How To Effectively Use Day Planners
When I was a young man I was told in no specific terms and without my feelings being considered, “the worst pencil and paper is better than the best memory”. Tha got my attention then and I still believe in that principle now. Franklin Day Planners got their name from the famous Benjamin Franklin because he was an organized man who kept a small notebook where he used to list down all the things that he needs to accomplish. People who always have a lot of things to do should purchase one. However, buying a day planner does not mean you will turn from a completely disorganized mess into one systematic individual instantly. You still need to maximize the features of your planner. Here are some things that you need to know to effectively use a day planner.
· Go for the size that will suit you the best. If you are the type of person who carries a huge bag in which you can bring just about anything, then a large planner would probably be best for you so that it will not be lost inside your big bag. If you only carry a small bag or if you just do not want it to be too bulky, then a small planner would be fine.
· Use different colors to organize your planner. You can use categorize your activities into different topics such as “work,” “home,” health,” or “money.” It is up to you. And you can use a different color for each category.
· Choose a day planner that has different views such as a daily view, weekly view, or monthly view. If you have a lot of things to do everyday, daily view is a must. Monthly view is a must. A planner without a monthly view is not effective.
· Some planners have bookmarks to mark the page on the current date. But if your planner does not have a bookmark, you can make your own. Make sure that you attach it to your planner to keep it from falling.
· It is very important to list down all the things that you need to do in one day and set a deadline for each. Stick to the deadline. When you look back on the previous days, you will observe how much (or how little) you have accomplished and it will boost your confidence in doing things or it will encourage you to be more efficient next time.
Stop Paying Convenience Fees and Save Money
May 21, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Seems like a smart idea right? Well consider this, years ago, you may remember, you may not depending on your age but I remember the little jingle that Landmark Bank in Florida used to get us all hyped up about their latest technology to give us quick easy access to OUR money. It was the ATM Machine and her name way Maryanne. I remember being sold on “convenience” and not having to pay any fees. Now, years later, there are ATM machines everywhere, all giving us quick electronic access to our money. All we have to be is willing to pay a $1 or $2 or $3 dollar “convenience” fee to get “convenient” access to our own money from anywhere.
We were a generation sold on the fact that these machines would save the banks money by reducing the “manual” staffing to process such requests at the bank. They would allow us twenty-four hour access to our money and it would save everyone money and time. It’s essentially the same bill of goods we were sold with cable television. Cable television was originally “marketed” as non-commercial television, providing uninterrupted programming and giving the public a much needed break from the advertising so prevalent on regular broadcast television. Do you remember when you could watch the great Muhammad Ali box on television without having to “pay-per-view?” For years we watched sporting events alone on any of the big three networks and didn’t pay to see the action. We just simply turned on the television and watched the action.
Now, we pay generously for cable television and are even more inundated with the marketing and advertising cable sought to eliminate and WE PAY FOR IT. But I digress…
It’s the same with all the convenience fees and additional charges we pay to “electronically” pay our bills, purchase services, and yes, access our own money. We continue to pay recurring fees to deposit money in the bank. We continue to pay fees to withdrawal money “conveniently” from the bank. Are you listening PayPal?
I don’t know about you but I have grown weary of all the fees and charges we pay for convenience and advancements in technology for it only to be manipulated and twisted into the very thing we essentially wanted to avoid.
Bankruptcy Alternatives to Consider
May 17, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
If you are having problems with money and are looking at bankruptcy alternatives then that is very wise. You should never immediately jump to bankruptcy as an option for financial troubles. Bankruptcy should be your last resort, not your first line of defense.
What then are your options? Before filing for bankruptcy, you should look at other methods of managing your debts, as outlined below.
Personal Budgeting
An excellent starting off point is how you manage your own finances. Take a close look at the money you spend and the money you have saved. Set realistic financial goals for yourself. You then need to create a budget for yourself that includes a plan to pay off (or pay down) your debts in a timely fashion.
Debt Consolidation
In some cases you may be able to borrow money from your financial institution in order to be eligible for a debt consolidation loan. This bankruptcy alternative might be smart for you to consider if you have the ability to borrow money and would be able to effectively reduce the amount of debt you have. Be aware that the consolidation loan would be unsecured though.
Credit Counseling
Another option is to seek out credit counseling. A qualified and reputable agency can help you come up with a debt management plan that is right for you. A debt management plan is a voluntary agreement between the creditors and yourself that is mediated by a credit counselor. The counselor can negotiate on your behalf in order to figure out a way to get the debts repaid.
Consumer Proposal
Another bankruptcy alternative is a consumer proposal. In this case you need to have money to make regular payments. A consumer proposal is similar to a debt management plan in that an arrangement for repayment or partial repayment is made. The difference is that a consumer proposal is much more than a voluntary agreement. Instead it is a legally binding procedure.
Teaching Kids to Save, Start Early
May 17, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Teaching kids to save is a process that should start early. It takes children a while to understand the concept of how to use money and the purpose of saving it. It is smart to introduce the concept of saving to your child when he is around five years of age (or thereabouts). Make his allowance connected to helping around the house, doing chores, etc. In that way he understands the value of money and that it must be earned.
Doing this helps your child as he grows to understand that he sometimes must choose between instant gratification, such as buying a chocolate bar, or saving his allowance to buy something bigger, such as a toy he has his eye on.
As your child ages you can tell him a little about the household budget and explain about how money must go to pay bills while other money is for spending on household needs and yet other money must be saved for future considerations.
Only you and your child can decide when it is the best time for him to open a savings account at the bank. Bear in mind that your child may make mistakes with his money but you are there to assist him and guide him in terms of making smart financial choices.
Other Suggestions
When it comes to teaching kids to save, what other advice is worth knowing? Here are some suggestions that can help you in teaching your children about personal finance:
-As previously mentioned, don’t just give an allowance to your child; make work in the home a prerequisite. This shows your child the value of earning money. Tell your child how much he can earn and what he needs to do to earn it. Also let his know what items he is allowed to spend his allowance on and if he wants a little extra what he needs to do to earn that.
-Teach your children that budgeting is important and that they cannot simply have everything they want.
-Help your kids to separate the needs in life from the wants. Let them know that sometimes when money is tight, the wants such as money for entertainment or new clothes, must be put aside for the absolute necessities.
Saying Goodbye to Credit Cards for Good
May 17, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Saying goodbye to credit cards is a way to manage your debts and/or reduce your debts. If you tend to be the kind of person who uses your credit cards for any random purchase and not just for necessities or emergencies, then you might find yourself dealing with the down side of credit card woes before you know it.
Zero Percent Credit Card
One option is to transfer your debt to a credit card with a zero percent interest rate. This has a negative side however. While the offers you receive in the mail might seem welcome, it is important that you check the fine print first. Very often the card that claims to be a zero percent card is only such for a relatively short period of time. Once the introductory period is over the rate can climb to a number that will make you shudder.
Budget and Save Effectively
Saying goodbye to credit cards is possible if you learn how to budget your money effectively and save for big purchases. If you wish to buy a new computer, a new appliance or a new couch for your living room then start saving your money. Whether you save it in your bank account, under your mattress, in an orange juice container in your refrigerator or in a piggy bank, just save your money and watch it grow!
Say No to Impulse Buying
With that said, avoid impulse shopping as this is one way to cause your money to become out of your control. How can you say goodbye to your credit cards if you decide to buy on a whim? If you know that there is a certain store that offers too many temptations then steer clear of it.
Stopping spending completely is not realistic but training yourself to create a budget that works for you and your family and takes into consideration all of your debts and household expenses is doable. Just make sure that you leave a little room for some fun in your budget. Doing these things can help in saying goodbye to your credit cards for good!