Personal Debt Management - 3 Easy Tips to Manage Your Debt

Too many Americans are paralyzed and overwhelmed by their debts. The desire to get out is real, but as bills come in and money goes out, hopelessness kicks in and making drastic change feels incredibly overwhelming...

For all people who are in debt this process will continue until they either A) pay off what they owe and stay out or B) file for bankruptcy and later be in a great spot to make the same mistakes!

For the motivated person who is willing to do what it takes to get out, here are 3 ways that can get you COMPLETELY out of debt.

1.) Put A Realistic Budget Together And Follow It

A wise man said: "You'll either tell your money what to do beforehand or it will do what it wants afterwards".

So many people I talk with say "I'm already spending as little as I can... I don't need a budget"... I guarantee that is not at ALL the case... you'll be surprised at what you see when your expenses are outlined on paper.

Don't get all complicated and technical with crazy spreadsheets and software... just get out a piece of paper and write down all the regular monthly expenses you can't do without, including your debts.

Now allocate your income to those expenses and *stick to it*!

2.) Negotiate A Lower Interest Rate With Credit Cards

Many people don't know this but 99% of the time your credit card company will give you a lower interest rate just by your asking for it!

Why? Because there's *so much* competition out there and they want to keep your business. If they say "no", tell them another company made you an offer for a lower rate! (You wouldn't be lying... those offers are very easy to find and they know it!)

3.) Consolidate Your Credit Card Bills Into One Payment

There are plenty of companies out there that will call each of your credit card companies, negotiate a lower interest rate and even lower balance payment, and put them all into one bill for you to pay.

No more having to organize multiple credit card bills and pay them separately!

Note: Consolidation is not for everybody. Make sure you talk to a trusted financial advisor first!

For more shockingly easy debt management strategies, including how to lower your interest rate using credit card debt management techniques, visit http://www.DebtManagementTips.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Costas_Peppas

Feelings of helplessness

OK, because my brain is too fried right now to write anything substantive -- and to let Joe know I haven't completely forgotten him, I offer the following, with apologies:

The recent political events depressed me greatly. I was so depressed, if fact, that I considered taking my life. But instead I called the Suicide Prevention Hotline.

My call was routed to a call center in Pakistan. I told them, "I'm so depressed, I want to take my own life. What should I do?"

Barely containing his excitement, the man on the other end asked "Do you know how to drive a truck?"

Wasabi Media Gives Away $2000 in prizes

I have been writing blog entries for Wasabi Media Group for the past few months and they are a solid company with great columnists (especially, Joe Lawrence...that guy rocks!). Now, they are giving away $2000 in prizes.

By simply signing up for their newsletter you become eligible to win one of 10 prize packages. After you sign up you get five entry tickets and the winner will be chosen on November 27th.

If you are an Internet mogul or budding blogger, this is perfect. The prizes are mainly for helping to grow your business and increase traffic. Also, when we brag about the contest on a blog, like this, you get even more points.

So hurry up and sign up by the 26th to get your golden tickets. Come to think about it...don't so I can keep all the prizes to myself.

To learn more click here.

Joe Lawrence

Evaluating Leadership Qualities - 10 Things Effective Leaders Do to Motivate Employees, By Barbara Brown, Ph.D.

You have a manager who thinks she (or he) is a great leader. In fact this manager has been pressuring you for a higher performance rating in the area of "leadership qualities." So far, you have resisted. This manager does a good job of coordinating, controlling, and directing assignments. But she (or he) falls really short when it comes to motivating, developing, and encouraging employees.

Bottom line, this manager is great at getting the job done; but is not so great at creating a positive work environment, demonstrating concern for employees' personal interests, or highlighting positive achievements. Beyond your "feelings," about leadership, what specific "leadership qualities" could you use to evaluate and discuss performance with this manager? Here are 10:

1. Reinforcing contributions and achievements; giving timely, positive, and specific feedback

2. Uncovering employees' interests; encouraging them to develop and pursue personal and professional goals

3. Developing employees; providing opportunities for acquiring or enhancing desirable knowledge, skills, and abilities

4. Encouraging two-way communication; seeking input from employees and acting on that input

5. Acting as a positive role model; talking positively to peers, talking positively about the organization, and talking positively about customers

6. Displaying emotional intelligence; ensuring that physical reactions, body language, and personal statements promote constructive dialogue among subordinates, peers, and superiors

7. Facilitating positive interactions among employees; encouraging a pleasant atmosphere and reducing conflicts

8. Delegating authority effectively; giving employees autonomy while simultaneously establishing check points to monitor performance

9. Maximizing employee performance; matching employee tasks with capabilities, and giving emotional support that matches employee needs

10. Coaching employees; providing advice about individual performance, goal achievement, and career development

Effective Leaders Care About Work AND About Employees

Your goal in talking to this manager is to emphasize the value of keeping employees feeling committed to doing a great job. Focusing on tasks is important, but "employees" accomplish tasks. So effective leaders pay attention to the needs and concerns of employees. They engage them, involve them, and communicate with them. Tell this to your manager (who professes to be an effective leader) the next time you have a disagreement about leadership qualities. And remember to explain HOW these qualities impact employees: they keep employees doing a great job.

Barbara Brown, PhD shows managers how to improve employee performance by linking performance to results. Her E-Books contain phrases and examples for discussing performance, reinforcing performance, and writing appraisals. Her E-Courses provide strategies for motivating employees to cooperate and contribute. Click on "FREE STUFF" at her website to download tools to manage performance discussions. Website: http://www.LinkToResults.net Email: Barbara@LinkToResults.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Brown,_Ph.D.

The True Powers of the Government...

A U.S. Department of Water representative stopped at a ranch

and talked with an old rancher.

 

He told the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for your

water allocation."

 

The old rancher said, "Okay, but don't go in that field over

there."

 

The Water representative said, "Mister, I have the authority of

the Federal Government with me.

 

See this card? The card means I am allowed to go WHEREVER I WISH

on any agricultural land. No questions asked or answered. Have I made myself clear?

Do you understand?"

 

The old rancher nodded politely and went about his chores.

 

Later, the old rancher heard loud screams and saw the Water Rep

running for the fence and close behind was the rancher's bull.

 

The bull was gaining on the Water Rep with every step.

 

The Rep was clearly terrified, so the old rancher immediately

threw down his tools, ran to the fence and shouted out.....

 

"Your card! Your card! Show him your card!"

 

-Submitted by Elmer "Fudd"

Psalm 23 - Broken Down

I ran across this on the Internet and love how the writer broke down my favorite Psalm:

 

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!

I shall not want = That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!

For His name sake = That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of t he shadow of death = That's Testing!

I will fear n o evil = That's Protection!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That's Hope!

Thou annointes t my head with oil = That' s Consecration!

My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That's Blessing !

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!

Forever = That's Eternity!

 

 

Losing My Mind

 

Anyone is free to write here!

Hey all,

I have set up this blog so that anyone can make entries on it. All
you have to do is email: inspiretomorrow.writer@blogger.com and your
post will be here almost immediately!

Whatever you want the title of your entry to be...put it as the
subject and then everything else in the body.

Keep it clean :)

I look forward to seeing your posts.

Joe
inspiretomorrow.com/blog
Sent from iPhone

Two Wolves

Here is one of those random emails received: One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."