Press Release                

Essential Financial Coaching works with clients to provide them with a realistic plan for Financial Independence

Bellevue, NE May 1st, 2008:  Amy Strong, an accomplished accountant holding a BA in Accounting with Management emphasis and 14 years as a controller for a publicly traded company, has started a personal and small business financial coaching firm.   

What is a Personal Financial Coach?  A Personal Financial Coach is someone that will come alongside an individual, a family, or a small business and works with them one-on-one to develop a written financial plan to eliminate debt, save for the future, and to reach their financial goals.  During this time of economic instability many people are looking at their financial situation and wanting to make a change.  More and more individuals and small businesses are falling further into debt and do not have a plan for their financial future.

Essential Financial Coaching is designed to work with clients one-on-one during a series of telephone coaching sessions with follow up support through telephone calls, instant messaging, and email.  The principles of personal coaching include education, information, financial tools, and accountability to keep clients motivated and moving toward their financial goals.

Clients will receive support while preparing their Financial and Risk Management Statements, developing a budget and monthly cash flow plan, setting goals for future debt reduction and retirement planning, and general education on how to achieve their financial goals.  Essential Financial Coaching will provide suggestions and workable solutions to the identified financial problems that the clients currently face.

Other services that Essential Financial Coaching provides are Pre-Marital Money Management Sessions, Career Coaching, Goal Setting Exercises, Life Coaching, and Full Bookkeeping Services.###

This Friday I am featuring some wonderful organizing tips and suggestions from a fellow blogger and work at home mom. Enjoy!

One thing I did this year that I love is I got banker's boxes, numbered them
on the outside, and then put just about EVERYTHING that I don't use every
single day into them. Then I took a recipe card box and index cards, and an
ABC divider set, and wrote on the cards what was in the boxes, each thing
going on it's own card. Then I was able to put the boxes in the closet or
around the edge and when I need something I just look in the file box to see
which box it is in. I am also organizing the kids' room this way.

My next best tip is to get a good "paper sorter" to put papers you use
regularly. This works out much better for me than filing things since the
papers lay flat and I can easily see when I am running low on something. I
labeled each "cubby hole".

One more thing I do is I have 3 stacking open bins to the right of me, one
says "Inbox - look and take action," one says "To file" and one says
"Assistants - stuff to prep" which are things I can delegate (the kids are
my assistants LOL!). This way I can to an initial sort right from my seat.

I think it is important to start and end your day with a clear desk -
everything should have a place other than your computer, your planner and
your phone! Those are the only things that need to be out. It is so much
easier to get right to business when your day starts out with a cleaned off
desk!

PS: I am no expert at this, my office is a mish mash of hand me down
furniture and too-full bookshelves, I share it with my husband the packrat,
and the kids' computer. So I just do whatever I can to not go nuts in here!
--
Karen Clark, Executive National Director with
Story Time Felts Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary
Join my team and come with us to Walt Disney World in 2009!
http://www.funfelt.com 1-877-643-5521 karen@...
See what I¹ve been up to lately: http://www.karen-clark.com

Spring is finally here and we are all wanting to spend more time outside! Here are 10 great ways to spend fun family time together with the kids outdoors.

1. Using sidewalk chalk draw a map on the front driveway. Plan it to be used with either cars and trucks or small action figures. Include buildings, roads, and signs.
2. Using sidewalk chalk make a hopscotch pattern. Be creative and make it fun for all.
3. Play 2 liter bottle bowling. Paint 2 liter bottles a fun color (spray painting works well) and weigh down the bottles with sand, beans, or water.
4. Make a volcano and erupt it outdoors. Plan a mountain using sand or dirt. Don't forget to make a hole in the center. Fill the hole with baking soda (2 or 3 tsp) and then pour vinegar into the hole and "look out"!!
5. Plan an outdoor picnic. Walk to the park or have it in the backyard.
6. Make a bird feeder. You could be creative and build one of wood OR just take a pine cone or large nut and roll it into peanut butter than bird seed. Hang on a branch with a piece of string.
7. Take a bike ride.
8. Take a walk or hike. Pick up nature items along the way (twigs, leaves, flowers) and make a collage/ piece of art when you get home.
9. Read aloud outside as a family.
10. Plant a vegetable or flower garden. We like to plant herb gardens in a large pot and place them on the deck.

Enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise, and spend that much needed quality time with your family!

When you are starting a new business whether it is a mid-sized capital venture project or a small home based business there are several essential steps that need to be taken to ensure that you have a plan of action to keep the company moving forward.

In the business world this is called a "Business Plan". The definition of a business plan is "a written plan that lists the financial and operational objectives of the company". This can be a very valuable tool for your company if it is well thought out and organized.

Today we will discuss the elements of a well designed business plan.

Begin by asking yourself, then answering, the following questions about your business:

1. What are my business objectives?
2. What are my business financial goals?

Remember to brainstorm and write down all of your thoughts and ideas about the questions above. Capturing all of your thoughts on paper will help you later when you go to actually include your goals in the business plan document.

Elements that need to be included in the business plan document:

• Executive Summary
• Description of the business
• Marketing strategies and objectives
• Analysis of competition and unique aspects to the business to make it competitive
• Design and Development Plan
• Operation Plan
• Management Plan
• Financial Plan

In the upcoming weeks we will be discussing each one of these elements in more detail.

There are many great free business plan templates available on the Internet. Search for "Business Plan Samples" or "Business Plan Templates" to find a sample that is written with your business type in mind.

If you already have a business running it is not too late to create a business plan! Begin today to take the steps to make your good business a GREAT business by implementing this essential business tool, a business plan.