Today is July 4th, which is Independence Day in the United States. As you may know, it’s the day when our country declared its independence from England. But today can be somewhat symbolic no matter where you live. Today is a day when you can declare your independence from life as usual, mistake-driven investing and the thought of doing things tomorrow—a day which never comes.
In the spirit of the day, I thought I’d share with you 8 things to do to bring about an improvement in your life, from a financial perspective. No matter how many investing mistakes you’ve made, how many times you’ve put things off or how many dreams you’ve had, today is the day to draw a line in the sand and go forward—much like the new Americans did in the 1700s against all odds.
Today, I was reading some other financial blogs and I found a good post by John Frainee (“7 Ways to Save Money Grocery Shopping”). He talks about some of the ploys the grocery stores use to entice you into spending more of your hard-earned money that you wanted to.
Keeping along the lines of his post, I thought I’d share the one tactic I use that saves me money. And I encourage you to comment below to share your grocery war stories or money-saving tips.
So the other day I got to thinking about you. I was wondering how I could help you cut your expenses and increase your investments. Now, I don’t know you personally, but given the economic conditions around the globe, I was picturing you as someone who isn’t flushed with extra cash just floating around to add to your investments. Perhaps you’re not even investing at this time. And even if you are doing well, here are some ideas to help you gain more.
Anyone that has ever looked into taking out a loan will know that there are many different loan types available to suit different needs and circumstances, which means that you need to consider the facts carefully before you make a decision on your loan. It is important to ensure that you get the right loan for your needs, and in order to do this you need to learn about the different loan options and types so that you can make the right decision.
First of all you need to remember that all loans come under one of two categories, and these are secured loans and unsecured loans. In order to take out a secured loan you need to be a homeowner usually with some level of equity in your home. In order to take out an unsecured loan you do not have to be a homeowner but you will need to have good credit. With both loan types you will need to meet all the other eligibility requirements as set by each individual lenders, such as credit status, income levels, employment and financial status, age requirements, and others.
Below are some of the popular loan types that may suit your needs:
One aspect of life that’s often overlooked is insurance—car, health, life, etc. Being smart fiscally isn’t just about owning some stocks or real estate; it’s about having your entire life portfolio in order.
In America, we’re greatly underinsured. One stat that’s floating out there says that only 47% of U.S. households own any individual life insurance. Are you one of the uninsured? Most people rely on their employer to provide their insurance needs. What about the self-employed?
Do you know where you stand each month? If you’re like many, you don’t. So many adults live paycheck to paycheck and never really sit down and figure out their income and expenses.
If I asked you how much money you spend, on average, each month, could you tell me? Could you tell me how much you spend on food each month?
Don’t feel bad if you answered no or just guessed. Most of us do this. And it’s one reason why many don’t get ahead in life.
You probably already know that a budget is way to manage your income and expenses. It’s a planning mechanism.
As the adage goes: “fail to plan, plan to fail.” Most adults go through life by the seat of their pants. And that’s why many live paycheck to paycheck and will never experience life the way they want.
Whether you’re looking to plan your retirement, start a new business, buy a car, or take a vacation, planning is a must.
There are six steps to creating a plan.
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Email: jmartin@jasonamartin.com
My name is Jason A. Martin and this is my investment blog. Back in Jr. High School I fell in love with an electrical wiring company's stock on Wall Street. After following the stock daily in the papers—the Internet wasn't around back then—I sent them a letter and they sent me back all sorts of wonderful information about their company.
In High School, we had a stock market contest. All the kids were picking companies that made stuff they consumed. When I announced my beloved company, I was laughed at. Little did they know that my company was going to be the subject of a takeover soon.
Long story short, I won the contest and have made money in the stock market, through real estate investing, currency trading and so forth.
I hope you enjoy Financial Rebel. If you do, please leave your comments and share this site with those you know.
Jason