Q. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and soul searching lately to figure out every area of my life. Can you tell me how does the law of attraction apply to money? – Tina, Ann Arbor, MI
A. The concept of our thoughts becoming physical things is very real, the universal principle “So as a (wo)man thinketh” so is (s)he” is very real when it comes to money.
In my Beyond Money Principles “Evaluate Your Money Mindset” is the second principle that I teach because until and unless you address your unconscious thoughts and deep rooted beliefs about money you will never take the necessary and consistent action towards what you say you want.
For example...
Read the rest of this August 18, 2008 post and get answers you need to make smart money moves: Money Monday's
I really appreciate you taking the time to send me your money questions. I personally read each email so keep them coming!
Got a pressing money question? Ask it now Money Monday's
And be sure to check back each Monday for answers to your money questions.
Monday, August 18, 2008
You've Got Questions...I've Got Answers On: Financial Har-money, Law of Attraction and Money, plus Anxiety and Debt
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Saying "I Do" To Saving on The Big Day
Weddings are big business. It's estimated that
in the industry generates $62.8 billion per year.
There are gowns to buy, flowers to fill the
bouquets, cakes, carriages and don't forget the
favors or photographer!
What's a bride and groom to do when the expense
of their "big day" has the potential of leaving
them bankrupt?
Not to worry, there are ways of saying "I Do" to
saving when planning for a wedding.
One big expense is the cake. If you're feeding 100+
people the cost adds up very quickly but if you
"fake the cake" you could save hundreds of dollars.
It's simple, just order the four-tier cake of your
dreams and have the baker make the bottom two tiers
from Styrofoam. The entire cake will be decorated
beautifully, but only the top portion will be available
for the cutting and getting time captured photographs.
The guests won't know the difference as they'll be
enjoying scrumptious pieces of the sheet cakes tucked
away in the kitchen.
It's a clever way to save! Want more ways to say "I Do"
to savings? Just watch this video
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Financial Har-money: How To Have a Better Relationship with Money & Your Mate!
The reality is you probably were attracted to and fell in love with your financial opposite. Often the things that we find "intriguing" about our partners when we first meet are the very things that make us crazy about them later on.
I created a formula for “financial har-money,” that comes down to having a mixture of 7 key ingredients:
1. Respect for each other (this is the one ingredient that MUST be included and can't be skimped on)
2. Mutual Understanding (talk it out - preferably before there is a problem)
3. Agreed upon Goals (short and long term)
4. Compromise (from both sides)
5. Organization (know the state of your financial union)
6. Hard Work (the only way it'll work is if you work at it)
7. Determination (there are no fillers or substitute ingredients for this)
Now we just mix in a touch of understanding a heaping of patience and a full portion of determination and we've created a version of financial har-money that tastes oh so sweet. Watch this video and get even more tips on how to have a better relationship with money and your mate!
Monday, August 4, 2008
You've Got Questions...I've Got Answers On: Renting from Private Home Owners, Talking To Your Honey About Money & Paying for Dental Implants
Q. My boyfriend and I are planning to move in together when his lease is up in the next couple of months. We’d like to rent a house and aren’t sure which is better; to rent from an individual homeowner or from a company who rents out houses for the home owner. – T.C. Jackson, Salem, OR
A. With property owners more open to renting vs. selling in a soft housing market renting in from a private owner could not only help the homeowner but the local economy too because vacant homes are never a good thing for the overall community.
However, before you make a commitment to renting from a private homeowner, get clear answers to these important questions:
1. Will there be regular maintenance visits and if not, how will issues needing repair be handled and within what period of time?
2. Who will be responsible for covering homeowners insurance, property taxes and all costs associated with the property?
3. Will you have an option to buy the home at the end of the rental agreement and if so, what percentage of your monthly rental payment will be allocated for that purpose?
4. Have they ever rented property to a long-term tenant before and if so, would they allow you to speak with them?
5. Will they report your payments to a credit reporting agency to ensure that you are building your credit history?
Just as you would with a traditional renting situation be sure to have everything documented and in the case of a private renter, be prepared to sign a personal property rental agreement.
Read the rest of this August 4, 2008 post and get answers you need to make smart money moves: Money Monday's
I really appreciate you taking the time to send me your money questions. I personally read each email so keep them coming!
Got a pressing money question? Ask it now Money Monday's
And be sure to check back each Monday for answers to your money questions.
A. With property owners more open to renting vs. selling in a soft housing market renting in from a private owner could not only help the homeowner but the local economy too because vacant homes are never a good thing for the overall community.
However, before you make a commitment to renting from a private homeowner, get clear answers to these important questions:
1. Will there be regular maintenance visits and if not, how will issues needing repair be handled and within what period of time?
2. Who will be responsible for covering homeowners insurance, property taxes and all costs associated with the property?
3. Will you have an option to buy the home at the end of the rental agreement and if so, what percentage of your monthly rental payment will be allocated for that purpose?
4. Have they ever rented property to a long-term tenant before and if so, would they allow you to speak with them?
5. Will they report your payments to a credit reporting agency to ensure that you are building your credit history?
Just as you would with a traditional renting situation be sure to have everything documented and in the case of a private renter, be prepared to sign a personal property rental agreement.
Read the rest of this August 4, 2008 post and get answers you need to make smart money moves: Money Monday's
I really appreciate you taking the time to send me your money questions. I personally read each email so keep them coming!
Got a pressing money question? Ask it now Money Monday's
And be sure to check back each Monday for answers to your money questions.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Airlines Rising Baggage Prices - AGAIN: 7 tips for Saving Money While Traveling
When you add on the fee of $40 for 2 checked bags on American Airlines (both ways so that's actually $80), or $100 round trip for that second bag with Delta using the "cheap" ticket you got online might not be such a good deal after all.
So what can travelers do to save money when even the thought of taking a vacation is giving them a headache?
1. Load up, on points - Baggage fees don't apply for most frequent flier members with 20,000 points or more. So while it may seem like a "waste of time" to register for a mileage account it could save you
money on baggage fees.
2. Pay now vs. pay later - Paying full price for tickets is never fun, but they come with an added benefit. Fewer fees. Full fare tickets tend to be refundable and exempt from baggage fee charges. Sure getting a "steal of a deal" on your families flight to Bermuda might seem like striking pay dirt, but when you total the costs of checking 2 bags per person (a whopping $400 for a family of 4 flying Delta) it actually might be costing you more than you bargained for.
3. Pack and ship - When traveling for an extended period of time (more than 3 days) ship your clothes and other necessary items to your final destination in advance. The best deal is USPS with their priority mail "one size one price" boxes (under $20) or consider FedEx/UPS ground service for an inexpensive option.
4. Travel lighter - According to Continental airlines, they are experiencing a 60 percent reduction in second bags checked, since the fee for bag went into effect. So that sends a signal that many consumers were packing more than they needed anyway. When in doubt, leave it out because you probably won't use it anyway.
5. Brown bag it - Airlines have done away with complimentary food service on flights and now charge as much as $6 per "snack pack" which contains little more than bag of granola and a slice of cheese. Plus the cost (not to mention the quality) of airport food is super inflated so before you head for the airport pack your own snack and save some money and the headache of finding a food court in the terminal you're departing from.
6. Settle in the center seat - While is may not be a pleasant thought to sit in the middle of a snorer and a talker on a 6 hour flight to LA; the middle seat actually gives you more under the seat room for your carry on and the ticket price is generally 10% cheaper.
7. Look on the light side - When it comes to luggage, the less you pay, the less it weighs. If you're going to have to pay to check a bag you want to make sure you avoid the "double jeopardy" of paying an extra charge for being over 50 pounds (as much as $75) Buy inexpensive yet sturdy luggage that will allow you to be under the 50 pound limit but still pack that extra pair of shoes.
So what can travelers do to save money when even the thought of taking a vacation is giving them a headache?
1. Load up, on points - Baggage fees don't apply for most frequent flier members with 20,000 points or more. So while it may seem like a "waste of time" to register for a mileage account it could save you
money on baggage fees.
2. Pay now vs. pay later - Paying full price for tickets is never fun, but they come with an added benefit. Fewer fees. Full fare tickets tend to be refundable and exempt from baggage fee charges. Sure getting a "steal of a deal" on your families flight to Bermuda might seem like striking pay dirt, but when you total the costs of checking 2 bags per person (a whopping $400 for a family of 4 flying Delta) it actually might be costing you more than you bargained for.
3. Pack and ship - When traveling for an extended period of time (more than 3 days) ship your clothes and other necessary items to your final destination in advance. The best deal is USPS with their priority mail "one size one price" boxes (under $20) or consider FedEx/UPS ground service for an inexpensive option.
4. Travel lighter - According to Continental airlines, they are experiencing a 60 percent reduction in second bags checked, since the fee for bag went into effect. So that sends a signal that many consumers were packing more than they needed anyway. When in doubt, leave it out because you probably won't use it anyway.
5. Brown bag it - Airlines have done away with complimentary food service on flights and now charge as much as $6 per "snack pack" which contains little more than bag of granola and a slice of cheese. Plus the cost (not to mention the quality) of airport food is super inflated so before you head for the airport pack your own snack and save some money and the headache of finding a food court in the terminal you're departing from.
6. Settle in the center seat - While is may not be a pleasant thought to sit in the middle of a snorer and a talker on a 6 hour flight to LA; the middle seat actually gives you more under the seat room for your carry on and the ticket price is generally 10% cheaper.
7. Look on the light side - When it comes to luggage, the less you pay, the less it weighs. If you're going to have to pay to check a bag you want to make sure you avoid the "double jeopardy" of paying an extra charge for being over 50 pounds (as much as $75) Buy inexpensive yet sturdy luggage that will allow you to be under the 50 pound limit but still pack that extra pair of shoes.
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