John-Paul Valdez provides recommendations for getting finances in shape for 2013 and beyond, including spending less to save more and build an emergency fund of 6 months of expenses, as well as tips for budgeting, investing in tax-deferred accounts, understanding student loans, and taking advantage of free online courses. Valdez offers himself as a resource on personal finance issues through websites like Pearl.com and JustAnswer.com.

1. Fighting Financial
Flab in 2013
Recommendations for the perfect financial shape!
John-Paul Valdez
Financial Expert

2. Introduction
Who is John-Paul Valdez?
 Did you make a New Year’s resolution to cut spending and
shape up your savings?
 That’s why you may be joining us for “Fighting Financial Flab:
How to Put Your Money to Work for You in 2013” and beyond.
 In fact, let’s put your money to work for you always,
for you and for everything you care about.
 I like starting resolutions on a day like today, and not Jan 1.
Why?

3. Invest In Yourself
Build your savings and investments
 Spend less save more
• Spending less and saving more, how's that workin’ for ya?
• Tiny contributions over unrealistic ones.
• Avoid overly lofty goals to assure success.
• Long term easy over short term unfinished.
 Emergency funds
• An emergency fund is six months of ALL your expenses…
HOWEVER (pay one cycle ahead).

4. Invest In Yourself
Budgets
 IRA or other tax deferred by force.
 Matching always by maximum.
 Having a strict budget may
not work for you. Build some
general guidelines.

5. Invest In Yourself
Budgets
 One-third to one-fourth in housing. (Even as an investment).
 NEVER get greedy. Realize profits especially if they qualify
for lower capital gains taxes.
 Reality check on being over weighted in a given area.
 Pick Dividend stocks for now.
 Chase consumer advocacy via internet YELP, BBB, etc.
Try JustAnswer.com and Pearl.com

6. Financial Fitness – Other Factors
Current Tax laws and Historically Low Interest rates.
How to behave and why.
House and car.
Refinance, Modify, Short Sale, Bankruptcy.
Good debt and bad debt.

7. Don’t Supersize Your Student Loan
Understanding Student Loans.
 Don't get them.
 Get government loans on not-for-profit schools.
 Non-government low interest rate loans on
not-for-profit schools.
 Scholarships, grants, work study programs,
part time work, teaching assistance, internships,
tuition waivers
 Government loans for-profit schools
 Low interest rate loans in for-profit schools.

8. The Future of Education?
 Massive Open Online Courses
• World Education University
• Now enrolling online
• No student tuition – it’s free!
 www.TheWEU.com

9. Questions & Answers
You can always contact me at Pearl.com or JustAnswer.com
using my site ID: “Your Money Now”
John-Paul Valdez
Financial Expert
Economist
Consumer Advocate