December
31
2009
Are you sick of your experience watching your fragile retirement nest egg get tossed around with the volatility of the markets?
- Tired of the hidden fees that are draining your account?
- Upset about the restrictions and penalties to use your funds when you need them?
There is a safe and guaranteed method to safely and securely grow your nest egg risk free of market changes. Get a free report to build your retirement planning tools.
One of the outstanding benefits of having a financial GPS to help us be debt-free much faster than our current plan is that we are free to use our money to build wealth for ourselves instead of our creditors. Debt elimination drastically expedites our ability to build wealth, plan a secure retirement, and leave a legacy to our families or charities or causes we are passionate about. Many of us desire to make a difference in our lifetimes and have an impact in the future. Debt Elimination provides the first pillar in the four pillars of wealth.
June
11
2009
What is net worth? A household’s assets minus its’ liabilities determines its’ net worth.
The US household’s net worth peaked at $64.4 trillion n the spring of 2007. A lot has changed since then for most households. In the first three months of this year the US households’ net worth fell at a 9.9% annual rate to $50.4 trillion. That means that US families lost 22% of their wealth since the spring of 2007.
Here is a possible silver lining. Households and businesses have realized that reducing and eliminating debt must be a priority for a secure financial future.
Total private sector debt FELL at a 0.4% annual pace in the first quarter of 2009, the first time that private sector debt has declined since the Feds started keeping records in 1952. US households’ liabilities fell by $114 billion in the quarter. Consumer credit card debt fell at a 3.5% annual rate. That is the largest decline since 1980.
Unfortunately households saw their assets drop, including $448 billion in real estate and $1 trillion on their mutual funds, equities, and pension reserves. Owners’ equity in real estate dropped to a record low 41.4% of its value. Financial businesses experienced their first debt reduction since 1975 and the largest since 1967. Businesses overall took on less debt in the first quarter, the first decline since 1993.
United First Financial is the dominating leader in the mortgage acceleration field. This award winning company has been helping households drastically reduce the duration of their mortgages and eliminate debt. United First Financial’s Money Merge Account program has already helped thousands of households eliminate over $355,000,000.00 in mortgage principal alone, beside consumer debt, in the last three years. Reduce your debt rapidly. Learn more about the Money Merge Account.
April
23
2009
President Obama told the credit card industry (you know those same banks that have received billions of dollars in bailout money from US taxpayers) “The days of any time, any reason rate hikes have to stop.”
The meeting came today, a day after a House of Representatives bill to limit credit card fees and curb levels of penalties was given clearance by a key panel. The legislation – branded the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights – would stop credit card issuers from imposing arbitrary interest rate increases and penalties.
An estimated 4 million Bank of America customers were notified in the past week that their annual percentage rate will move up from less than 10% to a range of about 14% to 16%, according to Emily Peters, a credit card expert at Credit.com.
For some Bank of America customers, the changes represent a doubling of rates. Some issuers, including Capital One, switched fixed-rate cards to variable-rate cards. Capital One notified some customers in February that their interest rates would increase to reflect the current risk environment.
This will raise the payments significantly on many people who are barely treading water. Nothing like kicking a dog when it’s down.
As the credit card issuers lower the credit limit on many credit cardholders who are making their payments on a timely basis and always have it is another blow to reduce the consumers FICO score. The blow is another strike behind the big blow already struck by so many Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCS) being reduced and frozen by lenders.
In an environment where lending criteria is so stringent it will be even harder for well qualified borrowers to receive loans due to lowered FICO scores.
I’d like to see legislators address this issue. Do you agree? What do you think?
March
31
2009
With all the bad news we hear continually about the economy let me focus on one of the best positives I see. We seem to be learning from our mistakes and rebuilding, this time on a foundation that can be sustained.
It is good news that subprime lenders won’t lend to the unqualified. It is good news that lenders and borrowers alike won’t be tempted to allow people to buy homes way above their means to sustain that home. It is good in the long run that the pendelum will eventually get back somewhere in the middle on lending criteria.
In the last few years America actually had a -2% savings rate. Today we are back in positive territory. See the chart below. How did we get to that unhealthy point?
Savings back in positive territory
The most likely cause for the decrease in saving over the last several years was the multiyear increase to home values as well as the stock markets. As people’s net worth (at least on paper) grew people “felt” wealthier and became unconcerned about saving outside of retirement. We now see how quickly one’s “net worth” can change and the home equity ATM would shut down.
According to data from the Federal Reserve and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis economic boom times that result in greater net worth are usually accompanied by saving rate declines. The opposite holds true too. When home values and the economy stagnate or drop personal saving usually increases as it has recently.
So let’s learn from history. Let’s not trust in our net worth on paper. The stock market and housing values WILL go up. Today’s news reports both “Housing prices in 20 major cities fell at record monthly and annual levels in January, according to a private report issued Tuesday, with prices down 2.8% from December and 19% from a year earlier.” and “The National Association of Realtors said that existing home sales rose last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.72 million million units, up 5.1% from a rate of 4.49 million in January.” The bad news is prices are down but the good news is sales are up. When there is less inventory the prices will rise again. When this happens is beyond our control.
But what is well within our control is the wisdom to follow a consistent and proactive saving and investing plan to build wealth.
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”
March
30
2009
I must confess I have wasted money for years by not taking mileage expenses that were available to me. Why you ask? Because it is such a pain to keep track of that I thought it wasn’t worth it. Our new accountant convinced me otherwise when we met on Saturday.
As many of my previous posts declare this is the year of all years to stretch every dollar we have. That includes me, hence, my mileage confessions. I felt very bad I was so out of sync with my blog. So today I spent HOURS (thank God for Mapquest and Outlook) tracking 2008 mileage. I wanted to pull my hair out.
Those days are over for me! Just in time for me to know I won’t have to do this next year United First Financial is launching Bizpack next week. One of the features I am looking forward to using to save both time and money is UDeduct. It will help me track all my tax deductions and keep them organized so my experience today will NOT be repeated next year. It has several other features to help me expand my business without blowing my budget or my balanced life, all part of true abundance.
March
4
2009
There are three questions on people’s minds right now…
Do you like to pay taxes?
Would you like to keep more of the money you earn?
How can you increase your cash?
Generally most people consider their mortgage their greatest expense. But the truth answer is taxes! As taxes, whether in property tax, gas or road taxes, or income tax increase our cash flow goes down. In contrast, if our taxes decrease our cash flow increases. We like that, don’t we?
We are all trying to stretch our dollar to the max, especially now. In a previous post I detailed the benefits of a home based business.
To qualify as a home based business there are three very important factors.
· There must be profitable intent
· Consistantly working the business
· Accurate keeping of records
What if there was one all-in-one location with just one login to perform all your technology tasks relating to your business such as marketing, contact management, autoresponders, the ability to do webinars for up to 1000 people, AND having a web-based storage system of all your business expense records so there is no chance of loss due to fire or theft? The revolutionary Udeduct feature of this business bundle will transform a business owners cash flow by making full use of all the tax deductions made available by the IRS.
Learn more about Bizpack right now. The pre-launch is days away from its end.
January
28
2009
It is very exciting to many people that interest rates dropped below 5 percent for the first time in a few years. IF people have enough equity in their home many are rushing to see if they qualify to get in on this window of opportunity to refinance. Let’s get a few points out in the open so people can make an educated decision and determine if this well worn path is the best road to travel.
Let’s take a hypothetical $200,000 mortgage at a current interest rate of 5.875%. Jane and Joe Plumber have had this loan for 4 years. They pay $1183.08 in principal and interest on this mortgage. When they got the loan they contracted according to the Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement they signed to pay $425,904 over the next 30 years in total payments on that $200,000.
But hey, things are great here in 2009 and today they can get a 4.875% interest rate. They get a Good Faith Estimate and are pleased that they live in a state where with just 1 origination point and closing costs that they will roll into the loan (doesn’t everybody?) the grand total only comes to an additional $4,000. Since they have made payments of for 48 months (56,787.84) they are now paying a whopping 256.53 of the 1183.08 payment toward principal. Their $200,000 original balance is now down to $188,996.
They have spent $56,787.84 (to the lender) and only $11,004 has gone toward reducing the principal and building equity for them. Who is getting the better deal here?
But let’s roll the $4000 onto the loan and round the new loan amount to $192,000. Let’s ignore the fact it took them 35 ½ months of making that $1183.08 payment month after month to get down to a $192,000 balance (41,999 dollars spent). With a new 30 year loan of $192,000 at 4.875% their new payment will be $1016.08 which a savings of $167 a month. Sounds good, right?
This is a habit we are comfortable with. A savings of $167 a month is worth it in many homeowners minds. It is costing nothing really, at least not out of pocket, except for maybe a $400 appraisal fee.
Let’s look at some facts. They can’t recoup the $56,787.84 they already paid on the last loan. Though their payment is $167 lower than the last one they are adding 48 additional payments of $1016.08 = $48,771.84.
The new TIL disclosure now shows the new total of payments they are contracting to at $388,652.77 rather than the original $425,904 for a savings of $37,251.23. $56,787 has already been spent and now they are committing to pay an additional $48,771.84 to save $37,251.23. Who loses?
I know this is what we are used to doing but would someone please show me where there was any real savings? Am I alone in seeing this as great for the banks to make money and a scam on the consumer? Quite an expensive proposition as I see it.
And we all know that the 4.875% rate is only 4.875 IF they keep that same loan for the full 30 year term, right? If they only keep it 3-5 years (again the habit) the true interest rate is much, much higher. Just don’t get me started.
Yes, there is a way to break this cycle. There is an alternative. Yes, it takes a paradym shift in the the way we look at loans but if there is a better way, when would you want to know about it? Visit www.dynamicpayoff.com to found out more.
January
16
2009
United First Financial announced a new product called BizPack™. It is an all inclusive business suite to help small business and home based business owners have the edge they need in a competitive market. It will be a one stop resource for marketing, managing, and personal development as well as money saving tools to help them succeed in the market place. Many systems tell you what to do but this system tells you how with the content to make you successful.
Millions of people will be entering the home-based business world for the very first time over the next two years, and they are going to be looking for a leader. You have an opportunity to capture their attention, establish a trusting relationship, and build a massive business while the rest of the economy falls apart.
Competition will always be fierce. But there is one strategy that always wins obviously that strategy is a winning system, and in a time when people are desperate for leadership, it can take you and your business to incredible new places. UFirst has built that winning system in our new product. Our winning system includes:
• GoToMeeting™-Expand sales outside your local area and minimize travel in your area by presenting and training up to 1,000 attendees through the industry-leading GoToMeeting system.
• Marketing-Use a proven marketing system with content and templates to market yourself and find prospects outside of your warm market.
• Contact Management-Follow up and track all actions of your current and future prospects. Save time and increase efficiency with the systems email drip campaigns and auto responders, calendar and task management.
• Video Prospecting-Send and track videos to your prospects. Save time by only contacting the ones who you see actually watch the videos.
• Success Magazine© - Stay motivated with a monthly dose of Success Magazine, the leading magazine for self help and self improvement. In addition, listen and learn from a monthly message from Mark Victor Hansen, the co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. His insight will teach you the secrets of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
• UDeduct™-This analysis tool will help you find additional discretionary income through tax savings available for home-based business owners. Once you show your prospects the legal and ethical deductions available for home-based business owners, selling this system will be a no-brainer. There are over 100 deductions that small and home-based business owners can legally take aadvantage of.
• Business Marketing System-Teaches you how to market at much lower costs on Google and similar services for pennies. This system includes email templates, a monthly client newsletter and auto responders integrated into the contact management system. In addition it teaches you how to send direct mail and market on the internet. This system will teach you how to keep in touch with your warm market and increase leads outside your warm market to increase sales. Many systems tell you what to do but this system tells you HOW with the content to make you successful. Marketing is the key to make you successful in any business. This system will allow you to attract new clients, potential agents and increase your bottom line.
All components of the system are integrated into one, easy-to-use portal for simple navigation -increasing your work productivity.
Opportunity
During our pre-launch period, there is absolutely zero barriers to entry. By registering now at no cost, you will automatically receive your personal replicated website. During our pre-launch phase we will waive the one time BizPack activation fee and the BizPack agent registration fee.
Not only does the BizPack continue to offer the financial benefits of the traditional UFirst compensation structure, but now you have the benefits of building a significant residual income, with no limit to the number of members you can add to your team!
What are you waiting for? If you have ever wanted to improve your financial future and be part of a ground floor opportunity, Register now, and secure your spot. Sign up for BizPack click here.
January
3
2009
Anybody who doesn’t have finances in their 2009 goals or resolutions? It isn’t as hard as you think to MAKE MORE MONEY!
Walk into work tomorrow morning and make a simple adjustment on your W-4 withholdings and immediately increase your take home income by potentially several hundred dollars a month!
If you’re like most people, you overpay the IRS every year so they have been sending you a tax refund every year. Sound familiar? And most people are so happy to receive a big fat check.
What is wrong with this picture? A big refund means you gave Uncle Sam an interest free loan all year. Why would you want to give Uncle Sam an INTEREST FREE LOAN? Wouldn’t you rather earn interest on your own money or have access to that money to avoid paying interest on purchases financed because you didn’t have your income available due to the wonderful “forced savings” plan you have through the IRS? Don’t most savings plans include the option to earn interest?
It is crucial to understand the major difference between those who know the rules and those who don’t.
Most people…
1. Work
2. Pay taxes
3. Spend what’s left over (not much these days)
The financially informed…
1. Work or have money/people working for them
2. Spend and invest all they need to increase their net worth
3. Pay taxes on what is left over
The financially uninformed pay taxes FIRST, on the full amount they earn. The financially educated pay taxes LAST.
Educate yourself in regards to the rules. Here is the “secret” that more and more people know by experience
Start a home based business. Find something you are passionate about that allows you to make 
a profit from home. You will save money on gas, keep the highways cleaner and less crowded, save on child care, and legitimately enjoy the tax benefits the IRS extends to business owners.
Many people are simply unaware of the thousands of dollars they are losing every year by not having a home based business. Once you understand the money that can be saved just by minimizing your number one expense in life, TAXES, it may be something to consider.
Most home based businesses are very inexpensive to start. Most range from about $100-$1000 unlike franchises which cost much more and has a far greater overhead. Of course do your due diligence to determine the best home based business that interests you. Be willing to invest your time, energy, and effort. A legitimate home based business is in business to produce a profit, not just take write-offs. This can be started on a part time basis as you continue your job and built up with consistent effort even if it starts out with fewer hours. With corporate America downsizing this is an opportune time to secure something for you. You may even like your new boss and be rewarded for what you are worth!
A write-off means the IRS allows for reimbursement for a portion or all of the cost you spent. Here are some expenses that can be write-offs…
- your cell phone
- your home phone
- home gas/electric bills
- dinners and entertainment
- your gasoline
- your car and related expenses
- seminars
- books, cd’s and other educational items
- part of your mortgage or rent, office supplies, business trips and much more
Imagine what you would do with potentially an extra $3,000 to $6,000 a year in income? And that doesn’t include the income generated from the business itself. The $3,000 to $6000 represents possible tax savings alone! An extra $500 a month can make all the difference for many households in America. Happy New Year and make this your year to enjoy more of the fruit of your labors.
December
15
2008
What Exactly is “Home Equity”?
The equity in your home is the difference between what your home is worth is today’s market and how much you currently owe on your mortgage. For example, if your home’s current appraised value is $200,000 and you owe $100,000 on your mortgage you have $100,000 in home equity. Your LTV or loan-to-value would be 50% LTV. If you currently owe $220,000 on your mortgage you would have negative equity. That is not an uncommon problem right now.
You can build equity slowly over time or speed up the process. How can you put your home equity to work for you? The current real estate slowdown will eventually pass and when the housing market recovers homes will begin to appreciate again.
One option is to put a larger down payment on any home you plan to purchase. You start out with greater equity.
Another option is to keep your home well maintained and stay on top of all needed repairs. That is a must if you don’t want to lose equity. Then consider upgrades for your home. There can be significant differences in the appraised value of “model-matched” homes because of upgrades and condition between the two. Check with local real estate agents and property appraisers to learn which home improvements give you the greatest bang for your buck.
Refinancing to a shorter term mortgage is a very common action taken by people actively looking to build home equity faster. There are several hidden factors in refinancing that may need to be considered to determine if this common strategy is best for one’s financial goals and needs. For many who do have negative equity this is currently not an option.
There is another option available today to be proactive in building home equity while avoiding the pitfalls of a potential refinance. Learn more about a comprehensive personal finance software program to build home equity even in a down market. Don’t give up hope. Options are out there. It is always a win to increase your net worth by building greater equity.