Thursday, February 28, 2013

So how do I do this?

I recently read an article in Small Business Advisor called "The Debt Reduction Paradox" where the author ended with a question I am happy to say I have found an answer to.  

The author stated:

"I don’t think I am alone in making the statement that I have too much debt. You can’t open a newspaper (yes they still exist), watch a news program, or listen to the radio without being bombarded with a commercial about getting out of debt.

Granted, it’s a booming industry. Not only is the Country in debt, but a significant portion of people are in trouble. I feel that there are 3 categories of people in debt. While there is no intrinsic difference (they are still in debt) I do feel there is subtle difference between one type and another.

The first category is the “Suddenly Debt Ridden.” These people have done everything right and were just hit with an insurmountable incident. Maybe they got laid off of work. Maybe that had a catastrophic medical incident. Maybe they made a bad investment. In any event, it’s a new, scary and uncomfortable situation for them.

The second type of person is what I call the “Chronically Debt Ridden.” These are people that just do not know how to handle money. You can give them everything and in a couple years, they are broke. Think of all the professional athletes that made millions of dollars, year after year, and are now broke. They just do not understand how debt works.

The third type of person is the one I want to concentrate on. These are the “Treading Water Debt Ridden.” The ones that just trying to live life, doing everything right, have a good job and a decent paycheck, don’t live extravagantly or outside their means, but slowly and surely lose ground on debt. You make enough to keep your head above water, but small ripples (a furnace, new tires, etc..) do you in. The proverbial “death by a thousand cuts.”

So how do you fix this?"

I like the categories that the author has created.  Since the first economic crash in 2008 I have worked with so many people who fell into category 1 and now reside in category 3 as recovery continues to only inch along.  I fell into this category myself.  My business was going along great, the first crash happened and I figured ok, we can ride this out.  Then the second crash came and I was crushed.  Left with startup debt and debt from keeping my employees too long counting on a faster recovery.  So many of us didn't have good labels like these and used the hammer labels of failure for ending up with debt after the crash.  The truth is there were many circumstances that led to the crash, many out of our control.  The bottom line now is "So how do you fix this?"

Well as is part of my nature I went to work researching solutions.  I began looking for solutions that did not involve bankruptcy or refinancing and did not involve a company renegotiating me out of my debt for a very high fee. I found a perfect solution for this challenge.  Imagine having fun reducing debt and once again creating the wealth you desire, knowing you are in control of what will happen next. Can you picture having fun winning against the bank and building your wealth? Wouldn't you agree that when a path is laid out for you that it's much easier to get from point A to point B!  With this solution you will have a step by step plan tailor made for you that will be simple to follow.  Call me today for a complimentary analysis to see how this proven solution can help you.  I personally have used this system to save over $150,000 in interest and 10 years of payments and you can too.  Call me today 406 257 6044!


In Abundance,

Friday, February 15, 2013

Are you Building Wealth?

I have been working with some new clients who came to me with a question I hear a lot.

 "I have been working really hard and I am not feeling
                       like I am getting ahead, what am I doing wrong?"  

The good news is it's not about doing anything wrong it's about not doing some simple PROVEN STEPS that will ensure you achieve the long term results you are wanting to create in your business.   Having solid financial reports allows you to track your progress so you can adjust in real time to ensure you are achieving the long term results you are looking for.  When you KNOW you are on track it helps to keep the passion alive during the day to day activities!

Can you Answer this: For the sake of what do you do what you do?  This is a question that either makes perfect sense to you or it makes no sense to you.  When you started your business what was your dream?  Why did you start it?  For some it's to bring a service or product to the world in a new and unique way, for some  it's a way to control your own schedule and not have anyone else telling you what you can do when.

For everyone I want to boldly state that no matter what you are doing it is for the sake of BUILDING WEALTH.  I think we have all heard "making money is only as good as your ability to keep it".  So how do you keep it?  The first step is to ensure you have current and accurate financial records.  It is impossible to plan where you want to go if you are not clear on where you are starting from.  The two reports that give you this information are a Profit and Loss (or an income and expense) and the Balance Sheet (which lists assets and liabilities).

When it comes to building wealth the Balance Sheet is king!  Learning how to read these statements and create a plan for wealth building is well worth investing time and energy in.  If you do not yet have these statements in place now is the perfect time to get started.

Call or email me directly for a free report and a free consultation to start the conversation of changing your financial future for the better! 

In Abundance,

Friday, February 8, 2013

Are you following your passion?

A Quote from John Assaraf (Speaker and Co Author of The Secret)

"I've heard many people say "just follow your passion and the money will follow." That's a bunch of crap. There are many people who go broke following their passion. Earning, managing, investing and preserving money is a specialized skill that requires learning how and what to do and when. This is why so many people who follow their passion go broke. Learn how to do both and the world will be your oyster!" John Assaraf

John Assaraf is right on the money!  In my experience working with many business owners the ones who succeed are the ones who learn to create financial management systems (an approach where you repeat the same process over and over and get better and better results). Whether you learn this skill by doing it yourself or hiring an expert is a question you must answer by what is the highest and best use of your time. 

Yet we all know that having a great system is still not enough.  It is essential that you learn how to read your numbers so that you are able to make sound decisions based on fact and not emotion.  Do you know:


  •           how to price your product and services,
  •          what your costs are and how to control them,
  •           how to forecast revenues
  •           what growth points are critical to watch so you know when to increase staff, decrease staff and all the   costs and procedures that are associated with bringing on new people.  

In my 35 years of financial services experience having an outside set of eyes to asses these skill sets and systems with you is invaluable (yes even I have someone look at my numbers).  Having an outside expert that is not as emotionally attached to your numbers so that you do not deceive yourself is a critical wealth building step.

The good news is you can achieve financial freedom and debt relief!  Call or email me directly for a free report and  a free consultation to start the conversation  of changing your financial future for the better! 

In Abundance,