When Does Bankruptcy Make Sense?

When Does Bankruptcy Make Sense?

by | Mar 23, 2013

Have you ever thought of bankruptcy? It can be confusing and if you have thought of it you may feel embarrassed or afraid to make the call.

Sometimes you need a fresh start, especially after getting a divorce. That legal process can wreak havoc on your financial life.

For a little help in deciding if this is the right move for you take a look at the infographic below. It may give you some clarity.

When Bankruptcy Makes Sense

Created by Doan Law.
The Most Important Skill You Can Learn Today to Raise Your Income by 50% (or more)

The Most Important Skill You Can Learn Today to Raise Your Income by 50% (or more)

by | Mar 12, 2013

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Learn to code. Learn to read and write code. Learn to use this medium to be creative. Increase your income. Be extraordinary.

I have been in IT or information technology for about 20 years. I started out in high school with a DOS-based computer learning how to type. I learned basic office application software at that time and was hooked on all things computers.

Maybe the reason I excelled is because I was not intimidated by this new technology. I was always the first one to tackle a new software program at my jobs. I created the first database for the county boat registration process where I worked, using a new software program. My manager had it installed and told me to learn it and create the database. It helped that I learned how to do it in college even after I had a C-average in my college classes, so you don’t have to be an A student, just be willing to take what you learned and apply it to a new project.

From those humble days in front of a green or orange on black computer screen to today where I am an IT consultant, my income has steadily increased. I can take care of my family. I can take vacations. I don’t have to rely on child support or be frustrated if it doesn’t arrive on time (or fail to come). I’ve been able to use my skills to earn a great salary and I’ll earn much more in the next two years because I am learning how to code mobile apps.

A Woman Who Can Code Can Write Her Own Paycheck

Show me a woman who can code or at minimum manipulate more advanced computer programs and I’ll show you a woman who can write her own paycheck.

Why am I such a huge advocate for coding and learning about technology? Because it’s the future and the future is now.

The Mistake Single Moms (and Most Financially Struggling Women) Make

I hear single moms talk about struggling to pay bills, buy food and clothes for their kids, desire a better neighborhood to raise their kids in but they don’t know how. They are stuck in low paying jobs, barely reaching lower middle class status. They have to get second jobs and struggle to find child care.

The sad part is most are clueless about how to get to the next level financially. Going back to school to become a nurse or secretary is just jumping from one misery to another unless you truly love taking care of the sick or being someone’s whipping girl.

The Reason Programmers and Computer Professionals Don’t Struggle Financially

Programmers and high tech people don’t struggle like this, because what they do is crucial to the world. If your job is crucial to the world you get paid well.

The Key to Raising Your Salary and Quality of Life

The key to raising your quality of life and salary is to get into some field of information technology. The time in school can be less than 18 months and you can come out with a certification that will command $50k at a minimum.

As a single mom you cannot always find a job you love or follow your bliss. Bliss won’t feed the kids unless you are an extraordinary marketer and can sale your dream.

How to Make Learning a Computer Programming Language or Specialized Software Worthwhile

But you can learn a computer program or become an expert at manipulating advanced computer systems. You can couple your passion for healthcare with health IT. You can marry your love of children and learn how to write software programs for kids. There are hundreds of ways to use programming with the things you love to do.

Start Small and Simple

So what are you waiting for? What is your excuse for not making a decision to learn how to code or learn complex computer software? Think your brain can’t handle it? Think it’s boring? You will never know until you try it!

To get you started visit Code.org to learn how to create a simple, but fun program. It can be a web-based program, a web page, or an app. Start small, read as much as you can, try it out and don’t be afraid to break something. You can’t possibly bring down an entire computer system because you are not a computer genius yet Winking smile.

How to Deal with School Fundraising Overwhelm

How to Deal with School Fundraising Overwhelm

by | Feb 28, 2013

It’s school fundraising season. Moms and dads can relate to this annoying  ritual (getting asked to buy cookie dough or wrapping paper at inflated prices.) And how do you say no to your cute neighbor?Stacey Boyd, a former school administrator and mom founder of Savvy Source, a national resource

Stacey Boyd, a former school administrator and mom founder of Savvy Source, a national resource on finding good schools, has 5 key tips:

1. Best to set a budget and pace yourself throughout the year. Don’t blow your budget on the first cutie knocking on your door with candy bars.

2. Consider just making a straight donation with a smile instead of buying the cookie dough you don’t really want — so the fundraiser makes more profit!

3. Remember that this is an opportunity for kids to learn valuable lessons around responsibility, social skills, and money – they’ll remember the way you make them feel!

4. Contribute to fundraisers that you’re personally passionate about to make sure they get the larger share of what you can give

5. Find programs that allow you to give back in a way that’s easy and inline with what you already plan to spend. One powerful way to do that is through sites like Schoola.com Schools, parents and national brands have come together with fantastic savings – and generous school donations of up to 35% each purchase. Go to schoola.com to save and the potential to raise thousands for your school!

15 Tips to Make Your Trip to the Pump Less Painful

15 Tips to Make Your Trip to the Pump Less Painful

by | Feb 19, 2013

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Have you noticed that the gas prices are steadily inching up? I have and it seems like I get a new gray hair with every penny increase. In some cases it’s jumped ten to 15 cents overnight. If you have been looking for ways to save money at the pump, here are a few tried and true ideas. My dad, a mechanic, told me about a few of them long ago when I got my first car, but there are a few things I didn’t know. Read these tips and start using them ASAP!

1. Fill up your tank on Wednesday or Thursday before 10 am. Gas prices rise on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel.  10 am is when most station owners make their price change for the day.  Unless it is an emergency, do not buy gas Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

2. Don’t let your car idle, either when you warm it up or when you are at a standstill. If you’re going to be standing for more than a minute, running your engine wastes more gas than restarting the engine.

3. Buy gas when it’s cooler during the day (like the early morning or at night) to reduce gas evaporation.

4. Remove unnecessary items in your car. Every 250 extra pounds eats up an extra mile per gallon of gas.

5. Avoid the convenient gas station on the side of the highway as you drive home from work which can be up to $.15 more per gallon.

6. Save money with self-service and look for gas stations where paying cash costs the same as using a credit or debit card.

7. Double check the attendant and ensure, if you are paying by cash, that “cash” is noted on the pump.  You could lose $.05 a gallon if he mistakenly presses “credit.”

8. Drive less – combine errands, carpool, and plot out the shortest route with a driving website beforehand.  It may sound obvious but it is often overlooked.

9. Check for traffic and detours online or on the radio prior to beginning your drive to avoid wasteful backtracking and idling.

10. Keep your windows closed when driving on the highway. Open windows can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 10%.  In stop-and-go traffic, open the windows and turn off the air conditioning to save more money.

11. Rent fuel-efficient cars when you travel and research reasonably priced places to buy gas before you leave.

12. Confirm with your mechanic what octane gasoline your car’s engine really needs.  Most car engines do not require high octane though the manual will say its “recommended.”

13. Download a Gas App for your phone.  If you have a Smartphone, there are plenty of free apps that help you find the cheapest gas near your destination. GasBuddy makes it easy with its free app, and Mapquest has an online finder for gas prices.

14. Buy Discount Gas Gift Cards – Did you know you don’t have to pay full price for a gift card? Sites like GiftCardGranny.com offer a diverse selection of discount gas gift cards from various card vendors.

15. Be loyal to one gas company and get rewarded with its cash-back credit card reward program.

Chris Faulkner is President and Chief Executive Officer Breitling Oil and Gas, (www.BreitlingOilandGas.com), a Dallas-based independent oil and gas exploration and production company.

How to Reach Your Financial Goals: Write Them Down

How to Reach Your Financial Goals: Write Them Down

by | Jan 29, 2013

Goals are an important part of life. It helps keep us on a path of success, and it helps us realize what is most important to us. When it comes to finances, having goals are key to keeping it in check and balance. A good way to do this is to write about your financial goals. Following these steps below will ensure that you reach your financial goals.

The first step is to write down your financial goals. It is the ideal way to watch them become reality.

The second step is to make your goals specific. It may be about your salary, debt, saving, anything. The next step is to keep your list of goals somewhere visible so that you can be reminded of your endpoint and stay focused. An alternative to this is to keep it hidden and check up on it ever so often. After you have created your list of goals, the fourth step is to formulate a simple plan on how to reach them. The last step is to make a time frame for your goals and stick to it.

The next step is to keep your list of goals somewhere visible so that you can be reminded of your endpoint and stay focused. An alternative to this is to keep it hidden and check up on it ever so often. After you have created your list of goals, the fourth step is to formulate a simple plan on how to reach them. The last step is to make a time frame for your goals and stick to it.

The last step is to make a time frame for your goals and stick to it.

Sometimes you can get off track of reaching your goals and can deter you from continuing. Your goals do not have to be related to finances; writing out your goals is still a very good way to keep your life in check and balance.

How to Get Whatever You Want: Barter

How to Get Whatever You Want: Barter

by | Jan 22, 2013

To get what you want, sometimes it costs money. But other times money is non-existent or limited. Sometimes we deserve to get something we want or have earned. Being creative can be a helpful tool to obtain what you have been yearning for. Follow these following steps to get yourself on the creative path!

The first step towards your creative path is to look past money and to release negative thoughts and tension. When you relax about whatever money crunch you are in, it allows you to think clearly.

The next step is to get creative and discover other ways to get what you want, especially without using your money. Sometimes bartering can be a useful tool in getting what you want. It was, after all, the first form of exchange for goods and items centuries ago. This brings us to step number three, which is to barter with people, moms, businesses, and etc to get what you want. Bartering is still practiced, and at times, it can be a preferred form of payment. Step four is to open up your creative mind and

This brings us to step number three, which is to barter with people, moms, businesses, and etc to get what you want. Bartering is still practiced, and at times, it can be a preferred form of payment.

Step four is to open up your creative mind and eyes and think of ways to get what you want without being trapped in the “not enough money” syndrome.

True needs are the bare essentials for existence like food and shelter, but sometimes obtaining these essentials is hard without enough money. Sometimes to get something you have to give something, which in the end allows everybody to win. Just like in the previous articles, giving something away can come back tenfold.