It's a little bit exciting to get credit card cash back money. After all, you already made those credit card purchases and forgot about them so it's not like you're really expecting to get anything else. The cash back credit card offers you a little bit of a reward in addition to your purchase so that you can have some spending money in your pocket. But what do you want to spend that money on? Different people find that different purchases can...more
To paraphrase an old saying, "When the going gets tough, retailers start slashing operational costs." Ironically, cost slashing usually exposes a retailer to even greater risks instead of fortifying it against economic uncertainties. All businesses have felt the impact of today's volatile economy. Retail has been hit especially hard, with sales in 2007 rising by only 2.4% - the smallest year-to-year increase since 2002. Despite such dour...more
What's the greatest risk to your portfolio during bad markets? Surprise! It's probably your advisor.The other week, a friend of mine sent me an article from a financial advisor in the U.S. asking me for my opinion. In the article, the advisor stated two things that stood out to me like a two-ton boulder falling out of a clear blue sky. They were the following. In response to the short rally that U.S., European and Asian markets were experiencing at the end of January, he stated, "I see this time as a BUYING and repositioning opportunity with great potential gains soon to come", further clarifying that statement with the exclamation of "It is hard to imagine any time in history when such rampant pessimism about the economy has existed with so little evidence of serious trouble." When I read those statements, I had to read them again to make sure that I was reading them correctly. I thought to myself, What is this advisor smoking? His comment of there is "so little evidence of serious trouble" must have been drawn after scouring the pages of mainstream newspapers and financial websites that merely spit back what the commercial investment industry wants them to say and after studying...more
These days, many similar businesses are in competition with each other to win the crusade for the customer. With the construction of each new restaurant, supermarket and department store, people are offered more and more options on where they can go. Many stores and restaurants carry or offer alike items and thus, there is little that can...more
Are you tired of being held hostage to your debt? Use these simple solutions to pay down your debt and eventually eliminate it forever.Cutting up your credit cardsAre you fed up with credit card companies? Are you having trouble paying off your minimum monthly payment every month? Do you wish there was some way to get yourself out of debt quickly...more
Don't get trapped by credit card debt forever. By making easy moves towards financial freedom, you can be debt-free in less than 2 years.Approaching credit card debt with a planHave you accumulated a ton of credit card debt over the years and simply don't want to have it breathing down your neck any longer? Do you want the freedom that comes with being debt-free? Do you wish that you could get rid of your debt quickly and easily without the hassle that comes with calls from collections agencies and your creditors? If so, you're not alone and you're also not without hope.That's because every year millions of Americans struggle with the same issue and want to get rid of debt. The good thing is that you could be debt-free in just 2 years—if you have a plan! The first thing you need to do is sit down and create a sustainable budget for yourself or your family, one that allows you to both pay off your debt and maintain a normal and happy lifestyle.How much do you need to spend every month on rent, food, transportation and other everyday things? How much can you save by making small changes like eating out less, riding the bus every once in awhile or packing a bagged lunch instead of...more
Did you know that you could be hurting yourself by consolidating your debt with the wrong company? Here's how you could be suffering.Unnecessary debt consolidation feesIf you're in the market for a good debt consolidation company, chances are you're...more
Understanding and taking the right approach to eliminating debt is the most important step you need to take. Learn that now and get started.Realizing that you have a debt problemFace it: You don't want to be saddled with debt anymore! But like some...more
Debt consolidation? Debt settlement? Bankruptcy? They can all hurt your credit score, but which way is the best way to eliminate debt?Consolidating debt with the wrong companyIf you're in a bind with debt, struggling to maintain a healthy credit...more
Regardless of whether this is your first or tenth time negotiating with your creditors, there are some things you simply should not say.Making unnecessary demands on your debt paymentsAre you preparing to try and negotiate lower debt payments with...more
Ever feel like you just can't pay off your debt quick enough? Here are some ways your credit card creditor may be holding you down.Increasing your credit card interest ratesDo you walk out to your mailbox every month, snatch up your bills and wonder:...more
HR leaders must know how to thread their way through the ins and outs of outsourcing before their organizations can build an effective HR solution.Although HR professionals have been using outsourcing in one way or another for many years, the trend...more