For many people, growing your net worth and becoming financially free is a desperate sought after desire. However, something seems to get in the way. It is almost as if when things begin going really good, something bad happens. In other word, you take one step forward, but slide back two. For instance, you are beginning to save on a regular basis and then the car breaks down draining all that savings. Sound familiar?

Below are few reasons why many people get held back financially.

Not PLANNING for the storms to come

We also know it will rain again some someday, both in the natural and in our financial life too. Even in ancient Bible writing we see this – the story of Joseph. The story goes something like this. Joseph was in prison, but was requested to attend a meeting with the ruler of the land. The ruler asked him to interpret a dream – a very odd request. Joseph told the ruler that for next several years things would be great, but after that famine would hit the land hard. He must have been convincing, because the ruler took him out of prison, made him second in command, and followed Joseph’s plan – a plan to save all they could for the next seven years.

In our lives we need to follow this same advice. You do this be having a plan to live by when things are good, preparing for when things take a turn for the worse. To do this you develop:

1) A savings plan

2) A spending plan

3) A sharing plan – allowing you to give more when you have it

You also must live within your means (not your neighbor’s).

Not PREPARING to take advantage of every opportunity

Being able to take advantage of sale prices can help the family’s budget tremendously. When should you take advantage of the ½ price sale? Great question – when you have the extra money, and would need to buy the item anyway. When shouldn’t you by that sale item? Another great question. When you don’t have the extra money, and it is a true “want” not a need for you and/or your family.

PAYING too much of… the list could go on and on, but here a few.

1) Interest – We all know that debt is too easy to get. Credit cards often charge over 20% interest, and the “Buying now, and paying later philosophy” is common in our culture

2) Taxes – The average family pays 25-50% of what they bring home in taxes. Something that can help you reduce this is to start a small home-based business. Go to: www.helpmybusinesstoday.com for free help.

3) Depreciation – especially on automobiles. Example… You buy a nice, new care for $25,000, you drive it for 2-3 years and decide to trade it in on another nice, new car. You really negotiate with the car salesman to get the best price possible – and you feel so good about it, then you mention your trade in. The salesman happily agrees to have your car looked at. He comes back to tell you that they will give you $12,000 for your car [he would word this that they will take another $12k off the sales price of your new car]. You invested $25,000 2-3 years ago, and now your investment is worth $12,000

http://www.helpmybusinesstoday.com is a website design to help you grow your business and to help you to reach your potential. http://www.findingfinancialfreedom.com is a program to: Partnering With You To Find Financial Freedom, Equipping You To Stay Financially Free

Check them out today and receive free information.

If you’re new to CVS’ing, here’s how to get free toothpaste at CVS with your Extra Care reward card:

This week (2/15-2/21), CVS is offering 4oz Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste for $2.99. It gives $2.99 back in Extra Bucks. So that’s free right? Use a coupon and make it a moneymaker.

1. Buy one Colgate for $2.99.

2. Use a $.75off coupon if you have it from the newspaper. OR, do a Google search for $1.50 Aetna Colgate coupon and print one for yourself.

3. Pay approx. $1.50 or 2.25 (depending on your coupon) and get $2.99 back in Extra Bucks.

4. Then, “rinse and repeat” to use that $2.99 Extra Bucks to buy another tube (limit is 2 total).

5. Use another $1.50 coupon.

6. Pick up a pack of gum or something inexpensive (at least $1.50), because you won”t get change back on your $2.99 Extra Buck.

6. Total will be approx. $1.50 plus whatever you buy $1.50, and pay with your $2.99 Extra Buck. Your total will be next to nothing.

Conclusion: You’ve paid $1.50 out of pocket for 2 tubes of toothpaste and a pack of gum, and then you’ve got a $2.99 Extra Buck to use next time. Don’t forget about this valuable piece of paper though! It’ll expire in about a month.

So many people are running scared these days – you might be one of them; and for good reason. We have all watched the stock market plummet to record lows one day and then back up equally as much the next. Many people now live in homes that are worth less than they owe on them – something that used to only happen with automobiles. And possibly worse yet, thousands went to work last week and was called in to the boss’s office and given the bad news, “We can’t afford to keep you on. I am sorry, but today is your last day employed here.”

If you are not one of those people described above then you need to thank God. In these trying times there is always hope, but this hope is often hidden under the pressures of life, credit card debt, and the stack of bills on your desk.

Therefore, it is my sincere passion to offer you and all your friends a totally FREE seminar. No catches, no strings, no cost; just a way to help you learn to make a better future for you and your family.

What You Will Learn During This Seminar

• How to live on one family income
• Identify your financial issues and needs
• How to manage debt, while eliminating it
• How to make a better future for you and your family
• How to make it if your financial situation does take a downward turn

What I ask is simple –

1. Click on the link below and sign up for this seminar.
2. Please forward this email to as many people as you know asking them to sign up too.

http://www.findingfinancialfreedom.com

With so many people needing a seminar like this, please make sure they don’t miss it. You can help me help others find financial freedom.

Thank you…

Jeff

Step 1: Take Inventory

-      Develop a spending plan – more detail will be given about this later

-      Stop spending cash so tracking spending is easier

-      Make a commitment to by your spending plan and cut back by eliminating all nonessentials in spending until you are completely free of consumer debt

Step 2: Buy adequate life insurance

-      Rule of thumb for a young family with children at home is to buy life insurance on the husband equal to ten times his earnings. The objective is to replace the income which is lost to the family in case he dies.

-      Should you buy whole or term life insurance? The old saying is, “Buy term and invest the rest.”

Step 3: Pay off all consumer debts

-      Domino theory – pay the smallest debts off first. This will give you the encouragement, motivation, and excess money to pay off other debts faster.

-      Limit, or eliminate, credit card spending.

-      Freedom is found in a debt free life

Step 4: Start an emergency fund

-      Therefore, we need to do what Mom used to tell us, “Put money away for a rainy day.”

-      Experts suggest that you set aside, in a liquid account, at least 3-4 months of income that would pay for living expenses in case your job is lost

-      Research shows that it takes an average of 14 months to find a job

Step 5: Begin a long-term savings plan

-      One of the best ways to begin investing long-term is in mutual funds.

-      Another good way to start is in a company sponsored 401k plan, with money automatically deducted from your salary.

-      Saving consistently will provide for you in those retirement years.

Step 6: Pay off your automobiles

-      Many people spend more in their lifetime for automobiles than for a house

-      Your best bet is to buy a reliable automobile and drive it as long as possible. A good alternative is to buy an inexpensive new car, service it well, changing the oil regularly, and keep it for a long, long time, up to 100,000 or 200,000 miles.

Step 7: Prepay on your home mortgage

-      Pay extra towards you’re mortgage principle on a regular basis

-      On a $150,000 mortgage, you can reduce it from a 30 year to a 15 year by paying an extra $300 per month towards the principle

FREE Financial Help at www.FINDINGfinancialFREEDOM.com

Build Your Savings Account
(be aware of stinking thinking)

I recently read an article that gave sixteen ways for regular people, people just like you and me, to build our savings account balances. However, the information given, sounding good on the surface, in reality could be bad advice. Below are a few of the ideas given and my editorial comments.

Save by Using Credit

My husband and I do not carry any significant amounts of cash — have approximately $20 to $40 maximum in each wallet. All purchases — food, gasoline and nominal retail purchases — are on the card. All credit purchases are paid up completely every billing. Savings are twofold: 30-day float and no credit card interest ever for the past 30 years or more. Our motto is, if we pay any interest charges, they must be tax-deductible!

My comment: It is a well known fact that we Americans spend more when we use credit cards. While I agree that paying them off at the end of the month is the only policy to have, it is still easy to spend more than your budget will allow.

Save With Coupons

Use coupons at the grocery store and put that money in a piggy bank. It’s amazing how much it adds up. Years ago the stores gave you cash back for coupons you used, but now it’s just deducted from the balance you owe at the store and your receipt shows how much you saved. But you haven’t really saved if you aren’t actively saving that money — you are just spending less. Start saving by taking the amount of cash out of your wallet and putting it away.

My comment: Again this is a good idea, but coupons tend to have us buy products that are not on our shopping list. Items that manufactures or grocery stores want us to buy. My question to you, “Who do you want to control your money, you or the food manufacturers and sellers?”

Don’t Touch the Money

I have a certain amount allotted to a bank account each payday that I do not use to pay bills, nor do I withdraw from that account. I never miss the money because it is allotted before my pay is deposited.
My comment: Becoming debt free, wealthy and/or successful is most often about knowledge and taking action. Saving money this way is a fabulous idea, but many times if you don’t know how much is in the savings account (earning VERY little interest) how are you going to find financial freedom? How are you going to invest it, and where, and how much?

Need help fleshing out these issues? For over two decades I have helped hundreds of people do just that. Feel free to visit my website: (www.FINDINGfinancialFREEDOM.com) or email me at jeff@findingfinancialfreedom.com.

A thougth for the day…

A successful relationship conists of at least these three steps:

1. Be all that God wants you to be

2. Be willing to change yourself, not trying to change someone else

3. Put the other person’s needs and wants before yours (wife, kids, boss, brother, friend, etc)

Construct the life and business you want by…

-          Beginning at the end. Your purpose is the foundation of your life. A continual reminder of your destiny will give guidance to your everyday steps.

-          Changing your beliefs. Never affirm self-limitations. God has created you to do far more than you believe you can do.

-          Raising your standards. And continue to raise them throughout your life.

-          Striving for excellence. Don’t make excuses. Period! If it can be done better, be the one to do it. And if it wasn’t excellence the first time, do it again.

-          Developing your discipline. Nothing so defines you as what you do on a regular basis. Create habits that move you closer to your goals. Break all other habits.

-          Making smart choices. Choices can change your life. Don’t underestimate them.

-          Learning your lessons. None of us are perfect. You will hammer some misplaced nails from time to time. Admit your mistakes then move forward as a wiser builder.

-          Persevering with patience. An elegant estate takes a lifetime to build. Live one day at a time and learn to enjoy the excitement and beauty of the process.

-          Refining your edges. Always look for ways to increase the value of your life. Remain open and teachable.

-          Honoring your mate. Adding value to others’ lives begins at home.

-          Coveting your relationships. Seek out and hold on to the friends that add value to your life and help in the building process.

-          Obtaining accountability. You cannot build the life of your dreams alone. Take others you trust and respect with you. Remain humble and willing to grow.

-          Concentrating on character. Do what you say you will do. Always follow through. And when you don’t or can’t, admit your mistake promptly.

-          Listening to God. I believe that the One who created us knows us far better than we know ourselves. His wisdom and insight into our lives is far greater than our own. Seek His counsel like a great treasure.

-          Spending time on you. Your purpose will not change, but as you mature, your values will. Spend time alone at least twice a year to remain in touch with your values.

Assistance can be found at: www.FINDINGfinancialFREEDOM.com

Finding Financial Freedom

Family Kit

~ Contents ~

Parents

• Five Phases of Finding Financial Freedom

• Tax Preparation Envelope System

• Monthly Envelope System
• Finding Financial Freedom Grocery Shopping List

• Financial Recommendations and Percentages

Kids

• Envelope System – Basic

• Allowance Sheet
• Calculator

Go to http://www.findingfinancialfreedom.org/FamilyKit.htm to purchase the family kit for your family.

WHY HIRE YOUR CHILDREN?

Your kids will learn how to earn money and work diligently, while your business gets a tax deduction. You can pay their salary into an account which can be used for college. Or, since you have an effective “power of attorney” over their finances, you can have them use that money to help you buy a minority share in some business or real-estate property. Perhaps a real-estate property that the whole family can enjoy!

You will teach them about money management, investing and savings
You will help them gain practical experience, learn the value of work, and maybe give them an entrepreneur spirit to start a business one day.
You are teaching them skills and they are sharpening their skills
They are learning the value of a dollar and how hard you have to work to earn it.
You allow them to gain valuable work experience; thereby, enabling them to build a resume.
WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR YOU?

The work has to match their ability.
Younger kids might sort mail, stuff envelopes and other simple tasks.
Older ones could take on jobs like data entry or handling customer correspondence.
IF the child is good with computers, he/she can create a web page for you.
Wash and wax the company car
Take a shipment to the post office
They can clean your properties, file papers, answer phones, and do just about anything that relates to your business.

AT WHAT AGE CAN I HIRE MY CHILDREN?

There is a tax court case that held that you hire a child who is at least 7 years old. Exception-baby/child modeling under age 7 (Advertisement, TV, Billboard). Do not pay them more than you would pay a non-family member (NO SPECIAL TREATMENT!)

THE TAX DEDUCTION FROM HIRING YOUR CHILDREN

In 2009, the first $5,700 of earned income (i.e., wages) is tax free because your children receive a standard deduction of this amount on their taxes. So unless you pay them more than that, they won’t have any tax obligation at all. And since they really earned it, the “kiddie tax rules” do not apply. You get the deduction; the kids get taxed at the lowest tax rate.

DO I REALLY NEED TO KEEP RECORDS?

Yes, you must keep records to substantiate the deduction. Put your children on a time clock, punching in and out or writing their time down on a time sheet. Pay the children with a check. They can endorse the check over to you for cash to replace their allowance or accumulate the money for college tuition (or any other expense). They can even deposit it into trust accounts you’ve set up for their college education.

CONCLUSION

Parents who hire their children say they value not only the tax savings but also certain less tangible benefits. They enjoy teaching their sons and daughters about the business, they believe that the work experience develops responsibility, and they appreciate the fact that the wages they pay remain in the family, in effect, typically designated for worthwhile purposes such as college education, weddings and their first home.

To make sure you do this right take advantage of my FREE coaching session offer. http://www.helpmybusinesstoday.com/FreeCoachingSession-Goals.htm

Whether you have a home-based business, operate out of an industrial park or business office park or have a growing staff of employees you should consider an IRC Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plan. Used wisely, it can help you save a lot of money on taxes and provide a legitimate business benefit that’s of real help.

By definition, a 105 Medical Reimbursement Plan is any plan in which the employer reimburses an employee for expenses that are incurred by the employee or any dependents that are otherwise uninsured health or accident expenses. Section 105 Plan expense reimbursements offer tax deductions to the employer. It allows administrative flexibility in terms of participation and the expenses aren’t included in the employee’s taxable income.

How does this help your little “one-man” business??? Greatly. If you are properly structured you can very possibly get reimbursed for all of your out-of-pocket medical expenses. This is one of the most overlooked, but easiest deductions for any business owner. Think of it this way, you get paid (taxable income), go to the doctor, pay the co-pay or the total bill (with after-tax money) and then come home broke. With the medical reimbursement plan in place, you go to the doctor, pay the bill, and then get reimbursed from your company (tax-free money). The key to the whole thing is structure and documentation – you must be structured properly.

Now you are ready to take advantage of my free offer. Go to – http://ping.fm/oaHPU