As I write this article, the state of global finance is very much uncertain. One country sneezes and the rest of the world catches cold.Nothing is certain – jobs least of all. There once was a time when, if you had a job in a bank, you were set up for life. Not so any more. There are factories, retailers, industries, and banks, falling down all around.However, this is a phenomenon that repeats itself:Every twenty years or so, in the financial world we experience a recession. Recessions, by their very nature are temporary. Some recessions are worse than others, and this one appears to be bad. But it is still temporary.It doesn’t have to be as bad as it seems. We all – but in particular the media – do tend to think of ‘bad news’ as ‘good news’ and we talk ourselves down into even more ‘bad news’. It’s not possible to open a newspaper or turn on the TV without being bombarded with facts about how bad and how gloomy the times are, and how we are all diving into an even deeper recession.Why is that? The main reason seems to be that bad news sells papers better than good news. It’s the same with any news, anywhere in the world. If the media were to start talking about ‘good news’ we would all suddenly feel a lot better, but there would most probably be fewer newspapers sold!So it’s time to check out the other side of the coin.Whatever your financial state of the moment, it’s essential to PLAN your personal finances. Remember the old saying:Earn $50.00 and spend $50.50 – result: Misery – butEarn $50.00 and spend $49.50 – result: HappinessWhat’s the answer? Well, it’s essential to make a budget. Taking precise notes of everything being spent over the week (even down to the odd newspaper or stamp) and working out exactly where savings could be made. This is a very good start.Paying your bills on a monthly direct debit system is another good way to budget wisely. In doing this you would have no big bills coming in to surprise you – it’s all broken down into bite-size chunks that are more easily digested.If at all possible pay off your debts – it’s essential to become debt free as soon as possible. If you have debts, and you also have some savings, just think about the cost of your loans, against the amount of interest your savings are earning. There really is no comparison. So use any savings you may have to reduce your debts. This includes paying off your credit card debts, and car loans.The greatest form of finance control is self-discipline. Understanding finance also includes self-discipline. Sometimes you have to deny yourself small pleasures in order to obtain the bigger more important things. Finance also means that you need to set your priorities straight. Sacrifice may seem like a lot at the moment but the end will justify the means.Credit cards do have their place. It’s great to use a credit card, but essential to use it wisely. If you settle the bill completely at the end of each month you will have no interest to pay.It’s true to say that the majority of us working people exchange their time for money (work) for most of their lives. Whereas rich people don’t do this. Rich people invest their money and make it work for them. They collect passive income, including rents, share dividends and interest. Ok, money makes money, but there are ways to get out of the treadmill situation, and jump aboard the train to freedom. The rich people also earn money from royalties – doing the work once and then earning royalties forever – from books, articles, reports, software and so on.There are many ways to avoid financial disaster. They won’t automatically come to you – you will need to search for them and do something positive for yourself!This article may be copied and distributed, so long as the signature file and active links are also included.
Tag Archives: finance
Small Business Startup Loans – What Are the Fundamentals of Business Finance?
If you want to set up or considering setting up a business of your own, you must bring one thing in mind. You must know that you will need money to make sure that the business functions as it ought to. For the purposes of this study, we shall think of business finance as all the money that will be required for the smooth functioning of the business. This will include money from a variety of sources such as loans from lending institutions, cooperatives and these loans may be acquired either on short term or on long term bases.One thing that should be borne in mind is that it is necessary for every person to understand the fundamentals of business finance. This study is not only meant for those coming into business for the first time. Keep in mind that at every stage in the business, there will be a need to finance to expand, transform or even give a new facelift to your business. The good side about this study us that it will enable you to know where you can seek for finance for your business, it will help you to better manage these finances so that you should avoid falling into debts by paying your loans and it will equally let you know what type of loan is appropriate or not for your business.Knowing the Essentials of Business FinancingAhead of opting for any source of finance that might be open to you as an investor, there is always an obligation for you to not only become aware, but to understand and appreciate the importance that financing has to do to your business. As of now, one of the sources of finance to your business is venture capital. Venture capital will refer to a venture group that is willing and able to pump in finance to your business. But it should be kept in mind that this is done with the intension that the venture group will become part of the business.It will have to take part in the running of the business and equally in the profits of the business. In some cases, the option of an angel financing may also be available. This is a situation in which high risk ventures will be financed for the reception of high profits. Another source of financing is corporate venture capital financing. This is almost the same thing with venture capital but the difference is that groups and not individuals will be involved into the financing. You can also think of taking a loan from a bank or any financing establishment.If you are an experienced financier, you will realize that identifying and making use of these sources of finance is easily done if you are aware of all the essentials of business financing. This will be difficult for the novice. What has been realized is that most lending institutions have already created and developed some form of confidence with those already in business, plus the fact that they think their money will be better protected with those who already have some worth to prove.It May Be Necessary To Integrate Your Business When Seeking For FinancingThe rationale for confidence building will vary from one lender to another and will also depend on the lender’s personal conviction about the business. It is normal that every lender will want to scrutinize and make use of any former financial record of a business before it can give loans to that business. In other cases, it is known that sources of finance may be easily opened to groups of business than to individuals.This is the more reason why you must understand all the essentials of business financing before making an application for it. Sometimes, it is necessary that as a sole proprietor, you may decide letting a takeover of your business. This is to give your business a positive credit worth so that it can stand a good chance of being financed. But you must make sure that you seek expert advice in doing this. Remember that there are so many essentials in all of the above and you must be skilled enough in these before you can achieve any success.
The Best Car Deals – Low Finance Rates Vs Rebates – Which Should You Choose?
How To Get The Best Car Deals:Quick tips that will help you at the car dealer:How to understand Rebates and low financing offers:Vehicle MSRP: Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price – This price is always negotiable – don’t ever agree to pay MSRPException: Some vehicles that might be “hard to find” or “limited in production” might be sold by the dealers at MSRP or, sometimes higher. This is usually called Market Adjustment.Manufacturers Rebates: This is your money and has nothing to do with discounts given by the dealership. This money is given to you directly from the factory. Never let the rebate be used as a negotiation tool by the dealer. Any discount or negotiation from the dealer should be separate of any rebates offered.Low finance rates: 0.00% 1.00% 1.9% etc… These are called Sub-vented rates, they too are offered by the factory and not the dealership. Do not allow a “low” finance rate to be used as part of a negotiation by the dealer. These rates are granted over and above any discounts, rebates, etc.Exceptions: There are several exceptions to Sub-vented finance rates, but here are two that you really should be aware of:1. Not all people qualify for these rates. So, if you suspect that you might have some issue that will cause you not to qualify, there is nothing wrong with expressing to the dealer that the low finance rate is something you are interested in, and you would like to apply first, before going through the long, timely steps of deal negotiation. Many dealerships will view this as unusual; however, any “good” dealer will be happy to let you submit an application first if you insist. Why is this important? As we always say, knowledge and preparation are the keys to not overpaying at a dealership. What happens if your entire deal is worked, negotiated and finalized with the dealer? Then you head over to the finance office to finalize the finance terms and payments… You expected to pay 0.00% interest, then at the last second you are told: “Sorry” because you don’t qualify… NOT GOOD THE WHOLE DEAL CHANGES.2. Rebates and “low” finance rates can not always be combined. Some factories allow it some times, however there is no rule; you must do your homework first. For instance, Chrysler offers manufacturers rebates on most their vehicles, plus they offer low finance rates on most vehicles as well. Though, you the customer must decide which offer you want, you can’t have both. Although, sometimes Chrysler will run special offers that allow you to “combine” both the financing and rebate offers at once. But be careful, dealers won’t always tell you that these offers are available, if you are unaware and you agree to pay higher finance rates, you are stuck.Commonly Asked Question: Which is the right choice, Rebate or Low Financing?This is an interesting question asked by many customers, the answer is simple yet many people have no idea.Remember this rule: You should do what’s best for you, do not ever inquire with a person, dealer, or anyone else that has any other motive than what’s best for you.What that means is this: When you ask a dealership which makes more sense, the dealer will likely tell you: “Take the rebate – not the low interest rate.”The reasoning behind this answer is, if you take the rebate you are actually paying “less” for the vehicle than if you elected the low interest rate. So, being that the vehicle price is the most important issue, you should always take the rebate. Is this correct or incorrect?Rule: Don’t be concerned what the dealer is making or losing, it’s not relevant to what’s best for you.Does the dealership stand to gain more if you chose the rebate vs. the low finance rate? The answer to that question is yes, the dealership does stand to gain more. They receive a little more in “reserve money” from the lender if you chose conventional finance rates. The fact is however; that this point is completely irrelevant. Who cares what the dealership is making? Why is that important anyway? Is there some rule that says a dealership is not entitled to make profit? The only person who is doing something wrong in this scenario is you. You’re asking the wrong party for information. If the complete and honest answer might cause the dealer to make less, chances are more than likely the answers will be carefully weighed to fall on their side.Remember: Your concern is getting the best deal for you, don’t waist time caring about what the dealership makes. Prepare yourself by considering all the facts. Do not make the common errors of all the people we constantly heart about who over pay all the time.Fact: People who think that dealerships are losing money on them are usually the ones who pay the most!Note: Please understand the purpose of this and every other post we write is NOT to condemn dealerships for making profit. Why should a dealer not be entitled to profit? What right do we have to ask them to lose money? Would you ever go to a restaurant and tell them that you insist they sell you dinner and lose money? It’s a stretch, but equally as ridiculous.The purpose of this post is to assist fair people in getting the best deal for themselves. Protecting people from being “ripped off” by a deceptive dealership is our motivation. We don’t claim that all dealers are unfair or “rip off artists”, in fact we are aware that most dealers are honest and forthcoming. Although, everyone is in business to make a profit and the topics written about within these posts are for the purpose of assisting “fair” consumers achieve “fair” and honest deals. Why do we keep mentioning “fair”. Because equal to us having no concern about a cheating dealership, we also have no concern about the “unfair” consumers who want the good dealers to close down their business and lose money.”A GOOD DEAL IS WHEN BOTH PARTIES ARE SATISFIED”As we have mentioned so many times; price is not always the most important issue.The following is the one and only correct answer to the Rebate vs. low rate debate:With any issue that causes you to make a decision there are always certain facts in place, those facts make up the “pros and cons”. With any decision we make, we weight the pros and cons and ultimately are lead to a decision. Then of course, we hope that decision was the right one.Remember this rule: There is always a point where the two lines will cross, that point is where you will find the correct answer.This means; there are variables that create change in every deal. For example: It may be a better deal for me to take the rebate, while it is a better deal for you to take the low financing rates. Let’s explain:You might be financing $30,000 and your finance term is 60 months. The Factory is offering a $3000 manufacturers rebate or 0.00% for the 60 month finance term. Which do you choose?I might be financing $12,000 – The factory is offering a $3000 rebate or 0.00% for the finance term. Which one do I choose?Obviously the answers vary; your lines of “break even” will obviously cross way sooner than my lines. The reason: different factors in the two deals will yield different answers.Here’s how you figure out the correct answer based on your factors:For this example we’ll assume that you are considering a $30,000 car with $3,000 rebate or a 0% interest rate, and for the sake of finding an answer, we’ll assume that you’re putting $3,000 a down payment and you qualify for all offers.First: Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper; on one side write Rebate on the other side write 0%Second: on the 0% side write in the sale price of $30,000 – and on the left side (rebate) write in the sale price of $30,000 as well.Third: On both sides add in your local tax rate. For instance: if you live in Queens NY add 8.25% as sales tax.Fourth: on both sides add $300 – this should cover DMV – Inspection and dealer Doc Fees.Fifth: On both sides – subtract $3,000 for you down paymentSixth: On the rebate side subtract $3,000 for the rebateIf you did this right, so far you should have the following results:Both sides: should show Sale Price $30,000 Tax $2,475. DMV $300. Sub Total: $32,775Rebate Side Should show $6,000.00 Total down payment and an “unpaid balance” of $26,775.00The 0% side should show $3,000 Total Down Payment and an “unpaid balance of $29,775.00Assumption: If you chose not to take the 0% – the dealer offered you a 5.5% interest rate.Compare to see where the lines cross:Next step – find an auto loan calculator – you can go on any search engine type in “free auto loan calculator”I am not able to attach a link to this area of the post so I will simply suggest a very user friendly, free calculator (which we have no affiliation) is chase.com just search:”Free chase auto loan calculator”Calculate:REBATE SIDE$26,775 Amount Financed5.5% APR60 Month TermAnswer: Payment $511.43Total Interest: $3,910.80Total of Payments $30,685.000% SIDE$29,775.00 Amount Financed0% APRAnswer: Payment $496.25Total of Payments $29,775.00Summery: On your deal, 0% came out to be $910.80 less than the REBATE, so obviously the better deal for you is 0%.On my worksheet, using the same method, it turned out that the rebate was quite a bit more of savings, (only because I was financing much less) if I chose to finance more money perhaps the lines would cross sooner.Final notes to remember:1) If you choose to lower or raise you down payment and lower and raise your amount financed, the out come of “which one” is a better deal will vary. So, keep testing the different scenarios using the method provided above and you will find the best deal for you. Every time!2) Be careful – No rebate is final, while low financing isn’t: Keep in mind this very important consideration: If you choose low financing over the rebate – essentially you just paid more for the vehicle and you can’t get that money back. However, you chose to do so in return for free financing terms. (Very smart) You did your homework, you made your decision based on solid factors and you made the overall least expensive decision. EXCELLENT WORK! Though, you must remember you made this comparison based on a 5 year repayment term. If you keep the vehicle for 5 years, and pay as expected you win, your calculations were perfect and you achieved the best deal for you. On the other hand, if something changes and for any reason you decide that you are not going to keep this vehicle beyond the second or third year… Then, you just gave back the benefit of the low financing. The variables have changed once again and the better deal swings back to the rebate. So remember, in the privacy non pressured environment of your own home; carefully consider all your options and likelihoods. For instance, if you know you don’t keep a vehicle beyond a couple of years, this must be included as a decision factors.Long story short: Always compile all the facts first, limit the variables that can change the deal and negotiate with confidence.
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!
He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.
But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.
Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!
Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.
We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.
Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.
Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!
But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.
Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.
Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.
And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.
All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.
He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.