Wednesday, 23 February 2005

Fulfill Your Dreams of Starting a Home Business

Working for yourself gives you a great feeling of independence. If starting a home business is a dream for you then you will want to read this article. Here are some guidelines that can help you along the way.

When you work for someone else, you have very little control over your work hours or sometimes how you do your work. Working for someone else can leave you feeling empty, especially if the work you do is being credited to someone else. However, when you are your own boss, you get to set the rules. You get to set your own hours. You are in full control. That being said, keep in mind that your success totally depends on what you put into it.

You will have your independence; however with independence comes responsibility. You will be in charge of every aspect of your business. Every detail; such as, satisfying your customers, paying your bills, ordering supplies, etc. is completely up to you to take care of. Do not think that working for yourself will be less work for you, in fact, you will most likely be working more.

Include your family members in the planning of your own business. Tell them how starting your home business will affect them. Let them know how they can help you. It will be imperative to the success of your home business to include your family members by letting them know how they can help. Avoid distractions from your family while you are working on your home business. Keep in mind that working from home does not mean that you are less professional; therefore, it is important to conduct business in an efficient manner, without interruptions or interference from your household.

Another important aspect when if comes to your home business is creating your own work space. Set aside an area in your home as a work office. Try to find a space that is away from the normal household traffic. Preferably a separate room with a door that can be closed during your business hours. This can be a spare room, an area in your basement or even a transformed garage. Make sure your space is a comfortable work area for you. Have good lighting, good ventilation and peace and quiet. Your space should also have the capability to be able to hook-up a computer and a phone. There should be space for office furniture and perhaps even filing cabinets. Make sure it is an area where you can take your customers to conduct business with them in a professional manner.

Your home business should have a business plan. Every successful business owner has a plan and they stick to it as closely as possible. They write everything down. 
Describe the market you would like to reach, write down your monthly budget and decide how much money you would like to make. Try to keep your expenses low and do not overspend in your first year or two as your profits may not be as high as expected until your business had been established.

No business can survive today without a good, high-quality website. Think about how you will design your website. Having your own website is the number one way people will find your home business.

Promote your business through social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google +. The effects of this cannot be underestimated. The more people you can bring to your website through these sites, the more likely you will be to receive business.

Running your own business takes commitment and hard work. It takes a great deal of planning and then implementing those plans. If you put your best effort forth you will reap its rich rewards.

Tuesday, 3 June 2003

What Is Your Problem - Why Haven't You Moved?

Have you felt frustrated with the progression and growth of your business? Do you feel stuck and unsure about making a decision to take a step? Do you lack the knowledge needed for an explosion? Do you feel overwhelmed with what the next steps should be?

When I began to brand myself online and to grow our Network Marketing company this way it was new territory for my wife and I. We had never accomplished what we set out to accomplish but we did not make any excuses. We took the knowledge that we had and began to network with individuals who we wanted to have similar success as. It is funny, although we had never done this before we had a vision as to what we thought it would look like and began to take steps in that direction. As we took the steps we began to learn more and more about this manner of marketing and things began to take shape. We consulted individuals who had been doing this form or marketing and they helped direct us accordingly and we made adjustments along the way. But never did we make excuses for not getting or doing and neither should you.

I tell you this little story because so many people complain that they don't know how to do this or that or say If I were only good at this or that then I'd really get it going.The reality is these statements are tools of incompetence and incompetence is a sign of weakness and you cannot be weak on this journey. These statements will guarantee that one will stay stuck and struggling.

The rub here is that just like my wife and I, if there are skills you need to acquire to move your income to the next level, you have 4 choices.

1. Do NOTHING, which we chose to not even humor.

2. A more popular choice is to throw your hands up in the air and wave them like you just don't care. No pun intended, but there are those who throw their hands up and just quit.

3. Figure it out just like we did. Learn it. Get a tutorial, a book, buy a course, Go to Google, YouTube, whatever the method, just get it done.

4. Get help. Ask somebody. My wife and I outsourced a portion of the things we needed such as logo design, SEO optimization, etc. There are many sources you could use such as FIVERR.com. The money was well spent because we didn't have a major learning curve and we knew that the work was going to be done well the first time.

You would not believe how many people will do absolutely nothing because they believe they are a lost cause because they don't know how. It does not have to be that way. My wife told me that within the year she is going to be fluent in Spanish. Do you know what she did? She went to the library and checked out some tapes for children and has now been speaking enough around the house that my children and I have picked up on some key phrases.

It may be frightening to enter into the area of the unknown, but if you want to be productive and viable in society you have to do something. I know that picking up the phone to make calls, prospecting, doing a presentation, setting up an auto response or setting up capture pages seems like an impossible task. But there is hope. You do not have to be stagnant in anything or feel that your only option is to quit. There is help for you no matter what the obstacle. You just have to take the step to get the help because there are hundreds of step-by-step video tutorials on virtually ANYTHING you can think of? You just have to have the initiative to go and get it.

You can find help in every area of your business that you are not very well versed. If you can pay someone to mow your lawn or clean your house then you can do the same for your business. You can hire a coach, you can read a book written by someone who has done what you want to accomplish, you can attend a seminar and take notes and actually apply them. What you cannot do is sit and do nothing because your business, your income, your livelihood and most importantly you will suffer. If you want a change in your life don't make excuses do whatever it takes to get it done. Pay someone, learn it, ask someone but do not be part of the 95% who choose to be a member of the do nothings crew.

Choose to be part of the remaining 5% that are at the top of their game. ALWAYS choose the option that will move your life forward. You can either make excuses or make money but you cannot do both. Choose to have PURPOSE DIRECTED SUCCESS today.

Grab hold of your FREE copy of "8 Powerful Steps to Successful Prospecting" and begin to learn how to get those individuals in your business and growing and SUBSCRIBE to Receive updates and FREE information to your email box on a weekly basis to help you further develop your business, 

Wednesday, 9 April 2003

Why Should I Refinance My Vehicle at a Credit Union?

Are you drowning in high payments with a high-interest rate car loan that you simply can't afford? Were you one of those car shoppers that smelled the new interior, gawked at all the gadgets, took a test drive and just wanted to hit the road in your new car no matter what the cost or the finance rate? Like many others in your shoes, after the initial excitement wore off you realized the interest rate was higher than you expected, and now it's squeezing your budget.

You might want to think about refinancing your vehicle. Refinancing could save you money if you qualify for a better rate. And, at a credit union you may benefit from more flexible repayment terms and certainly more personalized customer service.

How Does Refinancing Work?

The process is similar to refinancing your home - only much simpler. Just like a home refinance, you're using a loan from another lender to pay off an existing loan, and doing so at a much more affordable interest rate. The point of refinancing is to get a better deal. A lower interest rate could result in hundreds of dollars in savings while a longer term may make paying off the debt easier on your budget.

When Does Refinancing Your Vehicle Make Sense?

If you didn't get the best interest rate available the first time. Perhaps you were in a big rush to buy your vehicle and you didn't shop around first for the best rates with local lenders. Credit Unions in particular are known for offering favorable interest rates on auto loans to their members.

An auto refinance can be useful for those people who are saddled with high interest rate loans due to a poor credit score, lack of a credit history, or unemployment. As long as you haven't missed any payments, it's worth seeing if you can grab a more attractive rate this time around.

If your financial situation has changed since you initially got your loan it may make sense to refinance your car. If your credit score has improved, even by just 50 points, that improvement can earn you a lower interest rate.

Maybe you have discovered a mistake on your credit report that cost you a better rate. If that mistake has been corrected it may be a good time to refinance your vehicle. You can check for credit report errors on AnnualCreditReport.

If you have only one or two years left on your car loan, it might not make sense to refinance into a new loan with a longer term. But if your objective is to reduce your monthly payments, a refinance may be the way to go.
Why Refinance Through A Credit Union?

Because credit unions are not-for-profit they work exclusively for their member's benefit and often offer unique loan programs that might not be available from a traditional bank.

Lower Interest Rates: At a credit union earnings are passed back to their members in the form of lower rates and fees. According to the National Credit Union Administration the average car loan from a credit union was 2.61% lower than the average bank.

Flexible repayment terms: Many credit unions offer financing up to 100% of the vehicle's value and provide numerous repayment options.

Loan Protection Products: You can usually buy GAP coverage from the auto dealer. If you purchase that insurance from your credit union you can usually save hundreds of dollars for this useful protection.

Skip-A-Pay: Credit Unions allow their members to skip a loan payment now and then if they are facing a financial crisis. You can forget about asking a car dealer for that type of special treatment.
What's better than a lower rate and a lower monthly car payment?

Because the auto refinancing application only takes a few minutes to complete and the entire process isn't burdensome, you have little to lose by trying to get a better deal. So, if you love your vehicle but not your loan it might make sense to refinance your loan with your local credit union.

allU.S. Credit Union ( http://www.alluscu.com ) can help you refinance your vehicle. So, If your current auto loan is squeezing your budget and you want to find a better deal, visit allU.S. Credit Union and we can refinance your car with a loan that fits your lifestyle and budget. allU.S. Credit Union, Positively Different!

Thursday, 1 August 2002

A Modest Janitor Built $8 Million Fortune - So Can You

In short, it took nothing less than an ironclad will. His return on investment, making very broad assumptions, was probably not as good as the performance of the leading market indexes over time. But his discipline, determination and attention to detail set him apart. Read amassed an $8 million fortune, according to reports.

Laurie Rowell, Read's lawyer, said her client had a knack for picking stocks, according to various news outlets. His holdings included shares of AT&T, Bank of America, General Electric and General Motors, she said. "He only invested in what he knew and what paid dividends," Rowell said, according to Business Insider.

Today, we don't know the details of Read's investment strategy, only that he apparently favored a long-term, buy-and-hold approach. But his story is not just a lesson in investing. It's also a lesson in life. If you do things the right way, you'll reap the rewards.

I always tell my clients, if you want to look like a bodybuilder, the first thing you have to do is go to the gym. Not just today and tomorrow, but every day going forward for years to come. Nobody would logically expect anything less.

Investing is similar - it demands a consistent, long-term strategy. Still, many people expect the "magic diet pill" or "next big thing." The problem is that it doesn't exist and you won't know it until it's too late. If you can come to grips with that, then being the next Ronald Read is just a matter of when, not if. You could get started today on an investing path similar to Read's, especially if you're in your 20s and have many years ahead of you to invest. Read was a child during the Great Depression. He graduated from high school in 1940, served in World War II and, upon his return to Brattleboro, went to work at a local gasoline station. He stayed there for nearly 35 years, retired and then discovered he didn't like being idle. So he took a part-time job as a janitor at J.C. Penney, where he worked for another 17 years. Read lived through the powerful and turbulent decades of the 1940s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond.

Think about it: He witnessed the Cold War, the assassinations of the 1960s, the resignation of President Nixon in 1974, the "Black Monday" stock market plunge in October 1987, the tech bubble of the late 1990s, the attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001, and the Great Recession of 2008-2009.

Throughout all those decades, which included all the ups and downs of the U.S. financial markets, Read remained faithful to his overall investment vision.

He also lived modestly and shunned the trappings of success. He drove a Toyota Yaris around town and, according to reports, wore an old winter coat held together with safety pins. I don't know if you would want to live that frugally. But as far as investing, I'd suggest starting small, as Read did, and building your wealth steadily over time.

Think about starting with an initial investment of $1,000 and adding just $50 per month, or $600 annually. You could put your money into a solid index fund, such as one that tracks the S&P 500, which gained about 12% in 2014.If you had done just that in the past five years, your total investment of $4,000 would have almost doubled.

Like Read, don't get rattled or thrown off by the market's inevitable swings. Stay the course, and stay focused on your long-term goals. Perhaps one day you, too, can be an $8 million investor.

Tuesday, 19 June 2001

Credit Card Charge Offs and Their Impact on Your Credit Score

If you are of the opinion that paying your bills late won't have an impact on your credit score, think again. The late payment of bills under any circumstances can tarnish your credit history. Initially (for the first 180 days),the longer the debt goes unpaid, the more it will affect your credit score. In case the unpaid credit card debt reaches a point where the lender thinks that it will be irretrievable, it will be known as a "charge off".

A charge off enables creditors to write off the debt and claim a tax exemption. Typically, an unpaid amount is recorded as a charge off when you don't pay the bill for at least six months. However, the tenure varies from lender to lender.

Why Avoid Charge Offs?

A charge off means that you have been delinquent in making payment on the debts that you owe. After a debt is charged off, it is no longer considered as a revolving debt. It becomes a balance that is due to be paid. If possible, it is always advisable to avoid a charge off. This is because when your account is revolving, you still have the chances to pay off the debt and bring your credit score to a good position.

Even if you pay the due amount in full, a charge off will stay on your credit report for the next seven years. This is because your past record for payments is considered as an indicator of your future behavior. In case you settle the charge off by paying an amount that is less than what you owe, both the transactions will reflect on your credit report.

Myths About Charge Offs

A myth that most people may have heard is that charge offs can be removed from your credit report. You may find it surprising to learn that your responsibility to pay off the debt does not end when it has been charged off. When your debt has been transferred to a collection agency, the contract that you signed to repay debt will stay in effect until you settle the account. An important point that you should remember when your debt is charged off, is that you may not be able to settle the payment with the original creditor, but with the company that is responsible for collection.

The Impact on Your Credit Score

Charge offs can hurt your credit score to a great extent. Whether you owe $100 or $1,000, charge offs can pose a big threat to your future investment plans. A charge off can make your credit score plunge dramatically. Like some of the other flaws in your credit report, a charge off can be a major setback in the case that you are making an effort to improve your credit score.

It is advisable to consult a credit repair company that will help you in evaluating your credit score regularly and detect any flaws or inaccuracies that may be present in the credit report. Such a company can also advise you to the various steps that will help you in improving your credit score.

Sunday, 15 April 2001

Car Sales on Finance - What You Need to Know

Buying a used or new vehicle on finance gives you the freedom to purchase what you want and pay the vehicle off in monthly instalments. Once you have completed all the payments, the vehicle becomes yours.

This can be very beneficial when it comes to working with a limited budget. Not everyone has the financial freedom to purchase a vehicle for cash, especially when looking at younger models which comes with all the latest technology and safety features.

One of the benefits to looking at car sales on finance is that you can trade in your current vehicle as a part exchange. This enables you to get a value on your current vehicle, which is deducted from the asking price of the new vehicle. This gives you a lower amount which needs to be financed, helping to reduce the monthly instalments and helping you match your monthly budget on what you can afford.

When looking at car sales on finance you get to make regular monthly payments for the vehicle, rather than paying the amount in one large sum. This gives you wider freedom to find what you are looking for. Further if you do your budget before you start shopping around, you will have indication on what you can afford to pay each month, if you qualify, you can buy a vehicle based on the monthly payment amount after trade in, rather than the overall price, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

In addition to this, you have the flexibility to determine how long you want to make your payments for. This is normally twelve to sixty months. Of course taking it over a longer period will mean you pay more interest, but your monthly repayments will be considerably less than if you only take the finance for twelve months. Be realistic in your decision, based on your current working situation and what you feel you can afford in the long term.

The car dealer you are looking at that offers car sales on finance should give you the ability to apply for credit either online or over the phone. This does require a credit check, so it may be worthwhile obtaining a copy of your credit report to identify what your score is. Don't worry not everyone has a perfect score, but obviously the better it is the higher your chances are of obtaining the credit you need.

If you have a tarnished credit score due to problems years ago, advise the car dealer before going ahead with the application. Some car sales on finance do take this into consideration and are willing to provide finance to those with a poor credit rating.

Another thing you will find when choosing a reputable company offering car sales on finance is that you can enjoy an instant decision. Five minutes online or a quick phone call can give you the answer you need. If approved, you could be driving away in your new vehicle within the hour.

Always ensure that you only select a reputable car dealership that has built up a good name in the industry. You want a company that is going to provide you with a complete service, helping you find the best vehicle to meet your need with a flexible finance package that also suits your budget.

Do your research to learn as much about the company as possible. Double check the vehicle comes with some form of warranty and identify who they use for the credit solutions.

Read through the paperwork in detail before signing, ensuring you know what to expect and what your monthly repayments are moving forward.

Withnell Car Sales is a family run business with over twenty five years' experience. This well-established company provides car credit and finance to everyone looking for a good quality second hand car. The company offers a choice of used cars which are updated on a regular basis, all of which are advertised with photographs to help customers identify the best choice for them. Withnell Car Sales also offer a range of credit packages to meet their customer's personal needs and a five minute credit check is also available on their easy to use and secure website. Customers can apply for finance, choose their vehicle and drive away within an hour.