Tag Archives: money

53 FREE Apps For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad

9 Feb

A lot of games but a WordPress app and a few others for productivity.

These Apps are only available for a limited time. Be sure the total is $0.00 as these prices do change frequently and without notice.

 

 

FREE iPad Apps

 

#thriveorsurvive.

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right” –Napoleon Hill

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.

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Ruined Branding a.k.a. Every Dollar Ain’t A Good Dollar

5 Feb

Business MOOVS Column – ‘MAKING MOOVS‘ – Written by Tony Loubriel – Winter 2013

Ruined Branding a.k.a. Every Dollar Ain’t A Good Dollar

 

It’s a new year but for my fellow entrepreneurs it’s the same grind. We work and work, and maybe, just maybe we hang around long enough to be successful. Character, strength and commitment aren’t innate traits. We must cultivate them. That being said I’d like to look at  supreme brands I’ve found flaws with, which if I named and I’d bet they’d lose 20% of their market share.

Designer Bag A Brief History.

I remember being young and my sister who was 5 years older wanted a Designer bag. Not being from money it was obviously out of the question. Certain Designer Names are always synonymous with Quality. They’re known to be not just a designer good but worth the money. As I got older I saw many women spend their money for these quality bags and the complimentary accessories. I even had a designer money clip that was pretty neat. Fast forward to current day and my wife loves Designer Bags. She has the bags, the wallets, etc. I still think their items are snazzy but there is an issue with some of these brands.

Dilution.

Not all, but Some Designer Names have factory outlets. Everyone seems to have them now-a-days. The lowered price, great sales on top of that, and recognizable brands make for some great bargains. I love sales. Saving money while building my business or even just a great deal on Nikes, I’m in. But, there is another side to this issue.

You see Certain Designer Companies got slick. They discovered that they could make a product of similar quality with lower price points, and the fans of the brand would buy it. In fact sales went through the roof! More people could buy Designer items, at a lower price they would buy more items; most likely given statistical analysis. So they made more money through sales but they also made more money as the goods they produced were of a lower “quality.” Not to tarnish anyone’s name or reputation but the outlet goods cost less. Less material or different material yields vast savings.

Now I know everyone is thinking ‘It’s a win win’- but its not.

Over time people will realize that a large percentage of certain Designer goods out are conceivably inferior, at the very least vastly different. So this dilution could ruin the brand. People won’t want different or lower quality. Let’s assume I’m wrong it’s the same quality good, it is no longer exclusive. That my friends was a big part of the appeal. No one wants what everyone has.

How does this affect you and I?

We have to keep our eye on the prize. As an entrepreneur when you sacrifice quality for sales you disappoint your clientele and honestly you’re letting yourself down as well.

I can’t speak for all entrepreneurs but I refuse to be less than excellent. Every product, every article, every blog; I put my all in and make sure it’s a quality product.
Every dollar isn’t a good dollar folks. To make a quick buck but ruin branding is inherently flawed.

Every creation is a reflection of you and your brand. You can offer a lower price point and still churn out quality product- without question.

Only you can decide if it’s better to be diluted and cheap, or valuable and authentic? I’d say the answer is obvious but I’d love to hear from Moov’s readers.
What’s your take? ***

Peace,
T3

Thoughts?
Questions or concerns?
Hit me up @
Tony@changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
See more @ http://changeinadvance.com

 

 

 

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THX Tune-up – FREE – Will Be Charged Next Week (iPhone & iPad)

2 Feb

 

“Not much to say really other than this is a great calibration app on offer from THX.

Used it briefly to set up the projector at work. I think this will be great for home use.

Description from the iTunes page:

THX tune-up (TM) allows you to properly adjust your TV, projector and speakers, helping you get the most out of your entertainment system.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[iOS 6] Penultimate iPad App Now FREE for The First Time Ever

2 Feb

 

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Tips for raising funding for your Business Online [ infographic ]

31 Jan

Via technology-in-business.net

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The Top Five Money Saving Myths Guest Post From The Esteemed Corey Woods

26 Jan

Here are the top five money saving myths that we fall for:

1. Savings accounts save us money

Having money in a savings account for emergencies is a good idea. It’s easy to get to, but not too easy. But if you are looking to save money or make your money work for you, an old-fashioned savings account isn’t necessarily the best way to go. First, you have to look at what you are paying out in interest rates. For example, if you have a student loan with a 5% interest rate and a savings account making 3% interest rate, your savings are costing you approximately 2%. You would be better off paying off that student loan with your savings account.

It goes the other way around too. If your debt has less of an interest rate than your savings, your money is working better in the savings. But with today’s interest rates being so low, your debt is probably higher than the amount of interest you are earning on your savings account. That means you are actually losing money.

2. Sales shopping saves money

I used to be a shopaholic, and sales were my drug of choice. Let me tell you that you aren’t always saving money. Yes, if you really needed the item, then you are saving money. But sales often lead to the purchase of items that normally wouldn’t be purchased. And you usually buy twice as much because it’s on sale. So you haven’t saved any money.

Then if you never use the item, you’ve actually wasted money. This can also apply to bargain shopping and shopping in bulk. It doesn’t matter if you bought your daughter 35 pairs of shoes at garage sales for $1 each. If she only wore two pairs of them, you just wasted $33.

3. Refinancing your home pays off

When you refinance your home, you aren’t necessarily saving that much money in the long run. Yes, your monthly payments are smaller, but you have refinanced for another 30-year term. This means that if you have already paid 10 years of mortgage, then refinance for another 30, you have basically extended your loan to a 40-year mortgage. Sit and do the math and you’ll see if you are really saving anything.
If you really want to save money, refinance for a lower rate and a shorter term. Your monthly payment may not go down, but your overall repayment may.

4. Zero percent interest saves money

When you take out a card with a zero percent repayment term, you aren’t saving money. You are just delaying paying for items. You don’t save and you don’t spend more. But if you don’t pay the money back within the zero percent period, you’ll be paying interest on those items. That costs you money.

5. Savings is dependent on income

No matter how much you make, you can save money. You simply have to spend less than you make. If you make more money and spend more money, you aren’t saving anything. In fact, you could even be spending more. Don’t wait until you have more money to start saving. You have to start now.

“To be you, be true.”-Corey Woods

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The Mayans Were Wrong But The Fiscal Cliff was only postponed

5 Jan

The Mayans Were Wrong But The Fiscal Cliff was only Postponed

We went over the cliff- technically. Accept it. Don’t buy the news channel shenanigans. Everyone breathed relief for about 5 minutes then went back to their favorite tv show. Not to malign the masses but if we don’t look out for our well being who will. I don’t care if you are a dem, rep, con, gop, etc, etc. You can never trust anyone to make your life better than you can.
In the gym I won’t ask for a spot from a weaker guy/gal. Also I won’t ask for a spot if I’m not reasonably sure I can lift the weight.
Lesson here: you don’t go heavy if you can’t go heavy. Its that simple. The treasury, The Fed, everyone wielding power has a vested interest in winning. Don’t you too?
We ALL do.
However most people are concerned with the Kardashians and or the sports page.

So back to the cliff. We have about 2 months. Roughly 60 days to get to a place where we all win. But that won’t happen.
Does anyone realize that our taxes have gone up from obamacare?
Everyone’s, in every brackets.
Then the social security went up. Its been down for a few years but this was bad. We got a few hundred bucks per person every check- but that money wasn’t meant for now. It was meant to hold social security up. Now some people will sell social security as an entitlement but if you look it up- you paid into it. It is your money.. I’m not anti government- by no means.
I love our country. I love the last three presidents. But we have to be personally responsible. We have to vote and invest from that mindset. I don’t plan to rely on social security- but I know millions do.
That being said many are about to get hit every check. I won’t blame Obama. But I will challenge you to do more. To be more.
Knowing your expenditures are going up no matter what you cut- do you have a plan?
You should.
I do. I’ve cut expenses and even moved in the last year in anticipation of being ready for all the tax raises I might face. I own my own business but still want to maximize my deductions while increasing my income.
Do you see how that can help?
Spending less while making more will lead to a future you can embrace if not beat.
Meet me at the top my friends- we are all we have.

#thriveorsurvive.

“A big part of financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life.” -Suze Orman

“Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.”
-Benjamin Franklin

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.

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In the Red Corner – Gold Bullion vs. Certified Coins

1 Jan

In the Red Corner – Gold Bullion vs. Certified Coins.

BY Mike Getlin | September 29 2011 1:18 PM

We gold bulls have been licking our wounds over the last few weeks. This summer’s intense upward price movement set the stage for major volatility on the precious metals markets, and long term gold investors are stuck riding out the storm, at least for the moment. Yesterday however, something was brought to my attention by someone out on our trading floor. One of his clients who bought a diversified investment grade coin position early in the month was actually dead even on his overall position. While gold had tumbled by over $300 per ounce, his coins had stayed right where they were showing him no loss whatsoever. Needless to say, this needs a bit of explaining.

Let’s take a look at gold’s correction versus the price movement in a variety of $20 Liberty certified coins. Gold closed at $1895 on September 6th. Over the course of the next 20 calendar days, it shed $297 to close at $1598 on September 26th. That is an overall correction of 18.58% in 14 trading days. The certified $20 Liberty coins fared much better. See the chart below for the comparison.

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The major difference between raw gold bullion and certified coins is the premium (which is often significant) that the coins carry over the spot price of gold. For example, the $20 Liberty in Mint State 66 condition is a coin that sells for well above $15,000. Most investors look at that and wonder why in the world anyone would buy a one ounce coin for over 15 grand! Yet this month, the one who did would be laughing all the way to the bank while the rest of us dream longingly of weeks gone by and $1900 per ounce.

Now this is not to say we should all rush out and dump all our bullion in favor of certified coins. That said, there is clearly an advantage to be gained by owning some of these products that help insulate investors from these volatile markets. The real question is what causes certified coin premiums to change, and what place do these products have in a healthy and diversified gold portfolio.

The debate over whether to buy bullion or certified coins (also referred to as numismatics) has been raging for decades and will probably continue to produce spirited cocktail hour conversation for a long time to come. Some people swear by investment grade numismatics, while others think only a fool would buy anything other than bullion. So who’s right? Both of course. As with most arguments like this, there is a lot of truth to both sides, and each strategy has significant advantages and disadvantages.

On the bullion side, the main argument against certified coins is that they are too expensive. Why pay $3000 per ounce or more for a gold coin when you could buy a Gold Eagle or a bar for $1800? The premium, as well as the dealer’s bid/ask spread is much higher on certified coins as they are more difficult to source and procure. The other argument against them is they tend to move more slowly than bullion coins. For investors who need instant liquidity, or are trying to pop in and out of the markets with some frequency, certified coins present some major drawbacks.

In contrast, numismatists (people who study coins) never forget one simple fact: value comes from scarcity. If you purchase a gold bar this year and sell it in 2015, there will have been millions upon millions more produced and sold between now and then. If you purchase a certified $20 Liberty, you can sleep well at night knowing that never again will a single $20 Liberty coin be produced. It’s hardly even a question of supply and demand, because there really is no supply. Thus when you look at the $20 Liberty MS66 in the graph above, you see it actually increase in value during gold’s worst month in 20 + years. The premiums on certified coins can move quite independently from the gold market and often times increase when gold goes down. This provides strong buoyancy during gold market corrections; something a lot of gold buyers would have loved over the last few weeks.

All in all, there is no real “right” answer as to whether investors are better off with bullion or certified coins. As such, we’re strong believers in owning both. Ideally, a healthy gold portfolio would have both bullion and certified coins. The bullion will move more quickly, provide more gold per dollar invested, and can be bought and sold at lower margins. The certified coins may have higher long term profit potential, benefit from strong demand and scarcity, and can provide stability in a gold market that is likely to become increasingly volatile in the coming years. As with most arguments, the best answer probably borrows a bit from both sides. As with most investments, the best strategy is probably a diversified one.

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A Paycheck is Never Enough

30 Dec

A Paycheck is Never Enough

Money doesn’t fix your problems.
Money isn’t an answer, its merely a means to trading up toward your goals and dreams being realized. These seem like mixed concepts but bear with me.

A paycheck is not winning.
If you work for money you are losing. Hardcore. Unless you are in the top, let’s say 10% of the income bracket in our fine country you are precariously close to failure. If you are in the bottom 40% you may be already in what I call ‘failure to launch.’
It works like this: when you work for money you are losing. A large majority of folks on this continent are working for peanuts. I’m not here to argue for higher wages. What I am arguing for is that you expect more for your efforts. That doesn’t mean you storm corporate. It means you get to a higher plain. Demand more of yourself. I work hard at my day job. Real hard. And I play by the rules and do as I’m told. And in doing so I’ve earned trust and a little latitude. I’ve also been given more income. Great perk right lol. However I know this job can never be my everything. I want more. I need it. So I’ve had my own business in one shape or form since 2007. I’ve picked up new skills, joined mlm’s, worked with kids through NCLB, sold life insurance and become a licensed bouncer. All of these ventures except one made me money. Some still do actually. Also in doing my job I’ve learned great skills and been privy to great training that has made bouncing/security easier and made my resume for that line of work vastly grander.
Now all of that comes from the mindset that a paycheck is never enough.
We can’t simply work for money day in and day out and then die. Simple. Factual.
What’s your story?
What’s your motive?
Inspire people. Inspire yourself.
For you not to be more than a paycheck player is selfish. Expect more.
Live for more. Do more. Make the dollars you make work for you. Make your free time expansion time.
You need more than a paycheck.
You are more than a job.
Be everything you were made to be. Go beyond the money. Live the dream that is you-specific. Its that simple. Okay, you say Tony you jerk life isn’t that simple.
Fine you win. Enjoy that defeat.
Wow. Cuts deep right?
Its a mindset. Let yours be that there is a WAY- and You will Find it.
When you live and work for more than a paycheck you will be successful. You will be happy. Love your job? Already happy?
Fine. No problem.
One question- couldn’t you be more even in that thing you love?
I’ve found that the harder I work and apply myself at work and at my office- the greater success I’ve had. The more people I’ve helped. And the more abundance I’ve found. Aka my paycheck isn’t everything, and doesn’t have to be.

#thriveorsurvive.

“For every two minutes of glamour, there are eight hours of hard work.” -J. Savitch

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.

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Is Silver your Financial Safe Haven?

26 Dec

Is Silver your Financial Safe Haven?

 

Dollar Decline Chart

 

At first look, most of us would say that the price of gold increased from $20 to $1600/ounce. However this is not accurate. Gold actually still buys the same amount of goods and services that it did in 1933. Gold has basically stayed constant. The dollar’s value fell by a factor of 50- so that it takes 50 times more paper dollars to buy the same amount of goods and services than it did in 1933 (See the price of gas since 2002 alone). Looking forward, we must consider whether the dollar will buy more or less in 10, 20, or even 30 years. The gold you have today will allow you to buy the same amount of goods and services that your money will buy today, 10, 20, or 30 years from now. Viewed from this angle, gold and silver are a way of preserving your wealth. They are a type of wealth insurance.

Many Europeans have long-held 10-20% of their net worth in precious metals for this very purpose. They have a history rich in tragedy: hyperinflation, government changes, borders that have moved and two world wars. Gold’s durability has served them quite well through all sorts of political unrest. In fact, it is perhaps the only constant in a world subject to change.

 

As gold and precious metals are priced and traded in US dollars, they surge in value when the US dollar declines. As the fed prints trillions in new money, the dollar and basically all other currencies will fall precipitously relative to gold. In an environment where the dollar is already weak and many currencies are weaker, investors that wish to keep and grow their wealth (duh, who doesn’t?) must understand the impact of declining currencies on their portfolios.

 

The US and Canadian dollars have lost approximately 84 percent of their purchasing power since 1970!  Most other currencies across the globe have fared no better. Not coincidentally, 1971 was the year the link to the gold standard was cut via President Nixon et al. Only gold, and its two precious metals brethren -silver and platinum- are able to hold their respective values in periods of severe inflation and deflation.

Both Gold and silver benefit from negative economic policies, political tensions, and monetary conditions contribute to a rise of their prices. For this reason gold has always been referred to as the “crisis commodity” and why investors are buying all the gold they can afford.  And the same may be said for silver.

The below trends weaken stocks and other paper investments and cause the price of gold and silver to rise:

War

Inflation

High Oil Prices

Weakness in the U.S. dollar

Budget Deficits

Stock & Bond Market Turmoil

Bank Failures

Loan Defaults

This being said is it any wonder people are buying gold as fast as they can?  Every time it drops a 100 dollars people buy asap.  Are you following that trend?  If so you are smart.

However the trend in silver is the same and gains can be realized faster.

For the sake of discussion lets assume gold is 1600 dollars an ounce and silver is 30 dollars an ounce.  Gold is seen as the big boy in the group but silver affords the real opportunity to max out your portfolio.  For every 1 ounce of gold you can  buy53+ ounces of silver.  Now you might say the dollar value is the same but silver is slept on my friends.  It is used in almost every electronic in your house.  Also in my opinion silver is the sleeper buy.  it will rise faster when the ‘isht’ really hits the fan.  But lets talk turkey- I can’t afford to buy gold at these prices, who can?  However we can all afford to buy silver.  it is even sold in half ounces and quarter ounces.with these small denominations possible for purchase I would argue that we all have a chance to build wealth and create our own hedges against inflation.  after all do you work 35-40 hours a week to just hand it all over to the government, the corner store, cable and the rest of the creature comfort providers?  I’d bet not  So lets work the legal methodologies provided us by the system.

#thriveorsurvive.

“Gold is the wealth of kings……
Silver is the wealth of gentlemen……
Barter is the wealth of peasants……
Debt is the wealth slaves!!!!!”

-Norm Franz.

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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