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.

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.

Opportunity's Knocking, Answer the Door!
Mood:  on fire
Topic: Financial

Maybe we are in a recession?  Maybe we are not?  President Bush describes the state of the economy as being in a “slow-down”.  Whatever your description, one thing does remain true; times are hard for almost everyone. 

The cost of living is on a steady rise right alongside inflation; however, paychecks don’t seem to be experiencing that same type of growth.  Food is more, gas is more, and insurance is more.  It seems that everyone is pinching pennies so hard that Abraham Lincoln is crying.  In times like these, it becomes incredibly important to take advantage of every break that presents itself.  Unfortunately, when opportunity comes knocking, many people slam the door in its face. 

An opportunity is a chance or an opening to do something different than what you are already doing.  It is a means for you to remove yourself from bad situations so that you can step into a good one.  Never taking advantage of opportunities that lay before you can mean a lifetime of being stuck within your present circumstances.  By now, we know that if we always do the same thing all the time and expect for things to change, that is the definition of insanity.  You would have to be crazy to let your opportunities pass you by. 

What types of opportunities is meant here?  First, any opportunity to cut down your costs should be met wholeheartedly.  For instance, coupons are provided in every newspaper, in most restaurant menus, on the back of receipts and even in a bound collection mailed out by your neighborhood association.  Use them!  Research has shown that coupons have been neglected as of recent.  Every household throws away thousands of dollars in potential savings each year.  Before your next shopping trip, check your local papers for coupons that could decrease your grocery bill.  Combine manufacturer’s coupons with store sales and be amazed at your savings.  You should also look for free stuff.  Chicago has a lot to offer its residents in terms of entertainment.  Visit museums on Thursdays, watch a free movie in the park, go to art shows and improv comedy theaters.  Your local coffee shop may even have live entertainment. 

Secondly, look for ways to increase your income.  Nowadays, when someone is referred to as a “hustler”, there is a negative connotation to it.  We think of a drug dealer or a scofflaw.  Hustler used to mean that you did whatever you had to do to put food on the table for your family…legally.  Take a look at your skills, talents and hobbies.  Are you good with your hands?  Can you build things or do you like arts and crafts.  Sell your services and/or your crafts.  Do you have good typing and administrative skills?  Sign up for a temp service or contact your local small businesses to see if they could use some part-time help?  Is the fast food chain on the corner hiring?  Apply!  Fast food is a great stepping stone for anyone who has little job skills.  The training and experience will go a long way to open doors for future growth. It’s time to hustle. 

Lastly, expand your experience by trying something new.  Opportunities don’t always present themselves so obviously.  Sometimes it is up to you to seek them out.  Learn the art of networking and expand your circle of influence.  Like the old saying goes, “it’s not always what you know, but who you know.”  That doesn’t mean you don’t have to know anything either.  Education is vitally important.  Ignorance can prevent you from recognizing a golden opportunity even if it slaps you in the face.  Knowledge is power. 

The bottom line is to keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground for anything that can help your circumstances.  Say YES to opportunities when they come your way and open the door to good financial times.

 

 

© Copyright 2008 by Niquenya D. Fulbright - All rights reserved.

 

About the Author:

Niquenya D. Fulbright is a certified Christian executive life coach, management consultant, certified mediator, corporate trainer and motivational speaker specializing in inspiring small business owners, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com/

Simple Savings Suggestions for the Beginning Investor
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Financial
Investing to secure your financial future is a vital step in today’s society with all of the skepticism surrounding the outlook of the Social Security program and other retirement savings plans. It is increasingly more evident that it is necessary to be proactive in creating an alternative savings plan as soon as possible.

The very first thing that you must do is to create a budget. Itemize how much income you have coming in and going out each month. Determine what the necessities are and trim the fat off of the expenses you don't really need. Allocate a portion of your income for emergencies and entertainment. This is an absolute must. You want to be able to confidently save for the future without worrying about the threat of the unexpected. It is also equally important to allow yourself some money for rest, relaxation and fun. Keep the funds required to meet these expenses in your checking account.

After you have determined what dollar amount you can comfortably save each month, split that amount in half. Place the first half into a savings account or preferably a money market account. Check with your financial institution to determine what is available and the annual percentage yield for each. These types of accounts can have withdrawal limitations and/or penalties for early withdrawal but traditionally draw a higher rate of return than your checking account.

Place the other half of the money you intend to save into a timed certificate of deposit (CD) or some type of a mutual fund. CD's can be opened at your local bank. These are special accounts that allow you to lend your savings to the bank for a set amount of time (i.e. 6 months, 12 months, 5 years, etc.) and in return the bank pays you interest on the amount being held. If you decide to withdraw your funds prior to the CD's maturity date, you will pay a penalty. Once the CD has matured, you can choose to either withdraw your savings or renew the CD with your funds plus the compounded interest. Unless you specify otherwise, most banks will automatically renew the CD at its maturity and give you a grace period (usually 3 months) to decide to withdraw.

Mutual funds should be purchased from mutual fund companies and not your local bank or financial institution. The fund pools together the investments of many different shareholders and then uses the strength of the collective monies to purchase large amounts of several different stocks. By diversifying the stock purchase in this manner, you can ensure a higher average rate of return while assuming less risk than standard stock options.

There are many more options available to begin your investment journey. Some of these include stocks, savings bonds and individual retirement accounts. You should shop around to determine what works best for you. Many banks offer free financial planning classes that will help you to compare what is available. It doesn’t really matter which of these you decide to choose to start with but it is simply imperative that you choose to start.

? 2006 by Niquenya D. Fulbright, Executive Life Coach – All Rights Reserved