Wealth Builder University Blog

Is Retirement Still Possible?

I want to thank my friend and colleague, David Alemian for pointing out this posting at AOL Money & Finance.

"Is Retirement Still Possible?"

Great question.

The article says that, "1 in 5 Americans will work until death".

Before you get scared into inaction, I suggest that, in addition to time being a very important ingredient in building wealth, so is wealth knowledge.

When you don't have enough time, building your wealth knowledge becomes an even more important element of your plan.

If you don't think you have enough knowledge now - then you can start collecting the knowledge.

You can can a good overview in a 6 minute video at WealthBuilderUniversity.com called "Your Circle of Wealth".

Good luck

Alex Weiss, co-founder
www.WealthBuilderUniversity.com

Debt Can Be Bad for Your Health

I didn't expect to find an article about the health risks of debt on www.webmd.com .

Check it out.  I has some practical suggestions on getting out of debt

"Debt Can Be Bad for Your Health"

"Worrying about debt may keep you up at night, but it can also affect your health, leading to stress-related illnesses."

Have a great week.

Alex Weiss, co-founder
www.wealthbuilderuniversity.com

Financial Literacy for teenagers?

I enjoy reading financial blogs from other countries, especially UK.

Here is a great tidbit I picked up from the founder of the Money Gym Club, Nicola Cairncross titled "Financially Intelligent Parents".

It's an audio interview discussing how to become financially intelligent enough to teach your kids about money and creating wealth.

Important stuff no matter how much you have.

Alex Weiss, co-founder
WealthBuilderUniversity.com

Does a person 'NEED' credit ?

I spent most of last week in Las Vegas at a financial services training. It was HOT (110+ outside).

But nothing feels as good for me, as 'Home Sweet Home'.

There is an interesting question in About.com's Credit /Debt Management section - "Do We Need Credit?"   -  (http://credit.about.com/b/a/000066.htm?nl=1)

One of my favorite guru's, Don Blanton (www.moneytrax.com) taught me the difference between needs and wants.

When you think you 'need' something you try to get away with as little as possible to meet the needs - but when you want something you get as much as you can.

Perhaps we should change the question to read - Should We Want Credit?

Alex Weiss, co-founder

www.WealthBuilderUniversity.com

Spending Habits That Lead To Debt Overload

LaToya Irby's column on credit and debt management at About.com is simple - but simple doesn't mean 'unimportant'.

I wasn't going to comment on it until I re-read her first paragraph.

"Debt isn’t something that just happens as you go about your daily routines. There are certain spending habits that lead to debt. Recognizing these habits now could save a lot of money and stress later."

The part about saving a lot of money and stress later, made it worth my time. Click on the link and check it out. You might feel the same way too.

Alex Weiss, co-founder
www.WealthBuilderUniversity.com

Is there an alternative to a traditional pension plan?

The Los Angeles Times in today's edition had the following lead to it's article:

"WASHINGTON — Nearly two-thirds of employers that offer traditional pensions have closed their plans to new hires or frozen them for all employees, or plan to do so in the next two years, according to a study released Tuesday."

We always have options, no one said they were good options.

The questions to ask are - 'how good are the options?' or unfortunately many time we have to ask, 'are the options any good at all?'

I like to view the available alternatives in the context of 'good', 'better' and 'best'.

'Good'  = Find the information and use it.
'Better' = Find a tool in addition to the information, and use it
'Best'   = Find someone who has the information and the tools to do it for you.

If you go to http://www.wealthbuilderuniversity.com/prepaid.html it will get you started.

Alex Weiss, co-founder
WealthBuilderUniversity.com

What me worry about retirement? Why?

By 2010, in less than 30 months, the US Census Bureau estimates that there will be up to 214,000 centenarians ( one who is 100 years old or older) living in the USA (U.S.Census)

So I guess if people worked 45 years, got a paycheck regularly and barely managed to make it to retirement at age 65, a substantial number of those individuals will have to figure out how to survive for at least the next 35 years (to age100), without getting any paycheck!

Perhaps it's time to look into some Prepaid Retirement.

Alex Weiss, co-founder
www.WealthBuilderUniversity.com

Get credit reports for FREE more than just once a year

I usually just scan the newsletters I subscribe to but Bankrate.com is not one of them.

Check out this helpful hint entitled "12 free credit monitoring strategies".

1.     Catch mistakes before they make it to your report.
2.     Stagger your free reports for year-round monitoring.
3.     Double or triple up on free report in these states.
4.     Get it free when you've been denied.
5.     Follow up for a freebie after fixing mistakes.
6.     Check it during your job hunt.
7.     Get a little added aid when you need it.
8.     Take advantage of package perks.
9.     Try a scoring estimator.
10.     Check your score when already paying.
11.     Save by doubling up.
12.     Get free advice.

http://www.bankrate.com/nltrack/news/financial_literacy/June07_free_credit_information_a1.asp?ec_id=brmint_ns_weeklyroundup_20070706

Alex Weiss, Co-Founder
www.WealthBuilderUniversity.com

Mortgage Brokers and Borrowers: An Evolving Relationship

From the May 24th edition of the Wall Street Journal I clipped the following questions from James Hagerty's article titled: Mortgage Broker: Friend or Foe. It is an article about how amid today's mounting mortgage defaults, State and U.S. Lawmakers are weighing measures to make the mortgage profession more accountable to borrowers (to read the article in full just click on the clip below).

While the political outcomes will be tomorrow's news, TODAY borrowers can begin asking of their Loan Broker or "Trusted Advisor" the questions outlined in Hagerty's article posted below:

clipped from online.wsj.com

A Welcome Message from the Founders

As Founders of the Wealth Builder University ( WBU),we welcome you to this new and exciting blog, www.WealthBuilderUblog.com .