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20 Ways to Manage & Increase Small Business Cash Flow

by Michael Lewis

cash flow wordsWhile sales are the muscles of a business, cash flow is its life blood. Cash flowing regularly into a company is necessary to pay salaries, buy materials, and literally keep the lights on and the doors open. Many companies are forced to slow their growth simply because they lack the cash inflows necessary to support the cost outflows.

Speeding up the flow – converting sales into cash as soon as possible – and increasing the spread between inflows and outflows to build a cash cushion are essential to the long-term, sustained growth of every company, large or small.

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6 Signs That You’re Carrying Too Much Debt

by Valencia Higuera

man too much debtMany financial experts report that the average household carries at least $10,000 in credit card debt. In addition to this debt, many people take out upside down car loans and overextend themselves on home purchases. While debt is generally an unfortunate part of life, if you decide to buy a house or car, it shouldn’t be an excuse to rack up huge credit card bills or take out unnecessary loans.

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What Is a Charitable Remainder Trust – Definition, Rules & Taxation

by Kiara Ashanti

charity ribbon moneyIn popular media, there is a fascination with the differences between everyday Americans and the wealthy. However, in reality, the rich and the average American often use their money in the same ways. The rich routinely give to charity, and while the amounts they give are high, as a group they do not give more than everyone else.

Charitable giving is as American as apple pie, and every year, Americans prove you do not have to be a billionaire to be charitable. Whether it is spurred by tough economic times, natural disasters, or simply the desire to give to organizations that people believe in, Americans give generously.

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The Truth About Why Gas Prices Are Rising So High

by Kiara Ashanti

gas prices arm legAs a kid growing up in the frigid northern states, I eagerly awaited April and May when the days of shivering mornings, glove-covered hands, and general misery would be over. But these days, I dread the arrival of the warmer months. Spring and summer are when people take to the roads en masse, which means the price of gas is bound to skyrocket even higher than its current record rates. The average price of unleaded is above $5.00 a gallon and it’s not even May yet. June and July could mean higher prices than we have seen in decades.

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6 Tips to Get Approved for a Home Mortgage Loan

by Valencia Higuera

mortgage loan approvedSome people don’t know the first thing about getting a mortgage loan. They hear reports of dropping interest rates and lower home prices and hastily decide to jump into home ownership. But the process of getting a home loan differs from getting a car loan or renting an apartment, and applicants who don’t recognize these key differences are often disappointed when a lender denies their mortgage loan application.

Educating yourself is key, and there are a number of ways to avoid this heartache and disappointment when applying for a mortgage loan.

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Personal Finance Round-Up: April Is Financial Literacy Month

by Money Crashers

finances glasses calculatorLearning about finance isn’t just for the people on Wall Street. We all deal with money on a daily basis – some of us better than others. We have bills to pay, the need to make money, and hopes of saving for the future.

If any time is the right time to start learning about money, no time is better than right now. April is National Financial Literacy Month, a whole month dedicated to learning the basics of financial literacy. National Financial Literacy Month isn’t just a blogger-backed national movement – it’s backed by the U.S. federal government, which offers several resources to help boost your financial knowledge. Check out MyMoney.gov and ConsumerFinance.gov.

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10 Home Staging Tips & Tricks – Preparing Your House for Sale

by Karon Warren

staging a homePresenting your home in the best light can make a big impact when attempting to sell it quickly for the price you want. However, many homeowners simply don’t know how to make their home more appealing to potential buyers.

Sure, you could replace the kitchen counters or remodel the bathroom like you always wanted, but home improvement ideas cost serious money – and may not even be as effective as some of the more affordable techniques.

Here are some effective ways to prepare your home to sell.

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Top 5 Best Video Devices for Home Theater Systems 2012

by Sandra Parker

watching videos at homeYour television may be the heart and soul of your home video system, but it is only as good as the programming you display on it. There are tons of options for getting quality video programming, but which ones give you the best bang for your buck?

The answer to this question lies in what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay for. Whether it is streaming media, high-definition playback, or an all-in-one machine that can handle a variety of media, there is a something out there that will fit your budget.

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5 Money Saving Tips for Families & Households on a Budget

by Jacqueline Curtis

save money as a familyWhen you and your spouse decide that you need to tighten the purse strings and start socking away money, how do you do it? Chances are, you rearrange your deposits so more cash goes into savings, you vow to be better about your household budget, and you work together to make your long-term financial goals possible. But what about your children?

If you don’t take the opportunity to sit down and teach your kids about saving money, you could be missing out on a chance to impart a valuable lesson and an experience that could bring your family closer together. By making saving a family affair, you can teach your kids about money while also making your efforts more effective.

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How to Score High Fashion on a Low Budget

by Jacqueline Curtis

shopping on a budgetAs a fashion blogger, readers expect me to showcase new threads when I do outfit posts, and they’ve told me they love reading about my shopping adventures. However, due to some recent cutbacks at work due to the slumping economy, my fashion budget was trimmed significantly. What’s a girl to do when she suddenly can’t shop as much anymore?

Instead of whipping out my credit card and overspending, I decided to learn how to look the absolute best I could while spending the least amount possible. The shoes in the window at Nordstrom still totally tempt me, but now I save up if I want something special instead of splurging on a whim. The rest of my purchases help me keep my shopping budget low, my closet fresh, and my outfits on-trend.

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Top 9 Job Interview Tips You Need to Know

by Claire Moore

job interviewAfter countless hours of scouring through job listings, filling out application forms, and mailing out cover letters and resumes, you finally get the call: You have a job interview. The hard part is over, right? Not quite.

Have you ever felt that you had a great interview but still didn’t get the job? Just because you hit it off with the interviewer doesn’t mean you convinced him or her that you’re the best candidate. Having a charismatic attitude and engaging in polite conversation is a great start, but there are a number of skills and techniques that you must employ to make a truly great impression.

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11 Ways to Save Money on Vacation

by Mikey Rox

save money on vacationIt’s a given that you’re going to shop and compare discount travel sites to find the best airline ticket deals and hotels for your next vacation. But how do you save money once you get there?

If you’re like me, you want to experience your destination like a local – the tourist traps just won’t cut it. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save hundreds of dollars on food, entertainment, and activities without sacrificing your vacation experience.

How to Save Money on Vacation

1. Leave the Toiletries at Home
Why are you packing shampoo, conditioner, soap, and toothpaste? Those items are readily available at most hotels for free. In fact, there are many hotel freebies that are ripe for the taking.

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5 Ways to Save at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Theme Parks

by Jacqueline Curtis

disney hollywood studios in orlando, floridaWhether you’re headed to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, you’ve already shelled out big bucks for accommodations and park tickets. It might be the happiest place on Earth, but a Disney theme park is also a business designed to separate you from your money. When it comes to drinks, snacks, souvenirs, meals, and even strollers, you could easily end up doubling the cost of your trip.

Still, everyone should get the Disney experience at least once in their lifetime, and it is still possible to have a great vacation without spending a fortune.

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9 Organizing Ideas for Small Spaces & Apartment Storage

by Angela Colley

woman closet storageI live in a small duplex with one closet, a tiny pantry, and four cabinets. I’m also a bit of a hoarder, so finding storage solutions has been a challenge. At first, I piled stuff behind doors, in bins, and anywhere else I could hide it. But that isn’t practical long-term, so I had to find better solutions – and cheap ones at that. After all, I’m a renter. I don’t want to buy a bunch of high-priced organizational tools I won’t be able to use once I move.

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Best Home Audio Sound Systems & Speakers of 2012

by Sandra Parker

sound system girlHome audio encompasses a broad spectrum of gadgets designed to help you do one thing: Get the best sound quality out of your home entertainment center.

Whether you’re looking for a great set of surround-sound speakers to enhance your home movie experience, or an  iPod docking station/speaker combination, you can usually find an exceptional device at a reasonable price. Here are some of the best available.

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