Credit Cards are one of the easiest and quickest ways people get into debt. They have varied interest rates, depending on the credit card you apply and qualify for. Qualifying for a credit card is easy, and the interest rate that you get given on that card is adjusted to reflect your credit score. So, if you have a good credit score you will be able to access a credit card with a lower interest rate. However, if you have a poor credit score you may only be able to access credit cards with a much higher interest rate.

If you are one of those people who have credit card debt, which most people who do not have a zero balance are classed as in debt, then you have a few options, especially when it comes to becoming debt free.

The options that are available to you are listed below. You should be able to find an option which best suits you and your individual requirements. You may be able to become debt free quicker than you may think.

I Have Money to Pay off Debt

If you've got money to pay off your debts you may be in a better position than most other people. So, you need to use this extra money in the best way possible. If you are lucky enough to have some money hidden away somewhere, maybe for a rainy day, then you need to use this to repay some of your credit card debt. If you have multiple credit cards, you need to repay the credit card provider with the most urgent debt attached to them. This could be because you have fallen behind with repayments, or it could simple be the credit card provider that charges the most interest.

This extra money that you think you have could be a mirage. You need to think carefully before committing any extra or spare money you may have to pay towards a credit card debt. If your money is from a savings account, that is great. You can use this money to repay your credit card debt.

However, if you believe you have money spare at the end of each month, you need to double check to see if this money is not tied into any priority debts.

What Are Priority Debts?

Priority debts include repayments on a mortgage, on rent or council tax debts. These priority debts are vital. You must not fall behind with any of these payments. Where you may think you have extra money at the end of the month to repay credit card debt, could be safer being used to ensure that these priority debts are paid.

All other debts are classed as non-priority debts, and this is where your credit card debt is placed. Even though the classification of this debt can seem quite nonchalant, these debts must still be paid off.

I Have No Extra Money to Pay off Debt

This is the position most people find themselves in. They simple do not have the extra or surplus money available to repay their debts, including credit card debt.

Fortunately, there are places which can help with credit card debt and get you back on a good financial path.

Applying For a Debt Management Plan

A Debt Management Plan (DMP) forms part of an informal agreement between yourself and your creditors. Within this arrangement both parties agree upon a repayment plan that helps repay your credit card debt in regular installments.

You may have to speak to a DMP provider, who will work on your behalf to agree and establish this new arrangement. Some DMP providers will charge you for using this service, so it is important that you do some research around these debt management plan providers before you may any financial commitment to them.

Applying For a Debt Consolidation Loan

Some organizations and individuals advise that you should never have to borrow more money to pay off existing debt. To them you must ask “have you ever been in debt before”?

How you make arrangements in repaying your credit card debt is entirely up to you. You must choose an arrangement that works best for you and your own financial situation.

A debt consolidation loan allows you to repay your existing debt with another, larger loan. This larger loan can bring benefits as well. If you choose to consolidate your existing debt with a larger one, then you may receive a lower interest rate. This is because you have taken out one larger debt compared to several smaller debts spread over different credit card providers.

Much like a debt management plan, it is important to consider everything. You should research debt consolidation companies in full to ensure that they are reputable.

Arranging a Debt Arrangement Scheme

You may be able to set up a debt arrangement scheme with your local authority. These programs help those people who are crippled with debt, from credit card, loans, overdrafts and even priority debts.

Come To Agreements Directly With Creditors

Some of you may be lucky enough to be able to write off some of your credit card debt by speaking with your credit card providers directly.

If you have no extra or surplus cash, and can demonstrate this to them, they could agree to pause interest on your credit card or reduce some of what you owe to them. However, they will come at a cost. Your credit card provider may ask you to refrain from using the card for a period of time, or may close your account so you are unable to use the credit card for the duration that your debt is outstanding.

Bankruptcy

This can be the last point of call for some people, and so it should be. You should never look at declaring yourself bankrupt as a first, second or even third option. Use bankruptcy if there is nowhere else to go and no other solution available to you. Bankruptcy may only be considered if you have a large debt on a credit card or credit cards.

Mortgages are never easy to get, no matter who you are or how good your credit is, because there are no guarantees of approval. While there are certainly things that work in your favor if you’re trying to get approved, that doesn’t mean one lender won’t still find a reason not to give you the mortgage you need to move into your dream home. In this article we’re going to discuss five things you can do to improve your chances of success if you are or have been struggling to get approved.

Sort out your deposit

In the UK, the minimum deposit you can put down on any mortgage is 5pc of the cost of your new home. In every case, the more money you have to put down on a deposit, the better your chances of being approved are. Likewise, the more you put down, the lower your interest rate will be. The less interest you pay, the more money you’ll be saving on the purchase of your home. That savings translates directly into equity. Assuming a home purchase of about £200,000, you’re going to need £10,000 in the bank to show as a deposit. The catch is that your deposit needs to be seasoned – meaning that it has been on deposit for a while. Rather than put in a lump sum and then apply three to six months later, it’s better to deposit it in parts, so that the lender sees you as ‘’saving’ the money – even if it’s a gift from family, or the result of closing out an investment account. Once you meet that 5pc deposit requirement, you can then use government schemes to get equity loans towards your deposit on any new home – sometimes getting as much as 20% equity from the government.

Examine your income and outgoings

Income is another area you’ll need to make sure you’ve got tidy before anyone will approve you for your mortgage. You’ll need to reduce or eliminate almost any extraneous payments for things like credit card bills, car payments, and other things that might make your income look at all stretched. Obviously if you’ve got a great income this won’t be as much of an issue, but if you’re a couple working together, and you’re both earning the average UK income of about £25,000, you’re going to want to look sharp. If you both have car payments and outstanding credit card debts, you’re chances of being approved will drop noticeably. Make sure those items are paid off, or better, have one spouse take on all loans, and completely clear out the loans of the other spouse so that he or she shows no outstanding debts. Just make sure you do that for the spouse with the best credit rating.

Make sure you meet residency requirements

This one is a bit tricky. If you haven’t been a resident of the UK for at least three years, almost no one is going to give you a mortgage. There are a few companies who will consider your application, but you’ll want to search for an independent mortgage adviser  first, who can help you locate lenders that will help you. If you aren’t able to find someone who will lend to you, there are other options, such as seeking a mortgage from a lender based in the country you lived in before moving to the UK. Sometimes they will lend directly to you based on the strength of the UK market and your previous history in the other country. Other times they may have a partnership or arrangement with a lender in the UK that they can use to assist you. If you find that you are still unable to meet the requirement, that’s ok. Just keep saving money so that you have an even larger deposit when you are able to meet the residency requirement.

Fix your credit score

You and your spouse or partner, if you’re married or otherwise attached, will both want to check your financial history with the credit reference agencies. They’ll use these reports to assess your risk and history of repaying previous loan obligations. By checking to see which of you has the best report, you’ll know which one will have the best chance of successfully being approved. In the event you find any mistakes or errors on your report, you’ll want to make sure you get those fixed before applying. Even people with perfect credit can still be turned down, so the less perfect your credit score is, the more likely it is that you’ll be turned down. Just make sure you aren’t ripped off by any of the credit agencies when doing this.

Be prepared if you’re self employed

For those of you who are self-employed, you’ll have more hoops to jump through than the average person. This is because you’ll need to prove your income, which will require showing any prospective lenders your business accounts. You will also have to show them two to three years of tax returns (more is better), and they may even want to see your future business projections. All of this information should be signed off on by your business accountant (this will need to be a chartered accountant). Technically you only need to have the accountant sign off on your business accounts, but by having the accountant sign off on all of your financials you’ll be showing the lender that you’re not flying by the seat of your pants. Having a competent accountant overseeing your business finances goes a long way towards reassuring leery lenders.

By applying the steps above to your unique situation, you can significantly improve your chances of being approved. That approval is quite literally the keys to your new home or flat, and will let you stop paying rent and start paying for your own place. It’s not an easy or simple process, as you’ve no doubt already discovered, but with a little determination and hard work you can make your dream of home ownership come true. Good luck, and remember to thank us in the comments.

When it comes to car insurance there is a huge amount of advice and guidance on how to save money. However, the cheapest car insurance deal don’t always offer the best cover. Getting the right cover for you, other drivers and your passengers should be considered of equal importance to cutting costs. Once you have worked out the cover you require, you can then set your mind to searching for the cheapest quotes and negotiating the best deal with insurance companies. Here are some top tips on how to choose the right auto insurance cover for you.

Do you need insurance?

Yes, to drive in this country you must have the mandatory level of coverage. If you are caught driving without the legally required level of cover, you could be subject to a fine, lose your license or have your vehicle impounded. Additionally, if you are sued following a car accident where you damage another person’s property or cause injury or death, you will have to pay the legal costs yourself.

The exact coverage required varies from state to state so you must find out what requirements apply to you. You can do this by contacting your state Insurance Commissioner. Mandatory coverage across the states includes liability insurance. This covers you in incidents mentioned above where you damage someone's property or if someone is hurt or killed. The money goes to the third party, not you or your passengers.

If you are new to car insurance, you might find the National Association of Insurance Commissioners guide to auto insurance helpful.

Other coverage

Not all states require drivers to have any more than liability insurance, so again you must find out what the rules are in your state. However, depending on your use of the car, the type of car you own and other important factors, sometimes the minimum coverage required in your state will not be enough. Additional cover includes:

What is the right coverage for you?

Here are some things you should consider when thinking about optional cover:

Now, go get that awesome deal!

Work out how much you can afford and are prepared to pay for your car insurance. Use comparison websites to assist you in shopping  for the best deal. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of each result within your budget carefully to make sure it offers the right coverage.

As mentioned in the introduction to this article, there are many resources online that provide guidance on saving money on your car insurance. Do your homework to make sure you are making use of all the money-saving techniques available.

As well as finding a great deal, finding a policy that offers you adequate cover is also important. We hope that you have found this information helpful in your quest to find out more about auto insurance.

With the rising cost of utility bills, it makes sense that we try to do what we can to keep these low. It is easy to assume that in order to save money you need to do work well in advance of winter, but that is not the case at all.

With winter well upon us, many of us are used to having our heating on as much as possible just to keep warm. This can be expensive and this cost is a worry to many people. However, rather than worry about it too much, use this as an excuse to start making your home more energy efficient.

Using Your Heating In The Right Way

As much as we would all like our heating to be on 24/7 we really don't have the funds to do this. Instead, we need to make the most of our heating, so it works as efficiently as possible. For starters you need to make sure that heat cannot escape the rooms you are trying to keep warm. Draught excluders are a life saver for this! It should go without saying, but making sure that doors are closed as much as possible also helps. During the evenings keep curtains closed too. You basically need to do what you can to keep heating trapped inside rooms.

Invest In New Heating Ideas

It is also worth looking at whether there are investments you can make into new equipment which could help. For example, such as installing a ductless heat pump system. These systems require you to spend an amount to buy them, but this can easily be recouped. They'll save you plenty of money on your heating bills, especially if you look at it long-term over a couple of years.

Upgrading Your Home

There are also upgrades to your home that can help. For example if your windows are quite old then it could be time to change these. You really don't want heat escaping through old window frames or double glazing. It is also worth looking at insulating your home. This involves placing a layer of material through the brickwork in your home and the attic. Think of this as like covering your home with a giant blanket, to help keep the heat inside. 

Save Now For The Future

It goes without saying that some of these changes will take time to put into place. This means that you are really looking to save money for the future rather than this season. However, small changes you can make will make a little dent on your heating bill this year. So use your heating more sensibly this season to try and make a difference now. On top of that you need to start investing in changes to save money on your heating bills in the future. The chances are that the cost of heating is only going to carry on rising, so you need to make changes now to help counteract this.

Investments are a game of gamble. They involve a touch of risk but they can give massive returns. Returns can be huge or short or can also be a loss depending on how pleased is goddess of fortune with the player. They can make or break life. But if invested wisely, they would never lead to losses and always give huge returns. One such investment is the ever rewarding real estate sector.  This type of investment never fails and has been known to give massive returns. Owning an extra property can be super beneficial as they have multiple purposes solved. Several new residential projects are coming up all over India and each is unique and different as they blend several factors to suit the consumers. Here are some reasons as to why one must invest in a rental property and maintain a positive Return On Investment (ROI): -

Regular income factor

Buying a house or investing in a new residential property can be of great returns as they can be given on rent and generate a stable monthly income. The situation will prove win-win as both the parties will get something. The rent givers will have a shelter to rest, the landlord would get income and the estate agent would also get some commission if availed. Even for some unfortunate reasons, one cannot work, then this income will be useful to fulfill expenses and carry on life without any financial burden.
 

Backup house

The rental investment property would also serve as a backup house in case of some unfortunate happenings or the house going for some redevelopment or renovation. The house will also serve as a guest house in times of festive season or a special occasion at the house such as marriage or birth of a child. It is always safe to know that there is net lying down in case of falling!

Vacation spot or weekend home

The house will also serve as a vacation spot or weekend home. One can forget the daily din and indulge in a blissful life by going to this investment rental property. If it is in a colorful and vibrant city like Jaipur, one should feel blessed as the city has everything from vibrant culture to strong economic growth. Several people are interested in upcoming projects in Jaipur because of its amalgamation of all the zones. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is a major tourist spot in India along with the likes of Delhi and Agra. Being a tourist spot, even Non - residential Indians are interested in upcoming projects in Jaipur as it will serve dual purpose. One of rental investment and other as a vacation home!

No training or education needed

One is relaxed and chilled when it comes to earning. Even if a person is not so qualified and is not well educated, he or she can get a great monthly income. It will not need any educational knowledge or formal training to earn a higher income and increase the standard of living! Just save, invest smart and earn huge!

Thus, the new residential projects are worth investing as a rental property and to put a cherry on the cake of one’s monthly income! There are several people interested in upcoming projects of Jaipur and rush to invest in one before they get full! Therefore, a positive return on income can be maintained by investing in a rental property. God of wealth will come to a person if he or she works smarter and invests smarter!

How long have you sat there, debating what to get for whomever as a Christmas present? Figuring out what to buy for someone can always get close to a headache – if not an entire migraine. I know, I‘ve been there. Not only that, we oftentimes get driven away from the thought of buying something or other simply based on its price. You‘d love to get something... bigger for your wife this Christmas, but that LCD TV‘s price is a bit too steep for you, isn‘t it? You have to make sure to be able to securely support your family after the holidays, right? This means making sacrifices sometimes, letting go of what you want to do and doing what‘s best.

But I‘m here to tell you that that‘s no longer the case. There‘s this awesome thing called the Overstock shop and the overstock coupons you can use to buy anything you want there for a reduced price! Just imagine how much you can save if you use, say, a 20% off overstock promo code on the same LCD TV? Quite a lot, I imagine. You can either put the money in your savings, or, heck, buy something else. You‘d be able to save money on that something else by using the overstock deals too! It‘s an endless cycle of saving! Until you run out of money, that is... but hey, then you‘ll have a metric ton of stuff you wanted or needed at some point!

You have to be careful buying things for Christmas because you can sometimes go overboard without realizing it. Let me tell you a story about a friend of mine (I swear this is NOT made up); he was just another person – no one special, a guy looking to buy his girlfriend a Christmas gift. So, what happened? Well, he ended up buying a bazillion things that he thought would work as a present, but he later only chose on to give her (yeah, he‘s that indecisive). Little did he know that there were probably tumbleweeds rolling around in his wallet by the time he was finished.

The moral of the story? Be mindful of how you spend your money. It‘s not only how you spend it, but how much of it you use as well. Using overstock coupon codes eliminates one of the problems, and definitely makes the other much less hurtful. Might as well give yourself a present too! That jacket looks really warm and comfy, doesn’t it? I mean, the cold weather is approaching (or is already there, in some regions), and the extra layer of clothes can do wonders against the chilly wind. With the overstock discounts, you’d probably have enough for a scarf too! 

How many things will you have under your Christmas tree? More than your neighbor, obviously. Why? Because you’ll be using the totally rad overstock promo codes to make this the best Christmas ever. You don’t even need to think about what to buy – just get everything!

There are numerous – literally too many to count – personal-injury lawsuits in legal Limbo. Many victims await impending settlement and find themselves strapped for cash. They know that “down-the-line” they will eventually “come into some money,” but given the administrative nightmare of a seemingly endless wait, how are they going to pay their bills now? How will they secure an attorney to help them through cases?

Clients

Many people – “The Clients” -- involved in the throes of a personal-injury lawsuit are turning to the unsecured legal loan from a litigation funding company (they provide the aforementioned “legal loans”). The draw is that the cost of the legal loan will never exceed the value of a settlement. The potential negative is that there is no regulation on the interest rates.
 

The New York Times reports on an incapacitated man facing eviction. He couldn’t afford to pay for his home, due to being disabled. The class-action lawsuit in which he was intrinsically involved, would not be settled in time. He borrowed a little more than $9,000 from a legal financing company, which provided him with the money immediately, and in time to “save” his house. Eighteen months later, the case was settled, and he was awarded $27,000, but he owed the lending company more than $23,500.

Brokers

Essential to the legal loan is “The Broker” who originates the lawsuit loan for the finance company (see next paragraph). “Brokers,” like salesmen, look for qualified “leads,” i.e. “Clients” whose cases will not only potentially cover the cost of the loan, but still leave enough of the settlement to the “Client.” They also look for the “Underwriters,” and essentially make a match between “Client” and “Underwriter,” for a mutually beneficial situation.

Underwriters

“The Underwriters” are the legal-funding companies, hedge funds, banks, or investors who are able to immediately advance cash to the needy personal-injury plaintiffs. They choose “Clients” whose cases claim sufficient exchange – meaning, they will get their money “back” (the cost) when the settlement goes through.

Attorney

Legal loans are not secured without the assistance and participation of an “Attorney,” who proves to “The Underwriter” that “The Client’s” case is has merit and worth “The Underwriter” taking the risk to hand over the cash. Also, the “Attorney” draws up a contract, commits to being the “escrow agent,” with the caveat that there is a lien on the case.

Yes, there is a high-interest rate, but if a “Client’s” livelihood, home and health are in jeopardy, it can be a huge relief and the proverbial “saving grace.”  Even if a client is jobless, without property or has bad credit, they can still get a legal loan, which is not contingent on collateral, but only on the actual settlement of the case.

Legal loans have been made for cases involving :

Conclusion

Legal financing has emerged, it has been reported, as a viable alternative for U.S. and Canadian Class-Action lawsuits. It is important, however, that clients in dire need, be sure that the “Broker” they choose is viable and legitimate. Choose a trustworthy attorney and broker who will bring you to a lawsuit lender/”Broker” who won’t siphon away all of your settlement. Ask for licensing and disclosure requirements. Remember, if you do not win your lawsuit, you do not have to repay the money the “Underwriter” gave you.  Check your state and federal regulations, because different legislation's apply based on your location.

Sometimes, there is little risk to the lenders – even if the class-action lawsuit has been settled, and the “Client” knows that money is forthcoming, the money might not come in time for the “Clients’” bills. The legal lending company steps in, knowing that the “Client” will eventually get their payment, and, in turn, so will they. Lenders will pay the “Attorney” to find cases that have been confirmed as settled and, according to the New York Times, “generally lend no more than 10% or 20% of the amount they expect the borrower to win.”

Christmas being our most awaited holiday is the time for greedy businessmen to earn some good cash. The present day idea of enjoying holidays includes spending lots of money and specially on gifts as people have various ways to spend money. But they do forget that these overspending could lead you to get into financial problems in a chain process. There are instances where people get in debt or they are bound to file bankruptcy, or unable to payoff the borrowed money, all these may lead you to a bad credit score which in turn would affect your life. Enjoying Christmas was not always so expensive for example the sixties and seventies were years where people enjoy a lot yet spent very less. If we take a few steps we could also do that because it’s no miracle but only your controlled monetary behavior.
 

You might be wondering how that can really be possible in a modern day world where lifestyle has become so costly. Well here are a few tips that will reveal the ways to celebrate Christmas frugally.

Introduce the option of few gifts

If you have been buying lots of gifts for your dear ones for Christmas you could introduce the option of buying only a few gifts. Gifts that would be of use, or something that your kids are willing to pursue for long. Like if you have a college going kid, you could buy him a bicycle to go to college. He will be more than happy to have such a gift. In this way you could avoid spending lots of money this Christmas as he would not require to have any other gifts. Start saving now and in the upcoming festivities of 2014 and you will be able to save a lot of money by the next year.

Try to make some gifts on your own

You could follow a few websites that do share interesting tutorials on creating your own gifts and that varies from creating a vanilla cake to a nicely decorated craft. You could also create some cookies which would be best suited for the occasion. It would definitely showcase your involvement in the spirit of Christmas.

Give a new look to your food

This idea is a must for people who want to break the tradition of regular festive dishes. And seriously speaking you do not need to spend a lot of money to have attractive tasty dishes. How about decorating your cookies or adding some extra flavors by garnishing your lemon chicken with some herbs or serving it with jasmine rice. The fun will be filled up to the brim if you could arrange a contest among your kids and their friends to prepare some good decorated dish of their choice

Mini film festival

How about watching a movie together. There are many DVD's available of movies that you haven't watched and that would be a good day to watch a movie together and its a good form of entertainment as well.

Go for a drive and enjoy the decorations

Why not go out with your kids to watch out for the decorations. This is the exact time when we should go out as the city is covered with lights and there are lots of decorations with Christmas tree, a nice sledge with Santa. These will definitely be fun for your kids as they will enjoy the various displays.

Gather friends and family to sing Christmas carols

The idea is simply to call upon your friends and family members at your house to join in for singing the carol together. Someone could opt to play the piano and someone could handle the keyboard and others could sing. This is a magnificent way to save a lot of money yet have fun together.

The above discussed tips are ways to merge with the spirit and fun of Christmas along with conserving your hard earned money. Which was once possible can be made possible today also. Execute the steps and prove that you can make a CHANGE.

Merry Christmas !!!

What is a risk? What is a threat? What is vulnerability? These are some questions that are generally asked by businesses around the world. When you are running a business, you will have to face risks, threats and you will surely be vulnerable to one or more threats. Risk is the likelihood of loss or the likelihood of financial loss of a business. Whenever you are doing business risk assessment, you will have to be thinking about what is the actual impact on the entire business. When a business understands the financial ramifications of the risks, it will do all that it takes to minimize the risk. In fact, it will also pump in a lot of money if it is seen that the systems can mitigate the risks. Risk is a business concept and it is eventually the likelihood of loss to the business and the business processes.

A risk matrix is a part of a business risk assessment strategy. In this matrix, there is a graduated response between the lowest possibility right up to the highest possibility—lowest impact to the highest impact. Controlling dangers in the business is no different from tackling any other task. You need to recognize the problem and decide what needs to be done to prevent the risks. Also, if there are some solutions identified; then they need to be put into practice as well.
 

There are three basic steps to risk assessment. First, you will have to look at the business hazards. Second, you will have to identify who and what will get affected by the business hazards. Third, you will have to evaluate the risks. If you don’t have the expertise to do a business risk assessment, you will have to check out a very good risk assessment and management service. Risks are inevitable in business, but understanding them and doing the right thing to mitigate them is paramount for the success of a business. In a business scenario, financial risks are unwelcomed threats that can permeate into the business at any point of time.

Business risk managers have to properly equip themselves and the company with risk management strategies so that they can meet those risks head on. Meeting risks at the right time is very important, but meeting them with minimal setback is very important for all businesses. In another business parlance, business risk is defined as an uncertainty that is affiliated with certain circumstances that could impact the business negatively. Such risks can cause financial insecurities for the firm and also render a business inoperable. In other words, a business risk assessment is a systemic process of understanding whether a particular uncertain condition has a potential to threaten a business and its operations.

Business risks can come in various forms and to properly assess them is paramount, especially if your business is a start-up business. You will have to create a list of threats that can dig into your business and then organize a risk assessment strategy for each of these risks. aq

Buying a car is an important decision, both in personal and financial terms. You need to do your research and know exactly what vehicle will meet your needs in an affordable manner. The choice of buying a new car may be financially prohibitive for many people and it would make more sense to buy a used car instead. Here are some things that you need to keep in mind before settling on a specific used car.

What’s Your Budget?

The most important question to ask yourself is not how much money you can raise, but how much you want to spend. At a pinch we can all raise more money than we can happily afford to spare. This means that you will be cutting back on several other things for months. So stick to the bare minimum amount and not only will the financial burden not seem so great, but you will also have extra cash easily available for additional expenses that are associated with buying a used car. Things like insurance, road tax, title change and car registration will usually add up to a pretty sum, even for a used car. Usually the rule of thumb is that these extra expenses work up to about ten percent of the cost of the car, get a better idea using www.autoloancalculator.org.

Carry a Checklist

When you go to the used car dealer make sure that you have a checklist with you. On this check list add all the points that you want or do not want in your used car. Things like the vehicle’s service history, condition of the engine, how old the tires are, what is the mileage on the odometer, check metal parts for wear and tear, any tears in the seat upholstery, fluid leaks that may be visible, and any other points that could be a deal breaker. Make sure that you go though the points of the checklist on any vehicle you happen to like. Also remember that tiny scratches on the body of the vehicle are acceptable but a problem with the actual engine is not. Prioritize the items on your check list and remember to think with your head not with your heart when you actually see a car you would like to own.

The Moment of Truth: A Test Drive

No matter how good a vehicle looks in the showroom, you need to get behind the wheel to find out its true worth. A test drive is very often the moment of truth for a used car. So make sure that you insist on a test drive before you seal the deal. Pay attention to the sound of the engine, the comfort of the seat, the lights on the dashboard, the proper functioning of all the instruments, and of course test the breaks. If you hit any snag, no matter how small, make sure you find out exactly what the issue is, and if it can be rectified. Now that you are sure that the car meets all your requirements, go ahead and buy it.

When you are thinking about retiring money is an important factor. You have worked hard all your life to save into that pension pot, pay off the mortgage and finance the kids through university. One of the first things you may do is contact your financial adviser for the latest report on your pension. Having an appointment to chat face-to-face is beneficial as you can both explore strategies to maximize your pot. Doing this early will help you revise your retirement date, and provide you with that all important countdown.
 

It’s usually around this point in life that one of your children will ask you for a big pot of money to help them buy a house. Rarely has it ever been so difficult to get on the property ladder. It was certainly easier in your day. You may have grandchildren to consider, but you can’t help reminding your offspring you’ve only just helped them finance a car, or pay off their student loan!

It is disappointing to find yet another reason to delay the date of your retirement, but being able to help your kids is great if you are in a financial position to do so. After all, renting can cost around 50% more than the monthly repayment on a mortgage. Ultimately, your children may have no where else to turn to when it comes to financing a new home.

Be sure to go in with your eyes wide open. Be active in helping them choose an appropriate dwelling. The money from you may be coming as a tax-free gift, but that doesn’t mean you want to finance anything more than the essentials. We all have aspirations, but your children’s aspirations and dreams are for them to finance, not you. Picking one of the many small homes for sale in their desired area should be a joint decision. Both of you need to visit the property at least twice. Check there is room for improvement that can help generate equity for resale when your child is ready to move on. It should be a financial investment.

Finally, check that the property you have in mind is showing an upward trend in value. If that increase year on year is better than the interest rate you would be getting on your ISA, it could be a sound investment. Of course, if you are providing a tax-free gift to your son or daughter, you will have no investment to speak of. However, you are investing in your child’s future. You will want assurances that if you help them on the ladder with this property, they will be able to use to move up.

Once all the paperwork is in place, and the house sale is complete, you will no doubt be roped into helping out on moving day. While handing over a chunk of your savings may seem painful at first, seeing the delight on your child’s face as they unlock the front door of their new home will surely be worth it. You are a hero again!

Some people feel put off buying foreclosed homes, as they are previously repossessed or distressed properties. However, there’s a chance you could do this and shave 30% off the standard market price. You would save a fortune! You may have to put in time and effort, but it’ll all be worth it when you have a perfectly renovated, bargain house. Here are our top tips:
 

Top Tips for Buying

Don’t misunderstand this information: buying a foreclosed home can be very dangerous. This is why it’s absolutely essential you do your research before you buy a foreclosed home in Hornchurch, for instance.

If you take into account everything in this post, there’s no way you can go wrong. Use your common sense, don’t make any rash decisions, and be sure you know everything there is to know about a property before you slam your money down on the table.

When you are thinking about buying a home, you need to know whether you can cover the costs that the property will entail. People often rush into buying a house because they think they should. Different people have different needs and priorities. What is right for someone else won't always be right for you. Before you make any serious decisions about your future, you need to weigh up the cost of buying a home. Not everybody can afford to be a homeowner. You need to decide whether investing in property is a viable option for you. So, can you afford to buy a home or not?

Saving money for your deposit

The first hurdle you have to overcome when buying a home is finding the money for your deposit. There is nothing easy about saving a large bulk of money. For the next few years, you will have to dedicate yourself to saving money for your new home. That means that any time you have spare cash, you will have to store it away in your house fund. Not everybody finds saving easy. Look at money saving tips and guides to help you. You will need to save around 10% of the home’s value to put down a reasonable deposit.
 

Who will give you a mortgage

Your financial situation will determine what mortgage you can get on your home. Mainstream lenders will not give you a mortgage is you have a lot of debt or a poor credit history. Make sure that you budget for the worst case scenario. If you find it hard to get a mortgage, you might need to save a larger deposit before you get a house. That means that you will need to wait longer to buy your dream house. Improve your credit score before you try and get a mortgage.

The hidden costs of owning a home

You may think that owning a home involves simply paying the mortgage each month. There are many more costs to home-owning than you might imagine. Make sure that you understand all the costs you will need to pay before you enter into any contracts. You will need to pay tax on your home, as well as ground rent and maintenance if you live in an apartment. Make a thorough budget so that you understand the total cost of your property.

Will the value of the property rise?

One thing you will need to know before you buy a home is whether the valuation is likely to rise. The last thing you want to do is buy a home and lose money on it in the long run. Talk to Walsall UK property consultants about the property you wish you buy. They will tell you whether your property is a stable investment. You can also research the market yourself before you buy a house. Look at how the market has fluctuated over recent years. The pattern of the market in the past will give you a good idea of what will happen in the future.

Inspecting the home before you buy

A surefire way to lose money on a property is to buy a house before you have inspected it. Send a conveyor around to your chosen property before you make an offer. He or she will tell you whether you need to make any vital improvements to the house and how much it is worth. Ensuring that you find a property with no serious structural damage will be best. You need to make sure that you're not wasting your money. Once you sign the house contracts, there is no going back.

Over the last few years, you’ll have seen a surge of gold investment opportunities. There are even shops on the high street now offering to trade gold. They’ll pay you to take your old jewellery off your hands or trade some valuable coins. The reason for this is that gold is a solid investment. In the aftermath of 9/11 it was one of the only assets that increased in value. Everything else on the stock market crashed.

The stock market is always uncertain. This has been exacerbated by the recent global slump, so gold was considered a safe place to invest your money. However its value has leveled out somewhat in the following ten years (probably due to this huge rise in trading). It leaves many asking the question, “Should I buy gold?” Let’s take a look at the pros and cons and see where the value is.

Pros

Gold is considered one of investments ‘safe havens’. It retains a solid footing on the stock market, rarely fluctuating too much. This is because it is not tied to currency. In difficult economic times, the government often prints more money. They do this in an attempt to increase circulation and keep people and companies trading. However, it does devalue the currency. As there is more in circulation, its real worth decreases. This doesn’t happen with gold. It retains its worth.

People will always value gold. Gold is a symbol of wealth and luxury. Its value is placed higher than most precious metals. It is ingrained into our society and culture. Wedding rings will always be made of gold and it will always be used to adorn our prized possessions. Gold holds a cultural worth that goes back centuries and will hold into the future. Very few other investments can offer this.

There is a finite amount of gold. You cannot just print more. There are only so many gold reserves in the world and it takes time and effort to mine it. Where there is a finite resource, its value will always hold. Buying gold is a great idea when building a portfolio of successful investments.

Cons

Many investors decide not to invest in gold because it simply doesn’t do anything. It is mined from the ground, bought and then kept behind closed doors. It has no practical application which means it will never see a global soar in value. It isn’t like cobalt which now has a practical application in mobile phones, for example. Gold will always be a fashion item, or a decoration. It is already as culturally valuable as it is likely to get. It means you’ll never make a huge windfall by investing in gold. Gold won’t make you a millionaire.

It can also cost you money to store it. Some investment deals will come complete with storage options, but not all. Check to see how much it will cost to store and make sure your investment is worth the money.

In the end, it’s a personal choice. There aren’t many downsides to buying gold. It is a safe investment. Many use it as a form of insurance for their portfolio. It will never make a million, but it will always keep you steady.

There was a time when you dreaded Monday mornings. Trying to ease your way back into another working week was horrible. In reality it felt like you were being thrown in at the deep end, complete with headache, exhaustion and despair. Now those days are coming to an end or may be already over. Your mortgage is paid, and the kids are long gone. Retirement sounds like a heavenly chorus. After all, you’re not quitting, you’re moving on. You are about to start a wonderful new chapter in your life that doesn’t include Monday morning headaches. Or are you?

The reality of retired life isn’t quite so heavenly to some on a lower pension income. Some people want to stop work but can’t afford to. There is a way to make all those years of hard work pay. Your home has gobbled up your income in the past in mortgage repayments, but Irvine reverse mortgages can make your house pay you. A reverse mortgage is a simple way of drawing an income or cash lump sum from the value of your home.

There is no need to make any repayments on a reverse mortgage during your lifetime. Reverse mortgages like Irvine reverse mortgages pay you until you pass away. Your beneficiaries can choose to repay the loan by refinancing the house. Alternatively, a reverse mortgage can allow the bank to take over the house as full payment to clear your loan when you have died. At no point can your beneficiaries be personally liable for your reverse mortgage repayment. The lender cannot take title of your home or remove you while you still occupy it.

In addition to providing an income for those who want a better quality of life, it is also possible to take a cash lump sum from Irvine reverse mortgages. This may help pay off your outstanding debts or go toward a new project or purchase. It may even help you look after a family member.

It is always a good idea to do your research before applying for a finance package. Reverse mortgages are a great way to provide some income, but you need check they are right for you at this time. Interest rates can increase the older you get so think carefully about the best time for you to apply. You will need to complete approved counselling before your application. This ensures you fully understand the agreement.

Before you head out that door on Monday morning to face another week of hard work and unhappiness, think about what your home can do for you. You have nurtured it, painted it, extended it and furnished it. You’ve fixed the cracks and tidied the garden, and even invested in some new cladding. Your house has been well looked-after and you provided everything it needed to make it a home for you and the kids. Reverse mortgages give your house a chance to repay you for your kindness and investment over the years. It's time for you.

Investing in a Commodities Futures Contract can prove expensive and extremely risk prone for a retail investor. Instead it is a good idea to consider investing indirectly in commodities using a Mutual Fund. However, as with other equities, the investor should remember that not all funds are created equal. So it is important to ask some pertinent questions before picking the mutual fund you wish to invest in. Your broker would be a good source of information on current funds that are doing well. If you have some idea about the market you could study them up yourself and pick a good commodity mutual fund to invest in. Here are some things to find out before you pick one.

Objective and Investment Strategy

Each mutual fund has its own objective. One may focus on income investing, another on capital gains, and a third on long term investment returns. In order to meet the objective each fund has an investment strategy. The percentage of the principal it invests in commodities will accordingly vary. It would be a good idea to scrounge through the investment documents to note how they plan to spend the money you invest and also find out who the fund manager is. This will give you a good idea of how and where your money is likely to be invested by the mutual fund.
 

Previous Track Record

The fund you invest in may be a new one, in which case you should find out the name of the fund manager and see how funds he has managed in the past have fared. If it is an older fund, say five years or older, then the figures of return on investment will speak for themselves. You will be able to track how the mutual fund has performed in the past and dealt with ups and down of the market. Of course the past track record is only indicative of how the future performance may be. There are no guarantees that the fund will do as well as it did in the past in the near future. That is a risk that you will have to take on your investment.

Minimum Investment Amount

Different funds have different investment amounts for people entering the mutual fund. Some funds have a higher minimum amount for individuals but a lower one for those investing through commodity brokers.  There are also different classes of shares in a mutual fund. Each class has its own value and you will spend more or less per share based on the share class you decide to invest in. You will need to find out what the minimum investment, applicable taxes, fees and expenses involved will be. Remember these expenditures will cut into your profits from the mutual find. Hence the lower the fees and expenses of a fund, the more of profit you get to take home with you.

After you have found out all the details about a suitable mutual fund, you should invest in it. Remember to monitor it closely and cut your losses if something wayward begins to happen.

It is the general practice with the lenders to be guided by the credit worthiness of the applicants for loans. The lenders also take into consideration whether you have any considerable savings or some assets in the form of bonds and shares. Particularly when they consider applications for unsecured loans, the lenders do attach more importance to the credit aspect. Because, if it is a secured loan, they can have a hold on the securities offered as collateral. It is not so in the case of an unsecured loan. That is why credit plays a dominant role in an unsecured loan. If the credit score of the applicant is good, they have no anxiety about the return of the loan.

On the other hand, if an applicant’s credit score is somewhat poor, the lenders feel that there is an element of risk involved in respect of the loan. Therefore, they charge a higher rate of interest on the loan. In view of this, you would do well to improve upon your credit score gradually so that it reaches the top level. This should be done before you make an application for loan. Having a good credit score means lower interest rates and competitive terms. With these advantages, you will enjoy another advantage, i.e. lower monthly payments. So, it becomes all the more necessary for you to improve your credit score considerably.

Traditional loans are approved without much of a problem if your credit was and is good. The lenders would like to know about your past as well as present credit history. They would require complete details such as when you had credit problems and how many times you defaulted in making repayments or failed to make payments on the due dates, etc. Based on these details, they would work out as to how they could minimize the risk in the transaction. In short, your credit history, at the moment, does help the lender in his assessment of your current financial status. They form an idea as to what they could expect from you. By and large, lenders base their decision only on the past history of the applicants. Some lenders, however, attach more important to the present credit history of the applicant.

A credit report, covering the last six months, will give a complete picture and with the help of such a report, lenders take their final decision, whether or not to give you a loan. If you want cultivate a sound ‘credit behavior’ inclusive of financial discipline, you should see that you do not miss any payments and that there is default. Also you should make it a point not to make requests for credit cards or apply for loans. These acts of yours will go a long way to improve your credit score. Based on your credit details you can yourself decide on the amount of loan you can ask for.

If you have a high debt exposure, you will have only limited chances to get more funds. As already said, the lenders, while they consider the loan applications from such people with high debt exposure or poor credit score, take all these factors into account before taking a decision on the loan application. If your present credit history is good, even though the past credit history was just the opposite, lenders may adopt a lenient view and consider your loan application favorably. The interest rate and terms of payment, etc. will, however, depend on the factors mentioned earlier.

If you have visitors to your home, chances are that the last thing you’ll be thinking about is anything happening to their belongings while they are there. You probably don’t want to spoil the visit by thinking about problems occurring.
 

But if there were any problems while someone was staying in your home what would happen? If there was a break in at your property and your visitor’s property was stolen would they be covered on your insurance?

You are only insured for property you have a financial interest in

It’s important to remember that your home insurance only covers you for property that you have an interest in; something that you bought or are renting. From this you can see that property belonging to other people is not covered. This being the case it’s probably a good idea if any visitors you have are aware of the situation. This is particularly important if they have any items with them that are especially valuable, see HBF for more on this. It is probably advisable for them not to bring these items with them in the first place.

What about if I am storing items for people?

You should be wary about agreeing to store items for other people in your home. Much like the property of people who are visiting any items that you are storing that don’t belong to you are not covered by your home insurance.

This is because you don’t have a financial interest in the item. You are not disadvantaged by not having it. You may feel as though you’re not being very helpful but the next time a friend asks you to look after items for them you may have to think very carefully about it.

Of course if the storage situation is likely to be long term there is one possible solution. You can always purchase the items from your friend and receive receipts to that effect. If you do this the items officially belong to you and you have invested money in them. If anything then happens to these items they should be covered by your home insurance. If at some point the other party wants their items back they can always buy them from you.

So what do you need to think about with home insurance?

If you are purchasing home insurance you need to make sure that you have enough to cover your home and contents should you be the victim of any incident. You also need to decide what deductible you want; normally if you are willing to accept a higher deductible your premiums will be lower. No matter whether you have purchased items that you are storing for someone else or not you need to make sure that all of your belongings are covered. You need to pay special attention to any expensive items, such as jewellery, that you have as you may need to take out specific insurance for these items separately.

If your small business needs to meet shortfalls in cash for restaurants, contractors and retail stores alike you might have considered a term loans for help. Unfortunately, there are reasons why many small companies do not qualify for normal business loans. Your industry, credit score, collateral and operating history may all affect the loan decision.

Have you been turned down for a business loan? You should understand why the application was denied and then find the best alternatives. The loan’s purpose, amount, and length are all factors to consider. By answering these questions first, you will cut financing costs(interest expense) and increase the loan’s ROI.

Did your industry play a role in the loan decline? Many banks shy away from certain business models, such as restaurants, nightclubs, construction and even medical offices. Food service is seasonal with intense competition and high closure rates. Just think of the many restaurants that have closed in your area. The same factors along with changing trends affects nightclubs and bars. Contractors deal with slow downs based on the season and must often wait to get paid. Medical clinics must wait for insurance payments to clear and have high overhead for rent, equipment and staff.

Solution? Consider Industry Loans, which cater to companies in certain fields. Industry lenders like BusinessLoansDirect.com cater terms to the cash flow, risks and potential of a various fields. For instance, nightclub financing considers the need to front costs for food, decorations and liquor for theme nights or private parties. Lenders who work with doctor’s offices or construction companies tailor their approval process to consider the effect of high receivables or seasonal dips on cash flow.

Specialized loans may be an option if your loan is approved at a bank as well. Industry lenders may offer lower fees and more flexible terms than banks that approve your loan but with higher rates to compensate for added risk. If you operate in an industry with high closure rates, seasonal revenues or high A/R; an industry loan may an alternative.

Venture capital is not just about mega dollar deals in Silicon Valley or Wall Street. Crowdfunding is private equity for the masses in amounts from a few hundred dollars to millions of dollars.  There are various platforms to choose from and niche sites for particular industries, such as technology.

With crowdfunding, you state a case for why your business, product or service needs funding to countless investors. Entrepreneurs offer repayment that may be traditional interest or shares of ownership in the case of equity crowdfunding, Meanwhile, donation crowd funding is based on goodwill. A business owner may offer discounts on services or plaques of recognition in exchange for money to buy equipment or pay down debt. Be sure to check if the crowdfunding site is ‘all or nothing’, which means you only get the money if your funding goal is reached. Kickstarter and Fundable are examples of such platforms.

Conversely, Crowdrise and are flexible funding sites that allow you to keep all money raised.  You should consider setting a lower goal on ‘all or nothing’ sites and have realistic repayment on any crowdfunding platform.

In general, larger deals are better suited for ‘all or nothing’ platforms. Investors feel more secure knowing their cash will be only be used if needed funds are raised. This increases the odds of a loan being successful.

Does your business need fast cash in smaller amounts? If your company accepts credit cards,  merchant loans provide short term cash in exchange for a  percentage of daily credit card sales.

Merchant financing is an alternative to business credit cards or lines of credit to meet cash shortages. You can meet payroll, repair damage or have enough money for overhead with fast turnaround, typically just one to two business days.

Companies can also use merchant loans as leverage to expand. A restaurant can bid on catering or private parties knowing that money to buy food and decorations is available. The volume and history of credit card receipts will affect the premium/payback. A business with more stable credit card receipts will likely have a lower % than a newer company with less merchant history. Your daily credit card sales will be tapped until the loan amount and premium are paid back.

Make sure to calculate the ROI of a merchant loan beforehand, if possible.  For instance, is the profit margin on a private party more than the premium you will pay for a merchant loan? You can make informed borrowing decisions by evaluating loan in this manner.

There are more choices for alternative financing than ever before. Companies can survive and thrive with these 3 options, either as a supplement or alternative to traditional loans.a

Do you want to move into a pristine property or are you looking for a fixer-upper? Knowing how to select the best property for you is a big challenge but the more you know and understand the easier the task will be, as you will see here.

Buying a property is a major undertaking – after all it’s the biggest thing you will ever buy in your lifetime. You should think about your needs and wants as well as your budget in this situation. It is a purchase you will be paying for a long period in the future.

Choosing a good property means different things to different people. For someone who is busy and has little time to spend renovating or decorating, a fully finished property is the ideal solution. They can move in with their furniture and that’s all there is to it. However someone with good DIY skills might want to look for a bargain they can gradually do up to their own standards and tastes. This route has the potential to save some money, but it does mean living on a building site for a good long while!

It is also worth thinking about where your ideal property would be situated. Is it important that you have an easy route to get to work? You might want to live near a train station and also near some good schools if you have kids. Alternatively you may want to move out of the city and go to a more rural area with fewer people and more countryside to appreciate.

There are more practical things to think about too. For instance living near a river is charming but how often might that river burst its banks? If this should happen your property may well be flooded, leading to upset and damage for a long time to come. You never know if it may happen again either.

Every potential property should be checked for its condition prior to seriously considering whether or not to buy it. Subsidence is something that affects some properties and there is no way of knowing which ones might be affected in the future. If you want to buy a property that has already been affected in this way, you will need to get house insurance subsidence cover to account for this.

House insurance subsidence cover is generally pricier than general insurance policies so bear this in mind before you make your decision.

As you can see you should never rush into buying a particular property until you have all the information you need to do so. It is easy to become emotionally involved when buying a property, which is ironic really considering what an expensive purchase it is.

If you make the wrong decision you cannot simply move out in a hurry. You have to make sure you choose the right house, bungalow, flat or mansion for your needs – something that will suit you both now and into the foreseeable future.

Most of us move home at one time or another but in this case you can see it is easy to go through a few steps to make sure the home you buy now will feel like home for some time to come. So – which property are you going to buy?

It is a common complaint among young students who are in a foreign location, that they are not able to save. Saving is a complex procedure which is mastered by only few. But, it is not a rocket science that cannot be learnt. Today, let’s discuss few tips which have worked for students earlier and will continue to do so if effectively used.

Mind your expenses

Students are often swept away by the style of the foreign country they are studying in. With the fancy, students forget that they need to save. Students buy things that would keep them fashion forward. The new city’s cuisine is also an attraction where students usually end up spending more than required. Studying abroad is an expensive decision and little mistakes like this, would cost the students heavily. It is very important that the students restrict themselves. You can shop for your clothing needs online through Nordstrom and other sites which believes in keeping your pockets happy with heavy discounts. Before shopping, make sure that you do a quick online search and pick the best of Nordstrom coupons which would give you a discount on your purchase. Nordstrom sale is also a good option for students with which they can stay ahead of fashion while being soft on pockets. So don’t forget to use a Nordstrom promo code the next time you shop online.

 

Get your facts cleared about conversion rates and ATM transactions

This is one thing that students must clear their doubts about even before arriving. It is very important that you get your knowledge about the conversion rates of your home currency and the currency of the country you are studying in. Students often have a misconception about flat ATM fees, but it must be cleared that there are different charges that the bank might charge upon you. The foreign bank would charge you a certain percentage on every transaction that you make. Students, if have no other option, are advised to withdraw more money in a single transaction than making small transactions many times to save up on the transaction fees that the bank charges.

Global ATM Alliance- a boon for travellers and students

There are some international banks that have entered into an alliance. The banks under this alliance offer its customers freedom to use the ATM’s of other banks under the alliance without any extra charges. With an account in any of the banks under this alliance would be a positive for students who lose their savings on the transaction charges that the bank imposes on their ATM transactions.

With these simple money saving tips, students can manage their finances in a better way. It is always important to plan the budget and stick to it to avoid financial crisis. Students should learn these and other techniques when they are in a new country. They can also use some simple ways to save money like, share a room with friend, cook food instead of eating outside and so on. Shop and save cautiously and make your study abroad a wonderful experience that is not heavy on pockets of your sponsors.