Educational: How to navigate the rising cost of living.
According to the World Economic Forum, around 16% of Americans say they are struggling financially and some economists have warned that the U.S. is on the verge of a cost of living crisis due to rapid inflation.
As the festive season fast approaches the cost of extras such as gifts, food and drink, and travel can place a strain on many households that are already finding it difficult to meet their daily expenses.
To help you take charge of your finances, this article has outlined some helpful ways to increase your disposable income and make these uncertain times a little more manageable.
Generate an Extra Income Stream
Aside from your nine-to-five, there are many simple and enjoyable ways in which you can generate some extra income.
Whether it’s paid online surveys from the comfort of your own home or creating an online course teaching students a subject you are an expert in, such side hustles can help to boost your monthly paycheck.
You may have a talent for photography or be a skilled software developer.
No matter your area of expertise, put your skills to good use by taking advantage of some of the online learning platforms that are now available.
If you prefer something more hands-on, you can offer your services by dog-walking, babysitting, or cake-making from your own kitchen.
Another great way to earn a passive income is by renting out a spare room to a tenant.
Lenders such as My Canada Pay can help you with the start-up capital you need to fund your new business idea.
Declutter your closets and storage spaces to gather items you no longer want or need.
Rather than have them take up space in your home, there are many sites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace where you can sell possessions such as clothes, jewelry, gift cards, and books helping you bolster your bank balance.
There are also many second-hand luxury sites that cater to high-end or luxury items such as watches, designer clothes, and handbags.
If you have any antiques, heirlooms, or glassware that are gathering dust it is worthwhile getting these items valued.
If they do not hold significant meaning, you can then sell these through a reputable dealer or an auction house.
Prepare Your Own Food
The cost of eating out and ordering in takeaway can easily mount up. Buying your groceries in accordance with what you will prepare for the week ahead can help you budget more wisely and also reduce the cost of food wastage.
According to a study from Penn State University, U.S. households waste nearly a third of the food they acquire, the cost of which amounts to about $1,866 per household per year.
By being more mindful of your food spending habits you are more likely to buy only what you need, cutting down on excessive and unnecessary purchases.
By following the tips outlined, you can help to boost your household’s monthly income making it a little easier to navigate these times.
Personal finance: How to get your money right in 2023.
As the new year approaches, many people take the opportunity to reflect on their financial goals and make resolutions for the coming year.
Whether you are looking to save more money, pay off debt, or invest in your future, there are many strategies you can use to improve your financial situation.
In this article, we’re going to go over 5 key things that will help you get your money right in 2023.
#1. Budgeting is Underrated
One of the most important things you can do to improve your finances is to create a budget.
A budget is a plan that outlines how you will spend and save your money each month.
By keeping track of your income and expenses, you can ensure that you are living within your means and making the most of your money.
One key aspect of budgeting is to track your spending.
This means keeping a record of everything you spend money on.
By paying attention to where your money is going, you can identify areas where you may be able to cut back or save more.
Or if you’re like me, identify what it is you really like spending money on, and let that be a drive to increase your income.
But more on that later.
#2. Setting Financial Goals
Another important aspect of budgeting is setting financial goals.
Whether you want to save for a down payment on a house, pay off credit card debt, or save for retirement, having specific goals in mind can help you stay motivated and focused on your financial progress.
Getting your money right in 2023 is going to require you to really narrow down on what you’re trying to accomplish financially for the new year.
It’s important to note that it is never too late to set financial goals.
However, the earlier you get serious about meeting your financial goals, the sooner you will be able to realize your potential.
As soon as you’re done writing these goals, begin creating a plan of action.
Write down what you will be tackling with sheer focus for the new year to meet these goals.
Don’t just make it a goal, create a real plan.
#3. Increase Your Income
In addition to budgeting and setting financial goals, there are many other strategies you can use to improve your finances in the new year.
One strategy is to increase your income.
This could involve asking for a raise at work, taking on additional freelance or part-time work, or starting a side hustle.
When I was working for the family business, I was still looking for ways to increase my income.
Although my income was going up every year and I had a ‘safe’ career, I wasn’t satisfied.
Increasing your income is going to provide you with opportunities to create an income generating side hustle on the side and give you the means to save or invest more for the new year.
This could involve cutting back on unnecessary expenses, such as subscription services or other bad habits that aren’t serving you.
Finding ways to save on everyday expenses, such as by shopping around for the best deals is a great way to keep your money in check.
Anyone can be wasteful or careless with their money.
Keeping an eye on where your money is going at all times separates careless spenders from responsible spenders.
#5. Invest Your Money
Another way to improve your finances is to invest in your future.
While investing carries risks, it can also provide the potential for long-term growth and financial security.
Investing in index funds such as the S&P 500 will not only yield dividends, but your portfolio’s value may also grow substantially in the next bull market.
While investments tend to fluctuate, the greater markets tend to trend up long-term.
Never invest more than you’re willing to lose, work towards generating and increasing your income, and you’ll feel on top of the world.
#6. Build a Strong Emergency Fund
Finally, it’s important to have an emergency savings fund in case of unexpected expenses or emergencies.
This could be a savings account or other liquid investment, such as a money market fund, that you can access quickly in case of an emergency.
Having a strong emergency fund is like wearing strong armor in life.
An emergency fund will help you pivot when you’ve taken financial hits, such as losing a job, drop in business revenue, or losses in the market.
Your emergency fund should help you get on your feet if you happen to experience a financial bump in your journey.
Nothing feels greater than when you increase your income, know where your money is going, have your money working for you, and have a strong emergency fund to back you up should you take a small or big hit.
Stay Focused and Patient
As you work to improve your finances in the new year, it’s important to be patient and consistent.
Building wealth and improving your financial situation takes time, and it’s important to stay focused and dedicated to your goals.
It can also be helpful to seek the guidance of a mentor or people who are already where you want to be.
Overall, the new year is a great opportunity to take control of your finances and work towards a more secure financial future.
By setting goals, creating a budget, increasing your income, reducing your expenses, investing in your future, and building an emergency savings fund, you can take steps towards improving your financial situation and achieving your financial goals.
Personal finance: How to stretch your budge for holiday cooking | How to budget holiday cooking.
Holiday cooking can be a fun and enjoyable activity, but it can also be a significant financial burden if not properly planned and budgeted for.
Planning and preparing meals in advance can help you save money and reduce stress during the busy holiday season.
Here are some tips for managing your finances and incorporating affordable and delicious recipes into your holiday cooking:
How to Save Money on Holiday Meals
#1. Make a Budget
Make a budget and stick to it: Determine how much you can realistically afford to spend on holiday meals and stick to that budget. This will help you avoid overspending and ensure that you have enough money to cover all of your holiday expenses. Consider shopping sales and using coupons to save money on ingredients.
#2. Plan Ahead
Plan ahead: Make a list of all the dishes you want to prepare and create a shopping list based on the ingredients you will need. This will help you avoid impulse purchases and ensure that you have everything you need when it’s time to start cooking. Consider making some dishes in advance and freezing them so you can just defrost and reheat on the day of your event.
#3. Shop for Ingredients at Affordable Stores
Shop for ingredients at affordable stores: Consider shopping at discount stores or farmer’s markets to find affordable ingredients. These options may not have the same variety as a traditional grocery store, but they can still provide high-quality ingredients at a lower cost.
#4. Make Use of What You Already Have
Make use of what you already have: Before you start shopping for ingredients, take inventory of what you already have in your pantry and fridge. You may be able to use up some of these items in your holiday recipes, saving you money on ingredients.
#5. Consider Alternative Ingredients
Consider alternative ingredients: Instead of using expensive or hard-to-find ingredients, consider using more affordable alternatives that will still add flavor to your dishes. For example, you can use chicken broth instead of beef broth, or canned tomatoes instead of fresh.
#6. Use Less Expensive Cuts of Meat
Use less expensive cuts of meat: Rather than using expensive cuts of meat, consider using cheaper cuts that can be slow-cooked or braised. These cuts tend to be more flavorful and tender when cooked slowly, and they can be a more affordable option.
Budget-Friendly Yet Tasty Holiday Meals
Cheap recipes for the holidays.
Now that you have some tips for managing your finances during holiday cooking, here are a few affordable and delicious recipes to try:
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast: This recipe uses a cheaper cut of meat, such as chuck roast, and slow cooks it in a mixture of broth, red wine, and vegetables. The result is a tender and flavorful pot roast that can be served with mashed potatoes or other side dishes.
Spaghetti with Meatballs: This classic recipe is always a crowd-pleaser and it can be made with affordable ingredients such as ground beef, breadcrumbs, and canned tomatoes. Serve it with a side of garlic bread for a complete meal.
Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad: This recipe is perfect for vegetarians or for those looking for a healthier holiday option. It combines roasted vegetables, quinoa, and a homemade vinaigrette for a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Dumplings: This recipe uses a whole chicken, which is a more affordable option than buying individual cuts of meat. It also uses pantry staples such as canned vegetables and biscuit mix to make dumplings, making it a budget-friendly option.
By following these tips and trying out some of these recipes, you can enjoy a delicious holiday meal without breaking the bank.
We’re starting a clean slate for the new year, and our finances are not where we thought they would be.
This applies to TWO kinds of people.
Maybe you slacked off, could have tried harder, or faced a year of nonstop setbacks which affected your finances deeply.
Or perhaps you had a great year but aren’t satisfied with your results due to your ambitious characteristics.
In this article, I want to zoom out and bring into perspective what is holding us back from reaching our financial goals.
And how sometimes these financial setbacks are actually part of a big financial setup for a financial breakthrough.
Let’s get started.
What to Do If Your Income Decreased?
If your income decreased, you need to first identify why it decreased.
Did your job cut hours? Lose a job? Did your business revenue drop?
Or did you take more days off this year? Were you distracted by things that took your time away from being productive?
These are all very real scenarios that we as human beings experience in life.
The incredible thing is that no matter what you identified as being the problem, there’s an actual solution to it.
For example:
If your job cut your hours or let you go, what could you have done outside your comfort zone to fill in those hours or get back in the game?
Could you perhaps have started a side hustle or looked for a part-time?
Absolutely.
If your business revenue dropped, identify why it dropped with full accountability.
Did demand drop? If so, what new systems can you put in place to offset any uncontrolled losses?
Or were you distracted? Which distractions took valuable time away from you?
We Failed to Step Outside Our Comfort Zone
Often times when we aren’t living the lives we hope to live, it’s because we continuously fail to step outside of our comfort zone.
Stepping outside our comfort zone, while painful and even challenging in most cases, forces us to do things differently.
It forces us to push forward when it gets tough.
And it helps us build the required discipline to excel to higher heights.
But what if you did step outside your comfort zone and you lost a lot of money?
The answer to this question has to do with risk management.
At some point in life, we will be forced to face the consequences of lacking a proper risk management system.
Whether you invested a lot of money in the stock market, real estate, in a business, or in self-developing skills, proper risk management is what will save you from going to $0.
See, whether you lost a lot of money, went to $0, or even negative doesn’t matter.
It’s what you learn from these experiences that matters.
Unfortunately, we don’t have mentors that teach us this about life and finances; it’s really all just a learning game.
Why Your Financial Setback is Actually a Financial Setup
Why aren’t our finances where we want them to be?
You could have had a great financial year and still view it as a setback compared to previous years.
How we view a financial setback is completely tailored to each individual.
Someone’s setback might be someone’s dream or goal.
Perhaps your setback is setting you up to start somewhere new, or something new.
A setback isn’t the end of the world, but rather the beginning of a new one.
And if you’re able to fearlessly conquer adversity every time it shows, each setback, even as you feel you’re falling, will only be a step back in a much higher staircase than you once previously were.
You will look back and see how much you’ve grown; despite what new adversity you face today.
The only solution to move forward and to move beyond the pain, is yours to discover.
Also, don’t forget to share this article on social media.
Let’s get started!
#1. Write a Financial Plan with Intention
One of the most important things you can do right now is to begin writing a financial plan with intention.
The intention has to be there.
What are your financial goals?
What are your income goals?
Journal them and create a plan on how to make those visions become a reality.
Perhaps you’re looking forward to saving your first $1,000, your first $10,000, or want to hit your first every $100,000+ in capital.
The best way to start that journey is to write it down as a plan first.
Identify what it’s going to take, and the rest will follow through.
#2. Practice or Learn New Skills Now
If part of your plan involves earning more money for 2023 and you’ve identified that you’ll have to take on a whole new industry or develop a new set of skills, start now.
The only way we grow is by learning, and unfortunately there’s no shortcut for it.
You can learn new skills such as copywriting, public speaking, trading, graphic designing, website creation, sales, marketing, branding, etc.
Learning is painful because it’s slow and often times people put learning something new on the back burner to not start over again.
But the truth is you’re not starting all over.
You’re merely making yourself more valuable by elevating your standards.
If you want to make more money in 2023, chances are you’re going to have to do something different the new year than you did this year.
Remember, degrees don’t make you money, skills do.
#3. Solve Problems for Other People
How to make more money in 2023.
This can be in the form of an actual business venture, or an educational or informational startup, such as an online business (blog, podcast, etc.).
You know this and I know this, there are people making a sh*t ton of money either online or through a traditional business model.
What these individuals are doing is they’re simply solving problems for other people in a particular community or niche industry.
Can you think of a way you can serve people in a manner that will solve a problem for them?
Whether their problem is they’re in the area and they’re hungry, or they don’t know how to dress themselves properly for a specific function, or they don’t know the basics of proper car maintenance.
There is something you know that can solve the problem for someone else whether that be physically or through an online platform.
Those of you following me on Instagram voted for a personal finance article this weekend; so, I’m going through 5 money management tips that have helped me through tough times.
Oh yeah, it’s getting personal.
Let’s get started.
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#1. Aiming to Increase My Income
Whether it was looking for a salary raise, a commission raise, or an increase in clients, aiming to increase my income has always been a career priority for me.
Increasing my income has been one of the most important money management rules I’ve created for myself.
When you increase your income, you increase your ability to increase your savings and be ready when you spot investment opportunities.
#2. Diversifying Income Streams
Another very important one.
Having an additional stream of income has saved my a** during rough patches and setbacks.
Whether it’s creating a side hustle, a side business, or an income generating platform such as a blog or YouTube channel, having an additional stream of income can go a long way.
Especially if your main income is going through a slump.
Building an additional stream of income also raises your household income; who wouldn’t want an additional $1,000 per month, right?
This is a great one, and one most people never start with.
Begin by writing your money goals, literally all of your money goals.
How much money you want to make, how much money you would like to save each month, how much money you can see yourself investing in something else, and so on.
By creating a money management plan, you’re able to zoom out and look at what you need to work at, even if you’re currently in a tight spot.
Sometimes we’re so busy that we forget to just simply stop and set goals that are going to propel us forward.
#4. Learning About Money
Learn how to manage money.
When you get serious about your money, you start to look for ways to get your money right.
That’s why you’re here today.
Being involved in the world of money is going to make a huge difference in your life because you will constantly be taking in great money habits from those who have learned the ropes.
While you might not agree with every money guru or entrepreneur or investor, you can always take something from everyone, and use it to mold your own personal money management experience.
#5. Having a Killer Savings Account
Money Management Tips – Franknez.com.
Having a killer savings account has saved me from any type of financial setback or unprecedented expenses throughout the year.
The key to building a strong savings account is to first increase your income and then set the additional earnings aside.
The bigger your income, the more funds are made available for you to put away.
Avoid financing new cars or a new home as you increase your income.
These financial decisions will only set you back and limit how much you’re allowed to set aside in case of a rainy day.
These toys should be last on your list until you have a strong foundation and positive trajectory of where your finances are headed.
Frank Nez is an American entrepreneur and journalist with a background in startup development, marketing, and branding. He is the author of “Reaching the $10K Mark: How Perseverance Overrides Adversity” and founder of SoCal advertising agency Easy Marketing Concepts.
Stocks and Crypto to Buy in a Bear Market | Opportunity in the market right now.
That’s right, even in today’s bear market, retail investors have big opportunity right now.
If you’re a new investor or entered the market during the bull run, chances are your portfolio is down significantly.
But don’t let your first bear market shake you off because there are numerous opportunities out there that have the potential to yield big returns.
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you’ve more than likely capitalized on opportunities such as AMC, HYMC, Shiba Inu Coin, Terra Classic, and Bitcoin during properly and fortunately timed moments.
So, what’s new?
In this article, I’m going to go over the opportunities I see that lie ahead for retail investors.
None of the information on my blog is financial advice but rather speculative content based on current information and trends in the market.
And with that being said, let’s get started.
Not Invested in The Markets Yet?
If you or someone you know are not invested in the markets yet, the two articles below are going to walk you through, step-by-step on how to buy stocks for the very first time and how to buy cryptocurrency for the very first time, too.
Much information on how to invest in the markets is outdated so I wanted to create easy guides for beginners.
Remember, one of the greatest wealth you can share with someone else is that of knowledge.
Opportunities in the Stock Market Today
Opportunities in the stock market today.
During a bear market share prices tend to tumble, hence why many long-term investor’s portfolios tend to lose value.
And although we can’t entirely time the bottom, we know that at some point the stock market is at a massive fire sale.
Value investors such as you and I can pick up shares from our favorite companies at these low prices before the market reverses trend.
Economists, analysts, and entrepreneurs alike predict there is still room for another 10%-15% drop in the markets.
But for the record, these are just predictions after all.
The point here is for value investors to capitalize on this falling trend by purchasing low and holding during the next bull market.
Whether you choose to capitalize on opportunities presented in a bull market or not will ultimately be up to you.
However, capitalizing during a bull market will require value investors to buy during a bear market, not during the bull market.
After being involved in the retail community for almost three years now, there are stocks and crypto that just stand out as having big potential during the next bull run and I’m going to discuss them below.
Stocks Worth Buying During a Bear Market
None of the information provided below is financial advice, but rather speculative in nature based on market trends and current information at the time of publication.
AMC Entertainment Stock (AMC)
You’ve probably heard all the ruckus on AMC and ‘meme stocks’.
It’s true, the stock jumped from $5 per share to an all-time high of $72 per share.
AMC Entertainment stock is currently trading below $6 again due to this bear market.
What makes this stock such an interesting value investment is that it has a huge community made up of millions of people who plan to take its current price up again.
Plus, the company has beat earnings every quarter since 2021.
Investing in the largest movie theater chain in the world could prove to pay out big during the next bull market.
SPY Stock (SPY)
I’ve talked about SPY stock numerous times on my blog.
While the real estate market is set to retrace some of its gains, keeping an eye on this stock may provide retail investors with big opportunity during the next bull market.
GameStop Stock (GME)
What GameStop is doing with their NFT marketplace is genius and not a lot of people know about it.
Wonder why, *ahem, mainstream media*.
The video game company is making it available for people around the world to own actual digital items inside games through the use of blockchain technology.
The opportunity this technology will bring to entrepreneurs and flippers alike in the future is massive.
Investing in GameStop early on could have massive potential as our economy shifts towards the digital/metaverse economy.
Amazon Stock (AMZN)
Amazon is now affordable for just about any value investor to buy shares from.
The company stock traded above $3K per share before its 20-for-1 stock split made it available for everyone to purchase.
AMZN is currently trading below $100 per share and it’s a steal whether you’re anticipating another 10%-15% market drop or not.
Tesla Stock (TSLA)
Despite what you might think of eccentric billionaire Elon Musk, you cannot deny what the entrepreneur has created is fascinating in its own respect.
Tesla stock has shown outstanding growth in the past even after stock splits.
We’ve seen this company’s stock reach massive popularity during the previous bull market.
In fact, it was right under AMC Entertainment stock as the most searched for stock on Google in 2021.
Meta Platforms Stock (META)
Most boomer investors, like mainstream media, don’t truly understand the potential of Meta.
While Zucks might currently get made fun of by Wall Street ego, there’s a huge opportunity investing in early technology, especially a technology that one day may change the world as we know it.
Today’s innovators will carry the baton, whether old power likes it or not.
Crypto to Buy During a Bear Market
Crypto to buy in a bear market.
Here’s a list of cryptocurrencies I’m keeping an eye on in today’s bear market.
Chances are, you’ve already made a few personal finance mistakes in your life, or maybe you’ve made more than a few.
There are a few reasons for this.
Even though personal finance is something that we all have to deal with, most people learn surprisingly little about it as they are growing up.
Money is a taboo topic in many families, and it’s not uncommon for people to not have all the knowledge they need to make the best financial decisions even as adults.
Personal finance is rarely taught in schools, at least not in a way that is useful to people.
For these reasons, you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’ve made any of the mistakes mentioned below, but you should try to educate yourself now so that you avoid them.
Not Talking About Money
You don’t have to go around telling everyone what your salary is, but if you have been brought up with the idea that it’s bad manners to talk about money, you may find yourself unable to discuss important financial matters with your partner or to teach your children about smart money management.
An inability to have this conversation is one reason that finances are a common source of conflict in relationships.
Talking about your own attitude toward money as well as that of the family that you grew up in can help you understand one another better and can clear the air so that you can teach your kids about the topic.
Overusing Credit Cards
It’s so easy to fill out those applications and get another card in the mail and so easy to slap one down for something you want or need instead of saving up for it, but it’s a big mistake if you don’t have the money to pay off the balance at the end of the month.
Why?
The reason is that credit cards nearly always have a high interest rate, and this means that you end up paying a lot more for the product or service or experience than its actual price.
Interest on credit cards can mount up, too, and you can find yourself falling behind on payments.
If there’s something you want or need and you don’t have the money for it, a much better option is to look to personal loans.
You can often apply online for these, and you will nearly always be offered a better repayment plan than you get with a credit card.
Credit cards aren’t all bad.
If you only use them for expenses that you can pay the balance on each month, they can give you cash back and other benefits.
Not Saving for Retirement
Personal finance mistakes to avoid
If you’ve got other financial pressures, it can be hard to see a portion of your paycheck go away into a fund you may not access for years or decades.
This can be especially hard when you are young and retirement seems a million years away, but there’s no better time to save for it.
But the money that you put away in your 20s will compound in value over the years and be worth far more as you get ready to retire.
However, if your 20s and even your 30s are long behind you, it’s never too late to get started.
Neglecting to Make a Budget
Personal finance mistakes to avoid | Best personal finance blog.
Having a budget is the foundation of all your other smart financial decisions.
However, people often avoid it because they feel anxious about really looking at their financial situation or simply because it seems tedious.
Apps can help you with the process, tracking your spending and showing you where your money is going.
It can also help if you realize that a well-designed budget can remove the anxiety of always worrying about what you can afford.
When all of your spending is in certain categories, you’ll know exactly how often you can eat out or buy clothes this month.
Not Having an Emergency Fund
Personal finance mistakes to avoid | Best personal finance blog.
Everyone knows the feeling of getting paid and immediately having to turn around and put the money toward a car repair or a similar unexpected expense.
A better approach is to work on building up an emergency fund that has several months’ worth of basic expenses in it.
You can turn to this when those inevitable costs that you can’t plan for crop up, from sudden repairs or medical costs to major events such as unemployment.
Want to become recession proof? Here are some steps you can take.
An economic downturn, a recession, call it what you will.
The U.S. economy is in a state of emergency and the average American is suffering financially.
From stock and crypto market crashes to the rise of gas prices and increased inflation, the middle class is in desperate need of help.
The problem is no one is teaching the middle class how to pivot.
Cutting back on expenses isn’t going to do it, you can only cut so much.
This article is going to help you identify several ways to pivot during a recession so that you can take care of your family during economic hard times.
Let’s get started.
Shifting Mindset from Defense to Offense
How to prepare for a recession.
During a recession, most people tend to contract, they tend to shrink (cut expenses, coupon, etc.).
Very few, however, expand and look for high reward opportunities.
It’s these opportunities that allows the few to shift their mindsets from defense mode to offense mode.
A defense mindset is idle, waiting for the government to do something about their financial setbacks (job loss, cut hours, lost pension funds, market crashes, etc.).
An offense mindset on the other hand is identifying how to keep up and overcome the changes occurring in their environment.
While most people focus on the things that are out of their control, few focus on the things that are within their control.
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re being impacted by our economy today and want to make more money.
Who doesn’t want to make more money?
Money is how we ensure our family’s security and wellbeing in America.
If you want to learn how you can pivot in today’s falling economy by earning more money, keep reading below.
Learn How to Use Leverage and You’ll Never Fall Short Again
How to prepare for a recession.
We all have the same 24hrs in a day, but do you want to know why successful people make more money than the average person?
It’s not because they work harder than you or because they’re smarter than you.
It’s because they use leverage.
Leverage is a multiplier of both time and money.
What would have taken you decades to accomplish, leverage gets it done at a fraction of the time.
Leverage is accessible to everyone, including you.
But we don’t grow up with mom and dad teaching us this.
So, what are some forms of leverage you can take advantage of as soon as you exit this blog article?
Starting a business around your hobby, passion, or skills has the potential to create that world you desire.
How does leverage play a role in building a business?
Think about this for one second.
If you work a 9-5 or commission job, you the employee are generating income for the leader of that organization and getting paid per hour or per sale to do so.
However, if you’re the business owner of a small business or startup, all revenue goes to your business account.
The leverage here is you’re now using your time to build something that will generate positive cashflow instead of giving it away for an hourly wage or commission.
If you don’t have the capital to start a new business, you can always use leverage by taking out a business loan and incrementally paying it back as your business picks up.
Using the banks money to make money is the proper way to leverage someone else’s capital to your advantage.
Day trading uses one of the biggest leveraging tools out there, the stock market/derivatives market.
Here, traders will require intense discipline in order to execute their trades with profit.
Day trading is certainly not for everyone, but if making hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars per day sounds appealing, you can learn more about it here.
The incredible thing about trading the market is that traders can learn how to make money whether the stock market is booming or crashing.
This means that as long as you’re able to develop the skills necessary to become a consistently profitable trader, you will be able to pivot in a recession and actually make money while most of the economy faces turmoil.
Going on the offense means learning new skills and getting out of your comfort zone to be successful at something outside your 9-5.
You can follow my personal trading journey on Instagram or Twitter.
#3. Monetizing a Platform
How to prepare for a recession.
Americans are monetizing on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms such as blogs and podcasts.
If the idea of creating content at scale intrigues you, monetizing a platform could be a great leverage tool for you.
The bigger you grow your audience, the more income you may earn from advertising revenue, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or other streams.
But the key here is to provide real world value that can help your audience in one form or another.
My blog for example has helped thousands of people invest in the stock and crypto markets for the first time.
Retail investors were able to profit big from investments such as Bitcoin, Shiba Inu Coin, Terra Classic, AMC, and HYMC from early ticker updates on Franknez.com.
Those who took advantage of the information came out profitable before the markets began to tank.
But not everything has to be educational – many creators are publishing content on pretty much any niche that people find interest in.
A platform will help you pivot in a recession by working 24/7 for you.
How to Prepare Personal Finances for a Recession?
In terms of your personal finances, you’ll want to allocate a good chunk of your income into a savings cash account you can build in case of an emergency.
Many opportunities will present themselves in times of an economic downturn, and when they do, we better be ready.
Becoming Recession-Proof
How to prepare for a recession.
Becoming recession-proof is really about taking action.
It’s about creating something or developing new skills that will allow you to overcome any hardships that come your way during economic adversity.
Living paycheck to paycheck is hard, learning new skills is hard, building something new and getting out of our comfort zone is hard, so choose your hard.
The market is down which means there are a variety of stocks retail investors can buy to build wealth this decade.
The problem is identifying which stocks will create the team you need to ensure your investing success.
I’ve compiled a list of stocks along with a simple strategy that’s going to allow these stocks to compound over time so that when you’re ready, they start paying you passively.
By the end of this article, you will have the knowledge you need to begin building your very own wealth through stock investments this decade.
Let’s get started!
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Let’s dive right into it.
Compounding starts with reinvesting
Which stocks to buy?
The list below is made up of cash dividend paying stocks, companies with enough cash at hand which allows them to pay cash dividends to its investors every quarter.
The key here is to ensure that you opt in to ‘reinvest’ these cash dividends back into the asset so that your number of shares automatically compound every quarter.
On some occasions, the default setting is set to ‘cash’ instead of ‘reinvest’, which means your broker account will receive the cash dividend as a form of payment and settle in your funds like a deposit.
When you’ve built a strong retirement portfolio and you’re ready to claim the fruit of your labor many years from now, then you’ll want to begin taking that big cash.
But in the meantime, we’re focusing on setting ourselves up for that chapter in our lives so make sure you opt in to ‘reinvest’ that cash dividend.
Over time, you will see your number of shares grow fractionally and then eventually turn into whole numbers.
This process will continue repeating as you continue to fund your cash dividend stock portfolio.
Which Stocks Can Take Care of You Forever?
Which stocks to buy?
Building wealth is a constant journey of increasing your income and investing in assets that can take care of you forever.
If you would like me to publish more content on how to increase your income let me know in the comments section at the end of the article.
Granted that you have the capability to invest now during this bear market, here is a list of cash dividend paying stocks that can take care of you forever.
GPC has paid $3.42 per share but is currently paying investors during this bear market $0.90 per share.
Genuine Parts Company is an American service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products and electrical/electronic materials.
#3. VNQ (Real Estate REIT)
Dividend Yield: 3.53%
VNQ has paid $2.86 per share but is currently paying investors approximately $0.56 per share in today’s bear market.
VNQ is Vanguard’s real estate ETF which invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property.
#4. OMF (One Main Holdings, Inc.)
Dividend Yield: 7.96%
OMF currently pays investors $0.95 per share but has paid them as much as $6.80 per share during the bull market.
OneMain Holdings, Inc. is an American financial services holding company that provides loan products, offers credit cards, and other personal loans.
#5. T (AT&T)
Dividend Yield: 9.71%
AT&T is currently paying shareholders $0.28 per share but has paid investors $1.60 in the past.
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications holding company offering internet and cellular services.
#6. NRZ (Real Estate REIT)
Dividend Yield: 9.85%
NRZ stock is currently paying investors $0.25 per share but has paid $1 per share before.
New Residential is a publicly traded mortgage real estate investment trust with a diversified portfolio and a strong track record of performance.
#7. EMR (Emerson Electric Co.)
Dividend Yield: 2.45%
EMR pays shareholders $0.51 per share but has paid investors $2.05 per share prior to today’s bear market.
Emerson Electric Co. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Ferguson, Missouri.
The Fortune 500 company manufactures products and provides engineering services for industrial, commercial, and consumer markets.
#8. ESGV (ETF)
Dividend Yield: 1.26%
ESGV currently pays shareholders $0.20 but has paid investors $0.88 per share in the past.
ESGV tracks the performance of large-, mid-, and small-capitalization stocks.
The ETF specifically excludes stocks of certain companies related to the following: adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, chemical and biological weapons, cluster munitions, anti-personnel landmines, nuclear weapons, conventional military weapons, civilian firearms, nuclear power, and coal, oil, or gas.
Other Stocks?
Investing in other stocks that aren’t paying cash dividends could be a great way to raise capital fast.
One example is Tesla, AMC, GameStop, etc.
Retail investors who were able to jump on these stocks early were able to capitalize on massive price fluctuations.
The key here is to get in early, otherwise you may end up holding substantially large losses.
If you’re going to invest in individual companies, make sure you’ve done your due diligence and cash out when in profit.
Send this list to someone you know!
Share this list of the best dividend stocks to buy right now with someone you know who is invested in the market.
I personally hold these stocks in my stock portfolio and figured I’d share with my readers which dividend stocks I recommend checking out.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this list – do you hold any?
Leave a comment down below.
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