Financial Freedom Classroom

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Establish goals then lean in

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Beautiful beach - Locke up Hawaii 2016Are you meeting your trading goals?  Do you have trading goals?  Everyone should have goals, it is a way to measure your progress.  If you don’t know what you are reaching for will you ever get it?  Probably not.  How can you reach a target you don’t have?

Begin with the end in mind.  For instance, how much will you need for that dream vacation?  If we planned a dream vacation for next year with a budget of $12,000, would we be able to go?  It depends.  If you carefully plan and track your progress, it is certainly more likely.

For example if the balance in your trading account is currently $50,000 you would need to earn 12% on those funds over the next twelve months to book the trip.  Should you just check back on your account in a year to see if you reached it?  Of course not, break it down further.  If you earn 1% each month on your account less fees, that will be 12% over the course of a year.  This goal should be checked on at least monthly to ensure it is on track.  You certainly wouldn’t want to start planning a dream vacation you cannot afford to take!

We have established just such a goal for our students under Locke In Your Success, LLC called Locke Up Hawaii 2016!  We congratulate all the participants as it is a big step to publicly state a goal for all to see.  It creates a greater sense of commitment and community around the goal.  Consider publicly stating your goals and find supportive peers to provide accountability and encouragement for you to meet them.

Please click like if you have publicly stated your goals and comment about your results.

 

Self first, then kids, then wants…

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Beautiful sports carIf you don’t take care of yourself how can you take care of anyone else?  This is our golden rule for the fourth phase in our financial freedom plan, self first, then kids, then wants.  This phase begins after all your debts have been paid off, except for your mortgage.

In this phase you set yourself up to be secure by establishing a full emergency fund of six months worth of expenses and ensure that a full 15% of the gross household income is being saved for retirement.  TIP:  Establish an automatic deposit into your retirement fund to make sure that money gets to where it needs to go!

Then you can establish a college fund for your children if you so choose.  Setting aside a set amount each month is the best way to reach your college fund goal.

After those have been established, then some of your wants can be funded as long as there aren’t any loans involved!  Set up accounts for each of the wants like cars, trips, and toys. TIP:  Please keep the total value of ALL vehicles less than 40% of your annual gross household income.

Take advantage of our FREE offer before time runs out!  Until Friday, June 19th, we are offering a FREE analysis of your financial situation.  Just complete the worksheets by clicking the link.  There is no cost or obligation and of course your information is kept confidential and secure.  Simply submit your worksheets, we will carefully review them, then schedule a follow up call to discuss how to accelerate your financial freedom journey.

Think before you post

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Social Media BirdEmployers are getting smarter and using social media to check out potential hires even BEFORE deciding on who to interview.  Think about what is on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Linked In and YouTube or any other social media site about you.  Would a potential employer viewing the posts think you would be a good fit for their organization?  Maybe, maybe not…

“I start my new job today but I absolutely hate working at day cares, Lol it’s all good I just really hate being around a lot of kids.” was a post from Kaitlyn Walls on Facebook that cost her a much needed job.  The employer called her and told her not to bother showing up to start work that day.  Think before you post.

As we have told our kids, consider anything you post on social media to be on a BIG billboard that your family, friends, teachers, employers, etc. drive by and read everyday.   Before clicking enter and posting make sure you would be proud if they all saw it, because chances are they will.  This caution applies to everyone.  Think before you post.

Click like if there has been something you posted to social media that you shouldn’t have.

FREE Beginner Real Estate Investing Books

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Free download e-books!

If you want to get started or learn more in real estate investing, why not do it for FREE?  We came across this information today and thought it would be very useful to our subscribers.  Here are the five FREE e-books all by William Johnson with their links:

How to Flip a House as a Real Estate Investor 

How to Find Cash Buyer and Motivated Sellers

Real Estate Investors Investing in Lease Options 

How to Find Private Money Lenders

Real Estate Investors Investing in Probates

Download them all now while they are free and just start with the one that holds the most interest.  Then get started!  If at any questions arise, feel free to reach out to us at questions@financialfreedomclassroom.com and we will be here to help!

Can you list a real estate investing book that helped you in the comments?

A Photo can be worth a thousand words and shares

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Male hand holding cellular phone with image of happy family of three looking at cameraPhotos are a HUGE draw for posts to either your blog or social media.  They are a MUST!  There are some important considerations though when using pictures and they are:

-Ensure you are in compliance with copyright law.  Images are subject to the same copyright and fair use laws as written materials.

-Avoid using a search engine to find an image.  For the most part it is a waste of time because most of the images you will find are copyrighted and can’t be used.

-Find a source for photos and use the search within the website.  Most of the time you either have to pay for the image or give proper credit to the source to use it.

-Keep the image toward the top of the post to lure in readers.  It must be above the scroll line.

-Use your own images.  With cameras in every cell phone, it is very easy to take and post your own photos.

Consider including photos in all your posts.  It will bring more excitement and interest to your information.  Plus others will be more likely to share the content and isn’t that the whole point?

What sources do you use for your post photos?  Please share!

 

A Simple Thank You

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Hand writes the word thank youWhen was the last time you got a HANDWRITTEN thank you note sent through the mail?  It was probably long ago.  If you got one now, would it make an good impression on you?  Do you think a potential employer might pull your resume out from the pile for a second look after receiving a handwritten thank you note in the mail?  We bet they would.

A thank you note provides one more opportunity for a potential employer to remember you and leave a lasting impression.  Even if you don’t think you will get the job you could be on their mind for another one.

Here are some other tips for making an impression with a thank you:

-Be sure that the envelope and message inside is all handwritten.  No labels or typing, it definitely loses impact.

-Start with “Dear” and how you addressed them in the interview.  Usually you can’t go wrong with Mr. or Mrs. Last name.

-Always thank them for their time and the opportunity to interview for the position.  Express how interesting the organization and the job sounds and that you are looking forward to hearing from them soon.

-End the note in a positive and friendly tone, like “Thanks again!”

Drop the thank you note in the mail just after the interview.  It really could make all the difference!

Do you send handwritten thank you notes?  Please comment about the opportunities they have given you.

3 Benefits of Holding a Property in an LLC

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hand and houseHolding real estate in a limited liability corporation (LLC) could be a good option for your property investments.  There are some real benefits to this type of structure, both from a tax and legal perspectives.  Consider the following:

1.  Provides protection from personal liability to all members.

2.  Provides the tax benefits of a partnership.

3.  Provides charging order protection to help shield the assets of the LLC.

Please note, we are not tax professionals or attorneys so ALWAYS check with your trusted professionals for your specific situation.  In most cases, holding property in an LLC will provide good protection for your personal and investment property.

Please click like if you hold any property in an LLC.

Swimming with a shark

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3-D Sucess, Lead by exampleOne of our favorite sharks from the Shark Tank TV Series is Daymond John.  Recently we had the opportunity to listen to him speak on a webinar titled “The Power of Branding”, but it was so much more.  Daymond spoke genuinely and honestly about his struggles and ultimately his rise to the mogul he is today.   It was very inspiring!

We would encourage anyone to take the time to seek out successful business people like Daymond to follow.  Even though they might not necessarily be able to personally interact, they can certainly have an impact on your life and business.

Through books, articles, websites and social media it is now easier than it has ever been to have access to successful people in  your industry.  We challenge you to seek out some of the people you would most like to follow and do just that.  You never know some day someone might be looking to follow you!

Please write in the comment section who you would suggest people follow.

Learn to trade simply from an innovator!

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Golden Bull and Bear - Simply Awesome!Why has the Super Simple Spreads course been a best selling program?  Join us this Thursday, June 4th at 7:30pm to find out!  John Locke will be discussing his course that any one with basic options experience can follow because it is simple!
Here is what some of his students are saying about the program:
John is an innovator who has helped my trading immensely.  I have found his methods and philosophies about trading to be life-changing.
Since working with him, for the first time in my life, after years of trying, I have become a profitable trader. -Troy
His strategies work because he has such a good innate feel for the multi-dimensional interplay of price, volatility, and the Greeks.  John has the ability to take something very complex and make it accessible to the less experienced trader.  John also works extensively with the all-important “soft factors” of psychology, emotions, and discipline. -Phil
Mark your calendar to get this important information which can help lead you to financial freedom!
Click like if you will be joining us for the FREE webinar.