Not that long ago your credit score was the key to getting a loan. Now it appears lenders are looking at other factors such as rent and utility payments to determine whether a potential borrower will make good on their loans. The result: lenders can tap into the more than the estimated 50 million Americans, including many immigrants, young adults and seniors with little or no credit history as well as evaluate the credit-worthiness of all populations. Does this make borrowing money easier? No, it makes it more of a science for the lender and helps them not rely on just one method to determine their loan analysis.

Keep this in mind next time you pay your rent or mortgage–every on-time payment helps!

A well prepared presentation and confident delivery will instantly impress colleagues and clients. Giving presentations has become an important part of business development, especially for women professionals. They say that public speaking is the #1 fear people have in life. Do you fear making presentations in front of others?

After speaking to well over 1,000 audiences on financial services related business development, marketing to small businesses and women’s marketing, I have come away with a few techniques that will help you deliver a presentation and make you a star!

1. Give yourself a good talking to! Practice positive self talk before you deliver your presentation, no matter how nervous you are. Tell yourself you are the expert! You know this material and have it down pat. I sometimes sing an upbeat song to get my juices flowing.

2. It’s your show! Realize the audience wants you to succeed. They want your information! They believe in you. Warm up with a story, it grabs and impacts the audience.

3. Don’t hide behind power point slides, get out there and work the room! Think of the audience as friends or guests of your show.

4. Roll with the flow. Over 50% of the time I run into computer glitches, noise from another room or some other disturbance. Roll with it, don’t panic.

5. Look the part as well as talk the part. First impressions are everything. The importance of your appearance when you are in front of an audience is vital. Remember people do judge a book by its cover.

The world is your stage. Grab it and go!

Change…in employment, in direction, in investment. Controlling your financial future today may impact your lifestyle tomorrow. Entrust specializes in all self-directed retirement plans that offer complete control to help manage your financial future. Increase your retirement dollars with any investments you know and understand!

Need to learn more? Attend one of our continuing education workshops, subscribe to our newsletters, join our blog and visit our site at www.theentrustgroup.com to learn how you can take control today!

A recent survey from Wachovia Bank shows we women must start to take control of our financial future NOW. The third annual fitness survey of 2008 along with Richard Day research and the U.S. census bureau show that only 30% of women track and manage retirement assets compared to 58% of men. 17% of women make investment decisions compared to 49% of men. Why? What are we afraid of?

I want to challenge everyone who is reading this blog to start today and get control of your financial life. I am not a financial guru. I am someone who has won and lost with investing but is still in total control of my finances and has a financial retirement plan. You’ve got to start somewhere. If it is just a little seed money, grow that seed corn because no one else will!

I am challenging you not to be dependent on your husband or partner or your children or anyone else! Please, listen to Lisa….if I can do, this so can you!!! Not sure where to start? Email me and I can suggest some publications or people to help you get started. Today, we celebrate Independence Day. But are we truly independent? Think about it!

Have a happy 4th!

Here are 12 questions you should ask someone doing work for you to determine if the person is truly qualified as an independent contractor: Please assess your contactor today to see if they meet these independent contractor guidelines.

1. Who has the right to control the activities of the person?
2. Who supplies the tools of the trade? Again, hope it’s not you!
3. Who provides the workplace?
4. What costs are borne by the worker?
5. Can the worker profit from his/her skills?
6. What special skills are required?
7. Do you train the worker?
8. Is the relationship long-term vs. short-term?
9. Is the service he/she provides part of your business?
10. How are payments made?
11. Does the worker get fringe benefits?
12. Does the worker see herself as an independent contractor?