Michael Jackson, I will Miss You

No matter where the world takes you from us, You will always remain special in our heart. You were the BEST and you will always remain the BEST in the eyes of everyone. You were an excellent artist and millions of people including me will miss you.



Your album the ever blasting "Dangerous" will always remain special to me.

I know this post is nothing to do with making or saving money, but I have dedicated this post to the king of pop my favorite, Michael Jackson. He was a great music star, I loved his music, his style to entertain people and everything that he had for life.

Samantha always used to tell me that he was not less than an angel and that is the reason God din wanted him to stay long on the earth. So, he has called him in heaven. That day has finally come. He has left the world crying for his soul and music.

I have all the collection of Michael Jackson's songs and I have watched every single movie of his.

Michael, Wherever you are, my and my family's prayer will always remain with YOU. May his soul rest in peace.

Started Talking about Personal Finances on Twitter

I love chatting on twitter and that is the reason I spend most of my time these twittering about some topic or the other. The best part is that I come to meet many unusual people there and knows about their views on different topics. I met one guy yesterday night who inspired me to talk about "Personal Finances" on Twitter. That is the reason I have decided that I will tweet about finance and money atleast once a week.



In fact I believe it is a great opportunity to get connected with people who are interested in saving money and talking about their personal finances. You can gather loads of information and tips from good finance bloggers there. You will able to grow your networking which will definitely help you to learn more regarding this topic. Sharing ideas and goals is the main concern for me when I am on Twitter, chatting about personal finances.

If you do not have a twitter account, then please hurry up guys make an account as soon as possible and enjoy the whole FUN!! It is a place where you can spend your whole in talking to various type of people. Share your ideas with them and learn more and more about Life. people share happy as well as their sad moments on twitter. They also link their articles and blog posts they write each day.

Twitter is the best among all other social networking sites.

Tonight's topic : Money Saving Plans in Recession.

Do not miss the discussion. You are welcome to ask whatever questions you have in mind. Come, Share and be a part of the FUN!!

My twitter Profile : Betty Parker

Mortgages and Homeownership: A Mixed Bag of Curses and Blessings in the Current Economy

Following is the guest post written by Michelle Studer from budgetpulse, an interactive, web-based budgeting utility. It reflects the rhythm and the flow of savings and spending goals.

Like other aspects of today’s economy, home ownership equals hardship for some and opportunity for others. On the one hand, the sub-prime mortgage mess was a major factor in last year’s economic meltdown and current foreclosure rates are through the roof. On the other, low selling prices and rock-bottom mortgage loan rates have created a fantastic market for potential home buyers. Courtesy of some recent industry data, here’s a closer look at both sides of the issue.

The Downside

The American Dream has always included the promise of home ownership, but for some the reality of owning a home has been nothing short of a nightmare. According to a recent Reuters article:

• 12 percent of U.S. homeowners paid late on their mortgage loans or were in the process of foreclosure during the first quarter of 2009.

• Data from Standard & Poor’s/Case-Schiller Indexes revealed that home prices have dropped 32 percent from their peak in 2006.

• Up to 40 percent of the houses with so-called “failing” mortgages are vacant homes, which seemingly indicates abandonment in many cases by homeowners unable to pay their mortgage bills.

In addition, the Wall Street Journal reports that the national average for foreclosures jumped 35 percent in the 12-month period between April 2008 and April 2009.

The Upside

Overwhelmingly, the economic news has been more bad than good this year. However, now is the perfect time to buy a house if you’ve managed to hang onto your money despite the recession. In fact, buying a home has become more affordable even in the priciest markets. One example of this is found in the WSJ’s coverage of First American CoreLogic’s LoanPerformance Home Price Index data, which reveals that home prices in the New York City metro area have fallen 10.6 percent within the past year. There are some additional upsides as well, such as:

• For existing homeowners, CNN Money reports there’s a “silver lining” when it comes to falling home value: lower property taxes.

• A few weeks ago, it was possible to get a mortgage loan at an interest rate of less than 5 percent. Since then, rates have started to inch up again, indicating that higher interest rates will become the norm again as the economy improves. However, there’s still no time like the present to take out a mortgage. Today's rates are below 6 percent, which will seem like a steal a few months from now.

• To sweeten the home-buying pot a bit more, the federal government offers a first-time home buyer tax credit of $8,000 that applies to any first-time home purchase made between April 9, 2008 and December 1, 2009.

Make Sure Your Money Likes You?

It is very easy to accept the fact that you like your money, and why you won't, after all it provides you with all the pleasures of life. But have you ever wondered that the same money reciprocates your feeling or not? Does it also respect you in the same manner as you do to your money? You should respect your money like you respect Jesus.

Don't be upset if your money doesnt like you, Start LOVING it more

There should be some Biblical principles that you need to follow to keep this relationship with your money alive. The main concern here is that there should be a good relationship between you and your money. And I am sure you would like to keep this relationship as a high quality relationship.

Close your eyes for a moment, take a deep breath and just follow these lines :

• Always treat your money with due respect as you respect your spouse

• Always enjoy the company of your money as you do it with your best friend

• Always treat your money delicately like a small baby

• Always treat your money like a teenager, know where it is going and why

• Always consider your money as your father, learn good patterns from it

• Always consider your money as a mother, feel its comfort

• Always treat your money as your beloved neighbor, keep an eye on it every time

I am very sure if you ever try to abuse your money, or treat it in an unusual manner, it will boycott you forever and then never in your lifetime you would be able to convince it. If it goes, it will take away your freedom from you, and not only freedom, but also your security.

Reciprocate the feeling of LOVE with your money

Establish a positive relationship with your money, do not let it become your master. If you become its slave now, for a lifetime you would have to continue in the same manner.

It is a request from my side as a friend, as a guide, whatever you think is appropriate for you, please maintain a good reputation with your money. You will definitely be able to do that. I am sure money will respond to your affections very soon.

Death of an American Icon as GM declares Bankruptcy

On Monday, GM will declare its official Chapter 11 bankruptcy. GM once called the American Icon is surely no longer the part of great American Icon Team. Others belonging to this team are still surviving including Apple Inc. and Microsoft. GM has definitely gone to the garage. Barack Obama is very disappointed with the news.

Death of an American Icon, GM - 1908-2009 :(

The largest US Auto maker will file its bankruptcy on Monday in the Federal Court in New York City, as confirmed by the FOX Business Network. Obama has decided to provide details on how to reconstruct GM as it was before. This will take place before the formalities of the bankruptcy filings. Even though GM has been declared bankrupt, it was found by the media, they negotiating for their two high profile cars, Hummer and Saturn.

GM will continue to negotiate with its creditors regarding proposal made by GM that would increase its shareholder's stake in a new restructured company to 10% that equals to increase the stake by 25% which is a good news for the bondholders.

The only thing that GM is now expecting is support from its creditors. They have also declared Fritz Henderson to remain the GM CEO. Al Koch, MD of AlixPartners, a business oriented company that helps in restructuring of bankrupted companies. Earlier they have guided K-Mart, the largest bankruptcy in US to come out of bankruptcy.


CM CEO, Fritz Henderson after declaring bankruptcy of GM.

Obama confirmed that the GM bankruptcy will involve the treasury spending of around $30.1 billion so that during bankruptcy period operations can be performed.

Now let's hope GM comes back to its original position once again. I surely don't want to see the death of an American Icon, GM.

Humorous Net Worth Comic

I was just going through few comic pictures this evening and guess what I came across. I really wanted to share this with all of you to add some humor in my blog. This is funny but with that it has really got some message. Did you notice that the beggar's net worth is much higher than anyone else there.

Can anyone figure out the real reason? I will tell you. The answer is very simple. The beggar doesn't have any debt. He is not earning so much as the other people are and so he is living a debt free life.

Conclusion : Earn less = live a debt free life :)

My Net Worth Checkpoint

I am so happy to declare this that from the past 2 months my net worth is going on increasing. And this sudden change has started coming only because of my money saving power and also because of right investment of shares in the stock market. Though the economy has not yet recovered, and I don't even have any hopes that it will be improved, yet I am happy that I am maintaining my balance well in terms of finances.

I wish I keep increasing my net worth every month

Moreover, I am expecting more volatility in the market in the near future which is definitely a good signal for me. But at this very moment its better to stay diversified, saving and investing regularly, taking correct decisions and avoiding risks.

My assets increased 1.6%

Only my home value had been decreased and all other asset's value has increased. My stocks as well as mutual funds increased upto 14% last month. Moreover, my retirement accounts are up almost 5%

My liabilities decreased by 0.4%

I am not at all accelerating my mortgage prepayments. The thing is in terms of mortgage I am in the bad state right now. The reason is very simple. I owe more on the house than its actual worth. And trust me I am very nervous due to this. I might need bunch of money to refinance in the future and so that is the reason I am saving money in bulk these days.

My Net Worth increased almost 5%

The final conclusion about which I am so happy today is that my net worth has increased upto 5% which is not at all a bad signal. Though the last month's increase was 12%, yet I am happy with it. In this economy anything in the positive direction is Ok with me.

I love my hard earned money

Money Plans in Mind

The only plan in mind is to keep saving the way I am doing right now. I will continue to buy company stocks and will try to put more and more money in my 401ks. Also, I came to know about Vanguard Index funds and I have decided to put some money in it as well. Lets see where my destiny takes me.

I Am Ready for a Productive Summer Vacation

Finally its time to party again. I was eagerly waiting for this period. Finally summer vacations are about to arrive and I am all set to party big time. I am more than happy because this time I have saved lots of money to enjoy my summer vacations, unlike previous years when I saved so less. With partying I have decided that this time me and Sam both will make this summer vacation a productive one.

All set to enjoy my productive summer vacation

Instead of doing nothing at home, We have decided to do something. I have made a list of to-do things which I would like to share with all of you. And in case you think something to be added then please leave a comment, I will definitely do it.

First of all, I have decided to make some more money. My birthday is approaching so I need to have some extra income. Since, I am in a final year now so I have decided I will go for a summer internship job. I do not want a boy selling candies at the street corner to have a more productive summers than me.

Secondly, Me and Sam were just talking last night that we will do something that we have never done before. Do not take it in a wrong way. We have made a list of things to do before we die. Maybe we are not able to do everything this summer but will definitely try out some of them including skydiving, rock climbing, scuba diving etc.

Thirdly, I have decided that this time I will definitely help other people in their work and will try to make atleast 3 people smile everyday. Not necessarily providing education to poor children, but also cleaning up my neighbor fences, or bringing vegetables for them from the grocery shop etc.

summer vacation brings all smiles on my face

Fourthly, I have made a list of few new hobbies. I am sick and tired of the same old hobbies of reading books and surfing the net, blogging etc. In this way I will be able to keep myself more busy. Actually I ll be having something new to impress my friends when I am going back to the college.

Fifthly, Will definitely try myself to rediscover my old passions. I used to collect coins but then somehow stopped due to work pressure. But now I have made a firm decision that I will again start with it.

Lastly, this time I will surely fall in love. After all its a summer love. Every girl has a dream of falling for a summer love. No matter how actively I do above five things, this will definitely be true.

Summer Love is one of the best feelings for any girl

So if you have any suggestions for me other than this then do let me know.