"Adding Your Two Cents" Lessons In Debt, Credit And Home Ownership

You have probably heard this old saying before, if not, ‘adding your two cents’ is simply giving your opinion, your views, your ideas, or sharing your experience. And that is what Spectrum Resources is looking for from you – for your to add your two cents to our blogs ! We will post on all four blogs the best submitted money saving tip, PLUS the winner will receive two hours of free counseling in issues of debt, credit or home ownership – PLUS a hand autographed book titled “Hey! Where’s My Money” authored by Janet Shore

The media gurus paint a beautiful rosy picture showing the world is healing, and it may on the top side. But on Main Street, the picture appears differently. It is a time of self evaluation, to re-think our sense of direction and perhaps re-prioritize our objectives.

E ach of us as individuals have something of value to contribute to our fellow man. Economically we have come to realize just how closely we are connected to each other. Everyone’s job depends upon someone else having a job, drawing a paycheck, and who can pass the money on to others. The economy depends upon that connection for money to keep moving.

Spectrum Resource’s mission is to provide education and resources on how to live INSIDE your income. To help us help others, we need your two cents. You are the one who lives on Main Street USA, the gurus on Wall Street live not only on a different street, I believe at times they must live on a different planet.

Survival entails understanding that only by sharing can we ALL grow. You are facing financial challenges everyday, and you have developed some tricks of the survival trade to maintain your head above water, we ask that you share with our readers your best money saving experience. It’s easy, on each of our four blogs shown below there is a ‘comment box’ to use. Don’t duplicate your money saving idea, each idea must be different. Please submit what has worked best for you to cut cost, overhead expenses, or to survive easier on less money and less stress. Please use it to help us help others.

The best judged money saving tip will be posted in all four blogs and you will have as an addition prize two hours of free consultation. Along with a personally autographed book titled “Hey ! Where’s My Money ?”by Janet Shore.

Call Spectrum Resources (863)967-0660 or email: SpectrumResources@tampabay.rr.com
Visit our blogs, each one with different lessons with debt, credit and home ownership tips:
http://financialeducationandoptions.blogspot.com/ and
http://spectrumresources.wordpress.com/ and
http://moneysavingtips.polkvoice.com/ and our newest
http://womantowomanmagazine.ning.com/
Your tax exempt donation is always appreciated to help with our educational fund, mail to:
S.R.D.C. 2014 Brentwood Dr. Auburndale, FL 33823

"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

"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