How To Use A Website To Achieve Perfect Lifestyle Design

Lifestyle design is a concept that has been made popular by lifestyle guru and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss. Tim Ferriss is the author of the best-selling book 'The Four Hour Workweek' which is pretty much about what you would expect from the title: it's a book that explains the merits of working less and the mistake of working insane hours just because you're expected to, and that then shares some of the tips you can use to make more money even though you complete less work.

Tim Ferriss' book is aimed at people from all walks of life and should appeal to anyone, but undoubtedly the best way to achieve the goals outlined in the book is to work for yourself online and to do this by running a website. Here's how to succeed in lifestyle design by creating a website…

Passive Income

If you really want to be able to work for just four hours a week and still make an impressively large salary, then you will want to set up a form of 'passive income'. Passive income is income that generates itself while you sleep, and it's income that only requires a small amount of management on your part in order to keep going.

If you want to earn money passively then you need to essentially create a business model that can take care of itself. How do you do that? By creating a website that converts traffic into sales and then finding a way to bring yourself that targeted traffic.

The most common way that webmasters generate income from a website that they hope to earn passive income from is by adding AdSense to the pages. AdSense is a form of advertising that pays you every time it gets clicked on – but unfortunately it doesn't generate enough cash on its own to really change your life or pay the rent.

More effective then is to sell a product: either one of your own, or an affiliate product that you will keep a percentage of the profit from.

The best option here is probably to create an eBook that offers readers a clear and obvious benefit, to create a page on your website that will make that book sound amazing, and then to pay a small amount for advertising to bring visitors to that page where they can make a purchase.

There are other methods too of course – from selling an app to creating a social network – but getting yourself a dedicated server is a good place to start.

What to Do Next

Source: Pixabay

So now you have passive income, you can set up your lifestyle to be precisely what you want it to be. That means working from abroad, it means working on projects that are more interesting to you, and it means spending more time with your loved ones. Life doesn't have to be a constant slog in an office – try creating a website and generating some automated income and you can live like a millionaire and enjoy the freedom that very few people do.

Today’s contributor, Bob Whitaker, is a freelance blogger, currently working for NetDepot, well-known providers of managed server services. When Bob is not working, he prefers to spend time with his family.

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Which Key Factors Make The Finance Industry So Competitive? .

The finance industry is arguably the most competitive in the world. This is true at all levels, from entry to the industry right up to the top levels where executives need to have good political acumen as well as the skills needed to be a successful finance professional.

In recent years, against the backdrop of the global recession, many, including respected publications such as The Economist, have questioned whether the high level of competitiveness throughout the industry is beneficial.

Opinions around such questions have been strengthened by things such as the Libor rate rigging scandal and controversy related to bankers’ bonuses.

What is it that makes finance so competitive?

Money, Money, Money

Unsurprisingly given the nature of the industry, money is by far the biggest factor. From a business perspective, there are deals and discussions happening all the time as companies try to make the best investments and increase their profits by the highest amount possible. This is true both in terms of businesses who work in the finance industry, such as banks and private equity professionals, and in terms of companies who work with such institutions for their own benefit.

Of course, the most controversial aspect of money is at the individual level. Many point to the competition to earn higher salaries as the reason why finance professionals take what might be considered reckless risks.

However, even if we take any negative practices out of the equation, there is no doubt that the potentially lucrative rewards on offer for finance professionals contributes to the competitive nature of the industry. This is why you read so many stories about recent graduates having no work/life balance; they’re trying to work the hardest so they earn the best rewards!

One Job, One Hundred Candidates

Before you start earning potentially lucrative salaries, you need to get the job first. Such is the approach of financial institutions when it comes to recruiting in the modern day that the ratio of applicants to job opportunities is skewed massively.

So many people want these jobs that the companies can afford to pick from the very best graduates. In some ways, competition for the best jobs starts in colleges and Universities, as many companies are strict about the level of academic achievement they’re looking for.

The competition is so intense because you’ll often only get one shot at getting the job you want. Say you’re a graduate and you aren’t accepted into a company or onto a graduate scheme this year, your choices are to wait until next year, or move into another job. Both are viable options, but from the perspective of a financial recruiter, you’d have had a year out and won’t be as employable as someone fresh out of University.

Publicity

The finance industry gets a lot of publicity. The fight for column inches, and the impact it has on brand perspective and the potential for increasing profits further, is why you often see individuals at all business levels giving interviews for television, newspapers, and magazines. Granted, most of the publicity the finance industry has had in recent years has been negative, but this only serves to show why positive press is so sought after.

About the Author:

William Slassor is a new business owner currently looking efficient accounting services for his company. Although William's new business is in the IT sector, he has previous financial experience and would like to set up a finance company in the near future.

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10 Ways to Lessen the Risk of Identity Theft | Shop Online Safely

Identity thieves are on the lookout for fresh credit reports even at the start of the year. To lessen the risk of having your identity stolen the whole year ‘round, here are 10 tips to follow.

1. Bring only what is necessary when out shopping

When going out shopping, lighten your wallet or purse. Only bring along credit cards, a limited amount of money, and a few identification documents - only those you really need. Remove items that are unnecessary. Before leaving the house, make an inventory of the things you plan to bring along and see if they are all intact when you return.

2. Don’t leave personal information inside vehicles

Vehicles are major targets for thieves. If you are used to leave credit cards, checkbooks, or other sensitive information in the glove compartment or any other place inside your vehicle, better think twice. These personal items are best left safe at home.

3. Guard your ATM PIN number

If you make frequent trips to the ATM station, be aware of anyone lurking around or standing close to you - they might be looking over your shoulder and memorizing your PIN number. In other cases, thieves install devices that read ATM information without you knowing. If you see anything unusual about the machine, report it to the bank and use another machine.

4. Don’t keep your credit card out of sight

Keep an eye on your credit card. Some thieves might pose as waiters and skim your information, later making another credit card for themselves using your credit status. Other clerks may also sell your information to thieves.

5. Shop online safely

Many individuals have become victims of identity theft due to unsafe online transactions. This holiday season, never use public computers or unsecure Wi-Fi networks when making financial transactions. Criminals can easily steal sensitive information from a computer infected with malware. Also, make sure the website you are shopping on is the real thing. If you are in doubt, verify by contacting the company.  Websites with “https” are more secure than those with only “http.”

6. Never leave sensitive information in the mail

When sending cards via US Postal mail, don’t include private information, as much as possible. But if it is unpreventable, make sure to drop it in a secure mailbox. Leaving it in an unlocked mailbox will likely lead to stolen identity.

7. Beware of disreputable e-card sites

On the other hand, if you are to send e-cards to friends and family, you should still do it with caution. Ensure that you send and receive it from a reputable website, as some sites can load harmful computer virus onto your computer. If you don’t recognize who the ecard is from, delete it before opening.

8. Secure your personal information at home

Unfortunately, some identity thieves are those we welcome at our own homes. If you are expecting guests (even if you aren’t), it’s best to keep all your valuable documents and personal items inside a safe or locked cabinet or drawer. Likewise, establish a secure area in the house for your guests’ personal belongings.

9. Do not announce travel plans

Broadcasting your travel plans on your social media profiles will only invite the thieves to steal your SSN, credit card statements, sensitive information, and anything of value in your residence while you’re gone. Instead of announcing it beforehand,  share your adventures when you return.

10. Check your debit/credit transactions

Ensure that no transactions were done in your behalf without your knowledge. You can either check them online or consider signing up for a credit monitoring service. This is to alert you anytime there is activity to your credit report. Some identity theft plans, like those from Legal Shield cover both identity monitoring and restoration in case of theft. 

Stay safe from identity thieves this 2014!

Melissa Page is a professional writer for over four years. She writes about business and finance, among other things. Follow her musings on Word Baristas. 

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Six Financial Tips To Make The Best Out Of 2014 - Assess Your Debt

Financial Tips
Source: LendingMemo, cc-by-3.0, flickr

A new year seems like a fresh financial slate. It’s a time when many people give serious thought to changes in how they handle money. That’s a good thing. However, when it comes to money, you may first have to address circumstances created by how you’ve handled it in the past. Do that first and then commit to making your money management changes permanent. Here are six financial tips to make this year the best. 

1. Assess Your Debt:

List and add all your loans, such as for housing, transportation or education; all your credit cards; and any other debt. Write the total you need to pay off as well as the minimum total you need to pay each month. 

2. Assess Your Monthly Living Expenses:

If you don’t know how much you spend on things like groceries and gas, figure it out. Look at past bank statements or receipts. If that doesn’t work, keep details of what you spend for one month. Then list the amount you need each month for essentials, such as groceries, health care and transportation, and for wants, such as entertainment and eating out. 

3. Assess Your Income:

If you are the sole bread winner with no investments, this is easy. If your family has more than one source of income, add it all together. 

4. Weigh Your Debt And Expenses Against Your Income:

How much, if any, is left each month? That’s what you have left to reduce debt or save. If you want more, look at your nonessential expenditures for ways to cut costs. 

5. Reduce Or Eliminate Credit Card Debt:

If you have one or two balances that are much smaller, pay them off first, using some of your leftover monthly money. Next, tackle the account with the biggest interest charge. Then make this the year you no longer carry over a credit card balance from one month to the next; this achievement alone can make a big difference on your future financial years. 

6. Make A Budget:

Set reasonable amounts to spend each month in each category. Add a small cushion in your monthly budget for small unexpected extra costs. Once you make the budget, stick with it. If you decide to spend no more than $10 monthly on coffee out and to bring coffee from home the rest of the time, follow through on that. You’ll see the results of shifting money to paying bills. 

7. Make Sure You Have A Nest Egg:

Try to save an amount equal to three months of living expenses. If you can’t do that, save what you can. Make sure you have money you don’t touch so that you can use it for an emergency, such as a huge car repair or medical bill. That way you pay with money, not credit cards. 

8. Reduce Or Eliminate Your Loans.

If you’ve gotten this far, see whether you can pay off any loans more quickly by sending extra money each month. See whether you can refinance any loans at a lower interest rate. 

9. Invest Wisely:

Consult with a financial expert about how best to invest at your level of ability. This conversation should include saving for retirement.

Changing your financial habits may not be easy, but it can certainly be rewarding. Make the effort to evaluate your situation and to improve it. Then follow through and you will end the year with a more secure financial future.

Justin Reeves is a entrepreneur who enjoys blogging about personal finance, start-up business and more. If you want to find more articles on these topics, be sure to follow www.makingsenseofcents.com.

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Money - Saving Tips For Recent Graduates | Figure Out How to Cut Costs

According to Payscale.com, the average recent college graduate makes around $30,000. Unfortunately, this can quickly disappear in the midst of expensive living costs. Here are five ways that recent graduates can save money.

1.) Make a Budget

As a recent college graduate myself, I understand that the word “budget” is about as desirable as going to the dentist. In my own personal life, however, I’ve realized how much unnecessary money I spend when I’m not living by a budget. Dining out here, daily Starbucks runs there, and other expenses can quickly add up to several hundred extra dollars a month. If you’re trying to save money, the best thing to do is sit down and make a budget of how much you think you’ll need to spend on your fixed costs (housing, insurance, loan payments), as well as your fluctuating costs (such as entertainment and travel). If you don't have a budget yet, hop on over to TIME magazine to check out this link on things grads can do to get hired. Once you do have a steady paycheck coming in, you can use a service like Mint.com, which accesses your bank account and shows you how much you’ve spent on various items for a particular month. Although it takes time to figure out exactly how much you need to budget for various items each month, being conscious about making a budget and sticking to it saves lots of money in the long run.

2.) Start a Savings Account

Experts recommend putting at least 3-12 months of living expenses in savings for emergencies (such as being laid-off or repairing your car.) You should put at least 10% of your paycheck into a savings account each month. If you can afford to save more, then do so! But 10% is a good starting point. This will prevent you from finding yourself in a financial pinch down the road.

3.) Pay Back Those Pesky Loans

While it may be tempting to defer payments, doing so will rack up exorbitant interest rates. Make sure that you always pay the minimum each month so that you avoid incurring extra fees. And whenever you have some extra money, put it toward your note’s interest. And make sure to avoid credit card debt.

4.) Avoid Frivolous and Unnecessary Expenses

The quickest way to blow a budget is through buying “wants” instead of needs. You may want designer clothes and handbags, restaurant meals each night of the week, and fancy haircuts, but you don’t really need them. Avoid impulse purchases by not buying anything over $50 without spending a couple days thinking about the purchase and doing some research to make sure that it’s a solid investment.

5.) Figure Out How to Cut Costs

If you live near family, consider living at home for the first year or two. This allows you to funnel the money you would be spending on rent into chipping away at loans or adding to your savings account. If you already have an apartment, consider finding a roommate so that you can share costs for rent. Clip coupons and buy groceries on sale to save money. Get a subscription to a library so that you can check out movies and books from them instead of buying them. Take your own lunches to work instead of dining out each day. Learn to cook so you can make meals at home. Invest in a coffeemaker so you can avoid spending $5 a day on Starbucks lattes. Figure out other simple ways to save on expenses so that you can live within your means.

About Author:

Rebekah Ann writes about issues related to millennials.

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