Question about finance

Please help me develop a broad understanding of its structure, key organizations, etc.

Thanks so much in advance!

Spring is in the air across the country and many people are beginning their gardening and participating in the tradition of spring cleaning. It’s the time of year when garages get organized, and clutter is removed so that the floors and walls can all get a much needed cleaning after the family has spent months indoors waiting out the cold weather.

Anyone who’s ever tended a flower garden knows that flowers require some care and attention to bloom fully. You’ve got to keep their area free of weed clutter, watered and with just the right amount of sun to really help them thrive. Your finances need similar attention to bloom – and decluttering your financial situation can save you money.

Weeding Debts

Start with your current debts, since these are likely to be costing you the most money in fees and interest. Get your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com, and see whether or not there are any inaccuracies reported. If so, dispute the problem in writing and get it resolved. A drop in your credit score of just 50 points is enough to cause you to pay more for credit or be the reason you can’t get credit at all.

You’ll also want to take a close look at your credit card and loan statements to see what interest rates you’re paying on each of your accounts. Perhaps you can make a few phone calls and get your interest rates lower; or move balances from higher interest cards to a lower interest card; or pay off high interest credit cards with a lower interest loan. These actions can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars per year, and only take a few minutes of your time to initiate.

Create a plan to pay off your debts as quickly as possible. Debt and the fees associated with debt repayments are like weeds in your financial garden – you can’t expect your finances to grow properly when you’ve got the ‘weeds’ holding you back.

Tending Your Bank Accounts

Take a close look at your bank accounts. You may have multiple savings and/or checking accounts, a money market or other account and you may find it easier and more manageable to consolidate some of these accounts. Additionally, if your bank accounts are charging you fees, you are paying multiple fees when you could combine accounts and reduce the amount of fees you pay for banking.

After determining how many bank accounts you have, compare what fees each bank is charging you to use the account, as well as benefits associated with having the account. Once you’ve determined which account or two you plan to keep, you can begin consolidating. Start by switching any automatic payments you have coming out of an account you plan to close to the account you are keeping open, and once you’ve verified all automatic payments are coming out of the right account – begin closing the ones you’ve decided to eliminate.

You can further declutter your financial situation by setting up online bill payment for your recurring bills, and eliminating the need to receive bill statements in the mail. Switching to electronic banking uses less paper, and you can balance your accounts online as well. Reduce the need to pay for stamps by paying as much as you can online, and only mailing checks to companies that don’t accept online payments. Eliminate late fees by setting up accounts to pay automatically, and you’ll never forget to make a payment on time again since it’s all set on auto-pilot.

Decluttering your finances works like fertilizer to your financial ‘garden’. Taking the time to work out the details each spring will keep you on track for long term financial success.

Video related to finance

Reaction to Lehman Brothers Conference Call, Analysis and Disussion on Financial Markets, Outlook for Oil, and Investment Strategies

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Question about finance

In today’s culture, it’s very easy to compartmentalize our lives. In fact, many organization specialists say that this is the best way to keep track of the many elements of our busy lives. That’s because having a system works.

But you need to keep in mind that all the areas of your life are linked. For instance, poor relationships can cause serious health problems. And poor parenting skills will hurt your children’s chances for success.

Well, your finances are part of your overall world. When other areas are negatively hit, it causes serious problems with your finances. With that in mind, there are two habits most people don’t connect to finances, but I’ve found will often cause major financial trouble.

The two habits are not going to church and sexual immorality. I know that sounds off the wall. Most of you are probably saying, “Those have nothing to do with finances.” But they do. In fact, I’ve seen how both of them can work together to destroy your finances.

While this principle is one I’ve seen over and over again in practice, there is a Scriptural basis for the connection. Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let love of the brethren continue,” which means you need to continue fellowshipping with believers on a regular basis. Then in verse 4, the same chapter discusses adultery. And verse 5 discusses the love of money.

While these verses don’t draw a direct connection, it does discuss them together. And I believe the practical connection illustrates a biblical truth: When Christians stop going to church and fellowshipping with believers, they fall into all kinds of trouble. And the consequences of their sin often result in financial problems.

In fact, in my experience, I’ve seen immorality push people out of church. And I’ve seen it destroy their finances. I know of one couple that recently divorced because of marital infidelity and both of them are struggling financially. And, at one point, both of them pulled out of their church.

I’ve seen other cases where a Christian couple wasn’t tied into a church and the husband got involved in Internet immorality. He soon lost his job and put his family in serious financial trouble.

One habit doesn’t necessarily mean the others will always happen. I’ve seen very godly people who were very involved in church go through terrible financial times (Job is a great example). But, as trends go, I’ve seen a lot of cases where all three go hand in hand.

The good news is you can save yourself from a lot of heartache and financial ruin simply by staying closely plugged into a group of Bible-believing Christians. They can help you stay out of immoral situations with personal accountability and help you through any tough times that do come along.

Video related to finance

Off graduation Homecoming featuring Chris Martin www.b1gtits.com www.finance-check.net

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Question about finance

Every single one of us—no matter our location, age, gender, hair color, family background or race—has to manage our personal finances.

For some, it’s an exciting passion, a never-ending game of “how much can I accumulate in one lifetime”.

For others, it’s just part of life, something that needs to be dealt with but doesn’t border on obsession.

And finally, for many of us, personal finance is nothing but drudgery at best and an emotional trigger at worst.

Fortunately, there are a few simple rules that will help anyone stay on track, and reduce the amount of stress involved when it comes to making sure personal finances are well in order.

DO get organized. Even if you’re a “messy”, this Do is crucial. You’ll miss important due dates, pay exorbitant late fees and possibly get into serious debt (or credit trouble) if you don’t have a handle on what you owe and when you owe it. A simple rule of thumb: the messier you are, the simpler your system.

DO draw up a spending plan. Every dollar that comes into your household goes out in one way, shape or form, even if it’s to a savings account. Know where your money’s coming in and where it’s going. Without this information, you can’t possibly make wise financial choices.

Overwhelmed by the thought? Ask a financially responsible friend or relative (whom you trust) to do it for you. You can’t argue with success—and they can help you make the hard decisions when it comes to having to “trim” spending in certain areas.

DON’T cut out all your fun. Decide, along with your family, what’s most important to you in terms of living a happy life. Then divide up your budget accordingly. If your family really enjoys eating out, plan for it. Just keep in mind you may have to spend a lot less on groceries or clothing. If none of us are the same then our spending plans shouldn’t be the same. If you love to read then cutting back on cable TV wouldn’t be a problem. If you love to watch sports, then cutting back on cable TV would be a serious problem.

DO allow impulse spending. Yup, you read it correctly. Unless you plan for a certain amount of miscellaneous, unexpected expenses in your spending plan, you’ll always feel as though you’re blowing your budget when you pick up items you weren’t planning to buy. Just like anything else, give yourself a “buffer”. A side benefit: you get to skip the guilt when you pick up that neat velour Elvis on the boardwalk.

DON’T use your local bank – unless you absolutely have to. Check out all available credit unions first. In most cases, they’ll have better rates and more friendly policies on everything from fees to lending practices. Each dollar you deposit buys you a share, or membership, in the credit union. So instead of being a customer you’re actually a “member”. Like the ad says, membership has its privileges.

DO use a debit card with protection. Before you use a debit card, make sure your checking account is safe in case you lose your card or it’s somehow stolen. Also make sure you have the right to reverse charges in case merchants don’t provide the goods or services you purchased.

DON’T buy a new car. Considering the fact that new cars depreciate thousands of dollars as soon as you drive them off the lot, can anyone explain why buying a new car would be a good idea?

DO run numbers before every major financial decision. Conventional wisdom works—most of the time. But there are always exceptions. For example, in most cases, it doesn’t make sense to borrow from a 401(k). But there are instances where it’s financially beneficial. You’ll hear it preached from the rooftops that you shouldn’t use a home equity loan to pay off credit cards, or that debt consolidation loans are nothing but trouble. But if you’re financially responsible and ran into some tough circumstances, a HELOC or debt consolidation could be a lifesaver. Search online for calculators that will help clarify the situation. Numbers don’t lie.

And finally, perhaps the most important “Do” of all…

DO remember that personal finance is just that—personal. Everyone loves to give advice, and everyone loves to share their opinions. What worked for your mom and dad may not work for you. On the other hand, they probably have years of wisdom you can draw from.

Consider your personal finances an extension of who you are and where you’re going. Study the topic, and take the time to develop your own unique strategies when it comes to saving, spending and investing. During this information age there’s never been a better time to find the facts you need, in record time.

Everyone has finances. Get personal when it comes to yours.

Video related to finance

Yale hosted a panel discussion with Yale Faculty on Understanding the Financial Crisis: The Stimulus, Bailouts and Other Solutions. Panelists included John Geanakoplos (James Tobin Professor of Economics), Jonathan Macey (Deputy Dean of the Yale Law School), William Nordhaus (Sterling Professor of Economics) and Robert Shiller (Arthur M. Okun Professor of Economics). The discussion was moderated by Yale University President Richard Levin (Frederick William Beinecke Professor of Economics).

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Question about finance

THE HEART OF FINANCES

As with the physical heart and the spiritual heart, so it is with the financial heart. In the matter of your finances or money, if you want to bring about a change in your finances you must get to the heart of the matter.

1.  

   1. The heart of finances, the thing that provides the power needed for financial increase, prosperity and wealth are the thoughts that dominate your mind about your finances, your attitude.

Your thoughts are the heart of your finances. If your thoughts about your finances aren’t right then your finances will not be right either.

 

You cannot wish, hope and desire financial increase and then have thoughts of poverty, lack, barely making ends meet and living paycheck to paycheck dominating your thought life.

1.  

   1. Either one thought pattern or the other will dominate your mind and produce results in accordance with the dominating thoughts you’re thinking.

 

1. “For as he (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

You can’t think one way and expect another way to come forth the thoughts you’re sowing in your mind you will reap in your life and there’s no way around it. You will become what you think.

1.  

   1. You need to put this scripture in your spirit until you get the revelation of it in your heart.

You must come into the knowledge that your thoughts are what you will become. There is no exception to this rule you will become the dominating thoughts that you’re thinking

At this moment, thoughts of poverty, lack, limitations, barely making ends meet, financial loss and living paycheck to paycheck may be the dominating thoughts of your life.

These dominating thoughts have a direct correlation and connection with the things that you are currently experiencing in your life.

THE BUM ON THE STREET AND THE RICH MAN ON WALL STREET

The only difference between the bum on the street and the rich man on Wall Street are the difference in the thoughts that’s dominating their thinking

The attitude of one is totally different from the attitude of the other. The bum on the street, have dominating thoughts of poverty, lack, and wondering about their daily drink and food.

The dominating thoughts of his mind have produced the events of his life. Even if once in a while he has thoughts of plenty those thoughts are soon evaporated and suppressed by the negative thoughts of lack and limitations.

Thoughts of plenty have no voice in his mind because of the dominating thoughts of poverty and barely making ends meet.

The bum with this state of mind will never arise from his position until he change the dominating thoughts of his thinking. “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 As he continues to think so he continues to be.

The rich man on Wall Street have dominating thoughts of plenty, wealth, riches and abundance. The dominating thoughts of his mind have in return produced the events of his life.

Even if once in a while he has negative thoughts of lack and loss, those thoughts are soon evaporated and suppressed by the thoughts of plenty, abundance, wealth and riches.

Thoughts of lack has no voice in his mind because of the dominating thoughts of plenty and abundance.

The rich men with this state of mind will never (with all things being equal) fall from his state of prosperity unless he changes the dominating thoughts of his thinking.

“For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

The only difference between the bum on the street and the rich man on Wall Street are the dominating thoughts of their mind, their attitude.

If each of the examples above would simply change to the dominating thoughts or attitude of the other over time the circumstances of each person would likewise change from one to the other.

The bum would then become the rich man on Wall Street and the rich man on wall street would become the boom by simply changing the dominating thoughts of their mind. The heart of it all is in the matter of thoughts.

There is a universal law in the realm of the mind that works the same for all mankind, that law is “like attracts like,” “cause and effect,” “what you sow, you will reap,” and “everything produces after its kind.” Genesis 1:11-12 A apple trees cannot produce oranges nor can a pecan tree produce plums. Every tree only produces after its kind. Luke 6:43-44

DOMINATING THOUGHTS

 

The dominating thoughts of your mind, is the heart to your world of financial abundance or financial lack.

1.  

   1. Like the heart is the pumping machine of the physical body and provides the power needed for physical life.

1.  

   1. The thoughts that dominate you’re thinking about money and finances are the pumping machine of your financial life.

 

These thoughts then provide the power needed for financial increase, prosperity and wealth.

If you’re daily pumping into your mind thoughts of lack, limitation, poverty, barely making ends meet and paycheck to paycheck thinking this is the only thing you can ever receive.

“For as he (man) thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

If you’re daily pumping into your mind thoughts of increase, plenty, abundance, wealth and riches then this is the only thing that you can receive.

If you don’t believe it, go and ask any financially prosperous person how often they think of lack and limitation and they will tell you either not often or not at all.

Ask them how often they think of increase, abundance, and plenty and they will tell you either often or all the time.

However, if you ask the person living in lack and poverty how often they think of abundance, plenty and wealth (if they’re honest with themselves and you) they will tell you either not often or not at all. Unless they’re an exception to the rule and there’s not many exceptions.

Yet, ask them how often they think of lack, limitation and paycheck to paycheck living (if they’re honest) they will tell you either often or all the time.

If you don’t desire to ask anyone then simply ask yourself and in accordance to whether you’re in prosperity or lack, you’re thinking one way or the other often or all the time.

As he continues to think so he continues to be.

• If the dominating thoughts of your mind presently are thoughts of lack, poverty and paycheck to paycheck living don’t be dismayed, for the individual that have thoughts of plenty and abundance had to start those thoughts at sometime and some place.

• Today is your time, where you are right now is your place.

• Now is the time to apply your hidden riches in secret places and take on your new heart of finances.

• Now is the time to begin pumping into your mind dominating thoughts of increase, prosperity, plenty, abundance, wealth and riches.

• Now is the time to take out and cast aside that old stony financial heart (thoughts) of lack, poverty, barely making ends meet and paycheck to paycheck living.

• Now is the time to receive a new financial heart (thoughts) of increase, prosperity, wealth, overflow and unlimited supply.

Video related to finance

Present Value and Future Value explained from teachmefinance.com

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://mcnulty.us/the-heart-of-finances/feed/ 18