"Are You Eating Up Your Profits ?"

“Are You Eating Up Your Profits in your home business ? No I am not referring to the regularly perceived ‘home based business’. I am referring to your HOME business. Few people realize your home business is just like a regular store front business. Your home must make a profit to keep it’s doors open. If homes were managed under the same basic business rules as a storefront business, there would be less foreclosures.

Your decisions regarding what, where and how you eat, eats away at your profit. When was the last time you figured the cost of all the drive through fast food meals, or restaurant meals during a 30 day period ? Or the cost of all the ‘carry outs’ simply because you didn’t feel like cooking ? Have you ever stopped and looked at your grocery ticket to see how many expensive frozen and pre-packed food items came into your kitchen instead of you preparing meals from scratch ? Big ticket profit eaters to look for on a grocery receipt are the over-priced non-food items because they were convenient ?

As the family business CEO, you have those things to consider plus many more if you are to keep the family home business secure. It’s all on your shoulders to educate yourself of money saving trends, to be flexible yet solid enough to handle all unexpected cost. You not only must meet current responsibilities like any business but you must also have money left over for future growth such as investments for college, new home, or that super big event coming up.

You have to figure out a budget that will take you through the slow season. Which in your home business might be a seasonal change in income or a seasonal change in expenses. The expense of school is a seasonal change. There is an additional outlay for new clothes, school supplies, fees, etc. Today, there are many employment cutbacks in hours, and benefits, some temporary, some permanent.

You also have to contend with seasonal expenses of taxes, insurance, car maintenance and even house maintenance. Things that rarely get written down on the budget sheet but occur every year such as yearly check up on the A/C, snow removal, and gutter or chimney cleaning. Your home business profitability depends upon how efficiently you plan for all of these seasonal expenses, plus all those that we don’t have on a regular schedule. Who planned on that trip to the emergency room ? Who planned on the terrible storm that hasn’t occurred for the past forty years but came through taking half of the roof off ?

A home business just like any store front business on Main Street, there must be a preventive maintenance plan in place. A family should have an emergency fund. Get with trained experienced counselors at Spectrum Resources to help you structure a personalized plan for your family business. You will be glad you did !
Call (863) 967-0660 or email: SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com Tax exempt donations to help us help others with financial literacy are always appreciated and can be mailed to: SRDC 2014 Brentwood Dr. Auburndale, FL. 33823 or use the online processor: www.Checkman.com/pay4it/1295 Remember to visit our other blogs for more lessons in attaining self sufficiency. http://MoneySavingTips.PolkVoice.com and http://SpectrumResources.wordpress.com and come back to http://FinancialEducationAndOptions.blogspot.com

"Skipping Is Not Child's Play Anymore"

'Skipping Is Not Child's Play Anymore' is a warning that banks and merchants are not inviting you to a game that you will win. You may receive offers often to let you 'skip' a payment for the holiday, or when school starts, or due to weather storms or other reasons. You are tricked into thinking they are doing you a favor - WRONG !

You may be enticed by offers to make large new purchases because you don't have to make a payment for twelve months or more. Skipping payments is a marketing lure. Buyer beware !

What creditors do is double dip on those sales. Once you sign a contract, the creditor sells the contract and collects money. Then in twelve months when your payments start, he collects money again - from you. That my friend, is what you call a super good sale ...for the merchant !

The payments aren't really skipped - full interest continue to run. So, in reality, the payment is just put off with interest added until the end of the loan. Even worse, lenders often impose a fee on those who use the skipped-payment option. The result is that the consumer pays extra interest plus a fee for doing so. Don't assume that any 'skip-a-payment' offer is a good deal without reading the fine print. Remember, "The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away !"

If you have made a large purchase and the payments don't start for 12 months, divide the amount due WITHOUT INTEREST by eleven. Make eleven monthly payments with NO INTEREST and by the twelth month your purchase is paid in full. Your purchase is paid for BEFORE interest charges start. That technique is much like lay-a-way, except you have the use of your purchased merchandise while making the payments. Interest is most of your debt and if you use this method you can purchase INTEREST FREE saving large amounts of money !

It's all about you using your money in the most efficient and profitable way, instead of allowing merchants to use it to their raise their profits. Keep in mind marketing gurus do not work overtime coming up with creative new strategies for the merchant to lose money. Like in contracts, 'He who makes the offer, offers the best deal for himself'.

Spectrum Resources' mission is to teach you how to live INSIDE your income. Specializing in debt, credit and home ownership issues. Contact us by phone: (863) 967-0660 or email:

SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com . Please put our blog links in your favorites and come back often: http://www.moneysavingtips.polkvoice.com/ http://www.spectrumresources.wordpress.com/ or http://www.financialeducationandoptions.blogspot.com/

To help us help other with financial literacy, please make tax exempt contributions to:

SRDC 2014 Brentwood Dr. Auburndale FL 33823 or use the online check processor:

www.Checkman.com/pay4it/12985

"Save Money & Stress Knowing Your Consumer RIghts"

“Save Money & Stress Knowing Your Consumer Rights” is a deep subject matter. But if you are being harassed by a debt collector, your basic understanding of the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) can help relieve your stress. Please review this lesson and learn your rights. Remember; “If you don’t know your rights, you have none !”

First, you can stop the telephone calls very easily. You MUST write and mail a certified letter with a receipt returned demanding that they do not telephone you again at whatever numbers you provide.

Second, know debt collectors by law, may not harass, oppress, or abuse you, or any third parties they contact regarding an ‘alleged’ debt.
· They may not use threats of violence or harm;
· publish a list of people who refuse to pay their debt, however they can provide this list to credit bureaus;
· use obscene or profane language; or
· repeatedly use the phone to ANNOY someone.

Third, you must know that by law, debt collectors may not lie when they are attempting to collect an ‘alleged’ debt. For example, they may not:
falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives
falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
misrepresent the amount you owe;
indicate that papers they send you are legal form if they are not;
indicate that papers they send to you are not legal forms if they are.
saying you will be arrested
falsely claim they’ll seize, garnish, attach or sell your property or wages unless they
§ are permitted by law and really intend to do so;
§ take legal action when it is illegal to do so;

and last threaten to take legal action when they don't intend to do so.

Spectrum Resources will share with you in coming lessons more of what debt collectors can and cannot do because in your daily living, crooks do not follow the law and it is up to you as a consumer to know your rights. How deep crooks can get into your pocket depends on your level of education pertaining to your consumer rights. Invest in yourself to appreciate the savings !

To learn more email: SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com, or call: (863)967-0660, put our blog addresses into your favorites and visit us often: http://spectrumresources.wordpress.com/ and http://moneysavingtips.polkvoice.com/
And http://financialeducaitonandoptions.blogspot.com/

Help us help others with financial education. Your tax exempt donation is always appreciated: Mail to: SRDC 2014 Brentwood Dr. Auburndale, FL 33823 or use online check processor: www.Checkman.com/pay4it/12985

"Are You A Good Spender ?"

You are probably chuckling about that question: “Are You A Good Spender?”. The entire globe knows Americans are good spenders, however, the lesson today is more self evaluation. Enclosed are 20 questions with a score to help you determine just how good you are.
Spectrum Resource’s mission is to provide you with education, resources and options to achieve your financial goals. Use this audit of your spending life-style to see where your strengths are and where your weaknesses are. Use a sheet of paper and answer with the following 5 responses:

1) totally like me
2) A lot like me
3) Equally like and unlike me
4) A little like me
5) Not like me at all

____ 1) I put a small amount of cash aside as savings each time I receive any money.
____ 2) I usually deposit into a savings or special checking account each time I receive any money .
____ 3) I keep track of the money I receive from all sources.
____ 4) I set aside a predetermined amount of my cash for regular weekly expenses.
____ 5) I set aside at least five percent of the money I receive for my emergency fund.
____ 6) My money is managed according to a written spending-plan.
____ 7) My food, grocery and household spending is planned in advance and done with a list.
____ 8) I rarely make less than two trips-a-week to a grocery or convenience store.
____ 9) Grocery, household coupons and manufacturer rebates are used whenever possible.
____10) For practically every purchase I make I do comparison shopping for price, value, and quality.
____11) I do not have credit cards with a balance due.
____12) I do not have any loans with a balance owed.
____13) I normally compare prices and value for both food and clothing.
____14) I do not dine/eat out more than once a-week.
____15) I have received my earnings statement from the Social Security Administration.
____16) I account for all my cash spending by collecting receipts and noting what is bought.
____17) I balance my checking/share draft accounts with each statement received.
____18) I have looked into joining or I am a member of a credit union.
____19) I am saving money toward a education or a special big goal.
____20) I have given money or food to a less fortunate individual within the last month.

Total up your points for all 20 questions
17-27 points - Terrific! - Teach others.
28-42 points - Pretty good - Stay Up-to-date
43-58 points - Average - A class will be helpful
59-74 points - Lousy – Make needed changes
75+ points - It Stinks! –

Call today ! Spectrum Resources offers education, resources and options that can help you. ( 863) 967-0660 Learn how you can deal efficiently and effectively with creditors. How you can structure a plan to get out of debt. Come back to our blogs to learn how you can take control of your financial life ! Our email: SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com

Put into your favorites and visit often to learn more on our family of blogs: http://moneysavingtips.polkvoice.com/ and http://spectrumresources.wordpress.com/ and http://financialeducationandoptions.blogspot.com/
If you want to swap links to promote self sufficiency through online networking contact us.

Spectrum Resources is not funded and accepts all tax exempt donations. If you are learning from our Personal Money Management Lessons posted for your benefit, with every $10.00 donation we will mail you a “Hey! Where’s My Money” book authored by Janet Shore a certified credit counselor . A little book with a big message ! Excellent as a gift for a young couple starting out, a college student, or anyone who is starting over and wants to learn how to take control of their financial lives. It’s insightful and motivating. Use our online check processor: www.Checkman.com/pay4it/12985 or mail a money order to: SRDC 2014 Brentwood Drive Auburndale, FL. 33823

"A Bubble Or A Snowball ?"

"A Bubble Or A Snowball ?" You would have to agree both are messy when they burst ! Today's internet headlines are filled with news about "The Credit Bubble!" as if this is new news ! This is not news to debt and credit counselors who are in the trenches attempting to clean up the mess.

Credit card delinquencies rose from 5.52 percent to 6.6 percent (measured on a "percentage of dollars outstanding" basis). And people ask WHY ? Americans have created the biggest Credit Bubble of all time! Who is it that doesn't realize that American's have been on a spending spree since the early to mid 2000's ? Consumers thought that their ever rising home values would be there to bail them out IF they got in trouble. Well, they were wrong, and terribly misinformed.

You see, it's my opinion that the problem is more like a big snow ball rolling down a steep hill rather than a bubble. As everything in the form of money sticks to the snowball creating an even larger one as it heads down hill. Now we have slumping rents and rising vacancy rates that is playing havoc on the entire commercial real estate sector. The snowball has hit a wall called reality with pieces of these collected particals splattering out on everyone and everything in its path. Messy is a gentle word in comparison.

I see the credit card holders are victims of fraud. First, few know their consumer rights. Few know that National Banks are not allowed to lend credit. Few consumers realize how much our law makers turn their heads to the corruption of the banks. The lending industry actively egged consumers on into a web of false security just as much as policymakers at the Federal level who kept interest rates too low for too long. Virtually every corner of the credit market is connected to this snow ball growing in size !

Don't believe debt collectors who start pestering you about nonpayment of credit card debt from long ago. There are statutes of limitations in each state, after which debt my no longer be collected. Find out your state's rules at www.fair-debt-collection.com/SOL-by-State.html.

Even if a debt collector offers you a discount for prompt payment, DO NOT agree to pay. Insist that the debt collector give you, in writing, the name and address of theoriginal debt holder, the account number, the date of the last transaction AND the amount of the original debt. You have a right to this information and cannot be required to pay what you no longer owe.

Spectrum Resource’s mission is to teach you how you can live inside your income. Please add our link to your favorites and come back often to : http://moneysavingtips.wordpress.com/ and visit our sister blogs, each with different articles offering resources and options: http://financialeducationandoptions.blogspot.com/ and http://spectrumresources.wordpress.com/ or email us at SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com or call (863) 967-0660Help Us Help Others with a $10.00 tax exempt donation to our financial education fund. In appreciation of your contribution, we will send you a FREE COPY of a book on daily money management from local author Janet Shore titled “Hey ! Where’s My Money ?”. Use the online check processor www.Checkman.com/pay4it/12985 or pay by money order mailed to: SRDC 2014 Brentwood Dr. Auburndale, FL. 33823

"He Who Hesitates Loses"

You may or may not have heard this saying "He Who Hesitates Loses", but as a credit risk assessment planner counseling individuals in debt, credit and home ownership issues I see it as an important warning. Your ability to think and consider your options and take action quickly can be the determining factor in the amount of your savings.

Here are some money saving tips:You now see empty store fronts while driving down Main Street due to companies that have filed bankruptcy or simply liquidated their assets and left for parts unknown.
1. Use your store gift cards fast while they are still worth something.
2. If the store holds a 'liquidation sale' skip the first few weeks of the sale. Wait until week four.

"He Who Hesitates Loses" warning also applies to identity theft.
1. You will be happy you took this warning if your wallet/purse is ever stolen. Make copies of all contents in your wallet front and back and record credit card phone numbers to report a loss. But if you have not, then look on the last statement and contact the credit card company as soon as possible. With identity theft, the sooner the better applies.
2. You should also report immediately to all three credit bureaus your cards have been stolen. this could be a savings of thousands of dollars.
3. You will also have to have a police report filed, again, timing in this particular process is important from your creditor's point of view.

"He Who Hesitates Loses" can apply to so many aspects of your daily living from the stock market to business opportunities. But our mission is to encourage you to think, learn your options and take action quickly because some savings just will not wait. There are expiration dates that you must heed to save. Most people would think that any investment that brought you a return of 20% was good, but in your local grocery are you taking advantage of the 10-20% savings offered through coupons ?

Coupon usage has become more popular as an effort to survive this depression. Coupons can easily save you 20% on your grocery bill. Groceries are not the only place to save with coupons. Your pharmacy, hardware store, home stores and online retailers are offering big savings such as www.Coupons.com and www.RetailMeNot.com and www.SelectCouponProgram.com. Come back and look for my lesson on "HOW TO Make Money Without A Second Job".

Spectrum Resource’s mission is to teach you how you can live inside your income. Please add our link to your favorites and come back often to : http://MoneySavingTips.PolkVoice.com and visit our sister blogs, each with different articles offering resources and options: http://FinancialEducationAndOptions.blogspot.com and http://SpectrumResources.wordpress.com or email us at SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com or call (863) 967-0660

Help Us Help Others with a $10.00 tax exempt donation to our financial education fund. In appreciation of your contribution, we will send you a FREE COPY of a book on daily money management from local author Janet Shore titled “Hey ! Where’s My Money ?”. Use the online check processor www.Checkman.com/pay4it/12985 or pay by money order mailed to: SRDC 2014 Brentwood Dr. Auburndale, FL. 33823

"4th Of July And (Financial) Freedom"

You have just celebrated another year of freedom in the United States of America with fireworks, cold drinks and a hot dog or two. Filled with patriotism the cry was heard from coast to coast "Let Freedom Ring !" America has come a long way, as seen upon reflecting back. Also seen are many different cycles in our history . There are great debates going on regarding just how fiscally free the United States is at this point in time compared to our past. The cycles of spending, debt and rebuilding is not new in America. This article is not about America's debt, but your debt, and your personal freedom.

You also have a cycle in life going on. You started as a young person learning what money could do for you. If lucky, someone taught you how to make appropriate decisions in handling money. Sadly not many have been so lucky and they are in bondage, slaves to debt. Just as our forefathers took drastic measures to free themselves from the bondage of England, now is the time for each individual American to take drastic measures to become free. Slavery exist in every home in America where there is debt. You are not free to live by your choices when you are committed to a contractual agreement to pay for privileges and use of the many things that fills your environment.

You can break the chains that bind you to debt by taking a serious look at yourself, your priorities, and your personal values. You determine your self worth. If your self worth is about the amount of holdings that is tied to your ankle with a chain locked by a contract then perhaps you should re-evaluate your values. What do YOU really have, nothing ! The man holding the contract and who receives money from you has something, but you don't. Do a personal audit, for a reality check to which of your debts are based upon 'NEEDS' and which are based upon 'WANTS' .

Make the next 4th of July your celebration of personal financial freedom ! One that supports the real meaning our of nation's founders, for The People to be free. Our nation as a whole will take generations before it can celebrate fiscal freedom. However, you and your family can start today by making better decisions, structure a plan, putting more value on people than things. You can choose NOT to be a slave to a master that holds you down with a little 2"X3" plastic card. You can be financially free by seeking financial education and making better daily decisions because of your empowerment.

Our mission is to teach those who seek financial self sufficiency. We counsel to those with debt, credit and money issues. If you feel we can help please come back to: http://financialeducationandoptions.blogspot.com/ or visit our sister blogs: http://moneysavingtips.polkvoice.com/ , http://spectrumresources.wordpress.com/ . Email us at SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com or call (863) 967-0660.

If you find Spectrum Resource's information educational, motivational and/or insightful, please help us help others by making a tax exempt donation of $10.00. To show our appreciation, Spectrum Resources, a tax exempt educational organization will send you a book as a FREE GIFT titled "Hey! Where's My Money ?" authored by Janet Shore. A little 128 page book with a big message. A great gift for a college student or young couple just starting out, and others who are starting over. Please send tax exempt donation as a money order to 'SRDC' 2014 Brentwood Dr. Auburndale, FL.33823 OR use the online check processor: www.Checkman.com/pay4it/12985