“We have been taught false principles by the world in which we live. The plumb line for truth is God’s Word, not a college textbook or a standard practice. God’s Word teaches a set of principles most of us haven’t heard in the media or in the classroom.” —Larry Burkett
No Comments » Borrowing Money to Pay Off Debt
When it comes to your debt, the interest rate is not your problem. The debt is your problem! Home equity lines of credit, 401(K) loans, and debt consolidation are all popular ways of borrowing money to pay off debt, but at the end of the day they do not work! You are still in debt, except you changed the lender’s name.
You can not borrow your way out of debt. By doing so, you are just robbing Peter to pay Paul. Yes, you might now have lower monthly payments that you can manage, but you do not want you just to manage your debt, but rather eliminate it for good!
If you fill a hole by digging another hole and putting the dirt in the old hole, all you have is just a new hole. Doing that would be weird, but that is exactly what we do when you borrow money to pay off debt. It does not work because it keeps you in debt. What you need to do instead is to get intense and decide to get rid of the debt once and for all.
Get started today. Stop digging holes, fill them in for good. Call us or schedule an appointment online. We will gladly help you reach financial freedom!
Perspective
Do you need a fresh perspective on how you are handling your money?
- Do you run out of money before the month ends?
- Do you feel entrapped by your debt?
- After paying your bills do you have any money left over to enjoy and save?
- Have you ever impulsively bought a car or major appliance?
- Do you lose sleep or experience anxiety about your finances?
- Do you feel like you are doing OK with your finances but you have this feeling that you can not get ahead financially?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you are pretty normal. However, normal people are broke, and you don’t want to be broke. The good news is you do not have to be! You can choose to be different. You can live debt free and pay for your purchases with cash and not rely on the use of credit. Having an emergency fund for rainy days is possible. Experiencing peace with your finances is possible and you can grow your wealth and leave a legacy financially.
Your financial situation is not permanent, you can change! What has happened in the past financially, happened in the past. Doing what you have been doing with money probably is not working, but simply having a new perspective on your money might be all you need. If so, please contact us today! We can discuss in person or over the phone how we can help you gain back control of your finances and give you the perspective you need to succeed.
Winning with Money
Winning with money is an ongoing process. Different people can be at different steps and still be doing well financially. There are several measurement steps along the way, including living on less than you make, becoming debt free, and investing money for your future. But it is always a continuous thing. To win with money you will continually strive to do the best you can.
So, how do you know if you are winning with money? You need to set goals. You need to know where you stand financially. In 1 month, do you have more financial means than you did the month before. Do you have less debt or more savings? In 1 year, are you further ahead financially than you were the year before? Are you closer to your goals? If you have clear goals set and you can see that you are getting closer to them, than you are winning. If you can clearly see that you are financially better than before, you are winning.
Need help getting on track? Need help setting those goals or learning how to win? Give us call or use our Online Scheduling tool to schedule an appointment, we are happy to help you win.
What could I do for …… if I were debt-free?
Fill in the blank. What could I do for _____ if I were debt free?
What could I do for my church if I were debt free?
What could I do for my family if I were debt free?
What could I do for flood victims if I were debt free?
What could I do for cancer patients if I were debt free?
What could I do for my neighbor if I were debt free?
What could I do if I were debt free?
If you were debt free, you would have more available money to do with as you please.
If you were debt free, you wouldn’t be required to work so hard just to pay the bills.
Being debt free goes beyond having money. It will free you from the slavery of debt payments. You might be able to take more time off to spend with your family, or volunteer. Freedom from debt is life changing. A life change well worth striving for.
Dealing with personal finances can be overwhelming
Dealing with personal finances can be overwhelming for anyone. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Vertical Vision has developed some easy and useful tools to make it easy and fun. Vertical Vision also offers workshops that make it easy to understand finances and how to make money work for you.
Click Here to schedule your appointment today.
Expense Tracker
Vertical Vision is pleased to announce the release of our all new Expense Tracker.
The Vertical Vision Expense Tracker is by far the best tool you will ever use to help keep you on budget. The Expense Tracker keeps you on target, allowing you to spend only what you have available for each budget category. Unlike other budget systems like the popular envelope system that requires you to carry all your expense money around with you as cash in envelopes, the Expense Tracker works with your modern lifestyle tracking Cash, Checks, and Debit Card purchases.
The expense tracker is easy to carry as it is about the size of a dollar bill, allowing it to fit well in your pocket. Pages can be easily added and removed to customize it to your exact needs.
To purchase your Expense Tracker or to buy one for a friend, just click here: Expense Tracker
Marriage is a team sport
How much better would it be if you and your spouse worked together on your money matters? If you both worked together as if you were on the same team, you would together reach the same goals. So much stress and resentment would disappear because you both are on the same track with the same goal in mind.
Why not give it a try? What’s the worst that could happen?
Enjoy your job!
“In the long run you will receive more from life doing the job you enjoy than you will ever earn in money from a job you loathe.” Terry L. Mayfield ~
Your action for today is to reflect on how much you enjoy your job. If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, do something about it or commit to doing something else instead.
If you are not enjoying your job, start now on change. Can you enjoy your job? If not, it’s time to start moving on. Decide what is that you want to do. Research the type of job you would like to have. Polish your resume to reflect the type of job you want. Identify companies that can use the types of skills you have and have the kind of position you are looking for. Find out who in those companies you identified are the direct managers for the type of job you want. Now, send them a letter of introducing yourself and how you would be a great asset to the company. Two days after sending out the first letter, send out a resume to the same people with a brief cover letter. In the cover letter state that you will follow-up with a phone call in about two days. About 3 days after you send the resume (this allows for 1 day in the mail) call the person you sent the resume to. Introduce yourself, ask if it is a good time to talk for just a few minutes (if they say no, ask when would be a good time to call back), be brief, polite, and ask for an interview.
The secret here is that most companies do not hire from a help wanted ad. If you present yourself well, you will be considered for the non-advertised job opening. Don’t worry if not everyone wants to meet with you. It’s okay. Keep looking for other places that will offer the type of job you want.
The worst thing you can do to acquire that new job is nothing. If you do nothing, you are guaranteed to get no results. Remember the old saying Try, Try, and Try again. If you are actively looking, you will find that new job. It may take some hard work and persistance, but you will find it.
Do you have a dream?
Do you have a dream? Do you ever think that people doing great got lucky? Have you ever wondered how make your dream work? The answer is quite simple. Those who succeed set goals with timeframes.
If you want to make a business work, define what makes it work then set goals to reach that will get you to the point where the business works.
If you want to make $100,000 per year, no problem. Now you need to figure out how to get there. Set goals. You will need to make $8,333 per month. Great. Now how do I do that? Well, if you are in commission sales earning 10% you need to make 83,333 in sales every month. Now you need to figure out how many sales calls you need to make to close that much in sales.
The formula is quite simple. Any dream can be accomplished. First you identify the dream. Next you set goals with time frames to reach the dream. Without goals and timeframes, your dream will stay simply a dream.
Those who set goals have something to reach and strive for, a way to measure if they are succeeding or not.
The Stock Market is Down. Should I worry?
Investing is for long term. The ups and downs of a single day/month/year shouldn’t worry you. Long term the stock market has always won. Check out the statistics of mutual funds. Pick one with a good track record, buy in and hold onto it long term. People who jump in and out typically earn less than 7% per year. People who pick a few good funds and hold on can easily earn more than 10% per year.
Want to learn about investing. Give us a call, we would be happy to help. (973) 440-8095
Breaking Free From Debt
MOMS Club® of Stanhope Area & Vertical Vision
proudly host…
Breaking Free From Debt
An Interactive, informational workshop
STOP THINKING!!
- I wish I could save more – I wish I din’t have debt
-I dont know how I’m ging to retire – I wish I could pay all my bills AND
have a few dollars left – I work so hard but have little or nothing to show for it
- I wish I could save more – I wish I din’t have debt
-I dont know how I’m ging to retire – I wish I could pay all my bills AND
have a few dollars left – I work so hard but have little or nothing to show for it
Saturday, September 24th Postponed until March
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
$10 per person
100 Main Street, Stanhope, New Jersey
*** Free Childcare Available ***
100 Main Street, Stanhope, New Jersey
*** Free Childcare Available ***
Registration Required - Spaces Limited!
To Register, please use the form below or email: MOMs.24×7@gmail.com
For more information about Stanhope Area Moms Club visit:
www.StanhopeAreaMOMSClub.com
email: MOMs.24×7@gmail.com
www.StanhopeAreaMOMSClub.com
email: MOMs.24×7@gmail.com
Fall Classes
Vertical Vision is excited to announce our Fall 2011 classes. Please use the form below or call us at: (973) 440-8095 to register. These classes will change your life and financial future. Register Today.
October 22nd – November 19th – “Living Financially Free”
During this five week course you will learn how to roll up your sleeves and dig into your finances. It is a fast paced interactive time of learning. You will be challenged and encouraged while being given the tools to succeed with money.
In week one, you will learn how to avoid impulse purchases, why saving is important, and how to save.
Week two is all about handling your money. You will learn about cash flow planning, relating with money, how to make a budget that really works. You will also learn about the differences between the way men and women view money.
During week three you will start to eliminate your debt. This class will highlight how to speak with creditors, how to get out of debt for good, and we will discuss the myths of loans.
In week four you will learn about investments. You will learn about Short Term, Long Term, Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Options, IRA, 401K, Retirement, and College planning.
Week five delves into earning and giving. Giving is important to any healthy financial plan. You will learn why to give and how to give. During this class you will also learn about earning. We will discuss building a business, how your personality affects your job, and how you can reach your full potential.
All classes are interactive and your questions are answered. These classes are designed for you. You will be able to manage your money and live financially free.
Living Financially Free is being offered as 5 consecutive weeks of two-hour classes starting at 10am October 22nd at 274 Spring Street, Newton, New Jersey. Cost $50/person or married couple
Budget Worksheet
Here is our Free Budget Worksheet. With our worksheet, you can quickly plan a monthly budget and see if you are making enough money and how much “extra” money you have available to pay down debt or apply towards your goals. You will also see if you are overspending and be able to adjust your spending so that you are no longer overspending. The last page of the form has instructions on how to use it. If you have any questions or need help, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to help.
Budget Worksheet
How to Get Out of Debt
The following are steps that anyone can take to get out of debt and to stay out of debt.
- Give to God first. The first fruits of all that He gives us—the tithe from our gross income—must be our first commitment. Without faithfully fulfilling this commitment, all other efforts will fail.
- Stop all forms of borrowing. This includes credit card use, personal bank loans, family loans, student loans, and all consumer credit. The sooner you stop borrowing, the sooner you will be out of debt.
- Establish an Emergency Fund. An emergency fund is to shield you from unexpected expenses. For most people an emergency fund of $1,000 is sufficient while trying to eliminate debt.
- Develop a balanced budget. A balanced budget is the primary tool in any family’s plan for managing money. If you are in debt already, the budget will need to be fairly restrictive for at least a while.
- Work out a pay-back plan with your creditors. Most creditors are more than willing to work with people who honestly want to repay them. Make sure that every creditor gets something, but stay within the guidelines of your budget.
- Learn to trust God. God knows what you need before you ask, so begin to trust Him for the things you need but can’t afford. Do not charge to get them; wait for God’s provision.
- Exercise self-discipline as a lifestyle. Curb impulses to buy. If it is not budgeted, don’t buy it.
- Seek wise counsel. Many people need assistance in establishing and maintaining a budget and working with creditors.
- Rely on God’s Word. Make all financial decisions based on the principles of God’s Word, not the world’s financial principles and conventional financial wisdom.
Fix Your Finances and Fix Your Marriage and Family
Most divorces are the result of money problems and money fights. When a married couple disagrees about how they spend money or has anxiety over money it usually results in arguments, bitterness, and resentment. This hostility towards your spouse trickles down to the children in the family. They become anxious, worried, and often do worse in school and have more discipline problems.
When you fix your financial problems and start working together, you not only relieve a lot of pressure, but you actually strengthen your marriage. As a result, your children feel more secure and tend to perform better in school and other activities.
Get started on the road to a better financial life today.
Give us a call; you’ll be glad you did. (973) 440-8095
Did I Make Enough Money?
Do you wonder if you make enough money? Do you wonder if you are overspending. With our Income vs. Budget form you can quickly see if you are making enough money and how much “extra” money you have available to pay down debt or apply towards your goals. The second page of the form has instructions on how to use it. If you have any questions or need help, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to help.
Click here to load our form: Monthly_Income_vs_Budget
Are You Saving? Are You Unable to Save?
Many Americans, don’t save any money. I’m sure you heard the rule of saving 10 percent of your money. That sounds like a nice number, but most people can barely pay all their bills as it is, so the thought of saving 10 percent seems impossible, and therefore most people don’t save anything.
The first part of saving is to understand why you are saving. Just some bank account with some money in it doesn’t add up to a great motivation to start saving. Savings needs a point and a goal. Having both a point to savings and a goal to reach will give you a reason to save and motivation to save.
The first thing you want to do is save an emergency fund. An emergency fund is to be used for when something goes wrong like the car breaking down, a major appliance breaks, or the house needs a repair that isn’t regular maintenance. When you use money from the emergency fund, make sure it is really an emergency. After you use the money, start putting money back into the account to replenish it so that it is available the next time you need it. It is not a question of will you have an emergency, the true question is what will it be and how much will it cost. We don’t know what the emergency will be, and we certainly don’t know how much it will cost. What we do know is it will happen, so we should plan for it. How much should we plan, well that depends, but a good rule of thumb is $1,000. If you have $1,000 in a savings account you can pay for most emergencies that pop up.
Great, now you have a point and goal, but you don’t have money. You do not need to save all the money in one shot. You can do it slowly over time. As you have an extra dollar, you can put it in a savings account. Slowly those dollars add up. If an emergency pops up, you will now have some money set aside that you can use to pay for the emergency. Don’t let the occasional emergency stop you from saving. Continue to save, one dollar at a time. Once you reach your goal, don’t stop. Define a new savings goal. The next goal might be to save for the unexpected loss of a job, retirement, college, etc. Whatever your goal is, set it and start saving for it.
Success is great but dangerous
Before you begin to achieve success, define what enough is. If you don’t define what enough is, then you will never achieve it. For more will always be an option and more is what you will strive for.
I’m not saying that striving to get better or achieve more is bad, but it is bad when you don’t set boundaries to what it is. You need to set goals, targets. When you set these goals and targets, you will know if you are progressing. You will know how hard to press forward. You will know if you need to change direction. Without knowing what enough is, you have no target, you have no goal, and you have no end. You will have no way to measure success or your distance from it. All you will see is that there is always the opportunity for more.
During your pursuit of enough, do not isolate yourself from those who care for you. Include them in your life. They were there before enough and will be there long after your pursuit of enough. A life that is just about obtaining is not much of a life.
Define enough. Make enough the goal. Once you reach enough, you can then reflect and add another goal, stretch that goal, or stop.
