My Money Saving Challenge

If you live in a country where the standard of living is very steep, the prices of commodities are high, and the accommodation rent is stupendous, saving enough to fill the retirement coffer just seem to be so impossible for expatriates like me.

I have been working for almost 27 years; while I am very happy that I have managed to save enough money to invest in properties. I feel that I haven't saved much for my retirement though.

Saving is one of the biggest challenges that my family here has to face. We spend our earnings in this place too so what ever is spare is deposited to our daughter's account back home.

2017 is a big Money Challenge year for me and my husband as we try our best to cut down unnecessary expenditures while putting percentage of our earnings to our investment, cash savings, and paying off loans and credit cards so as not to accumulate high interest on finance charges. One option to consider while trying to pay off loans is refinancing them. Earnest's can help refinancing your student loans. Their unique Precision Pricing not only can save you a ton of money but you can pay them off much faster. It is high time we understand where our money goes, how our debts can accumulate, and what means can we find to lead us on the right track on spending conscientiously, saving wisely, and where to get financial assistance when needed.

Below is a personalized Money Saving Challenge infographic for myself. I want to be able to set aside a portion of my salary to my intended allocation so I can meet my target for this year and onwards.

Things to Consider Before Starting Your Small Home Business

Are you considering putting up a small business you can run in the confines of your home? If you do, I am sure you have considered a lot of factors and have put in time and effort to research about the product or services you will offer and how you are going to run the business once in full operations.

Putting up a business does not happen overnight. A considerable amount of time and effort is put in the "thinking" process to be able to come up with a well-thought of, well-planned, well-studied business case so you can actually put that plan into motion.

If you are not sure of how to go through with the process of putting up your small home business, here are tips to help you out:


Tangible or intangible? Know the product or service you want to offer

A lot of business fails, even if their are home-based because most of these businesses are not well-planned and studied. You have to know before hand what type of service or product you want to offer and/or provide. And once you have decided, you build your plan from that point.


Do you have the skills?

You want a business that will revolve around food such as baking, cooking, catering or even, meal-planning. Whatever the case may be, are you the one going to cook or you will employ the assistance of someone who is very good in cooking and baking? Know your skills and use it. That will save you an enormous amount of money especially when you're just starting up.  Your skill in cooking, and baking can lead to a baking shop, a meal-delivery service where you will cook specialty food items and even offer catering for small parties.

No matter what your skill is, use it for your advantage and make money out of your passion.


Sole proprietorship or co-own?

It's not bad to have a partner if that is your plan but if you can do things on your own first before you venture to co-ownership, be a sole-entrepreneur for the time being. However, if the business you intend to put up relies with another individual or some people then co-own your start-up business as this will give you enough resources to open a shop or service oriented business.


Do a feasibility study

You know what you can do. You have the right product to offer. Do you have a market? Do a research. Pass survey to your family and friends and even to other people outside your circle and see what they have to say about the product or service to be offered. Don't just jump into opening that dream shop from home. Know your market. Know how much capital you have to have. Do your assignment.


Capital

Oftentimes, capital is the issue when opening a small home-based business. I, for one find that capital is a limiting factor especially when I am brimming with ideas. I can't put them into motion because I don't have enough money to do so.

Take into consideration the amount of money you are willing to cash out when you start your business. Think of a business where you only need very small amount of money as a capital with a big return. The food business is a good option to start with. Sewing clothes or other items to sell is another budding business to offer. If you are good in drawing, you can freelance as an illustrator or create your own clipart to sell online. And you don't have to use so much money to be able to provide your service.


Time

Do you have the time to attend to your business at home? Will this be a full-time business or run part time? Decide on this and if you have set the time you can provide to be able to run the business, stick to it and be disciplined. This business is your baby. Take care of it like you would a child and see it prosper.



Given the factors above, are you ready? If not, take some time and study it thoroughly. Remember, this is going to be require your time, effort and finances. Use all of them wisely and to your benefit and advantage. Good luck!

When You Need to Make Your Budget Stretch a Little Further

There are times when your paycheck simply won't cut it and it's hard to make ends meet. Whether an emergency comes up, you have medical expenses, or the car goes in the shop, life happens. There may be no money fairy, but payday loan services can help you to find a little breathing room when you need to ease your financial burden. Get access to the cash you need at a time when you need it most. When you can't turn to anyone else and the bank is not an option, a payday loan can make your life easier.

Applying is Simple
You're tired of jumping through hoops when you are in need of a quick, easy cash loan. When it comes to traditional bank loans, you'll need to go in, talk with a loan officer, and fill out a mountain of paper work. Then the waiting game begins. Half the time, you won't qualify or you'll have to sign your life away. When you opt for a payday loan, you can come into a location or fill out the online application form. It's convenient and can be completed from the comfort of your own home. Once you've completed your form, you'll speak with a company representative in order to move forward with your payday loan.

Have Speedy Access to Funds
Once you are approved, you can expect to have funds directly deposited to your account by the next business day. If you are already a customer, you might have your funds on the same day. Imagine being able to breathe a sigh of relief the next time you are feeling a financial pinch. No one should have to waste their time worrying. With a payday loan, you can move on with your life.

Use Your Payday Loan to Get Back on Track
A payday loan provides you with the means to straighten out your financial problems. Use your cash to take care of your needs, enabling you to plan ahead for the future. When you can take care of expenses as they arise, you'll be able to dig your way out of the hole. Keep plugging away until your circumstances are brighter. Regardless of the reason that you need cash, you should not feel a crushing burden when there is a need for a little extra money. Your payday loan could be the solution.

A Dream To Change The World

Photo credit: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/abethemovie

We all have dreams. Most times, those dreams propel us to strive harder knowing that they can help us, our family and even the society in a larger scale.

I am one of the millions who dream not just for myself but I dream big because I know, when my dreams come true, I may be able to make a change in this world. My tiny voice will be heard because I will be a positive change that our world needs.

Sometimes, it is very frustrating to struggle and stumble many times just to get to where you want to be. And oftentimes, the road is not paved without obstacles. However, there are movements out there who can help us get there and one of them is A Billion Entrepreneurs.

A Billion Entrepreneurs is a movement that aims to instill the entrepreneurial spirit to everyone and to the generations to come. It strives to give a new meaning to "taking responsibilities for outcomes" which now meant to be responsible for one's success, own happiness and purpose in life no matter what the situation one is in.

At this stage where I can find new meaning to my purpose and to find means to succeed in life so I can make a difference, it is best to refer to notable resources of A Billion Entrepreneurs.  The resources they have including the movie found in www.ABEthemovie.com can provide that stimulus to have that "can do" attitude in business. Having said that, armed with the information, inspiration and tips from real-life entrepreneurs in the film is a great motivator to make things happen not just for ourselves but for the society as a whole.

Photo credit: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/abethemovie

We all want to improve our lives and those of others. Watching the movie can give you a lot of information to start fulfilling your dreams. Aim to have that Freedom, Security and Success in your life. Support the ABE The Movie. Start living your dream.

Payday Loan from UStates Loan Online Site

Debt is one of the primary reasons why most people cannot save.  A lot of people try to survive from paycheck to paycheck; even going as far as using their last cash till payday loans. However, not everyone manages to get out of the loan cycle.  There are many reasons why we all fall in the abysmal trap of having loans. Some people are just unfortunate to get stuck on the rut.

Loans are meant to help us ease our way through hard times and fulfilling our financial obligation to meet our amortization and mortgage payments regularly when  we are strapped for cash. Obtaining a credit is another story if you are one of the many people who have projects like house construction, sending their kids to school, buying a property or establishing a business. Not all people who obtain loans are just neck-deep in bills to pay but if you fall in that category and have a bad credit score for a start, then you may want to consider asking the experts' advise and assistance. This is where UStates Loans.com come into picture.

UStates Loans is an online company that specializes in the collection of payday lenders. It is not a direct lender  but it can match the right financial institution for you based on certain parameters and criteria as provided in the information gathered from your application and in many states in the US.

I checked their site and find the homepage very easy to navigate. The tabs are just above the header and there are no fancy ads nor controversial clipart or graphics to call your attention. The template is simple and is very straight forward.

The four tabs feature information about the company, the homepage, an application form and how it works and about the company. So if you are unsure or not very familiar with payday loans, you can go straight to the how-it-works tab for more information and a step-by-step process on how to go about the application in 4 simple steps. I think this process is better than going to a bank or other lending institutions to apply for loans. You will have to secure profuse amounts of documents and complete plenty of forms just to apply for credit or loan. If you want to know more about the online company, then head to the About Us tab for more information about UStates Loans, their mission statement and their objectives.

This online site makes the application simple, hassle-free and have a quick turn-around in approval. Repayment term is also indicated in the how it works tab. Aside from that, information on the requirements for application is also found in the same tab.

I checked the third tab which is the Application Form. I cannot say much about this since there is no form at the time I checked it. There is a message that says about the form being updated and I can get back to it shortly. The header does indicate this: Faxless and No Credit Check  Payday Loan Online Application. I will check back and see the format later.

Aside from the other tabs, the footer also has additional tabs to check for more information like the Law and Legislation, FAQs, Glossary, Blog and Contact Us portion. I am relieved to know that their Contact Us field indicates a postal address in Encino, CA. So, if you are unsure of the whole company, you can always verify their company using the address provided.

All in all, I say the online company is a great vehicle to fulfill one's credit needs just by checking their clients' testimonies and navigating through their hassle-free and no-nonsense website.

OFWs Are Not ATMs

People think that all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are rich. Maybe some but not all. They thought, just because we are outside the Philippines make us eligible to claim fortune. On the contrary, we are just doing fine. We can live comfortably, enjoy other perks we cannot have back home, and invest our hard-earned money to properties and income-generating business. All these are achieved because of our sweat and toil.

Photo credit: yahoo.com

It is so unfair to be stereotyped as money-spewing Automated Teller Machines where you can get  money day in and out. It does not work like that. Please remember, we are humans too. We work, we flex our muscles, lift our fingers and exert effort to earn a decent living. We won't be here in the first place if we have a better life back home and if there is a high-paying job waiting for us in the Philippines. We too, have our sacrifices. We didn't get here by sheer luck nor fate. We got where we are because we worked hard. We spend money here for our daily sustenance. We have bills to pay, kids to send to school, loans and mortgages to settle and on top of that, money to send back home. We can only stretch ourselves so much but at one point, we need a break too. So, don't get mad if our ATMs will show a sign that says "out-of-order" one day.

Getting Rich During The Rough Times

Many of us fell prey to the pernicious cycle of the great recession of the modern times. Others managed to strike gold while the majority is left penniless. However, this time poses plenty of opportunities for people who have saved enough, for those who have withstood the test of times and for the astute who have the knowledge and skills to make more money fast despite the recession by devising ways to earn more.

Some people are lucky enough to maintain their 5 or 6 digits salary jobs while the countless number of unemployed are still on the rise. The fresh graduates are in for a tough time because of the stringent employment openings. Those who have experience in their belt who are willing to take in any amount of salary just to be employed will pose a great threat to the newbies. With this unemployment scenario in mind and the other gloomy accounts of recession, how do we get rich then? Here are some tips:

• Amassing great wealth does not happen overnight but having the correct attitude and knowledge to handle your finances is one step to get rich.
• Acquire a positive outlook in life. While a lot of people are wallowing in sorrow for the loss of their jobs and foreclosure of their properties and bankruptcy of their business, some people pick up themselves and go out on the streets to look for another job or sell some properties or even do sidelines. 
• Turn your hobby into money-making activity. If you have a penchant for writing then offer your freelance writing service. There is money in blogging. Start a blog or submit articles to websites for a fee. If you are the crafty one, dust those equipment and put them into use. Sew small garments or create projects you can sell. Create a website to sell your wares and merchandise online or offer your services too via this medium.
• Practice the "need vs. want" attitude when purchasing anything. Weigh the pros and cons of buying something even the simplest grocery item. Ask yourself if what you are going to purchase is something really required or something you fancy. If the reason is the latter then put the merchandise back to the shelf. That means, you can do without it.
• Use cash and use it sparingly if you have to. This is applicable to all factors in life and is related to the "need vs. want" policy. Clinging to your money like a vine is not bad as long as your intentions are all for the right reason - saving for the rainy days. It is not gluttony but a wise practice to perfect just in case emergencies like the recession arise.
• Always keep at least 20% of your monthly salary as a fixed saving. The higher the percentage, the better. Ensure that this fixed saving is never withdrawn for unnecessary purchases or projects.
• Stop hoarding. You certainly do not need two of the same items or submit to panic buying. Clean out your closet. Empty your cabinets with clutter and make money out of them by selling them to eBay or organize your own yard sale. 
• If you are still employed then keep the job as long as you can and as long as you are not yet kicked out. Do a part time job on your spare time to augment your salary and save.
• Avoid using your credit cards. The interest in this kind of credit facility is very exorbitant. Try to pay off more than the minimum amount required to lessen the finance charges. Better yet, do not use it at all.
• Simplify your life. Living large is no longer an in thing but more of a high-maintenance lifestyle. Live a frugal life and practice simplicity. You do not need a fancy car nor a shiny solitaire diamond on your finger. What you need is a windfall and that is your savings.
• If you are the smart one and knows something about trading then do so. Allocate a portion of your savings to stocks.  However, watch your stocks like a hawk and know when to withdraw and switch. Start small. You do not have to use all your savings to buy stocks but invest on few companies that are worth the dime. Check the stock and business news for more information and learn from traders some tips on how to go through stock investment.
• Lastly, pray and absorb God's blessings in any shape or form. Be thankful for the little gifts you have in life because without those little things are also invaluable wealth in your spiritual life.

When It Rains...

The first quarter of my 2011 was great in terms of finances. Although my budget seem to be very tight, I had enough to go around until the next pay slip. Blogging assignments were left and right. I had direct advertisers contacting me for link-ups, posts and referrals. However, when April came just as the blossoming of spring, the deluge of paid opportunities and other income had suddenly stopped. As if the events of the first quarter never happened.

Makes me think about the adage that "when it rains, it pours." Well, it certainly does in my case.

Personal Finance

Money was scarce last year and it may or may not continue to be for some this 2011. It is the case for most of us in global terms. Everyone has been tightening their belts and saving so much to make both ends meet. It has been a challenging feat but people are still struggling with whatever they have and can at the moment.

There are plenty of helpful tools to aid us in our drive to monitor our cash flow and expenses. Some people use the old method of tallying their monthly income by using budget worksheets. That is the old school style of recording every penny earned and spent. It may be useful to some who have conservative approach to their personal finance. However, modernity introduced faster and reliable ways of tracking personal finance for us. The use of software tools to do this endeavor has been a great help for many computer savvy people who value not just their money but their time. These financial softwares not only track expenditures but they also record home budget, investment and other means of income.

Another means of governing our hard-earned money is through the services of financial advisors who give sound and knowledgeable personal finance advice. Their opinion matters because they have a track record under their belt of achievement. Their experience and knowledge on the depth of the financial world makes them good authority in the field of finance. Plenty of people who have valuable assets to protect and invest use their trusted financial advisors for opinion on how to manage their wealth properly.

For some of us who cannot afford the service of a personal financial advisor, we can do our own managing with the samples I have given above. It may be old-school style of tracking or with the aid of computer software. We can still achieve the end result of managing our personal finance. 

Many people are devising ways to keep track of their money flow. And with the pressing times, it is wise to do so.

Quick Money

I don't grow money out of my limbs. That is what I always tell my family. However, ever since my dad passed away, my brother and I have been pulling our resources to send money back home. What I don't understand is, our family in the Philippines seem to not realize that we are also affected by the recession.

I have been telling them over and over again that my bank account is as flat as a paper. I wish I can do something to help everyone but I am also tight.

Our company does not offer payday advance so they will have to wait until my brother and I get our salaries by the end of this month.

Quick money these days are hard to find. Pre-recession, the banks here would run after us to offer personal loans and high credit limits cards. The table has turned and the banks are very strict now. Some banks don't even lend to "Filipinos." I will not go into details as to why but it is a fact.

I don't want to ask for another loan just to help every body out. If I do that, I will never, ever get out of the financial rut. I need to help myself and my family here too. I just wish my family back home will try to understand that.