Mike Norris Law http://mikenorrislaw.com Indianapolis attorney Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:39:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Indianapolis attorney Mike Norris Law no Indianapolis attorney Mike Norris Law http://mikenorrislaw.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://mikenorrislaw.com Indianapolis, IN Credit Reports part two http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/09/credit-reports-part-two/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/09/credit-reports-part-two/#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:51:53 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/09/credit-reports-part-two/ This is my second  post on credit reporting, to explain how it works.  The attached clip explains “how it used to be”, in contrast to the numbers oriented style in vogue for the last 2 decades.  Often we wish:  “Why can’t it be just like it used to be”?  This series will explain how our modern system of credit reporting (and granting loans) started.

In understanding how our system evolved, we have a better understanding of why and how we got to the point where we stand today.

 

 

 

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]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/09/credit-reports-part-two/feed/ 0 Credit Reports part one http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/credit-reports-part-one/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/credit-reports-part-one/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:05:33 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/credit-reports-part-one/ Years ago, it occurred to me that we all need to know something about credit, and how it is reported.  I put together a CD for clients explaining credit reports.  Now with advances in the web, I can get it to you without a CD! I hope this 12 part series is of use to you. Immediately thereafter, I will publish my 11 part series on credit report correction.

Here is the first audio clip.  Hope you can find the time to listen to the whole series.  There is a lot of good information in these old CDs from 8 years ago, still relevant today.

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]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/credit-reports-part-one/feed/ 0 Planning the use of money, part 6 of 6 http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/planning-the-use-of-money-part-6-of-6/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/planning-the-use-of-money-part-6-of-6/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:26:43 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/planning-the-use-of-money-part-6-of-6/ By now, if you have reviewed the five videos in previous blog posts, you should have a fair idea of where your money is going, and where it needs to go, assuming goals are to be accomplished.  Now comes the hard part:  actually making the necessary decisions.  Some expenses will definitely be modified.

Remember: every dollar saved is a dollar earned.  Indeed, the dollar saved is an “after tax” dollar, all of which you get to keep.  The dollar earned is a “before tax” dollar, and you will only get to keep 70 cents of it, at most.  So we can see that keeping expenses down definitely helps in money terms.

In personal terms, the stress that comes from unpaid bills is removed.  Family life is easier, and there is time for exercise and good diet.  Medical bills are less in the long term.  Although this is not true in every case, a simple budget of monies can often help to organize and reduce stress in many other areas of life.

So make your life easier with a budget!  If you want the sample file I used to create these videos in MS Excel, just email me and I will be happy to send it with a reply.

I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions.

 

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]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/08/planning-the-use-of-money-part-6-of-6/feed/ 0 By now, if you have reviewed the five videos in previous blog posts, you should have a fair idea of where your money is going, and where it needs to go, assuming goals are to be accomplished.  Now comes the hard part:  actually making the necessary dec... By now, if you have reviewed the five videos in previous blog posts, you should have a fair idea of where your money is going, and where it needs to go, assuming goals are to be accomplished.  Now comes the hard part:  actually making the necessary decisions.  Some expenses will definitely be modified. Remember: every dollar saved is a dollar earned.  Indeed, the dollar saved is an "after tax" dollar, all of which you get to keep.  The dollar earned is a "before tax" dollar, and you will only get to keep 70 cents of it, at most.  So we can see that keeping expenses down definitely helps in money terms. In personal terms, the stress that comes from unpaid bills is removed.  Family life is easier, and there is time for exercise and good diet.  Medical bills are less in the long term.  Although this is not true in every case, a simple budget of monies can often help to organize and reduce stress in many other areas of life. So make your life easier with a budget!  If you want the sample file I used to create these videos in MS Excel, just email me and I will be happy to send it with a reply. I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions.   Download This Episode Mike Norris Law no Planning the use of money, part 5 http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-5/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-5/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:45:49 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/?p=682 This is the video that shows a full month of expenses for our sample consumer.  He can now see how the month’s spending all adds up.  Is more income needed?  Can some expenses be cut?  Which expenses?  How much?

All of these questions are the ones a prudent consumer or small businessman must ask himself, in any case where he is late on paying bills.  There is an obvious reason he is late on paying bills:  he did not have the money!

When the money is just not there, go through a three step process.  First track expenses.  Second, ask yourself: can I make more income?  If not, step three comes into play: expenses must be cut.

Hopefully, this series puts it in perspective for you.  As always, we are here to help, just call (317) 266-8888.

I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions.

Download This Episode

]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-5/feed/ 0 This is the video that shows a full month of expenses for our sample consumer.  He can now see how the month's spending all adds up.  Is more income needed?  Can some expenses be cut?  Which expenses?  How much? - This is the video that shows a full month of expenses for our sample consumer.  He can now see how the month's spending all adds up.  Is more income needed?  Can some expenses be cut?  Which expenses?  How much? All of these questions are the ones a prudent consumer or small businessman must ask himself, in any case where he is late on paying bills.  There is an obvious reason he is late on paying bills:  he did not have the money! When the money is just not there, go through a three step process.  First track expenses.  Second, ask yourself: can I make more income?  If not, step three comes into play: expenses must be cut. Hopefully, this series puts it in perspective for you.  As always, we are here to help, just call (317) 266-8888. I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions. Download This Episode Mike Norris Law no Planning the use of money, part 4 http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-4/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-4/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:24:40 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/?p=679 This is the fourth of six videos detailing how to keep track of the expenses, so you know when you are on “safe ground” with your spending.  In this video, we look at the daily and weekly expenses which occur, and which can be added up to get an overall picture of monthly income and expenses.  With this information, you can finally get an accurate picture of what is going on in your financial life.  Finally, you can control the “ebb and flow” as you have enough information to predict with confidence.  When you find yourself able to predict that monies will be left over at the end of the month, and those monies are put into a modest savings account, you are really getting the hang of it!

I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions.

Download This Episode

]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-4/feed/ 0 This is the fourth of six videos detailing how to keep track of the expenses, so you know when you are on "safe ground" with your spending.  In this video, we look at the daily and weekly expenses which occur, This is the fourth of six videos detailing how to keep track of the expenses, so you know when you are on "safe ground" with your spending.  In this video, we look at the daily and weekly expenses which occur, and which can be added up to get an overall picture of monthly income and expenses.  With this information, you can finally get an accurate picture of what is going on in your financial life.  Finally, you can control the "ebb and flow" as you have enough information to predict with confidence.  When you find yourself able to predict that monies will be left over at the end of the month, and those monies are put into a modest savings account, you are really getting the hang of it! I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions. Download This Episode Mike Norris Law no Planning the use of money, part 3 http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-3/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-3/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:08:43 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/?p=678 What does it take to live nowadays?  This question is hard to answer for today’s expenses, unless you know that answer already for the last six months.  So start the process now:  start saving cash and card receipts.  As you learn more and more on how to track income and expenses, you will have the records ready to plug into a worksheet.  And keep watching this series of videos as you learn how to track down dollars and cents.

I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions.

Download This Episode

]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-3/feed/ 0 What does it take to live nowadays?  This question is hard to answer for today's expenses, unless you know that answer already for the last six months.  So start the process now:  start saving cash and card receipts. What does it take to live nowadays?  This question is hard to answer for today's expenses, unless you know that answer already for the last six months.  So start the process now:  start saving cash and card receipts.  As you learn more and more on how to track income and expenses, you will have the records ready to plug into a worksheet.  And keep watching this series of videos as you learn how to track down dollars and cents. I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions. Download This Episode Mike Norris Law no Planning the use of money, part 2 http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-2/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-2/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 19:40:33 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-2/ So just how hard is it to be safe with money?  A plan will go a long way in creating security.  If you are wrong, you will know that “things did not go according to plan”.  If the plan is working, then you were right!  Remember, it is just math.

What will the math tell you?  It answers in a straightforward manner the question:  “what are your habits?”  Once you know that answer, you can proceed to ask:  “What do I want to be my money habits?”  Then a plan can be formed and carried out.  But first, observe what you are doing with your money every month.  Awareness of your habits is the most powerful tool you can use to change them.

I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions.

]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-2/feed/ 0 So just how hard is it to be safe with money?  A plan will go a long way in creating security.  If you are wrong, you will know that "things did not go according to plan".  If the plan is working, then you were right!  Remember, it is just math. - So just how hard is it to be safe with money?  A plan will go a long way in creating security.  If you are wrong, you will know that "things did not go according to plan".  If the plan is working, then you were right!  Remember, it is just math. What will the math tell you?  It answers in a straightforward manner the question:  "what are your habits?"  Once you know that answer, you can proceed to ask:  "What do I want to be my money habits?"  Then a plan can be formed and carried out.  But first, observe what you are doing with your money every month.  Awareness of your habits is the most powerful tool you can use to change them. I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions. Mike Norris Law no Planning the use of money, part 1 http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-1/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-1/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 19:20:18 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-1/ Does it make sense to plan the use of money?  All the experts say it does.  But how do we do it?  Simply, tracking the use of money allows us to predict how fast it will “go out the door”.  This short video is the first of 6, showing how to be aware of our use of money.  Remember:  if you can track where the money has gone, you can predict where it will need to go in the future.  In addition, planning helps to distinguish between needs and wants, so you can sort the necessities from the luxuries.

I hope it helps you to a prosperous future, free of money worries!

I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions.

]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/06/planning-the-use-of-money-part-1/feed/ 0 Does it make sense to plan the use of money?  All the experts say it does.  But how do we do it?  Simply, tracking the use of money allows us to predict how fast it will "go out the door".  This short video is the first of 6, Does it make sense to plan the use of money?  All the experts say it does.  But how do we do it?  Simply, tracking the use of money allows us to predict how fast it will "go out the door".  This short video is the first of 6, showing how to be aware of our use of money.  Remember:  if you can track where the money has gone, you can predict where it will need to go in the future.  In addition, planning helps to distinguish between needs and wants, so you can sort the necessities from the luxuries. I hope it helps you to a prosperous future, free of money worries! I suggest you download the video file below, as viewing is easier due to a bigger screen size.  Or you can just click on the icon and the video will play immediately.  As always, please call if you have questions. Mike Norris Law no Will picking the right college help control the budget? http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/03/will-picking-the-right-college-help-control-the-budget/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/03/will-picking-the-right-college-help-control-the-budget/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:16:16 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/?p=563 One of the greatest expenses for concerned parents is college tuition for their young ones.  Of course, the older student also feels the pinch.

Of course, we all know that private colleges cost more, and for profit colleges suffer from two problems: high cost, and credits that do not transfer to obtain a college degree from an accredited university.  For these reasons, state funded colleges (such as IU or Purdue) offer a “bigger bang for the buck” giving lower cost and course work that is accepted at any other institution of higher education.

Likewise, Ivy Tech is an excellent value, as it offers accredited courses at still lower tuition.  But how about distance learning?  Can a Indiana resident attend a state school with accredited courses, lower tuition cost, and learn off campus via the internet?

Now there is an alternative.  Western Governors University Indiana, or WGU, offers transferable credits, full time tuition of $6,000 per year, and course work measured by papers and exams, with all instruction online.  What a great idea for the busy mom or dad who is trying to advance their career!  In addition, all courses transfer from Ivy Tech associate degree programs into relevant WGU programs.

If you are a beleaguered wage earner too busy to spend nights on campus, this may be a great opportunity for you.  The attached article explains further, and is recommended reading:  WGU Indiana .

Of course, if more expensive options in time and money are practical, they are advised.  Nevertheless, internet learning can be a great advantage for those determined to take it seriously.

 

 

]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/03/will-picking-the-right-college-help-control-the-budget/feed/ 0 Is budgeting really worth it? http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/03/is-budgeting-really-worth-it/ http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/03/is-budgeting-really-worth-it/#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:10:56 +0000 mikenorris http://mikenorrislaw.com/?p=505 Quite simply in the opinion of this writer and most financial experts, it is always worth it.  Ask any college kid with student loans:  do they create a burden in his/her young life?  The “buy now pay later” mindset leaves us exhausted later, and later, and later.

What is the solution?  We need to start saving, as has happened in recent years in America.  We need to watch what we spend, and “make do” without always desiring more.  As we have learned in the last few years, a new trophy home is not always necessary.  

Do you want more control over your life?  BUDGET!  A good article on this topic by the President of the Sagamore Institute is attached, and I wish to give credit to Jay Hein for the clarity of his thoughts.  See the attached:   Jay Hein on Budgeting

Just think about it.  Every dollar saved is one more you don’t have to work for.  And remember what Ben Franklin said:  A penny saved is a penny earned!

Does it all add up?

]]> http://mikenorrislaw.com/2011/03/is-budgeting-really-worth-it/feed/ 0