Tag: finances

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Finances

How Lebron James Became a Mogul

Close-up of a hand of basketball player holding a ball against black background.
by Joy Harris
There was a lot of talk this playoff season about whether or not LeBron James would actually get Cleveland a ring. While the debate is interesting, his role as a businessman was even more interesting to me, in part, because not all ball players get to this level.
Sure, they have tons or talent and want to run successful businesses, but for some reason they never break through the glass ceiling.
What made LeBron James different?
He focused on and continues to focus on his dimes.
Dimes are what you need to collect in order to achieve your dollar (your next level). Dimes seem minor, but they contribute to your end goal. If you master them, the dimes get you the bigger opportunities.
LeBron James worked hard in high school.  Now that he’s in the NBA, look what he’s doing on his days off (see youtube clip below 19:42-22:36):
https://youtu.be/wQWmRIHavC8
LeBron practiced practicing when he was in high school.  This dime, which is now a habit, elevated him to the land of business.
The same thing applies to you.  You may feel stuck, and want to get to the next level by any means necessary.  You may be frustrated at the fact that you’re over 25, and still working at a job you’re not passionate about, instead of being a mogul.
You’re focusing on learning about, mastering and launching a business; but so much focus on the end is causing you to overlook your dimes.  Your dimes are the things you need to work on now in order to open the door for the business life you want.
So if LeBron’s dime is foul shots, what’s your dime?
What do you know to do?
Have you been putting off making a schedule?
Have your exercise goals been all talk?
Have you paid off your credit card?
Have you figured out how to give quality time to your spouse, children, and your business?
These small behavior changes don’t seem like keys to your business, but they build the knowledge, discipline and consistency you need.
 
Dr. Dennis Kimbro did a study analyzing the traits successful people had in common.
He found that consistent practice was a major factor to their success.  More importantly, they developed and built this character trait long before they became famous.
Once you master the little things, including your finances and family, you can use them to propel you forward in other areas.
Look at this commercial:
https://youtu.be/apXXysLDW5I
It’s true, your successful business and amazing life is the sum of mastering your dimes.

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Finances Home

7 Steps to Finance a Car With a 600 Credit Score…or Lower.

by Calvin Russel Jr.
Financing a car can be time consuming. First, you must find a car you like, look for a reasonable price to pay, and decide where you will do business. But the longest part of the process is being at the dealership. Whether you are going back and forth on a price, going through their selection of cars, or the dreadful finance office. For some consumers, financing a vehicle is not a problem. They know they will get the lowest interest rate possible. While other consumers, play the waiting- hoping-and-wishing game for a bank to finance them. Since over 94% of consumers finance their vehicles, this is a major piece to the puzzle. Waiting on the bank to finance a person with a credit score of 600 or lower can take hours and sometimes overnight! Don’t worry though, I will show you how to finance a car with a 600 credit score or lower.
First: Get Your Credit Reports
The biggest mistake I have seen in 4 years in the automotive business is consumers not knowing their credit score. Or worse, they have an idea they that they may have a low score but set unrealistic car goals to achieve. 90% of top lenders use FICO® Scores. With that said, consumers should know where they stand before they step foot in dealership. If you want to see what score the dealership will see and send to the banks, I recommend you get your personal FICO® score and reports as soon as possible. Click the banner below to obtain yours.
Second: Understand You Will Pay A Double Digit Interest
With a 600 credit score or lower, you must be prepared to pay a double digit interest. Consumers always seemed to be shocked when they see that the interest rate is 12-24% when they have late payments, collections, civil judgments, child support, missed payments, and etc on their credit report. I always say an interest rate with an approval is better than not being approved. Consumers must also understand that lower interest rates are earned through on time payments.
 
Third: Keep The Vehicle For Less Than 36 Months (3 Years)
With a high interest auto loan, consumers should try to get a lower interest rate by doing one of a few things.

  1. Refinance The Car For A Lower Rate With Remainder Of Term
  2. Refinance The Car For A Lower Rate With Extended Term
  3. Trade The Car In

Assuming the consumer has made their payments on time for some time, the credit score should be higher which will get the increase the chances of the consumer to lower rate depending on where their new credit score is.
Fourth: Bring Proof & Documentation
Before going to the dealership, be sure to grab proof and documentation as the bank will need it. You should bring: proof of income by 2 check stubs within 30-45 days ( the self-employed should bring 3 previous months bank statements along with the previous years 1099), proof of address by utility bill or phone bill, 3-6 references, and proof of full coverage insurance. You will need all of these documents as the banks will want to know who you are and where their car will be at all times.
Fifth: Be Prepared To Put A Down Payment On The Car
Notice I said, “prepared to put a down payment” as a down payment may not be needed. Here is a fact for you to consider. Over 80% of consumers with 720 or higher credit scores put a down payment on the vehicle financed. Why is that? So the they can finance less and have a lower payment. This is perfect for someone with a 600 score or lower as this shows the bank more of a commitment from the buyer and puts the bank in a better equity position if the consumer defaults on the auto loan. A good down payment of $500-$1000 is very common.
Sixth: Understand The Choice Of Vehicles
Consumers with a 600 score or lower should only look at vehicles under $18,000 or lower as the payments with double digit interest rates can range from $430 or higher. Most lenders won’t feel comfortable financing more than 18k-20k for a car. Anything more and the lenders will decline the application or expect a higher down payment.
Seventh: Wait 6-12 Months & Consult With A Certified Credit Consultant
Getting a car with double digit interest rate may not be the route you want to go at the moment and that’s alright. While you wait, its important to take this time and learn how to improve your credit score and report. One of the easiest way is to open a new credit card account, keep a low balance or no balance at all and make your payments on time each and every month. You can find the right credit card for your credit score by clicking the banner below. You can also schedule an appointment to talk with a Certified FICO® professional like myself and learn exactly what you need to do and see results in less than 3 months. For more information, visit my website.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, financing a car with a 600 credit score or lower isn’t that difficult as long as you are prepared for what’s ahead and know what to expect. Of course, these steps won’t guarantee a bank approval as everyone has a different credit situation and debt balances, but this will most definitely increase your chances in getting approved for a car loan.
 
Calvin Russell Jr is a Certified FICO Professional, Approved Partner With Bankrate, and the CEO & Founder of GoSimplyPro Credit Consultation. GoSimplyPro Credit Consultation is a Chicago based Credit Repair Company. GoSimplyPro Credit Consultation has helped hundreds of people increase their credit scores, qualify for homes, cars, and lower interest rates with their personal, Step-By- Step Game Plans. Contact us today to learn more at 877.205.7771 or email us at info@gosimplypro.com

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Communication Finances Marriage

2 Ways To Get Your Spouse On Board With Your Business Dreams

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Dating/Courting Engaged Finances Home Single

Honey, I Wrecked My Credit

Young black woman drinking tea and chatting with boyfriend on couch

Authors: Culus Williams & Calandra Thompson
Life has happened to many of us and in the process our credit was wrecked. Often times we hear that our credit score makes us attractive to lenders. So, we must ask a question… “Will your mate be attracted to your credit score?”
Many of us avoid discussing credit profiles until marriage but we think it’s important to discuss this while dating. Your mate needs to know long before the “I do’s” what your credit report reflects. According to a survey form FreeCreditScore.com, about 30% of women and 20% of men stated they would not marry a person with a low credit score.  
While you’re single this would be a great time to start rebuilding your credit if it’s been wrecked. Here are a few tips to get you started long before your mate comes along and brings up the topic.
CHECK

  1. Review your credit report. You are eligible to receive a free copy of your credit report annually at www.annualcreditreport.com

ARRANGE

  1. Set-up payment plans with the debts that are reflected on your credit report and pay them off. We would suggest starting with the smaller ones first, so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Also, negotiate with the debt collector to settle the debt for a lower amount.

PAY

  1. Keep paying your current bills on time. Most of us have cellphones and electricity bills. Paying these bills on time isn’t reflected on our credit reports but if we fail to pay and become delinquent this will be reflected on your credit.

The bible tells us in, Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (NIV)
In your single season work on building your credit so that you are attractive in your mate’s eyes but also so that you are attractive in God’s eyes by honoring his word. God doesn’t desire for his people to be in debt. We are supposed to be lenders and not borrowers. We are called to build God’s kingdom by using our finances to bless others.  We can’t bless others if our finances are wrecked.
When God blesses you with a mate, your score may not be perfect but at least you can say. “I’m working on it.” That sounds way better than, my credit is a mess and I haven’t done anything about it.
We both have discussed our credit with each other and it has truly been a blessing to understand what we need to work on long before marriage. We are able to be honest and work on paying off debts while dating. How cool is that?! You can be open and honest about your credit profile and not feel ashamed.  
Trust us that you will feel a boost of confidence, knowing that you’re headed in the right direction financially.
BIO:
Culus Ellerton Williams II and Calandra Thompson are both devoted to Jesus Christ and their families. They both recently accepted the call to preach the gospel. They have a passion to spread the gospel to all that will hear. They enjoy encouraging and inspiring people to know more about Jesus Christ. They’re both ministry leaders at Christian Chapel Temple of Faith in Dallas, TX. Their hobbies are writing, dancing, singing and spending time with family.

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Finances Home

3 Signs It's Time to Stop Paying Rent and Buy a House!

love, people, real estate, home and family concept - smiling couple showing dollar cash money over house background

by guest contributor Calvin Russel Jr.
Right now is the PERFECT time to purchase a home. Mortgage rates are still at an all-time low and the banks are becoming more lenient on the qualifications to get a mortgage loan. Many current tenants are thinking of making the move to become home owners but, they are not quite sure it is the right time. Take a look at these signs as it may describe your current situation.
1. Your Rent Payments Are Equivalent To Mortgage Payments
This is the number one sign as this is always the tipping point for most renters. I remember when I was working one day at the dealership and I asked my customer a series of questions related to their auto loan approval. One of the questions was, “What is your current rent/mortgage payment per month?” They answered “$850!” Yes, $850!!! At the time, my wife and I were paying a little more than that for a nice apartment in a nice area. It was at that moment I began to ask myself, “Where do all of my rent payments go each month?” It was also at that moment that I decided to become qualified for a mortgage loan. Most rent payments are extremely close to that of mortgage payment. Mortgage payments can be under $1000/month for a lot of reasons. The homeowner could have placed a nice down payment, they could have re-financed, they could be living in a low cost neighborhood, or they simply could have found a great deal on a property. Many tenants think most mortgages are between $1500-$2500 when that is not the case at all. Most residential homes for middle income Americans range from $125k-$175k and could be lower depending on the state. That creates a mortgage anywhere from $800/month-$1400/month with today’s mortgage rates.
2. Your Neighbors Aren’t The Best
You gotta love the alarm clocks that never get shut off in the morning from your neighbor. Or what about the one who always decides to wash their clothes past the allowed time notice. Or the kids who sleep in a bedroom right above yours and it seems like there is always a wrestling match on their floor. Or what about the one who always has company over to “hammer a few things on the wall”…every night. Either way, your neighbors keep doing things that upset you or make you angry. We didn’t even discuss the major ones such as: arguing couples, constant smoke alarms, cannabis under the door, loud music and parties, constant furniture moving, and I could go on and on! Most of the minor things we all have dealt with only because the situation is not big enough to complain to the landlord about. One thing for sure is that it’s easier to change what YOU CAN control versus trying to change something YOU CAN’T control.
3. Your Landlord Is Really A Slumlord
That moment when you call your landlord about a problem you are having in your apartment that needs to be fixed and they said they would fix it months earlier or what about the so called “Free Heat” but the temperature feels like 60 degrees inside the apartment during the winter. Wait, what about the time your landlord asked you to pay rent a couple of days EARLY for no reason at all! Or maybe the time you came home and you noticed your apartment had been entered by someone else and could possibly be the landlord! Yeah, that my friend is a slumlord! Things never get fixed and complaints never get addressed, but you deal with it. Why? Because it’s easier to live under someone else’s rules and building than your own right? With a home, you will have to maintain it yes, but at least it’s your home. You may have your own gas bill, but at least you can control the heat to your liking. Ditch the slumlord and qualify for your own mortgage!
The Bottom Line
I know the feeling of dealing with tenant issues and also dreading the pre-approval process. Credit is a big deal and it is needed to finance a home. As a good tenant or great tenant, I am sure you have thought about the idea of home ownership. Let these 3 signs push you in the right direction of getting that loan pre-approval.
 

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Finances Home Marriage

How "No-Spending Weekends" Saved My Marriage

Young Couple In Pajamas Watching Television Together

Guest Writer: Craig Bailey
Dinner $80…parking $15…movie night at home PRICELESS. Today it’s easy for couples to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. With so much going on, you and your mate can fall into the trap of feeling like you have to go out and spend money entertaining yourselves every weekend. What started as a money saving experiment, ended up helping my wife and I remember what matters most.
 
The experiment was a no-spending weekend. About a year later we still try to have one of these once a month. Living in Los Angeles a weekend out can add up quickly and after realizing we were spending almost $300 every weekend, we decided to try and go one weekend without spending any money.
 
Let me be clear — this means no debit card, no checks are written, no credit cards are used, nothing. We would buy groceries or gas during the week so we wouldn’t have to buy those things on the weekend. We would check our schedules to make sure the weekend we picked made sense. Then we were all set.
 
Initially, it was tough trying to think of ways to fill our time that didn’t cost money, but eventually we got the hang of it. We did things like play dominoes (I always won), watch movies, read together, exercise, cook together and go to the beach. What was more surprising than saving thousands of dollars was the impact it had on our relationship.
With work, school, friends, commuting and ME-time it didn’t leave much room for sincere quality time with my wife. Instead of us spending our time in loud restaurants or on congested freeways, we spent more time together alone. Now, we laugh more. We talk more. We spend more time getting closer to God. The indirect results have been absolutely amazing. These no-spending weekends have truly been a blessing in disguise. I encourage all couples to try this in your relationships. You and your spouse will love the results it has on your relationship, in addition to what it will do for your bank account.
 
 
About Craig Bailey:

I am the founder and creator of financialseeds.net.  I am the President and Chief Financial Officer of Green Financial Solutions, a Beverly Hills, CA based financial planning firm.  I am a licensed investment adviser and registered Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member.

My firm’s exclusive Steady Growth investment portfolio had at return of just under 24% for 2014.  (Source: Motif Investing)  And I am blessed to get the opportunity to serve individuals on their financial journeys.  I must admit my greatest accomplishment is marrying my beautiful wife who I met in seventh grade.

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Finances Home Spiritual Intimacy

4 Prayers to Pray to Break Financial Curses and Release Financial Blessings

Young Couple Making Video Call Using Digital Tablet

Although the Bible is very clear in 1 Timothy 6:10, “ The love of money is the root of all evil, it is also clear from Psalm 112:1-3, that “Wealth and riches are for those that fear the Lord”.
It is God’s desire to see His children move in great authority through building and distributing wealth. But, what do you do when you can’t even get out of living paycheck to paycheck?
What do you do when every time you get a financial breakthrough there is another setback waiting on the other side? What do you do when you just feel like your finances are cursed and getting stable is a distant miracle?
You must stand upon God’s Word and pray these things through. It is not God’s will for you to live in despair, nor for the poverty mentality to have its way with you. Here are 5 prayers to pray to break financial curses and increase financial blessings over your life.

  1. Father, I stand upon Philippians 4:19 which states, My God will meet my needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus”. I thank you that I do not have to put trust in my ability to meet my needs, but I put my trust in your ability to effectively work through me.
  1. Father, I stand upon Psalm 34:10 that declares that the lions may grow weak and hungry but those who seek the Lord shall lack no good thing. Lord as I seek your face I am believing that I and my family will lack no good thing.
  1. Father, I stand upon Proverbs 13:22 that states that a good man leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. Father I am believing in you for creative ideas and opportunities to build wealth in order to leave a legacy for my children’s children. Let this be done according to your will.

4. Father, I stand upon Malachi 3:10-12 which states, Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your field will not drop there before it is ripe”
Lord we thank you as we are faithful in paying our tithes that you will not only protect our finances from the evil one, but you will also cause our finances to overflow. We rebuke the devour, and trust that every dollar you have for us is ours.
These prayers are prayers that are infused with the Word of God. Continue to trust God as you journey through the season of testing in your finances. Trust His word and know that He is not a man that He should lie. He will come through for you as obey Him.
 

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Finances

5 Reasons Why God Wants You to be Wealthy

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Finances

5 Ways to Help Your Wife Who Loves to Spend Money

I write quite a bit on the importance of budgeting. You budget so that you can free up money to save, invest, and/or put toward other financial goals. I even told a story of two types of spenders: one who plans ahead and the other who spends it all (check it out here). But I’m often asked, “What do you do when you plan ahead, but your wife spends it all?”
So here are five approaches you can use to help your wife who loves to spend:

#1 Start with realistic expectations

Let’s say you’re used to saving 50% of your income, while your wife saves 0%. Your goal may be for your household to continue that 50% savings rate, but it’s not realistic…at least not immediately.
Right or wrong aside, it will be difficult for your wife to make such drastic changes in spending habits overnight. This doesn’t mean you lose sight of the goal, but it should encourage you to set smaller milestones. These milestones are what you’ll want to communicate to her.

#2 Be as specific as possible about your budget

If you’re wife is a big spender, chances are she rarely had to think about her spending throughout her life. Going from not thinking about her spending, to knowing exactly how much to cut and where, can be overwhelming.
Instead of giving her the heavy task of “not spending so much”, make it clear. Have an idea of where she overspends and by how much she can cut back the next month, or next year. You can then communicate a more specific plan to your wife.
For example, “instead of spending $500 on dining out next month, let’s target $300. This would be about $75 per week”
Your wife now has a clearer idea of what she can do to cut back her spending on dining out. When you have a clear goal, you have a greater chance of achieving it.
Learn more about how to track your spending and how to cut your spending.

#3 Shift the focus from right now to the future

The ideas of saving and investing are all about the future. They require up front sacrifice, but the sacrifice is worth it because the savers/investors remind themselves of what the future will look like once they succeed.
Big spenders, on the other hand, spend the way they do because they’re focused more on the present than the future. They spend money on what will make them feel good now, and the future is “out of sight, out of mind. But you can shift this thinking by painting a clear picture of what you’re future could look like, and reminding her of this future as encouragement. Remember, clearer goals are more attainable.
This of course assumes she shares your financial goals for the future. If she does not, then you’ll want to shift your focus to aligning on a set of goals with your wife.

#4 Speak to her insecurities

Retail therapy is no joke. Many spenders purchase their way into confidence and status. What drives your wife’s spending? Did she grow up poor, and now makes every attempt to have nice things? Maybe she grew up in a household where if you didn’t have certain things, you were less than. There are a lot of insecurities that can drive our purchase decisions. You’ll want to understand these, so that you can address them appropriately (even if it’s not through direct communication).

#5 Make it fun, reward yourselves (frugally!)

Most of us make more progress when there are small rewards along the way. And for larger goals that require years of discipline and commitment, you’ll want to throw in a few goodies to celebrate progress and encourage perseverance.
The point is to understand what drives your wife’s spending behavior, give her a clear idea of what she can do to help your household reach your goals, and make it a little fun along the way. Remember to give her a little room to make mistakes, and watch your path to financial freedom get a lot smoother.

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Finances Marriage

5 Ground Rules for Money Management

From the desk of the Modern Day Cindi:
One of the core values of a healthy marriage should include healthy finances. Even more importantly, although the marital bed should be kept warm and undefiled, it can indeed become cold, unsafe and distant—the space between spouses during times of financial unrest can feel like a deep, dark, bleak abyss.
Of course, the coolness of the mattress can happen for several reasons, but studies have shown that increasing distance between spouses is often due to the misunderstanding or misalignment of goals and/or intentions of how to manage current and future uses of money in the household. And this, by far, could be one of the worst things that could happen in the marital bed.
When I first got married, money was consistently at the center of most discussions. Whether in agreement or working through differing views, the discussion of finances never went away…in fact, the conversations became more and more detailed as each of us had to peel back layers of who we were to come to a common understanding that created a workable foundation.
During those communications, I learned that it was important to set ground rules so that the frustration around the money pot would not taint the sweetness of the honey pot. Here are a few of those ground rules:
Ground Rule #1: Transparency is key
Have open and honest communication. No Secrets! Be honest about your past and current state financially including salary/income, number of bills, outstanding debt, etc.
Ground Rule #2: Create a safe space
the environment should be such that it is easier to discuss finances and possible past mismanagement so that neither or either spouse feels condemned, judged, or alone.
Ground Rule #3:  Never stop communicating
Have the hard conversations, not only the easy ones, but the tough ones as well. These talks should occur frequently and early on in the relationship.
Ground Rule #4: Establish roles and responsibilities early-
lean on the stronger partner. For purposes of this discussion, stronger does not mean better or more dominant, it just means the person who is more equipped. If you are that spouse, be able to give without regret or retreat. In the event neither is capable, it is wise to enlist the help of a financial advisor, especially to manage the collective goals of the household.
Remember, the collective goals should also align with individual goals because a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Ground Rule #5: Have a game plan and revisit it often.
It is not enough to have good intentions, but it is best to create a plan together and work on it as a team (this includes prioritization of uses of money and paying off debt). Make the discussions fun and be realistic about the goals that are set. Establish milestones and designate celebrations for reaching goals.
Final thoughts: Our past and everything that was attached to it (and us) comes up when we get married—Our finances, financial practices and preferences, as well as our personalities including pride, rebellion, insecurity, lack of prioritization, being disorganized, family teachings, etc. are not exempt.
Know this: Management of finances can reflect who you are, where you are from, and what you value. Therefore, as a commitment to the marital covenant, value, protect and nurture this part of the marriage as an equally important component of establishing a partnership pleasing unto God. And again remember, a house divided against itself cannot stand.