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12 Ways to reduce your power bills

12 Ways to reduce your power bills

 

Reducing power bills can be achieved through various strategies that focus on conserving energy and optimizing electricity usage. Here are some effective ways to reduce your power bills:

  1. Energy-efficient appliances: Replace old, energy-guzzling appliances with energy-efficient models. Look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates they meet high energy efficiency standards.
  2. Unplug unused devices: Many devices and appliances continue to draw power even when not in use. Unplug chargers, laptops, gaming consoles, and other electronics when they are not actively being used or invest in smart power strips that cut off power to devices when they are not in use.
  3. LED lighting: Switch from traditional incandescent bulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs. LED lights consume significantly less energy and have a longer lifespan.
  4. Adjust thermostat settings: Lowering your thermostat by a few degrees in winter and raising it in summer can lead to substantial energy savings. Utilize programmable thermostats to automatically adjust temperature settings based on your schedule.
  5. Efficient cooling and heating: Keep your home well-insulated to prevent heat loss during winters and heat gain during summers. Seal any drafts, insulate walls and attics, and use curtains or blinds to regulate sunlight and temperature.
  6. Energy-saving settings: Optimize the energy-saving settings on your appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers. Use cold water for laundry, run full loads, and avoid using heated dry settings.
  7. Smart energy management: Install a smart energy management system that allows you to monitor and control your energy usage. Smart thermostats, smart plugs, and energy monitoring devices can provide insights and help you make energy-efficient choices.
  8. Energy-conscious habits: Develop energy-conscious habits like turning off lights when leaving a room, using natural light whenever possible, and using energy-efficient cooking methods like microwaving or using a slow cooker instead of an oven.
  9. Solar power: Consider installing solar panels to generate your own renewable energy. Solar power can significantly reduce your reliance on the grid and lower your power bills in the long run.
  10. Energy audits: Conduct an energy audit of your home to identify areas of improvement. Professionals can assess your energy usage, insulation, and suggest personalized strategies to reduce power consumption.
  11. Time-of-use pricing: Check if your utility company offers time-of-use pricing plans. These plans provide different rates for electricity based on the time of day. Shifting energy-intensive tasks to off-peak hours can result in cost savings.
  12. Phantom power reduction: Unplug electronic devices or use power strips with switches to eliminate “phantom” or “vampire” power, which refers to the energy consumed by devices on standby mode.

By implementing these energy-saving practices and adopting a mindful approach towards electricity consumption, you can effectively reduce your power bills while promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.

Feel free to share this article. You may use it as content for your ebook or blog.

www.robertastewart.com

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Just start saving…

The savings habit needs to start at a young age

Just start saving…

Written by R. A. Stewart

The amount that you need to fund your retirement is a personal topic and varies depending on personal circumstances.

So often we hear financial people saying that you need this or that to fund a decent retirement. They come up with figures of what the average person needs.

These figures are all based on assumptions. 

Different experts arrive at different calculations as to the amount needed in retirement because they make different assumptions.

These figures are based on averages but they do not take into account investor’s differences and where we each have our own goals and interests.

Then there are assumptions on how long we are likely to live after we retire and I am not suggesting for one moment that you should stop working when you reach a certain age. 

There are factors such as housing needs, inflation, return on your investments, and longevity which are important things to consider when trying to work out how much is requirement in retirement.

There has to be a life balance in all this. It is no good just staying at home during retirement only to leave your money to someone else when it is your time to go.

People are different and everyone’s personal circumstances are different therefore it is not helpful to   treat everyone the same way. Your retirement plan needs to be one that takes into account your personal circumstances.

Before you even contemplate using a financial advisor you need to map out your financial goals first because no one can point you in the right direction unless you know where you are going. It is similar to purchasing an airline ticket. The ticket seller cannot help you unless to tell him or her where you want to go.

In a nutshell, set goals for your money or your money will develop a mind of it’s own and do it’s own thing.

When setting goals set priorities for your money. Obviously your basic living costs are number one priority then comes things such as debt, if you have any and savings.

Your personal situation must be factored into your calculations. There is no size fits all. 

I don’t think anyone ever had any regrets that they belong to a retirement scheme of some kind. In New Zealand this is called Kiwisaver. Forget about what the experts are saving you need for your retirement fund and just start saving. You will be better off in the long term than if you just frittered away the money.

The reason why there is so much inequality in the world is because people make different choices and the result of different choices is different outcomes. It is important to take responsibility for your own choices and not blame the government all of the time. Focus on what you can do to improve your financial situation. If you don’t like the government you always have the option of voting for the opposition at the next election.

About this Article:

Feel free to share this article. You may also use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook. Check out my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

 

Note: This article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal 

 

Start investing on a shoestring

Sharesies makes it possible for anyone to get into buying and selling shares. It is an online share market platform where you have the option of purchasing shares in individual companies or in various funds (managed/mutual funds). You can even start with $5. This is a no brainer because it gives investors young and not so young the chance to improve their financial literacy. There is certainly no substitute for experience when it comes to learning and this is applicable to everything else, not just investing.

Join sharesies here: https://sharesies.nz/r/377DFM

 

#sharesies 

#kiwisaver 

#savingmoney 

#sensibleinvesting 

#sharemarket 

 

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Here are 6 ways to make Capital Gains

The article below is of the sole opinion of the writer and is not considered to be financial advice. If you require advice on a financial matter then consult your bank manager or other financial advisor. You may share this article or publish it to your own site or blog.

6 Ways to Make Capital Gains

Written by R. A. Stewart

There are basically two types of investment income. Capital Gains and Investment Income.

Investment income is income you receive from an asset, examples of investment income are interest on savings, rent from property, and dividends from shares.

Capital gains is the increased value of an asset; examples of capital gains is the increased value of property, shares, and other assets.

Some investments provide capital gains but no income; examples of these are precious metals such as gold, bitcoin, antiques and other collectable items.

Here are investments which provide Capital Gains:

The Sharemarket

The sharemarket offers excellent opportunities for capital gain. For most people, investing directly into the markets is not an option because the transaction fees once taken out for buying and selling shares make it not worth their while, however, there are plenty of managed funds investors with limited means can participate in. Sharesies in New Zealand  is one.  Investors can drip feed money into the markets with Sharesies and there is the option of investing in various funds or individual companies. Other similar types of platforms in New Zealand  are Investnow, Kernelwealth, and Hatch. These are not the only ones though. 

Your retirement scheme invests in managed (Mutual Funds) and they are also a form of Capital Gains. In New Zealand joining kiwisaver is a no brainer. KIwisaver is New Zealand’s retirement scheme.

Property

The property market has been a popular Captain Gains tool for a lot of investors using not only their money but other people’s money in the form of a loan. Income is gained from rents which pays for the mortgage. All related costs are the most popular form of capital gains and the easiest one for the novice investor to get their toe wet in the markets and learn as you go because there are several mutual funds which are available and the start up costs are minimal. In New Zealand Sharesies only costs $1 to get into which gives you the chance to invest in managed funds or individual companies. It is a great way for tax deduction. This type of investment can turn to custard such as wayward tenants. If you are prepared to take the risk then this investment may suit.

Your own home is a good source of Capital Gains if you intend to sell at some point.

Another way to get in on the property ladder is to purchase shares in property investment companies in the sharemarket. This can be done by investing in individual companies or managed funds which invest in property.

Compound Interest

You must have heard of compound interest; that is when you invest in fixed term accounts for x% interest. Instead of receiving your interest payments into your bank account you let them be added on to your principal and you earn interest on your principal and previous interest payments. This is called compounded interest. 

The increase to your capital is called “Capital Gains.”

Interest rates are very low at present (2020); in some instances lower than the inflation rate which makes this kind of investing less attractive. It is important therefore to do your due diligence and not be enticed by some finance company offering higher interest rates than normal, because with higher interest rates comes higher risk. These finance companies offering higher interest rates lend to higher risk types of borrowers. 

I am not saying that you should not invest your money in these companies but rather do your due diligence and at least diversify your portfolio rather than plonking all of your life savings into the one company.

Gold

This one is purely speculative but can be a good hedge against a downturn in the markets. The one drawback with gold is finding a place to store it. Another way to invest in gold is buying gold stocks in the sharemarket. Purchasing gold coins from auction sites such as Ebay and Trademe is another option. As with other investments it pays to do your homework and read all you can about gold and other precious metals. The following website provides information for those interested in gold:

 

Crypto Currency

Crypto currency such as Bitcoin and the like should be treated as speculative investments, therefore, only invest money in this if you can afford to lose it. What I am saying is use your discretionary income to purchase crypto currency. This type of investing can be a rollercoaster but one piece of advice which may be useful is to not just purchase all your crypto currency in one transaction but to do on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis so that there is a chance that you have made a purchase when the currency is low. It is called averaging.

Collectables/Antiques

Investing in collectables can give you a sense of satisfaction and profit when you intent to sell. You really have to know your stuff when dealing in antiques. Always remember, something is only worth what others are prepared to pay for. If someone is prepared to pay $1,000 for a painting at auction then that is what it is worth, however, if another painting is sold at auction for just $10, then that is it’s worth. The value of something is only a matter of opinion.

Recently (2020), some Banksie paintings sold for over $100,000 in New Zealand. The seller of the paintings paid a total of $500 for them in London (UK) some years earlier. It just shows how one’s eye for a bargain can be profitable.

For smaller items such as postage stamps, bank notes, beer labels, and so forth collectors can list their duplicates on auction websites to help fund their hobby.

 

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Capital gains tax discussion in New Zealand

 

Written by R. A. Stewart

New Zealand does not have a capital gains tax or wealth tax. New Zealander’s do not want one according to statistics. That is despite the fact that the so-called Super Rich are paying half as much tax as ordinary New Zealanders according to new paper reports.

This may or may not be true. 

The reason is that the super rich are benefiting from capital gains which is not disposable income. The value of their property may have risen by x amount of dollars but it is unrealised wealth. 

There are ordinary New Zealanders who own their own home and whose property has increased in value too. That may be subject to a capital gains tax too.

Then there are those who have money invested in the New Zealand pension fund Kiwisaver which invests money in property and shares. A capital gains tax may affect kiwisaver balances.

New Zealand voters are smarter than many politicians give them credit for and any political party that treats them as idiots does so at their own peril.

The same rules which are applicable to the super rich are also available to everyone else who owns property. There will be a lot of people who are considered to be middle income earners but are finding things tough with the cost of living crisis yet many of these are property owners who are asset rich but cash poor. They may not have the cash available to pay the tax on the capital gains on their property.

For years New Zealanders have been encouraged to save for their retirement so what message does it send to the young to then increasing taxes on assets which have been built up over the years.

It is likely that a Capital Gains Tax will drive up rents as landlords will want to recover the extra costs to their business. This will hit those on a lower income the most as they are priced out of the housing market.

About this article

This article is of the opinion of the writer and is not necessarily applicable to your personal circumstances. Feel free to share and print this article.

www.robertastewart.com

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How to make or lose a fortune

Written by R. A. Stewart

“How can I make a fortune on the share market?”-a question some random person may be thinking to him or herself and if I really knew the answer to that question then I would be rich beyond my wildest dreams.

I can’t tell you how to get rich but at least I can give you some hints to help save you losing your shirt and a lot more.

Share prices do not always represent value, but rather the opinions of the wisest men in finance. The markets tell the story of the times. The stock market moves according to the news coming out from various companies. Shares prices are often ahead of actual happenings.

When you are trading on shares you are competing with some of the best financial brains in the country. They have the benefit of years of research and experience behind them. Not to mention huge financial resources and every conceivable aid to assist them.

Never lose sight of the fact that someone’s gain is nearly always someone else’s loss-don’t let it be yours. Share prices can drop sudden and faster than they rise. Don’t let it overwhelm you.

A “tip” is just an opinion. There are plenty of people who are willing to advise you to sell or to buy. Don’t let any of this throw you off course.

Some companies have professional directors whose job it is to enhance the company’s image. They add little else to the company’s bottom line.

All of the glossy brochures about a company may look impressive but they can be doctored to look better than they really are.

The financial jungle can be rough and those losses can be hard to swallow but one must learn to take a financial hit occasional and not be discouraged from taking further risks. When I say risks I mean calculated ones. 

If you are going to make yourself ill by worrying if your shares drop by a percentage point or more then stay out of the share market and be a little more on the conservative side with your investing. 

In this day and age with modern technology and online share market platforms it is much easier for ordinary people to build a portfolio on a modest income. Managed funds enable anyone to tap into the best financial brains in finance-even the financially ignorant.

Even so, keeping up to date with the financial world will help you in the long run.

Share trading can be divided into three categories.

1 Long term: For people wanting to build a nest egg for their retirement. The type of investment will depend on your risk profile and your age. Investors may want to just invest regularly into this type of fund and forget them.

2 Medium Term: For investors wanting a reasonable return up to five years with a chance of a capital gain.

3 Short term: This is for money that may be needed within the next 12-24 months. It should be placed in more conservative accounts. Money in this category may be required for appliance repairs or replacement and so forth. It is for the unforeseeable expenses. Many financial advisors even suggest having an emergency fund for this purpose.

About this article

This article is of the opinion of the writer and may not necessarily be applicable to your own personal circumstances, therefore caution is advised. Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com 

 

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What is dead money?

What is dead money?

It is money which is spent on something which does not provide anything of value to you.

Interest paid on consumer debt falls into this category. It is dead money because interest does not provide any tangible value to you. Some may argue that interest paid on a mortgage on a property provides some value because the value of the property increasing at a greater rate than the interest on the mortgage.

A fair point but falling house prices have meant that some houses have negative equity on them. All the more reason for you to reduce that mortgage as quick as possible, more so when the mortgage interest rate is low.

Dead money can also be money which is locked away in an investment for very little return. An example of this is money just simply left in a savings account for a period of time. Inflation and the tax payable on the paltry interest means that your money is losing its value over a period of time. The only money which is left in an account such as this is money which is needed in the short term.

Just stuffing your money under the mattress is another form of dead money for the same reason as leaving it in a low interest account and this is because it is not earning any money.

If you think that just leaving money lying around is foolish enough most people own stuff which is worth money and if this was sold the money could be earning an income through shares or other investments. Most people own stuff which can be converted back into cash and put to work for them. Anything which is no longer needed and is just gathering dust fits this category.

It is important to know the difference between an asset and a liability. An asset increases your wealth but a liability is a drain on your finances.

Some investors consider the equity in their home as “dead money”. It all depends on where you are coming from because there is a clear choice between having equity in your home or having a debt. I recall someone told me years ago that he knew someone who took out a mortgage on his home to purchase shares then Black Monday took place. For younger people, the 1987 sharemarket crash which occurred during October of that year was named “Black Monday.”

After the crash his shares were worth a lot less than the loans owing on them. 

At the end of the day that is the risk with investing for capital gain and investors must weigh up the risks of losing their capital against the likely rewards. 

If you have some spare cash lying about doing nothing and you are wondering whether or not you should invest it in something risky but has the potential to grow, the one question you should be asking is “What is this money for?”

Only then will you know whether this is money you should be taking risks with.

About this article

This article is the opinion of the writer and may not necessarily be applicable to your personal circumstances therefore caution is advised. You are welcome to use this article as content for your website/blog or ebook. Feel free to share this article.

www.robertastewart.com

 

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Making a killing in the share market

Should an investor try to make a killing on the share market?

That all depends on your personal circumstances because making a killing in the markets involves a lot of risk.

If you have a lot of commitments it will be irresponsible to expose yourself or your family if you have one to financial problems in the event that it all turns to custard.

Attempting to plunge on one stock in the markets is in the same category as investing in bitcoin. It should only be done with discretionary spending money.

You may hear stories about an investor who had all of their money in X stock and made a killing. The truth is that others tried the same thing with Y stock instead and lost everything. As for the one who made the killing, you will never hear about the times when they tried to do the same thing and lost all of their previous gains. Greed get the better of people like that.

One piece of advice for those who want to risk it all by plunging on one stock may want to have a go at the casino instead if you just want to take a punt.

There is no doubt that you will lose now and again (in the share market) but diversification softens the landing. It is a strategy for spreading your risk, a safety net you could call it.

Whenever there is the chance for you to make a capital gain on your money there is the chance that you will make a capital loss but by making calculated risks you can give yourself the best chance of increasing your wealth.

Your risk profile is a big factor. This is your tolerance to risk. If investing in growth funds is going to make you nervous then you may want to exercise a little bit of caution.

Your timeline is the one factor to consider when deciding what risk you are taking. Goals should be split into three groups.

That is Short term goals, middle term goals, and long term goals.

Short term is 12 months or less.

Middle term is up to 5 years.

Long term is longer than 5 years.

The longer your timeline is the more risks you are able to take; this is because you have more time to recover from financial setbacks than someone whose timeline is up to 5 years. 

This does not mean that you should invest all of your money in high risk high return investments if you are young and low risk low return investments if you are nearing retirement or already retired.

A young person may be decades away from retirement but still have short or medium term goals such as saving for a car or house deposit. It all depends on what is the purpose of the investment you are making.

An older person can still invest in growth funds but at a level they feel comfortable with.

The share market investing platforms such as Robinhood and Sharesies are an excellent way for the ordinary investor to get involved in the share market because it can be done on a shoestring. Just drip

feed your way to wealth and have fun doing it. 

There is really no excuse for you not to get started with your wealth building goals. As long as you have discretionary spending money left over from paying your weekly outgoings then you have the seeds to build your money tree.

About this article

The information in this article are of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances. Feel free to use this article as content for your ebook, website, or blog. 

Visit my website www.robertastewart.com for other articles of interest.

 

#share market #personalfinance #retirementsavings #makeakilling #getrich #rickquickscheme

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The averaging system for shares

The averaging system for shares

Averaging is a term which has been used by share market followers over the years. This is when an investor buys several shares in the same company over a period of time and the average price which was paid per share may be higher or lower depending on which direction the share price is going.

Here is an example of one New Zealand company, Fletcher Building beginning with January 4, 2023. The first three days of the year were public holidays so January 4 was used as the starting date and every seven days after that.

Date Share Price

4/1 4.71

11/1 4.90

18/1 5.06

25/1 5.11

1/2 5.25

8/2 5.46

15/2 5.07

22/2 4.81

1/3 4.71

8/3 4.65

15/3 4.50

Now let us assume that you had purchased Fletcher Building shares on each of these dates, investing the same amount of money. You would simply add up the totals of these prices and divide the answer by 11. That is the average price you paid for the share. In this case the average price you would have paid for Fletcher Building shares would have been $4.93 if you had bought them every week. 

We all know that shares go up and down so drip feeding shares into the market in this way will ensure that you have bought shares at a lower price when they are down as well as when they are on an upward trend.

Online trading platforms such as Sharesies and Robinhood make this process easy. If you have more money to spend you may want to choose two or more companies per year to invest in using this system.

As with other investment strategies you need to ask the question  “Where does this fit in with my financial goals?”

About this article

You may use this article as content for your ebook or web page. The information may not be applicable to your personal circumstances so discretion is advised.

Start investing on a shoestring

Sharesies makes it possible for anyone to get into buying and selling shares. It is an online share market platform where you have the option of purchasing shares in individual companies or in various funds (managed/mutual funds). You can even start with $5. This is a no brainer because it gives investors young and not so young the chance to improve their financial literacy. There is certainly no substitute for experience when it comes to learning and this is applicable to everything else, not just investing.

Join sharesies here: https://sharesies.nz/r/377DFM

 

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The cost of owning a dog

Owning a dog can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Dogs offer companionship, protection, and loyalty to their owners. However, owning a dog is not just a matter of fun and games; it also comes with a significant financial commitment. There are several costs involved in owning a dog, from initial expenses to ongoing maintenance costs. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the cost of owning a dog.

Initial Expenses

The initial costs of owning a dog can be quite significant. These include the cost of purchasing or adopting a dog, which can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the breed and where you buy the dog from. Some breeds, such as purebred dogs, can be more expensive than others. Adopting a dog from a shelter can be a more affordable option, as the fees are usually lower.

In addition to the cost of the dog itself, there are also other initial expenses to consider. These include things like:

  • A collar and leash
  • Food and water bowls
  • A bed
  • Toys and treats
  • Training classes
  • Veterinarian checkup and initial vaccinations
  • Spaying or neutering

All of these expenses can add up quickly and can easily cost several hundred dollars.

Ongoing Expenses

Once you have your dog, there are ongoing expenses to consider. These include:

  • Food: Depending on the size and breed of your dog, food costs can range from $20 to $60 per month.
  • Veterinary care: Annual checkups, vaccinations, and preventative care can cost $200 to $500 per year. If your dog gets sick or injured, veterinary bills can quickly add up.
  • Grooming: Depending on the breed of your dog, you may need to take them to a groomer for regular haircuts and maintenance. Grooming costs can range from $30 to $100 per visit.
  • Training and obedience classes: If you want to train your dog, you may need to take them to obedience classes or hire a trainer. These costs can range from $50 to $150 per session.
  • Boarding and daycare: If you travel frequently or work long hours, you may need to board or hire a dog sitter to take care of your dog. These costs can range from $20 to $75 per day.

Other Considerations

In addition to the direct costs of owning a dog, there are other considerations to keep in mind. These include:

  • Time commitment: Dogs require a lot of time and attention, including regular walks, playtime, and training sessions.
  • Housing: If you rent your home, you may need to pay an additional pet deposit or pet rent.
  • Home and yard maintenance: Dogs can be hard on your home and yard. You may need to replace carpets, repair damage, or invest in a fence to keep your dog safe.
  • Travel: If you plan to travel with your dog, you may need to pay for additional accommodations, such as pet-friendly hotels or airline fees.

Tips for Saving Money

While owning a dog can be expensive, there are ways to save money. Here are some tips to help you keep costs down:

  • Buy in bulk: Buying dog food, treats, and other supplies in bulk can save you money in the long run.
  • Shop sales: Look for sales and discounts on dog supplies and toys.
  • Take care of your dog’s health: Regular exercise and preventative care can help keep your dog healthy and reduce the need for expensive veterinary visits.
  • DIY grooming: If you’re handy with a pair of clippers, you can save money by grooming your dog at home.
  • Plan ahead: If you know you’ll need to board your dog or hire a pet sitter, plan ahead and book early to save money

Here is something which may be of interest to you; Obedience training for puppies. Check it out here:

https://affiliates.trainpetdog.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=10551

www.robertastewart.com

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Network marketing

The success of network marketing companies such as Amway, Herbalife, and Kleeneze has proved that the Multi Level Marketing concept can work if you choose to join the right company and if you approach these schemes with the right attitude and are prepared to spend a lot of money, in some cases 1000s in order to progress up to the highest level in the company.

Almost any product or service can be marketed through network marketing but the main players in the MLM industry seem to be those which focus on nutrition and personal care products.

Any company which promises high returns by recruiting others into the scheme with the absence of tangible products is likely to be a pyramid scheme which is illegal in many countries including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The UK, and Ireland. The promoters of these schemes describe them as MLM or network marketing companies in an attempt to legitimize them.

If a proposition seems too good to be true then it most probably is, there is no such thing as a free lunch, if in doubt then seek legal advice.

The money to be made in network marketing is in the recruiting and training of others. The object is for your team members (the persons you recruit or sponsor) to duplicate your efforts.

Does this sound like pyramid selling.? Well you be the judge because there are some very well-known companies who sell products in this manner.

Amway which was established in 1959 was the frontrunner in the network marketing field. Herbalife (established 1980) which sponsors the football club in the USA which David Beckham plays for is another. Then there is Melaleuca which sells products using tea tree oil. Melaleuca which is the botanical name for tea tree has tried to distance itself from the network marketing image by using the term referral instead.

All these companies would almost certainly scoff at suggestions that they are all pyramid schemes. 

Many people who have reached the top of the tree in network marketing have done so only after investing a great deal of money (1000s) and in some cases going into debt but whether they have made any real money is another matter altogether.

The British company Kleeneze (established 1923), is different from other MLM companies in that agents drop off catalogues at people’s homes, collect them a few days later, and if there is an order deliver the goods to them perhaps a week to 10 days later. This method of selling is similar to Homecare direct shopping in NZ and Australia except that with Kleeneze, you can increase your income potential by sponsoring others into the business.

However as with other companies, finding other people who share your vision and that of the company is a problem. 

Before you commit yourself to one company, do an internet search to find out how others have feared. You will find a lot of feedback in this way however please also bear in mind that the opinions of others may not be a reflection of the company but merely their attitude, the company they joined may not have been right for them and who is to say that is not the right one for you?.

Kleeneze is one company I had success with. By dropping off catalogues at houses then collecting them 2 or 3 days later hopefully with an order much the same as Homecare direct shopping do in New Zealand and Australia but the difference between Kleeneze and Homecare  is that Kleeneze is a network marketing company.

Every Kleeneze agent gets 21% commission of all orders collected irrespective of their status in the company. These are orders obtained by dropping off catalogues at people’s homes, picking them up a few days later hopefully with an order and delivering the goods, collecting the money and paying the company minus your commission.

It is in the bonus structure where you can really make the money.

By introducing others into the business, their sales figures are combined with yours to form what is described as volume total.

You earn a bonus on your total volume orders for the month as follows.

Monthly total Bonus

650-1299 10%

1300-2249 13%

2250-3399 15%

3400-5000 18%

5100-7499 21%

7500+ 24%

There are other bonus payments available.

Kleeneze proved very lucrative just by dropping off the catalogues and developing a regular round of customers, I did have three people under me but they gave up after a week or so, one after owing me more than 300 pounds. That is not going to occur now as everyone who joins Kleeneze now has their own account 

The main quality for success with any of these network marketing is passion for what you are doing. Without it you have not a chance of succeeding. Of course agents of the companies concerned will present the companies to you wearing rose tinted glasses, because everyone they sponsor into the business is helping to build theirs.

Melaleuca was a referral company I joined some time ago however I parted company with them when I lost my job.

Each person who joins Melaleuca agrees to purchase 35 points worth of product per month which equates to about $120. This is irrespective of whether you need any product or not. Agents can earn bonuses by referring others into the business. Agents require at least 8 referrals just to pay for their monthly order. A tall order indeed since the products are rather expensive, for example toothpaste around $9 and shampoo $19.95. 

This business would suit people who have contact with others in high paying jobs where money is no object to them

Herbalife is the same but as with all of the other MLM companies, though agents may claim to have received cheques from them for xxx , the amount they have poured into the business is quite a bit more.

To sum up, don’t go into network marketing as a means to get rich quick with little effort, you will be disappointed. Go in with an open mind. Check the credentials of the company and whether it is the right one for you and most of all ask yourself this question “what motivates me”.? If you know the answer then it’s a start.