NEVER GIVE IN! NEVER GIVE UP!

Hello! Just a short video to juice your energy! Your mind that is!

To Your Wealth!

Power of Setting Intentions

We all have dreams or visions throughout our lives. Yet, it is the power of you setting your intention that manifest that dream into a reality. Setting intentions relating to your vision give you more control of your life. I am going to break it down for you.

First of all, what does it mean to have an intention or set an intention? It's definition conveys as "to have a firmly directed purpose or plan or have attention firmly fixed." Without setting intention regarding your goals causes you to stray from your purpose. No direction arises. So many may dream or have a vision but it slips away. Yet with setting intention, it causes your mind to visualize more clearly of your dreams that leads you to desire. Now you are ready for action. Say what you see; see what you have said.

That means your power of setting your intention comes out of your mouth day and night as your mind visualize your dreams. Say your intention everyday until you have obtained your goal. Your level of your subconscious becomes so in tune with your vision that now your desire of that goal ignites like a vital necessity. Therefore, you MUST ACT NOW to receive the results. So say what you see; see what you have said.

Setting your intentions could be finding a new career that you are passionate about. Perhaps now your want to get healthy and physically fit, or you desire more quality time with loved ones or alone. So for example, say that you intend to lose 40 lbs, you being overweight, and because you visualize in your mind that you now lose 40 lbs by exercising, juicing, get a personal trainer etc speak it out what you see in your mind. It fortifies your goal giving you direction.

I heard a story about a seventy your old woman who intended to become a world famous photographer. She didn't think in her mind that she had reached an age  that she couldn't become a world famous photographer, She saw it in her mind, however, many differently thought about her being a world famous photographer. Guess what? After entering a photo contest, she won first prize of $10,000. But that is not all! Her prize-winning photo toured around the world with a Kodak exhibit. I include this story to make a point: dare to dream and set your intention - be specific with it; do not let people or words deter you - never give up; your vibrant rainbow of dreams manifest into existence - no matter what age you are!

Do you have a dream or vision? Share with us and go after it.

To your wealth!

Goals Leads To Destination You Want Out Of Life

Have you look at your life and been unhappy with your personal life and/or the direction of your career? You reply, "I don't know what to do. I need help." First, you need develop your career goals, then after time inspect them, and change them if need to be. Do the same for your personal life. 

Remember! Your present situation can never trap you. You have the key to change your situation. It is your choice. When you have this attitude, instead of being depressed, anxious, and unhappy, a load will lift from your shoulders and you can become energized by the possibilities. 

Yes! Power lies in having a GOAL!

• It motivates you putting action behind the goal. Ah, look out! You are ready to run for the prize to receive what you want from life
• It reduces stress because people are wired to need a purpose and direction because it gives a sense of accomplishment.

Goals represent the spot where you really want out of your life. No goals outlined in your life? Results... you get distracted and sidetracked in your life which causes unhappiness. 

If you have "To Do" list that is too long and your calendar too full, just look at your goal list. Ask yourself, "What items help you attain your goal and are necessary? What items can be eliminated because it does not add to my goal?" 

Each goal you obtain or move toward your goal, you will receive a sense of accomplishment as your energy and momentum rises to keep running toward the prize.

Step by step, success by success soaring through your goals you will live a prosperous, victorious life.

Let's get started and set your goals!

Achieving Success In 3 Steps

Changing our day-to-day behaviors may be easier than previously imagined. By meditating on and repeating motivational and inspirational quotes, we are better prepared to change our thought patterns, behaviors and in turn, change our lives.

This is how it's done.

If we believe something to be easy, we find little, if any struggle in accomplishing it. However, if we imagine something to be difficult to accomplish, then our struggle becomes more apparent. In fact, if we imagine that it is difficult to change a specific behavior, then we will always find experiences that will justify that belief. 

Take this for example. We wake up one morning and decide that:

"This is the day I start losing weight. When things get difficult, I will not reach for junk food, but instead I will focus on something else to keep my mind occupied. It'll be tough at first, but I'm going to give it a try."

If you continue with this thought pattern and belief, don't be surprised to find yourself struggling more often than not. Why?

If we look at this example closely we find a couple of thought patterns and beliefs already in place. We have determined to do something good for ourselves, but we do ourselves a disservice by choosing certain negative thought patterns, beliefs and words that go along with it.

We have said,

"When things get difficult...."
(This is already assuming that there will be difficult moments! Strike one!)

"It'll be tough at first..."
(This is already assuming it will be difficult at first! Strike two!)

"...but I'm going to give it a try."
(Remember the movie "The Karate Kid"..."There is no "try", there is only "do". Strike three!)

Now there are hundreds of products out there that will assist people in losing weight. Some, if not all of them, may work for various people at various stages of their goal. But for many people who have convinced themselves that losing weight is difficult, some products may fall short when our thought patterns are stronger than our desire to change.

So the three steps again:

1. Decided to change your way of thinking about a behavior, making it easier for you to think about it. Phrase it in a simple way.

2. Choose a word to focus on to change that behavior for a period of time.

3. Find a minimum of three motivational or inspirational quotes related to that specific word that are powerful enough to change your current thought patterns the moment you read them. Meditate on them and repeat them, silently or out loud, every chance you get.

Be patient. Stick with it. Give it some time.

Why do you think companies offer a 30-day money back guarantee? They know that if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit and you no longer need to return it! (Learned something, huh?) Give it time.

The first step to what you want to accomplish is changing your mind and the thought patterns and beliefs associated with your behavior. Thoughts are the precursor to action, meaning that thoughts occur before any action takes place. That's what needs to be changed first. Your thoughts.

It worked for me and I hope this inspires and motivates you to achieve your goal.

Think positive. 

To Your Wealth!

If this article was helpful comment below and tell me how.

7 Traits The Rich Have In Common

Billionaire moguls Richard Branson and Oprah Winfrey are highly entrepreneurial with great confidence in their creative ventures. Those are just two of the traits broadly shared by the self-made rich, experts say.

Amassing wealth without a trust fund is no easy feat. There isn't a magic recipe for making millions, but certain ingredients can help.

Hard work, education, smart investing, frugality, risk taking, and plain ol' luck were some of the main factors ultra-high-net-worth investors used to describe themselves when surveyed by the Spectrem Group.

CNNMoney decided to dig a little deeper. We asked several wealth experts if they noticed any similar traits or attitudes among their clients with a net worth of at least $5 million.
Here's what surfaced:

Entrepreneurial: Going into business is a common path among the wealthy. While there are plenty of doctors, lawyers and corporate executives in the $5 million-plus group surveyed by Spectrem, those who go on to become business owners tend to build an even higher net worth.

Always on the clock: The 40-hour work week is like a part-time schedule for many, especially those who have built businesses. A 60- to 80-hour work week is more the norm, as are working vacations, according to certified financial planner Doug Flynn of Flynn Zito Capital Management.

High energy: Many high-net-worth individuals have a lot of energy, don't need much sleep, and enjoy generally upbeat attitudes, according to psychologist James Gottfurcht, who runs Los Angeles-based Psychology of Money Consultants.

The super wealthy also tend to be visionaries, said psychologist Kristen Armstrong, a strategic wealth coach at Ascent Private Capital Management. She described many of her clients as "force of nature" people.
"I see again and again that they have a really great ability to envision possible futures ... [and] an amazing ability to focus their efforts and energy once they see a possibility."

Extremely confident: Gottfurcht said most of his clients who made their wealth possess what he calls an "expansive, healthy grandiosity." By that he means a sense of "I can do anything."
They're also open to creative ways of achieving their goals.
Armstrong, too, said her clients have great confidence in themselves and others, and firmly believe the world will accommodate their business ideas.

Also common, though, among some of Gottfurcht's wealthiest clients is what he termed "narcissistic personality disorder." That is, they think they're special, "require excessive admiration," have a high sense of entitlement and lack empathy for others, he said.

Discerning: For all their confidence, Armstrong's clients know they're not the smartest person in the room on every given issue. But they know to surround themselves with people who are -- which will help them realize their vision.

Among business owners, those who do best are the ones who move past sole proprietorship, and partner with others to expand their enterprises, said Flynn.

Modest: Despite glamorous Hollywood portrayals of the rich life, many multi-millionaires live more modestly. Most of Flynn's richest clients have chosen not to bump up their lifestyles in lockstep with their growing wealth.

"They still wear their old plaid shirt," he said. Or at least the men do.

Risk tolerant, but not impulsive: Anyone who runs a business is by nature a risk taker, Flynn noted. But there are no investing swashbucklers among his clients.

They have some short-term investments but tend to have a longer time horizon than most investors. Whether they invest in a stock or a building, they stick with it as long as it still makes sense to them.
But they won't go all in on one bet, according to Flynn.

"There's always the guy who bets it all on something, gets lucky and then gets out. But that's not the recipe for most people," Flynn said.

To Your Wealth!

 Original:http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/01/luxury/rich-personality-traits/index.html?source=yahoo_hosted

Unsettling Facts About What You're Putting On Your Face

In Europe, there are 1,373 chemicals banned from cosmetics. In the United States, there are 8. Formaldehyde, known to cause cancer in humans, can be found in nail polish, hair gel, shampoos, and lotions. Triclosan, which disrupts the body's natural hormone system, can be found in soaps, deodorants, and toothpaste. Parabens, found in breast cancer tumors, can be found in many lotions and ointments. In the USA, there are no laws that require cosmetic companies to demonstrate the safety of their products. Sources for this information include FDA.gov, BreastCancerFund.org, and USDA.gov.

Click here to see the video.

Yes, the video is quite disturbing. We have to be proactive and read the ingredients in soaps, deodorants, and toothpaste. Better to be alive than sorry.

What do you think about this? Comments are always appreciated.

To your wealth!

Original Post:https://screen.yahoo.com/buzzfeed/11-terrifying-facts-youre-putting-180106961.html

Putting Fear To Work For Your Money

“Greed is good.” That phrase was made famous by actor Michael Douglas playing financial lizard Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone’s movie Wall Street.
That movie came out in 1987 when hostile takeovers and leveraged buyouts were becoming all the rage. It articulated an ethos that was starting to define American finance. While the movie is critical of the “greed is good” philosophy, many on Wall Street embraced it as a mantra.

Greed’s nemesis is fear. Fear and greed are often said to be the emotional extremes that investors swing between. Greed has usually had the upper hand over the past couple decades, from over-hyping the dot-com boom to fueling speculative bubbles in gold and oil to pushing risky mortgages to unsophisticated borrowers. It can be rightly said that greed had a great deal to do with the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.

 

What about fear?

The question is, if greed has done such a lousy job as the muse of finance, could fear do a better job?

Here are four ways a dose of fear might be good for household finances:

1. Retirement savings. In the late 1990s, when Americans saw huge stock market returns send their 401(k) balances skyrocketing, greed was a big motivator for retirement saving. Just put a little money in and the stock market would carry you to great wealth — or so went the thinking. Since then, the stock market has proven less reliable, savings account interest rates have dropped to practically zero, and confidence in having the money to retire has faded. Here’s where fear should take over: While making 401(k) contributions no longer seems like a ticket to wealth, not making them is a likely ticket to impoverishment.
2. Debt. Federal Reserve figures show non-mortgage debt soaring to record levels. The greed element of this is obvious — living beyond your means brings instant gratification. Fear might be more instructive though, because people who do not get debt under control will see their lifestyles come crashing down.
3. Investing. Both fear and greed are harmful to investors. They lead people to do the wrong things at the wrong phase of the stock market cycle. There is one form of fear that can be constructive though: fear of the unknown. If you do not know what you are investing in, how it makes money and why it is capable of producing a good return, then you should steer clear.
4. Home buying. Greed in home buying is when people see only the house and not the mortgage. Face it, houses have gone way beyond representing simple shelter. They are status symbols, and some people are willing to overreach just for the appearance of being successful — even though it may not last. What you should fear when you sign on for a mortgage is not knowing how you will make each and every payment. This means that if you are not sure you can afford it, or if you are not sure how the mortgage works, then you should let fear be your guide and steer clear.
   

The problem is, investors do not tend to feel fear until it becomes an overwhelming, paralyzing emotion during crises. Instead of waiting for extreme fear, perhaps it would be better to temper greed with a healthy dose of fear on a day-in and day-out basis.

How has fear attributed to your money? What experience can you share?

To Your Wealth!


Original Post: http://www.forbes.com/sites/moneybuilder/2014/05/19/putting-fear-to-work-for-your-money/ 

STEPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS

STEPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOAs

Not only does organizing your professional goals help to make your working hours count, it also prevents your creative business from growing like a hearty weed into every nook and cranny of your life. You must give your business boundaries and tend to it the same way you’d nurture a lush garden. This takes a little planning, but I promise it will be well worth your efforts.

Here are four simple steps for organizing your professional goals:

Step #1: Name the results you want.

Spring is an excellent time for a creative planning session. You’ll want to begin by identifying what you hope to achieve.

I typically set 6-month goals for my business, and I start by asking the following questions:

• What is it that I want from this business in the next six months?

• What needs to happen over the next six months for me to feel successful?

• What actions do I need to take to bring my goals to fruition?

• How many sales/readers/followers do I hope to gain?

• What’s the exact dollar amount of profit that I need to earn in the next six months to prove this business is worth my time and effort?

Step #2: List the actions that will get you there.

Focus your working hours on only the things that will lead you to the results you want. For example, if I spend an hour making treasuries on Etsy to try to get to the popular page which helps me get views and shop hearts … well, those aren’t sales. I’ve learned over time and a steady lack of results that treasuries bring me views and shop hearts – nothing else.

Therefore, your action steps need to be a whole lot more of what you know works for your business. If you’re just starting out, do what you know works for other successful businessesin your industry.

Here’s a list of actions I’m currently working on as an example:

Accomplish the following by July 30, 2014:

• Publish my next book, The Ultimate Blog Kit

• Reach 4,000 sales in my Etsy shop

• Celebrate the 4th anniversary of my business with a sale

• Celebrate the 4th anniversary of my business with a behind-the-scenes article about its success

• Bring home at least $10,000 in profits

Step #3: Identify what slows your momentum. 

Do you guys remember me from that meeting? My name’s Lisa, and I’m a clickaholic. In other words, I’m an obsessive internet-clicker. Nothing on the internet satisfies my need to know what’s happening, so I click and surf through all of my favorite sites waiting for something new to happen.

In the motivational book, This Year I Will …, author M.J. Ryan titled one chapter: “What Need is Being Served by What You’re Doing Now?” Another version of that question is, “If this moment were a dollar, am I investing it? Or burning it?”

When I find myself saying that I’m so “busy,” I have to evaluate my schedule to find where the energy zaps and time drains are. Nine times out of ten, I’m so busy because I’ve been on the computer all day clicking much of it away. It eats up hours of my valuable time.

If you’re not a clicker, I challenge you to figure out where your time may be wasted. Whether it’s TV, virtual games (Candy Crush, anyone?) or YouTube, our time wasters typically involve screens. Turn off all the screens in your home to find true productivity!

Step #4: Create time blocks to complete unfinished business.

To turn time from a pressure cooker into a pleasure, you must begin to pay attention to where you apply your attention. I can’t obsessively click my six favorite websites waiting for something to happen and make something happen at the same time. I have to choose one or the other.

Each week, there are tasks on your to-do list that you simply do not want to do. That’s life. When those tasks crop up, do you feel the energy zap they cause?

Clicking around the internet, leaving piles of unfinished projects, and calling a friend in the middle of a making session are all forms of procrastination. Acknowledge them! It’s equally empowering and time-enhancing.

In order to get more stuff done, create an uninterrupted block of time in your day when you’ll work on NOTHING else. Think short but powerful sessions, and set a timer for 25 minutes (always use a timer with an alarm; it helps you keep your head down and stay focused on the task at hand).

Challenge yourself to get as much of your energy-zapping activities done in that block of twenty-five minutes, and I promise, you’ll be amazed at the results you produce!

When you spend your minutes wisely, your effort is always rewarded. How are you investing your moments?

Original Posts By http://ohmyhandmade.com/2014/small-business-tips/steps-for-organizing-your-professional-goals/

Alternatives to putting 20% down on a home

It's a mantra often repeated in the real estate industry: If you want to buy a house, you need a 20 percent down payment. But with the average house in the U.S. costing $311,400 as of December 2013, according to the Census Bureau, all one has to do is the math to get a coronary. Raising a 20 percent down payment isn't an easy thing to do.

Fortunately, you don't have to. "It's a myth that all homebuyers must have a 20 percent down payment to buy a home," says Nancy Herrera-Siples, a Riverside, Calif., branch manager at Primary Residential Mortgage.

"Putting less than 20 percent is OK with most banks," agrees Christopher Pepe, president of Pepe Real Estate in Brooklyn, N.Y. So why do you constantly hear that you need to put 20 percent down? Because if you don't, it usually means you'll have to shell out money for either private mortgage insurance or government insurance, which is usually financed by the Federal Housing Administration. Mortgage insurance protects the lender in case you can't make your payments and the house is foreclosed on. But PMI payments don't last forever. When your loan-to-value ratio is 80 percent, you can ask the lender if you can stop paying PMI; at 78 percent, the lender is required to cancel it.

[Want to see what loan you can qualify for? Click to compare loan products and interest rates now.]

Still, PMI can easily cost a couple hundred dollars a month, assuming your house is valued in the neighborhood of $200,000. Pepe says the average he sees is $700 a month just for PMI. But keep in mind that he's based in New York City, which boasts one of the highest costs of living in the country.

So if you really want a house and you're looking for alternatives to putting 20 percent down, here's what you need to know.

Figure out financing before looking for a house. There are numerous programs that will help you buy a home without 20 percent down, says Dan Smith, president of Private Mortgage Solutions, a mortgage bank in Atlanta.

But, Smith adds, "All of these programs have various lender, property and borrower qualify requirements and restrictions. A knowledgeable mortgage banker or mortgage originator should be able to provide assistance and details."

You'll have to hook up with a lender eventually, and Smith suggests doing it early. "Don't pick a property and then work backward toward financing," he advises. "You'll only frustrate yourself."

Another reason to have a mortgage banker in your corner: "Lenders can layer programs to help each borrower overcome dilemmas," Herrera-Siples says, citing common problems like not having a down payment or needing lower monthly payments.

[Shopping for a mortgage? Click to compare loan products and interest rates from lenders now.]

Try your own bank first. This is advisable especially if you have a good relationship with the bank, says Amanda Monette, a real estate lending officer with Rockford Bank & Trust in Rockford, Ill. "You may have a better shot of getting a loan, even if you don't have the money for a down payment."

If you do all of your banking at your local bank, including investments and a savings account, Monette says this will work your favor. "Extra points," she says, "if your parents, grandparents and other relatives bank with the same institution as you do. A banker may be more willing to go the extra mile because he or she knows you and your family and knows that you will be a good risk."

Some common but unconventional routes you might take. "There are a variety of options available to consumers," Smith says, citing the FHA, which offers mortgages in which the homeowner can put as little as 3.5 percent down. "The [U.S. Department of Agriculture] offers a program that allows buyers to purchase a qualified property with zero down. And many conventional leaders will allow subordinate financing to bridge the gap between the down payment and first mortgage loan amount."

But, of course, there's no free lunch, and some of these unconventional roads lead to an expensive toll booth. For instance, FHA loans, which were once considered great loans for first-time, low-income homebuyers, are much more expensive than they used to be because of mortgage insurance. With subordinate financing, you're taking out another loan to make up for not having the 20 percent down payment, and the second loan often has a higher interest rate than the first. Make sure the math works out so that you're not paying more in the long run than if you paid the PMI.

USDA loans, available for people who want to purchase a home in an area considered rural, are generally still well-regarded and coveted by many homeowners with incomes considered low to moderate. There are a range of limits depending on the type of USDA loan you're eligible for and state you live in, as well as a lot of criteria to meet. For example, if you are part of a Colorado family with one to four people and a household income of around $70,000 or less, you'd probably qualify.

[Want to see what loan you can qualify for? Click to compare loan products and interest rates now.]

Check with your state. While you're figuring out how to finance your home, don't forget that your state may have loan programs to help homeowners -- especially first-time buyers.

For instance, Illinois recently announced its "Welcome Home Illinois" program, in which first-time buyers or people who haven't owned a house in Illinois within three years can get $7,500 in down payment assistance with an interest rate as low as 3.99 percent for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. It's aimed at working class families -- a family of three in Chicago can earn as much as $106,000 in annual household income and qualify. In other parts of the state where the cost of living is lower, the same family of three can earn no more than $82,915 to qualify. And the homebuyer must have a credit score of at least 640.

Whatever you do, don't get too cute. If you don't have the 20 percent, it may be best to keep saving until you reach that amount, or at least get closer to it. Just because you find a way to finance your move-in doesn't mean you should take it. You want have enough left over in your budget to enjoy your house, not worry every month about how you're going to pay the mortgage. In other words, you can live under a roof without 20 percent down -- but is the alternative something you can live with?

Original Post https://homes.yahoo.com/news/alternatives-to-putting-20--down-on-a-home-003554316.html

You can’t be financially secure without these 10 products

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Being money smart is about more than having a budget and eliminating dumb purchases. It means creating a financial foundation that will carry you and your family comfortably through whatever life throws your way.

To create that foundation and find lasting financial security, you need to own these 10 products. (Hint: You’re about to hear a lot about insurance.)

1. Checking account

Let’s start with the basics. You need to have a centralized place to manage and monitor your money. After all, it’s hard to have a balanced budget if you have only a hazy idea of where your money is going.

Prepaid cards are an increasingly popular option, but they can come saddled with lots of fees. Plus, disclosures for these cards can be spotty, making it hard to know exactly how much your card is costing you.

Instead, look for a free checking account. Many institutions have scaled back their offerings, but there are still ways to get free checking from a bank or credit union.

2. Debit card

Along with your checking account, sign up for a debit card. Make sure it has a Visa or MasterCard logo and can be used like a credit card.

Having a debit card can eliminate your need to go into debt for purchases, particularly those where it is impossible to use cash or a check. Although I know that some people are fans of credit cards, my personal experience has shown the temptation to overspend when buying on credit negates card benefits for many people.

If you can’t bear the thought of giving up your credit card rewards, look for a bank that offers a debit card rewards program. After backing away from them, many banks have brought them back.

3. High-yield savings account

Every household should have an emergency fund; it’s your own personal form of insurance.

Typically, you’ll want your fund to be large enough to pay at least three to six months’ worth of expenses. Since that can be a fairly significant amount of money, you don’t want it languishing in a typical savings account where it will earn next to nothing.

Savings rates aren’t great right now, but if you park your money in an online account or a money market account, you may be able to yield close to 1 percent on your emergency fund.

4. Health insurance

Let’s forget for a moment that you are now required by law to have health insurance.

Instead, let’s talk about the enormous cost of health care in the U.S. If you walk into a New Jersey hospital with chest pain, you could walk out with a nearly $33,000 bill, says Governing Magazine. It’s no wonder medical debt is theleading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S.

You may think you’re healthy and young, but even healthy and young people get in car accidents or are struck down by devastating illnesses. Unless you’re worth millions and can easily pay your own bills, going without health insurance is just plain dumb.

5. Homeowners or renters insurance

If your home burns down, will you be left on the street?

Unfortunately, that’s what happens to some people who fail to insure their property. Homeowners policies are relatively inexpensive for the coverage they provide so there is no reason not to own one.

Not only will they pay to rebuild your house in the event of a total loss, these plans will also repair storm damage and vandalism and will likely pony up the dollars needed for temporary housing in the event you can’t stay in your home during repairs.

However, don’t expect your policy to cover damage from flooding. You’ll need a separate policy for that.

If you’re renting, don’t think your landlord’s homeowners policy will pay for your stuff. Instead, cover yourself with some cheap renters insurance.

6. Auto insurance

After your house, your car may be your most valuable asset.

While many states require a minimal level of coverage, you may want to consider more, depending on your assets and income. See “How Much Car Insurance Should You Buy?” from partner site CarInsurance.com.

For more information on how to get the coverage you need at a price you can afford, we’ve put together 10 tips to cut car insurance costs.

7. Disability insurance

Most insurance purchases are no-brainers for many people. However, disability insurance can trip up some otherwise money-savvy individuals.

Disability insurance provides money in the event you are unable to work for an extended period of time. The details may vary by policy, but most generally provide payments equal to 60 percent of your gross income.

If you’re on the fence about whether to buy disability insurance, consider whether you have a big enough emergency fund to pay the bills if you are unable to work. Social Security Disability will provide benefits if you are unable to work for at least a year or are terminally ill, but even if you’re approved, there is a six-month waiting period before benefits begin.

Disability plans are often offered through voluntary workplace benefit programs, or you can purchase coverage directly from insurance companies. For more information, read Stacy Johnson’s primer on disability insurance.

8. Life insurance

The final insurance product you need to own isn’t about protecting your own financial security but rather that of your family.

If you were to drop dead tomorrow, could your family pay the bills? Do they even have the cash to bury you?

Again, unless you have plenty of cash in your coffers, you need to buy life insurance. Even if you’re wealthy, you might want a policy to help your family pay off estate taxes.

Beyond that, life insurance can come with added bonuses that make it a smart buy. Some offer living benefits that let you tap into your death benefit if you’re terminally ill. Others allow policyholders to use money for long-term-care expenses.

And of course, you can count on our resident money expert to have some more tips on buying life insurance coverage.

9. Retirement fund

Someday you’ll want to retire, and God help you if you plan to live off Social Security. In 2014, the average Social Security benefit is $1,294 a month. That gives you a whole $15,528 each year – just a smidge above minimum wage.

If that seems like a pathetically small amount, the Social Security Administration provides this explanation in its 2014 benefits guide:

But Social Security was never meant to be the only source of income for people when they retire. Social Security replaces about 40 percent of an average wage earner’s income after retiring, and most financial advisers say retirees will need 70 percent or more of pre-retirement earnings to live comfortably. To have a comfortable retirement, Americans need much more than just Social Security. They also need private pensions, savings and investments.

So take a cue from the SSA and make sure you have another source of income for your golden years.

Your first stop for retirement savings should be a 401(k) if your employer provides a match of any kind. After that, look for a tax-sheltered plan such as an individual retirement account.

10. College savings account

If you’re childless, you get a pass on this final must-have financial product. For everyone else, you should start planning for college now.

Even if you’re of the bent your child will be paying her or his own way, you never know what the future may hold or how your views may evolve over time. Best to put some money aside in savings now just in case.

The 529 plans and Coverdell educational savings accounts are the most common ways to get tax advantages for college savings. However, you have to use the money for educational purposes (you can always transfer the money to another child if things don’t pan out for student No. 1) or you’ll get hit with a tax penalty.

If you aren’t confident you’ll actually be paying college expenses for your children, you may want to put money aside in an investment fund. Then, if they get a full-ride scholarship or burn out in the first semester, you’ll have a nice chunk of money for retirement or maybe a dream vacation to celebrate or de-stress.

You need more than a steady job to be financially secure. You need to have enough money in the bank and enough insurance behind you to weather all the unexpected events Murphy’s Law is bound to deliver during your lifetime.

 

This article was originally published on MoneyTalksNews.com as 'You Can’t Be Financially Secure Without These 10 Products'.

P.S. Want to make extra money and increase your bank account(s)? This book can be helpful. 

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Why Do We Procrastinate?

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Can Gratitude Give You More?

“We should, all of us, be filled with gratitude and humility for our present progress and prosperity. We should be filled with awe and joy at what lies over the horizon. And we should be filled with absolute determination to make the most of it.”

Bill Clinton

Gratitude Gives More

The little girl patted the seeds into the soil, pat, pat, pat, pat, over and over as she asked her mother, "Mommy, will these seeds really grow into sunflowers?"

"Yes, sweetheart. They will as long as we water the seeds and they don't get too thirsty or too wet."

The little girl did not want that to happen, desiring to see the mixed packet of seeds blossom into sunflowers. Imagining the harvest of bright sunflowers, she took great care watering the seeds. She thanked God for the harvest and prayed that the sun would not scorch the seeds. Soon the seeds began to bud into plants reaching for the sky and big, happy flowers. The little girl excitedly thanked God for the sunflowers.

The mother cut bunches of sunflowers, some of each kind, and took them to a florist who paid for the blooms. The mom is so pleased with her daughter's diligence in caring for the plants she gave the child the money. The little girl jumped into her mother's lap, hugged her with little arms curled around her mom's neck, and repeatedly kissed her check.

"With those seeds we got pretty sunflowers... some money," the little girl tallied, then excitedly added, "and whoever buys those sunflowers will be happy, too!"

That Christmas the mom found a shiny, red present with a big, gold ribbon wrapped around it. Curious, the mother reached for the present and read the label, "To the best Mom in the world." She opened it to reveal a starter Pandora charm bracelet.

"That is what you always wanted, right, Mommy?"

With tears in her eyes, she replied, "Yes, yes! Thank you! Merry Christmas!"

The mom and her daughter planted the seeds. The daughter watched over the seeds, prayed for, and expected healthy plants. When the sunflowers began to bloom, the mother took them to a florist, who compensated her for the variety and beauty of the flowers. The mother gave the money to her daughter, who in turn took some of that money and bought a present for her mother. The mother and the daughter had more than when they started.

The more you focus your mind on the good things that have come to you, the more good things will come, and the more rapidly they will come. GRATITUDE will keep you humble, and you will not give in to competitiveness and anything else inharmonious to your created thought. For instance, if your created thought expresses your intention to become a professional basketball player, but you accept negativity from family and peers who tell you that you aren't tall enough to be a pro player, that negativity is a major hindrance in creating harmonious, intentional thoughts that can bring about a new reality.

If your mind dwells upon the inferior, it becomes inferior, and you will surround yourself with inferior things. However, by fixing your attention on the best, you surround yourself with the best and become the best. The "creative power" within you makes you into the image on which you focus your attention. Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."

So you must think positively and cast off every thought arising that is incongruent to your planned intentions. Give gratitude for the desired image in your mind even before it manifests.

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Excerpts from How To Get Rich With Positive Thinking: Learn How To Make Money Using 9 Simple Steps.

How To Get Rich With Positive Thinking - Learn How To Make ...