Finance Roll

Creative financing refers to a way to own real estate outside of conventional means such as traditional mortgage loans. Traditional mortgage loans are not always the best option for every circumstance, and this is where creative financing techniques can help home buyers get in to a home. Creative financing can help people with less than perfect credit own a home.

Creative financing techniques are also commonly used by investors in order to gain control of properties with the least possible out of pocket expense.

As the name suggests, there are numerous options for creative financing. Before you choose to use any method of creative financing, it is best if you research all of your options and become familiar with how it all works.

Here are several common methods of creative financing that are used...

Rent to Own / Seller Financed Mortgage

In a rent to own situation or a seller financed mortgage, the current owner of the property holds back the mortgage on the property. Typically, in a rent to own, a portion of your monthly rent goes towards a future down payment. This has advantages over renting because you rent is not going to "waste" so to speak. If you decide to purchase the property at a future date, you can use the down payment portion to help you qualify for a traditional mortgage.

In the case of a seller financed mortgage, the seller acts in the same capacity as the bank and holds the mortgage on the property that you then pay back with interest. Typically, arrangements like these are more common in times when the real estate market is moving more slowly. Both sellers and buyers can benefit from such a situation as the buyer gets in to the home and the seller is able to sell the home as well as collect interest on the deal.

80/20 Home Mortgage

An 80/20 home mortgage is actually two mortgages, a primary mortgage an a second mortgage. The concept and idea of an 80/20 home mortgage is to reduce the amount of liability towards any single lender, finance 100% of the purchase price and avoid paying PMI.

You have several options that pertain to the 20% part of an 80/20 mortgage. The second mortgage can either be fixed or a line of credit. The benefit of choosing a line of credit over a fixed rate in this situation is that the interest rates can often be 2 - 5 percent lower than a fixed rate.

Government Backed Loan Programs

Some government back loan programs are also considered creative financing. There are several state and federal loan programs offered that allow for 100% financing. Closing costs can also be rolled in to the loan in some cases.

Because these programs are government subsidized, income qualifications are a common restriction of eligibility. These programs are aimed at people with mid to low income as a means of helping everyone experience home ownership.

Hard Money Lenders

Hard money lenders are traditionally used more for investment purposes than for a primary residence. A hard money lender loans money privately usually with higher interest and shorter terms compared to traditional mortgages.

While this is no means a complete run down of creative financing techniques, as you can see there are many options when it comes to financing real estate outside of traditional means.

Most people are well aware that in order to improve their finances and even become wealthy, they need to follow a process that takes them from being in debt to having financial assets that provide them with an income.

If so many people are aware of this, why do so few ever acquire investments?

There are two reasons: firstly, many people are already living on more than their income each month, and so finding money to invest often seems unlikely. Secondly, there is a common misunderstanding that investing is complicated.

By following these five steps, you can easily save a regular amount of money sufficient to act as your investment money:

1. Reduce your entertainment spending - chances are, you don't know exactly how much you spend on entertainment each month, and the total is probably higher than you would guess. Common entertainment splurges are alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, nights out drinking, trips to the cinema, DVD rentals and family activities like bowling and swimming. All of these quickly add up, especially if you are paying for two (you and your spouse) or four (you, spouse and two children) people each time. Rather than seeing entertainment spending as a necessity, you must be realistic about the amount you can afford to spend on these things each month. What can you sacrifice to help your investment budget?
2. Take control of your collections - you may or may not be aware of your collections; the things you buy time and time again, despite having similar things already. The obvious cliche collection is the woman with 100 pairs of black stilettos. While this is an extreme example, chances are you have too many of a certain thing already, whether it be handbags, blue jeans, summer jackets, luxurious bubble baths, tea towels or power tools. Identify what your collections are and assess whether you need all of the items you have already. Sell any you don't use or pay attention to, and commit not to buy any further of these for six or twelve months. Be aware that when you are around these objects, you will feel a temptation to buy. Don't give in.
3. Watch your food spending - meals to celebrate someone's birthday, the weekly grocery shop, the chocolates to cheer you up, the lunch bought each work day, the ice cream while walking the dog, the Starbucks on the way to the office, the takeaway when you're just too tired to cook... food spending takes up a huge chunk of most people's income each month. Unless your end goal is to be obese and unhealthy, this is a habit well worth overcoming right away. Also, a shocking amount of food bought ends up being thrown away and wasted. You are literally throwing away a portion of your income each month by buying food that will not be used. To get your food spending under control, make sure you plan your meals in advance each week and buy accordingly, never go food shopping while hungry or without a list, and don't make the mistake of aimlessly wandering up and down every single aisle in the supermarket. Calculate how much your shopping will total and take that amount in cash - do not have a debit or credit card with you. If your shopping exceeds the amount of cash you have, replace some less essential items. Buy cheaper brands of cleaning products, toilet rolls and alcohol. Arrange alternative celebrations for birthdays and ring a friend when upset - don't treat food as a reward or comforter.
4. Buy less 'treats' and impulse buys - do you have a gym membership? When was the last time you used it? The majority of people who have a gym membership will actually pay less over the course of a year if they cancel the membership and pay for each gym session as they attend. Cancel your membership now - unless you really go several times every single week. Consider your magazine and newspaper subscriptions. How many of these can you access free online? How many do you not even get around to reading properly? With the amount of free information available online, there is rarely a need to pay for any magazines or newspapers. How often do you buy CDs or DVDs? Most CDs can be purchased at a lower price online, and as most DVDs are watched only once, switch to renting them for a fraction of the price. If you're wondering how you will manage without these 'treats', consider if you are trying to hide from some real pain that can be better managed.
5. Hide from the cash machine - give yourself a weekly budget and withdraw this amount at the beginning of the week. Then hide your credit and debit cards (or give them to a friend who will not give them back to you until the next week) and force yourself to spend just that amount. This will force you to closely examine your spending and will change the way you think about money and spending.

By following these five steps, you will have an extra amount of free cash each month that can be invested however you choose.

If you are new to investing, discuss your options with a Wealth Coach.

In no time at all, you will have an investment plan prepared and will be on the road to controlling your own finances.

When ever changing into a great serious sports activities bettor the a good number powerful issue a few other in comparison with picking winners often is figuring out the simplest way so that you can be in charge of most of the finances you actually have set apart pertaining to gambling. Without having to declare, it has been called bank roll management, and the application is normally tremendously straightforward to develop.

Most bettors commit this particular miscalculation of wagering way too much or most of their own cash with only one quest in hopes of cashing in colossal on a fast hit. In which is definitely the most severe thing one could certainly implement since just about every sports period is actually very lengthy and additionally is without a doubt filled of profit creating occasions. Thus we do not necessarily really want to go away broke wildly wagering income on random plays just to do so, that's precisely what they refer to as gambling. In case people need for you to render money you actually must possibly be patient and thus controlled. It is plain as well as simple people who risk likely will lose, nevertheless individuals who adopt these tips of sports gambling are likely to normally conclude each period in the green.

The particular body is clear, prior to any period you must set in reserve certain quantity of capital specifically for betting which will is going to become your ultimate bank roll. The moment the bank roll has been determined you need to realize the fact that everyone really should NEVER jeopardize it almost all with only one game. It is going to be there intended for the particular bettor to help grasp as soon as just about all of your capital is gone he/she should never make any more works for that continuous year.

Generally, a bettor should wage absolutely no more than 50% of the roll they have established upon a play and in which will end up being the most robust wager these people realize which are usually few and far between. An common wager on a play which one feels secure with should certainly end up being roughly 5-10%. Consequently a gamer who has a bankroll of $10,000 would likely be creating $500-$1000 bets dependent on just how positive they are. At this moment simply vary your bank roll to the case in order to find out how much each one of your plays should really be.

Everyone who follows the bank roll management structure is nearly guaranteed to gain money for the duration of the year. Any person may well reign over the sports betting environment.

Chapter 1

Jack and Jill sat at the kitchen table and looked into each others eyes and thought about what had just happened. They sat there and waited for their daughter. You see, Jack and Jill were just your average couple. Even though they would never achieve the finer things in life and even though they would probably never be able to travel the world and live their dreams like the people they saw on TV, it was ok, because they had true love (and that's all that matters). Suddenly, in walked their 10-year old daughter, Janice. She smiled. They smiled. They really loved their daughter. She was beautiful. She immediately took their minds off of the conversation they had just had. She was so young, so innocent, and so pure. She sat down at the table:

Janice: So, you wanted to see me?

Jack: Janice, we need to have a talk.

Jill: Yes, Janice. We had a talk with your school teacher Mrs. Cage yesterday. She told us that you are extraordinary! But she also told us that sometimes you don't sit still and pay attention. Sometimes you seem to be in a dream world.

Janice: Yeah, I know. I hate that stupid class! I don't see what any of that stuff has to do with me! I'm just not interested! I just want to do something fun!

Jack: Janice, I know how you feel. I felt that way as a child also. Listen Janice, me and your mother love you so much. And we want you to have a better life than what we have now. We've already gone through what you are about to go through. That's why we have to tell you this. I know that you want to be free to do the things you want, but you have to look to the future. You need to get good grades in school now. That way you can get into a good college. Then you can get a good education so that you can get a good job! I know that may seem harsh, but you'll understand when you get older.

Janice: Yeah, okay.

Jill: Janice, it's not that we don't want you to enjoy your youth. As a matter of fact, you will have to enjoy it, because when you get older, it's over. Your father and I just want you to have a good life, okay?

Janice: Okay. I understand.

Janice walked back to her room rolling her eyes. Deep down inside, in her inner being, she felt like something was wrong with what her parents had just told her. It wasn't that she was lazy and didn't want to learn or be educated, it was just..... Something was just ........wrong! But she thought to herself "My parents know best." Even though she didn't show it, she had a lot of love for her parents. She was glad that they cared for her so much. She turned on her radio, sang and practiced her dance moves.

Chapter 2

Eight years later

Janice accepted her high school diploma. She was glad that she had taken her parents advice. She had learned to suppress her excitement, stop looking out the window into the universe and focus in her class. She had already been accepted into Good College University and was well on her way to getting the best education.

After a couple of years, Janice decided to move off campus. The dorm was okay, but she needed to be independent. She moved in with a roommate to keep costs down and got a part-time job. Janice was really encased in her studies and really didn't have time to work that much, nor try to figure out who she really was. Having a job and going to school can be a bit much. To compound the problem, she hated her job. The people were rude, the managers where stuck-up and the atmosphere was bad. Yet, she had to smile in peoples faces all day and pretend that she liked it. She couldn't wait until she graduated so that she could go work for somebody else! Then one day she got a letter in the mail from the BS Bank of America, offering her a $5,000 YourMaster credit card. As broke as she was, she gladly accepted it (for emergency purposes only of course).

Janice would always see her friends going out, shopping and having fun. But with a part-time job she could only do so much. Janice didn't want to be left out! Her parents couldn't give her a lot of spending money because they had bills of their own. She didn't like bothering her parents anyway. They weren't the same couple as they were years ago. They were always arguing, mostly about money. It just seemed as if they were always frustrated. She noticed this when she was young (though they tried to keep it from her), but it seemed worse now. She could tell when she called home that they weren't happy.

Janice had had the same clothes now for a year and this had to be stopped! She couldn't miss out. After all, these were supposed to be the best years of her life. Like her mother said, "When you get older, it's over." She knew that she couldn't really afford to run her credit card bill up, but she thought to herself, "Well, what am I supposed to do? I can't walk around looking like a scrub all the time. Especially with my low self-esteem! I have to be SEEN with Fresh Gear! I gotta go out and have some fun! Besides, BS Bank knew I was broke when they gave me this card. Why would they give this to me? They should have known better!"

So, Janice went along accumulating credit card bills and student loans, having a good time, not really understanding what was happening. One night when she went out to a club with her brand new outfit that she bought with her card, she saw John. She had gone to high school with him. Much to her dismay, John didn't seem to be that in awe of her outfit (like all the others were), but that was ok. He looked cute to her. They struck up a conversation and talked the whole night. Isn't it funny how you can know somebody for so long, never realizing what was meant to be? They fell in strong like, and then in love and they knew that they would get married. Fairytales do come true. By the time Janice reached graduation at Good College, she had run up over $10,000 on credit. Her credit score had been in steady decline due to late payments and overdue balances. The same can be said for John.

Chapter 3

Jill sat in the bleachers crying uncontrollably as her daughter, Janice, walked across the stage. She knew that this meant freedom for her daughter. Janice already had a job waiting for her when she graduated. She soon married John and they rode off into the sunset! They immediately fell into the abyss of bliss, and a child was conceived. Nine months later, they named her Joyce. Joyce was a beautiful child. They knew as soon as they saw her that she was something extraordinary. They would eventually have two more children. Janice's parents would eventually get a divorce.

The new couple, fresh out of college, was making more money than they had ever seen! Janice had told her old job to kiss her behind. She was making a lot more than her parents did. Janice and John both bought brand new cars now that they could afford them. After a couple of years of saving and trying to pay down on some bills, they decided to buy a house and build wealth. Janice and John stopped by BS Bank to get a loan.

Chapter 4

Mr. Oversear: You know Mr. Carnage, We here at BS Bank are starting to have some concerns regarding our investments in your company.

Mr. Carnage: What is the problem?

Mr. Oversear: Well, as you know, people are starting to find out how terrible and poisonous trans fats are! There is a whole movement going on! Your Potato Chips are loaded with this stuff! I just don't see your sales continuing the way they are.

Mr. Carnage: Well, Mr. Oversear, I understand your concern. But I can assure you that we have everything covered.

Mr. Oversear: What do you mean?

Mr. Carnage: Well you see, we have found a loophole around this whole trans fat thing. What we do is this. We define one serving of chips as a big handful a chips. Now, since there is less than 1 gram of trans fat per "serving" the government will allow us to put "0 grams" of trans fat on our bags. This way we can trick all of these FOOLS into believing that we actually don't put trans fats (along with all of the other poisons) in our chips! This along with other loopholes like "No MSG added", have allowed our food products to keep right on trucking. As a matter of fact, our sales have gone up. Some of these people actually believe that our stuff is healthy!

Mr. Oversear: BRILLIANT! I always knew that I could count on y.....

John: Excuse me... Sir?

Mr. Oversear: Yes, come right in! (whispering) Listen, Mr. Carnage, I have to get off the phone. I'll talk to you soon.

Yes, have a seat! Sorry about that. Just talking to my wife.

John: Don't sweat it.

Janice: Yes, I saw an advertisement on the BS webpage that I could get a $200,000 loan for $700/month. Can we have this?

Mr. Oversear: Ok, well, let me have your social.

Janice: It's 911-01-4666

Mr. Oversear: Ok, now let me look for a second. Well, actually, that ad is for people with a 900 Beacon Score and a debt to income ratio of 1.8% or lower, and that is an interest only loan.

John: So we don't qualify for a loan?

Mr. Oversear: Yes of course you do. It's just that you have a higher debt to income ration because of your car notes and student loans. I also notice that you have some late payments on your BS Bank YourMaster credit cards. So, since you didn't pay YourMaster on time, BS Bank will now have to charge you $1600/month for that loan.

John: (sighs) Well, that is a lot more than we expected.

Janice: Well honey, I think that we can make it work. We can afford this.

John: Yeah, we can squeeze it in. Well... I guess we'll have to take it. I mean, we can't keep making our landlord rich. We need to start building wealth.

Mr. Oversear: Yeah, I know.

When Janice and John left the BS Bank, they felt that something was wrong, but they put it out of their minds. After all, they knew what they had done was right. This was just their first home. They could buy their dream home later.

Chapter 5

Life went on for Janice and John year after year. They eventually refinanced their home and got a lower interest rate. They got into the routine of the "9 to 5", paying bills and taking care of the kids. John would eventually end up working in a totally different field than what he had gotten a degree in. After about 11 years, they got used to their situation, not seeing it for what it was. They would often reminisce about the good old days, when they were young and free. They would argue sometimes, but they would always keep it from the children. Janice would often think to herself, "Mom was right. Enjoy your youth; because once you get old, it's over"

One Saturday morning, they were sitting at the kitchen table just chilling out, talking, and eating some good tasting potato chips when they heard a knock on the door.

Mr. Freeman: Knock knock knock!

Janice: Ah, yes. May I help you?

Mr. Freeman: Well actually, I may be able to help you!

Janice: EXCUSE ME, my husband is sitting right there.

Mr. Freeman: No no no! Nothing like that! I'm just here to present you with a business opportunity. You do keep your money making options open right? Or are you a SLAVE to your boss.

Janice: Watch out now! I'm not a slave to ANYBODY!

Mr. Freeman: Mmm Hmm...

John: Yeah, come on in and have a seat right here. Show us whatcha got... SO, Mr. Freeman, would you like some chips?

Mr. Freeman: Oh no! I just had some food earlier. But thanks anyway. Listen, before we get started, lets do a simple exercise. I want you to imagine this. What if you had all the money you wanted and you could do whatever you wanted?

This question opened up the floodgates for Janice. She started listing all kinds of things. She had always wanted to open up a homeless shelter. She wanted to travel the world. She wanted to be a talk show host. She could sing and dance WAY better than all of those women on TV. Maybe, if she could get out of her J.O.B. she could do something like that! John was surprised by all that he heard! He also wanted to travel, and as a matter of fact, they had said that they would travel together after they retired. Then he could open up his own barbeque place. John's Barbeque Juke Joint. He could have franchises all over the world!

After Mr. Freeman got them all excited, he began to explain his proposition. Everything that Mr. Freeman said made sense. Janice was on the edge of her seat. All of this talk about money and dreams made her feel like a child again. The plan was definitely doable. Yes, it would take hard work, but it was doable! But suddenly Janice felt something in the pit of her stomach. She looked at John and could see that he felt it too. Something was wrong. She felt very uncomfortable. She felt as if Mr. Freeman was pulling on her. It was like he was trying to pull her out of where she was into an unknown place.

Not completely understanding what was happening, she started to reject it. She started thinking to herself, "Who is this guy? How can he just come in here and sell us this? I've got responsibilities; I can't just up and run out into the street!" Her anger came to the forefront when she heard these words.

Mr. Freeman: And it only cost $500 to get started.

Janice: $500? Have you lost your natural mind? We don't have $500!

Mr. Freeman: Well excuse me! I thought you both were educated with good jobs!

John: Watch your tone Mr. Freeman! We ARE educated with good jobs. But we have student loans, car notes and a house note!

Janice: And besides, even if we could come up with the money, there is no way that we would have the time to do all of this!

Mr. Freeman: Why not?

Janice: WE HAVE THREE KIDS!!!!!!

Chapter 1

Mr. Freeman walked out of the house shaking his head. At that instant, Janice looked straight at John, and they almost realized what had happened. Here they were, trapped in The Middle-Class Matrix. Good Education, Good Jobs, Health Benefits (that they would be needing soon from eating chips), Nice Cars, A Nice House with a white picket fence, three Children, and STRAPPED!! They were caught up in the American Dream that we all crave and covet.

Janice and John never admitted it to each other, but they both knew that they would never achieve their goals. They knew that the homeless shelter would never happen. They knew that they would probably never travel the world (at least not anytime soon, maybe in the far distant future). John would probably never have the money to open up his Barbeque Juke Joint. Janice would never be a singer, a dancer or a talk show host. She would have to watch and dream.

But there's no reason to be sad. Life has its disappointments, but all was not lost. Even though they would never achieve the finer things in life and even though they would probably never be able to travel the world and live their dreams like the people they saw on TV, it was ok, because they had true love (and that's all that matters). Suddenly, in walked their 12-year old daughter, Joyce. She smiled. They smiled. They really loved their daughter. She was beautiful. She immediately took their mind off of the conversation they had just had. She was so young, so innocent, and so pure. She sat down at the table:

Joyce: So, you wanted to see me?

John: Joyce, we need to have a talk.

More and more people are investigating the bridging loan market. To help those new to the bridging loan market we have compiled a simple guide to help you on your way to understanding bridging finance.

Guidance to the UK Bridging Loans Market

Bridging Loans are short term loans usually between 1 and 6 months that are secured against property on a first or second charge basis. The bridging loans are secured against the property; they are generally non status with no credit checks or proof of income required.

The amount of the loan can be 100% of the purchase price of the property or more normally around 70% of the value of the property. The property can be residential, an investment property, commercial property or land.

If there is sufficient equity in the property the interest for the loan and other fees can be rolled up and settled at the end of the term of the loan. Interest rates for bridging loans reflect the risk to the lender and the Loan to Value (LTV) of the loan against the property. The higher the LTV the higher the interest rate.

Bridging loans can be arranged through some high street banks, private finance companies or through specialist UK Bridging Loan Brokers. High street banks tend to be more conservative in their lending where as private finance houses are quick and less concerned about previous credit problems and proof of earnings. However private finance houses are not generally accessible by members of the public who have to apply to them through brokers.

Reasons to set up bridging loans are normally to do with the speed that the money is needed by. They can be arranged in a matter of days. Here are some of the reasons that bridging loans are used:

1. Buying property at auction where completion is required within 28 days.
2. Buying property undervalue were the vendor is looking for a quick sale.
3. Short term cash flow problems.
4. Complete house purchase when current property remains unsold
5. Stop house repossession.
6. Settle tax or VAT liabilities.
7. Raise money for divorce settlements.
8. Raise money for any legal purpose.

The costs involved in setting up a bridging loan are relatively expensive and can include some or all of the following.

·        The borrower will have to pay for the cost of a RICS survey of the property. The price will depend on the value of the property, the higher the value of the property the higher the valuation fee. A commercial valuation will tend to be more expensive than a residential valuation.

·        The borrower will have to pay for their legal costs as well as the lenders legal costs.

·        To set up the loan there is normally an arrangement fee between 1% & 2% of the loan amount. This cannot be added above the maximum LTV of the product. There may also be an exit fee payable when the loan is redeemed. Exit fees generally start at one months interest.

·        There may be a minimum term for the loan; this is generally three months for some loans down to one day for others. This is not a problem if the loan will be for 3 months or more.

A lot of these costs can be avoided or reduced by choosing the right loan for your circumstances.

Applying for Bridging Loans

Bridging loans can be arranged through traditional banks or through Specialist Bridging Finance Lenders. Most Specialist Bridging Finance Lenders do not accept applications directly from the public and will only accept applications via brokers. Although traditional banks rates are lower than the Specialist Lenders  they are not fast and can take 6 weeks or more for an application to progress to completion. Specialist Bridging Finance Lenders on the other hand can have funds drawn down within 10 working days or within days if an acceptable valuation is available.

If traditional banks are your chosen route for bridging loans most high street lenders will provide some form of bridging finance. Applications can be made directly to them or by using a Bridging Loan Broker.

The other avenue is to use a Bridging Loan Broker to make your application for you. By using a broker they will apply to the most suitable lender for your circumstances.The choice of lender to approach is dependent on your specific circumstances , this means that the lowest interest rate may not be the cheapest overall for the term of your loan. Factors that can affect this are maximum loan size, whether there is a minimum term and if there are exit fees at the end of the loan. What at first glance appears cheap may not be when all the costs are calculated. This is why it pays to engage the services of a Specialist Bridging Loan Broker, who even if they charge broker fees will save you money overall.

Whenever a person buys or leases a car, he seeks ways to finance this move. Most auto financing involves a car loan, which entails a detailed check on his credit history and a tough interview about car finance. When he undergoes all these to buy a used car, it is only fair that he also performs his own investigations about the car he is going to buy. In fact, he should never consider buying a used car, which history has not been checked. If he does, he may just end up paying for a piece of junk.

A used car must be checked for its title, registration, odometer, and the problems that it had weathered before it reached your eyes. A "title check" will determine if the car is salvaged, flooded or rebuilt. For example, many cars were destroyed during the 9-11 World Trade tragedy. Many cars, too, were damaged during the hurricanes and floods. These cars are salvaged by enterprising people. The cars will be rebuilt and sold again at car auctions. A title check will also discover if the used car has lemon history.

A "registration check" will determine if the used car has been used as a fleet car, or as a taxi, or even as a police car. If the used car has been utilized in any of these, then it is safe to say that within a given period of time, this particular used car has covered more miles than the average privately used car. A registration check will also reveal if the used car was ever rented or leased.

The car's odometer is an instrument used to measure the distance traveled by a vehicle. An "odometer check" will show if the odometer has been broken or fraud. It will also show if it has been rolled back or rolled over. If the odometer has been tampered, this does not bode well for the next owner of the used car. The car may be older than what the dealer is telling you. Or it may have mileage problems.

A "problem check" will determine if the used car has sustained fire damage or an explosion. It will also show if it has been involved in a major accident. The fire or accident may have inflicted a still undetected damage on the used car. It is also quite creepy to use a car that has cradled dead bodies before. A problem check will reveal if the car has been stolen. A car that has been stolen may no longer have all its original parts. To be safe, the potential buyer must order a vehicle history report.

In any business environment, those who are prepared will always do better, all other things being equal. Knowing your desired outcomes, anticipating potential obstacles and being very familiar with both your own offerings and your client's/customer's needs are all part of being prepared.

In addition, the power of flexibility is a little-spoken-of but very critical element of success. Flexibility means making a choice NOW that when faced in the future with challenges, you will roll with them and be flexible as to the way your outcome is achieved. You will remain open and fluid, alert to nuances and changes in contributing factors, and adjust accordingly.

Here is a little story to illustrate this:

I recently received an amusing call from a marketing company asking to speak to 'the owner' of one of my websites.

Right off the bat I noticed that I felt defensive, wondering whether there was an issue, or if this person was calling to try to sell me something (poor salespeople - they don't stand a chance with me!).

The gentleman proceeded to launch into his spiel about how they could help drive traffic to the website and how great their services were, and I had to interrupt. I asked him if he was aware that we owned a network of sites, and of which tactics and techniques we were already making use of in order to accomplish the 'driving more traffic' he was speaking of.

Well, no....but if I just listened to their list of programs available perhaps I would discover some that were of interest, etc. etc..

Did he have a number I could call him back at, I wondered? No.

The truth is, there is always more we can learn, and I am always interested in new and better ways of doing things. I work very hard at attaining and applying new knowledge, and also it is a pleasure for me. I could have been open to some of what this gentleman had to offer, but because he launched into his company spiel completely 'blind,' he was offensive to me as a consumer. It was obvious he was just going down some list of websites in the 'whois' database, and calling each to try and sell them a product or program, hoping he will catch some fish, so to speak.

A more intuitive salesperson may have been able to catch on to this, since I clearly informed him that we were internet marketers ourselves, and perhaps some intelligent questions would have led to a far more productive conversation.

A lesson here is, whether you are in sales or just in general when you are speaking to someone, be prepared. Learn a little about your subject before you speak to them; not only will it be flattering, you will enjoy far more productive and useful communication. Secondly, be flexible, which means LISTEN.

People are not closed books; they exhibit countless clues as to what they are thinking, including their tone of voice, their choice of words and their body language if in person. Effective communication means paying attention and rolling with whatever is currently happening, rather than following some pre-planned script.

Do you think that your home is not attractive anymore? Do you feel bored while staying at home? If you feel so, then you need to change the "look" or the impression of your home. Many things can do to make your home more attractive. It can be started from your paint, wallpaper, decoration, interior design, furniture, and many more.

First thing you can do to change the "look" of your home is changing the color of your home. You can re-paint by using other color. Apply smooth color to make your home more cozy, or you can re-paint your home using a bright color. You can play the color by using not only one color but also adding two or more colors to make your home colorful. Make sure that the color are not contradicted with each other. Because it may lead to "bad" feeling for your mood. Avoid some colors that make you undesired. You can also applied a nice wallpaper which can describe your feeling. Many options of wallpaper that are available, choose one or two or more wallpaper that reflect your mood. You can use different wallpaper in each room.

Secondly, you can place furniture that suitable with the theme or the color of your home paint. You can add mirrors to complete the 'look' of your home. They can be used to make your home more brighten because the light from the sun is reflected by mirrors. You can put these mirrors across windows, doors, or in any place that have much light distribution. Therefore your home will have a natural look of light. Besides, it can make as if the rooms in your home look spacious. You can use small mirrors if you do not have more spaces in your home, but if you decide to use large mirrors it will be better.

Last but not least, to make your home more tidy and neat, you can install clothes or coat hooks. They can be used to make your clothes or coat off from the floor. Your after worn clothes will keep neat and do not look wrinkled. These coat hooks also can add elegance impression to your home. You can install these coat hooks in your hallways, foyer, behind your doors, and especially in your bedrooms and bathrooms.

Then, you may have attractive home that make you stand longer in your home sweet home. But, the most important thing is you do not need to waste your money by buying expensive stuffs. There are many stuff that offered in affordable price. you can purchase that stuff that suited with your finance condition. Now, it is your turn to create an attractive home which can add your desire.

Debt consolidation means combining all your several debts, usually unsecured debts into just one account resulting in one payment each month instead of several payments. This goes to the debt Consolidation Company who will disburse it among your creditors.

The debt Consolidation Company's goal is to reach an agreement with your creditors in your behalf so the interest rates or any other late fees can be reduced or scrapped altogether, resulting in lower monthly payments. If your funds are very limited, your creditors may even agree to reduce the principal to an amount you can afford to pay.

The purpose of a debt consolidation company is to work out a program that will benefit both you and your creditors. Your creditors naturally want to see their money paid back and you want to be relieved of your debts in the most painless way possible. Of course, you can negotiate with your creditors yourself but creditors are generally more receptive to negotiating with professionals who are more likely to consider all angles of the situation.

The extent by which the interest rate or the principal amount of your debt is reduced is dependent on your capacity to pay. Before any agreement can be reached, your income and expenses are assessed by the debt Consolidation Company. The result of this assessment is submitted to your creditors as proof. This will become the basis for the terms of agreement.

A debt consolidation program will allow you to pay off your debts in a shorter period, say 4-6 years instead of 10 years, depending on how big your debt is. Another benefit is that your creditors will stop harassing you with telephone calls or letters demanding repayment for your debts. This will take some stress of you and will let you focus.

Common unsecured debts allowed in a debt consolidation program:

o Credit card debt - unpaid credit card balances

o Department store debt - unpaid balance on department store credit cards.

o Student loans - unpaid balance on loans used in pursuing college education.

o Tax debt - arrears on income taxes

o Medical or legal bills - unpaid balance incurred for medical or legal services.

o Personal loans - unpaid balance on personal bank loans or any other financial institutions

o Utility bills - unpaid bills from utility companies such as cable, telephone, gas, heating, electrical or home insurance services.

o Collection agencies - unpaid debt on bills that have been referred to a collection agency for repayment.

Choosing the right debt consolidation firm is important. Consolidating your debts will cost you money so find out what the fees are, whether you afford it with your current financial situation and any hidden or additional fees. Find out as much as you can so you do not end up with a dishonest company who does not have your best interest in mind.

When you enter a debt consolidation program, there are several conditions you have to adhere to, namely: to give the complete monthly payment on time every time until your debts are settled and to stop using your credit card or acquiring more debts.

Benefits of debt consolidation

o Lower monthly payments - this lessens the time you are required to pay your debt and ensure that you will be able to meet daily living expenses and still save for emergencies.

o Accrued interest on loans are reduced or eliminated altogether. For example, if you have been defaulting on paying a $2000 loan for a long time and your accrued interest and late fees amount to $1500, the Consolidation Company can negotiate for the interest and late charges to be written off so you only owe $2000. Therefore, you will be able to pay your debt easily and in a shorter timeframe, accelerating your debt-free life.

o Only one monthly payment. You only need to remember one payment date reducing the probability that you will miss paying it.

o Improve credit - unpaid or late payments can reflect badly on your credit report and lower your credit score. Once you start paying, your credit will gradually improve. After your debts are paid in full, it is possible to get your credit account reported in your favor.

o Avoid harassing telephone calls from creditors - your creditors will subsequently deal with the Consolidation Company instead of you.

o Budget tips - your new repayment plan generally includes budgeting tips to help you save for emergencies, in effect there will be no need for you to borrow money again and you can start building your finances again.

Debt consolidation is often confused with debt consolidation loan. The difference is that debt consolidation means rolling multiple debts into one resulting in a single monthly payment while debt consolidation loan means taking out a loan, usually secured on any valuable assets you may have, such as your home, to cover all your current debts.

With all of the hoopla surrounding the end of the Bush administration and the beginning of the Obama, have you noticed the stock market? It has been quietly sinking as the reality of the state of the economy has been sinking in. Here is some of the evidence that things are probably going to get rougher rather than smoother:

1. Trade with other nations has declined nearly 18% in the last quarter. Fewer people overseas are buying our goods and we are buying fewer foreign goods. This will make it harder to recover.

2. Major retailers are lining up at their attorneys offices getting ready to file for Bankruptcy proceedings. Note that Circuit City is already gone and many more will follow after this poor holiday shopping season. Do NOT be surprised if you read about some of these CEOs heading to the Great ATM Machine, i.e., Congress, seeking more bailout money.

3. Housing prices continue to fall, despite lowered mortgage rates. Just because rates are lower no longer means one can instantly qualify for a mortgage any more. If the loan to value is too high, there wont be a new loan. Period.

4. Commercial REITs and developers are facing serious financing trouble as more than $500 Billion in commercial loans come due this year with very, very few lenders willing or even able to lend.

5. The worst sign of all: More and more people are looking to the GOVERNMENT to save us from our excesses.

Folks, I don't care what your politics are, the bottom line is that Government policies caused most of this mess. Any serious digging on your part will bear this out (see FNMA and FHLMC). The real culprit is the belief that someone else is responsible for your prosperity. This happens at both the poverty and amazingly wealthy levels. Unfortunately, you wont find this information in the main-scream media nor will they teach it in school. Those avenues are already controlled by the bad guys.

We have allowed our individualism to slide into collectivism. I can give you all kinds of names for this crisis of the spirit: Marxism, Socialism, and Statism to name a few.

Here are some of the tools of this method of thinking: The creation of the Income Tax to promote class warfare for the sake of getting votes; the creation of the Federal Reserve Bank to supposedly control our economy (have you noticed how these huge bubbles tend to follow easy money policy at the Fed & and that they are getting worse); the creation of more and more bureaucracies to tell us what we can and cannot do; political correctness to stifle free speech and debate; the belief that only government can save us.

I DARE you to find any of these powers, beliefs, or inclinations in our Constitution, Bill of Rights, or the writings of our Founding Fathers.

Folks, the only way out is through the sound belief in and reasoned action of the individual. This is the core of what has made America the greatest nation on earth & ever. And we are sitting here watching our so-called leaders act without conscience, without accountability, and without a care for the consequences to the nation. We are giving our power away.

YOU need to do something about this economy and YOU can. Roll up your sleeves. Look around at the opportunities! Turn off your television set. Unplug your iPod. GO DO SOMETHING and stop waiting for someone ELSE to do it.

I see that $500 Billion in commercial loans that are rolling over as an AMAZING opportunity in my business. What diamonds are waiting for you to be picked up in yours? Be strong, get motivated, and by all means get MOVING. Oh, and start writing your *ahem* representatives and let them know that their days are numbered!

Their cars are extensions of themselves, for a lot of people and their personalities. Whether it is a classic convertible or a brand new Mercedes, the type of automobile an individual drives can state a lot about them. Everyone has different tastes in vehicles, which is a good thing we wouldn't want everyone driving the same thing. Some people like cars and others like trucks or SUVs. Personally, I drive a Nissan Titan Crew Cab that is customized with kayak racks that are not only functional for my kayaks and wind boards but they also set it apart from every other Titan on the road. This article is not about the guy with the junked out rusty pick-up truck!

There is genuinely no other experience quite like driving down the road on a gorgeous spring day with all the windows of your vehicle rolled down. The fresh air enlivens you and it seems that everything is just right with the world when you are able to unwind behind the wheel of the machine you call your own.

But, what about the people who don't have a car? Walking down the road on a pretty spring day isn't quite the same experience. We bemoan the individual who lacks their own transportation, those who have to bum rides off of friends and family. If you have been in this situation you know that you find yourself looking at your shoes in an entirely new way. You know the local bus drivers by their name and they know yours. Contingent on where you reside, owning a car to drive is just about a requirement.

Therefore you determine you genuinely need to acquire a car, but you don't have adequate money to purchase one outright for cash. You're going to need to look into some sort of financing, but there's the rub. Either you have no credit, you have very little credit, but not enough to win over someone to lend you money, or you have bad credit like many other people out there. Don't think it's a lost cause and that you're condemned to walk all over forever.

There are many things you can do to enable you to purchase that car irrespective of your credit history. There are numerous alternatives that you have even if it does not appear that way. People everywhere are beset with credit problems, so you're not the lone ranger! Many companies specialize in helping people get back on the road in their very own cars. It's not easy, but it is conceivable.

We have performed in depth research into the troubles of credit-challenged people and how they can purchase a car without having to sell off body parts, give up their first born child or rob a bank. The good news is that increasingly lenders are funding automobile loans for people with bad credit everyday. Never mind what your credit history is, armed with a little research and the right information you can get the car you're dreaming of.

I have faced this financial question 8 years ago and recently I have friends asked me this same question. I think I should write it up so that it may help some of you that having the same situation.

The decision whether to invest your monthly excess cash into savings account or paying off your debt is a tough one.

There are few factors you need to consider before you make the decision and I listed them down here to help you make an informed decision.

(1) Rolling or fix installment credit account

An example of your rolling credit is credit card. You may continue to add debt into the account while trying to pay off the debt. It is always recommended to pay off your rolling credit before putting into savings account. You should pay more than the minimum payment every month.

Other than paying more than the minimum amount, you should take the following recommended actions immediately to avoid deepen your debt:

(a) Putting your credit card away, keep it at home and don't carry whenever you go. I actually locked the credit card for months when my debt was reaching the un-tolerate level.

(b) Be frugal. Dont buy unnecessary. Be disciplined. I actually print out big words of 'Be Frugal' and stick them around the house. In the bath room, bed room, dining hall. I even carry a small 'Be Frugal' card in my wallet and I will see it when I take money out of my wallet.

(c) Get expert advice. If the debt is too deep and out of control. It is advisable to seek an expert advice

(d) Borrow money from your friends and relatives to payoff the high interest rate c^redit card debt

(e) Payoff the high interest debt with a lower interest personal loan

For the fix installment debt, in some cases you will be penalized if you pay off the loan faster. In this situation, you may want to invest your extra cash into savings

(2) Interest Rate

It is clear that you should pay off your higher interest rate debt than putting your money into savings with lower interest rate. This is not a fix rule, many experts recommended that you should save between 5-15% of your monthly income into savings. You should also save at least 3-6 months worth of monthly spending for emergency use. You have a decision to make between building your nest egg and paying off your debt faster for long term financial health.

(3) Debt Ranking

List and rank all your debts according to the interest rate. Always pay more than the minimum for the highest Interest debt and pay the minimum for lower interest Debts.

In summary, you should balance between building your cash reserve (for emergency use) and paying off your debts. There is no one fix formula for all. Make your own analysis and find out the mix that suit your situation considering the interest rates, debt ranking and whether it is a rolling or fix installment debt.

In the difficult financial climate which currently prevails in the UK many established Property Developers and Builders have experienced significant problems in obtaining the necessary support to continue doing business. Whilst there has been some relaxation of late, the major High Street Banks in the UK still have very limited appetites to support speculative multi - unit development projects ( i.e. those without significant pre-sales in place ).

Generally they are only keen to lend to the more established clients and further they will restrict the loan advance to a low loan to project cost ratio which will preclude many developers from taking on a project as they are unable to raise their own cash input.

The good news however is that away from the high street there is a significant and growing number of new lenders in the UK who will take a far more entrepreneurial approach to property development funding including Refurbishment projects and who will support a broad range of both Residential, Commercial and Mixed Use projects across England, Wales and Scotland.

Lending decisions in this sector of the market are made primarily against the quality and the perceived demand for the end product to be developed. Other key criteria include the experience and financial stability of the borrower and the credentials of any proposed main contractor to be used on the project. The real benefits for the borrower in getting access to such funds is the speed of decision making - decisions in principle generally within 24 hours and the amount of the overall advance - generally 50% of the site cost provided and up to 100% of development funding. Once the loan terms are agreed the speed to complete the process is again far quicker than normal with advances available in 2 to 4 weeks dependent on how quickly the legal aspects can be completed.

The general limit of funding provided on an Interest Only facility will be circa 65% to 70% of the Gross Developed Value (GDV). This limit would include any allowable fees to be added to the loan along with the interest cover which will 'roll up' and be added to the loan during the course of the development. If a client can demonstrate that the loan interest could be serviced then this will make a positive impact on the level of the loan achieved and in certain circumstances the loan can be increased if additional freehold property is made available as additional lender security. For most projects the normal loan term will be between 9 - 24 months including an agreed Marketing phase upon completion of the build.

As one might expect the fees and rates will not be at High Street levels but, depending on the key criteria applied, loans are currently offered from 7% above Bank base Rate with fees circa 2% to 4% of the loan amount. Loans are generally available from a minimum level of £50 K up to £25 Million for the larger developments.

The quick acid test to establish if your project is supportable for property development finance

• Is there a demonstrable demand for the end product in the proposed location?

• Have you got previous property experience or do you propose to use an established Main Contractor?

• Do you own the site or do you have 50% of the site purchase price available?

• Does the overall loan requirement sit within 65% to 70% of the Gross Developed Value when the project is fully complete?

• If Sales become delayed on completion would there be an opportunity to let the property and re-finance on to a longer term mortgage?

The Las Vegas strip was not built on winners. Millions of people gamble as a way to hit it big and attempt to achieve wealth. With the heart pumping and adrenaline running, the thrill of winning is incredible, but the agony of defeat is much more probable. The odds of winning in a casino are not in your favor- the house holds the cards and the money - most likely yours. You are playing their game, on their turf, by their rules. Only with true luck will you prosper.

A more safe and realistic way to be a winner is to invest your money in the secondary financing market, through buying and selling notes and other cash flows. A promissory note, a written promise to pay a specified amount through certain terms and conditions, is a flexible and easy way to earn high rates of return on your investments.

The note holds multiple possibilities as an investment. There are over 60 types of notes, also termed debt instruments, to be bought and sold. Examples of such notes include: real estate, airplane, business, car, lottery winnings, insurance settlements, and many more. With a real estate note as an example, the note has a higher rate of return because the risk is higher on a loan in the secondary financing market due to issues such as credit problems, bankruptcy and insufficient job number of years in the work force. A benefit to a real estate note is the note is secured with collateral, the actual property. With real estate notes you understand the investment and it is insurable and you can add value to your investment unlike stocks and bonds. In addition, you have options. If you invest in a note, and after holding the note decide to sell for cash, you may. You may sell a portion of the note or the entire note. Business professionals and investors are constantly seeking opportunities to purchase a note in exchange for cash.

The secondary financing market of note exchange is rising. Note holders in need of money will exchange an existing note for cash. The Mortgage Bankers Association noted from December of 2004 to 2005, commercial banks had an increase in commercial and multi-family mortgage debt of $151 billion. With more debt in society, there are going to be countless opportunities to purchase a note and take over the income stream in exchange for cash. Buying in on the income stream, will in turn be a profitable investment, because the note is an asset.

The note can be bought through different terms and condition, with the level of risk the investor prefers. Through such an investment, there is no uncertainty over the amount, interest and duration of the note. The note already exists with the interest rate determined. Depending on how you buy the note, you can also increase your yield from what is typically an already high interest investment. Why gamble with your money? Why increase your chances of losing your investment? You can invest in a note - an investment where you understand and know the rules of the game.

Failure to do your homework will prove costly when you purchase your next new vehicle. The internet makes all of the essential information accessible for free, so fire up your computer and get ready to save money.

If you are unlucky enough to be trading in your old vehicle, brace yourself because it is going to be ugly. The price dealers offer to pay is always painfully low. Don't be fooled by minimum trade promotions, they will just charge you more for the new car to cover their losses. The only way to get a fair price for your trade is to sell it yourself. Here are a few good web sites to sell your automobile for a small fee.

traderonline.com

dealsonwheels.com

autotrader.com

ebay.com

If you must trade in your old car, you can always find an independent appraisal online for free. I recommend looking up a few so that you can estimate a price range before you head out to make the trade. In addition to appraising your trade in, these sites provide estimates of how much you could expect to receive if you were to end up selling it yourself.

nadaguides.com

kbb.com

edmunds.com

A fairly new subject to address when preparing to purchase your next new automobile is the rebate, incentive, bonus cash, special offer or whatever they are calling the sale this week. The rebates are a popular tool used most frequently by American auto makers.

For the consumer, an advantage of the incentives can be that banks are willing to loan retail price and even a little more. The sale price often ends up thousands of dollars less than the retail price. So if you owe slightly more than your car is worth, you may be able to roll that negative equity over into a shiny new car. I have seen rebates as high as $7000 on GM trucks and $5500 on GM cars. Whether you are upside down in your current vehicle or not, the rebate can save you money.

Don't wait until you get to your local car dealer to ask about it. I found dealers reluctant to admit how big the rebate should have been on my last truck. The most accurate and up to date rebate information can be found on the manufacturer web sites.

GM.com

Chevy.com

Pontiac.com

Buick.com

Oldsmobile.com

Saturn.com

Cadillac.com

Hummer.com

Ford.com

Lincoln.com

Mercuryvehicles.com

automobiles.honda.com

Acura.com

international.chryslercorp.com

Mercedes-benz.com

Jeep.com

Jaguar.com

Volkswagen.com

Porsche.com

Audi.com

Toyota.com

Lexus.com

Nissanusa.com

Infinity.com

Volvocars.com

LandRover.com

Bmw.com

Ferrari.com

Lamborghini.com

Lotuscars.com

Suzuki.com

Kia.com

Hyundai.com

After researching available rebates, find the difference between the retail and invoice price. Unless you are trying to buy a limited production vehicle, you can usually negotiate a price of a few thousand dollars below the window sticker. The invoice price will give you an idea of how much the dealer paid for the car. I usually push for a price that is a couple hundred dollars over invoice, because I know the dealer will have expenses to cover. The difference between retail and invoice prices can be near $5000. You may have to visit a few different dealerships, but it is worth it. Information on invoice prices can be found at the following web sites.

nadaguides.com

kbb.com

consumerguide.com

edmunds.com

Now that you know how much to pay for your new vehicle, it is time to address financing. Most buyers need to obtain a loan and if you are not careful, the dealer will squeeze a few thousand dollars out of you here as well. With good credit, the best deal can probably be found at your local bank. Stop in and talk to a loan officer before you go to the car dealer. If you leave it up to the dealership, they will try to push you into the loan that works out best for them. That usually means a higher interest rate and payment for the consumer.

If you have less than perfect credit and a current auto loan in good standing call them first and ask to get pre-approved for a new car. By using the internet, you can find banks that are a little more forgiving than your average local bank. Here are a few that I found during a recent search.

Americredit.com

wfsfinancial.com

householdauto.com

It's easy to fight the price and win when you know where to look. Good luck and enjoy your new car!

Healthcare decision makers face continual challenges when it comes to allocating scant recourses. Patients demand the best that medical equipment technology has to offer. But the equipment is expensive. Capital budgets typically fall way short of requests for medical technology. It is therefore critical that all aspects of the equipment purchases and financing be carefully considered before a decision is made.

Equipment to purchase:

Deciding what type of equipment to acquire can be a daunting task in and of itself. Let's say you are considering the purchase of a CT scanner. The current and most widely-used model costs around $1 million new. You've also been approached by a supplier that sells refurnished equipment. His company will sell you a refurbished 16-slice machine for $400,000. You've also discovered that a new scanner is being rolled out in six months. Although this machine will be able to detect cancer and other diseases it its early stages, the cost is $1.5 million. What do you do? Will you be able to charge more per scan with the newest technology so that revenues match expenditures? Will you be able to "get by" with the 16-slice for a period of time? These are questions that are at the root of the decision.

Once the decision has been made as to the type of medical equipment to be acquired, the next challenge is to decide what will be the optimal way of financing it. There are many options available, but the most common are borrowing the funds from a lender or leasing the equipment.

Medical Equipment Leasing:

Equipment leases usually run from three to six years and have lower monthly payments than buying the equipment outright and financing it through a lender. That's because the lessee is paying for the use of the equipment during the term rather than owning it. In addition, leasing offers 100% financing, as there is no down payment required other than the first payment and a security deposit equal to a payment. Since the payments are lower, providers are able to improve their cash flow and are more likely to match revenues with expenses. From a tax standpoint, leasing also offers the advantage of writing off 100% of the lease payments.

Many medical professionals also opt for leasing because of its flexibility. A lease can be negotiated in such a way as to include maintenance, upgrades, and other services. At the end of the lease term, the provider has the option to purchase, renew, or simply return the equipment. This is an important advantage, as it guards against equipment obsolescence. At the inception of the lease, you should consider negotiating a fair market value cap or placing an early buyout option in the contract. These details are rarely in a standard lease, so you must ask the lessor for these items.

Since the payments are lower, providers are able to improve their cash flow and are more likely to match revenues with expenses. From a tax standpoint, leasing also offers the advantage of writing off 100% of the lease payments.

Medical Equipment Loans:

When equipment obsolescence or cash flow isn't an issue (which is rare in the medical industry), an might be a better alternative. At the end of the lease term, the provider has an asset that he can either continue using or dispose of it on the open market. Borrowers also receive tax benefits, such as the depreciation expense on the equipment and the interest expense incurred during the loan payout.

Using a multiple of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is a common method of valuing healthcare practices and hospitals. If a healthcare group is considering going public or selling the business, financing equipment through a lender may be advantageous because it would result in a higher valuation than if they had leased the equipment. Leasing would be an "above the line" expense.

Personal Guarantees:

With both medical equipment leases and loans, personal guarantees from the owners are usually required. This provides a comfort level for the lessor or lender. If there is a default, the lender/lessor can attach personal assets of the lessee for the balance of the loan or lease that isn't satisfied by the liquidation of equipment. Most providers do not want to sign a personal guarantee for obvious reasons. However, if the clinic or practice has a solid track record of profits for five years or more, the lender/lessor will oftentimes abandon the personal guarantee requirement. That is another point that must be negotiated at the inception of the lease.

Choosing a lender or lessee:

Competition is fierce in the equipment financing industry. Acquiring the services of an independent financing consultant is advisable. A properly trained medical equipment financing broker will analyze your particular needs and will know which lender or lessee will be a good fit for your organization. He or she can guide you through the intricate details concerning the contract, which will allow you achieve optimal capital financing.

Let's face it, there are some extreme couponers, thrifters, and smart consumers out there always trying to save money and get the best deals. With budgets that much more tight in these tough economic times, it's okay to get a little help from none other than our smartphone apps. I mean, why not, right? We have our smartphones with us nearly every minute of the day, so this kind of smart budgeting is accessible to anyone. Keep track of your monthly spending, set limits on each category of goodies you purchase, save money, and look up investment ideas and accounts has never been easier. Read on to see how you can always control and be on top of your personal finances. We'll reveal the top budgeting and smart spending apps for you thrifty shoppers out there!

For one, there are so many budget tracking apps out there, but a really useful one would come with a budget tracker tool that will allow you to view your yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily purchases. You can further categorize them and see visually and through charts and notifications how much you spend exactly in each category. There is also a rollover option for you to transfer leftover funds from previous months or weeks to roll over and won't mess up your budgeting. Of course, you can always opt out of this option and have a set number of expenses every month.

Another useful app gives you control to add new transactions over your allotted sum of money and spending finances. Pre-setting an overall budget for the entire month, and thereby deducing every time you make a purchase gives you instant updates on the money you have and the money you are losing. These transactions are totally customizable. Currency converters may also be useful if you plan on spending your money in a foreign country. We all get carried away when we travel, but this app makes it easy to stay focused on the budget, even when you're not familiar with the currency exchange.

Another great app gives you total control over importing your finances onto your phone from an external memory device - your laptop, desktop, or anything with wireless. You can also set a password to manage your personal finances with utmost privacy. Charts and graphs give you short and easy to read summaries of your account activity. You can share these things in the form of PDF, Excel spreadsheet, or import to Google Documents in order to share with your family, business collegiate, execs, or co-workers.

If you are comfortable, some apps may even connect directly to your bank account and give you automatic categorized notifications of your spending. It will constantly update your spending profile and read instant in depth overviews. Any suspicious activity will be announced. Budget tracking is that easy!

In fact, budget tracking has made it easier to keep track of your credit scores, and credit score reports. Why not try to improve your credit score while you are managing your personal finances? If you use the right app, your personal finances will be in a much better place.

If you are applying for a mortgage or any kind of credit, it is extremely likely that your potential lender will need to carry out a credit search on you. You may think that your credit report is in good shape. Perhaps you have always paid your bills on time, perhaps you have never missed a payment on your Mortgage, rent, credit cards or loans. Perhaps you have done everything expected of you by your creditors. However, your credit report could still let you down. So if you're about to apply for a loan, a Mortgage or any other kind of borrowing, take a look at our list of little known credit killers...

Credit Facilities in your name. You may have nothing outstanding or very little outstanding with other lenders, but if you have high credit limits that you could dip into, it could result in your application being declined. For example, perhaps you have credit cards, which just sit in a draw and are never used. However, the very fact that you have them and they give you the potential to borrow more money may cause the lender some concern. Associated Credit You may have been very responsible in terms of your finances, but if someone who has lived in your property previously or who lives in your property right now has not been, it could affect your credit rating. The good news is you may be able to financially disassociate yourself from that person by contacting the credit reference agencies.

You should be able to find out more by visiting their website or speaking to one of their advisors The Electoral Roll If you are not on the electoral roll this could seriously affect your chances of getting credit. Lenders use the information on the Electoral Roll to help them identify you so if you are not on it chances are they will not lend you money So if you are about to apply for new borrowing make sure you know that you are in the best possible position by dealing with these credit killers before they put an end to your application.

Once the decision to divorce has been finalized, most people pass through the stages of grief associated with the loss of a loved one. While no two people experience the same journey, we all experience the stages, with some people skipping a stage while others repeat some of the stages. Those stages are Denial, Anger and Resentment, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You will likely experience most or all of these stages. Google the stages of grief. Understand them. Anticipate them. Make them yours, and then let them go.

Push through the pain to understand your financial condition. It's important for you to understand what that condition is, so you can be a helpful part of your legal team in looking after your best interests. No one knows better than you what is best for you, and to be a emotional wreck curled up in a fetal position won't help your future.

Like the coach on the sidelines, you are the one person responsible for guiding your team toward its goals. Your legal or accounting teams are your quarterbacks on the field, where they call plays and physically move the team. You call the shots, however. You send in the plays. You direct the Big Picture. Be involved and stay involved.

Make certain you don't put yourself into a position where you accept an unfair divorce settlement knowingly. Most partners who just want to walk away and avoid a fight usually do so at their own future peril. As tough an enormous emotional challenge as this is, see it through.

Take a financial snapshot of yourself and your situation soon after separating from your spouse. Inventory everything you own. If possible, make a video of as many possessions as you can.

Avoid mistakes. Trying to undo mistakes after the fact, especially after considerable time has passed, can be very difficult. If you give short shrift to any of the following, you run the risk of getting less than you deserve.

Create an interim budget based on what expenses you personally will need to maintain. Call this your separation budget. This budget will serve you (and any attorney) well when you begin discussing transferring assets with child support, alimony or any transfer of possessions.

Determine the fixed expenses you'll incur over the short term, which will contain housing, utilities, retirement, insurance payments or auto expenses. Make lists of expenses you'll retain, expenses your ex will retain, and expenses that may need to be negotiated.

Are there any assets that are at risk if the payments don't get paid? If so, identify them along with how long the creditor will remain open to payment. You may wish to hire a Certified Divorce Financial Analysts who can thoroughly sort out your marraital asset accumulations.

Understand the degree of liquidity of your assets, and how they relate to the current economic conditions in society. Some assets like real estate or automobile collections can be highly illiquid if market conditions are bad, or if you and your spouse disagree on a price for those assets. Know the liquidity difference between retirement accounts versus brokerage accounts.

Retirement accounts are somewhat illiquid, in that assets removed from them result in tax consequences, and if the withdrawal occurs before age 59 1/2, an IRS early withdrawal penalty.

Get a complete picture on how much cash is on hand. Make sure you include any accounts used for specific purposes (vacation, Christmas, etc).

Personal collections, which can include autos, guns and the like, can be somewhat illiquid, with valuations speculative.

When fashioning a wish list of what assets you want from the marriage, don't take on too much illiquid assets unless you're certain you can manage without being forced to sell those illiquid assets. If you get the house and he gets the cash, you could be at a disadvantage if you need to raise some cash in the future.

Assemble the marital assets according to cash flow from each. Here again, you may not want to assume assets that don't produce cash flow.

If a particular asset should be sold, is the market good or not so good? In light of depressed 2009 economic conditions, one asset may be preferable to sell over another.

Be certain to identify all assets- Leave no stone unturned. Spouses have been known to conceal assets prior to or right after a marital separation. You (or your team) will need to be sleuths to be certain all assets are included. Some are hesitant to disclose a piece of art or jewelry, but if you're forced to admit it exists and you lied to your attorney, it makes for messy relations. On occasion a forensic accountant is hired to locate missing or hidden assets, and the costs are borne by the overall aggregate in most cases.

Be certain you have copies of tax returns. They provide the basis to begin the discovery process (most people are afraid to lie to the IRS). You or your team will want to go back 5-7 on tax returns, looking for evidence of trusts, partnerships, private placements, real estate holdings, and the like.

For couple involved in a business, tax returns can expose a spouse trying to cook the books in his or her own best interest. A common ploy is to put a friend on the payroll and, for a fee, return the salary back to your spouse.

Get copies of checking and savings accounts, going back several years. Reviewing statements can reveal the transfer of money or the payment for a now hidden asset. Income and/or capital gains will also appear on one's past tax filings.

Brokerage accounts offer the same paper trail. Obtain copies of these statements going back at least 5 years.

Determine if there was ever an expense account connected with employment. Examine what was paid back and how it was categorized.

Companies often grant stock options to employees. These stock options are often listed with benefits statements from the employer. Make sure your side demands to know about any stock options and the potential value of them in the future.

Are there any children's accounts? UGMA, UTMA, 529 plans (College Savings Accounts) or other accounts? Stock dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPS)? It's wise to get copies of these account statements too, because assets can me moved around, or accounts can be liquidated and residual value returned to the parent. These accounts can be great places to park money until after the divorce.

If there were previous marriages between you two, and assets were owned before your marriage, they will likely be treated differently than marital assets. Your Financial Planner or Forensic Accountant can explain how each are treated.

Know your Insurance Policies. Home and vehicle insurance should be reviewed, and consider contacting your agent to request notice of any changes. Life insurance annuities or other insurance contracts, including business-related 2nd to Die insurance policies or Buy-Sell agreements, should be examined. If you and/or your spouse have owned a business, be sure to explore all insurance policies.

Debt and Credit Issues. Retrieve copies of your credit report from each of the three national credit-reporting agencies. Federal law allows us all to receive one free credit file per reporting agency per year. Determine your FICO score(s) and scan each file for any unrecognizable account listed on each. If it makes sense to do, consider placing locks or holds on credit files to prevent further credit being applied for. Speaking with a divorce lawyer on this one would make sense.

Close all joint accounts. Doing so early on in the separation and divorce process can get tricky. Closing them in most cases can be done just by yourself. If you close a joint bank account and remove cash, consider giving your spouse half, or less than half if you intend to reserve some cash for joint bills. As long as you retain, and spend the money fairly, you likely won't get into hot water with the court. Some might be tempted to leave more than half in the account, being considerate that your spouse will use some of it for your half of expenses. Don't assume this will happen. Many spouses will take the money, consider it all theirs, and then demand "your half".

Your marital status at year's end will determine how you file next year's taxes. Whether you file married filing jointly or married filing separately can be determined by you and your spouse, or your attorneys, but in no case should be left out of your final written agreement. Have a contingency in the final decree that should there be any penalties, interest or further taxes owed by either, that it be spelled out who pay, when they pay, and how they pay.

Retirement Accounts- Know the rules of the road. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a court order mandating that certain assets in a retirement account be transferred from one spouse's account to the other. You need to fully understand the many tax ramifications and penalties associated with not using a QDRO or distributing from a retirement account. IRA Accounts. Regular IRAs, Roth, rollovers etc. Know how these accounts are treated tax-wise. Removing assets often involves taxes and often penalties before age 59 ½ and 70 ½. 401(k)s and 403(b)s are most often the accounts that receive QDROs.

Taxes. If there are significant assets, consider an accountant to determine what tax obligations would be incurred selling any of your assets. Knowing one asset incurs a much larger capital gain tax if sold rather than another asset may cause a decision to choose one asset over the other. If either of you were married previously, and one of you moved into your spouses home, and that home is sold, a capital gain calculation will be different than if you two bought the home together. Speak with your team to determine which tax filing status is more advantageous to you, and negotiate toward that end. Insert language that spells out exactly how an asset is to be sold, how the taxes are claimed or distributed, and how any taxes must be paid.

If you sold a home prior to 1997 and rolled that capital gain over to an existing home, and then sold that home, the old rules apply to determine the cost basis for the current capital gain amount. This would increase your gain and possibly influence when and how much you might sell the property.

After the Divorce process is completed Credit, Debt and the New You. Begin by establishing your own credit file. Federal Law requires that each credit customer be allowed one free credit report from each of the three national credit-reporting agencies. You'll want to request the file individually, but the reports will likely result in joint information. Requesting the report individually actually establishes an individual file. If you have an inadequate amount of individual credit history, you'll want to establish several accounts as soon as possible. Keep in mind that you only want credit cards that you'll actually use, so don't go crazy trying to accumulate credit cards.

Retrieve the budget you created during the early part of your divorce, and revise it based on your new circumstances. Make sure fixed costs appear there (housing, utilities, car payments, contractual payments, etc.) and include any new spending pertaining to your single needs.

If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there Be flexible. Your new life, especially if it includes raising children, will offer more surprises than expectations. Remember that while you personally endured the divorce, children suffered through an event too.

Attend to beneficiary concerns. You must name them as soon as possible, because if you don't, and you die, your state will impose a will on your heirs (in testate) that can result in your wishes not going fulfilled. Wills, Trusts, retirement accounts, bank accounts and insurance contracts will need to be revised. Don't put it off.

If you haven't already, create a personal blueprint that lays out goals, wishes and aspirations you've developed over the years. Be sure to include the dreams and desires you may have developed in a marriage that didn't allow them being fulfilled.

At times, your bad credit may create a lot of obstacles, particularly when you are in desperate need of quick cash. However now you can obtain the much needed financial relief without facing too many hassles. Now you can avail instant cash loans for bad credit, designed especially for those individuals who are having bad credit problems and are looking for instant monetary relief. Despite having arrears, defaults, late payments, you can get hold of these loans without too much of a problem.

The advantage with these loans is that inspite of having the credit hassles; you get to obtain these loans in les than 24 hours. Moreover, the lenders approve the loans without any credit check. These are basically short term loans and can be accessed without pledging any collateral. With these loans, you can easily take care of needs like paying medical bills, store and grocery bills, electricity bills, credit card dues, car maintenance or house repair etc.

In order to qualify for the loans, you must be a citizen of USA and should have attained 18 years or more. You need to be employed for the past 6 months with a monthly income of not les than $1000. An active checking account is also required that must be in active use for the past 3 months.

Through these loans, you can obtain a small amount in the range of $100-$1500 for a period of 2- 4 weeks. You can repay the amount when your next payday arrives. If you are having any trouble, then you can roll over the loan for a few weeks, but for that you will have to pay a small fee to the lender.

While availing the loans, you should be prepared to pay a high interest on the loans. This is why it is advised to borrow an amount that can be easily repaid. Moreover, you should resort to these loans only in times of urgency.

Instant cash loans for bad credit as of now are also available online. Online lenders offer these loans at comparatively cheap interest rates. Further, by taking a proper research and comparison, you can easily spot lenders offering these loans at competitive rates. Besides, on repaying the borrowed amount on time, you will be able to improve the credit score, which is of course beneficial

The first time you rode a bicycle successfully, you most likely really had to think about it. No doubt you have to concentrate totally on just exactly what you were doing. Maybe you had to do that again the second time, and the third, fourth, and fifth time, and maybe even for several weeks thereafter. One fine day, though, you got to the point where you could hop on the bike and pedal away without thinking about it at all. You may even still be able to do that now. They say, "Once you've learned how to ride a bicycle, you never forget." It becomes "automatic."

This is exactly what your, perhaps, most realistic goal should be when you've mastered the course "100% Financing When Buying Real Estate" and become a successful real estate investor. You want the lessons you have learned to be incorporated into your daily life almost automatically. At first, you will have to think very consciously about everything. Putting these suggestions into practice is going to take considerable effort on your part. But, as in the case of bike riding, you should take some comfort in the fact that it gets easier as you go along.

One theory suggests that "inertia" is the real culprit. According to this theory, bodies at rest tend to stay that way, and bodies in motion tend to stay that way too. In the case of learning real estate investing, when you start you're barely moving at all. Inertia sets in. It is much less difficult to keep sitting and not doing anything than it is to start picking up the telephone, answering classified ads, and traipsing around your neighborhood looking at "for sale" signs. It's a huge mountain to climb over, that's for sure. But once you get "up there," you'll be surprised how rapidly everything starts coming together. You'll really start rolling! Then the other half of inertia kicks in. Now you're moving and will stay moving. Making telephone calls becomes "automatic." You're in the habit of reading the newspaper advertisements. You can't imagine a day going by without rereading your written goals. You canvas not only your own but all your friends' neighborhoods too. You meet people and develop business relationships constantly. You hand out your business cards to everyone. And pretty soon not a month goes by without you making an offer to purchase property with amazing profit potential. This is what you want to have happen. This is "riding your bicycle" down the parhway to real estate investment riches. This is success in the making. You really want to do this. Don't you?

What you really want to do is make the lessons you have learned "automatic." Some scientific studies have shown that almost any act can move from consciious to unconscious activity in less than three weeks with constant repetition. So, if you begin by "forcing yourself" to read the real estate classified advertisements each and every single day for one-half hour, for example, the evidence suggests that this will be your daily habit in less than three weeks. You'll do it uncounsciously. You'll do it "automatically." But you will do it! And this is exactly what you want to do. isn't it?

This is what you want to have happen with your written goals, too. You want to reread them twice daily for the rest of your investing life. Or, certainly until you've attained them all. (And by then you will probably have "automatically" set more new ones!) If you do read then over faithfully like this, pretty soon they become "automatic." Then they're your habit. They are then a part of your subconscious mine, and you want this. Something becoming subconscious like this is tantamount to achieving it already. It's like as if it becomes a driving force. It becomes your "fourth basic need" (food, shelter, clothing and going after "those darned written goals"). When this happens, you will see how easy it becomes not only to go after them, but to achieve them.

Why not plan on keeping a weekly log, and recording all the time you spend going after your goals? That is, record everything you do, every day, each and every week, involving activities related to real estate investing. Jot down the periods of time you spend researching income properties, checking our neighborhoods, talking to people, and actually making offers to purchase. Record what happens afterward. Jot down your follow-up activities. Write all this down at first, and after a few months you may find you don't need it anymore.

It could become "automatic" that you do these things without having to write them down. Or, writing your log could become a habit, and that all by itself would be indicative of the conscious (and subconscious) effort you are making to become a real success as an investor in income producing real estate.

If you want your project presentation to be unique and attractive, you can absolutely use several different methods to it. One way is using a tarp or banner to display relevant facts about your project. Mount the banner in a Roll up stand which is popularly used nowadays instead of hanging the banner on the wall. Using a stand will allow you to place your banner in a place where it is fitted.

Banners and tarpaulin use during advertising is popular these days because it attracts people easily. A banner display can easily call attention especially when it is visually stimulating such as using various colors and stylish design. Using stand to mount the attractive banner will require less work because there's no need to climb walls and post it.

Aside from the advantage above there are a lot more advantages when using banner stand. One is it can be arranged in various position. It can be placed facing right corner, left, back or facing front. The placement depends on the style of arrangement in a booth.

From its easy transfer or movability, banner stand display is also advantageous because it is portable. One can easily bring it anywhere without difficulty because it is lightweight. It will not take a big space inside or outside the display booth rental because it is made to fit in any corner or space.

Another benefit in using a stand is its availability in many colors and sizes. Many brands market various colors of stands so it can fit in any motif. It is also available in various sizes-tall, short, small, etc. If it is small, it can be placed on tabletop to attract more people. If it is a tall stand, it can be placed on the side of the booth.

One more advantage on the use of stand is its easy installation feature. One can set it up in a few minutes by just following the simple instructions provided on the manual. Anyone can set it up without any help because it's easy to assemble.

Now that you have seen the various advantages of using a stand and you're planning to buy one, take a few considerations to bear in mind when buying. First is to determine the size of the banner you will mount on the stand so that you will also know the size of stand you need. You may also want to remember the color of your presentation and buy the stand with the same color so it will blend.

Another consideration to take is to check on the sturdiness of the material of the stand. There are brands that use high-quality materials to make a durable stand and there are some that doesn't make good quality stands. If you want to get the value of the money you spent, better select the best quality stands.

One last thing to consider is the price of the roll up stand. For easier price canvassing, browse the internet and find the website of the brand of stand you want to buy. The prices will be indicated on the website and you can set aside a budget to buy it. Canvassing will help you get a stand with good quality and reasonable price.

Global Resorts Network implements enhancement to the compensation pay plan, where Affiliates will earn on their very first sale.

Effective October 9, 2008, Global resorts said that they will be implementing an important enhancement to the current pay plan structure.

Currently, a Gold or Platinum Affiliate is not paid a commission on their first sale which is their Qualifying sale.

The change in the pay plan will be as follows;

Gold and Platinum Affiliates will begin earning a commission on their very first (Qualifying) sale equal to ½ of the normal commission.

That means a $250 commission for a Gold Sale or a $500 commission for a Platinum Sale.

The other half of the commission ($250 for Gold and $500 for Platinum) would roll up to the first qualified up line Affiliate (qualified to receive the commission).

The second $500 or $1000 commission will be paid out as before to the second upline Affiliate qualified to receive a commission.

Of course, on all subsequent sales (sale 2 on) the commission earned will be the full $500 for a Gold and $1000 for a Platinum as usual.

Global Resorts Network said that they feel this change is an exciting enhancement to the compensation plan.

Global resorts network will be also introducing their new financing program, in which A Platinum Membership will be available for a $998 down payment and monthly payments of $198 for 12 months (with no interest).

The two $1000 commissions will be paid $300 at initial purchase (two commissions of $300 each out of the $998) and the balance in 12 equal monthly payments.

According to GRN these $300 immediate commissions can generate significant incomes up front plus give affiliates a handsome residual income over the following 12 months.

The new Customer or Affiliate will be a full Platinum Member with full travel privileges immediately.