Money worries have many different voices: “How am I going to pay my phone bill? My lights are almost two months behind. The rent is due. What are we going to do about the mortgage? We don’t have money for football uniforms. No field trip. That cost money. No, you can’t have that, it cost more than what we have in our budget. They’re coming to take the furniture back; our payment is overdue. The kid needs her braces removed but the dentist won’t do it unless we pay the rest of the money we owe. I’ve lost my job. I’m sorry, honey, they have downsized my position. If I want to keep my job I will have to take a cut in pay. How can I afford these child support payments? I can’t take this any more. What are we going to do?”A mind that is cluttered with money worries may be flooded with one or two or all of these thoughts at one time or another. Maybe you were there once in your life, maybe not. Most people with financial troubles are anxious, confused, angry, harbor feelings of hopelessness, insecurity, and uncertainty about future financial outcomes. Consequently, this state of mind affects everything, including work performance.It’s time for a financial assessment. Is your trouble because you have maxed out your credit cards? Maybe you have more month than money. Do you have medical expenses? Are you sick and can’t work? Have you lost your job, or been downsized? Where did the shortage originate?Once you have assessed where the problem lie, then you can look at remedies. Money troubles in plain simple English are not enough money to cover your present lifestyle. The causes may or may not be within your control.When the funds are low, the logical answer would be to make more but what most people do is fret about it. Some spend more time worrying about what they don’t have while others add on a second job.Money troubles are not going to go away without something changing. Worry will not make up the deficit but initiating a plan of action will.Step IMake a list of all of your monthly household livingexpenses: mortgage, rent, utility bills, etc.Step IIList Your Debts (creditors you owe)Step IIIList your entertainmentStep IVList miscellaneous (lunch, coffee, snacks, etc.)Step VWrite in how much you pay on each. Total thatamount.Step VIList your sources of income (job, spouse, etc.). Takethe total from this and subtract it from what you spend onhousehold, debts and entertainment. If that figure showsyou are not covering your expenses, look back at yourexpenses; see what you can eliminate from entertainment.Make a list of other areas you are expending money,such as lunch, dry cleaning, hair cuts, etc.Try taking your lunch from home rather than buying lunch. The average lunch cost about $7.00. That $7.00 for five days comes to $35.00 a week, totaling $140.00 a month. Imagine if you, your wife and children spent the same amount weekly,that would amount to a partial mortgage or rental payment.Take a look at your Debt. Began to work from the smallest to the largest. Take the money you saved from not buying, let’s say lunch, and redirect the total amount towards paying off the smallest debt first.As you pay off each debt, take that money and add it to the next smallest debt, working your way to the largest, until you have eliminated your debt completely. While you are doing this, examine your household budget.Look at how to eliminate some of your other expenditures; for example, if you have a high cell phone bill, you might want to exchange that cell phone for one with a more fixed rate. Maybe instead of hiring a lawn service, you could cut the grass yourself. Perhaps you might visit Barber or cosmetology trade schools to obtain these services at a reduced rate.Look at what you are already doing first to find the extra money. If you still need more to make up the deficit, then you might look at your skills and talents: start a home-based business. It’s something you could do as a family.Money troubles can be conquered, if you are willing to take a few extra steps. Don’t look at the impossible debt mountain, began the climb one step at a time. And, yes, it is okay to reward yourself along the way but keep in mind where you are headed. Don’t overdo it. Once your debt is eliminated, don’t spend the excess money; instead, add it to your future savings options.Understand that paying your debts down will not take place overnight but if you are consistent it will happen.Blondie L. Clayton is a Realization Strategist™, Publishing Coach, Author of several books, Freelance Writer, hosts of several radio talk shows online. Download your free debt free starter kit at debtfree.print2publish.com
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As each day seems to be quite unpredictable, one thing is certainly predictable - the economy is slipping further into the negative direction. As we look to our new president elect Barack Obama to create a miraculous turn, we realize that he will not take office until January and things are not looking good - we need help now. The talk of working to fix the economy is just not enough - we want immediate action. Some of us cannot wait that long......and January 21st, 2009 will not be the day we see the difference. It appears that the focus is mainly on Wall Street and the big companies as they are looked to be the leaders of the economy. However, we know that this dilemma affects us all.Health care is an essential part of business. However, the health care industry is also facing major cuts in various areas. Who would think that this day would ever come? When one would ask what fields are sound to find stability - the health care industry would be mentioned on the top of the list. The truth is, this is not so true anymore. Hospitals are laying off their employees and replacing them with temporary employees. Nurses are signing on to temporary agencies to keep themselves employed. Hospitals and Nursing Homes have closed. Moratoriums are in place for certain business applications who seek to do business within various states. Partnership programs that provides health care services to low income and under served communities have already close due to the loss of funding and those who remain open are preparing to layoff workers within the next few weeks.The health care industry is the line of business that we target. However, we have had to make some major adjustments to find ways to stay viable. We had to review our services and find ways to become creative. It is certainly not an easy task as we have to convince the clients that we can offer them just what they need. How is your business doing? Have you considered reviewing your business plan, looking at what you have to offer and who can benefit from your services? As I mentioned before, we are a health care focused company. However, we have found ourselves doing business with corporate companies that needed our service - who would have even imagined that we could cross over? Yet we have and it is helping to keep us alive. Look closely at your business, can you use your expertise and help others in the field? Have you considered being a speaker/lecturer at a local community college? How about hosting an event that shows off your business? It does not have to be a big shing dig - just a simple customer appreciation day - with juice, fruit and pastries. Smile at your customers - let them know how much you value their patronage. It may be the thing to keep them coming back and telling others - and that's a plus.
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I went after a job in a place where I believed I could make a difference providing a service to Black people, my people that I feel most connected to. The revolutionary side of me is passionate about affecting social change and making a difference. All fired up after finally completing my undergraduate degree I was idealistic and proudly anticipating working at a Historically Black College.My intent was to connect with African American parents and students to assist them in securing funding through Financial Aid effectively as someone who understood the anxiety they may have been experiencing. My belief is that I understood the challenge of feeling intimidated and overwhelmed but together we could come up with a plan that worked to the advantage of the student and parent and secured their admission, tuition, and housing requirements.The work proved to be more than challenging and even though I anticipated it to be difficult I expected to be trained well enough to meet the challenge. A very wise woman that had been in the industry for almost 30 years taught me as much as she could in between the demands of her own student load and time lines.The office operations were flat and loosely structured and the environment was highly charged by politics and big egos. When I needed help I would go to my co-workers and make every effort to get the right answer for the best outcome. In almost every instance, I received a different answer no matter who I went to. Seasoned individuals performed procedures the way it has always been done like before computers became the focus. It was effective in its time although time consuming. Fairly new professionals performed procedures in whatever way allowed it be done the fastest. Mistakes were made but time lines were met most of the time.Read moreOmitunde, Publisher of African American Family ConnectionAn online magazine about African American Family values and community.Visit AAFC for the latest issue each month and a copy of "The Ripple Effect".Read more…
Ok, I rose this morning (Thank you Jesus), got the kids on the bus by 6:30, received a few phone calls around 8'ish, ate a miniature Snicker's candy bar and a few chips and began networking......Well to start, my goal today is to enroll 3 people today into the service in an attempt to help them to restore their credit to its rightfull place, follow up with some customers that have gone through the process and offer them the opportunity to join our business. So far I have a 12 noon appt. and a 6pm appt and several phone calls to make in between, but I am on a mission today.I Plan on getting one recruit today as well.My mission: Help others while also helping myself. Put God first throughout the process and build an entire team that wants to go out and change the world.Point Blank: People need what our company has and I must to do today what others don't so I can have tomorrow what others won't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dedicated to changing lives and creating a legacy,Credit RestorerIndependent Agent / National Sales Directorwww.vrtmg.com/sstreeterwww.tdtwmarketing.comOff to get my coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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As business owners, we are accustomed to facing challenges -- daily. In most cases, we work through them and even though they are temporary fixes - it helps to keep things afloat even just for a short period of time. Financial worries are often a worry of small business owners regardless whether the business is a success, if it's thriving or just barely making it through. The point is we have all had our moments where we celebrate the good times and shortly after face a potential crisis that may change the direction and growth of the business. Somehow, it works out.However, we have a huge dilemma. It appears that Wall Street is going through a major turbulence. Our government is trying to figure out a way to keep it all afloat. Like small business owners, we may rob Peter to pay Paul - the government is literally robbing us to pay the big guys. Small businesses have quite the challenge to gain loans, contracts, grants and forbid a BAIL OUT. We have to be innovative - stretch our resources - just make it happen.The truth is there is going to be a tough road ahead for Small Businesses. We must accept that we have to be even more innovative:• avoid taking on more financial burdens (hold off on buying new equipment and furniture, etc.)• keep a close watch of your inventory (no need to order more pens and pencils - look in your draw and pull out that pen)• bring your lunch to work• try to conserve energy - keep the lights off in areas that are not in use (bathrooms, empty offices, kitchen/dining area, etc.)• Use the supplies wisely (when a blank paper comes through the printer - put it back in the bin for printing)It is important to understand that every penny counts. The truth is we need to be in control of the things we can change - our habits. We will feel the brunt of this 700 Billion Dollar Bail Out - other businesses will be taking it easy until they feel confident to resume doing business as they were before this crisis. facing the truth is to acknowledge what most of us already know -- although the politicians have said and will continue to say that Small Businesses are the backbone of our Country -- they have done very little to ensure that we have the same resources available as the major companies - we're on our own and it's time to face the truth.
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Well, here I am back at it again....loving what I do of course but wanting to get a cup of coffee. Anyway on to the reason for this blog.The importance of having a Business Building Philosophy is to build a network whereby recruiting never stops, therefore sales never stop, therefore income never stops. How many times have we all seen an "individual" come into an opportunity and generate numerous sales???? For me, I have observed this while they observe me RECRUIT! A person that can sale, sale, sale is gifted indeed at sales, no doubt about it.My point is that, with recruits (ie, multiple outlets and/or franchises) you can have others that will duplicate your skills if you train and mentor them. That is what our fearless leaders have taught us. Not only are they a walking billboard for success, but they also provide us with the same opportunities and mentorship every 2-4 months. You can experience this regardless of where you currently reside.We are not watching them from a podium in the back of the "Pepsi Center", but we are in the same room, taking notes and shaking hands with them.Success leaves footprints and I do not ever want to have to wonder "who moved my cheese". On February 13 & 14th, we will be at the fabulous Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX. If you are interested in how you can build a true network by recruiting WIDE and field training DEEP, you should send me a message so we can get you ready for this HUGE and life changing event. Of course there is no better way to learn than by having a Valentine's day celebration at the resort at the end of the evening. Did I say, dinner, dancing, bringing out the formal wear and NETWORKING???Send me a message if interested and as always: Put God first in all that you do and pray over your business!CreditRestorerwww.tdtwmarketing.com
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