The L.A.D.I.E.S. Group Financial Seminar & Networking Event
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: Financial
Join the L.A.D.I.E.S. Group for our very first event....

A Financial Seminar & Networking Event for WOMEN ONLY brought to you by Executive Life Coach and founder of The L.A.D.I.E.S. Group, Niquenya D. Fulbright and featuring Chicago Tribune personal finance columnist Gail MarksJarvis.

When: October 21, 2011 5PM - 6:30PM
Where: Ing Direct Cafe
21 E. Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Get Directions


Buy tickets now!


This 90 minutes of power-packed fun FOR WOMEN ONLY includes:

•Networking - Meet & greet other L.A.D.I.E.S. and exchange your business cards.
•Learning - Get inspired and educated by Gail MarksJarvis, an award-winning author, TV commentator and personal finance columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
•Eating - Enjoy a number of delectable treats, fine wine and other beverages courtesy of Drinks On Me Catering.
•Winning - Attendance includes participation in a raffle with amazing prices you won't want to miss!

Get your tickets today as space is VERY LIMITED for our first event. Don't miss out on this exciting networking opportunity and educational event! And in keeping with The L.A.D.I.E.S. Group's mantra to "Share the Wealth!", a portion of all proceeds will benefit the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago's Income Initiative.


Buy tickets for The L.A.D.I.E.S. Group Financial Seminar & Networking Event


Can't attend but still want to contribute?

You can give to the United Way by mailing a completed Pledge Form along with your donation to:

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
c/o Niquenya D. Fulbright
560 W. Lake Street
Chicago, IL, 60661

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Life Coach Niquenya D. Fulbright for additional details!

This is a women only event! Please note that absolutely no refunds or admittance to this event will be available to men. All ticket sales are non-refundable after 10/11/2011.

About The L.A.D.I.E.S. Group:

The L.A.D.I.E.S. Group is a free, public, virtual Facebook group for women to Learn About Debts, Investing and Economic Strategy. Our mission is to create a safe space for women to gain control of their economic station by becoming financially literate, savvy savers and strategic investors. Facilitated by Executive Life Coach Niquenya D. Fulbright, the group is moving burdens through the promotion of economic self-sufficiency. For more information, visit The L.A.D.I.E.S. Group on Facebook.

Topic: Relationships

Lately I've been talking to friends who have came right out and told me that they are jealous of my current relationship which is going so fantastic. They are ranting and raving about how their relationships are so bad and they are just generally unhappy with the situation. One woman is dating a married man and the other is involved with an unmotivated, jobless, perpetual cheater. Now I know it seems like we all know what's wrong with these pictures without needing to know the whole story, but I implore you to look deeper into why these women stay in such obviously unhealthy relationships. Furthermore, I want you to look at your own relationships and decide why it is that you stay in those as well.

Read more about Dissecting Bad Relationships

How to Build & Grow a Passive Residual Income
Topic: Business

Money doesn't grow on trees but you can sure make it seem that way by building and growing a passive residual income. Passive residual income is money you earn that doesn't need your direct involvement. Basically you perform a money-generating activity just once but continue to reap the rewards again and again over time. You can literally make money while you sleep! Who doesn't need that in this tough economy?

Additionally, if you are savvy enough to leverage your income (use others to perform the initial or continued maintenance of the money-generating activity) then you will be well on your way to achieving persoanl and financial freedom. Whether you are employed, unemployed or underemployed, it is a good idea to take advantage of at least a few of these methods. Developing multiple income streams is how the wealthy become rich and stay rich.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

1. SAVE YOUR MONEY!

   I know what you're thinking...'How on earth is this related to earning a passive residual income?' Well my friends, the fact of the matter is that simply depositing a few bucks into an interest-bearing account can have a long-term positive impact on your financial future. This is the simplest way to earn money by doing practically nothing and will be an important tool to remember as you continue adding the other money-generating activities mentioned below. Open an interest-bearing checking, savings or money market account and make regular deposits. You could also explore stocks, bonds and mutual funds as additional ways to invest and build your savings. The keyword here is interest-bearing!

2. OPEN A PAYPAL ACCOUNT!

   This is a must for two reasons: 1)this will allow you to accept credit card payments and residual income securely and easily, and 2)you can convert your balance to an interest-bearing money market account. The ability to accept credit card payments will greatly increase your chances of success regardless of which money-generating activity you choose to create your passive residual income. Also, PayPal has the added convenience of you being able to link your bank account and transfer funds between the two. A further perk is that if you get the PayPal debit Mastercard, you will earn cashback rewards! See the Resource links at the end of this article to get started with your PayPal account today. It's completely FREE!

3. BECOME A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT!

   There is probably something that you are really passionate about and could share what you know with others. Take a look at your hobbies, skills, experience and education. What do you know? Once you have identified a subject or two, get started learning all you can about it. Once you become a subject matter expert, there are literally hundreds of ways you could transform that skill into a passive residual income by spending a relatively small amount of time and/or making a really low investment just once. You could write a blog, create ebooks, present a workshop, create cds or dvds and all kinds of other media by applying the knowledge you have gained in that subject. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you get a website to leverage the power of the internet as a marketing tool. For more information on how to establish yourself as a subject matter expert, check out my related articles.

4. WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

   If you've already followed my advice about becoming a subject matter expert then this part should be relatively effortless. The internet makes it easy for anyone with information to share to make a good passive income from writing. As mentioned earlier, ebooks and blogging are two great ways to get started with writing for money. Your ebooks are digital products that you can automate on the web so that you do not have to be actively involved in selling your product. Create the ebook, develop your advertising copy on the web, and place your PayPal merchant buttons; then sit back and let the ebook sell itself. Blogs make money by placing third-party advertising such as Google Adsense. You can also add your affiliate marketing links to any related content. It is pretty easy to monetize your blog. In addition to ebooks and blogs, there are several article hubs, just like eHow, that will allow you to publish your quality articles and collect on a share of the advertising profits. Most sites require you to have a PayPal account to receive payment. Several of these article hubs are linked in the Resources at the end of this article. You could also write a traditional book and self-publish it on sites like Amazon or Lulu. You will collect royalties on the sale of these for as long as they are in print.

5. OTHER IDEAS TO EARN A PASSIVE RESIDUAL INCOME

   This is a short list of a few other ideas but with a little creativity you can come up with your own unique ways to make money while you sleep by developing a sustainable passive residual income.

   • Sell stock photography

   • Purchase rental property

   • Invest in vending machines

   • Invent something (patent)

   • Create a membership website

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to create financial goals that include creating savings and emergency funds!

• Spending wisely and frugally will aid you in meeting your goals so create a budget and stick to it.

• Beware of internet scams. If it sounds too good to be be true then it probably isn't true. Check out network marketing opportunities to ensure they are legitimate before you invest your time and money.

• Work-at-home opportunities are NOT passive income. There is a great amount of time and energy (and sometimes money) you must invest to earn a decent income. While these can work, your focus should be on making money you don't have to think about.

Resources

• FREE Introductory Entrepreneur Coaching
• Open Your Free PayPal Account
• Make Money Writing Articles
• Another Great Article Writing Site
• Become a Subject Matter Expert
• Become an Amazon Associate (Affiliate)
• Self-Publish on Lulu

How to Write a Functional Resume that Gets Results
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Careers

Career changers and those with little or no work experience often have a difficult time highlighting their skills in a way that really sells them to potential employers. Overcoming this challenge is as simple as creating a skills-based functional resume.

Read more about How to Write a Functional Resume that Gets Results

How to Write a Qualifications Letter
Mood:  bright
Topic: Careers

Qualifications letters, better known as Q-letters, are special types of cover letters that highlight your skills and qualifications in direct correlation with the requirements of the position you are applying for. Q-letters work better than the traditional cover letter because they provide an immediate representation of how your specific skills and experience will translate into value for the employer. A well-drafted Q-letter can even be sent in lieu of a resume for positions which are unsolicited and have not yet been announced.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions 

things you'll need:

Read over the job description for the position you are applying for. Circle each of the job duties and responsibilities that you have performed within your current or past work experiences. If you have little or no work experience, look for key transferable skills. These are skills that can apply to any industry and could have been acquired in any life experience (work, volunteer, school, parenting, etc.).

Prepare a two-columned table. In the first column, create a numbered list of up to five duties and requirements from the job description with which you have the most experience. In the second column, write an accomplishments-driven statement that fulfills the correlating job duty or requirement. For instance, if the job duty required is "answer phones", your corresponding accomplishments-driven statement could be "routed calls via a multi-lined switchboard".

Begin the letter as you normally would a traditional cover letter by addressing the hiring manager, announcing the reason/position you are applying and a quick introduction to your qualifications. Next, include your comparison table. Be sure to format it properly so that it can be easily read. Conclude your letter with a paragraph summarizing your skills and another value-added accomplishments-driven statement that makes you an excellent candidate for the position. You may also add a tidbit about the company (information you gathered from your research) that appeals to you as an ideal workplace. Remember to provide your contact details and the best times to reach you for an interview.

Check back in with the hiring manager in about five to seven days to ensure the Q-letter was received and to ask if there are any questions regarding your skills and experience. You may decide to forward a fresh copy of your resume at this time if you did not include it with your Q-letter.

Tips & Warnings

• Jobseekers with little or no work experience (career changers, college students, teens, etc.) should use skills-based functional resumes to highlight their key transferable skills over job history.

• Providing your target salary in a Q-letter or cover letter is an excellent way to deal with the salary history question. Your past salary history is really none of your potential employer's business so you do not have to provide it if you do not want to.

• Research your position to find out the current market rate for the position you are seeking so that you do not price yourself too high or too low when requesting your target salary.

 

Resources

• FREE Introductory Career Coaching Session
• FREE Resume Workshop for Career Changers
• Buy Resumes for Dummies

 

Challenges Facing e-Commerce Businesses
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Business

The advent of the World Wide Web (WWW) has created a dynamic shift in the way businesses compete in the marketplace.  The WWW allows companies, small and large, to vie for customers on an international level playing field.  Establishing a web presence is essential to continued growth and development; however, there are several considerations to take into account.  Some challenges facing companies transitioning into the world of e-commerce include: website design, development, hardware, software and strategic planning.

Read more about Challenges Facing e-Commerce Businesses

Identifying New Internet Business Opportunities
Mood:  bright
Topic: Business

The internet breeds new and exciting ways to do business.  It is easily accessible and relatively effortless to use.  It makes practical sense for almost any business to take advantage of all the World Wide Web has to offer by moving at least part of its operations online.  Not only can a website be an excellent source of information for customers but it can also be a virtual salesperson.  Doing business online is both a valuable timesaver and highly cost effective.  Despite the evident benefits, there are a few considerations to make before pursuing an online business opportunity.  Companies must thoroughly analyze online business opportunities and make an appropriate match to their business model to ensure the business can win.

Read more about Identifying New Internet Business Opportunities

How to Find a New Job with Limited Work Experience
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Careers

Finding a new job with limited work experience can be quite challenging. Given that even highly educated and experienced workers are having a difficult time securing employment in this sluggish economy, having little or no work history can make finding a new job seem next to impossible. But don't be discouraged. Here are some tips and tools you can use to help you become gainfully employed in a new job despite your limited work experience. Read more about How to Find a New Job with Limited Work Experience.

 

How to Furnish Your Home for Free
Topic: Financial
My friends are always laughing at me because I am soooo cheap. As a single mother of two with a home-based-business, my budget is very limited. I am always looking for ways to stretch a dollar as far as I can take it. I pinch pennies so hard that I can hear them crying.

One area of my life in which I have been the most successful is in furnishing my home. I have a large apartment full of great, sturdy furniture pieces. Had I have actually purchased these items, I'm sure I would have spent several thousand dollars but instead I got it all completely FREE! Read more about how to furnish your home for free.

How to Break a Generational Curse - Part I | eHow.com
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Life Lessons

Families suffering from generational curses often do not recognize the demonic influence at work in their lives. Individuals who are most susceptible to these curses typically have strayed from the will of God and are no longer on the path to righteousness. Negative feelings of hopelessness, despair and lack of self-worth have set in due to long-term exposure to abuse at the hands of one or both parents and/or other close family members. The abuse becomes a learned behavior that takes a stronghold on their lives providing fertile ground to repeat the pattern of negativity with their own offspring. Continue reading How to Break a Generational Curse - Part I.

How to Save Time Cooking Meals | eHow.com
Topic: Life Lessons

Once upon a time, meals were a time to gather the family for good conversation and to share love. With today's hustle and bustle, meals are no longer revered as that time-honored tradition. Now it is hard enough to find the time just to prepare the meal, let alone eat it together. Here are some steps you can take to save time cooking meals in addition to recapturing quality time with your family. Read more about how to save time cooking meals.

How to Make Real Money Online With Affiliate Programs
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Business

We've all heard the fantastic stories about average Joes making loads of cash using the internet. Well guess what? These stories really aren't all that unusual or unachievable. You too can tap into the goldmine that is the internet superhighway. Learn how to make real money online using the power of affiliate marketing programs.

First you will need to choose your subject matter. The key to making money online using affiliate programs is to focus on a topic area that will interest a particular group of people and then only join affiliate programs that will complement this topic. Of course your chosen subject must be one that you are also highly passionate about to ensure your success. Choosing a topic that you find boring or that is of little consequence to others will only yield a poor return. If you are already a business owner, this step can be pretty easy as you can use your existing area of expertise or take this opportunity to launch a supplementary product or service. 

Learn more about how to make real money online with affiliate programs.

How to Give Feedback in Relationships
Mood:  amorous
Topic: Relationships

Let's face it. No relationship is completely perfect. Even though we all have our faults, there are ways to give feedback to your partner without causing a knock-down, drag-out argument or worse, a physical fight. Take heed to the following tips on how to give feedback in a relationship.

So your partner has really ticked you off. Now what? Rather than air your differences in a manner that could bring further detriment to your relationship, take a moment to step back from the situation at hand. Giving yourself the time to calm down and reassess the situation with a cool head could mean the difference between an easily correctable issue and a major argument. Retreat to your separate corners until you can approach your partner in a less threatening tone and disposition. Even if your partner seems ready to address the matter, request a short timeout if you don't feel that you are capable of having ...

Read more about how to give feedback in relationships.

How to Build Your Personal Brand
Mood:  amorous
Topic: Careers

The job market can be highly competitive. With so many other job candidates possessing the same level of education, experience and qualifications as you do, how then can you set yourself apart from the competition? You do this by building your personal brand. Read more about how to build your personal brand.

How to Discover Your Purpose
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Life Lessons
Since the beginning of time people have been asking themselves a singular question, "why am I here?" The answer to this question can determine how happy one lives their life. Discovering your purpose; however, can be a difficult journey. These suggestions will help you to discover your purpose or, at the very least, identify what your passions might be. Read more on how to discover your purpose.