Seven Secrets to Financial Empowerment in 2009

By Trisha

As you work to fulfill your dreams in the field of real estate investing I want you to embrace your future and do everything in your power to help ensure your success despite the challenges youll face along the way. Ive identified 7 financial keys that can unlock the door to success for you and others you may come in contact with along the way.

There are a lot of things you can do every day that can help determine whether you reach the pinnacle of success or remain in the valley of missed opportunity, but very few things will figure as prominently as your finances. Financial gurus got it right when they say that if you dont control your money it controls you! Heres how to regain control of your financial future one step at a time.

Control Your Spending " By taking control of your spending you can have a much bigger say in the types of deals you have available to you. This process starts with having " and sticking to " a realistic and attainable budget. Im not suggesting you should sell your TV and hit your kids up for gas money in exchange for taking them to t-ball practice.

There is a direct connection between giving and receiving " just make sure you really believe in the organizations youre giving your money to!

Control Your Saving " By getting into the habit of regularly setting money aside for a rainy day, you can systematically build a rainy day fund that you can tap into for unplanned expenses. By having 3-6 months of expenses in an interest earning money market account you have cash available in case of a short term need. If you have this cash you can take advantage of more property opportunities. Sometimes a seller will agree to your terms if you can meet their need for cash. If you have a few thousand dollars sitting in an account you can access it quickly and still get a lucrative deal while its still available!

By keeping your balances low you free up additional funds for additional property purchases. Not only can credit cards charge hefty interest rates, they make it very easy to spend more than you otherwise might. Fast food restaurants dont take plastic because theyre dedicated to superior customer service. They want to make it as easy as possible to Super Size " your waist line and their bottom line.

Control Your Saving " By getting into the habit of regularly setting money aside for a rainy day, you can systematically build a rainy day fund that you can tap into for unplanned expenses. By having 3-6 months of expenses in an interest earning money market account you have cash available in case of a short term need. If you have this cash you can take advantage of more property opportunities. Sometimes a seller will agree to your terms if you can meet their need for cash. If you have a few thousand dollars sitting in an account you can access it quickly and still get a lucrative deal while its still available!

Control Your Habits " I dont want to offend anyone here, but its very easy to have expensive habits that can reduce the pool of money you have when you need it. It could be $4-$5 cups of coffee, cigarettes, or other substances. Aside from the potential long term impact some habits can have on your health, they can also take money away from your investing activities. Take control of the kinds of things you spend your money on. Youll be surprised by how much extra cash you can come up with after just 30 days!

Control Your Giving " Theres nothing more empowering and fulfilling than giving money away. You want to make a regular habit of giving to charities or organizations you believe in. But it is possible to go overboard by trying to help too much.

By keeping your balances low you free up additional funds for additional property purchases. Not only can credit cards charge hefty interest rates, they make it very easy to spend more than you otherwise might. Fast food restaurants dont take plastic because theyre dedicated to superior customer service. They want to make it as easy as possible to Super Size " your waist line and their bottom line.

Control Your Time " This is one of the most difficult areas to control because time is a commodity that is in such short supply. Its very easy to waste countless hours in front of a television set or hunched over a computer surfing from one web site to another. By taking control of how and where you spend your time you can financially empower yourself by freeing up precious minutes " and hours " for more lucrative opportunities. A great way to save time is by outsourcing routine or mundane tasks to others. Not only will you close more deals, but youll have more free time for your family and leisure activities you enjoy.

Control Your Thinking " You should get motivated and fired up every day! Instead of listening to negative people complain about high gas prices, inflation, or politics, tap into a good motivational book, CD, or seminar that will do something for you other than raise your blood pressure. Unless youre a member of OPEC or on the board of an oil company you cant control prices. However, by controlling your thinking and your thought processes you can build your own cartel of real estate investment properties!

These are just a few things you can do to financially empower yourself. Put these into practice today, perfect them " and make them your own! The secret to financial empowerment is really no secret at all. The secret lies in actually applying them in your life today and make tomorrow lucrative. Start now and live the life youve been dreaming about! - 23221

About the Author:

You can learn much more about real estate with Charissa Crawley's real estate power investor guide. Learn how to build your own real estate empire like she has done try the Real Estate Power Investor now.

How to find good signals for free - ForexManuals.com

By Volodq Christoff

There are very few forex trading signals providers that are genuinely consistently profitable month after month. There are many that claim to be and have impressive looking performance records but very often it transpires that they massage their numbers, and use hypothetical figures in their calculations, rather than trade their signals themselves.

I've come across many different forex signals providers in my time. It's hard not to as the internet's full of them. Nearly all of them have turned out to be a waste of time. I thought I'd found a great site a while back in the shape of Forex Live Pro, but after having several highly profitable months, even they ended up going on a losing streak and have since closed down.

That's why there's only one company that I'm more than happy to recommend and that's ForexManuals.com

It's basically a managed forex trading account where you're in complete control over which signal providers you use, and all trading is completely automated.

I'm not sure how common the Smoothed Repulse indicator actually is but it's one that I've recently discovered hidden away in ProRealTime, the excellent charting software, and I have to say I'm quite impressed by it so far. - 23221

About the Author:

It is always handy to have good free signals forex. I use them all the time and it makes a big difference in the outcome of my free forex trading signals trades

Will the Chevy Volt Save GM?

By Dino P Delellis

Amongst GM employees, aside from the fear of getting a pink paper next week ( or the week after ) speculation is high as to whether the concept vehicle, being called the Volt, is going to be as revolutionary as the hype suggests.

GM, Ford and Chrysler arrayed a huge number of lawyers and much cherished Washington lobbyists to go after California after it decided to introduce a zero emissions rule on part of all car fleets. While GM was fighting California, it was also building an electric car, 10 years ago called the EV1. The state lost, GM breathed a sigh of relief and promptly destroyed all EV1's and sold the patents.

Yep, sold the patents to a MIT. Just kidding. If the patents had been sold to MIT, the car would have been rebuilt and the Toyota Prius hybrid would never have been created. Whoever bought the patents wasn't interested in building an electric car. There is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest the battery patents were purchased by Texaco who has done tremendous work with them since ( NOT ).

Balancing the books, one might claim. Lots of Research and Development costs, nothing to show for it, so sell the technology. It wasn't an objective decision. After an acrimonious battle with the state of California, GM management couldn't get rid of the technology fast enough. A billion dollars later, GM executives didn't stop to think that perhaps core elements could play a critical roll in future transportation technology. They had to wait for the Japanese to prove that similar technology could and would be a huge element in the future of transportation.

Anyway in the latest from an interview with GM's Chief Designer we get the following profile of the Volt.

GM has almost entirely "bet the boat" on the new technologies going to market in the electric Chevy Volt. We are sure that GM Detroit Management exactly didn't plan it this way, but their European operations must have seen the writing on the wall many years ago as gas hit 3+ dollars per gallon in europe and continued on through the equivalent $4 dollar mark. With the global credit crunch, increased gas prices and declining sales of the big cash SUV's GM is feeling the pinch like never before. The Volt must become iconic.

GM's response to public outcry shortly after co-jointly winning the lawsuit against California on the grounds that only the federal government had the right to determine zero emission, was to go on a publicity campaign extolling the virtues of their own version of Zero emissions - Hydrogen gas by 2010. Which probably prompted BMW to wake up and create a wonderful Hydrogen Gas vehicle which is already 4-5 years old and in its fourth or fifth refinement. So zip forward to 2008 and GM has backtracked on its Hydrogen promises and is now attempting to leap frog the Toyota Prius with technology that will get a commuter 40 miles of gas free driving on a nightly electrical charge.

According to GM research, many drivers will not need to switch to the gas engine because simply recharging the vehicle via a regular outlet at home overnight will satisfy most of their driving needs. When I first heard this, I thought - What a useless car. Who wants a car that does only 40 miles per charge, but in truth, the car simply switches to the small gas engine at that point and continues its merry way.

Despite the GM bashing that many of us might engage in, on occasion, we all truly want a Volt or something like it. Traveling and seeing new places isn't just a wish for the elite. But with gas prices threatening to go higher and the slightest threat of war poised to carry them beyond even the previous high of $147 per barrel, having a vehicle with the potential of the Volt is simply everyone's dream.

So will or can the dream car Volt save the General?

To answer that question, perhaps we should ask - Does GM need saving?

BusinessWeek estimated GM's Liquidity position to be 45 Billion in May of 2005 with a burn rate this year of over a Billion a month here in 2008 ( Boston Herald ). Estimated reserves now stand at about 25 Billion and analysts say that even with the 10 Billion in future cost cutting, GM may need another 10-12 Billion in cash to see their way through to 2010.

Detroit News writes in an article on Oct 14th 2008

GM had access to about $21 billion cash, $5 billion in available credit lines and is raising $5 billion through asset sales and borrowing.

Cost-cutting associated with the aforementioned 10 Billion in cuts, intensified when GM announced it was closing plants in Grand Rapids and Janesville, Wis. 2500 workers are affected by these measures in plants that produce sport-utility vehicles and parts for pickups/SUVs.

Since 2005, the General's cash reserves have been reduced from 45 Billion to a mere 25 Billion and with the tightening credit crunch and federal government moving slowly on aiding the BIG3, the rumour doing the rounds is that GM is eyeing the cash reserves of Chrysler ( estimated 11 Billion ) to help it through 2009 when the arrival of the Chevy Volt and Cruz, the following quarter are expected to help turn things around.

So, what are our expectations for the Volt? GM says its expecting to sell about 10,000 Chevy Volts at between 30-40,000 USD each in 2010. So, that's about 3-4 Billion dollars in gross sales with a net of about a 800 Million dollars annually at an estimated 20% profit per car.

So, is this innovative car of the 2010 year - Volt just a little, just too late?

I leave that answer up to you, but if I had to make a serious bet with odds, I know which way I would be betting. - 23221

About the Author:

Dino Delellis writes on a number of interesting topics. To see more of the Dino personal journals hop on over to Dino P. Delellis comments and catch his odd views on the world at large.

Common Forex Made Easy Tips

By Chan Boldene

Contrary to popular belief, trading using the Forex Made Easy method is very easy. Before I try to deconstruct this whole Forex business (and you know it is a business, don't you?), I want to share some simple but critical Forex Made Easy bits of wisdom. I will refer back to this occasionally. They're important not just as you learn to trade the Forex markets, but because they are quality principles to live by.

If you've been around at all, you've heard or read how the boat load of money you can make from FX Trading (or Forex Trading), so what are the rules and strategies and tips you can use to make money from 4X Trading? Below are the seven tidbits of wisdom for trading Forex that the team of Forex Made Easy concocted to help make you lots of USD, Euro, and Swiss Francs in this crazy and rewarding field.

Forex Made Easy Tip #1: Don't get greedy.

This is surprisingly simple. When you're riding on a longish winning streak, it's easy to think that you won't be able to lose, but that's a dangerous kind of thinking. Trading is easy, but you can quickly lose your pants, shirt, shoes, socks, and your growing bank account. Greed can consume your entire being and deplete your trading account faster than you can say "Where'd it all go?" Greed can hurt you rapidly.

Forex Made Easy Tip #2:Get Educated

Making money in Forex does not take the talents of a brain surgeon. Who says you have to be a market genius to make money? Any body can learn to trade, and any person can make money. You don't need to spend a lot of time getting educated, but a trader with real world experience trading has a lot going for him.

Tidbit #3: Simple is Good.

This tip is perhaps the most difficult to conquer because we like tools and systems and programs and gadgets and indicators. The KISS method: Keep it Simple Stupid is still the best. The phrase is completely overused but it fits. Keep it simple: use a few indicators, and support and resistance. Don't get too complicated. Simple trading "systems" are far more robust (and less confusing) than complicated ones. If you aren't able to explain in a few sentences to a newcomer what the indicators are doing, then it's too much.

Forex Made Easy Tip #4:Make sure you have Risk and Money Management Rules

This Forex Made Easy tip is probably the least glamorous. Success is built on money and risk management. You need to learn about fluctuations and standard price deviation and if you have no idea what it is, there are plenty of resources online to educate yourself.

Forex Made Easy Tip #5: Discipline- Set the Rules and Stick to THEM

No matter how good you think you are, you will pile up losses over time. You need disciple. So, let me repeat that, you will lose occasionally and you will have losses. But you need to have discipline to ride out the losses and return to the trading table. Know the rules you've created for your trading style. Test them, then trade them. Stick to them. Leave nothing to your emotions. Write your rules down and follow them. I can't emphasize this enough, because if you don't follow what you created when there was no pressure on you at all, then you probably will lose money. It all depends on how far you deviate from your rules.

Forex Made Easy Tip #6: Have Fun

Trading the Forex markets can be rewarding and challenging. It can also be exciting. Don't take your gains OR your losses so seriously. Don't monitor the markets all day. Get outside. Relax. Spend time with your family. Watch a sunset. Play with your kids. The markets will always be there tomorrow.

Tidbit #7: Paper Trade First Until You "Make Some Money"

Practice Practice Practice. There are software programs out there (and some that we at Forex Made Easy will recommend) to help you so that you won't lose money quickly. You can test strategies, theories, and win a million dollars - all with no money changing hands! You need to do this.

We believe that anybody with even a little bit of courage and education can make money trading Forex. The effort you put in will be well rewarded. So don't forget this rule: simplicity is best; stick with the plan you created for your own style. Simple, steady, and well-executed strategies will earn you a significant amount of money in the FX markets. - 23221

About the Author:

Chan Boldene is a technical writer and has penned many articles on the Forex markets. Join him at Forex Tips for a few key pointers. Visit also Forex Rumors.

Common Forex Made Easy Tips

By Chan Boldene

Forex Made Easy is not always easy. Before we delve into figuring out this whole Forex business (and it is a business), I thought I'd share some simple yet important Forex Made Easy tips. I will be going back to this periodically because they're important not just because you're learning to trade 4x but because they are good sound principles to live by.

If you've been around any length of time, you've heard or read how the basketfuls of money we can make from Forex Trading (or FX Trading), so what are the tips and rules and strategies we can incorporate to make money from 4X Trading? Below are the seven Forex Made Easy Tips that the staff and management of Forex Made Easy (me) came up with to help make you money in this crazy but rewarding field of 4X Trading.

Tidbit #1: Don't Be Greedy.

This is surprisingly simple. When you're riding on a longish winning streak, it's easy to think that you won't be able to lose, but that's a dangerous kind of thinking. Trading is easy, but you can quickly lose your pants, shirt, shoes, socks, and your growing bank account. Greed can consume your entire being and deplete your trading account faster than you can say "Where'd it all go?" Greed can hurt you rapidly.

Forex Made Easy Tip #2:Get Educated

You don't have to be a market genius to make money in Forex. The Forex Made Easy blog is here to help you with that. Anyone can learn how to trade and anyone can make money. You don't need to spend long getting educated either, but having experience trading will be invaluable to you. Make sure you have a trading rules and a trading plan.

Tidbit #3: Simple is Good.

This Forex Made Easy tip is perhaps the most difficult to conquer because we like gadgets and systems and indicators and tools. Use the KISS method: Keep it Simple Stupid. The phrase is completely overused but it fits. Keep it simple, use a few indicators, and support and resistance. Don't get complicated. Simple trading "systems" are far more robust than complicated ones.

Tip #4: Make sure you have Risk and Money Management Rules

This Forex Made Easy tip is boring. Success in this business is built on risk management and money. Not risking more than 10% of your account on any one trade will take you far. No more than five percent is even better.

Tidbit #5: Discipline - Set Up a Basic Set of Rules and Stick to It.

No matter how good you think you are, you will pile up losses over time. You need disciple. So, let me repeat that, you will lose occasionally and you will have losses. But you need to have discipline to ride out the losses and return to the trading table. Know the rules you've created for your trading style. Test them, then trade them. Stick to them. Leave nothing to your emotions. Write your rules down and follow them. I can't emphasize this enough, because if you don't follow what you created when there was no pressure on you at all, then you probably will lose money. It all depends on how far you deviate from your rules.

Tip #6: Have Fun

Trading the Forex markets can be rewarding and challenging. It can also be exciting. Don't take your gains OR your losses so seriously. Don't monitor the markets all day. Get outside. Relax. Spend time with your family. Watch a sunset. Play with your kids. The markets will always be there tomorrow.

Tidbit #7: Paper Trade First Until You "Make Some Money"

Practice Practice Practice. You won't hear that enough. There are software applications on the market (and some that we can recommend) to help you so that you won't lose money quickly. You can test strategies, theories, and win a million dollars - all with no money changing hands! You need to "paper trade." It's actually a no-brainer but something you will overlook if you think you are smarter than the markets. If you cannot make money when there's it's just on your computer screen, what makes you think you can make money when you're risking your hard-earned money?

We at Forex Made Easy believe that anyone can make money trading Forex . Anyone. The effort you need to put in (with the help of this Forex Made Easy blog) will be well rewarded. So don't forget the rule that simplicity rules. Simple, steady, and well executed strategies will make you the a lot of money from Trading 4X . That's the Forex Made Easy way. - 23221

About the Author:

Mr. Chan Boldene is a technical writer and has written many articles on the currency markets. Join him at currency Tips for a few key ideas. Visit also currency Rumors.