|
|
Money Messages Ezine from OwnYourMoney.com
|
|
| From Belinda Fuchs, CPA |
Edition: VII-2009 |
|
Greetings!
Happy Halloween! (Can you feel the end of the year
approaching?)
Right now is a very important time for personal finances. It's time to pick your benefits (ESPP's, 401k elections, etc.) and the decisions you
make today could mean more cash in your pocket now and in 2010. Today's feature article--TREAT Yourself to the Benefits Hiding in Your Company Closet--outlines how to maximize your options.
For October's Success Story, we had an uplifting
conversation with Karen Moriarty, a chiropractor who is proving (with a little help...) that success and
growth are achievable, even in today's economy. Her case study is a valuable
and inspiring read for anyone who doubts that they can achieve success in
business today.
There are also 3 options available to you right now to
continue your growth and education, and make some more money just in time for the holidays...
Whether you're wanting to accelerate the
growth of your business, improve the way you and your spouse deal with your
family finances, or just want to finally get to the bottom of why you continually
struggle with money -- we have the answer for you. Keep reading to learn how you can take
one of the few remaining seats in the Small Business Success Program, Couples
and Money, or the Money Mind Makeover - Get a Plan programs.
Be sure to act now-- this may be my last Couples and Money and Money Mind Makeover public seminars for a while...
I hope you enjoy and I'd love your feedback!
Belinda and the OwnYourMoney.com Team
PS - The course dates have been announced for the Money Mind Makeover
and Couples and Money course. See below for details.
PPS-
Check out this month's BONUS COUPON
to attend T. Harv Eker's Millionaire Mind course!  |
Feature Article
TREAT Yourself to the Benefits Hiding in Your Company Closet
With benefits selection time around the corner for many employees,
now is the time to ask about and take advantage of non-standard benefits
in your company's plan. Beyond medical, dental and basic life, your
employer may be offering cost-saving options for lifestyle, commuting,
retirement and health that can help you save and spend wisely. If
not, your HR department may be willing to discuss adding some of the
following options. This year, don't get spooked...Find out which benefits are hiding in
your company closet and put them in your own back pocket!
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Put the depressed stock prices to work for you! These plans provide a good way to build wealth by buying stock
in the company where you work. A qualified ESPP can provide you with a discount: the
purchase price of the stock can be as much as 15% below the
value of the stock at the time the price is established.
Keeping in mind that your
company's plan could be different, here are some typical terms:
- To participate, you have to sign up by a
particular date to have from 1% to 10% of your pay withheld
to purchase company stock over a particular offering
period.
- Over that period of time, money withheld from your paycheck will accumulate, and
then be used to buy stock at the end of the offering period. The price may be discounted as
much as 15%, although companies can offer a smaller discount
or none at all. (Can you say "guaranteed return" and "free money"?)
- Some companies provide a "lookback," so that the price
you pay can be based on the price at the beginning of the
offering period or at the end, whichever is lower. With this
type of plan, if the price goes up during the offering
period you get an extra bargain!
- Plus, usually you can back out of the purchase and get your
money back at any time until close to the end of the
offering period. Your last chance to withdraw may be a week
or two before the end, though, so check this deadline--and check when you can opt-in.
This is a great way of
saving and investing with money that automatically comes out of
your paycheck, while providing you a stake in the company's success. I love this benefit and personally did very well pulling it out of my former employer's closet.
401(k) plan
A 401(k) is a retirement plan
that allows you to put a percentage of your pre-tax income into a
pre-selected qualified investment fund or set of funds. Many employers
will match your contribution up to a certain percentage--this is
essentially additional "free" money adding to your overall compensation package,
so be sure to contribute up to the maximum percentage that is matched
and you can comfortably afford.
By investing in a 401(k), you're
investing in the markets and there is risk that your original contribution value could fluctuate, including shrink in a market downturn. However, if you're still several years
away from retirement, a 401(k) remains an excellent long-term
investment vehicle. Seek investment advice when making your 401(k)
elections so you can make choices that suit your risk profile.
Flex spending account
Also known as Section 125 plans, these accounts let you put aside
pre-tax money (deducted from each paycheck) for specific types of
expenses, most typically health and dependent-care related costs. By
paying for these expenses with pre-tax earnings, you're trimming your
tax bill, and the actual bite to your paycheck will be less than the
amount you set aside. But before signing up, be wary! Many of these
plans are "use-it-or-lose-it" within 12 months (or another
predetermined timeframe), so only set aside an amount you're sure to
spend in that time. This article on About.com is a good source for further information.
Commuter Benefits
Pre-tax commuter benefits may be offered to alleviate the cost of
taking public transportation or parking to get to and from work; there
are a variety of options that employees can elect to take advantage of
this benefit by using a debit card, voucher or transit authority pass.
Also, as a result of the passage of the Bicycle Commuter Act,
employers may also allow their employees to use pre-tax monies to pay
for reasonable expenses related to their bike commute. The Commuter
Check programs save employees up to 40% on their commuting costs, while
saving employers approximately 8% on payroll taxes.
Maybe you can cut out commuting costs altogether. With
telecommuting, employees work from home or at an alternative work site
for part of the week, staying connected to the office via telephone and
computer. Some employers even provide office equipment for home use.
Tuition assistance/ reimbursement
Want to go
back to school, but think you just can't afford it now? Two 2008 surveys indicated that over 80 percent of employers offer financial assistance to their workforce
in the form of tuition assistance or related practices such as on-site
training and admission into professional seminars and/or conferences.
To ensure a return on their investment, most companies tie tuition
reimbursement to passing grades and a commitment to stay after
graduation, so you have to apply yourself; this isn't a completely free
ride. (Be sure to ask- We have provided letters so employees could get reimbursed for the training programs they participated in with us. Often from 50-100% of the course or coaching program-- Cha-ching!)
Workplace wellness refers to a program designed
to encourage healthy behaviors and reduce health risks (with the intent
of reducing disability considerations for the employer). These may
include health education (for example: smoking-cessation, stress-reduction,
and nutrition), screenings, preventative treatments (such as flu shots) and
incentives such as Virgin HealthMiles
that offer rewards for engaging in athletic pursuits.
Other wellness
programs may offer discounted gym memberships or workplace-sponsored
athletic activities and clubs. (I am about to get a check from Blue Cross Blue Shield for a $150 reimbursement on my gym membership. Call to see if you can too!)
Employee assistance program (EAP)
An EAP is
a confidential opt-in program offering counseling and practical advice
to help employees resolve personal concerns that may affect job
performance, health and well-being, including substance abuse, marital
or family problems, major life changes, or grief. For short-term
counseling or advice on getting longer-term care, EAPs can be a
valuable resource.
Financial Counseling and Coaching
Recently, we've seen increased interest from companies who want to offer our OwnYourMoney.com services to help their employees get financially fit. According to this Wall Street Journal article,
they're not alone. One of the newest benefits trends is offering
financial counseling to help employees through challenging times. If
your company would like to offer this benefit, please contact us, and follow this link to check out our corporate offerings.
Wayne Gretzky said, "You miss 100% of the shots you
never take." So take action today, by asking your HR department what is
available to you and maximize your hidden benefits.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it:
Belinda Fuchs, CPA and Wealth Coach, is the President of OwnYourMoney.com and host of Boston's newest TV talk show
"Money On Your Mind." If you're ready to make more, save more and
stress less about your money, get your FREE money success tips from
Belinda now at: www.OwnYourMoney.com.
|
| Success Stories
We are so proud of our Coaching and Small Business Success Program members. They really are taking the actions to create a new level of financial success for themselves and their families.
Hear from one of our star clients, Dr. Karen Moriarty, founder of Northboro Chiropractic:
Why
did you decide to work with Belinda Fuchs and OwnYourMoney.com for private
coaching?
After speaking with
Belinda, I realized that even though I owned my own business, I knew very
little about how to read and analyze financial reports so that I could drive my
business in the direction of consistent growth and expansion.
I was confident that Belinda could help
me become a very
educated money manager in my business which would
undoubtedly
create more profit, more clients and less stress.
 How
long have you been in the program?
Eleven months
What
tangible results have you achieved in
that time?
For the first time in 25 years, my business
has $30,000 in savings!!
Belinda
has fine tuned my bookkeeping process so that my financial reports are
meaningful. She has also addressed
and transformed how I communicate the value of my practice in a way that has
significantly generated more new patients. I have a far better understanding now as to what is
important to the general population in terms of their health care. I can see now that after 25 years in
practice, I had lost the "patient's perspective".
What
intangible results have you
noticed?
I definitely have more confidence as I
interact with the public about my practice.
My presentations are much more polished and engaging. And I definitely have much
more peace
of mind about the financial viability of my wonderful practice.
What
would you say to someone like you who is considering a Private Coaching program with Belinda and OwnYourMoney.com?
It is absolutely the way to go. Having that one on one time with
Belinda is priceless. She understands the emotional as well as the business
sides of finances. Having her as a
part of my life kept me accountable and on-track. Thank you so much Belinda!
We now ask you: What is the next action you can take to create your own Success Story?
|
Join the Small Business Success Program -
Have you ever been frustrated
after working 50-80 hours, not making much money, and wondering why everybody
else is getting paid except for you?
- Do you want to make your business more
profitable and create steady month-to-month income?
- Do you constantly put yourself
'on sale' and haggle on price just to pay the bills?
It's a tough time to be in business right now and if you answered YES to any of these questions, then there is a way for you to take control of the downward spiral this economy may have put your business into.
Just when the light at the end of the tunnel was dimming, here we come to help you save the day!
Most business owners are finding that the way they have been doing business for years is just not yielding the same positive results during this recession. The GREAT NEWS is that the special group of entrepreneurs in the Small Business Success Program is making more and more money the tougher these times get!
Just try us out for a month, and you'll be hooked with the creative business-building ideas, accountability, and new motivation to grow your business while providing more personal time in your life.
We are absolutely rockin' and rollin' and we'd love to have you on our next call - MONDAY, November 2nd at 12:00pm EST when we discuss what may be the #1 issue holding business owners back-- Pricing and Packaging Your Products and Services.
You can get the details here: http://www.OwnYourMoney.com/SBS.html.
|
OYM Programs and Events Money Mind Makeover - Get a Plan
NEW DATE - November 11th 2009, 6:30pm-9:30pm, Boston, MA
Only 6 Seats Remaining
- Frustrated you are not saving enough and not sure where to start with a budget?
- Concerned you are living paycheck to paycheck, in fear of any surprise significant expense?
- Feeling overwhelmed and want to take action but not sure how?
Whatever your income, it is now even harder to find the money to pay your bills, finance your goals and find financial peace of mind. We understand and are here to help...but where will you begin? Get a Plan!
Couples and Money - Creating a Rich Future TogetherNEW DATE - November 15th 2009, 10am-4pm, Boston, MA
Only seats for 4 more motivated couples
- Anxious and unsure you're taking the right financial steps so you've stopped trying?
- Frustrated that your partner isn't more involved in your family finances?
- Concerned that paying your family's monthly bills is getting harder to do?
Designed with the current economy in mind, this course will help you recession-proof your family finances.
Get the tools and advice you need to ensure your relationship is financially and emotionally rewarding. Couples who save together, stay together!
Private Coaching
One-to-one coaching provides the 100% focus on your situation: your business, your family, and your unique challenges. Most importantly, Belinda will draw on her lifetime of experience to help you achieve your personal goals: looking directly at every detail of your finances to create more money.
Clients can expect to make or save $10,000 - $12,000 in the first 3 - 6 months with this program. Belinda specializes in empowering women, business owners, and couples.
Would you like to achieve these results?
Now is a great time to start your three-month program.
Email us as at info@ownyourmoney.com to
set up a time to talk. We'll go over your circumstances, talk about the
program options and create the best fit for your needs.
Upcoming Events- Monday, November 2, 2009 - Small Business Success Program teleclass, 12:00-1:30pm EST
- Monday, November 9, 2009 - Small Business Success Program teleclass, GOLD members teleclass, 12:00-1:00pm EST
- Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - Money Mind Makeover - Get a Plan!, 6:30pm-9:30pm, Boston, MA
- Thursday, November 12, 2009 - Mastering Your Business Teleseminar, 2:00pm-3:00pm EST
- Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 8th Annual YWCA Money Conference for Women, Hartford, CT
- Sunday, November 15, 2009 - Couples and Money - Creating a Rich Future Together, 10:00am-4:00pm, Boston, MA
- Monday, November 16th, 2009 - Small Business Success Program teleclass, 12:00-1:30pm EST
- Thursday, December 10, 2009 - Massachusetts Conference for Women "Building Financial Confidence", Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA
Access OYM's Full Calendar
|
In the News
AROUND TOWN
One more step closer to Oprah! Belinda was a speaker at the Administrative Professionals Conference in Orlando, FL earlier this month and had the pleasure of meeting Martha Beck, Oprah's life coach, columnist, and author of two New York Times best sellers, pictured left with Belinda and Martha's newest book Steering by Starlight.
Just a few days before, Belinda was featured on the Dream Team for the 4th Annual Dream Party. This was an incredible event celebrating
the possibilities for your life, as if it's 5 years from now! This
signature event helped and inspired participants to identify and embody dreams
for the future while connecting with the support and expertise to put
those dreams into action. Pictured at right is Belinda and the Master of Ceremonies Donna Mac, one of the longest running female radio announcers in America and founder of DmacVoice Productions.
. 
PRINT
 The Dream Team Gazette (October 2009)- "Self-worth for Net-worth" by Belinda Fuchs
-
Money is often a key ingredient in realizing your
dreams. Read Belinda's latest article to understand how your own
"B.S." ("Belief Systems") are affecting your financial security and
what you can do to minimize the impact of any non-supportive beliefs you may be
holding onto. You will soon discover your positive self-worth leads to your
positive net-worth--not the other way around.
RADIO
 Anne Bachrach Podcast with Belinda Fuchs
- "Building Your Dream Team - 3 Steps to Maximizing Your Time and Money" - October 2009. Accountability Coach Anne Bachrach
interviewed Belinda on the 3 steps to Maximize Your Time and Money with
essential tips on automating and leveraging to better manage your
finances. Click here to listen now or download as an mp3 and listen later.
The Mary Jones Show - Saturday, October 10th, 2009 - WDRC-AM 1360 in Hartford, CT at 1:30pm EST. Belinda shared must-have tips on managing your credit score. Replay available soon.
The Business Station - WBIX AM 1060 - "The Financial Consultants" with Ron Birnbaum-
featuring Belinda on "Get Your Finances in Shape in Just 10 minutes a Day"
- September 17th, 2009, replay available now.
The Business Station - WBIX AM 1060 - "The Financial Consultants" with Ron Birnbaum-
featuring Belinda on "Maximizing Your Credit Score"
- October 21st, 2009, replay available soon.
TV
Money On Your Mind TV Show (Oct/Nov 2009) - Improving Your Personal Economy
Belinda interviews consumers directly to understand
the day-to-day struggles they are facing in today's financial crisis. Hear how
they are coping and the suggestions Belinda offers them for solutions to be
"Improving Their Personal Economy." Get your own economic stimulus
package by watching the show now!
More exciting news -- Money On Your Mind is soon going to be available in more towns around the Boston area. Stay tuned to see if it's coming to a town near you!
Click here to watch the show
 |
OYM Tip - Belinda Recommends
Turn What You Know Into Dough -
Loral Langemeier's next Best Seller!
"Put More Cash in Your Pocket"
What are you doing to put more cash in your pocket?
Loral's goal with this book is to get you to walk to
the bank every day, every week, every month, and consistently deposit
cash. New cash. Cash you would not have had before. Cash to help you live a bigger life. The one you really want to live.
The
kind of life that allows you to get what you want without putting you
further in debt... without scrimping, without saving, without
borrowing, and without worrying!
Sounds
fantastic, right? But that's not all. When you buy "Put More Cash In
Your Pocket" for only $20 you'll also get $1,247 worth of valuable
bonus gifts. All designed to help you live a fuller, richer life.
I've ordered my book already. Order yours now--and get all the bonuses too!
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here's how to register...
And get FREE Tuition.
http://www.millionairemind.com
Enter promo code SA1648 AND reference #538905 to receive
complimentary MMI tuition.
Or contact Client Care at
1.888.868.8883 and mention
reference #538905 AND
promo code SA1648 to receive
complimentary tuition.
Register NOW to ensure you get
the best seats
available!
Closest to NY/MA is in New Jersey
on November 20-22, 2009
Also choose from: Denver, CO;
Chicago, IL;
Los Angeles, CA;
East Rutherford, NJ;
Toronto, ON;
and Salt Lake City, UT in 2009.
Offer Through:
December 5, 2009
|
Is Your Financial Thermostat
set for Success,
Mediocrity or Failure?
The answer is simple -
look at your results!
If your finances are not where
you'd like them to be,
a lack of money is not the problem; it is merely a
symptom of the problem.
The Millionaire Mind Intensive
is a revolutionary
3-day seminar that will teach you the secret that
rich people know: it's not skill, luck, or
education that keeps the rich getting richer while
you're in the same situation year
after year.
It's CONDITIONING.
Personally, I have attended this seminar three times and it has completely rocked my world. My 1st time was in May 2007 and was where I created the idea of founding OwnYourMoney.com! ~Belinda
| |
|
 Our Mission
To forever transform the way people think, feel and act about money - providing hope and direction for individuals, couples and families...
TAKE INSPIRED ACTION TODAY!
| |
|
