So Much To Do............So Little Time............

The Pennsville Business Association (PBA) is holding it's first Annual Business Expo on Sat. Nov. 14th @ The PMHS Gymnasium, from 10 am to 2 pm.

I'm involved in setting up for the entire event, but am also overseeing 4 tables for groups that I am involved in: The Pennsville Public Library (http://www.pennsville.org/) , The Coldwell Banker Pino Agency (http://www.pinorealty.com/) , Picture That Frame Shop (http://www.picturethatframeshop.blogspot.com/) and JUICE PLUS (http://www.chookssharesjuiceplus.com/)

Whew! This is going to wear me out, I believe.

Anyway, you should stop by the high school gym on Sat. if you're in town. There's going to be all kinds of drawings, give-a-ways, 50/50 drawing, treats to eat, entertainment and MORE! It looks to be a great day!

5 Ideas to Help You Become Financially Fit

Boy, this recession has hit us awfully hard! If you find yourself in need of a fresh start, January 1st is right around the corner. It's the perfect time to regroup and begin again. While there are many, many books and articles published each year about money, about saving money, about investing money, about the evils of money, about the joys & power of money.........it really is possible to boil it down to several key points.

1) Track your Spending.
I once attended a group who's entire focus was to support one another in each other's money decisions. It was an enlightening and freeing experience. The single most important exercise was to track ones spending. Some say 2 weeks is enough, personally I believe 30 to 40 days is better. Most of us think of our billing cycles in monthly units, so I think it's most productive to work on that time-table. Your 'money journal' doesn't have to be anything fancy. A simple tablet will do. Be diligent! This one idea is the key. As the old saying goes, "You have to know where you are, before you can get to where you want to go."
online help can be found at: http://www.wesabe.com/, http://www.mint.com/

2) Automate bill paying
If you are able to utilize the automated services, this can really help you to stay on track and on time with your bill paying. (Being a business person who is paid by commissions, I have hesitated to fully take advantage of this idea because our settlements do have delays..........more than I'd like to admit. This is not for me, right now. ) The advantage of being automated is that you no longer have to think about what you should do..........the bills get paid, exactly when & how they should. You must, however, resist the temptation to purchase an unnecessary handbag or enjoy an expensive dinner that hasn't been planned for. Decisions like that can absolutely wreak havoc on your finances when the automatic payments are subtracted from your account.

3) Pay down your debt
I read in Reader's Digest recently that Americans under the age of 35 spend 19.7 cents out of every dollar they earn on debt payments. 19.7 cents - wow! And it's getting worse. If you have debt that you can't pay off this month or even within two months, DON'T MAKE ANY NEW DEBT! Let me repeat that, DON'T MAKE ANY NEW DEBT! The easiest way to attack debt is to make a list of your debts. Take note of the interest rate. Some experts will advise you to pay off the highest interest rate accounts first. Others want you to taste success quickly by paying off the smallest balances first so you will have the thrill of crossing that debt completely off of your list. I say whatever approach appeals to you most, follow that one. Paying down debt, no matter how you do it, is the key here.

4) Pay Less, Earn More
There are 2 ways to get ahead financially: you must either increase your earnings or lower your expenses. Period. This tip is the one that tells you to watch what you buy. Pay attention to prices and shop around. Do you WANT that new car or do you NEED it? Do you want a BMW or can you function quite nicely with a Corolla? When you are shopping for anything, make it a point to ask yourself if you can buy it for less or substitute a different item that will cost less.
Regarding earning more income.......look into working more hours at your current job, putting in for a promotion, taking on a part-time job on-the-side, beginning a home-based business, etc. What can you do to increase your earnings?

5) Get Health Coverage
Well, this is a hot topic now-a-days. We all know the financial ramifications that can happen should you have a catastrophic health problem while you have no insurance. It's just not fair. As I sit and write this post this morning, the news is all over the television that our Congress has passed a health care reform bill. It is on it's way to the Senate next. This key point in financial fitness is a difficult one for one very simple reason: Health Insurance is very, very expensive. There are limited liability policies that can at least cover your doctor visits, prescriptions and minor emergency room visits. Perhaps you can begin with something like that if you currently have no coverage.
Hopefully, the issue of health insurance will change for the better in the near future. Until that time, it is important to do what you can. Provide for your family what you are able to and most importantly, practice good health habits in an effort to be proactive in practicing preventative medicine.
Here are some websites that may be helpful to you: http://www.statehealthfacts.org/, http://www.covertheuninsured.org/, http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/

6) Save, Save, Save, Save, Save, Save, Save..............
Enough said, right?! But we don't do it! We've all heard the advice that we should be saving 10% of our income and some even say a higher percentage, but many of us feel that we need to pay the bills first. After paying the rent/mortgage, electric, phone bill, taxes, water, sewer, dance lessons for your daughter, whatever...........that 10% may be long gone. So, in 2010, do yourself a favor and just get into the habit of saving money first. Just save SOMETHING. After the habit is in place, you can begin to increase the amount.

7) TALK About Money!
Americans do not like to talk about money. We'll talk about our children, our health, our relationships, even our sex lives, but most people cringe at the thought of talking about money. How strange that something we all have to learn to deal with is so out-of-bounds for discussion. I have one very dear friend who I do make a habit of talking about money issues with. Sometimes I need some advice (should I - shouldn't I?) sometimes I simply need to voice out loud what is going on. It's so important to find a person, who you can trust and who won't be judgmental, to review and discuss your money situation with. This idea alone is gold.
Look for different ways to discuss money. Instead of saying that you can't afford something, say it isn't in your budget right now. Doesn't that sound better? But isn't it the truth, too?!
These 7 ideas can make profound changes in your financial life. Actually, they can make profound changes in your entire life. Take it one step at a time and simply do your best. If you run into problems or slip back into your old habits, just begin again and keep trying.

This is important stuff, Folks!

If You Could Choose A New Profession........

A quick question for all of you:

If you were to choose a different profession, what would it be?

I have a huge interest in journalism, so I'd like to be a reporter. Specifically, I'd like to be a political reporter............covering the White House. ( http://www.whitehouse.gov/ ) Now, THAT would be interesting! The election results are fascinating this evening, don't you think?
How about you? What do you want to be when you grow up????

9 Steps To Puttng Your House On The Market

It is a big decision to sell your home or property. Here's a simple checklist for you to follow to make your decision a little easier.

1) Locate your deed, tax bill and survey

2) Locate and have handy all of the keys to your doors, shed, garage, etc

3) Declutter closets, basement, attic and garage; put away valuables

4) CLEAN - make your home sparkle
5) Tidy up the outside, too

6) Ask your friends and family for Realtor referrals, call 3 and set up interview appointments

7) Google the 3 Realtors, check out their websites, Facebook accounts, ActiveRain presence, Twitter, blogs, etc. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

8) Meet with the Realtors, ask questions (more on that later) to determine which one is the best fit to help you and your family make your move. Pay attention to experience, community networks, problem solving abilities and production awards. These are all clues to help you determine past and future behaviors.

9) Choose the Realtor who you feel will look out for your best interests. Choose the Realtor who you feel will best help you make good decisions. Choose the Realtor who you feel will best communicate candidly with you and GET THE JOB DONE!

Just take it one step at at time and everything will be just fine.

Coming Soon: Effective Questions to Ask A Potential Listing Agent