At some point in our lives, we are going to be in some sort of debt. It’s like a natural occurrence, a rite of passage, something that everybody experiences. Whether it’s through getting a mortgage, taking a car out on finance, or even just borrowing some money from your parents or friends, there is a degree where we will end up exchanging cash with those who have lent it to us in the first place. 

So with that in mind, how can we make this work for us? Debt is seen as a negative thing by society, but there are definitely ways that you can utilise it to your advantage. 

Your Credit Rating

As weird as it seems, you have to get yourself into debt to be able to give yourself a credit rating. This means that you are simply owing money, rather than being in situation that you can’t get out of; you could be in debt by an amount of money that wouldn’t make a difference to the way that you live your life if you didn’t have it, but it would still count towards getting a good rating. If you take out quick loans, credit cards and other forms of small finances, the repayment should be easy enough for you to do and be put towards getting you a good score. This is essential if you want to apply for bigger things in the future, such as a mortgage, or need your credit score checking against what you will be putting your name against, such as renting a house. A good credit rating is quite an important thing to have - it determines just how easily you are able to live the rest of your life. 

Pay Off Debt With Debt 

Although this may seem counterproductive, the best thing that you can do if you’re in debt is to pay it off with a loan. Stick with us - it makes sense eventually. If you are paying a high rate of interest on the loan that you have currently taken out, it may be worth applying for a credit card that has low interest or 0% APR on it for a set number of months. That way, you are essentially paying off your loan and making it more manageable for you to be able to pay off - the term is usually longer, and most finance companies give you a settlement fee which is how much you owe exclusive of the interest that would usually be applied. This can be an amazing saving in the long run, but you need to keep your eye on how long you have got the 0% interest on your credit card for - the amount of months that you are given may not necessarily be the same as the amount of months that are advertised on the website that you have applied through. It all depends on your credit score and how much the company are willing to lend you for the amount of time that they choose.

A time will come in your life when you retire. This should be a wonderful time: you’ve worked hard for your entire life and now is the time to reap the rewards. But as you approach retirement, there’s the last bit of work that you need to prioritize: financial planning to make the upcoming years as easy, stress-free and comfortable as possible. Here are a few things you should consider as you near what could be the best years of your life.

Hiring a Financial Advisor

There are endless options and issues when it comes to the financial aspects of retiring. Chances are, you’re not overly familiar with any of them. If you find that you’re struggling to understand retirement or the best options for you, now may be the time that you should hire a financial advisor. These individuals are professionally trained and qualified to know everything that you could need to know as you approach retirement age. They will be able to create the best plan to suit your financial situation and offer insights that others will be entirely unaware of. Advisors such as Brett Pittsenbargar will be able to guide you to reach your financial goals. Find out more about Brett Pittsenbargar on his personal website.

Decide When to Start Taking Your Pension

If you have a state pension, there will be a certain age that you can start to claim it. If you have a personal pension, you will have more choice as to when you can quit work and start living independently. Whichever pension option is available to you, you don’t necessarily have to quit work as soon as it is available to you. Some people find that they enjoy their job and revel in the social aspects of the situation. As you approach retirement age, discuss options with your employer. You can come to a sound conclusion as to whether you want to continue earning extra cash or think that it’s time that you kick your feet back and enjoy the fruits of your years of labor.

Clearing Your Debts

It’s a good idea to completely clear your debts before you consider retiring. When you retire, your income is likely to decrease. This means that debt repayments will take up a larger portion of your living expenses. Total up all the money that you owe out and check the interest rate that you are paying on each debt. Total up any spare money you have and work out how much you can afford to fork out in larger one-time payments. Attempt to clear debts with the highest interest rates first, as this will save you money in the long run.

Budget

Your average income is likely to reduce once you retire. So you might like to reevaluate your day to day spending. Find areas where you can happily cut down and avoid frivolous and unnecessary spending. Whether this is on bills, food shopping or holidays. You will want to rebalance your budget to allow for heating, leisure activities and activities that will improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Nowadays, you can easily check your credit score online. If you are thinking about applying for finance or renting a property, this is something you may have done to ensure everything is in check. When you see a bad score staring back at you, it can be very disheartening and frustrating, especially if you don’t have a clue why you would have such a poor rating. With that in mind, read on to discover the different reasons why you could have a bad credit rating:

As you can see, there are a number of different reasons why you may have a bad credit rating. If any of the above sounds familiar, make sure you take the necessary steps to boost your score.

In the modern world, choosing the right job can be a challenge. School doesn’t give you the time you need to choose exactly what you want to do. It leaves most people unprepared for a life of work. And, usually, results in people being unhappy with their role. Most people have no idea of what they would like to do with their life when they first leave school. But, they still have to choose. So, in this position, you need to try and take as many benefits from it as you can. Of course, you won’t have much choice with your first job. But, as time goes on, you can start looking for roles in an industry which works for you. To help you out with this, this post will be going through three different industries, and the jobs you could be doing once you get there.

Technology

Technology is one of the biggest and widest spread industries in the world. In recent years, this market has blown up. And, there are loads of new jobs coming about every day. Along with this, computer's are becoming a large part of normal life for most people. This isn’t due to change; and, this means that the jobs in this area are usually very secure. From the smallest to the largest businesses; everyone needs an IT guy. And, this is ignoring all of the other jobs you can get in this market. To give you some perspective, the global tech market is growing by around 3% a year. This means more jobs, businesses, and money to make in this area. And, that’s exactly what you should be looking for.

There are loads of different types of job in this market. And, you have loads of choice. Some of the best roles are those that involve consulting. This enables you to use your knowledge and nothing else to provide for a company’s needs. Along with this, these jobs always pay very well. Of course, you might want to go deeper, though. Software developers like website designers and game developers are also great roles to pursue. These industries are also growing. And, software will always require a person to make it; even if some companies think otherwise. The only thing to avoid in this market is specialising in one piece of software. In the past, this has caused a lot of issues for people. For example, over the last few years, loads of people have become Microsoft SharePoint developers. But, now, the platform is going to be removed. So, these people won’t have jobs anymore.

Getting into an industry like this might take some work. Sometimes, it’s possible to get into an entry-level role without any previous experience or qualifications. But, these chances will be few and far between. And, you may never even get one. So, you have to think about some other routes. The tech industry is a good one to get an apprenticeship in. A lot of companies offer this sort of work as a way to have trained staff with ease. If you want to take a different route, getting qualified in this area doesn’t take much work. To get a specialised role, you might need a degree. But, for other jobs, simply getting some basic IT under your belt could be enough.

Finance

The next area to look at is finance. Along with technology, finance is another big market to consider. This area is one that is getting more and more popular, as more financial services become available. Most of all, though, this is an area that will always be necessary. Well, at least until humans find a better way to handle trade. World finance is in a weird position. And, this looks like it could lead to several countries adopting tax-haven status. In this scenario, financial jobs beat all others. And, they become very widely available. This sort of industry has loads of scope to make you some money, too.

The sorts of roles you can do in this industry vary massively. Managing banks and other financial organisations is a great way to make some good money. Or, working as a consultant can be good, too. The range of work you can do in this sector makes it very alluring to young people. It gives you the chance to branch out into some exciting areas, like politics and business. And, no day will be the same as the last; which is what a lot of people want from their work. One of the best jobs to get in this area is as a teacher. A lot of people are willing to pay for financial tutelage; you just have to be able to give it. Being a loan manager is one of the most popular roles to take in this field. Most people start with giving out things like payday loan by phone services; but, you can quickly climb with the right work. This work can be incredibly rewarding, once you get far enough.

Getting into one of these roles might take more work than getting into IT. But, it can be much easier to climb the ladder in this market. For those that don’t want to go back to school, you can usually get into this sort of role through an entry level one. Working in a bank is a great way to gather some experience with money while researching and learning in your own time. Or, for a faster route, you could go into education. Like any industry, this sort of industry has a wide range of skill levels. So, nearly any financial qualification can help. But, some will be better than others.

Cosmetics

The cosmetics industry is almost as big as the technology sector. And, it’s much older. For hundreds of years, people have been trying to make themselves look nicer. This sort of effort requires a lot of extra products, in most cases. And, this means that money can be made here. This sort of field will never disappear because people will always need it. On most city streets, you’ll find loads of different places to buy goods from this trade. These aren’t the only roles available, either. In fact, there are thousands of different roles you can do in this market.

For example, a lot of the work done for this industry is completed in labs. This means that trained and qualified chemists are required. So, if you can get the right qualifications; you could end up working at the heart of the action. But, there are still roles for those without qualifications. Or, for those with qualifications in between. One of the most exciting jobs for people in this field is working as a makeup artist. This sort of role gives you the chance to travel the world and meet some big celebrities. But, of course, you could always try and get a shop in a simple shop, first.

Hopefully, this post will give you the inspiration you need to start looking for a job which will never disappear. A lot of people have been made redundant in recent years. And, this sort of knock can land you on the street. So, it’s worth working hard to make sure you never have to deal with this. Most people don’t think about this when they’re looking for work for the first time. So, if you don’t know what you want to do with life; at least choose something secure. Life is much less stressful when you know your job isn’t at risk.

More of us than ever are living longer lives, mainly due to education about the importance of health and nutrition as well as excellent healthcare. It means more people are able to spend time with their children and grandchildren which is of course fantastic. However, it’s not all plain sailing. Even those who avoid fatal diseases and illnesses can still have trouble, and it caring for the people who once cared for us can be a strange form of role reversal.

It can be tricky to know whether our loved ones are fine living independently, or whether they need to go to a retirement community or care home. Due to personal and financial reasons, many elderly people want to stay in their own homes. However, it’s important to know whether they can successfully manage or if they need additional help. Here are some things to bear in mind.

Can They Manage Their Daily Needs?

In order to live independently, your loved one should be able to manage most of their needs by themselves. Washing, dressing, eating and using the toilet are all daily needs that they will struggle to live independently if they aren’t able to do. If they need a bit of additional help, for example, they just need to be cooked for (but can chew and eat by themselves) there are services out there that can provide cooked meals to elderly people. If they just need a little help cleaning, you could hire a maid service, or with washing a nurse could come in for an hour each morning. While these are all services that would need to be worked into their budget, it can be worth the cost if it means they don’t have to leave their home. Family members could help by fetching groceries, setting up bills to be paid online and other tasks which will make their lives that bit easier. 

Is Living Independently Safe?

Your loved one might feel physically well, and able to move around easily- but mental health is another issue to take into consideration. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are common in older adults, and as the condition progresses, it’s unlikely they will be able to live by themselves. Mental health issues have been shown to greatly increase the likelihood of falls (which can be fatal in elderly people) and other accidents and injuries. So searching for the best assisted living in Omaha, or a location near you, and moving them to a facility where they can be cared for around the clock is vital.

Are They Lonely?

Many older people feel lonely and isolated. When certain medical conditions mean you can no longer drive and you can’t easily leave the house they can end up spending a lot of time at home. One way you can care for your loved ones is to ensure their emotional needs are being met. Show them how to use social media, text messaging and Skype so it’s easy for them to stay in touch. Regular visits, whether it’s to their home or picking them up and taking them somewhere are invaluable. If you don’t live close enough for regular visits, moving them to a retirement home or community can be useful as they can socialise with others in the same age range.

People are renting for longer in the modern world. After all, it ensures they don’t get tied down to a single property. And moreover, they just can’t afford the costs to buy a property. However, investing in a house is something you should do sooner rather than later. After all, you might be wasting hundreds every month on rent. And the sooner you get a house, the quicker you can pay it off over the years. And the more time it has to grow to make you a profit! However, here are some financial things to consider before you decide to switch from renting to buying.

Have you got money aside for the deposit?

A lot of people don’t realize that they have to put a substantial amount down before they can be considered for a mortgage. In fact, a lot of mortgage providers will ask you for at least 10-20% of the house cost. Therefore, before making the switch from renting to buying, you need to ensure you have some savings aside for the deposit. And if you haven’t got any money put aside now, it’s worth going for a high interest savings account which will help you build up the money quicker. Or there is also the option of talking to the ‘rents. After all, they could potentially give you some money to help you get on the property ladder. And you can always try and pay them back in the future when you have more disposable income.

Will the mortgage be less than your rent? 

You need to make sure you are clear on the repayments before you go any further with your dream of buying. After all, a lot of people don’t know how much the mortgage will cost them every month. And are left pleasantly surprised when they find out the monthly repayments. After all, it’s often a lot less than rent costs. Therefore, it’s a good idea to look for the best home loan to see what the repayments would be if you did go ahead and get a mortgage. And if it’s less than your current rent, it’s worth making the move for the sake of your financial future. Just make sure you take into account bills as well before going ahead with the move. After all, you should be able to find out online what you might pay for the humble abode!

Have you taken into account the extra costs?

A lot of people forget that the house buying process is not as simple as just paying for the mortgage. For one thing, you will need to pay out for a solicitor who will deal with the legal side of the house move. They should be able to give you examples of the cost before you go ahead and work with them, so you are not left with any financial surprises. You also will have to pay for a property surveyor to check out the home. After all, you don’t want to buy a property which has a ton of problems. Therefore, you need to put money aside for both of these before you head down the buying route!

And remember to pick a home which is within your financial limits. After all, you don’t want to get into debt as you choose a house which is out of your budget!

After health, personal wealth is undeniably one of the most important aspects of our lives. We can all respect the benefits of improving our financial situations, and that is a life goal that joins us all.   

  

Even if you don’t have a huge interest in material goods, money is needed for a comfortable life. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the population has far less than they want. But rather than being through a lack of effort, it’s often due to simple errors. Here are some of the most common slips, and what you can do to avoid them. 

  

Not Focusing On The Now 

  

Securing your financial future should be a major priority. However, you cannot afford to fall into the trap of ignoring your immediate needs. Failure to satisfy those short-term demands will bring instant problems. Moreover, it’ll damage your hopes of following the right pathway to sustained success. 

  

Finding ways to increase your current earning power will bring huge rewards both now and further down the line. After all, it’s hard to build a solid future if you haven’t first established a strong starting platform.   

  

Trying To Do It All Yourself 

  

The road to financial freedom is a personal journey that requires a lot of individual input. Then again, there are many aspects where accepting help from others can make all the difference. It’s imperative that you learn to grab those opportunities with open arms. Otherwise, your success will be limited. 

  

Let’s face it; you aren’t an investment professional. Tapping into the years of experience of experts at Wealth Tree Financial will give you a far better chance of mastering this field. Frankly, if it means seeing a quicker growth with even less effort, you’d be a fool to ignore it.   

Thinking Solely About Money 

  

Money tied up in bank accounts and assets will give you the basis of great financial wealth. However, you must remember that other factors should be considered. Credit ratings can have a huge impact on your future opportunities and APR rates. Rebuilding yours might feel like a pain, but this advice at Nerd Wallet can help. Given that it affects your for life, it’s well worth doing.   

Another common mistake is to believe that ownership is everything. In many cases, especially with assets like vehicles, leasing can be a far better option. Those sentiments ring true for most major assets that will depreciate. Once again, seeing the full picture pay dividends. 

  

Settling   

  

When things are going OK, it can be easy to accept things as they are. In truth, though, there’s always room for improvement. Chasing that brighter future is the hallmark of a winner. Sometimes, taking the short-term hit by investing in your future with new skills or a business can work wonders for the long haul. Besides, the last thing you need is to look back with regret. 

  

Most people can trim a chunk off of their monthly spending through price comparisons and habitual changes too. Apart from the direct benefits, a strong mindset is the strongest weapon at your disposal. If that doesn't enable you to achieve greatness, nothing will.

In the economic climate these days, a lot of us are starting to think about tightening our belts and being a little more careful with our household budgets. If you’ve recently had some life changes for one reason or another, you might be wondering what exactly you can do to make sure that your money goes a long way. Here are a few tips that might just help you out...

Make A Household Budget

First of all, it’s time to make a household budget. Knowledge is power, after all, and knowing exactly how much money comes into your house each month is important so that you know how to budget it. Make a list of exactly how much you earn and how much tax you need to pay on that money, and then consider what exactly your outgoings are. Write them all down, whether it’s in a spreadsheet or in a notebook, and ensure - of course! - that your outgoings don’t exceed your incomings. Although this might sound like a basic tip, it’s actually extremely useful to see all the facts and information written down in front of you so that you can work out what your next step is. It’s also important to see how you can save some money, and where you can make changes. You should also ensure that you put aside a small sum of money each month so that you can save it for any emergencies that might arise - who knows when you’ll have to invest in a new boiler or get your car fixed? Even small things like your kids’ school trips can really add up.

Learn To Prioritise

It’s important to start to make a distinction between what you want and what you need. Sometimes it can be hard to tell what exactly the difference is between the two - but if you want to save money it’s important to figure it out quickly. If your life will be negatively impacted if you don’t make the purchase, chances are you need it, rather than wanting it. A good rule of thumb is to wait before making any purchases so that you don’t end up spending too much money on a whim. If you still want whatever you were considering buying after a couple of weeks, only then should you make the purchase.

Look Out For Offers

It’s important to make sure that you keep your eyes open for any possible offers or money off vouchers that will make your weekly grocery shop a lot more friendly towards your bank account. From looking on coupon websites to cutting them out of magazines and newspapers, couponing is something that’s becoming increasingly more popular as time goes by. Just remember that while using a few coupons is a great idea, getting too far into extreme couponing will become a hobby and take up huge amounts of your time, which you could be using more productively. When you’re out shopping, make sure that you keep your eyes peeled for any offers that are going on at the moment. Just make sure that you don’t start buying things that you don’t need just because there’s a discount or offer - the stores want you to spend money, after all, so don’t get duped into spending more than you need to.

Use Cash Instead Of Cards

If you’re one of those people who doesn’t think much before slapping down their credit card and making purchases they might not necessarily need, now is the time to make some changes. Using cash instead of paying by card is one of the absolute easiest ways of budgeting. Not only does spending cash feel a lot harder, but once all that cash is gone (make sure that you get out a certain amount every week), you physically can’t buy anything else. Spending cash also feels as though you’re spending a lot more money than when you pay by card. Remember to think about how many hours’ work the cash you’re spending represents - if you wouldn’t work that many hours to buy that shirt, you probably shouldn’t buy it.

Get The Benefits That You’re Entitled To

If you’re entitled to any social security or benefits from the government, it’s important to make sure that you get what you should. The system can sometimes be challenging and confusing, and if you’re having some problems making sure that you’re talking to the right people so you get exactly what you need, find a disability attorney who can help you out and show you what exactly to do, alongside fighting on your side. It can be exhausting to try to get what you need even if you’re completely entitled to it, so give yourself a break, take plenty of rests, give yourself time, and then continue to fight. 

Change The Way That You Get Fit

Let’s face it: being fit and healthy is something that many of us rightfully prioritise. Unless your body is working as well as it possibly can do, your life is probably being negatively impacted by your lack of fitness, which means that it could be time to try to get healthy. If you’ve already considered that, and you’re a member of a gym, then that’s great news - being fit is important for your health and longevity, and for the lives of your family. Leading a healthy life is one of the best ways to promote a healthy lifestyle to your kids. But if you’re paying extortionate gym membership fees every month, that’s probably making a huge dent in your finances, so it could be time to make some changes so that you can cut back and spend a little less. First of all, consider what exactly it is that you need to do in your daily workout. If it’s cardio, try running instead - Couch to 5K will help you figure out how to become a running mastermind. If you want to get stronger and more limber, you could always try out yoga YouTube videos - Yoga With Adriene is probably the most popular one, and offers videos that will suit people of any level of fitness and with any aches and pains in their bodies. 

Make Some Cutbacks In Your Social Life

If you spend a lot of time and money socialising, it’s time to make a few changes to that. No one’s saying that you have to stop seeing your friends - on the contrary, it’s definitely good for you to do so, as it will put you in a good mood and keep you happy. But consider what exactly you do when you spend time with them, and work out how you could take part in cheaper activities together. If you tend to go out for dinner and then onto a bar for cocktails, you probably spend more money than you should on drinks - in which case you could consider meeting up for lunch or brunch instead. If you tend to go shopping together, make sure that you only window shop - do this by taking out a small amount of cash with you and leaving your cards at home. Finally, if you tend to go out to see movies together then why not try holding a movie night at your home instead? Make some popcorn and put on your favourite DVD or Netflix movie for a perfect and inexpensive evening with your best pals.

Pay Your Bills When You Get Them

A good habit to start and to maintain is to pay your bills when they arrive instead of waiting to pay all your bills on the same day of the month. It’s a good idea for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you  won’t end up with a vast sum of money that will be going out of your bank account on the same day - it’ll feel a whole lot better if it goes out in dribs and drabs instead. Secondly, it will help you keep organised, as you definitely won’t end up forgetting to pay any of your bills. It’s good to make sure that you have a good credit rating and that you don’t end up accidentally accruing any interest - that will feel as though you’re throwing your money away!

Make Your Kids Aware Of The Value Of Money

Finally, it’s absolutely crucial to make sure that your kids are aware of the value of money - as parents it’s one of your most important roles in their lives and will help to set up healthy financial habits that will last them forever. Help them to learn to budget by only giving them a certain amount of money each week for their allowance, and remember that if they go over it, the extra cash that you give them will be taken off their allowance the next week. Give them opportunities to help to earn money by doing jobs around the house like laying the dinner table, doing their laundry, loading and emptying the dishwasher, and washing cars. Being aware that money doesn’t just appear and that you have to work hard for it is a valuable lesson to learn

People are quite often guilty of not getting around to writing their will - sometimes not even until it is too late. If you have started to think about what will happen after you have died recently, then writing your will is probably one of the main things you need to consider. Writing a will can be a little daunting, not to mention emotional, but it is a necessary part of preparing for your own death, and it ensures that you are doing everything you can to keep your family in a stable condition after you have gone. Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to consider to make your will as solid as possible.

Clarity

Above all, you need to ensure that everyone who needs to read your will is perfectly able to. This means that it needs to be written in a way which anybody can understand. Even if your will is going to be held with your lawyer until your death, you need to ensure it is as clear as possible. This will ensure that any probate litigation service which might be deemed necessary is as easy and simple as possible. This will make the process much easier for your loved one, and they are likely to appreciate that at such a difficult time. Make it extremely clear who you plan to receive what, and you will find that it is much easier and less stressful for everyone on the whole.

Fairness

Although you should remember that it is entirely up to you what your will states, you might also want to think about the nature of fairness. After all, there is little point in upsetting people at this time in life, so you might as well do everything you can to keep everyone happy. This doesn’t mean holding any pretence, but it might be a good idea to try to be as fair as you possibly can regarding your will and what you plan to give out to people after your death. The fairer you are in your will, the easier the whole process and period will be for your loved ones, so it is hugely important to get this right.

Holding

Where the will is held is hugely important, as you do need to do whatever you can to keep it safe. One of the safest ways, of course, is to keep it with your lawyer, so that they can have it on official record long before you are actually dead. However, you might also decide to keep a copy somewhere else and the location of that additional copy is a difficult thing to get right. Ideally, it will be somewhere that your loved ones can find it easily after you have gone, so that there is no doubt about it. This could be as simple as a drawer in your own desk, for example, or in a safe that someone else knows the code to. Get this right, and people will appreciate it.

Depending on the kind of person you are, the term "credit card" often creates one of two emotional reactions. You're either filled with dread at the idea of falling into inescapable debt, or you're excited at the notion of being able to spend money without it eating directly into your bank balance. Of course, the reality of a credit card actually falls about halfway between these two things for the vast majority of people. However, it's incredibly important to be aware that credits cards can, and very often do, come with their fair share of risks. Plenty of people have found themselves pretty much financially crippled by the presence of long lasting and dangerous credit card debt. If you're going to use one, then you need to do so responsibility. Because of that, here are some things that you need to consider very carefully before you take out a credit card of any sort.

Your credit rating

No matter what, using a credit card is going to have a pretty significant impact on your credit rating. This can go either way a lot of the time. If you're paying off your credit card bill on time every single month that it can actually be incredibly beneficial. It shows financial agencies that you're responsible with your credit and can actually help with things like taking out a loan or getting a mortgage. However, if you're unable to pay off your credit card bill in time, then the opposite is going to start happening. A poor credit rating can really hamstring your life in a lot of ways, and it only takes a few missed bills to send your credit rating plummeting downwards.

Is the card valid?

The last thing you want is to fall victim to any kind of scam, especially when it's your finances that are on the line. You should make sure that you're only signing up for credit cards from reputable organizations like your bank and that you're doing a lot of research beforehand. You can use a credit card verifier to check that the card is actually valid and that you're not falling victim to any kind of fraud. The chances of that happening may be slim, but it's a risk that you do need to be aware of.

What can you actually afford?

The biggest mistake that people make when it comes to their credit card is that they see it as some form of free money. As ironic and backward as it might seem, the key to using your credit card responsibly is to only pay for what you can actually afford. You may no have the money right now, and that's why you need to pay for something with credit. However, you do need to be sure that you can actually afford to pay your bill at the end of each month. It can be a pretty slippery slope if that's not the case. You can't pay it off at the end of each month, which leads you to have to use it more and more, and so on and so forth until you get into some pretty serious trouble. If you don't think you can pay off something that you bought on credit, then you may want to consider whether it's actually worth it.

Being the parent of a teen is very expensive. The marketing departments of the big (and expensive) brands know exactly how to target this impressionable age group. Adolescents want an endless supply of cash so that they can keep up with their peers and it is the parents who end up picking up the tab. 

Youth marketing is a lucrative area because this is the age at which they are developing brand loyalty. Teens are generally open to persuasion and can act as a portal through which the brand can get at the whole family. So, what is the truth about teens and how much they cost you?

Do teens cost more than pre-schoolers?

The answer to this may surprise you! Think back to those early days when you kid was tiny and all you had to pay out was the cost of a pack of diapers and some baby food. Then, over the next 13 years, things began to change.

The facts are that a teen costs less than a 4-year-old! This is because so many families pay such high fees for daycare so that both parents can work. To be fair to teens, at least you don’t have to pay someone to look after them!

Holidays are a different matter altogether. These get very expensive when you have teen kids. The era of free child places is a thing of the part for you. The majority of holiday companies treat kids over 11 as adults. This leaves you with a bill for the full price. 

The annual family holiday is unlikely to be enough for them. They will have a holiday planned with their friends, even though they may not have told you about it yet! There will also be school trips and days out to pay for.

Teens need expensive gadgets, such as smartphones, and many want to learn to drive. This involves the cost of lessons, and for some families, purchasing an additional car so that their teen can use it.

What can you do about it?

You can start by setting a good example and consolidating your own finances. Look into structured settlements as a way of rationalizing what you owe and setting a monthly budget. Discuss this with your teen so they can see that you are not being mean. Agree to a fair monthly allowance for them. It is up to them if they want to blow the lot each month or save up for an expensive item.

Encourage them to get their own job. Nothing teaches you the value of money quite like having to earn it yourself. There will be plenty of employment opportunities in your neighborhood and online.

Teach your teen about how the world of advertising works. If they understand that they are being influenced they may not wish to play along and many will rebel against the consumerist system. At the very least, you have a responsibility to equip them with the skills to become discerning consumers and bargain hunters!

Saving and making money seem to be two of the most important things on people’s minds. Whether they’re fresh out of college or slowly reaching their retirement, saving money is something that is ingrained into us as human beings. But that’s mainly because of what we’re taught. Our parents tell us that we have to focus on saving money in order to live happy lives, but there’s a massive contradiction in that saying alone: how can we be happy if we live for the future and not the present?

Of course, there are some reasons to save money. If you don’t save up, then you won’t have enough money for the deposit on a house. If you don’t have savings, then you’ll be out of luck when your car breaks down and your wallet’s empty. If you want to send your children to school, then of course, you’ll need to hold onto your money.

However, it’s worth pointing out that there’s a difference between saving with a goal in mind and saving for no reason at all. If you have to save money for your children’s schooling, then you aren’t going to save money before you’ve even met a partner. But to give you a bit of help, here are a couple of considerations to keep in mind before you start pouring all of your money into your savings account.

Inflation Worries

Inflation happens and it’s something we can’t avoid. As any financial advisory will tell you, don’t keep large sums of money stashed at home or in a bank account. Instead, invest them into assets such as a business, precious metals or even stocks and shares. The value of assets can fluctuate in your favour and they also aren’t as affected by inflation. If you’re going to save money, then save it in anything but the bank so that you aren’t hit by inflation worries.

Debt Concerns

Another concern for most people and their finances is debt. Debt can be a nightmare because it’ll seem like an infinite pit that you just keep falling into. The moment you’re about to pay off a debt is exciting and fulfilling because it’s a lot of weight off your shoulders, but managing to reach that point can be difficult. Instead of saving your money, pour it all into paying off your debts sooner than later so that you can remain debt-free for the rest of your life. Not only does this boost your credit rating, it also means you don’t incur interest which can add up.

Mind Your Happiness

Happiness is often said to be the key to life. It can help motivate you and also give you reasons to go out and work hard. That being said, it’s hard to find happiness when you’re living off cheap food, worn clothing and outdated entertainment. Spend a little on yourself once in awhile and you’ll find that it’s easier to cope with life as a whole. If it makes you happy, spend money on it—just don’t go overboard!

Moving home can often be a surprisingly testing time for anybody, even someone who is quite experienced in the process itself. If you are currently looking into moving home, then you would be forgiven if you had a headache regarding a number of aspects of the move. Actually, many people find that there is much to it that can be quite difficult to deal with, and if you are one of those people it can help to know where you can find the right kind of assistance. Fortunately, such assistance abounds, no matter which part of the process you are struggling with. Here are four of the main stages of moving home which you might find that you need help with.

Raising The Money

Obviously enough, if you want to move home, you will need to find the money to do so. The first step here is probably just to list everything that you will need to pay for. If you are buying a home, of course, then that is your main expense. You will need to think about the actual asking price of the house, as well as any possible taxes or stamp duty, and anything on top which might be necessary. There might be maintenance costs to deal with before it is fully liveable. It might be that you need to hire a removal company on the day in order to make the move go smoothly, which will also cost money. Be sure to figure out how much help you need, if any, and to begin the process of seeking loans and mortgages as early as possible.

Finding A Property

In many ways, actually looking for and choosing a property is one of the most exciting and personal parts of the whole process. But that doesn’t mean that you will not need any help with it - in fact, most people find that they do. If you are moving, and you need help with finding the right property, there are many people you can go to for help. It could be that you contact professional apartment locators, or merely that you ask your friends and family to help you out. Either way, having that extra pair of eyes really can make all the difference - especially when they are the professionals.

Signing Documentation

When you have decided on somewhere and it is time to hand the money over, you will have plenty of paperwork to get through. This can often be a shock for those who are not particularly adept at it. If you get to this stage and you think you might need some assistance, then hiring a lawyer can be a useful step forward. They will be able to tell you exactly what you are signing your name away to, and advise you on your best course of action. If nothing else, this should help you to feel more capable and in control of the situation. Get this right, and you should be confident about the entire process.

Moving house can be one of the most stressful things that you do. Not only do you have to consider the physical difficulties of it - the weeks of packing, the upheaval, your kids getting lost between their bedrooms and the bathroom every night for the first two weeks - but it’s also a huge financial commitment that you’re making. Here are a few tips that might just make moving a little less stressful for you and for your family...

Budget Carefully

First and foremost, it’s important to make sure that you keep to your budget. Of course, all of us somehow manage to push the boat out just a little if you find the perfect property that’s just a little out of your budget - but it’s crucial to be realistic about what you can afford. No matter how beautiful your new home is, if you've put yourself into significant financial difficulties to get there, you won’t be able to enjoy it properly and you’ll probably feel as though your position in your new home is financially precarious. Make sure that you talk to a broker like Enness Private who knows what they’re going and can help you to organise your money so you don’t have to worry too much.

Get Organised

Secondly, it’s important to make sure that you’re as organised as possible. This applies to pretty much every part of the moving process, from ensuring that you completely understand your financial situation to making sure that you start packing well in advance of your actual moving date. One of the best ways to make sure that you don’t feel too panicked and disorganised is to be as informed as you possibly can be - talk to your bank and to your broker to make sure that everything is going to go through well so that you can start organising and planning for the future.

Consider The Area

You need to remember to look at your new home not just as a place for you and your family to live, but also as an investment for the future. A lot of your money will be tied up in your home, meaning that it’s where a lot of your wealth will be kept - this means that you need to focus on more than whether or not it’s a suitable place for you to live. Consider the local amenities like parks, schools and shops, and also the housing prices in the area and how they’re changing. This will help you to figure out whether it’s a good investment.

Look At Future Costs

Finally, it’s important to remember that the costs of buying a new house don’t stop at your down payment and mortgage - remember to budget for any redecorations or renovations that you might want to do. Remember that renovations like a new kitchen, an extension, or an extra bathroom will raise the value of your house. You should also consider the other costs of living in your home, whether that’s a cleaner because of the size, landscaping costs to make your garden attractive, and even the cost of commuting to work.

While we should be prepared for the unexpected, it’s easier said than done. After all, we never know what’s around the corner. And when a nightmare such as a huge house problems occurs, we can feel like we are headed down the road to debtville. After all, we might not have the funds to pay out for the repair. And we might have to resort to selling everything to help us out of the challenging time. However, even if you are left dealing with a nightmare, there are some ways you can still stay afloat. In fact, here is how to keep out of debt when a nightmare occurs.

Use your savings

A lot of us create a savings account which is a great way to keep money aside for a rainy day. In fact, if you choose one with a good interest rate, you can ensure the money builds up over time. Even moving across 50 dollars a month can ensure you have a tidy amount in the savings account. When a nightmare happens, it’s worth using this money to tide you over. After all, using your savings could stop you from getting into money woe. For example, if you have lost your job, it can help you until you get a new job. Or if you have been injured in an accident, it can help you pay for bills until you can return to work. While it can be a shame to use the money, you can soon build it up again when you are back on your feet. And it’s worth using it rather than getting into debt!

Look into a short-term loan 

While getting lots of loans is never good when you are faced with an emergency, a short-term loan could be the answer to your prayers. After all, it can give you the funds which you need to cover this troubling time. Whether it’s a house emergency or even funds for medical treatment, you can then just pay the money back over time. Make sure it’s a legitimate company like Cigno Loans before you take out the loan. And ensure the repayments are something you can keep up with. After all, you don’t want to end up getting into debt due to the loan which was meant to save you getting into financial trouble!

Call suppliers 

It’s easy to put your head in the sand if you are struggling through a bad nightmare. But the more bills you miss, the higher chance you are going to get into debt. And then you will struggle to get back onto the straight and narrow when you are out of the nightmare. Therefore, it’s time to be honest and call suppliers if you are going through a worrying time. Whether it’s a bad injury or even a house problem, they will reduce the payments for the meantime. And it will ensure you can pay less until you are back on your feet!

And remember friends and family can give you a helping hand during a financial crisis. After all, they would rather you borrow money off them than get into debt. And then you can pay them back after you are through this challenging time!

If you are a home loan borrower, prepaying it ahead of time must be your top most priority. However, many borrowers are in a dilemma that whether prepaying their existing home loan will bring any financial benefit to them in the long run. This is undoubtedly a debatable issue. Let us have a look on home loan prepayment in detail.

Some of the loan borrowers prefer to continue their regular EMIs for the said duration as it helps save them a good amount of tax. Here, it should be noted that no person on this earth, no matter how rich he or she is like that big chunk of money going out of their salary, every month. EMIs are always uncomfortable. Now here the question is, should you continue with your regular EMIs because they save you from paying tax to the government. And, where is that EMI going? To your pocket or your lender’s? Obviously, it is better to earn more and pay more tax than to just continuing your monthly EMIs for saving income tax. 

While taking the home loan, you must have pondered through various EMI options like fixed, floating and hybrid type of loans. You must have compared the interest rates of the leading lenders online. It is suggested to pick floating interest for the longer tenure home loans as they keep changing with the market conditions. Though fixed rate of interest is always 25 -100 basis points higher than the floating rate; it works best for the short term loans. Another option is opting for a hybrid loan which allows you to choose between the fixed and floating type of loan interests. It is also advisable to try to finish off the loan within the first 7 – 8 years of the loan tenure as this is the period when your home loan lender charges mainly interest from your monthly EMIs. Hence, the payment made during the initial years will lower your principal and can make a huge difference in what you would have been paying to the lender, otherwise.

Some home loan products offer an overdraft facility, where you can put the surplus money in your loan account with a facility of withdrawing that sum based on your needs. For example, if you have saved Rs. 2 lakhs and not sure of prepaying your loan with this amount as you apprehend you could need this money in near future. In an overdraft loan product, you can easily deposit this money and can withdraw whenever required. It’s like prepaying with the option of withdrawing. You can search about home loan online to understand this.

Also, EMI is based upon your take home salary. As the years pass, your salary increases but EMI remains the same. So, tweaking the EMI structure can also help you repay your home loan faster, much ahead of the expected loan tenure. Even if you plan to do partial prepayments, it is advised not to reduce the EMI, rather the loan tenure. Partial payments can be systematic based on your planned savings, or it can be done with festival bonus, deposit’s maturity or cash gifts from relatives. A good chunk of partial payment can help you achieve completely owning your house. And, if you have more than one loan, you must first aim to prepay the one which is charging more interest.

A little bit of financial discipline and a strong will power will help you prepay your home loan really faster. So, next time whenever you wish to renovate tour living room or plan an international trip, consider investing that amount in your home loan account.

Personal finances can be a tricky area to manoeuvre, especially if you have debt that you need to be paying off, as well as all of your other bills. However, many of us will agree that we all would like a brighter future when it comes to personal finances, and put ourselves in a much more comfortable situation each month. No one likes to be counting the days down to their next paycheck. Which is why I thought it would be worth sharing with you some of the ways you can improve your finances each month, enabling you to carry on with everything else going on in life. 

Take a long hard look at your debt

Not everyone has debt, but a good proportion of the population will have something they owe. This might be a store card or a bank loan, or even a credit card or overdraft. Look at your debt and consolidate the amount together. You might want to consider getting a new loan to pay off all of your smaller amounts. This way you save on interest and only have one payment leaving your account each month. Student loans are also something that many people have, having various forms of them from their study, so take a look online to research the best company to consolidate student loans and ensure you only pay out what you need to. The idea is to pay off the debt sooner rather than later, without paying out more than you need to in interest charges. When it comes to your monthly finances, these debts are definitely a priority. 

Looks at your existing household bills

Often there are savings to be made each month on the bills you happily let leave your account each month. For example, your energy bill for gas or electric. Sometimes comparing other providers and switching can offer you huge savings, as these companies tend to save their best deals for new business. Other things to consider would be your mobile phone provider and your car or home insurance. One big tip would be to look through your previous bank statements to see if you are paying out for things you don’t use or need. You would be surprised how many people pay out for a gym membership they thought they had cancelled 

Save on things you still have to pay out for

We all need groceries, clothes to wear and things for our home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save on the amount you have to spend. Shopping online for groceries is a great way to save. This encourages you to only buy what you need rather than being sucked into special offers on items you probably don’t want. Buying clothes in the sale instead of as and when you need them is another great way to save. You could also look online for vouchers and discount codes for restaurants and shops. These can sometimes offer half the money off if you find the right deals. 

I hope these tips help you get your personal finances in check.

One of the biggest hits your financial state can take is being out of work – especially if that is paired with hospital bills due to an injury. Depending on the nature of your injury and where it occurred, you may be eligible for certain benefits or Workers Compensation. However, those things can take time, and if you have a family, the bills rack up fast.

Waiting on insurance to settle your claim or trying to live off the percentage wages from your job due to a workplace injury are significant financial setbacks, and often scary ones. It's easy to feel alone and hopeless, but that is not the case. You can do a series of things to make money to tide you over until the legal side of the ordeal is finished, or until you can return to work.

Lawsuit loans and cash advances

You may be eligible for legal funding! If you have a pending court case revolving around your claims and it's taking up both time and money to keep paying these legal fees, legal funding can help you out in a pinch. By selling them a portion of your settlement claim you expect to get back once your case is finalized, they'll give a loan or an advance right away so you can tend to your immediate bills and continue moving on with your life.

Here you can learn more about the different kinds of legal funding available for accidents including spinal injuries, dog bites, car crashes, and pharmaceutical drug loans.

Make money from home

There is a multitude of ways you can keep the money coming in right from home. At times, you don't even have to leave your bed. If you have a good hand on the English language, look into freelancing in the writing industry, or go down a design route. You can also look for companies to pay you to blog about them, which can end up staying a great hobby even once you're healed and have returned to work.

Selling unused clothing or items is another way to make a buck in a pinch, as well as renting out a room in your house or offering some sort of special expertise if you have any skills applicable.

Investments

Many people have investments, and it may be a good idea to look into closing one out in order to get some money back into your account. Research the stock situation and analyze which of your investments, if any, are at a good time to close them out and reap the benefits.

If you aren’t currently involved in any sort of stock-owning, maybe now is a great time to get started! Do your research, and though you may have to wait to buy into the stock market until your other financial needs are met, you'll have a good backup plan for the future.

Not sure where your personal leaderships skills are at? Getting a professional psychometric assessment or other examination can provide an objective look at your abilities. 

Reading Books

Though text may not be the most engaging way to learn new inter-personal skills, a good book can be your first step in developing new leadership abilities. 

One great feature about gleaning information from a book is that you can do so at your leisure, and refer back to it later. Carry a good leadership book with you, and take advantage of all those wait times that crop up during the day (like during your subway commute each day perhaps?). This is ideal for the busy business-person who can't carve too much time out of their schedule for more demanding approaches. 

Workshops and Seminars

If you have the time to attend, these types of presentations are more stimulating that just reading a book and can more clearly demonstrate the qualities you want to learn. 

With online video streaming, you can more easily take advantage of workshops without physically having to attend. That should open up plenty of options for you.

When it comes to leadership and related topics, most of your options are likely going to be in the form of single seminars/presentations or workshops that might last a day or two. Longer classes that go on for weeks can be very insightful if you have access to them, and have the time to commit to a longer bout of education. Check with local business colleges to see what they have to offer as well. Great information doesn't necessarily have to come from a corporate or professional organization. 

Learn by Example 

Are there any leaders in your work environment that you would like to emulate? See about sitting in on meetings or even just spend some time in their offices to see how things are done in a real-time situation. If you have any personal contact, even set up a short meeting for a little one-on-one questions to get their ideas on leadership. 

For great leaders that you can't personally approach, find video examples of their work or speeches for inspiration. If you are inspired by more historical leaders who don't seem to have a presence on YouTube, you can learn a lot about their style through biographies or other books on their lives. 

Talk To Your Team

For those who aren't currently in a leadership role, this won't help all that much. But if you are, your own people can be an amazing help to point you in the right direction for improving your approach. Talk to your team or staff, and see what they think about your leadership. Granted, your own people may be a little reluctant to say anything that might sound like a complaint so be prepared to read between the lines a little. This sort of open communication can let you know what you might need to change, and actually is one way to improve your skills in itself. Honest communication is a corner-stone to being a fantastic leader.