• Debt! Now THAT Is A Topic To WHINE About!

    Debt like time is a funny thing. I don’t know about you but when I was 15 getting to 16 took FOREVER!! Then 18. Holy Guacamole Batman time seemed to crawl. 21? Forget about it. By the time I was 21 I already had two little ones and trying to make ends meet. I tried all the tricks like sending the phone bill payment to the electric company. (APPARENTLY in the 80’s this was common, cause they caught on QUICK!) I clipped every single coupon I could find. Then someone thought it was a great idea to give ME a credit card!??! (Pfffftttt that was dumb!) I’m a Giver! I obliged their generosity by shopping, shopping, shopping. At that time my parents were my way to get my finances back on track, they were pretty understanding (OH IF ONLY my Mom were alive to read that line!) They were ANGRY! However, they helped me get out of that deep, dark, expensive hole.  (I’d like to add that I only had a $500 limit at the time. But it was mountainous to  the 21-year-old me) Ya know that interest is what kicks you while you are down. I just could NOT get…

  • Passive Income As A Means To Ensuring Your Family’s Financial Security

    Smart money is saying two words:  Passive income. Not since the crash of the 1920s led to the “Great Depression”, has the state of the global economy been so…well, messed up.  So, what can you do to protect your family in these uncertain and largely uncharted times? WHAT IS PASSIVE INCOME? Passive income is earnings derived from an enterprise or undertaking where you’re not directly involved with it.  For example, earnings derived from rent or being a “silent partner” in a company.   CAN’T I USE MY REGULAR INCOME TO SAVE? Well, yes you can.  But considering that most American families were not nearly saving enough before the outbreak of Covid and less are doing so now, it’s a good idea to take some time to conduct a thorough audit of your family’s financial circumstances now versus what your goals are in the future.  Investopedia has loads of useful information and tons of technical data to help you along. 5 GREAT WAYS TO GENERATE A PASSIVE INCOME #1 – Property.  The tried and tested no-brainer.  But don’t make the mistake that many of us made in the past by over-investing in properties with “too good be true” balloon/residual payments.  Rather…

  • Don’t Slip Climbing Up The Property Ladder

    Are you getting ready to move up the property ladder? By the time you hit the age of twenty, you’ll find that there seem to be numerous people urging you to buy your first home, whether you can afford it or not. It’s important to be aware that not all these people have your best interest at heart. Some people will maintain that renting is dead money and this is certainly true. However, that doesn’t mean that buying is automatically the best decision. You will still need to approach this challenge the right way and ensure that you don’t rush in. Don’t forget, if you buy property, there’s no easy, immediate way out. One way or another, you’re in this for the long haul. So, let’s look at some of the key points that you need to be aware of before you buy.  Research The Market You should definitely make sure that you are researching the market before you commit to making a purchase. You need to know whether it is, in fact, the right time to buy and whether it’s a good time for the area where you’re looking at a home. You should also have a strong idea…