Before you get your britches in a bunch I think you need to be aware of exactly how big the adult entertainment business really is and who some of the mainstream players are. The guide fills you in on some of the household names that are in the adult business.

Ironically a couple of the largest providers of adult material are the search engines we use everyday. Google is being sued over this very issue.

If you are over 18 and you would like to take a peek behind the adult web business, then read the adult website business guide. If you find offense at adult images or links, don't click on it and don't read it.

Surprise! Bankruptcy Filings Are Up

At present levels still less than 6/10th of a percent of all adults that are eligible to file bankruptcy, do. The bankruptcy numbers are always touted as being epidemic and huge but the reality is that they are small when taken into context. It is like saying that ten potatoes is a lot but when you compare it to all the potatoes grown, it isn't very much.

Next time someone is trying to tell you about the masses of people filing bankruptcy, just understand that while the number is higher than before that alone is no an indication that bankruptcy is being abused. When you take into account our growing population and the fact that more people each day have access to credit than ever before you can see why the number naturally grows. Of course, more easy credit and blasé attitude about personal resposibility by consumers will help to keep the numbers where they are.

United Airlines Platinum Card

The benefit of this card is that it allows you to accumulate unlimited air miles. So what.

Spending money to accumulate air miles reminds of a lady that once told me that she was smoking more cigarettes so she could clip the coupons from the cartoons to redeem for holiday gifts. True story.

An air mile is only worth about 4 cents and the irony is that you typically are the one paying for them anyway by doing business with the merchant that is awarding them. They have to pay for them out of the sale of goods.

One airline program I really like is the Southwest Airline card. Once you accumulate enough points, 16, they just go ahead and send you a free round trip ticket. You earn 1 point for every $1,200 you spend on the card. That means you have to push $19,200 through the card to get one free round trip ticket. If you don't pay the balance off in full each month a single months worth of interest can cost you more than a single ticket.

You are better off using one of the online flight search sites like Travelocity, Orbitz, Yahoo Travel or SideStep to find a discount fare when you need to travel that meets your needs at a bargain low price.

Discover China

Bonita Asks...

Q: My father is retired and has outstanding credit card debt, there are several phone calls a day and it is getting old. He is on a fixed income and can not afford to pay the debt. My question to you is will he have to pay the credit card debt. He has not paid anything for at least seven years. Thank you for any advice you can give me.

A: Hi Bonita,

Technically he owes the debt but you can't get blood from a stone. Sounds like you should probably consult with a bankruptcy attorney soon so you can close this chapter forever. The advantage of bankruptcy at this point is strictly for peace of mind. Unless you close the door on this financial misfortune he will continue to get calls and without any other real solution, who needs that. The door needs to be closed if you feel there is no real expectation on his ability to repay this debt.

Steve

Karl Asks...

Q: Steve,

I was on your website I saw a company called X. What can you tell me about them? I read your article in our local newspaper and enjoy it very much.

Thank you.
Karl

A: Karl,

Good question. My next business guide will be on drop ship companies and the business opportunity there.

Regarding that specific company, I have no additional information to shed on them right now. The guide should take me a week or two to research and I'll let you know when it is out through the mailing list.

Steve

Sean Asks...

Q: I lost my job in 2004 and was unemployed for 11 months. I kept up on all my payments, mostly by incurring more debt by transferring balances on credit cards. When I found a new job it was out of state, so I had to leave my home, which I put on the market. Because property values dropped in the area, and because I took out a second mortgage, I'm now upside-down and the second mortgage won't release me to sell the house short. In short, I'm headed for foreclosure, and want to know if bankruptcy would be a better option for me?

A: Hi Sean,

We actually tackled your question on the radio show this week. Listen to the 06/01/2005 show.

Marlene Asks…

Q: My husband and I are having difficulty meeting our monthly debt payments. We are behind in some payments and get late fees each month. I will begin a full time job in a couple of weeks for the summer. I am a full time student looking to graduate in a year. Please let me know what direction we should take in order to eliminate our debt, whether it's a non-profit company such as Credit Guard of America or get a second mortgage. Thank you for taking the time to help us.

A: Marlene,

We also tackled your question on the radio show this week and you really, really need to listen to the answer.

Steve

Kathy Asks...

Q: Dear Steve,

When you are aspiring to get out of debt, and live pay-check to pay-check and constantly have additional, unexpected expenses every paycheck, as in medical bills and car repairs, what does one do, as we can never seem to get out of this trap and get ahead? There is no income left over after paying our bills and sometimes these expenses eat right through our income, forcing us to take cash advances on our credit card, just to be able to pay for daycare and groceries. We are both working full-time and have two small children.

Please provide your advice!

Thanks so very much,

Kathy in MICH

A: Dearest Kathy,

Your entire situation can be solved with one word, savings. Every single time you find yourself in a situation where unexpected expenses leave you taking cash advances to meet expenses you are digging yourself a huge, deep dark hole that will be difficult to ever crawl out of.

The simple technical answer is that you need to do two things.

First you need to follow my money saving guide and see if you can reduce expenses. Next you need to add up how much you were short and had to go to the cards over the last twelve months and then divide that number by 12 to get the REQUIRED amount you need to save each month from this point on. Next, you need to follow my easy ways to save money guide and do it.

If that causes you to not be able to meet your bills, that is reality. Currently you are financing a life you can't afford on borrowed money from the cards and that is not good for your future.

All good answers come from starting with understanding what reality is, defining the problem and then brainstorm about possible solutions to actually implement and then do it. Plan B, setup an apointment with me and let's talk.

Big Hug.

Steve

Your Money Coach For Comfortable Success,^sm