Everyone wants the best for their children. Your wise investment moves now can help your children look forward to a better future.

Why not get real with a self-directed Coverdell IRA? A self-directed retirement plan allows you the flexibility to invest in assets that you know, understand and have control. Who else but you to look out for your child’s future welfare?

Visit one of our local offices at The Entrust Group (www.theentrustgroup.com) to learn about

· Making contributions to your child’s plan
· Assets that can be purchased in a Coverdell IRA
· What you can and cannot do on behalf of your child. And more…..

Entrust. Educating investors nationwide on wealth building their own way with their IRA!

Does your business need a fresh look, an overhaul or an exciting twist?

Here are 4 strategies to implement to help you accomplish reinventing you and your company.

Create a clear brand
A brand defines the process of your core values. You need to have a clear understanding of what you want your business to represent and be about.

Have a signature story
How did you get started in this business? Was it something unique? A story you could tell that would have an impact on others? You get to author your history so don’t be afraid to tell your story. Not only does it add a human factor, but people like doing business with people they can identify with.

Know your product
We all have product to sell. In the services industries it’s you they are buying. Product sales can be measured. Whatever you are selling, put a tracking system in place to evaluate your marketing.

Know your audience
Understanding who your audience is gives you an added advantage against your competition. When you can solve the needs of the prospect, you will get their business.

In the end, if you take the phrase “it’s all about them” as your mantra you will be successful in reinventing your business and possibly yourself!

No matter how hard we try or think we are equal to men, society still does not believe it! Take the case of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor who recently went through confirmation hearings.

Can you imagine a panel asking a man about his temperament, or if he is a bully? What about his moods? Why was it necessary to attack her personality when she is more then qualified for the job? It saddens me.

What we women, who work as hard (or in some cases harder) than men do to make a living for ourselves and our loved ones; to be a responsible citizen, productive to society and yet, have to go through just to prove we are “equal” is ridiculous!

Whatever happened to the America where we all are created equal?

Despite the credit card companies reducing credit limits, and changing due dates on payments to shorten up float time; credit card issuers are trying to pass proposed changes to consumers such as:

Increased interest rates
Increased fees
Increased minimum payments
Fees to use award miles/points

Along with these factors, credit issuers are now favoring customers who have banking relationships with them in making decisions on credit card rates and limits in order to protect themselves against default which is now at an all time high.

The more accounts you have with one bank, the better your chances are getting a credit card through that institution. Now more then ever, make sure you pay the minimum on your credit card or risk not having one!

How can you avoid the “fee traps” of title insurance? Start by finding the right title insurance company!

Title insurance can be one of the most expensive costs of closing on a piece of real estate. The major title companies; Fidelity National, First American, Stewart Title, and Old Republic all reported losses in 2008. They like every other service provider of real estate are looking for ways to increase costs. Many of these companies are charging consumers separate fees for title research on top of the premiums for insurance.

Early in the process of purchasing or refinancing a mortgage, let the lender know you want to select the title insurer, then you can shop around for the best deal. Do this by researching title insurance companies online and check whether there are more fees on top of the premium. Take the time to do the research and save yourself real dollars!

Today, part of the new credit card changes go into effect. How does this effect you?

1. What credit card issuers are required to do:

* Give at least 45 days notice in most cases before changing rates or fees
* Not count your payment as late unless they mailed your bills at least 21 days before the due date

2. What issuers are not required to do:

* Warn you about credit line reductions or account closings
* Warn you of a rate increase if your payment is 60 or more days late.

The most significant part of the law does not go into effect until February 2010! To stay abreast of this issue, stay tuned to Wise Women Investor!

Fed up with your returns on your IRA or 401 (k)? Feel a lack of control or frustrated with not having a vote as to what your IRA is invested in? Are you unhappy with your long term strategy? Have you been thinking that it’s time to become more involved in wealth building with your retirement plan?

Perhaps now is the time for you to seriously educate yourself on the benefits of a truly self-directed IRA. The self-directed part is just that, you, directing your investments. Whether it is stocks, bonds, funds, precious metals, real estate or more, you are the one who will decide on and make the investment.

When you take control, you are responsible for the due diligence of the investment. You are evaluating your portfolio with a fresh set of eyes, yours! The opportunity to reinvent your IRA allows you the freedom to invest in assets that companies or planners may not have the knowledge or capability to do.

Self-directed IRA’s have been around for decades but few take advantage of this great opportunity. Will you do better then the company who currently invests your plan on your behalf? I don’t know but chances are since you care more about this then they do your involvement may make a difference!

To learn more about the magic of a self-directed IRA visit The Entrust Group at (www.theentrustgroup.com). Entrust is the nation’s largest administrator of self-directed retirement plans. They provide the education to make you an informed investor.

Check out the online courses and live presentations in your local area. The company is in their 28th year of business with offices nationwide.

With the tightening of the credit markets, do you find it is near impossible to get conventional financing for your business? Where can you go in this day and age if you need an infusion of capital?

Here are 5 popular ways business owners raise cash.

1. Angel investors and venture capital. If your business plan makes sense to these private money lenders, they will invest in an industry they feel confident in know and understand.

2. Private loans. Key management and other private investors, including individual retirement plans who have capital that is not earning much may be interested in short term lending.

3. Equipment Leasing. If you need the capital to buy equipment, consider leasing over purchasing.

4. Factoring. Selling your receivables to a third party generally at a discount, is known as factoring. There are pros and cons to using factors so make sure you understand the rules before you sell your receivables for cash.

5. Asset-based lending. Financing secured with collateral such as equipment, real estate and inventory or other assets.

Be creative, think outside of the box and remember, do your homework!

Did you know that not only is it OK to drink caffeinated coffee, but studies are now showing it can be good for your brain? In a Swedish study that was conducted over the last two decades, they determined that the mental benefits of drinking 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day can help produce magnesium and other antioxidants to reduce the chances of dementia!

Finally, for those of us who are addicted to our coffee first thing in the morning, we have a reason to drink up. It’s good for your brain!

What are closing costs? They are the fees and expenses associated with the transfer of property from one owner to another. Both buyers and sellers pay these fees on top of the purchase price for the property.

They include:

· Loan origination fees
· Title research
· Appraisals
· Recording fees
· Notary fees
· Processing fees
· Attorney fees (if an attorney was involved)

These fees and the other can add up to thousands of dollars. However, there are ways you can save money on these and other fees associated with the transfer of property or if you are re-financing your own home.

1. Get educated. Talk to realtors, mortgage brokers, bankers and title companies to get an estimate of the fees involved.

2. Shop around for the best deal.

3. Go online to HUD and download their information on mortgage closing costs.

4. Do business with people you know and trust. Ask for referrals from friends and family.

Finally, ask if any fees can be negotiated. Obtaining loans in this market is difficult and your realtor or title company may be willing to cut their fees to guarantee your business!