Report from Business and Military Leaders: Nation Benefits from Oil Boom, but Global Oil Market Reve
May 11th, 2012 | Posted by Global InvestorsThe current oil boom is creating tremendous economic benefits for the nation, but unfortunately, it won’t shield the United States from the price volatility that is inherent in the global oil market, according to a new report from business and former military leaders on the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a project of Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE).
The ESLC report, “The New American Oil Boom: Implications for Energy Security,” examines the notion of energy independence, which is typically defined as ending reliance on foreign oil, in light of the renaissance in domestic liquid fuel production, rising demand from… View full post on Live News from PR-USA.net
ING Direct Business Savings Account Promotion Reference Codes
March 20th, 2012 | Posted by Global InvestorsING Direct is well-known for their personal savings account, but they also have a Orange Business Savings Account. As you might expect, it’s straightforward with no minimum balance requirements and no maintenance fees. Interest rates aren’t the best right now, but it’s still a good place to stash extra business cash deposits if you don’t need it immediately. The current interest rate is 0.50% APY, and is FDIC-insured.
As with their personal account, you’ll need to link this account with a business checking account. It works with sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations. You can also provide access for up to three people with separate login credentials.
Here is an ongoing list of current and expired promotions. They are sent out via ads in business magazines, e-mail marketing, and online banners. Usually there is Reference Code that needs to be entered on the online account application.
| Reference Code | Expiration Date | Offer Details |
| None, see ingdirect.com/bsa | Unknown | $50 bonus |
| BSA425 | 3/30/2012 | $50 bonus |
Expired Promotions
| Reference Code | Expiration Date | Offer Details |
| BSA422 | 3/15/2012 | $50 bonus |
| BSA421 | 3/15/2012 | $50 bonus |
| BSA363 | 2/15/2011 | $50 bonus |
| BSA338 | 7/31/2010 | $50 bonus |
| BSA327 | 3/31/2010 | $50 bonus |
| BSA298 | 2/28/2010 | $100 bonus |
Related posts:
ING Direct Business Savings Account Promotion Reference Codes from My Money Blog.
© MyMoneyBlog.com, 2012.
View full post on My Money Blog
Downers Grove Appliance Repair Business Adds To Its Operations Staff
March 15th, 2012 | Posted by Global InvestorsView full post on Live News from PR-USA.net
Technical Foam Services Marks Twenty One Years of Business
January 31st, 2012 | Posted by Global InvestorsTechnical Foam Services, a leading independent engineering-based manufacturer and foam producer, comment on their continuous growth over the last twenty one years.
View full post on Live News from PR-USA.net
Top Web Objective for Small Business in 2012: Sell More/Spend Less!
January 3rd, 2012 | Posted by Global InvestorsPrecept Partners announce first ever ?all inclusive? NetNitrox services package; includes website strategy consulting, website design and marketing services; $499 a month covers everything.
View full post on Live News from PR-USA.net
Can You Combine Your Business With Your Day Job?
December 1st, 2011 | Posted by Global Investors
Today I want to discuss a very touchy topic: having a side business (or a blog) on top of your job. Either on this blog or at work, I always get this question:
“How do you manage to have a business on the side and perform at work at the same time?”
And an even an even touchier question follows:
“Does your boss know?”
The first question is easy to answer, in my opinion, as it all comes down to time management (here are some of my best time management tips and also here). Managing a side business and keeping your day job doesn’t require you to work more hours but it requires you to work smarter and more efficiently. But being efficient is one thing, managing both your side projects and a day job while letting your boss know about it is another. Here are a few tips I’ve used in the past couple of years:
In my personal case, this wasn’t an option: I have to declare any side income / project or participation in any company. If I don’t, I may lose my job. This is why my boss and HR know about my side business. However, even if I had the choice to declare it or not, I would tell them without hesitation. Why? Because it gives me leverage when negotiating. My boss is very aware that I have another immediate source of income. Therefore, I can easily decide to work elsewhere as I can count on my side business income to support my lifestyle in the meantime.
I’ve also noticed that I have gained more respect from colleagues and other managers. They see great potential in me and are impressed by the fact that I can manage 2 “careers” at the same time. So if you are serious about your side project and have started to make a few bucks already, don’t be shy to tell your boss. And if you are afraid of getting fired, just think that it costs a lot for a firm to replace an employee (the cost of not having someone working while they search, the cost of looking and interviewing candidates and the cost of training a new employee).
There is one thing that you must be very careful with if you disclose that you have another source of income; make sure you do your day job well. As cool as it is to impress people by my sense of entrepreneurship, it could also play against me if I can’t deliver at my day job. My sideline would easily become the target of any suspicions such as, when do I find the time to work on it. If I work on my online company while at work and don’t do my day job correctly, I will be asked to stop immediately. This would definitely make sense but still, it is important to be aware of what is waiting for you if you tell the world that you make money on the side.
Mind you, you may have the very same problem if your performance drops after a newborn or getting married. Remember, the corporate world is full of dream crashers 
.
The fine line
There are a lot of shades of gray between what you should/could/would do when you think of running your own venture on the side while keeping your day job. For example, at no time would I use/mention/represent my job or my employer on any of my blogs. I made it clear that this is my personal life and that I am not writing as a financial planner or an employee of X Corporation. My employer definitely appreciates this and I certainly want to keep him happy .
The other point to be careful about is to make sure that the compliance department is okay with your activities. You may want to hide it from them but if they find that you did, chances are that you will be packing up your boxes a few minutes later. I would rather sit down with them and ask them what I can and can’t do instead of trying to play hide-and-seek with them.
Finally, you may mention that you are making money on the side to your entourage but don’t start bragging about it. For example, nobody at work knows how much I make and how I make my money online (unless they read this blog, lol!). While I want to be honest, I don’t want to draw too much attention on me either. Finding the balance between independence and showing off is very important. Plus, a little bit of mystery is always more exciting ;-D
View full post on The Financial Blogger
Chase Ink Bold Review: Business Card Bonus Worth $500 Cash, $625 in Airfare
October 29th, 2011 | Posted by Global Investors(Update: 50k offer is limited-time and may end on 10/31. This card is basically the small business version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, a regular consumer card which also offers 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points = $500 cash = $625 in airfare.)
Here’s another bonus worth $500+ for all you freelancers and small business owners out there (even if you don’t even know it). The Chase Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards is offering 50,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months your account is open.
50,000 points is worth $500 cash (real money, via statement credit or check) or two free airline tickets worth up to $312.50 each ($625 total value). You can buy a more expensive ticket and simply pay the difference. If you prefer, you can also transfer to British Airways, Continental/United Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott Hotels, and Amtrak. 1 Sapphire point = 1 mile/hotel point for these transfers, so that’s 50,000 miles. There is no annual fee for the first year, $95 after that.
This is at least double their normal offer, and probably in response to the also-juicy AMEX Gold Business 50k offer. Along the same lines, the Chase Ink Bold card is a business charge card where you must pay in full each month after a 30-day grace period with no interest.
You’ll also earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything you charge, and additional bonuses based off of your annual spending each year. These will only be of interest for big spenders. The tiers are:
These are cumulative, so after $100,000 in spending you’d get all three bonuses = 7,500 + 15,000 + 25,000 = 47,500 points. Points do not expire, and if you already have Ultimate Rewards points from elsewhere, you can combine all your points together very easily with other accounts or with your spouse’s account.
Many people aren’t aware of the fact that they can apply for business credit cards, even if they are not a corporation or LLC. Why? Because any individual can be a business as well. The business type is called a sole proprietorship. Perhaps you sell items on eBay, Craiglist, or Etsy. Maybe you do some freelancing and/or consulting. Maybe you just do paid surveys. You might have gotten a 1099 tax form and filled out a Schedule C. Boom! You’re a sole proprietorship. This is the simplest business entity, but it is fully legit and recognized by the IRS. On a business credit card application, you should use your own legal name as the business name, and your Social Security Number as the Tax ID.
In addition, the card itself is a business card so it won’t show up on your personal credit report. Now, this card will require you to personally guarantee that you’ll pay them back what you charge on the card, which means they’ll check your personal credit score like any other consumer card. However, it won’t affect your credit score otherwise, since it doesn’t change things like your credit limits, average account age, or credit utilization ratio.
Compare with the other $500+ Bonus credit card promotions currently available.
Related posts:
Chase Ink Bold Review: Business Card Bonus Worth $500 Cash, $625 in Airfare from My Money Blog.
© MyMoneyBlog.com, 2011.
View full post on My Money Blog
Media Advisory/Interview Opportunity-BMO: Small Business Owners Selling Themselves Short To Fund Ret
October 24th, 2011 | Posted by Global InvestorsAccording to a study by BMO Financial Group, the majority of small business owners are planning to fund their retirement through the sale of their business and often face challenges when saving for retirement. The study found that:
Fifty-one per cent indicated that they plan to use the sale of their business to fund their retirement.
Forty-nine per cent admitted…
View full post on Live News from PR-USA.net
FedEx $25 “Shop Small” Gift Card For Small Business Saturday
October 24th, 2011 | Posted by Global Investors
In addition to the $25 statement credit for American Express cardholders, FedEx has a separate promotion where they will be giving out $25 “Shop Small” AmEx gift cards in support of Small Business Saturday through a Facebook promotion. You’ll need a Facebook account and visit their page at Facebook.com/FedEx starting on November 1st. First 30,000 who submit their mailing addresses only. From one press release:
FedEx recently announced it would inject $1 million into the small business economy in support of Small Business Saturday by distributing 40,000 $25 Shop SmallSM American Express® gift cards for use at small businesses on November 26. A total of 30,000 gift cards are available, first-come-first-serve, beginning November 1 on facebook.com/FedEx. FedEx will distribute an additional 10,000 gift cards directly to customers.
I’m not sure how the 10,000 gift cards “directly to consumers” will work. From another press release:
Shoppers will be able to obtain their free $25 gift cards from the FedEx Facebook brand page beginning November 1. For a limited time, shoppers can register and share the offer with friends with a few simple clicks. By providing a mailing address, the cards will be shipped to the first qualifying 30,000 consumers in time for them to get out and shop on November 26, Small Business Saturday. Only one Shop Small Gift Card will be sent to each Facebook ID that registers. There are no consumer fees of any kind associated with the Shop Small Gift Card.
Related posts:
FedEx $25 “Shop Small” Gift Card For Small Business Saturday from My Money Blog.
© MyMoneyBlog.com, 2011.
View full post on My Money Blog
What Everybody Ought to Know About Starting a Business
October 14th, 2011 | Posted by Global Investors
“If you enter a niche because you’re following the dollars, you wont keep it up. It’s too much work, and you will get tired and frustrated and you will eventually fold.” — Gary Vaynerchuk.
There’s just something that everybody ought to know about starting a business. What is this?
You must start a business for the right reasons.
Sounds simple enough, right? Let’s dig into it a little deeper…
What are some of the right reasons for starting a business? I’ll name a few:
What are the wrong reasons for starting your own business? I’ll share a few as well:
What got me thinking about the idea of starting a business for the right reasons?
Allow me to tell you a little story. I have a friend (perhaps acquaintance?) that’s always trying to get rich quick or figure out some way to make money without working (no he’s not a lifestyle design blogger). His plans are often embarrassing and you could tell his intentions are horrible. He always talks about being a wealthy business owner without giving many other details.
This friend ran into me just the other day and asked me about my trip to Europe. I of course had many stories to share that I can’t mention on here. Before I could even respond he was already bragging about his new business plan. Before he even told me about the idea he bragged about being a business owner.
Essentially his goal with this new business idea (and every other business idea) is to be able to change his occupation on FaceBook to “Owner of Random Company Name.” His logic is that this will make his ex-girlfriend jealous and she’ll take him back while other girls fight for him. He also wants to be hire his friends and boss them around. He already told one friend in a smarmy manner that he would make him his personal janitor or driver. Long story short, these plans never work out.
Every failed business attempt costs him another friend or two. He tries to convince his good friends to work for him for free with promises of huge earnings in the future. It never happens. What makes it worse is that one our mutual friends happens to have an MBA and a strong business background. So naturally he doesn’t ask him for any advice.
Why don’t any of his business ideas work out? He’s trying to start a business for all of the wrong reasons. He wants to get rich without solving any real pains in the world. He doesn’t care one bit about solving real problems. He wants to boss his friends around before he even earns their respect. He wants to show off to girls that he’s a business owner. All of which are some of the worst reasons for wanting to start a business.
Now don’t get me wrong because I live in the real world. I don’t live in some Utopian society where everyone is happy all of the time and nothing bad ever happens. We all need to make a living. We all need to earn a few dollars. I understand that the point of any business is to make money. I also believe that you need to solve problems and stand out from the crowd if you want to make any real money.
Oh and by the way, I would like to consider anything that you to do for revenue to be a business. This could be your side hustle as a dog walker or writing freelance articles for a blog. It doesn’t matter what you do for your business as long as you get into it for the right reasons. There’s nothing wrong with making money and living a comfortable life. You must be willing and ready to put the work in first.
The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary (not sure where I stole this from).
“You will find men who want to be carried on the shoulders of others, who think that the world owes them a living. They don’t seem to see that we must all lift together and pull together. ” — Henry Ford.
(photo credit: cristimat)
View full post on The Financial Blogger
Recent Blog Posts:
Popular Blog Posts:
Subscribe to our RSS