Friday, January 15, 2010

Effectively Using Your Personal Finances Towards Achieving Financial Freedom

Once you have determined and drawn your financial plan, there things you can do to make sure the plan works. It is not enough to just draw a budget and leave it at that, you are required to act on it to achieve financial freedom.

With your long term goals and short terms financial goals in place, you need to break down the plan on how you are going to spend you cash from day to day. By these I mean you stop spending your money on expensive clothes or going out so that you can be able to save for your dream house or car. Financial planning is about how you use your money each day. Have a budget that will prevent you from impulse buying.

Life is about the choices we make thus choose to stay at home with your family rather than go out with your friends for a drinking spree. It is this kind of spending that will delay or make you fail to achieve your financial goals. Some of these things, you can make a conscious decision to do avoid them for now and do them later once you have achieved financial freedom.

Idleness is what brings about this habit of overspending therefore get involved in more constructive activities which contribute towards your financial goals. You can buy a book that shares on how to implement a business strategy or teaches on financial planning tactics. Choose to go to school and advance your career thus avoid impulsive behavior that only lead to overspending.

To achieve financial freedom and fulfill your financial plan you need to be disciplined. Make conscious decisions that positively affect your financial goals. With dedication, determination and focus you can generate wealth thus personal finance success.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

key to choosing your financial adviser

Every one has a dream that they want to achieve and rightfully so because it is only natural that we have that dream to strive for. Without those dreams people would only be walking the world without any purpose or direction.

What sets you apart from the other people in the world is that you are willing to act on your dreams. That is why you are reading this article. You want to be the best at what you do and sometimes this includes making money to support that dream.

In fact, the most common dream among people is to become rich and famous. This is not much of a surprise because it is normal to look for comfort and luxury. Sometimes this comfort and luxury only comes with wealth but how does one learn about the specific steps necessary to reach the wealth commensurate to the luxury we want.

Now, there are thousand of books from an equally numerous number of authors about the ways we can make millions on different investments. However, how do you find out which book is the best. If there was a way we can get the information we need, wouldn't we just jump on the chance?

Fortunately, there is a way you can get financial advice to help you on your way to becoming rich. Financial advisers are professionals that can give you non biased advice about what you can do with your hard earned money. Financial Companies invest heavily in their financial representatives. This would mean that there will be shortage of representative or knowledge.

The only drawback to having a plethora of financial advisers at your dispersal is that you do not know just how to pick one from the lot of them. There are a lot of choices to make. There are insurance professional that can help you with asset protection and estate planning. There are also investment gurus that can help you with wealth creation and tax minimisation.

So, how do we choose the right financial professional that will answer to your investment and asset protection needs? Well, to start, it would be nice if you knew exactly what you need. If you know what you need you can talk directly to the experts in their respective fields. Talk to insurance agents for asset protection. If you need wealth growth certified investment professionals can give you good advice.

However, the problem is that people do not know what they need and this one of the primary reasons a person goes to a financial adviser. It would be good to get opinions from several professionals regarding your finances. Get as much information as you possibly can.

It is also important to look at the credibility of the financial representative that you will be picking. Check for identifications that show that they are indeed a part of the company. Also, make sure that you do not pay cash in any transaction. Instead, your payments should only be done through a check or money order addressed to the company you are paying and not the person you are dealing with.

Talking to a financial representative opens you to the possibility of reaching your dreams but for it all to happen, you must be careful to only pick the right financial expert to help you. With the right people by your side, the sky is the limit and your dreams are within reach.

Monday, November 16, 2009

How to begin your Financial future

Financial planning today provides major benefits tomorrow, and for the remainder of your life.

Regardless of your current income level or personal situation, learn why you must be committed to the following personal finance strategies in order to secure your financial success.

Planning now for your financial future is, quite simply, a smart thing to do. The tools and process detailed here will pave the way for anyone who is serious about conquering their debt and taking control over their financial existence.

Financial planning is how you get from point A to point B, as well as points C, D and E. Depending on where you are financially today, you no doubt have multiple goals that you wish to accomplish. "Hoping" for your luck to finally change, or "waiting" for your ship to come in, is NOT a financial plan - it's simply a dream.

Most people get into a set routine with their finances. The longer you allow yourself to continue down the same financial road without a clear map in hand, the more you lessen your chances of realizing your financial goals.

Let's face it, most people are not known for their patience or their planning skills, and even less people are admired for their ability to save money. No one should be surprised to learn this given how the mass media is constantly teaching people in our society to "buy it now- pay later!"

To ensure financial success, people must break away from this destructive, and weak, mind-set.

Do not make the common mistake that financial planning is only for the wealthy, or that you must already have a good sized nest egg before meeting with a financial advisor. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

However, you don't need to pay out your hard earned money for a professional. The most effective financial planning occurs in the home at the dining room table or home office.

Common tools include the household checkbook, a pen, calculator and a piece of paper with a line down the middle. One column is titled, "Cash Coming In", and the other column reads "Cash Going Out".

The main goal to keep in mind is that you want to spend every dollar of your monthly income ON PAPER, before you actually spend it. This way you will plan your expenditures for the month, knowing you have set aside adequate money to cover all the fixed expenses. In addition, you will have thoughtfully allocated the remaining funds to the areas of your life that are most important to you.

Examples of important financial goals might include:

* Buying a new car
* Saving for a down payment on a house
* Future college saving
* Dream family vacation
* Purchase of investment property
* Planning for retirement years

Regardless of what your financial goals are, your chances of realizing those goals are highly dependant upon your decision to plan ahead and your willingness to take action - right here and right now.

There is a great tool available to anyone who is not comfortable with sitting down and creating a household budget on their own. This important tool is called a Personal Financial Statement.

If you've ever applied for a loan or credit card, you have filled out the majority of what is found on a personal financial statement. Starting immediately, you can begin using the same process that a lender uses to account for all monies coming in and going out.

Once you have completed filling out a personal financial statement, you will have all the information you need to take the financial planning process to the level - that is, creating a budget that works!

"Budgeting" gets a bum wrap. No one likes to hear the word "budget"; however, it is the process of budgeting (aka. financial planning) that will ultimately set you free and secure your financial future. Too often, people make the mistake of assuming "only broke people have to budget". The reality is that most rich folks are rich because they budget.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

How Far to Financial Freedom?

What you live off when you're not working ... financial freedom.

In our introductory meetings with potential new clients, we want to obtain a preliminary view of their "Net Investment Wealth". It quickly gives us an idea of how far along the road to financial freedom or independence they have come and how far they have to go.

Net investment wealth is your net worth less your lifestyle assets. It's the stuff available to live off when you are no longer earning income from your work.

How much do you need for financial freedom?

If the Wilsons are in their late 30's-early 40's, and looking to work for another 20 years, a net investment wealth of $95,000 may not be cause for concern. But it is definitely a focus for a meaningful conversation.

However, if they are in their mid to late 50's and hoping to retire within 10 years, there may be some major issues to confront. Because when the Wilsons retire, it is their net investment wealth and its hopeful growth that will be used to finance their desired lifestyle.

If they tell us that they want to spend around $125,000 p.a. in today's dollars in retirement, a (very) rough rule of thumb is to multiply this amount by 25 times to obtain an idea of how much net investment wealth is required to support their lifestyle. In this case, required net investment wealth is $3,125,000 (i.e. 25*$125,000). This compares with current net investment wealth of $95,000 - a shortfall of $3,030,000.

What has to happen to accumulate this shortfall?

If the Wilsons are now aged 55 and wish to retire at age 65, assuming investment returns of 4% p.a.(after-tax and inflation), they need to save an average of about $250,000 p.a. in today's dollars for the next 10 years. They better have a substantial income. However, if they are aged 40 and also wish to retire at age 65, the required saving reduces to about $69,000 p.a.

Such "back of the envelope" calculations will help you to quickly get a good idea what needs to happen for you to achieve your retirement or financial independence goals.

Net Investment Wealth: a "financial independence" indicator

Financial independence, that we equate with financial freedom, is achieved when you have sufficient net investment wealth to support your desired lifestyle, without the need to work. Work is a choice, rather than a necessity.

Your current net investment wealth provides a guide to how far along the financial independence road you have come. Together with other inputs, such as how much you would like to spend when you no longer wish to work, it can provide guidance to how far you have to go.

The simple analysis described above will highlight issues to address to increase the chances that you will achieve the financial future you want, such as:

* Do I need to save more? If so, how much?

* Do I need to earn more income? If so, how much?

* Are there structural changes I can make in my financial arrangements to increase my after-tax income and, hence, savings

* Do I need to work longer? If so, for how long?

* What sort of investment risk do I need to take to earn higher expected returns and, potentially, accumulate net investment wealth quicker? Am I prepared to take that risk?

* Is there scope to convert lifestyle assets to investment assets e.g. down size the family home?

* Should I be changing my retirement expectations?

A focus on your net worth or total assets, in isolation, can give a false sense of your options for financial freedom. A heavy bias to lifestyle assets may give the feel and appearance of wealth but it is wealth that is unlikely to be consistent with aspirations for early financial independence.

And if financial independence at a particular age is a goal that is important to you, then knowing your current net investment wealth and having a plan that addresses how you are going to grow it is critical.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Story-The Power of Money

By Adam Khoo - Singapore's youngest millionaire at 26 yrs.

I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and
conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and
Suzhou (China).

I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to bump into many
people who have attended my seminars or have read my books.

Recently, someone came up to me on a plane to KL and looked rather
shocked. He asked, 'How come a millionaire like you is traveling
economy?' My reply was, 'That's why I am a millionaire. ' He still
looked pretty confused.

This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth (which I
wrote about in my latest book 'Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires').
Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to
wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel.
This is why so many people never become rich because the moment that
earn more money, they think that it is only natural that they spend
more, putting them back to square one.

The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only
spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to
accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster.

Over the last 7 years, I have saved about 80% of my income while today
I save only about 60% (because I have my wife and 2 kids, mother in
law, 2 maids etc. to support). Still, it is way above most people
who save 10% of their income (if! they are lucky).

I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I
think that it is a complete waste of money.

When I joined the YEO (Young Entrepreneur's Orgn)a few years back (YEO
is an exclusive club open to those who are under 40 and make over $1m
a year in their own business) I discovered that those who were
self-made thought like me. Many of them with net worth well over $5m,
travelled economy class and some even drove Toyota's and Nissans,not
Audis, Mercs, BMWs.

I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build
their own wealth (there were also a few ministers' and tycoons' sons
in the club) who spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you
did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value
money. This is precisely the reason why a family's wealth (no matter
how much) rarely lasts past the third generation.

Thank God my rich dad foresaw this terrible possibility and refused to
give me a cent to start my business.

Then some people ask me, 'What is the point in making so much money if
you don't enjoy it?'

The thing is that I don't really find happiness in buying branded
clothes, jewellery or sitting first class. Even if buying something
makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last.

Material happiness never lasts, it just give you a quick fix. After a
while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you
think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material
things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled
life..

Instead, what makes me happy is when I see my children laughing and
playing and learning ! so fast. What makes me happy is when I see my
companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so
many more countries.

What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my
books and seminars have touched and inspired someone's life.

What makes me really happy is reading all your wonderful posts about
how this blog is inspiring you. This happiness makes me feel really
good for a long time, much much more than what a Rolex would do for
me.

I think the point I want to put across is that happiness must come
from doing your life's work (be it teaching, building homes,
designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes
is only a by-product.

If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make
you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a life of
meaninglessness.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Financial management tips

You may ask why it is important to have sound financial management. The benefits of managing your cash correctly is to make sure that you control your spending and also be able to save enough in order achieve financial independence in the future.

Having financial goals help you to be focused and disciplined. Set long term financial goals and put them down in writing. By setting goals you prevent yourself from squandering your income and trusting in luck. As you set these targets, make sure they are measurable and achievable. Have a specific aim that will enable you calculate what you intent to achieve, how much you will be required to save or invest monthly and where you are planning to invest what you will have saved.

Review your progress periodically so as to note where you need to make adjustments and hence chart your financial growth. This way you will be in a position to know whether you are lagging behind or moving ahead.

Once you have the long term targets in place, set short term goals that will help you move closer to financial freedom. As you do your monthly budget, make sure it is connected to your long term goals. This is necessary if you are to remain focused and disciplined in managing your finances. Checking your budget will help you adjust accordingly depending on your monthly income.

Personal financial management calls for a lot of discipline if one desires to attain financial freedom. Consulting with experts would be advisable in ensuring you set achievable goals.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Set Your Mind For Financial Success, Wealth Will Come

Most of us have been programmed to go to school, get a good job, and work hard. But does the working hard ever help achieve your dreams? Working hard is great but working smart is that much better. We have bombarded ourselves with intricate details about historical events, memorable people, etc. in our school days but have never been taught how to build wealth.

Wealth starts with you. You have to reprogram your mind for financial success in order to attain the riches you desire. So how do you accomplish this? First, you must identify what those desires and be as detailed as possible. Second, create affirmations and self-talk programming for each of those goals. Next, recite those programs everyday and/or record it in your own voice on a CD for immediate effects. And last, take action. Taking action is perhaps the most important step to achieving your goals;however, so many people miss this step.

Another way to set your mind for financial success is read and listen to others who have reached those levels of success that you wish to emulate. Most of those success stories have been where you are now and have the know-how's to get where you want to go. There are free resources on the internet to take advantage of 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. You will begin to feel a difference in your thinking once you implement these strategies in your daily activities. Remember, it's only as challenging as you make it in your mind. You have total control over your thoughts. Excuse those negative thoughts and replace them with empowering ones.

As you go through the different mental exercises to building a strong mind foundation, you can then begin your journey to financial success. Do you have a success vehicle to get you to a lifestyle filled with wealth and prosperity? If not, it's not a question to take lightly. This is the information age and it's time for you capitalize and get your share of the riches. Choosing a success vehicle should suit your personality, skills, talents, and abilities. Have you identified your strengths and weaknesses?

Whether you are strong salesperson, a shy person, a detailed person, there is a success vehicle for you. Here are some points to ponder when selecting your personal financial vehicle:

1. Does the compensation plan embrace immediate profit?
2. Do you have to purchase products or services that don't serve you to make income?
3. Are the products valued properly?
4. Can you identify with the mission of the company?
5. After enrolled, do you senior partners provide valuable sales and marketing training?

There are several things to consider when choosing the right success vehicle but these are the top questions you should ask when contemplating enrollment. There is a solution. Our compensation is based on weekly income structure, no purchase of products necessary to begin building your business and products are valued properly. The company mission is help families attain personal financial success. Once you enroll, your senior partners understand where you are and provide you with free ongoing training via face to face and/or online.

We encourage you to ask questions because we want you to succeed. Remember, start with yourself first because once you have created a successful internal program, the wealth will come.

To you personal financial success!