James C. Molet's Blog, page 61

Improve Your Spending Practices

The following is a guest contribution from Paul S. Richard of the Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE). The ICFE was founded as a non-profit organization in 1982 to help consumer improve spending habits, increase savings and use credit more wisely. Working in cooperation with government and business, the ICFE offers several certification programs with Continuing Education Units and Professional Development Units. Young Americans are taking retirement planning seriously. A new study shows they are “frantic” about having enough cash to live on after 70. The following tips will help Read the Full Story

A Richer Understanding: Compromises for Sanity

Brian Tramuel helms this series. He lives with his wife Michelle, their children Geneva and Brian, and their Cocker Spaniel Maestro in Charlotte, NC. They, along with his two older children from a previous marriage, Davina and Aaron, provide a constant source of inspiration. Aaron lives, works and plays in Charlotte and Davina lives, works and plays in Roanoke, VA. My wife and I were married in April of this year. Prior, we had known each other for twelve years. There are millions of statistics on why marriages fail; money and Read the Full Story

Four Golden Rules for Selling Your Gold Jewellery and Coins

You don’t need to be an industry professional to sell items of value, like gold jewellery or coins. The dusty set of stow away valuables which has accumulated enough space in your house to be paying rent, really ought to go if no one needs it; but you’re not sure if you know enough about how to sell gold to venture off and do it. Perhaps you’re worried you’ll be taken advantage of, or you just don’t think the memories are worth what you’ve been offered; a little help to Read the Full Story

The Secret World of Debt Collection – A SavvyReview

Have you ever wondered how you can beat debt collectors at their own game? If so, The Secret World of Debt Collection by Mike Cardoza, Esq. might just be the book for you. In a short 58 pages – which makes it more like a brochure vice a book – Mr. Cardoza lays out a detailed roadmap to do just that. As noted in his biography, Mr. Cardoza trained as a trial attorney in the U.S. Marine Corps and has tried numerous cases in federal and state courtrooms. He is a Read the Full Story

Living Frugally: Getting Off Track – It Happens to All of Us

Taz Bright helms this series. Taz is a father, speaker, long-time business owner and graduate of the school of hard-knocks. Taz uses his past business and personal finance experience to help steer others in a positive financial direction while, hopefully, avoiding the mistakes he’s made along the way. As a former 6-year victim of Identity Theft, Taz shares unique lessons learned while trying to regain his financial footing. Taz is a member of Toastmasters International, a martial artist, former bodyguard and a CrossFit athlete. As the owner of Bright Balance Ministries, Taz’s goal Read the Full Story

A Richer Understanding: Physical and Fiscal Fitness

Brian Tramuel helms this series. He lives with his wife Michelle, their children Geneva and Brian, and their Cocker Spaniel Maestro in Charlotte, NC. They, along with his two older children from a previous marriage, Davina and Aaron, provide a constant source of inspiration. Aaron lives, works and plays in Charlotte and Davina lives, works and plays in Roanoke, VA. RetirementSavvy is the inter connectivity of physical and fiscal fitness. Last week my wife asked me to make final payment on the children’s summer camp tuition. I groaned and mumbled for Read the Full Story

How to Finance a Small Business Franchise

The following is a guest contribution from Devin Conner of Franchise Marketing Systems. Okay, so you’ve found the perfect business idea, one that seems to add up from every angle and couldn’t be better for you and your future plans. The only problem is that you don’t have the capital to open the doors. Well, unfortunately this is a rather significant problem for a small business startup, particularly in today’s lending environment. There is no question, it is difficult to get a loan today for ANYTHING, much less for a Read the Full Story

The Business of Family – A SavvyReview and Giveaway

This second SavvyReview takes a look at The Business of Family: How to Stay Rich for Generations by Linda Davis Taylor. Mrs. Taylor is the CEO and Chairman of Clifford Swan Investment Counsel, the nation’s oldest investment advisory firm, in Pasadena, California. A participant in a fourth generation family business, she is a frequent speaker on wealth transition, family governance and philanthropy. Her versatile career includes stints in senior leadership positions at multiple colleges and she has served as a trustee for numerous educational and non-profit organizations. I was excited to read Read the Full Story

PayDay Loans and the CFPB

In the Looking For Change post, I noted that many Americans are locked out of the traditional banking system, and as a result, turn to pawn shops and check cashing companies for the services that many of us take for granted. Worse yet, many use PayDay and title loans to meet basic financial needs. Of course the practice is quite costly. It has been calculated that $89 billion a year goes to fees and interest for using these types of alternative financial services. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Safe Small-Dollar Read the Full Story

A Richer Understanding: A Comfortable Nest

I would like to welcome Brian Tramuel as a new contributor to RetirementSavvy. He will be helming the ‘A Richer Understanding’ series, where he will focus less on the technical aspects of investing and retirement planning; and explore our daily interactions with money. Brian lives with his wife Michelle, their children Geneva and Brian, and their Cocker Spaniel Maestro in Charlotte, NC. They, along with his two older children from a previous marriage, Davina and Aaron, provide a constant source of inspiration. Aaron lives, works and plays in Charlotte and Davina Read the Full Story