Forkids Business Guidelines

There are two types of income to fully understand if you want to start your way to becoming financially healthy. No matter what your job is, whether you are a bookkeeper or a company director, everybody gets at least one of the two types of income so it is equally important to understand them.

Active Income

Active income is the reward from participating in an endeavor that used your time, skills and effort. Usually seen in a form of paychecks, incentives, and commissions, it means actively involving oneself to be able to earn money. An example is a person selling pancakes. If he sells today, he gets paid. If he doesn’t, it means there would be no income for him.

Residual Income

Residual Income is the reward one gets from passively participating in an endeavor. It is the income from capitals and assets or money-generating activities. It is also called passive income. A person with this type of income still receives money even while he is asleep. A good example is an online marketer that has a 24/7 website where he gets clients from all over the world to sign up for his services. He gets paid for being passively involved in the process of earning money.

Why do we need to have residual income?

If you will ask people if they want more money, most of the time the answer is a big “Yes”. One of the motivations nowadays is wealth. We want more cash. To be wealthy, we have to know what the word means. Is being wealthy having a million-dollar bank account, owning the hottest cars and travelling around the globe? In fact, wealth is simpler that what we think: Wealth is simply being able to pay for your chosen lifestyle without the need to ever earn an active income again.

Wealth is absolutely not about the dollars in the bank. If a person has a million dollars, travels the world endlessly, buys expensive cars without enough residual income to sustain his lifestyle, his millionaire life can be gone too soon.

So why do we need to focus on our a passive income source instead of just having more cash? It’s because passive income can take care of our needs and wants for a long period of time under our chosen lifestyle. If you want to live a life like the filthy rich, then you have to find residual income streams that will give you dividends and cash rewards which are enough for your new-found luxuries. Keeping a good cash flow of passive income is the key to wealth.

In short, the first thing to do is to be clear in what kind of lifestyle you would like to achieve. This is actually what most financial advisors would ask a client during the first sessions of working with them. What kind of lifestyle would suit you? What exactly are you aiming for?

Once that question is clearly answered, the next step it to search for opportunities to be able to get that lifestyle and sustain it. Look for information around you about tried-and-tested residual income sources that you can use to get you where you want to go, which is true wealth.

With the proper marketing system in place you can create Residual Income.

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Fixed income unit trust is touted as the safest asset class in unit trust investment. But is it as safe as fixed deposit? The answer is NO. Fixed deposit is a risk-free investment vehicle which guarantees you the return. Fixed income fund does not. So what is the financial workings behind a fixed income unit trust?

Fixed income fund invests in bonds. In this article, the terms fixed income fund and bond fund will used interchangeably.

Bond

Bond is a fixed income securities. If issued by private sector, it is known as corporate bond. It is considered a debt instruments to raise capital to finance expenditure or working capital, without diluting the ownership rights (unlike shares).

From investor perspective, they will lend an amount of money to the bond issuer, and in return they will get a predetermined rate of return (coupon payment, usually within 5 to 10 percent) from their capital annually/semi-annually/quarterly. In addition to this, the capital will be repaid to the investor when the bond ‘matures’, normally within 1 year for short-term bond (aka Treasury Bills) and 10 years for long-term bond. The initial committed principal may be less or more than the final capital repayment, the former known as discount bond and the latter as premium bond. In short, investor is guaranteed to be compensated in periodical coupon payment in addition to the value of discount of the bond ‘price’.

Systematic risk

Systematic risk refers to the investment risk associated with the local and global economic conditions. This, more often than not, is the primary risk for government bonds.

The net asset value (NAV) of a bond fund which largely consists of a portfolio of government bonds fluctuates according to the economy. This type of risk is something no one can control, but perhaps more predictable. You will know an economic recession is looming in the horizon by keeping up to date with a lot of economic indicators such as interest rate, purchasing manager index and business condition index.

Government bonds are almost similar to risk free investment, unless you are living in nation like Greece where government could default on its nation’s debt. United States, for example, has a sterling bond rating of triple As until it is downgraded this year.

Unsystematic risk

The more unpredictable risk inherent in a bond fund is unsystematic risk. This type of risk relates to an organization or corporation which issues the bond. It is more likely for a company regardless of its size, if the company is being mismanaged. The analogy of it is this. I accumulate a sum of money from my family members and purchases bond from you. You are the corporation which issues me the bond and I am the mutual fund itself, while my family members are the bond unit holders (investors). You take the money to gamble, and in the end losing all of it. As a consequence, you can neither repay me the principle nor the periodic coupon payment. The fund goes down the drain along with the investors’ money when the bond issuer defaults on its financial obligations.

How to mitigate the risk

Whichever bond fund you choose to invest in, take time to read their financial reports twice a year. One is annual report, issued after the end of the fund’s fiscal year, and another one is interim report. This may sound tedious if you are not a finance guy; but trust me, this is something you can do in 30 minutes. You probably spend more time planning for your vacation, what is the rationale of not spending a fraction of that time flipping through the annual reports when your money is at stake here?

Focus on the bond holdings of the fund. See if the objectives and mandates of the fund has changed. The mandate can mean the lowest grade bond category a fund manager can hold or buy for the fund. Any bond has its own rating which reflects the credit worthiness of the bond issuer. In layman terms, the higher the rating, the least likely bond issue is to default. The rating is evaluated independently by agency such as Standard & Poor’s. Ensure that all bonds held in the fund are of investment grade (BBB and above). Any bond holdings below this grade are considered junk bonds and should be a red flag. Redeem your cash and look for some other funds instead. It is not worth to risk your money in junk bonds which may promise higher yield.

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If you have checked out debt consolidation option or debt settlement program and realize that filing bankruptcy is your only way to get out of debt, then the following 6 basic steps will show you how to minimize the pain of filing bankruptcy.

1. Hire a local attorney in your area. Most of the attorneys will give you a free first-time consultation. Pick up the phone and talk to several of them to find one that you feel comfortable to work with and the fee is affordable for your budget.

2. Ask as many questions as you can, just so you know what to expect next. Questions can be: “How long have you been practicing law?” “How many bankruptcy cases have you worked on?” “How much will my bankruptcy fee be?” “Besides court fees and your fees, will there be any other fees that I need to know about?” “Why should I file for Chapter 7, instead of Chapter 13?”"What’s the bankruptcy process?” “How long will the bankruptcy take?”

3. Evaluate your debts. When you first meet with your attorney, he will need to be familiar with your particular financial situation, such as your income, investments, asset and your debts. Try to provide him with the detail info. Keep in mind; debts like most student loans, taxes, criminal restitution obligations and child support are not dischargeable in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Your attorney will make a decision on what property is exempt and tell you if you’re eligible for Chapter 13 bankruptcy or Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

4. Fill out the bankruptcy forms. To do so, you need to show your attorney your current financial document, such as tax returns, employment verification, bank statements and all the debts. He relies on you telling him the truth in order to help you fill out all the bankruptcy forms correctly.

5. Go to the court. Normally your attorney will appear on behalf of you. You might need to show up once to meet up the judge and the “Trustee”, your bankruptcy officer. Your attorney and the Trustee will work closely to assist you to go through the bankruptcy process. Your attorney will file all forms for you.

6. Discharge your debts. Usually the personal bankruptcy can take as long as 6 months. It really depends on the court calendar and your specific case. When it’s all done, the Judge will issue you an order, declaring your debts have been discharged. With that order, you no longer have to pay any of your debts and your creditors can not come back to collect debts from you.

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During the 90′s and 2000′s there have been numerous reports of companies that have taken advantage of people who are already in financial distress. Often times, people reach out for help as their financial lives become difficult as they decide on whether bankruptcy service is right for them. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is and where there’s smoke there is usually fire!

Rule #1 Avoid Credit Counseling and Debt Service companies. Any credit counseling service that charges money upfront or monthly fees to repair your credit are often misleading. If the organization is not a non-profit it is highly suggested to move on as there have been many reports of payments being taken and never dispersed to the creditors.

Rule# 2 Obtain a good lawyer. Do not use any service or petitioner if you have decided to seek bankruptcy services. These organizations have been known to make serious mistakes which in turn has forced judges to at times dismiss the entire petition! Imagine trying to save money by doing it yourself and having the court dismiss your case completely. Get a lawyer.

Rule# 3 Credit Reports Do not pay for a credit report. These are free after a law the United States government recently passed requiring all three credit bureaus to offer one free report per year per person.

Rule# 4 Avoid all Loan Sharks from that luring you back into debt. After your bankruptcy is discharged you will be solicited by various credit related agencies. Be very careful. These are often predatory type lenders looking to charge you high interest and upfront fees.

Rule# 5 Change your habits, If you continue to do what you do you will continue to get what you’ve got. So make some changes. We can’t stress this enough. Again, keep it simple and get a good attorney that you are comfortable with.

Typically just seeking a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy is the only real viable way to get a fresh start. I advise obtaining a free consultation with one of your local bankruptcy service attorneys to find out if you qualify.

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Many hardships have occurred due to the down economy, but lucrative opportunities have risen from the rubble of the slump. If you’ve been displaced by job loss, or just feel your current position does not offer the flexibility and upward mobility you desire, consider entering into the commercial finance industry as your next step. The opportunities are endless, but be mindful of these ideas before making the leap.

1. Understand your lenders. Get to know each of your lenders and what they have to offer. What types of loans and transactions are they willing to engage in? By understanding what each lender can offer your customers, you can tailor your presentation and match needs with resources. Understanding a lender’s underwriting guidelines can not only help you close more deals, but it can dramatically increase the effect of your marketing campaign by helping you target your message to the appropriate audience. You’ll be more successful in fulfilling loans and increase the amount of transactions you partake in and ultimately close, increasing your personal income.

2. Act as a consultant..not a broker. The word “broker” tends to have a negative connotation in the financial industry. A recent survey that asked people what they thought of when hearing the word “broker” yielded results like “a person gaining financially at my expense”, or “sleazy salesmen”. These thoughts may be due to brokers, no matter what industry, approaching clients in the wrong manner. As a commercial finance broker, you are essentially a solution for a widespread problem for businesses: access to capital. So in essence, you are a gateway to capital for businesses. When talking to new clients in need of financing, it is best to act as a consultant to their problem rather than just giving them applications to complete and a 15 min conversation. You should speak with a client for at least an hour. Find out how their business works, what problems do they currently have, and outline a plan of how you can help them. By doing this, you will not only win the trust of your client or borrower, but also lay the ground work for repeat business for future financing needs that they may have.

3. Know how to market. There are a plethora of marketing tactics to use to “get the word out” about your commercial finance business. You need to find the right tools to spread your message. Think about what customers you are targeting – where do they spend most of their time? Use tactics that pinpoint your audience. Maintain sharp, easily read marketing collateral and websites that get right down to the message of your business. Regardless of what kind of marketing you use, always, always focus on the “benefits” of your products, not the features. How will your service or product help your target audience? What are the benefits that your target audience will receive by buying what you’re selling? This will help you create an effective marketing campaign.

4. Operating with the right agreements. Numerous legal documents are necessary for successfully operating a commercial finance business. This fact is often overlooked by most brokers today. One must have the proper fee agreement in place with a client that protects the broker and ensure he or she is properly paid for successfully closing a transaction. Poorly worded fee agreements only give rise to problems down the road when working on a transaction that can ultimately cost a broker their commission. It is also good to have Non Disclosure / Non Compete agreements for your business as certain situations might require these, such as a client needing capital for the development of a proprietary product or service. By having sound agreements in place to handle any given situation with a client, your finance business will always be protected from common issues that arise in this industry.

5. Stay on top of industry news. Finally, when considering being a commercial finance broker, be aware of new finance and lending updates. In the commercial finance industry, things change all the time so you have to be up to speed on what those changes are and how it affects your potential customers. For instance the world of SBA lending has changed dramatically in the last 2 years and is changing month by month these days. If you’re involved in brokering SBA loans you have to know what each of these changes are and how it affects your clients. You are responsible for learning new techniques and methods. Stay abreast of opportunities and be proactive in pursuing them. What you know is up to you. By staying informed, you will prove to your customers and lenders you are competent and able to meet their needs. Also by identifying changes in the economy you can go after niche markets that might need a particular financial product due to that change.

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You’ll need three kinds of funds to start your business: capital asset investment, working capital, and your personal money. Therefore, you should plan for both long- and short-term financing. Capital assets take long term money; while working capital and personal financing may be thought of as short-term. In all cases, you should do the planning yourself. This will give you the knowledge and skill you’ll need to guide the financial affairs of your company.

Before you start your business, your business planning will necessarily be based on assumptions. Make sure you have the list of sources of information you can draw upon to start with. As you do business, you’ll be able to replace what you’ve used up. It is best to redo your financial planning every month, projecting from the actual figures into the future. You’ll gain both speed and accuracy of prediction as you do this planning every month.

It is an advantage that you prepare the following plans each month: A balance sheet to see what the financial picture looks like; a sales forecast twenty-four months ahead by the month and perhaps a forecast for the third year by the quarter; a cash flow analysis in the same time frame as the sales forecast; an income statement, projected at least twelve months ahead; and, a break even analysis from time to time, to see how much you need to sell by the month just to break-even.

You should also learn to use ratio analysis as a check on different aspects of your financial condition. Of the many variations of ratio analyses, the following are significant for your management purposes:

Current ratio, which is your current assets divided by your current liabilities. Most businesses are considered to be financially healthy when this ratio is two or a bit above. For example, you’re a manager of a printing company and the bread-and-butter of the company is the online printing service, if it has a current ratio of 2:2, it means your online printing job is stable.

The acid test ratio, which is a refinement of the current ratio. You can get the acid ratio by dividing your quick assets by your current liabilities. Quick assets are those you can turn into cash immediately: collectible receivables, securities, and cash itself. Your acid ratio should be at least 1, which would show that you could pay your existing debts quickly in case there’s a need for it.

Proprietorship ratio, which is your total investment divided by the total assets of your company. This number should be at least 50 percent to show a healthy ownership position.

Net profit to net sales. This ratio is obtained by dividing your after-tax profits by the net sales for your fiscal year.

In conclusion, to practice the best kind of proactive management, you should compare your figures in these various plans on a regular basis, month by month, and year by year. This practice will alert you to potential difficulties so you can take the corrective steps immediately.

By knowing and practicing this analysis, you can do it yourself and at most, you have full hands-on experience in your business. You can monitor everything and not rely too much on your staff to do the analysis for you. It will also show what you’re doing well – and what you should be doing more of, and better.

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