With graduate debt averaging over £12,000, the ability to spread the cost of further education using a student credit card is obviously attractive. Adding to their appeal is the fact that these cards are relatively easy to obtain. Unlike many standard credit cards, they are available to people who do not have a regular, minimum income and credit history. They often come with tempting offers including low rates for an introductory period,...more
As eyes look forward to a new business year, many small business owners and entrepreneurs are hoping that this upcoming year will be the one that catapults them into success. But according to Shannon Cherry, APR, businesses often overlook a key element when making their business plans and resolutions. "Most new businesses fail within three years - and it's often due to the fact that many business owners think that simply hanging up an OPEN sign...more
Here is a step by step guide for buyers looking to buy a condo in any area. These are important tactics to make a solid and accurate judgement on the property you're looking to purchase.- When purchasing a condominium make sure that you ask for the last three to six months of the condominium minutes. This infomation will provide you with alot of insight into what is happening in the building.- Obtain a copy of the Declaration, the bylaws, and any rules and regulations from the Condo Association.- To make sure you are buying into a financially sound building, it is also advisable to find out if the building has any outstanding loans with a bank. Some buildings may take out loans instead of doing a special assessment as a way of doing major work such as new elevators or the exterior facade of the building.- Make sure you obtain a statement from the Condo Association of any capital expenditures anticapted by the Board within the current or succeeding two fiscal years.- Find out from the Condo Association if there are any pending suits or judgements in which the Board is a party.- If the building is newer, find out if the parking is deeded or assigned and whether you can sell it to...more
1. Never discuss your household finances over the phone with the collection department. What you don't know is that you are being qualified and not know it. This is the easiest and fastest way to get a turn down. Request a homeowners assistance package so that you can submit the require information. 2. Never tell them you are broke. Even though you...more
In today's hectic business environment, it is vital that we are all on the same page, right? But how do we know if we meet those standards? Business owners and executives can avoid the uncertainty, and that's where ISO 9001 certification comes in.Standardizing Quality SystemsThe ISO, or International Organization for Standardization, was...more
When you invest in the stock market for ever-increasing cash dividend income, verses trying to make a buck in the stock market, your mindset will change. There will no longer be a fear of losing money in the stock market. With the right type of investment plan and investment choices all worries of losing money in the stock market will disappear. The mind set that will emerge when you adopt a proven income producing investment plan in the stock market will create an air of worry-free concern about the up and down turmoil of a volatile stock market. Whether your investment portfolio is rising or falling won't make a difference. Your income producing investment plan will prove to continually increase your cash dividend income from all your stock market investments, on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. The use of a proven investment plan will allay all fears about investing in the stock market. Why? Because the proven investment plan is based on two very simple and fundamental investment strategies - investing in only those companies that have a historical record of raising their dividend every year, and having the dividends from those companies rolled back into more shares each...more
Are you looking for that "something" to give you the winning edge in your business? Is success still elusive even after burning both ends of the candle? Well, you may be looking for success in al the wrong places or you may not have an accurate...more
At about this time each year, without fail, the lament will go out about how the real meaning of Christmas has been lost. This pre-Christmas tut-tutting is as much of a tradition as the obligatory Christmas cards, and treated in the same casual way....more
"Work smarter, not harder" is a cliché that has darted in and out of the workplace for years. But it's still as true as ever. And it's often overlooked advice that truly works. "Working smarter" means think strategically about how to improve your...more
A day in the life of every businessperson is made up of a series of meetings and greetings. Whether you are making the initial contact with a client or a colleague, you want to get off on the right foot. Doing so will make the first encounter and...more
Here, Cratchet, what do you think you're doing?Uh, er, leaving sir.Leaving? It's 5 minutes to the hour. Shall I dock your pay accordingly.Uh, er, no sir.No sir? Well it's back to work for you then, and be quick about it. And I don't expect your mind...more
More companies are saving time and effort by doing initial telephone interviews before committing themselves to hours of time assessing and evaluating applicants. They are doing this because, frankly, it's a good way to save a team's time from...more