Prepare an Expense Spreadsheet to Help You Plan for Retirement

By Michael Geoffrey

When you reach your retirement you will still have expenses. Now while you are planning for your retirement you need to try to plan a budget for those expenses. An expense spreadsheet for your retirement can help.

With an expense spreadsheet you can see how far the money you save for your retirement will go. It will help you make future projections about your expenses over the next 10 or 20 years. You can also use this expense spreadsheet to help you find ways to invest your money so that it will go farther for you.

A retirement planning expense worksheet will help you with your finances even now. It can help you organize and manage your finances today while you plan for tomorrow. There is no need to guess at how to handle your finances or how to plan for the future. With a good expense worksheet you can have total control with no guesswork.

A good spreadsheet helps you stay clear about what your financial situation is. If your goal is to maintain the same standard of living in your golden years as you are enjoying right now your expense worksheet can show you how to do that. It will help you identify areas where you may need to adjust your spending so that you can stay on track with your retirement goals. It gives you a clear view of the money you have coming in and what you are spending.

The benefits of planning ahead

It is nave to think that things will not change in the future. Inflation is a fact of life. The financial world is ever changing. A good expense spreadsheet will help prepare you for these changes and will teach you how to adjust your plan if you find yourself falling behind.

You will be equipped in analyzing and strategizing your financial welfare and not be caught by surprise. You will be able to establish a solid and successful retirement plan. You will be able to finance your dreams and goals more effectively. You will be better prepared for the change that is about to take place in your life. You will be able to make better decisions and make amends to any short falls that you may experience.

It is important to start now so that you can build a strong retirement plan. You do not want to be like so many people who reach the age of retirement unprepared and have to return to work just to take care of their necessities. With some planning and forethought you can avoid that outcome.

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New Reverse Mortge Law Raises Lending Limits - Huge Difference

By Tiog Stausenberg

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act, signed by President Bush on July 30, most notable for its mortgage bailout provisions, also included raising the FHA national reverse mortgage lending limit to $417,000.

Prior to the enactment of the new law, FHA reverse mortgage limits maxed out at roughly $200,000 for most parts of country. In November, lenders began to fund reverse mortgages with the new limits in mind.

The act primarily helps senior homeowners, who own homes valued in excess of $200,160. In fact these homeowners can borrow as much as twice the amount as before. As an added bonus the closing costs on the higher loan amounts have reduced as a percentage of the value of of the home.

Wilma Johnson has ownwership in a commercial flooring company. Prior to the beginning of 2008 business was thriving. "The phone was ringing and we kept answering it". In the beginning of 2008, the phone stopped ringing as the commercial market died off. Now, one year later, at age 64, Mrs. Johnson is having trouble managing to pay her bills on time. It's not uncommon to dip into savings from time to time. Her $230,000 mortgage on her home takes up to $1,400 per month of her income.

There is no telling when Mrs Johnson's flooring business will return to pre-2008 levels. It is a big unknown? Based upon this she opted to move forward with a reverse mortgage that completely eliminated her monthly mortgage payment. She still has a mortgage but the monthly burden is gone.

A perception exists in the marketplace that the typical reverse mortgage customer owns their home free and clear and gets a reverse mortgage to supplement income.

Contrary to this belief the majority of seniors are getting reverse mortgages specifically to remove the financial burden of their current mortgage payment. Fixed incomes and increased medical and other living costs are forcing a choice for many seniors.

With the new lending limits in place many senior borrowers will realize a dramatic increase in their monthly income. Technically speaking they won't see income increasing, rather the giant expense of the mortgage payment will be eliminated. The borrower sees that as a net increase in disposable income to be used for other important life reasons.

About the Author:

Learn more about the reverse mortgage at Reverse Mortgage - Texas Mortgage Pro's Advice. More supplemental info can be found at Home of the Texas Reverse Mortgage.

Negative Credit History Timeline

By William Blake

If you have seen (or heard) the recent commercials about getting a free credit report, then you know it's important to have good credit and to monitor your credit line. This is the only permanent record that you need ever be worried about. Having a negative credit report can affect your borrowing ability, your interest rates, and even your employment.

The good news is that if you have negative credit, all is not lost. This record is not really permanent. Most of the bad information will be removed from your credit history after seven years from the last infractions.

This is why it is so important to manage and care for your credit history. Although mistakes can be repaired, it will take at least seven years to make those repairs.

Your credit history will be negatively impacted by late payments on rotating credit and loans. For that reason, paying such debts in a timely manner is very important. Having proof that you have been able to pay bills on time for one entire year is important when you meet a lender to borrow money. Some people are not organized and thus have a hard time making on time payments. If this is the case for you, be sure to pay off your bills as soon as possible.

Some credit card companies and retails stores that distribute credit cards will allow you to make a special payment arrangement with them if you are unable to pay off the debt that you have incurred. This could be a wise decision, but it will put a negative mark on your credit history. This effect will only be short term, though.

Filing for bankruptcy causes serious negative repercussions to your credit history. Doing so will remain a part of your credit history for more than the standard seven years.

When lenders are trying to decide whether or not you can be trusted to pay back the money you wish to borrow, they will judge you by your credit history. Bankruptcies filed under chapter 13 stay on your credit history for seven years, much like other negative information. If you file for chapter 7 bankruptcy and thus do not have to pay back debts you have racked up, that information will remain a part of your credit history for ten years.

Loans are often offered to people with a negative credit history at interest rates three or four percent higher than normal. The financial decisions you make now can potentially affect you for the next seven or even ten years, so make sure that you take care when it comes to your finances.

About the Author:

Thinking of trying to lower your payments by negotiating credit card debt? Make sure you visit the Debtopedia website at http://www.debtopedia.com to get some helpful tips first.

During divorce -- protect your credit

By Mike Mastracci

When your relationship is deteriorating, the credit card companies still love you. Divorce is a time of change and great emotional and financial upheaval. Separation and divorce often deal a real blow to the family budget.Taking precautions is important.

How you deal with the related credit issues pertaining to a marital separation and divorce is important for both your short and long term financial recovery. Many credit restoration companies thrive when the divorce rates rise. In challengiong financial times, debt management can take on a whole new meaning.

There are a few basic steps you can take to help lessen the financial pain.

Pay up joint debts and cancel joint credit cards after you get a card in your name.

. Do not pledge the credit of the other spouse.

Consider taking a financial or accounting class.

Try to agree on one appraiser rather than shopping for a "buyers" appraiser or a "seller's" appraiser.

Consider paying off any vehicle loans as part of any house refinancing if possible. When starting anew, the fewer debts the better. Minimizing your debt is probably a good idea regardless of one's marital status. If you are falling behind in bills, due to job loss or illness, do not avoid your creditors and try to work out arrangements. Unpaid debt, joint or individual, will be reported to the three national reporting agencies resulting in lower credit scores.

Remeber that tough economic times are generally followed by long term periods of prosperity. Don't give up hope. Hopefully, you have followed the old parental advice, to "save for a rainy day."

When divorce cripples the family budget, not only does the stress level rise, but so too, does the likelihood of filing for bankruptcy. Despite new laws enacted in 2005 that tightened the requirements for bankruptcy, many people still see it as an easy way out of crushing financial debt. Unfortunately, some spouses also believe bankruptcy will allow them to escape their spousal or child support obligations during or after the divorce; wrong.

If your spouse or ex files for bankruptcy, you should seek legal counsel to protect you rights as a creditor.

About the Author:

If you are involved in a separation and divorce, have concerns about your finances, credit and legal rights get Free Divorce and Financial Information and Resources. It is important to avoid credit problems when you are in transition. At the Divorce Without Dishonor website you can find Free Divorce and Financial Information and Resources

Cash In On Bailouts With Mini-Dow Trading

By Doug West

President Bush has been on the TV a lot lately. Too late for him to go down in history as a good president, but we will give him credit for trying. The Pres. has assured us all that we can grow our economy by spending more money. He even sent us each a few hundred to help us do that. One has to wonder if that was a set up for what was to come.

Next came the BIG bailouts for the banks and boys on Wall Street. Hey, where do we apply for some of that 700 Billion dollar pie? Well, don't hold your breath on that one (in a moment we will show you how to cash in on the bail out actions with simple mini-dow index trading)!

Let's see, if you are already in debt up to your ears - like the US government is, how is sending out free money going to stimulate the economy? And, how is that going to help the US government?

OH, don't forget our friends over at the FED. The Reserve! The agency that is owned by the bankers. That masquerades around like they are part of the government. What many folks still don't know is that they all pulled a fast one on us by sticking that word Federal in front of their name. The same thing the guy at Federal Express did when starting his company.

Frederick W. Smith founded FedEx. I clearly remember years ago when he was on 60 Minutes, he said that by the time folks figured out that he was not part of the government his company was already well on it's way to success! Can't blame his reasoning? What a PLAN! IT WORKED for the FED why not FedEx too?

Let's quote right from the FedEx web site:

"Federal Express was so-named due to the patriotic meaning associated with the word "Federal," which suggested an interest in nationwide economic activity. At that time, Smith hoped to obtain a contract with the Federal Reserve Bank and, although the proposal was denied, he believed the name was a particularly good one for attracting public attention and maintaining name recognition."

I'm sure Smith did want a relationship with the Federal Reserve - who wouldn't! These guys have the legalized right to print money! Think about it. It does not matter if it is a $1 bill or a $100 bill, it cost them about the same to make it (a few cents each). Then they "LOAN" that money at full face value to the US government. Full face value PLUS INTEREST! So now you know where the national debt comes from. We now owe that money - Plus Interest - to the FED. A private corporation controlled by international bankers.

So if you are thinking that Bush's plan to grow the economy by handing out $100 bills won't cost anything - Think Again! Where is that money going to come from? That's right - the good ol boys at the FED. These mystical folks seem to be able to pull money out of thin air! Just think, with today's high-tech world, the FED can just punch a button on a computer somewhere and release new funds to the world. Most of which never represents new bills being printed, but just credit in some bank or financial institutions account. Electronic numbers moving through nanoseconds of time and space.

Not only does the FED create money, they also have the ability to set their own interest rate!

- The Fed's Open Market Committee (FOMC), announces their interest rate decisions. This is NOT the interest rate that you and I can get money for, (why don't we all meet at the Fed Discount Window - wherever that is) but what the BIG boys who keep the whole world flowing receive. They in turn pump up the volume and pass the savings on to you and me right - WRONG! It could take weeks or even MONTHS after a cut to see any savings at the consumer level. So why do the markets get so active after an FOMC announcement?

The BIG boys are the ones who really move the market right (and they CAN line up at the FED window for a bailout). We just want a small slice of it. That's all. Remember that when you are trading (or practicing the FED move trade -after an FOMC announcement).

So how do you cash in on the bailouts without getting a slice of the pie? Index trading! With all these bailout moves, the FED buying stock and giving away billions of dollars, it has caused some GREAT moves in the market. Not so good for stock traders, but Wonderful for those of us that just trade and follow the overall index.

No matter what happens, we can all do well with Simple Mini-Dow Index Trading. I look for GREAT times ahead for Index traders. We might have to pay more for the things we need, (because of the FED printing out bailout money like candy these days) but at least we can stay home and earn the money to get them!

Remember those FOMC announcements mentioned earlier? Many times after an announcement, the market moves and moves BIG. Much like the market moves we have all been seeing here lately with the bailout manipulation of the markets. The FED won't give you a partnership deal like FedEx was looking for, but you can capitalize on their dealings.

You may not be able to get in line for a bailout, but you can stick your hand in the market and cash in on the Wild moves we are now seeing in the FED manipulated market. Just follow an index and stay away from stock!

About the Author:

Mini-Dow Index Trading Made Simple. Discover how to build your trading income. Get Doug's Debt-Free Report. Read his blog here.

What you need to know about collections.

By JR Rooney

Debt collection's is a billion dollar industry. According to Rapid Recovery Solution, Inc. income from late fees and over-the-limit fees accounted for $14.8 billion dollars in the year 2004.

A collection account is defined as a delinquent account that has been forwarded to a debt collection agency, usually when it has become 90 to 120 days late. Creditors send accounts to collection agencies to remove them from their accounts receivables, then write-off the full debt owed as a loss. Creditors benefit in two ways: first, for writing off the debt as a loss on their taxes, and second, when the money is collected which can be recorded as a profit or accounts receivable. Many collection accounts are purchased from the original creditor for a fraction of the original amount owed but not always.

When you receive a letter from a collection agency, verify that the company contacting you has a legal right to collect money on your account. A collection agency holds a collection account for a few months, and if they are unsuccessful in collecting on the debt owed, the account is forwarded to another collection agency. This process continues until the account is paid or legal action is taken against you.

Collection agencies obtain the following information to develop a strategy to collect money owed: name, address, credit report, credit application, correspondence with the consumer, amount owed by the consumer and date of last payment. Many collection agencies also use illegal tactics to scare consumers such as: pretending they are one of your creditors asking to verify information, pretending they are an old friend or neighbor to catch you off guard, sending persistent follow-up calls or letters, sending threatening letters or leaving threatening voice mail messages, preying on your emotions, canceling credit card privileges, making the threat of litigation or pursuing litigation, and continuing to charge late and over-the-limit fees. Many of these tactics violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

A debt collection agency's primary objective is to get the money owed paid as soon as possible. They will ask why you can't make payment arrangements today. Another tactic that may be used is to transfer you to their supervisor, which by this time you may be angry or frustrated and could possibly agree to anything just to get off the phone with them. Don't do it. Remain calm throughout the conversation. Don't let the debt collection agency change your mind about what you can afford or scare you into doing something you don't want to do. Be firm and stick to the terms agreed upon. Confirm your agreement in writing and send certified mail with a return receipt to ensure delivery and proof of delivery.

Debt Collection Agencies are slow to report that an account has been paid or transferred to another company, so it is critical that you obtain proof of payment. If you have missed a few payments, contact the original creditor immediately to set up a payment plan. Stick to your payment arrangement to sustain your relationship with the creditor and retain your credit rating.

About the Author:

JR Rooney is an authority on Debt Collection Agency and Collection Agency in general

Starting Your Own Credit Repair Service

By William Blake

When it comes to wanting to learn how to start a credit repair service you have to be prepared that there is going to be a lot of information to learn. Not only are there the basics of credit repair there are going to be laws and guidelines that are different from state to state.

Once you realize how much knowledge you need to set up a credit repair service that will actually help people you might feel a bit overwhelmed. It can be a daunting task, but not an impossible one.

Learning how to start a credit repair service may be easier if you have some experience with that kind of work. Typically, those who have worked in the industry, even under someone else's company, will have a better understanding of how to start a credit repair service.

If you do not have any experience in the area it might be a good idea to try to get a job that will give you the experience you need. That way you will be getting the education you need to start your own company while getting paid.

Where to Learn More

When you start your business you want it to benefit you and your customers. That means you have to really know what you are doing. There are tons of books that have been published that explain how to go about credit repair or that explain the laws and regulations that govern this type of work. You should try to read everything you can get your hands own so that you will be sure you really know what you are doing. This is going to be quite an undertaking. But it will equal business success in the end.

Credit repair service is very specific and you need special knowledge of the trade. You also need a good business sense which means a few business classes would be very helpful. There are some factors of starting a business that are the same no matter what type of business you are in. You need to know those basics.

In order to make sure that your business becomes a success you must make sure that you do everything possible to have everything in line and ready to go. In the end, all of your studying and hard work will pay off and you will see your business grow.

About the Author:

Can cancelling a credit card help you get your debt paid off faster? Get the inside scoop on the Debtopedia website where you can get a free copy of my report Secrets Of Credit Card Debt

Take Advantage of the Services of a Credit Repair Agency

By William Blake

Good credit is important and if you have bad credit you know it is necessary to take steps to repair it. This is not always an easy task. It is nice to know that you can avail yourself of the help of a professional. Consumer credit repair services, whether they offer their services free of charge or they require that you pay a fee, can really help you get your credit back on track.

If you find that you have some marks on your credit report that should be there then this is something that they should have no problem taking care of. Even the marks that are rightfully there is something that may be able to be taken care of when you are dealing with a knowledgeable consumer credit repair service.

Cleaning up a credit report is generally a long process. The process is even longer if the problems have been allowed to persist of a long period of time. That is why it is best to get help from a credit repair service the moment you see your credit slipping. The faster you act the better your chances are to correct the problems on your credit. No matter how long you have had problems or what the problems are, taking immediate action is the key. After that you must have patience as you work through your credit blemishes one at a time.

What Are The Fees?

There is not much in this world that is free and this includes the services offered by your typical consumer credit repair service company. Generally speaking, you will spend a few hundred dollars to get started with them and that does not even promise that everything is going to work out in your favor.

If you are having financial problems this may not be a welcome expense. However if a few hundred dollars will help you turn your credit around and put you in a better financial situation it may be worth the expense to seek the help of a credit repair service. Even if you are able to find a non-profit organization that is willing to help you, you will still most likely still have to come out of pocket for some fees.

You will want to really shop around when you are looking for just the right consumer credit repair service company to go with. This is because they will all be charging different amounts and you want to go with a company that can give you the services you are in need of without making you go broke.

Fees for credit repair services range from $200.00 to $1,000. With the many agencies out there and the wide range of fees you will need to choose carefully to be sure you use your money wisely and get the end results you desire.

About the Author:

Tire of struggling to keep up with your credit card debt? Learn how to deal with excessive credit card debt on the Debtopedia website. Visit http://www.debtopedia.com for a free copy of my "Secrets Of Credit Card Debt" report.

Wondering What Day Trading Is? Here's How To Get Started

By Sam Lockwood

Day trading is one way to make money by buying and selling stocks. You're using the volatility of the market over the course of the day to make your money. The stock market at the moment is one of the best ones for day trading in more than ten years, since stock prices keep swinging widely.

Through short selling, day traders can profit from stocks even when it looks like the price is on its way down. In every case, day traders will need to use a broker, and to pay very close attention to two basic indicators. These are the NDIX and the TDISC. At the beginning of trading on a particular day, these will tell you a lot about several different exchanges. They're extremely sensitive to volatility, so if the market's going up, the NDIX will rise by two thousand ticks or more in a half hour after opening. If it's going down, the TDISC will drop by that much in the same period.

These rapid fluctuations are how day traders make their money. Doing quick buys and sells are the way that people in this kind of trading make a lot of money. However, these are also the way that they lose it all, if they're not careful. If you're day trading, you won't be buying for the long term. That means it's tempting to ignore your research and buy in volume. You may get lucky, but most times this doesn't happen.

Day trading isn't passive income - it's a job. Anyone who wants to do day trading should make sure that they've been properly trained. There are plenty of good online courses and seminars out there that'll help you be sure you know what you're getting into.

In addition, you'll need to have a brokerage account. After all, short selling is one of the most important tricks day traders have to use. Short selling is when you borrow a share of a given stock from your broker, then sell it right away. You expect to buy another share later on to give back when it comes due. Profit comes to you when the price of stock drops after you sell. Time things right and understand the market well, and you can do very well.

The opposite of short selling is deciding to borrow or buy a share of stock at one price, then selling it the same day for a higher price.

To do well in day trading, you must have excellent observational abilities and amazing nerves. You also have to have a short memory. That's because you're going to have to look at losses, and you have to be able to do it without letting stress take over.

One thing that is possible, using the right tutorials and programs, is doing day trading from your home. You need to have a very good plan to execute your trades, and you must make sure you accomplish them before the last half hour of the trading day.

About the Author:

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Cool Personal Time Check

By Jason Worthhutz

Cool Checks to make sense of the times you are living in. If you live in a deflationary time or inflationary time the consequences are as dire as if you live in inflationary times. Often people are confused as to what financial condition they are living in.

Deflationary times means it costs less to buy goods and services. The purchasing power of the dollar increases and is able to buy more.

With deflation, almost everything goes down. Safety and protection is important and if you have all you money in antiques, real estate or hard assets or commodities the value of these goods decreases.

The value of the dollar goes up in a deflationary environment. Quite the opposite of an inflationary environment.

When the value of the U.S. dollar goes up in the United States inevitably it goes up against other currencies. When the dollar buys more, its guage of value is rising and acts like a magnet.

Everything is costing less. The level of value of a particular currency has nothing to do with how their economy is doing. The value of a currency is base on how it compares with other currencies. You can't evaluate a currency in isolation.

If you see your U.S. dollar buying more, it means the state of value of the United States Dollar is increasing. The United States Dollar increases against foreign currencies as a market basket of value and it also buys more goods and services as a whole abroad.

The European economy is collapsing and the least worst currency worldwide is the United States Dollar . Your cool personal checks: for a safe place to keep your money is in U.S Treasury Bills.

About the Author:

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