How the Financial Crisis Changes Where You Should Go to Get Financial Advice and Guidance
Normally, my articles are not personal or self serving. I explain concepts and options that people should be aware of but, if you’re not involved in the financial services industry you may not be aware of the things that I write about. But this is information that you should know, even if you don’t utilize Halas Consulting as your primary advisor. You might take one of my concepts and seek out a local advisor, he might gain you as a client without having to do any type of prospecting because you came in well informed and his job was half done. If this is the case, be sure to tell him that I said “You’re welcome.”
Right now the country, no, actually the world, is in the midst of a global financial crisis. While not naming any individual names the generic culprit in all of this is greed. Read more
A Home-Based Travel Business Can Build Financial Freedom
For many people, starting their own home-based business is the key to financial and personal freedom. The opportunities are endless, just depending on your own interests. You can be responsible for your own success and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
One of the most appealing factors in a home-based business is the freedom to work when you want. You can set your own schedule and work as often or as little as you would like. There are no bosses or other employees to worry about. It is up to you to set the limits and goals for your business. If you want to work full- or part-time, the decision is yours. Read more
Two Different Ways to Start a Profitable Home Business
Economic times have dramatically changed and we all potentially face a long and difficult time. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet with just one source of income. The possibilities of starting a home-based business look very inviting. The probabilities of a making a home business work include many factors such as keeping busy, having fun, improving self image, and enjoying a very profitable part-time cash flow.
Your home-based business choices are numerous, even endless if you apply creative thinking. But let me suggest some logical thinking about a home-based business based on two categories. Each category requires three steps so they are logically simple to compare and contrast. Read more
Hottest Home Based Business Opportunities For Single Women
Gender trends in America have shifted greatly in recent decades, seeing more and more women taking control of their financial futures, and the franchising sector is proof of this change. One of the largest, if not the single largest demographic of home based business franchisees is women. Many of these women looking at work at home franchises do so because they can build financial stability and boost the family income without having to leave the house and the kids. Generally, that is the specific group of ladies that are drawn to home based franchises: the stay-at-home mom/businesswoman.
But, if the housing trends are any indicator as to who is really interested in upward mobility and financial gain amongst women, perhaps we ought not to ignore the single ladies-who, we should mention, make up roughly 22% of US homebuyers and are more financially independent than ever before. Read more
Casino Business Basics
Like any other enterprise, casinos focus on profit. However, their undertakings are varied and diverse than any other organization. The various activities in which a casino indulges include gambling, restaurants, hotels. Gambling in itself is quite complex comprising of various card games, machines and table games. The conversion of money to chips, given the large inflow of cash and the threat of thefts, is an art in itself. Apart from all this there is a lot of manpower involved. Being a licensed body, it is subjected to tax as well. To add to all this there is periodical auditing which determines the continuance of the license. Thus, opening and monitoring a casino requires a lot of homework to be done.
Every casino, like any other organization, has a hierarchical structure. The top position in a casino can be of the owner or the Board of Directors. Generally, the casinos have some lower managers to take care of the various operations of the casino. Read more
Credit Crunch – Not a Credit Freeze

photo credit: the_toe_stubber
First of all, it’s a credit crunch not a credit freeze!
Sure, banks are more cautious about their lending, but when were they not? The reality is that the majority of banks are lending, and to remain profitable they will continue to lend to small business owners. Those that understand the situation are acting now!
“Buy low, sell high”
With the current economic low, it is the best time to get financing at a low rate, with lower-than-ever requirements. Big banks like Citi and HSBC are making their decisions based on business credit scores, not personal fico’s.
Personal guarantee is a promise made by an entrepreneur to personally repay company debts if the business defaults. It is a way for banks to protect themselves, while reflecting the seriousness of the business owner to repay debts. Without a personal guarantee, they are thought to not believe in their business and are high risk. Small business owners don’t want to provide a personal guarantee if possible. Even if they are diligent about repaying debts, some unforeseen catastrophe may happen preventing a loan payment. Then the bank seizes personal assets. Read more
Strike While the Iron is Hot – Using the Recession to Your Advantage

photo credit: XirannisX en Off
These last few weeks of our economic downturn got everyone wound up. From business owners to CEO’s and back to the consumers – everyone is in a panic about the recession and the bailout plans. But what is a recession, really? How are the bailouts impacting your life?
As consumers we are all hurt. The price increases on all goods and services for which President-Elect Obama is preparing already, will be upon us soon.
However, as small business owners should we think of this as a gain or a loss? Read more
Government Grant Search – Government Grant Search Made Easy
Government grant search is not that hard compared to the days back then. If you are searching for grants, you have came to the right place. In this article, you will be shown all the various sources which you can get hold of a list of government grants that are available for various purposes. Without further ado, let’s get started with all the resources for government grants.
Government Grant Search Resource #1 Government Sites
Government sites such as grant.gov and those related to business and women rights will normally have a list of grants related to users visiting the sites. You can safely assume that all the grants listed there are complete. However, there might be grants that are not declared on these sites due to delays in updating.
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How Does the Government Offer Grants to People

photo credit: brndnprkns
Do you want to know about the government grants? Here, let’s talk about it.
Step1
Most government grants are not available year round, therefore,a grant seeker must apply when a particular grant program is announced by a government agency. When funds are made available, the agency places an announcement in the Federal Register, which is published each weekday. Federal grant announcements are also published on agency websites, many of which now allow grant seekers to submit grant applications electronically. In addition, those in search of grant funds can check out the government’s Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance for more information on specific grants.
Step2 Read more
Get the Financial Stability For Your Business and Family – The Credit Union
You may have scanned the business and finance section of newspapers and wondered what a credit union is. They always feature prominently in money and lifestyle sectors but it’s true that not everyone knows what they are. A credit union is actually a cooperative financial institution that is privately owned and controlled by its members for the promotion of thrift, providing credit at reasonable rates, and providing other financial services. Many credit unions have community development as a primary goal, though others also focus on sustainable international development on a local level. At least on paper, all credit unions are non-profit cooperative institutions. You want one of the best ways to enhance your standing financially and influence-wise? This is the perfect way!
Credit unions have several distinct differences from banks. Read more

