Financial Tips For Recent Grads

Great financial advice is like a golden egg, you need to treasure it. For recent graduates, this concept rings even more true.

Many financial analysts point out that recent graduates tend to be extremely reckless with their finances after they graduate. Most find themselves the victims of lifestyle inflation, poor money habits, and burdensome debt.

Rather than suffocate yourself with the same financial woes as your peers, the advisable thing to do is to read excellent financial advice and to simply follow it. By taking the initiative, you’ll find yourself less stressed and ahead of the game.

Live Within Your Means

First and foremost, you should always live within your means.

Landing that $50,000 a year position does not mean that purchasing a new car, a condo, and new furniture is a sound financial decision.

To determine how much you should spend on your rent, your needs, your wants, and on your savings, financial professionals employ what is known as the 50-30-20 rule.

The rule indicates that you should regulate 50% of your take home pay to your needs, 30% to your wants, and 20% to your savings. Your “needs” is the category that includes rent, so you should take that factor into account.

Build an Emergency Fund

There is nothing wrong with living in an optimistic world, but it is also important to recognize that reality tends to come with unexpected surprises.

Your emergency fund will come in handy when you’re faced with a sudden car repair bill, a medical expense, or even that unanticipated job loss.

When building your emergency fund, your goal should be to save up at least a few thousand dollars and using your fund when you need it will prevent you from needing to rely on credit cards of financial assistance until you get back on your feet.

Credit Cards Aren’t Always the Answer

These days, the average American household has a credit card debt of nearly $16,000. This debt is the result of a financial philosophy that sets no limit upon spending.

The debt itself is also not fixed but is subject to hefty interest payments that only grow over time.

Instead of putting yourself in the unfortunate situation of credit card debt and growing interest payments, the best thing to do is to understand how credit cards work and to use your credit card to make purchases that you’ll be able to pay off.

At the end of the day, if you cannot afford something, it is best to not buy it.

Student Loan Debt is Secured Debt

Many graduates and seasoned graduates have the misconception that federal student loans are unsecured loans. An unsecured loan is a loan where there is no collateral put up, which means that if you default on your loan, there is no way for the financial institution to secure its loss.

The truth is that while you may not have put anything up as collateral for your federal student loans, the government can take steps to guarantee that it gets its money back.

If you do not pay your student loans off, you could find yourself subject to a lien on your possessions or even government deductions from your monthly paycheck.

Therefore, you should take steps to make steady and regular payments on your student loans so that you will be debt free before age 35.

Financial security is something that many Americans would trade anything for. As a recent graduate, you have the opportunity to truly start your finances on steady ground by taking the above steps.

In the long term, you’ll find that starting to work on your finances is one of the best steps you’ll ever make.

Photo: Mighty Travels / CC 2.0

Reverse Mortgages: Are You Missing Out On Free Money?

For many people living month to month on Social Security Income or who had once robust retirement accounts ravaged by the not-so-great recession, the reverse mortgage seems like an attractive choice. But, before you dive in there are a few things you need to know in order to make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right choice for your circumstances.

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

You may hear about other types of reverse mortgages in the marketplace today, but there is only one that is federally insured. It is called the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM. This loan is only available through FHA approved lenders.

A reverse mortgage differs from a traditional home equity loan in that you are not required to make monthly principle or interest payments on the loan. Maturity is reached, and the loan must be repaid, when the home owner no longer lives in the home as his or her primary residence or certain other conditions, in accordance with the loan agreement, are met.

Reverse Mortgage Requirements

In order to qualify for a reverse mortgage, the home itself, along with the homeowner, must meet certain conditions.

Homeowner Requirements

Homeowner must be 62 years of age or older.
The home must be owned outright or carry a low enough balance that it can be paid off at closing with the proceeds from the reverse mortgage.
Homeowner must have the financial means with which to pay property taxes and insurance on the home.

Requirements for the Home

There is a little bit of flexibility when it comes to the homes themselves. Properties eligible for reverse mortgages include:

Single family homes
Two to four unit properties in which the owner occupies one unit
HUD-approved condominiums
Manufactured homes built after 1976
Town homes

Pros of Reverse Mortgages

There are quite a few benefits to consider when it comes to reverse mortgages, not the least of which is the easy approval for these loans. In some instances, when credit or income seems insufficient to meet the terms of the loan long-term, borrowers may be required to set aside funds in an escrow account to cover the costs of yearly taxes and insurance premiums for the home. Otherwise, approval is fairly straightforward.

Another big benefit for most seniors is the option to receive a lump sum payment or to spread the payments out over time in order to generate a steady stream of income. For those on fixed incomes, this can be extremely beneficial, just as it can benefit people who need one large payment for something like medical treatments or to make their home wheelchair or walker accessible.

No repayments necessary while the homeowners maintain the home as a primary residence.

Cons of Reverse Mortgages

While the attractiveness of a reverse mortgage is certainly attractive, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The first consideration is a big one, or it can be. That is the cost of the reverse mortgage itself. There are many fees associated with mortgages in general include:

Mortgage insurance fee
Appraisal fee
Title insurance fee
Closing costs (which are substantially higher than with traditional mortgages)
Interest

The other consideration that weighs heavily upon the minds of many seniors considering reverse mortgages, as it should, is the requirement to pay back the loan, in full, if you are no longer a permanent occupant of the home. In other words, if you are required to move into an assisted care facility, then the full force of your loan will become due.

Finally, the reverse mortgage impacts how much money you leave to your heirs. While that isn’t the primary consideration for everyone considering reverse mortgages, it is important to many, and worth taking into account.

Alternatives to Reverse Mortgages

Seniors are motivated for many different reasons to consider reverse mortgages in the first place. Whether it involves tight funds for retirement, a one-time expense that is too large to easily accommodate on a fixed income, or retirement dreams gone up in smoke during the market meltdown of previous years, there are alternatives to the reverse mortgage to consider.

Cashing out life insurance policies.
Part-time employment.
Consulting with a financial advisor for ways to stretch your retirement.
Selling your home and moving into a smaller home.
Downsizing to one automobile rather than two.
Reducing expenses and creating a budget.

This isn’t to say that reverse mortgages are never a good idea. You can’t take it with you, after all. It’s simply not a decision to be taken lightly either. Keeping these things in mind will help you make the best choice for you and your family.

Liven Up Retirement: Three States that help Seniors Do More on Less

The chief benefit for all three of these states is that they have no state income tax. Each state offers something different in terms of its environment. Florida is tropical, Nevada is a beautiful dessert, and Washing is a state full of forests and cooler weather. As you consider where to retire to, think about all that these states offer.

Florida: The Sunshine State

Florida has no state income tax. In addition, Florida also does not have an inheritance tax. Less taxation is a boon to seniors because you have more to live on, especially when you have a fixed income. While less taxation is a good thing, there is more good things that Florida offers.

Florida is the sunshine state. The weather here is good. Seniors who move to Florida leave behind the frozen north. No more shoveling snow. The average temperature in Florida is just 81 degrees. In winter, Florida rarely gets anywhere near freezing. The average winter temperature is just around 60 degrees. The beautiful weather means sunsets, long walks on the beach, and the opportunity to enjoy retirement. Florida also has a low cost of living and as such, you can do more living. The small communities scattered throughout Florida offer seniors an opportunity to live on less. As for healthcare, Florida offers many senior focused healthcare services. There is a huge population of seniors who live in Florida. Expect to find top quality healthcare services, and comprehensive senior care in Florida.

Nevada: The Silver State

Nevada, like Florida, does not have state income tax. The desert offers beautiful vistas and amazing mountains. One good thing about moving to Nevada is that the price of real estate is lower in Nevada than in many other states. This is a quiet state, despite the reputation of Las Vegas. Nevada is also undergoing a huge growth in population. Selling your home and moving to Nevada could earn you a windfall due to the lower property values in Nevada.

Cities like Incline Village and Gardnerville have topped many lists of the best places in Nevada to live. The area around Lake Tahoe is beautiful, and the summer temperatures are mild. Even Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas are senior friendly. These flat land cities tucked in near the Arizona border offer mild winter weather and plenty of outdoor activities. If you want a night on the town, you cannot beat Las Vegas. Take in a show, enjoy dinner, or listen to music in the park.

With no state income tax, lower real estate prices, and a lower cost of living, seniors from all over the nation are flocking to Nevada.

Washington: The Evergreen State

Like Florida and Nevada, Washington also has no state income tax. To make this even better, the states sales tax is only 6.5 percent, and prescriptions are exempt from sales tax. Pluses include no tax on social security, and Washington does not tax retirement income. The benefit is more money on which to enjoy life. The downside to Washington State is its property tax which is high. The cost of living in Washington is higher than the national average. Still Washington has a lot to offer seniors.

The Washington weather is diverse. Washington has a reputation to be raining, but that is not true of all of this state. The eastern portion is dryer. For seniors who love the outdoors, Washington offers beautiful mountains, hiking, fishing, and golf. Cities in Washington, such as Seattle are also major ports of call for cruise ships. So seniors can disembark to places like Alaska’s inside passage and not have to pay for airfare to their port of call. There are plenty of golf courses, wineries, art and galleries here too. If you are a senior who wants a quieter state with plenty of green forests and snow-capped mountains, then Washing has a lot to offer you.

Other features include senior-oriented health care, plenty of outdoor living that is FREE, and a climate that is livable.

Four Tips For Improving Your Credit Score

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Credit scores are an important part of life and can greatly influence the livelihood of people.

Credit scores are established through payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit in use, and new credit.

Due to loans taken out or having debt on credit cards, credit scores can often be low. Low credit scores make it hard to be able to apply for credit cards or get loans when money is needed.

Ontime Payments

One of the ways people can improve their credit scores is by making sure to pay their payments on time. Payment history makes up a good chunk of the credit score itself.

One way to make sure payments are made on time is by writing down on a calendar when the bill is due. Also, a reminder can be put on the phone to make sure to pay a bill.

Also, some companies allow customers to opt into a text service, which will provide a text as a reminder to pay the bill. It is just as important to pay credit card bills as well as normal utility bills on time.

Open up new revolving accounts

Credit scores can be improved by opening up a new credit card and keeping it open.

As long as there is no annual fee involved when it comes to the credit card, there is no reason to cancel the card. This will help with the length of the payment history component of the credit score.

It is just as important to make sure to be using the credit card once in a while because it might be closed due to non-usage.

Along with usage, it is just as important to make sure to be able to pay off the credit card purchases in a timely manner. It is very important to make sure not to open up too many credit cards because that is not helpful to improving the credit score.

Manage debt

Credit scores are greatly influenced by any debt that is accrued over time.

Everyone knows there are interest rates on loans and credit cards. These interest rates become steeper and make it hard to pay back the longer the balance goes unpaid.

When there is debt involved, people tend to try to pay off the debt by opening other credit cards or taking out more loans. This might seem like a great idea at the time, but often times the new loans end up being even harder to pay off later on.

The best thing to do is put aside certain money each month as part of the budget to pay off the debt. By doing this, the debt will slowly be paid off without adding on any more debt or loans, which will have to be repaid later.

It is important to plan out a budget of all the expenses and to make sure to include a portion of the money toward debts or loans involved. Also, people should pay off any loans or debt in small amounts without letting the balance continue to stay open.

Monitor credit reports for errors

Although credit scores are circulated every day, there can be errors in the calculation itself. It is important to double check to make sure no error were made when calculating the credit score.

There are many online sites, which could give the credit score and if any errors are present, they can be disputed. Sometimes due to these errors, credit scores can be affected without actually having any actual debts.

Credit card companies often put credit limits on credit cards based off the credit score. By continuing to make payments on time and leaving the credit card open, credit card companies will be willing to create a higher limit.

It is important to make sure customer’s spending habits don’t change as well even though the credit limits change.

Photo: Mighty Travels / CC 2.0

Forget Bingo and Crotchet, Get Up And Out This Summer

Just because you’re over 55 doesn’t mean that you’re “over the hill” or that you’re limited to golf resorts and bus tours for a vacation. There are plenty of opportunities to exercise your mind or indulge your passions while you enjoy good company and great scenery. Here are some of the best ideas:

Classes

Colleges and universities across the country offer classes and a comprehensive curriculum just for seniors. Sometimes termed “lifelong learning” programs, with year-round classes, summer offerings are scheduled in vacation areas and cut a broad swath through subject matter. Check out possibilities offered through Senior Summer School. If you have always wanted to write, check out The Writing University through the University of Iowa.

College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, combines academic programs with the spectacular beauty of coastal Maine for five-day to two-week workshops in writing, photography and “getting out in nature.” Programs are enlightening; participants have plenty of free time to explore; and accommodations are generally simple and affordable. in a congenial, group setting — much like spending a week in a college dorm. The Best of Acadia Retreat, offered in July, is just that — good learning and great surroundings. Total cost is less than $1,000 per person, with lectures, boating excursions, field trips, lodging and meals included. Transportation to Maine is not included.

Just for the Fun of It

Road Scholar programs, now in their 40th year, are an outgrowth of the Elderhostel concept, allowing older travelers an opportunity to learn new things as they travel at home and abroad, at affordable rates. One of this summer and fall’s most popular trips features “Island Hopping” in Washington State, a six day trip that begins in Seattle. Group tours range in duration from a few nights to two weeks or more. They generally include travel, lodging and most meals; lectures, tours and field trips, at least one performance or museum visit; and friendly groups. Activity level can range from “very easy” to “strenuous.” If you’re a history buff, you can relive the bloodiest battle of the Civil War at Gettysburg, review strategy, walk the site and pay a visit to the Soldiers Cemetery. History will come alive as you hear music of the time played on dulcimer, harmonica and banjo, stay at a hotel in the historic town and have ample time to explore interesting shops, all in the company of fellow travelers.

Culture

Smithsonian Journeys plans a diverse schedule of trips and special programs not only in the summer, but throughout the year. If you have a special interest in opera, a trip to Santa Fe may be just your ticket to summer fun. Not only will you go backstage at the world renowned outdoor opera house and hear lectures by noted authorities, but you’ll attend four performances, stay near historic Santa Fe Plaza, and drink in the beauty and culture of this high mountain, multi-cultural New Mexico capital. Combine this four-day trip in August with independent travel to nearby Indian Pueblos, tempt Lady Luck at the Cities of Gold Casino, visit the high-tech and high-mountain city of Los Alamos and experience the contrasts of the American Southwest in a totally unique way.

Cruises

Cruising is a perennial favorite for senior travelers, and there are numerous sailings that cater specifically to the needs of the over-55 crowd, from river barges to coastal cruising to transatlantic crossings. Although not necessarily inexpensive in terms of total cost, cruising is a bargain in terms of dollars per night, and you can book a cruise for as little as three days or for a month or longer. Remember that once on board, almost everything is included, and it all comes with superb service. Best of all, you unpack one time, and you can be as active or as sedentary as you wish.

YMT Vacations specializes in adult cruises combined with rail or bus escorted add-ons. Visit Alaska “your way,” with time to spend in Seattle and Vancouver, B. C.; opt for additional days in the Alaskan “back country;” or combine your cruise with a rail trip south to California’s wine region. Combine a trip to Hawaii with a relaxing 7-night island cruise, and you will indeed have found paradise. This may be a trip to save for fall, when the the crowds are thinner and you have a chance to really drink in the beauty of this island state. Three days on Oahu with a knowledgeable tour director is a bonus.

Five Reasons Everyone Should Know How To Balance A Checkbook

Every generation wants to believe that it is the last, greatest generation. It believes that technology has never been better.

But here are 5 reasons that you should continue to balance your checkbook, even with all of the technological gains.

Fees, Charges & Penalties

Have you ever read the terms and conditions on your bank account? Do you really understand what the financial jargon means?

Banks must notify you usually about 30 days before they add on new fees, charges or penalties.

You should balance your checkbook to ensure that you don’t receive a “non-sufficient funds” (NSF) charge; the bank might have been subtracting money from your account for new fees and you bounced a check because you didn’t know how much was available.

Human Cashiers Still Make Mistakes

Many banks go through numerous customer service representatives in a short amount of time. One mistyped “0” can mean a big difference in your account.

People are only human, we all make mistakes. Balancing your checkbook can find these errors before they become big.

There may be a statute of limitations on certain errors. You want to bring mistakes to your bank’s attention as soon as possible.

Computer Errors

Computers are programmed by humans. While it is extremely rare, there may be a computer glitch in dealing with fractions that could effect your bank account.

Remember that your interest is a percentage of the value of money in your account. If the computer does not properly handle these mathematical calculations, there could be an error.

Your credit score could be unduly damaged by human or computer errors.

Cyber Criminals Are Clever

Malware allows hackers to steal millions every day according to federal cyber crime police.

One of the negatives of mobile banking is that the security features are still not completely safe.

Balancing your checkbook can lead you to becoming aware of hacking attacks or identity theft before these dangers can completely ruin your life.

Develop Financial Discipline

Wealth management skills are learned not innate. By continually balancing your checkbook, you become aware of how much you have, how much you added and any discrepancies in your account. Y

our bank account information remains in the forefront of your mind. You also develop better financial discipline. This can help you when there is an unexpected downturn in your financial situation.

Banking technology is better, but nothing is foolproof. Children and adults should learn how to balance a checkbook in order to manage their money. Wealth management skills can be the difference between life success and failure.

Photo: jridgewayphotography / CC 2.0

Phishing for Dollars: Internet Scamsters Gone Wild

By M.J. Plaster

Phishing for dollars—it’s an old game that predates the Internet, but it’s more lucrative today thanks to the speed of Internet travel. Internet scams are a growth industry, with innocent people losing $800,000,000 in one decade. The best way to beat the scamsters is to come to the game armed with knowledge, so let’s get to it.

Top Five Internet Scams

1. The 419 Scam

Named for the section of the Nigerian criminal code that deals with fraud, the 419 scam has more juice than the Energizer bunny. The details vary, but generally the email comes from an alleged Nigerian prince, princess, dignitary, etc., who wants to gift you several million dollars to help bring money into the U.S.

The catch? You’ll need to divulge banking information, make a ‘small’ payment and/or make a trip to Africa on your dime to get the goods.

The scam is so prevalent that several dedicated groups have gone on the offensive. The Wall Street Journal reports that scambaiters turn the tables by baiting the scamsters and “eating up their time” to keep them away from naïve victims. While the counteroffensives make for hilarious reading, the scambaiters were born without the fear gene, the same gene that prompts you to delete the Nigerian scam email without answering it.

2. Phishing Expeditions

I almost fell for this one when I opened an email that appeared to be from Comcast. Without thinking, I started to respond and verify some information. All of a sudden, the odd sentence structure and misspelled words set off my radar alerting me that English was not the sender’s native tongue. I realized it was a phishing expedition for identity information, and I trashed my response just in the nick of time.

Today, the scamsters have reached new depths—they send emails that say your bill is overdue and you’re going to be arrested if you don’t pay immediately with a gift or debit card that can’t be tracked. Comcast cannot arrest you for a bill in arrears. Bank, utility, and IRS email scams follow the same pattern.

3. Microsoft/Software Company Scams

If you run Windows, you might not suspect anything if Microsoft were to contact you about a problem with your computer, right? Wrong! Unless you have some relationship with the company or an employee or have made prior contact with a support team member, you won’t receive a legitimate email from Microsoft.

The scam email alerts you to some grave computer danger and contains an attachment—a program to allow a ‘Microsoft technicians’ to take control of your computer and ‘fix’ it. Once installed, the scamsters steal every piece of information they can get their hands on.

A slight twist of the scam involves a keylogger attachment that, when clicked, installs a program to record and report to the sender every keystroke you make—bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, etc.

These two scams can appear to come from any software company—and not just through email. You might receive a popup while browsing the Internet with similar instructions and a link to malware.

4. Work From Home Scams

Talk about an equal opportunity employer—this scam targets everyone—college kids, retirees, work-at-home moms and dads and the self-employed. The fraudsters use two methods—push and pull: They will email you, or you will respond to an ad. Either way, the result is the same. There are two variations on the money chase:

Direct deposit – Once you turn over your bank information, it’s out there. Unless you’ve done your homework and you know you’re working with a credible organization, never give out your bank information. Insist on payment through PayPal or other third-party processor.
- Paid by check – You receive a check for more than you’re supposed to receive, and you’re directed to return the overage. Your bank “pre-clears” the check. When the bank discovers the check is a counterfeit, it comes after the person most likely to cough up the dough—unfortunately that’s you.
5. Craigslist Buyer Scams

The Craigslist buyer scam is a spin on the “Work From Home” scam. The only difference is that you’re the seller instead of the email recipient. The buyer sends a counterfeit check in an amount greater than the sale price and asks you to refund the difference.

Staying Safe in a 24/7-Connected World
1. Delete any message from yourself without opening it. It’s called spoofing. Just like the crooks can spoof your phone number (that’ll shock you the first time it happens), they can also spoof your email address.
2. Never open an unexpected attachment. It could be a malicious program or child pornography—good luck explaining that in court.
3. If you receive an official-looking email, check the address [@company name] against the name of the company. Don’t open it unless it matches.
4. If there’s a link in an email, hover your mouse over it before clicking it. If the URL isn’t a site you recognize, don’t open it.
5. When you spot syntax errors and multiple misspellings (not to be confused with text-message speak from your kids), delete the email.
6. When you receive an official-looking email without a proper salutation, delete it.
7. Visit the Federal Trade Commission when in doubt and/or sign up to receive scam alerts by email.
Identity theft can haunt you the rest of your life; so can losing your life’s savings. From college kids to senior citizens, to small-business owners, we’ve all got a bullseye on our backs. Help spread the word to everyone you know, especially to senior citizens. If you’ve been caught in an Internet scam, and who hasn’t, please share the details. For a moment of embarrassment, you could save someone from a lifetime of misery.

The Big Subjects to Talk About Before the Big Day

Finances

Most couples will talk briefly about finances. Stuff like who will work, where the money will be spent, budgeting, common things like that. But, did you ever once mention who will be the main person to pay the bills? Is there going to be one joint bank account, or will each spouse keep separate bank accounts? It is important to decide just who will handle paying the bills and setting up the online accounts for those bills. This is very vital to discuss because of the confusion that can come if there is not a designated person. Now, just because one spouse is the designated bill payer that doesn’t mean that the other is completely cut off knowing anything about bills. They do have the right to know how much each monthly bill is and the password to those online accounts. Knowing the password is key because if something ever happens to the bill payer, then the other spouse will have immediate access to all that. Also, the matter of separate or joint bank accounts is a personal one. Some people love joint accounts. It makes budgeting much easier and is very transparent. Joint bank accounts are more time consuming to budget. Remembering which account has which bill coming out or will the bills come out of one spouses account and the play money is from the other spouse. However you want to do it is fine as long as you can make it work for you.

Children

Now on to the subject of children. You have probably discussed the number you would like to have. Did you discuss who will be their main caregiver? It used to be no question, Mom was in charge of the home and family and Dad worked. But, nowadays those roles are changing and so is the scope of the family. If both parents want to work that is great, but who will be the one to take the day off to take care of the sick child? Who will be the designated chauffeur when it comes to sports, ballet, school functions, etc.? It is also important to decide on the type of punishments you both find acceptable for your future children. Kids are notorious for pitting parent against parent. They love to play I asked mom and she said no so I’ll go ask dad because I know he’ll say yes (or vice versa). Deciding on how to handle those situations will save your sanity in the long run.

Religion

Religion is a tricky subject to converse about. If you are marrying a person of a different religion you want to make sure you respect their beliefs. Even though this is difficult to discuss it is a crucial conversation that you will both need to make time for. Some of the talking points could center on what religion your children will be raised in. How will you handle holidays and celebrating certain religious specific ones? How will you attend church, will you go together to one spouse’s specific church or will you go separately to your respective churches? Is converting to a different religion open for discussion and if so which spouse will convert?

Politics

Politics is a huge one that you need to talk about before the big day. Some thing to remember about voting is that when you go to vote, don’t cancel each other out. Take the time to discuss which candidate you like and why. This may be hard if you like opposite parties, but still try to do it. You don’t want to get into that booth and essentially have your vote not count because you voted against each other.

You love your spouse enough to stay with them until “death do you part”. If you can talk to your spouse openly about these subjects your marriage will be all the better for it.

Six Tips For Creating An Innovative Business Card

Are you a new graduate on the job hunt? Are you in an established career and you’re looking for a new challenge?

If you’re getting ready to venture into the world of job searching, you need a great business card that will be memorable, is clear and will get you noticed.

Don’t know where to start? Follow our guide of creative ideas for business cards and get started on making an impression with your future employers.

The key to remember in deciding on a business card is to avoid cards that are too gimmicky or cute that they leave an impression that you shouldn’t be taken seriously. That’s a fine line to walk, but we’ll help you right now:

Increase the Weight of Your Card

There is something that happens in the psyche when you have a weightier card. It feels like more a library card or a credit card. It feels more serious.

Consider increasing the weight of your business card’s paper stock, and you’ll have an instant payoff in the minds of whomever is holding your card next.

Invest in Letter-pressing or Embossing

If you’ve got the budget for it, consider adding an element of letter-pressing or embossing to your card. It’s going to be a little pricey, as this is a craft, niche operation, but your card will look beautiful.

This is something for designers especially to consider. Your business card needs to match your profession or the field you hope to enter.

Try Out a Smaller Card

One trend in business cards today is to try an alternate shape from the traditional rectangle. A square card or even a smaller rectangle add interest and set your card apart from the pile of others.

Consider Wood

Are you going into a field involving sustainability or the environment? Are you a craft woodworker? Consider a wood business card.

These cards are made of layers of thin wood, but they are sturdy, creative and are much different than any other card your future employer may receive.

Die-Cut Cards

Add some creativity and professionalism to your card by adding a die-cut element to your business card. This could just be in the form of your business logo or the initial of your last name.

It may be a little pricey to get a die-cut because it is a custom design element. However, it will add some style and interest to your card and make it memorable to future employers.

Digital Cards

A new trend in business cards is to forego paper altogether and make your business card digital. You can do this by making a digital card on your iPad.

Take the iPad with you to visits with employers. The card needs to have a QR code on it so that the person can scan your card with his or her smart phone and record the information about you.

An alternative is to keep the traditional business card but to include a QR code directly on the card. You’ll not only make it easy for a future employer to keep up with you, but you’ll score major cool points for being tech savvy.

Are you inspired yet? Use our guide of handy tips for finding an innovative business card that is professional and memorable. You’re on your way to finding a great job — or least leaving a really great impression by investing in a great card. Good luck in your search!

A Personal Story: Evaluating Your Investment Portfolio

Retire with peace of mind by making sacrifices at a young age and living a disciplined lifestyle. Once you get in the habit of saving and investing, you can expect to start increasing your personal wealth. Due diligence and regular inspections of your finances should ensure a promising retirement for you.

The first thing I did was to determine what kind of retirement I wanted. This helped me to determine how much money I would need to make it happen. I started by calculating my daily expenses and increasing them every year of my life expectancy, a trick I learned from my grandfather and www.aarp.com. Next I determined what my portfolio should look like. From then on I checked on my investments regularly, just to see how they were doing, but a re-evaluation was not really necessary unless I intended to add, delete, or change my investments.

I was fortunate to learn a little about investing from my grandfather at an early age. He did not know a lot, but he did know the importance of saving money and not to just dabble in the stock market by jumping around from stock to stock. I filled in the blanks with my own research by asking experts and reading financial articles. All types of portfolios agree that the amount of risk I am willing to take, diversification of investments, and saving money are essential to having money for retirement, and that my age would determine how this would change over time.

Risk is a part of all investments. As a younger person in my twenties, I was willing to take a greater risks. I was in a position to buy into several different companies that seemed sound to me. Stocks are more high-risk, but I made sure that I could afford to lose what I invested, that my livelihood did not depend on the performance of my investments. Some provided steady income, and some only showed a return when their value increased. I took Warren Buffett’s advice and did not invest in any company that I did not understand, and I slept great at night by avoiding those “hot tips” from other investors.

Preparing for the worst was the best way for me to diversify my portfolio. I looked to www.forbes.com and www.fool.com to tell me about different types of investments, and turned to www.investopedia.com for specific definitions of terms when I needed it. Together they gave me free and solid advice and information. According to these sources, my investments should be designed to counter any losses that I may experience with any one of them, and provide other sources of revenue. I attempted to stabilize my portfolio by investing about 50 % of it in domestic and foreign exchanges, 40% in fixed-income securities, and the rest in cash.

By investing in domestic and foreign exchanges, I relied on different economies that usually were not directly connected to one another, like the United States and companies in other countries that do not depend on U.S. economy to thrive. I also chose to invest in real estate through mutual funds. I invested with others in office buildings, apartments, shopping malls, and warehouses in the United States and abroad.

My fixed-income securities were government bonds. I was practically guaranteed thousands of dollars in increase on tens of thousands of dollars of investments. I got a percentage of the investment in increase, plus the original investment of the bond.

I also learned from www.time. com/money that certain credit cards are better for loans, financing, bonus points, etc. I use them to purchase necessities like groceries and gasoline, utilities, etc., and pay them off every month. I save myself finance charges and consistently build my credit.

My cash assets were in CDs and savings accounts. I took advantage of a company-matched 401(K) and maximized my IRA, which allowed me to save a sizable amount to put in my personal savings or invest in my fixed-income securities. My grandfather was also wise enough to leave me money as a beneficiary of his life insurance policy. This allowed me to collect the full amount of my benefits without taxes or fees incurring. This is a part of the money I invested in my portfolio.

By the time I retired, my portfolio remained diversified, but reflected a shift in dynamics to roughly 20% in the exchanges, 45% in fixed-income securities, and the rest in cash. I was able to live in retirement instead of having to work to supplement it.