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How to Make Smart Financial Decision During the Recession

2009-11-10T13:27:00.000+07:00

As the economy worsens we have to make adjustments, to the comfortable lifestyles that we were once accustomed to. The days when we could spend like there was no tomorrow are long gone. In these tough times, money is tight and hard to come by. Making a few adjustments to our lifestyles can make a huge difference in our finances. Here are a few tips on how we can make smart financial choices during the recession.

Avoid signing up for store credit cards no matter how good the offer may seem. Store credit cards have very high interest rates, and at the end of the month if you don't pay off the money that you owe in full, you're going to end up losing much more money than you were supposed to save when you first made the purchase, from the high monthly interest charges.
Clean your garage and closet out. You'll be shocked at how much stuff you'll find that you no longer use. Have a garage sell or put it up for sell on eBay to generate some extra income.
When shopping online always use coupon codes. There're a lot of coupons online that you can take advantage of. You'll be surprised at how many promotional offers you can find online that are not offered in store. Shopping online also offers you the opportunity to compare prices at the click if the mouse.
Make a habit of purchasing your clothes, appliances, and furniture from outlet stores and thrift stores. You can get good quality clothes and sometimes even name-brand clothes at unbelievably low prices. These stores regularly offer sales and discounts.
Don't make the mistake of going grocery shopping with an empty stomach, at least eat a full meal or have a snack and drink a large glass of water. This will prevent you from being tempted to purchase unnecessary snacks, which will help you cut down on impulse buying. Also always remember to carry an energy bar with you at all times, just incase you get hungry and need that quick energy boost while your out shopping.
If you really must eat out at restaurants, only do so on special occasions such as Birthdays, Anniversaries, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Valentines Day. Eating out frequently is too expensive; you save so much more by cooking your on meals.
If you are a parent try trading babysitting nights with friends, family or neighbors. Child care is so expensive these days, a lot of parents will be more than happy to do this with you. Doing this will help you save on childcare expenses and you'll at least be getting someone whom you know and trust to watch over your kids.
Be smart about your cable television package. Do away with the HBO, HDTV and movie on demand purchases and stick to the basic package. Believe it or not those little extra charges add up! I mean is having all those channels really necessary?
If you have credit cards and have made all your payments on time, consider calling your credit card companies and ask them to lower your interest rates, they just might agree to do so.
Make a habit of paying more than the minimum credit card payment each month, and remember to pay off your high interest rate credit cards before the low interest rate cards.

How to Find Your Financial Planner

2009-11-09T13:22:00.000+07:00

My husband and I have been meeting resistance from our financial planner these days. We (okay, I) had wanted to purchase a summer house in beautiful Tagaytay Highlands, which had with it free golf membership. He said no. I wanted to buy a foreclosed house for which I would pay a pittance for. He said no.

It could be quite frustrating to be told that you cannot buy something that you really, really want. But that is the function of a financial planner - he will tell you if you can, when you can, how you can. He is my personal financial brakes, someone to tell me that I am going overboard, or that I am just being silly.

But how does one find his financial planner under normal circumstances? Well, there is no short cut except conduct those interviews. I suggest that you try a financial planner for at least a month (kind of a trial period if he is willing) before the fee arrangement is inked and money passes hands. Find out if he is someone who will:

* Protect your interest (not suffer from conflict of interest, i.e., promoting investment vehicles because he will get a percentage from it unless this is your arrangement).
* Listen.
* Create the best financial frame of mind for you (after all, wealth starts in the mind)
* Time for you.
* Gutsy and brave enough to say yes or no to you what you perceive are your dreams and life goals (really a sensitive topic).
* Respect you.
* Willing to share part of the blame for wrong decisions you made because of his advice.
* Enough experience to keep from giving you bad advice.

A financial planner, like you, is in it for the money. But the crucial element, which I hope you will see in the trial period, is that he should make money for both of you, or appear to do so.

Kemilau Investasi Emas

2009-11-08T11:59:00.000+07:00

Kemilau Investasi Emas. Saat inflasi terus meningkat, saat ekonomi tidak menentu, dan nilai tukar yang fluktuatif, baik karena inflasi maupun deflasi yang ekstrim sehingga membuat anda cemas dan selalu bertanya-tanya investasi apa yang tetap menarik dan terbaik di saat ekonomi seperti saat ini? Emas mungkin dapat menjadi pilihan investasi, terutama sifatnya yang mudah diuangkan kembali jika sewaktu-waktu diperlukan. Meskipun ada yang mengatakan return investasi emas masih kurang menggairahkan dibandingkan investasi di property atau saham. Tetapi investasi di saham dan property memiliki risiko yang sangat tinggi, terutama jika anda tidak memahami karakter bisnis ini.

Investasi Jangka Pendek
Berdasarkan kelebihan dan kekurangan investasi emas ini, maka banyak pelaku investor menyarankan untuk melakukan investasi emas dalam jangka pendek, paling-paling hanya dalam waktu satu tahun saja, atau dapat dijadikan sarana untuk menjaga nilai kekayaan kita agar tidak tergerus oleh inflasi, atau menurun nilainya, karena jika nilai tukar mata uang kita melemah dari mata uang asing, seperti melemah terhadap dolar Amerika, maknanya juga dapat berarti nilai uang kita juga turun . Namun ada juga para investor yang percaya bahwa emas dapat dijadikan sarana investasi jangka panjang, dan terbukti sangat menguntungkan. .

Mudah Diuangkan, Mudah Dijadikan Modal Kembali

Bagi pewirausaha seperti anda, penting untuk menempatkan uang secara tepat, dengan menempatkannya dalam instrument investasi yang menguntungkan, dan mudah dicairkan saat diperlukan, misalnya saat anda memerlukan modal untuk usaha karena order bertambah atau volume pekerjaan meningkat karena ada pesanan dari pelanggan. Caranya membeli dan menguangkan emas-emas juga mudah. Anda tinggal membeli emas, baik dalam bentuk batangan maupun koin di unit-unit penjualan emas yang ada di gerai perbankan syariah atau Pegadaian Syariah, demikian juga saat anda menjualnya kembali. Emas batangan yang tersedia, mulai dalam bentuk batangan/lempengan 50 gram, 100 gram, hingga 200 gram dan 500 gram.

Emas Produk Investasi yang Menangkal Inflasi

Menurut buku Kemilau Investasi Emas, karangan Mohammad Ihsan Palaloi, Tita Agustini dan Rudi Kurniawan terbitan Scince Research Foundation ada indicator-indikator penting dalam investasi di emas.

1. Berdasarkan analisis yang dilakukan, selama ini harga emas selalu mengikuti naik turunnya mata uang dollar AS. Jika mata uang dollar AS naik terhadap rupiah maka harga emas juga cenderung meningkat.

2. Meningkatnya inflasi akibat meningkatnya konsumsi masyarakat juga menyebabkan harga emas naik. Berapapun tingkat inflasi emas akan mengiktinya. Bahkan sejarah membuktikan bahwa harga emas akan selalu lebih tinggi dari nilai inflasi.

3. Dalam situasi perekonomian yang belum stabil dan tidak menggembirakan, maka investasi emas merupakan peluang bagi anda bukan hanya untuk menciptakan capital gain, tetapi untuk solusi mempertahankan nilai .

How to Be Smart About Your Money Matters in This Tough Economy

2009-11-07T13:22:00.000+07:00

In these tough economic times it's very crucial that we develop a habit of saving. We can start doing this by making small changes in our lifestyles, which will significantly help in cutting down our current spending habits. We have to stop spending money on things that we don't need, but just want. All that unnecessary spending is a luxury that we can't afford.

When you go grocery shopping use store discount cards and coupons, you'll save so a lot more. You shouldn't have to pay the full price for anything that you can get at a discount.
Always create a budget and stick to it. This will help you make wise spending and investment decisions.
Always write a Shopping list and stick to it. This will help you cut down on unnecessary random purchases that you didn't budget for, and it will teach you how to be disciplined with your money.
If you buy bottled water all the time, you really should consider investing in a filter that connects directly to your faucet. Bottled water is too costly in the long run; filtering your own water is a lot cheaper.
If you're one of the people who have a reliable cell phone services, you should consider getting rid of your land line to cut down on having ridiculously high phone bills. If you would much rather hang on to your land line, get a basic line. You'll be alarmed at how much money you will save by just removing all the little extras like, caller id, call waiting, or voice mail.
Start taking your own lunch to work. Doing so will save you a whole lot of money. Eating out everyday is expensive and let's face it, with the tough economy that's a luxury you simply can't afford right now.
Buy store-brand products, they tend to be cheaper than name-brand products. There's nothing wrong with them, as a matter of fact a lot of them are just as good, if not better than name-brand products. Some store-brands have far exceeded name-brand ratings in Consumer Reports tests.
Never quit your job until you have another one lined up. With this bad economy when a lot of companies are down sizing, this is not the time for you to wake up one morning and decide to quit your job without a solid plan.
Don't buy premium gas; just use regular gas to cut down on the high fuel prices, unless of course your owners' manual recommends premium gas.
Get rid of all the unnecessary extras on your cell phone such as Internet, picture mail and so on. If you have a habit of going over your minutes each month, it's probably cheaper for you to get an unlimited calling and text messaging plan.

How to Apply For a Bank Debit Card

2009-11-06T13:22:00.000+07:00

There are many people that want to have a debit card added to their bank account. Most are not sure how to get this done and afraid to give it a try. It really is not that hard at all and, in most cases, can be done in one or two days.

Gather What Is Needed
The first thing that someone that is looking into getting a bank debit card needs to do is get the items together that will probably be needed. If they are going to a new bank that knows nothing about them, they will probably need to have their social security card, driverâ€™s license or other state ID and the amount of money that it takes to open the account. This may vary from bank to bank, but the standard is usually $100.

At The Bank
Once all the items are gathered together, itâ€™s time to head off to the bank. This is where it can get tricky. There are many different kinds of debit cards that a person can get and choosing the right one is really a big deal. There are some that are for those that will probably not use it much as well as some that is for others that will use it any chance they get. There may also be fees for ATM usage and cash back amounts at retail locations. This is something that needs to be studied and if a person is not sure about it, they should ask the banker that is helping them. That way they can get the right card for them.

Waiting For The Card
Once all the work has been done to get the card, all thatâ€™s really left is to wait. The bank debit card will usually take between two days and a week to get through the mail and to the person that set it up. Some banks do offer a temporary bank debit card to use until the permanent one arrives, but this is pretty uncommon. Once the card gets to the requester, they will have to activate it and start using it. This is usually an instant thing that can be done over the phone or the Internet. Again anyone unsure of the process should talk to the bank that issued the card.

Getting a bank debit card is really not all that hard. All that anyone needs is to find a bank that will suit their needs and a card that will work for them.

5C untuk Dapatkan Modal

2009-11-05T11:52:00.000+07:00

5C untuk dapatkan Modal.. Apa yang Harus Disiapkan, Apa yang Diperlukan Perbankan dan Jasa Keuangan Bagi perbankan dan jasa keuangan lainnya, nasabah yang akan mengajukan pinjaman harus memenuhi 5C, yaitu :

1. Character, menyangkut komitmen dan track record Anda.

2. Capital, berapa besar dana pribadi yang Anda keluarkan untuk mengembangkan usaha, struktur pemodalan (berapa jumlah modal awal yang disetor, dan laba yang terakumulasi menjadi modal), komposisi kepemilikan modal usaha (siapa saja pemilik modal, siapa pemodal jaminan, dan apakah pemodal juga menjadi pengurus perusahaan), dan modal aset, yang terdiri atas tangible asset (tanah, bangunan, mesin, stock, dll.) dan intangible asset (merek, goodwill, nama baik, dll.).

3. Capacity, yang dinilai antara lain: bagaimana tren hasil penjualan (naik, turun, atau stagnan), struktur biaya (fixed cost, variable cost), perbandingan biaya dan pendapatan, hutang dan tagihan (lebih besar, lebih kecil, atau setara), proyeksi arus kas (surplus atau defisit), tenaga kerja (tetap atau kontrak, bagaimana skill dan pengalamannya), hingga kapasitas produksi (jumlah produksi per hari, apakah sesuai dengan penjualan).

4. Condition. Meliputi perijinan usaha, kondisi industri sejenis (apakah berisiko kecil, menengah, atau tinggi), prospek usaha, situasi persaingan (apakah menjadi market leader, market follower, niche market, atau single fighter), dan ini yang terpenting: apa selling point atau keunikannya (apakah mudah ditiru, atau sulit ditiru, dan sampai kapan berlangsung).

5. Collateral. Apakah ada jaminan dari pinjaman cepat atau pinjaman usaha tsb, baik yang bersifat tangible (cash, stock, peralatan, kendaraan, dan yang sifatnya tidak bergerak seperti tanah dan bangunan), intangible (personal guarantee, company guarantee, asuransi kredit, asosiasi/koperasi penjamin, dll.).

Selamat mencoba 5C untuk dapatkan Modal…

Holiday Saving Tips

2009-11-04T13:21:00.000+07:00

It's that time of the year again when most of us are thinking of going abroad on holiday. However, with the ongoing recession, many people are also considering staying in the UK to save costs and it's estimated that one third of us will be doing so this year.

If you are planning to go further afield, here are 15 money saving tips that could help your pocket and allow more to be put aside for your next holiday!

   1. Booking flights - Do your homework. Plan well in advance when booking flights directly and check out discount websites for the best deals.
   2. Connecting flights - OK, it may be a pain and take you longer to reach your destination, but it could save you significant sums.
   3. Be flexible on your actual travel dates - It's often the case that travelling a day or so before or after your first choice can save you a significant sum, especially by avoiding weekends.
   4. Book a bundle - There are many deals that save money by buying flights, hotels, car rental etc together.
   5. Go off season - if you are not restricted because of school holidays etc, you may even be able to go two weeks for the price of one by avoiding peak times.
   6. Stay outside the centre of towns or in towns close by - Hotels etc will be much cheaper, all for the sake of a short bus ride.
   7. Avoid hotels - Normally this is the expensive option for accommodation. Self catering should be cheaper. Alternatively, have you thought of a home exchange? They are really popular now and lots of agencies are around to match you up for a small fee.
   8. Car rental - Don't be bullied into getting a larger car than you actually need, get the smallest one with the comfort required. It should also save you on petrol! On that point, always fill up with the regular option and return the car full. Don't let the rental company charge you for filling it up on return, it will definitely cost you!
   9. Eating out - It's often the case that lunches are much cheaper than dinners, so consider a larger lunch and lighter snack later. Also, do a bit of research before heading out to eat, get some local recommendations for good quality, economical restaurants.
10. Local transport - Look for multi-day unlimited travel passes on trains, buses, metros, etc
11. Taxis - Avoid them whenever possible, they may be convenient but costly compared to public transport.
12. Currency exchange - Many exchanges offer very poor rates, so search the internet for the best sources of local currency.
13. Get friendly with the 'natives' - Make sure you take the opportunity to chat to the locals, they will tell you the best places to eat, where to visit and where to avoid.
14. Snacks - Avoid overcharging in hotels, by buying snacks, drinks, water etc in local stores.
15. Telephones - Be very, very careful when using mobiles or in room telephones. If you really need to call home look for cheap phone cards and make sure you understand the tariffs.

Good and Bad Investments (part 2)

2009-11-03T13:21:00.000+07:00

Simple rules that work for me are:

   1. IF someone calls on the phone, don't talk to them until they mail you the information with a letter explaining the investment. You then read the information and call them back if you wish to get more information or invest. NEVER talk to them if they call you back.
   2. ALWAYS ask, "if I buy this today, how much can I sell it for tomorrow and how much of my original money will I get back if the investment value doesn't change?" Get the answer in writing on company stationary. I've heard people can buy heating oil futures and get back something like 50% of their original investment if they sell the next day meaning commissions are something like 25% for buying and another 25% for selling.
   3. IF the return sounds too good to be true, IT IS!
   4. Ask the salesman, "if this is such a good investment, how much do you own and why are you not getting a loan from the bank at 8% interest to buy more rather than offering to let me buy?" Think about it. If you had a goose that laid a golden egg every day, would you sell the goose? I'd only sell the goose if the money I got for it were worth more than all future golden eggs (discounted for the time value of money, of course).

Time shares are my favorite joke investment. IF they had good resale value, do you think they would have to give you free vacations to consider buying them?

In summary, pay off credit card debt before investing. Next, fund your 401K and IRA accounts. Once these are fully funded and if you have additional income available, then consider buying index mutual funds and other investments with the help of a "fee only planner" where the only charge you pay the planner is for his or her time. RUN if the planner gets a commission for anything they recommend and demand your money back if they suggest a load mutual fund. Lastly, ask the salesperson, "do you own this investment and why are you selling it to me?"

Apa Perencana Keuangan?

2009-11-02T11:29:00.000+07:00

Apa Perencana Keuangan?. Seiring bertambahnya usia, kebutuhan manusia pasti meningkat, dan hal ini berarti bahwa biaya akan terus membesar seiring dengan bergeraknya waktu. Dan tidak ada salahnya bila Anda mulai merencanakan keuangan Anda.
Apa sebenarnya Perencana Keuangan?
Menurut TGRM Financial Planning Services, Perencana keuangan adalah suatu perencanaan yang dilakukan oleh seseorang dan keluarga agar kebutuhan finansial dapat tercapai dikemudian hari. Misalnya keinginan untuk memiliki rumah atau apartemen yang layak, memiliki kendaraan, dana untuk pendidikan bagi anak yang tercinta dan lain sebagainya.

Jika seseorang tidak melakukan Perencanaan Keuangan maka orang tersebut sangat berpotensi untuk mengalami defisit keuangan, salah satu penyebab utama adalah utang (antara lain utang pada: Kartu Kredit; Kredit Tanpa Agunan, Kredit Kendaraan, Kredit Pemilikan Rumah, dll).
Jika seseorang melakukan Perencanaan Keuangan maka orang tersebut sangat berpotensi untuk mengalami surplus keuangan atau mendapatkan kebebasan finansial (financial freedom), hal ini disebabkan karena kebutuhan finansial dapat tercapai dikemudian hari. Banyak diantara kita merasa sudah melakukan perencanaan keuangan namun fakta menunjukan pada saat dana tersebut dibutuhkan ternyata tidak mencukupi. Survey yang dilakukan oleh AC Nielsen dan Citibank menunjukan bahwa 70% eksekutif di Indonesia terancam miskin dihari tua.

TGRM Financial Planning Services melakukan pekerjaan jasa Perhitungan atas Perencanaan Keuangan yang bersifat independent, berstandar internasional mengacu kepada CFP (Certified Financial Planner), tidak terikat dengan perusahaan keuangan manapun misalkan perusahaan Asuransi Jiwa, Manajer Investasi, Bank maupun lembaga keuangan lain.
Dengan kondisi tersebut maka advis atau saran yang kami berikan benar benar diupayakan secara optimal untuk memenuhi kebutuhan keuangan nasabah.

Good and Bad Investments (part 1)

2009-11-01T13:21:00.000+07:00

There are many, many people in the world that are more than willing to remove any extra money you have that you are not using at this moment. A majority of these are not sharks and are quite legitimate. For example, Ford, Honda, etc. are more than willing to convince you that you need a brand new SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) to replace your 5 year old Taurus or Accord. Of these, 95% never actually get off road and yet you pay several thousand dollars extra for the four-wheel drive components. You pay extra in gas to carry the extra weight for the life of the SUV and finally you have higher maintenance costs due to the increased complexity of the SUV.

You thought I was going to tell how not to buy heating oil futures from slick salespeople? Well, some of the most obvious bad investments are rather innocent and are right in front of you. The Number ONE bad investment is buying something on a credit card where you can't pay the item off at the end of the month. If your "emergencies" keep adding up where you "just have to buy something" that you can't pay off in a few months then you need to reexamine your lifestyle and lower your spending or get another job. BEFORE you start making investments, you MUST learn to live within your means and pay off all your credit card debt. The ONLY exception to this rule is if your company gives matching money for 401K investments. Then I would allow investing in mutual funds while maintaining outstanding credit card debt.

OK, so now you are not buying a brand new SUV that you don't need and you have your credit cards and student loans all paid off (or nearly so). How do you start investing? The general rule is to fully fund your tax deferred investments first. That means fund your 401K plan at work (or SEP) and then fund your IRA. The 401K has an immediate benefit of lowering your overall tax bill (deferring taxation until you retire and take the money out) allowing your investments to grow without taxes lowering the rate of return. 401K's also often have employer matching which greatly enhances return.

Your first investment should be in a simple NO LOAD mutual fund that has overall expenses no higher than 1%. Many funds are sold by salesmen who get a nice 6% or so of your money just for getting you to invest in their fund. With no-loads, you get to keep this money and usually get better overall returns. Investing in individual stocks is for sophisticated investors (due to much higher risk) and should only be at a 4% of overall portfolio value even if they do invest.

Free Money and Get Rich in the Process

2009-10-31T13:20:00.000+07:00

In my pursuit of financial comfort and freedom I have been reading, watching and learning for over a decade now. Two things I have discovered are what I refer to as Laws of Personal Finance:

* You can't get rich quick unless you have a rich relative or you invent, produce and sell the next "sliced bread" idea.
* No matter how much you learn about personal finance, there will always be more to learn.

Of the things you should learn right now, free money is rarely free. How many articles do you see on the web that advertise "Free Grants", "Free Government Money" or "Free Money doing Surveys"?

Truth is there are a few people in life that get rich finding ways to get free money or by creating a new and revolutionary invention. For most of us this is simply not in the cards. However, don't let this stop you! You too can still acquire wealth; unfortunately it will take some work and time.

The key to getting rich for most of us is learning to let your money work for you. Many of us have heard if not learned that paying interest is a bad thing. All you need to do is turn that around and let others pay you interest.

Investing your money is how you gain interest:

    * Bonds are a loan of sorts to a public company and they will pay you interest for the privilege.
    * Stocks are investments in companies, you become an owner of a little piece of the company. As the value of the company goes up so does your wealth.
    * CD's (certificate of deposits) is a safer investment but provides lower returns.
    * Savings accounts provide the lowest return of the most common forms of investments but they are better than nothing.

With a national savings rate hovering about 5% this means few people have any free money to save. In order to invest, you must first have some money. In order to have some money you must save. The only way to save money is to spend less than you earn. It is that simple. Not easy, but simple.

Five Tips to Keep a Family Savings Program on Track

2009-10-30T13:20:00.000+07:00

hether it is eating healthy, doing homework every night or saving money, it can be easy to get off track. How do you stay on track with a family savings program? After all, your family worked hard to get this set up. And you got off to a really good start. But then...life happened.

Life does happen. As with any program or goal that is a longer term one, it can be rough to keep it on track. The key is to have a flexible plan that can be changed without losing sight of the goal you set. Try some (or all) of these tips to keep charging forward on your family savings program.

    * Review your plan and make sure that it still works. Was the goal you set too big or too small? Or is it something that just isn't as appealing anymore? You may need to set a new savings goal that will get your family excited again. Is the family having a hard time remembering to put money into the family bank? Consider moving it so it's hard to forget to put money into it. Once it becomes a habit for everyone, you can rethink where you put it but at the beginning it needs to be very visible.

    * Remind yourself (and the rest of the family) why you were saving in the first place. Pictures on the fridge or bathroom mirror are great everyday reminders of this. It might sound odd - but it does work. There is something about vivid pictures that help the mind focus on the goal better than words on a page. You can also decorate your family bank with a picture of your savings goal.

    * Make a chart to track your progress. Have you ever seen the thermometers that mark larger company or community goals? Many of these look like thermometers that get colored in as the goal get closer. It can be a great motivating way to show progress. Have family members take turns counting the savings and charting the progress.

    * Set some silly goals and make a game out of it. It can be hard to stay focused and motivated week after week even when there is progress being made and you can see it. Lightening things up a little can help. One week come up with a game or offbeat idea that still helps with your family savings program but puts your focus on something a little different. For example, issue a challenge to see who can save the most nickels that week or who can find the most coupons to save the most at the grocery store. Make it something simple and doable so it doesn't become just one more chore.

    * Reward yourself. It is hard for most people to have only a long-term goal with no rewards in the middle. Here is where you need to know yourself and your kids. If you need to buy something each week, do it. Make it small but make it part of your plan. Otherwise, you could sabotage yourself down the road - and it could make it even longer to reach your savings goal. For example, if your goal is have a full day at the water park with all the goodies, one week you might buy a big tote bag or sunscreen. Keep it relative to your biggest goal, though, and don't spend the entire savings on that one item.

The key to all of these hints is to taking an honest look at what has been working and what hasn't. Don't be afraid to adjust any of your ideas and goals and then move on. Most people don't get it right the first time - or even the second. As long as you focus on making progress and improving the family savings plan, you are on the right track!

Five Easy Steps to Get Your First Credit Card

2009-10-29T13:20:00.000+07:00

Credit history is the first thing any bank will look for while considering a credit card application. And you don't have any such history when you apply for your first card. There is no need to worry. Go by the following steps:

1. Check your credit report - This is just a formality, but you should do it. As a student, you may not have anything in your credit report. However it is good to check it out so that if it contains any errors, you can clean them up before applying for your first credit card.

2. Ensure that you have both checking and savings accounts with your bank. Most of the card issuers take it as a sign of good finance management. And this helps in faster processing of your application.

3. Approach to your bank - The first place from where you should expect your first card is your bank. If you have a job and no credit problems, your bank should consider your application, perhaps with a lower limit. You should never ask for a particular credit limit, let the bank decide it. You should promptly accept the limits sanctioned by the bank. Please do not apply to many banks. Their refusals will harm your credit report.

4. Study carefully the terms and conditions - You need to look at the fees which you will be subject to. There may be annual fees, joining fees, late payment fees and fees for cash advances. You should not go for a card which will charge you joining fee. Also, you may not be required to pay late payment charges or charges for cash advance but it is important to know about them in advance. You may not be able to switch to another card quickly.

5. What to do if you are still refused - If you are refused by your bank, then you need to make efforts to create some credit history. This is a possible by applying to a nearby department store or a supermarket or a gas station for their secured credit card. The interest rates may be slightly higher, but it may not be important for you as you will always try to pay their entire balance on or before the due date. If you pay their dues on time, you can re-apply to your bank after a few months.

Finding a Financial Planner

2009-10-28T13:20:00.000+07:00

Think your family needs help managing its money? Finding a financial planner you can trust may be your first step toward securing your future finances.

Do We Really Need a Financial Planner?
Aren't the services of financial planners reserved for clients with big bank accounts, lots of investments and trust funds for their children? Not always. Today, especially in uncertain economic times, even families with small balances should consider the pros and cons of turning to a financial planner.

If your family is like many, you may be tightening your belts these days, making every trip to the grocery store count. But with shrinking 401(k) accounts and less confidence in aggressive investment plans, what is happening to the money you have squirreled away for future use?

Starting the Search
Where to begin? The prospect of finding a financial advisor worth his salt can be daunting to the average family. To start, "Seek out the financially savvy people in your community and ask them who they use," Elder says. Local certified public accountants (CPAs) and estate planning attorneys are good sources of information.

Important Considerations
Once you have the names of a few good men or women, do your homework. "You should always interview at least three financial planners, just as you would get three bids for work done on your house," Elder says.

Reviewing Your Relationship
Even after you choose a financial planner who seems right for you, monitor the relationship periodically to be sure your planner continues to do his job to your satisfaction. If his performance is no longer up to par or you don't feel comfortable with his treatment of your money, don't hesitate to start your search again. Your financial stability is too important to allow a less-than-perfect relationship to continue.

Perencanaan Asuransi Jiwa (2) Unit Link atau Non Unit Link?

2009-10-27T11:23:00.000+07:00

Perencanaan Asuransi Jiwa (2) Unit Link atau Non Unit Link?. Pertama, perlu disadari bahwa dibalik pemanis yang disebutkan diatas, terdapat biaya-biaya yang dibebankan kepada nasabahnya yakni Biaya Administrasi, Biaya Pengelolaan Investasi dan Biaya Akuisisi, biaya tersebut merupakan beban tambahan diluar Biaya Asuransi (biaya mortalita yang besarnya tergantung jenis kelamin, usia masuk serta besarnya Uang Pertanggungan, kondisi kesehatan pemegang polis juga turut mempengaruhi besarnya biaya ini), Berikut ini adalah penjelasan biaya pada unit link:

1. Biaya Administrasi
Berdasarkan data yang kami terima kisaran biaya administrsi adalah sebesar Rp 20.000,- hingga Rp 30.000,- perbulan atau Rp 240.000,- hingga Rp 360.000,- per tahun. Biaya ini akan terus dibebankan selama berlakunya asuransi.

2. Biaya Alokasi Premi
Perusahaan asuransi yang membebankan biaya ini di muka sebelum dan setiap dana masuk ke dalam porsi investasi. Biaya ini umumnya sebesar 5% dari dana yang diinvestasikan dan ada juga yang menggunakan metode bid-offer price yaitu dana yang masuk akan dibagi dengan harga jual (offer price) serta dana yang keluar atau ditarik oleh nasabah akan dikali dengan harga beli (bid price).

3. Biaya Alokasi Premi (Khusus Unit Link Regular)
Selain biaya diatas, biaya alokasi premi lain masih dibebankan di 5 tahun pertama dengan kisaran hingga 100% dari premi terbayar setelah dipotong Biaya Asuransi di awal tahun pertama, kisaran biaya ini akan turun secara berkala hingga 0% di awal tahun ke 6 masa polis berjalan.

4. Biaya Pengelolaan Investasi
Perusahaan asuransi juga membebankan Biaya Pengelolaan Investasi oleh Manajer Investasi yang besarnya bervariasi antara 0.5% - 3% pertahun dan sudah diperhitungkan dalam harga unit. Tingkat biaya ini tergantung dari jenis investasi yang dipilih oleh nasabah (reksa dana pendapatan tetap, saham atau campuran), besarnya dana yang dikelola, serta keuntungan yang diinginkan oleh perusahaan asuransi jiwa.

5. Biaya Unit Link Premi Tunggal
Pada pembayaran premi tunggal atau single premium (yaitu pembayaran premi hanya satu kali dan tidak ada kewajiban pembayaran di tahun berikut namun jika ingin menambah porsi investasi diperbolehkan), polis jenis ini juga membebankan biaya seperti Biaya Akuisisi yang besarnya tetap biasanya sebesar 5% dari jumlah Premi Tunggal dan atau dana yang di Top Up (ditambahkan),

Financial Planning and It's Benefits

2009-10-26T13:19:00.000+07:00

If you worry about money, you are not nearly as alone as you think you are. A recent financial poll demonstrated that two-thirds of respondents felt anxious about their long-term financial situation, yet less than half of that actually seek professional help in making changes to their bottom line.

Fortunately, getting help isn't nearly as complicated - or as expensive - as you might think. Whether you make only a little bit of money and are worried about making ends meet, or you have a six-figure salary and are wondering how to make your money work for you, you can benefit from financial planning.

Financial planning is the process of meeting your life goals by properly managing your finances. It can be done by yourself or in conjunction with an investment professional. The basic steps to creating a financial plan include:

1. Establish goals. What are the goals you want to achieve? Do you want to get out of debt? Buy a home? Establish wealth? Figuring out where you want your money to take you will help you find a reason to start saving and investing.

2. Gather data. Once your goals have been established, it's time to gather all your financial data. This can include things like your tax returns, insurance polices, bank and brokerage statements, etc.

3. Evaluate your financial status. After you have all your documentation in one place, it's best to meet with a qualified financial planning advisor who will help you make sense of your financial situation. The objective point of view will help you reach new conclusions about yourself and your finances.

4. Develop a plan. After you and your financial planning advisor have gone over your status, your advisor will help design a plan that is right for you. Depending on your goals, this may include setting a budget, creating an investment plan, or planning for your estate.

5. Implement the plan. Once your financial plan has been developed, it is up to you to implement it. This can take anywhere from a few months to the next twenty years.

6. Monitor. Once the plan has been implemented, you should get together with your financial planner from time to time to evaluate how it is working for you. Most investments are long-term, so you can most likely anticipate having annual reviews. Of course, if your life changes through job change or loss, marriage, divorce or another unforeseen circumstance, you should visit your financial planner. Your planner will review your plan and help you make any changes necessary to accommodate your new circumstances.

Finance Tips For Beginners

2009-10-25T13:19:00.000+07:00

Investments and money issues can be confusing. Ignorance or indifference to money matters, unfortunately, can lead to financial disaster. This is an overview of some basic tips for those readers in the US.
Pay all credit cards off in full

It absolutely makes no sense to place money into investments that yield 5% or 6% only, when the credit card interest alone can range from 10% to 21%. Interest isn't tax deductible and what you thought was a bargain, will become very expensive once the interest payments are factored into the equation. Perhaps consider using a home equity line of credit for the deductibility of the interest or to save for whatever it is you need to purchase. Pay these off first!

By doing this you will be able to achieve 2 advantages for yourself. Deducting the maximum amount allowable, ensures that you will have enought for retirement. Also the amount can be directly deducted from taxable income to lower your tax debt. You can always cut back contributions if you get into a money crunch, since you have total control over what you contribute.

Make a budget...

...and include yourself in it as one of the people who needs to get paid! Throwing one's paycheck into a checking account to pay the bills is a recipe for disaster. You need to know how much and on what you spend monthly. You need to set aside funds for these. In addition, set yourself up as a payee and a certain percentage of earnings, for your savings. By paying yourself, you will ensure that money will be provided for a rainy day.

Have emergency funds available

Easier said than done but it's always best to have a small stash of savings set aside for those unplanned expenses. Repairs, changes to your work situation or emergency requirements can all be financially crippling if you don't have any money set aside. Try to be vigilant in saving these funds when you're in a job, so that if the worst happens, you're prepared.

Get an accountant

Consult with your accountant to see how you can reduce your tax liability. Your accountant can suggest ways to reduce your taxes legally, allowing you to keep more of your hard earned money to yourself.
INVESTMENTS

Do not invest in anything you don't understand.Before sinking a penny into an investment take the time to read about it. You need to know what you're getting into, in order that you can make proper educated decisions. Read annual reports, books or periodicals. Or, seek out the services of a broker or financial planner to help guide you into the proper investment vehicles.
Diversify

Do not put all your funds into one investment. Make sure that money is spread out over several different types, such as stocks and bonds. Then make sure that you diversify the stocks into different categories such as small and large domestic company stocks, as well as foreign stocks. The same goes with bonds. Diversify into different types. This ensures that if one area falters, others won't be affected. You'll be able to take advantage of the ups and downs of each investment.

Are mutual funds are better than individual stocks? This depends on how much money, knowledge and how much risk you're willing to take. For the beginner investor, mutual funds areprofessionally managed and contain thousands of stocks. This is important, because if a stock or two go bankrupt, it won't affect the overall integrity of the fund.

With an individual stock, bankruptcy usually signifies total loss of investment. If you didn't want to bother with diversifying and there was only one mutual fund you wanted to invest in, then an S & P 500 fund would the best because it beats 80% of all other professionally managed mutual funds. Costs are low, since very little research goes into this type of fund. The 500 stocks represent the biggest and most successful stocks on the market today, and the S & P funds generally don't stray from these companies.
Inheritance

If you get a large inheritance or windfall, seek professional advice! When dealing with large amounts of money, it may be more prudent to buy individual bonds rathar than bond mutual funds. Tax implications may be involved and a discussion on asset protection is prudent. you should consult your accountant, a financial planner, broker and potentially a lawyer.

An informed investor makes the best investor.

Perencanaan Asuransi Jiwa (1) Unit Link atau Non Unit Link?

2009-10-24T11:25:00.000+07:00

Perencanaan Asuransi Jiwa (1) Unit Link atau Non Unit Link?. Hidup penuh dengan risiko, dan faktor risiko adalah sesuatu yang pasti terjadi. Mulai dari tidur, bangun tidur hingga kita melakukan aktifitas rutin setiap hari. Beberapa contoh resiko diantaranya resiko kecelakaan, kehilangan aset atau harta, resiko sakit, cacat total hingga resiko kehilangan jiwa atau meninggal.
Ironisnya kita tidak pernah tahu kapan risiko seperti contoh diatas akan terjadi, untuk itu kita diwajibkan melakukan manajeman pengelolaan risiko yang baik yaitu dengan memindahkan risiko kepada pihak lain (dalam hal ini perusahaan asuransi) adalah merupakan salah satu cara yang efektif.
Masih banyak diantara kita yang merasa membeli asuransi merupakan pemborosan, bukankah kita membayar sesuatu yang belum tentu terjadi? Dalam hal ini ingin kami jelaskan bahwa salah satu kebutuhan yang mendasar sesuai dengan kaidah perencanaa keuangan tentunya bagi mereka yang berada di usia produktif serta memiliki income maka diwajibkan memiliki asuransi dan asuransi yang paling dasar adalah asuransi jiwa. Ya setiap manusia pasti akan mengalaminya, bagi mereka yang memiliki keluarga tentu ingin memberi proteksi yakni suatu kepastian apabila yang bersangkutan dipanggil oleh Sang Pencipta maka keluarga yang ditinggalkan tetap menjalankan kehidupan dengan layak antara lain sandang pangan terus dipenuhi, anak tetap sekolah hingga tingkat yang tertinggi dan sebagainya.

Asuransi Jiwa
Asuransi jiwa merupakan instrumen yang dapat digunakan untuk memindahkan risiko terhadap risiko kematian, jika terjadi risiko kematian pada seseorang maka ahli warisnya akan memperoleh sejumlah dana yang disebut uang pertanggungan. Dalam industri asuransi jiwa di Indonesia saat ini, dikenal jenis asuransi tradisional misalnya term life (asuransi jiwa berjangka); whole life (asuransi jiwa seumur hidup), endowment (asuransi jiwa tradisional dengan kombinasi tabungan), serta polis asuransi jiwa modern unit link atau investment link bahkan saat ini mulai dikemas dengan nama baru seperti education link serta retirement link dan tidak mustahil nama tersebut akan terus bertambah dengan jenis link lainnya.
Asuransi jenis ini sangat populer, hampir semua perusahaan asuransi besar memiliki produk ini bahkan beberapa perusahaan asuransi asing yang ada di Indonesia hanya menjual produk jenis unit link tanpa menjual produk asuransi tradisional lainnya. Karekteristik asuransi jiwa unit link selain memberikan manfaat proteksi asuransi jiwa, juga sekaligus memberikan kesempatan untuk berpartisipasi secara langsung dalam investasi khususnya (saat ini) baru dalam reksadana.

Unit Link
Jenis polis ini sangat digemari oleh perusahaan asuransi dan para pemegang polis (saat ini), terlihat dari pertumbuhan industri asuransi jiwa di tanah air, jenis unit link merupakan kontributor premi yang terbesar bagi banyak perusahaan asuransi jiwa. Ini adalah situasi yang kondusif bagi perusahaan asuransi karena dengan produk ini akan mempercepat pertumbuhan rasio RBC (risk base capital) yang merupakan rasio resiko berbanding modal dengan minimum angka yang disyaratkan oleh pemerintah melalui Ditjen perasuransian adalah sebesar 125%.

Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

2009-10-23T13:19:00.000+07:00

Not everyone is cut out to strike out on their own as an entrepreneur and a business owner. If you don’t have the characteristics necessary to be a small business owner, chances are your small business will not succeed. You also need a good environment in which to start your business. Some countries are better places for entrepreneurial success than others. Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
Successful small business owners have many and varied characteristics. Only some of them will be mentioned here.

* A successful entrepreneur is motivated by personal and family considerations.

The number of small businesses in the U.S. is growing very rapidly. By far, small businesses employ more people than large businesses and export the vast majority of products. Many people are motivated by the flexibility provided to them if they own a small business. They may have children or elderly parents to care for. They may even want to put adult children or elderly parents on the payroll and have a true family business. There are many reasons that individuals consider a small business besides the profit motive.

* A desire for independence and a strong sense of initiative are usually characteristics of a successful entrepreneur.

Large organizations where you have to answer to someone else are often stifling to an entrepreneurial personality. Entrepreneurs desire independence and have a sense of initiative that make them want to use their own abilities to the greatest extent possible. They are willing to work long, hard hours to make their business succeed. Large organizations often frustrate them.

* Successful entrepreneurs react quickly to change.

Change both inside and outside the company affects small businesses quicker than larger businesses. Entrepreneurs have to react quickly and effectively to change to take advantage of opportunities and deal with threats. If an entrepreneur isn’t capable of quick action, change can have a negative effect on operations and profitability.

* Entrepreneurs are dedicated to their businesses.

Successful entrepreneurs are very dedicated to their businesses. They have invested so much time, energy, and emotion into their business that they want to be sure that it is successful. They differ from managers in large companies because they are working for themselves rather than working for the shareholders.

If you possess these characteristics, you should have the personality that it takes to be successful in starting your own business.

Change Your Money Habits

2009-10-22T13:18:00.000+07:00

Having more money is something most people aspire to, but when your income is fixed, having more money is not an easy goal to reach. Looking at your money habits may give you some clues for how to make your money work better for you. That doesn't mean that you have to cut back on all the things that make life fun - in fact it's quite the opposite. Bad money habits result in your money being wasted unnecessarily or used on things that are not important to you. Changing your money habits can mean that you have fewer worries about money and that you can afford to enjoy yourself. Everybody has different money habits. Here are a few bad habits that could be holding you back from achieving your goals:

    * Spending more than you earn
    * Paying bills late and therefore missing out on discounts or paying penalties
    * Buying things on impulse that you never use
    * Paying only the minimum on your credit card balance
    * Spending up to the limit of your credit card
    * Not having an emergency fund for unexpected expenses
    * Not knowing what you spend your money on
    * Making frequent cash withdrawals when you use EFTPOS
    * Being underinsured or having no insurance at all
    * Borrowing money from friends and family to make ends meet
    * Paying everyone else, and only saving what's left
    * Buying expensive gifts for others

It's hard to change habits. The younger you are, the easier it will be to change. The first step is to clearly identify what your bad habits are. Looking over your bank and credit card statements from the last three months will give you some clues as to what they are. Now make yourself a list of promises that you will keep that are the opposite of what your bad habits are. For example - 'I will spend less than I earn', 'I will pay my bills on or before their due date' etc. Write the list down and put it somewhere where you can see it every day. Now set yourself a goal that you really want to achieve - something that is within your reach within the next six months if you keep your promises to yourself - and make sure there is a reward attached to it. If you have debts, your first goal should be related to eliminating or reducing them. For example, you might set yourself a goal of paying off your credit card within six months, then treating yourself to a meal at a nice restaurant, (paid for from savings rather than your credit card!). If you don't have debts but still find it hard to save, set yourself a goal of saving for something you really want, and which you could realistically attain within six months. By setting yourself short term, achievable goals and rewarding yourself for reaching them, you will learn habits that will then enable you to set and reach long term goals.

Planning Well Living Well

2009-10-21T11:18:00.000+07:00

Planning Well Living Well. Peran perencanaan begitu penting sehingga tidak bisa diabaikan oleh siapapun yang sedang melakukan aktifitas, kita ketahui dalam dunia yang modern saat ini, perencanan bisnis (barang dan jasa) yang dilakukan pada akhirnya ditujukan untuk mendapatkan uang, namun ironisnya kita seringkali tidak melakukan perencanaan terhadap uang yang didapat dari hasil 'keringat' sendiri. Financial Planning atau Perencanaan Keuangan adalah masalah bagaimana kita dapat melakukan perencanaan yang tepat sejalan dengan waktu yang tersedia, tujuannya membuat kita menjadi sejahtera.
Dalam melakukan perencanaan keuangan ada 3 formulasi yang umum dilakukan oleh mereka yang menerima pendapatan (income):

   1. Pendapatan- kewajiban (hutang- pengeluaran rutin- investasi & tabungan (jika mungkin)
   2. Pendapatan- kewajiban (hutang)- investasi & tabungan- pengeluaran rutin
   3. Pendapatan- investasi & tabungan- kewajiban (hutang)- pengeluaran rutin

Pembaca yang budiman, nomor berapakah perencanaan keuangan yang anda lakukan? Jika anda menginginkan untuk menjadi sejahtera atau ingin menjadi kaya maka secara tegas kami katakan anda sebaiknya memilih formulasi nomor 3 (tiga). Anda mutlak melakukan perencanaan tersebut hingga pada akhirnya anda merasakan indahnya pertumbuhan aset yang sedang anda lakukan.

Lalu berapa besarnya investasi dan tabungan yang ideal?, hal ini sangat relatif tergantung kondisi keuangan anda namun kami memberikan batasan bahwa setidaknya sebesar 10% dari pendapatan anda diinvestasi secara berkala setiap bulan (berapapun income anda), jangan pernah mengurangi dosis investasi anda jika anda ingin menjadi kaya dikemudian hari.

Mengenai kewajiban cicilan hutang maksimum perbulan adalah sebesar 30% dari penghasilan anda, jika setelah dihitung ternyata jumlah cicilan hutang anda diatas 30% maka anda mutlak untuk mengurangi pengeluaran rutin serta dapat dikombinasikan dengan penambahan penghasilan (ini memerlukan proses dengan jangka waktu yang terukur), ingat kekayaan bersih anda adalah merupakan akumulasi dari jumlah aset minus hutang .

Ada hal yang juga penting dalam melakukan perenacanaan keuangan adalah antisipasi jika sumber penghasilan menjadi berhenti, hal ini dapat disebabkan karena sakit, kecelakaan maupun karena kematian, maka pembelian polis asuransi juga merupakan suatu kebutuhan.

Selamat mencoba Planning Well Living Well…

Budgeting Tips for Single-Income Families (2)

2009-10-20T13:18:00.000+07:00

Discuss and Reorganize Your Budget as Needed. Be prepared to reassess your budget regularly, or whenever there is a change that affects the family finances. Whether it's a debt that is finally paid off or you need to buy a second car, you will need to make adjustments to the budget.

Discipline Is Key. Remember that when it comes to maintaining a budget, discipline is key and documentation is critical. If you keep good track of what you're spending – and saving – you'll feel more in control of the family finances.

Borrowing baby clothes from friends can save an enormous amount of money, says Jennifer Andrews of Richmond, Va. In addition, she says consignment and secondhand baby clothing stores offer good-as-new items at great prices.

Budgeting Tips for Single-Income Families (1)

2009-10-19T13:18:00.000+07:00

For many couples, deciding to have children brings an additional question: "Can we cover household expenses and pay for a new baby with one less financial provider in the home?" For those families who opt to have one parent stay at home after the birth of a baby, smart money management becomes more crucial than ever. One way to do this is to start with understanding what you've got, then planning for what you need. Here are some suggestions for how to live within a budget in a single-income home.

Define Bi-weekly Spending. When asked to estimate how much money is spent in a two-week period for household expenses, many moms (and dads) have a hard time coming up with a figure. The easiest way to calculate how much you spend overall is to identify specific regular expenses, for example: $90 for groceries, $20 for dry cleaning or $90 for bills.

Identify Wants vs. Needs. When trying to minimize expenses, it's sometimes hard to give up things that we want, particularly if we've grown accustomed to having them. If the above exercise shows that you are spending an excessive amount (as it relates to your income) on dining out, it's important to acknowledge that expense and discuss alternatives.

Assign Dollar Amounts to Each Category. When developing a household budget, it helps to factor in fixed costs first, and then include additional baby-related expenses. These are the expenses that are consistent every month, such as the mortgage and a car payment. If the costs of a certain item vary from month to month, look at what you've paid the last three months and come up with an average.

Devise a Savings Plan. It's a good idea to include a savings plan as part of your budget. Whether it's 50 cents or 50 dollars a day, many of us tend to fall short when it comes to putting money away. But let's face it: Most people would agree that they feel more comfortable with some sort of financial cushion for unanticipated costs or emergencies.

Jadi Pengusaha Setelah Pensiun, Kenapa Tidak?

2009-10-18T11:11:00.000+07:00

Jadi Pengusaha Setelah Pensiun, Kenapa Tidak?. Pensiun merupakan suatu proses perubahan yang besar dalam kehidupan kita. Mengubah kebiasaan bekerja sebagai karyawan yang selalu berhubungan dengan peraturan dan budaya perusahaan selama puluhan tahun, menjadi individu yang bebas melakukan pilihan untuk mengisi sisa hidup ini tidaklah mudah. Apa mau dikata, kita harus menentukan pilihan.
Salah satu pilihan yang banyak diambil adalah melakukan bisnis (wirausaha) untuk kegiatan setelah pensiun nanti. Mari kita bahas siasat jitu dalam menyikapi kehidupan baru sebagai pengusaha setelah pensiun.
Lantas, bagaimana kita memulainya? Pertama yang harus dilakukan adalah menguatkan keberanian anda.
Banyak orang mengurungkan niat menjadi pengusaha karena tidak mampu mengatasi rasa takut untuk memulai usaha. Takut gagal (bangkrut), takut tertipu dan masih banyak ketakutan-ketakutan yang lain.

Mulailah usaha anda dengan mengembangkan ide-ide yang orisinal dan unik. Yang terpenting anda menyukai ide-ide tersebut. Bagaimana unik dan orisinalnya ide anda, kalau anda tidak menyukainya, anda akan melakukannya dengan setengah hati. Sesuatu yang kita lakukan dengan setengah hati, hasilnya tidak akan maksimal.
Perencanaan Usaha dimulai dengan melakukan perencanaan keuangan pribadi setelah menerima pesangon dari perusahaan untuk mempertahankan kualitas sisa kehidupan anda cukup terjaga.
Lunasi Hutang. Pastikan bahwa sudah tidak ada lagi kewajiban hutang kepada pihak lain. Hal ini penting untuk dilakukan mengingat tidak ada lagi pendapatan rutin (gaji) seperti masa anda masih bekerja.
Sisihkan biaya hidup. Dalam usaha, ada 2 hal yang akan terjadi, kalau tidak untung ya rugi. Awal usaha adalah proses awal belajar. Tentu resiko belum dapat mencetak keuntungan cukup besar. Disisi lain, kita sudah tidak ada lagi pendapatan rutin.
Bentuk dana darurat. Usia yang sudah tidak muda lagi biasanya membutuhkan dana yang relatif lebih besar untuk menjaga kesehatan dibandingkan waktu kita masih muda. Sisihkanlah sejumlah dana untuk keperluan tersebut, minimal setara dengan 3 bulan biaya hidup kita.
Jika belum cukup, sisihkan sebagian uang pesangon untuk memenuhi kebutuhan tersebut.
Setelah peta pertahanan finansial pribadi anda sudah terencana dengan baik, barulah sisa pesangon yang masih ada kita manfaatkan sebagai modal pengembangan aset yang kita miliki.
Kurang bijaksana bila seluruh dana yang tersedia di manfaatkan seluruhnya sebagai modal usaha. Harus ada dana cadangan untuk menghadapi kemungkinan usaha kita tidak berjalan dengan baik. Kami sarankan perbandingan antara Dana cadangan dan Modal usaha adalah sebagai berikut.

Semoga tulisan ini bermanfaat bagi kita semua…

Blended Family Preparation

2009-10-17T13:15:00.000+07:00

Families that are about to blend can avoid many problematic issues by planning for them in advance. The wedding is in the planning stages and all of the key players are notified of their duties; but has all of the preliminary planning to successfully blend two families into one been completed? This worksheet will help identify and address key issues that will inevitably arise as the family adjusts.

Finances: Will both parties seek employment outside the home, or will someone commit to running the home and raising the children? Who will pay the bills? Will bank personal bank accounts be combined or left separate? Will the children be given an allowance and if so how much? How much income will be budgeted for college, savings and vacations?

Housing: Will a new home be purchased as a family or will an existing home be used?

School: Where will the children attend school?

Custody: Will custody arrangements change after the family blends?