Author: Krissy

The Five C’s of Successful Home Loans

Posted on by Krissy

Acquiring home loans is neither a walk in the park or a show of far-fetched wish-granting shooting star. It is a reality that can build anyone’s dreams given the right requirement and financial ability. While many have been declined for home loans, the chances of having one approved can be increased. It is something that you work for while anchored by a strong financial record and history.

Do you have what it takes to be granted a successful home loan?

Let’s lay out the Five C’s where lenders’ decisions are hinged to when it comes to approving home loans.

CHARACTER

When talking about home loans or any other type of mortgages, your character is your credit history. It is a large factor that determines your eligibility for a home loan or your application will be pushed aside to the nearest trash bin. Your credit history details your reputation in matters of handling previous loans. Most financial institutions also use credit score which is a numeric value that spells your credit standing which will help future lenders assess risk when dealing with you. The higher the credit score, the less risk involved.

CAPITAL

While you may depend on your household income that basically will be the major source of your monthly repayments, financial institutions also look at some other things just in case unforeseen events or setbacks arise. This capital includes your savings account, property investments, and other assets that characterise value that can help you bridge through your loans.

COLLATERAL

They say that the higher collateral value, the better it works for your advantage. Collateral can be anything of value like a home or auto that will secure the lender if in case you default on your loan repayments. Your pledged collateral will be assessed and evaluated. The result of this plays a vital role in the lender’s decision-making process.

CAPACITY

Have you started calculating your debt-to-income ratio? The comparison between your newly acquired debts and taxable income speaks volumes about the home loan process. You will go through a meticulous credit investigation to assess your capacity to pay and manage loans. Your financial stability will be dissected and your employment history will be studied.

CONDITIONS

Do you agree with the interest rates stated? How about the repayment plans? Perhaps, the most frequently asked questions when applying for a loan is what do you need a loan for. The purpose of your loan application is also one of the determining factors that will help financial institutions decide in your favour.

Getting ready to apply? Find the right lender and be prepared to answer their queries.

4 Affiliate Marketing Tips for Beginners

Posted on by Krissy

Starting your own business can be an overwhelming experience. However, we now live in a world where building a business doesn’t need to be so overwhelming anymore. If you’re looking for a much simpler way to start your own business but with very little capital needed, then you should definitely consider affiliate marketing. Basically, this is where you promote other people’s products and services and in return, you earn a commission from helping out. You just need to find a product you want to endorse, promote it to other people, and you can earn money for every sale that you make. Since there are plenty of affiliate products and services available today, you need to find a unique product or service to promote. Just remember that your desire and determination to succeed are also equally important if you want to succeed as an affiliate marketer in the long run.

Find High-Quality Products

You need to choose high-quality products or services if you want to become successful as an affiliate marketer. If what you’re promoting is of high quality; then chances are, the customer support and supply chain process of the company you are promoting are also of high quality which will give you credibility as a marketer.

Choose Something You’ll Get Value From

You should always choose a product or service that you can see yourself using or getting value from. It should be an extension of you. The program you are affiliated with should offer value for all your efforts. You should also look for a program that provides valuable free gifts. Remember that online reviews and feedback can make or break your business. Once customers get free gifts, they will no doubt be impressed and give you great reviews in return.

Look for a Niche Market with Big Problems to be Solved

You should always look for a niche market with significant problems to be solved and provide a quality solution to these issues. If you are able to fix a problem, especially the big ones, you will gain the trust of your customers and that is no doubt a big plus for your business.

Variety of Products

Look for an affiliate program that offers a wide range of products so that you can encourage your customers to keep coming back for more. Variety helps build a solid fanbase, which is definitely good for business. For instance, if the affiliate program is offering ebooks that discuss weight loss, it is also a good thing if it provides supplements and exercise equipment. So, you should pick an affiliate program that offers a wide range of products so that your customers will also most likely recommend you to their friends and colleagues.

One of the best benefits of affiliate marketing is that you can promote as many affiliate programs as you want. This means that your earning potential is big as well. Some people give up their 9-5 job to focus on their online business. Another benefit of affiliate marketing is that you don’t need to leave your home just to promote a product or service. Even if you are in your pajamas, you can still work and sell online because you can promote the program on your website or social networking sites. Some affiliate programs even provide their affiliates with a website where they can promote the products or services.

7 Practical Steps For Managing Your Credit Card Responsibly

Posted on by Krissy

While it’s true that credit cards can come in handy when you get caught cashless on certain instances; but then it’s also wise to take note of the fact that excessive use of credit cards can only lead you into the path of going straight down the drain of having a bad credit history.

Therefore, it’s important to be smart when it comes to using credit cards and managing your debts associated with it so you don’t find yourself in much deeper trouble in the long run. It’s obviously very easy for anyone to acquire large debts through credit cards; but, it’s extremely hard to get out of a credit card black hole once you’ve been eaten by it alive. That said, here are some tips to consider when it comes to managing your credit cards wisely.

Only use one card

You don’t really need a lot of credit cards because it will only result in a lot more repayments to various banks and credit card companies. Typically, most people would use cash advances from one card to pay the debt in another. The thing is, this system will only make your financial condition much worse because managing multiple debts can be time-consuming and even confusing; not to mention there’s the hassle of managing multiple credit cards.

Always pay the monthly balance of your credit card in full

It’s always good practice to pay the monthly balance of your credit card in full so that you don’t end up paying unnecessary interest. However, just in case unforeseen circumstances occur that you have no control of; then, at least have your debt paid within a maximum of two months – no more, no less.

Opt for another alternative

If you find yourself always maxing out your credit limit each month then a much wiser alternative would be to apply for a personal loan which charges lower interest rates compared to credit cards.

Have a card calculator handy

It’s always a good idea to have a card calculator handy if you deem that you can only pay the minimum amount required for each month. This way, you will be able to determine how long you’ve still got to pay off your debt. Furthermore, take the time to talk to a financial advisor who will be able to help you manage your credit card in a much healthier way.

Be very cautious of cash advances

While there may be some interest-free days available within your credit card plan; unfortunately, that doesn’t cover cash advances. Keep in mind that no amount of payment will ever be able to pay off cash advances as long as there is still an outstanding balance on your credit card; meaning, any balance you have on your credit card must be paid off first. Also, your benefit of having interest-free days will most likely be forfeited anyway until you pay off your cash advances first.

Always keep the fees down

You need to learn when to use your credit card so you can avoid getting hooked with unnecessary swiping; this way, you will only have a lesser amount to pay for your monthly dues. You must make it a point to always pay in full and on time to avoid any unnecessary charges piling up which can lead to financial downfall.

Look for alternatives in making payments

To date, people have the option to pay either over the phone or online. These routes are obviously much cheaper compared to paying over the counter.

Meet The Man Behind The Cover Of The August 2020 Issue Of MoneyCentral Magazine: The Amazing Armand Peri

Posted on by Krissy

If you’ve ever been bullied, you’d know first-hand what kind of negative long-lasting impact it can cause the victims. To be a successful entrepreneur requires not only a powerful motivation and passion but also an ability for overcoming setbacks. But setbacks can come in many shapes and forms and one of the most common forms of setbacks experienced in adolescence is bullying. Although the negative effects of bullying are lengthy and can continue well into adulthood, some entrepreneurs have found that negative experiences have had positive effects on their adult life because it allowed them to be more capable to overcome the many challenges they eventually face in their own ventures.

One such entrepreneur is none other than the incredible Armand Peri. He was once a seventeen-year-old student who used to be bullied a lot but he made a definitive decision to do something about it. He decided to get into weights so that no one would mess around with him anymore and two years later, he was rewarded for all his hard work with a first-place title in the teenage division of “Mr. New Jersey” which then led to winning the heavyweight division in the same competition two years later.

Armand Peri was originally born the son of Portuguese parents who emigrated to the U.S., settling in New Jersey when he was just 12 years of age. One of his early memories was hearing his mother tell him that they [the family] were “not born to be rich.” Rather than accept this as his inevitable destiny though, he was motivated to create his own mantra for success, and it taught him one of his most crucial life lessons: the importance of setting goals and then taking well-thought-out steps to achieve said goals.

Armand’s first goal was achieved when he was recognized and lauded for his accomplishments in the bodybuilding arena. He also won a National Talent Search, was introduced to President and Mrs. Reagan and he even had his work displayed in a prestigious national gallery, as well as in the New Jersey State Gallery of Art. To state that Armand is an overachiever is an understatement.

Armand worked his way through college, first as a bouncer, and then eventually a dancer for a male entertainment revue. This decision to take on these dancing gigs was actually pivotal in his life and would ultimately bring him success and enable him to start his own company. Armand saw an opening in a niche market that felt right and he decided to fill it. He created Hunk-O-Mania, a high-end male revue and strip club for women in New York City. He focused on every aspect of building a reputation, not just for the exotic male dancers but for the entire staff – waiters, security, and ticket takers alike. Having been a dancer himself, he was uniquely positioned to run this enterprise, understanding the psychology behind it and making customer service and satisfaction on every level the top priority. This was undoubtedly what ensured his success right from the start.

Fast forward to today and Armand is now a successful entrepreneur, investor, artist, author, and motivational speaker. His venture has grown and expanded nationwide to Atlantic City, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Savannah, Greensboro, Raleigh, Baltimore, Washington, Austin, Houston, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Charleston, and Nashville. In his book “Unparalleled Success,” which was published in 2019, he shares his recipe for that success. He’s also frequently engaged as a motivational speaker. His genuine desire to help others to achieve true success, while keeping the focus on their professional and personal well-being, is what inspires others to find their own path to victory.

MoneyCentral magazine recently caught up with Armand to discuss his journey to entrepreneurship and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?

Struggling to find a place in life as an immigrant kid, I was constantly bullied throughout high school. After enduring many years of negativity from my classmates, I decided to approach weightlifting with laser-like focus and became determined to transform my physique. However, my goals were met with many obstacles as my family struggled financially at the time and I was unable to purchase a gym membership nor was I able to buy the necessary foods to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I overcame these obstacles by working at my school gym and was able to lift weights there three times a week. On Sundays, I would commute almost an hour each way from my home in New Jersey to Manhattan to work out at a commercial gym. At the time, commercial gyms were sparse and not as popular as they are today. But, by staying focused and determined, I was able to gain the weight I needed and eventually competed in my first bodybuilding competition where I went on to win Mr. Teen New Jersey.

I applied the same level of determination to other aspects of my life, including business. While in college, I met another fellow bodybuilder named Joey V and noticed that Joey was driving around campus in a new Corvette and constantly wore new clothes. I became curious and approached Joey one day and asked what he did for a living. He too was an aspiring bodybuilder but he also worked at a male entertainment revue called “ESCAPES” in Long Island. We hit it off and Joey introduced me to the world of male revue shows.

I was working part-time as a bouncer at the time but this job put me in many dangerous situations and I knew it was a job I wanted to leave as soon as possible. Once I started working at ESCAPES, I began making more money in two hours of dancing than I did working eight hours as security at a nightclub. I quickly left the security job and danced Fridays and Saturday nights and did side-gigs for three to four other entertainment agencies during the week. After finishing my education, I became a freelance architect renderer while working at ESCAPES on the weekends. Eventually, I made more working part-time as a male entertainer than working full-time as an architect. I saved up my earnings and started my own company in 1998.

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

I am constantly pushing and educating myself-

What is your experience with paid advertising, like PPC or sponsored content campaigns? Does it work?

Yes, it does work but SEO (search engine optimization) works much better…

What is your main tactic when it comes to making more people aware of your brand and engaging your customers?

My main tactic is to show people via social media posts and customer reviews how much fun my clubs are; Hunk-O-Mania nightclubs continue to receive acclaim as the largest and most successful male revue nightclubs in the world from various news and media outlets. I founded the first Hunk-O-Mania nightclub show in 1998 in New York City and the show has now expanded to over 25 cities including Chicago, Las Vegas, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlantic City, Orlando, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, and New Orleans.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

To lay people off due to COVID 19.

What money mistakes have you made along the way that others can learn from (or something you’d do differently)?

Reinvesting most of my profit instead of only a portion!

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

I would believe in myself more and I would not waste any time getting started!

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Never Quit on yourself and your dreams.

Can you tell us more about your latest book?

Absolutely, the purpose of my book is to give back to society and inspire someone to pursue his or her dream as I did! Throughout my journey of becoming successful, I made a lot of mistakes but learned a lot with each setback and I am trying to prevent my followers and readers to avoid these same mistakes I made.

What kind of research did you do for this book, and how long did you spend researching before beginning this book?

The book is based on my personal experiences dating back to my teenage years – the journey I made to achieve my success made this book possible. I wanted to write a book that was short and to the point.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up their first business?

Bring value and originality to the marketplace and your success will be undeniable.

For more details about Armand please visit his website on www.armandperi.com. You can also follow Armand Peri on social media via these links:

Instagram:  lifeperiway
Facebook: ArmandPeriBodybuilder
Twitter: armandperi
Website: armandperi.com
TikTok: armandperi

4 Essential Ways Mentally Strong People Deal With Rejection

Posted on by Krissy

As an entrepreneur you are going to run into rejection, it’s inevitable. You might turn in a proposal that gets denied or try to sell your services and get denied. Either way, it’s important to remember your goals and keep pushing towards them. Don’t let a simple no stop you from achieving your goals. Some of the most successful people have been denied multiple times before reaching their spotlight. Just keep that in mind on this journey of entrepreneurship.

Never take it personally. Most rejections are based on the wellbeing of the other company. If you get rejected it’s simply because they don’t think it’s a good fit. It’s not because you suck and your company sucks. It’s literally just business. Let business be business, and don’t take it to your heart. Don’t let it affect your motivation, or ability to market yourself.

You should use rejection as a tool to figure out what your next step is or even how you could present yourself better next time. Take it as a learning opportunity and figure out what needs to change in order to land that next deal. Your goal is to be successful and grow your company, so use rejection as a tool to guide you in a better direction. Just because one person denied you doesn’t mean there’s not someone else out there that has been looking for someone just like you.

Never be afraid of rejection. Rejection is part of the growth process, and without it, you wouldn’t know where to begin, or even where you should go next. You should never fear being denied because a denial is all it is. It doesn’t affect you negatively to be rejected. If anything, you and the person that denied you are the only ones that are even aware of the rejection. You don’t have to showcase how many rejections it took until you succeeded. Just remember that each rejection leads to another possible deal. Don’t hesitate to put yourself out there in fear of being rejected. Just live for the moment and if you get denied then that’s all that has happened is you got denied. You are still an entrepreneur and you are still striving.

Another thing is don’t give your hopes up to soon. Just keep in mind that rejection is inevitable, and it’s bound to happen to you at some point while venturing as an entrepreneur. Stop hesitating to put yourself out there, because, in the end, it will be nothing but beneficial. You can’t land deals, without putting yourself out there. Regardless of rejection, you are still an entrepreneur and you still need to get your services out there. You can’t wait around and expect something to come to you because that is not realistic. Like I said, rejection is bound to happen on your journey, just don’t let it stop you from marketing your services or company. Use it as a tool to succeed.

5 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Entrepreneurial Risk This 2020

Posted on by Krissy

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The day to day activities of an entrepreneur has many challenges and lack of courage to overcome them may lead to failure. There are a lot of sacrifices you need when entering an unfamiliar business. However, you have to take the risks to ensure your effort is worthy and you can secure your family’s future. Risk management can be learned through your willingness and optimism.

Looking for the resolutions of these common risks will definitely help you run your business smoothly in the future.

Building your brand and credibility

Trust is the primary value you can gain from the customer before he purchases your service. However, building his trust to an unfamiliar business without a record of good credibility is hard to achieve. This is why marketing strategy through the use of social media and press releases is very important in building your audience awareness. Following the next guidelines will help you build the trust of your potential customers in the long run.

Meeting the demand of your target market

Unable to meet the needs of your customers will lead to their bad impression to your company. Make sure you give attention to every detail your customer wants such as delivering the right quantity of product at the requested place and time. They also need to arrive in a good condition to avoid dispute. Meeting these simple needs will result to a repeat customer.

Learning effective marketing strategies

Different marketing strategies that are tested and proven to be effective are content marketing, social media, video marketing, and loyalty programs. Another advantage of using these tools is its ability to access a large number of potential customers in a day. People have been using the internet for their daily activities and it is not impossible to gain audiences in a day most especially if you are able to produce an attractive offer, compelling content, and attention-striking demographics of your products and services.

Hiring the right team to handle each area of your business

One of these teams is the customer service because they are the primary contributor of sales and production. One improper way of serving your customer could lead to the destruction of your credibility. It is very easy to access social media and this could be used by the customers to express either their frustration or satisfaction with the service they receive. Therefore, ensure you hire the right employees who will be assigned to this important area of your company. They served as front liners so they should be well-trained in handling customer’s concerns.

Keeping a long-lasting relationship with your customers

Aside from using the internet as a marketing platform, another marketing strategy which has started even before social media exists are brand promotion and loyalty programs. This are useful to show how you value your customer for being an avid user of your products and services. Offering discounts and loyalty rewards will not only help the company increase the chance to maintain their customers, but they can also gain additional buyers through the word of mouth.

5 Tips for Starting and Succeeding in Your Own Business

Posted on by Krissy

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image via Shutterstock / Gyorgy Barna

Let’s face it; people these days are constantly trying to find ways to take themselves out from the rat race of employment. More and more people now are seriously considering opening a business rather than staying employed all their lives – and I bet you are one of them.

Here’s the thing though, wanting to start a business is completely different from actually starting one. So to help you get started in your journey to entrepreneurship, here are five simple yet clever tips to help you thrive in your own business:

Know your prospective customers’ needs

In identifying which business to put up, you have to ask the question “what do they need that I can offer?” By asking this, you automatically know if you have possible clients who will take advantage of your products or services. Let your hobby make money. Do you have an exceptional knack for crocheting? Do you bake the best cookies in the neighbourhood? Are you remarkably skilled in Taekwondo and can teach children? If it’s a yes, then you might have just found the perfect business venture for you.

Finding the right business for you is crucial to its success

Just like choosing the best prom dress, a business investment must be a perfect fit. You will need to have the skills, knowledge and the motivation to grow and develop it. When you do something that personally involves you, you will give it your best, and almost always, the result will be positive. Examine yourself and assess what talents and skills you have which will aid you in choosing the business of your dreams.

Start small

Most people engage in business in order to improve their way of life, and maybe keep a million dollars in their savings account. And though the idea of making a lot of money maybe tempting, zeroing your certificate of deposit to fund your wonderfully crafted idea of a business may not be the best move. Like anything else in life, business is still a gamble. There are a lot of factors at play, and making huge investments in something you are not 200% sure off is not the way to go. So, start small. If you are planning to set up a boutique, it might be better to set up an online shop first (which is really a trend right now). You can cut some of the cost from starting an actual store and also build a line of loyal customers.

Do your research

What is the age bracket of your target customers? Are there a lot of them in the area where you plan to set up your small company? How many competitors will you have in your chosen location? How accessible is your business site?

These are just a few of the things that you will need to look into so you can project how well your prospect business will fare. Distinguishing these things will help you devise ways to sell your products and services. It will also help you decide if your business is worth investing in or not.

Draft a business plan

With so many things to consider, putting up a business can be confusing and nerve-wracking. That is why it is critical to draft a business plan so you can clearly see where you are going in your investment.

Think of your business goals as a treasure, and the business plan is the map to help you get to it. You will have a better picture of the things that you need to do to get to where you want your business to be.