Budgeting For Your Personal Finance
Most of us find ourselves having to part with our hard-earned cash almost on a daily basis to just keep ourselves going. Have you ever thought about exactly what you’re spending though? A great deal of people never bother to budget - yet they could find themselves a lot better off by keeping an eye on their income and outgoings. If your finances are starting to get the better of you and you want to know how to manage your money more effectively, read on.
Work out your income and outgoings
First, decide whether you’ll do a monthly or weekly budget, whichever suits you best. Then write down all your income. (e.g. salary, benefits, pension). Now list your outgoings. Don’t forget those that you only pay on an annual or quarterly basis - which you’ll need to break down to a weekly or monthly amount. Here are some common household expenditures:
mortgage or rent
home insurance
council tax
utilities (gas, electricity, water, phone)
TV licence
car tax
car insurance
petrol
car parking charges
travel to work (public transport)
credit cards
overdrafts
loan repayments
groceries
childcare
pocket money for kids
vet bills
luxuries (going out, clothes, presents)
holidays
Tally up your total outgoings and subtract them from your income, and what’s left over is yours to spend - or save if you’re wise. If your outgoings are more than your income, alarm bells should be ringing. You won’t be able to sustain this on a long-term basis and you’ll quickly find yourself in more and more debt. Now’s the time to sort it out. You know where you stand with your income and outgoings, so you can now make changes and improvements to the way you manage your money. Below are some tips to help you cut down your spending and increase your savings.
Save, not spend
There are lots of ways in which you can live more efficiently, and a little goes a long way - if you save just £1 a day, you’ll have £365 in a year! So everything counts:
Cook at home rather than buying ready meals and takeaways or eating out.
Cut down on your treats - CDs, clothing, make-up etc. The best way in which to do this is to give yourself a budget and stick to it.
Don’t buy designer labels or expensive brands - cut down by purchasing high street clothes or the supermarket’s own brand of groceries.
Just make your own lunch, or don’t buy coffee at work, and you’ll easily save it.
Give up smoking - it’s an expensive habit.
Switch off unneeded lights in your house.
Find out whether you’re entitled to any benefits. The government has various tax credits and allowances for individuals and families on low incomes.
Open a savings account if you don’t have one and set up a standing order to ensure that some of your income goes there every week or month.
Tax-free savings accounts such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) allow you to save a certain amount each year without paying tax.
Leave your savings alone - once they’re in your savings account, they’re untouchable. The more you have, the more you’ll make in interest.
Check regularly how your savings are performing and move to a bank account with a better interest rate if necessary.
If you get a bonus or extra cash, put it in your savings before you’re tempted to spend it.
Don’t buy anything on credit unless you really have to - and only then if you know you will have the means to pay it back. It’s a much more expensive way to shop, as you’ll pay back more in interest.
Most people start to have problems with debt when there’s a major change in their life circumstances, such as getting married, changing job, moving house or starting a family. If any of your circumstances change, revise your budget and make any necessary adjustments.
If you’re still struggling …
… don’t sweep the issue under the carpet. The longer you ignore your money problems, the bigger your debts will get. We live in an expensive world nowadays and many people struggle to get by - so there’s nothing to be ashamed of. There are lots of organisations who can provide specialist help on debt management - for example the government Insolvency Service, Consumer Credit Counselling Service and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. They’ll give you free practical advice to help you get your finances back on track.
The first thing to do is to make a list of everyone to whom you own money, and sort the list into priority and non-priority debts. Priority debts are those that are secured against your home or could have serious consequences such as you being evicted or taken to court, and these must be tackled first.
Then speak to your creditors, for your priority debts first. They’ll be a lot more understanding if you explain your situation to them than they would if you tried to ignore their payment demands. Run through your budget and try to negotiate a repayment plan that’s manageable for you.
Once you’ve managed to repay all your debts, don’t let yourself get caught in the same vicious circle again. Live within your means, don’t be tempted by credit or â??buy now, pay later’, and keep a close eye on your budget and expenditure.
Managing Personal Credit
The world of personal credit continues to change at a rapid rate. There are several steps consumers can take to keep a handle on their credit and not be caught off guard when applying for a loan or credit card.
Most of the recent changes in credit are a result of two things: The impact of computerization or electronic processing and government regulations.
Computerization allows credit organizations to amass and process large amounts of information, analyze it, and act on it quickly. The computerization of information has also greatly reduced the role humans play in the credit process and as a result increased the amount of incorrect information found in a credit file. Previously, consumers sat down and discussed the possibility of credit approval for a loan or credit card with another person. The loan processor would even have a role in determining the interest rate. Applicants also had the opportunity to challenge and correct information that was wrong.
Now many applications are completed online and approved or denied without talking to another human being. While convenient, it can also be frustrating because there is no one to discuss the factors the decision is based on and whether it was correct or not.
Whether this is good or bad or right or wrong can be argued, but this is the reality of credit in the 21st century. The defense for consumers is to understand how the system works and control the things within their power. All credit users should know how their actions affect their credit worthiness; how to get a copy of their credit report, how to read it and how to apply for corrections of reported errors.
Beginning in 2005 the federal government mandated that the three major credit reporting agencies (Transunion, Experian and Equifax) must provide individuals with a free copy of their credit report once a year.
Obtaining a copy of your credit report and reviewing it for accuracy is a vital step in managing personal credit. Consumers can request a copy over the internet at annualcreditreport.com; by phone at 1-877-321-8228; or by mail by sending a request to Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta GA 30348-5281.
Take the time to review every item listed to make sure it belongs to you. If any errors are found, follow the instructions given for corrections. Reviewing these reports can be confusing, but it is time well spent in the process of managing your credit. It is also important to know that the reports from the three agencies may not contain the same information. One strategy in reviewing the three reports is to compare the information in each of the reports to see where they don’t agree. This is a good way to find errors.
The other factor that can affect personal credit is government regulations. These can be local, state or federal. A recent change at the federal level impacted every person who has a credit card and does not pay off the balance each month. The government increased the minimum amount credit card companies must charge each month. So, the amount due every month went up and consumers didn’t do anything different. To impact these changes consumers must be informed of the proposed regulations and communicate with government representatives.
Understanding all of this and taking action to manage it is not easy, but is necessary if consumers do not want to be at the mercy of a system that may not be accurately reflecting their true credit worthiness.
Celebrity Personal Trainers - Part 1
Who are these amazing personal trainers that work with movie stars, professional athletes, musicians, and the rest of the rich and famous? Research into exactly how one becomes a celebrity personal trainer reveals that, like the rest of the personal training industry, no formal requirements exist to become one of these trainers to the stars who charge $300+ per hour. Most celebrity trainers simply happened to be in the right place at the right time.
An unknown trainer visited a chiropractor following a car accident. During the first few visits, he and the chiropractor hit it off and got to be buddies. The chiropractor happened to know some celebrities, and just by knowing him, this trainer got a gig working with a star. Fortunately for his new celebrity client, this particular trainer had a good knowledge base and great people skills. And there was something in it for the chiropractor, too, in that he got a cut for recommending this trainer to the celebrity.
Celebrity managers would help their star clients hugely if they used more caution when recommending personal trainers. As with any referral, a thorough background screening is in order before simply hiring a trainer on another celebrity’s recommendation. The endorsement by another famous person is often all it takes for an unqualified musclehead to get in the door.
Just Because They’re Famous Doesn’t Mean They’re Knowledgeable
Although you always want to hire the trainer with the best education, experience, and certifications, the people with the best qualifications are not necessarily those with the best marketing skills or the biggest mouths. However, just because someone is good at getting attention does NOT mean they know the first thing about training. In this unregulated field, people don’t have to be well-qualified to work in the industry. Anyone who is good at conveying confidence about their abilities as a trainer will succeed in the business, whether or not they can actually deliver on their promise.
A quick look at the training industry indicates that anyone who even smells like a celebrity now has a celebrity trainer. All the biggest stars – Britney Spears, P-Diddy, J-Lo, Oprah, Madonna, Tom Cruise – have personal trainers. And the trainers themselves are now riding their clients’ fame into their own spotlights. Two of the most celebrated personal trainers are Bob Green, who works with Oprah, and Gunter, trainer to many celebrities.
Many celebrity trainers are featured on news and entertainment programs, offering diet and nutrition advice. Turns out their biggest gift is their ability sell their products in front of a camera, because their advice is questionable, at best. Still, no one can argue with their ability to generate millions of dollars because of their proximity to the rich and famous. Sadly, though, they’re making a lot of that money by exploiting uneducated people, playing on their unrealistic desires to look like the next big-screen celebrity.
We’re Not All Going to Look Like Supermodels or Professional Athletes
Say you’re in the best shape of your life, but you still don’t look like your idealized image of the perfect man or woman. That’s just reality, folks. Not everyone is going to look like Pamela Anderson or Brad Pitt, regardless of how hard they work. Genetics play a big role in our looks, not to mention the cosmetic enhancements, air brushing, and camera tricks. Being healthy and fit doesn’t mean you will never have a little fat on your body. Looking great and feeling great without using drugs, cosmetics, and surgery will make you happier than any amount of fame ever will.
Before you decide you want to look like a covergirl or a superjock, you must be comfortable with yourself exactly as you are. You are going to feel better as you lose weight and build muscle, but the you inside will still be the same. Your shapely new build may inspire confidence, but the raw materials of your personality will remain exactly the same. Are you fundamentally happy with your life and who you are now – or are you waiting for external improvements to make you feel better? They won’t, because they can’t. Just as the roots of a plant determine the quality of its fruit, the invisible, internal stuff determines your happiness in life.
The Results of Quick-Fix Shape-Up Programs Never Last
It’s often scary to hear celebrities and their personal trainers promoting new diets and/or nutritional products. If these alleged “professionals” don’t really know how the body functions (and far too many of them don’t), it’s no wonder our nation just keeps getting fatter. Two significant problems exist with quick-fix training and nutrition programs. First, these extreme exercise/diet regimens that quickly get stars in great shape are terrible for the body. Yet many celebrities follow them because they know their jobs could be on the line. Secondly, regular people who try to follow the celebrities’ exercise/diet programs often wind up failing because they cannot keep up the extreme regimens and because the programs are impossible to sustain for any length of time.
Remaining super-lean all year is challenging, especially if you used a program that slimmed you down in just 8 to 12 weeks, like a bodybuilder’s exercise/diet regimen. This process can get you looking phenomenal for a day or two, but the effects won’t last much beyond that because our bodies simply cannot function at that level for any sustained period. However, you can achieve these results and stay super-lean year-round with a lifestyle change that incorporates healthy meals and regular exercise. A quality program can burn fat, as opposed to primarily building muscle, unlike the regimens the stars often follow with their celebrity trainers.
Short-term training programs to get in shape for a one- or two-day event (like a bodybuilding contest) do work, but because they proceed at an unnaturally rapid pace, they cannot be sustained for any real length of time without seriously harming your body. However, many celebrity training programs utilize this quick-fix process because so few personal trainers really understand anatomy and human kinetics, the physical sciences related to human body function. Well-educated trainers exist – they just happen to be unfortunately rare. Few trainers have degrees or quality certifications, let alone do they continue their education or expand their knowledge about human function and performance. In this unregulated industry, no one is checking to see if personal trainers are pursuing any education updates – and most of them are not.
This does not mean you should not hire a personal trainer. Hell, even personal trainers with very little training about how to create a quality exercise or nutrition program can still provide an environment where you can get fit. They also can motivate you to achieve better health and make much quicker progress than you would likely ever achieve on your own. Almost any personal trainer is better than no personal trainer. Almost.
Business Coaching; Learning to Change With the Market and Times
Business coaching is necessary for surpassing the current levels of performance and productivity. The challenges faced by today’s organizations in terms of reinvention, reengineering, reorganizing and right sizing has forced them to utilize business coaching in order to compete in the current market environment. For the proper growth of any organization, it is necessary to have executives who are up-to-date with the recent trends and have beliefs, values, attitudes, motivation and thoughts that will drive them to excel. Business coaching provides the perfect platform for developing personal skills and behaviors that are necessary for implementing organizational changes and initiating the learning process.
Business coaching is required both at the executive and the managerial level for understanding the organization’s current position and to decide its future growth patterns. Apart from effecting educational development and experience, coaching also provides objective feedback and acts as a critical tool for successfully engineering organizational change. For adapting to the rapidly shifting marketplace, organizations need to change their approach. However, this is often difficult to implement as people and organizations are naturally resistant to change. Business coaching has become a very effective tool for initiating productive changes in individuals, teams, and systems by enabling leaders, managers, and employees to uncover potential that might otherwise go untapped.
With the growing realization that profits, productivity, and customer satisfaction are the outcomes of performance rather than the cause, business coaching courses have started focusing more on leadership issues, cultural factors and the learning and development practices that drive performance. The goal of business coaching is not to be an alternative vehicle of managerial control, but rather it concentrates on empowering and delegating to create a culture of responsibility and self-generated, commitment-based actions. Coaching is certainly more than just a technique as it involves viewing the organization in a different perspective and working through relationships, dialogues and feedback for harnessing future potential and growth. It provides organizations with the capability of altering or shifting current work methods, internal and external communications and the framework within which employees normally operate. Business coaching has thus become very critical for modifying or creating an effective work environment that is more adaptable to change and growth.
Business coaching allows managers to play the role of professional business coaches for meeting organizational challenges and motivating others in their work environment. It creates the awareness among managers that by acting as coaches they can transform or create an organizational culture that is more receptive to change and open to new possibilities. Managers as coaches learn to increase self-awareness decide when and how to take action, find creative solutions, consider opinions and feedback from fellow employees, set targets, make appropriate requests, decrease hostility, and reduce stress and negative emotions in the workplace.
Coaching managers provide many direct benefits to the organization as managers get a clear idea about their commitments as well as those of the organization. They learn how to generate and maintain effective relationships, which in turn increases the levels of trust and accountability in the organization. Their understanding of organizational and interpersonal dynamics is increased considerably, allowing them to empower themselves and others to achieve organizational objectives. They learn how to take calculated risks for producing results aligned with organizational vision. They also learn to develop the right kind of unity and team spirit that will powerful work relationships that help achieve extraordinary results.
Change History?
Arguably, one of the most powerful change techniques in NLP is â??Change Personal Historyâ?? (CPH). This technique is useful when an individual has experienced a significant emotional event in the past which still continues to impact negatively on their lives in the present. As we know, actual human experience only exists in the present moment, in the form of information received via our five senses. The past exists as stored memories in our unconscious mind. To remember past memories we have to re-experience them in some way in the present. Unfortunately for negative events, we tend to re-experience them as we did at the time and are not always able to benefit from knowledge or resources we may have gained since. CPH allows an individual to re-evaluate memories of significant emotional events in the light of present knowledge. This is a surprisingly simple process to use, and is a regular resource used in hypnotherapy and NLP Practices
throughout Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
So How Does CPH Work?
All human beings have a vast store of past experiences that exist as memories in the present. Whilst it is not possible to change what has already happened, it is possible to change the meaning it now holds and in turn the impact it has on the persons state and behaviour. During the CPH process the client is asked to identify resources, which if they had access to them at the time of the event, would have meant the event would not have been a problem for them. These resources are then anchored and the individual is able to share these resources with their younger self who experienced the initial significant emotional event. The practitioner guides the client to re-live the event with the benefit of these resources, (the practitioner fires of the anchor whilst the client is associated into re-living the event). The client is encouraged to notice the changed responses in other people involved in the event and if they wish they can also share the resources with these people. The client is encouraged to verbalise what they felt unable to say at the time to others involved in the event and even to imagine the perspective of others involved in the event and any responses they may give. CPH is a change technique which can totally transform the meaning a past experience holds for the client, freeing the client to let go of emotional pain, creating an empowering positive future. CPH is just one of many NLP techniques used By NLP Hemel Hempstead, an NLP and hypnotherapy practice based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
Making a Radical Change: It Just Might Be You
Changing our behavior to achieve better results is the most important challenge we face in trying to compete in this chaotic world. Maybe you are in a slump or know deep down you have accepted an average performance when a great one is possible. When you’re ready to change, to increase your sales, to take some calculated risks, to improve any and all aspects of your life, you may not know how to begin beyond crossing your fingers and hoping for a lucky break. What can you do differently to create more positive results in your work and personal life?
First, accept the fact that if you are not getting the results you want in any aspect of your life, it just might be you! It’s not somebody else’s fault. To achieve real change in your results, decide that this is your year. You must believe in yourself and your ability to make change happen. When you do, you’ll find that your belief naturally leads you to take action, and action is the only thing that brings results.
True change requires you to develop clear reasons why you will not fail yourself and your family. So when you know what drives you, write it down. The process requires introspection, which you may not be used to, but in order for it to work, you need to take the time to quietly consider every aspect of your life (past, present, and future) and commit it to paper.
To embark on this process, consider the following:
1. Where have you been? If you feel as if disappointing results are your destiny, they will be until you are able to see the behaviors that lead to those results. So take ten minutes to reflect on your accomplishments and your disappointments, big and small, and then write everything down. Consider and answer these questions for your career, family, health, faith, self education, finances, and recreation/fun.
-What accomplishments am I most proud of?
-What specific results have I achieved?
-Have I been willing to do what I know it takes to do better?
-What have been my biggest disappointments?
-What did I learn from my disappointments?
2. Where are you now? To change, you need to know where you are in the present moment, as well as where you’ve been. Make an honest written assessment of where you are in your life right now in the areas listed above. Where have you lowered the bar and accepted it? Think in terms of keeping score and getting clear on the actual numbers you have right now. Look at the truth! Getting disgusted with your current situation is a heck of a motivator.
Health and energy level is the Achilles heel for most people. The number one killer in the nation is heart disease, and almost half those who have a heart attack die from their first one. So you can see the necessity of getting honest with yourself right now about your heath, as well as other aspects of your life. To draw a detailed health picture, go to a professional and find out:
-What is my current weight compared to where I want to be?
-What are my blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride level, and EKG readings?
-What is my standing heart rate? Can I run a mile? How quickly do I recover after exercise? – How often do I work out a month? Am I too tired at the end of the day to enjoy myself?
-Is fifty-percent of what I am eating water-rich live foods, fruits and vegetables?
Repeat this process in the other key areas suggested, considering every aspect of your life as it really is, right now.
3. Where do you want to go? Allow yourself to fantasize about what specifically you want most in your life. First consider what you’d like to do immediately, then in the near future. What are the top specific, measurable outcomes you’d like to achieve within those time frames? Look to clarify and raise your personal standards of conduct. Make sure you have each of the key areas represented. It is not the quantity, but the quality of the goals you set!
For someone in sales, good questions to establish immediate, short and long-term goals would be:
-What am I committed to earning this year?
-What percentage of my sales is from referrals?
-How many new prospects will I contact a day? How many current clients will I contact?
-How can I better document my successes with testimonial letters, quotes, and pictures?
-What company award and/or incentive trip am I committed to winning?
-What will I do each day to enhance my expert status and give more value to my clients?
-Have I been doing what it takes to be great or have I been making excuses and fighting to be average?
4. What is my action plan and tracking method? Break your bigger goals into monthly and even weekly achievable steps. But keep in mind that the time-worn old advice to take gradual “baby steps” is seldom effective; you’ll get frustrated and discouraged if your new results don’t come quickly enough. Be bold! Making more radical changes will simply yield quicker results and establish forward momentum.
Next, create a goal sheet and action plan in any format that suits you: a time line, a monthly calendar with target dates and notes, pictures of the outcome you want with a simple list of the steps it will take to get there, or any other creative format that works for you. Make it easy to review your goals and higher personal standards daily by laminating your action plan and putting it in your shower, on your bathroom mirror, or in your briefcase for easy daily review.
Radical changes you can make for better results include:
-Get up thirty minutes earlier at least four days a week for aerobic exercise.
-Make ten prospecting calls for new business every day by noon.
-Contact three past customers every day and ask questions to uncover new opportunities.
-Send one hand written card a day keeping in touch with clients or praising an employee.
-Limit fast food intake to once a week. Bring a small cooler of healthy food to work/in your car.
-Eliminate soda from your diet. Eat seven to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
-Focus only on positive things your family is doing or has done the first thirty minutes at home.
-Write a written outcome before you make every sales presentation. Tape it and review.
Take the time to write down why you are committed to stick with these radical changes. Focus on the joy of when you make the change. What if you implement that change? What are all the positive ramifications. Consider the negative consequences too. I just want you to focus more on the joy of living vs. the fear of dying. Write at least a paragraph to yourself. What kind of person do you want to be? How will you behave to become that person?
The Rewards of Change are Many
Whether you make change happen or not, it’s going to happen; that’s the way life is. And the results of passively waiting to see what happens next,of letting life decide for you,can be completely opposite from what you’d choose for yourself. Do not wait for a crisis!
While making a radical change can be an intimidating prospect at first, the rewards are many and will come quicker than might imagine. When you’re in control of your destiny, achieving your optimal results and beyond, you’ll look back on that decision and realize it was the moment everything began to change. Mastering the ability to confront reality and make a change isn’t just a key strategy for business. It is a necessity for life and perhaps the one skill most worth learning.
How To Invite Positive Change In Your Life
Gnothi seauton, said Socrates. “Know thyself.”
These words remain as true today as in the days when the portly
philosopher in his rumpled tunic sauntered through the dusty
agora of ancient Athens and pondered aloud about the riddles of
the human experience.
“What is man?” he asked. “What can he become?”
This is a fascinating question. Once we set out to know
ourselves, we also pave the way to become more authentic and
powerful in our lives.
While we may appear predisposed, due to genetics or
environmental factors, to certain character traits, we are, as
far as I can tell, creatures of infinite possibilities and
amazing self-invention.
Who we are, then, has less to do with knowledge and more to do
with imagination. We appear to be who we choose to be rather
than merely the consequences of our experiences.
However, this elasticity of possibility, is seldom exercised,
for rather than explore, we prefer to be safe, and rather than
risk, we would rather remain restricted in our self-expression.
We prefer homeostasis to adventure.
Still, when we hear or read about someone who has changed in a
remarkable way, we feel a curious envy and joy, a sense of what
may be possible for us were we to shift away from our stable
moorings. In fact, the books or movies that move us the most are
those where the main characters undergo transformation from a
lower to a higher state of being.
We admire change, but don’t feel sure about it– which, of
course, is understandable, because change, after all, is based
on uncertainty.
Change awaits us all…but will it be positive or negative?
If the change is reflexive, as a response to circumstances, the
change may not be positive. On the other hand, if the change is
reflective, as a response to a stimulating thought, we feel the
thrill of embarking upon a whole new realm of experiences. Our
potentialities cry to be awoken and brought into the light of
manifestation and actuality.
Since change is inevitable, then, we may as well embrace it by
making it deliberate. In fact, we can expand our possibility
thinking and accelerate positive change in our lives by using
two cognitive tools.
The first tool is Critical Shift Thinking. By making small
changes, we can precipitate big effects. For example, by
changing how we eat, or exercise, or organize our finances, or
relate to people, we can invite a massive personal
transformation over time.
The second tool is Influential Thinking. While we’re all aware
of how other people can and do affect us, we seldom pay
attention to how we can enrich ourselves through choice books,
music, and other educational and inspirational media.
When we spend time to get to know ourselves better, when we
ponder on who we are and what we can become, and when we sketch
a bolder picture of what is possible for us, we begin the
process of motivation and invite positive change in our lives.
How much change, of course, depends on our level of purpose,
passion, and persistence
Celebrity Personal Trainers - Part 2
Levels of Training Experience and Results
Some people feel that they can do a fitness program and healthy diet all on their own. If that’s the case, more power to anyone who can create a healthy eating plan, incorporate a weight training routine, and practice regular cardio on their own. You, however, are the extreme exceptions. For many people, the problem isn’t creating the program or even finding the discipline to commit to it. The problem is that they mistakenly design the wrong program for the results they’re after. These folks train regularly, yet see little or no results. Then they get frustrated and quit, thinking they have tried everything when it comes to losing fat or building muscle. They erroneously believe they must just not be disciplined enough – when, in reality, discipline has very little to do with it.
Others think they’re well informed because they’ve achieved great results on their own, when they’ve really just been blessed with good genes and require very little exercise. Most models, movie stars, and celebrities fall into this category, so any exercise and nutritional program designed by a personal trainer probably works like a charm for them. Imagine the results they would see if they used a highly knowledgeable personal trainer and certified nutritionist! And the results would last, rather than simply providing the short-term solutions they’ve become accustomed to.
Lastly, there are unhealthy people who don’t have time to exercise, or never exercise, because exercise hurts, they hate to sweat, or their self-esteem is in the toilet and they figure there’s no point in bothering. This sort of apathy toward preserving one’s health may seem like no one’s business but that individual’s, but it is really a very selfish attitude. Treating your body well – including regular exercise and healthy nutrition – is actually quite unselfish. Think about it – if you don’t take care of yourself now, sooner than later, others will have to take care of you. Since you’re too lazy, busy, or depressed to invest the time or energy in staying healthy now, you will inevitably make others suffer.
If companies and governments were wise, personal trainers would be mandatory, and health insurance would cover them. Seriously, if you only saw a trainer once a week – or even once a month – to check in and make sure you’re performing your exercises properly, that would be better than not seeing one at all.
Fame Doesn’t Equal Expertise – Particularly in the Health & Fitness Industry
Invest time in the research, and then invest your dollars in a qualified trainer who can help you achieve your personal goals. If you have a special need – a back injury, joint problems, limited range of motion – find someone who can address your issue specifically. Don’t jump on the latest celebrity trainer bandwagon, just because the person is a trainer to the stars.
Celebrity personal trainers, spokesmodels, movie stars, athletes, and other rich and famous people likely got where they are because they’re great at what they do. That does not mean you should follow their advice about health and nutrition. You probably wouldn’t ask a plumber how to change your car’s oil, would you? Likewise, celebrities may look good, but that doesn’t mean they – even celebrity trainers – know much about proper exercise and nutrition. Hire a health, fitness, and nutrition professional. They are the only people whose advice you should take on these subjects. Even medical doctors generally are not the best advocates for proper fitness and nutrition, because they are trained in specific fields and seldom are aware of how all the parts of the body work and move in cooperation.
Look around and notice how some of the famous people dish out health advice are not even in the best shape? Why would you take advice from someone who isn’t in peak physical condition? That’s like getting your hair cut by a stylist with a bad toupee or having a gap-toothed orthodontist install your braces. Not to mention that almost anyone can look great, but still feel terrible, because they gained their looks through an unhealthy process.
Research Pays Off When Searching for a Qualified Trainer
No one knows what they don’t know. As a result, many people fall into the trap of buying into the fads from stars like Britney Spears, Oprah, and Dr. Phil. Although a star might actually have a fabulous, incredibly knowledgeable trainer, a great deal can be misinterpreted between the exercise/diet specifics the trainer offers his celebrity client and the info that celebrity passes along to his or her adoring fans. It’s like that game of telephone you played as a kid – by the time the original information reaches you, it has become misinformation.
One star says they got great results by simply lifting weights and eating fewer calories. The next celebrity says they slimmed down by eating a low-fat diet high in protein. Another famous somebody swears by a daily swim, lots of veggies, and lot of good carbs. Arghhhhhh!!!! It all sounds confusing as hell. And, in a way, it is. How should you believe?
A program tailored to a size-2 supermodel will not work for a heavier stay-at-home mom who is just beginning an exercise regimen. The proper design of an exercise program depends on each individual’s biochemistry and physiology. When it comes to human kinetics, many underlying reasons could explain why one person begins a simple walking program and, voila, looks phenomenal, while another person runs, lifts weights, and tortures herself in the gym, only to step on the scale and find she’s gained another pound.
A good personal trainer will help you lose all the fat you want and add all the muscle you desire. Personal training is all about you and your desired results. Even if all your exercise and effort don’t drop a pound off you – if you see no noticeable changes – the exercise is still benefiting your body and your health, and it would be stupid to discontinue your program. Rather than quit, find someone to help you fine-tune your regimen so you can begin to see the results from all your hard work.
Don’t be conned into following someone’s advice just because they claim to be a celebrity personal trainer or charge an exorbitant rate. None of that guarantees their program will help you succeed. There are no healthy quick fixes. Begin a quality exercise program and eat properly, period. Don’t waste time, money, or energy becoming frustrated. Do the research so you can hire a professional to give you sensible advice that will help you look good and feel great.
Personal trainers motivate you – and their celebrity clients – to stay healthy, get in shape, and keep off the fat.
Tips on Choosing a Good Personal Injury Lawyer
There are probably over 10 pages and in some bigger cities maybe over 20 pages of personal injury attorney listings in any given phone book. So, how do you pick the right one for your case?
Personal injury cases are a serious matter. They sometime involve big compensations. Victims of a personal injury will depend on their personal injury lawyer’s ability to recover financial damages that will be needed to cover medical treatments, replace lost income, and hopefully compensate for the pain and suffering had the person been involved in a very serious injury including permanent disability and even death.
Remember, the insurance companies don’t want to see you happy. They don’t care for you. They are more concerned with paying a dividend to their shareholders than your well being. The insurance company lawyers will seek to pay you the least amount possible. Therefore, choosing a good personal injury lawyer with a good track record of successful negotiations is essential to getting the most out of your case.
Personal injury cases can include car accidents, product defects, physical injury at workplace, medical malpractice, to name just a few. In order to be certain that your personal injury case has validity in the eyes of the law, contact a legal professional in your town.
Here are a few tips to help you find a good personal injury lawyer.
Experience – Of course, a personal injury lawyer with a great deal of experience, and not just years of practice, but a track record of a favorable amount of successful negotiations would be a major benefit to your case. Most personal injury claims are settled out of court. But a personal injury lawyer with a good amount of settlements may win your case by threatening to take the case to trial. The defendants are often willing to pay out more money to the plaintiffs in order to avoid negative publicity, expensive trials, and even the possibility that the court may award the plaintiffs more money. If your personal injury lawyer has never won cases in court, the defendant in your lawsuit may not take the threat seriously.
Get a personal injury lawyer that will take your case on a contingency fee basis – This is a fee that is charged at the end of the case and only if your case is successful. This means that your lawyer doesn’t get paid unless you get paid. Lawyers who primarily represent people in accidents usually charge a contingency fee. Your personal injury lawyer will take the fee out of the money you receive for your injuries. You can expect your lawyer to take somewhere around 30% of your final settlement. Thus, it is essential for you to clearly understand the payment structure before you sign the retainer agreement.
Face-to-face meeting with your prospective lawyer – Your personal injury lawyer is going to be your closest advisor. You must feel comfortable talking to him or her and feel that you can trust them. If you don’t like that particular lawyer for some reason and don’t feel comfortable talking to him or her, you need to keep looking.
Martindale-Hubbell rating – With a history spanning more than 133 years, the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Network has a database of over a million lawyers and law firms in 160 countries. This service evaluates lawyers based on peer reviews. You could find the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Network online if you just search for it in your favorite search engine.
And last but not least – never, never, ever give a recorded statement or talk on the phone (since the phone conversation could be recorded) to a representative of the defendant or the insurance company until you consult with your personal injury lawyer first. If asked for such, you could simply say: “I’m not prepared to provide any statements at this time.” A recorded statement of yours could and will be used as evidence against you in the settlement negotiations and in the trial if you have overlooked any facts or you have missed some details while giving the statement.
Disclaimer: The author and publisher of this article have done their best to give you useful, informative and accurate information. This article does not represent nor replace the legal advice you need to get from a lawyer, or other professional if the content of the article involves an issue you are facing. Laws vary from state-to-state and change from time-to-time. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions about the issues described in this article. Thank you.
How To Get Out Of Personal Debt
Personal debts can see your hard earned money vanishing without you even realizing it. This happens, simply because of over-spending. Having said that, how can this be controlled.
Credit Cards
Credit cards, whilst having their own advantages, give people a sense of false wealth. Banks give maximum amounts you can use every month letting you think you have that amount to use up. If you use the credit card for all your purchases, you may have the tendency to spend more that you should. Think carefully before you swipe that card. Remember that for every swipe there is an added amount of interest hiding there somewhere. Use your credit card only for big things, meaning those that are high priced. Or use it only for items that have been budgeted for.
Always get zero interest rates and discounts your credit card company offers. If they do not have zero interest rates settle for the lowest interest fees.
Limit yourself to having one or two credit cards. By doing this, you limit yourself in spending too. That would definitely reduce the upper limit of your spending, and control your personal credit card debt.
Loans
Loans are useful and good if used wisely. If you are a wise spender you will use it to your advantage. Always remember to get the lowest interest fees or better the one with zero interest rates. Look carefully into the installment plans. Be sure you can pay for that specific amount every month. If not go for a plan with longer plans. Look into these interest rates as well. Be sure you pay your loans before its due date. You will incur late charges if your payments are late. This way, you can also control your personal loan debt.
Shopaholic
Do not go after every sale in town. Are you saving by buying during the sales or just merely spending more? Or do you buy almost every item that looks good? Limit your spending to planned purchases.
The Lose Change
Save the coins which are part of the change returned to you. It may look little but over a period of time, this can add up to quite a bit. If you do not like carrying the coins around, then just drop them into any container, that you can keep for this purpose. Once you save a good amount, you can get the bank to exchange them for bills.
You might find times that you might actually find that you can put this savings to some good use.
Emergencies
Make sure you have some emergency funds. You never know when you will need it. If you do not have this, then you will end up having to use your credit card or getting a loan.
Planning your spending based on your income will help more than anything else to ensure that you do not get into personal debt. Besides staying out of debt, also start saving. Plan for the future. Think of the reasons you will need the savings in the future. This will motivate you to not only stay out of personal debt but also to save.
