Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Ring a bell? Let’s go back shall we…”Here’s a little song I wrote. You might want to sing it note for note. Don’t worry, be happy.” I could go on, but surely you recognize the lyrics to Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” I’m willing to bet you’re probably singing it to yourself, huh? – Me too!

Well, I’m dedicating this post to the title for several reasons...mainly the economy. For the past few weeks now, we’ve seen headlines that include phrases like “worry on wall street” and “worried about your money” because of the decline of the global market.

For a few minutes, I did worry about my money and whether any would be left of it if the economy continued to slide downhill. I don’t worry anymore though. Know why? It’s because I have a back-up plan. It may sound a little conceited, but it’s true and I want to help you develop a plan of your own so that you won’t worry either.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few nifty tricks that have helped me put a little bit away for those rainy days. And, like most people there are some things I had to learn the hard way, but I guess it is all part of the growing process. Below, you’ll find a few tips that might help you create a back-up plan for you and your family.

Save – This is one of the best things I’ve seen since sliced bread. All you have to do is deposit your money into an account that earns interest based on the banks’ rates. As much as I hate to say this…I feel that I must. If you don’t put any money into your account or if you consistently take money out, you won’t save nearly as much as you could. The key word here is SAVE. So, before you begin to take any money out of a savings account, make sure you have, at the very least, two months of your salary in there. Hey, times are tough, you never know!
Invest – Now, this one can be tricky, especially with the way the stock market has been plummeting. Despite what some financial experts may be saying, it’s okay to invest your money. You just have to be reasonable. If you’re young, it’s okay to take a risk because this is a long term investment. However, if you are close to retirement, it might be a better idea to get out so that you don’t run the risk of losing it all. And if you’re confused, don’t try to do this all by yourself. There are a number of financial experts out there, who are more than willing to help you out.
STICK TO IT! STICK TO IT! STICK TO IT! STICK TO IT! - Did you get that? Well, let me repeat it once more. Stick to it! There is no way you are going to be able to have a financial back-up plan, if you don’t discipline yourself. Compare this principal to your own job. If you don’t go to work Monday-Friday from 9AM-5PM, then you won’t be paid. If you don’t stick to your financial guns now, there may not be any money out there, when you need it the most.

Almost everything I’ve written is part of a long term financial plan. But, let’s face it. There are times when you will likely need a short-term financial fix. I’ve been there and done that before. It won’t hurt to try an advance loan. And, it actually kept me from having to dip into my savings. Advance loans are quick and you can still qualify for these online loans even if you have bad credit. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, don’t be greedy. Borrow only what you need and by all means…don’t worry, be happy!

Financially Frazzled?

Yes, gas prices are high. Yes, your utility company is raising its rates. And yes, your paycheck is and will remain the same. We’ve all seen it before and sadly, I must say, we will all probably see days like this again.

I would absolutely love to tell you that the financially frazzled mindset you have will magically disappear when you actually do find that winning lottery ticket. There’s just one problem. The odds of you winning the lottery are so slim…well, I won’t even go into it.

So, as I’ve said before, here’s the deal. You can either grab the bull by the horns (not literally people…this could be detrimental to your health) or you can sink even deeper into a hole of financial distress and well-being (actually this could be detrimental too).

The point is, if you don’t do something about your financial state, no one will. And that could cause you more problems like late fees, a bad credit rating, and possibly higher interest rates.

So, here are three things I always keep in mind when life’s nasty bumps get in my way:

1. Perspective. Be honest with yourself and put everything in perspective. Look over all the things you’re paying for and see what you can temporarily do without. Movies are great, but do you really need to rent one or two movies every week? Girls night out is even better, but do you really need to go to a bar once a week?
2. Practicality. If you’ve read previous postings, then you already know that I’m a straight shooter when it comes to advice. So, be level-headed about your spending. Don’t go out and buy something out of anger or on a whim…especially if you know it’s not something you really need. Be patient and practical, and this will pass.
3. Position. Now, once you’re halfway through your crisis, just remember to position yourself for future hurdles. Always have a game plan in place, just in case the unexpected comes up. As my grandfather once said, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Now, here’s the tough part. Let’s say you went through the three P’s and you’re still not out of the water. Well, guess what? I have been there too. And, now I think I understand what my grandfather was talking about.

Fortunately for me, I have online loan companies. Yes, I’ve done it and I’m proud of it. And, contrary to popular belief, I had no problems whatsoever. I got the cash advance I was looking for, paid the bills I needed to pay, and was… footloose and fancy free (okay forget I wrote that…bad, bad cliché) …more than relieved that I had found a solution to my financial problems. And, you know what? I am no longer financially frazzled. Woo-hoo!

Spent! Literally…

There has been a lot of talk lately about the possibility of the United States falling into yet another depression. My great-aunt was around during the 1930’s depression. Know what? She doesn’t remember a thing about it, because her family was poor when it hit.

Now, I’ve been poor, broke, down-trodden, financially challenged and everything in between. So, at this point I can truly say that I’ve been there and done that. But, I have never seen the economy in the shape it is in, which is why I am now spent! This time, I’m not talking about cash flow. I’m talking about a mindset. (And yes, I still want Calgon to take me away…)

This is not just about Wall Street. There are people out there who are hitting rock bottom left and right. They are losing their jobs, homes, and livelihoods because of this negative economic shift. They too are spent and now there is no more for them to spend!

If you are one of those people, then there is hope. It’s not too late to pick up the pieces because help is available. Four score and seven words ago, I mentioned that I have been poor, broke, down-trodden, etc. Well, I got the help I needed with some fast cash.

The fast cash online loan process was quick, too. I did my research, found the right online loan company, and applied. It really was that easy! I mean, I didn’t even have to have collateral to get this particular unsecured online loan.

Now, this is obviously not for everyone. I mean, let’s use our five common senses here. If you just lost your job, do you really think any lender is going to approve a loan for you? Better yet, do you really think it would be a good idea to borrow money right now anyway? Probably not.

I would never force my opinions or beliefs on anyone. I can only tell you what has helped me in the past. I figure since I won’t be winning the lottery any time soon, this is my winning lottery ticket, when I need cash and need it fast.

Desperate Times & Drastic Measures

For quite a while now, we’ve seen the economy take what seems like an uncontrollable nosedive. I mean every financial expert and analyst out there is being interviewed by almost every news organization…pointing the finger at the mortgage industry or the government. But, I really don’t think any one entity can be blamed for the economic downturn we’ve seen.

Nothing that’s happened, actually happened overnight. Multi-million dollar companies don’t ask for help after having one bad day on Wall Street. This was triggered by a series of events. And in some cases, these desperate times have called for drastic measures.

Obviously, you and I are on a much smaller financial scale, but there are some lessons to be learned from these financial fiascos. Here are just a few things I’ve picked up along the way.

· Plan Ahead. Lay out your bills for one month. Now, look at your monthly income and plan accordingly. Create a budget for yourself and try to stick to it. I know it’s hard, but it’s certainly not as drastic as filing for bankruptcy. Remember what I said in my first post…it’s simple math.
· Spend Wisely. In no way would I encourage you to pay your bills and that’s it. We all have to live and if you’re being that disciplined with your money, you deserve to treat yourself to something special every now and then. Here’s the key in doing so…don’t overdo it.
· Act Quickly. If you’re in the middle of a credit crunch, don’t be afraid or ashamed to get help. I mean think about it. The longer you wait, the more interest accruals you might see or the more ‘past due’ letters you might receive. It’s probably best that you seek help at the first sign of financial distress.

Don’t let desperate times make you resort to drastic measures. Help is out there and you can find it in many different ways. Take online cash loans for example. They can help you pay your bills on time and avoid all those unnecessary late fees. If you were to apply today, you could be approved as early as the next business day. Then you’ll have the money you need, and pay the bills that are standing in your way. BTW, this is not a game show where you get to walk away with the grand prize and never look back. When you borrow money, you agree to pay it back. So, keep that in mind when it comes to how much of a small personal loan you really should be taking out.