James L. Paris's Blog, page 221

What To Do When You Can't Pay Your Bills

It may be one of life's scariest moments. You realize that there are significantly more bills than you have money to pay them with. It might be the result of overspending for months or even years, on the other hand it could simply be the loss of a job and no emergency savings to fall back on. 

The Next Six Week Christian Budget Workshop Is No Answer

We don't seem to have much to offer people in such predicaments within the Christian community. Consider it tantamount to offering an exercise program or a cholesterol pill to someone having a heart attack. The standard Christian financial budgeting workshop will have little to offer to those in need of emergency assistance. Who do you call? What do you do? What happens when your creditors start calling? What if you end up being sued? Even worse, what if find yourself in foreclosure or facing the B word - BANKRUPTCY?

New Video Provides Strategies On What To Do When You Can't Pay Your Bills

Bob Yetman and I just finished producing a new video simply titled, What To Do When You Can't Pay Your Bills? The video is almost three hours in length and covers every nook, cranny, scenario, question, you could ever come up with on this topic. This is not just a video for those presently in a financial crisis, but for also for pastors, counselors, and anyone that wants to be a source of hope to those going through a financial nightmare.

The reason the video is almost three hours long is simple - we left nothing out. It took weeks of planning to be sure that we addressed every possible issue and scenario imaginable. Sit down, turn on the video, get out a sheet of paper and a sharp pencil and start putting together your plan. Everything from how to prioritize what bills you pay, to how to stop collection calls, dealing with foreclosures, repossessions, lawsuits, and even how to know if bankruptcy makes sense. 

A week does not go by that I don't read a story about a suicide related to financial problems. I have been shocked by the number of stories involving a head of household taking their own life, and then killing their own spouse and children  - yes, because of financial problems. Think about it for a moment, where can you go for advice when you don't have enough money to pay your bills? You won't find many financial planners interested in bringing you on as a client. How many lawyers will sit down with you at no cost to help you sort out the legal ramifications of what you are facing? Many well meaning individuals might say things like, 'I am in your corner' or 'I will say a prayer for you.' All very nice sentiments, but you can't help but remember that there is a huge stack of bills waiting for you on your kitchen table. You can't block it out of your mind - the upcoming mortgage payment that is due, or wondering how many more days before the repo man comes for the car. You are in a living hell 24/7, and even when you fall asleep you have nightmares about what is happening.

The Christian Community Doesn't Know How To Help People In A Financial Crisis

You might get a few dollars from the benevolence fund or an invite to the next Christian financial workshop, but other than that, your church may have little help to offer. It is truly a need so big, but no one has a vested interest in addressing it. I know firsthand what it is like to become what I call a 'financial leper.' After becoming insolvent in 2001 after my own brother (who was my accountant) embezzled nearly $2 million dollars from me, I found out how few friends I really had. Jim Paris, the guy with money, had people beating his door down, but Jim Paris the guy going broke, was an undesirable. 

In my own case, being a financial guy and having even gone to law school for one year, I had a skill set that most don't. Still, dealing with the repossession of my cars, creditors calling, the liquidation of my businesses, foreclosure, and ultimately bankruptcy, ALMOST KILLED ME. I can only imagine what the average non-financially trained person is experiencing when the financial walls begin to close in on them. Even if you live through it, you may lose your marriage, end up addicated to drugs or alcohol, and have lifelong health problems as a result.

This video is so important, that we decided to make it available as both a digital download and as a physical DVD. The video is also available for free download and online viewing for members of ChristianMoneyPlus. 

Order Download Version For $15

Order DVD From Amazon For $24.95 (coming soon)

Helping you make the most of God's Money!

 James L. Paris 

Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice 
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio  

Highly Unusual Developments In Christian Ponzi Scheme Trial

As a regular reader of this blog, you will know that we have been following the Profitable Sunrise story for two years now. Of course, my book 'Exposing The Ponzi Masters' details the worldwide scheme that bilked Christians out of an estimated $100 million dollars. 

Something Is Rotten... Not In Denmark, But In Bryan Ohio

In a routine review of the case docket, ChristianMoney.com became aware this week that the Ohio civil lawsuit against central figure Nancy Jo Frazer was 'settled.' We found it more than a bit odd that the case was closed, the trial was canceled, and all with no press release or public announcement of any details. In July of 2013 the state of Ohio filed a civil lawsuit containing 23 allegations against Nancy Jo Frazer, David Frazer, and Albert Rosebrock.  The significance of the Ohio case can not be overstated. First, this is the home state of Nancy Jo Frazer. Secondly, it represents the sole legal action against Frazer. Neither the federal government or any other U.S. state has pursued a lawsuit against Frazer and her associates. As a result, this litigation would appear to be the only legal means for Frazer to be ordered to pay restitution or to disgorge profits realized from her alleged involvement in the scheme. 

ChristianMoney.com spoke today with both the Williams County, Court and the Ohio Attorney General's Office. We were unable to receive any explanation as to why the settlement agreement has not been made public, or any court documents detailing the outcome of the case. To make matters even more suspicious, the settlement date of the case is listed as December 31. Yes, as we all sang, 'Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot...' the state of Ohio settled its lawsuit with Nancy Jo Frazer and 'forgot' to tell anyone about it. Now, 16 days later NO INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE SETTLEMENT. 

Statute Of Limitations Running Out

Many have speculated that an SEC action against the promoters could be forthcoming in this case, but the time period to bring these charges will soon run out (generally, the government has two years from the date they became aware of a violation of the securities laws to file). The SEC filed a civil case in April of 2013 naming only the various offshore entities behind Profitable Sunrise. The activity in the SEC case has been remarkably sparse. Furthermore, there have been no public updates or press announcements on the case since April of 2013. 

Questions That Need To Be Answered:

1. Why is the settlement between the state of Ohio and Nancy Jo Frazer being kept from the public?

2. After nearly two years now, why has there been no communication to the public on the status of the Ohio or SEC litigation, or any update on the millions of dollars frozen in offshore bank accounts?

3. Why has no receiver been appointed to begin the process of accepting claims on behalf of victims?

4. How could a $100 million scam involving the sale of unregistered securities produce no criminal charges and only one civil lawsuit (Ohio)? (other than the Ohio case, we are only aware of a Kansas action that recovered a meager $2,000 and no other legal action taken against any of the other U.S. based promoters). 

5. Why has the SEC not taken a deposition of central figure Nancy Jo Frazer?

6. Why has the SEC excluded Frazer and the other significant U.S. based promoters from their civil lawsuit?

To our knowledge, and lacking any documentation to the contrary, neither Nancy Jo Frazer or any other individuals referenced or alluded to in this article, have been convicted of any crime or been found liable for any civil or regulatory infractions.  

Helping you make the most of God's Money!

 James L. Paris 

Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice 
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio  

Why Do We Still Call It a Four-Year Degree, Anyway?

As the continually-rising cost to go to college puts more pressure on the ability of students to do so, one of the distinct casualties, outside of the most obvious one, has proven to be the ability to actually finish school in a timely fashion. The bachelor’s degree has also been less formally called a four-year degree for as long as anyone can remember, and the reason for that has been the historical structuring of the program requirements over four academic years. However, the data reveals that it has been years since most bachelor’s degree students have earned their degrees within four years, and while that may seem unfortunate to some, the shift in the overall trend has essentially eliminated any stigma that may have once existed over failing to graduate in four years. The silver lining to that is the greater freedom now afforded a student who wishes to take a more measured approach, from a personal financial standpoint, to earning his degree.

Fact : Only 19% Of Students Finish A Bachelor's Degree In Four Years

According to Department of Education figures, roughly a third of all students beginning bachelor’s degree programs actually finish in four years, and nearly 60 percent complete their studies in six years. However, although taking longer to graduate from college has historically been perceived more negatively, not only is that no longer the case, but careful management of a work-study balance en route to a prized degree can actually make an extended timeline genuinely beneficial. As to the former, because the number of students requiring longer than four years to graduate is so substantial, no one in that group is now considered unusual on that singular basis by anyone, including prospective employers. Additionally, taking longer to finish a degree program affords the earnest individual more time to work while studying, which, in turn, gives him the chance to have more fully paid for school by his graduation date.

Old habits die hard, so it’s not likely that we’ll stop alternatively referring to bachelor’s degrees as four-year degrees anytime soon, but the term has largely been a misnomer for a while now. That said, the shift to earning the coveted bachelor’s degree over a longer period is not only not seen as a bad thing anymore, but it can actually be a big help to the person seeking to emerge from his studies without a mountain of debt as a burdensome companion; in fact, taking a modestly slower route to graduation, one that provides more opportunity to earn the money that can be applied directly to tuition and other related costs, may actually be the superior one to travel these days.  

Robert G. Yetman, Jr.

Managing Editor, The James L. Paris Report            

50 Year Old Lost Money Found

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have had a fascination with lost money my entire career. There is something so exciting about finding money that you have been separated from (often times money you had no idea you even had). This week I picked up on a new way to search for lost money that may be one of the biggest breakthroughs on the topic yet.

How The Internet Has Changed Everything, But It Was Still Not Perfect

Being able to go to a state or federal website and complete a comprehensive search for lost money makes doing a search possible from any computer connected to the Internet. There are still, however, substantial challenges in finding your lost money (even with the power of these Internet databases). First, you must know which of these databases to search. Yes, you could just search them all, but then you might have a life to live. Even if you decide to perform a search at each every single database, you should know that you will have to search them all again at least once or twice per year - every year, for the rest of your life (to truly stay on top of the potential money that is out there).

Lost Money I Have Found Under The 'Old' System

I found several thousand dollars of lost insurance commissions over the last ten years. To make a long story short, when I moved to Texas for 4 years in the 1990's I started a life insurance business. Many of our investment clients needed to buy term life insurance, so it was a logical add-on. Life insurance pays out an initial commission to the agent, (and most of the time ongoing commissions over the years that the policy remains in force). After finding my first lost insurance commission at the State Of Texas unclaimed funds site, I continued to go back regularly and find money every few months. It was like a never ending stream of checks for at least $100 each (sometimes much more).

Oddly enough, during the four years I was in Texas I had a number of lost money items that ended up at the State Of Florida Treasurer's office. So, I ping-ponged back and forth between the two state websites (and yep money kept popping up over and over again). Well, sad to report but the well ran dry. I guess I finally found it all... but maybe not.

How I Just Found Even More Lost Money In An Unlikely Place

This dog learned a new trick and I found MORE LOST MONEY! Using a new search technique on Sunday night I found another 'lost insurance commission' being held by the state of Virginia. What? I have never lived in Virginia! Yes, and this is why finding lost money is not just as easy as checking with your home state treasurer's website. There are countless scenarios where lost money will never show up at your home state's website (and many times you won't find all of your lost money even if you search the websites of every single state where you have lived).

Finding Lost Money From Almost 50 Years Ago  

Now this may be the strangest story yet on the topic of lost money. I have mentioned in the past that I found a forgotten bank account belonging to my wife's brother worth several thousand dollars (yes, that was one way to get the in-laws to like me). Sunday night, using my newfound technique, I located an account from 47 years ago belonging to my wife's deceased father!  This is really odd - my wife was only in the fourth grade and her family moved to Florida from California in 1968. The Sharrer family lived in Orange Park, Florida for just one year and returned back to the west coast. We don't know the amount yet, but we are very excited to find out! (sometimes it is indicated that the amount is above say $50 or $100, but other times there are no clues as to how much money it is). 

New Method Of Searching

I learned a new way of searching for lost money this week. It provides a mechanism for searching virtually all state lost money databases in one search. This is how I found another lost insurance commission in Virginia. I have never lived in Virginia and would have had no reason to search in this state. Similarly, no one would have every thought to search for lost money for my wife's father in Florida. They only lived in Florida for one year and that was nearly 50 years ago! This new search option really closes the gap and makes searching much easier and much more comprehensive. This is all covered on my new video just released today.

New Lost Money Training Video Now Available! 

This new two part video is the most comprehensive training you will find anywhere on how to located unclaimed funds. With more than $60 billion dollars in lost funds, this video will take through the step by step process to search every state in the U.S. and every federal agency holding lost money. Search for yourself, other family members, even your friends. Who knows how much you might find? This new video is free and available for immediate download and viewing for members of ChristianMoneyPlus.

Ripple XRP Offer Opened Up Again For A Limited Time

In addition to gaining access to my new video on how to find lost money, all new annual subscribers to ChristianMoneyPlus will also receive 1,000 Ripple XRP digital currency. I have been inundated with e mails from people that missed my recent offer on the free digital currency. See this article - How To Turn $25 Into $500,000 With New Bitcoin?

Join ChristianMoneyPlus and get your 1,000 free Ripple XRP (this is more than 6 times the amount we regularly bonus new annual subscribers) and gain immediate access to the new video on finding lost money - Click Here To Sign Up Now. Note: The free Ripple offer expires at midnight on Sunday night (Jan 11, 2015).

Helping you make the most of God's money!

 James L. Paris 

Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice 
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio  

How To Get Student Loan Forgiveness

Student loan expert Jan Miller joins Jim Paris for a discussion on student loan forgiveness, student loan refinancing, student loan consolidation, and resolving a student loan default. If you have a student loan you don't want to miss this episode. Numerous strategies on how to lower payments and much more.

Joel Osteen Financial Scandal?

A prominent New York attorney is alleging that Joel Osteen is using his non-profit ministry to promote his for profit books. The upshot of the allegation is that book royalties are paid to Osteen personally, while his 'ministry' foots the bill for his TV broadcasts.

Jim Paris Trumpet Solo Featured On National Radio

As many of you know, I had mentioned in a previous post that I was privileged to be asked to provide a track for a Christmas album that would raise money for Veterans' charities. I was so excited to hear the track played on the radio on Christmas Eve. Well, all of those years of practice paid off. My version of The Christmas Song was heard by millions on Coast To Coast AM, Special thanks to the amazing guitar accompaniment by Abe Alam and the recording and editing done by my daughter Joy Paris.  To purchase the album on Amazon, here is the link to Buy Album.

 

Free Kindle Books From Jim Paris

I am giving away the Kindle edition of several of my books from today through Friday. 

Here is a link to my Amazon author page for quick access - Click Here.

How To Read Kindle Books Without A Kindle 

Helping you make the most of God's money!

 James L. Paris 

Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice 
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio 

These Toys Bought For $76.85 Will Be Sold For More Than $300

Many of you are aware of the course I have been teaching on Amazon Flipping. I have a series of other articles available on this topic as well (see below). 

Amazon Flipping: A Weird New Way People Are Making Money Online

Finding Items To Resell - Amazon Flipping Update

Amazon Flipping: Deciding What Items To Sell on eBay Instead

Planning To Pocket $500 On My First Amazon FBA Shipment

Saving Time By Using A Desktop Scanner Device

I bought all of these toys pictured above for a grand total of $76.85. They will be sold on Amazon for more than $300. I will earn a net profit of more than $100 for less than an hour of work. As I have mentioned in previous articles, I am now at a point with this that I am about to take it to the next level. I am in the process of putting together the information that I need to be able to start launching my own private label products.

I will keep buying retail and selling on Amazon, mostly to demonstrate the concepts to those that want to 'see' how this all works.I was on my way home last night and saw a banner hanging in front of Family Dollar announcing a clearance sale on toys. All toys with prices of $10 or more were 50% off. Well, this was pretty simply and in about 15 minutes I filled up a cart and headed to the cash register. I would imagine that this same kind of sale is going on all around the country right now (and at multiple retailers). This is not just an 'after Christmas' thing, as I found a lot of items to sell before Christmas as well (see my prior articles). 

New Video Being Added This Week

I have made a lot of mistakes figuring this all out. I am going to do another video this sharing all of the ways I have bumped my head, show you how to avoid making the same mistakes. 

Here are some of the topics I will be addressing -

How to remove price tags without damaging the product box (and why you have to do this)
One simple step to prevent Amazon from splitting up your shipments and costing you entirely too much money for shipping
How to tap into UPS super deep discounts on shipping through your Seller Central dashboard
Easily print your shipping labels from Amazon directly and avoid standing in line at UPS.
Where to find cheap boxes and shipping supplies
How you can intuitively know what items are deals (when you are doing your other shopping)
What items might appear to be good buys but are losers
My terrible experience with selling 'left over' items on eBay
How to save countless hours by using a desktop price scanner
The secret to pricing your products. Amazon will suggest a price match to you when you enter a product, but this is not usually the best price for you. THIS IS HUGE. 
Managing your prices against the landscape of competitors (nope, you can't just set it and forget it on your prices).
How I am using the smartphone apps and what I have learned about the strengths and weaknesses of this tool
Why your items don't have to be the lowest priced offer to still sell
How the cash flows from the customer to Amazon and right into my bank account (every week now)

The $99 cost of this training is going to be raised very soon. Once the next video is added, we will likely be at close to six hours of training. I will probably go up to $130 or more. I am also going to throw in a very special and unique bonus (good until Sunday night at midnight).

FREE SHIPPING SCALE FOR NEW MEMBERS THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT

I have a small scale like this that can weigh items up to 75 pounds. Once you get the hang of it, you can quickly box up your merchandise, weigh your box, and print out your shipping label. I walk into the UPS Store and simply set my box on the counter and walk out. The cost of my shipping is debited directly from my Amazon Seller Central funds. This was a huge game changer for me in the entire process. This saves a huge amount of time and the cost savings on shipping is enormous. 

I am very excited about this opportunity as we get so many e mails from people looking for something they can do from home to earn a few hundred extra dollars. This whole concept has turned out to be even better than I thought in the beginning.

*** By the way, for all those already in my Amazon Flipping program, I am going to give you this new video at no additional cost. 

Join Today And Grab Your Free Shipping Scale! Click Here

 Helping you make the most of God's money!

 James L. Paris 

Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice 
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio 

7 Ways To Save Money On Amtrak

My love affair with trains started as a young boy when I would regularly stay overnight at my grandparents home in Willow Springs (a suburb of Chicago).  There was a train track about 150 yards from their home.  Many people might consider this a nuisance, but I don't remember anyone complaining.  In fact, I was always thrilled to hear a train pass by. Day or night, I just loved that sound. To this day, I immediately recall those wonderful memories of my time with my grandparents every time I hear the sound of a train.  A quick video below of what it looked like inside the train. 

 

Post by James L. Paris.

 

My Christmas Gift This Year Was An Amtrak Train Trip

I had never been on an Amtrak train, but had talked about 'taking that trip someday' for many years. My wife surprised me with an overnight trip from Palatka, FL to Winter Park, FL. This was only about a 90 minute ride, but it was a wonderful idea and I loved it. Winter Park is known for its dozens of sidewalk cafes and gift shops. It is also quite the place to visit around Christmas, as they go out of their way with decorations and lighting. 

I was surprised at how clean and roomy the train was. The reclining seats were enormous, and a 120 volt receptacle was even provided for me to charge my gadgets on the way. There was even a food car with a variety of snacks, bottled water, and coffee (no, it was not free). Most people don't know that you can actually bring your own food on the train, and I saw many people doing so. The view from the train was spectacular. The 'back country' perspective you have from a train window is picturesque and nothing like you will see through the windshield of your car. 

The Cost?

We only bought our tickets a couple of days in advance, so we probably would have gotten a much better deal with more of an advance purchase. Our total cost for the roundtrip train fare (2 tickets) was $95 (with our AAA discount). This was really not a bad deal at all for a last minute purchase. The reaction I got from my Facebook friends was interesting. Many of my friends that live nearby were not even aware that we had train service available in the area. Others from around the country commented on how wonderful a mini vacation idea this was. Overall, I would have to conclude that Amtrak appears to be a travel option most people don't even consider. The picture below is of us going out to dinner in Winter Park that evening after changing into our dinner attire.

 

Post by James L. Paris.

 

Comparing The Train To Flying

Although our trip was a short one, I could not help but continually compare every aspect of it to flying. Wow, what a difference. We drove right up to the train station and parked our car about 100 feet from where we boarded the train. No strip search, no big line to wait in, no metal detectors, we just got on the train. My wife and I just could not believe how different this was from flying. Although I mentioned this earlier, I have to comment again on how big the seats were! Also, I could get up and walk around any time I wanted. There were about 20 people boarding on the way home (see video below), but only 3 of us getting on in Palatka.

 

Post by James L. Paris.

 

I also really enjoyed getting to meet and talk with a wide variety of people traveling alongside us. Some were doing short trips or day trips like us, while others were headed thousands of miles away. I should also add that my fellow passengers struck me as no different than those I would be on a flight with (destroying the myth that traveling by train is somehow limited to kooks, hippies, and street people). I will also tell you that the train ride for me was an adventure and experience in and of itself. Only on international flights have I ever found the journey to be enjoyable and more than a means to an end.  Short video below of the food car. 

Post by James L. Paris.

 

Ways To Save Money When Traveling By Train 

I used to give credence to the criticism about train travel costing as much as air travel - Why take the train for that price when you can fly? Even for the same exact cost I would opt for the train rather than flying (time permitting). My train rides were short, but it was the perfect environment for me to do some writing. I am actually considering using a cross country train trip as a personal writing retreat. No, don't lock me up in a cabin with a lake view, just send me on a long train trip with my laptop computer. 

Top 7 Ways To Save Money On Amtrak

1. Join the Amtrak Rewards Program (works like frequent flier miles)

2. Purchase your tickets 14 days or more in advance

3. Take advantage of discounts (AAA, military, student, senior, and more)

4. Get on the Amtrak e Mail list to be alerted of special fares

5. Follow Amtrak on Twitter and Facebook for even more deals

6. Consider grabbing a rail pass for discounted multi-trip travel over 15, 30, or even 45 days

7.  Click on the 'deals' tab on the Amtrak site for a number of ways to save money, including smart fares and vacation packages.

Planning My Next Amtrak Trip 

I am having a lot of fun planning our next Amtrak trip. We are going to visit Savannah, Georgia (about a 4 hour train ride). I am simultaneously shopping for a deal on the train tickets and using Groupon to lock in a low cost hotel (and some fun activities too). 

Have you ever travelled on Amtrak? Use the comments section below to share your own story.

 Helping you make the most of God's money!

 James L. Paris 

Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice 
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio