River Valley Coaching

River Valley Coaching is looking forward to some exciting changes in the year 2009! Recently we have moved our website from one server to a new server that will be better suited for our future business plans. You may notice that some items have been reposted and you will be seeing a lot of new content in the coming year.

We want to thank you, our clients and friends, for your involvement with River Valley Coaching in 2008. You made it a very successful year; we have enjoyed helping you achieve your business, financial, and personal goals through the inspiration of coaching. In 2009, River Valley Coaching wants to wish you all the success in the world in your business, finances, personal relationships, and lives.

As always, if there is anything that we can do to support you in developing a strategy for ultimate success in your life or business, please let us know.  We are happy to begin with a Free 30 minute coaching session.

River Valley Coaching (RVC) is excited to announce the grand opening of their new office in St. Croix Falls, WI. This new space will provide RVC clients an inviting place to relax and discuss their situations privately and comfortably without distractions. I look forward to meeting you and invite you drop by sometime soon.

If you are interested in Business, Financial, Career, Personal, or Life Coaching – but don’t know where to start, simply give me a call to receive 30 minutes of Coaching for free! See if working with me is right for you; I want to see you be the best you can be!

River Valley Coaching
102 N. Washington St., Suite B
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024

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In Cooperation with:
Wisconsin Money Smart Week

River Valley Coaching is presenting a
Free Financial Education Seminar:

“Breaking Free From Debt”

• Priority Based Budgeting.
• Learn the simplest and most effective way to control your money
• How to stop overspending.
• How to ensure you and your spouse are on the same financial “sheet
of music.”
• Setting up your household bank accounts.
• Dealing with irregular income.
• How to stay your course even when it’s tough.

Seminar Location:
Alliance Church of the Valley
1259 State Road 35
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024

Date & Time:
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
6:00-7:00pm (Q&A time following session)

REGISTER TODAY by calling: 715-483-9037

For this and other events in the area, visit: www.moneysmartwi.org

Here is Part 2 of “Money Saving Tips” to help you meet your financial goals. The following information is based on our (Shara’s) personal experience with a company that monitors the sales for you and tells you when and how to buy.

We have found that if you are observant, you can do the same thing yourself, without paying for the membership.

• Did you know that most groceries (including paper products) go through an approximate 12 week cycle for sales? That means if you can stock up on items when they are on sale and get you through the next 12 weeks, you can schedule purchasing only while they items are on sale!

• Most people don’t know that stores prices vary by location. This means what you pay for diapers at one Wal-mart (or any store) may be different than what you pay at another store different city.

  If you find this to be true, buy at the cheaper Wal-mart ONCE, then save your receipt and bring it in each time to the store you shop at to get the cheaper price.

  This may sound like a pain, but for something that you use consistently like diapers or medication and the price doesn’t change very often the savings can be well worth the effort.

• Avoid non-grocery items at a regular grocery store. Usually there is a high mark-up on diapers, paper products, laundry detergent etc at grocery stores. The exception to this is the “Super” stores such as Wal-mart and Target.

• If you are within close proximity to a warehouse club such as Sam’s Club or Costco it is usually beneficial to pay for a membership. Just be careful that you price check with your grocery store. Buying in bulk is not always cheaper!

  Also, make sure you don’t walk out with more than you need or extra “great deals” (Did you really need 6 bottles of mustard??). If the extra 12 pounds of meat went bad then it wasn’t a good deal for your family.

• Finding stores with little overhead such as Aldi is also a money saver. Again, make sure it is in close distance to your house because you have to factor in gas prices. At Aldi, you bring your own bags to put your food in and bag them yourself, but they don’t pay for the glitz, so neither do you.

Article by Kirk Anderson, Financial Counselor :: As a Personal and Business Coach, Kirk helps others take control of their most powerful wealth building tools, their income. Business, Financial, and Personal Coaching may be exactly what you need to get out of debt, plan for retirement, build wealth, and enjoy life. For more information on gaining control of your financial future, contact us at www.rivervalleycoaching.com for your FREE 30 minute consultation.

If your budget doesn’t balance and you are having financial problems there are really only two options that you have to get out of trouble. You can either increase your income or decrease your out-go (or a combination of the two).

Today we are going to give you a few money saving tips to help you with the out-go side of the equation. Food happens to be a good-sized portion of most family’s budget and it is also quite variable. The grocery store is one area that you can see savings TODAY if you are willing to change the way you shop. Here are some money saving tips.

• Shop with a list and then STICK TO THE LIST! This one tip alone can save you a lot!! Impulse purchases tend to be expensive as well as unnecessary.
• If at all possible, go grocery shopping alone. Statistics reveal that you spend more with children and even your husband (sorry guys) in tow.
• Stay away from pre-packaged convenience foods. If you shred your own cheese, chop your own lettuce and make your own “frozen dinner” you WILL save money…today!! (These are great tasks for kids old enough to use a knife etc.)
• NEVER go grocery shopping hungry!! Again, stick to your list!!
• ONLY use coupons for things you would already purchase and only if it is cheaper than other brands (including generic).
• Figure out what things are by the ounce. Bulk is sometimes cheaper but not always. You should keep a calculator with you.
• Shop generic. Many times the quality is just the same (or even better) and sometimes it is even made in the same factory as the name brand product.
• Look for meat that has been marked down by the butcher because it is nearing its use/freeze by date. This is also done with bakery items as well.

If you utilize these tips you can save money at the grocery store today with no gimmicks or “special deals”.

Look for part 2 of “Money Saving Tips” soon.

Article by Kirk Anderson, Financial Counselor :: As a Personal and Business Coach, Kirk helps others take control of their most powerful wealth building tools, their income. Business, Financial, and Personal Coaching may be exactly what you need to get out of debt, plan for retirement, build wealth, and enjoy life. For more information on gaining control of your financial future, contact us at www.rivervalleycoaching.com for your FREE 30 minute consultation.

It only takes about 30 seconds of watching the news to really get yourself freaked out about the economy. Gas prices, the housing market, a shortage of rice and the “recession” we are in seems overwhelming!

May I suggest you TURN OFF THE NEWS!! It is the media’s job to get good ratings and dramatic and fearful news sells. Sad but true.

Yes, you are feeling the hit at the pump, your investments may be currently losing and your house may not sell, but did you know that we are NOT in a recession. Our growth has slowed and our economy is sluggish. By definition, a recession is when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (which is the statistic used to measure the economy) growth is negative for 2 consecutive quarters or more. Did you know we haven’t
had even 1 negative growth quarter?

The 3rd quarter of 2007 had a GDP of +4.9% and the 4th quarter was +0.6%. The BEA will release the numbers for the 1st quarter of 2008 in a couple of days. Yes, things are slowing and a recession could be in the future, but we are not in one now. In fact, most forecasting projects a slow but continued positive growth.

By the way, how scared do you need to be even if we were in a recession if you had no debt? What if you also had an emergency fund of 3 – 6 months of expenses set aside? Then you would maybe be frustrated about gas prices, but not fearful or stressed out. You don’t have to make very much to survive if you don’t have any debt and payments!

What if you aren’t at a place where you are debt free and have an emergency fund? Use the sluggish economy as a motivator to get there quickly! Don’t let the news or friends and family get you down. There are jobs out there and you have abilities. You may have to be more creative and work harder (and turn off the TV), but you can do it! Your tax stimulus check should be coming soon. Use that to get your debt snowball going or put that into savings if you are out of debt (besides your mortgage).

Contact River Valley Coaching today for a FREE 30 minute consultation to discuss you financial future.

Call: 715-483-9037 TODAY!

Sign up for our FREE newsletter today!

Ok, I know that I cut up all my Credit cards after going through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. I further made a commitment to NO MORE DEBT, but that was before finding out about the “Dave Ramsey VISA Card.” This card is different. Dave Ramsey has personally endorsed this Credit Card and has personally worked directly with VISA to change the User Agreement to avoid all the previous mishaps that may have occurred with other cards.

Let me explain: previously if you were late on a payment, a credit card would raise your interest rate through the roof to 28%! Not with the Dave Ramsey Card Visa! You now can be late as often as necessary and without any penalties! Thanks Dave!

If you defaulted on your credit card before, you would get harassing phone calls from credit collectors. They would totally interrupt your best TV shows and maybe even dinner. Not any more, now they will just leave you alone. Thanks Dave!

With this new card, we have purchased all the toys that we thought we would have to wait for before, but not anymore! Thanks Dave!

APRIL FOOLS DAY!
HaHa…

Look, we all wish that there was a way to work with snakes and not get bit, but there isn’t. Over a year ago, we decided to cut up our credit cards and get out of debt. It has been the best decision that we have ever made.

In a world were 70% of households say that they are living paycheck to paycheck, 53% of Americans
have less than $25,000 in retirement savings and 43% of them are over 55 years old, we need to get a plan that can actually help financially.

Imagine…being completely out of debt. No credit card payments, no car payments, maybe not even a house payment. What would it be like to actually keep the money you earn instead of sending it to the creditors each month.

Imagine..retiring with dignity. Having enough to enjoy the life you worked so hard to create. Having 5 million dollars by the time you retire. Yes, you can. The average family earning $40,000 can do it by investing only $500 a month from age 30 to 70.

• Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Do you want to be ready for emergencies?
• Do you want to beat debt and build wealth?
• Are you willing to do what it takes today in order to win tomorrow?

Contact River Valley Coaching today for a FREE 30 minute consultation to discuss you financial
future.

• Call: 715-483-9037 TODAY!
• Sign up for our FREE newsletter today!

by Dave Ramsey

Be a smart investor. Use your tax return to pay off debts, build an emergency fund, or invest in a Roth IRA.
Millions of Americans overpaid Uncle Sam in 2007 and will get a tax refund this year. If you’re one of them, don’t be like everyone else and spend it on things that are here today and gone tomorrow! Do the smart thing and use it to build wealth.

Here are 3 of the best ways to use your refund:

1. Pay off debt.
   If you follow my plan, you should have already paid off all of your debts (except your house) before you started investing. If you haven’t, you’re costing yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest payments! That’s money better spent invested in mutual funds! Do yourself a favor and use your refund to payoff any unpaid debts.
2. Build your emergency fund.
   Investing without an emergency fund is asking for trouble. Money magazine says that 78% of us will have a major emergency within the next 10 years. Without an emergency fund, you’ll be forced to pay using either credit or by taking money out of your investments. Doing either one will set you back years in reaching your investment goals.If you are investing, you should already have a 3 to 6 month emergency fund. If not, use your refund to start one or to beef up your current emergency fund.
3. Invest in a Roth IRA.
   This is the fun stuff – actually investing your return to build wealth! A Roth IRA will allow you to invest up to $5,000 per year, per person. There are some limitations due to income and situation but most people can invest in a Roth IRA.Let’s say you made a one-time investment of $5,000 in a Roth IRA. Now let’s assume you didn’t touch that investment for 18 years and it earned an average return of 12% (the stock market average). At the end of 18 years, that one-time investment would be worth over $42,000!

Dave Ramsey is one of Kirk’s most influencial mentors. He has a Nationally Sindicated Radio Program, The Dave Ramsey Show, with over 3 million listners. He has dedicated his life to educating individuals about financial matters that really do matter.

Contact River Valley Coaching to find out about taking Dave Ramsey’s FPU Class ~ Financial Peace University or Call today for a FREE 30 Minute Financial Consultation.

The tax season is looming ahead, which can be a major stressor for small businesses. What are you doing to prepare for the tax season? Do you have a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or other Tax Professional that does your taxes for you or do you do it all your self?
If you are a small business, it would be a great idea to consider utilizing someone who knows tax laws to get your taxes done this year. CPAs eat, sleep, and dream about taxes. Letting them help you will allow you to spend time on building your business rather than worrying about taxes.

1. Does the CPA/tax preparer claim that they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers? Avoid CPA/tax preparers who make extreme statements to win your business.
2. Is the CPA a reputable tax professional who will sign your tax return and provide you with a copy for your records?
3. Will the preparer and/or firm will be available to answer questions about the preparation of your tax return months, or even years, after your return has been filed.
4. Remember, no matter who prepares your tax return, you are ultimately responsible for all information on your tax return; therefore, never sign a blank tax form.
5. Always review your tax return before you sign it and ask questions on things that you don’t understand. If your CPA/tax preparer doesn’t have the heart of a teacher, fire them!
6. Avoid preparers whose fee is based on a percentage of the refund amount.
7. Don’t cheat! Tax evasion is a crime, a felony, punishable by five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
8. Ask for the CPA/tax preparer’s credentials. Are they an Accredited Tax Preparer, Enrolled Agent, CPA, Licensed Public Accountant, or Tax Attorney? Only CPAs, attorneys, and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters, including audits, collections, and appeals. Other return preparers may only represent taxpayers for audits.
9. Is the preparer affiliated with a professional trade organization that provides members with continuing education and resources? Are they held to the organizations code of ethics?
10. Ask questions. Ask for referrals from previous clients. Were they satisfied with the service they received?

Article by Kirk Anderson, Financial Counselor :: As a Personal and Business Coach, Kirk helps others take control of their most powerful wealth building tools, their income. Business, Financial, and Personal Coaching may be exactly what you need to get out of debt, plan for retirement, build wealth, and enjoy life. For more information on gaining control of your financial future, contact us at www.rivervalleycoaching.com for your FREE 30 minute consultation.

Are you getting money from the government Tax Stimulus Package? If you are like most Americans, you have already thought of all the possibilities in your mind of what you can spend it on. A vacation, new leather couch, computer, or Ipod would be nice.

What if you could turn your rebate into 10, 20, or even 30 times the original amount on the check? Does that sound like a good deal? Well, consider this: since you didn’t even know you would be getting a check in May, hypothetically you could survive with out it, right? What if, instead of spending it, you invested it in a Mutual Fund with a great track record? I know, that doesn’t sound as fun as the Ipod, but work with me and let’s crunch some numbers.

The average family of 4 will be receiving $1800? What if you invested it in a Mutual Fund instead of spending it on something that goes down in value, becomes obsolete, or breaks?

Did you know that $1800 over 20 years at 12% would give you $19,606.60. That’s without adding another dollar the entire 20 years!!

Now, what would happen if you left it in the mutual fund for another 5 years? That would be $35,709.35!!!

What about a total of 30 years? $64,709.35!!!! Now that’s a pretty good tax rebate.

Now, if you invest the money you won’t have the opportunity to spend it…yet. But someday you will have a lot of money to spend.

However, if you choose to spend your check in May, you lose the opportunity to invest it forever. That is called Opportunity Costs and they are expensive!