Budget wisely

This year has been one of the most challenging for Americans when it comes to finances and housing. What started out as a housing issue where loans were going into default at a record pace this has taken its toll on the banks that made those loans. There are now just a handful of banks left after the failures that were due to the increased risk that banks took when lending out money to those that were not well qualified. This has left consumers that were responsible with their credit in a difficult situation as now the loans and lines of credit that they had are being called in for payment. While the solutions that are available can vary from customer to customer the key to any financial situation is to live and spend within your means. Too many times we as Americans spend money that we do not have and feel that we will be able to pay it off somewhere in the future. With people being laid off this reality is now setting in and more consumers than ever before are facing challenges that they have never faced before.
Searching for ways to manage and budget your money is one of the hottest topics on the internet and there are companies that can help you out. At mint.com you can find the Mint: Microsoft Money comparison of why using their free online budgeting tool can help you save time and money over some of the popular software offerings that are available. You simply sign up for free and then enter in your budget on what you want to spend on a monthly basis and then track your spending. They have even created an iPhone and Android app to help you manage your finances budget from anywhere you have an internet connection.

Famous Financial Quotes

People talk about money endlessly, but sometimes their words make them famous. In some cases, celebrities charged with tax evasion have to eat their words, like when a housekeeper claimed to overhear Leona Helmsley say: “Only the little people pay taxes.” However, money quotes have been around to generate a sense of accountability, a sense of wealth, and finally, a sense of humor.

Accountability

Who can forget Harry Truman’s famous “The buck stops here!” sign? It was a way of showing that he would never fail to take action, when necessary, or “pass the buck” (which meant to pass the responsibility) to someone else.

How to Get Rich with Money

Ben Franklin helped to ingrain the Protestant work ethic by his famous saying on how to get rich: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” He also was a huge proponent of getting rich through savings in the famous quote: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” This isn’t much unlike Kin Hubbard’s quote:” The safest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket.” Finally, Ben Franklin was keen on the value of money with his pithy statement: “If you want to know the value of money, go and try and borrow some.”

Funny Quotes

There’s also the humorous side to money as many people have commented. Will Smith has been quoted as saying, “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” Oscar Wilde was certain that, “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.” And from one of our greatest funnymen ever, Bob Hope, “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you prove that you don’t need it.”

Can you find treasures in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has been acutely affected by the economic downturn as much, if not more than most other cities in the United States. Las Vegas exemplified the economic bubble that plagued the country. It became a destination catering to visitors flush with cash and credit from inflated home equity and liberal lending. Resort developers continued to build bigger, more lavish properties to serve the unquenchable thirst for hotel rooms and casinos. As a result, Las Vegas was one of the fastest growing cities in the country as people followed the growth and newly created jobs. The real estate market exploded fueled by speculators, investors and newly arrived residents chasing the dream that the city’s growth couldn’t be stopped. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas economic bubble burst was much more pronounced than other cities with less inflated economies and real estate. Las Vegas’ house of cards finally came tumbling down hard when the Great Recession hit.
In a report released earlier this year by RealtyTrac, the Las Vegas metropolitan area suffered a foreclosure rate that was five times the national average and the highest rate in the country in 2009. Home purchase and rental prices have fallen dramatically. The gaming industry, which was once thought recession proof, has had unprecedented job cuts and lay offs. Some Casino operators such as Station Casinos have even filed bankruptcy.
Where economic blight occurs, crime quickly follows. In 2009 an annual national survey named Nevada the most crime-ridden state in the country. The authors of the study wrote “Ranked least favorably among the states was Nevada, followed by Louisiana and South Carolina.” The report went onto say that Nevada’s murder rate was “nearly seven times higher than New Hampshire’s, and the Silver State reported a rape rate that was almost 50% higher than the national average.” Last year, Forbes named Las Vegas the 4th most dangerous city in the USA.
With the crime increase in Sin City, you can bet that the Las Vegas Bail Bonds business is doing well. This seems to be the only Las Vegas business thriving during the recession. Although, business may be brisk for a Las Vegas bail bondsman, Clark County itself is having trouble keeping up. In a city that never sleeps, the court’s Pretrial Services Division at the Clark County jail will shut down from midnight to 8 a.m. That means friends, relatives and Las Vegas bail bond companies won’t be able to post bail until the morning. For someone trying to post bail for a loved one, the extra time will feel like an eternity. For a city where money talks, the collapsing house of cards means even government agencies are feeling the recessionary effects just like everyone else.

Home equity put to good use

We took out a home equity loan earlier this year to pay off some of our debt and were able to lock in at a great fixed rate with no fees through our local bank. We consolidated our 2 car payments, and some other bills that we are no able to get some tax relief thanks to the interest. But we also took the loan knowing that we would be making double payments over the 10 year note. This way we were not incurring or extending our debt, but just simply trying to accelerate the payoff. Check with your lender or bank for all of your options. And for even more calrity check out Personal Home Loan Mortgages and check their great resources on questions to ask and what to expect.

Get a great rate on a CD

Get a great rate on a Certificate of Deposit through Addison Avenue credit. Right now you can get a 5.30 APY 3-month CD by simply joining and using the services of this credit union. You will need to join the Financial Fitness association which only costs $5, then you can become a member of the Addison Avenue credit union. This nice thing about this offer is that is only a 3 month CD, so you will have access to your funds in a short period of time, unlike some banks that require you to purchase a 12 or 24 month CD to get similar returns. Please check out their site for all the specifics.

Todays market

With the volatility of the different stokc markets investing in gold and silver have become a hot commodity. Demand for silver is actually outpacing supply , now is a good time to review your options on where and how to invest in this market. Since 1990 the demand for silver bullion now exceeds the supply The US government, once the largest holder of silver bullion since the WW II, is actually now become a customer to procure silver.

Through Monex Deposit Company (MDC) you can purchase silver or other precious metals for immediate personal delivery or arrange for convenient and safe storage at an independent bank or depository. For over 30 years, the Monex companies have been America’s silver and precious metals investment leader. As an investment product, silver is available in coin or ingot form. Ingots are generally silver ingots of pure bullion cast in a convenient size and shape. Coins have a currency value or they are actually defined as ingots. There may never be a better time for buying silver bullion than right now. World demand for silver now exceeds annual production, and has every year since 1990. Above ground stockpiles of silver bullion are low, shrinking rapidly and approaching zero. Monex Precious Metals is home to a large and dedicated staff of hard asset professionals committed to serving your precious metals investment needs and being America’s best dealer with a convenient market and competitive precious metals prices.

Windermere Real Estate

As a unique Exclusive Buyer Agency Office, Windermere Real Estate can get you the house you want by providing you with a buyers agent. Buyers Broker of Florida always represent the best interest of the homebuyer, never the seller. As full time Buyer Agents they understand contracts, house values, options, negotiations, 1031s, creative thinking, and will do their absolute best to negotiate the most favorable terms only for you the buyer.

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Tax Relief

It is Tax time again and many Americans will receive a refund for taxes that they have overpaid. Some look at this as extra money in which to help pay off some debt that they have incurred over the past year. For those that did not pay in enough taxes and have incurred a Tax Debt there are resources online to help consolidate your debt and help with those tax burdens. Finding Tax Help online is easy with companies like SecurLoanConsolidation.com where they can provide answers and resources to help you with your debt. Don’t let tax season be stressful and use the resources you have to consolidate your debts and get yourself back to financial independence.

The restaurant business

Remember the reality TV show called “The Restaurant” that featured Roco Dispiroto. It has since closed due to financial problems on 22nd ave in New York. What it showed was the immense working capital needed to start a restaurant for location, equipment and people. It was heavily sponsored by American Express Financial as you would always here Roco say he needed to get in touch with American Express business consultant. The show was interesting and showed the dynamics of the employees and the true divide between the kitchen and the front service people. For those that are running a small business or looking to start up a new place is able to help with loans and more