What is it going to take to make your business successful and reach your sales goals? Understanding the metrics that drive your sales initiatives will help you understand the effort that will be required along the way to make sure you’re on track at each and every stage in your sales cycle.

Optimize Your Sales Pipeline

View Resource Optimize Your Sales Pipeline
You’ve moved your startup from a dream on paper to an office. Now you need money to pay suppliers, market your products or services, and pay the staff. Alternatively, perhaps you are an established business ready to expand with new equipment or into new locations. It might be time for a business loan. Traditional loan sources are from a national commercial bank, a local bank, or SBA loans. Some credit unions also serve the business market. There are also other alternative sources for loans, including crowdfunding and peer funding sites. The key to getting the business loan that you want at a rate you can afford, especially a bank loan, is preparation. Reasons for getting a loan Multinational corporations, mid-size manufacturers, and small service providers all routinely apply for bank loans. Every company in business needs working capital. The most common reasons for applying for a business loan include: What You’ll Need Bank loans typically require extensive paperwork. Check with your accountant to make sure all your business financial reports are ready for the loan officer’s review. At the least, a small business applying for a loan will likely need: You should accompany these documents with the story of your business, as a way to tie it all together, and present your best possible profile to the loan officer. Talk about industry growth, your chance to partner with a major player in the field, or other reasons you are seeking the loan. The loan application package, which will also include all the required paperwork, should be filled out. If you have questions, ask the loan officer. Don’t turn it in only partially completed. What Lenders are Looking For The old saying that banks are more likely to lend to you when you don’t need the money is often true for businesses. Your firm needs to be on solid financial ground in order to qualify for a bank loan. In a best case scenario, that means you should be able to show your business has been profitable for the last three years. Primarily, there are three criteria you need to meet.
  1. The purpose of the loan must be financially sound. That means using it for speculating, for lending, for investments that are passive in nature, for gambling, or for pyramid sales are out of bounds.

  2. Have a good credit history. The principles, including you and the key members of your management team, must have good credit, personal or business, and be experienced in the field.

  3. Proof you can pay the loan back. Your business or you personally must have the assets to back the loan up. In many cases, you will be asked to guarantee the loan personally. As long as your firm has ample assets, they probably won’t ask for a lien on your home.
The loan department will examine all the paperwork in detail. Don’t be surprised if they even check your social media for clues about the state of your business. Bank loan departments are thorough. In summary, do your research, prepare well in advance of the loan, and completely fill out all the paperwork. Present your business in the best possible way, while staying accurate. The loans are available, and if you prepare adequately, you have an excellent chance of getting what you need.

Getting a Business Loan

View Resource Getting a Business Loan
The recent tax law changes have many homeowners and home buyers more than a little nervous about real estate purchasing and borrowing decisions and how they will affect your taxes. It is a reasonable concern, but one that is unnecessary for many who already have home loans and quite a few others interested in obtaining them. Like most laws, there is a great deal of confusion about what it will mean for you. Below are a few essential details you need to know. Impact of Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 First, the legislation grandfathered in existing home mortgages, so the new law does not affect the mortgage interest deduction on these loans. Many homeowners are wiping more than a little sweat from their brows over this news. There are changes in store for new mortgage loans, though, some of which might be unpleasant for home buyers in high-demand markets. Second, while these deductions for existing mortgages remain unchanged, new home loans come with limits to the allowable home mortgage deduction to loan values of $750,000 or less. New Rules for Home Equity Loan and Line of Credit Interest In the past, many homeowners have taken advantage of the tax deductibility of home equity loan or line of credit interest by using the proceeds from those loans for a variety of purposes. Before the new tax law, how you used the loan proceeds did not matter. The interest on the loan was tax deductible. Under the new law, taxpayers can still deduct interest paid on home equity loans, but with stipulations. If you use the funds from your home equity loan or line of credit to upgrade or improve the property that secures that loan, for instance, you can continue to deduct mortgage interest from the loan. However, if you used the loan funds for such things as paying for a vacation, consolidating credit card debt, paying for college expenses or as alternative funds for the purchase of a new car, the interest is no longer deductible. Previously, you had been allowed to deduct the interest you paid on up to $100,000 in loans and lines of credit, regardless of how you used the money. That has changed and is true for both loans that preceded the new legislation and those that come after. What it Means to You Of course, homeowners who are interested in knowing how they might use the equity in their home moving forward, have a few new things to keep in mind.
  1. The new ceiling, or limit, for combined mortgage and home equity or second mortgage deductions sits at $750,000. That sum that is reduced considerably from the previous limit of $1.1 million.

  2. How you use the money matters. If you are getting a home equity loan or second mortgage to make improvements to your home, then it is acceptable to deduct those interest payments. However, if you are using them to fund vacations, purchase cars, pay for your kids to go to college, or even to pay off medical bills or credit cards, then you receive no deductions for mortgage interest paid.
The bottom line for you, as a consumer and homeowner, is that you are only able to use the funds from the home equity to reinvest in the home. That can include a variety of actions, such as: You can choose to do any of these things that will add value to your home as long as it falls within IRS rules defining capital improvements to the home and does not exceed a combined total indebtedness that is greater than $750,000. You should also know that the new rules concerning home equity lines of credit may be beneficial to you. Under the old law, there was a $100,000 cap for home improvements. You could deduct no more than the mortgage interest on this amount, regardless of how much you paid for your updates and renovations. Under the new law, it can be any amount up to the limit for the combined total, which is $750,000. That means if your mortgage is $500,000 and you completed $250,000 in renovations, you can deduct the interest on the full amount of your mortgage and your home equity loan. One final note: As IRS regulations and guidance for the Tax Cut and Jobs Act are still being reviewed and issued as of March 2018; taxpayers should monitor the IRS’s Tax Reform page and work with their tax accountant as needed.

What Now for Home Equity?

View Resource What Now for Home Equity?
The convenience of plastic, whether in the form of debit or credit cards, is hard to beat. They both offer advantages, yet have significantly different features and uses. Here is what to consider when deciding if you should make a purchase using a credit card or debit card. Credit or Debit? What’s the Difference? Although banks and credit unions issue both debit and credit cards, they are similar in that they look alike and belong to the same networks, such as Mastercard or Visa. However, there are important distinctions between the two surrounding debt. A credit card is based on a loan from the issuing entity and represents debt to you — the card user. On the other hand, a debit card is self-funded by you through deposits made to the bank or credit union issuing the debit card. In other words, a credit card forces you to incur debt, while a debit card requires you to pay for purchases of goods and services with money you already have. Advantages of Credit Cards Credit cards offer many advantages to you as a consumer. Although different cards may have different sets of terms and conditions, those advantages may potentially include:
  1. Building up your credit score, which increases your chances of qualifying for other loans, such as a mortgage.

  2. The ability to borrow funds to make purchases if you do not have the money available to pay the entire balance amount when the monthly bill arrives.

  3. Taking advantage of card incentives, like the ability to accumulate reward points, airline miles, or receive cash back when making purchases.

  4. Receiving the card’s additional warranty coverage on merchandise above what is offered by the product manufacturer.

  5. Getting insurance waiver coverage for car rentals, which could otherwise be costly if insurance is purchased through the rental agency.

  6. Having reduced liability for lost or stolen cards, provided that the customer reports the event to the card issuer promptly.

  7. Possessing the ability to dispute credit card purchases with the merchant, such as for damaged, stolen or lost goods during shipping.
Advantages of Debit Cards Similarly, debit cards also offer distinct advantages to you as a consumer which may potentially include:
  1. Enjoying no annual fees associated with a debit card.

  2. Reducing the chance that you may fall into debt, since purchases are fully paid for out of your account balance.

  3. Avoiding interest charges since you are drawing on your own savings balance.

  4. Having money taken out of your account automatically for each purchase, so it is easier to use.

  5. Setting up automatic transfers between accounts.

  6. Withdrawing cash from an ATM or with some retailers at the point-of-sale.
Like credit cards, terms and conditions may be different between debit cards, so it is crucial that you understand which of these advantages apply to your specific card and which do not. There’s no “best” card for everyone. Instead, the best card type depends on your unique financial situation, past credit history, comfort with incurring debt, projected use for the card, and what, if anything, you’d like in return for using it.

Debit or Credit Card?

View Resource Debit or Credit Card?
Ready to test your personal security knowledge? You’ll have ten multiple choice questions to answer. Click on each question to reveal the question and multiple choice answers. After you’ve completed answering all ten questions, click “Grade Me!” at the end of the quiz to see how you did.

Identity Theft and Fraud

View Resource Identity Theft and Fraud

You should be saving money in an IRA or 401k to help fund your retirement years. You can also use a Health Savings Account (HSA) to boost retirement savings earmarked to cover medical expenses in retirement. Health savings accounts are not technically retirement plans, but you can make pre-tax contributions and the money deposited in your HSA will grow tax-free. Moreover, unlike Flexible Spending Accounts, you can roll over your HSA funds from one year to the next, and into retirement. You can also withdraw HSA funds at any time to pay for current qualified medical expenses. So, as you grow your HSA account balance to meet your retirement needs, you’ll want to consider those current medical expenses in your planning.

Reach Your Health Savings Account Goal

View Resource Reach Your Health Savings Account Goal

The amount of equity available for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit is determined by the loan-to-value ratio of the home and the ratio requirements of the lender. A loan-to-value ratio is calculated by taking total mortgage debt (including any second mortgages or existing home equity loans) and dividing it by the current, appraised value of the home. The size of a home equity loan or line of credit will also depend on the loan-to-value requirements of the lender. Higher loan-to-value requirements can result in larger home equity loans or lines of credit.

The Equity in Your Home

View Resource The Equity in Your Home
Like most things in life, retirement fund withdrawals should be carefully planned to maximize your assets and get the most mileage from your retirement funds. Of course, the first act is to view your retirement fund “inventory” to see what your options are. You may be able to draw from any of the following types of retirement accounts:. Regardless of the types of retirement funds you have, there are multiple options for withdrawing them to help you get the highest value from these funds throughout your retirement. Penalty-free withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k) / 403(b) accounts begin at the age of 59.5. You do not want to start withdrawing from these funds before that age, if possible, to avoid potentially steep penalties. Mandatory withdrawals begin at the age of 70.5. Roth IRAs are the exception, however, as there are no mandatory withdrawals until after the death of the account holder. Which Funds First? When determining which of your retirement funds to withdraw first, some aren’t up for debate. You must begin receiving minimum distributions by certain stages of your life. There are, however, some retirement funds that leave you in the driver’s seat for how you wish to manage your retirement finances. One of the primary considerations when determining which retirement funds to utilize or withdraw first involves taxation. The more you pay in taxes, the less of your money you get to keep. When funds and opportunities to earn more funds are limited, as they are in retirement, it is best to adopt a strategy that minimizes your contributions to Uncle Sam. The other vital consideration involves your income needs. It is wise to consider the monthly income you will require to maintain a particular lifestyle during your retirement. Once you understand the monthly income you will need to meet those standards; then you must work out a budget that will create a sustainable income for you for the duration of your retirement. Do not forget, however, that you should revisit your strategy each year to determine whether your goals are the same, your needs are consistent, and the monthly income generated was sufficient to meet those needs and reach those goals or if more significant income is required. In other words, you can make changes, to some degree, throughout retirement to accommodate things like rising health care costs, increased costs of living, and even decisions to move to areas that have lower costs of living. Retirement Withdrawal Strategies There are a few commonly employed retirement withdrawal strategies that serve retirees well, depending on their financial goals and other considerations. The one that will work best for you may not be the same one that works best for others. It may even require some degree of trial and error to decide which strategy you like best. These are some commonly used retirement withdrawal strategies you might want to consider. Takeaway Some people employ multiple strategies, mixing and matching as needed to give themselves adequate income from year to year as expenses (cost of living, medical care, etc.) grow while helping them to set more money aside to help their money last longer. It may take a while to find your comfort zone or even working with an expert to find the best way to put your money to work for the retirement you’ve dreamed of.

Retirement Account Withdrawal Strategies

View Resource Retirement Account Withdrawal Strategies
Retirement savings need to last longer than ever. The good news is that retirees are not only living longer; they are also leading happier, more active, and energetic lifestyles than in decades past. The bad news is that many retirement savings plans were not built to last for these lengthened timelines. Today’s retirement funds get stretched to the limits. Not only are people living longer lives after retiring, but medical costs are also at record highs. These unplanned and unfunded expenses are often occurring just as your savings are the most limited. It is enough to even give those with substantial nest eggs pause. For those who have consistently worried about surviving after retirement, it can be downright terrifying. As a result, many retirees are seeking new ways to supplement incomes and extend their retirement budgets. If you are in the same boat, the “gig” economy might be the perfect solution for you. What is the Gig Economy? The “gig” economy is a particularly attractive option because it places you in charge of when, how often, and how much you work. You do not have to worry about scheduling conflicts, interfering with vacation, or even feeling like you have a regular j-o-b. While the term has received new attention in recent years, the idea of “gigs” originated during the 1940s. Today, we have revolutionized the concept of the gig economy, turning it into extremely short-term engagements, with independent contractors selecting their days and hours of work. There is a nearly infinite supply of gig jobs that can be performed by people who have all manner of experience under the belts. They start with ride-share driving opportunities with Uber and Lyft, and food delivery shifts with companies like DoorDash and GrubHub. But they go well beyond that. There are gigs for accountants, artists, coders, contractors, and more to be had in today’s economy. Even electricians and plumbers can find gigs for quick cash, to extend retirement budgets, or to pay for holiday expenses. You can also use gigs to fund a newfound cruise addiction. Extending Retirement Funds Working within the gig economy gives you more considerable latitude over your time, your talents, and your income. It allows you to earn extra cash for living expenses while you are still able to do so while leaving much of your retirement funds untouched so they can continue to generate interest or appreciate. Plus, if you manage to hold off on tapping into your Social Security retirement income a few additional years, the payoff can be much more significant. Some people only choose to work these side gigs for extra money long enough to satisfy the requirements for maximum Social Security payouts — and that is sufficient to meet their needs. Others prefer the socialization as much as they enjoy the extra income these side gigs provide. How to Find Gig Economy Jobs It is surprisingly simple to find earning opportunities through a variety of side gigs today. From websites like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack to more significant organizations like Uber and Lyft, opportunities abound. Savvy seniors can even turn their love of crafting, woodworking, etc. into income through websites like Etsy where you can sell your handmade goods. Some things you will find there include: The more elevated your talents and interest, the more diverse your opportunities for income in the modern gig economy will be. You can even make money writing books or creating online or community classes on how to do things that are becoming lost arts in the modern world. That includes things like making homemade bread, building furniture, fly-fishing, preserving and canning food, knitting, and many more. Knowledge is a commodity in the gig economy — and one that pays surprisingly well. Finding jobs is easier than ever. Finding the right fit, however, may take a little time, attention, trial, and error. Keep your eye on your goals and avoid overloading yourself. You do want to have time to enjoy your retirement, after all. Takeaway The gig economy, while not new, offers a wealth of new income opportunities if you are seeking to extend your retirement budget, stay active throughout retirement, or wanting the chance to meet new people during retirement. There are numerous opportunities, and the flexibility of the gig economy lifestyle makes it an attractive option if you want to take the time to enjoy your retirement while still having enough income to pay the bills.

Extend Your Retirement Budget with the Gig Economy

View Resource Extend Your Retirement Budget with the Gig Economy
You have probably heard, more than once by now, that not all debt is created equal. Some types of debt are beneficial, while others, not so much. As consumers, understanding the difference can have a profound effect on your credit score and how lenders view your spending, buying, and borrowing habits. These are the things you need to know about the types of debt worth having. Good Debt Many individuals believe all debt is bad. It represents money you owe. For these people, the amount of debt they owe places them solidly outside of their comfort zone. However, some debt is viewed more favorably by lenders as signs of responsible borrowing than others. The underlying theme for all of these is that good debt is debt that has the potential to help you add to your net worth, either through the appreciation of assets or generation of income. If your goal for borrowing money is for a different purpose or goes in a different direction, it will likely fall in the ‘bad debt’ category. Bad Debt Bad debts involve assets that depreciate over time. These debts are not considered investments so much as they are considered consumption. The idea being that if items do not increase in value or generate wealth, people should not go into debt to purchase those items. Prime examples of bad debt include: These debts do not lift families out of debt and may doom them to struggle with debt for longer than necessary. Other Considerations While we do live in a consumer-driven society and debt is an often necessary fact of life, the types of debt you have can profoundly impact your quality of life and ability to have the things you desire most in the end. The best words of wisdom to offer on the debt front involve keeping your debt focused on things that can help you increase your net worth and reducing debt that does precisely the opposite, whenever possible.

Good Reasons to Borrow Money

View Resource Good Reasons to Borrow Money