"Earning a lot of
money has nothing to do with age, education, gender, geography, your past
experience or your background. Brilliant people frequently remain poor
while those not so bright often earn millions. To earn a lot of money you
just have to make a decision. Remember school never taught anyone how to
earn money, you must teach your children. Make that decision."
Bob Proctor
After Jared died we started "grief spending" to
make us feel better. It was kind of depressing when the debt started
piling up. Although we are still recuperating from our out of control
spending, we are making progress only because we have defined our debt
problem and are resolved to become free of debt. Having healthy finances,
and the knowledge to become independent of debt, with money in the bank
for retirement, is the American Dream. Many people become depressed
and unhappy when they even think about their financial situation.
A Healthy Financial Balance is an important key to each family and individual.
Below are some helpful goals, stories, advice,
and education, some serious and some to make you laugh. You can also
check out the "Balance" VIP Links
page. Be sure to check out the books from Amazon too. I've
picked out books that I, or my family owns. Books are cheaper than
financial advisors and lawyers. Do all you can do for yourself and
then consult with the talented financial advisors and CPA's who are trained
professionals when problems arise. Good luck in your Journey towards
Healthy Finances.
Lots of love from Brenda (Jared's Mom)
GOAL SETTING FOR HEALTHY FINANCES:
Preventing
Check & Credit Card Fraud
A corporate
attorney sent this out to the employees in his company. FYI...
The
next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of
first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook
they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your
first name
but your
bank will know how you sign your checks.
When you
are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the
complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four
numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number
and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the
check processing channels won't have access to it.
Put
your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone.
If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home number.
Never
have your SS# printed on your checks. You can always add
it by hand if is necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get
it.
Place
the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of
each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet
and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.
Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport
when I travel either here or abroad.
We've
all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed us in your name,
address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I have firsthand knowledge,
because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week the thieve(s)
ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA
credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received
a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and
more.
But here's
some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to
you or someone you know.
-
Call the
three national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud
alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company
that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have
to contact you by phone to authorize new credit, and,
-
Cancel your
credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and
your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those phone numbers
where you can find them easily.
-
File a police
report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves
to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward
an investigation (if there ever is one).
-
But here's
what is perhaps most important: (I never ever thought to do this) - Call
the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place
a fraud alert on your name and SS#.>>>
RETIREMENT WITH A GRIN
at the INN - By Unknown
Recently
I was checking my 401k account and thinking about retirement, as everyone
does when they hit their 60's. I saw an article about nursing and retirement
homes and their expenses. Then it hit me...
No
nursing home for me!
Here
is my plan: I'm checking into the Inn!
With
the average cost for a nursing home reaching $188 per day, there is a better
way when we get old and feeble. I checked on reservations at the Inn and
found that for a combined long-term stay discount and senior discount,
it's $49.23 per night. That leaves $138.77 a day for breakfast, lunch,
dinner in any restaurant I want, or room service, (and some hotels are
now offering a complimentary breakfast every morning, too).
This
will leave enough for laundry, gratuities, and special TV movies.
Plus, I'll get a swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge, and washer and
dryer. I'll also get free toothpaste, razors, shampoo and soap. And one
can't forget the daily changed bath towels, plenty of toilet Paper, ice
for my water and pop, free paper cups and a free newspaper at my door in
the morning.
And I'll
be treated like a customer, not a patient. Five dollars worth of tips a
day will have the entire staff scrambling to help me.
There
is a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free. The handicap bus will
also pick me up if I fake a decent limp. To meet other nice folks you can
call for a church bus on Sundays. For a change of scenery, take the airport
shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there. While you're
at the airport, fly somewhere. Meanwhile, the cash keeps building up....
In a
retirement home, 24/7 nurse service will cost more than $190 - so staying
at the Inn and paying for a personal nurse may still be the better option.
And if I'm really lucky, I might find a Hotel next to a hospital, which
means I'll only have a 1 minute ambulance ride!
The Inn
also has a lounge so I have a place to visit with friends. And no
worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to visit you,
and probably check in for a few days for a mini vacation. The grand kids
can use the pool. What more can you ask for?
When
I discussed my plan with friends, they came up with even more benefits
that Inn provides retirees. Most standard rooms have coffee makers, reclining
chairs, and as mentioned earlier, a satellite TV - all that's needed to
enjoy a cozy afternoon. After a movie and a good nap, you can check on
your children (free local phone calls), then take a stroll to the lounge
or restaurant where you meet new and exotic people every day.
Many
Inns even feature live entertainment on the weekends. Often they have special
offers, too, like the Kids Eat Free program. You can invite your grand
kids over after school to have a free dinner with you. Just tell them not
to bring more than three friends
Pick
an Inn where they allow pets, and your best friend can keep you company
as well.
If you
want to travel, but are a bit skittish about unfamiliar surroundings, you'll
always feel at home because wherever you go, the rooms all look the same.
And if you're getting a little absent-minded in your old days, you never
have to worry about not finding your room -- your electronic key fits only
one door and the helpful bell man or desk clerk is on duty 24/7.
Being
natural skeptics, we called an Inn to check out the feasibility of my plan.
I'm happy to report that they were positively giddy at the idea of us checking
in for a year or more. They even offered to negotiate the rate. We could
have easily knocked them down to $40 a night! "So, when I reach the golden
age I'll face it with a grin. Just forward all your emails to the Inn!"
