-------------- September 2010 ---------------
The three Golden Rules of financial investing

The whole aim of investing is to create a passive income stream so that while you’re out on the golf course, hanging with friends, or relaxing in some other manner, your money is working for you, rather than you working for money.

There are three Golden Rules to investing that, if you follow them, can lead to great wealth and financial freedom.

The first of these rules is to just get started. One of the main reasons people fail to create wealth is that they don’t understand the power of compound interest. They think that investing just a few dollars, or even putting coins in a jar, will never be enough to invest, so why bother.

The truth is, many successful wealthy people started out by just investing a tiny amount, then watching it grow, thanks to the power of compound interest.

The second rule is to start young. If you invest, say, $2,000 when you’re 30, you will end up with more money than if you invest that same amount at age 35. The reason for this is compound interest. Imagine planting a seed, then fertilizing it for 30 days. That seed will just grow and grow, spread more seeds, and turn into a big bush! Now, imagine planting the same type of seed one year later and only giving it half the amount of fertilizer. This plant will grow but won’t catch up in size to its counterpart. That’s what compound interest is like.

The third rule is to have a plan. There’s an old, and very true, saying: Fail to plan, plan to fail. Write your plan down, review it regularly, and above all, keep your eye on the goal.

Investing in real estate… pay attention to detail

It is the details in real estate investing that can make you or break you. As you can imagine, unplanned repairs can put a serious dent in any profit that you were planning to make from a deal. The failure to notice a crack in the foundation can leave you financially devastated when major repairs need to be done before you can sell your investment.

The key to noticing the small details of any real estate investing opportunity is to slow down, be observant, and ask questions. Do not accept any investment opportunity if you are not well versed in every detail of the agreement and know all there is to know about the property itself. Granted, gathering and studying the necessary information might take up some of your time, but the time spent researching a property directly corresponds to the amount of money you will have in your pocket after the investment has been sold.

Your eye for detail will be critical during the initial walkthrough of the property. This takes place before any agreement has been made and is meant to give you an idea of what kind of condition the property is in. Be sure to inspect all of the major mechanics of the property, including the plumbing, heating, and electrical. You should look for any flaws in the structural integrity of the home and make note of any repairs that need to be done. If you have any questions about issues that arise during the walkthrough, consult a professional to evaluate the property.

The bottom line is to not be afraid to inspect and ask questions. Never make a deal based on the seeming honesty and upfront attitude of the seller. Dig deep; find the hidden details of the property. After all, it is going to be your money on the line and your potential profit that will be lost if the investment fails.

Beautify your home with a classy chandelier

A chandelier can be an ideal option for lighting in your home — not just for foyers and formal dining areas, but also for bedrooms, kitchens, and even the children’s room. But before you go out and look for that perfect chandelier, here are some things you need to consider.

Size of the chandelier: If not sized correctly, a chandelier will not be able to provide lighting as desired and may well not fit into its designated spot. When choosing a chandelier for a particular room, first measure the width and length of the room. Add these two measurements — the resultant sum (in inches) is how wide your chandelier should be. However, you also need to consider the height at which the chandelier will hang. If you have low ceilings and the chandelier will hang quite low, you should buy a slightly smaller one.

Type of lighting required: Here are the different kinds of lighting that the various types of chandeliers can provide:

Ambient lighting: If you wish to achieve ambient (general) lighting, choose a big chandelier, which has plenty of bulbs and open lights. This will ensure that the fixture provides light for the entire room.

Accent lighting: If you want to illuminate a specific object or particular areas of a room, select a chandelier with spotlights and downlights.

Diffused lighting: Many people prefer diffused lighting to the glare of very bright lights. If you too desire such softer lighting, pick a chandelier with uplights. An uplight will throw light on the ceiling which then becomes diffused and provides a very warm glow.

Style of the chandelier: As it is most likely going to be the center of attention in any room, the chandelier you choose should have a look and style in keeping with the rest of your decor. While a traditional crystal chandelier can look at home in almost any setting, an ornate wrought-iron chandelier or perhaps a contemporary fixture may either contrast too much with your furnishings or add a clever eclectic touch to the mix. That’s the fun — and the challenge — of decorating!

Brighten your day and enlighten your life

George Bernard Shaw once said that if you find something funny, search it for hidden truth. Here are a few pearls of wisdom packaged in humor. Enjoy!
~ You wouldn’t worry what people thought about you if you only knew how seldom they did.
~ To expect life to treat you fairly because you’re a good person is like expecting a bull not to charge you because you’re a vegetarian.
~ Worry is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but won’t get you anywhere.
~ If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
~ Always borrow money from pessimists. They don’t expect to be paid back.
~ Anyone who says that swimming is good for the figure has never taken a real good look at a whale.
~ A bore is always “ME” deep in conversation.
~ Some people think their lives are full,when really they’re just cluttered.
~ If at first you don’t succeed, try not to be amazed.
~ A leader without a sense of humor is like a grass cutter at a cemetery. You have a lot of people under you paying absolutely no attention.

Live Better...Laugh More!