How to Get Money Quickly Without Borrowing It

How to Get Money Quickly Without Borrowing It.

It can be difficult to come up with cash at short notice for an emergency. Fewer and fewer people have secure jobs and savings accounts to rely on during tough times or unexpected circumstances. Fortunately, there are still ways to scrape together necessary funds quickly.

Method 1 Doing Odd Jobs In Your Neighborhood.
1. Advertise your services. Build your own website or post on online pages such as Craigslist.
Specify in your advertisement what types of jobs you can do (home repairs, plumbing, electrical work, yard work, cleaning etc.), what you charge, and when you are available.
Provide multiple ways to contact you. If you can be reached by both phone and email, you might have a better chance at getting work.
2. Build your potential customer base. Speak to nearby friends and neighbors first.
Tell them that you need money and are willing to do light housework and yard work in the area.
Ask them to tell their friends and neighbors too, and recommend your services.
Your neighbors and friends may very well end up being your first customers. Be sure to tell them to spread the word that you do good work when you're finished.
3. Charge reasonable rates for your work. The main reason someone might consider hiring you over a professional service is that you're a lot less expensive.
Ask for a small amount of money that you can live with, rather than a large sum.
A good way to estimate what to ask for is to set a low hourly rate, say $8 or $10. Also, prorate your work to the nearest half hour. In other words, if you work for 6 hours and 33 minutes, just bill for 6 hours and 30 minutes. That keeps things simple.
4. Act professionally. Dress in clean clothes and smile when people answer their doors. Offer a handshake when you introduce yourself. Make eye contact.
Be sure to describe exactly what types of services you offer, whether its small home maintenance, yard work, cleaning etc.
Be willing to do jobs on weekends and evenings.
Return calls and job offers quickly and promptly.
5. Bring your own equipment. If you have specialized equipment you can bring, such as a toolbox for house repairs or a rake for leaves and grass, bring it with you.
Heavier items like ladders and lawnmowers can be left at home, but be sure to mention you have access to your own.
Don't accept jobs that you don't have the equipment to complete.

Method 2 Finding Short-Term Jobs.
1. Think about what your skills are. You might be able to find a short term job more easily if you have certain skills.
Bookkeeping and accounting jobs are often short term or temporary. If you have skills as a bookkeeper, you can often find a well paying position on a short-term basis.
Offices and human resource departments often look for part-time workers when they have an increase in paperwork or filing.
If you have tech skills, some firms or websites may hire on a short-term basis.
2. Check the local listings for short-term jobs. The online marketplace Craigslist features an “ETC” category under the Jobs heading local newspapers also often carry advertisements for quick, temporary work. Check everywhere you can and think about what you're able to do.
Take a job as a sign waver. All kinds of businesses hire sign wavers to stand outside for 8 or 10 hours and wave a large sign at passing cars. Used car lots, payday loan stores, and furniture stores in particular use this marketing technique and often pay in cash at the end of the day.
Help out with event work. Browse listings for people and small businesses who need help setting up, running, and tearing down booths for local events like farmer's markets and street fairs. These jobs often start early in the day and often pay the same day. Be prepared to do anything from construction to running a booth.
3. Participate in studies or surveys. This isn't a reliable way to make a lot of money, but if you're just a few dollars short, it can make up the difference. A Google search will help you find some online surveys.
Be sure you qualify for the study before you apply. For example, you won't want to apply for a study that is looking at the effects of smoking if you aren't a smoker.
Apply in person to expedite the process. In the case of some surveys, you'll be able to show up and do a paid survey right then and there. Studies usually last longer, but may provide compensation before the end of the study period.
4. Join a temp agency. Temporary work agencies place thousands of employees with daily work. If you have specialized work skills or previous experience in a field, you might have very good luck temping. There are a number of tips to help you get started with an agency.
Visit the agency. Tell them you want to work, and follow their instructions. There will usually be an application to fill out, followed by an interview where you go over your work history and qualifications.
Bring a resume with you. It will help the temp agency sort out what types of jobs you are qualified for.
Dress for an office environment. Business dress shows you are looking to be successful and will fit in a professional setting.
Meet your agent. He or she will work to find jobs for you every day. Try to be pleasant and get along with your agent; it could help your chances some.
Take any job you're offered. Temp agencies can't work miracles; they don't find work for every temp employee every day. If your agent finds work that you can do and offers it to you, take it immediately.
Sometimes, a temp in a longer-term contract can get hired on as a regular employee, so always treat it like a “real” job.

Method 3 Selling and Reselling.
1. Think about selling your car. This isn't a practical step for many people, but if you're lucky enough to live somewhere you don't need a car to get to work or the grocery store, you're sitting on a huge mound of cash in the driveway. There are some helpful steps to complete this process.
Gather your car's information. Find the title and registration, maintenance receipts and records, and a car history report. Also know the features of your car (CD Player, seat controls etc.)
Having regular receipts and records for oil changes and routine maintenance can show that your car was well cared for and can help you get a good offer.
Set a price for your car. To find the right price, you can look up the value of your car with Kelly Blue Book or look in the classifieds section of your newspaper to see what price cars like yours are selling for.
Advertise the car online and in newspapers. In your ad specify the model and year of the car, its features, its true condition (if it is in need of repairs be honest), your asking price, and acceptable forms of payment. Include lots of photos and multiple ways to contact you.
2. Have a yard sale. Advertise it for free on Craigslist, or for a small fee in the local newspaper. Clean and organize everything you intend to sell, and lay it out in front of your house or apartment on the morning of the day of the sale.
This approach works best for people who haven't previously sold things for cash out of necessity, and still have a lot of items to sell. People are more interested in bigger yard sales.
Price everything slightly high, but be willing to haggle down. Most yard sale items will reasonably sell for 1/3 to 1/2 of the original price, if the item is in good condition.
Keep your prices in $.25 intervals to keep change handling simple.
To make up the difference, try to feature some bigger items, like furniture and exercise equipment, that you can get a bigger chunk of change for. Place these items at the end of the driveway or yard to lure in buyers.
Many neighborhoods have a coordinated yard-sale day. It is a good idea to hold your yard sale during this event because it will draw in a large crown of potential buyers.
3. Sell your belongings online. There are two basic ways to do this if you need to turn a quick profit: Craigslist and eBay.
On Craigslist, post your item for sale in the appropriate section of the site. Be sure to post pictures if you can; people often don't bother with listings that don't have photos attached.
Use the word “firm” if you refuse to haggle on the price; use “OBO” to indicate you might be willing to go down on it a bit.
On eBay, you can set various time and purchase options, which may have fees attached to them.
If you choose to sell it at a fixed price with the Buy It Now option, you will have to pay a flat fee of a couple dollars in addition to a percentage of the sale price. Buy It Now allows you to control your selling price.
If you choose to sell your item at auction, choose a period of time the auction will be active. Sunday evening is said to be the most lucrative night of the week for auctions by frequent eBay sellers.
4. Sell to a pawn shop. Pawn brokers are people who will pay cash for just about anything you own that isn't disposable or perishable. Pawn brokers tend to pay very low amounts and won't haggle.
Bring your items with you to the pawn shop. Most pawn shops keep short hours for security reasons, so go before 4PM to be sure you get in.
Decide whether or not to accept the offer. Expect to get $60 for a $500 bicycle, and on down the line proportionally. In most cases, you should only visit a pawn shop if you absolutely need money right now and have no other options available as you won't get a good value on your items.
5. Resell to collectors. There are collector's markets for just about everything with any cultural significance, from commemorative plates to video games and old toys. If you arm yourself with knowledge, you can make a killing buying items for cheap and selling them to collectors at a profit.
Specialize in one type of collectible. You might specialize in retro toys or specialized glassware. Start by seeing what collectibles you already own and build from there.
Know your subject. Do the research to find out what an item in good condition looks like and is worth. Know which items are commonplace or super rare. Rare items will get a better price.
Visit cheap places. Yard sales and thrift shops are your best friends as a collectables reseller.
Use computer resources. Websites that specialize in collectibles can help you to gauge what collectibles are selling for in your area.
Sell online. You'll often get a better price online than you will selling to a local collector, and this can widen your customer base.
Get to know dealers and insiders. These people can be great connections for you to advertise your collectibles and get to know vendors who can help you sell your items.

Method 4 Using Unorthodox Approaches.
1. Perform on the street. If you're lucky enough to own an instrument and talented enough, busking is the art of musical street performance. A good busker in a busy spot can make a nice little pile of cash in an hour or two of playing. The following are some helpful tips for busking.
Get permission. Some cities and communities have ordinances that require a permit or fee for street performance.
Choose a good location. Avoid areas where there are other street performers but still have high traffic. Choose busy downtown areas in safe locations as a starter.
Choose your repertoire carefully. A good time of year to busk is during the holiday season. Jazz and popular music are also successful themes.
Be polite to your audience. Be warm and friendly with everyone who crosses your path. Smile and nod whenever you make eye contact with anyone.
2. Collect scrap metal. Iron, steel, and especially copper can be sold to scrapyards by the pound. To make a significant amount of profit, you'll need to bring in quite a few pounds, so be sure you have a vehicle with space for the metal.
Look around abandoned lots and derelict buildings for pipes and metal fixtures. Junk bins outside tech and office firms may have bunches of wire or other components that can be sold as scrap.
Be very careful if you collect scrap. Wear heavy gloves, bring a partner, and don't hunt for scrap at night.
Don't steal or strip metal from anything that's still in use.
Search neighborhoods in the morning before garbage collection. You can often find items that can be used for scrap or fixed up and sold.
3. Go rock hounding. There are guidebooks available in most areas that show where valuable rocks can be found. Fossils, geodes, and semi-precious gemstones are all widely available in some areas. Keep in mind though that this may take time to find a collection and might not be a fast solution to your money problem.
Learn different gemstone grades. If you're hounding for semi-precious gems, remember that coloration and size can sometimes make them quite valuable.
Bring a shovel or spade, gloves, a hat, and a pail or bucket. Very often, to find the better-quality rocks and fossils, you'll have to dig down into the ground a little bit. Be sure this is legal where you are; most places marked in a guidebook should allow it.
Be careful to stay off of private property, including mining claims.
Sell your haul to a specialty store. You won't get a whole lot, most of the time, but it's next to impossible to sell raw stones online.
4. Sell plastic bottles for money. It's possible to collect bottles from other people's recycling and sell them for money.
You'll have to collect quite a few of them before you can make a profit, so be prepared to put some effort into this method.
You'll also have to find a national recycling buyer that purchases plastic bottles in bulk. A simple Google search should help you find companies that you can work with.
5. Sell you hair. Believe it or not, there is a market for your hair. If you have "virgin" (non-dyed or treated) lengthy hair, you can earn quite a bit of money for it.
Your hair is an outgrowth of what goes into you, so if you eat healthy and don't smoke, you can sell your hair for a premium.
An online tool exists to tell you how much your hair is worth.

Community Q&A.

Question : Where can I sell foreign coins?
Answer : A local coin dealer might be interested. Try Craigslist, too.
Question : Do people really buy hair?
Answer : Yes, they do! Some people don't have hair, so real-hair wigs are very popular.
Question : How do I sell old and rare postal stamps?
Answer : Find the value of the stamps by doing some research online first. Then, look for local auctions, swap meets, or even antique stores where you could find someone to purchase the stamps. There are also plenty of places online where you could sell them yourself once you've found the value, like eBay or Craigslist.
Question : How can you do this if you are a kid?
Answer : Start with scrap metal. It is easy to do and is free.

Warnings.

Don't steal, blackmail, or counterfeit to get money. If you think it's a lot of trouble being broke, wait until you're broke and standing in a courthouse on a felony charge.
You may have to pay income tax or other taxes on your earnings, especially if you are working a second, or even third job. Don't fall into the trap of getting paid cash-in-hand for more than you are legally allowed to earn as having to pay the Inland Revenue, IRS or other agency a large amount of back tax is not going to improve you financial situation in the long or short term.
Don't gamble if you need money. The odds are even at the very best (and only in craps betting); generally speaking, odds are that you'll lose. There's a reason people call the lottery an “idiot tax.”

June 04, 2020

How to Prevent Arguments About Finances

How to Prevent Arguments About Finances.

Money and finances are one of the most common sources of conflict for couples. Money problems can stem from not being open about your finances and having differing views of how money should be spent. To help prevent fights about finances, discuss each other’s views about money, come to a compromise that respects both your values, communicate about your finances openly, and set goals to help keep your finances in order.



Method 1 Discussing Your Views About Money.

1. Talk about your view on money. One of the money problems that arises between couples is due to their differing position on money. Some people are spenders and others are savers. These two mindsets can strongly clash. To help get past this problem, you should talk about these differences.

During this discussion, talk about whether you are a saver or spender.

Having open communication about your ideas and feelings on money can help you start to solve or eliminate problems.

For example, you may say, "I believe that money is hard-earned and should be enjoyed." Alternately, you may say, "Saving money is important to me. We work too hard for it to spend it often."

2. Discuss what money means to you. Often, the arguments about finances aren’t about money specifically, but about what money means to the people in the relationship. To help prevent any financial arguments, you and your partner should explain to each other what money means to you and what it signifies. This can help you understand each other.

For example, you may think that saving money means safety and security. You may think that saving money or spending it can show love and affection. Saving money may make you feel in control and like you have power.

You may feel that you deserve to spend your hard earned money on yourself, or you may feel that you deserve to save your hard earned money for future plans.

Determine if you or your partner use money as a way to measure success, status, or keep score with others.

Make sure to discuss any fears you have about money and the way that your family approached money growing up.

For example, you may say, "Saving money makes me feel safe. When we were growing up, we had no money, so having a savings account helps me feel like I'm taking care of my family."

3. Acknowledge your differences about money with an open mind. After you have discussed what money means to both of you, you should use the opportunity to understand each other’s position and ideas about money. You should not point fingers or try to make one of your right and wrong. There is nothing wrong with having different values about money. You have to work towards understanding, accepting, and compromising.

For example, work on understanding why your partner feels that spending money is something they have earned and deserved. Try to see how saving money makes your partner feel in control and safe.

Both you and your partner are two different people, which means you are not going to have the same opinions about everything. Communicating about your ideas of money can help prevent and avoid misunderstandings.

If your partner has illogical, irresponsible, or contradictory ideas about money, that is a separate issue. You want to accept different ideas about money, yet help your partner work through illogical money ideas that may harm your family.

Try saying, "I understand that you want to save money though I like to treat myself for my hard work. Can you explain to me why saving money is so important to you? I will explain to you why I think we deserve to spend some of our money."

4. Compromise with both of your sets of values. After you have figured out what each of you feels about money, you can then work on a compromise. Compromise means you both stay positive as you find a way to negotiate both of your values. Find some common ground that benefits you both. You should work on finding ways for both of your to compromise equally so one person isn’t giving up more than the other.

For example, you may come to a compromise where you set aside money each month to spend on yourself while your partner sets aside a similar amount to save. You both can come to an agreement on what things are considered special splurge purchases, and decide what you want to save money on to purchase or invest in in the future.

5. Take a break and come back to the discussion. If you and your partner are discussing money and start arguing or yelling, stop the conversation and go do something else. Stepping away for a moment will help you and your spouse have time to calm down and think more logically about what has been said.

You and your partner will not always agree about money. However, it is crucial that you learn how to compromise so you can meet everyone’s needs and address each other’s concerns.



Method 2 Communicating Effectively About Finances,

1. Be open about your finances. One way to help prevent arguments about money is the be open about your finances with your partner. This helps each of you be on the same page, so you won’t be keeping secrets about money or lying about money. These behaviors can cause problems and arguments.

When your relationship gets to the point where you start sharing bills and financial responsibilities, you should be open about all of your finances. This includes your debt, income, and financial obligations.

Tell your partner, "I want to share my finances with you. I have some student loan debt, a car payment, and two credit cards."

2. Keep your partner in the loop. You should share vital financial information with your partner so that you both stay informed of each other’s financial situation. This includes any changes to your income, tax returns, and credit reports. This helps maintain honesty and communication between you, and you can avoid potential problems if you keep something from your partner.

This often happens at the beginning of a partnership, when you let your partner know your financial situation. However, you should continue doing this throughout the relationship, especially if things change significantly.

For example, you may say, "My credit report has changed recently due to my recent bill payments. I'd like to go over what changed the credit report with you."

Another way to prevent arguments is to agree to text or call if you are thinking of purchasing something over an agreed upon spending limit, such as $100. If you or your partner is out shopping and finds something above the agreed upon limit, then sending a quick text or making a quick phone call may prevent an argument later on.

3. Establish weekly money talks. Another way to help prevent fights about money is to discuss any minor problems before they can turn into something worse. Getting together with your partner once every week or two to discuss the budget and any minor problems can help keep the lines of communication open and help prevent fights.

For example, you may get together and discuss how one of you spent more on groceries than was budgeted, or another minor financial problem. Addressing the problems early can help prevent the small things from turning into major problems.

You may say things like, "We went over the budget on groceries, but by cutting a few corners, we can adhere to it next month."

4. Talk about how you will approach helping out family. Many people help out family members financially. However, this can cause a lot of problems and arguments. To help prevent this, talk about what you and your partner want to do about helping out family members so you have a procedure in place.

For example, you may decide to help out a family member up to a certain dollar amount or a certain number of times each year. You may decide that you want to help out certain family members but not others. Discuss these issues with your partner and come up with a solution that you both can handle.

You may say, "I understand that your parents struggle, but we can only afford to help them for this set amount of money three times each year."



Method 3 Setting Financial Goals.

1. Create a budget. Budgets can help prevent a lot of arguments about money. Budgets create a solid plan for your money so there won’t be any questions or confusion about where the money goes and when. Budgets give you and your partner a guide to help stay on track where money is concerned.

If one partner has trouble adhering to the budget, you can look at the numbers and find areas that need improvement or adjustment.

Make sure to budget in money for extra purchases, such as an impulse buy or going out to dinner.

Include each of your money interests in the budget. If you like to spend money but your partner likes to save, budget those things in each month.

If budget has a negative connotation, consider calling it a “spending plan” instead of budget.

2. Share financial tasks. To help keep the financial responsibilities even and a joint effort, come up with a way share tasks and assign a duty to each person. This helps take all the pressure off one person and lets you work together to manage your finances.

For example, you may pay the bills while your partner makes and maintains the budget. You may focus on the savings account while your partner invests money.

3. Come up with long term goals. Figure out what your long term goals are for your money. Do you want to invest? Are you saving for a new car or house? Are there kids in the future? Do you want to take vacations? Each of these future plans are important. You should discuss what you and your partner want in the future and come up with a way to approach it.

Most of these purchases require pre-planning and saving. Prioritize what you want to save your money for.

4. Approach finances as a team. To help keep your finances running smoothly and eliminate any potential conflicts, work on your finances as a team. Even though one person may be in charge of the budget or paying the bills, you should talk about these ideas and sit down once a month to discuss the month’s finances.

You may decide to pay bills together and do the budget together instead of assigning the task. You may also switch back and forth and do a different financial task each month.

5. Consider having separate accounts. If finances and spending habits are a frequent source of frustration in your relationship, then you and your partner might consider setting up separate bank accounts and just maintain a joint account for your shared bills and savings. This may help to prevent arguments about finances if you each have a set amount of money to spend on whatever you want each month.

6. Seek professional help. If you and your partner fight too often about finances, you can seek professional help. You may want to visit a therapist who specializes in resolving conflicts in relationships. This can help you get past any barriers and help you learn how to compromise.

You may also want to visit a financial planner. Financial planners can help you figure out how to budget and compromise on financial issues.

February 25, 2020

how to prevent arguments about finances

How to Prevent Arguments About Finances.

Money and finances are one of the most common sources of conflict for couples. Money problems can stem from not being open about your finances and having differing views of how money should be spent. To help prevent fights about finances, discuss each other’s views about money, come to a compromise that respects both your values, communicate about your finances openly, and set goals to help keep your finances in order.



Method 1 Discussing Your Views About Money.

1. Talk about your view on money. One of the money problems that arises between couples is due to their differing position on money. Some people are spenders and others are savers. These two mindsets can strongly clash. To help get past this problem, you should talk about these differences.

During this discussion, talk about whether you are a saver or spender.

Having open communication about your ideas and feelings on money can help you start to solve or eliminate problems.

For example, you may say, "I believe that money is hard-earned and should be enjoyed." Alternately, you may say, "Saving money is important to me. We work too hard for it to spend it often."

2. Discuss what money means to you. Often, the arguments about finances aren’t about money specifically, but about what money means to the people in the relationship. To help prevent any financial arguments, you and your partner should explain to each other what money means to you and what it signifies. This can help you understand each other.

For example, you may think that saving money means safety and security. You may think that saving money or spending it can show love and affection. Saving money may make you feel in control and like you have power.

You may feel that you deserve to spend your hard earned money on yourself, or you may feel that you deserve to save your hard earned money for future plans.

Determine if you or your partner use money as a way to measure success, status, or keep score with others.

Make sure to discuss any fears you have about money and the way that your family approached money growing up.

For example, you may say, "Saving money makes me feel safe. When we were growing up, we had no money, so having a savings account helps me feel like I'm taking care of my family."

3. Acknowledge your differences about money with an open mind. After you have discussed what money means to both of you, you should use the opportunity to understand each other’s position and ideas about money. You should not point fingers or try to make one of your right and wrong. There is nothing wrong with having different values about money. You have to work towards understanding, accepting, and compromising.

For example, work on understanding why your partner feels that spending money is something they have earned and deserved. Try to see how saving money makes your partner feel in control and safe.

Both you and your partner are two different people, which means you are not going to have the same opinions about everything. Communicating about your ideas of money can help prevent and avoid misunderstandings.

If your partner has illogical, irresponsible, or contradictory ideas about money, that is a separate issue. You want to accept different ideas about money, yet help your partner work through illogical money ideas that may harm your family.

Try saying, "I understand that you want to save money though I like to treat myself for my hard work. Can you explain to me why saving money is so important to you? I will explain to you why I think we deserve to spend some of our money."

4. Compromise with both of your sets of values. After you have figured out what each of you feels about money, you can then work on a compromise. Compromise means you both stay positive as you find a way to negotiate both of your values. Find some common ground that benefits you both. You should work on finding ways for both of your to compromise equally so one person isn’t giving up more than the other.

For example, you may come to a compromise where you set aside money each month to spend on yourself while your partner sets aside a similar amount to save. You both can come to an agreement on what things are considered special splurge purchases, and decide what you want to save money on to purchase or invest in in the future.

5. Take a break and come back to the discussion. If you and your partner are discussing money and start arguing or yelling, stop the conversation and go do something else. Stepping away for a moment will help you and your spouse have time to calm down and think more logically about what has been said.

You and your partner will not always agree about money. However, it is crucial that you learn how to compromise so you can meet everyone’s needs and address each other’s concerns.



Method 2 Communicating Effectively About Finances,

1. Be open about your finances. One way to help prevent arguments about money is the be open about your finances with your partner. This helps each of you be on the same page, so you won’t be keeping secrets about money or lying about money. These behaviors can cause problems and arguments.

When your relationship gets to the point where you start sharing bills and financial responsibilities, you should be open about all of your finances. This includes your debt, income, and financial obligations.

Tell your partner, "I want to share my finances with you. I have some student loan debt, a car payment, and two credit cards."

2. Keep your partner in the loop. You should share vital financial information with your partner so that you both stay informed of each other’s financial situation. This includes any changes to your income, tax returns, and credit reports. This helps maintain honesty and communication between you, and you can avoid potential problems if you keep something from your partner.

This often happens at the beginning of a partnership, when you let your partner know your financial situation. However, you should continue doing this throughout the relationship, especially if things change significantly.

For example, you may say, "My credit report has changed recently due to my recent bill payments. I'd like to go over what changed the credit report with you."

Another way to prevent arguments is to agree to text or call if you are thinking of purchasing something over an agreed upon spending limit, such as $100. If you or your partner is out shopping and finds something above the agreed upon limit, then sending a quick text or making a quick phone call may prevent an argument later on.

3. Establish weekly money talks. Another way to help prevent fights about money is to discuss any minor problems before they can turn into something worse. Getting together with your partner once every week or two to discuss the budget and any minor problems can help keep the lines of communication open and help prevent fights.

For example, you may get together and discuss how one of you spent more on groceries than was budgeted, or another minor financial problem. Addressing the problems early can help prevent the small things from turning into major problems.

You may say things like, "We went over the budget on groceries, but by cutting a few corners, we can adhere to it next month."

4. Talk about how you will approach helping out family. Many people help out family members financially. However, this can cause a lot of problems and arguments. To help prevent this, talk about what you and your partner want to do about helping out family members so you have a procedure in place.

For example, you may decide to help out a family member up to a certain dollar amount or a certain number of times each year. You may decide that you want to help out certain family members but not others. Discuss these issues with your partner and come up with a solution that you both can handle.

You may say, "I understand that your parents struggle, but we can only afford to help them for this set amount of money three times each year."



Method 3 Setting Financial Goals.

1. Create a budget. Budgets can help prevent a lot of arguments about money. Budgets create a solid plan for your money so there won’t be any questions or confusion about where the money goes and when. Budgets give you and your partner a guide to help stay on track where money is concerned.

If one partner has trouble adhering to the budget, you can look at the numbers and find areas that need improvement or adjustment.

Make sure to budget in money for extra purchases, such as an impulse buy or going out to dinner.

Include each of your money interests in the budget. If you like to spend money but your partner likes to save, budget those things in each month.

If budget has a negative connotation, consider calling it a “spending plan” instead of budget.

2. Share financial tasks. To help keep the financial responsibilities even and a joint effort, come up with a way share tasks and assign a duty to each person. This helps take all the pressure off one person and lets you work together to manage your finances.

For example, you may pay the bills while your partner makes and maintains the budget. You may focus on the savings account while your partner invests money.

3. Come up with long term goals. Figure out what your long term goals are for your money. Do you want to invest? Are you saving for a new car or house? Are there kids in the future? Do you want to take vacations? Each of these future plans are important. You should discuss what you and your partner want in the future and come up with a way to approach it.

Most of these purchases require pre-planning and saving. Prioritize what you want to save your money for.

4. Approach finances as a team. To help keep your finances running smoothly and eliminate any potential conflicts, work on your finances as a team. Even though one person may be in charge of the budget or paying the bills, you should talk about these ideas and sit down once a month to discuss the month’s finances.

You may decide to pay bills together and do the budget together instead of assigning the task. You may also switch back and forth and do a different financial task each month.

5. Consider having separate accounts. If finances and spending habits are a frequent source of frustration in your relationship, then you and your partner might consider setting up separate bank accounts and just maintain a joint account for your shared bills and savings. This may help to prevent arguments about finances if you each have a set amount of money to spend on whatever you want each month.

6. Seek professional help. If you and your partner fight too often about finances, you can seek professional help. You may want to visit a therapist who specializes in resolving conflicts in relationships. This can help you get past any barriers and help you learn how to compromise.

You may also want to visit a financial planner. Financial planners can help you figure out how to budget and compromise on financial issues.

February 11, 2020

How to Start a New Life with No Money

How to Start a New Life with No Money.

Starting a new life can be a great opportunity to make refreshing choices and decisions. However, doing so with no money can present a bit of a challenge as well. To make the most of your new life, start by creating a list of goals and keeping a positive mindset. Learn more about saving and your spending habits. Get a job to bring in additional income and reach out to your friends and family for assistance, if needed.

Method 1 Deciding How You Want to Live.
1. Be clear on why you are starting over. Spend some time determining whether or not you are creating a new life out of necessity or desire. If this is a choice based out of need, then you’ll want to identify what life improvements you will need to make as well. If you are making a decision based out of want, then carefully consider what your ideal life looks like.
For example, if you are starting a new life because you need some space from negative family members, then you might include limiting contact with these persons as part of your plans.
Or, if you are starting a new life because you want a challenge and some excitement, then you might consider placing yourself in a unusual circumstance, such as living in a foreign country.
2. Make any moving plans, if necessary. You may need to move to a new apartment or house in order to truly start over in the same city. Or, you may need to head out of the country entirely. Do as much research as you can online to determine the best way to use your limited funds. Look for locations where the cost of living is cheap and jobs are plentiful.
Find locations with affordable living options by selecting cities and then searching online for rent and food expense estimates. For example, in the Cook Islands you can find an apartment to rent for $130 a month.
3. Decide who to keep in contact with. Starting over can mean severing some personal ties, but it doesn’t always require breaking your bonds with your loved ones. Go through a list of all of your friends and family and determine what place they should have in your new life, if any at all. You’ll also want to consider how you will break the news to everyone that you’ve decided to start over, or if you will just stay silent about your choices.
For example, if you are trying to rebuild your finances and you have a relative who has a tendency to be a bad financial influence, then you will need to determine if you should continue to interact with them moving forward.
4. Keep a goal journal. Spend at least 15 minutes a day writing and thinking about your current situation and editing your goals. Try to create goals for a month, for one year out, for five years out, and for ten years out. Reassess your goals on a regular basis and change them if you need to. Make sure that your goals closely align with what type of life you’d like to lead in the future.
For example, you might write, “I would like to have $500 saved by the end of the year.” This will help you to be more financially stable, so it will likely fit with your lifestyle choices, too,
Make sure to think both big and small when setting your goals. Don’t be afraid to push for a goal that seems a long-shot.
5. Break down each goal into a series of actionable steps. Consider exactly what actions you’ll need to take for each goal and write them down as a sequence. As you decide to tackle that particular goal, look at this list as a reference. This will make larger goals seem more possible. This, in turn, will make you feel more in control of potentially difficult situations.
For example, if you plan to save money, then you’ll probably need to start by monitoring your spending or perhaps opening a savings account.
6. Seek out exciting, new experiences. It can be easy to get bogged down in the unknown or the unusual when you are starting over. Instead, force yourself to use positive adjectives when describing what you are experiencing. Change from using “weird” to “exciting,” for example. If you feel yourself getting too anxious, tell yourself to open your eyes and find one thing positive about your new environment.
For example, try to seek out the natural beauty of an area. Look for how the birds fly in the sky or how the sunlight comes through the trees. If you are stuck in an office all of the time, you can even print out these images and place them around you.
7. Give yourself positive encouragement. Starting over takes time and a great deal of work. Don’t expect everything to be in order overnight. Instead, be gentle with yourself and acknowledge all of your victories, even the small ones. Tell yourself throughout the day, “You are doing good.” Give yourself compliments as often as possible.
It is helpful to see your life as a book. This is just one chapter of many and does not necessarily tell you what the end will be. You are still writing it out.
You will also need to be watchful when you fail, so that you don’t let these moments set you too far off course. For example, if you make a poor spending choice with your limited funds, see if you can correct it as quickly as possible.

Method 2 Rebuilding Your Financial Life.
1. List out your debts. Take out a piece of paper or open up a spreadsheet on your computer. Write down all of the details regarding your debts. Include information about required payment amounts, due dates, and interest percentages. Update this list often and mark off the debts as you pay them off.
This will also allow you to see which debts need to be paid off first and which ones can come later. For example, it is always a good idea to pay off high interest credit card charges as soon as possible.
One entry on your list might look like, “American Express Card, $1,800 balance, 18% percent interest rate, $25 minimum payment per month.”
2. Develop a savings plan. Even without any money at present, it is still a good idea to consider what you will do with cash when you have it. Your goal should be to move away from a lifestyle that involves surviving paycheck to paycheck. This could mean finding a job and moving a certain percentage of pay into a savings account each month. This could also mean spending some time learning about saving on a site such as Learnvest.
There are also some handy spending “tricks” that you can learn, such as setting aside the change from your checking transactions using an app, such as Qapital.
3. Choose a thrifty lifestyle. Make a decision to pursue frugal, but safe, accommodations. If you are moving, select a location that will allow you to live in a thrifty way. Look into the cost of living numbers and consider the benefits of living within a city versus in a rural area, for example. You can also investigate saving money on transportation by forgoing a car.
For example, Panama is one location where you can live comfortably for around $300 a month.
4. Find a job. If do not have a paid position, then look for one by creating a solid resume. It might help for you to list out all of your skills before you begin applying for positions. You could contact a temp agency as well or just browse the job sites on your own. Make sure that you only apply for legitimate work opportunities.
You might also consider putting your skills to work by creating a business.
5. Create back-up plans. Without a financial safety net, there are many moments in life that you will need to navigate carefully. You’ll feel less anxious if you create at least one back-up plan for all of the major decisions and actions that you take. Try to think about both worst and best case scenarios.
For example, if you are saving money by cycling to work and your bicycle breaks down, what will you do? You might want to investigate public transportation as a back-up option.
6. Talk with a financial advisor. Go online and enter your city and “financial advisor.” Then, contact each advisor and ask if they offer any fee-free assistance. If they do, make an appointment and bring all of your financial paperwork with you to the meeting. They may also ask that you attend a financial support group with some of their other clients.
You can also find a forum for financial advice online and ask the members for tips on savings and tracking spending.

Method 3 Getting Help From Others.
1. Take advantage of government programs. Talk to government officials in your area to see if there are any assistance programs available to you. Consider these programs a temporary way to give your finances a boost in order to prepare you for future success. Make sure to follow all guidelines involved with the program.
For example, there are many government grants available to small business owners. Some of these grants can help you to start over with a new business even if you lack the initial funding. Check with the Small Business Association (SBA) for more details.
2. Ask your friends and family for help. Tell your friends and relatives about your goals and your plans to start over. See if they have any suggestions or advice. They might also be able to provide you will additional resources, financial or otherwise, to help you get on your feet.
Be aware that your story and choices may also help others to make positive changes in their own life. For example, you might have a friend who is struggling with credit card debt and could use any information that you learn about paying it down.
When talking to your friends and family members you might say, “I have very little money to work with, but I’m planning to get a job in an industry that guarantees regular pay and insurance as well.”
3. Consider staying with friends. Living expenses can very quickly destroy your budget and ability to save. If you have a friend or family member who is willing to let you “couch surf” for a while, you might consider this as a viable option. It will allow you to save up money and give you enough time to find a living situation that suits your frugal lifestyle.
You may also find that you are not the only person living in someone else’s home, especially in big cities. It is quite common for people to open their home’s to others searching for paid work in crowded, competitive areas.
4. Make lots of professional contacts. Every time that you talk with someone, try to consider how they could work as a professional contact for you. This may sound mercenary, but considering these connections can also make it possible for you to help them as well. When you are out in public, try to talk with the people that you encounter and be friendly as often as possible.
For example, if you are a waiter looking for work it never hurts to talk with the wait staff when you eat out at restaurants. They may be able to give you some tips regarding looking for a job in that area.
5. Talk with a therapist. Go online and enter your city and “therapist” into a search engine. Contact these professionals to see if any of them offer free sessions or group therapy. If so, this can be a great way for you to explore your past choices and how you can make changes for the present. In a support group, you can also find people who can be your friends in your new life.

Community Q&A.

Question : What if I hate my field and would definitely be required to get a degree I can't afford to get to be hired at the very bottom of the only field I think I might not be miserable in?
Answer : Some public libraries and business organizations offer free courses in many fields, with certificates upon completion. They could be classes that would be included to earn a degree and may become transferable college credit. A certificate could be the beginning to getting your foot in the door. Add to the certificate some volunteer work experience in the field. Submit this on your resume and gain contacts from your free certificate training and volunteer experiences that you might want to use for job references. Talk with your new contacts for tips on how they got started. Present all these at the interview for an entry position in your new field of work.

Tips.

When you are starting over it might be tempting to work all of the time, but make sure to give yourself breaks as well

June 02, 2020

how to analyze your current finances

How to Analyze Your Current Finances.

Before you can improve your financial health, you need to analyze your current finances. Keep track of your expenses for a month and look at where you are spending the most. Use extra money to pay down debts, build an emergency fund, and save for your retirement. Although saving might seem difficult, it’s actually quite easy once you find out where your money is going.

Part 1 Tracking Your Spending.

1. Record your spending. Record all purchases that you make in a month. Write down the amount spent, the day, and the time. Some of the more popular methods include:

Create a spreadsheet. Remember to enter every purchase or expense. You should probably hold onto receipts so that you don’t forget how much you spent during the day.

Keep a notebook. This is a lower-tech option, but it is convenient. Carry your notebook around with you and record purchases as soon as you make them.

Use checks. This is an old-fashioned option, but you can easily track your expenses when your monthly bank statement arrives.

Use an app. Many apps are on the market that help track your spending on your smartphone. The most popular include Mint.com and Wesabe.com.

2. Add up your fixed expenses. Your fixed expenses don’t change month to month. Common fixed expenses include the following: Rent or mortgage, Insurance, Car payment, Utilities, Debt repayment.

3. Look closer at your discretionary spending. Your discretionary spending is any spending that isn’t fixed. Instead, it goes up and down each month. Pay attention to what you are spending money on. Break out the amounts spent on the following: Groceries, Eating out, Gas, Clothes, Hobbies/entertainment.

4. Pay attention to when you spend the most. Look at the days and times when you make most of your discretionary purchases. Do you buy impulsively immediately after work? Do you spend too much money on the weekends?

You might need to change your routine, depending on when you spend. For example, instead of pulling into the mall on your way home from work, you can change your route so that you don’t pass the mall.

If you’re a weekend spender, you can try to fill your time with other hobbies, such as exercise or visiting friends.

5. Compare your spending to the 50-20-30 rule. According to this rule, your monthly expenses should shake out this way: 50% should go to essentials, such as food, rent, and transportation. 20% should go to saving and debt reduction, and 30% should go for discretionary spending.

The 50-20-30 rule probably won’t work for many people. For example, your fixed expenses like rent might eat up more than 50% of your budget. If you have debts, then you might need to spend more than 20% to pay them down. Nevertheless, the 50-20-30 rule can help you identify where you are falling short. It also gives you something to work towards. If necessary, reduce your debt load by refinancing or paying down debts.

Part 2 Looking Closer at Your Debts.

1. Draw up a list of your debts. Go through your paperwork and find information on your debts, then draw up a list including the following: Name of the account, Total current balance, Monthly payment, Interest rate.

2. Pull a copy of your credit report. You might not remember all of your debts, so you should go through your credit report to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. In the U.S., you are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three national credit reporting agencies. Don’t order the report from each agency. Instead, order them all by calling 1-877-322-8228.

You can also visit annualcreditreport.com. Provide your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security Number.

3. Check if you can reduce your debt load. Depending on your situation, you might be able to lower the overall amount you pay on your debts. Although this might not lower your monthly payments, you will ultimately save money in the long-term. Consider your options:

You might be able to refinance a 30-year mortgage into a 15-year mortgage. This will probably increase your monthly payments, but you can save big on interest.

Call up your credit card companies and ask for a better interest rate. This will lower your monthly payment and your overall debt.

Consolidate debt. For example, you can transfer credit card debts to a balance transfer credit card, or you can take out a lower-interest personal loan to pay off debts.

4. Find ways to reduce your monthly debt payment. In a cash crunch, you’ll need to reduce how much you pay each month, even if you end up paying more over the long-term. You can lower your monthly debt payments in the following ways:

You might be able to stretch out the length of the loan. For example, you might refinance a car loan and stretch out the repayment period to six years.

If you have student loans, you can ask for deferment or forbearance. These options temporarily suspend your payments, though interest will continue to accrue with forbearance. When you get back on your feet, you can begin making payments.

Debt consolidation can also reduce your monthly payments, depending on the interest rate and repayment period.

5. Pay off your debts. You need to pay back your debts, preferably sooner rather than later. Some of the more popular approaches to debt reduction include the following:

Debt avalanche. You pay the minimum on all debts except the one with the highest interest rate, to which you dedicate all extra money. Once that debt is paid off, you commit all resources to the debt with the next highest interest rate.

Debt snowball. With this method, you pay the minimum on all debts except the smallest one. You devote all available money to this debt until it is paid off, then you focus on the remaining debt that is the smallest. This method can give you momentum as you see your smallest debts disappear.

Debt snowflake. You look for ways to save money every day and make multiple payments each month to your debts. You can combine the debt snowflake method with either the avalanche or snowball method.

Part 3 Reducing Your Expenses.

1. Set a savings goal. Ideally, you should save 15-25% of your monthly paycheck. This means that if you bring home $2,000 a month, you should save between $300 and $500. That might not be a realistic goal right now, depending on your expenses.

If you can’t save 15%, then work on ways to reduce your discretionary spending. Every little bit helps, and there are many ways to save every day.

2. Reduce your spending on food. Stop eating out and instead cook at home. Buy a cheap cook book and have fun making new recipes. Remember to buy groceries in bulk for extra savings.

Clipping coupons will help reduce the amount you spend each week. Find coupons in your local newspaper or in the circular at the grocery store.

Use popular apps such as Checkout 51, Grocery IQ, and Coupons.com.

3. Find cheap entertainment substitutes. Everyone needs to unwind a little bit. However, you can usually find a cheaper substitute for your favorite activity:

Instead of paying for a gym membership, exercise outdoors. Join a jogging or walking group, or do pushups or sit-ups in the park.

Get your library card and check out books and DVDs instead of paying for them.

Instead of joining friends for happy hour, host a potluck at your house. Ask all guests to bring a dish or a bottle of wine.

4. Cut your electricity use. Install LED lightbulbs, which are four times as energy efficient as regular lightbulbs, and remember to unplug electrical devices when you aren’t using them.

You might also weatherize and insulate your home for increased savings. Obtain a home energy audit and apply for any local government programs. An energy audit can reduce your energy expenses by 5-30%.

5. Reduce your fixed expenses. These can be the hardest to reduce because they often require that you make big lifestyle changes. However, consider whether you can make any of the following changes, especially if you are living beyond your means:

Move in with friends or family. If you can’t afford your rent or home, then you might need to crash at someone’s place, at least temporarily. This can save a lot of money.

Take public transportation. Sell your car and pocket the money. You’ll also save on insurance and gas.

Get cheaper insurance. You can lower your auto or homeowners insurance by shopping around using an online aggregator. When you find a cheaper option, call up your current insurer and ask them to match it. If they won’t, you can switch.

6. Freeze your credit cards. Reduce the temptation to spend by freezing your cards in ice and carrying only cash on you. If you’re afraid of carrying cash, get a secured credit card or reloadable debit card.

Part 4 Saving for the Future.

1. Build a cash cushion. If your car broke down or you lost your job, could you continue to pay the bills? Build a cash cushion by saving six months’ worth of expenses. Start small, by putting aside whatever extra money you can spare.

Don’t let debt repayment get in the way. Most financial experts recommend that you build up at least a small emergency fund at first—say, three months. Then you can tackle your credit card debt.

Ideally, you can do both at the same time—contribute some money to your emergency fund and some extra to paying debts down quickly.

2. Contact Human Resources about retirement plans. You might be surprised that your employer offers a retirement plan. Call up HR and ask. Also check whether or not they will match any of your contributions.

For example, some employers might match up to 4% of your base salary. This means you contribute 4% and they contribute 4%. If you only contribute 3%, then they will match that.

3. Research IRAs. If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, don’t worry! You have plenty of options to choose from. The two most common are Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You can open an account with many online brokers. Choose which IRA works for you:

IRA. With a traditional IRA, your contributions are tax-free. This is a good choice if you anticipate being in a lower income tax bracket when you retire.

Roth IRA. The big advantage of a Roth IRA is that your withdrawals will be tax free. However, you pay taxes on your contributions. This is a good option if you anticipate being in a higher income tax bracket when you retire.

January 27, 2020

How to Analyze Your Current Finances

How to Analyze Your Current Finances.

Before you can improve your financial health, you need to analyze your current finances. Keep track of your expenses for a month and look at where you are spending the most. Use extra money to pay down debts, build an emergency fund, and save for your retirement. Although saving might seem difficult, it’s actually quite easy once you find out where your money is going.

Part 1 Tracking Your Spending.

1. Record your spending. Record all purchases that you make in a month. Write down the amount spent, the day, and the time. Some of the more popular methods include:

Create a spreadsheet. Remember to enter every purchase or expense. You should probably hold onto receipts so that you don’t forget how much you spent during the day.

Keep a notebook. This is a lower-tech option, but it is convenient. Carry your notebook around with you and record purchases as soon as you make them.

Use checks. This is an old-fashioned option, but you can easily track your expenses when your monthly bank statement arrives.

Use an app. Many apps are on the market that help track your spending on your smartphone. The most popular include Mint.com and Wesabe.com.

2. Add up your fixed expenses. Your fixed expenses don’t change month to month. Common fixed expenses include the following: Rent or mortgage, Insurance, Car payment, Utilities, Debt repayment.

3. Look closer at your discretionary spending. Your discretionary spending is any spending that isn’t fixed. Instead, it goes up and down each month. Pay attention to what you are spending money on. Break out the amounts spent on the following: Groceries, Eating out, Gas, Clothes, Hobbies/entertainment.

4. Pay attention to when you spend the most. Look at the days and times when you make most of your discretionary purchases. Do you buy impulsively immediately after work? Do you spend too much money on the weekends?

You might need to change your routine, depending on when you spend. For example, instead of pulling into the mall on your way home from work, you can change your route so that you don’t pass the mall.

If you’re a weekend spender, you can try to fill your time with other hobbies, such as exercise or visiting friends.

5. Compare your spending to the 50-20-30 rule. According to this rule, your monthly expenses should shake out this way: 50% should go to essentials, such as food, rent, and transportation. 20% should go to saving and debt reduction, and 30% should go for discretionary spending.

The 50-20-30 rule probably won’t work for many people. For example, your fixed expenses like rent might eat up more than 50% of your budget. If you have debts, then you might need to spend more than 20% to pay them down. Nevertheless, the 50-20-30 rule can help you identify where you are falling short. It also gives you something to work towards. If necessary, reduce your debt load by refinancing or paying down debts.

Part 2 Looking Closer at Your Debts.

1. Draw up a list of your debts. Go through your paperwork and find information on your debts, then draw up a list including the following: Name of the account, Total current balance, Monthly payment, Interest rate.

2. Pull a copy of your credit report. You might not remember all of your debts, so you should go through your credit report to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. In the U.S., you are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three national credit reporting agencies. Don’t order the report from each agency. Instead, order them all by calling 1-877-322-8228.

You can also visit annualcreditreport.com. Provide your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security Number.

3. Check if you can reduce your debt load. Depending on your situation, you might be able to lower the overall amount you pay on your debts. Although this might not lower your monthly payments, you will ultimately save money in the long-term. Consider your options:

You might be able to refinance a 30-year mortgage into a 15-year mortgage. This will probably increase your monthly payments, but you can save big on interest.

Call up your credit card companies and ask for a better interest rate. This will lower your monthly payment and your overall debt.

Consolidate debt. For example, you can transfer credit card debts to a balance transfer credit card, or you can take out a lower-interest personal loan to pay off debts.

4. Find ways to reduce your monthly debt payment. In a cash crunch, you’ll need to reduce how much you pay each month, even if you end up paying more over the long-term. You can lower your monthly debt payments in the following ways:

You might be able to stretch out the length of the loan. For example, you might refinance a car loan and stretch out the repayment period to six years.

If you have student loans, you can ask for deferment or forbearance. These options temporarily suspend your payments, though interest will continue to accrue with forbearance. When you get back on your feet, you can begin making payments.

Debt consolidation can also reduce your monthly payments, depending on the interest rate and repayment period.

5. Pay off your debts. You need to pay back your debts, preferably sooner rather than later. Some of the more popular approaches to debt reduction include the following:

Debt avalanche. You pay the minimum on all debts except the one with the highest interest rate, to which you dedicate all extra money. Once that debt is paid off, you commit all resources to the debt with the next highest interest rate.

Debt snowball. With this method, you pay the minimum on all debts except the smallest one. You devote all available money to this debt until it is paid off, then you focus on the remaining debt that is the smallest. This method can give you momentum as you see your smallest debts disappear.

Debt snowflake. You look for ways to save money every day and make multiple payments each month to your debts. You can combine the debt snowflake method with either the avalanche or snowball method.

Part 3 Reducing Your Expenses.

1. Set a savings goal. Ideally, you should save 15-25% of your monthly paycheck. This means that if you bring home $2,000 a month, you should save between $300 and $500. That might not be a realistic goal right now, depending on your expenses.

If you can’t save 15%, then work on ways to reduce your discretionary spending. Every little bit helps, and there are many ways to save every day.

2. Reduce your spending on food. Stop eating out and instead cook at home. Buy a cheap cook book and have fun making new recipes. Remember to buy groceries in bulk for extra savings.

Clipping coupons will help reduce the amount you spend each week. Find coupons in your local newspaper or in the circular at the grocery store.

Use popular apps such as Checkout 51, Grocery IQ, and Coupons.com.

3. Find cheap entertainment substitutes. Everyone needs to unwind a little bit. However, you can usually find a cheaper substitute for your favorite activity:

Instead of paying for a gym membership, exercise outdoors. Join a jogging or walking group, or do pushups or sit-ups in the park.

Get your library card and check out books and DVDs instead of paying for them.

Instead of joining friends for happy hour, host a potluck at your house. Ask all guests to bring a dish or a bottle of wine.

4. Cut your electricity use. Install LED lightbulbs, which are four times as energy efficient as regular lightbulbs, and remember to unplug electrical devices when you aren’t using them.

You might also weatherize and insulate your home for increased savings. Obtain a home energy audit and apply for any local government programs. An energy audit can reduce your energy expenses by 5-30%.

5. Reduce your fixed expenses. These can be the hardest to reduce because they often require that you make big lifestyle changes. However, consider whether you can make any of the following changes, especially if you are living beyond your means:

Move in with friends or family. If you can’t afford your rent or home, then you might need to crash at someone’s place, at least temporarily. This can save a lot of money.

Take public transportation. Sell your car and pocket the money. You’ll also save on insurance and gas.

Get cheaper insurance. You can lower your auto or homeowners insurance by shopping around using an online aggregator. When you find a cheaper option, call up your current insurer and ask them to match it. If they won’t, you can switch.

6. Freeze your credit cards. Reduce the temptation to spend by freezing your cards in ice and carrying only cash on you. If you’re afraid of carrying cash, get a secured credit card or reloadable debit card.

Part 4 Saving for the Future.

1. Build a cash cushion. If your car broke down or you lost your job, could you continue to pay the bills? Build a cash cushion by saving six months’ worth of expenses. Start small, by putting aside whatever extra money you can spare.

Don’t let debt repayment get in the way. Most financial experts recommend that you build up at least a small emergency fund at first—say, three months. Then you can tackle your credit card debt.

Ideally, you can do both at the same time—contribute some money to your emergency fund and some extra to paying debts down quickly.

2. Contact Human Resources about retirement plans. You might be surprised that your employer offers a retirement plan. Call up HR and ask. Also check whether or not they will match any of your contributions.

For example, some employers might match up to 4% of your base salary. This means you contribute 4% and they contribute 4%. If you only contribute 3%, then they will match that.

3. Research IRAs. If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, don’t worry! You have plenty of options to choose from. The two most common are Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You can open an account with many online brokers. Choose which IRA works for you:

IRA. With a traditional IRA, your contributions are tax-free. This is a good choice if you anticipate being in a lower income tax bracket when you retire.

Roth IRA. The big advantage of a Roth IRA is that your withdrawals will be tax free. However, you pay taxes on your contributions. This is a good option if you anticipate being in a higher income tax bracket when you retire.

January 27, 2020

How to Find Investors for a Small Business

How to Find Investors for a Small Business.

If you want to start a small business or expand an existing one, then you’ll need to find money. One option is to bring on investors. There are many potential investors out there. However, you need to identify which ones will invest in your business and then put together a compelling presentation. When you meet with investors, remember to answer questions with confidence.

Part  1 Identifying Potential Investors.
1. Ask small business groups. You might not know where to begin. It’s probably best to start close to home. Meet with other small business owners or stop into your local Chamber of Commerce. Ask if they know of investors for your business.
2. Contact the Small Business Administration (SBA). In the U.S., the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program helps small businesses find investors. Over $21 billion of capital has been channeled through this program. Each SBIC is privately owned. However, they are licensed and regulated by the SBA.
You can find the SBIC directory here: https://www.sba.gov/sbic/financing-your-small-business/directory-sbic-licensees.
For purposes of the SBIC program, a small business generally has a net worth of less than $18 million and net income of $6 million or less. Furthermore, some business are prohibited from participating in the program.
3. Find a local incubator or accelerator. These organizations help start-ups turn their ideas into a real business, and they provide funding as well. You can find an incubator or accelerator near you by using the National Business Incubation Association’s directory listing.
Generally, incubators help start-ups or new businesses, while accelerators help already-established businesses grow faster.
Incubators might not provide investments directly. However, they can help connect you to potential investors.
4. Look at online crowdfunding. You can reach investors worldwide by using an online crowdfunding site, such as Equity.net. These websites give you access to hundreds of investors who can help you finalize your business plan and grow your business.
5. Remember family and friends. People who know you might invest in your business, especially since they can see your drive and determination. Remember to approach them as you would any other investor.
Friends and family will want some return on their investment, just like other investors. However, you might be more flexible in what you can offer. For example, instead of making them part-owners, you might want to provide them with free goods or services in return.
You also should think about asking people you know for a loan instead of for an investment. With a loan, you don’t have to give up any ownership in your business. Also, if your business fails, you can wipe out a loan in bankruptcy.
6. Hire a business capital broker. These brokers have networks of potential investors that they can contact. You can find a business capital broker online or by talking to other businesses that might have used a broker.
7. Consider if venture capital is right for you. Venture capital is a term used to describe a variety of investors, including private equity firms, venture capital firms, and angel investors. Although different, they share similarities.
They take big risks for potential big financial rewards. Accordingly, venture capital usually invests in industries with large growth potential, such as technology or biomedicine. Very few businesses qualify for venture capital financing.
They are actively involved in your business. For example, they will probably demand a seat on your board in exchange for investment capital. However, they often are experienced in your industry and can help you grow.
They have a longer investment horizon than other forms of financing.
8. Find venture capital investors. Look online at websites such as Angel Capital Association, Angel Investment Network, and Funded.com. Investors use these sites to find businesses to invest in.
The Angel Capital Association has a directory listing accredited investors. You can search by region or state. Links are provided so that you can visit the investor’s website to learn more about them.

Part 2 Putting Together a Presentation.
1. Run the numbers. You need to know how much money you’re after. If you need a small amount, you might only seek out one investor. However, if you need a lot of capital, then you’ll need to know that as well. Calculate how much money you need for your small business.
Also consider how much of your equity you are willing to give up in return. Investors don’t give loans. Instead, they take a share of ownership in exchange for money. You’ll need to come up with something reasonable.
For example, if your business is worth $100,000 and you want $25,000, then you’ll need to give up around 25% of the business’ equity.
2. Update your business plan. Your investors will want to see your business plan, which you should have already created if you are an existing business. The plan will identify your market, competitors, and include financial projections for five years.
Update the financial information so that it is current.
You should also bulk up the executive summary to your plan. Investors often will skip other parts but focus on the summary, so spend extra time on it.
Make the business plan colorful and include graphics so that the information is easy to digest.
3. Research the investor. You need to know whether a potential investor will be interested in your business. Many investors focus on only certain industries, so you’ll save yourself time if you figure out ahead of time their focus.
Look online to check what businesses they have invested in.
Look at their LinkedIn profile to see if you know people in common. If so, ask whether the investor might be interested in your business.
4. Ask for a meeting. There’s no one way to reach out to an investor. If someone recommended the investor to you, then mention the recommender’s name in your email or when you call. Alternately, you can send your email to the recommender, and they can then forward it on to the investor.
In the body of your email, clearly communicate what you do.
Mention the age of your business. Are you a start-up? Have you been in business for ten years?
Identify any other investors you have worked with. For example, an investor might have given you start-up funds five years ago.
Provide dates when you are willing to meet. Try to be as flexible as possible.
Proofread your email so that it looks professional.
Attach something to show the investor your business. For example, you might create a short video that shows your products or services.
5. Know your story. Investors aren’t only investing in a business. They are also investing in a person—you. Accordingly, they’ll want to know stuff about you. You need to be able to explain the following.
What about your background has led you to this point?
How have you benefited from your previous business experience. Be prepared to point to specific achievements.
6. Prepare for common questions. You can’t anticipate in advance everything a potential investor will ask you. However, there are some common questions you should think through.
What has been the biggest mistake you’ve made in your business?
How are your competitors outperforming you? Why?
Is anything working against your business, e.g., new regulations, demographic changes, etc.?
Why are you seeking funding?
What are your long-term growth plans? How do you intend to get there?
7. Get help from a Small Business Development Center. Your nearest SBDC can help you pull together a business plan, find potential investors, and prepare for meeting with investors. Contact the nearest SBDC and schedule an appointment.
You can find the nearest office here: https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/sbdc.

Part 3 Meeting with Potential Investors.
1. Make a memorable presentation. You’ll probably make a presentation to investors, which can take many forms. For example, you might make a PowerPoint presentation or create a booklet for the investor to flip through. With other investors, you’ll simply sit and talk. Whatever form your presentation takes, it’s important not to simply repeat the contents of your business plan.
Yes, the investor wants to understand your financials, which is why you have a business plan handy for them to take and read. However, it doesn’t hurt to get creative.
Show the investor your product or service. If you are expanding a pastry business, have an assortment of pastries with you. If you provide a service, then you can create a short video that shows your business in action. You need to give the investor a concrete idea of what your business does.
Remember that pictures are more memorable than words. If you create a PowerPoint, don’t fill it up with text.
2. Be brief. Your presentation shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. If you use a PowerPoint, then it shouldn’t have more than 15 slides. Practice your presentation until you it is the right length.
3. Ask for advice at the first meeting. Don’t dive right in and ask for money. A potential investor needs time to mull over your business idea before they can decide whether they want to invest. Accordingly, you should spend the first meeting tapping the investor’s business knowledge.
However, you can subtly work money into the discussion. For example, you can say in an offhand manner, “I’ve been thinking I’d need $130,000 to open a new store in that location, but I’d like to hear from you if there are hidden costs you’ve found in your experience…”
4. Be honest. An investor won’t cut a check until they perform due diligence. They’ll want to take a closer look at your business financials, and they will uncover any misrepresentation you make. Always be honest in your business plan and in your conversations with potential investors.
Admit when you don’t know an answer. An investor will appreciate your honesty.
If you lie to one investor, then they will talk to others in their community. You’ll get a bad name and not be able to find any investors.
5. Project confidence. Potential investors want to see that you have faith in your business. Avoid being arrogant, which shows that you are insecure. Instead, project quiet confidence in the following ways:
Listen. Insecure people chatter all the time and laugh awkwardly to fill up silence. Be prepared to listen.
Stand up straight. Put your shoulders back when you sit and stand.
Make eye contact when talking and listening to someone.
Avoid fidgeting.
6. Remember to ask the investor questions. Any investor will take an ownership stake in your business. Accordingly, you’ll need to vet them as well. Ask the following questions before agreeing to work with someone.
What other projects are they investing in? Check whether or not they are similar to your business, or whether they are in different industries.
When was their last investment? If the investor hasn’t been investing in a while, they may not be serious.
How do they plan to increase your company’s value?
What factors will you consider before deciding to invest?
How active do they want to be in the business? Does the investor want a seat on the board, handle day-to-day operations, etc.?
7. Follow up with the investor. After a first meeting, thank the investor by sending them an email. It’s unlikely that they’ll agree to invest after only one meeting, so you want to keep the doors of communication open. A short, professional "thank you" email can do the trick.
You can also keep the investor updated on the progress of your business. For example, if you were rolling out a new product, let them know how it is going.
8. Stay professional if rejected. It’s hard to tell why people choose not to invest in businesses. You might not have been a right fit, or they might have already chosen to invest in a similar business. Regardless of the reason, you can control how you respond. Stay professional and thank them for their time.
Remember that you might run into the investor later down the road, when they are more willing to invest in you. There’s no reason to burn bridges right now.
9. Keep trying. Avoid being discouraged if you don’t get many offers, or if every presentation you give results in a rejection. You probably haven’t found the right investor yet. Keep searching, because the perfect investor may still be out there.

FAQ.

Question : How can I attract customers for my trading business?
Answer : Advertisement is key. Go to your local paper and ask them if they would run an article on your business, or just buy advertising within the paper. You can also start a social media group and add friends and family to help spread the word. Creating a website, or having one created for you, is also ideal. this will show possible investors that you are dedicated to this and will also give them a chance to see what would be in it for them.
Question : What are basic rules to follow when speaking to an investor?
Answer : You must possess and demonstrate the following characteristics: Professionalism, manners, wisdom, soundness, honesty, commitment, passion and determination.
Question : I'm looking for an investor for my restaurant. Where can I find more information?
Answer : Seek out colleges and universities that have master chef programs. You will find that the same people who are donating money to these schools come from within social circles that are also interested in helping to establish finer restaurateurs.
Question : How can I find an investor for an international school I want to establish in Ghana?
Answer : For an international school, you could try fundraising websites and create a social media group to help spread awareness. People will donate money to worthy causes, if they are aware of them.
Question : How do I find someone to invest in a business I want to purchase?
Answer : It depends on the type of business you are purchasing. Look for trade associations local to you area and find out if they have regular meetings you might attend.
Question : How can I find a business partner?
Answer : You can put the word out on social media or by handing out flyers at pertinent businesses. Offer perks for your business partners.
Question : How can I find a foreign investor to distribute products in Myanmar?
Answer : I would start with contacting the Myanmar Embassy in Washington, D.C. They should be able to assist with your questions concerning international trade, as well as help to put you in contact with the people who do the licensing for international trade and distribution of goods and services.

April 07, 2020

How to Stop Being Broke

How to Stop Being Broke.

If you're sick of being broke, it's time to take control of your finances! Whether you need to work on your spending habits, learn how to save, or find ways to earn more money, you can find a way to stop being broke. Follow these steps to start working towards financial freedom and better peace of mind.

Part 1 Getting into the Right Mindset.
1. Set goals. If you want to change your financial situation, you need to get specific about want you want to accomplish. Think about exactly what you want your finances to look like and what you can do to achieve those goals.
Setting short-term goals in addition to long-term goals can help keep you motivated by providing you with a sense of accomplishment.
Create a budget for non-essential items and hold yourself accountable for it each month. If you go over-budget one month, tell yourself that your budget for the next month is reduced as a result.
2. Stop comparing yourself to others. If you're spending beyond your means because you feel that you need to keep up with your friends or show others that you can afford a certain lifestyle, you're not doing yourself any favors. Stop worrying about what others can afford and think about how you can live within your means.
Stop equating your self-worth with your ability to buy things. This kind of thinking will make you extremely unhappy in the long run and will probably get you stuck in debt forever.
3. Track your expenses. To understand exactly where all your money is going, keep careful track of every dollar you spend. You can do this with a pen and paper or electronically if you use a card for everything, but make sure to account for everything. This simple habit will help you spend more wisely.
Try categorizing your expenses and adding them up on a monthly basis. For example, you could create categories for food, housing, transportation, utilities, insurance, entertainment, and clothing. Then calculate what percentage of your income you are spending on each category. You might realize that your expenses in some of these categories are way too high.
To understand how much you can afford to spend each day, subtract your fixed expenses from your monthly income and divide the remaining amount by 31.
4. Make a plan for getting out of debt. If you are broke because you have credit card debt, a car payment, or student loans, think about what you can do to pay off these debts faster.
Making even a few extra payments each year can help you pay off your debts much faster.
5. Start saving. This may seem impossible if you are always broke, but planning for the future will help you get out of this cycle. Start small by just putting $50 in an emergency fund each month.
Don't forget to save for retirement! Take advantage of the 401k offerings at your company or open an IRA account.

Part 2 Avoiding Money Traps.
1. Avoid lending to others. While you may want to help out your loved ones who are in need, you really shouldn't be lending money if you can't afford to pay your own bills.
2. Avoid payday loans. While they may seem like a good solution if you're strapped for cash, the interest rates are ridiculously high, so they will only get you further into debt.
3. Understand how much it will really cost. Before you take out any kind of loan or finance any purchase, be sure to calculate what your monthly payments will be, how long it will take you to repay the debt, and how much you will be paying in interest.
In some cases, paying interest may be worth it. For example, most people cannot afford to purchase a house without taking out a mortgage, but depending on the price of the house and the average cost of rent in your area, you might still be saving a significant amount of money by choosing to buy with a mortgage instead of renting.
Be especially wary of high interest rates for depreciating assets like vehicles. If you decide to sell your vehicle after you have owned it for several years, it may be worth less than what you owe on it. This can also happen with real estate when the market conditions are poor.
4. Avoid impulse buys. If you always have a plan for what you will buy, you will have a much easier time managing your finances.
If you have a hard time controlling your purchases when you go to the mall, try to avoid going to the mall at all.
Write out a list when you go shopping so you will always know exactly what you need to buy.
5. Use credit cards wisely. If you have a harder time keeping track of your expenses and sticking to your budget when you use a credit card, stop using it.
Paying with cash instead of a credit card will allow you to visualize how much of your available funds you are spending on a given purchase.
If you are able to stick to your budget when using a credit card, look for one that has no annual fee and will reward you with cash back or other incentives. Just make sure you always pay your bill on time or these incentives will not be worth the price you are paying in interest.

Part 3 Spending Less.
1. Assess your daily or weekly spending habits. Once you have a solid grasp on what you are spending your money on, you can start cutting out expensive habits.
2. Buy used items. You can save on everything from your next car to furnishings for your home by buying gently used items.
You can sometimes find really great clothes that have barely been worn at thrift shops for a fraction of the price.
3. Look for monthly expenses that can be cut. If you pay for monthly memberships or subscriptions, carefully assess how much they cost, how much you use them, and whether you could give them up.
Make sure you're not paying for services that you never use. For example, if you have premium cable channels that you never watch, you can cancel them without feeling like you are making any sacrifices. The same goes for your cell phone bill if you are paying for more data than you ever use.
4. Compare items or brands when shopping. If you're on a tight budget, you want to make sure you're always getting the best deal on absolutely everything. Take some time to compare prices for items you purchase regularly and for large purchases.
If you've had the same auto insurance carrier or cable company for a long time, there might be better deals out there, so be sure to comparison shop regularly.
Shopping for necessities online can be cheaper in some instances, but make sure you take shipping charges into account.
Use coupons to save some extra cash. Keep in mind that many retailers accept competitors' coupons.
5. Ask for a better deal. You can always ask your service providers for better deals, especially if you've been a loyal customer. The worst they can say is no.
Try this with your cable and internet providers, insurance companies, and cell phone carriers.
6. Spend less on entertainment or at restaurants. Whether it's dining out or going to amusement parks, entertainment can eat up a big chunk of your budget. Look for less expensive ways to have fun.
Learn to cook at home and keep the fridge well stocked with ingredients for things that you know you can cook from scratch when you come home late and don't have much time to whip up a grand meal.
Instead of going out to eat with friends, invite them over for a potluck.
7. Do more yourself. It may be convenient to use a laundry service or to have someone else shovel your driveway, but if you're physically capable of doing these things yourself. Think about the money you can save.
If you're not very handy, try to teach yourself to do more around the house. If you need a simple repair done, you may be able to watch a video online or take a class at a local home improvement store to learn how to do it yourself.
8. Save money on energy. Go green around the house to save money on your utility bills each month.
Sealing up air gaps can reduce your heating and cooling bills. If you own your home, investing in a properly insulated attic can make a huge difference.
Turning your heat down just a few degrees in the winter can make a big difference in your energy bills as well. A programmable thermostat will let you automate the temperature of your house so you won't spend money on heating the place to a comfortable level when you're not at home.
9. Avoid bank and credit card fees. Choose your bank and credit card providers wisely in order to avoid unnecessary fees.
Make sure to only use the ATM at your bank if you will get charged for using outside ATMs.
10. Aim to have a few no-spend days a month. After a while, it becomes a game: "How can I run my life today without writing anything down in my little blue book?" "How ingenious can I be to make do with the things, food, and resources I already have at my disposal?" See how often you can turn this into a habit.

Part 4 Earning More.
1. Get a better job. If spending less is just not enough, it may be time to get a better job that will allow you to make more money. Start by updating your resume, searching for listings online, and networking with other professionals in your field.
Don't forget to look for advancement opportunities within your company.
2. Do something else on the side. Using your skills to provide freelance or consulting services is a great way to earn additional income. If this won't work with your profession, get a part-time job or find creative ways to make some extra cash on the side.
You can make some extra money by performing jobs like mowing lawns, cleaning houses, or even walking dogs for people in your neighborhood.
3. Sell stuff you don't need. You probably have at least a few possessions that you no longer need or want, and you can turn those items into extra cash by selling them to people who do want them.
If you have lots of unwanted items, try having a yard sale.

Community Q&A.

Question : My family barely has any money. My dad has his own company, but it hasn't gotten any business in a long time. I have some money saved up, and I was think of leaving a little in my dad's wallet. What do you think?
Answer : Definitely do. Work as much as you can and give and much as you can. Also putting your family's money in a good, interest-bearing account can help a lot.

Tips.

To always have money in the bank to pay regular bills, add them up for the past year and divide by 52. Round up to the next 25, 50, or 100 dollars. Remember to add in quarterly or annual bills, too.
Buy clothes that can be used for several different occasions instead of only one-time events.
Use coupons on items whenever you can.
Start a Christmas Club account, but put in more than you expect to spend on gifts. The excess is great for a mini-vacation or special purchase.
Get a jar to collect your spare change. When it's full, take it to the bank. (Don't take it to one of those coin counters, as they charge for counting your change.)
Take it a day at a time. Start small, set goals, reward yourself (not with any type of shopping, of course) and enjoy playing the game.

July 02, 2020