Build Your Wealth Articles
Sell Furniture Like A Gypsy
You can sell furniture door to door and make a lot of money fast. How do I know that? I’ve seen it in action. I’m not sure if it is politically correct to call someone a “Gypsy” these days or not, but that’s what they were called when I was a little boy back in the 1960’s. During the summer months, I remember seeing a large flatbed truck loaded with wooden patio furniture slowly driving up ...Do You Have A Dream?
Today, August 28, 2009, marks the 46th Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Take some time today and read or listen to the complete speech (I did) – it is powerful and moving – a reminder of a darker time in America, yet a beacon of hope because so many of King’s dreams have already come true. People can change – and that gives us all hope for a better ...Become an Umpire
Umpiring baseball. Officiating for basketball, soccer, football, or any number of organized sports out there can be a great source of income and fun. I've personally spent many evenings and weekends earning money doing these things, and I love it. Be warned that this is NOT a great job to take on for many people. There is a lot of pressure placed on you when you find yourself in the middle of the action. Split-second decisions ...Become a Doula
What is a "Doula"? The basic definition of a doula is "a woman who is experienced in childbirth and who provides physical, emotional, and informational assistance and support to a mother before, during, or after childbirth". This article is not intended as instructional manual for "How to become a doula". But I'm including it here as an illustration of the types of extra income opportunities you can find if you look for them. And this type ...I’ll Start Saving, Just As Soon As…
Of course you’ve heard that you need 3-6 months of spending money tucked away in a savings account – just in case. And “someday”, you’ll start working on that. Just as soon as you start making more money, and you’ve paid off the car, and paid down those credit cards, and… um… start making more money (did you say that ...Two Long-Term Bucket Vehicles to Start With
There are two types of vehicles that you should be able to use right away to fill your Long-Term Bucket. 1) An Automatic 401K, 403B, or IRA account. 2) Your Mortgage Payment. First, the 401K or 403B account – if available to you – are the best way to get started with your Long-Term Bucket. Begin immediately putting 3% of your income into this account each payday. It’ll come out of your pay without you ever seeing it ...The Long-Term Bucket
“How do I fill up my Long-Term Bucket when I can’t even afford to pay my current bills? Shouldn’t I just wait awhile until I’m in better shape?” I know that’s what you’re thinking. And it makes so much sense to wait, right? Logically, you should start paying off your bills and start building up your checking and savings accounts. And then when you have a bunch of money saved up, you ...Your Financial Bucket List
In the page, “How To Build An Investment Portfolio”, we talked about creating a “Bucket List” for your financial goals. Specifically, you should group your financial goals into 3 Buckets, and then you’ll go about using these 3 Buckets to allocate your savings and investments. To review what these 3 Buckets are, here they are again: Divide your list of goals onto 3 lists – or Buckets. You should have a: Short-Term Bucket (things ...The Cost of Whistles – Living Successfully
I love reading old books and stories about early pioneers in business. I came across the following article in a little pocket-sized publication series from the 1940’s, titled “The Art of Living Successfully”. I believe that “There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don’t know”, as Ambrose Bierce once said (click the link for some great quotes ...Latest Articles
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
I often find myself in long conversations with my borrowers over the best way to pay off mortgages early. Do I recommend the “Bi-Weekly Payment” ...
Making Sense of the new Tax Credit Extension
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension
Okay, I think I get it now and I’m ready to give you the scoop on the new tax credit extension. ...
Variable Rate vs. Fixed Rate
Choosing a Variable Rate is like Ordering a Pizza
“Should I pick an adjustable rate mortgage, like a 3/1 or 5/1 ARM, or go with ...
Washington Women Veterans Summit 2009
"Top 10 Ways to Get Out of Debt and Build Wealth" is the title of my workshop at the Women Veterans Summit this year. I’m ...
Know your Statutes of Limitations
“Can you just make a small payment as a show of good faith?” Have you been called by a collection agency trying to collect on ...