tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27743351094503683012024-03-12T23:13:08.083-05:00Frugal Fun and Financial FitnessApproaching personal finance through simplifying and value-based spending and savings.Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-21452588354489161382016-12-10T14:33:00.000-06:002016-12-10T14:51:00.503-06:00 Upcycle: Build a Bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Love up-cycling: Taking old clothes and
remaking them into cool reusable bags you can gift to another is way fun!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amANbzZBBRM/WExmE98huNI/AAAAAAAABf0/CBSZ7RuTLdEOQkABmrg0LmpFofLLginAACLcB/s1600/sew.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amANbzZBBRM/WExmE98huNI/AAAAAAAABf0/CBSZ7RuTLdEOQkABmrg0LmpFofLLginAACLcB/s400/sew.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From one gently used piece of
clothing, cut 2 matching size pieces of cloth in the shape of the desired
bag or one long rectangle piece that is 3 inches longer than twice the
height of the desired bag <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cut two 22 x 3 inch strips of
material to be used as the bag’s handles<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If two separate pieces of cloth,
place right sides together and sew ¼ inch seam along the bottom<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pocket bottom seam between the
front and back panels 1½ to 3 inches deep<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sew together the front to back
panels along sides using a ¼ inch seam, catching the pocketed bottom so to
create a nice bottom for your bag. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turn bag inside out<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Roll top under by a double ¼ inch,
pin and iron in place and set aside<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Iron handles in half length-wise<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fold edge into center crease, pin
in place<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pocket edges of handles inside by
a ¼ inch and iron in place<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Top-stitch both long sides of the
handles<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pin one handle end, ¼ inch deep
and 2-3-inches in from the left edge of the bag inside of back panel of
the bag.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pin the other end of the same
handle ¼ inch deep and 3-inches from the right edge inside of the back
panel<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Repeat previous two steps to
attach the 2<sup>nd</sup> handle on the inside of the front panel of
the bag <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finish top of bag by sewing the
top folded ¼ inch seam, catching the edge of the handles <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Top stitch the bag around the
opening, which will help secure the bags handles <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Wala! You are now ready to
go </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 13.5pt;">J</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-78513329538963899322016-01-31T15:25:00.000-06:002016-02-21T15:30:13.143-06:00Is 2016 Your Year to Invest in Energy Efficiency?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A New
Year and the end of blizzard-cold month: Two topics of no joy: 1) High Utility Bills
and 2) Taxes. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">Want
to take it on? Check out <a href="http://www.dsireusa.org/">http://www.dsireusa.org/</a>.
At the site, you enter your zip code and see an extensive list of incentives,
grant opportunities, tax credits and policies that </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">support renewable energy and energy efficiency for your area. Some
of the Federal </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Residential Tax Credits require you to make the purchases
in 2016. It may be a good time to consider this the year to make that
investment, reducing both your tax liability and your energy costs in the long run. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGaaYrrwQYA/VsorGRWjpnI/AAAAAAAABYg/J31QlnTTNKg/s1600/DISR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGaaYrrwQYA/VsorGRWjpnI/AAAAAAAABYg/J31QlnTTNKg/s320/DISR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-84411066357252446962016-01-15T14:51:00.000-06:002016-02-21T15:30:45.702-06:00The Perfect Salary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cznc-uTp7lE/Vsog7l-2GkI/AAAAAAAABYI/QWWEIpvG-rU/s1600/pongo%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cznc-uTp7lE/Vsog7l-2GkI/AAAAAAAABYI/QWWEIpvG-rU/s320/pongo%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I often hear people tell me
when they talk about personal finance that “I don’t need to be rich, I just
want to make enough money where I can buy what I want without worrying.”</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">So….how much money it that?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">To be honest, I don’t have a
good answer. A few years back the Wall
Street Journal posted an article that it takes an annual salary of $75,000
before you have diminishing returns on the dollars you spend. In other words, $75,000 salary is the minimum
you can make to maximize your happiness.
But is that the answer for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">I think that wealth people
always worry about money and are constantly asking themselves is the value
received for the dollars spent worth it.
They do not want to waste money on bad investments or buying things not
of value to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I don’t define wealth as a
dollar figure, or a net worth figure. I
define personal wealth as being happy with yourself, knowing your personal
values, and living out those values….being happy where your feet are. You are wealthy when you don’t have to worry
about buying things, because you have saved for the items and they fit your
personal values.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">How do you get to this
personal wealth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">1) Know what you value and where you spend your money. If you want to see what you value, look at
where you spend your time and money. I
encourage you to write down where you spend every penny for one month, evaluate
it weekly, and reflect on if this spending is in accordance with what you
value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">2) Look for little leaks
where you spend money and receive little or no value. Can you substitute spending money on this
item for something else? The little leak
that is common for many is eating out, especially lunch. You can easily spend $10 a day on lunch; $50
a week; $2,600.00 a year. It is worth it
or can you pack your lunch and save money. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">3) Set a budget. Look at
where you have spent money the past month, and categorize your spending, i.e.,
groceries, dining, fuel, electricity, Internet, TV, housing, etc. Do you have enough money for all of your
expenses? If not, you either need to cut
back or make more money. Look for the
little leaks in your spending where you can cut back without drastically
changing your life style. Ben Franklin
said it best when he said “Little leaks can sink a mighty ship.” You should stop as many leaks in your
personal finances as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">4) Set goals. Setting goals keep you motivated. Do you want to pay off your credit cards in
the next 6 months? Do you want to buy a
new car? Do you want to go on vacation? Figure the cost and establish weekly or monthly
steps to achieve your goals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnwfY4yS77I/Vsog6uJJJdI/AAAAAAAABYE/iIV5JWzXn7Y/s1600/pongo%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnwfY4yS77I/Vsog6uJJJdI/AAAAAAAABYE/iIV5JWzXn7Y/s200/pongo%2B2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">5) Celebrate. When you achieve your goals,
you now have enough money to do the things you want without worry because you
have have the resources for them. You are now
wealthy. You don’t have to make a lot of
money to be wealthy.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-51508535629862322802015-12-26T14:34:00.000-06:002016-02-21T15:27:09.864-06:00Opportunity Wherever You Live<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I'm
often ask what it take to be an entrepreneur.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">My answer is always the same:</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">looking for the opportunity and then having the persistence and
follow-through to make it happen.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Know
yourself and follow your passions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">When
looking for the opportunity, you want to solve a "pain point." Can
you create a solution to a problem that other people don't want to do or can't
do ...can you eliminate their pain. What are some things that are causing you
pain and that you would be willing to pay other to solve? The more of a pain, the more valuable your
solution. Can you be innovative and creatively solve the problem. The answer may be just around the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">The
find pain points, you need to become aware of others and what others are
experiencing. Observe, interact and
interview others as to what things they don’t like and what they would like to
be easier or simpler. You don’t have to
solve the pain point at this time; just make a list of your observations and
interactions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">By
writing these ideas down you are allowing your conscience and subconscious to
percolate on these problems, looking for solutions. You can later evaluate you list to see which
are most viable for you to solve, given your strengths, passions and networks. Keep
that notebook next to your bed so in the middle of the night, you can write
down your solutions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">Keep
up on social and technological trends.
Read newspapers, magazines, listen to public radio, podcast, and what
the news looking for trends and inventions.
Imagine the future and how this new technology will be used in the
future to solve problems. Can you
combine two or more existing technologies or product to help ease the pain of
others?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">Think
outside the box and say yes to all possibilities. Suspend your current reality and create a
reality where anything is possible. Do
not limit yourself by self-imposed constraints. This will help you spur on your
creativity to come up with solutions.
Write down your solutions so you can research the possibilities and
evaluate the probable success at a later time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">Entrepreneurship requires dedication, persistence, long hours and an
uncertain future. You have to know your
strengths and weaknesses to be successful.
Hire or partner with people who complement your strength, not people
with the same strengths. Tom Rath’s <a href="http://strengths.gallup.com/110440/About-StrengthsFinder-20.aspx">StrengthsFinder
2.0</a> is a great source to help you uncover your strengths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXsLOx6F3Y4/Vsoe-d3VW_I/AAAAAAAABX8/nzHB6AI2nJU/s1600/Opportunity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXsLOx6F3Y4/Vsoe-d3VW_I/AAAAAAAABX8/nzHB6AI2nJU/s200/Opportunity.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">Know
your passions and what drives you. Your
passions will help you overcome obstacles and keep you going when others say no
and think you are crazy. You passions will keep you working 60+ hours a week. To
discover your passions, what would you do if money was not an option? What do
you currently do where time flies by? Pay attention to your daily life to find
your passions and strengths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";">Entrepreneurship
is turning your passions into profits by solving other’s pain points and
creating a product or service of value.
When you turn your passions into profit, you never have to work another
day in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br /></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-6264941109211208782015-07-31T20:23:00.001-05:002015-07-31T21:54:21.702-05:00Say Cheese<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">When taking on the topic of
personal finance, I love hearing the stories where that voice speaks to you
from the heart and leads you on the path of happy and home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">We made a visit
today to </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.bellechevre.com/" target="_blank">Belle Chèvre</a> in Elkmont, Alabama </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">and met the
charismatic and delightful owner, <a href="http://www.tasiastable.com/contact/" target="_blank">Ms. Tasia Malakasis(</a>Chief Cheese
Officer). I first learned about this impressive lady in perusing old
publications of <a href="http://www.bellechevre.com/pdf/Organic_Gardening_April_2012.pdf" target="_blank">Organic Gardening</a>. She left a very
successful and financially rewarding career in Internet technologies to venture
back to her roots and become a queen in the world of award-winning cheese
making. Since that article, she has appeared in countless magazines, news
shows, and newspapers and now author of two culinary books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Her list of accomplishments are
impressive but upon meeting with her in person, I found that gold nugget I love
most that I see in those who pursue their passion -that positive and happy
energy that radiates from inside them and just makes them glow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">She discovered her culinary
passions by taking non-credit courses at the Culinary Institute of America
while on a sabbatical from her corporate career. This led her to her discovery
of Belle Chèvre cheese. She eventually left New York City, a big pay
check, and the stress of corporate life to volunteer at Bell Chèvre and learned
the art of cheese making. After 6 months, she purchased Belle Chèvre, has
grown the company considerably, increasing the product portfolio,
sales and distribution to many national retail stores. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">If ever on
I-65 through Alabama, take a <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir//18845+Upper+Fort+Hampton+Rd,+Elkmont,+AL+35620/@34.9288447,-86.9737405,17z/data=!4m13!1m4!3m3!1s0x8862f6b0c7946863:0x671e0033fe376657!2s18845+Upper+Fort+Hampton+Rd,+Elkmont,+AL+35620!3b1!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x8862f6b0c7946863:0x671e0033fe376657!2m2!1d-86.9737405!2d34.9288447" target="_blank">5 mile detour to Elkmont and visit Belle Chèvre</a>.
Pay to take the guided tour and perhaps you will have the good fortune to meet
Tasia. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqelJQxLJRk/VbwcgVXzULI/AAAAAAAABBA/34wwpux19yA/s1600/Belle%2BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqelJQxLJRk/VbwcgVXzULI/AAAAAAAABBA/34wwpux19yA/s400/Belle%2BC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-32496355507136654992015-03-31T22:14:00.004-05:002015-04-01T22:10:48.850-05:00Run Away Tax Fraud<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
Wherever we turn - national or local news, neighbor or
co-worker - we hear about those who have been the target of state and federal
tax fraud. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
The number of fraudulent tax returns is on the rise as criminals use stolen names and Social Security Numbers to forge
W-2 information on electronically filed tax returns. Most people do not realize that they have
been a victim of identity theft until they try to file their tax return and discover
that a criminal beat them to their refund. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
The federal tax return fraud rate ranges between of 1% to
2%. States report an increase in fraudulent tax returns this year of 50% to 3,700%.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
If you are a <a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0008-tax-related-identity-theft" target="_blank">victim of tax fraud, follow the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission</a>: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0277-create-identity-theft-report" target="_blank">File a report</a> with your local police and with
the FTC.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Report fraud to IRS, Identity Protection
Specialized Unit: 1-800-908-4490<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->File a theft claim with the FTC: Send a copy of
your police report or an<a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf" target="_blank"> IRS ID Theft Affidavit Form</a>, along with proof of your
identity, to the IRS: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Put a <a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert" target="_blank">fraud alert </a>on your credit reports: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Order and monitor your credit report <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
Check out the FTC article on a comprehensive <a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0009-taking-charge.pdf" target="_blank">identity theft action document </a>with step-by-step instructions on recovering from
this crime. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBIHPjZsT_0/VRtiX_evVlI/AAAAAAAAA8U/ZYkRldZ7Ie8/s1600/tax.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBIHPjZsT_0/VRtiX_evVlI/AAAAAAAAA8U/ZYkRldZ7Ie8/s1600/tax.png" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p>Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-16868164557634514792015-03-21T13:10:00.002-05:002015-03-22T23:32:38.058-05:00Sign Up for Health Care Coverage or Pay Penalty<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Affordable Care
Act(ACA) – also known as Obamacare – is a law enacted to ensure that all
Americans have access to affordable health insurance. It supports discounts<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(known as tax credits)</i> on
government-sponsored health insurance plans, and expanded the Medicaid
assistance program to include more people. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The law requires most Americans to have insurance by Feb 15
or pay a fine at tax time. The Obama administration extended the deadline to
April 30, which is the end of the tax season, so to allow people who discover
they would owe a fine, to still sign up for coverage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">T<span style="background: white;">he Wall
Street Journal reported that many </span><a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/many-uninsured-choose-penalty-over-enrollment-offer-under-health-law-1426888783"><span style="background: white;">uninsured are choosing the penalty over the
opportunity to enroll</span></a><span style="background: white;"> in a
healthcare insurance plan. Choosing to go without health insurance puts your
assets at risk. If you consider yourself healthy, you can select a plan with
low premiums. You will have higher out-of-pocket costs at the time of care than
with more expensive plans, but you will still have protection against an acute
episode of costly care, which if unprotected, can drive you to bankruptcy.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you do not have health care insurance
through your employer, and you are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, then
you can buy a healthcare plan on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/">www.healthcare.gov</a></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> if your state participates in the
federal program or else from your state’s health care website. For access to an
up-to-date information on each state’s health insurance marketplace profile,
check out<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://kff.org/state-health-marketplace-profiles/">http://kff.org/state-health-marketplace-profiles/.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Yj1SlzGL-Q/VQ2yDdIa7KI/AAAAAAAAA7w/ZNnC2MdXvgE/s1600/healthcare.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Yj1SlzGL-Q/VQ2yDdIa7KI/AAAAAAAAA7w/ZNnC2MdXvgE/s1600/healthcare.png" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-56244758749708874322015-02-11T14:23:00.002-06:002015-03-21T13:15:16.367-05:00Personal Finance and Passion<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Personal Finance and Passion
– we love it when the two come together. We meet people in all walks of life who
exemplify the philosophy: If you are
doing what you love, you never have to work a day in your life. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As we approach Valentine’s weekend,
we are reminded how joyful that endeavor can be-- for the entrepreneur following their passion as well as those benefiting from their labor of love.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Through our <a href="http://walkerhomesteadcsa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Walker Homestead CSA</a> <i>(Community Supported Agriculture),</i>
we have the great privilege of hosting a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://thefarmerstable.us/">Farmer’s Table</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>dinner this Valentines weekend. Chef
Chris Grebner is an extremely talented culinary artist. His passion is to bring
together the food producer with the food consumer, over a four to seven course
meal on the property where the food is produced. These evenings are exquisite
with an eclectic group of people coming together to enjoy meeting new people,
fine foods and conversation, and having their own beverage of choice in the beauty
of a country setting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pursuit of his passion benefits his livelihood, that of the food
producer and those who have the privilege to participate in his highly sought-after dinning events. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bon appetite.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6iNjvvNblU/VNu5hbPROKI/AAAAAAAAA54/kyyV1jANHk8/s1600/AFTJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6iNjvvNblU/VNu5hbPROKI/AAAAAAAAA54/kyyV1jANHk8/s1600/AFTJ.jpg" height="196" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-32738631389923773962014-08-11T13:29:00.001-05:002014-08-11T13:29:29.257-05:00Six Years of Car Payments Sounds Like A Student Loan
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I just saw a
TV commercial where they were offering 0% financing on a new car for 72 months;
that's right - six years. The rule of thumb is to never finance a car for more
than three years or 36 months and keep the car for at least six years. If you
do that and then continue the amount of the car payment into your savings
account for three or four more years, you will be able to pay cash for your
next car. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We all know
that money is not free, so if there is cash back offer or 0%, pay cash and take
the discount. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I don't know
about you, but ten years to pay off my student loans seemed to take forever. I
personally couldn't stand for paying for a car over a six year period. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The problem
with debt is that you are pledging future earning to the banker. In simple
terms, you are enslaved to your lender. Vehicles depreciate over time –a vehicle
is not an investment. At least with your student loans, it's an investment that
pays off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When you are
debt free, all the money you make is for you (and the government in taxes).
Being free of debt liberates you to pursue your passions and work for less
doing something you love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you can
turn your passions into profit, you never have to "work" a day in your
life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Be careful
of low monthly payments. Dave Ramsey says "poor people ask how much down
and how much a month. Rich people just ask how much."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it to you becoming rich and debt free. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh-LmNRpK-Q/U-kLEijYzjI/AAAAAAAAAx8/fL9wV8jWsX0/s1600/Car+debt+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh-LmNRpK-Q/U-kLEijYzjI/AAAAAAAAAx8/fL9wV8jWsX0/s1600/Car+debt+1.png" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-70689841209323851512014-08-01T14:01:00.002-05:002014-08-01T14:01:41.438-05:00Student Loan Repayment – Know Your Options
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">For the May graduates, 6 months
from graduation is time to start repaying your student loans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Federal government wants its money back
and provides many options for repayment. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">First question you need to ask
yourself: “Should I consolidate my student loans?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">PRO:
Consolidated loans simplifies your loan repayment by centralizing your loans into
one bill, providing one payment, and can lower your monthly payment by
providing you up to 30 year to repay your student loans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">CON: You may
lose any benefits offered with the original loan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you combine your loans into a Direct
Consolidation Loan, it’s a done deal and they cannot be unconsolidated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">After you decide if you are going
to consolidate your loans or not, you need to choose a repayment plan.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The <a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><strong>Federal Student Aid</strong></span></a> provides all the
information you need to know for Federal Student Aid, Work-Study jobs and
grants. Listed below is an overview of Direct Loan and FFEL (Federal Family
education Loan) Program Loans repayment plans, noting information regarding repayments,
deferments and forbearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There are many companies out
there who want to take your money to enroll you in government plans that you
could do yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take caution of offers
that seem “too good to be true” --because they probably are.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Overview of Direct Loan and FFEL (Federal
Family education Loan) Program Loans Repayment Plans</span></b><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="bottom" width="174">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Repayment Plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="203">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eligible Loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="bottom" width="165">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monthly Payments and Time Frames<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="257">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quick Comparison<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" width="174">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/standard"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Standard Repayment Plan</span></span></a><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="203">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct subsidized and
unsubsidized loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Federal Stafford Loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All PLUS loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="165">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Payments are a fixed amount
of at least $50 per month.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to 10 years<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="top" width="257">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will pay off your loan
in a shorter amount of time and you will pay less interest, however your
payments could be higher.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consider this plan if you
can afford higher payments<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" width="174">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/graduated"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Graduated Repayment Plan</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="203">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct subsidized and
unsubsidized loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Federal Stafford Loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">All PLUS loans</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="165">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually ever two
years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to 10 years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="top" width="257">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will pay more for your loans over time than under the 10 year
plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consider this plan if you expect your income to start off low and
then grow over time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" width="174">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/extended"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Extended
Repayment Plan</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="203">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct subsidized and
unsubsidized loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Federal Stafford Loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">All PLUS loans</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="165">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Payments may be fixed or graduated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to 25 years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="top" width="257">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your monthly payments would be lower than the 10-year standard plan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Must have at least $30,000 in outstanding Direct Loans OR $30,000 in FFEL Program loans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct Loans and FFEL loans must remain separate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot combine Direct Loans and FFEL
loans to reach the $30,000 threshold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Must be a “new borrower” as of October 7, 1998<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will pay more interest over a longer period of time than the
10-year plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consider if you have over $30,000 in qualified loans and cannot
afford the 10-year or graduated repayment plans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" width="174">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/income-driven"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Income-Based
Repayment Plan (IRP)</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="203">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct subsidized and
unsubsidized loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Federal Stafford Loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All PLUS loans made to
students<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Consolidation Loans (Direct
or FFEL) that do not include Direct or FFEL PLUS loans made to parents</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="165">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your maximum monthly payments will be 15 percent of discretionary
income, the difference between your adjusted gross income and 150 percent of
the poverty guideline for your family size and state of residence (other
conditions apply).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your payments change as your income changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to 25 years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="top" width="257">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You must have a partial financial hardship<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your monthly payment<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will be
lower than payments under the 10-year standard plan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will pay more for your loan over time than<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>under the 10-year standard plan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have not repaid your loan in full after making the equivalent
of 25 years of qualifying monthly payments, any outstanding balance on your
loan will be forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" width="174">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/income-driven"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Pay
as your Earn Repayment Plan</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="203">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct subsidized and
unsubsidized loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Federal Stafford Loans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All PLUS loans made to
students<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Consolidation Loans (Direct
or FFEL) that do not include Direct or FFEL PLUS loans made to parents</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="165">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your maximum monthly payments will be 10 percent of discretionary
income; the difference between your adjusted gross income and 150 percent of
the poverty guideline for your family size and state of residence (other
conditions apply).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your payments change as your income changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to 20 years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="top" width="257">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You must be a new borrower on or after Oct. 1, 2007, and must have
received a <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">disbursement </span>of
a Direct Loan on or after Oct. 1, 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You must have a partial financial hardship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your monthly payment<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will be
lower than payments under the 10-year standard plan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will pay more for your loan over time than<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>under the 10-year standard plan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have not repaid your loan in full after making the equivalent
of 20 years of qualifying monthly payments, any outstanding balance on your
loan will be forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" width="174">
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="203">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct PLUS Loans made to students<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct Consolidation Loans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="165">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Payments are calculated each year and are based on your adjusted
gross income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your payments change as your income changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to 25 year<span style="color: #494b4c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="top" width="257">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin: 0in 7.5pt 0pt -3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You'll pay more for your loan over time than under the 10-year
standard plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin: 0in 7.5pt 0pt -21.75pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin: 0in 7.5pt 0pt -3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you do not repay your loan after making the equivalent of 25
years of qualifying monthly payments, the unpaid portion will be forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin: 0in 7.5pt 0pt -21.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin: 0in 7.5pt 0pt -3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may have to pay income tax on the amount that is forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" width="174">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/income-sensitive"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Income
Sensitive Repayment Plan</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.5pt;" valign="top" width="203">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">FFEL PLUS Loans <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">FFEL Consolidation Loans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="165">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your monthly payment is based on annual income.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your payments change as your income changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to 10 years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 153.9pt;" valign="top" width="257">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You'll pay more for your loan over time than you would under the
10-year standard plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each lender's formula for determining the monthly payment amount
under this plan can vary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsElLT8Mljg/U9vjucrk5cI/AAAAAAAAAxI/RRGJks3sIBI/s1600/Student+Loan+Repayment.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsElLT8Mljg/U9vjucrk5cI/AAAAAAAAAxI/RRGJks3sIBI/s1600/Student+Loan+Repayment.png" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-38268829071262182782014-06-11T23:07:00.000-05:002014-06-11T23:07:04.424-05:00Summer Savings<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">The garden is in and we are beginning to harvest the fruit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(and vegetables)</i> of our labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this in mind, I got thinking about the
benefits of a home garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can do
this even if you live in an apartment, using container gardens, or a small
raised bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are fortunate that we
have the space for a big garden and even a coop for free
reign chickens who provide us with fresh eggs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">With a little bit of time you can save big at the grocery
store by planting what you eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomatoes
are easy to grow and one to three plants will feed a family all summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Leaf Lettuce and Swiss Chard will grow continuously till frost. </span>If you have more than you can keep up with, you can freeze or can to save them for winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Lettuce, beets, spinach and Swiss chard are now being
harvested and it makes for great salads. We will be able to put in a second
planting so we have these vegetables fresh going into fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Besides the fresh vegetables, other benefits include:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">You save money by less shopping at the grocery
store<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">You eat better with higher quality fresh
vegetables<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">You have time to enjoy working in the garden and
harvesting what you planted<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">You may loose weight because you are exercising
more and eating better<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">You have a stress release from your busy
workday.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">To see what we are up to, check out our other blog:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://walkerhomesteadcsa.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">https://walkerhomesteadcsa.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Cambria;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Happy savings, gardening, eating well, stress reducing, being
healthy and happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpwXxgb1Qso/U5klzDgfyrI/AAAAAAAAAuU/2Jh7f8Zcvtc/s1600/farm+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpwXxgb1Qso/U5klzDgfyrI/AAAAAAAAAuU/2Jh7f8Zcvtc/s1600/farm+garden.jpg" height="76" width="320" /></a></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-87924666203142105402014-05-25T23:03:00.001-05:002014-05-25T23:04:17.258-05:00Commencement Address<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">As we just graduated our senior class and sent them off into the world, a few parting words of advice and personal finance tips:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />1. <strong>Stay true to your values.</strong> Roy Disney, Walt's brother said "When values are clear, decisions are easy." Keep refining and defining your values, for they should guide your decision in the future.<br />
<br />2. <strong> Go forth in your life with passion</strong>. Stay true to your values and whatever you do, do it with passion and energy. We all will have parts of our jobs that we do not like, but need to get done. Use your passion and energy even when you have to "shovel out the stables." It will make it more fun and just maybe a little more enjoyable.<br />
<br />3. <strong>Love what you do and do what you love</strong>. It may take you 5, 10, 20 or 50 years to find your true calling in life, but enjoy the journey. You will learn something in everything you do, but may not realize it until you look back on your life. Your life's journey has a purpose and the journey is the way to learn and discover your purpose.<br />
<br />4. <strong>ALWAYS pay yourself first.</strong> Make sure you put enough in your 401-k to get your employer’s entire match. You are responsible for your own retirement, so start early and maximize your contributions.<br />
<br />5. <strong>Don't buy things you cannot afford.</strong> It is tempting to rent a nice apartment and fill it with nice furniture....all purchased on credit, but do not give into this temptation. Save and pay cash for the things you want and need. You are used to living on very little as a college student. Keep that going for a few more years and save for the things you want and PAY CASH, not credit.<br />
<br />6. <strong>Remember to give back and be thankful</strong>. It took a village to get you through college: your family, friends, teachers, professors, co-works. Keep them in mind as you do good with your education. Perhaps you will influence others to go to college and graduate. Always give back to others.<br />
<br />7. <strong>Keep in balance with your saving, spending, investing and giving.</strong> Only you can control what you do with your money. Live life fully and enjoy the relationships you make, but keep everything in balance. Don't sacrifice friendships for career or your career for friendships, and don't sacrifice your savings and investment plans for immediate gratification. Life is short so enjoy it as you keep your balancing point.<br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTxf_xDgGPc/U4K8eZpA3RI/AAAAAAAAArg/Elk5xiRlRYI/s1600/a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTxf_xDgGPc/U4K8eZpA3RI/AAAAAAAAArg/Elk5xiRlRYI/s1600/a.png" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-80720025096608872962014-05-15T23:47:00.001-05:002014-05-16T00:19:55.660-05:00Personal Finance and Passion<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My passion is farming and people and writing and creating. This month,
we ventured into a dream of mine; starting the </span><a href="http://walkerhomesteadcsa.blogspot.com/2014/04/wefinally-did-it.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Walker Homestead CSA</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Community Supported Agriculture</span></em>). Bob
will remind me that this is a business and we need to be making money at it.
And I remind him that this is a passion and we need to be having fun with it;
creating, experimenting, and sharing the goods and trials with our new extended
CSA family. That in itself has a lot of value, and I would argue much more than
a pile of money for which to select an investment option. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, I could make much more on an hourly basis, exercising some of my
other learned skills, but I earn so to keep me and my family secure and happy
and so that so I can do things I want to do. Starting up a CSA -planning the
events, sharing ideas between members, creating the gardens and the orchards
and working with hens, thinking about milk goats (and maybe a few piglets) is
joyful. And at the same time, we are earning money and reducing some of our tax
liabilities. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Which speaks to the principle: If you find an occupation that you love,
you will never have to ‘work’ a day of your life. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is graduation time. Good luck to all seniors in pursuit of your
passion.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sdPVlyPMcg/U3WcebdFx2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/1hM7EN3vywI/s1600/csa+logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sdPVlyPMcg/U3WcebdFx2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/1hM7EN3vywI/s1600/csa+logo.gif" height="294" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://walkerhomesteadcsa.blogspot.com/">http://walkerhomesteadcsa.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></span><br /></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-74445199523630706012014-04-06T12:01:00.000-05:002014-04-06T12:01:00.112-05:00Frugal While Waiting for Fitness<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been injured, busy, on travel and a thousand other
reasons for not staying fit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ramification: Weight gain</b>.
Temporary of course, but there is nothing worse than busting your budget buying
clothing for a size you don’t want to stick with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Short-term solution: A
quick remake.</b> I had a jacket to a nice suit which still fit but it has been
a stretch since I have been able to shimmy into the skirt. I took two non-fitters
from the back of my closet and made one fun skirt with attitude. Three hours
later and I have a fun new addition to my wardrobe with attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Cost: $0.00 </b>Very frugal while working on getting fit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2G5VC3OW2Eg/UzuDMqVqu9I/AAAAAAAAAmE/yeJCaCbgkAc/s1600/remake.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2G5VC3OW2Eg/UzuDMqVqu9I/AAAAAAAAAmE/yeJCaCbgkAc/s1600/remake.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-13035364131634006992014-04-03T12:00:00.000-05:002014-04-03T12:00:00.843-05:00The Envelope Observation <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">We made it. For
fun, we spent the last month going back to using the envelope system to help
stay on budget. The theory is that having a personal relationship with each
dollar spent increases the likelihood that you will not pithier it away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I had been in
the habit of charging at least three coffees a day against my next month’s payroll
check. Running between meetings, it easy to have the barista swipe my staff ID
badge to keep caffeinated. This habit comes to $8.00/day or $160.00/month or $1,920/year.
Think of what I could do with an extra
$2,000?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Having to draw
the dollar bills out of my envelope and slide them across the counter was much
more painful than I thought it would be. Many times, my previous cup of coffee was not
yet empty, just cold. For two bucks, I’m ok with nuking it for 30 seconds. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">When drawing your spending money out of an envelope,
there is much more a sense that money is a finite resource, not an endless
stream. It now feels very irresponsible to throw out cold coffee.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIu2vdUZuTI/UzuSI_qajGI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hnokd7kP8rk/s1600/Paper-Floral-Envelopes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIu2vdUZuTI/UzuSI_qajGI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hnokd7kP8rk/s1600/Paper-Floral-Envelopes.jpg" height="204" title="http://www.savvysugar.com/Cute-Cash-Envelopes-Budgeting-22182647" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Waste not. Want
not. Thank you envelope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-35009117951882645902014-04-01T21:03:00.002-05:002014-04-01T23:44:18.246-05:00Don’t Get Scammed<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It’s tax time. It is also peak time for tax fraud. Each year, the
Internal Revenue Service (<a href="http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts">IRS) posts a list of
current reported tax scams</a>. Tax fraud through the use of identity theft tops
this year’s list of scams. Through email phishing, the thief acquires your
taxpayer’s identity so to fraudulently file a tax return and claim the refund. The IRS has a </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection">special section</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">dedicated to identity
theft issues, including YouTube videos, tips for taxpayers and an assistance
guide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On IRS.gov, you can <a href="http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript">confirm your tax return
status</a>. If you have not already filed, there should be no record of the
return. If you find that not to be the case, send an <a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf">Identify Theft Affidavit</a>
to the IRS immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you believe you are at risk of identity theft due to lost or
stolen personal information, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized
Unit at 800-908-4490 so they can take action to secure your tax account. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Remember:</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers by email
or text messages to request personal or financial information. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sQ7-HrSoJU/UztvSFzeNSI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vKInIbaSoMs/s1600/tax+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sQ7-HrSoJU/UztvSFzeNSI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vKInIbaSoMs/s1600/tax+2.png" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-38890158022953330602013-09-17T16:28:00.002-05:002013-09-17T16:28:53.272-05:00When You Retire...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When you retire, how much money do you need to have saved?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If there is a million dollar
question, or a $4 million, or $10 million, I guess this would be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my personal finance class, a student asked
how much money you will need to retire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We started going through the time value of money equations -present
value and future values of lump sums and annuities to calculate how much one
would need; which started me thinking long and hard about this questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my students it was keeping me up at
night and this is why it is such a hard question to answer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1. It
depends on when you want to retire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
asked my class and it ranged from age 45 to never retiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person who retires at age 45 will need a
lot more money saved in retirement than the person who never wants to quit
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always said, “If you can
turn your passions into profit, you never have to work a day in your
life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also believe that meaningful
work provides you with self worth and increased happiness. So if you love your
job, maybe you won’t retire; you may just slow down a little.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">2. It
depends on your lifestyle when you retire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Experts are saying that you will need 80%-100% of your current income in
retirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT….do you want to cruise
the seven seas and stay a five star resorts or do you want to work around the
house and live off the land?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a
lot of retirement calculators on the Internet where you can find out how much
money you will need to replace your current income or a percentage of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lately we have been trying to live off the
land and it is amazing how much we have saved in groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with a small garden and a few chickens,
you can save big money, eat better and be closer to your food source.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">3. What will
Social Security and health care cost be in the future?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what government plans will be
around when I retire, so I’m planning on being self-sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would rather have too much in retirement
savings then not enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Just some figures so you can check
to see where you stand with the average American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to </span><a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/162560/average-retirement-age.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">Gallup’s annual Economy and Personal Finance
survey</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">, the average American expect to
retire at age 61.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/162560/average-retirement-age.aspx"></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is up from age 57 when the survey was
conducted in 1991. However over fifty percent of the non-retirees age 58-64
expect to retire past the age of 65.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gallup also found that 61% of Americans are worried or very worried
about having enough money for retirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The highest percentage of Americans worried about retirement savings is
ages 50-64.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This delay in retirement could be
due to a change in values, lack of financial resources, uncertainty about
future expenses, or decreased mandatory retirement age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you find your passions and can
turn it into profit. </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Let us know what you think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When do you plan on retiring and how do you
envision your retirement lifestyle?</span> </div>
<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g8WciFcOloY/UjjIjTCtD2I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/M4RHy6X4Sjg/s640/ret+1.png" width="640" /></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: </span></em><a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/148058/lack-retirement-funds-americans-biggest-financial-worry.aspx"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.gallup.com/poll/148058/lack-retirement-funds-americans-biggest-financial-worry.aspx</span></em></a></span></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-43556819302013131272013-07-02T22:26:00.001-05:002013-07-02T22:38:11.354-05:00MaynardThis past Saturday we lay to rest my neighbor’s father. He was a famer, rancher, cowboy, gentleman, and a friend to all. He died doing what he loved doing best, checking on his cows and spraying fences. He was teaching this 50 something city boy professor how to become a farmer and I kind of think he enjoyed seeing an old dog try to learn some new tricks; a desk jockey work a field and get cow sh*t on him. <br />
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His untimely death got me thinking about balance and how we live our lives each day. Personal finance is about planning and saving for the future, but it is also about living for today. How do you find balance in your personal finance life? Do you save every penny so you can retire like my roommate from college who just retired after 30 years of teaching? Do you plan on working until you are 70+ and therefore not need so much in retirement to still afford your lifestyle? What do you plan to leave to your heirs? Someone said you lived your life right when the check to the undertaker bounces, meaning you just outlived your savings. Do you agree or disagree?<br />
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I hope you all find your passion and that you are able to do what you love to do; that you find balance in your finance goals to support that passion. Personal financial success is your definitions of success, whether it is to retire when you are 53 or never retire. The important thing is to have a plan and be proactive at that plan.<br />
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I hope we all find that balance. <br />
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<em>- From a green farmer who is happy learning how to work cattle and smell like a famer after a hard day’s work</em><br />
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-30505229861586243482013-06-11T19:15:00.001-05:002013-06-11T19:15:39.620-05:00Control<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maslow's theory suggests that the most basic level of needs must be met before the individual can address higher level needs. Our ability to give attention to creative outlets such as this blog (<em>Self-Actualization</em>) was trumped by the task of addressing logistics of a move to a new home (<em>Safety</em>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a nutshell, that is the hurdle to many budget dilemmas - energy to control, especially if your foundation is shifting. When life gets hectic, it is more difficult to tend to the detail of budget on a daily basis (<em>Bob’s preference</em>) vs. blast a flash plan when new needs present and attempt an ‘auto play’ strategy, hoping it is executing well until you can tend to it again(<em>Kristy’s preference</em>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When your foundation shifts (a move, your health, a new job, a relationship change), there can be so many unknowns that your historic estimates are thrown to the wind and you are overcome with a great sense of uneasiness over the lack of control. Decisions sometimes have to come fast. You may have little control on the options and hope that the contingency fund (and if need be, the emergency fund) covers the unknowns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is interesting that no matter your age, your job, your salary; you will find yourself in situations where you are overwhelmed by changes coming fast, where you grasp for control and you will not feel content until the basic security of control is restored. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We look forward to completing the move and gaining back ‘control’. </span></div>
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</span>Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-2602857925050665252013-03-14T21:57:00.000-05:002013-03-14T21:57:24.014-05:00Modern Day Gypsy Guide: 7 Tips on How to Make Your Money Last<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>While in Belize with a group of MBA students, I met Vienda, self-proclaimed ‘Modern Day Gypsy’. Her life is the true essence of frugal fun. In the spirit of spring break, we invited her to share a posting on the topic of travel, fun and frugality.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Modern Day Gypsy Guide: 7 Tips on How to Make Your Money Last</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've been travelling around our pretty globe for 10 years now covering over 30 countries, with a couple of pit stops along the way; 18 months in London and 2 1/2 years in Sydney. People whom I meet along the way often ask me how I do it. I work, naturally, and have several different income streams but that's a post for another day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How much money you have is generally less important than what you do with that money. Travels can last much longer if you use your money in thoughtful and clever ways, and think outside of the box. Here are seven of the most poignant tips on how to make your money last.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>1. Be Flexible.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Being flexible is probably the No. 1 tip I can give anyone who wants to become a traveler. That means be flexible with your plans, with where you want to go, with whom you will meet and what you will do. Leave it up to the travel gods. They will always guide you to have the best experience possible! For example, late last year I had to make a decision. I had been in the UK for a month, doing some work, and had to decide whether to stay for the winter or move on. London is an expensive city if you don't have a conventional lifestyle, and though I could have stayed and worked, my heart was yearning to go somewhere warmer. Both India and Mexico were calling my name. So I started researching flights and my decision was made for me. I found a $250 flight from London to Cancun as opposed to the cheapest flight to Mumbai in India which was $800. I saved $550 simply because I was flexible, and have been having the most incredible time in Central America ever since. This is true for so very many different scenarios. It's so important to remain open and flexible at all times when you're a modern day gypsy, as you never know when and what kind of opportunities will appear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>2. Don't Make Solid Plans.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This may seem counterintuitive for many people who haven't had a lot of experience travelling, but actually making solid, fixed plans such as hotel bookings, trips and tours may be your demise because you often can't change them if something better shows up. In many parts of the less-developed world, you won't get the best deals and experiences by booking them online. You get them by talking to the local people, making friends and connecting in "real" life. Only a couple of weeks ago I was working at the ‘Envision’ music festival in Uvita, Costa Rica. They had camping sites available for staff but I wanted more comfort (I may be a modern day gypsy but I definitely enjoy and indulge in simple creature comforts!). So a friend and I went to a local cafe and started speaking with the waiter, the owner and some other locals. Luckily my Spanish is fluent enough to make these kinds of conversations and within minutes the news was out that we were looking for a place for two people with kitchen facilities. The next day we were taken to a beautiful row of local tourist apartments, each complete with a private kitchen and bathroom, a fabulous swimming pool, hammocks, a lovely outdoor area and a five-minute ride to the festival site. We wouldn't have found this if we hadn't gotten in with the locals, and we praised and felt gratitude for our lovely temporary home every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>3. Always Barter the Price.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is really important. Always, always, always - ask for a better price. You won't always get it but more than often than not, you will. I do this everywhere I go because I know that my buy is valuable to the seller and that if you don't ask, you don't get. Not only did we find a beautiful place to stay in, but we also got a really good price because we asked for it. When we initially spoke to the locals about finding an apartment to rent during our stay in Uvita, we told them that we were planning to stay for 15 nights and that our budget was $20 per night for the two of us, so $10 each. We knew that the prices in the area were mostly above and beyond this unless we wanted to stay in some dodgy backpackers but we both know from experience that you generally always get what you put out to the universe. It's just how modern day gypsies roll! Because we were staying for more than two weeks, and it meant that the owner of the Cabinas had a definite income for that entire time, and we paid in cash, he was happy to fulfill our needs. The apartment we received was normally priced at $60 per night so we actually saved $600, which is HUGE in the grand scheme of things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>4. Be Generous</strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This tip is based on the law of attraction. What you give out you get back, and when you're on the road there's nothing more beautiful and fulfilling than giving something to someone who is in need. Not only does it feel great, but it also has the added benefit of your generosity being reciprocated in the most unexpected ways. This may not happen directly from the people you have been generous with, but you simply never know. The amount of times that wonderful things have happened to me is countless: complete strangers offering me a place to stay, free taxi rides to airports when I ran out of local currency, a shared meal with people living below the poverty line, generous gifts of books or other things that I've needed along the road. Being generous is a wonderful attribute to take with you wherever you go, and although this act should come from a pure place without any expectation, you will find that when it is reciprocated, it will often save you money in the most unusual ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>5. No Bills.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the wonderful benefits of being a modern day gypsy is that I have no bills. I don't own property, I don't have any ties, I don't have telephone, electric or gas bills. I pay for the things that I need as I go. Certainly this makes the way I care for and spend my money quite different. I'm very aware of what my expenditures are and deal with money on a day-to-day basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>6. Stay With Friends.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After having travelled for such a long time, and having made lots of friends wherever I go, I have the wonderful opportunity to stay with friends in many places along the way. I am always so incredibly grateful for every single individual who is kind enough to open their doors to me and share their home. I always make an effort to reciprocate their kindness and hospitality by putting my homemaking talents to work and making some beautiful meals and leaving some kind of light, love and inspiration behind wherever I go. This obviously also means that I get to save on accommodation expenses which is definitely one of the biggest costs when travelling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>7. Travel Slow.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I like to take my time wherever I go. I'm not a tourist or a backpacker, I'm a modern day gypsy which means that I want to immerse myself in the place and culture that I am visiting. This means that I like to stay in one place for longer periods of time rather than move around quickly. And this can really help make your money last longer. When you live like a local, you pay local prices and you get to know the people. You can rent a place for longer periods of time at the fragment of the price of a hotel or other tourist accommodations. You learn to shop where the locals shop, prepare your own meals and live and love a more simple life. Taking your time when you travel is not only good for your pockets, but also much more fulfilling for your soul, as you get to really experience the place that you are visiting rather than just pass through it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life as a modern day gypsy has so many adventures, twists and turns, and how you use your money is definitely one of the important aspects that you face on a daily basis. What tips do you have to make your money last longer when travelling?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Bio: Vienda Maria is a writer, life coach and modern day gypsy. She is the creator of The Empowerment Project + the Build Your Own Business Blog guide. You can immerse yourself in her musings over at </em><a href="http://www.viendamaria.com/"><em>Vienda Maria</em></a><em>, tweet her your love and joys on </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/viendam"><em>Twitter</em></a><em>, as well as join her on </em><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vienda-Maria/"><em>Facebook</em></a><em>. </em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com204tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-26163413506406171622013-02-26T21:14:00.000-06:002013-02-26T21:21:46.157-06:00Waiting for Spring<div style="text-align: justify;">
February always seems like the longest month of the year; all 28 days. This February seems longer than ever. We have had more snow this month than all of winter and the cold days are not going away. In fact, we are in the midst of another winter snow blitz as we post this blog. We are peppered with a warm day every now and then, where you can shed the winter coat, but it is just a tease of what is to come. Perhaps that is why it is such a long month.</div>
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I’m also looking at seed catalogs and dreaming about a bountiful harvest from my backyard garden. I’m anxious to start to work in the dirt, plant seeds and see nature take its course. The taste of fresh tomatoes, sweet corn, lettuce cut from garden is something I’m longing for. A back yard garden is not only good for your health; it is good on your wallet. You can harvest loads of fresh fruits and vegetables for pennies comparatively. </div>
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The sun is coming up earlier and setting later. In walking the dogs over the gardens in the snow, I can visualize the vineyard I am going to plant this spring, and the straight rows of corn in the field. </div>
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Maybe all of this dreaming of what is to be -is making February longer; but it is my way to get through the longest month of the year…February. Let us know how you get through February and what your dreams are for Spring. It will be here before we know it.</div>
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-60318420174835273492013-02-24T07:36:00.002-06:002013-02-24T07:42:24.949-06:00Sequester = Politician Self-Interest<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are only a few days away until the automatic government budget cuts and Congress and the President can't come to agreement on specific budget cuts and/or increasing revenue. Ramifications will be across-the-board cuts, effecting defense, education, national parks, air traffic controllers and all services provided by our Federal government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why can't the congress agree? To me it all comes down to self-interest, not willing to step up to hard choices and not agreeing on common values. Roy Disney is quoted as saying "When values are clear, decisions are easy." What does Washington value? “How I am going to get reelected” -not what is best for the country?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If a family is in debt, they have to agree on how they are going to reduce that debt. It typically is achieved by a combination of reducing spending and increasing income. If the family agrees to common values, decisions on what to cut and where to increase income become easy. The family looks inward on where to cut and makes sacrifices to balance their budget. The cuts are difficult but the family makes the difficult decisions and works to balance the budget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the other hand, our Federal Government can't make difficult decisions so everyone gets cut. It saves the politician's political career because they did not vote to cut anyone's project. Yet they can look good by restoring federal funding. As a country, we need to decide what we value.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sequester tells me what the politicians do not value the fiscal commitments of the United States. They do not value how hard the tax payers work to earn money to pay their taxes. The sequester could put our economic recovery on hold which impacts everyone. The politicians do not value cooperation and working for the common good.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaPTpI7m4js/USoWjPd5NZI/AAAAAAAAAdc/EGKmsDcu3xE/s1600/Sequester.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaPTpI7m4js/USoWjPd5NZI/AAAAAAAAAdc/EGKmsDcu3xE/s200/Sequester.png" width="171" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Politicians were elected to work for the common good. Now is the time to get to work, make the hard decisions, put aside partisan politics, and agree to a budget before the sequester goes into effect. Please do what you were elected to do - damn it!</span></div>
Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-91473723076339270192013-02-15T20:04:00.000-06:002013-02-15T20:04:34.142-06:00MarketPlace Money Fun <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From <a href="http://www.marketplace.org/people/barbara-bogaev">Barbara Bogaev</a> on <a href="http://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-money/marketplace-money-friday-february-15-2013">Marketplace Money</a>, “We're still fresh off of our love hangover from Valentine's Day here at Money this week, so we've invited a couple of personal finance experts to answer your questions about money and relationships. Bob and Kristy Walker ..."</div>
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The show airs this weekend<em> (2/15/13)</em> on most National Public Radio Stations. If you don't find it on your local NPR station, here is a link where you can listen: <a href="http://www.marketplace.org/topics/your-money/letters-how-can-i-budget-when-im-self-employed">http://www.marketplace.org/topics/your-money/letters-how-can-i-budget-when-im-self-employed</a></div>
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It is a great show, regardless if we are on or not so we highly recommend you tune in weekly to enjoy and learn. -Happy Listening</div>
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-19337330007415577332013-02-12T12:55:00.000-06:002013-02-15T19:21:28.634-06:00Can’t Buy Me Love – Happy Valentine’s Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, I think back to the Beatle’s song “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/v=SMwZsFKIXa8">Can’t Buy Me Love</a>.” The Wall Street Journal was also thinking of the little things that show love in their article “<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323696404578297942503592524.html?KEYWORDS=small+acts+big+love">Small Acts, Big Love</a>.” By putting the other person’s needs above yours, spending a little time, and being creative in your approach, really shows that you appreciate and care for them and you don’t take them for granted.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some key things to remember when you demonstrate your love through actions:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Don’t expect a pay back</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Think about what your partner would like, not what is easy for you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Put your partner’s needs first</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Show respect and appreciation</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a few little things that say ‘<strong>I Love You’</strong> every day of the year:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• On cold days, start their car and scrape the ice off the windshield</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Make the bed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Pack their lunch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Open doors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Leave the toilet seat down</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Leave the bathroom sink clean</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Pick up after yourself</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Empty the dishwasher</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Make a meal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Say “thank you”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Anything that your partner usually does for you, take your turn and do it for your partner</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Show your love and appreciation 365 days a year, not just on Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t have to cost a penny and to quote the Beatles “Money can’t buy me love.” Happy Frugal Fun Valentine’s Day – every day of the year.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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Bob and Kristy Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05738442092851429499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2774335109450368301.post-38542895966390274482013-02-05T22:47:00.001-06:002013-02-05T22:47:07.642-06:00Building Blocks<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hosting a baby shower? Hate shower games? Pinched for funds?<br /><br />Try this one. We took scrap wood and cut them up into 2x3x3 inch blocks, sanded and painted a baby-powder white. As the guest arrived, they selected a number or a letter to feature on their block. We had acrylic paint pens for everyone to work with. It was a fun opportunity to release our inner artist. We coated each block with a protective spray, and wa la! Our guest have collectively created a one-of-a-kind set of blocks.<br /><br />The project cost $5 in paint material and provided not only a group project, but a very special gift for that little one.<br /><br />Very frugal and fun!</span></div>
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