Women and Real Estate

If you don't already own a home, there are so many reasons to from a financial perspective: 

• build equity
• save money on taxes and use your equity as back-up security 

Equity is the ability to increase the difference between your home value and the amount you owe on your mortgage.

Moreso, as a woman there is an even important reason, it is a tremendous source of security for your future. 

Many women that own real estate have seen success in other parts of their financial lives as well! 

This could include renting out spare rooms for additional income.

If you already own a home, you should think about paying down your mortgage a bit more each month or year. 

If you are married, this will only increase the value of your assets towards your retirement. 

In fact, it is an opportunity to become more active within the financial realm of your life. 

By becoming interested in the insights of the financial details of how it works (i.e. through paying off your mortgage earlier, refinancing when rates lower or appraising the home when values rise), it can lead to taking more of an interest in other areas of your family's personal finance. 

For women that end up alone, either through divorce or widowed, owning a home can provide tremendous financial security. 

It provides options that provide security later on in life such as: tapping into the value of the home, getting extra income or taking advantage of the increased value. 

Since real estate prices have gone up so much these last few years, partially due to low interest rates, you might be thinking that you can't afford to get into the real estate market where you live. 

You can look in other areas. 

For example, central CBD locations have become prohibitively expensive. 

Therefore, many people are buying homes in the outer suburbs and have already seen property values rise. 

Or you might be thinking that you don't have enough saved for a down payment. 

Many people don't believe in mortgage insurance, the reality is that this may be worthwhile to enable you to purchase a home. It is likely you will see this money returned as the value of your home may have gone up so the insurance is money well spent.

If you don't do anything about it, you still won't have enough saved for a down payment. 

The alternative options is that you could buy a small 1 bedroom apartment and rent it out. It doesn't always have to be the home you need to live in.

My first investment property was a 1 bedroom apartment in a boutique development in Melbourne's CBD in Australia. I have since purchased further investment properties and have not lived in any of them.

I am a "rentvestor" which means that I rent myself and buy houses to rent out to others.

If owning a property is aligned to your goals, the key is to just get started!

Relationships and Our Finances - Why New Couples Fight and Solutions to Solve

It is common for new couples to fight over money. In fact, research has proved that one of the most common sources of misunderstanding among couples stems from financial problems. There is no such thing as easy money. Individuals work hard to earn enough for their daily expenses, to pay out bills and to survive day to day living. Before tying the knot or moving in with your partner, it is important that couples understand some of the reasons why partners may come to fight over finance and more importantly why budgeting needs to become an essential part of the relationship. 

Spending too much. In every couple, one will always spend more than the other. Stereotypically it's the women. However, there are also men who love to splurge on cars, tools, sports and so on. The difference is, one wants to spend this much and the other doesn't. Now of course neither want to compromise their wants or needs. This can quickly cause an argument. So before settling down, couples should be ready to make major adjustments with their spending. Both need to realise that in marriage compromise is a must, especially when there are more important bills to pay like the mortgage, car, and possibly even baby preparations. 

Credit Card Bills. Credit card bills can sometimes seem like the end of the world in a relationship. Avoid them all together and use cash instead. Fights are generally a given when a credit card bill arrives. That whopping figure - the night when the husband took his friends out for rounds of drinks, the new kitchen appliances she bought, the new suit, a collector's toy, etc. They all add up and it can be very hard to work out who purchased what and when at the end of every month. New couples tend to think that just because they are married, the better half will tolerate the shopping splurges and shouted rounds of drinks at the bar. But this is not the case and more often than not, they end up fighting. So avoid the fight all together and pay in cash instead that way you will avoid the monthly credit card bill you both dread. 

The other option is to have your own credit cards and agree collectively how to align on spending and making payments, outside of a joint card for household bills and expenses.

Envy. Money and Envy tend to go hand in hand and when your married this situation can be even more intense. Some couples get jealous when they find out that their neighbour has just bought a new luxury car. They feel that they need to have one or else, their marriage won't be as good as the neighbours. So they order one out of impulse. The results are destructive. Shopping for luxury items on an impulse can result to financial turmoil. This ruins a couple's chance to enjoy a wonderful future. They end up paying for something that they do not really need. Throwing away money they could have used the to save up for their kids' education or a magnificent holiday getaway to rekindle the love. 

Conjugal debt. Some couples fail to discuss individual debts before settling down. These could be student loans, car loans, etc. When the issues arise, whether it be early or later in the relationship expect a major argument among couples. This stems solely from a lack of communication. So it is essential that couples, even before they are married, learn that open communication amongst each other is the sole key to a happy long lasting relationship. 

It is very important for couples to discuss their individual financial statuses before they get into living together/married. People work hard for their money, and with every couple one will always work harder than the other, the same way that one will always be a bigger spender than the other. But there's no such thing as easy money or an easy marriage/relationship. So to avoid heated discussions and arguments over finances, couples are advised to lay their cards on the table before tying the knot. Going into a joint spousal relationship unaware of circumstances, confused or scared to communicate is a recipe for disaster. 

Make Sure You Are Crystal Clear About Your "Invest" Definition

In today's unstable economy, many people are searching for alternative means of making money and creating their own retirement plans. It is becoming clear that corporations and governments cannot guarantee your retirement plan upon turning 65. As a result, many are taking control of their own futures and putting their money into investments like property and shares. For others, it may be a distant dream, but they are not quite sure where they should begin. The definition of "invest" is a broad one and there are several methods. 

Buying a property is considered a fairly safe kind of investment, because real estate generally appreciates in value. There are a couple of different options to choose from. You can purchase a single home, a multi-unit complex or a vacation home to rent out to various tenants; alternatively, you can purchase a home for a low price and renovate it, then sell it for a higher price. Each option has its pros and cons and it's important to do some research before making a decision on which method you will go with.

Becoming a landlord is a huge responsibility, and you will need to become familiar with the local laws regarding tenants. They will be well aware of their rights, so you should be aware of yours. If you consider yourself a DIY person and can install floors, renovate bathrooms and apply a coat of paint, then flipping properties may be for you. 

When you complete the renovations yourself, you save money and increase your profit. When everything has been done, sell it at market value. Once it's sold, you can collect a nice big lump sum of money. Now, you can find another home and repeat the entire process. When you rent your properties, you receive a smaller amount of money, but it is a steady monthly income.

Keeping a lump sum of money in a bank account is not a good wealth-building method. If you decide not to purchase any more properties, another investment option is shares. When you buy the shares of a company, you are becoming part owner of that company. There are many public organisations and companies that offer their shares for purchase. You can get them via a self-directed investment account or a stockbroker. Due diligence and research are imperative before deciding which companies to include in your portfolio. 

You make a profit with shares by buying low and selling high. Depending on the type of company you invest in, you could see profits in just a few weeks, or it might take a few years. Many people buy stocks and hang on to them for at least 10 years; others sell them as soon as they realise they will make money.

An easier option is to invest in Index funds and or Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) where you are buying a group of companies as opposed to one individual company. Buying into a group of companies protects you when the prices fall as you are not as exposed in comparison to one individual company.

But above all be clear as to your invest definition, and increase your knowledge and resources, you are able to make better decisions. Having a comprehensive plan is a good first step to taking care of your financial security. The time has come to stop depending on governments and corporations to provide your funds for retirement. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mike_McLoughlin/587899

Why Should I Invest in the Stock Market? The Truth Revealed!

Why do people invest in stocks? For some, it's like gambling. They high associated to the adrenaline that comes as a result of throwing hundreds or thousands of dollars into high-risk, high-reward endeavors. Of course, many individuals are highly calculated and look at investing in the stock market as a way to fund their future, perhaps in an extremely comfortable fashion. Of course, this is actually very possible to do, but not without the proper psychology, mechanics, and discipline in place. 

So why should we invest in the stock market? 

No matter how you look at it, your stock picks will be a gamble. It is possible for an undisciplined individual to bankrupt themselves very quickly. With that being said, there are several advantages of stock trading and investing that far outweigh the risks involved. 

Firstly, with a long-term focus, there is seldom a regulated market that doesn't rebound. This means that with a bit of due diligence, you can continually invest in an index fund whether the market is weak or strong, and chances are good that you'll come out on top eventually. 

Imaging this scenario. You invest in the stock market in a fairly low risk way, meaning you pick an  index fund (you can even invest in the NASDAQ itself) and invest $300 per month into your fund. What happens when the market goes up? Your stocks are worth more! But what happens when the market goes down? While the pessimist may panic, the wise man or woman will simply view this as an opportunity to purchase even MORE shares for that same 300 bucks! 

Then, when the market goes back up, you've got LOADS of shares enjoying this increase in value. Does this make sense? I know it's pretty basic stuff, but the basics are where a LOT of people unfortunately make their mistakes. 

Another reason I invest in the stock market, and why I firmly believe you should, too, is that you can get out of a bad decision in a heartbeat. Just sell your shares. Done. Do you think you have that kind of freedom to just walk away in the real estate business? Not a chance!

 The point is - and hear me loud and clear, I LOVE real estate - the stock market is a far more streamlined investment. For all intents and purposes, it's digital vs. physical. Both are valid in terms of return on investment, but only the stock market allows you to be incredibly efficient with your investment maneuvers. 

Consider starting small, if you're a beginning investor. And above all else, educate yourself. Read books, attend courses, join and converse with Femvestorsglobal... it's YOUR capital, so you'd better know your stuff! Do NOT blindly trust the "experts," as they're just people... and they can be just as wrong as anybody else!

Remember, education is everything!

Why Many Retired Women Live in Poverty - And What You Can do to Prevent It

Retirement for women is different than for men, and unless this fact is recognised and acknowledged, a woman's retirement may become something less than golden. My intent in this article, is to discuss what we can, even must do, to assure our years in retirement are some of the best years of our lives. 

There are many reasons for us living in poverty during their 'Golden Years'. Below are some you may recognise, and suggestions and solutions you may wish to consider. 

Problem #1: Many women rely too heavily on our spouse 

For income during the working years, benefits during retirement, and for ongoing financial guidance and advice throughout the years, with unforeseen and tragic results in many cases. (3 of every 5 elderly women face retirement without a husband). 

Problem #2: Work Patterns 

We often have irregular work patterns, due to marriage, children, care giving and other responsibilities. This often leads to us not earning full retirement benefits, or any benefits at all. Even when we do earn and contribute to our retirement accounts, our benefits tend to be a fraction of what men receive because of our lower earnings and complicated schedules that penalise us for moving in and out of the workforce. For these reasons men's pensions tend to be upwards of two and a half times that of women. 

Problem #3: In all too many cases a divorce occurs, sometimes even later in life, and the financially inexperienced woman is set adrift in unknown waters. 

For wealthier couples, the assets are divided in what appears at first glance to be equal, but the woman's share may include the family home with a hefty mortgage payment, while the husband receives the cash equivalent to rebuild his life. In addition, the ex-husbands income is not disturbed, while the woman's income may be dependent on temporary alimony and/or child support. Whatever income we are able to generate by going back to work, often with little or no job skills and being out of the work force for many years, brings lower pay, therefore lower future retirement benefits. 

Problem #4: Widowhood upon the husbands death the retirement fund can cease or decrease (geography dependent), putting the widow in a financial bind. 

One-third of women who become widowed are younger than 60. Half of all women who become widowed are younger than 63. Widowhood can severely jeopardise a woman's economic prospects. 80% of women live longer than their spouses and often by many years. The risk here is if we try to maintain our current living standards, we may deplete our savings over time. As health expenses or long term care needs arise we may be forced to reduce her standard of living, or spend down assets in order to get assistance. Neither of those choices bode well for our quality of life. 

Solutions, Recommendations and Strategies 

First, educate yourself about the family finances. Make sure you have a good overview and understanding of what assets are owned, how they are titled, who the beneficiaries are, etc. 

Prepare yourself to manage your own finances, as the odds say you will need to do just that at some point. 

Make sure you are named on all family accounts as owner, co-owner, or beneficiary. This establishes your legal right to these assets should the marriage end in divorce, death, or even if your partner becomes incapacitated. 

Next, build what I call the Three-legged Stool of Lifetime Financial Security: 

1) Inflation protected lifetime income 

2) Growth/income investments for future needs 

3) Long term care protection in the form of assets or insurance, or some combination of both

Some of the solutions to ensure your lifetime security could consist of: 

• Your social security retirement benefit 
• A secondary inflation adjusted income you can't outlive 
• A prudently managed growth/income account to keep pace with the cost of living
• A creative and flexible method of protecting your potential long term care needs 

5) Time tested strategies of ensuring you pay no more than your fair share of taxes 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steve_Hood/81257

Financial Freedom for Women

Finance management is something that comes naturally to most women. 

It has been accustomed to that while men work, we handle the finances of the household.

It comes with the patience and fortitude that most men are not gifted with. 

As such, the search for financial freedom hits us way before it hits men.

While men think of just providing for the family, we think of how to make the budget fit. And so, financial freedom for us comes differently. 

We aim for the more profound things. 

Our children's education, having enough to sustain our needs, and hopefully having more to fulfil our wants. 

We often think of making the finances fit according to our lifestyle. 

Some families have financial sources from both parents, others just from the fathers.

But what about those who raise their kids alone? 

What about those marriages that end in divorce? 

We should be able to provide for our children even when the marriage ends in divorce. 

we need to have more than just a day job to achieve financial freedom.

But although it is not something that happens overnight, it still is something that can be achieved with patience and endurance. 

Financial freedom for women is up for grabs for those who trust themselves enough to believe that they can have it. 

Regardless of how bad your finances are right now, you can still pull yourself out. 

You can still shake all those unwanted financial strains and be worry free. 

Here's how:

1. Know your financial status. This includes everything you have and not just cash. Think of what you own versus what you owe. This will help you balance your finances. 

2. Evaluate your credit history. Assess your credit limits and how often you go overboard with your spending. Take note of what makes you overspend. 

3. Make reasonable financial goals. Do this in relation to your dreams, your responsibilities, and your priorities in life. Make your goals achievable and measurable.

 4. Create an investment plan. This is so will have an idea of how to correctly allocate your assets in relation to your current financial situation.

 5. Make investments as often as you can while it's still early. The earlier you invest, the sooner you get a return on investment (ROI). This conveniently allows financial freedom to be achieved in no time. 

6. Make the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts/plans. This will help you earn more because you are likely to spend less on taxes. 

7. Protect your assets. Plan your estate wisely. As much as possible, make your kids your beneficiaries in order to secure their future.

8. Keep yourself informed. Learning is a never ending process. Be updated all the time. 

9. Fulfil the eight steps. With these easy steps, financial freedom for us is not that impossible to achieve. 

Just like any other goal, there must be a plan of action and the ability to put this into action. 

If you could make the time to implement these changes, you will be free from financial stresses in a reasonable amount of time.

Financial Advice For Single Women

Financial advice geared toward single women is more important than ever before. 

Roughly one-quarter of all households are currently headed by a single woman, with family sizes ranging from no kids to with kids. It might seem financially unfeasible for one woman to raise children on her own. Further complicating the situation is the fact that the majority of female-led households have a smaller income and smaller savings than households of similar size led by men or couples. 

Although no one likes to think that there is such a clear difference between income levels based on sex, most single women do have a more difficult time making ends meet; they make roughly half of the national average for other households of their size. Whether they are experiencing discrimination in the workplace, struggling to raise a family, or dealing with the aftereffects of divorce, it can be difficult to gain a solid financial foothold in today's economy and society.

Fortunately, there are organisations such as Femvestorsglobal who specialise in assisting women who support themselves financially. In addition to taking a unique approach that makes it easier to save without substantially cutting back living expenses, they can provide more realistic solutions for the long-term, as well - ones that take into account the struggles of getting by on one salary when faced with rising healthcare and childcare costs.

What Can Single Women Do to Save? 

The most important thing single women can do for themselves financially is to simply do something. It may not seem like much, but even sitting down and creating a list of goals for the future can be a vital first step. 

Step One: Figure out your current financial situation. 

How much money do you have coming in every month? How much money is going out? Where are there potential areas to start saving - even if it's as little as a few dollars per month at first? 

Step Two: Find a way to save. 

In order to get started on most savings and investment plans, you can have a small amount in hand. We  will be able to help you discover where to cut back to make those savings so that you can start investing earlier. 

Step Three: Invest. 

Single women without kids tend to be bigger risk takers than single women with families - at least when it comes to investing. That's because they don't necessarily have the day-to-day pressures of taking care of children. But the good news is that there is no one answer for single female investors. Whether you want to take advantage of a high-risk investment or you'd rather rely on low-risk bonds, there are financial solutions that will help you get the results you need - many of which you may not have considered before. In fact, some single women are surprised find that purchasing a home or making another large "dream" purchase can not only create a better standard of living, but can also be a sound financial investment. 

Finding the Right Financial Advisor 

Choosing an advisor to help you make smart decisions for the future is much like choosing someone to date; not only do you need a relationship you're comfortable with, but you need to feel confident that your advisor is doing everything he or she can to create the best possible outcome for your entire family. 

Ladies- this is where Femvestorsglobal can support you.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Wesley_Watkis/362080

Women - Talking Money

When I'm curious, I take surveys to answer the questions that are spinning around in my head. I turned to women I know and began to ask one question - a question I put to you right now. 

'What are you doing now to make sure you'll have financial well-being for your life when you ease out of working?' 

Will you reach a point in your life that you work because you want to and not because you have to?

The first time I posed my question, I asked my friend during a catch-up brunch date in the City. 'You know, we've both made a lot more money than we ever expected when we planned our careers. But where are we going to be when we're 70  years old? What are you doing to make sure you don't end up broke?'. She turned to me and said, 'Well, I have a car and a house, and that's about where I am right now she said. 

A few days later, I talked to another dear friend. She gave me the same answer: She had a car and a house. A pattern was emerging. I pressed on. 

That night, I called a woman I had known since University. We often chatted by phone just to stay in touch, but rarely saw each other as I had moved overseas. I asked her the same question. 'We own an Apartment here in the city and my Husband and I both have a car so we can take the kids to Daycare,' she replied

I even talked to my hairdresser who I have been visiting for years. Guess what? She owns a three-bedroom house in the outer suburbs, and yes, a car.

The pattern was clear. My friends were 'investing' in houses and cars and then stopping because they, too, hadn't come up with any good strategies for growing their money. 

Our parents, our schools, our employers, our financial institutions, our popular culture-not one had taught my friends and me how to employ our money as part of our younger years. Something was seriously wrong. 

Where we are today regarding money matters is very much where we were two decades ago regarding personal fitness. At one time it was commonly believed that if you ran at full speed, jumped up and down a lot, and sweat profusely, then you would eventually become physically fit and thin. 

Today the more accepted wisdom is that old-fashioned anaerobic exercise-the kind in which you're moving so hard that you can't talk-actually sends your body into survival mode. As a result, the body stores fat, probably defeating any weight-loss or health goals you seek through exercise. Now we know that a regular walk in the park that involves both your body and mindset will produce consistent physical and mental benefits. 

When it comes to money, you can employ these same strategies. And we can find other examples of common beliefs that are now outmoded: for example, our past beliefs about nutrition. When I was growing up, we were told to eat three large, balanced meals a day in order to be healthy and fit. Today, many nutritionists and doctors say that four or five smaller, low-fat meals-one or two of them being fresh fruit or vegetables and no meat -make a more healthful diet. Thankfully, the word about proper exercise and diet is spreading rapidly among women of all ages. 

But many women are still in the dark about money matters and the effective strategies to financial health. Financial institutions itself deserves much of the blame. At many of the major Wall Street brokerage houses I researched, the primary approach to building wealth was to make big chunks of money for the client-and, more important, for the broker-all at once. 

No value was placed on slowly, patiently building a bundle for the future. If you buy into that living-for-the-moment rush, then yes, the risks are very high, and the anxieties of first-time investors are an understandable reaction to the frenzied Wall Street approach. 

But beneath the hype and excitement of the 'fast money'game is the real motive for the financial industry: generating the highest possible commissions for unscrupulous brokers and increasing the wealth of the firm. 

I noticed that the investment information itself wasn't too tough to understand, but it was often presented in a jumbled manner that was heavy on jargon and short on simplicity and logic. It seemed that someone deliberately wanted to make financial information confusing to the average consumer.

I noticed also that brokerage statements presented information in ways that confused clients like myself and often omitted essential information-like what I as a client paid for a specific investment and its current value. With a little effort to straighten it all out, though, and to put it into sensible language, nothing was particularly difficult to understand by me or my girlfriends. 

Eventually, I realised that the financial community is interested more in separating us from your money than in building our wealth. As a result, investor education is a low priority. Even those who worked in major Financial Institutions in the Square Mile, Canary Wharf and Wall Street, making your investments were never really taught how to handle our own personal finances, or to lead others to grow wealth. 

'You mean you knew how to invest other people's money but not your own?' - you ask. No. It wasn't that. 

The point is that the likes of the Square Mile isn't really interested in investing your money, only in getting you to spend it. Let me explain. 

The Square Mile has taught the investor to 'buy in greed and sell in fear.' What does that mean? I'll give you an example: Your broker calls to give you the following hot tip: 'ABC stock is really HOT. It's about to go through the roof. You should buy it. Well, if you have some cash sitting in your bank account, you may well say okay and take the plunge. 

Several weeks later, the price of the stock has declined and you begin to get nervous. What happened to that great opportunity? Your broker's answers are confusing, even evasive. Naturally, you think, 'I really wouldn't want to lose all of my money.' So you opt to sell the stock. 

Bottom line-you did this - you bought in greed and sold in fear. The only person who benefited was the broker, who made commissions on both the buy and the sell.

Now's the time to develop and rely upon your own judgment when it comes to making your dollars work for you. 

Decades ago, many women went to male doctors, who often didn't listen to what a woman had to say about her own body, but who presumed to know all the answers himself. This happens to women and their money, too-a woman's competence is questioned and she may be treated like a baby.

 For women, the path to building wealth is using self-knowledge, making more personal decisions, preserving their power to choose their own direction - and being aware of and expanding their financial choices. Every woman needs financial legs. We live in a time when a woman can advocate for her own financial well-being - this makes it the best of times to secure our financial futures. 

Adapted from Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Joan_Perry/216137

Six Finance Tips to Money, Wealth, Financial Security and Personal Finances

 Today everyone wants their money to be safe and secure. However, the financial world is growing more unstable and our needs are changing at a rapid pace. The necessity for individuals and families to save and manage their money has never been greater, harder and it is not getting any easier. Managing a budget, saving and investing your money wisely is the immense subject on everyone's mind. Saving money has become extremely hard today. You should save for retirement, save for your kids' college education, save in case you get laid off and save just to create a sense of comfort. 

Have you looked at your finances lately? The process of saving money, create wealth and achieving all of your financial goals start with the awareness what personal finance is. Personal finances are not about cashing your payroll check, paying your bills and meeting all of your monthly obligations. It is about having enough money saved in order to meet all of your financial goals in life. 

Money is a medium of exchange, but the lack of money adds to great emotional stress in our lives. Take control of your finances immediately by reviewing the following tips provided.

Today is an excellent time to start reviewing your finances and put together a good financial program with goals that fits your financial needs. After you review your finances, take immediate action and make some positive adjustments. Do not try to take care of it by yourself. Make sure all of your family members know about your plans and they can assist you in meeting all of your financial goals. An important issue is to measure your results and make all possible changes needed. When you and your family achieve all of the goals, reward yourselves. Rewards are always great motivators. Start Today.

Six Personal Finance 

Tips 1. It is not what you earn, it is what you save. Save at least 10% or more of your net earning from every paycheck. The important issue is to spend less than what you earn. Do not go beyond your means. 

2. To maintain a good savings account take control of your spending. A good spending plan, not a budget, will let you know where you are spending. Decide on what you want to spend your money on in advance and keep track of all of your monthly transactions. From there you will know what your spending habits are. 

3. Is your Bank meeting your needs? Possibly you might need to look at another bank that offers a much greater savings and or investment program. Today, Online Banks offer great investment programs.

 4. Apply and use credit cards that offer 0% for 12 months or more. Every monthly payment that you make will go directly to the balance and not to the high interest. When the 0% intro program is about to expire review what the interest rate will be. If the rate after that period is 10% or more, apply for another 0% credit card and transfer the remaining balance. Keep this process and you will never make an interest payment. 

5. Buy a home. Your best investment is your home but only if you get a low interest rate mortgage. If the current interest rate is 2% lower than your present rate, refinance and lower your monthly payment.

 6. The only possible way to build wealth is to determine a percentage of your income that you are willing to invest every year. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alfredo_Valenzuela/795153

Contracts and Agreements - How to Protect Your Finances

This article is about contracts and agreements e.g. rental agreement, mortgage agreement, loan from family member or friend, credit card agreement, hire purchase agreement etc... and what you should be looking for to protect yourself and your assets. 

These are the kinds of agreements that affect most of us whether we have limited funds or a great deal of money. 

Whether we are making these contracts and agreements with people we love and trust or whether we are making them with strangers. There are some simple rules of thumb that we should all be looking at as they apply to most of us. 

Historically, most countries did not recognise women's rights to own property. You could not get a mortgage or credit without your husband's permission. 

If you wanted to know about money, we were told not to worry our pretty little heads - so it became the man's job to worry about money and the woman's job to take care of his personal needs and to be the heart of the house. He worked, he provided for their needs, she took care of the children, the household chores and her husband's needs. Consequently when a husband died or divorced her or just disappeared, she was left not knowing how to balance a chequebook, not knowing what her mortgage rates were, or how responsible she was for paying that mortgage down. She had no knowledge of insurance and was often left without insurance coverage for herself and her family. As far as her car was concerned, she knew how to put the key in the ignition and get to the nearest service station.

 Nowadays, women are in top positions in corporations but many of us still have our husband's making the major decisions on things like insurance, mortgage rates, investments, medical coverage and pension plans. 

It still occurs that when a woman gets into a relationship, she's always given her husband/partner dominion over her assets. 

She could come into a marriage with a house completely in her name and once she gets married and he wants to be put on the title to it, she doesn't question it. 

Women are also known to take the softer view. I love him, everything we have is ours. We share and share alike. I should be putting the house in both of our names. WRONG, wrong, wrong. 

If he wants to be put on the title, or you want him to be put on the title, get 3 evaluations of the house and let him give you his share of the money for that house. After all if you are going into a business partnership and someone wants to buy into your business, you would have your business valued at current prices, and that partner would have to buy in cash at the current value. A house is no different. Once he is on that title, he can do anything with that house, he can take out loans against it, and he can walk out on you, or he can mortgage it to the hilt and die leaving you with debt. 

The same can be true of a man who owns property, but men usually cover themselves with pre-nuptial agreements. Us women, historically have not been that smart. However, we have got smarter in recent years, generally our emotions are engaged so quickly and so deeply, we often have to be reminded to protect our assets. 

The same thing holds true if you own your own house and your spouse wants you to sell it so that you can move into a larger place - once again, that partner should be compensating you with the value of his or her share of the house before you sell it. Because if the marriage falls apart, either way you would lose out because when it comes to a division of assets - you only own half of the new house and none of the house that you had in your own name before the partnership. 

For example, I knew someone who had her own home that she had bought with her own money and had been living there for a number of years and that house was almost paid off. Then she got married. The new husband moved in. A few months later, he decided he didn't want to live in that house. He wanted them to sell it and live in another house. After their divorce 15 years later, all she was able to get was half of the new house and nothing of the house that she had originally. When you are dealing with monies, even if you are in a deep relationship, with a family member, a friendship, your spouse and you trust the other person deeply. You have had a lot of experience over the years and you think to yourself that you don't need a written agreement - think again. You can never tell if or when the other person is going to back off and leave you with the debts and responsibilities or if the other person is going to sell off their half of the partnership leaving you unprotected. 

You may trust this person wholeheartedly and may never had cause to doubt them - but circumstances can and often do change. For example, I knew a guy who had been having marital problems with his wife. All his money was tied up with hers and in their house. He was advised by a counsellor to start saving money in a different bank account from where he and his wife had an account, a bank she knew nothing about. On New Years Day after everyone had left after a party, she threw him out of the house and would not allow him to come back. Luckily, he had put some money aside in a separate bank account. Had he not done this, he would not have had the money for a month's deposit on a lease and he would have been out in the street. 

If you have a quote from a builder with materials included, their suppliers could go out of business, the builders costs could go up and your costs could go up accordingly. If you want to protect yourself on materials, open up an account at a builder's merchant so that you can buy the materials yourself and you can get the most competitive prices. That way, when your builder is quoting you prices for labour, you know you are just paying for labour and you can negotiate his labour costs, especially now when construction work is in such short supply.

So as you can see, on a personal and a professional level, you always need a written agreement. 

You can be in a romantic relationship or a marriage and all of a sudden your partner goes to the bank and draws all your money and you are left with all the debts. And no matter how much you love someone, where there is money involved, make sure everything is spelled out really well. Make sure your lawyer has covered everything and you are not leaving any loopholes. 

For example, I knew someone who had been married for 25 years and their only daughter was getting married. The wedding was very expensive and as soon as they got home from their daughter's wedding, she started preparing for bed. She sees her husband has a suitcase and he is emptying his drawers out into the suitcase. What are you doing? I am packing, I'm leaving you. I just wanted to wait until our daughter got married and was out of the house so I could leave you. I have found someone else. After 25 years of marriage, he just walked out and left her with a pile of debts. 

If you being asked to sign anything e.g. a husband of 30 years - make sure a lawyer checks the paperwork. Ensure that someone can explain it to you and don't be led like a lamb to the slaughter. In the end that partner may leave you, divorce you or die and may leave you with a lot of debt. You need to know what you are going to be responsible for. 

Another important point to remember is that if anyone wants you to sign papers quickly, your answer has to be NO. Don't ever allow yourself to be rushed into a financial agreement. No matter how good the deal might sound, you need time to assess whether it is right for you.

If you are ever asked to sign a lease, or a mortgage with your partner or spouse, make sure you understand it thoroughly. Make sure you can afford it. People have a tendency when they sign a lease or a mortgage to figure out how much they can afford to spend each month. What they DON'T calculate into these costs is a failing economy, or one or both of the partners being laid off or fired and they are out of work for an extended period of time and cannot find other employment. 

So if you are contemplating signing a lease or a mortgage with a partner, make sure you calculate it for just one income, because if you are basing it on two incomes in this economy you may find that you do not have enough money to cover the rent or the mortgage. 

Don't be embarrassed to tell your spouse or business partner that you want to speak to a lawyer to have him go over the fine print with you. When signing a legal document, many people don't bother to read the fine print - or if they do bother to read the fine print, they don't understand all the details. Wherever your money is being spent, that's where you need to be very vigilant about your role in protecting it. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Barbara_Goldsmith/416795

Cash Emergency! 7 Steps to Get Back on Track With Your Finances

 * You've lost your job. It's happened before, you know you'll survive, but this time it's taking a while to find something comparable. The weeks stretch into months. Your financial plans are on hold. Money is tight.

 * You were on the way to debt-free status, but somewhere along the way you accepted a credit card offer with a terrific initial credit rate. The holiday season was expensive, suddenly several months have passed since you've made anything but the minimum payments. You are startled to realise you're approaching the credit limits on all your cards. 

* Your plans for financial independence have suffered a major derailment: a baby is on the way, something you never anticipated at this stage in your life. Or, an aging parent has special needs, and someone in the house needs to give up a paying job for a few months or more to provide support. You were proud of your steady progress, but that's seems like history now 

* You've successfully paid down your credit card debt, stayed the course, and you're walking tall these days with self respect. That is, until a few weeks ago when you wandered into new place offering "payday loans." It seems like a great way to cover cash shortages, until the day you take out a loan to cover the last loan. You're in over your head. Again

 * Disaster hits. Market changes wipe out your savings, your credit is destroyed by fraud, or divorce rips apart your finances. You know you'll get through this, but you suspect your plans to make your finances work for you, instead of you working for them, are permanently shot. 

Financial independence means different things to different people. You long to leave your full-time job for an interesting and varied career of part-time work and projects of your choosing. Or, you are on your way to debt-free, striving for the freedom and satisfaction of knowing that you don't owe anything to anybody. 

You want a deposit on a home to shelter your growing family, or a solid University fund to insure a quality education for your children. Perhaps you plan to pay down your mortgage much earlier than you thought, so you can know that you own every brick and every stone of your home without encumbrance. 

Step One: Face up to the process

You know something is wrong, and you're trying not to think about it. You've put off addressing it, because you don't have the time/energy/focus right now, and most of all you don't have the desire to deal with this, on top of everything else that's going on in your life these days. 

Stop. Take a break from whatever you're using to avoid the situation. Sit down with a pencil. Breathe deeply. You are moments away from clarity. 

Step Two: Determine where you stand 

When a powerful storm blasts through your neighborhood, the first thing you want to do is get out there and check the damage. With as much dignity as you can muster, draft a "Where do I stand?" financial review: outline your financial assets and liabilities for a net worth statement, and list your income and your expenses, for an income statement. 

Get at least a rough idea of what is going on with your finances. Are you still showing some forward progress? Are you right back where you started? Are you continuing to fall behind? 

All is not lost. The skills and focus you have developed from working your financial program are still with you. For now, just take a good, hard look at where you stand. You are on your way to recovery. 

Step Three: Determine what caused the problem. 

After you have a sense of where your finances are standing right now, take a few minutes to determine what it was that made you veer off course. 

Sometimes the problem is none other than ourselves. Honesty is the best course here. Were you slipping into old financial bad habits? Were there steps that you could have taken to mitigate the damage, which you didn't take? Did you make a promise to yourself to follow your goals to a brighter financial future, but take the easy road instead? 

If so, join the rest of the human race. Immediate gratification is always easier and always the more attractive option. The important thing is to recognise it and take steps to get yourself back on track. 

Sometimes the problem can be attributed to other people: family members or a resistant partner. See the end of this chapter for some ideas on how to deal with this issue. The important thing is to recognise it and take steps. Other people have power, and so do you. 

Or perhaps the situation is truly beyond your control. Despite the best-laid plans, life sometimes runs us smack into a ditch when we least expect it. The new house required unforeseen repairs. Hospital bills spiraled after a medical emergency. You encountered a string of sheer bad luck. It happens. 

To paraphrase a very well-know quote, "s**t happens." Put it down to one of life's little surprises and take some steps to limit the damage. Don't blame yourself. 

There is one other possible take on your problem: you may not have a problem at all. Despite appearances, it's possible that you are doing exactly what you should be doing, and your finances are reflecting that. 

Have your goals changed without your realising it? Child care, elder care, a lower paying but more rewarding career, or a more relaxed lifestyle for you and your family may all be reasons why your financial plan is not where you think it should be. 

Take another look at your core values, which are the foundation of your financial plan. Review the next few steps with an eye to tweaking your financial strategies. Values are key, and flexibility is the name of the game. 

Step Four: Revisit your values. 

Whatever your definition of financial independence, ask yourself what deep-down values or personal principles create resonance for you. Why are you doing this? 

Perhaps you crave independence from the employment runaround, the freedom to choose a career or work that truly satisfies instead of just paying the bills, or the pride and security of knowing you are providing the best possible future for your loved ones. Find your values, and you'll begin to reconnect with the process again. 

Personal values change. Independence, once such a driving force for you, may grow into a craving for greater connection with family, community, or the environment. The desire to be a terrific parent for your young children may evolve, as you aspire to provide the best possible model of an independent, fulfilled adult for them and for yourself. 

Consider adjusting your timeline. Reconnecting with your deepest principles is one of the most important lessons in creating your own version of financial independence. 

 Step Five: Take steps to get yourself back on track. 

If you've been following this plan, then you already have most of the skills you need to make your financial goals a reality. 

Make a list of three crucial steps you need to take to redirect yourself in your financial life. Or, start with one small step, gathering forward momentum to get back on track with your goals. Pick up the telephone to set up an automatic debt payment plan or investment plan. Schedule a professional association meeting to connect with people in the your field of expertise (or desired expertise). Consider putting something up for sale to bring in a little extra cash, if cash is scarce. The important thing is to take action, today. And keep on keeping on. 

Step Six: What if the time is not right for action? 

Sometimes we're stuck in holding pattern. We're waiting for the kids start school so we can expand our income opportunities, until the house finally sells so we can move to a less expensive place, until the court case is resolved so we can get back on track with our plans. Sometimes, we just need the courage to hang in there until the time comes when we can move forward again. 

This is where your focus comes in for a real test. Hang on to your power by keeping your values in the front of your mind through all the chaos or frustration. 

Stand your ground. Take tiny steps, to position yourself for your next move. Care for yourself and those who rely on you, and keep yourself as positive as you can in what may be a very negative situation. Get support, get right with yourself, get your plan in order. And when the time comes, you'll be ready to hit the ground running. This is where your real power kicks in. 

Step Seven: Deal with the human factor: Resistance. 

Sometimes, resistance comes from other people. Your spouse won't let go of destructive spending habits. Your kids pressure you to spend money in ways that are no longer in your family's best interests. Or, your adult siblings, parents, or friends, whom you rely on for support in this new endeavor, continue to pull you back into routines that don't work for you anymore. 

* Resistance from other people is tough to manage, and it can disrupt our financial plans like a stone in a paper boat. Here are some strategies for dealing with resistance from others: 

* Slow down. Sometimes we expect too much, too fast, and family members resent it. Kids and partners have a lot invested in the status quo, and people are notoriously resistant to change of any kind, even if they agree with it in theory. Take your financial changes at a slow, steady pace and they're likely to find the process a lot more palatable. 

* Include them in the planning process. Kids can provide valuable feedback on reasonable ways to cut costs. Ask them for help shopping, brainstorming ideas to reduce household expenses, or finding part time work to help with miscellaneous expenses. Your partner may hate the idea of buying second hand, until he finds out that he's got a real knack for negotiating the best price. Your family members or friends may have a few good ideas for keeping costs down, once you explain how important it is to you. Get people on board by including them in the process. 

* Remind them why you are doing this. The same family member who considers "financial independence" a waste of time may love the idea of looking into another line of work, once the financial underpinnings are in place. Kids may not care about credit card bills or education funds until you start to post results in a place where the whole family can monitor progress. People connect with a project when they see a personal benefit. 

* If your spouse or partner flat-out refuses to cooperate, consider separating your finances as much as possible. Keep credit cards in separate names. Open a spending account of your own and be responsible with it. Your behavior may provide a valuable model for your spouse. At the very least, you can get back in line with your own values, and begin to take pride in your forward progress. 

* Sabotage: it happens. Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, you regretfully conclude that someone who should have your best interests at heart, doesn't. Your sister may be jealous, your boyfriend may not want you to succeed, your parents may prefer you as a dependent child, instead of an adult responsible for your own financial life. If these people support you in other ways, simply recognising that consciously or unconsciously, they may not want you to succeed, will allow you to quietly separate yourself from their feedback on the issue and go your own way. Where nothing else works, extricating yourself from a consistently negative relationship may be necessary. Recognising that not everyone wants to help is a step toward living your own life. 

Sometimes, resistance comes not from others, but from within. 

Perhaps you make yourself vulnerable to the criticisms of others, because you feel you're not worth the best in your finances or in life. You may feel out of line with your deepest values, or maybe you're angry and frustrated that you have to keep deferring gratification in your financial life. 

The strategies for internal resistance are the same as those for dealing with other people: Slow down. Review your deepest motives, and determine how the plan works for you. Be responsible with what you can, and try to minimise the damage of your own worst behaviors. Sometimes, just recognising that you are sabotaging your own progress can free you to behave in a way that originates from your personal values, instead of from your negative feelings. 

You are embarking on a noble and difficult task. Now is the time to take a deep breath, remind yourself of what you're trying to accomplish, and stick with the process. You will make financial freedom, on your own terms, a reality in your life. You will triumph, and when you remember how you overcame these obstacles, you will relish your success. 

 Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Christine_H_Williams/1268500 © 202

What Women Need To Know About Money

Life is definitely more than just about money. There are so many things to know about money. The list is endless, but here are a list of important things you as a woman should know about money:

1. Men and Women are Different

Understand that men and women are different in how we use money, how we feel about money, and how we communicate about money. In most relationships one partner will be the spender and one will be a saver. Understand the differences of each and take the positives of both personalities to make the most out of your money and your relationship. Set time aside each month to have a "money date." A money date is once or twice a month where you and your spouse go over your finances together. You can use this time to pay bills, review your expenses, review your investments and to use this time to understand and appreciate how you and your spouse view money. Discuss your monthly spending and saving. If you are single, your money date can be with either researching yourself or alternatively with a Financial Advisor.

If women stay at home to care for the kids, on average they stay at home for 11 ½ years. That is 11 ½ years that they don't have money going into a retirement plan or social security. Also, it costs more as women to live. Just look at drycleaning. Women's shirts cost more than men's. What about haircuts? Women's haircuts cost more than men. Also, women live on average 7 years longer than men. Plus women tend to care for others before they care for themselves.

Also, we as women tend to be more conservative investors. A recent Bloomberg survey reported that female investors outperformed male investors by 55 percent in the past nine years. Another is our income. Studies show that women still earn 76 cents for every dollar that a man earns. This is one of the reasons women start their own businesses two times the rate that men do. Another scary statistic is that 55% of women over 65 are widows and their income is $9,366.00 a year! So, to sum it up we have a lot going against us, but we are smarter investors.  

2. Have A Cushion

Any financial coach/advisor/research online is going to tell you that you want a minimum of 3 months worth of income set aside for emergencies. This is for if you lose your job, car accident, medical emergencies, etc. Focus on where you are at financially and if you lost your income how long you could live off your savings. The main focus point is to make sure that your money is working hard enough for you. It is important to have the money in an account that earns interest. If you have your liquid money in a checking account or underneath your mattress it is earning no interest. Money that is liquid is immediately accessible to you such as in a checking or savings account. But, ideally in an insured money market account - some place where you can earn the most interest on your money but still keeping it liquid.

3. Know One Rule

The Rule of 72 is a simple formula that helps you understand how fast money grows and how assets appreciate. If you divide 72 by the interest rate that you are earning on your money, you will find out how many years it takes for your money to double. For example, if over the last seventy years the stock market produced an average return of 10.4%, you round that down to 10% and plug it into the formula, and you will find that your money should be doubling every 7.2 years. The Rule of 72 is a mathematical concept and is not a guarantee of investment performance or a predictor of investment results. It is simply an approximation of the impact a targeted rate of return would have. There is no assurance an investment will double in value.

4. Save Money Monthly and Buy SMART Assets

The more money you can set up in an automatic investment program the easier it may be to save. If you are like me and when you have money in your purse, you may spend it. With automatic investment programs, you are able to save as little as $25 a week or month and have the money come directly out of a checking or savings account. The goal is to buy things that produce income. That is the whole goal. The goal is that you accumulate enough assets so that you do not have to go to work and take your time to earn your money. The goal is that you accumulate enough assets that you can live off of them. Examples of these assets include businesses, rental property, stocks, and most bonds. Consider buying assets that are expected to produce cash flow, but do not require daily management. This can help you attempt to build and preserve your wealth. 

5. Know Your Money

 Money is simply a vehicle to get you to where you want to go. Take control of your vehicle and control your path and destination. The one thing women are great at is relationships. Your relationship with money is important. One of the things you can do to feel more in control of your money is to take time to attend seminars on money and investing. Learn what assets are and how they work. Use this educational time to then relate it to your own financial situation. 

Know the three basic types of investments: stocks, bonds, and cash. 

What is a stock? A stock is a share of ownership in a corporation.
What is a bond? Think of a bond like a loan. You take your money, loan it out to someone and in a number of years you will get your money back plus interest. What is cash? Cash is liquid money. Cash is your money in a money market, savings account, and in your purse.

6. Happiness in Retirement

The first step in saving for retirement is to answer these two questions.

• At what age do you want to retire?
• How much income do you want when you retire?

If you can tell me how much you have saved up so far and the answer to these two questions, I can tell you if you are on track towards retirement. Or if you are not on track. And if not on track, I can tell you how much you need to save every month to get on track. There are a number of different vehicles that you can use to save for retirement such as 401K, IRA, Superannuation, Pension, ISA

7. Investing Makes Sense

When it comes to investing we need to find balance. The balance can come by spreading risk over time. There are many different types of things to invest in such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, structured CD's, and so many more types of investments. Either seek out a financial advice/research online for they can help you to have investing make sense.

8. Helping Kids

How to help your kids be happy with money is by talking about your values and what is important to you about your money. I encourage you to give yourself and your kids an allowance. I also recommend setting up a family fund. With a family fund, you as a family come up with a goal for your money; as a parent, you can offer a matching program. The goal could be a trip or a new toy. So, for example, if your daughter puts in $1.00 to the family fund, you could match her 50 cents. This way she can learn about finance so that when she starts her first job she understands the concept of money and investing. There are many options available for saving for kids for college such as a 529 Plan and IRA.


9. Plan For Your Estate

Estate planning is a topic that sometimes people do not like to talk about. Who likes to plan for their death? Estate planning can be crucial unless your plan is to die broke. I encourage you to set up a will or trust. The woman that is organized, and truly wealthy plans for when she will no longer be around. 

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you. Stock investing involves risk including loss of principal. Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and bonds are subject to availability and change in price.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nicole_N_Middendorf/1358640