The Importance Of Building Your Credibility In Banks

Whether you are just getting into a new home or are looking for a tenth investment, your credit score is important.

This plays a large part in helping you to qualify for the amount of money that you want and need.

By keeping up with your credit score, and understanding how it will tie into your investment, you can be sure to benefit from the points that you have. 

Before you get involved in a loan, you will want to check your credit score in order to make sure that you will have the ability to get the loan you want.

There are three major companies that rate your credit score, giving you points for good credit and how your history has related to the credit that you have.

The companies that you can get your credit score from Online. 

Credit scores will affect the loan you get because it helps you to be pre-approved for a loan.

Lender companies will be more willing to work with you if you have a higher score.

They will also have the ability to give you a higher amount of money.

This usually means that you are responsible with keeping up with your payments, have a good history, and how you have handled things such as overdue payments.

For some, this is the only way that loans will be approved.

For others, other factors will be considered, such as financial stability, your income and job status.

Before even beginning the process of finding real estate, you should make sure that these are in the right place. 

By adding up the points you can also add up the abilities that will take place with your loan.

Understanding the various elements of your credit score can help you to save money, time and to get approved for the loan that you want.

Simply adding it all together will be the place that you want to start in order to build your credibility.   

3 Social Media Tips 🤫 For Better Business Online

Hey there and happy day to you,

Since we've got our Social Media activities to be very popular online right now, I want to talk a bit about social media.

Now, I'm more being totally immersed expert in the fine art of social media, an to a large extent, I definitely know how to leverage it for the benefit of my business...which is what we all want anyway, right?

We don't have to be social media starlets, but we do want to be able to use the various platforms to grow business.

Here are a three(3) things out of many I've learned:

   1. Consistency is key.

Your audience will hear from you regularly and you'll stay in their minds.

And platforms like Facebook even reward you for consistency and tend to show your posts to more people when you post regularly.

   2. Give people something to think and talk about.

The more you can evoke emotion and get them thinking, the more impact you will have on them.

    You don't need a huge following, but an engaged one that cares what you have to say.

That's why focusing on the content itself is generally more important than growing the following.

You'll even see social media rockstars like Gary V say the exact same thing. Think what you want about Gary...I know he's not everyone's cup of tea.

But he has a huge following and he says the content itself is the most important.

    3. You don't have to be everywhere, but when you find a platform or tool that works well for you, keep working at it.

For example, for one of my websites, the Facebook Page is key.

But for another, the focus is mainly on the Facebook Group because it's a way to develop a community and educate people, so they can better use products being sold on the other site.

With that in mind, it certainly makes sense and exposure is much easier for you to leverage social media to grow your business.

Have a wonderful day.

Keeping Up Potential Property with Property Management

Each property that is owned by someone has a different set of job descriptions that are added to it.

If you are familiar with real estate, you are also probably familiar with the roles that are linked to the properties that you are on.

One of the important job descriptions for particular properties is in property management. 

If you are renting or owning a particular type of home, such as a town home, you will most likely have property management linked to it.

The major part of the property managers' job description is to maintain the property that you are on.

This not only includes regular maintenance, but also includes refurbishing the property when it is needed.

If there are problems with the property, it is up to the property manager to ensure that whatever the problem is can be fixed.

If the building is old, the property manager will need to determine what to change in order to allow the area to function to its best ability without causing problems later. 

The property managers also act as a link between those who are renting, leasing or working towards owning a property and telling the owner what the problem is.

If there are maintenance problems or payment problems, it is up to property management to make sure that the problem is taken care of.

Some property managers may also have the responsibility of providing accounting upkeep in relation to the payments that are being made.   

The property manager provides a level of security that is offered to both owners of a property as well as to those who are renting or leasing the area.

By having a property manager in place, it ensures that there will be certain levels of upkeep in the building that is being rented as well as allow for continuity in one who is renting or leasing an area. 

3 Tips To Achieve Copywriting Success As An Introvert By Guillermo Rubio

If you're like me, then one of the biggest challenges you're facing when it comes to living the writer's life is the fact that you're an introvert.

You want to be your own boss. You want to work when the mood strikes.

But, you're paralyzed by fear, because in order to make it all happen, you've got to "put yourself out there."

Maybe you can relate?

First, know that you're not alone.

In fact, most writers are introverts. I think it's why we "self-select" and choose a career path that doesn't involve talking to a bunch of people (like face-to-face sales, or becoming a motivational speaker).

Next, know that you CAN do this.

I'm living proof.

I don't like big gatherings. I like being alone. I'm not blessed with a sharp wit and the ability to come up with really smart things to say on the spot.

Yet, I've managed to design a lifestyle I enjoy a lot — all thanks to copywriting.

So I'd like to share with you a few of the things that have helped me get to where I am today, despite my being an introvert.

1. Gain confidence by practicing your craft.

This is a biggie. One of the challenges introverts face is feeling like they're not "ready" or perhaps not "good enough."

This lack of confidence in your abilities as a writer can be devastating.

The solution?

Get as good as you can, as quickly as you can.

One way I did this was by writing great copy out by hand.

Grab yourself a notebook or legal pad. Then get a pencil or pen (go with whatever you feel most comfortable with).

And then spend at least one hour each and every day, writing a winning letter out by hand.

This is one of the most basic things you can do … yet the benefits are profound.

Why does it work?

I don't know.

What I do know is that it does work if you do it consistently.

And a large part of my confidence as a copywriter early on came from doing this one exercise.

Another way was by learning directly from the experts in the field … Katie Yeakle, Rebecca Matter, Paul Hollingshead, and Mark Ford, to name a few. When you learn from people who live and breathe an industry like they do, you're going to get further, faster.

2. Get comfortable with saying "I'm a professional copywriter."

Another huge obstacle introverts face is feeling like an imposter.

Some call this "imposter syndrome."

Basically, this means that if someone asked you "what do you do for a living?" and you responded, "I'm a copywriter" … you'd feel really weird and awkward saying that.

In fact, you'd feel like you're lying through your teeth.

The solution is to first and foremost, really see yourself as a professional copywriter.

If you're doing the exercise of writing out letters by hand, and practicing your craft, and immersing yourself in learning, then you are — by definition — a copywriter.

So do whatever you need to do to get comfortable with that new identity.

Maybe you need to visualize yourself landing a client and having them be thrilled with the copy you turn in. Maybe you need to repeat an affirmation a few dozen times every day that says you are a copywriter.

Or maybe you just need to create a rule that whenever someone asks what you do for a living, you respond with "I'm a copywriter" and then proceed to explain what that is if they ask for further clarification.

Bottom line: Give yourself permission to say you're a copywriter and let the world know.

This is key.

Because the sooner you can get "okay" with the idea that you ARE a copywriter, the sooner you can get your first few paying clients.

3. Don't wait until you think you're perfect.

Another big thing I see with a lot of would-be copywriters (including myself when I was starting out) is this idea that you need to be absolutely "perfect" before you can get your first client.

This is FAR from the truth and the reality of this business.

First, there's no way you could ever learn absolutely everything about copywriting and marketing, etc. — even if you dedicated an entire lifetime to it.

That's because even though human psychology is pretty much the same as it was thousands of years ago, technology changes.

Marketing channels change. Everything is always in a state of flux.

Look — there is ALWAYS something you can learn in order to get better at your craft. Always.

So this idea of perfection is just a misnomer.

You just need to know more than your client, so you can deliver true value. And frankly, if you write letters out by hand and study a few controls (along with taking AWAI's Accelerated Copywriting Program), you'll be there.

That's because most businesses have no clue what they're doing when it comes to marketing.

And the businesses that ARE sharp direct-response marketers are so busy, that even if you show the hint of promise as a copywriter, oftentimes they'll be over the moon and more than willing to work with you, to get you up to speed.

That's how valuable you are.

And that's why you need to toss this idea of "knowing it all" before you get started to the curb.

4. Take baby steps every day to move closer to your goal.

I know that reaching out to potential clients is scary. Especially as an introvert.

But if you're serious about living the writer's life, then you've got to do at least ONE thing each and every day, to move you closer.

Since face-to-face interaction and even phone calls can be intimidating, I suggest you start with email.

Find a potential client to email. Write up a sample for one of their products.

Give them a few ideas to improve their copy.

Just make sure you LEAD with value, and you can't go wrong.

Will everyone respond?

Of course not.

But you'll be surprised at how many do, if you'll just put yourself "out there" even in the smallest of ways.

Another tip: Make sure you create a LinkedIn profile, if you haven't already, and mention that you are a copywriter.

Oftentimes, businesses will start on LinkedIn to see if they can find the help they need.

And depending on your connections, you might show up as a prospective writer they may want to hire (making it easy because THEY will contact you!).

That, and let everyone you come into contact with know that you're now a copywriter. You'll be surprised at how even a chance encounter can lead to your first client or even one of your best clients.

So there you have it.

If you're an introvert and struggling with making your writer's life a reality, I suggest you try out these tips.

They worked for me, and I know if you apply them, they can work for you.

6 Ways To Make More Money Online Now And Beyond

For many people, making money online would be an absolute dream come true. If they could find a way to make money with a website or some other online venture, they could quit their job to focus on entrepreneurship, spend more time with their family, and finally take back control of their time and their lives. 

 

The crazy thing is, earning money online isn’t a pipe dream. I have been doing it for nearly a decade now with my website Good Financial Cents. 

 

 I also know thousands of other people who are earning money online their own way with websites, courses, or unique marketing strategies. Now, here’s the good news. The majority of online revenue strategies aren’t that complicated. 

 

Like any business venture, your online income takes time to grow. You need to be willing to devote the time and energy required to get your idea off the ground, and you need grit to stick with it even if your journey is slow when you first start out. 

 

If you’re angling to earn money online but aren’t sure where to start, here are several of the best and most realistic strategies to consider: 
 

#1: Google Adsense

If you've visited any website, you've seen Google ads. These ads are everywhere, and for good reason. Not only are they easy to set up on any basic website, but they can be lucrative once your website starts bringing in a steady amount of traffic. 

 

One of the cool things about Google AdSense is that it's so easy to get set up. If you have a blog or website, you can sign up for a free Google AdSense Account. From there, Google will give you a unique code that you will paste onto your website. 

 

Google takes it from there, tracking your page views, traffic, and earnings on your behalf. There is no upkeep or maintenance to get this thing going, which makes it a no-brainer if you have a website already. How much will you make? I think my best month with Google AdSense was almost $5,000 over the last ten years. 

 

That amazing month blew my mind since it was actually near the beginning of my blogging journey. When you go from making zero to $5,000 in a month, that will rock your world. For me, it also got me even more excited because I knew there were other ways to monetize. 

 
#2: Affiliate Marketing

Whether you have a website or are still dreaming up ideas for a blog, you can also look into affiliate marketing. With affiliate marketing, you partner with brands and businesses within the content of your website. 

 

If you mention a product or service, you link to that produce or service using a unique affiliate code you received when you signed up for that particular affiliate program. 

 

From there, you’ll make money any time someone buys a product or service through your link. Generally speaking, you’ll want to partner with affiliates that are related to your blog concept. Since I’m a financial advisor, I have focused a lot of my affiliate energy on financial products like savings accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts. 

 

In addition to signing up for individual affiliate programs, you can also sign up for an affiliate ad network that offers a ton of different affiliates in one place. That way, you can see what works and what doesn’t work over time.

If you’re looking for inspiration, my friend Michelle Schroeder-Gardner of the website Making Sense of Sense has become the expert on all things affiliate marketing. Michelle earns more than $100,000 per month from her blog and the bulk of her income comes from affiliate sales. 

 

Michelle has had so much success with affiliate marketing that she even has her own course called Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing.
 

While Michelle works with a ton of affiliates in the financial services industry, one of her biggest affiliates is a blog hosting company called Bluehost. This just goes to show that you can make money with nearly any affiliate company or product if you know your audience and build up enough traffic to create sales.

#3: Consulting

Another way to make money online is via consulting. If you’re an expert in any field, you could potentially find people willing to pay you to counsel them on their personal or business goals.

You might think you’re not important enough to consult for big companies, but you could be surprised at the types of expertise people will pay for.

 
My colleague Robert Farrington of The College Investor is a good example of someone who consulted online on the side in an unlikely industry. Robert told me that, after he had been blogging for a few years, a couple of brands reached out to him to ask him for help with social media and online marketing. 

Robert said he did an average of 4-6 of these gigs per year for a while depending on his schedule and the work involved. 

 
The best part is, he charged a flat rate that usually worked out to around $100 per hour. And remember, this was pay he was earning to advise people on the best ways to use social media tools like Facebook and Pinterest to grow their brands. 

 

If you want to start consulting but aren’t sure what steps to take next, you can also set up a free account through Clarity.fm. This website lets anyone who wants to offer consulting set up a free profile. Once your profile is set up, people will find you and book a session you’ll get paid for.

#4: Sponsored Posts And Adverts

If you have a website or a large social media following, you can also make money by pursuing sponsored posts and ads. But, how does this work? Basically, companies are willing to pay bloggers and social media influencers to promote their products and services. 

 
If you have a platform, be it a blog or a huge Instagram following, you can cash in.
The first time I got a sponsored post for Good Financial Cents, I was totally blown away. I think I got paid only $100, but that was a lot of money to me at the time. 

 
Later on, however, I realized companies that wanted a sponsored post really just wanted a link from my website to their own site. For that reason, I started increasing my rates. These days, I charge around $4,500 for a sponsored post. 

Plus, I clearly mark all sponsored content as an #ad to stay in compliance with Google’s terms and conditions. I also only promote companies I use or believe in.

 
But, I also know bloggers that get $20,000 for a sponsored post. That’s pretty crazy, but it just goes to show what is possible. Keep in mind though, you don’t need a website to do sponsored content since you can also get paid if you have a lot of social media followers. 

 
My wife has a pretty big Instagram following, and she gets all kinds of sponsorships.
Not only does she get paid in cash, but we get a lot of free stuff, too. 

We’ve received free rugs, free lights, and free carpet cleaners. She only promotes things she loves though, so this strategy works really well for her.

#5: YouTube

YouTube is another platform that has made it possible for people to earn money online. There are a ton of YouTube channels out there on any topic if you can think of, and most of the people with a big following are earning some money in exchange for their videos and time.

 
Marine officer turned men's fashion expert, Antonio Centeno has built a million dollar business from his YouTube channel, Real Men Real Style. Last year, Forbes profiled some of the biggest players in the YouTube scene. According to the study, the top ten biggest grossing YouTube stars brought in $127 million from June 2016 to June 2017. 

 
The most popular, a gamer named DanTDM, earned $16.5 million of that on his own.

 
Will you earn that much? Probably not. However, you can start making money via YouTube using the platform’s own ad network or by getting sponsored posts. If you like doing videos, starting a YouTube channel can a fun way to earn some cash on the side.

#6: Build An Online Community

Last but not least, you can also earn money online by building an online community, although the monetization strategies you can pursue will vary a lot depending on your goals. 

 
You can build a community with a blog, for example. You can also build an online forum and charge people for membership. 

You could even build up a Facebook group and use your influence there to sell and promote products. My good friends Shane and Jocelyn Sams have become experts in building online communities.  

They have one right now for their website – Flipped Lifestyle. This community shows people how to create an online business and connects entrepreneurs who are pursuing similar dreams. Prior to that group, they had an online community for teachers looking for lesson plans. 

 

That probably sounds pretty random, but it's crazy the type of communities you can build and rally people around. If it's something that you're passionate about yourself and you want to connect with others that have that same passion, then an online community is something you should definitely consider.

The Bottom Line

There are a ridiculous number of ways to make money online and the ones I’ve covered here are just the tip of the iceberg. If you have time, a passion for almost anything, and at least some creative skill, you may be able to build an online income stream — or several — if you give it enough time. But, don’t just take my word for it. 

 

 If you look online, you’ll find thousands of success stories you can use for inspiration. One day you could even create a success story of your own. But you’ll never know unless you try.

I am a certified financial planner, author, blogger, and Iraqi combat veteran. I'm best known for my blogs GoodFinancialCents.com and LifeInsurancebyJeff.com and my book, Sold...MORE .
Jeff Rose, CFP® is determined to make sure you don't have buyer's remorse when buying an annuity.

Getting Over The Fear Of Money

For those investing in real estate, you may find that there are several unknowns that have to be accounted for that are related to money.

This investment relates to both home owners as well as those involved in the real estate business.

There are several common fears that are related to money in real estate. 

One of the major problems that are part of real estate investing is taking risks.

If you are investing in a property to own a home, you will have to take out a loan.

If you are unable to pay taxes or the loan at any time, you will be at risk of loosing the home.

This can cause several levels of fear to occur, which may lead to the wrong loan being purchased for security.

 Knowing how much risk you are willing to take with your loan will define what type of loan you should get. 

Another common fear factor with money is in relation to investing in a property during the wrong time.

If the economy is at a low or if the market price is not good, investing in a certain property may mean a loss.

This is a risk factor that many real estate companies will decide to take in order to sell a home.

When deciding if this is a good investment or not requires some risk and can cause fear if you are unsure about the economy and sale of the home. 

Money in the real estate business means taking risks.

Whether you are a home owner or are in the real estate business, there will be several times where you will have to determine logical decisions without knowing if there will be money to back up the decision.

It is important to acknowledge these fears so that certain boundaries can be set in relation to them.

This means that you know when you are going too far with a purchase or investment or when the fears are holding you back from making the right moves.

By knowing the financial details of a home purchase, you can move past your fears and make the right investments.

How To Profit From Real Estate Without Being An Investor or Realtor

You don't have to have a title in order to profit from real estate.

In fact, even if you are not an investor, realtor or someone who has studied the market, you can still profit from real estate.

All you have to do is know exactly where to find the market at. By doing this, you will have the chance to put some extra change in your pocket.

Investing in real estate is as simple as finding a place that you like and deciding to use it for something outside of your living room

You can profit by renting or leasing space out to others, fixing a property and re-selling it, or by using it for a need that you see in a community.

No matter what you want to invest in, you can be sure to earn a profit after you have found the right space and location for your investment. 

When you are considering investments that you will want to make, you will want to also consider the types of risks you are willing to take with the investments.

You want to first think about the investments that you can make at first that will benefit the most.

Usually, it will take time to begin making the money back, so your financial situation will need to be stable and you should never go out of your means. 

Many times, profiting from real estate simply means having the ability to invest in your own home, than sell it for a higher price when the market is better.

If you are keeping up with the real estate market, you will know when it is a good time to sell and when it is better to hold onto what you have.

This is an easy way to build up your investment and move into something better. 

No matter how large or small, there is always a way to benefit off of living space.

By finding what is out there and making the right investments, you will easily be able to turn real estate into a living.

Signs To Look For In The Market

Finding the signs outside of the door that say 'for sale' aren't enough when you are looking at properties for any type of investment.

Real estate is a profession that works off of the economy and how the flow of cash is moving through the economy.

If you want to make sure that you are getting the right deal, you will also want to make sure that you are moving into the right market. 

The first thing you will want to do when looking at the market is to see what trends are taking place at the time.

Typically, there will be two markets to look into.  One is a buyer's market, where the prices of real estate will be lower.

The second is a seller's market, where it will be better to sell your home.

These will be dependent on the economy at the time and the conditions that are linked to the different neighborhoods. 

Another sign to look for with any type of real estate is the environment that you will be in.

Communities will usually be linked with specific types of people and demographics.

For example, one area may have more families than older people, while other areas will have retired people or farmers.

While there may be some diversity, it is typical that specific types of people will be linked to the real estate prices and markets.

If you know the demographics of an area, you will also be able to tell when the best time to move is and can make observations about the rates of the homes. 

If you are able to link the different marketing trends to your real estate, then it simply becomes a matter of time before you find exactly what you want.

By observing and researching, you can be certain to find exactly what you need for your real estate investment.

How To Protect Your Assets

When you have something, you want to make sure that you keep it.

By investing in the right types of protection and insuring your real estate property and the things that you hold inside of it, you will have the ability to keep the things that are valuable or have the ability to replace them.

One of the ways that you can ensure protection of your property is by asset protection. 

Asset protection is a plan that is designed to protect your real estate and the things that you own inside of the real estate.

If any type of financial disaster occurs, you will have replacements and ways to ensure that the value of your property isn't lost, even if something unexpected happens. 

If you are just looking into asset protection, you will want to look at possible options through your own investigation or through talking to a lawyer.

An analysis will be taken of the amount of money that you can protect as well as how your valuables are linked to the demographics of the area.

Once the assessments have been made, you will be given an estimate of how much money you can receive in protection as well as the programs that may be best for you. 

The asset protection that will be defined when you have this analysis done will vary according to the state law.

Retirement and disability benefits are usually not considered a part of asset protection.

Personal items may also not be included on asset protection.

Things such as furniture, clothing, jewelry and other personal assets will most likely not be covered.

Some states will allow a certain percentage of these assets to be covered instead of providing full coverage.

If you want to make sure that what you have receives the most in case of an accident, then your real estate investment shouldn't just include finding the right loan.

It should also include looking at the assets and finding the best ways to get the most out of them.

By protecting what you own, you will be more likely to keep what you love. 

Types Of Real Estate Investments

The idea of real estate and property is much more than just finding a home.

There are categories of homes and business properties as well as divisions in the types of real estate that are available to others.

If you want to make a different type of investment in something that you know you can make a profit out of, then knowing the different types of real estate investments can help. 

Real estate investments begin with two major types; business and residential.

Each of these has specific guidelines set with them which will make a difference in the functions of the real estate.

  After you have determined what type of real estate you will be looking at, you can divide up what is available to you. 

If you are looking at pure residential areas, then the real estate will be divided by the size of the home.  Typically, this will be known as a single family or multi-family home.

If you are looking at a multi-family unit, you can expect to have neighbors sharing the same wall as you, such as condos or town homes.

A single family home will be completely independent and will usually be shaped differently because the neighbors can't cross the yard. 

Business real estate is also divided into several categories.  These will also often be referred to as commercial properties, and will range from office buildings to manufacturing sites.

The difference between a business building and a residential building is that it will change the approach towards regulations.

Most likely, there will be zoning rules and the lease will have different divisions for things such as taxes and insurance. 

If you are in the right area, you might have the opportunity to have both a commercial and residential area in one.

Things such as land investments or areas that have been zoned for commercial purposes may have these types of regulations.

With this, you can also consider renting a property.  If you want to have a business from home or want to expand into a business, this might be something to consider.   

The investment that you decide to make can be more than your home.  It can also be something that will bring you back profit for the investment.

If you are interested in finding a space that is much more than cozy, than knowing the different types of real estate to invest in is the place to begin. 

How To Avoid Extra High Financing Costs

Did you know that there are ways for you to pay less while you own more? 

If you know exactly how to work with the real estate market, then you can also find ways to avoid extra financing costs. 

By finding the right area to focus on for your investment, you will be able to pay lower amounts without extra charges. 

One of the easiest ways to avoid extra costs is to make sure that you pay your loan on time.

  Usually, mortgage companies will add in extra finances if you don't pay by a date that they have set for you.

  Over a specific amount of time, this can cause you to pay hundreds of extra dollars in financing at one time. 

Staying ahead and consistent will help you to keep costs stable and lower.

Of course, knowing the loan options that are available to you can also help you to avoid financing costs. 

Some homes will require that you invest more, and some loan programs will also ask that you invest a higher amount. 

You will either want to make sure that this will be beneficial to you in the long run or you will want to look into a different type of plan. 

The plans that you invest in for mortgages will make a large difference in how much you pay overall and how much you pay each month. 

The finances don't stand alone when you are trying to avoid extra costs.  The value of the property that you are investing in will also make a difference. 

The goal for any real estate investment is that there should be a high quality home for a lower price.  You want to get as close to this goal as you can. 

Even if you pay on the home for a while, it will allow you to benefit later on with the investment that you have made. 

You will have the ability to have more returned to you when you decide to invest in something bigger and better. 

Real estate financing can be beneficial if you approach it correctly.

 Understanding how all of the parts of your loan, your home and your individual need works together can help you to find the best deal.

 Over time, you will not only have a home to live in, but will also have an investment that can help you to make the most of what you have. 

The Top Ten (10) Terms And Conditions For Any Loan

Everyone should know that you should never sign on the final dotted line without fully reading and understanding the contract you are getting into.

This same terms and conditions applies to loans from any lending of financial company.
Signing a loan without knowing the terms and what everything means can be detrimental to your finances, credit and future investments and income.

Before you sign, make sure that you know these terms and how they will apply to you and your income. 

 
1.  Interest rate.  The interest rate is the percentage of your loan that is added on every month.  The percentage will vary according to the economy and will make a difference in your payments. 

 
2.  Fixed Rate.  A fixed rate will be an interest rate that stays at the same percentage throughout the entire period of your loan. 

 
3.  Variable Rate.  A variable rate will change according to the economy and the charts that are stating what the rates should be for interest.  A variable rate usually changes every year and adjusts according to a specific given range of percentages. 

 
4.  Principal.  The principal is what you will be paying on your actual house.  Whatever you pay on your principal is what you will see in the end as your investment. 

 
5.  Escrow.  This is similar to a savings account of your loan.  Whatever you put in escrow will accumulate without paying directly into the loan.

At the end of the term you can use it to finish paying off the loan or to invest in another loan. 

 
6.  Title.  A title will be what you get to your home after it is officially yours, stating that the property belongs to you. 

 
7.  Deed.  A deed will most often be used as a title for a commercial area.

 Instead of giving ownership it shows that the property is leased to the one who is using it as a business. 

 
8.  Home Equity.  This is a loan or line of credit that you can get for your home.
It will finance up to eight percent of your other loan and get paid back later.

This helps if you want to consolidate loans or invest more into the property. 

 
9.  Appraisal.  After an inspection of the home is made, an appraisal will be made.  This will be an estimated value of what the home is worth. 

 
10.  Equity.  This will be the actual amount of the property that you own.  Most likely, it is what is being paid off of your principal amount. 

 
Once you know some of these basic terms, you will be able to expand on your knowledge and find the exact loan that will fit your needs.

These basic definitions will help you in making the right decision for the type of loan that you want. 

The Ladder of Investment

Making an investment of any kind doesn't just mean handing over an extra set of hundred dollar bills.

With every large investment, there are specific rules and processes that are defined in order to ensure that your money will be going to the right place. 

If you are investing in real estate, you will want to know what initial investments will be. 

If you have found a home and are beginning a process for buying the home, you will begin to make some initial investments soon after the first contract is signed. 

Most real estate investments will require a down payment, which includes a set amount of money towards the person that is selling the home. 

This will then be put on your credit towards the investment that you are making. 

If you have extra money set aside, you will want to put it in the down payment, as this will make a difference in your investment later on and can help with final approvals for the loan that you are receiving. 

Another set of investments that you will be making is for any extra costs from the team that you have built. 

For example, a home inspection will usually cost a small amount of money. 

There may also be extra fees linked to the lenders paperwork and other things that are related to things such as the contract. 

Every person that is working with you will receive a commission or part of the investment that you are making in the beginning. 

Before you begin house hunting, make sure that you know about the initial investments and how it will affect your bank account.

Setting aside a specific amount of money for your first home, or knowing how much to include in a down payment after buying a second home will help you to make the right investments from the beginning. 

You will want to make sure that you walk into your dream home with enough money to get you completely in the door. 

Write A Curriculum Vitae (CV) That Gets Jobs (Part 2)

 A Curriculum Vitae (CV) That Gets Jobs (Part 1 )
 The Main Sections of the Curriculum Vitae

  Personal Data

The practice of writing a standard CV begins with personal data.
In our multi-cultural society and with dialect differences it is important to research and understand the background of an employer, so that you avoid culture-shock when presenting your job application. Family name and first name may be presented differently. 

In some nationalities all job communications begin with the family name. 
 Some write the name in capital letters and others underline it.

  Therefore the nationality of the job seeker is significant. 

The job may be for nationals only or for a specific nationality.
The reasons may differ from diplomatic relations, standards of education and level of languages, to a working permit to ascertain nationalities. Another thing that is a must is the address.  A contact address is a channel of communication between you as an applicant and your prospective employer. 
 It is therefore crucial to provide your physical address, email address, home telephone number, mobile phone number, work telephone and, if applicable, fax address.
These must to be clearly and correctly stated in the CV.

Details of your age, wife, husband, marital status, children and sex orientation are optional.
You can provide these if the prospective employer requires or if it is one of the requirements in the job advertisement. For example, if the employer requires someone 35 years of age and you are 33 years and you possess all other qualifications, then there is no need to provide your age. It is better to risk not telling your age until the interview because the employer may decide to eliminate you because of your age.   

You have a good chance of impressing them during the interview rather than being blocked right away.  If you are within the age bracket required by employer then state your age bracket. The reason why age is not important to state in your CV is that an employer may be your age or an older person who prefers working with either people of their age, older or younger than them. This may discriminate you during their sorting of the applicants, which is not good. It is better that your skills speak for you instead of your marital status, age, religion or race.  It is better to add your ‘date of birth’ if possible, rather than to write out your age. It is advisable to mention your sex if it is not obvious from your name. 

For example, girls sometimes use their father’s names when they first register in national exams as their surname or family name.  

State your nationality and passport/ID number if appropriate.

Some jobs require married employees.  It is then important for you to state your marital status.  Mention your marital status if needed; what the employer state in the job advertisement is necessary and so provide it. 

 It is better if the employer gets all he or she needs in your CV than having to wait to question you on the interview day. 
Employers should get all answers from your CV which is the only way an employer knows you have really paid attention to the details.

 Education and Qualifications

This part should be arranged in a chronological order starting with recently achieved qualifications.
 Begin with the highest level of education acquired.  For example: Doctorate, Masters, Bachelors, Diploma, A-level and then 0-level.

College and courses attended as a mature student should be included in a chronological order.
Qualifications obtained at evening classes, part time studies and correspondence courses should be included as it makes you an outstanding candidate for the position applied for. 
These qualifications add credit to your CV.

If you are applying for a job immediately after high school or college without any work experience, it is better to include grades achieved at each level.
Once you have been working for a while, sometimes it is sufficient enough to just list the qualifications obtained since the age of 13.
 This list reduces as you go up the ladder to a high level of education.  If you are a high school diploma holder, have a primary certificate or other levels worthy a mention; be sure to add them in your list. 

 If you have never had work experience then even your grades earned should be shown.  PHD and Master’s Degree holders should list up to high school qualification, the high school diploma in some countries, and A-Level courses in others

Clarity and neatness is required for easy readability and to inform the prospective employer that you are an organized person and that given a job you will deliver.

Most employers are interested in positions held during high school years, clubs and responsibility awards won, sports and work experience.  Some organizations even have their own football clubs.
You will have better chance of getting employed if you can offer a bright football expertise to their clubs.

Employers are also keen to assess projects you previously initiated and their results, whether the project is still alive or has been abandoned and why.
They also will seek to know some of your published books, articles papers and research.
 All these should be stated briefly under the section called “other qualifications”.

Current Employment and Work Experience

The best practice is to put the most recent employment at the beginning.
This is to help the reader to know what you are doing at present. The reader will grow with interest wanting to know what you were doing before that.
 This practice enables the reader to skim through without reading detailed data but gain up-to-date information when the CV is long.
 It is important to state information that is quickly identified at first sight.  Work experience should be brief and accurately stated.

It is important to state the name of the organization, position held and the dates. This takes the readers five seconds to comprehend. 
Every position held will then follow with a brief summary of duties and responsibilities.

Professional Associations/ Memberships

Being a member of a professional association tells the employer that you are interested in whatever you do. These associations update members about new trends and developments in the field. They urge members to attend conferences; some even discipline and professionally certify their members. For example:  The law society of  Ghana withdraws a practicing license if one does not adhere to their code of ethics. Therefore having a practicing license from such body gives the employer trust and confidence in you and knowledge that you are a responsible professional. The employer can also track your records from your professional association without asking you for them. Employers trust applicants who belong to a professional organization and such applicants have higher chances of getting employed.

Summary of Skills

Some writers skip this section or include it in “other qualifications” sections.
 In some CVs it is termed as ‘qualification number two’, but it is good to have this section just after the “professional memberships” and before “interests” is listed.
Examples of skills employers look for are:

• Excellent communication
• Good computing skills
• Exceptional reporting skills
• Camera and photography knowledge
• Effective organizational ability
• Results driven
• Attention to detail

These skills are usually stated as required in the job advertisement. It is advisable to briefly state them in the CV and also in the cover letter. 
Applicants should provide skills he or she is able to prove if required to by the employer.  
For example:  just stating “computing skills” or “able to find computer documents and files” and then the employer finds that you cannot even turn on the computer will be embarrassing, and the employer might conclude that you lied.

Personal Interests

You have to state one or two of your personal interests such as hobbies or sports. 
Avoid listing all your interests and hobbies because the employer may then wonder when you actually have time to work.  Interests, hobbies, and sports tell an employer more about you. Listing these helps to demonstrate your organization skills and tells whether you are a team player or not. If you are the treasurer of a local club, member of a charity organization, school prefect or head girl or head boy, chairman of the wildlife club, a Girl Guide or scout, or have other responsibilities, is an indication that you are a responsible and industrious person.

  References

Choose references who know you well.  Put their names, physical address, email address, and telephone number.
 List each reference separately at the end of your CV. It is advisable to ask the references for their permission before you write down their names. Three references are required: one educational, one professional and one personal. The references should know you well and on a personal level. Each of the three should be persons of outstanding authority in a company, an institution, or your community or society.  

Some organizations prefer religious leaders as Pastors, Imams, or Bishops, etc. The reference should have known you for at least two years. Have a wonderful day.
Write A Curriculum Vitae (CV) That Gets Jobs (Part 1 )

5 Characteristics And Quotes Of Successful Investors (Part 2)

1. They know how to use leverage to their advantage

What’s the major difference between a successful investor such as Warren Buffett and the average investor? My answer is this; a successful investor knows how to make money by investing with other people’s money while an average investor invests with personal funds.

  Investing with other people’s money is a form of leverage.

“The most important word in the world of money is cash flow. The second most important word is leverage.” – Rich Dad

Other people’s money is not the only form of leverage an investor can utilize. Your leverage can be your professional team, your investing experience or inside information.

“Financial leverage is the advantage the rich have over the poor and middle class.” – Rich Dad

“If you owe the bank $100, that’s your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, that’s the bank’s problem.” – J. Paul Getty

2. They learn quickly from their mistakes “Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement.” – Henry Ford

When investors talk of experience, they are simply talking about the trials faced, mistakes made, lessons learned and triumphs achieved.You can never become a successful investor without making some miscalculations or mistakes. Successful investors make mistakes but they are not discouraged by these mistakes because they know mistakes are part of the process to becoming a better investor.
 Average investors perceive mistakes as bad but successful investors see mistakes as an opportunity to learn something new. “Only those who are asleep make no mistakes.” – Ingvar Kamprad 

 

3. They have a team of professional advisors

“It is better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you will drift in that direction.” – Warren Buffett

If you observe successful investors closely, you will notice they have a team of professional advisors.

Average investors try to beat the market alone while professional investors invest as part of a team.
Successful investors also have a network of friends made of professional investors.
They share advice and brainstorm on investing challenges with their investor friends. Do you want to become a successful investor? If yes, then it’s time to start choosing your friends carefully.
Remember, birds of the same feather flock together.

“I have been within the four walls of school and I have been on the street. I can confidently tell you that the street is tougher, challenging, daring, exciting and more rewarding. In school; you play alone. But on the street, you play with the big boys.” – Ajaero Tony Martins

4. They have a strong financial background “Business and financial intelligence are not picked up within the four walls of school. You pick them up on the streets. In school, you are taught how to manage other people’s money. On the streets, you are taught how to make money.” – Ajaero Tony Martins 

Just as stated in the quote above, you only become a better investor by being on the streets. Successful investors have a solid financial foundation; a foundation molded on the streets.
On the streets, you learn from your own experience. Successful investors build up their financial base by attending seminars, reading books and journals, learning from a mentor and listening to tapes; after which they go out on their own to gain street experience.
Average investors try to hone their investing skills while still striving to avoid loss. Successful investors on the other hand know that experience come with losing money and learning from the loss.

5. Successful investors are passionate about investing “Men of means look at making money as a game which they love to play.” – J. Paul Getty

Why are you an investor? Your answer to this question will determine if you will be successful in the world of investing or not.
A famous author once said this: “if you are going to play a game, choose a game you can play throughout your life time and investing is one of such game.”
 If you take a look at average investors, they are always after how much they are going to make now but successful investors use delayed gratification and compounding to gain an edge. 

“Wealth is only a benefit of the game of money. If you win, the money will be there.” – J. Paul Getty

Finally, these characteristics are usually possessed by most successful investors. If it’s your desire to join this league of investors, all you need to do is gradually develop these characters.  I want to state categorically that becoming a successful investor is within your reach. Just model the masters of the game and you will see yourself improving. Best wishes and have a wonderful New Year ahead. 

 

Read Part 3 Here. 

6 Traditional Ways To Get More Twitter Followers Today.

Read 21 tips to get more twitter followers here.
1. Do a Radio Interview
Much like speaking at conferences, radio interviews are a great way to get attention. Whether through AM/FM, satellite, or Blog Talk Radio, the interviews can be used to gain some positive and wildly popular PR. 

 

To be interviewed on the radio you need to position yourself as an expert. Watch your local stations for requests (they often publish them via social media,) list yourself in expert directories, and even contact the station directly and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities for experts.

 

While you won’t have a visual medium to display your Twitter account, repeating your Blog name and Twitter username a few times during your interview can help you gain new followers. You can also use your interview time to promote contests and upcoming events through your Twitter feed, which is sure to get you some new followers in no time at all!

2. Newspaper Interviews and Articles
If you can somehow tie your business or industry to a current event, it can be easy to get an article in the traditional press that includes your information.You can distribute your own article via press release, or make yourself available for expert interviews through directories and by approaching the media directly. 

 

If you have the resources, hiring a public relations firm can be a great help with this.They can get you expert interviews in many newspapers and national publications, and because of their existing relationship with the editor, you will often be allowed to include a bit more company information than the average submission. If you don’t have the resources, write a compelling press release that ties your business to a current event. 

 

Distribute it to the local media, and call to follow up. Create a media kit or press kit for distribution when someone asks for information about you and your business. Getting interviews in traditional press isn’t difficult for a small business owner, but it does take an investment of time and some persistence. 

 

When you do gain some media exposure, while most companies are just now beginning to include links to their website in the article, you can include links to site and social media accounts like Twitter to get new followers and exposure for your expertise.

3. Attend Networking Events
If you run a business, you likely have a local networking event that you do or can attend. Publicizing your Site and Twitter profile at events like these through your business cards, stickers, and stamps can gain you a large number of targeted Twitter followers very quickly! Be sure to offer an incentive for following you, such as free reports, discounts, or updates.

4. Research and Publish a Report
Reports and white papers are still an essential form of communication for industries and markets around the globe. If you have any data or research to share, or even just helpful ideas, publishing a report or whitepaper can successfully get you the attention of industry leaders, media, and yes – social media. 

 

You can get your white papers and reports distributed by trade magazine distributors across North America, which will often give you the customers’ information. Offer the report or whitepaper on your own website, as well as on Twitter itself. You may find that the link to your report gets retweeted, getting you valuable exposure! As with other forms of offline publishing, be sure to utilize your author’s bio and include links to Twitter and other profiles.

5. Magazine Articles
Like newspaper articles, magazine articles can get you great attention from readers and potential customers. Unlike newspapers, however, they can be much longer in length, explain things in much more depth, and offer more opportunities for promotion. Go to the website for your favorite industry magazine and look for a link to their publishing schedule. 

 

There, magazines will list topics that they are going to be covering in the coming months. If you feel you can contribute to one of these topics, contact the editor with a proposal for your article. Do not send the whole article! Editors need a quick glance to determine if your content will be worthy, before approving you to begin work. The great thing about working with magazines is that in certain circumstances, you can even get paid for your submission. 

 

How many opportunities do you have that allow your advertising to pay you? Magazine editors will typically allow for a longer author’s bio, offer more opportunities for promotion, and may even extend offers for inexpensive advertising in exchange for your contribution. Other Ideas An inexpensive way to spread your Twitter username is with a rubber stamp customized with your Twitter ID on it. 

 

Once you have this stamp simply stamp your ID on everything. No new printing costs, no need to change the receipt printer – just stamp, stamp, stamp away! As you can see, offline methods for finding Twitter followers are only limited by your imagination. Pubs and restaurants can publish their ID on coasters and napkins. 

 

Magnets with your Twitter ID are a great “leave behind” for moving companies, and custom Twitter signs inserted into baked goods are a great way for a local bakery to get their information in front of consumers. Don’t be shy with your Twitter account; if you really want to gain a large, targeted following, you have to go after it!

6 Feature columns
Even more powerful than individual newspaper or magazine articles are feature columns. If you have the dedicated time, offering to write a feature column for a magazine or newspaper will not only assist the editor with their workload but give you more opportunities for promotion. Have a wonderful time, Stay safe.