Exit Strategies: How to Leave Financially Abusive Relationships

Have you (or someone you know) ever been caught up in a financially abusive relationship and desperately needed an exit strategy? I have.

   

There are many consumers that are in financially abusive relationships with financial institutions that seem to be “not that into” them. They are dealing with ridiculously high loan interest rates, very low deposit rates, too many and extremely high fees, as well as poor customer service.

   

Being in a financially abusive relationship not only angered ME, but it made me feel weak and hopeless because I didn’t know how or if I could escape.  Then one day … I did!  So, here are a few effective Exit Strategies for getting out of a Financially Abusive Relationship.

   

Talk About It

There may be an opportunity of improving the situation by talking with the right person at the financial institution. So, before deciding to break up with the financial institution …

 

Be sure to

1. Share concerns with a Customer Service Representative,
2. Speak with a Branch or Department Manager about concerns for resolution, or
3. Write a letter to the Senior or Executive manager about concerns.

If efforts to resolve the matter are not addressed appropriately or ignored, move to the next strategy.

   

Start Financial Dating

Begin the process of financially dating other financial institutions to find one (or two) that can meet, at least, most of the required financial needs (deposit accounts, loans, internet banking, etc.). In my book Financial Fornication, I share the 5 phases of Financial Dating to avoid financially abusive relationships. These phases should not be skipped.  It is necessary and worth taking the time to get to know financial institutions to ensure they are right for a particular financial situation.

    

So, be sure to

1. Explore financial options (banks vs. credit unions).
2. Investigate the financial institution(s) selected via the internet or word of mouth (research).
3. Experience the Introduction by going to the branch(es) or calling customer service to ask questions.
4. Start slow Courting by using one or two of their financial services (open a savings or checking account), when ready!
5. After all 4 phases have been executed, Commit to the new primary financial institution (PFI) by using more of their products and services. 

   

Once a new financial “main squeeze” is found, it will make it easier to leave an existing financially abusive relationship.

  

Exit Slowly & Deliberately

Whether a new financial “main squeeze” is on standby or not, another Exit Strategy is to slowly stop using the financial institution’s products and services.

  

Be sure to

1. Review bank statements carefully to identify all direct deposit or automatic payments coming out of the accounts.
2. Stop or change automatic payments from the account(s) and update payment information with the new financial account information, if available.
3. Ensure that all accounts are in good standing or current. This will ensure a clean break. The last thing wanted is a reason for the abusive financial institution to remain in contact.
4. If possible or necessary, refinance loans to the new financial “main squeeze.” If this is not possible, keep this in mind … having loans with a financial institution is like having a child(ren) with an estranged spouse or mate.  Leaving the relationship does not diminish the responsibility of the child(ren). Therefore, leaving the financial institutions does not diminish the legal responsibility of the credit obligation.  If refinancing is not an option, continue to make loan payments to the financial institution on time until it is paid in full to avoid collection and credit report drama.
5. Lastly, stop or reduce direct deposit into the account.

 

Once these steps are executed, a clean breakis relatively available.

  

Even though the financial relationship may seem extremely challenging right now, just know that all financial institutions are not alike. There are lots of really good financial institutions out there that value and appreciate their customers.  Once you find them, some of them even provide an easier method of transiting automatic payments and direct deposits to them through what is called Switch Kits.

  

So don’t give up. There is hope. And most importantly, you deserve better!

    

Financially True,

 

Tarra Jackson, Making Money Sexy!

Food That Make Being a Regularly Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation is a monthly cycle of a woman who must be experienced. This indicates that women are still fertile and healthy. But there are times when the periods become so worrisome. This is because of the lifestyle and the food that makes irregular menstruation. Many women are worried because they think there are serious problems with the female organ. Well, if it is not too serious, you can handle it by eating these foods.

Salmon

Salmon is a famous luxury foods with nutrients that are also rich. Consumption of salmon on a regular basis can help increase collagen in the body. In addition, salmon can give you good stability hormones. This is because the content of calcium, vitamin D and many other nutrients that are beneficial, so you can not easily stressed and menstruation you can arrive on time.

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the types of vegetables that are beneficial to health. Content in it, including vitamin A, B, C, K with added antioxidants, iron and fiber-rich. The content of folate and B vitamins in broccoli can prevent depression which became one of the triggers irregular menstrual women and the unhealthiness of our current monthly period.

The Sesame

Although sesame is small, but has great rewards. That said, eating sesame can help condition your body stay healthy as vitamin E, fiber and unsaturated fatty acids. You could eat dumplings or consumption of foods with a sprinkling of sesame. But not advisable to eat too much because the sesame causing more body heat.

Soy Milk

Consumption of soy milk can make menstruation more smoothly. You can consume soy itself to beautify the skin, regulate and maintain a healthy waist circumference. Soy milk is good for menstrual pain but you are lazy to eat. Besides could be the additional power, the nutrients in a glass of soy milk is able to maintain a healthy body and reproductive system.

Eggs

Choose boiled eggs rather than fried eggs. Protein it contains has good benefits such as soybeans in helping regulate your menstrual cycle. Eggs are also able to maintain your hormonal system and keeps you powered and focused when she was menstruating.

Some of the above foods can also be replaced with other alternatives such as spinach, nuts, fruit and other marine fish. Consumption of food that is not too cold and heat as well as fresh ones, can keep your body system is not compromised, especially during menstruation.

Also avoid too much activity but lack of rest, because the food, activity and rest should be balanced so that the body is always stable.

5 Things Asked on a Loan Application Used by Collectors

Have you (or someone you know) ever wonder why certain information is requested on a loan application that may not have anything to do with making the loan decision? I have.

  

When applying for credit, the loan application is not only a tool to acquire necessary information for the lender to make a judgmental credit decision. It is also a source of valuable data that is used to help collectors collect money that is owed to the lender if the borrower does not make their payments on time or at all.

 

Here are 5 Things Asked on a Loan Application Used by Collectors.

 

CURRENT & PREVIOUS ADDRESSES

The current address is not only used to request the applicant’s credit report, but it is also used to mail payment reminder or collections letters and, when necessary, for Skip Tracing.  Skip Tracing is a process of acquiring as much information about a person to find out where they are. Once the person is located, the collector can proceed with collection efforts or take further legal action.  Some skip tracing tools used are credit reports, white pages, a system called “Accurint,” social media, and especially Google.

  

EMPLOYER INFORMATION

The name and address of the applicant’s employer is sometimes used to have the borrower served if the lender chooses to sue the borrower by filing for a default judgment. However, this information is mainly used to file for wage garnishment.

 

PHONE NUMBERS

Home, work and cell phone numbers are used by collectors, of course, to call borrowers to discuss missed or past due loan payments and to acquire, what is called a “Promise To Pay.”  A Promise To Pay, is the borrower’s promise to make the agreed upon payment(s) to bring the loan account back to a current status.  Most collection calls may be friendly reminders. However, the more past due the loan becomes, the more “concerned” the collectors may be when calling.

  

EMAIL ADDRESSES

Most collectors are aware that many people may not answer unknown callers or callers that they do not want to speak to. They are also aware that many people may not read or ignore collection notices in the mail. This is why email addresses are very valuable.  In today’s electronic age, most people may respond faster to their emails than letters and voicemail messages.  This also gives the borrowers time to respond in a less intimidating manner.

  

REFERENCES

The names, addresses and phone numbers of the applicant’s family members and friends are usually requested in a loan application as references. This information is also used for Skip Tracing, when necessary.  Collectors may contact those references to obtain more information about the borrower and their whereabouts to continue collection efforts or further legal action.

  

  

Most first party collectors, which are usually employees of the lender, may be very open to assist borrowers that are dealing with financial hardships with payment plans. They are usually friendly and willing to assist as best as possible. So, please don’t ignore them.

 

Just make sure that you are aware of consumer rights regarding normal collection action, especially when dealing with third party collectors. No collector should verbally abuse or threaten you. That is against the law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act governs third party collectors, collection activity, as well as Consumer Rights.

 

Financially True,

   

Tarra Jackson, Making Money Sexy

  

What other application information is used by collectors?

Potential Solo Practitioner?

The past few days I've been thinking more and more about opening my own firm. I've been hesitant to do it until now for several reasons, including (a) my lack of resources (opening a firm takes money, yo), (b) my lack of experience, (c) my lack of connections, and (d) the yellow belly I kept hidden under my shirt. However, I just had the pleasure of counting up how many jobs I've been rejected for in the past year, and I came up with around 250.

I also read a recent article one of my friends posted on Facebook in which it discussed how going jobless for one year has more than an impact of making you hate your life broke for an entire year--it actually decreases your life's overall expected earning potential.

Let's just speed up the process a little.

I don't speak often about my earlier years, but here's some knowledge for ya: my mom owned her own business for the first thirteen years of my life. She rented movies and made pizza, and I saw the daily struggles associated with owning one's own business. A lot of times she was in the red, our store got broken into once and the idiot bled EVERYWHERE (he broke a window, then rather than opening it, CLIMBED THROUGH IT AND SCRATCHED HIMSELF TO HELL). I saw it when the supply truck didn't come when he was supposed to. And I saw her have to deal with difficult customers. I also saw the perks--she was able to have the school bus drop us off each day, she could close early if there was inclement weather or if my brother or I were puking our guts out, and she was head bitch in charge.

M, head bitch in charge (and my hero)

As for me, I've been waiting and hoping and praying to God I could get a job. But that's normally not the kind of person I am. I like to make my own opportunities, and I don't do well taking a backseat waiting for things to happen. And, quite frankly, I've reached the point where I'm tired of waiting.

So I guess what I'm saying is that my cowardice has finally been trumped by my impatience and sense of being fed up with the state of my professional life. As such, I've started researching what I'm going to need to start my own law firm. After looking a lot of stuff up, I feel reasonably confident that I can start a law firm with about a $2000-$3000 shoestring budget (and that will cover a downpayment for malpractice insurance as well). I want to aim at opening at the beginning of next year, and I've picked a small town next to a big city in which to operate, both to limit competition and to lower costs of operation. This means I'll have to move there in October-November, then focus on learning the community and networking my ass off.

But honestly? I'm kinda excited. JURIS IS BACK IN ACTION, BABY.

Prepared for the best. And by best, I mean worst. 

Any tips or suggestions? Or comments? 

January 24, 1998 Aswang News in Caloocan City

Lung ailment, not aswang killed baby, says doc ASWANG, in the city? Not really. The Caloocan City police assured terrorized residents of Dagat-Dagatan yesterday that the area is not infested with aswang, the human flesh-eating creature of Philippine folklore. The statement came following reports that an old female aswang devoured a newborn baby boy residing in the area early Wednesday morning. Police investigators clarified that the immediate cause of the death of three-week-old Dave Nagawa is broncho-pneumonia, the inflammation of the lungs. Dave was found by her mother Leonor already stiff at around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday inside their house at Block 39, Lot 7, Sabalo Street, Kaunlaran Village, Dagat-Dagatan. Leonor, 21, said she could not explain why her baby's mouth and nose were oozing with blood. Lumps were also found in Dave's head, neck and left shoulder. "We were shocked; he [Dave] was a healthy baby. He did not even get sick from the day he was born," Leonor said. Her husband Edwin added that Leonor had even played with Dave the night before he died. "But when we woke up early [Wednesday] morning, he [Dave] was already stiff," he said. The baby's death remained a mystery because the couple has yet to receive the death certificates, inflaming the superstitious beliefs of the neighbors, most of whom hailed from the allegedly aswang-infested provinces in southern Philippines. But some' neighbors claimed having proof. A girl alleged seeing a fierce-looking old woman at the roof of the Nagawa's house during the early morning that Dave died. Reports quoted a certain Roselle Echano, nine, as describing the old woman as having very long hair, wrinkled skin and reddish, glowering eyes. These descriptions aptly fit the portrayal of the supernatural being in Philippine folklore. Moreover, when some neighbors scaled thereof, they reportedly discovered blood-stains that led to a small opening in the couple's room. "The aswang could have sucked the baby's blood," the neighbors said. Leonor herself recalled that their neighbors used to say during her pregnancy that an old woman was frequently seen on their roof every night. "But I did not buy it, I thought it was all hearsay," she said. Still, intense terror gripped the residents that barangay tanods kept watch the night after the incident occurred. So intense it failed to escape media attention. Too intense that city police chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao ordered his investigators to "verify" and present feedback on the incident. Investigators Senior Police Officer I Romeo Onte and Police Officer I Joel Aquino dug into the mystery only to find out that nothing mysterious surrounded the baby's death. The policemen discovered . that Dave di'ed.of naturals causes, particularly of broncho-pneumonia, as verified by' Caloocan City Medical Officer 4 Dr. Isidore Ayson. Ayson furthered that the lung disease caused the baby's bleeding. Aquino said the Nagawal couple also "verbally denounced" the reports, claiming that their son was not a victim of a "witch." Moreover, a certain Rodelia Echano, 14, the victim's neighbor and probably Roselle's sister, said that she saw not an old woman but a big cat on the roof of the couple at around 2 a.m. Wednesday. End of the story? Not quite. Some Dagat-Dagatan residents just refuse to bury the issue, claiming that there is indeed an aswang in the area. Not a few residents have been buying extra garlic, the alleged aswang repellent. Sharon Lansangan, 15, the victim's aunt, is sure that her nephew was killed by the aswang which lingered about on their roof. "Before Dave died, I heard noise on the roof. It could not be a cat or anything as it squeaked 'ik, ik, ik' [the "patented" sound of the aswang]," she said.

Source:
http://www.margarita-station.com/newsclippings/nc98_1a.html

Ingredients Potatoes are Not Good for the Human Body

Potatoes, one carbohydrate source that is delicious and rich benefits. In addition to being useful for food, potatoes can also make your skin more radiant and acne free. Unfortunately, there is a fact that less well than tubers this one. Be careful if you want to process or consume potatoes. Still looks normal, they can be turned into poison.

How Can?

Potatoes are generally pale brown with the yellow part. Typically, potatoes could turn into a greenish color when they are exposed to excessive sunlight. Incorrect storage, such as storage temperature is too cold or warm, can turn potatoes into greenish.

If your potatoes have changed color like this, do not use. Reporting from Snopes, the color green is actually a chlorophyll content. Well, it is good for health chlorophyll?

Oops, it turns out the problem is not there, Ladies. Chlorophyll and green color that appears it is not a poison. The green color is only an indication that the potatoes are exposed to light or unfavorable storage. However, when potatoes are exposed to light too much, then it will produce a substance called solanine.

Solanine and danger

Solanine is a natural toxin found in green potatoes. Consumption of high amounts of solanine can cause a variety of diseases such as diarrhea, food poisoning, headaches to nausea and vomiting.

Potatoes are like this usually have a more bitter taste and bitter. Cut the green part can help eliminate the content of solanine in potatoes. It is important to prevent the risk of illness, especially for those who have allergies or sensitivities to foods high.

5 Things I Wish I was taught "How To Be" when I was a Teenager (to be Financially Better Off)!

Do you, or someone you know, have things you wish someone taught you "how to be" when you were a teenager, to be financially better off?  I do!
  

“If I knew then what I know now.” This has got to be the theme song for most adults, especially when it comes to finances.  There are hundreds of things that I wish I was told, taught or nagged about when I was a teenager.  But, here are my top 5 Things I wish I was taught “how to be” when I was a teenager, to be financially better off.
 

I wish I was taught how to be …

  

A Boss!

No, not Bossy, but A Boss of my own business. Instead of being encouraged to go to school so I can get a good job, I wish I was told and taught to go to school to learn how to make jobs. Or to go get a job to learn what it takes to run a business. Seriously, we are told what to do and what not to do when we are children, only to go to school to get a job for other adults to tell us what to do and what not to do when we become adults.  Seems like a set up to me now.  
  

So teens … go to school and get a job, NOT to just be an employee, but to learn how to become an entrepreneur. Besides, there are not that many jobs out there right now anyway. Create your own business and Be A Boss!

  

A Giver

The first principle of Prosperity is Giving! In order to reap a harvest, a seed must be sown.  Always remember, there is no room to receive in a closed fist.  Whether your giving is spiritually, morally or emotionally based, give gladly and on good ground. Giving is not always about money. Sometimes your old clothes, knowledge, or time may be just as, if not more, valuable.
  

So teens … learn the power and pleasure of giving early to a church, non-profit or worthy organization or individual. You’ll be surprised of the blessings you will receive because of your openness to give.

  

A Saver

Who knew that if I had saved only $100 per month when I got my first job at the age of 14 in a savings account with an interest rate of 0.50% until now (25 years), I would have saved over $32,000? And if I had saved $200 per month, it would be almost $65,000.  The point is, if I really understood the power of saving at a younger age when I could afford it, I would be able to afford almost anything I wanted when I got older.
  

So teens … Start Saving Sooner!!! The younger you are when you start saving, the more you will have when you really need it when you get older. Trust me on this one.

  

Financially Proactive

Enjoy today but Live for Tomorrow!  Tomorrow is your future. Live like you are going to be alive for a long time and you want to be financially comfortable for the rest of your life. True story … If I had planned for the things that I wanted “tomorrow” (in the future); I would nothave borrowed money to get what I wanted “today” that I would have to be paid back “tomorrow” (in the future). Well, it’s tomorrow for me now and I’m still paying for what I borrowed “yesterday” (in the past).  My point is that using credit to get what you want right now will limit what you can afford tomorrow, when you really need it. It’s no fun not being able to afford to buy a home because you owe too much in credit card debt.  Credit is designed to be a leverage to help you acquire real “assets” (read Robert Kiyosaki’s book, Rich Dad Poor Dad) or to be an anchor and drown you deep in debt.
  

So teens … use credit wisely and do not use it until you are mature enough to handle its consequences (read my book, Financial Fornication).

 

Wealthy!

Not rich, but Wealthy! Rich is predicated on how much money you have, but Wealth is determined by how much you are able to do with the money you have. I’ve met hundreds of broke “rich” people, but I’ve never met a broke “wealthy” person.  Also, don’t believe the bling you see on TV! Nine times out of 10, the bling is borrowed! #IJS
 

So teens … follow my Financial Freedom Formula early and be wealthy for the rest of your life!

 

      

Those are my top 5 things I wish I was taught, but believe me there are more. Come to think of it, I was probably told to be a few of them, but I just didn't listen. Typical teenager.  ;-)

   

Best wishes on your journey to Financial Freedom!

   

Financially True,

   

Tarra Jackson, Making Money Sexy!