Tag Archives

30 Articles

HOW YOU CAN OPTIMIZE YOUR CREDIT SCORE AND BETTER UNDERSTAND YOUR SPENDING AND SAVING BEHAVIORS

Posted by Editor on
0
Business
HOW YOU CAN OPTIMIZE YOUR CREDIT SCORE AND BETTER UNDERSTAND YOUR SPENDING AND SAVING BEHAVIORS

Syble Solomon Head Shot-VA-

Financial Behaviorist Syble Solomon joined me on “Turn the Page” to discuss how her Money Habitudes card game, which has been used by hundreds of thousands of people globally, helps people to have their “best ever” conversations about money. These types of dialogues can support couples in staying together, the wealthy in improving their quality of life (affluence does not imply well-being!), and those who are financially challenged to thrive.

Listen to our episode for insights that will guide you in better understanding your spending and saving behaviors.
Lee Gimpel-head shot-VA
“Credit” is a topic that goes hand-in-hand with your habits and attitudes about money. Subsequent to our show, Syble and her colleague, Lee Gimpel, with whom she created The Good Credit Game, provided information that will assist you in optimizing your credit score. Given the variability in how credit works in different parts of the world, the suggestions they shared are best applied in the U.S. Here’s what they said:

WHY CREDIT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
Your credit score is derived from the contents of your credit report at the time that the data is requested. Different companies produce both general scores, and ones that are specific to particular industries and different types of credit requests. Your score answers the question, “How much does the financial system trust you?” It determines the likelihood you’ll be approved for credit or a loan, and the rates you’ll receive.

Your credit background is increasingly used beyond traditional places like getting a mortgage or car loan. It may figure into whether someone will rent to you, or if you qualify for a job, especially those that require security clearances. Lower credit scores can mean higher car insurance rates. Statistically, people with lower scores make more insurance claims.

START BUILDING GOOD CREDIT NOW.
It takes time to build good credit. If you plan on buying a house in five years, start improving your credit today – not right before buying that home. The difference between great credit and OK credit could mean that you get a loan that’s hundreds of dollars cheaper per month, which will save you thousands of dollars over the course of that loan.

HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR CREDIT SCORE
The most important factor in your credit score is whether you pay your bills on time and as agreed.  This payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score.

Don’t max out your credit. Your credit score tends to suffer if you use a lot of your available credit at once, even if you pay your balance in full each month. A typical rule of thumb is to use a maximum of 30% of your limit. So if your card has a $10,000 limit, try to stay under $3000 in any given month. Increasing the credit limit on your account might improve your score in the longer term, if it enables you to use a smaller percentage of your credit limit.

Paying off your credit bill balance in full every month saves you a lot of money, while paying just the minimum will cost you a lot! Closing all old credit cards can lower your score. You can lose history and the lower overall credit limit can also hurt your score.

If you can’t pay your bill, contact the credit card company to work out a solution. Don’t ignore the bills. There will be late fees, and the balance will keep growing as interest will be charged on the new balance each month. This can lower your credit score, especially if outstanding balances go to collections agencies.

When you request your credit report, it is a “soft” inquiry and doesn’t lower your credit score. “Hard” inquiries are associated with financial commitments such as getting a loan or applying for a mortgage, credit card or line of credit. They can lower your credit score.

As long as you can make timely payments on what you owe, use credit! A minimal or nonexistent track record of paying back debt might lower your credit score and cause vendors to charge you higher interest rates. Since research shows that past behavior is indicative of future behavior, lenders want to see how you’ve handled similar situations.

FIX ERRORS ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT.
Credit reports often contain mistakes that can lower your credit score and/or reveal fraudulent activity. Errors like a misspelled name or incorrect address may cause someone else’s information to impact your scores. There are lots of fake “free” services out there, so ensure that you’re utilizing credible sources. Check your report from each of the three main credit bureaus annually. It’s free at: http://www.annualcreditreport.com.

HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MONEY.
Reading Syble’s “10 Tips to Talk About Money with Your Honey article, and using her Money Habitudes cards or on-line tool can help you to better understand your “money personality.” If you’d like to educate adults and young adults about credit reports, scores, and credit cards – in a fun and hands-on way – include the The Good Credit Game in your discussions.

Listen to my conversation with Syble to learn more!

How to Make the Right Decision: Going From Worrier to Warrior in 10 Easy Steps by Hemda Mizrahi & Benson Simmonds

Posted by Editor on
0
Business
How to Make the Right Decision: Going From Worrier to Warrior in 10 Easy Steps by Hemda Mizrahi & Benson Simmonds

Benson Simmonds

Award-winning actor, coach, and writer Benson Simmonds joined me on “Turn the Page” to discuss his recently published book, “SOULAR POWER  – Unlocking the Eight Gates to Joy and Abundance,” which reflects his 20 years of study in the dramatic arts, Kabbalah, Eastern Philosophy, and Mysticism. Listen to this episode to access greater meaning, joy, and success in your life.

Benson expanded upon our conversation after the show, by sharing how you can apply the key tactics he offered to the process of making “good” decisions. If you’re generally decisive and find yourself in new waters with an unprecedented anxiety or conflict that’s causing you to feel “stuck,” this approach will help you to move forward with greater peace of mind. If you frequently  have a hard time making decisions, Benson’s “ten steps” will teach you how to choose more quickly, and with greater confidence.

Here’s what he taught me—in his own words:

We’ve all been there – gripped by fear when needing to make an important decision. We’re afraid of making the “wrong” choice, or one that will result in a negative outcome for ourselves or someone else. Whether you’re making business decision, considering whether to leave or stay in a relationship, making choices regarding your health, school, or even what color shoes to buy, the underlying constant is that feeling for fear. When in fear, you are in worrier (ego) mode, as opposed to warrior (soul) mode, that place from which you can tap into the power of your soul. You soul is your untapped brain potential, that part of you that is connected to a divine source of unlimited joy, love and expansion.

What about the old, “make a list of pros and cons, so you can detach emotionally” approach? That strategy removes your emotions instead of inspiring you to use your emotional intelligence, which you actually need to make the best decision.

So what is the key to making a good decision? Shifting out of fear and into love, which is of course an emotional state. Shifting from ego to soul, from worrier to warrior. Here are the 10 simple and profound steps you can take to make your best decision.

STEP ONE
When you are in ego/fear mode the overwhelming message you receive is “lack and limitation.” This message conveys that there is never enough, and that you are not enough. To shift, take a deep breath and say, “I AM ENOUGH. THIS MOMENT IS ENOUGH.” As you do this, you’ll immediately begin to slow down the ego/worrier self and connect with your soul. The overriding message of the soul is “YOU ARE ENOUGH” and “there is always enough,” so you WON’T be limited or losing out regardless of which decision you make.

STEP TWO
Realize that you can choose to tap into something larger than yourself, your soul. By making this choice and stating out loud, “I CHOOSE TO MAKE THIS A SOULAR POWERED DECISION,” you’ll expand past the information that’s available through your ego/fear. Instead, you’ll tap into a power that has a wealth of data beyond the “facts” as you see them. You’ll surpass “black and white thinking,” which limits your choices, to “FULL SPECTRUM THINKING,” which opens you up to new possibilities. Your decision will be informed by the deeper wisdom you’re able to access through this expanded view.

STEP THREE
Ask yourself: “What are five to ten things I LOVE about myself?”  Be sure to state your answers out loud and use “I LOVE…” in every sentence. For example, “I LOVE my sense of humor. I LOVE my intelligence. I LOVE that I’m a survivor. I LOVE that I try to be kind,” etc. By focusing on what you LOVE, you’ll shift out of fear and into love (become a LOVE GENERATOR instead of a LOVE SEEKER), which will help you to make the best decision.

STEP FOUR
Convey GRATITUDE STATEMENTS that express thanks for your shift to “warrior:” “Thank you (God, universe, the divine, higher powers, etc.) for the ease with which I’ve released my need to make the right decision.” By repeating this a few times, you’ll liberate the pressure your ego/worrier side has placed upon you and begin to feel a newfound ease about the decision. Here’s another version of a gratitude statement: “Thank you God (divine, etc.) for the ease which with I’ve made the right decision.”

STEP FIVE
Envision yourself within the PYRAMID OF PROTECTION: Imagine that you’re sitting or standing inside a four-walled, three-dimensional pyramid. There is a wall slanting up to a point above your head on all four sides of you. The floor is the fifth wall. Divine light from above infuses the walls of the pyramid with unconditional love and joy. Feel yourself and the inside of the pyramid becoming enveloped in divine light. From inside the pyramid say, “I am now connected to and protected by the divine.”

STEP SIX
While in the pyramid of protection, say, “EVERY DECISION I MAKE IS NOW FOR THE SAKE OF THE DIVINE.” By repeating this statement within the pyramid, you’ll take even more of the pressure off. You can also say, “EVERYTHING I DO IS NOW FOR THE SAKE OF THE DIVINE.” By doing this, you’ll remind yourself, that it’s not about you; it’s about what you can contribute.

STEP SEVEN
When you make a soular powered decision, you’ll CHOOSE THE OPTION THAT FEELS THE MOST EXPANSIVE. Simply stated, fear contracts and love expands. When you are afraid, your body pulls inward and in that moment, it’s all about you. When you are feeling love, you naturally expand your arms and want to share, celebrate and contribute. Now, take a moment to reflect on your decision. Which choice feels more expansive to you? The more expansive decision is the best one.

STEP EIGHT
ASKING EXPANSIVE QUESTIONS will help you tap into your soular power and make the best decision. Rather than asking negative questions, like “what will happen if I make the wrong decision?,” or “why am I a loser?,” ask EMPOWERING questions, like: “HOW CAN I EXPERIENCE MORE JOY WHILE MAKING THIS DECISION?,” and “WHY AM I A WINNER REGARDLESS OF THE DECISION I MAKE?” Your brain is a super computer and it will provide you with an answer to any question you ask. Most of us are unaware of the questions we are asking ourselves subconsciously. By asking yourself specific expansive questions, you’ll receive answers that will inspire you to make the best choice.

STEP NINE
BLESS FIVE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE. Think of the person and say “blessings to your for health, happiness, abundance, etc.” Even if the decision is about leaving a boss or relationship, send that boss or current spouse/lover blessings. This will very quickly shift you out of fear and into love, opening up your divine channel of joy, love and expansion even more.

STEP TEN
When making your decision, eliminate the need to “be good.” Trying to “be good” can lure you into a decision that is based on self-sacrifice or martyrdom, which your ego convinces you is “noble.” This leaves you stuck in worrier mode. Instead, SEE GOOD, the good in yourself and that of others. A true soular powered decision is a WIN-WIN for all parties involved.

In applying these 10 steps, you’ll make the “best” decision and ENJOY the process of choosing. You’ll feel more joyous and loving, which will contribute to even better decisions as you move through your day.

Benson shares blessings for you to “embrace your soular power and open your heart to feel and attract more joy, love and abundance in every moment.”

His book, “SOULAR POWER – Unlocking the Eight Gates of Joy and Abundance” is available on Amazon. You can reach him at soularpowerbook@gmail.com if you’d like to find out more about his spiritual and business coaching services.

Whether or not you see yourself as a “spiritual” person, you’ll gain a practical approach to improving results in every aspect of your life by listening to our conversation.

We invite you to “pay it forward” and expand your fortune by sharing the link to the episode and blog post with your on and off-line communities.

How to Run a Profitable Business as a Creative Entrepreneur by Hemda Mizrahi

Posted by Editor on
0
Business
How to Run a Profitable Business as a Creative Entrepreneur by Hemda Mizrahi

Rob Fortier

Business Coach Rob Fortier joined me on “Turn the Page” to describe what it takes for creative entrepreneurs to run a profitable business.

After his guest appearance on my show, Rob offered three additional strategies and related tactics for owners of new or growth ventures.

MAKE BOLD CHOICES.
During the interview, we discussed that success starts with adopting a business-owner mindset. Part of that, as an entrepreneur, is asking yourself and considering: What am I willing to do or give up in order to get what I want and reach my goals?

Are you willing to be brave and step out of your comfort zone? Are you willing to think bigger than you ever have before? Are you willing to take risks even though you might fail?

Action steps to make bold choices:

* Make a list of five bold, positive choices you’re willing to make for your business.
* Identify which one of the five will have the most significant impact on your business.
* List five moves you will make to take action on that bold choice.
* Decide what you can stop doing or give up to create more opportunity for your business.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE.
During the show, we discussed how important it is to define your target market. Who are the purchasers and consumers of your products or services?  Who do you want to be serving? Many creative entrepreneurs are tempted to say “everyone!” No matter what you do or how good you are, your work is not for everyone. The person who buys a $20 poster at the local discount store might not be the same person who’s willing to spend $1,000 for an original painting.

The last thing you want to do is waste your valuable time and money marketing to the wrong people. The more specific you can be, the better.

Questions to ask yourself when determining your target market:

* To whom do my products or services appeal?
* How old are my customers?
* What do my customers do for a living?
* Where do my customers shop?
* Where do my customers or clients hang out (online or in person)?
* How much are they willing to spend on products or services like mine?
* How often do they purchase my product or service?
* What is their yearly income?

ENERGIZE YOUR MONEY.
During the interview, we talked about drawing a map that guides your business toward financial stability. This process involves learning to do what I call “Energizing Your Money.”  As an entrepreneur or business owner, it’s vital to look at your attitude about money and what you’re saying about it. Many people have a love/hate relationship with money: they love it when you have it and hate it when they don’t!  Do you often say that you are poor and that you can’t afford this or that?

Strategies for Energizing Your Money:

* Replace “I can’t afford it!” with “That’s not something I’m choosing to invest my money in right now.” How does that change things for you?

* Take a look at what you’re spending your money on. Decide right now that you will stop perpetuating the scarcity mentality. Start living from a place of abundance and sending that positive message out into the world. Developing a positive attitude around money will affect the choices you make.

* Choose to INVEST in YOU and your success as a creative entrepreneur by honing in on what you need to run your business rather than just SPENDING money.

* Money is meant to flow in and out, back and forth.  Don’t clutch onto it for dear life.  When you spend it, wish it well and send it on its way. When you earn it, welcome it and give thanks.

* Don’t be intimidated by money. Ask for money you’re owed for work you completed.

Rob advises, “taking any action in your business is better than taking no action at all. Don’t wait for amazing opportunities to come to you. Go out and create them. If you want to create for your own enjoyment, you’ve got a hobby. If you want to create so that you can serve the needs of others, that’s a business!”

He suggests the following resources for further guidance: “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, and “Selling For Fun and Profit: Take the “Icky” and “Scary” Out of Sales,” by Hugh Little.

Ready to go even further to ensure your success as a creative entrepreneur? Read Rob’s free workbook, available at www.RobFortier.com, and purchase a recording of his talk at a business telesummit: http://www.unstoppableprofitsrockstarcreatives.com

Listen to my conversation with Rob.

Hemda Mizrahi

Money Mistakes, Nola Hennessy’ Peace, Gift of Adventure

Posted by Editor on
0
Empowerment
Money Mistakes, Nola Hennessy’ Peace, Gift of Adventure

2015 top non profit badge

with Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany on StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® Radio brought to the airwaves under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity, LIVE, since 1998.
This hour is fun, informative, and lively. Join us!
By the time we hit 30, we should have a good grasp on how to spend and save. Money mistakes run rampant in the roaring 20’s and it’s time to navigate the future. In T42, Heather Brittany and Cynthia Brian discuss common money mistakes and how to pay your future first to make sure your present is secure.

nola hennessey - 2PeaceAngel
As a thought leader on global peace and strong advocate for prevention-based strategies when dealing with violence, terrorism and other unacceptable negative power behaviors, Serenidad Consulting Principal, Nola Hennessy, will speak about peace and leave you to ponder: “What if we think prevention, instead of reaction?” Nola is The Peace Angel and sees peace through an educator’s lens, not a confrontation lens. We know this interview will broaden your thinking and inspire you to make a positive difference.

DCIM100GOPRO

To expand who you are, look for the adventure in all things. Life is an involuntary bungee jump. You can shut your eyes tight, cringe, and shriek in terror, hoping it will all be over soon. Or you can open yourself to the experience, savoring every sensation and crying out with joy and exhilaration.  Join Cynthia Brian in celebrating your aliveness.

SerenidadConsultingLogo_Nov13
Listen at Voice America

Listen at StarStyle Radio with photos and descriptions
Read about our SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEERS: READ AT PRESS PASS

Catch up with all broadcasts on ITunes

Buy books by Cynthia Brian
Check out the online fundraiser for BTSYA
Amazon
The award winning positive talk radio program, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® broadcasts on the Voice America Empowerment Channel LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5pm Pt/7-8pm ET.  Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany are the Mother/Daughter dynamic duo who have been co-hosting this program live weekly since 1998 bringing upbeat, life enhancing conversation to the world. With Cynthia’s expertise in interviewing the trailblazers, authors, and experts and Heather’s healthy living segments, these Goddess Gals are your personal growth coaches helping you to jumpstart your life while igniting your flame of greatness.
Brought to the airwaves under the auspices of the literacy and positive media charity, Be the Star You Are!®, each program will pump your energy to help you live, love, laugh, learn, and lead.

Tune in the Power Hour every Wednesday from 4-5pm PT/70-8pmET and join our empowerment party.
For photos, descriptions, links, archives, and more, visit StarStyle Radio.
Get inspired, motivated, and informed with StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!®
Lend us Your Ears!!!
Make a donation today to Be the Star You Are!® charity

Cynthia Brian talks about the empowering outreach programs offered by Be the Star You Are!® charity.

Overeating Super Foods, Garden BFF’s, Money Matters for Kids

Posted by Editor on
0
Empowerment
Overeating Super Foods, Garden BFF’s, Money Matters for Kids

brian-2014-StarStyle-empowerment

with Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany on StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® Radio brought to the airwaves under the auspices ofBe the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity, LIVE, since 1998.

Fish and kale are really good for us. But what happens when we consume too much of a good thing? Heather Brittany offers insights on how to eat a balanced, moderate diet.

basket of greens, beets.,carrots - 3

People have acquaintances, friends, and best friends. In the world of nature, plants have favorite companions as well as ones that they wish they’d never encounter. Learn the benefit of companion planting with Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian

nasturium orange-yellow

Money is the most common stressor in America yet parents are not teaching kids how to handle it. Money matters and it is important to help kids understand the value as their brains are developing.

Listen at Voice America Empowerment

Listen at StarStyle Radio with photos and descriptions

Read about our SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEERS: READ AT PRESS PASS

Catch up with all broadcasts on ITunes

Buy books by Cynthia Brian at StarStyle Radio
Check out the online fundraiser for BTSYA
Amazon

lavendar-roses-companions
The award winning positive talk radio program, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® broadcasts on the Voice America Empowerment Channel LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5pm Pt/7-8pm ET.  Cynthia Brian and Heather Brittany are the Mother/Daughter dynamic duo who have been co-hosting this program live weekly since 1998 bringing upbeat, life enhancing conversation to the world. With Cynthia’s expertise in interviewing the trailblazers, authors, and experts and Heather’s healthy living segments, these Goddess Gals are your personal growth coaches helping you to jumpstart your life while igniting your flame of greatness.
Brought to the airwaves under the auspices of the literacy and positive media charity, Be the Star You Are!®, each program will pump your energy to help you live, love, laugh, learn, and lead.

Tune in the Power Hour every Wednesday from 4-5pm PT/70-8pmET.  and join our empowerment party.
For photos, descriptions, links, archives, and more, visit .
Get inspired, motivated, and informed with StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!®
Lend us Your Ears!!!
Make a donation today to Be the Star You Are!® charity

Cynthia Brian talks about the empowering outreach programs offered by Be the Star You Are!® charity.

 

Dennis Kucinich Calls For End To Current “Debt-Based Monetary System”

Posted by Editor on
0
Business
Dennis Kucinich Calls For End To Current “Debt-Based Monetary System”

Costa

Dennis Kucinich Calls For End To Current “Debt-Based Monetary System”

Early this year, former 16-year veteran Congressman Dennis Kucinich proposed six steps to get America back on track. At the top of his list? A call for the Federal government to reclaim control of the nation’s monetary system. Speaking on The Costa Report, Kucinich outlined his National Emergency Employment Defense Act (NEED), a bill he originally proposed in 2011. The bill “restores to Congress the ability to create and regulate money, which is how the Constitution was written,” Kucinich said. NEED reverses the decision made in 1913 to give the Federal Reserve – an entity owned by, and operated for the benefit of, private banks – the power to create and print U.S. currency. Kucinich’s bill would put the Federal Reserve back under control of the U.S. Treasury, thus ending a 100 year-long policy of allowing private banks to manufacture money.

According to Kucinich, there are two reasons why this change is urgent. First, it would “change accounting rules so that banks are prohibited from creating money out of nothing.” And second, it stops banks from misrepresenting their reserves. The current practice, known as “fractional reserve banking,” allows banks to create account entries that “pyramid” the amount of reserves they actually have.

Kucinich believes placing the monetary system under control of the U.S. Treasury would also help in addressing the staggering debt crisis America faces. “Money equals debt right now,” says Kucinich, implying that the more money printed and put into circulation, the further into debt the country falls. He describes the current $18 trillion debt as a “debt-based monetary system,” where “money comes into existence primarily through private bank lending.”

Hear the full interview with Dennis Kucinich. Visit The Costa Report.

Women in FinTech: Clare Flynn Levy, founder and CEO of Essentia Analytics

Posted by Editor on
0
Business
Women in FinTech: Clare Flynn Levy, founder and CEO of Essentia Analytics

BKing-player-wide

If you go to as many conferences as I do in the financial services and technology space (or FinTech for the hashtag friendly) you are used to bumping into the same people over and over again. You are also familiar with looking out into the sea the exhibition hall, and rows of the plenary sessions to be met with a recurring sight. Waves of dark suits worn by middle aged men. It’s financial services, with a tech edge – the alpha males of the alpha male dominated industries – what are ya going to do, right?

But my thoughts have always been, although women as indeed outnumbered in the industry (I just need to look at Finextra’s audience demographics to see that) that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a huge number of smart, hardworking, innovative thinkers in this space – who happen to be female – and aren’t getting the exposure they deserve. Their voices are being drowned out by the waves upon on waves of ‘men in dark suits’. (Who by the way, are wonderful people when you get to know them on an individual basis 😉

I had been chatting with a few people in the industry about doing some sort of ‘Women in FinTech’ series over at Finextra, either as videos or blogs. As luck would have it, Brett King gave me a call a few weeks ago offering a chance to run such a series on his VoiceAmerica Radio Show, Breaking Banks profiling interesting women making waves of their own in the FinTech space. Bring it on, I thought.

Many in this industry harp on about ‘disruption’. Well, in financial services and tech – there is nothing more disruptive than a female voice. So every month in my blog pages, we will be profiling an awesome ‘Woman in FinTech’.

To kick off our first Breaking Banks/Finextra Women in FinTech series, I sat down with Essentia Analytics founder and CEO Clare Fynn Levy. You can listen to the series on Breaking Banks now.

You can read a transcript of the highlights of my interview below or you can listen to the full interview now.

Clare Flynn Levey, CEO and Founder of Essentia Analytics ‘A Fitbit for Fund Managers’

Finextra: For the sake of our audience, what does Essentia Analytics do?

Clare: We make software that helps investment professionals understand their own behaviour patterns so they can see where their strengths and where their weaknesses lie. So they can focus on more of what they are good at and less of what they are not.

The end game is to make more money.

Finextra: What was your lightbulb moment?

Clare: The seeds were planted when I was a fund manager myself. I was a long only tech manager during the internet bubble and then I was long short tech hedge fund manager during the burst of that bubble. It was really fun on the way up, less so on the way down. I went from, everything I touch turns to gold to nothing I do seems to be making a difference and it was really confusing.

I had a strong view on where my competitive advantage lay and yet it wasn’t showing up in the data on my performance. Really what I needed was more date, rather than just a measure of the outcome. I needed to be able to dig deeper into where I was adding value and how I was adding value and whether my investment process was working.

Finextra: How is Essentia Analytics different from other decision support tools?

Clare: Traditional decision support tools monitor data from outside – what other people are doing. We look inward. If your bad habits or lack of self-awareness are causing you to not maximise your own skills or engage in investment decisions that are inefficient, than no amount of outside data will help you.

We look at what aspect of the decision process are adding or destroying value. Why did you make this decision or why did you decide to not buy this particular stock?

A bit like a Fitbit for fund managers.

Finextra: Is fund management behind the curve?

Clare: Yes, I think the enterprise in general has been behind the curve. There hasn’t been a demand from fund management, who work to long term mandates where there hasn’t been a treat. Only recently have we seen a tipping point. For example, there have been some press concerning hedge funds not performing, especially in regards to fees.

Finextra: When will there be a tipping point for behavioural analytics to go mainstream in enterprise environments?

Clare: When actual individuals are being empowered by the data and it is not used as stick to beat them with or to sell advertising. We all have a huge amount of data collected about us and we are not getting the benefit of that data.

This industry is very concerned with compliance. People are frightened about having data collected about then. But they see how it would benefit them, things will change.

Finextra: What surprised you most about becoming an entrepreneur?

Clare: Running a tech start up is an emotional roller-coaster. I was aware of that, but knowing it and loving it are two different things. But there are a lot of high highs, so I am having a lot of fun with it.

People are approaching us, to work with us. It is not just about money. And in the fund management industry that is a change. Money is part of it, but it is about the intellectual challenge. To change the world for the better.

Finextra: What have been your biggest challenges?

Clare: Funding the biz model is harder than we thought it would be – as provider of a software as a service enterprise offering. That early stage fund raising is so different from the investment world I come from. What we are doing that not something that the average generalist will understand. They get the concept, but they can’t related to it.

Finextra: What advice would you give a FinTech start-up?

Clare: The best thing we did was that we started the company with a client on day one. We were ready to go to clients who has an interest in behavioural analytics. They provided us with a certain level of legitimacy from day one.

Upcoming interviews will include Innovate Finance CEO Claire Cockerton and Kitty Parry, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Social Media Charter.

View the official article at Finextra.

Trendy Boomers and How to Improve by Tom Matt

Posted by Editor on
0
Variety
Trendy Boomers and How to Improve by Tom Matt

trendy_Boomers_2

”Tom Matt’s “Boomers Rock” Radio Talk Show’ is heard every Monday at 6:00pm EST on the Variety channel right here on VoiceAmerica. Please like our Facebook fan page, ‘Boomers Rock’, or follow us on Twitter, ‘Boomers_Rock’ and post any questions comments reactions and suggestions to help us deliver the best content to all ‘MiddleLiving’ adults. You can email Tom- tom@boomersrock.us as well as join the family and collective at Boomers Rocks.

I have this thought on a series of articles about the thought and actions of “Looking Forward or Back”.

I talk about this on the talk show, and in my book, “Maximize Your Quality of Life”, so I thought what a great idea, a series of quick hitters.

So many of our quality of life issues revolve around a myriad of topics, so in building on how to look forward with positive energy let’s talk about different issues, today I want to cover some issues that can help our eating plans and taking back our future, here you go.

Think about these for a second:

Do you think people over-eat junk food because they didn’t get the letter about sugar?

Or we continue to eat foods that pack on the belly fat not because we don’t know how bad those foods are, but because we can’t resist them – and that’s by design.

Nobody smokes cigarettes because they didn’t get the note about lung cancer.

You see, there are powerful forces that are seemingly outside of our control that conspire to not just make us fat, but also to make us sick, tired and even depressed.

I call these forces “Life’s Small Troublemakers” and they inflict havoc on our ability to control our cravings, combat urges and avoid temptation and result in stretched waistlines, failed diets and drained energy.

But there is a series of simple steps you can take to send life’ small troublemakers scampering, take back control of your life and your waistline.

trendy_boomers_4

Let me explain.
Life’s small troublemakers #1: Addictive Food

Big Food has learned how to layer their products with just the right, scientifically determined amounts of salt, fat and sugar to produce what they call “super-palatable” food – or what you and I would simple call “addictive”.

Brain studies have shown that these foods are just as addictive as drugs, alcohol and gambling are. It’s no accident that “you can’t eat just one”.

For example, your brain remembers the sensation of eating fresh baked bread; I know I love the smell, our neurons secrete a brain chemical called dopamine which virtually insures that when the basket at the restaurant is put in front of you magically in empties and the server is smiling and asking “need more bread”?

trendy_boomers_3

“Uhm sure!”

The next time you feel yourself being hypnotically pulled to eat a particular food, just know that there is some mad food scientist smiling somewhere, eager to line his pockets at your expense, so turn the other way and don’t give him the contentment!

Life’s small troublemakers #2: Food Labeling Tricks

Manufacturers have to list ingredients used in greatest amounts listed first.

So when manufacturers don’t want you to know that the main ingredient is sugar, they deceive you by using a dozen different forms of sugar so they can list each one further down.

Underhanded, well what do you think?

For example, all of the following are sugar in disguise: agave nectar, barley malt syrup, dehydrated cane juice, dextrose, corn syrup, brown rice syrup, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, sucrose, maltodextrin.

You can avoid succumbing to food labeling tricks by, well, avoiding foods that have labels in the first place!

Shop around the perimeter of your grocery story and eat fresh, whole, real foods focusing on leafy green vegetables and grass-fed, pasture-raised or organic meats.

Life’s small troublemakers #3: The Gremlin in your Brain

The reward pathways in our brains are powerful motivators, and they will trick your conscious mind every single time. Personally I believe that my dopamine is the cause of my personal problems with being semi-OCD, it is ok to be differant, we all are. Frankly my children think I am a freak, so I am used to the feeling.

Whenever you hear yourself saying, “Aw, just one won’t kill me”, “I just don’t have time to cook” or “I can start my diet tomorrow”, you can be sure that’s the big fat ugly “gremlin” in your brain, doing the bidding of your dopamine reward system.

These voices can sabotage your willpower, but there is a way to turn the table: next time you hear this voice, think of it as coming from someone – or something else, like a gremlin.

By externalizing this voice, you’ll then realize something “else” is trying to manipulate you and you can train yourself to ignore these voices.

Life’s small troublemakers #4: Chronic Stress

Chronic stress may begin in your brain—but it ends up packing on packing on fat, especially around your belly.

When you’re stressed, one way body responds is by churning out a big dose of cortisol.

Cortisol “instructs” the body to preserve fat around the middle, stimulates insulin – the primary hormone responsible for storing the food you eat as fat – and it also breaks down muscle, slowing your metabolic rate and making fat storage certain.

And cortisol sends a signal to the brain to “refuel” for an emergency, usually with foods highest in fat, salt and sugar. The result? You walk around stressed and starving and you’ll eat anything in sight, particularly the stuff that makes you fat and sick.

Because it’s so hard to resist temptation when you are stressed, the #1 way to combat the effects of stress you can do is to take an inventory of your life, and figure out how to minimize stress as much as possible. Also consider doing some form of active relaxation, whether meditation, yoga, deep breathing or something similar.

Life’s small troublemakers #5: Cheap Food Available 24×7

The previous 4 life’s small troublemakers wouldn’t make much of a difference if the food that makes us fat and sick weren’t available.

But it is. Everywhere. And that’s little demon #5.

Hunting and gathering? Forget that noise!

Just go to the nearest drive through or pick up the phone.

Make that a double-double with extra double please.

trendy_boomers_1

The easiest way to combat this toxic food environment is to remove temptation from your immediate environment so it’s NOT convenient.

For example, at home, get rid of all the sugary junk food that will tempt you when your defenses are
down. If an urge comes, you’ll have created a practical barrier that’s large enough to give you enough time for that urge to pass.

What to Do Next…

These 5 of Life’s small troublemakers conspire to make us sick and fat – but that does NOT mean we are all doomed.

Simply by reading this article and becoming aware of these life’s small troublemakers that silently influence you to get fat, you’ve taken the first step toward building a mental defense to withstand their assault.

More next time, looking forward as usual to your comments 🙂

Peace,
T

Try these thoughts, in your own way, and like I said if in one month you don’t see a change, you don’t feel a little bit better about things, send me an email to
Tom@boomersrock.us or see much more content at Boomers Rock

Matt-player-wide

Tom Matt is the host of the weekly talk show “Boomers Rock”, heard on WGHN 1370 AM Saturday mornings at 9:00 in Grand Haven, Michigan, and syndicated on the Internet here at VoiceAmerica. His show is also heard on the Spartan Sports network SSN/247. This is where he brings experts in to discuss all issues that enhance our quality of life.

Tom welcomes comments and feedback, on his site www.boomersrock.us, please join our family and change the world! Visit our website, sign up and become part of the solution, its free and always welcoming/

All aboard! –

Kirk Spano ‘Booming Financial Times’ by Tom Matt

Posted by Editor on
0
Variety
Kirk Spano ‘Booming Financial Times’ by Tom Matt

financial_4

”Tom Matt’s “Boomers Rock” Radio Talk Show’ is heard every Monday at 6:00pm EST on the Variety channel right here on VoiceAmerica. Please like our Facebook fan page, ‘Boomers Rock’, or follow us on Twitter, ‘Boomers_Rock’ and post any questions comments reactions and suggestions to help us deliver the best content to all ‘MiddleLiving’ adults.

You can email Tom- tom@boomersrock.us as well as join the family and collective at Boomers Rock

The talk show “Boomers Rock” has always needed a financial fitness segment, I mean one of the most debilitating thoughts for anyone, let alone boomers, is the stress that accompanies financial pressure. Heck it is no wonder with the way markets bounce, 401k, 403b, investment portfolio, stocks, bonds, real estate, just to name a few, I find it overwhelming and I am sure many others do as well. I just knew that finding a knowledgeable person in finance, someone with passion and energy would be a huge asset to our conduit of great information pipeline (the talk show).

Matt-player-wide

But alas I recruited, asked and tried to sell it to several people over the last year and a half no one would step up, basically they thought it would be too much work or something like that, however I was not to be denied!

As Will McAvoy of the HBO television show “Newsroom” (a new family fave) said:
“Americas darkest days are followed by its finest hours.”

Into our talk show came our guy from Milwaukee, Kirk Spano, and halleluiah! Finally someone who really gets our collective mindset of our extended family and sharing the knowledge. Finally someone who buys into our “Refirement Zone-Ignite Your Life” mentality. Finally, all I can say is welcome to the collective.

financial_3

Kirk owns Bluemound Asset Management, in Milwaukee and is regularly published on Marketwatch.com of the Wall Street Journal Network and Motley Fool Personal Finance, the 1st and 3rd largest financial publishers in America. Kirk has appeared on Fox Business News Network, speaks at public and private events on all of the aspects of investing and now he is the go to guy for the “Boomers Rock” radio show financial fitness segment.

Some of Kirk’s blogs for Market Watch have been specifically targeted for information geared toward us, the boomers. Here is a quick synopsis of one of his articles and why we need to listen to our new brotha of finance, check this out, I personally fall into every one of these attributes, ugh!

Early in life, few boomers started an IRA (uhm, I did’nt even know what an IRA was, kinda thought it was an army in Ireland, whoops)

In young adulthood, many boomers overspent on cars (yep, been there done that for sure)
In mid-life, many boomers overspent on homes (but we are conditioned that they always appreciate in value and it is a great investment, whoops again)

financial_2

In general, most boomers overspent and under-invested for most of their lives (I wrote a whole chapter on this one, just read the chapter on the lost decade in “Maximize Your Quality of Life-The 200% Solution)

Getting the point here, I probably need his knowledge more than anyone, hence the segment, you see the method to my talk show madness.

Kirk sees the vision, he is there with us everyone and his input and energy will not only make the talk show better, it will help us all understand the nuances of the financial jungle, did I say HALLELUIAH. On Wednesday 9/5/2012 Kirk made his reentry into our orbit, (below is the podcast link), and here is a synopsis of our talk.

finance_1

We now live in a “Transitional Economy

What is “Asset Allocation”

If you are just a few years from your “Refirement” time maybe you should think about reducing financial risk.

Why “rates of return” is something we need to understand.

Get the whole story and lesson from our new “Brotha” in the podcast, and be aware that we have a new sheriff on the financial fitness segment of “Boomers Rock” and his name is Captain Kirk!

Until next time-

Peace,
T

peace,

Try these thoughts, in your own way, and like I said if in one month you don’t see a change, you don’t feel a little bit better about things, send me an email to
Tom@boomersrock.us or see much more content at www.boomersrock.us

Tom Matt is the host of the weekly talk show “Boomers Rock”, heard on WGHN 1370 AM Saturday mornings at 9:00 in Grand Haven, Michigan, and syndicated on the Internet here at VoiceAmerica. His show is also heard on the Spartan Sports network SSN/247. This is where he brings experts in to discuss all issues that enhance our quality of life.

Tom welcomes comments and feedback, on his site Boomers Rock, please join our family and change the world! Visit our website, sign up and become part of the solution, its free and always welcoming/

All aboard! –

Traditional Banks are Doomed: Brett King

Posted by Editor on
0
Business
Traditional Banks are Doomed: Brett King

Buiness

Automation and robots are replacing real human interaction and Millennials don’t care. At least that’s what Brett King, best-selling futurist and creator of Moven, a mobile banking app says.

According to King, any bank or institution that requires a signature at all is in trouble with the younger generation. “All of the basic services [young people] use today simply don’t require a signature for opening an account – Facebook, Google, iTunes, Snapchat, Instagram, Mobile Phone Accounts, etc.” he writes.

Behavior around banking is changing, King tells Yahoo Finance. The way we pay for things and the way we interact with those around us and our money are changing because of a modality shift brought on by the smartphone. He believes that the physical bank branch might soon be gone.

Still, Yahoo Finance editor-in-chief Aaron Task points out, people want to go see and touch their bank and money to know its real. “There is a psychology to this,” says King. People do chose banks based on how close a branch is to their office or home. “The only problem is when you ask people [why they chose a bank] and you see what they’re actually doing, you might find two different things,” he says. People just aren’t visiting bank branches anymore.

“It’s very rare for us to need to visit a bank branch.  We can deposit our checks on our phones.  We can send money electronically instantly,” he says, and while “there is a psychology that if something goes wrong people want to go and speak to someone to get their money,” it’s a hangover from the depression days when people were less trusting of large, faceless institutions.

For Millennials, it’s just about utility, according to King. “It’s about how well it works.  Does it work for my friends and in the social circles that I frequent? Can I get paid?  And can I use it online and in a store?”

Human service used to be a differentiator because it was better, says King, but we’re now realizing that with technologies like IBM’s Watson that a human experience isn’t always better—even in banking.

Customers on average are now visiting banks 85% less than they did in 1995, but for every Starbucks in the U.S., there are nine bank branches, and they cost billions to maintain. Big banks like Lloyds and Citibank are responding by announcing the reduction of branches. Britain’s Standard Chartered announced plans to close 100 branches on Tuesday.

“This doesn’t mean that branches will disappear,” warns King, “but our reliance on them in terms of the relationship and the way we interact with the bank is definitely going to change and minimize.”

See the original article posting at Yahoo Finance 

BKing-Promo-Business

Learn more about Brett King’s radio show Breaking Banks which is about the massive upheaval facing the banking industry today as a result of loss of trust, rapid consumer behavior shift, massive technological change and increasing government scrutiny.

In 1472 Banco Monte dei Paschi di Siena opened its first branch. Since then “the bank” has been at the center of the way individuals in the community did banking – whether saving money, moving money around or requesting credit. Breaking Banks is a show exploring how banking is rapidly being disrupted and how context and digital are becoming the new drivers of banking experiences.

Will banking start to disappear from a traditional storefront? Is the end-game of technology like mobile and social media just making banking part of everyday experiences, whether that is buying a home, buying a car, traveling, shopping or funding our children’s education? The possibility that banking is no longer a place you go to, but just something that you do has become very real. Tune in for episodes on Demand.

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

RSS
Follow by Email