Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Personal Finance - Average Salary


With all of the thought that people put into choosing the right job, too few of them actually do the research to back it up. A lot of people, for example, rate average yearly income as one of the primary motivating factors for the job field that they got into. The bottom line is that people want to make money, so average salary is important in determining what job they should get. In spite of all this, however, many of these same folks never bother to look up good statistics on average salaries. They trust any source that they find, even relying on the recommendations of friends or family member with no experience in the field.

I have always believed that there is never such a thing as too much information. The more information that you have, after all, the better job you can do in evaluating your situation and making the right decision. Average salaries are only one of the many factors that go into job happiness, but they are an important part. Let's face it: no matter how happy you are with your job duties, if you are not able to make any money, you just will not enjoy the job. It is as simple as that. No one wants to go to one of the best universities, get good grades, spend hours and hours working on improving themselves, only to make little to no money
Still, it is easy to fall into the trap of looking at average salary and nothing else.

 You have to keep one thing in mind when you are calculating average yearly income: net income is dependent on you being able to do the job right. If you are unmotivated in your current profession, it doesn't matter how lucrative it is. No matter what, you will not be able to do a very good job at it. You will either burn out quickly, get fired, or burn out slowly. Either way, you will lose time and money and never live up to your dreams. This is why it is so important to choose a job that you like, and not just one with a high average salary. The bottom line is that average salary is only one of many complicated factors that go into finding the right job for you. The perks and benefits of a career, the schedule and workload, and whether the skills and interests used match your own, can help you  to decide on the right career.


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6 Top Tips for Finding Recession-proof Jobs


Recession can be a very stubborn thing.  Once it drops by, it can take a while for it to fade away and disappear.  However, that doesn't mean that we should simply sit back and let it overcome us.  It can, after all, wreck havoc on our finances and personal lives.  In these tough times, finding a job already seems improbable – just imagine being in the market for jobs that are not affected by recession.  But take heart.  There's still hope yet.  Here are top 6 tips for finding recession-proof jobs:

Look for jobs in secure industries. If you've read the news by now, trying to get a job in an auto plant is like trying to get on an elevator that's going down – and you're trying to go up.  The same is true if you're trying to get a leg in real estate.

Instead of wasting your time trying to join an industry that's experiencing some bad times, try to set your sights on industries that have remained stable or are experiencing growths.  These include:
·         Health care (nursing, caregiving, special care, medicine, physical therapy and other support manpower)
·         Law enforcement

·         Information Technology (network administration, software design and development)
·         Support Services (customer service, administrative assistance)
·         Sales and business development (product management, retail and wholesale)
·         Engineering

·         Education (teaching, school administration and other related support services)
 Boost your resume.
If an employer sees nothing promising or exciting in your resume, they won't think twice about throwing your piece in the trash bin.  Before you try to hook a recession-proof job, consider revamping your resume right now.  Take a copy of your latest and review it.  If your resume is several months old, there's a high likelihood that it needs a makeover. 

Focus on accomplishments.

A common error among jobhunters is detailing their job descriptions in their resumes.  Although this is helpful in establishing their work experience, it may not always give the prospective employer a good idea of what you can do.  Emphasize on the results that you have produced instead.
Adapt your resume.

Typing out and printing a generic resume is a huge mistake.  Generic is average, which means that you have very little to help you stand out from the crowd.  If you want a recession-proof job, make sure your resume is something that your employers will find attractive. 

Consider the industry you're targeting.  If the job calls for someone who has a strong sales experience, emphasize your sales background.  If the job calls for someone who had been involved directly in marketing and promotions, show your qualifications in these departments.  The more relevant your resume says you are, the better you'll be at landing a recession-proof job.

Expand your reach.

Other than advertised job vacancies, consider other venues for finding recession-proof jobs.  Look for trade magazines, papers, clubs and associations.  You could also tap your network of professionals in the same field.

Get further education.

In tough times, you ought to arm yourself with tougher credits.  One is by obtaining additional training or education.  Getting certified or expanding your professional qualifications will help make you a more desirable hiree. 
Recession-proof jobs are usually the most popular among jobhunters who are probably considering the same strategies as you right now.  It's likely that for every recession-proof job that is available out there, there are thousands of other jobhunters out to get it.  If you have better qualifications courtesy of better training and experience (in case you've had hands-on education or internship), you'll come out as the best, most capable candidate.

Check out www.adamscapgroup.com for more Information on personal financial management.

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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Five Debt Management Keys to Success


Managing ones debt is critical. Debt management teaches you how to handle your personal finances. Here are five important principles to use in learning how to best manage your finances.

1. Meet with a Reputable Debt Management Counselor

Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees. This idea is particularly true with respect to our personal finances. Getting an outside, objective view of your current financial status is very important.

A good debt management counselor will review your current financial circumstances and help you develop a plan to pay off your debts. You can expect honest and frank feedback. Anything less would not help you.

Your relationship with a debt counselor is important. If you feel at ease in talking, you’re more likely to openly discuss your needs and personal problems. However, keep in mind that you probably won’t like everything you hear. Nevertheless, when you know heshe has your best interest at heart, you’re more likely to follow the advice you get.

You should talk with several different counselors. Learn as much as you can. Find someone that really listens. If possible, talk with someone that has worked with the counselor. Get information on what the counselor has done to help other people. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions: What will the counselor will do? What will you be expected to do? How much it will cost? How long will it take?

Once you’ve found a good debt management counselor with a proven track record, commit yourself to listening to and applying the advice you receive.

2. Make Debt Reduction as a Priority

Every debt is different. You have different amounts to pay. The interest rates vary. It may not make any difference on how you decide to tackle your debt. The most important point is that you focus on paying off your debt.

Once you’ve gotten some good advice from a debt management counselor, together you can determine the best way to pay off your debts. You should feel good about your financial plan. Each time you pay off a debt, you will feel better. Each time you pay a debt, you are one step closer to financial freedom.
Make paying off your debts the biggest priority and you will soon be on the road to a debt free life.
3. Follow Your Budget Plan

One major key to success in debt management is establishing and following a budget. Your budget should allow you enough money to pay your debts and still have your necessary living expenses. The closer you follow your budget, the more likely you will succeed in becoming debt free.

Success comes by consistently paying your debts. If you pay your debts first, then you know exactly how much money you have to live on.

Be sure to record and document each transaction. It doesn’t matter what method you use to keep track of your payments. You can write them in a checkbook ledger, put money in envelopes for each budget category or enter each transaction into a computer program. The real key is to know exactly how much you spend in each of your allocated budget categories. When you’ve spent all the money for a given category, you’re done for the month.

4. Tear Up All Your Credit Cards

One of the biggest reasons people accumulate so much debt is the use of credit cards. It’s easy to charge something. You don’t have to pay cash. It’s like the old saying “Out of sight, Out of mind”. If you don’t see the money going out, you’re not as aware of you spending.

Your debt management counselor has many more resources than you do. They can make financial arrangements with your creditors to lower your payments and interest rate. In most cases, you will have to agree not to accumulate any more debt.

Tearing up your credit cards takes away the temptation to increase your debt. It’s easy to say something doesn’t cost that much, so a little charge here and there won’t hurt. Don’t deceive yourself. That’s how people get into financial problems in the first place… Get rid of the credit cards. Pay cash or pay nothing.

5. Become More Conscious of Your Expenditures

When you become acutely aware of where your money goes, you can begin to reduce or eliminate unnecessary expenditures. You’ll begin to develop new and improved spending habits. Ask yourself. What is my most expensive bill? Is it heating? Is it air conditioning? Is it water?

Next, become aware of what you do each day. Do you leave the lights on when you leave a room? What do you do when you leave the house for several hours? You may think that turning down the heat or turning up the air doesn’t save much. That is true. Nevertheless, if you do it everyday, those little savings begin to add up. Just think of it as your personal savings plan. The less you pay, the more you have to spend in other places.

Small expenditure reductions over time add up to big savings. Become more conscious of where your money is going.

Learning and applying good debt management skills will make all the difference in your life. Once you have paid off your debts, you’ll be in total control again. You’ll never want to repeat the experience again. Say goodbye to bad debt management forever.

  

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How to Choose the Best Debt Management Programs


There are gems and there are duds of any business. This is true of debt management programs as well. Your money is very important to you, so you should choose a program that has the best reputation for success. Reviewing the number one debt management programs is your best option for choosing the company that is right for you.

Certified - One thing all great debt management programs have are certified credit counselors through the NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling). This ensures that any counselor you work with has gone through extensive training and has taken six certification tests to get accredited. Anyone who handles your money should be professional.

Non Profit Work - Another characteristic many of the best debt management programs possess is nonprofit work. The reason these programs seem to be the best is because they have your best interests in mind. They are not thinking about their bottom line when setting up a payment program for you. Most of the time these organizations require you to close all open ends of credit, such as credit card accounts. Their goal is to assist you with your current financial problems, but then never see you again. You want a debt management program who doesn't want you as a return customer.

Confidentiality - One of the most important things the best debt management programs have is a strong commitment to your confidentiality. This is important for two major reasons: privacy and security. First of all, most people don't want neighbors to be aware of their financial problems. Any visit to a debt management program should be kept confidential. Second, the information given during a credit counseling session is very sensitive. You may give social security numbers or credit card numbers. Since identity theft has become so prevalent, you must be able to fully trust your debt management program to keep your information safe.

If you find yourself in the situation where you need a debt management program, be sure you choose one with NFCC certified counselors, that has your best interests in mind, and respects your confidentiality.


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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Debt Settlement | Letter Countering a Creditor’s Offer


 One of the most important rules to follow when it comes to debt settlement is to always communicate with the original creditor or debt collector through letters. It should be sent through registered mail with return receipt requested so that you have a paper trail of your transactions. If you are not sure how to go about writing a debt settlement letter, here are some samples to help you get started. Remember that you have to craft the letter to fit your unique situation so don’t just copy and paste. Make sure that you review it before sending so your letter becomes more effective.  

Letter Countering a Creditor’s Offer

Date

Your Name
Your Address (Street Number, Street Name)
City, State, and Zip Code
Your Phone number

(Name of Creditor)
(Creditor Office Street Number and Address)
(City, State, and Zip Code)

RE:  Account #_________________

Dear Sir/Madam (if you know the name of the person in charge, the better),

Thank you very much for your willingness to work out a debt settlement agreement with me. However, I am short of funds at present. (Give a short explanation why have you defaulted on your payments. Be honest but professional about it. Stick with the facts). This is/These are the reason/reasons why I cannot afford the amount you have suggested.

However, I would still like to settle my debts with your company so I would like to propose a counter offer:

I would like to offer an amount of $_________ to settle the outstanding debt balance of $_________ for the account mentioned above.

I would also like to request the following conditions as a part of my settlement offer:

1.       My account will show “Paid in Full” with no future money owed associated with the account number mentioned in this letter.
2.       Any lawsuit filed against me will be dismissed and no future litigation related to this particular account will be filed against me.
3.       All the negative listings related to the account mentioned above will be removed from the credit bureaus.

Inasmuch as I have several debt accounts with other creditors, I will only be able to pay those creditors who are willing to accept a settlement amount that I can afford. I have enclosed a copy of my financial statements for your consideration.

If my settlement offer is acceptable to you, then please sign the debt settlement agreement enclosed with this letter and return a copy of the agreement to me.

As soon as I receive the signed agreement from you, I will send you the money order in the amount I have proposed.

Sincerely,

Signature over Printed Name
  
Find more articles on debt settlement  by just clicking on this link: http://consolidatedebtguide.org

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·         Understanding Debt Settlement

The Attractive Features of Emergency Payday Loans


Payday loan offers significant help in obtaining a quick source of fast cash in time of financial emergency. Although you may be employed and earning a monthly salary on a regular basis, there will come a time when your income source is not adequate to pay off your regular bills and other household expenses. This is the reason why people secure loans to meet their financial obligations. Payday loan is one of the most appealing types of loan that is available for employees and despite the high interest that usually comes along with it, borrowers are not deterred from taking out this type of loan. Here are some of the attractive features of a pay day loan.

Payday loans have less stringent policy

Pay day lenders are not too strict when it comes to the requirements that they impose on their borrowers. Other types of loans require the borrower for collateral on their credit. This type of loan is a secured loan where borrowers need to offer their property, real or personal, in order to get approval for their loan application. A pay day loan is a type of unsecured loan where the lender does not require a security for your loan application. What are usually required include your bank account and a certificate of your employment which are the usual minimum requirements when applying for the loan. Being able to meet these lenient criteria as a borrower gives you guaranteed approval for your loan.

Payday loans have fast processing and approval

The processing of a pay day loan is usually straightforward. All you need to do is submit all the required documents and the lender will make a quick verification process on the information that you have provided. If your documents are accurate with no issues, the lender will instantly approve your application. Some lenders would approve their borrowers for the loaned principal amount within 24 hours from the time that they have submitted their application. This is the reason why many call a pay day loan as quick cash loan because the approved loaned amount will be instantly credited to your bank account in no time.

Payday loans have no credit rating check

Unlike banks and other lending institutions, pay day lenders are not concerned about their borrower’s credit standing. Getting a bank loan can become a tedious process as there are several criteria that a borrower needs to meet before you qualify for the loan. One of these criteria is having a good credit standing. The process can take longer with other lending companies as well for they need to review your financial standing. Pay day loans become very handy among those who really need instant cash on their hand because the lenders rarely go through a very tedious process of reviewing their borrower’s credit rating. While there is a high chance to be disapproved by a bank because you have a bad or poor credit rating, this will not be an issue whenever you apply for a pay day loan.

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