Are You Sick of the Financial Insecurity of Fluctuating Seasons and Income?
Finding a stable and secure income that will come year in, year out, no matter what happens on the farm, will give you real peace of mind. By investing off farm, you are not only providing a secure income now, but also preparing for retirement. This IS attainable by all levels of income earners and people of all ages.
I am a farmer's wife and have lived through some good and bad seasons on the farm. If farming was all about money, then we wouldn't still be here. Most of us farmers genuinely LOVE the lifestyle that farming brings.
However, being a 'city girl' and marrying a farmer, I struggle with the insecurity and irregularity of income. These days, you'd have to be a top financial professional to get it right 100% of the time. Some years we seem to have plenty of money and other we're in debt before we even start paying for seeding expenses (and that doesn't even include the tax due!). Does this sound familiar?
Well, I've got some great news for you. I have discovered a way that provides a regular income that is not affected by the rainfall! My husband and I have been investing in real estate now for a couple of years and have found that even in bad times, we still have that income to fall back on. This brings real 'peace of mind.' Trust me, it's really not as hard or as expensive, as it sounds, and we as farmers have an extra huge benefit that we can take advantage of, and that is - the fluctuating seasons and income! (I bet that's a surprise!)
Firstly, real estate investing builds not only income for now (assuming you buy cash flow positive properties), but will also prepare you for a comfortable retirement. As a bonus, you also get the capital increase (real estate is said to double in value every 7-10 years approximately), as well as tax advantages. And if this isn't enough, then you can also use other people's money to acquire it and pay it off.
Sounds like a winner all around, don't you think?
Not convinced yet?
Well, how could we use our fluctuating income to our advantage? As farmers, on a good year we could put money in a 'mortgage offset account' or just pay extra off the loan. This would reduce your interest payments. In a bad year, you can redraw the extra equity you have in the property, or properties. This investment vehicle can be used totally to your advantage (check with your accountant or tax advisor though).
I really could go on for ages about this brilliant opportunity because I am so passionate about it and it has been our saving grace over the last couple of years as well as having comfort in knowing that we're planning for a secure financial future.
I really hope you have got some benefit out of this article, at least be inspired to check it out further. Good luck in your enterprises, whatever you do, and I hope that this year is a great one for you!
Mandy Nield is a recognised authority on the subject of investing. Whether you are a fully experienced master craftsman or a raw apprentice, you will learn exciting and achievable ways to improve your saving and invest profitably in real estate, to secure a financial future.
Personal Finance: Booking Bamboozle Washington Post If you are making travel arrangements online, be sure to keep an eye out for a questionable but growing trend on booking Web sites: 'pre-checked' boxes that ...
PersonalFinance: Your guide to Coverdells FOXBusiness (Linda Stern is a freelance writer. Any opinions in the column are hers. You can follow Linda Stern's financial notes on Twitter at ...
The week's 10 best Personal Finance stories MarketWatch By MarketWatch With no federal tax credit to entice buyers, today's home sellers have to get even more serious about making a deal. ...
Pet insurance is no laughing matter Telegraph.co.uk Having made four claims in four years, The Telegraph's Personal Finance Editor decides the time has come to write about pet insurance. ...
Google News
RELATED ARTICLESWhy Live Frugally
What is it about being frugal, why do it at all? Actually, some people don't do it at all, they have decided that what they want and desire is what they are going to get and they feel they deserve it. I have no trouble with that; more power to ya, live long and prosper and may you die with the most toys.
A Fresh Start for Family Finances in 2005
While 40% to 50% of us make New Year's resolutions on January 1-a ritual that has existed since ancient times-approximately 60% to 80% of us have already broken them by the end of February, according to researchers.It's still not too late, however, to reset the trajectory on your family's finances, experts note.
Whats The Truth Behind Your Finances?
Between 15 - 20% of people in our country (UK) own there own businesses. This statistic is on the rise thanks to the incredible invention of the Internet.
UK Graduates Looking Short-Term At Their Long-Term Financial Responsibilities
With almost two thirds of university entrants from England and Wales who applied for maintenance grants for this year being unsuccessful, and the average graduate owing £13,501 when they leave, according to Barclays, combined with a survey by High Fliers Research showing that only 21% of students were confident of managing to enter a graduate-level job this year, it is not surprising that there is a feeling of gloom hanging over many UK university entrants.According to a survey of students from 30 institutions; 63% believed there are not enough graduate jobs for everyone leaving university this year, with a fifth stating that they felt that there were only limited jobs available.
How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Online Business
You should thoroughly consider your business needs when selecting a financial institution or bank for your small/home business. You may want to consider the following points:- The types of products and services that are offered.
I Want to Buy a Home - Now What?
If you were to ask 100 women "What would you like to achieve financially?" Buying a home or apartment is usually one of the answers. Some women think that they can never own a home - which is not true! In fact, there are so many success stories of home buyers who never thought they would get there.
Budgets And Eating - Can They Co-Exist?
Whatever your reason for having a tight budget, thetruth is that going to the grocery store without a planis a BIG budget breaker. And sadly all that cash endsup vanishing into our stomachs and then.
Can You Afford Not To Look After Your Personal Finances?
Investing is a subject a lot of people don't want to think about. And there is good reason for that.
The Magic Of Compound Interest
Christians are called to be good stewards of God's resources. A steward can be described as someone who manages the resources of another.
Financial Fitness - Are You Exercising the Right Muscles to become Financially Fit?
Are your financial muscles well toned and healthy or flabby and weak? Do you want to change your relationship with money so you can have control over your financial future or do you want to continue to complain that you don't have enough? Exercise these 10 muscles to achieve Financial Fitness.1.
Debt Management - Watch Out for Bank Fees!
During the last twenty years, banks have offered a number of improvements in the area of being customer-friendly. The old 9 AM - 2 PM "banker's hours" are gone, replaced by a schedule that makes it easy for most people to visit when the bank is open.
Your Dry Cleaner's Double Standard
Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume, find a better way.
How To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime that continues to grow. If you become a victim of identity theft, you may spend months, or years, trying to repair the damage.
Personal Finance - Why You Should Compare, not Despair
Sorting out your personal finances can be a tricky and exasperating time. Whether you are looking to obtain money through a loan, protect your finances with life insurance, medical, travel or car insurance, save some money through an individual savings account (ISA), apply for a credit card or a mortgage, change a telephone or fuel utility supplier, or simply decide what the best current account is for your needs, the choices are seemingly endless as well as being extremely complicated.
5 Ways to Absolutely Destroy Your Finances!
Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your Finances. To be honest, I'm not sure an entire book is needed on the subject-there are some fairly quick and easy ways to accomplish the task.
Personal Finance - Have Consumers Had a Belly Full of Personal Debt?
For months, we were trigger-swipe happy, putting our groceries, clothes, holidays and service charges on our credit cards. We wanted mortgages, we took out loans, we watched Property Ladder and What Not To Wear.
Ways to Save Energy and Slash Electricity Bills
1. Lighting & Light Bulbs Install low energy light bulbs in rooms you use regularly - they last up to 15 times longer than a normal light bulb and provide the same lighting for a quarter of the running cost.
Healthy Eating On A Budget
It is possible to eat a healthy, balanced diet without breaking the bank! Here are some suggestions:-Eliminate junk food. You may have to do your grocery shopping alone, since children (and sometimes spouses!) are often the ones who request the junk foods.
Why You Should Seek Professional Help With Asset Management
Everyone needs to maintain their lives. What I mean by thatis that we all need to take certain measures to make surethat we have a home, transportation, food, entertainmentetc.
How To Get Ahead On A Low Income
Do you struggle from week to week trying to make ends meet? Are you consistently going without things that you really wish you could afford? Well I have some possible and practical solutions to your dilemma:1. TIPS TO HELP YOUR BUDGET STRETCH FURTHER.
