<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Financial Planning Tips</title>
	<atom:link href="http://financialplanningtips.net/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://financialplanningtips.net</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:37:17 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>The Risky Proposition Of Daytrading: Advice For New Traders</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/the-risky-proposition-of-daytrading-advice-for-new-traders/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/the-risky-proposition-of-daytrading-advice-for-new-traders/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:30:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[basics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[day trading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[risk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5258</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many people think that stock tips will actually tell them how the stocks will move so that they can use the information to get rich. Unfortunately, by relying on the opinions or the insights of others is never going to be a very reliable way to buy and sell stock. You will probably end up [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/stock-option-software/' rel='bookmark' title='How Stock Option Software Works'>How Stock Option Software Works</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/best-online-stock-broker/' rel='bookmark' title='Choosing The Best Online Stock Broker'>Choosing The Best Online Stock Broker</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/understanding-stock-options-basics/' rel='bookmark' title='Understanding Stock Options Basics'>Understanding Stock Options Basics</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Many people think that stock tips will actually tell them how the stocks will move so that they can use the information to get rich. Unfortunately, by relying on the opinions or the insights of others is never going to be a very reliable way to buy and sell stock. You will probably end up not wanting to play the stock market as they do, or you might be taking advice from someone who knows nothing about the market. You and anyone else can learn how the stock market works and profit from playing it. Rather then telling you which stocks you need to pick, by paying attention to the following tips, you will realize some success.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong>1. Control Your Emotions</strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is never a good idea to be emotional when you&#8217;re playing the stock market because as you buy stock and see it go up a bit, it can cause you to become emotional. However, if you get wrapped up in emotions this can actually hinder you from making good profits. Your objectives and rules need to be specific when it comes to buying and selling stocks. Stay within these guidelines or rules and use smaller positions as this will help you in making objective choices.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong>2. Learn from Bad Trades</strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Everyone has at some point made a bad daytrade, but the best way to not make future mistakes is to learn from them, just as you would any other area of your life. If you lose, take some time to back away and see what happened and where you went wrong. Sometimes it is nothing that you did but rather the trade itself just did not work in the end.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong>3. Take Breaks</strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is easy to get caught up in wanting to trade day and night when it comes to daytrade, but you can overdo it and it advisable to take breaks from it. When you take a break you will relax and stop stressing about various aspects of trading, so that when you return, you see things more clearly.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong>4. Continue Your Education</strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">You should focus on continuing your trading education and expanding your current day trading strategies.  You never know which indicators will allow you to expand your profit or which trading techniques will allow you to continue to devolp.  You should be testing and trying out new theories and studies daily.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><em>This was a guest post from<a href="http://adaptfinance.com/a-market-penetration-strategy-example/"> www.AdaptFinance.com</a></em></p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/stock-option-software/' rel='bookmark' title='How Stock Option Software Works'>How Stock Option Software Works</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/best-online-stock-broker/' rel='bookmark' title='Choosing The Best Online Stock Broker'>Choosing The Best Online Stock Broker</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/understanding-stock-options-basics/' rel='bookmark' title='Understanding Stock Options Basics'>Understanding Stock Options Basics</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/the-risky-proposition-of-daytrading-advice-for-new-traders/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Choosing The Best Credit Card Rewards Program</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/choosing-the-best-credit-card-rewards-program/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/choosing-the-best-credit-card-rewards-program/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:06:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airline miles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bank account]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cashback]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rewards programs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As anyone who uses a credit card surely knows, there are limitless different types of credit card reward programs out there. You can get a card that provides rewards and discounts at your favorite retail store, your local movie theater, and at high-end hotels. You can enlist for rewards programs that focus narrowly on providing [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/choosing-the-best-business-rewards-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Choosing The Best Business Rewards Card'>Choosing The Best Business Rewards Card</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/practical-credit-card-reward-programs/' rel='bookmark' title='Practical Credit Card Reward Programs'>Practical Credit Card Reward Programs</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/top-3-reasons-to-get-a-rewards-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Top 3 Reasons To Get A Rewards Credit Card'>Top 3 Reasons To Get A Rewards Credit Card</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>As anyone who uses a credit card surely knows, there are limitless different types of credit card reward programs out there. You can get a card that provides rewards and discounts at your favorite retail store, your local movie theater, and at high-end hotels. You can enlist for rewards programs that focus narrowly on providing deals for your pets or offering Disney World packages for your children. The possibilities go on and on. If you have an interest of any sort, there’s likely a credit card program that fits the bill.</p>
<p>For some people, this multitude of options allows them the ability to perfectly hone in on their activities and interests. For others, however, the thought of narrowly defined rewards programs poses a concern. Unless you are a heavy consumer of a particular company’s product or service, you may feel that all these narrowly-defined options would serve only to tie you down. You like shopping at Target or Macy’s, for example, but you don’t want to feel compelled to shop there simply because of your rewards card. Moreover, many people are unable to choose between all the available options. Rather than picking one or dealing with the hassle of carrying numerous cards, they simply choose to forgo rewards programs altogether.</p>
<p>If you can relate to these scenarios, your best option is probably to get a rewards card that is highly practical and widely applicable. This card will provide rebates and rewards without adding much hassle or stress. As an added bonus, <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/easiest-credit-card-to-get/">these cards are usually easy to pick out</a>.</p>
<p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://content.linkoffers.net/ID.aspx?ID=2520394&#038;Type=156203&#038;Track=1023"></script></p>
<p>Here, then, are three of the most practical and applicable <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/rewards-credit-cards/">credit card rewards programs</a>:</p>
<p><strong>Guaranteed Cash Back</strong></p>
<p>If you worry that you won’t frequent a certain retailer or take advantage of rewards options, there really is no better credit card program than one that is provided by a bank and offers cash back. You will need to <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/banking/">open an account at that bank</a>, if you do not have one already, but otherwise such a program should give you cash rebates without posing any limitations on where you need to spend your money in order to qualify for the reward. Be careful, though; many cash back programs come with high fees or “guarantees” that last for only a limited time.</p>
<p><strong>Gas Rebates</strong></p>
<p>Almost all of us regularly fill up our cars with gas. Moreover, in light of rising gas prices, the cost of doing so has grown increasingly burdensome in recent years. A practical solution? Enter into a credit card rewards program that offers gas rebates. These programs are practical because gas is a universal need and because most of them offer straightforward rebates: if you fill up at an affiliated gas station you get an automatic discount. It’s that simple.</p>
<p><strong>Airline Miles</strong></p>
<p>While people don’t like to tie themselves to a given store or retailer, it’s much easier to commit to one airline when the possibility of free miles is at stake. <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/travel-credit-cards/">Airline rewards programs</a> are also practical because, with every credit purchase you make, they help you save for a reward that would excite most consumers – one that is substantial, special, and worthwhile. The miles you fly also get channeled back into the program so that you can accrue more free miles in the future.</p>
<p>It should be noted that even the most practical credit card programs can encourage unnecessary spending habits and, if the card is used beyond your monetary means, it could easily generate debt that offsets any reward benefits. Every credit card user should monitor their spending closely, lest they are forced to call a financial/debt advisement company like <a href="http://www.cavalryspvi.com/Affiliates/portfolio_services_faqs.htm">Cavalry Portfolio Services</a> from overspending on their credit cards, having to seek bankruptcy or <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-make-an-informed-decision-about-debt-relief/">debt relief assistance</a>. Nobody wants to go through those types of financial problems.</p>
<p>But when used responsibly, the three above mentioned rewards programs can be purely beneficial in their use. They are, after all, some of the most practical and worthwhile ones out there. If you want to take advantage of credit card rewards, and if you don’t have any narrowly-defined interests or know where to start, one of these three options may be right for you.</p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/choosing-the-best-business-rewards-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Choosing The Best Business Rewards Card'>Choosing The Best Business Rewards Card</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/practical-credit-card-reward-programs/' rel='bookmark' title='Practical Credit Card Reward Programs'>Practical Credit Card Reward Programs</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/top-3-reasons-to-get-a-rewards-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Top 3 Reasons To Get A Rewards Credit Card'>Top 3 Reasons To Get A Rewards Credit Card</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/choosing-the-best-credit-card-rewards-program/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How To Save Money By Simplifying Your Life</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-by-simplifying-your-life/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-by-simplifying-your-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[college fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt problems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eating out]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy efficient]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simplify]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5235</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s no huge secret that most Americans live at the edge of their income. Then they need bigger salaries to bail them out of debt. A word to the wise: the problem isn&#8217;t your salary, it&#8217;s your lifestyle. You&#8217;re living beyond your means—we, as country, have been living beyond our means for a while. What [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-when-making-overseas-money-transfers/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers'>How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/3-simple-new-years-resolutions-to-save-you-money/' rel='bookmark' title='3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money'>3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/managing-your-money-101-getting-the-basics-right/' rel='bookmark' title='Managing Your Money 101: Getting The Basics Right'>Managing Your Money 101: Getting The Basics Right</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>It&#8217;s no huge secret that most Americans live at the edge of their income. Then they need bigger salaries to <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/10-tips-for-getting-out-of-debt-when-youre-in-too-deep/">bail them out of debt</a>. A word to the wise: the problem isn&#8217;t your salary, it&#8217;s your lifestyle. You&#8217;re living beyond your means—we, as country, have been living beyond our means for a while. What better time to change the way we approach things than 2012, the year of transformative change? There&#8217;s a time when complexity is understandable and necessary — things like the need for <a href="http://www.sanfordbrown.edu/Areas-Of-Study/Allied-Health-Technicians-And-Therapists/Medical-Billing-And-Coding">medical billing and coding</a> for our crazy health care system, the use of administrative and contact databases, and consolidating loans for those who have too much debt from being a student, buying a house, etc. These things warrant sophistication, professional discernment, and technological innovation. Other aspects of our life call for simplicity and level-headedness:</p>
<p><strong>Revamp your home to be energy efficient.</strong> Doubling down on your home infrastructure is good way to simplify your utility bills and live in harmony with the Earth. Start by <a href="http://greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/9-ways-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient">making your home energy efficient</a>: insulate your walls and attic; upgrade windows; replace your furnace and light bulbs; use solar panels and roofing. Mother Nature will thank you later, and so will your budget.</p>
<p><strong>Reduce gadget expenditures.</strong> Every year, the wizards in the entertainment and tech industries release a fresh slate of new tools and gadgets but that doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean you need to acquire each and every upgrade or new toy. Most of the devices are fun but unnecessary to your bottom line. Don&#8217;t let technology trick you into thinking that an unneeded recreational purchase is actually a business expense. Also, remember to recycle old gadgets. A great weekend project is to go into your garage and make a pile of old electronic gear that can be reappropriated or recycled.</p>
<p><strong>Revise your budget to exclude eating out.</strong> You never really figured that into your budget in the first place, so it won&#8217;t be difficult to take out. Unless it&#8217;s for business (in which case it can be written off, or otherwise paid for) eating out really gets out of hand. Especially when drinks are thrown in, a bite to eat can easily turn into a $100 bill. Wouldn&#8217;t that money be better invested in your kids&#8217; college fund?  (Guilt sets in!)</p>
<p>These methods alone will not completely save you from an over-indulgent lifestyle. But it&#8217;s a good start. Many people who <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/need-debt-management-help-top-5-tips-to-get-back-on-track/">have debt problems</a> fail to see the bigger picture, that if they live at the edge of your income they&#8217;ll never be able to balance their budgets. Taking practical steps to simplifying your life, <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/the-10-commandments-of-saving-money/">reducing expenditures</a> and making your home energy efficient will help you to save money and tweak your lifestyle in positive ways.</p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-when-making-overseas-money-transfers/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers'>How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/3-simple-new-years-resolutions-to-save-you-money/' rel='bookmark' title='3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money'>3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/managing-your-money-101-getting-the-basics-right/' rel='bookmark' title='Managing Your Money 101: Getting The Basics Right'>Managing Your Money 101: Getting The Basics Right</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-by-simplifying-your-life/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>All About FHA Loans For First-Time Home Buyers</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/all-about-fha-loans-first-time-home-buyers/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/all-about-fha-loans-first-time-home-buyers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:54:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Loans and Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buyer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fha]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home owner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5223</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Getting FHA Loans for First-Time Home Buyers FHA loans have become popular in recent years due to the crash of sub-prime lending following the economic crisis. Although it has been harder to get approved for home loans since then, it&#8217;s still easier to get approved for an FHA loan than a conventional mortgage. Individuals who [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/mortgage-bridge-loans-provide-relief/' rel='bookmark' title='Mortgage Bridge Loans Provide Relief For Step-Up Home Buyers'>Mortgage Bridge Loans Provide Relief For Step-Up Home Buyers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-acquire-bad-credit-mobile-home-loans/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Acquire Bad Credit Mobile Home Loans'>How To Acquire Bad Credit Mobile Home Loans</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/types-of-home-loans-you-should-not-get/' rel='bookmark' title='Types Of Home Loans You Should NOT Get'>Types Of Home Loans You Should NOT Get</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Getting FHA Loans for First-Time Home Buyers</span></p>
<p>FHA loans have become popular in recent years due to the crash of sub-prime lending following the economic crisis. Although it has been harder to get approved for home loans since then, it&#8217;s still easier to get approved for an FHA loan than a conventional mortgage. Individuals who haven&#8217;t had an FHA loan and are purchasing a home for the first time can expect approval if they meet the qualification requirements. When considering insurance for an FHA loan, it&#8217;s a great resource to check is <a href="http://www.InsuranceQuotes.org">InsuranceQuotes.org</a> for reliable pricing information.  These loans have several advantages, which include the following:</p>
<p><strong>Credit</strong><br />
This is the most important requirement for any loan in today&#8217;s world. <a href="http://www.hud.gov/buying/loans.cfm">FHA</a> is much more understanding than conventional lenders are about <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/free-credit-report/">credit history</a> blemishes. While most traditional lenders won&#8217;t accept explanations for credit imperfections, FHA will. As a general rule, FHA will excuse past blemishes if recent credit history shows a pattern of financial responsibility. However, tax liens, defaults and federal liens are grounds for denial. While conventional loans require a credit score of 720 for approval with a prime rate, FHA requires a score of only 620.</p>
<p><strong>Debt To Income Ratio</strong><br />
This amount is calculated by adding all debts and the projected mortgage payment. The amount is then divided by monthly income. Individuals with current student <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/category/loans-and-mortgages/">loans</a>, credit cards or auto loans can still qualify. Whether individuals are confident to buy because of an expected raise or a loan that will soon be paid off, FHA allows a debt-to-income ratio of 50 percent.</p>
<p><strong>Interest Rates</strong><br />
Since FHA offers some of the lowest interest rates for 30-year mortgages, monthly payments are very affordable. This means less money is spent over the life of the loan.</p>
<p><strong>Application Process</strong><br />
If individuals have steady employment, enough money to make a 3 percent down payment and decent credit, approval is very likely. The entire process is much easier than the application process of a conventional loan.</p>
<p><strong>Down Payment</strong><br />
This is one of the biggest advantages of an FHA loan. Many lenders are treading on thin ice today, so they often request the full 20 percent down payment. However, FHA only requires 3 percent. In addition to this, FHA allows the seller to pay up to 6 percent of the closing costs.</p>
<p>Since these loans are designed for the benefit of buyers and lenders, homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance are required. Homeowners insurance is factored into the monthly mortgage payment along with estimated real estate taxes. Mortgage insurance is required to protect the lender from potential losses.</p>
<p>Again, to get the most accurate insurance quotes, we recommend you visit www.InsuranceQuotes.org. This web site is provided by a non-profit organization, so this means that the information is current, accurate and consumer friendly.</p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/mortgage-bridge-loans-provide-relief/' rel='bookmark' title='Mortgage Bridge Loans Provide Relief For Step-Up Home Buyers'>Mortgage Bridge Loans Provide Relief For Step-Up Home Buyers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-acquire-bad-credit-mobile-home-loans/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Acquire Bad Credit Mobile Home Loans'>How To Acquire Bad Credit Mobile Home Loans</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/types-of-home-loans-you-should-not-get/' rel='bookmark' title='Types Of Home Loans You Should NOT Get'>Types Of Home Loans You Should NOT Get</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/all-about-fha-loans-first-time-home-buyers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/3-simple-new-years-resolutions-to-save-you-money/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/3-simple-new-years-resolutions-to-save-you-money/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:31:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Misc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[losing weight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new year resolutions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vices]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5215</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s a new year, and that means it is time to get yourself on the right financial foot. After the holiday season, most of us are at financial low points due to the extra travel and gift buying, and maybe some higher balances on our credit cards, but that doesn&#8217;t mean that you can&#8217;t get [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-when-making-overseas-money-transfers/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers'>How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-by-simplifying-your-life/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money By Simplifying Your Life'>How To Save Money By Simplifying Your Life</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/5-simple-ways-to-cut-costs-while-running-a-household/' rel='bookmark' title='5 Simple Ways To Cut Costs While Running A Household'>5 Simple Ways To Cut Costs While Running A Household</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>It&#8217;s a new year, and that means it is time to get yourself on the <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net">right financial foot</a>. After the holiday season, most of us are at financial low points due to the extra travel and gift buying, and maybe some higher balances on our <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/credit-cards">credit cards</a>, but that doesn&#8217;t mean that you can&#8217;t get your finances in order as soon as possible. In fact, the holidays, in particular New Year&#8217;s, can help you do so.</p>
<p>New Year&#8217;s resolutions are a must for anyone looking forward to the new year, and many of those resolutions can also help you save money in addition to improving yourself overall. So forget spending hours scouring for <a href="http://www.freeinsurancequotes.org/">cheap insurance quotes</a> or limiting your diet to canned tuna on your quest to save money. Instead, consider giving one of the following resolutions a try.</p>
<p><strong>1) Losing Weight </strong></p>
<p>If you ask anyone what their New Year&#8217;s resolution this year, there is a good chance that they will say “losing weight.” Losing weight has become one of the most popular resolutions worldwide in recent years, and most of that is due to the worldwide obesity epidemic. While losing weight is excellent for your health, it is also <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/category/budgeting/">excellent for your budget</a>. In fact, it is one of the most cost-effective New Year&#8217;s resolutions you can take on – even with membership fees and health food purchases – because of the amount of money you will save on eating out and future medical bills.</p>
<p><strong>2) Quitting Smoking or Drinking</strong></p>
<p>A pack of cigarettes can range anywhere from $5 to $10 depending on your favorite brand and the state you live in. On average, however, the every day smoker goes though a pack a day, and racks up a monthly bill over $200. So if you are looking to save big this year, give up those smokes. You will save nearly $1,500 annually.</p>
<p>As far as alcohol goes, it&#8217;s never cheap &#8211; especially if you hit the bar or drink while eating out.  It really ads up.  There are empty calories in that alcohol, plus  it is a depressant.  So if you are feeling the blues, you&#8217;ll certainly be helped a great deal by cutting it out to improve your mood as well.  And you&#8217;ll most likely lose some excess baggage around the mid section if you have some.</p>
<p><strong>3) Giving Up Caffeine</strong></p>
<p>Surprisingly enough, your caffeine addiction can be as costly, in terms of product purchased, as a smoking addiction. Purchasing a coffee every morning an cost you nearly $5 a day (if you purchase specialty drinks), and can be even more if you have to have a midday soda pick-me-up. By giving up caffeine, you can save yourself nearly $200 a month.</p>
<p>We all want to save money, and we all want to improve ourselves. Consider killing two birds with one stone, and picking one of the above resolutions to get yourself living life healthier while also putting more <a href="http://financialplanningtips.net/rewards-credit-cards/">cash back into your wallet</a>.</p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-when-making-overseas-money-transfers/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers'>How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-by-simplifying-your-life/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money By Simplifying Your Life'>How To Save Money By Simplifying Your Life</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/5-simple-ways-to-cut-costs-while-running-a-household/' rel='bookmark' title='5 Simple Ways To Cut Costs While Running A Household'>5 Simple Ways To Cut Costs While Running A Household</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/3-simple-new-years-resolutions-to-save-you-money/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How To &#8220;Recession-Proof&#8221; Your Investment Portfolio</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-recession-proof-your-investment-portfolio/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-recession-proof-your-investment-portfolio/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:00:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fixed income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[large cap]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[portfolio.cash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small cap]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The stock market has been pretty volatile this past year with all the talk of another recession looming.  It is important for most investors to create diversified and balanced portfolios in order to remain financially healthy through any upcoming economic storms. A diversified investment portfolio allows you to spread your financial risk. Should one sector [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/investment-strategy-for-a-double-dip-recession/' rel='bookmark' title='An Investment Strategy For A Double Dip Recession'>An Investment Strategy For A Double Dip Recession</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/discovering-good-investments-for-your-portfolio/' rel='bookmark' title='Discovering Good Investments For Your Portfolio'>Discovering Good Investments For Your Portfolio</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/best-investment/' rel='bookmark' title='Am I Really Making The Best Investment?'>Am I Really Making The Best Investment?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>The stock market has been pretty volatile this past year with all the talk of another recession looming.  It is important for most investors to create diversified and balanced portfolios in order to remain financially healthy through any upcoming economic storms.</p>
<p>A diversified investment portfolio allows you to spread your financial risk. Should one sector of the economy take a downturn you are protected by having money placed in other sectors. It is important to regularly monitor your asset allocation so that you may determine where your greatest risks lie and then redistribute your investments to reduce your potential loss. Below we examine those instruments that a diversified and well-balanced portfolio should consider.</p>
<p><strong>Large cap stocks within the consumer goods sector. </strong>During times of economic downturns, investors can focus on quality large cap stocks that offer you good dividend earnings. These stocks have proven, over time, to be resilient during market fluctuations. Their history has proven that the company has been able to withstand declining economic conditions.</p>
<p>When a recession does occur two things happen: companies make fewer business investments and <a href="http://www.creditdonkey.com/american-consumer.html">consumers reduce their spending</a>. Risk-adverse investors should stay clear of industries that are cyclical in nature, such as luxury goods, real estate, technology, travel and transportation, etc. Because each of these sectors undergo a drop in consumer spending, they are particularly susceptible to a recession.</p>
<p>Select the stocks of those companies with a <strong>history of continuous steady cash flow</strong> that enable the firm to weather any economic downturn.   The consumer sector typically performs well during periods of recession. While these stocks may still dip in value, the slide is less precipitous than are the stocks of companies within cyclical industries. The best performing of the consumer-based stocks include food, beverage, healthcare and household goods, and cigarettes. The reason these stocks do so well even during recessions is that these purchases represent necessities rather than impulse or luxury buying. These are the products that are typically the last to be removed from most consumers’s shopping lists.</p>
<p>In addition to being recession-proof, most large cap consumer-based stocks also <strong>pay an attractive dividend</strong>.  Such examples include the CocaCola Company, Proctor and Gamble, Merck, General Foods, Walmart, along with most major health insurance companies. Each firm has done fairly well even during the toughest economic cycles. Although mergers and acquisitions have affected the pharmaceutical industry in the late 20<sup>th</sup> and early 21<sup>st</sup> century, an index consisting of the largest pharmas would still have performed much better than more diversified indices.</p>
<ol start="1">
<li><strong>Fixed Income (FI) Investments and short-term bonds. </strong>During recessionary periods, many investors become risk-averse and sell their high-risk investments and move into safer securities such FI investments and government-backed short-term bonds. Although corporate-backed bonds and mortgage-based securities offer higher yields, they also have higher default rates than government-issued investments. Other short-terms FIs such as certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury notes also provide a good measure of safety during recessionary periods.<br />
<strong></strong></li>
<li><strong>Cash is king</strong>! No doubt that cash is kind during economic downturns. When all other investments decline, cash retains its value. Although there is the risk of inflation which means you may mean you have to pay more for products and services, cash remains the safest vehicle for savings during a recession. <strong></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>An added advantage to having cash is that when the recession lifts, you may use your cash savings to purchase attractive stocks when prices are low rather than using a margin account which will need to be paid back and eat into your profit. When economic times improve you may again redistribute your portfolio and introduce a bit more risk to the pie.</p>
<p><em><strong>This was a guest post by Daniela Baker.</strong> She is a social media advocate at CreditDonkey, a credit card deals website.  Daniela covers <a href="http://www.creditdonkey.com/business.html">small business credit card deals</a> and social media.  She says, while very few investors survive a recession without at least some loss, you can reduce your risk by managing your portfolio wisely through the vehicle of diversification.</em> <strong></strong></p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/investment-strategy-for-a-double-dip-recession/' rel='bookmark' title='An Investment Strategy For A Double Dip Recession'>An Investment Strategy For A Double Dip Recession</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/discovering-good-investments-for-your-portfolio/' rel='bookmark' title='Discovering Good Investments For Your Portfolio'>Discovering Good Investments For Your Portfolio</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/best-investment/' rel='bookmark' title='Am I Really Making The Best Investment?'>Am I Really Making The Best Investment?</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-recession-proof-your-investment-portfolio/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>5 Simple Ways To Cut Costs While Running A Household</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/5-simple-ways-to-cut-costs-while-running-a-household/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/5-simple-ways-to-cut-costs-while-running-a-household/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:58:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coupons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[household]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[monthly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5199</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Adam Jacob has provided this guest post; he is a contributing writer on FrugalDad.com. Frugal Dad offers financial advice and coupons and deals. Let’s just get this fact out there: running a home is not cheap. The daily costs of living are only getting higher and living on one income is becoming increasingly difficult for [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/3-simple-new-years-resolutions-to-save-you-money/' rel='bookmark' title='3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money'>3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/9-ways-of-living-below-your-means-to-increase-income-wealth/' rel='bookmark' title='9 Ways Of Living Below Your Means To Increase Income &amp; Wealth Potential'>9 Ways Of Living Below Your Means To Increase Income &#038; Wealth Potential</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/solid-ways-to-clear-debt/' rel='bookmark' title='Solid Ways To Clear Debt'>Solid Ways To Clear Debt</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><em>Adam Jacob has provided this guest post; he is a contributing writer on FrugalDad.com. Frugal Dad offers financial advice and <a href="http://frugaldad.com/coupons/">coupons and deals</a>.</em></p>
<p>Let’s just get this fact out there: running a home is not cheap. The daily costs of living are only getting higher and living on one income is becoming increasingly difficult for each generation. We can think back to those before and how seamlessly individuals then seemed to survive on one income. When you are trying to make each pay check stretch to impossible lengths it can be hard not to be a tiny bit bitter. However, like most challenging things in life, one should rise to the task rather than shrink from it. If you are immersed in household management and starting to feel overwhelmed by your tight (or failing) budget, there are many things to do to help cut your daily costs.</p>
<p><strong>1. Put that videogame/designer purse down.</strong></p>
<p>There is a lot of interest these days in ‘frugal living’ and many families have adopted a ‘less is more’ philosophy. If you were to sit down and take a good look at your bank record, how much of your monthly budget are you spending on things that you really need? You may have to make some hard choices in order to save some money. Maybe you don’t need a bottle of wine every time you make pasta. Maybe you really could do without a 3D television in your bedroom. The key is to honestly ask yourself if you really ‘need’ what you are buying before you spend money on it. You will be surprised at how much you can save.</p>
<p><strong>2. Clipping coupons does not make you weak.</strong></p>
<p>Spending an afternoon clipping coupons can make you feel very old, very quickly. However, when you swallow your consumer pride and decide to shop sales you will be surprised at how self-satisfied you‘ll feel. Taking the time every week to find coupons can save you a great deal of money. In fact, a ‘first time’ coupon clipper can expect approximately 15% savings on their initial grocery bill. More seasoned clippers even enjoy up to 50% savings every time they shop. You may find yourself regretting all the times you paid full price instead of sacrificing a few minutes to find a good deal. Some excellent sources for couponing are:</p>
<p><strong>Junk mail and flyers:</strong> stop recycling them and start perusing</p>
<p><strong>Magazines</strong>: many of the traditional ‘woman’s’ magazines such as Redbook, Family Circle and Good Housekeeping have many manufacturers coupons every month</p>
<p><strong>Online research:</strong> join the coupon revolution and look for deals on one of the many free coupon sites online</p>
<p><strong>3. Don’t pay for anything you don’t need.</strong></p>
<p>Many of us don’t realize how many extras we are paying for every month that we really don’t have a use for. Check your insurance policy, cable and phone bills to see if there is anything you can drop without affecting your well-being. For example, experts agree that extras such as extended warrantees on appliances, flight or flood insurance and rental car insurance are all things that most people can do without.</p>
<p><strong>4. Bundle up.</strong></p>
<p>Once you’ve trimmed your insurance down, take a detailed look at your utility bills. Do you really need to be paying off two bills every month or will your provider bundle your services? Many companies are now offering special deals if you put all your media in their hands. By combining your phone, Internet and cable into one bill with one provider, you may be able to save a sizable amount of money. This gentle ‘whittling’ of your services is guaranteed to make a difference in your bankbook.</p>
<p><strong>5. Turn that light off when you leave the room.</strong></p>
<p>We’ve all had family members who never turn on a light or spend the entire winter in a multitude of sweaters rather than turning the heat up. It’s time to join them. If you are not in a room, don’t turn the light on. If you’re not using an appliance, unplug it. If you’re chilly, put a cardigan on rather than cranking up the gas fireplace. Not only will you save money, you’ll be helping the environment as well.</p>
<p>Anyone who has stayed at home for any length of time will tell you that household management requires a great deal more skill than is required for sweeping or folding laundry. A home does not maintain itself and the job is more demanding than most people might think. There are few people that would walk into a job interview for this position with utter confidence. Be proud of yourself for making the sacrifices it takes to run a household frugally and well. It may not pay as well as you’d like (or at all) but having a well run home and the money left over to enjoy your life is a reward in of itself.</p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/3-simple-new-years-resolutions-to-save-you-money/' rel='bookmark' title='3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money'>3 Simple New Year&#8217;s Resolutions To Save You Money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/9-ways-of-living-below-your-means-to-increase-income-wealth/' rel='bookmark' title='9 Ways Of Living Below Your Means To Increase Income &amp; Wealth Potential'>9 Ways Of Living Below Your Means To Increase Income &#038; Wealth Potential</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/solid-ways-to-clear-debt/' rel='bookmark' title='Solid Ways To Clear Debt'>Solid Ways To Clear Debt</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/5-simple-ways-to-cut-costs-while-running-a-household/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>4 Tips To Overcoming Money Stress &#8211; Help Your Finances&#8230;And Your Soul</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/4-tips-to-overcoming-money-stress-help-your-finances-and-your-soul/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/4-tips-to-overcoming-money-stress-help-your-finances-and-your-soul/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:19:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accountant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial adviser]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial worry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[systems]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=2934</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[OK &#8211; I fully admit it, I&#8217;ve slacked way too long in posting here on FPT, and have just been taking in some guest posts, though I&#8217;ve been quite selective about it. Time for my penance and to start writing again. Too many projects going on, and I have a ton of excuses, so I&#8217;ll [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/top-budgeting-tips-frugality-made-easy/' rel='bookmark' title='Top Budgeting Tips: Frugality Made Easy'>Top Budgeting Tips: Frugality Made Easy</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/effective-tips-to-survive-todays-cash-strapped-economy/' rel='bookmark' title='4 Effective Tips to Survive Today&#8217;s Cash Strapped Economy'>4 Effective Tips to Survive Today&#8217;s Cash Strapped Economy</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-when-making-overseas-money-transfers/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers'>How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>OK &#8211; I fully admit it, I&#8217;ve slacked way too long in posting here on FPT, and have just been taking in some guest posts, though I&#8217;ve been quite selective about it. Time for my penance and to start writing again. Too many projects going on, and I have a ton of excuses, so I&#8217;ll spare you the drama! Onward to managing money stress.</p>
<p>So, let&#8217;s talk about financial stress in general. I came from a family that manages money pretty well, and some of the family members stressed more than others over it. Somehow we think that worrying and stressing over our money will help us in the long run. Can it make you hoard and save up all of your money to prevent financial losses and heartache? Most certainly it can prevent that, I&#8217;ve heard of many cases of people intensely worrying about their money, and retaining their cash stash.</p>
<p>However it&#8217;s not necessary to worry about your finances and manage your money well. Doesn&#8217;t happiness with money sounds better than money with unhappiness and worry? It does to me.</p>
<p>So how do we achieve great money management without worry?</p>
<p><strong>1) Realize that your fears are just that, fears.</strong>  You can still have CONCERN about a future outcome without worrying about it. Focusing on the bad, is actually more likely to make the bad happen. Or avoidance of the bad, will make you hoard all of your money so you can&#8217;t enjoy spending it ever.</p>
<p><strong>2) Upgrade your money management skills.</strong> Taking an online course, or hiring a financial adviser, or your accountant to teach you budgeting and money management skills always helps.</p>
<p><strong>3)  Get a system in place.</strong> I used to scoff at having systems for doing things, but once you get a good financial system in place to track spending, dole out spending money, watch investments, etc &#8211; things are a lot easier in managing money (and thus your worry). Putting time into designing a system THAT WORKS FOR YOU (not someone else) &#8211; is worth it. Once the system is in place, you don&#8217;t have to think about it, just follow it and check-in.</p>
<p><strong>4)  Save the best, discard the rest.</strong> I&#8217;m with Ramit Sethi, author of &#8220;I Will Teach You To Be Rich&#8221; on this one, spending on what&#8217;s important to you and cutting back on frivolous spending i.e. things that aren&#8217;t important. If you wardrobe is important to you, then don&#8217;t skimp on it, but maybe you really could care less about eating out so much, so you cut that</p>
<p>So in a nutshell, if you can be emotionally neutral about your financial decisions, or when a financial mishap comes your way, not only will you be more able to handle it, you&#8217;ll have better life and financial well-being overall.  Sounds like a good combination for success and happiness to me, I&#8217;m not really for one without the other.</p>
<p>As always, leave comments, questions and thoughts below.</p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/top-budgeting-tips-frugality-made-easy/' rel='bookmark' title='Top Budgeting Tips: Frugality Made Easy'>Top Budgeting Tips: Frugality Made Easy</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/effective-tips-to-survive-todays-cash-strapped-economy/' rel='bookmark' title='4 Effective Tips to Survive Today&#8217;s Cash Strapped Economy'>4 Effective Tips to Survive Today&#8217;s Cash Strapped Economy</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-save-money-when-making-overseas-money-transfers/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers'>How To Save Money When Making Overseas Money Transfers</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/4-tips-to-overcoming-money-stress-help-your-finances-and-your-soul/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How To Make An Informed Decision About Debt Relief</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-make-an-informed-decision-about-debt-relief/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-make-an-informed-decision-about-debt-relief/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:36:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Debt Management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5167</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Can you imagine a life free from debt? A life where you can spend your income on things you want instead of paying for things you used to want. The debt free life is reachable. How you get there is a choice you have to make wisely. There are several debt relief options available, but [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/debt-settlement-attorneys-and-debt-relief-consolidation/' rel='bookmark' title='Debt Settlement Attorneys And Debt Relief Consolidation'>Debt Settlement Attorneys And Debt Relief Consolidation</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/finding-the-best-debt-relief-solutions/' rel='bookmark' title='Finding The Best Debt Relief Solutions'>Finding The Best Debt Relief Solutions</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/the-drawbacks-of-debt-relief-companies/' rel='bookmark' title='The Drawbacks Of Debt Relief Companies'>The Drawbacks Of Debt Relief Companies</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Can you imagine a life free from debt? A life where you can spend your income on things you want instead of paying for things you used to want. The debt free life is reachable. How you get there is a choice you have to make wisely. There are several debt relief options available, but you have to analyze each to choose the right one.</p>
<p>One of the biggest factors influencing your decision is the amount of money you’ll have to pay each month. Depending on your budget, you may not be able to put much money toward debt repayment. And if that’s the case, you need a debt relief option that fits your situation. Most people don’t realize it, but you can use a debt repayment calculator like the one from <a href="http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/debtplanner/debtplanner.jsp">CNN Money</a> to estimate the monthly cost associated with debt relief options, including debt consolidation and debt settlement.</p>
<p>The first thing you must do, if you haven’t done it already, is create a list that includes all your debts, the balance, interest rate, and current minimum payment. That’s the basic information you’ll need to use CNN Money’s debt calculator to analyze your debt.</p>
<p><strong>Paying on Your Own</strong></p>
<p>For many people, the ideal solution is to pay off debt on their own, without help from a third-party. To see what it takes to pay off your debt, put your numbers into the repayment calculator. Then, choose either the minimum payment plan if you can only afford to pay the minimum or the fixed payment plan if you can afford to pay a higher amount each month. Click calculate and the result will let you know how long it will take to pay off your debt with your current payment. Make an experiment and add $100 to your monthly payment. You will be surprised by how much this will cut the total interest you will pay! When deciding how much you can pay per month, always keep in mind that a little extra goes a long way.</p>
<p>This is typically the most expensive way to pay back your debt, in terms of monthly payment, so you may have to live a frugal, scaled-back lifestyle while you repay your debt. You’ll have to be disciplined to stick to a repayment plan that could take several years.</p>
<p><strong>Credit Counseling</strong></p>
<p>If you’re not familiar with consumer credit counseling, this is a debt relief option that creates a debt management plan with your creditors. Your creditors agree to lower your monthly payment and interest rate until your debt is repaid. Most debt management plans can be completed within 3-6 years.</p>
<p>To see the monthly payment required on a debt management plan, lower your interest rates by about 2% and choose a debt-free deadline of four years. The result will give you an idea of an aggressive credit counseling payment, change the debt free deadline to six years to see what your payment would be if you took more time.</p>
<p>You won’t be able to use your accounts while you’re in credit counseling – not that you should use them anyway. While your credit won’t suffer, your credit report will reflect that you’ve had a debt management company manage your account.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Consolidation</strong></p>
<p>Through debt consolidation, you combine all your outstanding debts with a single loan. The old debts are paid off and you’d be responsible for paying back the debt consolidation loan.</p>
<p>To estimate your payments under a debt consolidation loan, enter just one account into the calculator. For that account, list a competitive interest rate like 9% or 10% (lower if you have excellent credit). You can enter anything for the minimum payment. Choose the debt-free deadline option and enter the loan term you’d expect, e.g. 5 years. The result shows you the monthly payment on a consolidation loan with the interest rate and repayment period you entered. Change the interest rate and repayment period to test out various loan terms.</p>
<p>Debt consolidation can be risky. Once you consolidate your debts, your credit lines will all be empty and available for new spending. If you start charging again, you could end up with double the debt that you had when you were started. You must be disciplined enough to cancel the accounts and avoid creating new debt.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Settlement</strong></p>
<p>Under a debt settlement plan, you negotiate to have your creditors accept a low, lump-sum payment as full satisfaction for the debt. Creditors will accept settlement when they believe it’s their best chance at getting payment from you.</p>
<p>Calculating a settlement plan using the debt repayment calculator is tricky, but you can test out various scenarios. You’ll use just one debt, the way you did to estimate debt consolidation. However, the balance for that one debt should be something between 40% and 60% of your current outstanding balance (you can try both or anything higher or lower) since that’s what accounts are typically settled for. Enter anything for the minimum payment. Choose the debt-free deadline option and enter the time period that you’d ideally like to settle your debts, e.g. 3 years. The results show you how much you have to put toward settlement each month to settle your accounts in that time period.</p>
<p>When you settle your debts, you’ll have to let your accounts become delinquent. That’s if they aren’t delinquent already. As a result, you’ll suffer damage to your credit score. If your accounts are settled successfully, the settlement will stay on your credit report for seven years. Fortunately, you can start rebuilding your credit before that time comes.</p>
<p><strong>Making the Best Decision</strong></p>
<p>When you choose a debt relief option, you’ll have to look at two things – the amount of money you’ll have to spend and the sacrifice you’ll have to make to follow through with that option. Choose the solution with the monthly payment and sacrifice that you can afford to make.</p>
<div>
<p><em><strong>This post was written by Eliza Collins, a guest writer specializing in personal finance topics like savings, debt relief as well as credit score improvement. You can read more of her articles at the <a href="http://debtsettlement.com/">debt settlement</a> blog.</strong></em></p>
</div>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/debt-settlement-attorneys-and-debt-relief-consolidation/' rel='bookmark' title='Debt Settlement Attorneys And Debt Relief Consolidation'>Debt Settlement Attorneys And Debt Relief Consolidation</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/finding-the-best-debt-relief-solutions/' rel='bookmark' title='Finding The Best Debt Relief Solutions'>Finding The Best Debt Relief Solutions</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/the-drawbacks-of-debt-relief-companies/' rel='bookmark' title='The Drawbacks Of Debt Relief Companies'>The Drawbacks Of Debt Relief Companies</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/how-to-make-an-informed-decision-about-debt-relief/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Five Financial Questions To Ask Before Starting Your Own Business</title>
		<link>http://financialplanningtips.net/five-financial-questions-to-ask-before-starting-your-own-business/</link>
		<comments>http://financialplanningtips.net/five-financial-questions-to-ask-before-starting-your-own-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:10:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>FPT Guy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Planning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://financialplanningtips.net/?p=5141</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For many of us who need a change in work environment and want a larger income, starting a new business seems to be the best way to go. By dedicating your life’s work and savings towards a business you can call your own, you enjoy the freedom and professional growth that you have always longed [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/business-credit-loans-for-phoenix-small-business-investing/' rel='bookmark' title='Business Credit &amp; Loans For Phoenix Small Business Investing'>Business Credit &amp; Loans For Phoenix Small Business Investing</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/common-questions-about-mortgages-answered/' rel='bookmark' title='Common Questions About Mortgages Answered'>Common Questions About Mortgages Answered</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/credit-repair-business/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Get Started In The Credit Repair Business'>How To Get Started In The Credit Repair Business</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>For many of us who need a change in work environment and want a larger income, starting a new business seems to be the best way to go. By dedicating your life’s work and savings towards a business you can call your own, you enjoy the freedom and professional growth that you have always longed for.</p>
<p>When it comes to setting up your own business venture, there is one factor that you will need to pay special attention to above all others; that of your finances. Having your own business requires a large amount of capital to cover your operational expenses as well as payments for building lease, office equipment, manpower, and your personal expenses at home. As you will be investing your own money and credit towards your new business, it is imperative that you answer these five financial questions to help you assess whether you are financially liquid enough to stand on your own.</p>
<p>1. Do I have enough money saved to cover my expenses? One of the foremost questions you will need to ask yourself is whether you have enough money in the bank to cover both your business and personal needs. As you probably won’t be earning much during the first few months of your business, you will need to make sure that your savings can cover your needs for a good 6-12 months. Knowing how much you have also helps you control and prioritize your expenses.</p>
<p>2. How much debt can I take on? For many budding entrepreneurs, acquiring a financial loan is a necessity to help fuel their new business and give it a better profit margin. As such, business debt can do your new company much good, provided that you know how much debt you can take on. Always keep in mind, that although it is a business loan, it is still your name on the line and should your business fail, you will still be required to pay off your loan.</p>
<p>3. What options do I have for health insurance coverage? One consideration you would also need to take into account is that of your health insurance coverage. If you are presently employed by a company that is subjected to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) regulations, you can still have the option to keep your current coverage by personally paying for it while you scour the health insurance market for a more affordable option.</p>
<p>4. Do I have enough lines of credit to work with? While still contemplating whether you are truly prepared enough to set up a business of your own, you can also take the time to look at your home equity line of credit as this can provide you with the means to get a loan at a much friendlier interest rate then credit cards provide.</p>
<p>5. Do I have enough disability coverage? Resigning from your current post can mean the loss of your disability insurance which is essential if you intend to set up your own business. To give yourself enough protection, you will need to pay for your own disability insurance policy to prepare for any eventuality.</p>
<p>If you take the time to calculate these expenses as you develop your business plan, you are setting yourself up for a better chance of success. Know-how and effort are not what put a stop to most new businesses. It is almost always the finances that keep a new venture from being successful. Be smart, plan ahead, and enjoy the incredible difference of successfully becoming your own boss.</p>
<p>For those who are looking to start their own business, the trucking industry can be a great way to become your own boss. At TruckertoTrucker.com, we help connect new entrepreneurs with new and used <a href="http://www.truckertotrucker.com/trucking/conventional-daycab-trucks.cfm">daycab trucks</a> at a great price. Whether you are searching for <a href="http://www.truckertotrucker.com/trucks-for-sale/tx-texas.cfm">used Texas trucks</a> or new California semis, we can help you make the step to business owner when you are ready.</p>

<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/business-credit-loans-for-phoenix-small-business-investing/' rel='bookmark' title='Business Credit &amp; Loans For Phoenix Small Business Investing'>Business Credit &amp; Loans For Phoenix Small Business Investing</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/common-questions-about-mortgages-answered/' rel='bookmark' title='Common Questions About Mortgages Answered'>Common Questions About Mortgages Answered</a></li>
<li><a href='http://financialplanningtips.net/credit-repair-business/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Get Started In The Credit Repair Business'>How To Get Started In The Credit Repair Business</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://financialplanningtips.net/five-financial-questions-to-ask-before-starting-your-own-business/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

