Posts Tagged ‘finance’

Escaping the Rat Race - 5 ways to make money to quit your job!

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Life is for living right? So why is 90% of the world stuck working 40 - 60 hours a week, in a job they can bare - just to be living pay check to pay check not making enough money? It doesn’t seem fair that we are given restrictions on when we can see our families, when and how much time we can have on holiday or be restricted to a pay rate that suits the company in making money - not so we can enjoy life!

Here are 5 options for you to consider - helping you out of the rat race and making money to be a catalyst to your freedom

PROPERTY - Yes, I can hear you say - property NOW? In this economy! To be honest, yes property is a great one. Do the research, look in the papers, talk to real estate agents, and your bank. There are many ways of making money in property - a fantastic book to read is “0 to 150 properties in 3.5 years” by Steve McKnight. It shows you many different ways in an easy to read format! Follow this and you will be on your way!

STOCKS - Ouch - you mean now, when it seems so volatile. All i can say to this is read the article “Buy American, I am” in New York Times, by Warren Buffet. One of THE most successful investors in the stock market and he is investing - he must know something. Again research, speak to other brokers and investors and find what is best for you! Right now could be your chance to shine in this area.

TURN YOUR IDEAS INTO A PROFITABLE BUSINESS - Can’t find a business out there that suits you - why not start your own? Everything you can see around you, all started in someone’s imagination first. Or maybe you see a business that could run ten times better, start that. Although it may be hard at first, if you truly are passionate about your business it won’t seem like work. Another thing to consider is to actually make sure your business can run without you - therefore giving you the freedom you are striving for. The best book I know that can ensure you do this is called “The E-Myth” by Michael Gerber

FRANCHISES - If you feel that building your own business is too much of a risk, but still like the idea of having a business, Franchises are another great way to go! With proven systems that work and have proven profits, what more could you ask for. They often provide guidance and support through the whole way. One thing to keep in mind with franchises however is that you will need a substantial amount to invest with. Banks will probably lend you business loans for a franchise more so than an unproven business. Pick your franchise, check it aligns with your goals and also values & beliefs and you are on your way!

HOME BASED BUSINESS - now a day with the internet easily available anywhere and phone coverage is wide and cheap - a business can run from almost anywhere. These businesses are ideal for those stay at home parents. Also for those people who want to be able to travel with an income, or even just those that want to live their own lifestyle and fit the business around that. There are A LOT of home based businesses around these days, it is a good idea to find out all you can about the business, research them more on the internet, check they are legal and then once it fills your criteria of creating a lifestyle you want - then go for it!

What now? As you read the above options, one may have stood out more to you than the others. Begin your “escaping the rat race” journey with that one. If it doesn’t work out, don’t be discouraged move to the next. You will learn more about what you do and don’t like as you go, enjoy the triumphs and learn from the mistakes. If you stay committed, it won’t be long before you are living the lifestyle of your dreams.

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What Is Network Marketing?

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

Network Marketing is a way that companies market their products to the consumer. It is different from most other types of businesses because it doesn’t have any advertising, wholesaling, or retailing costs involved in it. It is done entirely by direct selling and referral, word-of-mouth type of advertising. This eliminates the middle man.

What’s the problem with “Middle Men”?

When companies use “middle men” they spend money, and lots of it, on things that don’t enhance the product. If they don’t have these costs, they can spend more on research and development. This means that they can produce a higher quality, more unique offering.

Another plus of the Network Marketing business plan is that some of the money that formerly went to the middle man - advertising, wholesalers, and retailers - is now available to compensate the people who actually promote the products by their word-of-mouth advertising.

This person is referred to as an associate, independent agent, or distributor. He or she is a salesperson who has their own business or distributorship. They create income by building up a customer base that buys the products directly from the parent company, or by recruiting other entrepreneurs who in turn build their own customer base, or usually a combination of both. This increases the size of the overall organization.

Distributors earn commissions based on the sales efforts of their organization, which includes their efforts as well as the efforts of their downline. Commissions are paid to distributors according to their company’s compensation plan. There can be multiple levels of people receiving commission from one person’s sales. In addition, distributors can earn profit by retailing products which they purchase from their parent company at wholesale price.

There is also a term called “multi-level marketing” or “MLM”. What’s the difference between MLM and network marketing?

In a word, nothing! The terms Network Marketing and Multi-level Marketing refer to two aspects of the same type of business.

Network Marketing describes how the products are marketed, through a network of people in communication with one another.

Multi-level marketing is simply the means by which the people in the network are paid for their efforts. Commissions are paid to multiple levels of distributors, which creates leverage.

What do you mean by leverage?

Leverage can mean different things. In this context, it means the ability to earn commission on something that someone else sells.

The leverage concept is nothing new. It’s used by all for-profit businesses that have employees. The company charges money for something that the employee produces, then only pays the employee part of that. The owner of the company then keeps the rest, thereby leveraging the employees hours to create income for himself.

This is kind of the same as network marketing compensation plans, but there is a big difference: In a network marketing plan, the ones that are being leveraged off of are other independent distributors instead of employees. Therefore, there are no employee costs involved and hopefully these people will be more motivated because they also own their own business.

Wait a minute! Is this one of those “Pyramid Schemes”?

If distributors are paid primarily from money received from new recruits, or if they’re required to buy more product than they are likely to sell, then the company may be a pyramid. Pyramids are illegal in all states and most countries. Legitimate Network Marketing companies are not only legal, but thrive in every state and in most countries.

The way to tell if a company is a pyramid scheme is if you can earn commission from sign-up fees. If there is no product or service obtained for this fee, then it’s a pyramid. All legitimate network marketing companies pay commission only on sales of the company’s products or services.

Want to learn more about the industry of Network Marketing?

First is Brilliant Compensation by Tim Sales. Second is The 45 Second Presentation That Will Change Your Life by Don Faila. Both of these tools are highly recommended for your own knowledge and to show to skeptical prospects. They are both created from a third-party perspective and not for any particular company.

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Getting Back On Track With Debt Consolidation

Friday, November 14th, 2008

The people of this world often like to keep themselves on the top. Getting the best new things, keeping up with all of the newest technologies, even choosing lots of new options that have been open to them when they opened their doors to debt. Keeping their heads up while they cross the sea of debt will help them get by, but opening themselves to their debt consolidation options will get them out of debt.

Spending money that you do not own is usually what gets you into debt. Many people like to take out a loan to get a car or use credit cards to buy a lot of their groceries, even though they should be funneling their resources towards savings and important purchases they might need to complete in the future.

Retaining debt is easier than it sounds. Even with an excellent job, you will have trouble making repayments on your debts if you have too many of them along with monthly obligations such as groceries, utilities and shelter. Overspending is usually the culprit when determining what happened.

You could use a debt consolidation solution to help pay off your existing debts, making it possible to get a break from the constant worry of wondering if you will have enough to cover everything you need to pay for in the month. You can easily use a debt consolidation loan to your advantage as it will certainly free up your monthly obligations to just a single manageable account with smaller repayments and lower interest rates than previously existing ones.

You can pay off your consolidation loan much quicker than you would have been able to with many obligations each month. Sometimes missing a payment on another loan will make its interest skyrocket. Keeping yourself in good standing once you pay off your loan is a key towards opening doors for you to your financial freedom. As long as you are debt free, you can pretty much do anything you want as long as you keep yourself that way.

Debt consolidation loans help people to realize their debt management skills and help to prevent them from relapsing into bad debt situations. They can then be avoided for the future and create a better, simpler and stress free life from debt.

Closing Comments

Grouping up your monthly loans into a single loan can be a great way to save money. Debt consolidation loans offer many ways to improve upon your financial situation and eventually towards your financial freedom.

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How to Find Free Money in Five Minutes

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Imagine sitting down at your computer and with a few clicks, finding yourself a few hundred — or even thousand — dollars richer. No, I’m not talking about Internet gambling or a get-rich-quick scheme. This money is totally legal. In fact, it’s already yours, you just have to make claim to it. Sounds too good to be true, I know, but there are billions of dollars out there just waiting to be claimed by ordinary people just like you and me.

Where does this money come from? It might be a long forgotten bank account that you left behind when you moved, or a relative’s insurance policy that was never cashed. It may be a bond you purchased under your maiden name and forgot about. When these funds sit idle for a certain number of years, financial institutions are required to turn the money over to the state.

Same thing goes for things left in safe deposit boxes. When they’ve sat untouched for a number years the contents go to the state. But what’s the state going to do with Grandma’s wedding ring? Actually, many states auction off the property - think eBay - and then hold the money until they can find the owner.

Imagine it, the government looking for you - to GIVE you money! What a concept! If the government is holding onto money that could be sitting in your bank account or wallet, you’ll probably want to know where it is, and how to get it back.

Each state has various ways of trying to connect people with their lost assets. Every year, generally in April, there will be an insert in newspapers listing the latest names added to the list of lost owners. Some states set up displays at public events, libraries and fairs. Others work with local lawmakers to try and get the word out. But the quickest, easiest way to find out if you have any unclaimed assets is to search an online database.

Most states have their own database that you can access by going to the state’s Website. A wonderful resource for anyone looking for unclaimed property is www.missingmoney.com, a site run by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. It contains a wealth of information on abandoned property, and contact information for each state. It also allows you to do a nationwide search through links to each individual state, and it’s all free.

For those that can’t or don’t want to take on the task themselves, there are companies that will do the searching for you. Sometimes called heir finders or asset locators, the firms help reunite owners with their property for a fee. Beware, however, that legitimate companies will never ask for payment before the property is returned to the rightful owner and whatever they charge should be a percentage of the money to be returned, not a flat fee. And before signing anything, have the company identify the property and verify that it’s yours.

Once you’ve located your own abandoned property, spread the word. There are billions of dollars out there just waiting to be claimed.

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Getting A Loan Without Proof Of Employment

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Taking on a mortgage application can be stressful and frustrating, especially if you have no proof of income. Getting a mortgage with bad credit can be even more difficult regardless of whether you own your home or not. A non status mortgage may be an option you can take if you cannot prove your income status.

Proof of income is not required when taking a loan under a non status mortgage. Those who have payments that are infrequent or have a payment schedule that is not set will have more of an advantage with a non status mortgage. People with payments from a large settlement or annuity and cannot work will be able to use their home for a non status mortgage.

People with bad credit or an income source that is infrequent will be able to get non status mortgage. A lender will see being able to repay the loan of more importance than having an income that is unable to be proven. Being honest about your income status is the best option when applying for this kind of mortgage. You can get yourself into debt or damage your credit when you are dishonest and cannot make the payments on your mortgage.

Most people will be approved for a non status mortgage easier than a standard mortgage option. This can be an advantage to those with bad credit or income restrictions that standard loans require. Even without proof of income, you will be able to have options for non status mortgage that may be beneficial if you cannot get a standard mortgage.

Being unable to pay back the non status mortgage will put you at risk of losing your home. When you put your home up for collateral with a non status home, you may not be able to get the full value of the equity on your home. Losing your home for less than it is worth along with paying a 5%-20% deposit on the loan can be real disadvantages, especially for those who were dishonest to get a higher loan amount.

Checking out your local lending institutions or banks may give you an idea of whether or not they offer non status mortgages. Many banks and lenders require a visit to your home to determine the value of the home and the available equity on the home. Many banks and lenders have options available online for non status loans that offer greater convenience.

Closing Comments

Non status mortgage options are great for those individuals that need to take out a mortgage loan and have no way to prove their income. Some people that are not approved for standard loans may be approved for non status loans.

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