After almost 20 years of giving personal financial advice,  I thought I would
share the secrets I know about becoming financially  successful.If you avoid
these 5  disaster financial moves, you should have a good chance of becoming
prosperous  and hitting your goals. If you have made  one of these already, it
[...]

You may view the latest post at
http://www.yoursmartmoneymoves.com/2010/08/30/5-disaster-financial-moves/

It is very important to order a survey.

Most lenders do not require a survey anymore so it is optional for you.
The closing attorney’s office will order the survey upon your request.
This information is from Jill Elliott’s website, a closing attorney friend of Rhonda’s. Here is her take on the issue.

(So what do you think you are buying?) Read the rest of this entry »

Pending Home Sales for July increased by 3.2%, more than double the expectations of 1.5%, and representing the sixth consecutive monthly gain…the longest streak on record.

While it’s nice to finally hear some positive news about the housing sector – let’s remain cautious in our optimism, as many first time homebuyers moved up their home purchasing plans to take advantage of the Federal tax credit (according to the Mortgage Market Guide). Read the rest of this entry »

“Why does a lender want to see my bank statements?”

Here are the reasons that lenders ask to see a borrower’s bank statements: Read the rest of this entry »

I have been seeing all of these commercials as of late on how you can have 3D TV in your home.   Let me be the first to tell you that you simply …

Around tax time, we often hear the question, “Is it smart to get a tax refund?”  The answer really falls into the ‘it depends’ category.

In general, I am not a big fan of getting refunds.  Anytime in today’s world that you give the Government an interest free loan of your money for a year is probably not a good idea.  When you get a refund, you withheld too much money out of your paycheck over the course of the year.  When your actual tax calculation is done at year end, you will receive the excess withholding back in the form of a refund.   This means that you should really sit with your accountant, CPA, or financial advisor and adjust that withholding number for the current tax year.   If you are going to put more money back into your paycheck, make sure you have those dollars systematically saved into some type of savings or investment vehicle so you don’t spend it during the year.

Some people like getting that annual refund to pay off credit card bills, do home repairs, or simply take a vacation.   It can be seen as a form of forced savings for some individuals which is where the refund can be a good idea.  This is only true if you lack the discipline to save the money during the course of the year.   This can easily be resolved by having the money come out of your paycheck automatically.

Generally speaking if you owe more than $1,000 or you got a refund more than $1,000, it is probably time to take a closer look at your tax planning and overall withholding strategy.  The idea of good tax planning is to get as close to zero as humanly possible.   Even though interest rates are low for most banks right now, you would always rather earn some interest on your money than putting it in the hands of the Government for free for a year.

Related Articles – Great Small Business Tax Deductions, 2010 Mileage Rates!, The Top 10 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions, Tax Changes For 2010

Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®

Co-CEO and Founder oXYGen Financial, Inc.

Request a FREE consultation: www.oxygenfinancial.net

11680 Great Oaks Way, Suite 175 | Alpharetta, GA 30022
Phone 1.800.355.9318 or 770.777.0427

oXYGen Financial, Inc. co-CEO Ted Jenkin  is one of the foremost knowledgeable professionals in giving financial advice to the X and Y Generation.

TED JENKIN IS SECURITIES LICENSED THROUGH INVESTACORP, INC. A REGISTERED BROKER/DEALER MEMBER FINRA, SIPC.  ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH INVESTACORP ADVISORY SERVICES, INC. A SEC REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISORY FIRM. Linked sites are strictly provided as a courtesy. Investacorp, Inc., and its affiliates, do not guarantee, approve nor endorse the information or products available at these sites nor do links indicate any association with or endorsement of the linked sites by Investacorp, Inc. and its affiliates.

This week’s Special Guest -

Randy S. Gold, CPA
Principal and Chief Operating Officer

AGH
3500 Piedmont Road
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 233-5486

Randy Gold brings talent and experience to the firm’s real estate and construction practice in his role as Principal and Chief Operating Officer of AGH. Randy has an extensive background representing commercial and multifamily real estate developers and investors through purchase/sale transactions, deal structuring, consulting and reporting. With more than 14 years of experience representing pension funds, private investment groups, insurance companies and builders with portfolio assets ranging from $25 million to $4 billion, Randy’s clients rely on his practical expertise to help them meet their goals.

In his role as Chief Operating Officer of one of the leading accounting firms in the Southeast, Randy is responsible for helping to create the strategy and tactics to support AGH’s long term vision of developing expert team members who provide the foremost client communication and service. Focused on business development, Randy helps the firm continue its history of significant growth in each of its practice areas. Randy, a native of Atlanta who grew up in Charleston, SC graduated from the University of Georgia and has been practicing public accounting since 1994. Randy’s true passion is improving the quality of life of those less fortunate. As a board member and volunteer of various civic and humanitarian organizations, Randy shares not only his accounting knowledge but his fervor in helping those that can’t always help themselves.

Visit the 40 Year Old Business Virgin Radio Show Online

TED JENKIN IS SECURITIES LICENSED THROUGH INVESTACORP, INC. A REGISTERED BROKER/DEALER MEMBER FINRA, SIPC. ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH INVESTACORP ADVISORY SERVICES, INC. A SEC REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISORY FIRM. Linked sites are strictly provided as a courtesy. Investacorp, Inc., and its affiliates, do not guarantee, approve nor endorse the information or products available at these sites nor do links indicate any association with or endorsement of the linked sites by Investacorp, Inc. and its affiliates.

Think twice as you read your next menu.  Unbeknownst to you, the menu just might be designed to get you to spend more money through some pretty clever strategies.  Also, you should keep in mind that there may be extra incentives for your server for lunch or dinner that day.

1. Staggered Prices – Prices are generally shows right after the dish, and not in a column all neatly labeled on the right hand sign.  In addition, you will often find the cheaper dishes on the left hand side of the menu and the more expensive ones on the right hand side of the menu.   All of this is in part designed to make it difficult to quickly compare dishes and prices.
2. Bold Type – On almost every menu, you will several items in BOLD FACE type.   This is intentionally done as bold type will draw your eye much quicker to it than the dishes that are not in bold type.  Often, you will see something like the special lobster dish or steak platter that is in this bold face boxed in part of the menu.   These are items that generally have great mark up for the restaurant.
3. Asking The Server About Appetizers – Be wary that some restaurants will run a contest or a promotion for the server for a drink or a certain appetizer than can earn them extra money.  If you ask the server about what they think is a good appetizer because you have never eaten at the restaurant, you just may wind up with the special of the day.
4. First and Last on the menu – We generally don’t remember what is in the middle, but what we see first and last.  Which is why the most expensive appetizer often comes first, and you will see among the priciest of dishes last on the menu.
5. No money signs – Last tip to look out for is no money signs and things being priced at 7.99 vs. 8.00.  If you don’t see money signs it won’t make you think about how much you are spending.  Also, if you order 10 different things for a family of 4, the bill may be ten dollars more than you thought it should be just from the first dollar number you see on the prices.

The only other thing to keep mindful of is the markup on alcohol, which is where some of the greatest markup can happen in a restaurant.  Keep mindful of these tips, and you just might save yourself a few bucks.

Related Articles – TOP 10 Atlanta LATE NIGHT Restaurants , My 15 Year Anniversary, Top Ten Late Night Cheap Eats , Back to the Brown Paper Bag!

Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®

Co-CEO and Founder oXYGen Financial, Inc.

Request a FREE consultation: www.oxygenfinancial.net

11680 Great Oaks Way, Suite 175 | Alpharetta, GA 30022

Phone 1.800.355.9318 or 770.777.0427

oXYGen Financial, Inc. co-CEO Ted Jenkin  is one of the foremost knowledgeable professionals in giving financial advice to the X and Y Generation.

TED JENKIN IS SECURITIES LICENSED THROUGH INVESTACORP, INC. A REGISTERED BROKER/DEALER MEMBER FINRA, SIPC.  ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH INVESTACORP ADVISORY SERVICES, INC. A SEC REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISORY FIRM. Linked sites are strictly provided as a courtesy. Investacorp, Inc., and its affiliates, do not guarantee, approve nor endorse the information or products available at these sites nor do links indicate any association with or endorsement of the linked sites by Investacorp, Inc. and its affiliates