6 Steps to Save Money and Avoid Temptations

Saving money and financial management is very crucial in one's life. Money is very important in order to survive in this world but only a few people know how to manage their household budget properly. Many people have a hard time saving money even if it is for their own good.

Most of the time, you may be motivated to save money but there are times when temptations come your way and before you know it, you have already spent the amount that was supposed to be added to your savings account. Here are some helpful tips on how you can avoid temptations and be able to save money:

1. Try hard to avoid those things that keep you from saving. If you are fond of buying shoes even if you don't really need them, try very hard to stay away from them. Keep yourself away from shoe stores so that you will not be tempted to buy one.

2. When going to grocery store be organized. Always bring the exact amount you can spend and bring a grocery list. If you have limited money in your pocket when in the grocery store, you will be forced to buy only those important things that you need. Preparing a grocery list will also help you get organized and will help you in deciding the things that need to be prioritized.

3. Go to the mall only when needed. Do not go shopping if you do not need anything important to buy. Window-shopping will only tempt you to buy the dress you saw in the boutique even if you don't really need it.

4. Do not bring your credit cards with you all the time. Having a credit card in your pocket will only tempt you to buy things that are not necessary. This will also help you lower your balances and have a good credit score.

5. You may want to save money in the bank or invest in time deposits. You will not be tempted to get money from the bank every time you need cash, if they are placed in a time deposit account.

6. You may also want to consider consulting a financial advisor. There are a lot of programs that offer these services for free. They may be able to help you and give you advice on how you can avoid temptations and save more money.

We hope these tips will help you save money and prepare for an amazing future!

How to Decide if You Need to Hire a Lawyer

Many problems do have a legal dimension and require a lawyer's help. The following questions and answers provide guidance.

These tips come from the American Bar Association and are a great way to see if you need to contact a lawyer.

Are there specific cases when I should see a lawyer?

Yes, some matters are best handled by a lawyer. Nearly everyone agrees that you should talk with a lawyer about major life events or changes. Some examples might include:

1. being arrested for a crime;
2. being served with documents related to a legal proceeding or lawsuit;
3. being involved in a serious accident causing personal injury or property damage;
4. a change or pending change in family status, such as divorce, birth, adoption, or death;
5. a change or pending change in financial status, such as filing for bankruptcy or getting or losing valuable personal property or real estate.

I am thinking about just saving my money up and then contacting a lawyer, is this the best way to approach it?

No. An ounce of prevention is worth many dollars and anxious hours of cure. Once you have determined that you need professional legal help, get it promptly. You can get the most help if you are in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Preparing to Meet with a Lawyer for the First Time

Follow these steps to get ready for your free 30-minute consultation with your lawyer. These tips will not only make you feel prepared but also give you the best use of your consultation!

The more prepared you are, the less time it will take for the lawyer to understand and help you resolve your legal issue. This could result in savings to you.

1. Bring all documents. Make copies of all the documents you have collected regarding your case. Give these copies to the lawyer. If you have notes about a specific form, write your note on a post it and tack it to the document in question.
2. Get organized and take notes! Write down notes outlining your legal problem, or any questions you may have. It’s okay to have questions and your lawyer expects that you might have a lot of them! The lawyer you are referred to must have your details in order to decide what is important and how to move forward in your best interests.
3. Dress for success. Even though you may be very emotional about your case, dress as if you are going to a business meeting or applying for a job. You will feel in control, which is important. 
4. Be honest. It is very important that you give an honest account of your legal problem. This is not the time to “hide” something. This includes issues that may be sensitive to you or your family. Remember that the conversation your have with your lawyer is private, and cannot be discussed with others without your permission.

This tips will help you during the consultation to help you be organized for the course of your legal matter.

1. Talk about how much this will cost you. Your lawyer will be ready to discuss fees during your first meeting. You should be ready to do the same. It is perfectly okay to discuss payment plans with your lawyer. Always get your agreement in writing and keep a copy for your file.
   If you and your lawyer determine that your legal expenses will be more than $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars), then the attorney must provide you with a written fee agreement.
2. Read all documents carefully before signing. Before you sign a document, ask your lawyer to fully explain to you what exactly it is that you are signing. If you do not understand what the document is about that you are being asked to sign, ask your lawyer to explain it to you again.
3. Keep your own files. Don’t hesitate to ask for copies of all letters and documents prepared on your case. You should also keep the written fee agreement between you and your lawyer for your records.
4. Listen to your lawyer. Listen to your lawyer and think about what your lawyer asks you to do. The lawyer’s judgments are based on legal training and experience. Remember that lawyers cannot work magic. No lawyer wins every case, and sometimes the best legal advice may not be what you want to hear. Your lawyer will provide advice that has your best interests in mind.

We hope these tips help you feel confident and ready for your consultation!

How Bankruptcy May Help You

In April of 2013, the Loss Mitigation Mediation program (also known as the LMM program) was launched in federal bankruptcy court in South Florida. This program allows homeowners who are struggling to modify their first mortgages on their homestead property to go to mediation with their lender under the protection of the bankruptcy court, in chapter 13 bankruptcy. The program has proved to be very promising as it was initiated by the trustee's office itself, and strongly supported by the local bankruptcy judges and attorneys.

The LMM program was modeled after the mediation program in the Orlando area, which has been very successful over the last 2 years, with an 80% success rate compared to a 4% success rate for mediations outside of bankruptcy. This is a huge difference, and we are excited about bringing this program into South Florida. For homeowners who have not been successful in achieving loan modifications in the past or on their own, this program may be a great next step. For more information, or to set up a free consultation, please contact our office.

Why Transparency is Key

When we speak to homeowners who have retained other law firms in the past, the number one complaint that we receive is that the client never received updates from their attorney; they were not kept in the loop regarding their case, and, overall, that they felt their attorney did not include them in the process. They feel that they did not receive the attention they deserved.

If you retain our law firm to represent you, you will be given a login and password to our client portal, on which you can see what is going on with your case. You can send us messages in real time 24 hours day/7 days a week, and always receive a response from one of our experienced RKE Team members within 24 hours. Our clients love the portal, as they have instant access to their attorneys and to their case.

Many of our clients work during the day, they need to be able to access their case when they get off from work, or even from their office. This way there are no questions; we always provide instant access. Clients can even upload documents to us through the portal, and this makes communication between our attorneys and our client so much easier. This way you'll always know what's going on, no surprises, and no secrets.

Who is RKE Law Group?

You may be asking what sets RKE Law Group apart from the rest of the law firms in South Florida? One of the first things we always share with people is that we are here for the average person looking for legal support.  We understand that when you are seeking legal support, you are not only experiencing stress but also confusion and are most likely trying to figure out what you should do next.

What most homeowners don't know is that the bank may initiate foreclosure proceedings against you, even if you are trying to work on a loan modification. What sets us apart from other companies is that, if you get served with a foreclosure lawsuit during the process, our attorneys will step in and aggressively defend the lawsuit, protecting your interests in the action, while continuing to work on settlement options with your lender, so that you are able to stay in your home.

What our clients like the best about our service is that they can log in to our client portal through our website and see what is going on with their case 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Another bonus is that clients can also upload documents and ask questions through the portal, eliminating the need to having to set aside time to call. Our clients love the convenience that this portal allows!

We are owned operated by experienced attorneys licensed in the state of Florida, and we work for you. We are regulated by the Florida Bar, and adhere to a high level of ethics and customer service standards.

For more information, please contact our office.

Fast-Track Foreclosure Law

Fast-track foreclosure is now the LAW in Florida. What does this mean for you? This law essentially expedites the process the banks must follow in prosecuting foreclosure actions. It's a big change and it is important that you know the basics.

This law shifts the burden of proof to the homeowner by requiring that you file an answer to the lawsuit within a very short time period of 20-45 days.

If you fail to do this, the law allows the Court to enter a final judgment of foreclosure against you. What this law means for the homeowners of Florida, is that it's now more important than ever to seek the help of an experienced attorney to assert your legal rights.

If you want more information on the fast-track foreclosure law and how it may affect you, please contact our office.