Home Preparedness Consultants

                                                                                                                                                      YES     NO

1. Are you using credit cards for items you used to pay for with cash?                                     /
   
2. Is an increasing percentage of your income going to pay for interest expense?                   /
   
3. Are you tapping more of your savings to pay current bills?                                                     /
   
4. Your savings should be at least three months’ take-home pay.  Is yours inadequate?        /
   
5. Are you making only minimum payments on revolving charge accounts?                            /
   
6. Are you shuffling debt from one card to another on 0% introductory rates?                        /
   
7. Are you taking out new, larger long-term loans before the old ones are paid off?                /
   
8. Are you extending repayment schedules rather than shortening them?                                 /
   
9. Are you being charged fees for financial services you don’t want or need?                         /
   
10. Are you unsure about when bills are due, or lost interest in how much you owe?               /
    

   For help and more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS AND BE PREPARED.

     When McDonalds introduced a hamburger in l968 that was over three times the price of their basic $.15 burger, everyone thought that the Big Mac would be too expensive to catch on.  Today, at $2.24 it’s a pretty good deal, especially compared to “nickel candy bars” and “Five and Dime Store” items.

     Inflation is a price escalator that is here to stay.  Government printing of the M1 money supply in excess of net GDP increase is one cause of it.  Consumer excess demand is another.  Both excesses dilute purchasing power rather than add value.  Prices, therefore, go up when reflected in (deflated) dollars.

     Comparison shopping is the best consumer practice not only for budget stretching, but to promote competition.  Focusing on basic necessities and home production also keep us on the lowest cost footing.  At 4% average annual inflation the price of every thing will double every 18 years.  If you are only 18 now, you’ll have to be a millionaire to retire and afford Big Macs, candy bars, and Family Dollar.

     For more information contact   (your emergency preparedness specialist).

CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS AND BE PREPARED.

     Did you know that adding just $100 a month to your house payment can save you over $7,687 in interest on a 15 year mortgage (5% APR) and over $57,035 if you have a 30 year mortgage (5.5% APR)?  Additionally, your payments will end 27 months ($32,027) and 79 months ($71,047) early, respectively.                                                                                                        

     If your house payment is $1,000 a month, in a minimal tax bracket you have to earn $1,552.57, which (after taxes and tithing) equals $1,000 net income for your house payment.  Remember, YOU PAY ALL BILLS WITH NET INCOME, NOT GROSS.   That’s $37,261.68 (15 yr.) and $122,653.03 (30 yr.) you don’t have to earn if you retire your mortgage early with just $100 extra each month.  For the cost of two dinners out ($50 each) and two movies ($15 each) per month, couples can save $130 a month to do it.

     IT NEVER PAYS TO BE IN DEBT.  Mortgage interest doesn’t give as good a tax deduction that Fast Offering and Missionary Donations do.  And, the best movie in town and an excellent dinner can cost as little as $10.00, and no tipping is required.   Dinner and a movie at the temple twice a month can not only get you out of debt early, but can give vision and pay dividends for all eternity.
     For more information, call (your ward emergency preparedness specialist).

CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.