Managing your Personal Finances Wisely

Moneywise24 Personal Finance



How To Stay On Top Of The Market When Being Unemployed 0

Posted on June 07, 2011 by admin

Being unemployed is anything but fun; especially people who are being laid off, for whatever reason, tend to feel pretty useless in the beginning. Firstly, it can be very frustrating to realize that you are not managing your day efficiently and useful. Depending on the country you live in and the savings you have, financial problems might soon play an important role. Finally, unemployed people are often considered to be somewhat detached from society, and the many prejudices from employers and society in general can make you feel much like an outcast. Read the rest of this entry →

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How to go that extra mile 0

Posted on May 27, 2011 by admin

We all hear that it’s important to go the extra mile if you want to advance your career, just to do a bit more than what is asked of you, and stand out of the crowd. But what does it mean exactly, to go the extra mile?

In short, going the extra mile means doing everything that is in your power, to make people and your company benefit from your experience and knowledge. Naturally, you should be good and thorough at your job, but going the extra mile means doing things, which are not necessarily part of your job description. It means replying back to people earlier than necessary, it means pro-actively contacting colleagues or customers to provide information that may help them, it means volunteering for a project that it not part of your ‘business as usual’.

People who go the extra mile stand out of the crowd, because they have that little extra. They will usually not leave the office at 5 p.m., just because it is 5 p.m, or refuse to do a bit of extra work because they are not being paid for it. Doing just a bit more of what is asked might not necessarily pay out immediately, but it does increase your chances of advancing your career in future.

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Dress To Impress: Cheesy But Effective 1

Posted on September 09, 2010 by admin

I know I shouldn’t be saying this, because it sounds a bit cheesy. Still, outer appearance makes up a large part of how we are perceived by others. Depending on the situation, you might dress informally, or more formally. However, I find that the right outfit will get me faster to where I want to go, either during business or in my spare time.

Okay, so I don’t believe I will need to tell my readers how to take care of regular grooming and personal hygiene. But I do believe a certain sensitivity is required in determining what you want to achieve in any particular situation. In business, I find a business attire gives a more professional touch to a person, any person, and personally I would take someone more seriously if I encounter him in a business suit. It does not necessarily include a tie, jacket, and black polished shoes; at least business schoes, suit trousers, and a long-sleeved shirt. I tend to take someone much more seriously when he is dressed for business, than if he would appear in jeans and a t-shirt. And I am amazed how many people come to the office in jeans and t-shirt.

But, getting away from business culture, I find that I am being helped much faster when I appear in business attire when I want to buy a car, or when I dress professionally when I want to rent an appartment, even if I am meeting them on a saturday. People tend to talk to me differently, they offer me a coffee while we talk, and I tend to feel much more like a customer.

During my spear time, I usually do not dress up in a suit… that’s a bit too formal. Still, when I wear a jeans, or a shirt of any kind, or a jacket, I make sure that it’s clean, it’s tidy, and that it’s both cool as well as stylish. It helps me getting some friendlyness at the supermaket, I tend to get into conversation with strangers more easily.

Last, I find that good quality clothing definitely beats cheap clothing on the long-term when it comes to personal finance. It does not mean that expensive clothing is always of good quality; many high-end brands make you pay for their brand while offering mediocre quality products. However, a bit of research and conversation with friends and family will reveal the good deal. Buying a suit might cost me a bit, but I know that I’ll be wearing it for next two or three years, not having to throw it away after having worn it a few times. Same goes for jeans, or shirts. Especially shoes of good quality can be very beneficial.

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Generation Overstressed 0

Posted on August 19, 2010 by admin

Generally I am quite happy with my life. Surely I want to improve a few things here and there, I do sports to keep fit and healthy, and my monthly salary is keeping me off the streets. I even have some money to save up, to invest, and to enjoy a holiday twice a year. I am single, but I am not breaking my head about it; my focus is on other places right now.

Still I can’t help feeling a bit stressed. In the 90′s, when I still went to school, and later on started my education in International Business, things were somewhat more relaxed. But now… I can’t help feeling pressurized. Maybe it’s just the internet, allowing me to exchange information, and learn, from people who are not relatives or within my circle of closest friends. Perhaps it’s the marketing, which is increasingly applying more refined techniques of brain manipulation. Over the years, I have read and heard about a few topics. They seem to become more and more normal, yet I know for sure these were not issues in my life 15 years ago. Perhaps these are some phenomenons of the new millennium, or I just didn’t know about them; I don’t know. Most of the writing in this post is based on articles and broadcasts which may lie back one or two years ago… so apologies if I can’t name a source to them.

The girl next door

Starting with my favorite topic: women. Now I don’t know about the rest of the world, but it used to be normal to start hooking up at the age of about 14 or 15, and sleeping with a partner for the first time at the age of 17 on average. It must have been over a year ago when I read an article in a Dutch newspaper, where the practice of for example Rainbow Parties (I will not indulge into details, please use Google for further information), where it was commented to be common practice between 12-year olds or so, was being discussed and frowned upon in political circles.

Several psychological and society magazines, on their turn, claimed that children were starting to experiment much more early nowadays, which would be the result of pressure from peer groups and society in general. Many of these teens regret it at a later age. Additionally, social pressure of often also the cause of eating disorders or other behavior disorders.

Slavery for money

An old acquaintance of mine graduated in law at university, and obtained a job at a prominent law firm. After haven’t seen him for months, as he kept cancelling our meetups, we met for a coffee. During that conversation he confessed having to work for 16 hours a day, including Saturday and Sunday, and most of his social circle has deteriorated. Fine, he had a good pay, but he just didn’t have the time to meet up with them. But hey, he said to me, “it’s not all that bad. Other law graduates are spending their time behind the copying machine for 1,200 Dollars per month”. Two months later, he didn’t look good at all. Unfortunately I didn’t see him again after that.

I know it’s normal to have a demanding job when someone has the responsibility that goes with it, such as a manager of a division, or Managing Director. But a graduate? Apart from that, I heard it is illegal in Germany to work for more than 10 hours per day, and each and every employee needs to have at least 11 hours off work between leaving work and starting work the next day.

The man who has nothing

One of my previous neighbors had it all: a big Mercedes, nice penthouse, expensive suits, and an extremely big mouth. All he did was to talk about his riches and success. Then came the crisis and he was laid off.

“That’s not that bad”, I said to him. “You have the car, the penthouse, perhaps some savings. Live a bit frugally for a few months; someone with your knowledge and expertise should have no problem getting a new job”. It turned out he didn’t own anything.

The art of relaxing

I find it hard sometimes not get drawn in on “more, faster, better”. Actually, with increasing pressure from the media, at the workplace, from friends, you sometimes get the impression that you’re a complete failure, whereas you’re actually doing pretty good in what you do.

Therefore I find it so important to stop comparing myself with others, and lead a life that I enjoy, keeping my goals in mind, and leading a well-balanced life. What this has to do with personal finance? It’s simple: it allows me to keep a clear head and to take rational decisions that are good for me.

So, having gotten this out there in the world… it’s time to hit the gym.

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Learning How To Prosper 2

Posted on February 03, 2010 by admin

wltAuthor: David Beairsto

Becoming Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

Change is essential for anyone wanting to make a difference in this world. Knowing how to prosper, like knowing any process, starts by embracing change as a way of lfie.

Moving from one fixed point to a desired conclusion requires action. Action by definition is the opposite of being fixed or permanent. While our current state and our desired conclusion may be inactive reference points, the process of moving from the beginning to the end is fraught with activity.

You Can’t Win Unless You Finish The Race

Failing never prevents anyone from obtaining their goal. The only reason we don’t win the prize is if we stop trying. Failure is the trophy of endurance to the one who prospers. Failure is also the prize for the one who quits.

Persistence takes failure into account. Like difficulties and obstacles they are expected in the pursuit of success. Persistence holds fast to the plan designed to carry us toward the goal. Persistence is also insistent, that no other goal be substituted for the original. Failure and quitting are not goals to the persistent person.

Not Who I Am But Who I Intend To Be

We learn how to prosper in business by first learning to prosper in personal development. If we aren’t willing to grow and change personally on a consistent basis, it isn’t likely we’ll discover these character traits elsewhere.

The prosperity mindset begins with thoughts intended to change the person. By conditioning our minds to think differently, we in turn act differently. Our behavioral patterns lead us toward a prosperous conclusion as a result of thinking differently.

An honest assessment of our current condition is as necessary as knowing who we intend to become. Without a fixed reference point, we can’t map out an exact route. When we encounter obstacles that change our direction, we need a reference point in order to focus on the goal again.

Don’t Be Afraid To Stop And Ask For Directions

When this practice is applied to our business we already understand the pattern. Regular assessment allows for adjustment in our plan.

We don’t like to get turned around or lost in pursuit of our goal. Whether in personal development or business, retracing our steps is a waste of time.

By first learning to be open and transparent about ourselves, we become willing to allow others to bring fresh insight to our plans. When it is positive in nature, external input can give insight that we might otherwise miss again and again.

As the process becomes more involved, we generate an increasing number of specific plans. Each one has a unique starting point and goal. They all lead us toward our main objective, like adding lanes to a highway increases the speed and flow of traffic.

Stronger Foundations Support Larger Structures

If for instance, I learn to wake up at 6am to focus on reading, but fail to improve my self discipline, I may not use that time consistently. They work together.

I used to coach young children in soccer. They loved to run, but learning ball control disciplines was far more difficult for them. They either ran past the ball, or kicked it too far out in front of them. Only a few were able to do both successfully. Everyone else chased them around the field.

As we learn how to prosper, we begin to detect weakness. With the proper mindset we view weakness as a learning opportunity. We prosper directly by learning to transform weakness into strength; inability into capability.

Like road signs telling us where we are, weakness identifies our current location and helps us decide which way to go. In the same way failure identifies a dead end process as a lesson of value.

On the race toward success we condition ourselves to welcome weakness, failure and difficulty as profitable resources. When we think of them as such, we are able to use them to build a solid foundation.

It Isn’t A Matter Of Luck Or Chance

We can only prosper in proportion to what we’re willing to give in exchange. If I’m willing to read self improvement books from different authors on a consistent basis, I can expect a greater level of personal growth; provided that the knowledge I gain is organized into a plan for self improvement.

If I desire to become a millionaire while working for a set salary I should consider the time it would take to accomplish that goal. My will may keep me from relinquishing the desire to pursue this goal, but time might run out before I get there.

By taking some of my income to invest in the stock market, I increase my potential to become a millionaire. If I choose to exchange my free time for the purpose of learning how to invest my money, that time investment improves my chances.

An even better plan is starting a business. The entrepreneur understands the importance of limitless potential. Beyond the ability to write your own paycheck, is the ability to write an even larger one every day. Prosperity ultimately becomes the process.

One of the greatest assets to learning how to prosper is that we can share both the plans we followed and our experience with others. Living in prosperity is the objective behind the learning process. People who live prosperous lives are an encouragement to anyone who wants to succeed.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wealth-building-articles/learning-how-to-prosper-1789070.html

About the Author

David Beairsto, author and owner of http://NetworkFisher.com truly believes that if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime. Knowing how to succeed in business online or offline is a matter of becoming a master marketer and learning how to prosper. Successful businesses are continually defined by their ability to effectively market their product or service. Visit our website at http://DavidBeairsto.com to follow us in our effort to transform ordinary people into successful entrepreneurs, one by one.

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