Who Can You Help?

I took a friend to lunch Friday and discovered that she has not the slightest idea how to start investing in the stock market. She is 22, single, part time student and works part time. Her family never talked about money and since she is a waitress, she has never been exposed to 401-k’s. She is not the lone ranger; think about how many people may opt out of working for corporations after graduation-we could have a lost generation of investors because no one mentored them. This is where all Personal Financial Bloggers can help-You have heard of the day once a year called Take Your Child to Work? I propose we take a friend to Scottrade or whatever firm you feel comfortable with!

So, this week I’m taking my friend to lunch and then to Scottrade to show her the ropes. Think about this: if you have never had any exposure to the financail world you may have many questions such as:

• How much money do I need to start with
• Does the firm accept cash
• How do I make subsequent deposits
• Should I have my boyfriend/girlfriend on the account with me
• What documents are needed to open an account
• What’s best, stocks, mutual funds, ETF’s or options

The whole process can be very overwhelming and extremely intimidating. I feel obligated to pay it forward and show someone my world and the financial riches that it can bring down the road.

I hope you’ll join me in this effort and take some one under your wing and expost them to a very confusing and potentially very rewarding world.

Do you have additional suggestions on how we can help our friends?

I received an email last month from Justin. He says:

Hey Steve. Good thing i found you. I also received an email on behalf of Rolex for registering the domain name (not disclosed for privacy). I would love to know how it was resolved. I can’t get  a hold of anyone and the attorney that sent it is gone for a while.

Justin found me because of a post I had written back in March of 2006 concerning Domain Name Infringement. I had purchased the domain name Rolex Watch Leasing because of my passion for mechanical watches and I thought there might be a market for leasing Rolex watches….boy, was I naive

Long story short, I got the cease and desist letter from Rolex and since I did not renew the domain name or host the website with the domain name; they did not pursue the matter. Just beware of this little lesson before you go out and waste your money on a great domain name!

Here’s a two-fer for 2012! I saw this article called Ask the Trainer by Linda J. Burch. It was called Tips on Maintaining Motivation to Exercise. Here are her top 10 suggestions:

• Do it for You (There is nothing more powerful than knowing that you could buy that new whatever, but instead you choose to save)
• Take Baby Steps (You’ve spent many years developing those nasty financial habits-give yourself a little time to correct them)
• Make Exercise a Given (PLEASE read The Richest Man in Babylon once a year)
• Give Yourself Credit (We all need an attaboy along the financial journey)
• Pace Yourself (You’re not the Stud/Prom Queen that you were in High School)
• Build a Support Network (Read those Personal Finance Blogs)
• Embrace Change (for those who are sick and tired of being broke;ask yourself if you are doing the same old things and expecting different results….don’t lie to yourself!
• Use the Right Equipment (Diversified Portfolio)
• Educate Yourself (Richest Man in Babylon, blogs, financial books)
• Eat Right (While you are eating right implement strategies to increase your cash flow)

OK, now you know what you have to do to get ripped-follow these same steps to increase your cash flow and 2012 could turn out to be your best year ever

Guess what? Most people give up on their New Years resolutions by February 15th. Since you now know this be extra cautious and have your plan in motion before then so you won’t be one of those losers for the new year!! Good luck !

There is a great post today over at Get Rich Slowly by guest author Natalie Peace. The article is called 5 Unusual Ways to Raise Successful Children! This is a must read for adults and their parents-Enjoy!

2011 was certainly the year when most of us felt like we were getting bent over when it comes to companies sticking us with additional fees!!

The Wall Street Journal had an article called A Year of Flip-Flops and highlighted the following:

Netflix: Abandoned plans on October to separate its DVD by mail business from its Internet-streaming service, but stuck with price increases.

Bank of America: In November dropped plans to impose a $5 monthly fee on debit-card users that was announced five weeks earlier.

H-P: After saying it would explore a spinoff for its PC division, H-P ousted its CEO and later decided not to separate the business.

Verizon Wireless: abandoned its plan to charge some customers $2 to pay their bills online or over the phone.

Social Media cannot be ignored today by companies or you-how are you using social media to increase your cash flow?

Best Fondue!

Here’s a shout out to a Colorado restaurant-Swiss Chalet of Vail, Colorado. They were mentioned in the Weekend edition of The Wall Street Journal. Here is what the Journal said:

Where better to indulge in a pot of molten cheese than beside the wintry slopes of a ski resort-in this case, Sonnenalp Resort of Vail? Located in the heart of Vail Village, Swiss Chalet’s Alpine-style decor and an array of old-style fondues and raclettes transport you straight across the Atlantic.

Here’s to a ton of cash flow for you Swiss Chalet!! Reading this makes me very hungry and may not exactly fit into my diet plan but I promise I’ll walk it off after this fabulous indulgence. Have a great 2012 Swiss Chalet!

Ah yes, it’s that time of year again; the time when people make ridiculous goals and two months later are more busted and disgusted than when the year started! Let’s all avoid this trap and throw in a little reality. My goal this year is to bring you the best cash flow ideas that can be implemented without completely disrupting your life and finances!

Let me give you a specific example: By this time next year I will have 12 Read more »

Here’s a cash flow strategy that you can incorporate whether you are unemployed or gainfully employed and looking to start your own cash flow machine!

Here’s the scenario; a friend of mine was in the manufacturing industry and for him it was just a job. However he did know the industry and decided to use his expertise and increase his cash flow. Read more »

I recently increased my productivity 20% by spending $800! It was an unplanned experience but a good one. Last week while working at Starbucks I spilled an entire cup of coffee on my PC-it was fried! Read more »

Wells Fargo isn't Good For Your Cash Flow!

Every small business owner has faced this situation:

You go to your bank and deposit a check from a client and the bank says there will be a 7 business day hold-BS!! Well, this happened to a client of mine and the bank in this instance is Wells Fargo Bank located at 7700 E. Belleview Ave, Greenwood Village, CO 80111-a big shout out to the moronic manager of this Wells Fargo branch.

When my client asked why the hold for a local check, and the fact that he had been with Wells Fargo for over a year the branch manager told him:

Banks don’t trust each other, there will be a seven business day hold on your check.

I made him go back to this moron, he had another check to deposit and informed the manager that there would be no more holds or he would be finding another bank. My client also asked the branch manager if he had ever heard of the check clearing system that banks used-the manager told my client that maybe they could work something out.

This despicable behavior by banks needs to be stopped and the only way we can stop this is to stand up and let your bank know that you will leave and don’t forget to go over to Yelp and write a nice review about morons like the one at Wells Fargo Bank!!

Remember, it’s your money and your cash flow-use it!!