Microfinance - small scale loans that make a difference.

I first came across the idea of microfinance and Kiva (www.kiva.org) when I was discussing a client's long-term goal to set up their own charity to help people in Africa. Microfinancing is an instant, easy way to help without the need to be a philanthropic millionaire. 

Prompted by David Ferrers' recent blog post, I've just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Seang La Chea in Cambodia. Her group still need another $150.00 to complete their loan request of $200.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). I know we may all be short on cash at the moment but for the price of a few coffees, you can help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Seang La Chea's Group too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=156583

I chose Cambodia and Seang La Chea's Group, as I visited the country a few years ago and it was the most amazing place with incredibly friendly and genuine people.

I choose exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

Join me and the team at Zenaid and start making a difference - one loan at a time.

Thanks.

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'  -- BBC

'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'  -- CNN Money

'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.' -- The Wall Street Journal

'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.' -- Entrepreneur Magazine

June/July Newsletter - Planning For Profit

Most of us are currently tightening our belts and being careful about how and where we spend our money, in the current economic climate. How many of us are as careful about where we spend our time?

Time Management might not seem like a particularly exciting subject but when you think about where you spend your time and what it's actually costing you, it puts the importance of good time habits into perspective ...


Read the rest of the article in this month's free newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll also receive free tips, advice, information and news on how to improve your time management for your business and personal life.

Blog Action Day - Poverty And The Girl Effect.

Well, if you didn't know about it you might have missed it too but the 15th of this month was Blog Action Day. One day for hundreds of bloggers to post about one specific topic. Last year it was the Environment, this year it was Poverty.

When many of us are feeling the pinch as prices rise on food, fuel and the cost of living, there are many more who are far worse off than we are. As a result of several Blog Action Day blogs I read on Wednesday, I came across this:



Take your time to have a look around The Girl Effect website to find out more. It makes interesting and humbling reading.

Shopping Around - Petrol Prices

If you're looking to save money then it certainly helps to make sure that you're not paying over the odds for your fuel - especially as it's been rising rapidly over the last few months and now costs about 30% more to fill your tank each week.

I usually fill up at my local Asda, as it always has the cheapest petrol in the area and seems to drop it's prices before the others. The other two local petrol stations are a couple of pence per litre more, which isn't a big difference and not worth making a journey out of my way to fill up but I passed a petrol station this weekend that was charging almost 10p per litre more than what I was paying. That amounts to an additional £4-£5 every time you fill up. Multiply that over the course of a year and that's over £200 - just on fuel.

Check the Petrol Prices website for your local area.

How Much Is Your Time Worth? - August Newsletter

My latest newsletter is just out. This month's main article is about looking at how much your time is worth and why this is important. Also news on my book publication.

Whether you work for someone else or work for yourself the amount of time you spend working is worth something. Either your employer pays you for the hours you work or charges your time out at a particular rate or you charge your clients for the work you do. Would you be inclined to fritter it away on things that add no value if you knew what it was costing you? ...

If you want to find out about the importance of your hourly rate, then read the rest of the newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll receive the latest issue and free Power Time Tips.

BHCC - Sustainability

Tonight's talk from the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce was on sustainability. Actually nothing I hadn't heard, wasn't aware of or don't do already but at least it's raising awareness in the business world of not only becoming more environmentally aware but saving money into the bargain.

Involve your staff in the discussion - not only will they then be more likely to buy into what you're trying to achieve but they'll come up with their own ideas.

Easy saves for your business premises to reduce resources are:

• Reduce the temperature of the office by just one degree and save an average of 10% of your heating bills.
• Don't heat or light empty offices - save 50% on your bill.
• Get staff to 'switch-off' lights when not in use.

• Fix leaking pipes and taps - save hundreds of litres a year.
• Install water-saving devices in cisterns - save 3 litres every flush.
• Make sure taps are properly turned off.

• Flat pack boxes and other waste to reduce disposal/collection costs.
• Reduce waste bins required and frequency of collection.
• Don't print emails.
• Re-use scrap paper.
• Print double-sided.
• Use recycled paper products.
• Recycle waste - paper, glass, cans, card, organic waste.

For longer-term results or when changing or updating equipment - try some of the following.

• Replace lighting with compact fluorescent tubes or low wattage bulbs.
• Install flush controls on toilet cisterns.
• Replace taps with sensor or push spray taps.
• Install waterless urinals.
• Ask your suppliers for reusable packaging.
• Use Fairtrade products.
  
• Install proper insulation.
• Use energy efficient appliances.
• Implement home-working - less commuting.
• Encourage use of public transport.
• Install energy saving equipment for heating and lighting.
  

Even if you don't work in an office and work from home, many of these can still apply to your home office.

If you'd like to find out more and get some great tips, information and advice on Greening your Business join my eco-friendly Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Club on Ecademy.

Get your Sustainable Business Checklist from Sally Lever's Downshifting site.

Save On Your Insurance

Hurrah!! Yet again some savvy savings.

Every year your insurance company sends you a renewal notice. How often do you actually take the time to check whether they're giving you the best deal?

For the price of a few minutes online, I've just reduced that renewal quote by £40.

It's actually with the same insurer and the same thing has happened for a couple of years! As a new or online customer you are automatically entitled to discounts. For whatever reason the insurance companies don't pass on these discounts to existing customers but there's actually nothing wrong in cancelling the renewal quote and taking out the cheaper online quote.

Do this and you can save yourself up to 20%.

If you want more money saving tips - I offer a Money saving e-book to help you keep even more of your money.

The Money Tree

Last night I went along to the book launch of Martin Bamford's new book "The Money Tree". A great event and it also raised funds in support of the PFS Charitable Foundation for a very worthwhile cause - Face The World

I got my own personal, signed copy and I've taken a quick browse through it. It's full of useful information to help you understand the basics of financial planning - tax, mortgage, investments, your pension and how to get advice (he is a Financial Adviser after all).

All you need to know to grow your savings into a Money Tree.


If you need a helping hand getting your finances in order, then sign-up for my money e-course - More Month Than Money.

Squidoo - Manage Your Money

Now I've got the hang of these Squidoo lenses - I've created another lens or two. My first lens has blipped into the Top 100 twice but didn't stay there long enough to make it for a full day. It's crept up to a rating of No.183 at the last count.

My two new lenses will help you to get control of your money and improve your money management. Well, that's the intention.

• Manage Your Money - Levels of debt are rising higher and higher. It's now even more important to stay in control of your money before it takes control of you. I've included some of my top money saving ideas to help you to hang on to your hard earned money.

• More Month Than Money - Discover seven simple steps to get your finances back in control. Understand how, why and where your money goes each month.

Each lens has tips and ideas on managing your money and I'll be updating them regularly. Take a look, rate them and let me know what you think.