It is amazing the amounts in the under funded pensions in Corporate America. It is equally alarming the number of people who will not receive the pension they thought they would when they retire. What will folks do? Will they continue to work well into their 80s? People are living longer do not forget.

Many corporations simply cannot make good on their promises and there simply is not the money available needed to supply all those people with what they thought they had in the bag and due to them in their retirement. There is a 313 Billion Dollar and growing shortfall in the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. How can they make this up?

Well how about raising insurance premiums? Ouch. Increased pension contribution of employers and changing interest rates in actuary formulas for those defined benefit plans. But in doing this it will most likely mean employers will no longer participate in defined benefit plans and those already in existence will curtailed, closed or end up lesser cash balances.

Bummer for the many and the few indeed. Looks like the American Workforce will be on their own in the future and need to take more responsibility for their own retirements? Fat chance of that. Just look at the credit card debt these days, as it is nothing short of totally irresponsible? Think on this in 2006

A bank check is a negotiable instrument issued by a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a person upon demand. It is in the form of a written order and is drawn against funds deposited in the bank. Bank checks are also known by different names such as a cashier's check, teller's check, and treasurer's check. They are primarily used to send monetary gifts, settle subscriptions, and make payments for goods bought.

Bank checks generally contain information such as the name of issuing bank, name of payee, date of issue, signature of drawer, and amount of money. The amount should be specified both in numeric and written format. In addition, bank checks include check number known as bank routing number. Also called ABA number, a bank routing number usually has nine digits and is printed on the MICR line, across the bottom of the check.

Bearer checks, certified checks, crossed checks, and order checks are among the different types of bank checks. The key feature of a bearer check is that it is paid to the bearer or the person holding the check, and it usually contains orders such as "pay cash." A certified check is a personal check whose payment is guaranteed by the bank on which it is drawn. Crossed checks carry across its face two parallel lines with instructions such as "not negotiable" or "account payee only" between them. Such checks can only be paid into a bank account and cannot be paid over the counter. An order check is paid to a person whose name is written on the check.

One of the prime features of a bank check is that it can be transferred to a person other than the payee specified in the check, through a process known as endorsement. It is done by putting a signature on the back of the check, thereby legally transferring the ownership of the check to some other person. Sometimes, a bank check is returned or dishonored due to reasons such as incomplete information, a discrepancy in amount, and a difference in signature. Also, if there isn't sufficient money in the bank account, bank checks are returned. Such bank checks are called "bounced checks," and you have to pay a penalty for the returned check.

Have you ever heard of a yellow hammer?

Picture this!

We’re in the final innings…the score is tied 4 a piece. The game has been tight throughout. Two are already out…bases are loaded…three balls have gone by. Tension in the air is thick.

Tens of thousands await the next pitch with bated breath. Millions more are glued to their television sets. Beads of perspiration gather on the forehead of the pitcher. He’s not concerned because for most of his life he has practiced for such a time as this.

Orel Hershiser had a secret weapon for this situation. He called it a yellow hammer. He pitched it and got the batsman out.

In a world where credit is king many people do not have a go to plan.

In a world where credit is king many people do not have a yellow hammer. And as a result they get out. Families are torn apart, stress levels reach boiling point, and people resort to anything to get back on their feet.

Has anything like this ever happened to you? In a world where credit is king do you think a yellow hammer only gets the bad people out? I don’t think that’s true. Hard times can befall anyone. Even those who consider themselves untouchable.

Divorce, a bad court judgment, a sick child, the untimely death of a spouse. These are but a few yellow hammers that can strike you out. Getting struck out by these life situations happens daily. Sadly, sometimes even the strong don’t survive.

If you find yourself in a bad credit predicament, and you are reading this article…then you’re one of the fortunate people. That yellow hammer of credit may have got you out, and knocked you down, but this article contains the hand up that you so desperately need.

First let me state, this is not a scam. There are some solid names networking with this program. In addition, there are also organizations of integrity in this program whose only desire is to help good people such as you.

Yes… it’s okay to shed a tear because a lot of people care about what happens to you and your loved ones. So I say go ahead, let some of that built up stress out. Tears of joy are stress relievers.

How we help you is through a list of hundreds of different banks and companies who are willing to help finance good people like you. Good people who have fallen on hard times.

These lenders are not wolves; they are decent folk who understand that sometimes bad things happen to good people. So cheer up. In a world where credit is king, help is on the way. The yellow hammer of credit may have got you out, but you’re now making a comeback.

With the near extinction of the "gold watch and nice pension" for a career well done, the burden for a financially secure retirement now falls on the shoulders of you, the employee.

However, that doesn't mean your employer isn't trying to help you out. Most companies offer employees the option of contributing to a 401(k) retirement account, while some companies even match a certain portion of your contribution - but more on that later.

First off, a 401(k) account is a tax deferred retirement account. In plain English, that means you contribute money directly from your paycheck to your 401(k) account. Because you never "touched" the money, you do not pay taxes on those earnings. The money you put in your 401(k) account can be allocated to stock, bonds, mutual funds and/or money market accounts; it all depends on the company your employer uses.

For example, if I have a monthly income of $1,000 and contribute 10% of that to my 401(k), then I will only pay taxes on the $900 I physically receive. Not a bad deal.

However, when you begin to withdraw money from your 401(k) account upon retirement (or under very specific circumstances), you will have to pay income tax on the money at that point. Thankfully, since the money has been allowed to grow tax free for (hopefully) many years, you will definitely come out on top.

With most 401(k) accounts being tied up in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and/or money market accounts, there are risks associated with this type of investment. You are not guaranteed any return, and may ultimately have less than what you started with.

For example, remember Enron? Many employees of Enron lost all of their retirement when the company went belly up because they had a significant portion of their 401(k) tied up in company stock. So, if you have a 401(k) account or plan on starting one, I urge you to speak with a professional financial planner to get help in determining the correct retirement/investing strategy for you.

More and more people are considering continuing to work after retirement and if you ask the average American today in the workforce at what age will they retire most are saying at age 65. This is five years older than the previous generation.

Even more startling is that most people say that even after they retire they will continue to work doing something, even if it is only part time. Some people are saying this for financial reasons of course, while other people are considering that they wish to stay active and they enjoy their work.

Since the average American working will be living longer many don't want to retire at all. A 30-year old today who is healthy and remains active will most likely live to be 100 years old or more, providing they have not abused alcohol, drugs or smoked cigarettes. This means they will be able to work well into their 80s if they decide to. This is completely changing the concept of retirement.

Of course this also helps employers who are looking for reliable help to run their businesses. Indeed these companies will have to be flexible on work hours for all the part-time workers who are really retired. Unfortunately, once all these baby boomers do hit their 80s and stop working altogether, there will be a huge problem trying to fulfill their shoes in the workforce. Please consider all this in 2006.

I HATE budgets! I do. I hate them. Something inside of me just sees budgets and regresses into being a child who shuts his mouth tightly, refusing to take his medicine. I have watched talk shows where hopeful couples are told, “well, you will have to be on a strict budget and it will be 3-5 years before you turn this thing around.” The color goes from their faces and they look stunned for the rest of the show.

If you’re like me, budgets just don’t work. It’s like dieting. Diets don’t work. One has to make lifestyle changes in order to get results. Otherwise, finances go up and down just as weight does. I suggest the following more self-honoring approach:

(1) Take financial inventory. See where your money is going then decide if you’d like to make changes. You have the power! Stop merely working to pay bills. You decide where it goes. Bills are not in control. Bills are simply to be paid, but money’s purpose is to bring to you what you command it to bring to you.

Let me give you an example from my life experience. I received a tax refund check one year. My plan was to take it and pay off my bills. My ex, who was my husband at the time, shared a great idea for a business. As I struggled with whether to pay my bills or support his business idea, my inner wisdom spoke to me. It said simply, “pay your bills but invest in your dreams.” In an instant I became aware of the depth of that wisdom. If you pay your bills first, then the money is gone. It’s eaten up. But if you invest in your dreams first, the power of multiplication is activated. In short, the dream is big enough to not only pay your bills but to bring abundance into your life. This decision jump-started a business that took our salaries to six figures!

(2) Put yourself first. Most people read this and think, “buy those shoes you’ve been drooling over” or “buy that racy new sports car.” Not! I am suggesting that you do a complete check up. See where you are spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. Adjust your financial practices to support your well-being in all these areas. By doing this, you are investing in your highest self.

(3) Redistribute finances to what ADDS VALUE to your life. Stop putting your money in things that don’t last. Place your money in purchases that are meaningful. Invest in what fills you up inside. Allow your inner wisdom to guide you.

Take the self-knowledge gained from your check up and identify what energizes these areas and what drains them. For me, I discovered that I’m more inclined to spend if I feel deprived in some way or I want to reward myself. I started looking at what would fill me and fuel me and directed my money toward that. A massage fulfills both. As a result, I am more creative, vibrant, engaging and productive.

(4) Cultivate a spirit of giving. Flip the script from the focus of consuming. Find ways to give. Give of your time, your talents, your possessions and your money. Make giving a consistent part of your life. Don’t give something that you don’t care about. Give something that is valuable to you. Give a helping hand. This opens your heart and your hand. When you get that expanded feeling it means that room is being made for abundance in your life.

(5) Solicit help. There is no shame in getting help from someone who has expertise in handling finances. By hiring a financial coach or financial planner, you can find ways to create more cash flow in your life. A word of caution: find someone who offers solutions that you can get excited about. Someone hopeful and optimistic. Someone who’ll take the time to embrace your way of Being and help you come up with some financial solutions that are honoring.

Put your money to work for you. Give your money an assignment. Instead of giving Uncle Sam an interest-free loan, stuffing money in your mattress, making vain purchases with it or depositing it into a bank savings account, look at investment opportunities that will multiply your money.

That means working on a consistent basis to keep your personal finance house in order. You say really, how do I go about doing this? There are many ways for you to keep your own personal finances in order. Here are some tips on how you can go about doing this:

1) Create a personal finance budget for yourself and your family if you have one. You can do this by categorizing how your money is spent such as; rent, mortgage, food, entertainment, utilities, credit and debit card expenditures, savings, income, travel, etc... You get the idea. Just categorize your budget with what makes you comfortable. You may also want to utilize a software program to assist you with the budget you create. You may want to consider a software program that has a spreadsheet. By the way, you may want to do your budget on a monthly basis. Your budget should assist you in determining where your money actually goes!

2) By all means get your credit report and credit score! You may want consider running your credit report on an annual basis. Did you know that you’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the credit bureaus(Equifax,TransUnion,Experian) every year? You can secure a copy of your credit report by going through www.annualcreditreport.com. So, go ahead and order your credit report so you can check it for accuracy. If you have any problems with your report, you’ll need to contact the particular credit bureau directly. The contact information will be provided when you’ve secured a copy of your credit report. By the way, you’ll have to pay a few dollars extra to get your credit score separately from the credit bureaus. But, it’s well worth it, to know how your credit is being scored for your overall credit.

3) Work on determining from your budget and credit report what problems you may have with your finances. These tools should assist you in what you need to do to improve or maintain your finances. It’s like a snapshot of where your money is going. So you don’t have to ask the question, where did all of my money go?

4) Consider working on adding if you haven’t already done so, savings to your budget. You may be saying, I barely have enough to make ends meet, how can I save money? Well, you can! Just say yes you can to yourself. A good way to start is by saving your change. That’s right just start by saving your change. You’d be surprised the amount of money you can save by doing this. You can also, set aside a certain amount of money on weekly, biweekly or monthly basis that you’d like to save. Make the amount of money you save realistic, so you can stick to your savings plan.

5) Set future financial projections for where you want to be with your budget in say one to five years. You may want to consider doing this to achieve your possible short and long term goals. For example, if you decide that you want to purchase a home in two to three years, a future financial budget projection may assist you in knowing how much money you need to save to achieve this goal. Or, maybe you plan to retire in five years, again your future budget projection may assist you with this plan.

6) Take a closer look at your credit and debit card expenses in order to assist you in tracking how you are spending your money. This may help you determine if you’re spending too much money in certain areas if you’re trying to save.

7) Check to see if your financial house is in order in reference to your insurance such as; vehicle insurance, medical insurance, rental insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, disability insurance etc... Make sure you have the insurance you need for yourself and your family. You may want to consider doing an annual check-up on your insurance, before the renewal due dates. This will give you the opportunity to reassess the insurance you currently have. You’ll be glad that you did!

To me, ATM fees are some of the most asinine things in the history of the world. I refuse to pay them and you should too.

Why should you pay up to $2.50 in order to conveniently have access to your own money? It just doesn't make sense. And, depending on your bank, you may even get charged a service fee if you use your own bank's ATMS.

It just doesn't seem right.

So, if you're someone who frequently gets cash from the ATM, make sure you are using a machine that isn't charging you any service fees. If you can't find a machine that won't charge you, have a bank that doesn't have many convenient ATMs or have a bank that charges you no matter whose ATM you use here are some things you can do:

1. Get cash back when you make a purchase with your debit card. For the most part, your bank won't charge you for these types of transactions (but you should still check just to make sure). Also, since you're already in the process of using your debit card, you may as well kill two birds with one stone.

2. Use a real, live bank teller. Yes, living bank tellers still exist, and getting cash from one doesn't require a special fee.

3. Get enough cash. Whether or not you ended up paying an ATM fee, make sure you get enough cash for what you need. Nothing is worse than chalking up $2 for an ATM fee only to find out you have to make another withdrawal and cough up another $2. That being said, I don't encourage you to walk around with several hundred dollars in your pocket.

Bank check paper is a special kind of paper specifically made for the purpose of printing checks. A bank check is a secure medium of payment, in the form of a written order. A bank check is a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition technology or MICR-encoded document, and the paper used for printing checks is known as "safety paper." This safety paper, also known as check paper, is a chemically treated bonded paper and is primarily used for printing bank checks, coupons, deposit slips, merchandise certificates, negotiable bonds, and warranties.

Generally, check paper is durable and can withstand mechanical stress exerted by high-speed equipment. The primary feature of safety paper is that it helps detect forgery and alterations. Original document security screens and authentic watermarks are the other features of check papers. Check paper also has the ability to hold various security inks employed in check printing, and it is capable of imprinting sharp, unbroken MICR characters and pictorial representations. Check paper comes with a protective background and is available in a range of colors and designs.

There are certain basic requirements to print high-quality checks, the most important of which is the quality of the bank check paper. Check paper must have a moisture content of 4% to 6%. For best results, bank check paper must be stored in an area free from extreme temperatures and humidity. In addition, good bank check paper possesses safety features such as microline, void pantographs, and a warning band to detect fraud checks.

A bank check paper should conform to the standards prescribed by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors CC. Since it maintains a high level of security and reduces the probability of fraud, MICR is employed to scan and process bank check papers.

You’ve heard it a million times – cash flow can make or break a business. The same can be said of your personal finances. Without adequate cash flow, you may not be able to pay your bills, do the things that bring you the most joy and satisfaction, or reach important financial goals you’ve set.

So… what is cash flow planning? Cash flow planning is tracking and projecting your cash inflows from wages, self employment income, investments and other income, and comparing to your cash outflows (bills, loan payments, taxes, etc.). The difference between the two is your net cash flow.

Why is cash flow planning so important? Cash flow planning may mean the difference between achieving financial goals or not, whether they are saving for a down payment on a new house, putting your children through college, or retiring early. Careful cash flow planning can help you make smarter decisions with your money, and can also help you identify problems down the road and fix them before they occur.

The first step in planning your cash flow is knowing where you spend your money! What’s the best way to track your spending? Use pen & paper, spreadsheets or a software program. The best method for you is the method that you will actually use on a regular basis.

Project your spending for at least 12 months so that you include annual and other infrequent expenses. Update your cash flow plan at least monthly. If you are experiencing a cash flow crisis, track and project your cash flow on a weekly basis instead of monthly.

Create best and worst case scenarios and create appropriate responses to both scenarios. For example, if your best case scenario is an increase in income by 50%, how will you use the extra cash? Will you put the additional income in your retirement plan or spend it on other financial goals? If your worst case scenario is a drop in income by 50%, how will you continue to cover your monthly expenses? By planning for the best and worst case scenarios, you’ll be ready for any situation. When estimating income, use conservative estimates if your income fluctuates from month to month.

Prioritize your financial goals and determine how much you’ll need to reach those goals. Whether you’re saving for a new car or for your retirement, you’ll be much more likely to achieve your goals if you know where you are going.

Create “rainy day” and “emergency” funds. Rainy day funds are for infrequent or unusual expenses (car insurance, annual vacation, home improvements). Emergency funds are for short periods of unemployment, unexpected medical expenses and other large expenses you weren’t counting on. Having money set aside for emergencies or other unexpected expenses will help make sure your financial dreams aren’t derailed.

Watch your spending. Focus on your goals and the value that each purchase brings to you. Avoid lavish spending if it means reaching your goals sooner.

Finally, update your cash flow regularly. Monitor your spending and re-evaluate your goals periodically. Remember, whether you are a business or an individual, cash flow planning can make the difference between success and failure.

Although the income gap between men and women is shrinking, there is still a sizeable gap in how well women are prepared for retirement compared to men. This retirement gap is a result of a number of reasons:

• Women live longer than men. On average, women live approximately 6 years longer than men, which means more years in retirement. Although more years in retirement may sound good, paying for those extra years can be challenging.

• Women earn less than men. The gap is shrinking, but women still earn an average of 24% less than men. This gap shows up in retirement as well, as women collect less Social Security and earn lower pensions.

• Women are more likely to take time away from the work force to care for children, aging parents, or other relatives. In addition to lost wages, this also means less opportunity to save for retirement, and less time to build Social Security benefits.

Whether it’s due to divorce, death of a spouse, or by choice, ninety percent of women will become totally responsible for their own welfare at some point in their life. No matter what stage of life you’re in, or whether you’re single or married, here are some tips to bridge the retirement gap:

1. Start early - women are more likely than men to wait to start investing. This could be because they are not in the workforce, or because they are afraid they will make a mistake. Because women live longer than men, we need to start saving earlier.

2. Set goals – whether you’re saving for retirement, college or a vacation, you’re more likely to achieve your goals if you have a map to follow.

3. Don’t be afraid to take risks – women are generally more cautious than men when it comes to investing. Get educated about investing and take appropriate risks to meet your goals.

4. Make retirement a priority – women are naturally caregivers, which often translates to putting everyone else’s needs in front of your own. You need to make saving for your retirement a priority, even when you’re not in the work force.

5. Get educated – learn as much as you can about money, investing and retirement. Take an active role in your finances even if you have a spouse who handles the finances for your family.

6. Work longer – Social Security retirement benefits are based on your age, how long you work and how much you earn. Many women make the mistake of taking Social Security as soon as they are eligible. You should work for as long as possible and for the highest salary possible to maximize your Social Security retirement benefits.

7. Understand your pension benefits. Most pensions have several payout options, including single life (based on the annuitant’s life only) and joint survivor benefits (where the spouse receives some benefit after the annuitant dies). Since women typically outlive their husbands, it’s important to understand these options and to choose the correct one for your situation.

The most important thing women can do to bridge the retirement gap is to take an active role in their finances, start early and to get educated. You will be responsible for your financial well-being at some point in your life, so you should prepare for that certainty now.

I was doing research for my web site, on ways to save money. Checking other web sites and discussion forums, I found that the cheapskates are hitting new - and funnier - lows. Choosing a spouse according to how frugal he or she is, and reusing the plastic from bacon packages were just a couple of the serious suggestions. One man even said, "Instead of buying toilet paper, I use yesterday's newspaper."

Probably the suggestion that was the most ridiculous was to stop drinking beer. What are we trying to save all this money for? In any case, here are some more funny ways to save money. I suspect, or at least hope, that many of these really are not meant to be serious suggestions. Don't try these at home.

Ways To Save Money?

- Unplug your clocks at night to save on electricity.

- Carry powdered drink mix and add it to water when eating out, to save on buying drinks.

- Install a cat door and train your cat to go outside and to the neighbors yard to go to the bathroom. This saves you on cat litter and time cleaning the yard.

- Eat dog food. (According to this contributor, the dry dog food is better than the canned.)

- Tell everyone you'll be out of town for Christmas, so you can shop the after-Christmas sales for presents.

- Ask your friends to save the labels for you off any new products they buy, so you can put them on your thrift-store purchases when you are buying gifts.

- Run around the house and close the heater vents in all the rooms except your bedroom before going to sleep.

- Encourage mice in the house by leaving crumbs around - so your cat will have a free food supply.

- Learn speed-reading and read books for free while in the aisle at the book store.

- Leave everything in the same place in your house, so you can easily get around at night without turning the lights on.

- Bring back rolls of coins from Canada, to use at the laundromat and in pop machines, saving you 20% or more, depending on the exchange rate.

Okay, these may be funny ways to save money, but did any of them tempt you? Do you pick up pennies on the street? Wouldn't it be more efficient to just stay on the clock at work for an extra minute? Hey, and while you are there, take a big drink of water - to save on your home water bill.