Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Creating a Personal Budget to Reduce Debt

If you have managed to rack up some personal debt, you are likely looking for some ideas to help you get out of it. While there are many steps and strategies available to Canadians looking to get out of debt, starting a personal budget is the most effective. Working to get out of debt is only the first step; you must also begin to build for your financial future.

Track your Spending

If you don't know what is coming in and out every month, you will not be able to focus efficiently on getting your self out of debt. Track either on paper or by using a software program to examine your personal monthly spending habits. Focus on the items that are fixed to begin. Fixed expenses are those expenditures that are the same each and every month. The next part of the process is to review the discretionary expenses; those that you can control and those that change every month. Consider what amount that you have available each week to spend on these amounts. You may want to consider using cash for these items so that when it is gone, you won't be tempted to spend more. Or, you can simply track the expenditures each week to ensure that you don't go over. To make it more fun and less like a budget, spend this discretionary money on whatever you like per week. This way, you can enjoy what you are spending without going over your personal budgeted amount.

Cut Back

You may not want to, but cutting back is an important part of the process when you are looking to build capital and pay down debt. Look at any and all areas that you can cut expenses back. The easiest to cut back are things like entertainment, groceries and clothing. Manage your expenses each and every week and be creative when you are looking to reduce expenses.

Pay Yourself

When you are looking to get out of debt, you also need to begin saving in order to stay out of debt over the long term. Start an automatic savings plan and deposit a minimal amount every month or every paycheck. By the time that you have been able to pay down and off your debt, you will also have built some personal savings to rely on in the future. This process is called establishing a "cash reserve" and it is recommended that you have 3 to 6 months of your regular expenses put aside in a cash account for financial emergencies or opportunities. Start small and over time you will have established yourself a cash reserves and you will have paid down and paid off.
Monty Loree is the founder of http://www.canadian-money-advisor.ca which helps Canadians better understand their money, credit and the financial industry in Canada. In our financial podcasts, we are interviewing industry experts who give our visitors the truth about the financial industry. Canadian Money Advisor is an important source for Canadians to learn more about their money.
See more budgeting and decreasing expenses articles.
http://www.canadian-money-advisor.ca/tags/decreasing-expenses.html

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Online Financial Consultation

People today are looking for ways to make their hard earned
money last. We are a society where the majority of us live
paycheck to paycheck and not many people have plans or
savings for the future. This is making online financial consultation more and more
popular. There are some steps that one goes through when
planning an online financial consultation.

Most companies will set up an initial evaluation. This is
the driving force behind a long-term financial plan. It is
a critical phase where the client provides comprehensive
financial information to the consultant. Then consideration is given to both monetary and monetary
goals. The key items looked at are net worth, goal setting,
asset allocation, investment performance, estate and income
tax, risk tolerance insurance needs and overall special needs.

Now, this may sound a bit overwhelming, but for the
professionals who do online financial consultations, it is
just the basics. That is why it is smartest to go to a
professional.

After the initial evaluation, your online financial
consultant will begin the strategic planning phase. This is
where the comprehensive planning for your future begins.

The planning is based on such strategic areas as
investments, risk management, income tax, stock options,
charitable giving, retirement, wealth preservation, wealth
transfer business succession and estate.

The final part is the ongoing monitoring of your financial
plan. This is the source of creative ideas and solutions
building your wealth. In this phase, the online financial consultant will measure
investment performance, provide a quarterly reporting and
continued strategic assessment and refinement as requested.

Financial consultation is an ongoing, collaborative relationship.
Your financial consultant can help you identify your dreams,
create a plan tailored to your dreams, and track your progress
along the way.

A large majority of people who use financial consultants feel
highly satisfied with their advisors and look forward to continuing
their relationships.
Paul Jesse is a retired government employee, small business owner and the author of many articles on finance and internet marketing. Visit his website at ==> http://www.sheamarketing.com

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Fast Cash Personal Loans - What You Need To Know To Avoid Getting Burned

Fast cash personal loans are also known as payday personal loans. These loans are usually offered in low amounts and are meant to help cover you in the tight days before your next paycheck. While there are certainly larger personal loans available, these are better suited for small amounts and shorter repayment periods.

Fast cash personal loans are usually unsecured loans that have a thirty day repayment period. They also have a significantly higher interest rate than loans offered by banks and other accredited lending institutions. It is the high interest rate that helps the lenders make money. Some companies also charge an up front fee that is based upon the amount of money that you want to borrow. They can also usually be obtained without submitting to a credit or background check. In fact, most of these don't require much more than a few recent pay stubs from your current employer (to show proof of income) before approving you for the loan you need.

If you are feeling the pinch of "my next paycheck won't come for another few days" then fast cash lending places are probably starting to look pretty good to you right now. After all, what could be better than being able to get the money you need right now and without having to sit through a credit check or the intense background scrutiny that usually come with the loan process? Before you apply, however, here are a few hints to help make sure that you get the best deal.

When you start looking for loan companies, your first stop will probably be the Internet. There are tons of these companies that operate online. Each one seems to offer a better deal than the one listed before it. Before you start applying for loans, though, make sure that you research each of your prospective companies thoroughly. Many companies pose as lending institutions in order to get your personal and bank information. Check for things like brick and mortar business locations, a physical address and a customer service phone number.

Always ask about the fees and interest rates that could be attached to your loan. Some companies will charge more than twenty or thirty percent interest and will raise that rate if you can't pay your loan back within the thirty day repayment period. In addition to astronomical interest rates, many of these companies will attach large fees to the actual amount of your loan. For example, if you need a fifty dollar loan, you might be charged fifteen dollars and then, if you aren't able to pay the fifty dollars back on time, interest will be charged to the full sixty five dollars.

Before you sign your loan documents make sure that you read the fine print. You want to be sure that you understand all of the circumstances of the loan. If you don't agree with the loan terms or if anything feels sketchy, simply move on to another loan company. There are plenty of fast cash personal loans companies available to choose from!
You can find out more about Fast Cash Personal Loans as well as much more information on all types of personal loans at http://www.PersonalLoansA-Z.com

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