TV Tonight: 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,' 'Glee,' Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

By Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian

View full sizeCBS.comNo, this is not a photo from "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show comes on two hours later than the other holiday favorite tonight.

"Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer": How nice to revisit our old pals Rudolph, Hermey, Yukon Cornelius, the Abominable Snow Monster and Burl Ives, singing "A Holly Jolly Christmas." Missing this would make me sadder than one of the castoffs on the Island of Misfit Toys. (8 p.m., KOIN)

"Glee": Tonight's episode focuses on the election for McKinley High student council president. Boy, they weren't kidding when they said this season would go back to the basics, without all that glitzy special themed episode jazz. What's next, an hour devoted to school cafeteria menu planning? (8 p.m., KPTV)

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: What the guys will be watching while the females in the house are watching "Parenthood," on KGW, or "Body of Proof," on KATU. (10 p.m., KOIN)

-- Kristi Turnquist

Community groups unite against coming school closings

November 23, 2011|By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah, Chicago Tribune reporter

A week before Chicago Public Schools is set to announce its list of school closings and consolidations this year, nine neighborhood groups said they are uniting to fight shutdowns of poor-performing schools in their communities.

At a news conference Tuesday, members of Action Now, Albany Park Neighborhood Council, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Enlace Chicago, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Organization of the Northeast, Southwest Organizing Project and TARGET Area Development Corporation said they want CPS to focus on improving neighborhood schools rather than closing them down.

"CPS policies have destabilized schools in our community," said Jeanette Taylor, a parent leader with the Kenwood group whose children attend Mollison and Robinson schools, both of which have been on academic probation for several years. "We're all fighting together. They aren't closing any more schools until they do right by us."

On Dec. 1, CPS plans to announce a series of moves, including closings of schools, consolidations of schools or moving two schools into one building. Every year, the announcements are met with community angst as parents protest against potential violence from children crossing gang boundaries for newly assigned schools.

Community activists see the closings as a way for the district to bring in more charter schools, which the activists say do not enroll many neighborhood students.

"We do not need new schools," said Leticia Barrera, an education organizer for the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. "Let's try to fix those schools that are in the neighborhood."

CPS officials said they welcomed the input from community groups. "We are excited and encouraged that community organizations are engaging with CPS to demand quality schools in their communities," said district spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus.

The district says about 42 percent of district schools are on probation for low academic performance. With a new online tool that allows Chicagoans to read school reports for each school, district officials hope a more comprehensive look at a school's performance will lead some parents to demand better academic options, which would mean grass-roots support for closing failing schools.

Jitu Brown of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, which has developed its own blueprint to improve failing schools in Bronzeville, said he and members of other local organizations met with schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and other officials this week. They tried to get him to agree to a one-year moratorium on closing schools in Bronzeville, Brown said.

While Brizard did not agree to a one-year stay, he asked the community groups to submit written proposals for improving schools in their neighborhoods, Brown said.

"On the positive side, they are reaching out to us. But it's more about them telling us what to do as opposed to listening and exchanging ideas," Brown said. "What they want is a buy into what they want to do."

nahmed@tribune.com

Occupy L.A. protesters take to the streets; police warn of arrests

Just after midnight, a large crowd of Occupy L.A. protesters gathered in front of City Hall at the intersection of Spring and First streets.

Demonstrators held candles, beat on drums, waved signs as they moved onto the streets. "This ain't Mardi Gras!" one man shouted, as he attempted to usher people off the street.

LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith declined to give details about police strategy or tactics that would use to evict protestors. He said notices or citations would not be handed out, but rather that people would be arrested.

PHOTOS: Occupy L.A. eviction

"We will not discuss what our timetable is or what our tactics are," he said.

For now, Smith said the group appeared peaceful, but that after midnight they would be in violation of the law. Hundreds of people have been camped out at City Hall Park for the past seven weeks to protest what they see as economic injustice.

"We will be out here until they are done occupying," Smith said.

Meanwhile, protesters on the street continued to chant, "This is what democracy looks like!" and "Occupy Wall Street! Occupy Los Angeles! Occupy Everything! And never give it back."

But organizers encouraged protesters to move back to the park and not provoke the police.

Occupy Portland protesters push back after camp closures

Hundreds march through the streets past police after two encampments are shut down. Demonstrators regroup to figure out their next move.

Reporting from Portland, Ore.—

Several hundred protesters, some wearing goggles and gas masks, marched past authorities downtown Sunday, hours after riot police forced Occupy Portland demonstrators out of two encampments in parks.

Police moved in shortly before noon and drove protesters into the street after dozens remained in the camps in defiance of city officials. Mayor Sam Adams had ordered that the camps be shut down Saturday at midnight, citing unhealthy conditions and the increasing number of drug users and thieves.

More than 50 protesters were arrested.

After the police raid, the number of demonstrators swelled throughout the afternoon. By early evening, dozens of officers brandishing nightsticks stood shoulder to shoulder to hold the protesters back. Authorities retreated and protesters broke the standoff by marching through the streets.

Demonstrators regrouped several blocks away, where they broke into small groups to discuss their future. Some were advocating occupying foreclosed homes; others wanted to move onto the Portland State University campus or to the shores of the Willamette River.

Police Chief Mike Reese told KGW-TV it had been his plan to take the parks in a peaceful manner.

"Our officers have performed exceptionally well," he said.

On Sunday at an impromptu news conference, the mayor defended his order to clear the parks, saying it is his job to enforce the law and keep the peace. "This is not a game," Adams said.

In other cities over the weekend:

— Friends confirmed Sunday that Scott Olsen, an Iraq war veteran who suffered a skull fracture during a police raid on the Occupy Oakland encampment, had been released from the hospital. Olsen was injured Oct. 25, and Occupy supporters around the country had rallied around his plight.

Also Sunday, police said that a man slain Thursday near the encampment had indeed been staying there; he was identified as Kayode Ola Foster, 25, of Oakland.

And for the third time in three days, Oakland city officials warned protesters that they did not have the right to camp in the plaza in front of City Hall and that they would face immediate arrest.

— In Salt Lake City, police arrested 19 people Saturday when protesters refused to leave a park a day after a man was found dead inside his tent at the encampment.

— Police in New York arrested 24 Occupy Albany protesters after they defied an 11 p.m. curfew in a state-owned park. They were charged with trespassing.

— In Denver, authorities forced protesters to leave a downtown encampment and arrested four people for interfering with officers who removed illegally pitched tents, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

— In San Francisco, police said two demonstrators attacked two officers in separate incidents during a march.

Markets fluctuate, Investors Secure Their Portfolio

The results of the G20 summit did not produce many concrete decisions. Global investors tend to choose a new attitude of waiting for certainty over Europe. They are many who secure a position their portfolios in the face of uncertainty.

According to a research note Indosurya Securities, changes in government yesterday not sure the fate of Greece and Italy make the pace of financial Composite Stock Price Index (CSPI) held back as in the previous estimate. Many investors to secure a position facing an increasingly uncertain situation.

Release of GDP during the third quarter of 2011, which reached 6.5 percent (YoY) in which is driven by the trade sector, could slightly restrain trade penurunan.Selama, JCI was penetrates 3791.82 level (highest level) at the beginning of session 2 and also briefly touched 3765.24 (lowest level) at the beginning of the session 1 and finally managed to perch on the level of 3778.24. Trading volume and the total value of transactions recorded down.

In trading Tuesday (8/11/2011) JCI is expected to be in a support 3751-3765 and resistance 3791-3805. JCI forming spinning black as well as forming a bearish harami pattern.

Position between the upper and middle Bollinger bands. MACD histogram positive retained pelemahannya with shortened. RSI William's% R and Stochastic still stuck into the overbought area.

Fluctuations CSPI will likely re-occur in the middle of a situation that has not been yet, menghijaunya U.S. stocks overnight at least able to defend the position of JCI to remain in the green zone.

Dictionary

If we have deficit income, can we invest?

Under no circumstances will any human being obliged to make investments in order that we can maintain and even enhance the lifestyle of today and tomorrow, and also so that we can achieve future financial goals. In other words, investment is mandatory for those who do not want to be a reduced purchasing power in the future.

The problem is:
1. Do we have a sufficient portion of the money to invest?
2. What if in fact we do not have a portion of investment?, Or even
3. We tend to run into deficit (lack of) money?

For the first problem is a wise solution to the efficiency of expenditure, do it with a minimum target of 10 percent of expenditures. Efficiency in question is rescheduling expenditure that is convenience. Efficiency is done as much as possible instance of the use of cars every day changed to once every 2 days. The changes are transferred by means of mass public transport or using the motor even use a bicycle to work for example, why not?. Remember the investment objective is to delay the pleasure and comfort at this time (not eliminate) but get a much bigger future.

For the second problem is the same answer to the problem at first but it certainly remains to be coupled with more sacrifices to cut the amount of spending to be trimmed more significantly, its implementation should be done with extra tight, and certainly with a sacrifice. Suppose that car use was reduced to only use on weekends, the rest by means of mass transportation. Maximum power consumption savings, home air conditioning (if any) is used only on a limited basis at certain hours, as well as the use of water pumps and so forth.

Patterns pikirpun mandatory for us to change with 'only' considers that our revenues by 90 per cent of the total funds received each month. Target expenditure amounted to a maximum of 90 percent so the remaining 10 percent is the value we have to pay as an appreciation for the benefit of future self and beloved family. Let us return to the investment philosophy is to enjoy the maximum desire in the future.

The third problem is the heaviest of the two previous cases, the answer is the same as in the case of the latter but also must be added to see the presence or absence of productive assets that can be optimized (in terms of economical). In terms of seeing whether there is an asset that can dioptimal financially then we must think clearly so that the action taken can truly meet our needs for investment. Remember our goal today is to invest.

Next after you make an evaluation and it still has assets that can be 'economically empowered' then do not waste too much time to do it, immediate action (action). Suppose you have a house with a strategic location, close to bus terminals, train stations or adjacent to the central business then you can do business in the real sector by opening a boarding house that is integrated with shops selling daily necessities (such as mini markets). In this case you start to do business or businesses in the real sector, the ability of management or business management is a primary key.

But if you do not have a home then if you should be silent? The answer is no! You may still have a car or motorcycle, optimalkanlah. Rent your mobile assets, earn income from it calculate the cost of care and all hazards are correctly and accurately. The point is that you try to not add to the deficit but reduce it so that the deficit eroded until exhausted.

The next question is where did the money that I use for capital? You know my condition a deficit, how is it possible? Change your mindset! You do not own a lot of people whose condition is far worse than you but still successful. Use means of loans from banks, for example if you want to build a boarding house and mini market, guaranteed your property, get business credit with a maximum count rate for mortgage interest. The move is leverage or leverage your personal assets growth.

Once the business starts rolling then use the results of your efforts optimally, once again obliged to use optimally by dividing some of the results to do business in the financial sector, for example if you buy mutual funds or repay the purchase of gold. Up to this point you've started to build a 'portfolio investment' which is the accumulation of your investment real and the financial sector. This means that you have started to diversify the business. Thus your business failure risk factor becomes less and this means the potential of your assets any additions to be increased.

Then the reader is wise, how we can make investments in the financial sector correctly? Look forward to our next article will discuss about the financial sector investments. Thus the reader if the troubleshooting is done correctly it consistently has the potential to be the one to get rich by doing a combination of investment in the real sector and fianansial

Dictionary

Free from the grip of Debt

Remember the 10 statements in my previous article (Debt, Helpful or harmful? ", Kompas.com, May 31, 2011)?, That if there are at least four are suitable or appropriate to your current behavior, then you've are in financial trouble?

What actually is the financial problem? It may be that we are not aware that the more debt piling up, the loss of purchasing power to make us have to do some behaviors of the 10 statement.

Or even you have entered the circle of "devil" whose name is entangled clutches of debt? Obviously very high psychological distress was felt. Not infrequently we find news of people think the short to commit suicide because of debt trapped grip. Blau also horror ghost whose name this Bond grip huh?.

Dear readers, caught in the grip of debt is not the end of everything. As long as we have the will to be free from the clutches of debt, rest assured the Creator will provide guidance and ease.

1. Changing Lifestyle Financial
The biggest obstacle in order to resolve we are liberated from the clutches of debt is to change our financial lifestyle. Financial lifestyle is a dynamic relationship between the revenue (income) and how we use it (spending). Be aware that financial lifestyle has brought us all this time we are caught in the grip of debt. So be owner's determination to change your lifestyle. Begin by recognizing the right, whether we are for this pattern of spending more to fulfill our desires?

Be concerned first to better meet our needs rather than our desires. At least until we are liberated from the clutches of this debt later. Make a financial plan lifestyle changes that focus on the efficiency of the monthly budget. I recommend to be made in writing.

2. Recognizing the current debt structure
To obtain an optimal solution to the problem, the main requirement is that we must know exactly the problems encountered. How much debt is still outstanding? How many monthly expenses that must be available to resolve these debts. Arrange in writing and list the priorities of the smallest amount of debt.

3. Identify current capabilities
From the results of the determination of financial lifestyle change, we know how our ability to set aside our income to be allocated on a plan of repayment of our debt burden. So that we can calculate how much a lack of funds to meet the minimum requirement monthly expenses. When it comes to this step, but the result is we have been able to pay our debt burden of the minimum requirement. Immediately do the actions as planned with disiplin.Perlu mind, that set aside revenue is an activity that must be done first before we use it further. When still a deficit, continue next step.

4. Debt renegotiation with the Giver
There is always a way to alleviate the debt burden we work through the lender. Talk about the difficulties we face and negotiate the best scheme that could be given the creditor as a solution, both in terms of the rescheduling of repayment of time until the reconsideration of loading rates. When the results of these negotiations have not been able to meet the needs of the debt repayment plan, we can try the next step.

5. Leveraging existing assets
If we still have assets, the easiest way to utilize the assets to reduce or pay off our debt burden is to sell it. But as a consequence, we lose the benefits of the asset. It's good we are considering to utilize these assets as security / collateral for new debt. For the record, the funds can be generated must be paid all our debts or at least most of them (at least 80 percent of the total burden of debt).

Look for new debt scheme that provides opportunities payback time is long enough and interest rates as low as-rendahya to get the loan amount is large enough, with a lighter burden of repayments. This step is commonly called the takeover of the debt (Debt Take Over). If you can not directly, at this time there is a third party who can help and act on our behalf. This third party which will deal with the bank (or other financial institution). Of course there are fees to be paid for services maintaining it.

6. Looking for a loan "SOFTWARE"
Given the financial problems is quite sensitive and personal, this step can be used as a last alternative. Loans "SOFTWARE" in question is to borrow some money to family or our closest relatives. Ask a long enough period of time and the installments without interest. Talking about the difficulties faced. Repayment is fully committed to keeping our promise. Please note, ties are far more important than money.

7. Maintain and Develop New Financial Lifestyle
We do not easily satisfied at the time of our goal to be free from the clutches of debt is reached. (If you are able to pay the mortgage debt on time means we are free from the grip is not it?). Continue lifestyle is better to achieve our financial goals next. Tingkatkanlah value can be set aside according to ability. We will be amazed of the power to set aside at the beginning of this revenue. Perhaps at some point later, we are surprised to find that we have the financial ability.

There is still potential to develop financial capability we have, by digging again our ability to earn more income (additional income). Continue to explore this potential over the interests we have. We not only be freed from the clutches of debt, it will even be able to pursue our financial goals. May be useful.

How to Financial Freedom?

Who has not ever heard of financial freedom? Of course you all must have often heard the term. And most people who work must crave, desire in order to achieve financial freedom. But does that really mean financial freedom?

Financial freedom is where seseorangan achieve considerable savings and relatively safe, and the results are sufficient for her to live the lifestyle you want. Financial freedom can also be defined as the phase when we are in peace and the option to not work anymore for the money, because money that works for us (passive income). The definition of passive income is the money coming here without having our work.

Savings can be achieved by various means, such as by savings deposits, time deposits, but to get better results then that is above the inflation rate, combined with compulsory saving as investing in mutual funds, stocks, property, etc..

The revenue generated from the active income is the income earned for work and wages are paid or received and if it does not work will not earn a living. Just a note if we work as a general employee salary increases (income) obtained under the inflation rate, so that purchasing power to decline with increasing time. To cope with these conditions then it would be wise if we have a growth-oriented assets in the works.

If not then we have the potential to work continuously, the following differences in orientation to work is:
1. Work => active income output => lifetime work;
2. Work => asset => passive income output => financial freedom.

Phase in order to achieve financial freedom, would have done saving & investing activities, namely:
a. Saving & investing = Consumption This is the ideal condition where the savings & investments are in proper balance with expenditures, that is income received only 50 percent is used for consumption, while the rest for savings and investment. Usually this pattern is suitable for young unmarried which the liability (liability) / debt does not exist. To reach it we must work smart, how our money can work hard for us and generate passive income.

b. Saving & investing = Consumption - Debt
In this pattern of saving and investing less due to debt obligations (debt), on indeed under ideal conditions but still reasonable. This stage usually occurs for those who are married. The times and the financial industry, encouraging the growth of debt instruments, this led to the use and attempts to get utangpun becomes easier. Now more and more found debt-based consumption (credit card, the KTA or credit without collateral, etc.).

Because of this, just keep a balance between saving, Investment & consumption alone is not sufficient, but must be coupled with a get around so we can get out of debt. Debt is the primary freedom killer. Want financial freedom? The first thing you should do is get out of debt. That is priority number one.

c. Saving & investing = Consumption - + Debt Protection
This pattern is most wise for those who have married and had children, although saving and investing is not for the previous stage but the cause is the allocation of funds for protection (risk management) is usually in the form of insurance premiums.

In line with berkembanganya insurance industry and increase education funding would also affect financial freedom. Because we have to meet the element of protection for himself and family in the form of insurance and investment funds for education.

There are several stages before reaching financial freedom (financial freedom), namely:
1. Financial Protection is a financial condition where we have enough money to meet the minimum monthly expenses for 2 months to 24 months without working.
2. Financial Security is a financial condition where we have quite a lot of investment is relatively safe, and the result can meet the above minimum requirements without having to work again, unless we choose to work.
3. Financial Vitality is a financial condition where we achieved quite a lot of investment is relatively safe, and the result is not only at a level sufficient for Financial Security (above the minimum) but also can meet secondary needs without having to work, unless we choose to work.
4. Financial Independence is a financial condition where we achieved quite a lot of investment is relatively safe, and the results are sufficient for us to live exactly with our current lifestyle. In other words we are free not to work.
5. Financial Freedom is a financial condition where we achieved quite a lot of investment is relatively safe, and the results are sufficient for us to live the lifestyle that we want (better than the lifestyle now).

Had reached the stage where you are?

Another important factor in achieving financial freedom for you is largely determined by your lifestyle today, tomorrow and the future. Some people prefer the simple life, and will always want to live like that, then this type will achieve financial freedom faster rate than in those who have the luxury lifestyle. In the end, financial freedom is about control of expenditure against ourselves. Financial freedom is a choice rather than chance

Do I have Ideal Income?

"Wow son, I'll buy ya .. aja, now again .. ni responsibility moon," That phrase seemed familiar to our ears. Yes, it is familiar not because we like to use that phrase, but we are forced to issue a sentence. This was due to the fact that income or salary that we get is only able to "feed" us for 20 days or even less than that in a month.

Yes, this is a fact that happens, we often feel salary is not enough, still less, let alone for savings or investments, fulfill our desires are still lacking, so once again still less!.

Then the next question is how much salary is reasonable for us? Readers are wise, to answer it would be nice if we make an honest evaluation and introspection, for it please to answer some questions below and record the results:

1. How long (years and months) I have received a salary?;
2. How many times have I experienced a salary increase?;
3. How rupiahkah when we received my first paycheck? How big rupiahkah my current salary?;
4. Will I always pay the mortgage debt each month?;
5. Is there any part of the salary that can be stored for investment?
6. Is my current deficit (salary can not survive until the end of the month)?, If she answered 'no' then we say goodbye but if jawabanya'ya 'then this is where lies the problem.

For those of you who answered 'yes' then the next step is to do your income valuation, in doing valuation, the answer is there are only three groups, namely:

1. Stages of the poor (Poor Income Valuation);
2. Stages of the fair (Fair Income Valuation);
3. Stages of an ideal (Ideal Income Valuation). Well here is an explanation and solution of the group - the group:

Stages of the poor (Poor Income Valuation): is the stage where the condition of total expenditures greater than income or known as the "Big Stake from the Poles", in this condition a deficit cash flow or negative weights accompanied by monthly installments payable over 45 percent of the total of income.
In the case example above shows that: 1. Expenditure (deficit) Rp 1,250,000. 2. Mortgage debt exceeds the normal maximum limit per month ie excessive deficit amounting to Rp 1.85 million or 23.13 percent of the mortgage debt limit of 30 percent or Rp 2.4 million.

This means that, in that case, which concerned the potential to cover the deficit (lack of) by adding debt. Hmm .., has the potential to 'dig a hole close the hole', watch carefully if the oversize hole will be easy to fall!. Debt is usually obtained from Credit Cards, Loans Without Collateral (KTA) or with other types of debt. The way is very dangerous and can not be justified.

I say that the condition must be stopped and this habit, stop as soon as possible. My advice is to this condition should immediately ask for financial assistance, remember the help and not a loan for a short period of time. Or try to make long-term soft loans, will eventually be returned if it has any ability.

The loan guarantee is what? if any property can be guaranteed, but if there is nothing so the only way is a personal guarantee (myself), this can be done by calling the relationship or a very close family.

Well any tips you should be clear, in the same time before you borrow or ask for help, you also have to find a solution with the aim of increasing the income it can be done by:

a) While you are still working, you are obliged to seek additional revenue (through capital loans to businesses with a relation or next of kin are) doing a feasibility study that accurately and objectively so that the potential success of your business becomes bigger than the possibility of failure;

b) Attempting to increase salaries by moving to work or perform work even harder (mainly for the salesperson or salesman) so that the commission or bonus increases;

c) Pressing regular expenses (do efficiency) with strict;

d) Do not forget to perform risk management by life insurance with a sum assured is sufficient to return the loan (remember death will surely come, but unknown time);

e) As the input is of type YRT life insurance (Yearly Renewable Term) instead of another, for example a male non-smokers aged 35 years, sum USD 500 million, the range of premiums on insurance YRT per year is Rp 1.5 million to USD 1.75 million.

Next, you must convert to a reasonable stage, the following explanation:

Stages of the fair (Fair Income Valuation): is a condition where you do not deficits, big debt remained above 30 percent of revenue, but is concerned is able to make investments for the welfare of him and his family later, serving a minimum investment amounts to 10 percent of income . Then is how do we change from poor conditions (poor income valuation) into a reasonable condition (fair valuation income), well above for the case of how much income is reasonable?, Here is the formulation of fair valuation of income, namely:

Total spending in deficit / 90 percent

Why the divisor should be 90 percent? This is because to achieve financial freedom or your zone is richer then the mandatory minimum of 10 percent set aside income and placed on the right as well as investment is concerned also have to maintain the mortgage debt continued to decline until perilously close to the maximum limit of 30 percent of your income.

So the case (Table 1 above) income to $ 10,277,777. Or for details please see the following table


Analysis: the table shows that the deficit is zero, and mortgage debt to income declined from the weight of 45.95 percent to 41.35 percent. The condition has been better though not yet a stage ideal (Ideal Income Valuation).

Last stage is the ideal stage (Ideal Income Valuation): at this stage the individual / family is already on a sound financial corridor, which is appropriate table:


The formulation is Ideal Income Valuation:

Perbulan/30 percent debt repayments + expenses (excluding mortgage debt)
Analysis: seen that the weight of mortgage debt has reached less than 30 percent of 22.17 percent and a surplus of revenue amounting to 41.74 per cent and there are excess funds can be added to an investment of USD 8,000,000 or 41.74 percent.

The next question is how do I get the extra income?, The answer is already stated in this article that is in the form of your tips or ask for help before borrowing funds (point a to e). This is not easy but at least it's not something impossible. At least you already know the limits of a healthy income in accordance with your condition.

In this case the income deficit of Rp 8.000.000, - to be enlarged into a surplus in the range of Rp 10,277,777 to $ 19,166,167 for the corresponding can be richer in the future.
As information of income and mortgage debt in question here is can be considered income and installment uutang combined (husband & wife).

But contrary to realistically we must be prepared and shall perform 'super extra tightening' of expenditure if forecast to earn extra income not yet appeared, although funds have been available

Dictionary

Debt, Helpful or harmful?

Well, just like in the decision-making loans or credit. Because we will sacrifice our buying power in the future, should emphasize a loan or a credit on its main function, according to our needs. Be patient in advance of our desire to gain additional functionality.

For example, having your own home is everyone's needs. In addition to benefits for shelter and refuge, own their own homes also provide value added benefits. The price of land is usually never decrease. One of the ways to have a place to live is to memelalui Housing Loan Bank. First review the ability of our income to pay the mortgage and do not forget to study the requirements imposed by the Bank. As a customer we have the power to bargain in terms of their debts, payment and loan interest rate determination. And do not forget to suppress the excessive desire. If you still live alone, we do not need 5 bedrooms, right?

We need not fear for the debt as long as we aware of the capabilities and needs for the benefit of the debt. Would be harmed if we are negligent. Well how would it be if you already have a debt, and wanted to know if you've entered in the grip of debt or not?

Match your behavior to the credit or loans with the following statements:

1. Always or often late paying your bills.
2. Always or often times make credit card payments at the minimum.
3. Using credit cards to buy luxury goods.
4. Looking for new loans to cover old debts.
5. Pulling cash value of your insurance policy.
6. Do not have a meaningful balance in your savings.
7. Borrowing money from your friends.
8. You really expect and rely on salary increases or bonuses and overtime to pay for your monthly needs.
9. Taking credit for vehicles and household appliances at a Bank or other Financial Institution.
10. Often use credit cards to withdraw cash.

When more than four statements above in accordance with your current behavior, you've been in financial trouble. So you should do is:

* Press to produce a surplus for spending can be set aside.
* Create a priority list of debt repayment next month of earned surplus.
* If still not sufficient, increase your income by working harder and smarter.

Hopefully useful, and if still interested in more details about the financial problems caused by debt, wait for the sequel to our review titled Debt-Free from the grip in the near future.

Tips for Choosing a Good Mutual Fund

Like a vehicle, if the user is then Mutual Funds (RD) will bring you a richer future. Here are tips you can consider in order not wrong in choosing a mutual fund.

1. Return or performance of its growth historically, it must realize that the past performance (historical) is not a guarantee for the achievement of the future (could be higher or lower) but the return has historically been the work of running so it can be used as a benchmark (benchmarks) for measuring the performance upcoming mutual funds. Return must be mentioned is optimal, according to the level of risk it faces, example RD stock (RDS) is more risky than mixed with RD (RDC) and the RDC is more risky when compared with fixed-income RD (RDPT) but RDPT more risky than money market RD (RDPU).
2. Sharpe Ratio (SR), measuring the consistency of performance relative who returns in the long term. To calculate this must calculate the Standard Deviation (SD) first. So the excess return of the RD is on a relatively risk-free instruments (Bank Indonesia Certificate) divided by the SD. The point is that each RD must have a performance air turbulence or varied, sometimes provide benefits but may also result in the loss, now standard deviation can be made or referred to with a standard deviation (SD). Note (a method of Risk and Return): the lower the mean SD RD relatively safe, whereas the higher SR means relatively better performance.
3. Portfolio, asset allocation is a collection of RD are, evaluate whether it has a relatively high liquidity, to see ratings portfolio of bonds, to be seen whether the stock should be included in LQ45 or included in the category of Compass 100. Why do so because of existing stocks in the group are stocks that have high liquidity, and large market capitalization, is also the stocks that have good fundamentals and performance.
4. Number of Funds Under Management or Asset Under Management (AUM) is a reflection of public confidence in the RD (in accordance with the duration of RD and RD sophistication marketers of course). If from my point of view of growth factor funds should also be considered, should we ask in advance AUM growth data in addition we see returnnya developments within a certain time. It should be noted that the greater the potential return petumbuhan AUM then slowed.
5. The composition of the investment in question is who should be in accordance with the Prospectus that is recorded in RD page. Some of the RD (not much) sometimes encroach compositionally but only slightly. There are interesting things to be aware of the provisions of Bapepam at least 2 percent of AUM have shaped the cash.
6. Costs, consider the cost of entry (subscription fees), costs managemet, switching costs and exit costs (redemption fees). The cost here is not just artifacts but greatly affect the speed of growth of your funds in a long period of time.

Then is also not less important is the selection of types of mutual funds must be in accordance with the investment period that we want, for example:

1. Very short period of less than 1 year use money market funds (RDPU);
2. Short period of time that is between 1 to 2 years using fixed income mutual funds (RDPT) and can be a bit combined with a mixture of mutual funds (RDC);
3. Medium term ie between 2 to 5 years using a mixture of mutual funds (RDC) with a combination of the mutual fund shares (RDS);
4. Long period of time ie more than 5 years of use an equity fund (RDS);

If these tips do it consistently then you are potentially huge development funds to grow positively. Congratulations to invest in mutual funds correctly

Kiat Memilih Reksa Dana yang Baik

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI Mencari informasi mengenai produk reksa dana.

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KOMPAS.com - Bagaikan sebuah kendaraan, jika penggunaannya benar maka Reksa Dana (RD) akan membawa anda menjadi lebih kaya dikemudian hari. Berikut adalah tips yang dapat anda pertimbangkan agar tidak salah dalam memilih reksa dana.

1. Return atau kinerja pertumbuhannya secara historis, harus disadari bahwa kinerja masa lampau (historis) bukan merupakan jaminan bagi pencapaian dimasa mendatang (dapat lebih tinggi atau lebih rendah) namun return secara historis merupakan hasil kerja berjalan sehingga dapat dijadikan tolak ukur (benchmark) untuk mengukur kinerja reksadana mendatang. Return yang dimaksud adalah harus optimal, sesuai dengan tingkat resiko yang dihadapinya, contoh RD saham (RDS) lebih beresiko dibanding dgn RD campuran (RDC) dan RDC lebih beresiko jika dibandingkan dengan RD pendapatan tetap (RDPT) namun RDPT lebih beresiko dari RD pasar uang (RDPU).
2. Sharpe Ratio (SR), mengukur konsistensi dari kinerja return dalam jangka yg relatif panjang. Untuk menghitung ini wajib menghitung Standar Deviasi (SD) terlebih dahulu. Jadi excess return dari RD tersebut terhadap instrumen yang relatif bebas resiko (Sertifikat Bank Indonesia) dibagi dengan SD. Maksudnya adalah setiap RD pasti memiliki kinerja yang ber gejolak atau bervariasi, kadang memberikan keuntungan namun kadang juga menghasilkan kerugian, nah penyimpangan tersebut dapat dibuat standar atau disebut dengan standar deviasi (SD). Catatan (metode Risk and Return): SD semakin rendah berarti RD relatif aman, sebaliknya SR semakin tinggi berarti kinerja relatif lebih baik.
3. Portfolio, adalah kumpulan alokasi aset dari RD tersebut, evaluasilah apakah memiliki likuiditas yang relatif tinggi, untuk portfolio obligasi dilihat ratingnya, untuk saham sebaiknya dilihat apakah termasuk dalam LQ45 atau masuk dalam katagori Kompas 100. Mengapa demikian karena saham-saham yang ada dalam kelompok tersebut merupakan saham yang memiliki likuiditas yang tinggi, serta nilai kapitalisasi pasar yang besar, juga merupakan saham-saham yang memiliki fundamental dan kinerja yang baik.
4. Jumlah Dana Kelolaan atau Asset Under Management (AUM) merupakan cerminan kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap RD tersebut (sesuai dengan lamanya RD dan kecanggihan tenaga pemasar RD tersebut tentunya). Kalau dari sudut pandang saya faktor pertumbuhan dana juga harus diperhatikan, sebaiknya kita minta data pertumbuhan AUM terlebih dahulu selain kita lihat perkembangan returnnya dalam kurun waktu tertentu. Perlu dicatat bahwa semakin besar AUM maka petumbuhan return berpotensi melambat.
5. Komposisi investasi yg dimaksud adalah harus sesuai dengan yang tertulis didalam Prospektus RD tsb. Beberapa RD (tidak banyak) kadang melanggar batas komposisinya walau hanya sedikit. Ada hal menarik yang harus diperhatikan yakni ketentuan Bapepam minimal 2 persen dari AUM harus berbentuk kas.
6. Biaya, perhatikan biaya masuk (subscription fee), biaya managemet, biaya switching serta biaya keluar (redemption fee). Biaya disini bukan sekedar pernik tetapi sangat mempengaruhi kecepatan pertumbuhan dana anda dalam kurun waktu yang panjang.

Lalu yang juga tidak kalah penting adalah pemilihan jenis reksa dana tersebut haruslah sesuai dengan jangka waktu investasi yang kita inginkan, sebagai contoh:

1. Jangka waktu sangat pendek yakni kurang dari 1 tahun gunakan reksa dana pasar uang (RDPU);
2. Jangka waktu pendek yakni antara 1 hingga 2 tahun gunakan reksa dana pendapatan tetap (RDPT) dan dapat sedikit dikombinasikan dengan reksa dana campuran (RDC);
3. Jangka waktu menengah yakni antara 2 hingga 5 tahun gunakan reksa dana campuran (RDC) dengan kombinasi pada reksa dana saham (RDS);
4. Jangka waktu panjang yakni diatas 5 tahun gunakan reksa dana saham (RDS);

Jika kiat tersebut dilakukan dengan konsisten maka perkembangan dana anda berpotensi besar untuk tumbuh secara positif. Selamat melakukan investasi pada reksa dana dengan benar. (Taufik Gumulya, CFP®/ Financial Planner, CEO TGRM Financial Planning Service)

Utang, Bermanfaat atau Mencelakakan?

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shutterstock Ilustrasi

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KOMPAS.com - “Selamat pagi Pak Fulan, saya ucapkan selamat ternyata nama Bapak masuk dalam daftar prioritas Bank kami untuk mendapatkan Kartu Kredit Platinum dengan syarat ringan saja. Plus bonus untuk Bapak, bebas iuran tahunannya untuk dua tahun pertama.” Tawaran yang menarik bukan? Saya yakin pembaca yang budiman sering mendapatkan tawaran seperti ini. Tahukah anda bahwa dibalik pernyataan yang menggiurkan itu ada perangkap yang disebut “UTANG”?

Utang berarti mengurangi daya beli kita dimasa yang akan datang. Kalau pengurangan daya beli tersebut bertambah terus (alias utangnya bertambah terus), alhasil kita akan kehilangan daya beli di kemudian hari. Hal tersebut sering disebut terjerat utang. Kita mendapatkan penghasilan hanya untuk menutupi utang-utang kita. Lantas bagaimana nasib beban finansial lainnya? Seperti kebutuhan pokok, uang sekolah anak, transport, listrik, telpon dan lain-lain?, mencari utang baru?, makin terpuruk dong.

Di sisi lain utang juga sebagai penolong, sering kita dihadapkan pada situasi, butuh dana segera sedangkan penghasilan kita saat itu tidak mencukupi. Tentu salah satu solusinya adalah berutang. Lantas bagaimana kita mengelolanya agar kita terhindar dari cengkraman utang. Dua pertanyaan berikut akan mengarahkan anda agar terhindar dari cengkraman utang. Apakah penghasilan saya mampu membayar pinjaman / kredit sesuai yang diperjanjikan dimasa yang akan datang?

Jebakan utang bermula pada saat kita tidak waspada akan kemampuan kita sendiri. Karena kemudahan akan meminjam atau mengambil kredit, membuat kita lupa akan kewajiban kita dikemudian hari untuk membayar cicilannya. Besar pasak daripada tiang merupakan ancaman serius kalau kita kurang waspada. Selalu sempatkan mengevaluasi dahulu kemampuan kita sebelum memutuskan untuk mengambil pinjaman atau kredit. Saya sarankan seluruh jumlah cicilan yang harus dibayar di bulan-bulan berikutnya tidak lebih dari 30 persen dari total penghasilan bulanan.

Apakah pinjaman / kredit didasarkan pada kebutuhan saya atau hanya keinginan saya? Sangat tipis memang perbedaan antara kebutuhan dan keinginan. Seorang teman mendefinisikan, untuk membedakan antara kebutuhan dan keinginan, harus dilihat dari segi fungsinya. Sesuatu dikatakan sebagai keinginan kalau sudah merupakan tambahan atas fungsi utamanya. Jadi kata kuncinya adalah pada fungsi.

Contoh sederhana, makan adalah kebutuhan yang tidak terelakan. Bukan cuma manusia, setiap makhluk hidup butuh yang namanya makan. Makan akan memberikan tenaga dan kesehatan bagi manusia, maka makan makanan yang bergizi adalah kebutuhan kita semua. Makanan memiliki fungsi utama sebagai sumber energi untuk tubuh. Sedangkan memberikan rasa enak adalah fungsi tambahan dari makanan. Maka makanan enak adalah keinginan, bukan kebutuhan. Tapi bukan berarti tidak boleh makan makanan yang enak-enak. Hanya saja kita perlu mempertimbangkan dulu apakah pengeluaran untuk makanan enak itu akan mengorbankan kebutuhan yang lain atau tidak.

Nah, serupa halnya dalam mengambil keputusan pengambilan pinjaman atau kredit. Karena kita akan mengorbankan daya beli kita dimasa yang akan datang, sebaiknya tekankan pinjaman atau kredit pada fungsi utamanya, sesuai kebutuhan kita. Bersabar dahulu atas keinginan kita untuk mendapatkan fungsi tambahannya.

Sebagai contoh, memiliki rumah sendiri adalah kebutuhan setiap orang. Selain manfaat untuk bernaung dan berlindung, memiliki rumah sendiri juga memberikan keuntungan pertambahan nilainya. Harga tanah biasanya tidak pernah menurun. Satu diantara cara untuk memiliki tempat tinggal adalah dengan Kredit Pemilikan Rumah memelalui Bank. Tinjau dulu kemampuan penghasilan kita untuk membayar cicilannya dan jangan lupa mempelajari persyaratan yang dikenakan oleh Bank tersebut. Sebagai nasabah kita memiliki kekuatan untuk tawar menawar dalam hal kondisi utang piutang, cara pembayaran dan penentuan suku bunga kreditnya. Dan jangan lupa untuk menekan keinginan yang berlebihan. Kalau masih tinggal sendiri, kita tidak membutuhkan 5 kamar tidur, bukan?

Kita tidak perlu takut untuk berutang selama kita waspada pada kemampuan dan kebutuhan atas manfaat dari utang tersebut. Akan menjadi mencelakakan bila kita lengah. Nah bagaimana halnya apabila anda terlanjur memiliki utang, dan ingin mengetahui apakah anda sudah masuk pada cengkraman utang atau belum?

Cocokkan perilaku anda terhadap kredit atau pinjaman dengan pernyataan-pernyataan berikut :

1. Selalu atau sering terlambat membayar tagihan anda.
2. Selalu atau sering kali melakukan pembayaran kartu kredit pada batas minimum.
3. Menggunakan kartu kredit untuk membeli barang-barang mewah.
4. Mencari pinjaman baru untuk menutupi utang lama.
5. Menarik nilai tunai dari polis asuransi anda.
6. Tidak memiliki saldo yang berarti dalam tabungan anda.
7. Meminjam uang dari teman anda.
8. Anda sangat berharap dan mengandalkan kenaikan gaji atau bonus dan lembur untuk membiayai kebutuhan bulanan anda.
9. Mengambil kredit untuk kendaraan dan peralatan rumah tangga pada Bank atau Institusi Finansial lainnya.
10. Sering menggunakan kartu kredit untuk menarik uang tunai.

Bila lebih dari 4 pernyataan diatas sesuai dengan perilaku anda saat ini, Anda sudah berada dalam masalah keuangan. Maka yang seharusnya anda lakukan adalah:

• Tekan pengeluaran hingga menghasilkan surplus untuk dapat anda sisihkan.
• Buat daftar prioritas pelunasan utang dibulan berikutnya dari surplus yang didapat.
• Bila masih belum mencukupi, tingkatkan penghasilan Anda dengan bekerja lebih keras dan cerdas.

Semoga bermanfaat, dan bila masih tertarik lebih detail mengenai masalah financial akibat utang, tunggu sekuel ulasan kami bertemakan Bebas dari cengkraman Utang dalam waktu dekat. (Budi Cahyadi, MM, CFP®/Financial Planner, TGRM Financial Planning Services)