Finance & Business Information

Understanding the 4 Sides of Finance

2009-06-21T03:48:00.000-07:00

There are 4 components of finances: assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Everything in your financial world falls under these 4 categories. Each of these categories is further divided into accounts - each of which is just a way of tracking certain activities. For example, a 'checking account' is just an asset stored at the bank and a log of the deposits and withdrawals out of that asset.

Assets are things of value that you own. Things such as your house, a portfolio of stocks, a mortgage that you collect on, an IRA account are all assets. The value on your assets may rise or fall, but they are still assets. The best kind of assets is income-producing assets since these assets produce a regular income for you.

Liabilities are debts. Usually these are the result of somebody else giving you one of their assets with the expectation that you will give it back to them. For example, a mortgage that you pay on (your liability) was money that the lender had (their asset) and they gave it to you so that you could buy your house (your asset). The lender wants their asset back and they want some interest (their income, your expense) along with it

Income is value derived from something that you did (wages) or from one of your assets (rent or interest). Most income is in the form of money, but it could be in the form of credit. Credit is really an asset, so this kind of income came as an 'idea of money' that you deposited into an asset account.

Expenses are value that you expend. This value is usually in the form of money and comes from either an income account, an asset account or it adds to a liability account.

Imagine that you are standing in a room with 4 walls - each wall is full of little mailboxes. Each wall represents one of the 4 components and each mailbox is an account. When you open the mailbox called 'wage' on the Income wall and pull out your gross pay, you need to put some of the money into a mailbox called 'Taxes' on the Expense wall and the rest can go into a mailbox called 'Checking Account' on the Asset wall. Each check you write is pulling money out of the 'Checking Account' mailbox on the Asset wall and putting the money into some other mailbox on one of the 4 walls. I originally heard this metaphor from Mike Butler (www.MikeButlerSuccess.com)

Raising Responsible Debtors - Money and Kids

2009-06-21T03:43:00.001-07:00

My six-year-old picks up every coin he finds and puts it in a cup with color-crayon drawings of Sonic the Hedgehog around it. It's his "Game Stop Cup". He's saving his money for a video game for his Wii. I can't take much credit for this. He wanted a new video game and decided to be resourceful about it. So, when change accidentally falls out of my pockets, there he is to pick it up.

The five-year-old, on the other hand, lives in the moment. She taped her dollar bill to the wall so she could "watch it". Her logic amuses me. Her method of getting what she wants from the store is asking 25 times and wearing me down. We have some work to do.

The twelve-year-old has no problem saving. She'd much rather spend someone else's money, though. When she's forced to use her own money, she'll think twice about whether the item is worthy enough to buy.

I remember being in seventh grade when a teacher asked us how many of us had bank accounts. My first thought was, "What a stupid question. We're kids". Then, more than half of the class raised their hands. Since my late teens, when I was working and did open a checking account, I struggled with managing my finances. My parents were buried in financial trouble so I took to figuring out money management on my own. I was terrible at it.

In our country's current financial state, we need to find ourselves obligated to teaching our children the absolute importance of financial management. At all ages, there are opportunities for teaching lessons. A perfect lesson opportunity: My middle child, when he was a bit younger, wanted something that I told him I didn't have the money to get. He casually advised that we should go to the store and get the money from the person who gives it to us. He was referring to the cashier who hands us our change or cash back on debit purchases.

I then spent a few minutes explaining the purchase transaction process. Our kids do need to know what's going on. They don't need to be made aware of every household bill or be concerned if money's tight. They should, however, understand that leaving the lights on causes the electric bill to go up and that this can have consequences on your ability to buy them things; cause and effect.

Issuing an allowance is one of the best ways to teach our kids about financial management. Allowance can be based on good behavior at home and/or in school as well as on household chores. Create a chart, offering a visual aid of their progress. Help them set up a way to save their money.

For older kids and teens, open a student checking account. You usually have visibility into the account (I recommend ensuring the account you set up allows for that). Ensure your kids are properly taught about how to utilize their debit card and managing their spending to avoid fees.

A very important lesson to teach your teen is about credit card management. Credit card companies are infamous for granting credit to college students, employed or not. Many young adults are not equipped with financial know-how and spend like they have free money, creating financial disaster. By teaching them how to utilize a credit card, you're giving them the opportunity to build a strong credit profile for future use. The Visa Buxx card is a great tool for this lesson.

As a generation that typically loves to spend more than we can afford, we should be passing on the lesson that it's much better to live within your means. Remind our kids (and ourselves) of what's really important and deserving of our hard-earned money. We need the next generation to do a much better job than we have. Somehow, everything in our lives needs to be super-sized these days: food, cars, jewelry - not to mention the size of our debt. Where did we get that from? Our kids are watching us. We need to lead by example also.

Krissie Hudson aka The Debt Mommy is the founder of Marie-Daniel Consultation Services, a do-it-yourself debt settlement service. As a mother to three, she understands the challenges of raising a family in today's economy. She offers advice for families on her blog. Ms. Hudson utilizes her industry-related experience to advocate for consumers. A popular quote of hers is, "Stop letting financial institutions live their American dreams off of your hard-earned dollars".

With her company's concentration being on do-it-yourself debt settlement, Marie-Daniel Consultation Services offers personalized guidance to individuals interested in learning how to effectively settle debts with their creditors. Consultants offer an overall analysis of clients' financial situation, suggesting alternate routes that may be a better option.

When not working or researching, Ms. Hudson is spending time with her children, watching Law & Order or shopping at the nearest Wal-Mart.

Find a Finance Analyst

2009-05-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

An individual can ensure his financial well-being by adding to the stock of wealth that (s)he already possesses. For that to happen, a steady flow of income is necessary. But, how exactly can this income be utilized to earn further profits? One of the best ways to earn rich financial rewards is by investing money in the financial markets. However, the process is not as simple as it sounds. Financial markets, typically, require investors to take such decisions that would be profitable, over an extended period of time. The services of experts come in extremely useful at this juncture. A professional can help you avoid the potential pitfalls of money markets, and earn a handsome profit from your investments.

Finding an expert trading analyst is not a tough task either. One simply has to browse through a financial services business directories. Such directories would have the names and business descriptions of the top financial analysts in your locality. Potential investors can easily compare the services offered by multiple local finance firms, and hire the services of the firm whose services appear to be the most suitable.

The services offered by a finance analyst can also be segregated into different classes. Each of these classes cater to distinct and specific needs of investors. Certified financial planning, retirement planning, personal finance planning and estate planning are some of the major separate and specialized types of financial services that are available. Hence, individuals need to be absolutely certain of the type of financial help that they require. The services of finance firms come with a price tag, and the correct trading analyst should be hired, so that the benefits obtained are worth the charged fee amounts.

It is highly advisable that investors should consult analysts before taking any major investment decision. These finance experts are highly qualified in these fields, and as such, are at a much better position to judge the potentialities of an investment option, than their clients. Hence, if you have made up your mind to invest your income in the financial markets, consult a financial services directory to locate an expert financial analyst near you. Once you hire the services of a professional, the chances of actually attaining your financial targets goes up manifold, while potential losses can be averted as well.

Are you looking for a financial professional, but not sure how to choose one? If you don't have the time to conduct thorough research about financial planners fill out a short form and let our advisors contact you. Our experienced consultants will send you the names of advisors who are qualified and willing to help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sambit_Sahoo

4 New Ways to Clip Coupons

2009-05-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

If you are tired of clipping and organizing coupons from the Sunday newspaper supplements, or you do not seem to be able to keep track of the coupons sent to you in the mail, here are four news ways that your can get coupons, almost any time you want.

1. Online coupons.

Online coupons are all over the place. They are in the form of coupon codes, which you just insert into a retailer's purchase form and get the discount immediately. Or free printable coupons that you download and take with you to the advertiser to redeem for their value. Both are great ways to get coupons and are available 224 hours a day, 7 days a week. All you do is type in your address bar or Google if you like, the type of coupon you are looking for and up will come a number of options.
If you just type in the word coupon or if you are from Chicago like I am, type in the words " Chicago Coupons", and up will come various coupon sites that you can take advantage of.

These nice thing about online coupons is that the places where you find them are always updating their offers, so the content is fresh, most offers are available, the coupons a free, and almost all coupons have bar codes and tracking devices, so you do not have to worry anymore about their authenticity.

2. Mobile coupons.

There is a new service offered now, where coupon offers can be texted to your cell phone. You just bring your cell phone into the store or restaurant, so them the offer on your cell phone screen and redeem it. This is a very easy service to use. All you have to do is subscribe with you name, email address, telephone provider service, and telephone number. This service is currently free and the only thing you will have to pay for is data usage charges on your cell phone. The deals and codes you may receive are national or local. You can get deals on everything from fast food hamburgers to fill up your stomach to cheaper gas to fill up your car.

3. Loaded Reward Cards.

A relatively new technology makes it possible for retailers to load rewards and monetary discounts onto a plastic card that looks just like a gift card. It has the company's logo and usually shows the monetary award right on the face of the card. Grocery stores also have cards where you can load food and beverage discounts right on the card and use them at the checkout counter.

4. Coupon Kiosks.

Now customers can take their reward card and print out coupons right in th store at in-store coupon kiosks. The coupons are based on a customer's past spending habits, how often he buys, and how much he spends. At certain stores, customers can look up coupon codes on interactive coupon kiosks and send them via text message to their cell phone. This employs the technology in item 2 above.

The retailers are finally understanding that coupons help create loyal customers and are smart additions to a professional marketing campaign. As time goes on, it is going to be easier and easier to get coupons either online, or in the stores. It appears that the days of people getting the Sunday newspaper and clipping away are numbered. It will always be an option for people who have made it a hobby, but for the majority the new ways of getting coupons will flourish.

Joel Helfer is an online advertising expert. He is a creative teacher, who shows you how to create compelling online and offline offers. He has 40 years business experience and has been involved in several successful businesses. He can be reached at helfer217@aol.com. Search his website at http://www.rewardchicago.com/

They May Not Be a Scam Or Fraud, But Are They Really Free?

2009-05-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of adverts out there promising us FREE CREDIT REPORTS. It bugs me - because the way I see it, Free Credit Reports don't seem to exist. If anything, I believe it could be viewed as a make money scam employed by hardnosed Credit Report companies.

Firstly, we fall for their seductive but despised pop ups, which obviously must cost them a fortune as they appear everywhere. Following that, when we have completed our personal details, we then have to provide them with our banking information before they part with any information in return.

These companies claim that the information is to verify our identity, but I am questioning whether it is just a means of introducing recurring billing? If You Google the definition of Recurring Billing it says ...Transactions for which a cardholder grants permission to the merchant to periodically charge his account number for recurring goods or services...

As so many individuals forget to cancel their subscription, we might not realise that our credit cards will start to have been charged, normally on a monthly basis, but in some cases twice per month. I will expand on this in my next contribution. Therefore, it can take quite a while before we realise we have been charged for this service, and by then, it is too late. What a great way for these Free Credit Report companies to generate income out of our forgetfulness. Absolutely dreadful!

In these troubled times of financial insecurity, we are more open to so called free offers, but if there was more competition out there, and tighter legislation was introduced, we may all benefit from a fairer deal.

Now that I have got this off my chest, I would caution that if companies are stating that their service is FREE, then, unfortunately, it probably is not, as there will be a catch involved. These companies are here to protect us and our finances, and are there to ensure we are not caught out by Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft, Cheque Fraud, or any other type of Internet Fraud. However, these sort of services can be seen by some as a SCAM in itself!

So not only are we potentially paying for this Free Service, but we have to offer them our credit card details as well! I say we should not have to part with our credit card details, immediately as this service is supposed to be FREE. Examples of their typical Terms and Conditions can read...after your 10-day FREE trial period it's just £24.95 per month. Remember, you can call us within the first 10 days to cancel, and you will not be charged the £24.95. To ensure continuous service, at the end of your trial period your membership will be automatically charged each month at the then-current membership fee...

As well as the potential of recurring billing, we also have to experience their poor levels of service and occasional monumental mistakes. These mistakes can have a massive impact on our future financial ratings. I will expand on this in my next publication, but until then, and above all, please remember to cancel your subscription, or YOU WILL BE CHARGED!

Dr Caroline Coats became a victim of an internet online cv scam . She is now trying to make a difference and raise public awareness of the true levels of internet fraud. The site publishes victims stories and loads more........ Visit http://www.cyberfraud.org.uk/ Email the author at info@cyberfraud.org.uk

Debt and the Single Parent in These Tough Economic Times

2009-05-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

If you are a single parent in these tough economic times, the financial climate can be a little stressful. Finding ways to solve your financial problems due to immediate needs is not easy to solve due to all the competition in the workplace. The type of jobs that a single parent would take on a part time basis to get through are becoming more and more scarce due to job competition from others seeking employment. Keeping up with the bills is harder if you also have late payments which can add additional costs that were not there before.

It is harder to pay for the immediate needs of children if there are insufficient funds due to today's economic climate. Pooling resources with other single parents is one way that can be helpful. Babysitting services can be shared if one is working and the other is at home. This will help in the long run if there can be a shared sense of responsibility that can be worked out between the two single parents. I have two friends now who do this on a regular basis. A sense of financial stability is vital for children to grow up with a sense of security.

Sometimes, two single parents get together and find a real bond between each other and end up getting married. I have a friend that I went to school with that met a lady with a little girl. They worked together and shared responsibility and decided to get married because they had so much in common. They are still married today. This is one of those great stories that you never hear about because of all the negative feedback we are all receiving from the news media.

Debt management is tough when you are a single parent. Credit cards have made it so easy to get deep in debt and now we are all paying for this mistake. I blame the Credit Card Companies for all their advertising to encourage people to spend non-existent money. Remember that Credit Card commercial that everyone was charging their purchase in the line and one person was using cash and the music changed.. The Credit Card companies commercial implied that using their card was fast and smart but using cash was slow and stupid. Do you see anymore of those commercials today, the answer is no because the Credit Card companies are losing money due to defaults of creditors. Remember Cash is King and will always be.

In conclusion, the first step on the road to financial stability for a single parent is debt management. Working together with other single parents can help get you thru times like this and give your children a sense of financial security. Occasionally, two single parents really hit it off, get married and have a fairy tale ending. So there is light at the end of the tunnel for some of us. Debt management takes prudence and discipline for success to help end the quandary of debt mismanagement. Last of all, Cash is King and will always be.

To learn more about your money and credit tips, visit our website at http://www.mortgage230.com or http://www.debt23.com
Ron Lovell is available as a professional speaker to help educate your community or group function on the effects of Financial Stability.

Know Your Sources For Getting Free Government Grants

2009-05-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

is a reliable source of information on free government grants. Once you register yourself, you can apply online. A word of caution to those internet savvy user, do make sure that the federal government websites are updated.

A comprehensive list of federal grants is published in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The CFDA offers the complete listing of the state and local governments. You can lay hands on a copy of the CFDA listing at most libraries. The other easy source is the online site of the CFDA.

Grant Resources And Information

There are also many books, manuals and software CDs available in the market that give information related to free grants. It is advised that people exercise caution while resorting to such resources. One way to ensure genuineness of the information is look for the background of the author(s) and/or the company that present these resources. Apart from the CFDA, a good source of information is the federal government's registry on grant funds. Signing up for newsletters from these agencies is also a good way to keep you updated on grants and grant related information. With the new government's housing rescue plan, the mortgage rates are expected to go down. The rescue plans' free grants will also help those looking for housing grants. You could make free grant applications right away to avail the benefits. Contact the local housing authority to get more details on the options, eligibility and privileges that are currently offered for free grants.

Government grants are used for many reasons and by many different people. Small business owners, college students, people in debt, and many more people like you need government grants. You may also need tips on writing free government grant applications. For even more help and information read about how government grants for small businesses is the perfect way to get off the ground,

Saving is the New Spending

2009-05-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

A little four letter word has society gripping wallets tightly and examining budgets closely. Yes, it's the dreaded term, debt! Car payments, loan payments, mortgages, and more all hovering, and threatening to collapse along with the failing economy. Needless to say, there has never been a better time to reassess your finances. But, you can be the one pulling ahead, in spite of the economic climate. Just imagine the feeling of owning everything in your life without the help of credit and without the stress of debt.

If this seems like a distant dream, then turn your dream into a goal you can reach instead! The success behind financial freedom begins with changing the way you perceive your money. Mastering your money goes hand in hand with better money management and financial planning. Ultimately, our dreams become reality when we stay focused on our goals. Join the thousands of families and individuals who have envisioned a better quality of life and persevered through financial instability.
In the past, having an abundance of material wealth was typically something to be envied. For many years, we used our earnings to instantly have more money, to stretch our income in every direction with the help of credit. If we wanted more money for more possessions, we would simply apply for credit cards. Now, with the economic circumstances, people are taking a second look at what wealth truly is. Terms such as invest, conserve, and save, are used constantly in everyday vocabulary and conversation. We are taking time to reevaluate our finances, so we can understand their full potential.

Today, the pressure of succumbing to unnecessary credit card debt is stronger than ever. However, by assessing every facet of your finances, including taxes and budgets, you can identify the need for responsible financial progression and start by increasing your net worth. More importantly, you shouldn't wait until your only option is a credit counseling service or even a loan program. Take full control through an easy step by step process and implement a budget system yourself! All it takes is you becoming more aware of your spending and living within your means. If everyone would take this approach with their money, they economy might not be in such a bad condition and it would become easy to accomplish financial goals. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by being smart with your money.
Like everything in life, transforming your debt into wealth is a process. The key to achieving success is to follow specific guidelines and principles. Don't settle for instant gratification. Instead, set yourself up for a lifetime of financial freedom. Eliminate debt, reduce taxes, and maximize savings by controlling your spending. It's as simple as that. Make a budget, set up a savings account, and always pay a bit more than your minimum on credit cards. These essential tools can lead you to the life you have always wanted: minimal worries about finances, more than enough money to pay bills, an exceptional quality of life. No need for a professional accountant, pay off all your debt in a few short years and have thousands left over each month to invest in your future.

If you want to try and start saving money visit promotional products. And check out this page for free help on taxes.

Household Money Saving Tips

2009-05-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

How many of you are struggling to manage your household on only one income or a very low budget? We could all do with ways and means on how to save money on household bills and have some money left over at the end of each month, to either pay off debt, save or invest, or blow on a treat for ourselves.

Before we can start to save money we need to draw up a detailed budget, listing our income and all of our our outgoings - this is key to managing your household budget. Try and be as accurate as possible and include even the smallest of items. If you are left with a minus figure then you need to dig deeper and see what areas you may be able to cut back in.

Key areas to cut back in are food, entertainment, clothing and utilities but there are other places too. How many times do you draw money from an ATM for example? Some banks waive fees on other bank´s customers drawing from their ATMs but a lot don´t. These charges can soon mount up. If you have several outstanding debts, try and consolidate them and getter a better deal on the monthly payments.

Ways to save money in the home are to turn your thermostats down a notch, turn off lights if you are not in that room, stop leaving electrical goods on standby, utilise your oven and cook several things at once, check that your loft area is fully insulated as well, take showers instead of baths.

Also limit the use of your car. Try walking to places if at all feasible. This will get you healthy as well. If you do need to use the car try and do several jobs on one journey. Try checking out some of the deals on public transport and see how they compare to the price of using your car. These are just a few money saving tips to help you manage your budget.

Try and make these practices routine in your everyday living so that you automatically start thinking all the time of cost cutting and you will start to notice that managing your budget becomes easier in a relatively short space of time.
I run my own catering business in Spain and have found my business drop off a lot due to the economical crisis the world is experiencing. I have had to adopt a frugal lifestyle simply because I do not have the same income as I used to.

With regards to shopping and eating for less I find the way that works for me is to sit down and write a list of menus for the week, including any snacks and drinks. Then write a full list of ingredients, checking against your store cupboard. Try and find menus that utilize lots of similar ingredients so you don´t have to buy specialist foods that you won´t be needing again. Then go straight to the supermarket and stick to your list. Do not, I repeat, do not stray from the list. Do not be tempted by any special offers unless they are items already on your list and can be stored or stockpiled in your store cupboard for a period of time. Remember a bargain is only a bargain if it is something you need

General Advice on Equity Release Loans

2009-05-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

Numerous people utilise equity release loans to finance a holiday of a lifetime, pay off bills, or simply to enjoy a more secure and comfortable retirement. Whilst this type of loan may not be suitable for everyone, for many homeowners it can be an easy way to unlock the value of their homes without having to stress about repayments.
With the majority of equity release loans you have the option to receive a tax-free lump sum or have it in installments so that you are provided with a regular income for the rest of your life. If it seems like a good way of funding your retirement then here are a few things worth your consideration.

1. Ensure your eligibility because you need to be 55 or over

2. Your state benefits and tax bracket may be affected

3. Discuss it with family before making any decision as it will undoubtedly affect their inheritance

4. Get your home valued. A minimum of £50,000 is usually applicable. This can vary but will always play a part in determining how much money you can release.

5. Ask your equity specialist for a personalised illustration so you can be aware of all the costs, features and risks involved.

Equity Release Loans should be SHIP protected

An equity release loan is a massive financial commitment and so it is crucial that you are protected. Make sure you use an independent specialist that follows the regulations set out by the Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP) organisation. This means that your loan will come with a set of guarantees. These include:

* The right to move your equity release loan to another property

* The right to live in your home for as long as you wish

* You will not fall into negative equity regardless of what happens to the housing market in the future

SHIP is dedicated to protecting homeowners who take out equity release loans. It was launched in 1991 and all participating brokers will have agreed to follow the SHIP code of practice to provide a fair, simple and complete presentation of their plans.
For more information consult an independent equity release specialist.
Equity release loans are available through Age Partnership - http://www.agepartnership.co.uk

Money Saving Tips For Online Grocery Shopping

2009-05-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to save money when you are getting your groceries from an online grocery store. You will be able to save more money by shopping online and following a few tips that will come in handy. Shopping at online grocery stores will enable you the convenience that you require while allowing you more time to do other things in your life that was formerly taken up with grocery shopping.

Do comparison shopping to see which online grocery store will charge you the least amount of fees and that has the lowest prices for the actual groceries. You may see one online grocery store that offers very good fees as far as delivering your items to you, but then you will be paying more for the actual groceries so that does not make the fees the best deal after all. If you do your homework first, you will see that you can get the best prices and the best delivery charges that are available.
You will also want to check and see if the online grocery store will allow you to use your coupons while you are shopping online. This can save you a lot of money when you are shopping. You want to use your coupons when you go to a traditional brick and mortar grocery store, why would you not want to use it when you are shopping at an online grocery store?

Many of the big chain stores will allow you to use your coupons, you just need to input the coupon code and then the driver will pick up the coupons when he delivers your goods.

Keep in mind that most chain online grocery stores will offer deals for those who shop and purchase their groceries online. Look out for the deals, even if it not a product you have on your grocery list, it may be worth your time to go a head and purchase it while you are shopping in case you need the item in question in the future. By using the sales that online grocery stores offer, you can save a lot of money on your overall bill.

Watch how much you are spending when you are shopping at online grocery stores. It can be very easy to purchase more groceries than you need as you are not seeing a cart get filled up to the brim as you would if you were shopping at a brick and mortar grocery store. It can be easy to go to check out and see you have spend a hundred or more dollars than you initially planned on spending.

Do all of your grocery shopping for one month at a time. Plan a monthly menu with snacks and everything included and purchase all of your groceries at that time. Since online grocery stores typically charge a rate of anywhere between ten and twenty dollars for delivery, you will save money by ordering all your groceries at the same time each month. This way you will only pay one fee a month and the convenience makes this fee worth it.

For more information please visit my Online Grocery Stores site

Five Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing a House

2009-05-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

Working as a Real Estate agent I noticed that most people who wanted to buy a house were really not ready to do so. Almost always (with few exceptions) they expected the agent to do everything for them. What they didn't understand was that being the biggest investment of their lives, they needed to be more in control of the process instead of relying on other people to do all the work for them.

Over the years I realized that there were 5 mistakes that most buyers were making when purchasing a house. Since these mistakes could potentially cost you many thousands of dollars (and many headaches too), make sure you read on and take notes so you can avoid them and have a painless home-buying experience. Mistake #1: Not knowing how much "house" you can afford. Everybody knows that with the house comes a (sometimes large) mortgage payment. But you also need to consider all the extra expenses that come along with it. Always leave room for unexpected repairs and expenses since you are now your own landlord. Set up a budget with all your current expenses, and see how much you can comfortably pay for mortgage, taxes and insurance. Not leaving room for other expenses could spell disaster sooner or later. Mistake # 2: Not checking your credit report for errors ahead of time. Probably more than 90% of buyers never do this, and by the time they apply for a mortgage loan is already too late. The result is they will potentially end up paying tens of thousands of dollars in extra interest (over the life of the loan) because of their lack of preparation.

Make sure check your credit report and start working on improving your score so you can get the best possible rate months before you start looking for a home. You'll be so glad you did! Mistake #3: Picking the wrong real estate agent. Make sure you choose an agent that is a full time agent and has years of experience, is very protective of your interests and is an excellent negotiator. Also, a good agent will not show you any houses unless you are pre-approved for a mortgage loan (will not waste your time showing you houses you may not qualify for).

The best way to find an agent is to interview several of them and ask for referrals, and then call the referrals to see if what the agent told you is true. Keep in mind this is one of the largest investments you will ever make, so it is critical that the person that will represent you during the transaction is a great negotiator. Mistake #4- Not doing your own research You need to know exactly what kind of house you want, exactly in what area of town your future house is, and exactly how much houses go for in that area. You also need to become very familiar with that area, and once you find the house you like, ask the neighbors what they think about the area. You'd be surprised at what you can learn from them. Mistake #5- not hiring a home inspector Many people say they don't need a home inspector because "uncle Johnny is a handyman and he can tell me if there is something wrong with the house", or similar excuse not to pay $300-$500. The truth is that hiring a qualified home inspector could very well be the best $300-$500 you could ever spend!

A home inspector is a professional trained to see problems ahead of time that most other people will only discover when it's too late. He or she will give you a report with everything that is wrong with the house, so you can decide whether to go ahead with your purchase or not, or ask the seller to repair certain items before the transaction closes.

Change your beliefs about money, and you will change your life forever. Tony Balduccio is a freelance writer and financial expert. He has been helping people get out of debt with tips and strategies that work for over two years. You can learn more about Tony at http://www.GetOutOfDebt101.com/blog and http://www.overcome-debt.com

For the Love of Money

2009-05-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

A five-part series on a metaphysical approach to finances
As a teacher of Love ("Big 'L' Love, meaning divine, infinite, and soul-based Love) it is not unusual for me to be challenged by a student when it comes to money. What is a Loving approach to money? Do I have to give everything away all of the time? Does being "spiritual" preclude being wealthy? Does being rich spiritually guarantee that we will be rich materially?
We have loaded money with so much power and emotional energy. In Thresholding, I teach that we are only held back by what we hold onto and that the details themselves don't matter, it is the energy behind them that does. When these two truths combine, they yield an approach to life that is designed to keep us in an open, fluid, malleable state of flow. By aligning ourselves to the energy of Source that is present and flowing through every detail and releasing our attachment to the details themselves, we shape ourselves into a closer representation of Source. We are like that which we came from. We were created in the "image and likeness" of the Creative Source. But that means the energy of Source - not the individual expressions of it. The entire creative power of the universe is present in a coffee table, but I am not going to align with the coffee table'ness of its expression. I am going to align with the energy flowing through that shape. Likewise I am not going to align with the spouse'ness of my romantic relationship, the tabbi'ness of my cat (the cocker spaniel'ness of my dog, if you prefer) or the dollar amount'ness of my bank account.
All details are temporary. Coffee tables will eventually disintegrate, pets will die, dollar amounts and values will fluctuate, and romantic relationships will change (deepen, fade, transform into something else, or end upon physical death.) Source remains constant. And the human experience for this divine energy is Love. We have the power to experience Love in and through all of the details of life. By doing so, we discover peace, deepen our healing, and unleash our greatest sense of purpose.
So what does this all have to do with money? I'll tell you: money can teach us all we need to know about how to live here in the greatest Love we are capable of.
I have meditated deeply about the meaning of money. Other teachers describe it as a measuring stick against which we can assess our capacity for living life fully. This is not incorrect. Money is a measurement of the life force you are allowing to flow through your life. But that doesn't satisfy me. Everything is a measurement of one kind or another, so why is money such a deep source of pain and conflict for so many?
Because it is more than a measurement, it is a teacher. Money can teach us all we need to know about living consciously in this world. Which is precisely why some people make money their god and for others it is a devil - because money contains the stuff of revelation. It can guide, inform, and lead us to our greatest power and our deepest purpose. Is it no wonder that it has been harnessed for such selfish and abominable purposes throughout history.
More so than any adventure movie, our real life money contains a coded message that can free us to accept the greatest treasure imaginable: heaven on Earth. There are four basic equations to this code - four lessons that money teaches. We will discuss them each in more detail as we continue with this series. For now let me simply ask you this: are you willing to learn from your money?
Arria Deepwater, Spiritual Director, Love Threshold Grouphttp://www.lovethreshold.com Visit us for your free life activation and sign up for daily love notes!