It's Time to SAVE---Never to LATE By:S.Dickerson

In my last posting, the discussion centered on finding ways to save, followed by ideas for some very stable (little to no chance of financial loss) investment options for beginners. Make no mistake, it takes time to build a nest egg, especially if there are pressing financial obligations that must be resolved prior to stepping into the saving zone. When you find you are finally in a position to invest, you’ll need to do some homework if you want to avoid being an ignorant investor. Check out my experience…




Recently I had a visit with an investment banker. I found him through the recommendation of a very trusted friend, so I felt good about scheduling a visit with him, especially since it cost me nothing. I figured the least I could do was listen to professional advice and recommendations, while at the same time gaining an idea of how he thought I was doing thus far.



My visit started with a professional’s assessment of my current financial well-being. This was accomplished through answering a few key questions:



• Are you currently employed and investing in a retirement account through your company such as a 401K?

• Do you have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), and if so is it a ROTH or a Traditional account?

• Do you have a six month emergency fund that will cover ALL your expenses in the event of the loss of your current source of income?

• Do you currently have any investments?

• How much would you feel comfortable investing without dipping into your emergency fund?

• What are your investment goals?



There may have been a few other questions, but these were the main ones, establishing whether I was actually in a position to take the next step towards investing. Once these were answered, we were able to direct ourselves towards the best options for me at this particular time in my life. We discussed the pros and cons of investing in mutual funds, with one in particular being recommended. I like the idea of investing in mutual funds, and have been considering taking the leap for several years, sending for and pouring over many prospectus which laid out their performances over 1, 5, 10, and 20 year periods.



The way to make money by investing in mutual funds is to hold on to them through frightening stock market fluctuations, and of course, choosing one that has proven itself to be solid, reliable, well-established. The other area you’ll want to look at is what fees and costs are associated with managing your fund…there are often fees included, some of which are not as clearly visible as others. The investment banker I spoke with wanted an initial investment of $5,000 minimum for 5 years.



Before talking to an investment banker or broker, there are some things I recommend you do. First, have a thorough understanding of your current financial situation. If you don’t have cash readily available to invest, consider purchasing short term money market CD’s as a way of building your savings. Next, go online and do a search of mutual fund companies. Most of them will send you a free prospectus for your review in the privacy of your home without feeling any pressure or inadequacies you might experience when talking to the professional bankers. Pay close attention to minimum initial investment requirements, associated fees, and costs of managing your fund. Make notes of things you may not fully understand so that when you do speak with an investment manager, you have a better chance of coming to a well-informed investment decision.



My final thoughts on this article concerning investments: I usually begin my articles by talking about the one person who has most inspired me and the decisions I’ve made in my life---my mother. There was one main lesson my mom taught me a very long time ago about money, and that was to give the first 10% to God. Though I may not have always understood why this was important, once my faith and understanding of where all my help comes from was clear, I was even more committed to be obedient to this lesson. In time I realized without the help of God, without the love of Jesus, without His divine intervention on my behalf, I could do nothing, have nothing, be nothing, so once again, thanks mom…you haven’t led me astray yet.

Dating @ 40

Dating @ 40

By Tonya Johnson



Hummm…. A VERY DIFFICULT task to undertake. We have accomplished so much at this point in our lives but being single and loving it--- is a lie. I think we tell our selves I have plenty to do and I don’t have time for the non-sense of trying to break thru the drama of getting to know yet another guy. Well LADIES a woman has got to do what A WOMAN has to do. We have lists and characteristics that we want our potential “Man” to possess but did we take the same inventory of our shelves. We want them tall, sexy, big penises. And of course as we get older our lists changes. We want a big credit score.



The same lists you make for the qualities he must have---make the same lists for your self. Stop making the situation (date) more than it is-----go out have fun-- nothing more nothing less. If you have more rules than dates ---than it is possible you have too many rules. No one said settle----you should have standards but why should the standards be unobtainable.



There are several social sites to re-connect us to our last or long ago lovers. There is an abundant amount of dating sites to help us along the dating battle grounds. I can’t personally recommend any sites because I have not used any----but I do have friends whom can testify to its usage. The dates are random and awkward. The dates could be fun and interesting to say the least—but how much does one except to gain from a computer love match. What happened to the accidentally bump into and a smile across a crowded room. Now we have advanced to blackberry messenger and I Phone connections. I have met a lot of men on tagged.com but what kind of man did I really meet the real dude or his lying representative either way it was a hit or miss situation.



What will make US more marketable? Degrees, property owned, businesses owned, because every woman I have met has the same body parts so what will make you stand out above the rest---YOU---your personality and your sexual appetite---seriously man really like woman that like what they like---I definitely not talking about changing YOU for a HIM---just that the him you chose should be similar to your YOU. Never lose yourselves to have a HIM---because you would surely be unhappy and began to leash out on HIM and the people closest to you in your life.



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