installments shortly.
Meanwhile, accept this 1st installment - and if you do the prayer WELL - you'll soon have an occasion to testify that God indeed still answers prayers.
When you pray these prayers well,
* You'll know you that God wants you out of debt... into abundance.
* You'll recognize divine opportunities when the Holy Spirit presents them to you.
* You'll know WHEN to take rapid action and WHEN to hold your peace.
* You'll know that God has the resources to back up ALL the promises He has ever made.
For your 1st installment, click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
Please accept this gift and know that GOD has already given His angels charge... to get you out of debt and into abundance!
You will succeed in Jesus' name
P.S. Others have succeeded against all odds. It's NOW your turn!
Click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
About the Author
Prayer coach Elisha Goodman helps busy people rapidly get results - through prayer. Learn more about his two golden key secrets that get prayers answered at: http://www.firesprings.com. Check out his ebook packed with tips and strategies on how to attract a car, house, spouse or anything else you desire through prayer - almost everytime you pray at http://www.firesprings.com/prayer.htm
How would you like to be debt-free in 10 days or less?
Do you ever have those days where you just don't feel like getting out of bed?
Where you feel discouraged, that your christian journey is too long, too hard, and that maybe, just maybe, this whole thing of praying and expecting answers is like the
land of OZ and it only exists in stories?
Do you ever feel like you're all alone and you just can't do it, that maybe you won't ever be able to see the answers to your prayers?
Do you ever just wonder why you try?
Doreen, one of my readers says yes, she does.
In fact this morning she woke up and just really DID NOT want to get to work.
She didn't feel like thanking God.
She didn't feel like getting out of bed.
She didn't feel like praying at all.
She started asking herself all those ugly little doubtful questions...
Then she stopped and said, "This isn't like me. This feels crappy - I do NOT like this one bit!"
So she popped open her Bible and she just started flipping through.
Before long the Holy Spirit was answering her own questions...
No she's not alone.
Of course she can do it.
Yes she deserves to be debt-free because that's where God wants her to be.
Who is she?
She's a child of the Most High God, the possessor of the heavens and the earth.
And who are you ?
You're a joint heir with Christ, who is the first born among many brethren!
Do you deserve to be debt-free? Do you deserve all the success and prosperity you desire?
YES YOU DO!
Now I know you get discouraged too - we all get discouraged - and that's why I started this email like this.
We all have those days where we just don't seem to get it together... and it feels like things will never change.
But the truth of the matter is, we have important things to do in the world - for the LORD.
YOU have important things to do in the world... that's why GOD brought you here.
To help us along the journey, God so graciously gave us His immortal Word. It works for all times and all seasons. For all peoples.
And more - He gave us His Holy Spirit ... to comfort us, help us, teach us, direct us!!!
When you feel like you are the Lone Ranger out against the world, you grab the Holy Scriptures for its words of inspiration from our father and you see the example of others who've been there before.
As soon as you open it Joseph, David, Hannah, Sarah, Jabez, Mary, Elizabeth, and dozens of others - ordinary men and women in the bible - are standing there
screaming and yelling, cheering you on, giving you the encouragement and support you need to carry on.
It's a very powerful feeling to be able to pick it up and flip through just a few pages and remember why we're alive and what we're here to do. Remember that we're here for a divine purpose, that we can fulfil it, that we HAVE to fulfil it... all by His grace and power.
You see the saints that have gone ahead of us - David, Joseph, Esther, Hannah, Abraham, plus the angels and all the others are cheering us on every minute according to the book of Hebrews 11-12.
I compiled these prayers to help get you out of debt. I'm constantly amazed at the testimonies of those who actually follow the instructions and pray the prayers.
I'm going to be offering them as an e-course in seven installments shortly.
Meanwhile, accept this 1st installment - and if you do the prayer WELL - you'll soon have an occasion to testify that God indeed still answers prayers.
When you pray these prayers well,
* You'll know you that God wants you out of debt... into abundance.
* You'll recognize divine opportunities when the Holy Spirit presents them to you.
* You'll know WHEN to take rapid action and WHEN to hold your peace.
* You'll know that God has the resources to back up ALL the promises He has ever made.
For your 1st installment, click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
Please accept this gift and know that GOD has already given His angels charge... to get you out of debt and into abundance!
You will succeed in Jesus' name
P.S. Others have succeeded against all odds. It's NOW your turn!
Click on:
http://www.firesprings.com/debtfree1.htm
About the Author
Prayer coach Elisha Goodman helps busy people rapidly get results - through prayer. Learn more about his two golden key secrets that get prayers answered at: http://www.firesprings.com. Check out his ebook packed with tips and strategies on how to attract a car, house, spouse or anything else you desire through prayer - almost everytime you pray at http://www.firesprings.com/prayer.htm
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