Dec 30 2011
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Free Stuff, Personal Finance

List of Top 10 Free Android Apps


Below is a list of my top ten favorite free Android apps. You might be asking yourself, ‘what does this have to do with personal finance?’ Well, that’s simple! All of the apps that I will share with you in this post are free. This, in turn, should save you money so that you don’t have to buy apps that do the same thing. Here is the list:

1. Mint – This is a simple to use money management app where you can view ALL of your finances in one place.
2. Craigsnotifica – Search for deals on Craigslist and be notified instantly when your criteria is met.
3. Amazon Appstore – Like Android Market, with an added bonus of one FREE (normally paid for) app per day.
4. Soundhound – Can’t figure out the name of a song or who sings it? Just fire this app up, sing the tune, and it will magically tell you.
5. Skype – My wife and I talked while I was in Cairo for FREE. This is an unbelieveable app if you are trying to keep in touch with someone oversees.
6. Lookout Mobile – This is a security app that has multiple features: virus scan, file back up, and you can even locate your phone if you lose it by logging in online in order to activate a loud siren on your phone.
7. Dropbox – Put your important files in the cloud and be able to access not only from your phone, but virtually any device that has internet.
8. Evernote – Tired of making notes in your phone, only to sell that phone a few months later and loose every note? You don’t have to worry about that any more with this app. It stores your notes in the cloud.
9. Amazon MP3 – Store all your music in the cloud and be able to access it anywhere, including your cell phone.
10. Google Translate – Speak into your phone in your language and it will translate it into your desired language.

If you have a favorite app that isn’t listed here, leave it in a comment below and I will be sure to check it out!

Dec 24 2011
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Giving, Taxes

Last Minute Giving is Still Worth Doing

Do you know someone who is going to a Public or Private school? Do you have a heart for those in need and want to help out? If so, let me tell you about a couple of opportunities available to you. There is a way in which you can give to a worthy cause AND get your money back. Sounds like a gimmick, right? That there has to be strings attached. Well it’s not a gimmick but there are strings attached. There are Tax Credits offered by each state that will give you each dollar back you give. If you live in Arizona, here are some Tax Credits available to you and their guidelines:

Working Poor Tax Credit – You can give up to $400 to a non-profit organization that helps the poor. The limit is $200 if you’re single and $400 if you’re married. The deadline is 12/31.

Private School Tax Credit – You can give up to $1000 to a private school to help pay for a students tuition. The limit is $500 if you’re single and $1000 if you’re married. You actually have until April 15th of the following year to take advantage of this one.

Public School Tax Credit – You can give up to $400 to a public school for extra-curricular activities that require students to pay a fee to participate, i.e. football, band, cheerleading, etc. Limits are $200 if you’re single and $400 if you’re married. The deadline is 12/31.

So here is the deal, you have to actually owe taxes to the state of Arizona. So if you don’t pay state income tax, then this doesn’t apply to you. But for the rest of you, all you have to do is provide the donation info to your accountant (or online tax service) and you will get the money back.

Click here to go directly to the Arizona Department of Revenues site for more information. Please seek the counsel of your accountant to make sure you qualify. For those of you reading that don’t live in Arizona, check your state governments website to see what may be available to you.

Merry Christmas!

Jun 29 2011
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Giving, Personal Finance

3 Ways YOU can Stimulate the Economy

If only it was easy as pressing a button, right? Unfortunately it is not “easy” but it is possible. I recently heard a quote from Mother Teresa that really hit home, “If each one of us would sweep our own doorstep, the whole world would be clean.” There are things that you and I can do to make our lives better and that could even make the lives of those around us better. Things that we are perfectly capable of and that are within reach. If we can each do our part to make our personal economy better, imagine how much better the world would be.

The first thing you can do to stimulate the economy is to donate UNUSED items around your house. Did you know that when you donate items to Goodwill, that that product is then sold for a profit, and then that money is used to create jobs. You want to see the unemployment rate go down? Then this is one thing you can do to make that happen.

The second things to do is pay off your debt. I know this sounds counter-cultural, as there are many financial professionals that say to never pay of your debt as long as you can get a better return elsewhere. Well, my response is that the average credit card rate in America is 14.75% according to www.CreditCards.com. You show me a place where you can get that kind of return without risk! If you pay of your debt, eventually you have more money to keep because you are not paying interest to a bank. In turn, you can take that money and buy goods and services.

Lastly you can clean up and repair the exterior of your house. The real estate market in America has taken a tremendous hit and it doesn’t help the cause when you the exterior of your house is a mess. Imagine going to look for a house to purchase and the neighboring houses have excessive weeds, paint chipping, trees that need to be trimmed, etc. You would think twice about living next door, right? I know I would.

Remember to sweep your own doorstep.

Mar 20 2011
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Uncategorized

Build a Financial Foundation for Life


One of my desires is to really pour into the younger generation of America. Those under 30 who have an opportunity to still make solid choices with money. To equip them with the knowledge and resources necessary to build a strong Financial Foundation for Life.

You might say to yourself, ‘I have already got myself into a mess,’ but I know from first hand experience that this is not an issue. You still have many years ahead of you and you will also become more valuable in the marketplace as you get older. Assuming you actually work hard and desire to be a productive member of society you will do just fine.

That being said, I have designed a class that starts this Tuesday, March 22nd, that is geared towards Young Adults. It is called “Start Up” because most of Americans actually start in the negative. They get a credit card as soon as they can, they get student loans to go to college, they finance a car to get to work, and before they know they are thousands of dollars in debt. If you are interested in finding out more about the class you can click here and if you are bold enough to register you can do so by clicking here.

Start Up today!

Jul 29 2010
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Job, Passion

Aligning Your Passion with Your Vocation – Part Deuce

First off, I want to apologize for such a late follow up post on this matter. As you are probably aware, I started a new job as a Financial Planner. Fitting I know. Well, it turns out that if you work in the Financial Industry that you are regulated, in some respects, by the SEC. I did some research and it appears as though I am in the clear as long as I don’t charge you any money or try to solicit business from you. And that is perfectly OK with me. My goal is that you get something good out of reading this blog. That you take the principles that you find here, apply them to your life, and don’t settle for less.

On to the Topic at Hand

So is it all that it’s cracked up to be? Does working in a field that you enjoy really different? Well, do you want the simple answer? YES. I go to work and everyday I learn something new about an area I am genuinely interested in. Not only that, but I am surrounded by people that have similar interests and let me tell you, that makes for some real riveting conversations. For instance, today the financial implications of SB1070 was the topic of the office, but I wont get into that here.

It is Still Work

Don’t be fooled though, just because I am getting satisfaction out of what I do, it is still work. There are still things that are required of me that aren’t necessarily on my top 10 favorite things to do list, but I am alright with that. Everyone has to start somewhere. I feel blessed to be part of such a great organization and in an industry that desperately needs some common sense; and that is just what I am going to bring to the table.

What will you do?

Are you in a job that you dread going to? Do you want more out of life? Do you have a calling that you are putting off? Well, I am here to tell you to get out there and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Pound the streets and get a job that you love. Start a business, go into the mission field, whatever you field called to do, just TAKE ACTION. Stop making excuses. And always remember, complaining is like a rocking chair, it will give you something to do but it won’t get you anywhere.

May 07 2010
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Job, Passion

Aligning Your Passion with Your Vocation – Part 1

A quote that has been ringing in my head over the past year is one by Thomas Edison: “find a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I thought to my self, ‘is this possible?’ Well, I am about to find out. On May 17th, I will start my new career as a Financial Planner with Ronald Blue and Company. This is an amazing opportunity and after talking with 7 different people in the financial industry, all at different companies, this by far the best company I could work for to align my passions with my vocation.

I recently heard about a study where a group of people were hired to dig a ditch for $7/hr and then after lunch they were told to fill it back in. They were perplexed and resisted but they did it anyway. At the end of the day the superintendent told them that if they come back the next day, they would receive double the pay ($14/hr). The next day 40% of the people didn’t show up. This offer continued and the attendance continued to decline. Why, you ask? People want to feel, to some extent, that the work that they do has meaning. That it is helping others in some way and that it is not just a waste of time.

Now here is the most important question:

IS THIS YOU? Do you want a job that is meaningful and adds value to the world?

If so, there is a book that I recommend you read called “48 Days to the Work You Love.” In this book you will be challenged to seek out what it really is that you are called to do in life and to think more critically about how you spend your time.

As I get accustomed to my new work, I will post to a part 2 on this subject so stay tuned!

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Apr 20 2010
4 Comments
Business

List of 10 Great Businesses

Here is a list of 10 businesses that I am a big fan of and a brief description why:

Amazon.com: A global online marketplace that connects the individual with the rest of the world in the buying and selling of goods at the most competitive prices. Great for buying media like books, games and movies.

Apple: A technology company that I advocate because of their ability to create quality products that are easy to use like the iPhone. The ability to have applications for our cell phones are going to revolutionize the way we live on a daily basis and the opportunities are endless.

Chick-Fil-A: A sit-down, fast food joint. that almost exclusively sells chicken in multiple mediums. They have quality food along with fast and friendly service.

Ebay.com: A great auction site for things that there really isn’t a market for on Amazon. I have sold tons of items on here and it has become a safe and reliable site to do business.

Fresh and Easy:  A grocery store where I have never had to wait in line at any of their locations. Also, it is easy to navigate and prices are good.

Goodwill - A non-profit organization that offers jobs to the community while providing low cost goods. For example, I bought a fully-functional HP Printer/Copier/Fax/Scanner for $1. Need I say more?

In & Out: A burger shop that is efficiently run, with quality burgers and fries (Which is about all you can order).

QuikTrip: A gas station/convenient store with great locations, friendly staff, low prices and free air for your tires. What more can you ask for?

Quiznos – A somewhat healthy fast-food chain that has the Choose any 2 for $5 meals. This is possibly the healthiest and cheapest lunch deal out there. If you know of any others I am always open to suggestions.

Redbox – A movie rental kiosk business that you can rent New Release movies for $1 where you can return the movies to any location; enough said. Wait! I almost forgot to mention that you can reserve movies online so that when you get there they are just waiting for you. Booyah!

This list primarily represents businesses that I use on a regular basis because they have good business practices and quality products. I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies (except that I am a satisfied customer) and my intentions are that you would seek to do business with companies with such reputations.

Please note: If there are any businesses that you feel strongly about please respond with a comment on this post. Thanks!

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Apr 15 2010
2 Comments
Financing

Is 90 Days the Same as Cash?

Have you ever gone into a retail store and seen signs that say “90 days same as cash!”? Or maybe “No Payments and No Interest for 90 Days!”. Whether it is for furniture or electronics, they have all sorts of marketing statements for these kinds of programs. You look at this offer and think that it is a deal. And if you took business classes they probably taught you to use OPM, Other Peoples Money. However, the truth is that 90 days is not the same as cash and here is why:

1. 80% of people that apply for the 90 same as cash do not pay it off within 90 days. This means that if you do not pay it off within this time period you will not only begin to be charged interest rates above 20%, but you will have to pay back interest as well. Here is a brief example:

You buy a TV and surround sound system for $4000 on 90 days same as cash. You are not able to pay it off in time and therefore you pay 24% interest which includes interest  for the first 90 days. Lets say you pay it off in 12 months. You end up paying $4,960 for that TV! This is $960 in interest for something that you thought would be the “same as cash.”

2. If you took actual CASH to the Electronics store, they sometimes take less than the asking price. So if you took in $3,700 for that same setup and tell them that you are willing to buy today, chances are they will make the deal happen. I know of a couple stores in our state, Ultimate Electronics and Spencers, where they are willing to work with you.

So compared to 90 same as cash, it seems like just saving up and paying cash for it would potentially save you $1260.

One last thing. Let’s look at the opportunity cost of 90 days same as cash. If you were to pay cash instead and invest the savings in a mutual fund that grew at an 8% annual yield for 40 years; you would have $30,584.12! I hope you can drive you TV out of the electronics store for that price.

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Apr 13 2010
1 Comment
Earn Extra Cash

A Second Job in 8 Days

At about 2:30pm on Sunday I was offered a job as a pizza delivery driver. The previous Saturaday my wife and I decided that a second job would be just what we needed to acheive our financial goals. That day I drove to about 10 different pizza places and called about 15 within a 10 mile radius. On the same day I had one interview who said he might have a postion available in a week. 6 days since the beginning of my search, I was offered that very job. 8 days from the beginning of my pursuit I was put on the schedule to begin working.

I have learned over the past few years that I need to be proactive, not reactive. This means that if I want something, I am responsible to make it happen and nobody else. Is there something that you want in life and have yet to get it? If so, start with whatever that goal is and work backwards. This is how I did it:

Goal: Get a second job that pays well, for a short period time.

Decision: Get a pizza delivery job for 1-3 days a week.

Game plan: Contact as many pizza delivery places within a 10 mile radius

Result: Out of about 15 pizza joints, 2 were hiring. I received offers to work at both and chose 1. This happened within 8 days of setting my goal.

You too can apply this same formula to your goals and you have a good chance of this working for you as well. Please keep in mind that this is not a career move and that I am doing this to increase our income so that we can pay off debt faster. I realize that if you are looking for a career position that it may not be this easy, however, if you apply these principles you may get the job sooner than expected.

By the way, if you have been unemployed for some time, I highly recommend finding a pizza gig as soon as possible. The beauty of this job is that you generally work nights and this will allow you the flexibility to look for career positions and interview during the day. Happy hunting!

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Apr 01 2010
2 Comments
Relationships & Money

Relationships and Money

Has money ever caused tension between you and those you love? Have you ever loaned money to a friend or family member and didn’t get paid back? If so, you are not alone. Here I will go over some do’s and don’ts when it comes to relationships and money.

Should I co-sign for a friend or family member?

According to a study done by Federal Trade Commission over 75% of people that co-sign for someone else end up paying the bill themselves. The reason a lender requires or requests a co-signer is because they think there is a possibility that they won’t get paid back. Proverbs 17:18 says “A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.” I don’t know about you but this seems like a bad idea.

How should I go about handling money with my spouse?

The greatest lesson I ever learned in regards to relationships and money is that you need to sit down with your spouse and do a budget together. This budget needs to be done every month and both people need to have equal say in where the money goes. Marriage is all about self-LESSness and you will have to come to an agreement on the budget. Once this agreement is made you need to understand that you are making a commitment to your spouse that you will fulfill your end of the bargain. If you don’t, you are breaking the trust of your spouse and it will cause damage to the relationship.

To avoid having this happen, make a budget that is realistic and that will make both you and your spouse happy. I have found that doing a budget with my wife has been an amazing bonding experience. We have the same goals in respect to our finances and that brings us closer together. We desire to get out of debt, save, invest,  and give; Coming to agreement on this is one of the best thing we have ever done.

Should I loan money to a friend or family member?

Have you ever borrowed money from a friend or family member? I have and I found that it changes the dynamics of the relationship. Proverbs 22:7 states “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” When you loan money to someone, in essence they become your servant. They will spend their days working in order to pay off their debt to you. I have personally had relationships that were damaged because I loaned money to people and they didn’t hold up their end. The simple answer to the question at hand is NO.

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