"Finances" Posts
Ask The Expert
By The following Q&A is meant to help you understand a banker’s thinking so you can increase your chances of securing the capital you need.
Bank lending to small businesses in today’s credit squeezed environment is becoming a rare commodity even though the Small Business Administration (SBA) received hundreds of millions of dollars from the stimulus package.
Q. How do I improve the relationship I have with my banker so that he will either increase my current loan limit or approve my loan request?
A. The first key point to always keep in the forefront of your mind is that your …
Fico Schmico
Why should you care?
Leo Rosten, New York playwright, tells a story regarding a lady who had, for some time, frequented the same restaurant. On one particular occasion, the lady visited the restaurant, sat at her usual table and was served by her usual waiter. The waiter first delivered the salad, which the lady ate. The waiter then removed the remnants of the salad and, as usual, placed before her a hearty bowl of chicken soup.
As the waiter walked away, the lady called out, “Waiter!”
“How may I assist you?” replied the waiter.
“Please taste this soup,” said the …
Caring For A Disabled Relative
A trust is beneficial when trying to cover extra expenses not covered by the government benefits program
Caring for a family member with a disability and planning over his or her lifetime is an enormous responsibility. Setting aside the emotional anguish involved in caring for a disabled loved one, the financial burden can be just as distressing.
According to the Ministry of Community and Social Services in Ontario, Canada, approximately 4.4 million people in Canada have disabilities. This represents 14.3 percent of Canada’s population. Projections show that by 2021, seniors with disabilities will outnumber 25-64 year olds with disabilities. In …
Whims Of Stingy CURMUDGEONS
Inevitably, at some point during the lifetime of a small business, a necessity to borrow funds will arise.
Perhaps the business needs to add facilities or major equipment, enter new markets or grab more market share. Lack of capital does not have to stifle growth, but in many cases it does.
For example, lack of working capital may lead to a shortage of inventory because the company has missed out on opportunities to take advantage of key buys. This could, in turn, place the company in a position of not being able to meet customer demand. The results would place …
Marriage: Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst
What is a prenuptial agreement?
A premarital agreement (or prenup) is an agreement entered into by a couple before they are married, whereby they contractually agree as to how marital assets will be split upon death or divorce; alimony and/or support payments are also considered. If necessary, the agreement may also establish economic responsibilities during the marriage.
A prenup simply states how assets will be distributed in the event of divorce or death. It is a misconception that you need to be wealthy to obtain a prenup. If you have children from a prior marriage, a prenup can protect their …
Are your finances protected from disaster?
By Recent catastrophic events have demonstrated that homes and businesses can be wiped out in a matter of hours—you must protect yourself.
Recent catastrophic events, ranging from natural disasters to terrorist attacks, have clearly demonstrated that the homes and livelihoods that Americans have invested in over many years can be wiped out in a matter of hours. Once displaced, many victims of disasters like hurricane Katrina struggle to get back on their feet financially. Even if you are not the victim of a disaster, you may still feel the effects of one from a financial standpoint.
That was the case for …
