Wyndham Rewards Mastercard

13 points for every $1 you spend on qualifying hotel stays - when you use your Wyndham Rewards MasterCard credit card at these participating hotel brands.§ Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Wingate by Wyndham, Baymont, Howard Johnson, Travelodge (US hotels only), Knights Inn and Amerihost Inn.
2 Points for every $1 you charge on all other purchases§
0% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Cash Advance Checks and Balance Transfers through your first 12 billing cycles* (subject to a 3% transaction fee, no less than $10).
No Annual Fee
24 hour Online Access
Complete Fraud Protection
Credit Protection Available

More Ways To Earn
More ways ro reward yourself.
13 points for every $1 you spend on qualifying hotel stays - when you use your Wyndham Rewards MasterCard credit card at these participating hotel brands.§
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Wingate by Wyndham, Baymont, Howard Johnson, Travelodge (US hotels only), Knights Inn and Amerihost Inn.
2 Points for every $1 you charge on all other purchases§

• 0% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR)† for Cash Advance Checks and Balance Transfers through your first 12 billing cycles* (subject to a 3% transaction fee, no less than $10).


• No Annual Fee


• 24 hour Online Access


• Complete Fraud Protection


• Credit Protection Available

DID YOU KNOW?

	Low risk investments are those investments that historically have proven to rise over time with low downside volatility. Many people believe that the lower the risk the lower the return, however there are exceptions to the rule and one of these is investing in land. UK Land – A Low Risk Investment When most investors think about low risk investments they don’t think about land - they normally think of bonds, money market funds, savings accounts, and blue chip stock mutual funds. Land however has proved itself as a low risk investment, and in the right location, land can yield a return far above traditional low risk investments. With a 920% average growth over twenty years, UK land values have provided much better returns for astute investors than most discretionary asset advisors - even in high-risk investments such as growth mutual funds. The Advantages of Buying UK Land The advantage of buying UK land is that demand is out stripping supply and this scenario looks set to remain in place for the near future. Many international investors are now buying into UK land - here are five reasons why: 1. The UK needs 4,400,000 new homes over the next 20 years. 2. Houses in 90% of towns in the UK are unaffordable for first time buyers, and low cost housing can rectify this. 3. The UK is the second most densely populated country in Europe and has a fast rising migrant population creating strong demand. 4. Over the last 30 years, the demand for new homes has increased by 30%, whereas over the same period house building rates have dropped by over 50%. 5. Action is now urgently required to address the acute shortfall in affordable housing. Low Risk Investments and Diversification Most asset advisors recommend spreading your investment portfolio into several different asset classes to maximize income and capital growth potential, and land can provide the perfect diversification. Land is an easy to understand investment, unlike stocks or equities, you own something that’s real, and it has historically risen in value. Many investors believe that buying land is expensive and in the past, this was true, but now there are many companies catering for the smaller investor. What’s the Catch? All investors want to make big money and get rich quick, but most sensible investors know there is no such thing as money for nothing and they are correct. The location of the land provides the risk in land investing - to make capital growth from land investment and maximise capital gains you need to buy land that is ripe for development. This means the land to built on is located in a sought after area. This requires research and homework, but there are many reputable companies offering this service so you can rely on expert advice in planning your land investment strategy. Maximising Risk and Reward Of course, a hedge fund investment could provide you with greater growth potential, but land, taking into account the risk / reward, makes it a very attractive addition to your portfolio. We quoted an average gain of 920% in UK Land values over twenty years, and the important point here is that this was the average. With careful selection of the location in which you buy your land, gains could of course be much larger. In conclusion, land gives you above average gains combined with low downside risk, and you should consider making land a part of your low risk investments strategy.

Have you ever wondered if your finances look as good as they should? Do you have a nagging sense of uneasiness that things aren’t as firm as they could be? Have you recently overindulged and are trying to work off some extra weight? If so, it’s time to stop, take a deep breath, look in the mirror and decide to make the most of your God given financial resources. Don’t beat yourself up. Making positive changes can be as simple and enjoyable as watching your favorite TV show.

Hope and Faith

Significant declines in the stock market have left some wondering if there is still hope for their future and others praying for an investment miracle. With the dust of corporate collapse and fraud still lingering in the air, the challenge is to know who to trust and where to place your faith. Over 400,000 people in the United States call themselves financial advisors of some sort. There is no shortage of bad apples offering up pies of bad advice. Investing can be a complex activity and a daunting task if left on your own. Turning to an advisor for advice and guidance can be a great idea, but don’t let your faith be blind. Does your advisor only call you when she wants to sell you something? Did all of your eggs get dropped in a basket of aggressive technology stock? Are all of your investments in products that put your advisor’s commission schedule ahead of your best interest? Do you find your instincts telling you to that there must be a better plan? If you hear the word “Yes!” resounding in your head as you read these questions, it may be time to get dressed up, call a boardroom meeting, do your best Donald Trump impression and tell your advisor “You’re fired!” Make sure you have an advisor who uses a process and compensation structure which allows for your best interests to be served. Look for professional designations and experience. Find out how she can serve your unique needs. Find out how he has helped others like you. Ask if she is paid by fees or commissions. Make sure your risk tolerance and financial goals are understood. Have a written plan of action that coordinates your overall financial situation. Go to a specialist, not a generalist. Take the necessary steps to make sure your money is in good hands.

Desperate Housewives

“Tom took care of everything. I don’t know what to do now that he’s gone.” I could see fear in Marsha’s eyes when I met her for the first time. Her husband had recently passed away and she was feeling overwhelmed with having to deal with a long list of issues that she had not had to face before. A flurry of paperwork from attorneys, accountants, and financial institutions was making her head spin. Trusting a spouse or a friend to take care of the finances can bring a sense of relief. But if you are not up to speed with the basics of your financial affairs, you can be left in a lurch at a crucial juncture. Death, divorce and emergencies often bring a need for sudden financial introspection. You don’t have to get a degree in finance, but make the time to educate yourself about household assets and liabilities. Know where copies of important documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney and insurance policies are located. Identify key contact information for tax preparers, financial advisors, attorneys and employer benefit departments. Know where your financial documents are kept and review them at least annually. Taking a crash course in financial management during a stressful situation is not a great time to learn about the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA. Simple steps taken now can save you heartache in the future and help you make clearer decisions in difficult times.

Budget Jeopardy

Have you looked in your checkbook at the end of the month and wondered where the missing digits went? Have you opened your credit card bill and found out? There is never a shortage of ways or reasons to spend money. Family needs can be pressing, household appliances inconveniently break and your outdated outfit doesn’t fit like it should. But before going on a spending frenzy take a moment to look before you leap. Itemize your household expenses. Ask yourself if what you are about to purchase is a need or a want. Simply use a budget to gain control of the direction of your cash flow before it walks out the door. Pay yourself first with systematic savings into personal or retirement accounts. Create a reward system to pamper yourself when you have stuck to your plan. Making a budget is not sexy, but it will have a dramatic, empowering effect on your life.

Extreme Makeover: Home Finance Edition

Many people have a filing cabinet that is overstuffed, financial documents in disarray and a desk drawer full of bills waiting to be paid. All of this clutter can lead you to spend time fantasizing about next year’s root canal to avoid facing the business files. Knowing why you need to keep financial documents will go a long way in knowing what to keep. Tax returns provide a good financial history but they also carry with them a supporting cast of paper trails. You can discard tax related documents after 7 years since the IRS has three years to challenge the information on your return and 6 years to audit if you’ve underreported income. However, if you’ve committed fraud, keep the filing cabinet stuffed-the IRS can challenge your return anytime. If you receive an annual statement from your investment firm that summarizes the previous year’s activity, feel free to throw out monthly/quarterly statements. Keep the trade confirmations for seven years after reporting the sale of a security on your tax return. Keep bank and credit card statements that may be needed to back up your tax return. Hold onto statements for large purchases such as jewelry or major appliances in case of an insurance or warranty claim. Purchase a scanner to scan important financial documents. Make multiple backup copies of your electronic records and keep them in a safe, easily accessible location. Streamlining your financial records will provide a sense of inner serenity and a true makeover in your home.

One Life to Live

Not everyone has the same amount of money to invest, but we’re all given the same 24 hours each day. How we invest this valuable asset will have a significant impact on our lives, our future and those we love. Use time to your advantage. Start to save early and often. Benefit from the power of compound interest. Take time to teach your children core values about money-no matter what their age. Set aside time weekly, monthly and yearly to track expenses, organize finances and evaluate your progress. Finally, don’t let the pursuit of wealth detract you from investing in valuable relationships with people that matter most to you. You have one life to live-spend it wisely.