Massive Job Cuts — A Really Bad Idea

Massive Job Cuts” — just a really, really bad idea!

You’ve seen those Press Release Headlines. “Such-and-Such announces 12,000 more jobs to be Cut”.

We can all appreciate that in the normal lifespan of an economic cycle there will be need and times for displacement and replacement of anything and everything that comprises the make up of a vibrant company.

However, there are clearly things you can and should do and things you just don’t do.

Headers like the one above isn’t just something you don’t, but it is not much better than taking a fully loaded pistol, taking dead aim at a glossy target painted on one of your big toes, and squeezing the trigger.

This kind of announcement, all too common today, simply makes a bad situation much worse. It tells too many of people you need just enough for them to take cover for their own sake.

a) It tells most industry leaders that this is a company that clearly grossly mismanaged its business in boom years.

b) It tells everyone that this company’s downturn plan is no better than the boom-years one that got them into this mess.

c) It tells their best clients that they should consider placing some back-up orders with competitors. just in case.

d) It tells best prospective clients that maybe they were right in not making the changeover to the distressed company as a potential supplier.

e) It tells the company’s best employees that they should start looking right now while they have a job and can negotiate a better package.

This means that much of the qualitative value of the company’s products / services will begin to suffer.

f) It tells newer recruits to beware and maybe shop their skills, knowledge, and innovative mindset elsewhere. further impacting negatively on the company for many years to come.

g) It tells creditors and the people who fund the company’s day-to-day operations that they should perhaps protect themselves by tightening credit / loan guidelines and reducing the amounts available.

h) It tells suppliers to reign in supplies and tighten terms making production runs often shorter and more cost-per-unit less effective and reducing per-unit profits.

i) It tells competitors that this company is in trouble and ripe for the picking.

j) It tells shareholders that maybe they should get out while there is still something to get out.

k) It tells new-money fund managers that this company is a higher risk than before the self-disclosed on-the-brink distress signal.

There is nothing positive in a negative press release. And, there is absolutely no reason for massive job cuts at any time unless to confirm that this management team is looking for a severance package. And, there are many who are.

In the final analysis, massive job cuts just toss out the baby with the bathwater, and totally remove its value assets necessary to stabilize, to re-energize, and to re-surge to prominence.

What positive can be gleaned by a business that can wreak such social and economic havoc on a village, town, or city and wipe out entire retirement plans of people who can least likely recoup any of it?

This isn’t a social commentary on corporate responsibility or irresponsibility.

There are responsible ways to handle growth in boom years. And, there are even better ways to grow in downturns.

There is no reason why a small company can’t triple its business in downturns and large companies show real growth of over twenty percent in downturns.

John W David
Author / Teacher / Speaker
http://internetmarketing-proshop.com

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Understanding the Mortgage Process

Once you find a lender you are comfortable with, you will begin the mortgage process by making an application with the lender. Obtaining a mortgage to purchase a home is a process, not an event, beginning with the application and ending with the closing.

Applications may be taken by loan officers in person, by phone, or by mail. Different lenders have various preferences, although most will require original signatures on applications and disclosures at some point in the process.

You will be expected to provide information about your income, assets, and personal information at the time of application, and during the process. Lenders will ask you for documentation to prove information such as:

W-2 forms for last 2 years

Paystubs to cover a monthly pay period with YTD information

Bank Statements

Drivers License

Contact Information for Landlord or Rental Mgt. Co.

If you are getting a pre-approval, most lenders will only charge a small credit fee to cover the cost of obtaining your credit, typically $50 or less. Once you have a house under contract, in order to move forward with the process, your lender will usually collect a fee to pay for the appraisal for your home. The purpose of the appraisal is to prove the value of the home to the lender. This fee will be from $300 to $500, depending on your market. You will be entitled to a copy of this report, and you should request a copy of it electronically (usually in a .pdf format)

It is usually at this point in the mortgage process that you will be introduced to the Mortgage Loan Processor, who is responsible for assembling the required documents, verifying them, and sending the loan package in a prescribed order to be underwritten. Processors perform a very critical function in the mortgage process. It is important that you provide all the documentation requested to your processor or loan officer, so that they may submit a complete package to be underwritten.

Once all the required documentation is assembled, it will be sent by courier or sometimes faxed to be underwritten. The Underwriter?s job is to review and make a loan decision based on the information and documentation provided and make certain that it is within the underwriting guidelines set up by the lender.

Usually there will be some conditions to be met for a ?final? loan approval. It is important to remember the complexity of this process and not be frustrated or angry if the processor or loan officer ask you for additional information, sometimes just days before closing is scheduled. Sometimes these requests will seem ridiculous, or asking for information that doesn?t seem pertinent. Keep in mind that the Underwriter is simply trying to do their job, and has checklists they must follow.

Once all the conditions have been received and sent to the Underwriter for review, they will be ?cleared.? After all underwriting conditions have been cleared, the file will be considered ?Clear to Close.? At this time it will be sent to the closing department, where documents will be generated for your closing. These documents will usually be sent by email to the attorney or closing agent.

Once your closing is scheduled, it is important to be in contact with your lender and the closing agent. They will inform you of any additional documentation that may be required for closing, and inform you of the amount of money you will need to pay at closing. Funds for closing will be wired from the lender to the closing agent directly, and disbursed at closing. Closing sometimes happens in a room with all parties present. You have a right to request that your loan documents be signed in private, due to the personal nature of the documents you will be signing. Once these documents are signed and you receive copies, the mortgage process is complete, and you are officially a home owner. Congratulations!

Clint Wooley is co-owner of Sunscape Rentals and Sales, and HomeMax.org, a source for information, tips and articles for first time home buyers. HomeMax offers free Realtor referrals and Lender referrals. HomeMax Case Managers will help guide you through the home buying process. http://www.homemax.org

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Sub Prime Mortgage Lenders - How To Get Approved Online

Sub prime mortgage lenders process applications online everyday. Processing information over the internet speeds up the process and saves costs on offices and personal. In some cases, you can get a reduction in fees or rates by completing your application online. To get approved on your mortgage, follow these tips.

Sub Prime Mortgage Factors

Sub prime mortgage lenders each have their own criteria for assigning loan scores to lenders. The higher the score you get, the better the rate you qualify for. Credit history is important, but so are cash assets, your income, and down payments.

On average sub prime lenders like to have a down payment of 20% or more. However, they offer a variety of loan terms. You can even get a zero down mortgage, but expect to pay a couple of points higher.

Picking a fixed or adjustable rate will also determine how much you qualify to borrow. In general ARMs have lower monthly payments, so you can borrow more. Sub prime lenders also handle interest only loans and balloon payments.

Online Loan Application Forms

Online loan application forms are straight forward. Over a secure connection you provide your personal information, usually name, address, and social security number. If you have a property in mind to purchase, you will also need to include the property?s address and selling price.

If you requested a loan quote, you may not even have to fill out any additional personal information. Much of your financial information can be found in databases. The financing company will complete your application and ask for your approval before closing.

Finishing Final Paperwork

Mortgages usually take about four weeks to process. The sub prime lender has to verify the property?s value and your credit. An escrow company will also help you handle the exchange of money, primarily the closing costs and points.

As with a regular loan, your paperwork will require your approval and signature. Instead of going to a home office though, you will need a notary. Most companies schedule a notary to come to you at your convenience. After paperwork is received, funds should be processed in three days.

About the Author:

Visit http://www.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml for a list of subprime mortgage lenders. View our recommended subprime mortgage lenders online.

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Reduce Your Taxes

When it comes to taxes, we all want to reduce the amount we have to pay in. There are three basic ways to minimize your taxes: reduce your income, increase your deductions and take advantage of tax credits.

Your Adjusted Gross Income is a key in determining your taxes. Your tax rate and tax credits depend upon your AGI. In fact, your AGI is a powerful number. Lenders will want to to know your AGI when you apply for a large loan or mortgage. If your child is to qualify for a college financial aid program, it depends upon your AGI. Your AGI is considered your true income level.

It is also where you should start your tax planning. There are many parts to your AGI. Basically, your AGI is your income from all sources minus any adjustments to your income. The higher your income, the higher your AGI. The higher your AGI, the more taxes you will pay.

It works the other way as well. If you lower your total income, you lower your AGI and the amount of taxes you pay will be lessened. This is the number one way to reduce your taxes.

How can you reduce your AGI? The best way is to contribute money to a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work. These contributions reduce your total wages, therefore reducing your taxes bill.

You can also reduce your AGI through various income adjustments. These adjustments are simply deductions that don’t have to be itemized. They include contributions to a traditional IRA and alimony paid.

You can also take a close look at your family’s income situation. If one spouse earns significantly more than the other, it could be beneficial for only one to work. In many situations, a stay-at-home spouse or parent not only reduces the tax burden, but can save money through reduced work-related expenses. In my own family, my income was just enough to boost us up into a higher tax bracket — which deducted from the benefits of working.

You can also reduce your taxes by increasing your tax deductions. Taxable income is a key element in your taxes. This is the amount left over after reducing your AGI by deductions and exemptions. Most people take a standard deduction, but quite a few people are able to itemize their deductions.

These deductions include expenses for health care, personal property taxes, mortgage interest, gifts to charity, job-related expenses, tax preparation fees and investment-related expenses.

The easiest method to itemizing your expenses is to keep record of them throughout the year using a spreadsheet or personal finance program. Then you simply compare your itemized expenses with your standard deductions. You simply take the higher deduction.

It is wise to reduce your taxable income by keeping track of your itemized deductions. The three largest deductions include mortgage interest, state taxes and gifts to charity.

So many people don’t take advantage of tax credits. Tax credits reduce your tax. There are credits available for college expenses, adopting children and saving for retirement.

There are two education-related tax credits available. The Hope Credit is for students in their first two years of college, while the Lifetime Learning Credit is for anyone attending college classes. The classes can be in anything you wish — they don’t have to be related to your work or career.

Another way to limit your taxes is to avoid additional taxes. For example, an early withdrawal from an IRA or 401(k) retirement plan could result in an addition to your taxable income and penalties for early withdrawal. Not only are you reducing your retirement savings, you are increasing your tax obligation.

If you find that you have to pay in a large amount each year, you need to adjust your withholding. It will be much easier to make these payments each month rather than all at once in the spring. More money comes out of your paycheck, but you won’t have to pay when you file your taxes. The goal is to be flush or have a small refund or small payment when you file your taxes.

Reducing your taxes is possible through these three simple steps. All tax planning basically falls to looking at all of your options and keeping organized records throughout the year. With a little forethought, you can lower your taxes.

RateEmpire.com, http://www.RateEmpire.com, an internet consumer banking marketplace is a destination site of personal finance, investing, taxes and mortgage rates. RateEmpire.com provides mortgage guides and financial rates and information. RateEmpire.com also operates a financial portal #1 American Financial, found at http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com and mortgage rate shopping portal http://www.1MortgageQuotes.com

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Identity Theft - Getting Back Your Life

Identity theft has become the number one white-collar crime in America and it continues to grow rapidly throughout the world. With the growing use of the Internet, criminals have the ability to go online and intercept your personal information and later stealing your identity. What can you do once you’ve had your identity stolen?

Recovering from identity theft is difficult at best. Your entire life is turned upside down. The ability to get any type of loan, or credit card is next to impossible when someone steals your identity. Getting any kind of help is also rare, although there is identity theft insurance that is starting to appear on the market. You will be the one who is responsible to get your credit repaired even though you were a victim of a crime.

If you’ve become a recent victim of identity theft there are a few things you can do to help yourself. Believe it or not, there are also different forms of identity theft. On the low end you may have had your credit cards stolen and the criminal then goes out and charges up a storm. Generally, you can simply call your credit card company and have the charges removed. Consider yourself lucky and move on.

On the other hand, you may become a victim of more serious identity theft in which the criminal has obtained your social security number, bank account information, etc. Now this person can set up new credit card accounts, loans and other bills. This can happen almost overnight with today’s technology. You can go online and apply for hundreds of different credit cards.

The more time that goes by before you discover this activity, the worse it can get. You can have people get personal loans from online lending companies and the list just goes on. Getting this cleared off your credit can be a nightmare. Be prepared to fill out all sorts of forms and jump through hoops, but you really have no choice, as you have to have a bank account, drivers license and other cards.

When you first discover something has gone terribly wrong, call the banks and credit card companies immediately. Have your accounts stopped. If as a result of identity theft you’ve had your social security number stolen as well, get in touch with the government. They can get you a new number and provide some other help.

If you have stocks, bonds, or other investments, call your financial advisor or broker and let them know what has happened. They can put a freeze on your accounts so no criminal can cash these out. It’s easier for a criminal to do this than you might think, especially in today’s online world.

After you have let everyone know that you have been a victim of identity theft begin keeping a close tab on all the illegal activity you can. If you notice a new account has opened let the company know it is not from you. Also, keep a good record on everyone you talk to with the various credit companies. Be sure to include times and dates, as well as names and any notes in regards to those you speak with. By keeping good records it can help make things a little easier to recover from.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Identity Theft

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