How to Invest in the Stock Market

How to Invest in the Stock Market

Many people are interested in investing in the stock market but don’t know where to start. Investing your money can be a gratifying experience, but it is essential to understand the risks associated with every investment.

Here are five steps for investing wisely and managing risk effectively.

5 Tips for Successfully Managing Risk

5 Tips for Successfully Managing Risk

Image Credit

1. Check Your Emotions at the Door

Emotions are a natural reaction to the stock market, but they can also lead to wrong investment decisions.

Before you invest in the stock market, take some time to calm down and think about your goals. Make sure that your emotions aren’t dictating your actions.

Your emotions will affect your investment decisions in the long run.

For example, if you are angry, it’s not a good idea to invest when your head isn’t in the game. When people are emotional, they often make unwise choices that will hurt their portfolio returns over time.

2. Picking Individual Stocks Is a Bad Idea

It’s important to remember that you are not picking stocks when you invest in the stock market – you are buying shares of companies.

This means that you should do your research before investing and choose companies with a good track record and will be around for the long run.

Don’t just buy a stock because someone told you it was a good investment – make sure you know what you are getting into. For example, SMSF Investing in cryptocurrency is a good option.

3. Plan Ahead for Panicky Times

A stock market is volatile, and it’s essential to be prepared for when things go wrong.

Have a plan in place, so you know what to do when the stock market takes a turn for the worse.

This could mean having a set amount of money you are willing to lose or knowing which stocks you want to sell if the market starts to tank.

By planning, you can avoid making rash decisions in panicked situations. You can follow the tips below to help you plan:

  • Think about what you want to accomplish with your stock market investments
  • Set an amount that you are willing to lose before investing in the stock market
  • Have a plan ready for when the needs take a turn for the worse

4. Avoid Trading Overactivity

You should avoid trading activity altogether when the market is volatile.

For example, as soon as there is a significant drop or increase in share prices, take some time out before deciding whether to buy or sell them off.

You should step back and think about things rationally rather than be forced to make snap decisions under pressure because this could lead you down an unprofitable path that can further compound existing losses even more severely.

5. Be prepared to take risk

The stock market can be a great place to invest your money and see healthy returns, but it’s important to remember that risk is always involved.

By following these five tips, you can successfully manage that risk and maximize your chances for stock market success.

If you’re still unsure about getting started in the stock market, consider working with a financial advisor who can help you create a personalized investment plan. With some careful planning and smart investing, you could be on your way to making some serious profits in no time.

6 Affordable Bathroom Remodel Ideas When You are on a Budget

Affordable Bathroom Remodel Ideas

Any home improvement project can be a pricey affair, but it is a worthy expense to increase the value of your home. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are among the most expensive home improvement endeavours. Yet it’s often bathrooms and kitchens that sell a home, so if you’re looking at adding value, this is usually the first place to start.

Related: Taking Care of the Essential Repairs Before Selling a House

Here are 6 affordable bathroom remodel ideas that could bring down some of the costs significantly when you are on a budget.

6 Affordable Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

1. Limiting Your Tiles

Tiles are expensive, particularly when you are hiring a contractor to install them for you. To save on costs, you can limit the number of tiles used and only emphasize high-impact areas such as the floor.

You can also consider adding one horizontal strip on the wall and painting the remaining areas. If you want to add pricey artistic tiles, you can use them as accent pieces alongside cheaper tiles.

2. Redoing, Instead of Purchasing New

Replacing an old shower or tub can be quite expensive. Why not consider having it professionally inclined which is a cheaper option.

Avoid using this option for shower fixtures and the sink since it will be more expensive to refinish them rather than simply replacing them. Refinishing such fixtures is pricey because few individuals consider this unless they have vintage or old pieces. Contractors that offer this service often ask exorbitant prices.

Replacing your tub surround is an excellent way of enhancing the look of your whole bathroom, and it is much more affordable than completing a complete bathroom upgrade. Nowadays, you get durable and attractive virgin acrylic tub surrounds which are mildew and mould resistant. They are also available in various styles and colour choices.

Bathrooms and kitchens often sell a home. Here are 6 affordable bathroom remodel ideas that could bring down costs and increase the market value of your home.  #affordablebathroomremodelideas3. Saving on Counter Tops

A well-liked trend for bathroom upgrades is splurging on granite countertops. Since a bathroom counter is small, the costs are very low as opposed to adding kitchen counters, for instance. You can save on countertops by first looking at the colour. Neutral colours such as brown, light beige, and tan are the most popular which means they will be pricier.

To save some money, you need to look at a broader swath of colours. Another viable way of saving on granite countertops is by purchasing slabs that contain imperfections. The more noticeable the imperfection, the lower the price will be. Bear in mind that the sink basin will take up surface area, therefore if the imperfection is situated where the faucets or sink will be, then you will not even notice the imperfection anyway.

4. Painting

If you have a limited budget, then repainting is the most cost-effective, and perhaps most efficient way of sprucing up the appearance of your bathroom. Be careful though, it might be a more time-consuming project. Even though the bathroom is the smallest room in the home, it needs to be painted slowly around the shower, window, mirror, tub, sink, switch plates, wall corners, toilet, and the floor. This involves patience and time, so consider this when you’re planning your bathroom remodel.

You also need to think about moisture. Since mildew and mould develop quite easily in bathrooms due to frequent temperature and humidity changes, it is worth spending more cash on high-quality paint that has a satin finish. You might also need to paint the ceiling with special paint that is mould resilient.

5. Upgrading Fixtures

The smaller details make all the difference. You can upgrade sink faucets, light fixtures, drawer pulls, and towel racks at a relatively small price. These items might seem trivial, but upgrading them can make a huge impact on your bathroom’s appearance.

6. Freshening Grout and Caulk

Another frequently overlooked, yet essential detail is caulk and grout. When it gets grimy it looks unsightly. By merely cleaning the grout and adding clean, straight lines of caulk around the sink and tub, you can add sparkle by spending a few more dollars.

Conclusion

I hope this post about 6 affordable bathroom remodel ideas can assist you with giving your bathroom a makeover but at a lower cost. Happy renovating.

Investing in Gold? Here are the Best Bars to Buy

Investing in Gold? 

Gold has long been the foundation of global wealth and in troubled times such as these, many private investors are looking to move their wealth to a less risky commodity, which is invariably gold.

In this article, we will offer you some advice regarding purchasing gold bullion to ensure a safe and smooth acquisition.

Here are the Best Gold Bars to Buy

Investing in Gold Bars

Online SolutionsConsidering investing in gold? Gold has long been the foundation of global wealth and is still performing well. Follow this advice on the best gold bars to buy.

Rather than searching for a gold dealer and sending them your money, you should first carry out some online research into the gold bullion dealer; when seasoned investors buy gold bars, they always use a reputable company, one that has been in the business for many years.

Once you’ve made a connection, pay their offices a visit, where you can decide how much gold to buy, then you take physical possession of the gold bars and store them somewhere safe.

Spot Price

This is the actual price (per troy ounce) at any given time and the spot price of gold is determined by a London-based group, which happens a couple of times per day. When you are a regular customer, you simply log in and you can instantly see the spot price of gold in all formats and all it takes to find a reputable gold bullion dealer that offers the best price of gold bullion in Brisbane or in the city you’re living in is a Google search.

Gold Formats

From one ounce to one kilogram, gold can be purchased in a wide range of size bars and ingots, while there are also gold coins, such as the American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf, which many investors prefer. You should do some online research regarding gold coins; you may find out that many investors collect gold coins as a hobby as well as an investment.

Storing Your Gold

As mentioned before, we recommend taking physical possession of your gold, which you can store in a concealed safe at home or in a safe deposit box at a local bank. If you are thinking of burying your wealth, this is not a good idea, as you are the only person who knows of its existence and should anything happen to you, your wealth is lost forever.

Diversifying your Wealth

Diversifying your Wealth

It is never a good idea to invest all of your wealth in a single commodity and most private investors have some gold in their portfolio. Gold is safe and with global markets showing volatility, the alluring yellow metal is a very attractive proposition. Start by making a connection with a reputable gold bullion dealer with offices nearby and then you can be sure of the best prices and gold of the highest standard.

Related:  The Difference between Coins, Ingots and Bars

The Internet has made life very easy and when you wish to invest in gold, or any other precious metal, search with Google for a leading gold bullion dealer and forge a relationship with them.

Gold has performed very well in the past few years and it doesn’t look like that is going to change and with online solutions, you can always keep abreast of the spot price and buy or sell safely and quickly.

This post was published in partnership with Mediabuzzer.

Image 1 Source: Unsplash    Image 2 Source: Pixabay

Aligning all 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness

8 Dimensions Health Wellness

Health and Wellness have been a big focus in my life.  I started teaching Aerobics when I still in High School and took over my Mom’s gym shortly after I finished school.

A couple of years later I also started studying and practising a number of different modalities, including Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Shiatsu.   I became particularly interested in holistic health and healing.  I was fascinated by how the mind, body and spirit are all connected.

I delved deep into every aspect of health and wellness over the years because I wanted to know how every secret on how to live long and prosper.

And yet, it took Harold at Bodybuilder Solutions to introduce me to the idea of the 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness. Have a look at this post: https://bodybuildersolutions.com/the-best-resources-for-mental-health-and-physical-wellness/

And, here they are.

All 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness

I’ve placed them in the order that makes it easiest for me to remember, starting with the 4 that align with some of the chakras (or energy centres in the body).  I used their corresponding chakra colours on the infographic below.

There is a tremendous benefit in aligning all 8 dimensions of health and wellness. Because that's when you feel a sense of peace, satisfaction and well being. Do you know all the 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness? If not, discover them in my latest post as well as keys I've learned over the years to help me align them. This post was sponsored by Bodybuilder Solutions. All opinions are my own. #8DimensionsHealthWellness #8DimensionsWellnessChart #8DimensionsWellnessInfographic #health #wellness #wellbeing #selfcare

1. Physical (the base or root chakra)

2. Emotional (the sacral chakra)

3. Intellectual  (the solar plexus)

4. Spiritual (the crown)

The last 4 are not energy centres in our body but relate to aspects of our daily lives that can impact our health and wellness.

5. Social (Relationships)

6. Occupational (Work)

7. Financial (Money)

8. Environmental (Surroundings)

Related: What is Health and Wellness About?

While it’s virtually impossible to be focusing on all 8 of these all the time and have them all in perfect balance, it’s certainly something worth striving for.

You might put so much of your time and energy into mastering one aspect of your life that the others go out of kilter.

On the other hand, when you achieve success in one area it may give you the confidence and motivation to tackle other areas of your wellbeing.

And there is a tremendous benefit in aligning each dimension of health and wellness and feeling they are all working together in harmony. Because that’s when you feel a sense of peace, satisfaction and well being.  A feeling that all is right with your world and you’re doing just fine.

In this post, I’ll aim to give you some of the keys I’ve learned over the years that have helped me achieve this alignment in my own life, in the hopes they help you too.

Let’s take it from the top.

1. Physical Health and Wellness

Physical Health and Wellness

Deep down I think we all know the answers to this. They are simple to learn, but not easy to implement.

  • Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes, at least 3 or 4 times a week)
  • Eat nutritious foods (especially plenty of fresh fruit and veg)
  • Get enough sleep (6 to 8 hours a night)
  • Drink enough water (around 8 glasses a day)

Those are the basics.  We all know them but we get caught up in what this expert claims and what that diet promotes and what that organisation recommends.

Related: Natural Ways to Support the Immune System

Here are my personal keys to making these work for you.

Exercise

You’ll only do it regularly if you love it and can incorporate it into your life. So find something you really enjoy doing. For me, right now, it’s walking my dog and jumping on the trampoline with my son, because that’s all I have time for.   But at other stages of my life, it’s been swimming, gym, dancing, yoga, pilates.   What moves you?

Nutritious Foods

I recently went wholefood plant-based which means I mostly eat a healthy vegan diet. Though I know that’s a big ask, so if this just sounds too extreme to you, please start adding more fresh fruit and veg into your diet and avoid eating overly processed foods and especially processed meats.

I have discovered it’s a brilliant lifestyle choice, especially if you are overweight or have heart disease, Type 2 diabetes or any other preventable health condition.   But don’t take my word for it. I’m just following the experts.

Here’s a great overview of plant-based nutrition by Dr Anthony Lim

Disclaimer: Please note that none of the recommendations in this post is intended to replace the advice of your Medical Doctor. Please consult a doctor or registered health practitioner if you have any health concerns.

Sleep

Stop all digital activity, including watching TV at least half an hour before you go to sleep to have a good night’s rest.

Hydration

Water or tea is best.  One or two coffees a day is fine. A glass of wine a night (or your favourite drink) is fine but don’t overindulge too often.  In my book, sodas are a no-no.  I could go into the long explanation of why but then we’d never get to the rest of the post. 

2. Emotional Health and Wellness

Emotional Health and Wellness

We all want to be happy and free from anxiety, yet, sadly, most people aren’t.  We live in a world where millions of people are suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia and nervous tension and have resorted to medication for relief.

There are many natural ways to be happy and free from worry and I believe it starts with choosing happiness.

Once I made a conscious decision to live a happy life, the natural ways found me.

Here are some of the things that make me feel happy and at peace.

  • Guided Meditation or Visualisation
  • Being out in nature
  • Being in contribution
  • Caring for loved ones
  • Playing with or reading to my children
  • Caring for pets
  • Dancing, singing or listening to music

But what about those stubborn or particularly heavy emotions you just can’t seem to shake?

I’ve found Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or Tapping) to be most useful in helping me release unwanted emotions.

For example, here’s a tapping session I did on Disappointment.

Once you know the basics of how to EFT, you can tap on any emotion that’s upsetting or depressing you.

The deeper you go, the more relief you feel, which could mean working on childhood wounds or past hurts that have stuck with you for years.

Related: How to Stay Positive During the Pandemic

3. Intellectual Health and Wellness

Intellectual Health and Wellness

To be healthy intellectually, it’s important to use your mind by doing things like:

  • reading
  • study
  • research
  • travelling
  • and other intellectual pursuits that broaden your mind

It’s equally important to clear your mind of stress, worry and limiting beliefs.

I read a funny meme at a coffee shop the other day.

It said: “Give me coffee to change the things I can change and wine to accept the things I can’t.”

I’ve discovered that what causes most of our pain, suffering and stress is believing things should be different than they are.

So my best piece of advice for a happy life is to accept those things you can’t change and change the things you can.  i.e. Do your own inner work.  Let go of all those thoughts about what others did or should have done, what they said or should have said.

Instead, turn your thoughts to who you are, who would like to be around and what you would like to do with your time. Be in your own business.

Again, easy to say, not so easy to do. Until you meet Byron Katie and use her simple technique to unbundle those stresses and beliefs and turn them around.

Byron Katie designed a process of questioning your stressful thoughts, called The Work.

Here’s Katie doing The Work with someone on How to Have a Clear Mind and Healthy Body.

The Work is a great way to get clear on the thoughts that have been holding you back or dragging you down, sometimes for years.

I’ve found the best breakthroughs in my own life have come when I start out by doing The Work and then shift into EFT if big emotions come up.

These processes sound simple but they are life-altering. Try them out for yourself, especially on your most painful experiences and you are likely to see what I mean.

4. Spiritual Health and Wellness

Spiritual Health and Wellness

Our spiritual journey is deeply personal and a path only we can walk. This journey is usually ignited by the religion, faith or path we have followed since childhood.  For me, that faith was Christianity and it led me to A Course in Miracles.

Learning and teaching A Course in Miracles has given me tremendous peace.

Here’s one of my favourite lessons in A Course in Miracles.

Lesson 47, God is the strength in which I trust.

The spiritual perspective is that pain and suffering are caused by believing we are separate from God.

In a sense, this is the same concept Byron Katie teaches, just in different words. Where Katie might call it questioning what is or questioning the truth, on a spiritual level, when we question what is, we are questioning God.

When you draw nearer to God in…

  • prayer
  • praise
  • meditation
  • stillness
  • communing with nature, or
  • when you give love, and
  • forgive yourself and others..

you access your God-mind where you can safely embrace the peace that passes all understanding.

Related: Mama, When Last did You take Care of You?

5. Social Health and WellnessSocial Health and Wellness

Social health and wellness relates to our relationships.

We all know that if we are in an abusive relationship, whether it’s a parent, partner, child, work colleague or friend, it can take its toll on our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

We also know that when our children “get in the wrong crowd”, their health can suffer.  Peer pressure and social pressure can drive people to do things they would never do on their own.

Just as unhealthy relationships can be devastating for our personal wellbeing, healthy relationships can turn our health around.There is a tremendous benefit in aligning each dimension of health and wellness and feeling they are all working together in harmony. Because that's when you feel a sense of peace, satisfaction and well being. #8DimensionsHealthWellness #8DimensionsWellnessPin

In my life, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have wonderful parents as role models.  My Dad was a Minister so I grew up in the Church. That really helped me build a strong healthy social structure within a loving community.

That foundation helped me seek out healthy role models at school and in the workplace.

It is far more difficult for children who grow up with unhealthy role models at home, to make healthy choices in their adult relationships.   This is where public service becomes important.

Our relationships with those in authority are extremely important, especially when we are younger and still building our strength and courage to stand up to authority when needed.

One amazing Grandmother, one child-centred Teacher or one caring Sunday School Teacher can change the trajectory of a child’s life and make the world of difference in a community.

If we want to see a healthy society, the responsibility falls on each one of us to give back to the community in whichever way we can.

6. Occupational Health and WellnessOccupational Health and Wellness

For me, occupational health and wellness have always started with being passionate about your work.

Job satisfaction is a huge part of your overall happiness as well as your health and wellbeing.  After all, most of us are working for the greater part of our day.

What’s interesting to note is that job satisfaction seems to have increased in 2020, according to this article: https://legaljobs.io/blog/job-satisfaction-stats/.

Perhaps the pandemic is creating a happier workforce because more people have been able to work at home or perhaps it’s because people value their jobs more now that so many jobs have been cut during the pandemic.

My best advice on the work front is similar to my advice on exercise. Find something you love to do, something that makes your heart sing, something that makes you jump out of bed in the morning.

Get to know your personality, your strengths, your weaknesses and be your biggest advocate.

7. Financial Health and Wellness

Financial Health and Wellness

Our relationship with money is usually complex.

Financial wellness is not only about how you make money, spend money or save money but also how you think and feel about money.

We grow up with a number of beliefs around money and they are not always healthy.

If you faced lack in childhood and you don’t address your money beliefs and money blocks, you may be facing lack in adulthood too.

So I would start by doing the internal work.

  • Examine your money beliefs and create new healthy beliefs.
  • Figure out why you want to make money
  • Where you want to spend your money
  • How much you want to keep and
  • Where you want to invest your money
  • And then you can turn your attention to the how.

If you’ve been hitting a few money blocks, you may find these money afformations helpful.  Afformations are much like affirmations, except they are questions rather than statements.

Isn’t it interesting how all these dimensions tie-up?  When you look at one dimension, you can see how each plays into the other.

  • Your work affects your finances.
  • Your thoughts and feelings affect your finances.
  • Your relationships affect your finances.
  • Your physical health can affect your work which in turn can affect your finances, etc.

And of course, vice versa.  Each dimension of health and wellness impacts the other.

8. Environmental Health and WellnessEnvironmental Health and Wellness

Your environment can affect your health in many ways.

For example, living in the city is considered more dangerous to your health than living in a small town out in the countryside. Not just because of the faster pace, traffic congestion and added stress but also because of the smog and noise pollution.

Cities bombard and sometimes overload our senses.

Your home or work environment can also affect your health. Most people find living or working gin a chaotic or cluttered environment to be more stressful than a clean, well-organized home or office.

And then there’s our impact on the environment, how we contribute to the health of our environment.

We all know by now that we can make simple lifestyle changes to improve our environment:

  • Recycle
  • De-clutter
  • Conserve Water
  • Plant trees and flowers
  • Use natural products
  • Consume less (minimalism)

But did you know that the single most impactful thing you can do for the environment is to stop eating meat?

Animal agriculture is having a devastating effect on the environment.

This video explains how the meat and dairy industry works.

Here are just a few ways eating a vegan or plant-based diet, positively impacts the environment:

  • Saves water (because our livestock consumes a lot more water than we do)
  • Reduces greenhouse gases, the leading cause of climate change
  • Reduces air pollution
  • Protects the rainforests
  • Protects endangered animals

Of course, the choice is always yours.  It’s not easy to stop doing something you’ve done all your life, especially if it’s something you enjoy, like eating meat or cheese.

I have found that when I find enough compelling reasons to make a change, I make it.  And it sticks.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy implementing some of my key pointers on the 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness into your life.  I invite you to play with these ideas.

Try one or two of them on and see if they fit.  I’d love to hear which ideas resonated with you. Feel free to leave a comment below.

This post was sponsored by Bodybuilder Solutions. All opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: Please note that this article is not intended to replace the advice of your Medical Doctor. Please consult a doctor or registered health practitioner if you have any health concerns.

What’s the best time to file for Bankruptcy?

2020 has been a landmark year. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the economy and many feared that bankruptcy would be on the increase, as with previous pandemics.  Interestingly, according to a recent study by Harvard Business School, bankruptcy has actually decreased since mid-March 2020.  

While large corporations are still exercising this option, fewer small businesses and consumers have filed for bankruptcy. Possibly because governments, banks and other financial institutions around the world have offered more assistance than ever before.

Also, many small businesses found ways to pivot or take their brick and mortar businesses online, while many people who lost jobs during the pandemic figured out ways to use their existing skills to make money online.

But what happens when pandemic assistance runs out?  And what if you haven’t found a way to save your financial situation fast enough?  When should you consider filing for bankruptcy?

What’s the best time to file for Bankruptcy?

In this post, we’ll cover some of the benefits and drawbacks of declaring bankruptcy to help you make an informed decision. However, it’s a huge subject, we can’t possibly know your situation and cover every angle, which is why we highly recommend seeking legal assistance.

If you feel like you’re drowning with debt, with no way out, the best thing you can do is book a consultation with a reputable legal firm like these Birmingham bankruptcy lawyers.  They can advise whether bankruptcy is the best route to take in your personal circumstances.

Let’s start with the drawbacks – these are the reasons people fear filing for bankruptcy.

Reasons not to file for Bankruptcy

3 Reasons Not to File for Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is not a decision anyone takes lightly.  It’s a scary prospect and for good reason – it carries some hefty implications which can linger for years.

1. Loss of Credit

Bankruptcy remains on your credit record for 7 to 10 years. During this time, it will be near impossible to get a loan or apply for a credit card.  You will most likely be subject to higher insurance rates as well.  And it may even make it difficult for you to get a job or rent an apartment.

2.  Loss of Assets

In the case of liquidation (Chapter 7 bankruptcy), some of your assets (such as secondary property, cars or non-retirement investments) will be sold in order to pay your creditors.  In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you might be able to hold onto your assets as long as you repay all your debts within 3 to 5 years.

3. Loss of Status

Declaring bankruptcy can have psychological and social effects. Some may fear losing their place in society, even if their friends and family are supportive and it was the best course of action to take.

Now that we’ve covered why you might want to hesitate before declaring bankruptcy, let’s look at why you would go ahead, regardless of the 3 reasons above.

Reasons to file for bankruptcy now

5 Reasons to File for Bankruptcy Now

Here are a few of the signs it’s time to file for bankruptcy as well as the benefits of doing so. If this was your situation right now, you might want to give some serious consideration to declaring bankruptcy.

1. Little or No Income

If you’ve been unemployed for a long time or you’ve had to close your business and you’ve exhausted all your savings, you will eventually find yourself in a position where you can’t meet your basic living expenses anymore.  This is the primary reason to declare bankruptcy.  Filing for bankruptcy should give you the chance to rehabilitate.

2. No Way to Pay Down Debts

You’re paying and paying month after month but your debts are not reducing.  This is a sign that you’re only managing to pay the interest on your debts (servicing your debt) rather than paying off the principal debt.

If you can’t pay off your debts in 3 years it may be time to seek legal assistance.

One of the prime benefits of declaring bankruptcy is no longer having to receive those dreaded calls from your creditors.

Declaring Bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay, which stops creditors from taking legal action against you. This can significantly decrease your stress levels.

3. About to Lose Your Home

If you’re struggling to pay the mortgage or car loan repayments, filing for bankruptcy might help you because the automatic stay also stops or delays creditors from repossessing your personal property.

Filing for bankruptcy can put a stop to foreclosure and delay you being evicted from a rental property.  It will also stop the banks from repossessing your car temporarily, buying you some time to get back on your feet.

4. Being Sued for Bad Debts

If you file for bankruptcy the automatic stay will stop any lawsuit against you for unpaid debts.

5. About to Get Divorced

Divorces can get messy… especially when you’re facing financial ruin as a couple. That’s why couples sometimes declare joint bankruptcy before they get divorced. This way they can have their assets split for them beforehand rather than fighting over the splitting of assets during the divorce. It can save time, money and heaps of stress.

File for bankruptcy BEFORE you get divorced

Final Thoughts

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many more reasons this might be the best time to file for bankruptcy. To name a couple of examples… if you’ve just landed a higher paying job or you’re about to inherit property, but want to free yourself of your old debts. But these are not clear cut cases and would most definitely require legal scrutiny.

So what’s the best time to file for bankruptcy? Generally, it’s when your lack of income and mounting debt has become more unbearable than the stigma of going bankrupt.  Basically, when you’ve run out of other options.

It’s not an easy out, by any means, but it is an out. And if you don’t beat yourself up about it, you’ll be able to uncover the lessons and the upside.  Because remember, there’s always an upside.

Take heart, the sun will shine again. Others have navigated their way through this and you will too.

This post was sponsored by The Harris Firm, Attorneys at Law. All opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Small Business and Families

Irrespective of your present or upcoming health impacts of COVID-19 on your family or yourself, this pandemic has placed a strain on your household and business finances and will most likely continue to influence your income in the coming years.

Planning, prioritizing your spending, and utilizing resources appropriately will be essential to your future financial stability.

COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the economy of numerous countries even if some household budgets have not felt the economic crunch yet.

From cancelling sports events, religious gatherings, and live events to closing the borders and airports between the various provinces and countries, international trade has been substantially disrupted.

Impact on Small Business

COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the economy.  Has your small business been hit?  How about your household finances? How are you coping?  #theimpactofcovid19onsmallbusinessandfamilies #financialimpact #lockdown #quarantineWhile many small business owners are doing their best to pivot at this time, many small businesses have had to shut down and many more are expected to close in the years to come.

According to McKinsey, 30 million small business jobs are at risk in the United States alone – a higher percentage than at larger companies.

More than 50% of job losses will affect these industries:

  • Accommodation
  • Food Services
  • Customer Services
  • Sales
  • Construction
  • Retailing
  • Health Care
  • Social Assistance

Moreover, the danger is that loss of work affects those who can least afford it – workers who earn less and are less educated.

Impact on Major Events

With all major spot seasons and events being cancelled (NCAA tournament, the NHL, the NBA, Olympics, and MLB) have far-reaching effects, not just on the teams or employees at the venues, but also workers of agencies that rely on these events. This includes retail shops and vendors, airline companies, hotels, and taxi drivers that will have no income at all.

Travel Bans during Lockdown

The temporary travel bans announced during lockdown in some countries might appear to many as merely an inconvenience that affects their family holidays. However, it has an immense effect on many companies who are dependent on the exchange of information and knowledge that happens during in-person business travels.

Besides that, many college research trips and association conferences have been cancelled and remain so until the end of 2020.

While many companies have virtual meetings and this trend is expanding, the loss of personal income for individuals in the convention and travel industries will continue to decline for months to come.

Impact on Families

Those who work for companies that are primarily involved in the international trade have been directly impacted, with loss of incentives and bonuses, lower salaries followed by unpaid leave, or worse, temporary or permanent employment losses.

With the economic recession that most countries are facing, higher unemployment figures can be expected. Some individuals may still have employment but at a lower salary.

There is some relief given to agencies that do provide support, for instance, the Donald Kasdon T1 Payments initiative that donates to non-profit institutions like Safenest Las Vegas who are helping residents, clients, and families during this time of isolation.

Sadly, domestic violence has increased during lockdown and Safenest provides shelter and crucial necessities like disinfecting wipes, diapers, hand sanitizer, body wash and other essential toiletries for babies, teens, and adults. They also raise awareness about problems that arise in the home during this difficult time.

COVID-19 and School Closures

Many households have been affected with schools closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. School-aged children are at home full-time. While most households today are reliant on two incomes, this has become a major headache for parents.

Most parents are still left with having to pay school fees plus additional day-care if both parents are still working. Some parents are forced to take paid time off because they have no other choice.  This, in turn, impacts business.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 virus has spread with distressing speed, impacting millions of people, resulting in an almost complete financial standstill when countries imposed strict limitations on movement to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

As the human and health toll increases, the economic impairment is evident and epitomizes the most significant shockwave the world has had in many years.

Only time will tell when this virus will be contained and how long it will take countries to recover from the financial shock it sustained due to the pandemic.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted your small business or home life?  How are you coping?  Do you have a pandemic-proof business or are you afraid you might lose your business over the coming months or years?

How to Clear Credit Card Debt with Cobalt Advisors

While it is human to want to do something to fight or flee in the face of a dangerous threat, doing nothing in the face of historical volatility can be a challenge.

But you are not alone in this.

As the world grapples with the personal and financial constraints of the coronavirus pandemic, financial advisors are figuring out how best to help their customers affected by the health crisis and resulting economic devastation.

Cobalt Advisors Offers Finance Support When You Need it Most

It can be difficult to find and meet a financial advisor face to face, especially in times of crisis when it can be crucial to get help with money. This is why many financial advisors have switched to digital platforms to meet new clients, and digital tools allow advisors to stay in touch with their clients.

As businesses closed their doors and lay-offs spread across the country, finance firms like Cobalt Advisors have launched online campaigns to offer free personal financial advice to anyone struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

As the world grapples with the personal and financial constraints of the coronavirus pandemic, financial advisors are figuring out how best to help their customers affected by the health crisis and resulting economic devastation.   Here's how a firm like Cobalt Advisors can show you how to clear credit card debt.   #howtoclearcreditcarddebt #sponsoredpost #cobaltadvisors #howto #debtmanagement

Here are 3 ways to clear credit card debt during this trying time.

1. Debt Management Plan

In the midst of a pandemic, consultants create fresh financial plans for a new client and help the client cope with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

With a debt management plan, your credit advisor can reduce the number of payments you have to make each month.

In addition, they can negotiate with your creditor to:

  • reduce the payment amount
  • reduce your interest rate, or
  • reduce your overall balance sheet.

Then you can pay the credit counselling organization a recurring monthly amount that it will distribute to your creditors.

By pooling your payments, you save yourself time, money and potential frustration and reduce your credit card debt.

If you really want to tackle your credit card debt, you should consider this method to get to your destination faster. Concrete repayment targets and strategies will help to keep them in check.

If you have difficulty paying your current bills, lowering your monthly payment obligations can be a big win for your budget.

2. Consider a Personal Loan 

If you have high-interest credit card debt or have difficulty coping with multiple credit card payments, a personal loan is a viable option.

You can use the money you receive from your personal loans to repay your outstanding credit card balances. If you add new debt to your credit card, you risk digging yourself into a hole that you will have to climb out of later.

Deciding to apply for a personal loan can help you combine your credit card payments into a monthly payment.

If you have a good or excellent credit rating, it is possible to obtain more credits than you currently have with your creditors. When purchasing personal loans, care must be taken to compare the interest rates, terms and conditions of the loan and the associated additional fees and penalties.

Many personal loans offer flexible repayment terms that can help you choose a loan that suits your budget. Although you do have to pay interest, personal loan rates tend to be lower than credit cards, which can still help you save some extra money.

Some lenders also offer pre-qualification or pre-approval applications, which allow applicants to see if they can qualify before applying.

Consumers often use this option to afford higher expenses, such as debt consolidation or home renovations.

Financial Institutions will look at your income, level of education and other factors as well as your creditworthiness.

3. Fixed-Rate Loans

One way to deal with your debt quickly is to use a form of credit card debt consolidation. You can take out a fixed-rate debt consolidation loan while paying off your debt.   Usually, these offer fixed interest rates that can help with your budget because your payments stay the same while you repay the loan.

Get in touch with your creditors to negotiate payment terms with them and push for lower minimum payments and lower APR (annual percentage rate).

You are Not Alone

And remember, you don’t have to do this alone.  Debt regulators and debt relief firms are helping consumers settle or modify their debts with creditors.  And non-profit credit counselling organizations are there to offer money management counselling and help consumers develop a budget, create a debt management plan and identify the primary cause of debt.

Wishing you all the very best as you pinpoint your primary cause of debt and create the perfect budget and debt management plan to finally clear your credit card debt forever.

This post was sponsored by Cobalt Advisors. This is one of the ways I monetize my blogs. 

The Best Way for a Novice to Invest in Silver

What is the Best Way to Invest in Silver?

There are many different ways that we can invest our money for our futures and those of our family, and they all have different levels of risk.

If you are looking for an investment vehicle that can offer stable returns and is protected from inflation, then silver is an excellent investment option.

Below you will find out the information that you need to start saving for your future by investing in silver.

If you are looking for an investment that offers stable returns and is protected from inflation, then silver is an excellent option.  Here's how to get started. #bestwaytoinvestinsilver #investingInvesting in Silver is for Everyone

A significant benefit of investing in silver is that it is something that almost anyone can start as the price of silver is much cheaper than other precious metals, such as gold or platinum.

Silver is an affordable precious metal, and it is also easy to buy silver bullion to get you started. Many companies sell all types of silver for investment, and the only difference between all of them is the commission and other charges that they have.

The Practical Investment that is Easy to Liquidate

If there comes a time when you need to liquidate a small part of your investment, then silver is much easier to sell for a small amount of money than other precious metals.

With the price of gold and other metals much higher than silver, you may find it not as easy to sell the amount of metal that you need to cover your expenses.

Selling the same amount of gold, although simple, may mean that you have to sell more than you want to.

Related:  Asset and Wealth Management Advice for Expats

Silver Can Outperform Gold

Something that many people do not realise is that silver can outperform other precious metals such as gold when there is a bull market.

A bull market is where the value of commodities and stocks and shares increases, steadily going upwards during a set amount of time, just as a bull thrusts its horns up in the air.

The opposite of the bull market is a bear market, which just as with a bear’s paw, swipes downwards, meaning the value of stocks, shares and commodities decreases.

Industrial Uses for Silver is Increasing

There is only a finite amount of silver available in the world, just as with gold and other precious metals. The industrial uses for silver are increasing every day, which means demand also increases.

By investing in silver early, you can watch your investment grow as demand also grows. Silver is used in many different ways, including in jewellery, medical uses, and there are also uses in electronics, solar panels, and batteries.

What You Need to Consider before Investing

There are some considerations that you will need to take account of before diving in and investing in silver. As with other precious metals, it is only worthwhile investing in physical metal, rather than paper silver, and this means that you will need somewhere to store it.

Whether you use the services of a bullion company to store your investment, or you install a safe in your home, these are other expenses you will need to cover when you first get started with your investment.

You will also need to consider the different charges and commissions that each dealer has.

Taking these factors into consideration, silver is still an excellent investment, and if it is something that you have not considered before, you may wish to look into it further.

This post was published in partnership with MediaBuzzer.

Pin Image Source: Freepik

Getting Out of Debt Faster with Polk Partners

Making the decision to get out of debt is already a step in the right direction. You’ve set the tone towards planning a better financial future.  Generating a repayment plan can keep you focused and will help to motivate you even before you start to notice real progress.

Besides, paying off more towards a singular debt at a time can significantly speed up the process and before you know it your debt will start disappearing before your eyes.

Have a look at these five steps for setting up a repayment plan.

Making the decision to get out of debt is already a step in the right direction. Here are 5 top tips for getting out of debt faster. #personalfinancetips #gettingoutofdebtfaster #debtrepaymentplan #budgeting #sponsoredpost #polkpartners

5 Tips for Setting up a Repayment Plan and Getting Out of Debt Faster

Sponsored by Polk Partners

1. Draft a List of all Your Debts

Before creating a strategy, it’s useful to know exactly what you’re owing.

The list must entail your minimum monthly payment total, interest rates and the entire amount that you’re owing.

Make a list of personal loans, credit cards, mortgage and student loans (if applicable).

Also, include any monies that you owe to friends and family.

Try to save a small amount towards an emergency fund to avoid using your credit cards again.

2. Rank Your Debts

Decide which debts you’d like to pay off first, preferably those with the highest interest rates.

Some people pay off smaller debts first to start gaining momentum to pay off the bigger ones.

The decision is ultimately up to you, just remember to stick to your decision once you’ve begun.

3. Locate Money to Pay off Debt with the Help of Polk Partners

It can be incredibly useful to try and find extra ways of boosting your income to pay off the debts faster.

Maybe consider cutting back on certain areas like social activities to have extra money that can be allocated to certain debts. It helps to set up a strict budget and stick to it.

Using extra money from tax returns, bonuses or monetary gifts and applying it to paying off debt faster can also go a long way.

Some people look into financial offerings from institutions with once-off monthly fees and low-interest rates to help them with settling debt faster.

4. Focus on One Debt at a Time

Try to emphasize on paying off the debt that appears on the top of your list first. Allocate a larger amount towards this and only pay the minimum payable amounts on the other payments.

This way you’ll be paying more towards the principal balance and less on interest.

Once the first debt on the list is paid off, start moving towards the next and continue the process until all the debts are crossed off your list.

Once you’ve gained momentum, you’ll be amazed at how quick your debt starts disappearing.

5. Building up Savings

When you’ve accomplished paying off all your financial obligations, it’s time to start emphasizing on building a savings account. This can assist with falling into the debt trap again in future.

An emergency fund can help with paying for expenses that are out of your control and avoid getting yourself into financial trouble again.

If you must use your credit cards again, try using them responsibly and paying them off as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our tips on setting up a repayment plan and getting out of debt faster. We trust this post was insightful and will help you plan smarter financially for the future.  Wishing you all the very best as you work towards paying off your debt.

How to Clear Money Blocks using Affirmations, Afformations and EFT

How to Clear Money Blocks

I recently completed a stunning 21-Day Money Mindset Reset by Elise McDowell of House of Brazen.

In this post, I’ll share some of my favourite takeaways from the course as well as a little twist on Money Affirmations, a lesser-known form of Affirmations taught in Noah St. John’s Secret Code of Success.

This fabulous course helped me:

  • Identify what my money blocks are
  • Learn how to clear money blocks
  • Feel what it’s like to have lots of money
  • Recognise how much money I’ve already manifested
  • And manifest more money

You can get the course on Teachable from House of Brazen. *This is an affiliate link.

How to Clear Money Blocks Using Affirmations

There was an exercise in the 21-Day Money Mindset Reset on creating powerful Money Affirmations which I found really useful.  However, I’ve added my twist – based on what I’ve learned about Afformations from The Secret Code of Success.

What I’ve done in this post, slideshow and video, is to take the Money Affirmations you’ll find in this post and converted them into Money Afformations.

What are Afformations?

Afformations are very similar to Affirmations except that they are questions rather than statements.

Why I like using Afformations is because I know that the minute you ask a question, your brain starts searching for the answer.  So as you fire these questions out, the answers start coming to you.  The invisible starts becoming visible, showing up in your physical world as your thoughts become reality.

Personally, I like to use both: Affirmations and Afformations.

Read more about Afformations vs Affirmations here.

Here’s the slideshow of all the Afformations I crafted to shift my money blocks.

Money Afformations from Lauren Kinghorn

How to Clear Money Blocks Using EFT (Tapping)

Elise McDowell also included a fabulous EFT session in her 21-Day Money Mindset Reset.

What is EFT?

EFT is the abbreviation for Emotional Freedom Technique and most people refer to it as Tapping.

It’s the best technique I know to release any unwanted or negative emotions or shift limiting beliefs – fast.

What you do is tap on pressure points while you talk through the thoughts, feelings and beliefs that are coming up for you and especially those that you feel are holding you back or robbing you of your joy and peace.

How Does EFT Work?

The way I understand EFT from my Shiatsu training, is that each pressure point relates to an organ in the body and each organ in the body stores a different kind of thought, belief or emotion.

So when you tap on the pressure points, the body can release the emotions that are stored in the organs.

How to Clear Money Blocks Using Afformations

I’ve been using EFT for years but I haven’t thought of using it for this purpose (to clear money blocks), so I’ve really been having fun with it lately.

I’ve recorded a few EFT sessions related to the topic Tapping for a Year-End BonusTapping on Money Blocks and Money Affirmations and created an EFT Playlist on my YouTube Channel.

In this video, I’ve done an EFT session, tapping on the Money Afformations you’ll find listed below (and in the slideshow above).

Money Afformations

What work can I do to ensure money comes to me now?

What work have I done to ensure money comes to me now?

How have I paved the way to money?

How can I pave the way to more money?

How can I lay the foundation to attract money?

How can I manifest all the good things I want?

How am I great at manifesting money?

How is money coming to me now?

How am I in flow?

How does money come to me in expected and unexpected ways?

My favourite takeaways from House of Brazen's 21-Day Money Mindset Reset and my take - How you can use EFT, Affirmations and Afformations to clear money blocks. #howtoclearmoneyblocks #Afformations #AfformationsvsAffirmations #EFT #Tapping #EmotionalFreedomTechniqueWhy do I deserve all this money?

What am I focusing on?

How am I focusing on happiness today?

How am I focusing on giving today?

How am I choosing work that gives me joy?

What will I love doing today?

How can I manifest money whenever I want it?

How does it feel to be debt-free?

How does it feel to be financially free?

What positive thoughts do I have today?

How am I drawing money to me in every moment?

How does money flow easily to me?

How am I healing my relationship with money?

How does having money make me feel? 

Why I do deserve to have money?

How can I choose joy today?

How can I visualise myself having money?

How can I choose to feel wealthy right now?

Am I counting my blessings?

How many gifts have I been given?

How is more money lining up for me right this minute?

How am I open to receiving money?

Am I open to a life of abundance?

How can I feel so happy I draw money to me?

How does money come to me in fun, easy and surprising ways?

How can I feel good about money?

How do I always have more than enough?

How can I make financial wellbeing my new reality?

What is the easiest way to make money?

How excited am I to receive money? 

How do I have all I want and need?

Would You Like to Clear Your Money Blocks?

Here’s your prescription.

For the next 21-Days:

Tap on your Money Afformations and/or Money Affirmations in the morning and evening.

Or better still, learn what your money blocks are and how to create your own personalized money affirmations by doing Elise’s 21-Day Money Mindset Reset.

You can find all Elise’s House of Brazen courses on Teachable. * This is an affiliate link.

Please leave a comment below if you try tapping on these afformations and affirmations. I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Which do you find more powerful? Affirmations or Afformations?

*** If you purchase anything through a link in this article, you should assume that I have an affiliate relationship with the company providing the product or service that you purchase, and that I’ll be compensated in some small way at no extra cost to you.